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Dignity Health project in Redding pared down, receives $3M from North State foundation
Mercy Foundation North has received a $3 million donation from Sierra Pacific Foundation for the revamped Dignity Health project south of the Cypress Avenue Bridge in Redding.
What was initially billed as a health campus offering a variety of services has been narrowed to cancer care.
Dignity is calling it the Regional Cancer Center, formerly the North State Pavilion.
The health care provider says it's in the planning stages to construct a 40,000-square-foot building — one-third the size of the proposed health campus the city approved two years ago — on its Sacramento River-front property behind the Cobblestone Shopping Center north of the Nur Pon Open Space, formerly the Henderson Open Space.
"The community will begin to see progress in the coming months with a ground-breaking on the new site expected in the summer of 2023," Mercy Foundation North said in a news release.
Recently, a chain-link fence was put up around a vacant lot north of America's Tire in the Cobblestone center. There also has been heavy equipment in the area.
Mercy Foundation North is still raising money for the project and in the news release says it's committed to raising at least $10 million toward the $70 million project.
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"The commitment of the Sierra Pacific Foundation to invest in our communities and advancing cancer care in the North State is, quite frankly, transformational," Maggie Redmond, president of Mercy Foundation North, said in the news release.
Sierra Pacific Foundation is the philanthropic arm of timber giant Sierra Pacific Industries.
Mercy Foundation North is the philanthropic organization that supports the three Dignity Health hospitals (Mercy Medical Center Redding, Mercy Medical Center Mount Shasta and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff) in the North State and Connected Living.
The original concept for the Dignity North State Pavilion included administrative offices, diagnostic imaging, family medicine and pediatrics, orthopedics, a pharmacy, physical therapy, physician offices, and women's health and wellness.
That was planned for 10.55 acres near the southwest corner of Cypress and Hartnell avenues, behind the Cobblestone Shopping Center. The campus was to take up 129,600 square feet and include two-, three- and four-story buildings — the largest 80,000 square feet.
Dignity Health Northern California spokeswoman Allison Hendrickson told the Record Searchlight that she was looking into why the project's scope changed, but she had not replied before publication of the story.
The project first came before the city in August 2017 and was approved after repeated delays spurred by local labor groups that demanded an environmental impact report be done. Eventually, the city of Redding agreed to the group’s demands and did an EIR on the project.
The City Council approved the project in June 2020.
But the project was again put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/new-dignity-health-campus-redding-regional-cancer-center-gets-3-m-sierra-pacific/7638940001/ | 2022-06-15T23:06:59 | 1 | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/new-dignity-health-campus-redding-regional-cancer-center-gets-3-m-sierra-pacific/7638940001/ |
Residents in Bedford and Euless are asked to conserve water for the next five days while a broken water line at a Trinity River Authority treatment plant is repaired.
According to Bedford, the TRA notified them of a break in a 48-inch main at a treatment plant and issued a request for conservation.
"In an effort to continue providing enough water for drinking and bathing to all residents, the city is requesting residents to pause all sprinkler systems over the next five days while critical repairs are made to the water line," the city said.
Wednesday afternoon the city of Euless said they were also asked by the TRA to conserve water while repairs are made.
"Euless has issued a Mayoral Proclamation restricting the use of sprinklers during this time," the city said.
There are no currently no reports of any outages associated with the break in the water line and the water is safe to drink. Because the water is safe to drink, there is no boil water advisory in effect. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/bedford-euless-residents-asked-to-conserve-water-due-to-break-at-treatment-plant/2993440/ | 2022-06-15T23:08:55 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/bedford-euless-residents-asked-to-conserve-water-due-to-break-at-treatment-plant/2993440/ |
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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A person was transported to the hospital after a shooting in Orange County Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said they responded to a call about a person shot around 4:21 p.m. at the 900 block of Monroe Court in Apopka.
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The victim was then transported to the hospital, according to investigators.
No other information, including the victim or shooter’s identities, has been made available. Deputies did not say whether any arrests have been made at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/1-person-hospitalized-after-shooting-in-orange-county-deputies-say/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:11 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/1-person-hospitalized-after-shooting-in-orange-county-deputies-say/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-restaurant-celebrates-5-decades-of-business/2993483/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:14 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-restaurant-celebrates-5-decades-of-business/2993483/ |
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – If you are looking for employment in the Seminole County area, Thursday may be your lucky day.
CareerSource Central Florida (CSCF) has partnered with Florida Rising and EG Equal Ground to bring career opportunities to Central Florida residents at the latest Seminole County Career Fair.
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The in-person event will be from 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Sanford Civic Center, located at 401 E. First St.
CSCF spokesperson Carla Sosa told News 6 more than 20 Seminole County businesses, including Seminole County Schools, American Builders Supply, Del-Air, and the City of Lake Mary will attend the Seminole County Career Fair to fill positions in various industries.
“Job opportunities include manufacturing and production workers, delivery drivers, bus drivers and monitors, customer service representatives and more,” Sosa said.
Those in the community seeking employment and interested in attending the Seminole County Career Fair can register at CareerSourceCentralFlorida.com/CareerFair. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/20-seminole-county-businesses-hiring-at-upcoming-job-fair/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:17 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/20-seminole-county-businesses-hiring-at-upcoming-job-fair/ |
When you walk into John's Cafe on lower Greenville in Dallas, you'll see history on the walls. Owner John Spyropoulos started his business 50 years ago.
"Fifty. Five and O," Spyropoulos said.
So, what's the recipe for half a century of success?
"The food here is excellent. The service is excellent. And he's just a very good person," regular customer John Bly said of Spyropoulos. "Seems like everybody's his friend."
"Everybody loves me, you know, because I'm smiling and joking with the people," Spyropoulos said while pouring him orange juice after joking with a customer about whether he wanted bourbon or ouzo.
Spyropoulos left his native Greece in 1970 with just a sixth-grade education and no English in his vocabulary.
"My English is not that good because I never went to school," Spyropoulos said. "I learned all my English from my customers."
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After 50 years, John's Cafe is more than just a business.
"It's home," Spyropoulos said.
"My wife says this seems like our own 'Cheers' that everybody knows one another," Bly said. "This feels like home (away) from home."
"I got 50 years," Spyropoulos said smiling. "I want to do 50 more, then I'll retire."
John's Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. It's located at 1733 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75206. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-restaurant-marks-50-years-in-business/2993406/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:21 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-restaurant-marks-50-years-in-business/2993406/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Checking out every Disney park in the world is a dream for super fans. Disney is now offering a vacation that allows people to do just that, along while visiting some other iconic sites and luxury accommodations along the way.
“Disney Parks Around the World — A Private Jet Adventure” is the newest tour offered through Adventures by Disney.
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The tour — limited to 75 fans at a time — starts in California and takes guests around the world for a chance to experience all 12 Disney theme parks, from Disneyland and back to Walt Disney World, over 24 days, and the cities they are in.
The tour also includes stops to check out three world wonders — the Taj Mahal in India, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and the Eiffel Tower in France.
The trip also includes a Tokyo DisneySea tour with Walt Disney Imagineers, a Walt Disney Studios tour, and a Lucasfilm Campus Tour, complete with a stay at the Summit Skywalker Ranch. Disney promises other tours and surprises along the way.
Before you break out your credit card, get ready to pay handsomely for the trip — $109,995 per person, in fact. That includes the private jet, accommodations at nine hotels and resorts, admission to theme parks, and meals. It does not include travel to California for the start of the trip, or return travel from Orlando.
Booking for the general public begins on June 28. To learn more, head to the Adventures by Disney website. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/disney-is-offering-a-private-jet-world-tour-heres-where-it-goes/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:23 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/disney-is-offering-a-private-jet-world-tour-heres-where-it-goes/ |
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ORLANDO, Fla. – From nigiri to sashimi and more, sushi comes in different shapes and sizes.
Whether you like yours raw, tempura fried or deep fried, let’s be honest. Sushi is delicious.
[TRENDING: WATCH: Florida woman records giant alligator’s mating call in Apopka | ‘He didn’t eat for 4 days:’ Florida boy recovering from venomous snake bite | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
International Sushi Day is Saturday, June 18, and what better way to celebrate than trying out a restaurant location here in Central Florida. We’ve compiled a list of restaurants that offer sushi you can visit and enjoy.
If you’d like a location added to this list, send an email to web@wkmg.com.
Check out the Florida Foodie podcast. You can find every episode in the media player below:
ORANGE COUNTY
- Bikkuri Sushi Noodle & Grill in Orlando
- Izziban Sushi & BBQ with multiple locations in Orlando
- Suki Hanna in Orlando
- Shiso Sushi in Orlando
- Dragonfly Robata Grill & Sushi in Orlando
- Kabooki Sushi in Orlando
- Kiko Japanese Cuisine in Winter Park
- Sushi Pop Restaurant in Winter Park
- Fuji Sushi in Winter Park
- Ichiban Buffet in Orlando
SEMINOLE COUNTY
- Mikado Japanese Seafood Buffet in Altamonte Springs/Lake Mary/Hunter’s Creek
- Amura in Lake Mary
- Sushi Pop Restaurant in Oviedo
- Yabi Sushi in Sanford
- Maru Sushi & Grill in Sanford
- Imperial Dynasty Chinese and Japanese Cuisine in Longwood
- WA SUSHI in Casselberry
LAKE COUNTY
- Ikaho Sushi Japanese Restaurant in Groveland
- WAVE - Asian Bistro & Sushi in Mt. Dora
- Lampu Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in Mt. Dora
VOLUSIA COUNTY
- Miyabi Sushi in Daytona Beach
- Fancy Q Japanese And Thai Restaurant in Daytona Beach
- Sushi King in Daytona Beach
- Ronin Sushi & Bar in Daytona Beach
- NSB Yu-MI Sushi & Sake Cafe in New Smyrna Beach | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/dont-slow-your-roll-heres-where-you-can-enjoy-sushi-in-central-florida/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:29 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/dont-slow-your-roll-heres-where-you-can-enjoy-sushi-in-central-florida/ |
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – A former Department of Children and Families investigator turned himself in Sunday after being accused of stealing thousands from a senior victim, according to Flagler County deputies.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said former DCF Child Protective Investigator Spenser Trinkle, 31, was arrested after fraudulently using Zelle to transfer $3,857 from the victim’s bank account into his own.
[TRENDING: WATCH: Florida woman records giant alligator’s mating call in Apopka | ‘He didn’t eat for 4 days:’ Florida boy recovering from venomous snake bite | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
On May 12, deputies said they responded to a call about fraud at a Bank of America in Palm Coast, where the victim went after seeing numerous Zelle transactions being taken out of her checking and savings account and issued to Trinkle.
According to investigators, the victim said she and Trinkle had been friends for years and he frequently helps her with tasks around her home. At the same time, deputies were interviewing the victim, Trinkle called her multiple times, explaining he just saw the funds in her account and would repay her.
Deputies said Trinkle later told them he met the victim through a DCF service call from his previous employer and maintained contact with the victim over the years. He added “he was unsure how the funds were transferred to his account and believed someone hacked his account to send money from the victim’s account to his,” the sheriff’s office said.
Trinkle further denied making the transactions, saying his bank account did not have much money in it and insisted on paying the victim back, according to deputies.
Upon further investigation, a review of the bank statements showed a total of nine Zelle transactions, amounting to nearly $4,000, were transferred from the victim’s account to Trinkle’s between April 26 and May 10, investigators said.
Investigators said Trinkle later admitted the money transferred went toward paying his child’s medical bills and he would pay the victim back using the GoFundMe set up for the child’s health expenses.
DCF reports acquired May 13 showed Trinkle fully admitted to stealing the money.
“And another dirtbag award goes to this guy, whose job is to help protect children while he’s stealing from the elderly,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a news release. “I’m glad he is now a former employee of DCF. Now let’s hope this guy doesn’t get the opportunity to steal from others again and he learns a lesson with his new criminal record!”
Trinkle faces multiple charges, including grand theft and fraudulent use of personal identification information of a person younger than 18 or older than 60.
Deputies said a warrant for his arrest was issued June 7 and he surrendered five days later.
Trinkle was booked into Flagler County jail, where he was later released on a $3,000 bond. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/ex-dcf-investigator-arrested-in-flagler-accused-of-stealing-thousands-from-senior/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:35 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/ex-dcf-investigator-arrested-in-flagler-accused-of-stealing-thousands-from-senior/ |
In parks all around DFW, you can see kids practicing and playing soccer.
"My daughter Alex is out here working getting some extra touches in over the summer for soccer," soccer mom Denise Barley said.
As fans of soccer she, her daughter, and her daughter’s coach are all excited to hear Dallas could be named a host city for FIFA World Cup 2026 games.
“There's so many girls and boys that play soccer here,” Barley said. “Getting to experience that right here like I said in our backyard is going to be fantastic for them."
"That would be pretty cool to go watch," youth soccer player Alex Barley said.
"This is a great spot to do that because soccer is so big here,” soccer coach Alex Molano said. “It's only growing and that's only going to grow it more than it already is here so that would be awesome."
North Texas has hosted the World Cup before. But FC Dallas President and Host City Bid chairman Dan Hunt said the interest in soccer is different now.
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"You'll have a market in a country that is, even so, more receptive to the World Cup and soccer than it was back in 1994,” Hunt said. “So, I'm thrilled for what this is going to do for the game."
It's estimated FIFA World Cup 2026 games in DFW would create as many as 3,000 new jobs and could have an economic impact of nearly $400 million.
Hunt said the ripple effect though could be even greater.
"You're talking about something that could be in the billions of dollars for our community,” Hunt said. “This is great for the citizens. Also, this could be a tremendous commercial for our community for people around the world."
The official announcement is Thursday afternoon.
Until then everyone is hoping their dreams become reality.
"Even for myself it's a dream to see a World Cup, Molano said. “I've never seen a World Cup. So, it would make my dreams come true to see that." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/excitement-for-possible-2026-world-cup-games-in-north-texas-grows/2993341/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/excitement-for-possible-2026-world-cup-games-in-north-texas-grows/2993341/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Juneteenth, referencing the date of June 19, marks the day that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, in 1865 with news the American Civil War ended and that enslaved people were now free.
There were an estimated 250,000 enslaved people in Texas that year.
[TRENDING: WATCH: Florida woman records giant alligator’s mating call in Apopka | ‘He didn’t eat for 4 days:’ Florida boy recovering from venomous snake bite | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S., but it was not an official federal holiday until just last year. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. This officially made June 19 a federal holiday.
Cities in Central Florida are celebrating Juneteenth by hosting performances, block parties, festivals and more. If you have an event you’d like added to this story, please send information to web@wkmg.com.
Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration
- Saturday, June 18, at Lake Lorna Doone Park from 12-5 p.m.
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 5 Commissioner Regina I. Hill and District 6 Commissioner Bakari F. Burns will join the Inaugural Juneteenth Celebration, which will feature live music and food trucks.
Ragtime: A Benefit Concert
- Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19, at Dr. Phillips Center from 3-8 p.m.
- The Central Florida Community Arts presents a performance that intertwines three American tales of a stifled upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician. The show is described as, “Together, they confront history’s contradictions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair, and what it means to live in America. Proceeds will go toward the CFCArts education program.”
Kissimmee Juneteenth Festival
- Saturday, June 18, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from 12-5 p.m.
- The City of Kissimmee hosts this festival to celebrate African American culture, community and unity as a commemoration to the end of slavery in the U.S.
Black Wall Street Juneteenth Block Party
- Saturday, June 18, on Wall Street near Lake Eola Park from 1-10 p.m.
- With over six DJs, four clubs and up to 50 small Black businesses, this block party celebrates Juneteenth by helping buy from Black businesses. Vendors range from clothing, self-care, financial expertise and more.
Black Theatre Girl Magic
- Sunday, June 19, at Orlando Repertory Theatre and Loch Haven Park.
- The “Lunch and Learn” series will teach children about the holiday through dramatic readings of Juneteenth books from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.
- Right around the corner from the theatre, the “Facets of Freedom: Juneteenth Celebration” will feature musical and cultural performances, an art exhibit, a DJ and food trucks in Loch Haven Park from 6-10 p.m.
Juneteenth in the City of Cocoa
- Saturday, June 18, at 401 Riveredge Blvd. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The City of Cocoa celebrates excellence, freedom and legacy with guest speakers, the Reflections band and performances by the Emma Jewel Charter Academy step team.
Juneteenth Holiday Community Festival in Daytona
- Saturday, June 18, at Cypress Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- With a pound cake contest, over 100 food vendors and interactive activity booths, proceeds from this event will help support college scholarships for youth in the area. The event is free to attend and will also have children’s games, educational activities and live music.
Mid-Florida Juneteenth Music Festival in Apopka
- Saturday, June 18, at Apopka Amphitheater from 3-9 p.m.
- This festival will provide a platform that will educate the community about the Juneteenth holiday. There will be a kid zone to highlight kid entrepreneurs, a performance by R&B singer Jacquees, over 30 vendors along with local artists, a fashion show and a dance troupe.
- General admission tickets cost $50. Most ticket options are available here. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/here-are-some-central-florida-festivals-events-happening-for-juneteenth/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:42 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/here-are-some-central-florida-festivals-events-happening-for-juneteenth/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/how-to-cleanup-some-of-your-digital-clutter/2993454/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:42 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/how-to-cleanup-some-of-your-digital-clutter/2993454/ |
SANFORD, Fla. – The man accused of killing two people, including a 16-year-old boy, near a Sanford playground in April was indicted on charges stemming from the shooting.
Ernst Baptiste was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, unlawful use of two-way communication device and resisting an officer without violence.
[TRENDING: WATCH: Florida woman records giant alligator’s mating call in Apopka | ‘He didn’t eat for 4 days:’ Florida boy recovering from venomous snake bite | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
The Sanford Police Department responded to the Overlook at Monroe Apartments off State Road 46 on April 13 where they found Darius Dvon Moore, 16, and Willie Keshawn Baker III, 22, with gunshot wounds. The two were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Investigators said Baker arranged a meeting with Baptiste for drugs. Police said Baptiste planned with Moore and others, still being investigated, to rob Baker.
The department said both Baker and Moore fired guns and killed each other. Baptiste then took 490 grams of cannabis and ran away, police said.
“The shooting took place on the opposite side of that playground, literally feet from where children could have been playing,” Bianca Gillett, public information officer with Sanford police, said during a news conference after the shooting. “It was after school hours. We are lucky tonight that we’re not reporting something else. That a child wasn’t injured because of somebody’s careless, careless actions.”
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or who may have surveillance video of the area to contact Sanford police at 407-688-5070. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/man-accused-in-deaths-of-2-including-16-year-old-boy-near-sanford-playground-indicted-on-charges/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:48 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/man-accused-in-deaths-of-2-including-16-year-old-boy-near-sanford-playground-indicted-on-charges/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mesquite-isd-class-aims-to-get-students-outdoors/2993437/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:49 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mesquite-isd-class-aims-to-get-students-outdoors/2993437/ |
POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Mulberry man was arrested June 4 on suspicion of stealing a bike after he became “tired of walking,” according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A man in the parking lot of a Tires Choice left his bike unattended for a moment, at which point 44-year-old Robert Sharp began to ride off on it, deputies said.
[TRENDING: WATCH: Florida woman records giant alligator’s mating call in Apopka | ‘He didn’t eat for 4 days:’ Florida boy recovering from venomous snake bite | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
Records show a deputy found Sharp near the intersection of Church Avenue and Iroquois Trail and began questioning Sharp about the bike.
According to the deputy, Sharp said he took the bike — which he admitted didn’t belong to him — because he was “tired of walking.”
The deputy added that Sharp told him he heard the owner of the bike telling him to stop, but he refused to stop because he was “taking the bike.”
The sheriff’s office said Sharp was still on probation following a previous arrest for attacking a Lakeland police officer — an arrest that put him in prison until June 3, the day prior to the bike theft.
Sharp faces charges for second offense of petit theft and violation of probation. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/mulberry-man-tired-of-walking-gets-arrested-day-after-prison-release-deputies-say/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:54 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/mulberry-man-tired-of-walking-gets-arrested-day-after-prison-release-deputies-say/ |
On a mission to continue educating, Fort Worth’s Opal Lee will continue leading her annual “Walk for Freedom” as a tribute to Juneteenth.
Lee, 95, is described as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”. She is a retired teacher, counselor, and activist in the movement to make Juneteenth an official federal holiday, which included walking 1,400 miles from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., at 90 years old in 2016 to bring awareness.
On June 17, 2021, a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
“I’ve been part of Juneteenth since I was knee-high to a duck,” Lee said Wednesday. “I’ve seen it as something that I truly had hoped I’d see come to fruition in my lifetime. It has. I’m so glad.”
Lee will lead the 2.5-mile walk from the Evans Avenue Plaza to the new Fort Worth City Hall on Saturday morning, with the distance symbolizing the two-and-a-half years it took for the enforcement of President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation to reach Texas.
“I am ecstatic. I just love all of the excitement and all of the young people I’m meeting,” she said. “I’m saying, 'Lord, make them realize that we’re one people. Make them realize that we’re brothers and sisters under the skin. Make them realize that we all bleed red blood, that we can do so much more together.' I just keep praying that the young people will understand that there’s still a job to do.”
While Lee said history is still being written, the African American Museum of Dallas will host its 33rd Texas Black Invitational Rodeo as a chance to teach history.
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“This helps to fill in a missing part of history,” Robert Edison, the museum's educational curator, said. “The way Western movies were created, contributions of African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans were often left out.”
The rodeo is on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Fair Park Coliseum as part of its tribute to Juneteenth.
Lee’s walk in Fort Worth will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“As long as people will listen, I’ll keep on walking. I’ll keep on talking because the young people must realize that they’re the ones to get us out of the quagmire that we’re in,” she said.
NBC 5 will livestream the two-hour Opal’s Walk for Freedom, produced by Unity Unlimited, Inc. as part of their Juneteenth Fort Worth month-long celebration, at NBCDFW.com and the NBC 5 DFW mobile app.
Juneteenth Events in Fort Worth on Sunday:
- Sunday, June 19, 1-9 pm: Soul of Sycamore Festival at Sycamore Park, 2400 E. Vickery Blvd.
- Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Juneteenth Jubilee, Texas Wesleyan University, 3100 E. Rosedale Ave.
- Sunday, June 19, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., free admission all day to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Center Blvd. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/opal-lee-reflects-prepares-for-juneteenth-weekend-events/2993400/ | 2022-06-15T23:09:55 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/opal-lee-reflects-prepares-for-juneteenth-weekend-events/2993400/ |
Following a Texas special election that saw Republican Mayra Flores winning the state’s 34th District U.S. House of Representatives seat, business magnate and CEO of Tesla Elon Musk announced his leanings toward Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president in 2024.
Musk tweeted his support for Flores Wednesday, stating he predicts a “massive red wave” during elections in 2022.
I voted for Mayra Flores – first time I ever voted Republican.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
Massive red wave in 2022.
In the Twitter thread, Musk stated he leans toward DeSantis as a possible candidate he would support in the 2024 presidential elections.
DeSantis
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
Musk voiced his intent to vote Republican last month on Twitter, the same platform the CEO has been in talks to purchase.
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Further in the thread, Musk said he was considering creating a “Super PAC” for more moderate political candidates from different political parties.
I’m thinking of creating a “Super Moderate Super PAC” that supports candidates with centrist views from all parties
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2022
During DeSantis’ Wednesday morning news conference, he addressed Musk’s comments, saying, “I welcome support from African-Americans” — referring to Musk’s heritage in South Africa.
"I'm focused on 2022, but with @elonmusk what I would say is you know I welcome support from African-Americans. What can I say?" - @GovRonDeSantis pic.twitter.com/SuWQVLMORE
— Robbie Myers (@robbievmyers) June 15, 2022 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/musk-hints-support-for-possible-desantis-presidential-run-in-2024/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:00 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/musk-hints-support-for-possible-desantis-presidential-run-in-2024/ |
At Clay Cooley in Irving, prospective car buyers are racing against both time and rising prices.
The auto industry has been heavily impacted by global supply chain struggles and a chip shortage that's caused some orders to come in months later than anticipated.
On top of the chip shortage, Clay Cooley COO, Chase Cooley, is anticipating that interest rates will spike which will lead to higher car payments with an increased impact on expensive vehicles and used car sales.
Cooley said dealerships have "the fewest cars [they've] ever had" and that "now is the best time to buy a car."
Cooley sees interest rates continuing to increase over the next several months. Right now, he feels you can still get favorable deals and that "used [car] values are still high so you still get a lot for your trade."
Mike Davis, an SMU economist, said that "the threat of an economic downturn is higher now than it's ever been."
Davis worries that the Fed, which controls short-term and credit card rates, is waiting too long to counteract the rising rates.
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"If you're running up a balance on your credit card, try and pay it down as quickly as possible," Davis advised.
Davis added, "if you're thinking about a new car, new house, just understand, it's gonna be more expensive to borrow money for that."
Jodi Erickson, a potential car buyer opted to focus on paying down her credit cards rather than taking on any new financing under current conditions.
Erickson said rising rates are the reason she really hoped to get a deal done today.
"I knew that that was going to have an impact on my buying and I needed to finance and it was going to make a difference in how much I could afford which is why I really wanted this done before the banks made the change," Erickson said. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/what-rising-interest-rates-mean-for-buying-a-car/2993408/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:01 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/what-rising-interest-rates-mean-for-buying-a-car/2993408/ |
OCOEE, Fla. – Police are looking for any information about a shooting that killed a 33-year-old man in Ocoee one month ago.
According to Ocoee police, the fatal shooting occurred around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 in the area of Little Aspen Court.
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Upon arriving at the Ocoee home, officers said they found Mugen Pintar shot and in critical condition. The husband and father was transported to the hospital, where he later died, investigators said.
The department said no arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information relating to this case is urged to contact the Ocoee Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit by calling 407-905-3161 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 to remain anonymous. Anyone who submits information to Crimeline leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/ocoee-police-look-for-killer-in-shooting-death-of-33-year-old-man-in-may/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:06 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/ocoee-police-look-for-killer-in-shooting-death-of-33-year-old-man-in-may/ |
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Osceola Sheriff’s Office crime analyst supervisor Donna Sita described the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC), first introduced in September, as a technology-filled room where she and several other analysts are “researching the past while watching the present and bringing them together.”
The six huge TV panels and dozens of computer monitors are situated in front of the most important part — the human analysts, who process an unfolding situation as it’s happening, digging into who, what, where and how as they’re directing deputies to respond with precision.
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The TV panels can be programmed to view a countywide map and any of the hundreds of cameras around Osceola County, including DOT cameras and school cameras, one or a dozen at a time.
Especially after the horrific school shooting in South Texas, Sita continues to bring online cameras at all 60 Osceola County schools. Every week, the RTCC is getting access to more school video feeds.
She’s already gotten the blueprints for every single school building and uploaded them to the interactive countywide map displayed on the TVs which pinpoints the location of all patrol units.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez said the Real-Time Crime Center and the ongoing effort to add additional school camera feeds means better protection.
“It’s a lot faster, and it would definitely save lives, like in the past if you’re depending on someone in a stressful situation on a cell phone like Columbine [High School], well you think the shooter’s here, well how many libraries are there and what floor is he on?” Lopez said. “Just having access to the cameras you can send your resources to that exact location in real-time and you can close off other areas to prevent that person from getting out of that perimeter.”
Lopez said the RTCC is already getting results, solving a triple homicide, arresting human traffickers, catching armed robbers, and even a sex offender who cut off his tracking bracelet, all in minutes, not days or weeks.
Sita said she and the analysts pulled up all of the traffic cameras on U.S. 192 in Osceola County, watching the sex offender drive through each intersection. When they saw where he turned off U.S. 192, they sent deputies.
“It’s actually getting our resources in the right direction faster than normal,” Lopez said. “And you don’t have to have that many boots on the ground like in the past, you don’t really have to have detectives knocking on the doors and asking for video and getting subpoenas. It really speeds up the process.”
Sita and her analysts even guided a suicidal woman down from an overpass, safely.
“We shut down traffic, rerouted traffic,” Sita said. “And we saved her life. Together.”
Lopez said the cameras and the technology are not overreach and brushed off recent criticism that his deputies have responded at times too aggressively.
“We definitely have seen a big change in communities around the state where law enforcement has been lax and they’re not taking enforcement action like they should because of community-type pressures, and people who want to perceive us as bullies or come here with aggressive tactics,” Lopez said. “But in Osceola County, our residents want us to enforce crime. They don’t like these, for example, motorcyclists taking over the roadways. They’ll take your car and brandish firearms doing wheelies. People will be happy when we take action against these things because they know their loved ones could be in a vehicle traveling on the road and this motorcycle-popping wheelie could lose control and go through the front window and kill a child. So we’re always going to have to maintain this firm hand on crime to make sure we keep the residents of this county safe.” | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/osceola-sheriffs-office-upgrades-real-time-crime-center-to-protect-schools/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:13 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/osceola-sheriffs-office-upgrades-real-time-crime-center-to-protect-schools/ |
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Brevard County deputies on Thursday booked a man accused of taking pictures and videos of people using the bathroom in the Walmart he worked for.
Qyran Emmanuel Ackerman, 21, of Cocoa, had been employed at a Walmart in Merritt Island for three months leading up to April 30, when deputies said he was caught taking a photo over the stall of someone using a urinal, according to an affidavit for his arrest.
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The person who thought they had been photographed contacted deputies, who responded to review surveillance footage at the store. On camera, Ackerman allegedly appeared to enter the men’s restroom seconds after the victim did, leaving the same way.
When he was approached and questioned by deputies, still on the job and in a blue vest, Ackerman claimed he was only lifting his phone in the stall to get better reception in order to send a message, the affidavit states.
Deputies said they obtained Ackerman’s written consent to search his phone and, inside of a ‘recently deleted’ folder, found an overhead photo of the victim using the urinal, as well as “several other overhead photographs of several different unknown children urinating inside of either restroom stalls or urinals,” the affidavit states. Due to redactions in the document, it was not specified whether the victim in the April 30 incident was also juvenile.
Now confronted by deputies, Ackerman stated he had been photographing and recording “little boys” in the store’s restrooms since he began working at the Walmart, the affidavit states. Deputies said Ackerman claimed to delete each photo and video after taking them because he “knew it was wrong.” Deputies noted that none of the photos and videos on Ackerman’s phone showed genitalia despite “attempts by Mr. Ackerman to zoom in” on such areas, the affidavit said.
Ackerman faces eight counts of video voyeurism. His bond was set at $60,000, records show. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/walmart-employee-accused-of-recording-children-in-stores-bathroom-brevard-county-deputies-say/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:19 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/walmart-employee-accused-of-recording-children-in-stores-bathroom-brevard-county-deputies-say/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Virginelle Vincent noticed a 16-year-old she works with was in need of emotional support. Vincent was on her way home from work when she overheard the teen having a conversation with a co-worker and seemed in distress.
“I could sense something was wrong, so I immediately gave her a phone call,” Vincent said. “I asked her if she was planning or trying to hurt herself, could not give me a straight answer, so I knew right then and there I had to get to her location.”
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The 25-year-old Vincent, who works with the city of Orlando Mercy Drive Kidz Zone program, recalled the incident happened in the last week of the school year.
“I kept her on the phone throughout the whole ride. I started asking her what are your plans? ‘So fine, you do not want to go home but where are you gonna go?’ Her answer to me was, ‘I’m going to stay in this Taco Bell until they close which was 11 p.m.,’” Vincent said.
The student advocate then met up with the teen at a fast food restaurant near the teen’s school.
“I fed her, she opened up about the details that happened. It was an incident that involved some inappropriate behaviors on campus which resulted in a level 4 expulsion. It was very tough for her and because she was so ashamed and scared of her mom’s reaction she did not want to go back home,” Vincent recalled, adding that the young girl was planning on staying at a friend’s house.
“I proceeded by asking her, ok once you get there do you know how long you’re going to stay there? Do you know if they’re going to be welcoming you? What if they decide they don’t want you to stay there? What are your plans? And so I think that got her thinking got her wheels turning,” she said.
Virginia said that’s when the teen realized her best choice was to go back home to mom and so she gave her a ride home and talked to the girl’s mom.
“Some way somehow, I was able to convince mom to call the school the next day so that we could see if we could get her punishment reduced. And so today, she’s still enrolled at her school; she was punished yes, but it was a 5-day in-school suspension instead of being expelled,” said Vincent.
Vincent is going to school for a degree in psychology.
“It feels like it’s my purpose. It feels like, you know, it’s our mission, we all took an oath to protect these kids to level the playing field for them,” she said.
In 2021, Vincent who is a native of Haiti and moved to Miami with her parents when she was 11, came on board as an administrative assistant for the city of Orlando’s Mercy Drive Kidz Zone program, which currently serves about 200 children.
“We serve from middle and high schoolers, so we check on their academic, emotional, mental, economic (wellbeing),” Vincent said.
The program is called Mercy Drive Kidz Zone because it’s centered along Mercy Drive in the northwestern part of Orlando. Families living in the area have an opportunity to experience the benefits of the program. The goal is to enrich their children by motivating them to achieve higher education. It also offers positive parenting skills, and it helps keep older children out of trouble and lead them towards success.
“Seeing them grow, seeing them get involved into different activities, getting to build connections and bonds with them, it really is priceless,” Vincent said.
When asked if she saw herself as a hero to the children she serves, Vincent struggled to find an answer.
“I never saw myself as a hero you know I never took the time to measure myself in such a way,” she said. “We’re here to serve these kids. I put passion in my work, I am willing to go above and beyond for these kids.” | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/were-here-to-serve-these-kids-orlando-kidz-zone-worker-passionate-about-supporting-teens/ | 2022-06-15T23:10:25 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/15/were-here-to-serve-these-kids-orlando-kidz-zone-worker-passionate-about-supporting-teens/ |
CALIFORNIA, USA — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
First-time buyers often rely on family gifts to afford the down payments on their homes. Now California Legislators want the government to fill the role of generous relative.
Lawmakers are proposing creating a billion-dollar fund in this year’s state budget that would provide California’s first-time buyers either all of the money they need for a down payment, or very close to it, in exchange for partial ownership stakes in those residences.
The proposal, put forward by state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, comes as skyrocketing property prices broaden the divide between those who own their homes and those who rent in California. In the past year, Golden State homeowners gained $141,000 in home equity, on average, the housing research firm CoreLogic reported last week, more than in any other state.
California’s rate of home ownership, at 56%, is second lowest in the country behind New York, according to the American Community Survey data from the census.
Atkins said the California Dream for All program is aimed at creating opportunities for lower- and middle-income buyers in a rapidly rising market, including those who have faced racial and economic barriers to homeownership.
“The California Dream for All program will give more people the chance to break free from the cycle of renting,” Atkins said last month. “This has the ability to change people’s lives.”
The proposal is the subject of negotiations between the Legislature’s Democratic supermajority and Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a Democrat, on how to spend a projected budget surplus of $97.5 billion. The legislature passed a budget on Monday that includes the proposal, though negotiations with Newsom continue on a final overall spending plan.
A spokesman for the governor declined to comment on the proposal, citing the ongoing negotiations. It was not included in the governor’s original budget nor in his May revised budget.
A multi-billion dollar fund
The housing proposal – which would call for issuing revenue bonds of $1 billion a year for 10 years to create the fund — is the largest in a slew of proposals intended to promote homeownership this year. The proposal also includes $50 million in the budget this year, and $150 million per year after that to pay for the administrative costs of the program and the interest costs of the revenue bonds.
The program envisions helping some 7,700 borrowers a year, according to estimates made by the program’s designers based on home price projections. A start date for the proposed program has not been indicated.
If approved, the program would begin issuing interest-free second mortgage loans covering up to 30% of a home’s purchase price, though lawmakers expect many of the loans would cover 17%, asking borrowers to include 3% of their own money or pair the loan with other first-time buyer programs.
The interest-free loans would be paid back into a state fund whenever the home was sold, or if a bigger mortgage was acquired in a cash-out refinancing. For instance, if the fund provided 20% toward the purchase price of the home, the fund would get back its initial investment, as well as a 20% share of any increase in the home’s value.
The program would reinvest those proceeds, giving the fund the ability to make new loans for eligible participants, even if prices have risen significantly.
As long as home prices rise, the plan would create equity for people who otherwise would have remained renters. The program also would generate enough returns for the state to help future homebuyers.
If prices fall, homeowners might still gain some equity and the fund would absorb the losses, program planners said.
Building generational wealth
The program is intended to build as much flexibility as possible. Buyers who have lived in historically low-income neighborhoods can receive priority for some of the funds and can use shared appreciation loans to buy in their current neighborhoods or buy homes elsewhere.
“We need to make sure that the state’s homeownership assistance program serves people in all parts of the state, including in its high cost areas,” said Micah Weinberg, chief executive of the nonprofit group California Forward, which oversaw drafting the proposal.
“We cannot wait until more housing is built for these communities to begin to build the generational wealth that they were locked out of and deeply deserve,” he said during a recent legislative hearing.
The program would be open to buyers making less than 150% of the median income in their area, and it would target first-generation homebuyers as well as those with high student debt loads.
If approved, the program would significantly improve home affordability in California for the people awarded one of the loans, proponents say. If it had existed in 2021, for instance, it would have reduced the annual income needed to buy a median priced home of $786,000 by more than $30,000 to about $90,000, according to Kate Owens, a principal at HR&A Advisors, Inc., one of the economic consulting firms hired to devise the program.
The program is distinct from other down payment assistance programs in that most offer much smaller payments, often around 3% to 5% of the purchase price, in the form of grants or loans.
The proposed state fund allows homeowners to not put down a down payment, eliminating the need to save for that initial investment, which Atkins said is the biggest hurdle for many buyers in today’s market.
These equity sharing arrangements often are referred to as shared appreciation mortgages. The California plan would be the largest attempted experiment with such home loans ever created in the U.S., designers of the program said.
Fewer can afford homes
Over a 40-year period the program could assist some 157,000 families with interest-free loans, said Gene Slater, chairman of CSG Advisors, another consultancy hired to design the program.
Lawmakers said they are trying to do more to support homeownership, especially now that the pandemic has spurred demand for single-family properties as remote workers seek more space, and as communities throughout the state are falling woefully short of homebuilding goals.
“Until California truly prioritizes affordable homeownership, a generation of Californians will be effectively barred from one of the most reliable forms of wealth generation available — owning a home,” said Assemblymember Tim Grayson, a Democrat from Concord, in April.
California’s home price increases mean affordability has plummeted, even more so for Black and Latino families. Only 26% of California households overall earned the minimum annual income needed to buy a median-priced, single-family home last year. Just 17% of Black and Latino households could afford such a property, according to a report by the California Association of Realtors, which supports the creation of the down payment fund.
“Homeownership provides working families with the unparalleled ability to accrue generational wealth and experience financial stability through a fixed mortgage versus rising rents,” said the California Homeownership Coalition, a group that includes the Realtors, the California Building Industry Association and Habitat for Humanity.
“These funding solutions are especially important for communities of color still facing disproportionately low homeownership rates because of decades-long discriminatory housing practices.”
Potential complications
Richard Green, director of the University of Southern California’s Lusk Center for Real Estate, put forward a competing research proposal that was not selected by the state. He supports the goals of the one under consideration but is concerned about how complicated it is.
“There are lots of things in life where the policy idea is great (but) executing it is hard,” he said, adding that while the program would only be a fraction of the state’s massive housing market, it could contribute to rising prices if it got bigger. “If this program scales it would almost certainly have at least some impact.”
Andrew Caplin, a professor at New York University who wrote a book on shared equity programs, said he is eager to see the concept take off, but he has largely promoted the idea for private investors, not governments.
Caplin did not study the California plan, but he said he would be concerned that politicians might feel pressured to not demand repayment and “in the end, it will all be agreed that we can’t really collect the money — like student loans.”
Someone else’s mortgage
Had it been in existence, the program could have helped a homebuyer such as Aralyn Tucker, 29, who moved to Sacramento in 2017 because she was priced out of the housing market of her hometown of San Jose.
Tucker, who has a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Sacramento State University, works in human resources at a private school. She was only able to afford a two-bedroom condominium in Sacramento after her parents contributed most of the down payment as a gift.
Buying a home was important, she said, because her family had moved at least four times before she turned 18, at times into unstable housing situations.
“Creating that generational wealth and creating that security has been really important to my parents,” she said.
Down payment help was critical, because her mortgage payment is only $200 more than rent, she said, but she couldn’t save for the down payment on her own.
“Folks in my generation, we have so many extra expenses that we’re not able to set that cash aside as a down payment,” she said.
“Here I am making enough money to afford $2,200 in rent each month that I paid on time every month, and yet, I wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage because I don’t have the down payment,” she said. “We’re constantly behind and we’re paying into a system that doesn’t give anything back to us regarding equity. I’m paying someone else’s mortgage.”
This article is part of the California Divide project, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequality and economic survival in California.
CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/california-dream-for-all-program/103-95b5646b-dba0-4897-aa48-ac68f8116237 | 2022-06-15T23:10:59 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/california-dream-for-all-program/103-95b5646b-dba0-4897-aa48-ac68f8116237 |
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
Despite enrolling more low-income undergraduate students than any other University of California campus last year, UC Riverside is also the least-funded UC campus.
UC Riverside gets $8,600 in state support for instruction of each student, well below the systemwide average of around $10,000.
Fewer out-of-state students — who pay about three times more in tuition than in-state students — choosing to attend the Inland Empire campus is a key reason for the disparity. All told, UC Riverside generates about $6,000 less in revenue per student than the other UC campuses when factoring in the two main revenue sources — state support and tuition revenue.
UCLA and UC Berkeley lead all campuses with more than $29,000 in revenues per student from those sources. UC Riverside brings in about $21,000. The financial disparity data comes from a UC Riverside analysis of 2018-19 UC systemwide figures. The data excludes information about UC Merced and UC San Francisco because those campuses are funded differently.
The Legislature, driven in large part by Assemblymember Jose Medina, wants to help the campus make up the difference with as much as $790 million in one-time funding and $80 million annually.
The university’s supporters are now waiting to see if Gov. Gavin Newsom agrees.
Seeking state help
The Legislature is pushing to include hundreds of millions of dollars for UC Riverside and several other campuses with historically less funding in the upcoming state budget that’ll begin July 1. Leading the effort is Medina, a Democrat from Riverside, who’s in his final term in office and has marked additional funding for UC Riverside as one of his two legislative priorities this year, in addition to expanding student financial aid across the state.
To underscore UC Riverside’s funding woes, Medina held a press conference in June outside a movie theater that for nearly 25 years UC Riverside has leased as classroom space for courses with large enrollments. The Inland Empire campus is short 4,700 classroom seats for students, while UCLA and UC Berkeley have more seats for instruction than they need.
But UC Riverside’s money problems have less to do with state support than how the UC system distributes state dollars to the individual campuses, which is based on a formula UC Riverside says is unfair. Another UC rule further leads to a funding gap between the other UC campuses and UC Merced and Riverside: The system allows campuses to keep all their revenue from non-resident students. Because the two inland campuses enroll a far smaller share of non-resident students than do the other campuses, they get relatively less money from tuition revenue.
Are those good reasons for the state to supply UC Riverside and Merced with more dollars?
Medina said yes. “It will be an economic stimulus for our area,” he said in an interview with CalMatters.
And funding for specific campuses has precedent. Last year lawmakers injected nearly $500 million to transform Cal State Humboldt into a polytechnic university. Medina himself pushed hard to secure annual state funding for UC Riverside’s school of medicine a decade ago.
Medina added that additional state support will make up for past underfunding.
The state does have an interest in promoting social mobility, said Kevin Cook, a higher education researcher at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonprofit research group. Investing in UC Merced and UC Riverside makes sense from that perspective given their track record of enrolling higher percentages of low-income students and students of color than the rest of the UC system.
“Those campuses serve students in the Inland Empire and up in the Central Valley and that’s a key area for the state to focus on demographically, “ said Cook.
Both areas have lower levels of adults with college degrees than the rest of the state, according to California Competes data. But the regions are also expected to have a higher share of the state’s K-12 public students by decade’s end as enrollment in other parts of the state drop off considerably. Adding enrollment capacity at the two UCs to educate those students “makes a lot of sense” for the state, Cook said.
Buildings yes, staff no
Medina originally sought $1.46 billion for UC Riverside and UC Merced in a bill. Almost all of it would be for campus construction projects and other facilities to expand job and research opportunities near the campuses. That bill also wanted to give the two campuses $157 million in ongoing funding, money that could go toward hiring the some 700 staff and 100 faculty UC Riverside says it needs to hire to be on par with UC system averages.
Among the missing personnel are college mental health counselors, academic advisors and financial aid officers who can guide UC Riverside’s higher share of low-income students through the complex web of state and federal aid, said Gerry Bomotti, UC Riverside’s chief financial officer.
So far the Legislature is on board partially with supporting Medina’s plans. On Monday lawmakers approved their version of the state budget that begins July 1. It includes $83 million for campus expansion projects at UC Merced and UC Riverside plus a promise to send $249 million overall in the next three years. Additionally, $185 million combined in climate initiatives would go to UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz, another relatively underfunded campus.
There’s no deal in place to send additional “ongoing” state dollars to UC Merced and UC Riverside, which will make it difficult to hire more staff. Still, both campuses would benefit from added ongoing money lawmakers want to send to the UC system overall plus another plan the UC system has for increasing UC Riverside’s share of state dollars.
Medina considers the extra money in the budget the Legislature passed a victory for the inland UC campuses. Despite a state budget surplus of $100 billion, Newsom and lawmakers want to commit only a tiny share, less than 10 percent, for new, ongoing spending.
Newsom hasn’t signed off on this plan, which departs somewhat from his own higher-ed proposals. A budget deal among the governor and legislative leaders is likely to occur in the next few weeks.
Moving toward equity
The UC system has begun increasing UC Riverside’s funding so that the amount it gets per student is almost equal to the average of the other campuses — known as the “unweighted” student funding average in UC fiscal parlance. The plan is to raise UC Riverside’s funding to roughly $20 million a year more by 2023 than the campus would get from the system’s funding formula alone. It received an initial $6.7 million more last year. A similar plan is underway for UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz; the two campuses last year got an extra $10 million combined.
Medina’s bill is still alive, though a committee amended it to include funding only if lawmakers and the governor agree to its full bill. Bomotti of UC Riverside said no one expects that all the money the bill seeks will end up in the budget, but the bill underscored the “catch up” in funding the campus needed.
The PPIC’s Cook said Medina’s bill has another advantage for UC Riverside. Because much of the money is meant for building instructional space for the health sciences, that would allow the campus to enroll more health science students, who generate more revenue than other students under the UC system’s funding formula for state dollars.
So not only would the region potentially see more college graduates in high-demand fields, it would also exploit a funding formula that for now rewards campuses with more health science students.
“It seems like a win-win-win,” Cook said.
CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.
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Watch more from ABC10: 'Live day by day' | Elk Grove woman celebrates 105th birthday | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/uc-riverside-gets-additional-money-from-state/103-c2b654d9-f683-4ba3-9fbd-393467d6dd89 | 2022-06-15T23:11:05 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/uc-riverside-gets-additional-money-from-state/103-c2b654d9-f683-4ba3-9fbd-393467d6dd89 |
LOS ANGELES, California — A federal judge this week gave final approval to a lawsuit settlement that commits the city of Los Angeles to sheltering or housing thousands of homeless residents within five years.
In approving the deal reached in April, U.S. District Judge David Carter wrote Tuesday that the agreement is “fair, reasonable, and adequate.”
The city's settlement with the group LA Alliance for Human Rights commits Los Angeles to spending up to $3 billion to supply 16,000 beds or housing units for homeless people not suffering from mental illness.
The court will retain jurisdiction for a period of five years to create an “enforcement mechanism” for the pact, Carter said.
“While this agreement is not a solution to homelessness, it is a concrete step toward improving the lives of our neighbors who are currently suffering on the streets,” the judge wrote.
The lawsuit was brought in 2020 by the alliance, a coalition of business owners, residents, landlords, homeless people and others who alleged that inaction by city and county of Los Angeles created a dangerous environment.
The settlement draws a sharp distinction between the city’s responsibilities and those of Los Angeles County, which operates the local public health system. The county is also part of the lawsuit but has not settled. The alliance said in April that it would continue to pursue its lawsuit against the county.
The homeless population was once largely confined to downtown LA’s notorious Skid Row, but encampments have spread widely, including within sight of City Hall.
The Los Angeles City Council voted 12-3 in March to approve the settlement.
Under the agreement, the city would create shelter or housing for 60% of homeless people in the city who do not have a serious mental illness, substance abuse disorder or chronic physical illness.
The city’s actual housing commitment will be based on the 2022 point-in-time count of homeless people, the results of which are expected this summer. Last year’s count was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 2020, there were more than 66,400 homeless people in Los Angeles County, with 41,000 within LA city limits.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: 2 El Monte Police Officers Shot and Killed in California: June 14 Update | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/judge-oks-los-angeles-lawsuit-settlement-homelessness/103-5d0e3241-9b5c-45ee-a571-678897c19a29 | 2022-06-15T23:11:11 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/judge-oks-los-angeles-lawsuit-settlement-homelessness/103-5d0e3241-9b5c-45ee-a571-678897c19a29 |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Dolly Parton is donating $1 million to pediatric infectious disease research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, the organization announced on Wednesday.
The new gift is one of several Parton has made to the center over the years, including a $1 million gift in April 2020 for COVID vaccine research. That gift helped Vanderbilt researchers test an array of drugs aimed at reducing the life-threatening symptoms associated with COVID-19, the center said in a news release. Researchers are also looking at entirely new therapies to both treat COVID-19 and prevent infection.
Parton’s new gift will support a variety of ongoing research at the medical center, including understanding how viruses and bacteria cause disease, understanding and preventing antibiotic resistance, preventing and treating infections, diagnosing and treating infections in children with cancer, and gauging the impact of childhood infections throughout the world, according to the news release.
“Dolly’s previous support to infectious disease research, and also our pediatric cancer program, has already saved countless lives,” said Dr. Jeff Balser, president and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “This new gift will bolster our defenses against future threats to the safety of this region and society as a whole.”
Parton said she supports the work because she loves children.
“No child should ever have to suffer,” Parton said in a news release. “I’m willing to do my part to try and keep as many of them as I can as healthy and safe as possible.” | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/dolly-parton-east-tennessee-knoxville-vanderbilt-medical-center-research/51-a2051553-b362-49c1-9b24-b4a76fe7226b | 2022-06-15T23:11:17 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/dolly-parton-east-tennessee-knoxville-vanderbilt-medical-center-research/51-a2051553-b362-49c1-9b24-b4a76fe7226b |
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The growth of toxic algae at one of Lake Tahoe's beaches prompted the U.S. Forest Service to issue a warning Wednesday.
According to a Tweet by the Forest Service's Lake Tahoe office, shallow pools and slow-moving water near Kiva Beach and Taylor Creek have promoted toxic algae growth that can lead to illness in pets and humans.
Toxic algal mats can be attached to the bottom of the beach, detached and floating in the water or washed up on shore, the U.S. Forest Service says.
The agency has encouraged beach visitors to not let children or adults touch, eat or swallow any algal mats. Dogs are also encouraged not to eat algal mats or drink from the lake's water in that area.
If any pets or people get sick after ingesting algae, a doctor or veterinarian should be contacted immediately, the Forest Service said.
Toxic algae, also known as blue-green algae, can bloom when water is warm, slow-moving and full of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, according to the CDC.
The CDC says that symptoms of algae exposure in humans include stomach pains, vomiting, headaches, a fever, muscle weakness and skin, eyes, nose, or throat irritation.
Animals can get sick or even die within minutes to days after toxic algae exposure, according to the CDC.
In October of 2021, harmful algal blooms were detected at Lake Tahoe's Regan and El Dorado Beaches prompting Regan Beach to close for the season.
Watch More from ABC10: Family offers reward for answers in Lake Tahoe murder | Unsolved California | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/toxic-algae-alert-beach-tahoe/103-984a5d55-253a-4b87-9fa3-753111084ca4 | 2022-06-15T23:11:21 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/toxic-algae-alert-beach-tahoe/103-984a5d55-253a-4b87-9fa3-753111084ca4 |
Lubbock community news in brief
United kicks off campaign benefiting CASA
The United Family will kick-off a donate-at-the-register campaign for Court Appointed Special Advocates on Wednesday.
CASA of the South Plains is a non-profit with the mission of inspiring, educating, and empowering solution-minded community members who are committed to supporting the best interests of children in the foster care system. The campaign will continue through June 27.
This donate-at-the-register campaign will run in all United Family stores in Lubbock, including United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos. As with past donate-at-the-register campaigns, guests will be able to add any dollar amount to their grocery bill at checkout. The proceeds will go directly to support CASA and the children they serve on the South Plains.
Rededication set for Chatman Clinic
UMC Health System and Community Health Center of Lubbock (CHCL) are hosting a rededication ceremony to mark the transition of ownership for the historical landmark that is the Chatman Clinic. UMC currently leases the Chatman Hospital building from the Chatman Memorial Center corporation and will facilitate the transfer of ownership to CHCL.
The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Chatman Clinic, 2301 Cedar Ave.
CHCL began seeing primary care patients at the Chatman Clinic in September 2004 and is committed to serving the neighborhood and preserving the historical landmark of the Chatman Clinic.
Prior to this transfer of ownership, UMC made extensive repairs to all floors and the exterior, within the requirements of the city historical designation ordinance. The goal of UMC, CHCL, and the CMC board is to ensure the building continues to honor Dr. Chatman, remains a historical landmark, and serves the healthcare needs of the neighborhood.
Casas for CASA Raffle underway
Casas for CASA presented by Market Street will be hosted at 4205 98th St. through Thursday, June 30. Anyone and everyone can purchase raffle tickets for the opportunity to win a $3,500 MasterCard gift card, or a custom-built playhouse, doghouse, or storage building donated by local community members.
Raffle tickets can be purchased anytime online at www.casaofthesouthplains.org or at the Market Street location at 98th Street and Quaker Avenue, on Thursdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 tickets for $20, 15 tickets for $50, or 40 tickets for $100. The drawing will be held Thursday, June 30 at 5 p.m. Attendance is not necessary to win.
The funds raised during Casas for CASA stay right here in Lubbock and the five surrounding counties they serve. A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, helps a child in foster care navigate the child welfare system while working to ensure their needs are being met and advocating to find them a safe, permanent home.
For more information, contact Stacy Kelley, marketing and development director, at (806) 763-2272 or via email at stacyk@casaofthesouthplains.org.
Covenant hosting free summer program
Covenant Health will host a free summer program called Covenant Ready, which will include half-day programs for middle school students in grades 6-8 to explore health care.
With events from 8 a.m. to noon on June 21, June 23, July 12 and July 14, there are several opportunities for students to spend their morning getting a glimpse of health care and get a jump start on picking their STEM track.
The morning will begin at Maxey Park and include a tour of the hospital, including the emergency department, radiology department, pharmacy and simulation unit. Participants will get to watch a pig lung demonstration, look at slides under a microscope, see an x-ray, check out emergency vehicles and more.
Students will also get to learn about a wide variety of topics and have the opportunity to speak with health care professionals. This summer program can help middle school students begin to decide a STEM track they’re interested in.
There are still spots available for each date. Parents can sign up their middle school students through the form at the following link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=hpAxLiaao0aGX2Fb7VdnhpULMVkekPJCvyxawJ86wb1UODZRNEtVMFE4NVU1ME8wWjFaMUtGUFVVSi4u&qrcode=true
For additional information or any questions, you can email brittnie.shock@covhs.org or call (806) 725-0696 to speak with Brittnie Shock or Terri Morris.
Covenant Children's hosting diabetes camp
Covenant Children’s will host a free diabetes camp called New Beginnings for children ages 5-14 who have diabetes. The camp is scheduled for July 13-16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with each day at a different location in Lubbock. Locations will include the Science Spectrum, Main Event, YWCA and Spirit Ranch.
Due to the recent loss of the local American Diabetes Association chapter in the area, Covenant Children’s and Covenant Health Foundation recognized the need to replace the annual diabetes camp that used to be held by the organization.
The camp is free and open to all children in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Lunches, snacks, T-shirt and activities are covered; however, housing is not provided for attendees from out of town. Children will need to bring their own diabetes supplies.
There will be medical professionals who have had diabetes training to oversee safety and give parents peace of mind while their child builds friendships and enjoys the camp. Through the day campers will do carb counts, take insulin and check blood sugar together.
On the last day of camp, there will be vendor booths for parents and families to learn more about diabetes technology, products and medications.
There are still spots available. The deadline to register is July 1, or when spots are full. Parents can sign up their child through the form at the following link: https://bit.ly/39tVGH5
Cumberland hosting Summer Party in the Patch
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lubbock, at 7702 Indiana Ave., is hosting its second annual Summer Party in the Patch from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30.
It is an all-out water event, including a 19-foot double water slide, a double fancy Slip’n Slide, kiddy pools, a dunking tank and a sweet and savory food truck. Fire Station #17 will be sending a truck with team to support the event.
The new Matadors soccer team will have players onsite throughout the four-hour event.
Back-to-school back packs with school supplies — almost 200 of them — will be available on a first time, first served basis.
This is a free event for the community as a thank you for supporting the Navajo Indians and their education fund, as well as the church's ministries. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/lubbock-community-news-brief/7636826001/ | 2022-06-15T23:12:53 | 1 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/lubbock-community-news-brief/7636826001/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/aspiring-firefighter-on-road-to-recovery-after-serious-spinal-cord-injury/3272227/ | 2022-06-15T23:13:43 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/aspiring-firefighter-on-road-to-recovery-after-serious-spinal-cord-injury/3272227/ |
GORDON COUNTY, Ga. — A fire has the road closed near the Tom B. David Airport in Gordon County on Wednesday afternoon.
State Route 3/Hwy. 41 is closed at Tom B. David Airport Road in Calhoun, where helicopter video showed a large fire.
A warehouse of some sort appeared to be on fire. Several industrial businesses, including a roofing and siding location and a recycling center, are in that area.
At least two fire hoses were deployed to fight the fire, helicopter video showed.
This is a developing story. 11Alive is working to learn more details. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/gordon-county-airport-fire-road-closed/85-7e058826-d66d-4698-8e29-b0a72527c519 | 2022-06-15T23:15:41 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/gordon-county-airport-fire-road-closed/85-7e058826-d66d-4698-8e29-b0a72527c519 |
ATLANTA — The Federal Reserve announced the largest interest rate hike in decades on Wednesday in an effort to help with inflation and bring some relief to consumers. In the wake of rising prices, people say they've been utilizing their credit cards more -- and that could hurt them in the long run, economists say.
Government officials announced the rate would increase by 3/4 of a percentage point. This comes as the central bank struggles to regain control of soaring consumer prices.
11Alive turned to financial expert Andrew Poulos to get a better understanding of how this affects the average person who uses a credit card.
“Everyone is impacted when we begin to have interest rate hikes. Some are impacted in different ways than others," Poulos said.
To put this in perspective, if one has a credit card debt of $5,000 with an interest rate right now of 17% and only makes the minimum payment - the credit card holder will end up paying more than $6,500, including interest.
Poulos says the interest hike will impact every credit card company differently depending on their terms, but if one's credit card interest increased by 4% - the same amount will now cost more than $8,100 to pay off.
The financial expert said because prices are so high and a consumer's money isn’t going as far, people should re-evaluate how much they are saving.
"If you were putting away 500 before now, you probably have to have about 600 plus saved away per month in order to have that same buying power, because our buying power is rapidly eroding with the current inflation," explains Poulos.
According to a recent Experian study, Georgia currently ranks in the top 10 states for residents with the highest amount of debt averaging more than $6,000 a year.
Poulos said he doesn't expect that to improve.
“More and more people are going to incur debt because they can't afford the daily basic needs that they need with the current inflation environment," he said. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/interest-hike-credit-card-debt-impact/85-ad7eca64-142a-4717-b890-d48310d45513 | 2022-06-15T23:15:47 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/interest-hike-credit-card-debt-impact/85-ad7eca64-142a-4717-b890-d48310d45513 |
ROSWELL, Ga. — A mother was arrested in Roswell after leaving her two children in a hot car, authorities said.
The Roswell Police Department said around 1 p.m. a call came in that two young children were alone in a car.
Officers headed to the Dollar Tree at 608 Holcomb Bridge Rd., where they found a 3-month-old and 5-year-old inside of an unlocked car with the windows rolled up.
It was 93 degrees, police said when they removed the two children from the car. The children were "showing early signs of heat-related illness."
Roswell officers said they called for the mother over the loudspeaker. She told police she was "only stopping inside for a few minutes," officers said.
The mother was arrested and taken to the Fulton County Jail. She is accused of first-degree cruelty to children and reckless conduct.
Officers said the 3-month-old was taken to the hospital. They took the 5-year-old to the police station, where his father came to pick him up.
Investigators said the father was not present at the Dollar General. The department also wanted to remind the public of the deadly danger of leaving children and pets in a hot car.
"If you cannot bring your children inside your destination, leave them at home in the care of a responsible guardian," authorities said.
Most of the state is under a heat advisory, watch or warning on Wednesday. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mother-charged-two-kids-hot-car-608-holcomb-bridge-rd/85-3e190e64-afd7-4903-a09c-fda1f2468c03 | 2022-06-15T23:15:53 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mother-charged-two-kids-hot-car-608-holcomb-bridge-rd/85-3e190e64-afd7-4903-a09c-fda1f2468c03 |
In a newly filed lawsuit, Costco has been accused of violating animal-welfare laws in Nebraska and Iowa for allegedly raising chickens that grow so fast they cannot stand under their own weight and die.
The complaint — filed by two shareholders in Superior Court in King County, Washington, where Costco is based — involves an undercover investigation into Lincoln Premium Poultry near Fremont last year.
In a 48-page complaint, attorney Adam Karp said in an effort to continue selling $4.99 rotisserie chickens to drive foot traffic, Costco directors and officers have willfully ignored red flags indicating their poultry production practices are unlawful.
He said Costco sends millions of the fast-growing birds to "dirty, crowded, factory farms, run by inexperienced contract growers who Costco recruited and trained." There, he said, the disabled birds slowly die from hunger, thirst, injury and illness.
Karp said Costco’s practices amount to neglect and abandonment of the chickens, a violation of state law.
The lawsuit is asking a judge to find Costco's president, CEO, chairman of the board and others, liable for breaching their fiduciary duty and order them to take all necessary actions to reform and improve Costco’s policies, procedures and practices.
In a press release, Alene Anello, president of Legal Impact for Chickens, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that advocates for animals, said: “Once lauded as an innovative warehouse club, Costco today represents a grim existence for animals in Nebraska who are warehoused in inescapable misery."
Costco hasn't yet filed an answer and didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations.
But in a statement last year after Mercy for Animals, a Los Angeles-based animal protection nonprofit, publicized its 2021 investigation, Costco said it is committed to maintaining "the highest standards of animal welfare, humane processes and ethical conduct throughout the supply chain."
"Lincoln Premium Poultry shares our commitment, as do the independent growers selected for the program who have been carefully chosen based on our mutual business philosophies. Independent audits are regularly performed to ensure all parties are consistently in compliance."
Four minutes after warning residents to stay away from the area near 15th and U streets, the school's police department announced the person was arrested.
Keith Doering had been riding his 2015 Yamaha YZFR6 motorcycle north on 84th Street around 9:50 p.m. Saturday when a southbound Jeep turned left onto Augusta Drive, crossing into Doering's path, the police said in a news release.
The jogger, a 23-year-old woman, was running near 33rd and Apple streets around 6:30 a.m. Friday when she was struck on the head, knocked to the ground and robbed of her phone and headphones, police said.
"The smoke covered everything," The Oven's general manager said, as he and other company employees tried to sort through the ash-covered restaurant the fire left behind.
Police took two men into custody before finding a .40 caliber handgun, drug paraphernalia, $2,994 in cash, 197.5 grams of marijuana and 488 various pills.
As the 5-year-old dog charged officers, knocking one to the ground, a second officer retreated backward and fired his gun, striking the dog, the police department said. The dog, Diva, was ultimately euthanized.
Officers responded shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday to the area, where they found the 22-year-old gunshot wound victim in a parking lot. The victim refused treatment at the scene, police said.
Investigators alleged Terran McKethan, 43, posed as a 17-year-old on Snapchat while meeting young girls and offering them marijuana in exchange for sex acts. He won't be parole eligible until 2072.
Officers arrested the 18-year-old Thursday evening after a brief foot pursuit near 70th and Adams streets, police said. The department's gang task force had identified him as the suspect in a May 18 shooting.
The 34-year-old was charged Friday with possession of and delivery of a controlled substance after Lincoln Police found seven blue oxycodone pills near the victim, police said in court records.
As many as 100,000 chickens a day move along the processing line at the Costco processing plant in Fremont. The chickens are then sent to Costco warehouses around the country.
Ellen Cooling and Curt Cooling, of Omaha, listen to Vince Smith (right), a maintenance supervisor, during a tour of the Costco chicken processing plant in Fremont. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-accuses-costco-of-violating-nebraska-animal-welfare-laws/article_046b42e2-917e-5f55-b40c-0a843936984e.html | 2022-06-15T23:22:16 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lawsuit-accuses-costco-of-violating-nebraska-animal-welfare-laws/article_046b42e2-917e-5f55-b40c-0a843936984e.html |
Top leaders at the University of Nebraska are typically eager to talk about the high points — increases in enrollment, graduation rates and research funding.
Amid 40-year high inflation, gas prices rising above $5 per gallon on average across the country, and the Federal Reserve approving an interest rate hike on Wednesday, NU is happy to highlight the lows.
Next week, at its June 23 meeting, the NU Board of Regents will consider a general operating budget proposal reflecting 1.3% growth over the current fiscal year to top $1.03 billion.
While the total budget is increasing by nearly $12.9 million, NU's year-over-year growth is less than half of the state's 2.8% average annual growth rate, and far below the current 8.6% inflation rate.
And, at a time when tuition rates are continuing to increase at institutions across the country, NU will hold the line on its per credit hour costs for the second straight year, President Ted Carter said, part of what he characterized as a "modest" budget blueprint resulting from collaborations between the university, the Legislature, and Gov. Pete Ricketts.
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The cost per credit hour for Nebraska undergraduate students to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will remain at $259, while out-of-state undergrads will continue to pay $830 per credit hour for the 2022-23 school year.
Students in architecture, business and engineering — which have differential tuition rates and pay more to cover the cost of their programs — will also pay the same per credit hour rate as last year.
The freeze extends to NU's other campuses as well.
In-state undergraduate students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will pay a per-credit hour rate of $235; the University of Nebraska at Kearney will charge in-state students $209 per credit hour; and students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will pay $259.
In the context of decades-high inflation, Carter said both NU's operating budgets and its tuition rates are at levels comparable to where they were more than a decade ago.
"The cost of just about everything we deal with from food to supply chain management to education nationwide is going up and it's going up significantly," Carter said. "We are presenting a budget that significantly changes that conversation."
At a media briefing on Wednesday, Carter said the budget that will go before regents next week is the result of three years of work that began at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.
As COVID injected uncertainty into the higher education landscape, NU announced $48 million in budget cuts in anticipation of enrollment losses — and, subsequently, a loss of tuition revenue — as well as cuts to its state appropriation.
The cuts provided NU the funding it needed to keep tuition flat and embark on other priorities, which Carter said the university will capitalize on as COVID moves into the endemic phase.
"This budget that we are proposing is pretty much a statement that we are coming out of this in a position of strength," he said. "This is a very conservative approach, it is intentional, and the only way we got here was with a lot of hard work and sacrifice."
The proposed budget raises the household income qualification threshold for the Nebraska Promise program from $60,000 to $65,000, meaning more in-state students will be able to attend NU without paying tuition.
Previously, 7,000 students qualified for the program, which cost $18 million annually. The increase to $19.3 million will allow an additional 1,000 students to qualify.
NU's budget cuts will also provide a $10 million infusion of funds into the salary pool for faculty at UNL and UNMC, while $6 million in additional state funds, will make compensation packages more competitive.
At the end of the fiscal year, Carter said every NU faculty member, including at UNO and UNK, which have faculty unions, will be compensated within 98% and 102% of their peer institutions.
The proposed budget also accounts for an expected 9% increase in health insurance premiums for 2023, as well as a 2% increase in core operations for new and expanded programs, including the Rural Health Complex in Kearney.
Carter said NU's plan reflects "what we said we would do" at the start of the pandemic.
"We're continuing to focus on what we can do for our students, for the families here in Nebraska and make sure that we're giving them the best possible opportunity to get a world-class education at affordable prices," he said.
Regents are scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. in the Varner Hall Boardroom at 3835 Holdrege St.
The full agenda for the Board of Regents will be published Thursday.
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Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nu-regents-will-consider-modest-1-3-budget-increase-for-2022-23/article_b60f3f84-3b51-5bbc-a41a-cd035197cf83.html | 2022-06-15T23:22:23 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nu-regents-will-consider-modest-1-3-budget-increase-for-2022-23/article_b60f3f84-3b51-5bbc-a41a-cd035197cf83.html |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A Johnson City restaurant whose goal is to make sure everyone eats regardless of ability to pay will be hosting a special Father’s Day breakfast Saturday.
The June 18 meal will be held from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at One Acre Cafe on West Walnut Street.
Organizers say the meal will be a buffet-style country breakfast. The Father’s Day breakfast will operate as a fundraiser for the volunteer-run cafe.
“We thought what a better way to salute our dads and to honor them, by bringing them out for a good country-style breakfast and also supporting a very, very worthy community cause?” said One Acre Volunteer Coordinator Vicki Tipton.
One Acre’s menu is uploaded to the restaurant’s website each day, but Tipton provided a preview of what guests could expect for the Father’s Day breakfast.
“We’re going to have biscuits and gravy, home fries, sausage, bacon, pancakes, scrambled eggs. We’ve had a lot of local farmers donate eggs so we can scramble them up for you,” Tipton said. “Fresh fruit and pastries, and a lot of wonderful donations have come in for this benefit.”
The “Community Restaurant for Everyone” is typically open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on weekdays. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/one-acre-cafe-to-host-fathers-day-breakfast/ | 2022-06-15T23:33:36 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/one-acre-cafe-to-host-fathers-day-breakfast/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — As media descended on a chaotic scene following Summer Wells’ June 15, 2021 disappearance and law enforcement searched Hawkins County’s Beech Creek area, three boys wondered anxiously about what would happen.
They were Summer’s older brothers, ages 12, 9 and 7 at the time. Those are ages when processing traumatic events and grief is even more difficult than it is for adults, a marriage and family therapist told News Channel 11 Wednesday.
“Children are often the forgotten grievers,” Julie Burks said. “People don’t recognize that (children’s coping) as something that a child is grieving, so they will act out with anger, misbehavior, things that you would think, ‘why are they acting that way?’”
After the trauma of Summer’s disappearance, her brothers’ difficulties weren’t over.
In the days immediately following the disappearance, church friends tried to keep the boys’ spirits up amid the spotlight’s glare on the family and what one family friend described as negativity from people online and in person.
David Dotson told News Channel 11 of taking the boys to play miniature golf in Kingsport to give them a break from the busy scene around their home as search and rescue teams and agents combed the property. Dotson mentioned someone there “that made a comment that wasn’t very polite.”
As if that trauma weren’t sufficient, about six weeks later, the brothers would be removed from their parents’ care by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and placed in state custody.
Burks said professionals describe multiple emotional blows as “complex trauma.” Children typically can’t be expected to process and share their emotions the same way adults do.
“I can tell you, ‘my heart’s broken, I’m feeling sad, or I’m really ticked off’ because you know I’m missing this person or whatever,” Burks said. “A child doesn’t always have the tools yet or experience of life to understand in how to cope with that in a healthy way.”
She said that lack of full development makes therapy all the more important.
“Play therapy is excellent for young children,” Burks said. “I get the kids doing that kind of stuff in my sessions when they’re dealing with this kind of loss, and it helps them to feel like they are able to express themselves in ways they can’t verbally.”
The length of time needed varies depending on the child and the type of trauma suffered, Burks said. She said studies have shown the brain’s frontal lobe can develop differently as a result of childhood trauma, with long-term effects possible without treatment.
In addition to emotional difficulties, children in such cases can be more susceptible to later physical diseases including heart ailments, diabetes and obesity.
The good news is that with the right therapy and enough of it, children can emerge into emotionally and physically healthy adult lives.
“When they have completed trauma work, they are able to be very resilient and move forward and know that these things have happened, but it really turns things around for them,” Burks said.
In the Wells brothers’ case, accessing the needed care may be difficult. Many providers, including Burks’, don’t accept TennCare because of low reimbursement rates. Non-profit agencies like Frontier Health provide care the best they can but are often overloaded with clients.
“They don’t have the time or the resources to give the necessary care to them. I know clinicians that work there, and they may see a client once a month.”
In cases of complex trauma, Burks said that’s not usually enough.
“I would say at least weekly. There are times when they need to be in a higher level of care, two or three times a week, so places like Youth Villages oftentimes are places that children go to for those types of needs.”
With juvenile records closed to the public, there’s no way to know what level of counseling or care the brothers are receiving and whether it is or isn’t adequate considering their needs, Burks said. The publicity that’s surrounded the case leaves the boys’ caregivers with an extra burden, but one she hopes they can bear.
“They need to be protective of them so that they’re not approached or talked to about what they’ve experienced, and I think that they need people to just realize that they need some space,” Burks said.
“They need to be able to heal from this and (people should) show some compassion and recognize that this has not been easy for them. They’ve not only lost a sibling, they’ve lost their parents, their family, what they’ve always known. You know those things are really tough for a child to lose.” | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/summer-wells-tn/siblings-in-trauma-like-summer-wells-brothers-can-be-forgotten-grievers/ | 2022-06-15T23:33:42 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/summer-wells-tn/siblings-in-trauma-like-summer-wells-brothers-can-be-forgotten-grievers/ |
A house that was pulled into Rock Creek in Red Lodge, Montana, by raging floodwaters is seen Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Officials said more than 100 houses in the small city were flooded when torrential rains swelled waterways across the Yellowstone region.
Campers and tourists could only watch as the rising flood waters pulled a home off its foundation and into the Yellowstone River.
Boise native Hollie Arnell arrived at Yellowstone National Park in the middle of the madness, around 10:30 a.m. Monday.
"The rivers are all blown out," Arnell said. "(The rangers) said, 'Hey, you gotta go. They're evacuating and closing the park.'"
As water flooded out of the riverbanks, campers and tourists flooded out of the west entrance gate, Arnell said. Some people left their gear behind, while others were already in the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, for breakfast.
Regardless, people could not reenter the park and get their belongings back, Arnell said.
"Chaotic. Everyone came through that gate and just kind of hunkered down there," Arnell said. "People were talking with rangers at the community center. They were like, 'We don't know if you'll be able to get your stuff, or if you can go back in.'"
All five entrances into the park are closed, according to Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly. No one can enter the park, but there is one camp group still in the northern portion of the park, Sholly said. The park has made contact with the group and is ready to evacuate them with helicopters if needed.
The most severe damage is near the north entrance in Montana, Sholly said. The road from Gardiner, Montana - a town of fewer than 1,000 people - into Yellowstone National Park is destroyed.
This forced some campers to evacuate at another entrance.
Sholly believes the worst of the flooding has passed but said there is still roughly a foot of snowpack. The right mix of weather conditions could bring on another intense wave of floods.
"Going north into Montana more, those rivers up there were completely over the ground, coming up to the edge of the roads, to the point where we were like, 'No, let's just turn around and go back to camp,'" Arnell said. "I don't think anybody will be able to head north for quite a while. I mean, I've been through that park numerous times, but it's not gonna ever be the same."
It's still too dangerous to get boots on the ground and assess the damage, according to Sholly. Until water levels drop, officials won't be able to estimate a timeline for repairs.
Yellowstone anticipates the northern portion of the park will remain closed through the summer, Sholly said. Portions of the park, like the west entrance, may reopen with limited access. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-woman-recalls-chaotic-yellowstone-evacuation-at-west-entrance/article_e0f5e8c0-b667-5a2c-bc32-702cab41f10c.html | 2022-06-15T23:37:11 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-woman-recalls-chaotic-yellowstone-evacuation-at-west-entrance/article_e0f5e8c0-b667-5a2c-bc32-702cab41f10c.html |
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The Boise City Council on Tuesday denied two requests for reconsideration of the council’s approval of Interfaith Sanctuary’s conditional use permit.
The council can reconsider a decision “for good cause,” including if the requesting party has relevant information that was not previously available or brought up at a previous hearing, as previously reported.
“I read them from top to bottom. I didn’t see any new information,” Councilmember Jimmy Hallyburton said at Tuesday's council meeting. “I would move that we deny the request for reconsideration.”
Council president Elaine Clegg said it is clear some residents don’t agree with the city council. However, she said everything brought up in the reconsideration was considered during the hearing.
“No new relevant information was available,” Clegg said.
The final vote was 4-2, the same vote as the original decision to approveInterfaith’s conditional use permit to move its homeless shelter from its downtown location to the former Salvation Army site at 4306 W. State St.
On Facebook, the Veterans Park Neighborhood Association said on June 14 thatit would be taking the issue to court.
“We will now be working with our lawyer Brian Ertz to appeal to the courts based on the Local Land-Use planning act. We have 30 days to appeal starting today,” the association wrote.
Interfaith Sanctuary’s planned move has been a winding, controversial process. Interfaith began working on a move in early 2021. Boise’s Planning & Zoning commission denied a request for a conditional use permit in January. However, the Boise City Council overturned that decision in a series of long, heated hearings in April.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County. Contact her at 208-465-8107 and follow her on Twitter @CKomatsoulis. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/request-for-reconsideration-of-interfaith-sanctuary-decision-denied/article_b238a671-84e8-52e8-a880-c71b7f2484c1.html | 2022-06-15T23:37:23 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/request-for-reconsideration-of-interfaith-sanctuary-decision-denied/article_b238a671-84e8-52e8-a880-c71b7f2484c1.html |
Treasure Valley cities are mixed on their responses to Juneteenth, a holiday marking the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free slaves.
The holiday falls on Sunday, June 19 this year but entities like the federal government and banks will recognize the holiday on Monday, June 20.
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Government buildings in Boise, Meridian and Nampa did not close last year, due to the short notice. However, Gov. Brad Little closed state offices on Friday, June 18.
This year, Meridian City Hall will be closed and employees will have June 20 off, in observance of the holiday, Communications Manager Stephany Galbreaith wrote in an email to the Idaho Press. Boise will also observe Juneteenth on June 20.
However, Nampa’s full-time employees will take the paid holiday on December 23, according to Amy Bowman, communications manager for the city.
“This year, we are using Juneteenth as a floating holiday; similarly to how the City of Nampa takes the Columbus Day holiday on the day after Thanksgiving,” Bowman wrote in an email.
Kuna’s offices will be open, though employees can take the day off if they choose, Mayor Joe Stear said in an email. The city of Eagle will also remain open on Monday.
Last fall, Idaho County commissioners questioned whether to add Juneteenth to their list of holidays. Normally, government workers would have Monday off, since the holiday falls on a non-business day this year, but Idaho County Treasurer Abbie Hudson told the commissioners June 20 is the final day of property tax collections for the second half of the year, the Lewiston Tribune reported.
Idaho County Commission Chairman Skip Brandt went a step further.
“We have plenty of holidays ... and I’m disinclined to add another one,” Brandt said, according to the Lewiston Tribune.
Holidays show what is valued by society, Kristin Haltinner, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Idaho, told the Idaho Press last fall. Holidays also create community and unity.
“I think the resistance to holidays that recognize some of these racist histories reflects the lack of reconciliation that Idaho has done with its own racist past,” Haltinner said at the time. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/treasure-valley-cities-mixed-on-upcoming-juneteenth-holiday/article_5d0e10c6-a965-5670-9c96-0e7a7d0589e1.html | 2022-06-15T23:37:29 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/treasure-valley-cities-mixed-on-upcoming-juneteenth-holiday/article_5d0e10c6-a965-5670-9c96-0e7a7d0589e1.html |
Crews restored power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses in the Fort Wayne area Tuesday after storms toppled trees and power lines and damaged buildings.
As of 4 p.m. today, about 16,250 Indiana Michigan Power customers in the Fort Wayne area -- mostly southwest and Waynedale residents -- are still without power. About 1,560 customers in the Avilla area and 80 customers in the Decatur area are also powerless.
A total of about 40,000 I&M customers lost power because of Monday night’s storms. All Fort Wayne residents were expected to have power again by 11 p.m. Thursday, I&M said. It said the Decatur and Avilla customers were to be restored by 11 p.m. tonight.
Hannah Carpenter, meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said Monday’s storms were a derecho, a storm that moves in a straight line and hits high wind speeds. Fort Wayne International Airport had the highest windspeed, with winds reaching about 98 mph.
Joe Marana, airport director of operations and facilities, said one flight was diverted, and numerous buildings were damaged. The most severe damage included walls and doors missing, Marana said, and the SkyWest hangar where the airport does maintenance on Delta and United planes lost siding and insulation.
Marana said the airfield was cleaned and flights were running as usual Tuesday.
The Fort Wayne Division of Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department were picking up limbs and trees, said John Perlich, the city’s spokesperson. The city does not oversee power restoration, he said.
Traffic signals were out at 23 intersections at 4 p.m., Perlich said.
City Utilities is extending the hours at its Biosolids Facility, located at 6202 Lake Ave., until 8 p.m. through Thursday, Perlich said. The extended hours will help people who need to drop off tree branches and tree limbs in residential areas.
Republic Services will also accept tree debris at its compost site at 6231 MacBeth Road, starting Thursday morning. People can drop off debris until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. until noon Saturday.
City Utilities will waive fees to drop off limbs and branches until Sunday. There is no charge at Republic.
Michael Bianski, I&M spokesman, said people have been working since the storm passed to clear roads and fix power lines. Southwest Fort Wayne was hit hardest, he said.
County Commissioner Rich Beck was absent from a Tuesday meeting of the Allen County Redevelopment Commission on which he serves as president because of damage at his horse farm from Monday night’s severe thunderstorms.
“It’s just trees down like other people had and damage to two barns,” said Beck, who lives on Coverdale Road in southwest Allen County. “A lot of people had worse.”
“No one’s hurt,” he added. “We were fortunate.”
Redevelopment commission member Jill Kinder was also absent because of difficulty navigating southwest Allen County caused by downed limbs and storm debris.
Southwest Allen County Schools canceled all summer school classes, enrichment camps and activities Tuesday. Homestead’s summer classes were moved to Woodside Middle School for today and Thursday.
Maplewood Elementary School will be closed Thursday, and summer school students there will not have classes until power is restored.
For people helping clean up debris, Bianski recommended watching for downed power lines and being cautious of crews on and alongside roads. If stoplights are out due to power outages, treat those like stop signs.
James D. Wolf Jr. and Rosa Salter Rodriguez of The Journal Gazette contributed to this story.
Motorist advisory
Fort Wayne city officials say several traffic signals remain out of service after Monday's storms.
They are:
- West Jefferson Boulevard and Aboite Center Road
- West Jefferson Boulevard and Mallard Cove Lane
- West Jefferson Boulevard and Covington roads
- West Jefferson Boulevard and Getz Road
- West Jefferson Boulevard and The Village at Time Corners
- West Jefferson Boulevard and Mike’s Car Wash
- West Jefferson Boulevard flashing signal between Olde Canal Place and Aboite Center Road
- Aboite Center and Dickie roads
- Washington Boulevard and Hanna Street
- Washington Boulevard and Harmar Street
- Engle and Bluffton roads
- Engle Road and Statesmans Way
- Winchester and Bluffton roads
- Sand Point and Bluffton roads
- Old Trail and Bluffton roads
- Lower Huntington and Bluffton roads
- Old Trail and Lower Huntington roads
- Taylor Street and Ardmore Avenue
- Airport Expressway and Winchester Road
- Airport Expressway and Lower Huntington Road
- Smith and Pontiac streets
- Pontiac and Hanna streets
- Hanna Street and McKinnie Avenue
- Fairfield Avenue and Paulding Road
- Dartmouth Drive and Washington Center Road | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/more-than-17-000-in-fort-wayne-still-without-power-after-storms/article_54a035c0-ec21-11ec-9530-8bd79e4ced1b.html | 2022-06-15T23:37:33 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/more-than-17-000-in-fort-wayne-still-without-power-after-storms/article_54a035c0-ec21-11ec-9530-8bd79e4ced1b.html |
It may be summertime, but skating at a Central Park rink is still very much an option.
The Wollman Rink will have its first day of "DiscOasis" for skaters on June 16. The DiscOasis is a "glittering roller-disco paradise for the soul," and plans to be full of music, art, performances, and dancing.
The famous rink is usually home to ice-skaters from October until April.
Visitors will be able to roller skate Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and choose between daytime or evening sessions.
The Wollman Rink is a two-minute walk from the Central Park entrance at 59th Street and 6th Avenue.
The daytime session starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. where skaters can choose to participate for a 1- or 3-hour session.
DiscOasis promises to "come alive" at night through an immersive experience. The evening session will pick up at 5:30 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.
Tickets for the evening include two hours on the rink, a dance party, and live performances.
News
But Wollman Rink is not the only famous place to be transformed for the season. The iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center was turned into Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in April 2022 and will remain open until October.
Tickets and more information for DiscOasis are available here. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/central-parks-wollman-rink-is-turning-into-a-roller-disco-this-summer/3736123/ | 2022-06-15T23:39:31 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/central-parks-wollman-rink-is-turning-into-a-roller-disco-this-summer/3736123/ |
GARY — Construction work on long-awaited commuter railroad projects, the pending designation of economic development zones around train stations and the ongoing preparations to receive state grant money for economy-boosting projects prompted the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce to invite leaders of three organizations in charge of those efforts to its monthly meeting Wednesday.
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District President Michael Noland, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority President and CEO Sherri Ziller and Northwest Indiana Forum President and CEO Heather Ennis addressed members of the chamber that represents Hammond and East Chicago businesses at their lunchtime meeting at Hard Rock Casino.
A drive from Gary east along the South Shore Line, where "we are in full-bore construction mode," Noland said, provides the most evident example of the confluence of several efforts in 2022.
The construction work is part of the railroad's $650 million Double Track project to add a second set of rails along single-track areas of the 26 mile stretch from downtown Gary to downtown Michigan City, where the tracks will be moved to the side of the street in a transformation of the city's downtown.
The effort will reduce express-train trips from South Bend to Chicago from 2 hours 35 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, and trips from Michigan City from 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 7 minutes or better, he said. The project also includes new stations in Miller and Michigan City and expanded parking along the line — with a Dune Park expansion finished and Portage/Ogden Dunes project "well under way."
That project will connect to the billion-dollar West Lake Corridor project at a new Hammond Gateway Station. West Lake will run 12 peak-hour trains on weekdays to and from Chicago, and off-peak shuttle service between its Munster-Dyer station and the Gateway.
For the project itself, demolition work on commercial properties is nearing completion and utility work is progressing, Noland said. "There's a huge amount of activity going on there."
West Lake will use 32 current South Shore cars that will be refurbished and "will look like brand new cars on the inside," while 26 double-decker cars leased from Metra will bolster the South Shore Line. Noland said post-project train schedules will be made public soon.
As construction season heats up, the first seven transit development districts, or TDDs, that will be created around current and future train stations are moving through a process that could see them finalized in late summer or early fall, Ziller said. Once established, a baseline of local property tax and local income tax revenue will be determined, and increases in revenue moving forward will go into a special fund to aid development within each district.
"We're doing all this to bring connectivity to Chicago up to 21st century standards," Ziller said, with the intention of drawing investment, population and the added economic activity that brings to the Region.
Meanwhile, the state's $50 million READI grant is expected to aid in that endeavor. Ennis said the grant, awarded last year, includes 35 projects based on the Northwest Indiana Forum's "Ignite the Region" plan.
Northwest Indiana's plan for the grants, awarded by the state from federal funds, focused on ready-to-go projects that include technology initiatives aimed at turning the area between Chicago and South Bend into a quantum computing hub, new business, industrial and medical research parks, high-tech career training and supporting young, minority and rural entrepreneurs to innovate and lead in tech and other industries.
The focus on "talent" and "place-making" also includes money for the Marquette Greenway trail spanning the length of Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline, assisting development of the transit-oriented neighborhoods and promoting local farm and food distribution initiatives.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Nothing Bundt Cakes, Basecamp Fitness, Northwest Health doctor's office opening; Fresh to Order closed
Coming soon
Closer to customers
'A lot of visibility'
Closed
Coming soon
Now open
First Indiana location
Under renovation
Closed
Closed
Available for rent
WATCH NOW: Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops — Patrolling Lowell with Cpl. Aaron Crawford
Giant life-sized dinosaurs, including colossal T-Rexes and Brontosauruses that stand up to 14 feet tall, will soon invade Harvest Tyme at 17904 Grant St in Lowell.
The airport authority voted Wednesday to approve a separation agreement with Avports and its affiliate AFCO Gary, ending a "private-public partnership" that began to fanfare in 2014.
The new physicians that joined the Community Care Network, Inc. have specialties like allergy and immunology, anesthesia, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and radiation oncology.
The revived Lynn’s Furniture & Mattress plans to open a big-box store in the Highland Grove Shopping Center about a mile north of where it used to have a store in Schererville. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/economic-development-opportunities-hailed-at-chamber-event/article_792ce899-b526-5144-ad5e-cb7b5244acc1.html | 2022-06-15T23:42:07 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/economic-development-opportunities-hailed-at-chamber-event/article_792ce899-b526-5144-ad5e-cb7b5244acc1.html |
A financial adviser from Munster was named to the InvestmentNews Top 40 Under 40.
Chris Janota with Envoy Wealth Management LLC in Crown Point was inducted into the Top 40 under 40 Class of 2022 for InvestmentNews, a national publication that supplies investment news and analysis for financial advisers.
Janota, a Munster resident, founded Envoy Wealth Management at 9800 Connecticut Drive in the Purdue Technology Center in Crown Point in 2017. The firm serves individuals, families and small business clients.
He was one of 40 people under the age of 40 nationwide honored for making an impact on the financial services sector.
“I am beyond excited to be included in this year’s InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 award class,” Janota said. “I am honored to be associated with this distinguished award and the many professionals who have received it in past years. My goal is to help my clients reach their financial goals and serve the community, and I’m proud to be recognized for those ongoing contributions.”
Janota has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. He's the owner, president and founder of Envoy Wealth Management.
He was selected out of more than 600 candidates nationwide for the honor after an editorial panel with the magazine reviewed his application, accomplishments and contributions to the industry.
He has worked as an adviser, volunteered with the InvestWrite financial education literacy program and helped college students get ready for careers through Northern Illinois University’s Alumni Association mentorship program.
Janota also serves as president of the board of the Act of Grace nonprofit that helps youth with epilepsy and other neurological conditions. He serves as vice president of the Park Forest Historical Society Board of Directors, a member of Cambridge's New Century Council and a volunteer with the Life Happens Scholarship Program.
Janota and the magazine's other 40 under 40 inductees will be honored at a ceremony on Friday in New York City.
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Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
Giant life-sized dinosaurs, including colossal T-Rexes and Brontosauruses that stand up to 14 feet tall, will soon invade Harvest Tyme at 17904 Grant St in Lowell.
The airport authority voted Wednesday to approve a separation agreement with Avports and its affiliate AFCO Gary, ending a "private-public partnership" that began to fanfare in 2014.
The new physicians that joined the Community Care Network, Inc. have specialties like allergy and immunology, anesthesia, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and radiation oncology.
The revived Lynn’s Furniture & Mattress plans to open a big-box store in the Highland Grove Shopping Center about a mile north of where it used to have a store in Schererville. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/northwest-indiana-financial-adviser-named-to-investmentnews-top-40-under-40/article_b71c0b97-3a1d-584b-a002-8f650866a648.html | 2022-06-15T23:42:13 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/northwest-indiana-financial-adviser-named-to-investmentnews-top-40-under-40/article_b71c0b97-3a1d-584b-a002-8f650866a648.html |
MUNSTER — The School Town of Munster recently approved a new principal for Wilbur Wright Middle School.
Bojan Jovanovic, currently the assistant principal, will replace Morgan Nolan, who was selected as Munster High School principal in April.
“What stuck out more than anything was (Jovanovic's) connection with students as well as his commitment to a school not only where students learn at high levels but where students and staff are excited to come to school every day. That is something we want to happen at all of our schools. His commitment to those things made him the person that we felt was the best person for the position,” incoming Superintendent Bret Heller said.
The selection process to find a new principal included surveys of students, parents and staff to identify leadership characteristics they found important for the principal to possess. With those in mind, 13 candidates were chosen to move forward.
Heller and assistant superintendents conducted interviews with the candidates, narrowing the list to six candidates who then participated in committee interviews. The remaining candidates met with committees of staff, families, community members and students.
From there, three candidates moved forward for a final interview. The administrative team met with each candidate May 31, and they were asked questions regarding their leadership philosophy and short- and long-term vision and goals for the school.
Jovanovic received his bachelor's degree in secondary education with a specialization in social studies from Purdue University and his master's degree in educational administration and supervision from Ball State University.
He began his teaching career at Munster High School in 2009, teaching social studies. In 2015, he left to teach social studies in Merrillville and returned in 2017 as a building administrator at Wilbur Wright Middle School.
Jovanovic has served on various committees and worked with a team to create WEB — where everyone belongs — which brings eighth grade students together with new students to mentor them.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be the next principal of Wilbur Wright Middle School. I will do everything in my power to provide the best middle school experience for our students and their families,” Jovanovic said.
He said he will begin working with teachers, students and stakeholders to establish a vision for the school.
“We will continue to be innovative and ambitious as we work to make our wonderful school even better. We will leverage our already engaging and world-class instruction and look for ways to differentiate and enhance our teaching to ensure that every student has the opportunity to grow and achieve their potential. We will continue to provide support and resources to our students and families to make sure every student is welcomed and feels like WWMS is a safe and inclusive school where everyone can thrive,” he said.
For a self-described “blue collar kid from Steger, Ill.,” David A. Roberts has put his college and military experience to good use. And PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon is no slouch, either.
Meals will be offered weekdays only, and children must be present and eat their meals on site. Only one breakfast and one lunch are permitted per child per day.
The high school runs WDSO, also known as 88.3 FM "The Rock." It is a non-profit that plays a variety of rock music throughout the school day, as well as individual shows in the afternoon.
DUAB Chairman Justin McAdam has said the contract is the beginning of the end and he is hopeful the legislature will allow them to transition back to local control.
Delaney Messer, a senior and construction technology student at the A.K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City, received the award in Indianapolis. She plans to go into carpentry. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/school-town-of-munster-approves-new-principal-for-middle-school/article_777fbb7f-d1f4-585f-ad66-02ae4f09523c.html | 2022-06-15T23:42:32 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/school-town-of-munster-approves-new-principal-for-middle-school/article_777fbb7f-d1f4-585f-ad66-02ae4f09523c.html |
FILE — A B-25J Mitchell bomber is seen at Idaho Falls Regional Airport on Monday, June 17, 2019. The bomber was flown for 2 months in 1944 flying 15 missions. During one mission four B-25s were shot down and the Maid in the Shade was the only one that returned, according to crewman Mitch Counce of the Commemorative Air Force.
FILE — A B-25J Mitchell bomber is seen at Idaho Falls Regional Airport on Monday, June 17, 2019. The bomber was flown for 2 months in 1944 flying 15 missions. During one mission four B-25s were shot down and the Maid in the Shade was the only one that returned, according to crewman Mitch Counce of the Commemorative Air Force.
The Flying Legends of Victory Tour is bringing two of the rarest World War II fighter planes still in existenceto the Idaho Falls Regional Airport for ground tours and personal flights.
The Flying Legends of Victory is a tour run by nonprofit Commemorative Air Force that flies planes stationed at Airbase Arizona in Mesa, Ariz. The two air crafts arriving in Idaho Falls are a B-25J Mitchell named "Maid in the Shade" and her tour partner, a B-17G Flying Fortress named "Sentimental Journey."
Although these warplanes have flown side by side for several Flying Legends of Victory tours, they never fought together in World War II. The B-25J Mitchell first gained fame in a raid over Tokyo in 1942 by the Doolittle Raiders. The aircraft visiting Idaho Falls "Maid in the Shade" was based in Corsica and flew 15 combat missions over Yugoslavia and Italy. This B-25 aircraft can reach a speed of 275 mph and an altitude of 25,000 ft.
"Maid in the Shade" landed at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport on Monday and is scheduled for ground tours and flights this weekend. Due to weather conditions, the second aircraft "Sentimental Journey" will arrive today.
"Sentimental Journey" is a B-17G Flying Fortress that was built in November 1944. This model ofwarplane was made for daylight precision bombing and planes like the one visiting Idaho Fallsflew unescorted missions all over Europe for a majority of World War II. Today, "Sentimental Journey" is one of just five B-17s still flying out of the 12,731 made during the war.
One local sponsor of this tour, Aero Mark Inc., is excited to be a part of this event.
"These are very rare, unique airplanes coming to town," Aero MarkVice President Thomas Hoff said. "I think it is important for people to come out to this event because it is a very hands-on learning experience about aviation history."
Ground tours of both air crafts are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today (Thursday) and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday for $15 a person or $30 per family of four. Flights will be offered 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Tickets for the flights can purchased beforehand at azcaf.org. Flights in the B-17 are sold for $475 for a waist compartment seat and $850 for a bombardier seat. Flights in the B-25 are $375 for a radio room seat and $590 for a jump seat.
The aircraft are being hosted at Red Baron Aviation, 2381 Foote Drive. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/vintage-wwii-warplanes-arrive-at-idaho-falls-regional-airport/article_78aacf23-b8a8-529c-9416-41a42e5ab761.html | 2022-06-15T23:42:45 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/vintage-wwii-warplanes-arrive-at-idaho-falls-regional-airport/article_78aacf23-b8a8-529c-9416-41a42e5ab761.html |
There’s been an increase in murders in Dallas so far this year, and the summer crime season is only just starting.
As of Tuesday, Dallas recorded 110 murders in 2022, 17 more than the same time in the year before.
The is also a slight increase in aggravated assault not considered to be family violence. But overall violent crime is down slightly so far in 2022.
A murder victim Monday was 33-year-old Debra Ann Nabors at a small apartment complex on Military Parkway in East Dallas.
Friends Wednesday were mourning the mother of three boys.
“It was a kind of altercation between my neighbor. Debra, she didn't deserve anything that happened to her. She normally sits on her porch and she minds her business,” said friend Dyron Turner.
Resident Larneisha Canady said the crime is troubling for others who live there.
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“I see visions of this lady who has just passed away. I'm having shakes at night. My kids are scared. I can't sleep,” she said.
The neighbors said complex managers have been slow to deal with trouble there.
Apartment crime problems have been a focus of Dallas police.
“Twenty-seven percent of our murders this year occurred at apartment complexes,” Chief of Police Eddie Garcia said.
Garcia was at Dallas City Hall for a city council briefing on the entire approach to Dallas crime.
Mayor Eric Johnson said he requested the briefing as summer crime season begins.
Johnson said crime is rising higher in other big cities.
“We're doing something right here. You should be proud of that. You all are a part of that. But we have to put the pedal down and we can't lose control of things this summer,” Johnson said.
The briefing included many other efforts separate from police aimed at reducing crime including a pop-up summer gathering spot on Malcolm X Boulevard on what used to be a vacant lot.
Blight reduction is one of the strategies for crime-prone areas.
“We're hoping to demonstrate that you can transform a place, that you can create the conditions that change the dynamics of a neighborhood and make it more safe,” said Rachel Tache with Child Poverty Action Lab, one of the organizations involved in the Malcolm X location.
The city council spent three hours Wednesday discussing and hearing all the strategies.
“It's a big approach. We're throwing everything at this. We're in this fight for the long haul. The reduction of violent crime in our city is not a day thing. It's not a month thing. It's the trend of how it looks over time. And we’re very proud of the crime plan that we’ve had. If not for the crime plan that we’ve had there would be definitely more victims that we would have in this city,” Garcia said.
Police have additional challenges. Response time is slower as calls for service increase. Garcia said the police department needs more officers. There were at least 500 more officers 11 years ago. Recruiting is about equal to the number of officers leaving. And more than a quarter of the officers are eligible for retirement.
Back at the apartment complex on Military Parkway, neighbors remain worried about safety.
“Over here it's just not safe for my children. My child does not want to sleep in her room because she knows Miss Debra died in front of her window,” Turner said.
A police spokesman said no arrest has been made in the murder of Debra Ann Nabors. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-sees-increase-in-murders-as-summer-crime-season-approaches/2993506/ | 2022-06-15T23:47:19 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-sees-increase-in-murders-as-summer-crime-season-approaches/2993506/ |
Wednesday marked 10 years of the Deferred Action of Child Arrivals program.
Known as DACA, the Obama-era policy allowed the children of undocumented immigrants to work or study without fear of deportation.
The move changed the lives of thousands of families, but a decade later its future remains uncertain.
Dressed in yellow with signs saying ‘DACA is not enough’ marchers in Washington D.C. walked toward Capitol Hill hoping to send a message.
“We are here to demand change because DACA is not enough and it was never enough. There’s many people that have been left out, including myself,” said 19-year-old Judith Briseno of Dallas.
There are close to 600,000 current recipients of DACA nationwide, while close to 100,000 call Texas home.
Emma Chalott is one.
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“I came to this country when I was seven years old and Texas is my home,” Chalott said.
DACA allowed her to attend Austin College. She's now in her third year of law school.
“That was something that I always knew my parents wanted for me and that I wanted for myself. It was a big sacrifice for them to leave their country for me to achieve the education and the quality of education that I would not have had otherwise in my home country of Mexico,” Chalott said.
DACA protections are not permanent. Recipients must reapply every two years and not all are eligible.
When DACA began many supporters believed it would lay the path to permanent citizenship, but that hope has dwindled with inaction by lawmakers.
“I think the most frustrating part of all of this is that politicians for ten years have used these kids for what could have been meaningful immigration reform,” said local immigration attorney Fernando Dubove.
A Texas-Republican-led challenge to DACA awaits its fate in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, while new applicants are currently blocked from getting approval.
“If we don’t go out and ask and demand for change, it’s not going to happen,” said Briseno. “And that’s why we’re here. And we do hope. And you know, all we can do is be hopeful and continue to fight so that there is change.” | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/on-10th-anniversary-daca-future-remains-uncertain/2993442/ | 2022-06-15T23:47:25 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/on-10th-anniversary-daca-future-remains-uncertain/2993442/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/supporters-hope-north-texas-will-be-next-to-host-world-cup/2993513/ | 2022-06-15T23:47:32 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/supporters-hope-north-texas-will-be-next-to-host-world-cup/2993513/ |
SAN ANTONIO — The impact of the COVID pandemic created a growing demand for plasma-derived therapies.
For every person that has hemophilia which makes it hard for blood to clot, it takes 1,000 plasma donations every year. That is why it is so important that those who are able to donate do so frequently.
"I live with a primary immune deficiency disease called Common Variable Immune Deficiency," said Megan Ryan who has lived with that deficiency for more than 20 years. Because of the illness she is missing parts of her immune system.
"People living with rare diseases like me rely on lifesaving therapies that are derived from plasma donations. Without these donations, I would be sick all the time," she added.
"Plasma based therapies treat a wide array of different disorders things like immune problems, bleeding disorders, some neurologic disorders, even some inherited respiratory disorders," said Dr. Jennifer Hanes, the Division Medical Director of CSL Plasma.
According to the American Red Cross nearly 10,000 units of plasma are needed every day. The ideal blood type to donate plasma is either AB- or AB+. People can donate plasma as often as every 28 days. And the average donation only takes about one hour and 15 minutes.
"The donation process is similar to donating blood, but the plasma that we take off then gets separated from your red blood cells and you get those back to you," Dr. Hanes added.
"I would encourage anyone who meets the basic requirements to learn more about donating plasma and become a regular plasma donor," Ryan said.
To find out more about donating plasma check out the American Red Cross plasma info page here.
If you would like to see more of our Wear The Gown stories just head to WearTheGown.com. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/outreach/wear-the-gown/the-need-for-more-plasma-donors/273-cd2ee4a4-37d2-4ba1-ae1d-824ff629d559 | 2022-06-15T23:49:32 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/outreach/wear-the-gown/the-need-for-more-plasma-donors/273-cd2ee4a4-37d2-4ba1-ae1d-824ff629d559 |
SAN ANTONIO — Family members say 66-year-old Claudine Martinez was a fiercely independent woman who loved her pets with passion.
They say when her north side home on Rilla Vista caught fire early Monday morning, she tried to make it out, but firefighters found her body just inside a doorway. They believe she was able to save some of her pets, but she may have died while trying to rescue one of her cats.
A relative says a protective German Shepherd dog who refused to leave her side was found beside her, a victim of the smoke as well.
The medical examiner has not released her name or her cause of death, by fire officials say it appears as though Martinez was overcome by smoke.
If her cause of death is related to the fire, fire officials say she would be the 12th person this fiscal year to die in a house fire.
"It's just heartbreaking to be on the scene of another incident of this type," said SAFD spokesman Woody Woodward.
Woodward said in an effort to save lives, they are advocating a program they call SCAN, which is so important, they've given it a dedicated website.
"Investigators are telling me that it appears this fire started with an air conditioning unit that was connected to a long extension cord, piled in an unsafe manner underneath a bed and it's very sad, that at least with our preliminary information, that this could be yet another preventable fire," Woodward said.
Woodward said there are four key components in the SCAN program, the first of which is making sure every home has working smoke detectors.
"We're begging residents of San Antonio, please, please, make a SCAN of your house. Make sure your smoke detectors are working," he said.
Because many seniors have issues with mobility, the second facet of the program is a clear path of escape.
"Clear a pathway so you can get out of the home," he said.
Fire Chief Charles Hood speaks to groups of seniors regularly, telling them that he often urged his own mother to get rid of clutter.
Saying the retired teacher had a house full of ancient school supplies, Hood tells elders that the extra material can be a trip hazard, as well as a heavy fuel load that puts firefighters at increased risk.
"Make sure you have an action plan to escape your home in case of a fire and the final part of our SCAN initiative, the letter N is for check on neighbors," Woodward said.
Firefighters said an action plan may be most important in any home with children. The fire website has a special section with videos created especially for youngsters that explains the steps involved in getting out alive and then being able to meet up with family members at a designated spot.
"We're begging you. We don't want to see another incident like this," Woodward said. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/firefighters-beg-residents-to-be-safe-after-another-death/273-4d8c1db0-9849-46f4-825a-1877872f0929 | 2022-06-15T23:49:38 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/firefighters-beg-residents-to-be-safe-after-another-death/273-4d8c1db0-9849-46f4-825a-1877872f0929 |
Heavy police presence reported in unincorporated Rockledge neighborhood
A heavy police presence was reported Thursday afternoon along a dead-end street in an unincorporated Rockledge neighborhood.
The patrol cars, along with a Brevard County medical examiner's van, were spotted late Thursday afternoon along the north end of Glenn Avenue.
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Crime scene tape blocked off a portion of the roadway. Investigators were seen in the area. Investigators could be seen standing along a nearby shallow ditch.
It was not immediately confirmed what type of investigation was underway. The Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to inquiries from FLORIDA TODAY.
FLORIDA TODAY'S Malcolm Denemark and Tyler Vazquez contributed to this report.
J.D. Gallop is a Criminal Justice/Breaking News Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop. | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/brevard-deputies-cordon-off-portion-neighborhood/7640826001/ | 2022-06-15T23:50:32 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/06/15/brevard-deputies-cordon-off-portion-neighborhood/7640826001/ |
ATLANTIC CITY — The city hosted an LGBTQ Pride flag ceremony Wednesday afternoon in front of City Hall in observance of Pride Month.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month is nationally recognized in June to honor the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan while celebrating the history, culture and contributions of the LGBTQ community.
At least 50 people were in attendance for Wednesday’s flag raising, including Mayor Marty Small Sr.; Assemblyman Don Guardian, R-Atlantic; 2nd Ward Councilwoman Latoya Dunston; and 3rd Ward Councilman Kaleem Shabazz, as well as members and allies of the LGBTQ community and curious passersby.
Members of the Atlantic City LGBTQ+ Liaison Program and Services, also known as the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, had program pamphlets and mini progress pride flags, which combine multiple LGBTQ flags into one to represent inclusivity and progression.
GALLERY: Atlantic City LGBTQ Pride flag ceremony
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Anthony Ashely Jr. of Egg Harbor City, hands out flags to the attendees.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. La Verne Saunders, Mental Health Assoc. of NJ, gives the invocation.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Mayor Marty Small Sr. addresses the crowd.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Travis Love performing a cultural presentation titled "This Is Love".
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Diginitaries look upward as the new flag flies.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Assemblyman Donald Guardian addressing the crowd.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Judah-Abijah Dorrington walks at the front of the procession of dignitaries at the beginning of the ceremony.
MATTHEW STRABUK, FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. AJ Jones of Egg Harbor Township walks with diginitaries at the beginning of the ceremony.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Atlantic City officials and others appreciate the LGBTQ Pride flag waving in the wind Wednesday afternoon outside City Hall.
MATTHEW STRABUK photos, FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. Jamillia Lawrence, owner of Violet Maes Salon in Atlantic City.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
On June 15 2022, in Atlantic City, a pride flag was raised in the courtyard outside of City Hall, with political dignitaries and members of the LGBTQIA+ in attendance. C.O.O of Stockton University Atlantic City campus Brian Jackson addressesing crowd.
MATTHEW STRABUK FOR THE PRESS
Contact Selena Vazquez:
609-272-7225
svazquez@pressofac.com
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic-city-kicks-off-lgbtq-pride-month-with-flag-raising/article_d9aabe74-ecf4-11ec-970f-870c32f33ced.html | 2022-06-15T23:50:47 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic-city-kicks-off-lgbtq-pride-month-with-flag-raising/article_d9aabe74-ecf4-11ec-970f-870c32f33ced.html |
WILDWOOD CREST — An officer was assaulted by a man questioned at his home during an assault investigation, police said Wednesday.
Officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 100 block of West Syracuse Avenue. The report indicated an assault was possibly in progress, police said.
Officers asked Alberto Candelaria, 46, about being involved in the reported assault. While speaking with the officers, Candelaria became irritable, shoving one of them hard enough to dislodge their body camera from its holster, police said.
Candelaria resisted officers trying to place him into custody and was eventually subdued. Neither Candelaria nor the officers was injured during the scuffle, police said.
Candelaria was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, administration of law and disorderly conduct. He was released on a summons pending court.
His alleged involvement in the assault in progress was found to lack evidence, and his attack on the officers was unrelated and unprovoked, police said. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/wildwood-crest-man-assaults-officer-police-say/article_3a9fad22-ecfd-11ec-9b5f-3b27639c6ca8.html | 2022-06-15T23:50:53 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/wildwood-crest-man-assaults-officer-police-say/article_3a9fad22-ecfd-11ec-9b5f-3b27639c6ca8.html |
MAYS LANDING — Dozens of people stood in solidarity and prayed together outside the Atlantic County Criminal Court Complex on Wednesday morning as they continued to push for justice for Irving Mayren-Guzman.
Relatives, friends and members of the Latino community gathered outside the courthouse, some as early as 8:30 a.m., to pray before the scheduled 10 a.m. initial case disposition conference for three suspects in the beating of Mayren-Guzman.
Mayren-Guzman, 19, went missing Jan. 23 and was found dead the morning of Jan. 25 in a marsh near Centerfolds Cabaret in Pleasantville.
The three suspects, John and Garnell Hands, of Pleasantville, and Jamaul Timberlake, of Atlantic City, are charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit aggravated assault after Mayren-Guzman went missing following an altercation with the men at the strip club.
After he was physically thrown out of the strip club for being too intoxicated, the three men can be seen on surveillance video beating Mayren-Guzman, according to video shown at a detention hearing for the suspects in February.
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The status conference Wednesday, before Superior Court Judge Nancy L. Ridgway, was postponed pending the release of an autopsy report. The suspects appeared virtually Wednesday but are expected to appear in person for the next court date set for 1:30 p.m. June 29.
PLEASANTVILLE — A proposed multi-million dollar, four-decade partnership between the city an…
If Mayren-Guzman’s death is ruled a homicide in the autopsy report, charges against the suspects could be upgraded.
During the hearing, defense attorneys Matthew Portella and John Stein addressed "the elephant in the room" and spoke about how Mayren-Guzman's autopsy has not been made available five months after his death.
Portella and Stein also said they had yet to receive complete discovery, and proposed a protective order on evidence extracted from phones and photos from the autopsy.
Prosecutor Carly Steinberg said she had just recently received the autopsy and would be reviewing it with First Assistant Prosecutor Mario Formica by Monday, hopefully.
A grand jury transcript will be made available by Friday as well, said the prosecutor.
Outside the courtroom, supporters of Mayren-Guzman's family had a variety of signs and flags, including several Andy Warhol-style picket signs of Mayren-Guzman's portrait that said "Justicia Para Irving," and combination Mexican and American flags to represent Mayren-Guzman's Hispanic roots.
The family of Irving Mayren-Guzman filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against the owners of a Pl…
"There's been no change or progress," said Eulogio Mayren, the father of Mayren-Guzman, who said his family and the community just wanted answers and justice for his son's death.
Hundreds of family, friends and community members searched for Mayren-Guzman in the days following his disappearance, along with law enforcement officers. Police and volunteers searched by foot, hound, helicopter and drone, until Mayren-Guzman was found dead two days later in a marsh adjacent to the strip club where he was last seen.
The bilingual victim advocate for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Alameda Ineabel, and the director of community outreach for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, Royster Raymond, were in attendance for the prayer gathering Wednesday, while Shavonne Davis, another victim advocate for the Prosecutor's Office, made sure to hold a maximum of 12 seats for family and supporters to attend the status conference.
"We're here to offer additional support and make sure there's an open line of communication," said Raymond, who had been there with Ineabel since 8:30 a.m. to make sure family and supporters had ample space to demonstrate around the flagpoles in front of the courthouse, while being sure not to block any sidewalks or entrances.
"It makes a big difference when there is someone that understands their culture and values that can help during these difficult times," said Ineabel, who was able to translate for those Spanish-only speaking supporters who gathered.
Raymond said there were members of the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office there to support the gathering, as well as an increased police presence inside and outside of the courthouse, which included at least three police cars and several police officers.
PLEASANTVILLE — The movement seeking justice for 19-year-old Irving Mayren-Guzman after he w…
In the months following the death of Mayren-Guzman, Pleasantville City Council voted to revoke Centerfolds' mercantile license, and the family has filed a civil lawsuit against the strip club, the three men charged for assaulting Mayren-Guzman and others in connection to his death.
The three suspects will remain in the Atlantic County jail, as the courts, families, friends and community members await answers as to the cause of Mayren-Guzman's death.
"We still have faith," said the victim's father. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/status-hearing-postponed-for-suspects-in-beating-of-19-year-old-near-pleasantville-strip-club/article_12bbbe66-eccd-11ec-a35c-677a24848faa.html | 2022-06-15T23:50:59 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/status-hearing-postponed-for-suspects-in-beating-of-19-year-old-near-pleasantville-strip-club/article_12bbbe66-eccd-11ec-a35c-677a24848faa.html |
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP — The 14 seniors of the St. Augustine Prep baseball team knew they were going to have to stay goodbye Wednesday evening.
They just envisioned an entirely different scenario for those farewells to take place.
Caden Dana hit a home run and struck out four in three innings to propel Don Bosco Prep to a 5-0 win over the Hermits in the state Non-Public A final at Bob Demeo Memorial Field in Veterans Park in Mercer County.
After the game, the Hermits lingered in left field and exchanged plenty of hugs and handshakes.
“This one hurts,” St. Augustine senior shortstop Ryan Weingartner said. “I love these guys. It’s been a long four years. It’s probably the best four years of my life. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
St. Augustine (27-2) was appearing in its sixth straight state final. The Hermits won state titles in 2011 and 2018. Fans packed the bleachers to watch Wednesday’s game.
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St. Augustine had its chances early. The Hermits first two batters reached base in the first and second innings. But St. Augustine couldn’t get that timely hit to produce runs. The Hermits, who have been one of the state’s best offenses all season, finished with just three hits.
“We didn’t hit the ball,” Hermits coach Mike Bylone said. “We had all the opportunities. It’s not characteristic of our year, but you get to this level and you’re facing some good arms. We had our chances. To hold this (St. Augustine) team to three hits, give them credit.”
Clayton Poliey started on the mound for Don Bosco and allowed two hits with four walks and five strikeouts to earn the win. Poliey walked four of the first six hitters he faced but the Hermits could not take advantage.
“I got a little ahead of myself in the beginning,” Poliey said. “But I was able to settle in. I just wanted to keep the team in it. It all worked out.”
The Ironmen broke the game open with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Kevin Jaxel knocked in a run with a double, and AJ Zollo added a two-run single that found its way through a drawn-in St. Augustine infield.
Dana, the New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year, made it 5-0 with a solo home run over the right fence in the top of the sixth.
Dana is committed to pitch at the University of Kentucky and is also a major league draft prospect. The Ironmen shortened the game by bringing him in relief. He allowed just one hit, and the Hermits knew it would be tough to muster a rally with Dana on the mound.
“We knew we had to score early,” Bylone said. “We knew exactly what their game plan was by starting (Poliey). Hats off to them, It was the right move.”
Don Bosco (24-5) won its first state title since 2008. The Hermits watched as the Ironmen celebrated in right field.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, the Hermits still had one of the best seasons in the program’s impressive history. St. Augustine won the Cape-Atlantic League and South Jersey championships and the Joe Hartmann Diamond Classic.
“If you like winning,” Weingartner said, “and you want to get better. There’s no better jersey to put on than St. Augustine Prep. It really changed my life.”
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/caden-dana-propels-don-bosco-past-st-augustine-for-state-championship/article_f14135a8-ecdc-11ec-8bb5-7fd09d857ad8.html | 2022-06-15T23:51:06 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/caden-dana-propels-don-bosco-past-st-augustine-for-state-championship/article_f14135a8-ecdc-11ec-8bb5-7fd09d857ad8.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – More than 18,000 people in Sedgwick County were able to keep their jobs during the pandemic thanks to relief funds.
CARES Act grants were dished out to many small businesses in the early months of the pandemic. The goal was to help them stay open. According to a study from Wichita State University (WSU), Sedgwick County handed out $6.4 million, saved jobs, income, and in some cases, entire businesses like Connie’s Mexico Cafe.
“When everything hit, it was just a mess,” said Carmen Garcia, a co-owner of Connie’s Mexico Cafe.
One of the owners of Connie’s Mexico Cafe said when the pandemic started, they had to put all employees on unemployment and shut down for more than a month. She said they were one of the first to apply for CARES Act funds.
“That was able to hold us down for a little [bit of] time. It wasn’t a lot of time, but it was enough to get us through,” said Garcia about the multiple grants they were able to receive to help out.
With the additional dollars, they were able to reopen, put employees to work, and focus on carry-out orders.
“We are still feeling the ripple effect of that, but we are making it work,” said Garcia.
“Being able to go to a local restaurant and support local business that’s a big deal. Small business is the backbone of our economy, and for us to be able to help them and support them – I just wish we could have done more,” said Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse, who requested to study the funds.
Thanks to CARES Act funds dished out in Sedgwick County, 56 new jobs were created, and more than 18,000 jobs were retained. That lead to a $2.16 billion economic output from the retention.
“Giving those resources that time gave them the ability to respond fast in a healthy, fast manner. It leveraged them so they also could pivot as firms are saying they need different jobs than they did before,” said Jeremy Hill, the director for the Center of Economic Development and Business Research at WSU.
Hill said this is the first study on pandemic assistance money in Sedgwick county and is solely focused on the $6.4 million for small businesses.
The CARES small business impact study conducted by WSU: | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/what-impact-cares-funds-had-on-small-businesses/ | 2022-06-15T23:51:13 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/what-impact-cares-funds-had-on-small-businesses/ |
DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Authorities in Duncanville continue to investigate what led up to the shooting on Monday morning.
Wednesday, we’re learning more about the timeline of when officers arrived, and how they reacted. And the suspect's family tells WFAA, that their loved one never meant any harm.
“I’m so happy that they responded to that situation in two minutes,” said Natasha Dowden, of Duncanville.
That sentiment has been echoed throughout Duncanville.
“We should be so proud of our police,” said Dowden.
At 8:43 a.m. Monday morning, Duncanville police got a 911 call for an active shooter. By 8:45 a.m., officers stormed the fieldhouse.
“Time is your number one enemy in an active shooter incident,” said Robert Brown.
The former Duncanville police chief, and now assistant city manager says, last week, Duncanville police did an active shooter training drill.
“It was an opportunity for our police department to work closely with our civilian employees,” said Brown.
Immediately, the call for an active shooter at the fieldhouse hit officers’ radios in Duncanville and surrounding Cedar Hill and Desoto police.
“You want the first officer to enter the building and confront the attacker,” said Brown.
While moving as quickly as possible, listening to where the gunshots are coming from is key, Brown says.
“You’re looking for that individual who is a threat. Often times, that’s the gunshots that will lead you to that,” said Brown.
On Monday morning, police say 42-year-old Brandon Keith Ned walked into the main lobby, had a conversation with a staff member and managed to shoot into a classroom packed with children.
Moments later, police say, Ned ran toward the gym where there were kids. Then, police shot and killed him.
As for where the investigation stands -- Texas DPS says they’re still in the process of talking to employees from the fieldhouse, making sure all of the stories add up. As of right now, they’re still working on a motive.
Ned’s family tells WFAA, he was having a paranoid episode from being bipolar.
While the investigation continues, authorities say, the recent training may have saved lives.
“Police officers are human. Part of the training for officers is not only getting kids to safety, but staying calm. You rely on your training, you rely on your crew, and rely on each other,” said Brown.
Ned’s family sent the following statement to WFAA:
"Thank you for letting people know the truth. My brother had no intentions of hurting anyone. He had a paranoid episode from being bipolar. He reached out to talk with a friend (only a friendship nothing beyond that) and he got in the car with her to drop her children off at the Fieldhouse. They didn’t have any disagreements or arguments at all that morning. She went inside to drop her children off and had them to call the police because he needed help. Him not knowing that she did this he only went inside to get her because he wanted to go. He had his gun on him but not to purposely or intentionally harm anyone. They said that a coach approached him, I don’t know if it was aggravating or not but he pulled out his gun. He definitely didn’t pull it out to harm any children. They said that he shot in a classroom with children (we all have to wait on the camera footage for that)." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/duncanville-police-detail-fieldhouse-shooting-family-of-gunman-says-he-was-having-mental-breakdown/287-d7128860-a21a-4944-b3cb-092ac43efc6d | 2022-06-15T23:51:17 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/duncanville-police-detail-fieldhouse-shooting-family-of-gunman-says-he-was-having-mental-breakdown/287-d7128860-a21a-4944-b3cb-092ac43efc6d |
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth teenager is hoping for a good turnout for her fundraiser to benefit the survivors and victims' families of the mass shooting in Uvalde.
The fundraiser centers around people who love to ride horses, but everyone is invited to join in.
Almost every day you can find 14-year-old Brooklyn Ragan tending to or riding one of her two horses. When you see them having so much fun, you would never know that Brooklyn has been through a lot in her young life.
Her biggest triumph is surviving being bullied at school at the age of 9, which almost cost her everything.
"They bullied me into wanting to commit suicide," said Ragan. "And it was a really hard time for me. I was only 9 years old. I felt like I had no one. I felt like I was alone."
But the loneliness went away thanks to her horses.
Now, she advocates against bullying to stop teen suicides using her own hurt and pain. After the painful mass shooting in Uvalde, Brooklyn wants to help their hurt.
Ragan said, "All those friends of the children that passed away, just everything. It makes me hurt for them. And I just want to help in any way I can."
Ragan's way of helping started with a conversation with her mother about organizing a barrel racing contest on June 26 to raise money.
The two started strategizing, and the more they worked on the idea, the more it became a reality. They've even recruited sponsors for the event to help with prizes and giveaways.
Ragan also hopes it's an event that others who want to help will attend, especially if they, too, have been challenged by tragedy.
"It's just it's scary knowing that this can happen," said Ragan.
The barrel racing contest will take place at NTHRSA ARENA at 6229 Windy Ryon Way in Saginaw, Texas on June 26, 2022, with events like "Church in the Dirt" starting at 10 a.m.
There are barrel racing contests for all levels for both youth and adults. Ragan has also included non-barrel events to attract those people who don't ride horses but still want to be part of the fundraiser for Uvalde.
The sponsors include the North Texas High School Rodeo Association, the National Barrel Horse Association, WE Consignment & Training, and On The Square Trading Company.
Ragan said, "You can do a stick horse race. And we did something fun for the kids. Or we are taking donations to put because all the money that we have from this race, we are sending back to the Uvalde victims and for their memorial and stuff like that."
The barrel racing contest is the biggest task the 14-year-old has ever taken on, past her campaign to speak up for young people who suffer from bullying and might contemplate self-harm.
Ragan said, "I love helping people in any way I can." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-teenager-barrel-racing-contest-raise-funds-uvalde/287-e520bfa7-ec98-4150-b3bd-d51b8d7339fc | 2022-06-15T23:51:23 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-teenager-barrel-racing-contest-raise-funds-uvalde/287-e520bfa7-ec98-4150-b3bd-d51b8d7339fc |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After the break-in at the historic Phoenix Pharmacy building in southeast Portland on Monday, owners of neighboring buildings detailed the crime they are seeing and told KOIN 6 News they are being overlooked by the city.
George Morlan Plumbing has been around for nearly 100 years in Portland, and Foster Fitness has been in the area for more than three decades. The businesses are enduring perpetual crime, but they say it should not have to be this way.
“This is the first neighborhood I grew up in and grew up behind the store,” George Morlan President Alex Kramien said.
Kramien is the fourth generation to run the original George Morlan store on SE Foster.
“I’m really proud of it. I’m a staple of the community here,” Kramien said.
This year has been painfully expensive as time after time criminals are breaking hundreds of feet of his windows or busting through doors to steal merchandise.
“It’s gotten worse all around Portland. But, you know, this neighborhood seems to be taking the brunt of a lot of the problems; and whether it’s the homeless, the crime and the overall gradual decline of the area, it’s been a big struggle for a lot of local businesses and for the people that live here,” Kramien explained.
Across the street at Foster Fitness Center, the owner says the everyday impacts are exhausting.
“Homelessness is crazy. They’re, running amuck. They chased my daughter, they’re trying to break into all the neighbors’,” Foster Fitness Center owner Noel Fuller said.
Businesses, he says, have reached a boiling point and need the city to respond.
“You know, I’d like to see them get, you know, get just got out of town, no tents, no anything, get them a place to stay in, if they don’t want to stay? To get them out of town,” Fuller said.
Addressing the lack of policing and accountability are businesses top priorities.
“I think some of the recent legislation and policies of prosecution has created some unintended consequences that have resulted in inviting the problem to our city,” Kramien said.
Policies, businesses, say the city needs to reevaluate in order for true revitalization to happen.
“I think everybody that has a stake in this community needs to really make their voices heard and also we need to hear alternatives and take an honest look at some of these the laws that have been passed and how things are being enforced,” Kramien said.
They say its time to take the politics out of the discussion because real lives and livelihoods are on the line.
This kind of crime is also very costly. For example, George Morlan told KOIN 6 News that in 2022, they have spent $150,000 repairing damage, stolen goods and adding more security.
KOIN 6 News reached out to the mayor’s office for his thoughts. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/se-portland-businesses-detail-perpetual-break-ins-vandalism/ | 2022-06-15T23:58:17 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/se-portland-businesses-detail-perpetual-break-ins-vandalism/ |
MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie homeowner will not be charged for shooting and killing an intruder in November of last year.
The Delaware County Prosecutor said the homeowner was justified in shooting 19-year-old Ke'yon Davis, when he tried to break into her home on 7th Street on Nov. 19, 2021.
Court documents say a homeowner and her child were in their home at around 11:45 p.m. on Nov. 18, when the homeowner heard someone outside trying to break through a window.
The homeowner called 911. Police arrived about 10 minutes later and checked around the house, but didn't see anyone. They told the homeowner they would up their patrols around her house.
The homeowner did report hearing anything else throughout the night. At around 5:20 a.m. on Nov. 19, the homeowner again heard someone outside her house trying to get in. This time through a kitchen window.
Court documents say the homeowner told police she saw two hands lifting her kitchen window.
That's when the homeowner, who's licensed to carry a gun in Indiana, said she fired on "warning shot" at the kitchen window.
Police said she immediately called 911 to report the shooting. Police arrived to find Davis lying on the ground a few feet from the kitchen window. Everything he had one was black, including his coat, hoodie, sweatpants, socks and sneakers. He also had a backpack on him with various items in it, including a stolen laptop.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy determined his death to have been caused by a single gunshot wound. Documents say toxicology results also found Davis had "designer opioids" and "fentanyl" in his system.
RELATED: 1 dead in Muncie shooting
Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman decided not to charge the homeowner.
In documents explaining his decision he wrote, "All of the evidence indicates that when the homeowner fired her handgun ultimately striking Ke’yon Davis she did so in defense of herself, her minor child, and to terminate an unlawful attack upon her residence."
He added that the shooting of Davis was "legally justifiable" and said that if Davis had survived, he would have faced multiple felony charges including attempted burglary, attempted residential entry, and theft.
The investigation into this case has been closed. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/muncie-indiana-homeowner-wont-be-charged-for-shooting-intruder/531-66e19b26-58b3-419d-afe8-cc6aa4b1b62a | 2022-06-16T00:00:14 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/muncie-indiana-homeowner-wont-be-charged-for-shooting-intruder/531-66e19b26-58b3-419d-afe8-cc6aa4b1b62a |
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has released the names of the two men found dead on Tucson’s south side Sunday morning.
On June 12 just after 7 a.m., deputies were called to a shooting in the 9700 block of South Oak Canyon Lane, near East Old Vail Road south of the Tucson International Airport, where they found Miguel Rodriguez, 32, and Santiago Trevizo-Armenta, 46, with trauma injuries.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
No information about a suspect or what led to the shooting was released by the sheriff's department.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME. | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/names-of-2-men-found-dead-on-tucsons-south-side-are-released/article_55e6cc18-ecfe-11ec-a61d-37bf19ae2674.html | 2022-06-16T00:02:22 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/names-of-2-men-found-dead-on-tucsons-south-side-are-released/article_55e6cc18-ecfe-11ec-a61d-37bf19ae2674.html |
Area law enforcement departments are working together to ensure that they are prepared to face active shooter incidents as efficiently as possible, starting with schools in Pima County.
On Wednesday, Sheriff Chris Nanos along with law enforcement leaders from Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, the University of Arizona, Pima Community College and South Tucson spoke about the importance of collaboration and communication when it comes to responding to active shooter incidents.
“This is not about saving lives in minutes; every second matters,” Nanos said at a news conference held by representatives of the Pima Regional Critical Incident Team. “We need to get a very robust, coordinated response, and that takes communication, at the leadership all the way to those in our dispatch center so that they can work together.”
In addition to communication, law enforcement leaders are also focused on building relationships with schools around the county. Nanos stressed the importance of partnering with the school boards, saying he had spoken to Dustin Williams, the Pima County School superintendent, and hopes to speak with Gabriel Trujillo, the Tucson Unified School District superintendent, soon.
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“Partnerships need to be built on the level of trust and public safety first, particularly when you're talking to schools, Nanos said. “The vulnerable little ones, they need our help, and they need us to work together. The partnership doesn't just stop there; it's also a partnership with our students and with their families.”
Nanos said they have school resource officers on campus to help strengthen relationships with students in classrooms, giving an example about how an SRO found a threat on social media recently and was able to provide the student with help.
Law enforcement have also been holding active shooter trainings around Pima County for school employees. The Sahuarita Police Department will be holding three different active shooter training sessions this summer for schools, and Pima County has been offering active training drills for teachers during which they can learn how to deal with a gunshot wound.
Law enforcement leaders are also urging parents to talk to their children this summer about gun safety and focus on prevention.
“Pay attention to what they are doing on their cellphones, what they are doing on their gaming stations, how they are interacting and how they are communicating with each other,” Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar said. “Everyone’s demeanor changed post pandemic, and fuses are shorter, so you have to have conversations with your kids.”
Overall, Nanos hopes to build better partnerships built on common sense and not on political rhetoric by having agencies respond to the incidents in a timely manner, communicate with each other and come together to collaborate on preventive measures by partnering with mental help providers.
“I do not ever want to see one of our officers or deputies to show up and be outgunned and that’s the reality today,” Nanos said. “Bottom line is we recognize that we can’t wait for the politics. We have to do.” | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-area-police-departments-helping-schools-prepare-for-active-shooters/article_0107346a-ecce-11ec-bac9-c339ec47647d.html | 2022-06-16T00:02:28 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-area-police-departments-helping-schools-prepare-for-active-shooters/article_0107346a-ecce-11ec-bac9-c339ec47647d.html |
PHOENIX — Four years after voters rejected a similar plan, Republican lawmakers are pushing ahead with a plan to let any of the 1.1 million students in Arizona public schools get vouchers to attend private and parochial schools.
And they are holding a separate plan to boost aid to public schools hostage unless they get what they want.
House Bill 2853, approved Wednesday by the House Ways and Means Committee on a 6-4 party-line vote, would remove all restrictions on who can get vouchers, called Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. Backers say this would ensure that parents get to decide the best option for their children.
That assertion was disputed by Beth Lewis, executive director of Save Our Schools, a coalition of educators and community advocates for public schools.
She said that unlike public schools, private schools can pick and choose who they want to accept. And Lewis said those schools, many of which are for-profit corporations, accept those who will cost them the least, meaning the highest achievers and students who do not have special needs.
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Republicans said they are not ignoring the needs of public schools, as they also voted Wednesday for House Bill 2854, which would increase state aid to schools by $400 million, above another $250 million additional already planned.
But there's less there than meets the eye. First, only half of that additional money would be permanently allocated. The plan is weighted so the districts with more students in financial need would get more.
Beyond that, schools would have to wait until the 2023-2024 school year for the one-time $200 million infusion.
And there's something else. House Majority Leader Ben Toma, R-Peoria, who wrote both measures, included a "poison pill'' of sorts: It says that if the vouchers do not become law, the public schools don't get any of that $400 million.
Leverage
That is designed to deter public educators and their allies from doing to HB 2853 what they did to a similar voucher expansion measure approved by GOP lawmakers in 2017.
They collected enough signatures to put the expansion on the 2018 ballot. And voters overruled the legislation by a margin of close to 2 to 1.
Toma made no secret of his desire to use the additional funds for K-12 education as leverage for vouchers. "There should be incentive for everyone to be supportive of school choice,'' he said.
"It feels like we're being held hostage to the voucher expansion,'' responded Rep. Kelli Butler, D-Paradise Valley.
Lewis told Capitol Media Services that supporters of public education won't be deterred, vowing to go to the ballot once again if the Republican-controlled Legislature approves universal vouchers. While that would mean the loss of $400 million — or, really, $200 million of ongoing funds — that is nowhere near the amount that public schools need in Arizona, she said.
She pointed out that voters in 2020 approved Proposition 208 to infuse another nearly $1 billion into public education. That was sidelined after the Arizona Supreme Court ruled the tax could not be levied because it bumped up against a constitutional limit on education spending.
Senate holdout
Lewis, public education advocates and their Democratic allies are not alone in saying schools need more than HB 2854 is offering.
Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, said he is holding out for an amount close to that $1 billion figure. And with only 16 Republicans in the 30-member Senate, the plan cannot get final approval without his vote.
Wednesday's votes come as school districts won a significant legal victory, with a judge saying they are entitled to pursue claims that the Legislature shorted them billions of dollars.
The voucher legislation is the culmination of what started out as a small program in 2011 to help parents of children with disabilities.
Arizona courts upheld the legality of the program, saying the fact that parents decided where to spend the money means it does not violate constitutional provisions against state aid to private or parochial schools.
It provides the equivalent of 90% of what the state would pay to send the same child to a public school, though HB 2853 contains provisions that actually would boost that beyond public school aid.
Since that time it has been expanded so it now covers foster children, reservation residents and students attending schools rated D or F.
All those conditions would disappear under HB 2853.
Student flight?
How many students would move from public schools is unclear.
The latest figures show 11,775 students getting these vouchers, with an average award of $15,225. That figure, however, includes students with special needs who get more money; the bulk of the vouchers are between $6,000 and $7,000 a year.
Proponents say legislative budget staffers estimate that only between 25,000 and 30,000 more students would move to private or parochial schools. Foes say some of those schools charge far more in tuition than the size of the voucher, meaning only parents who can afford the difference can take advantage of the state funds.
Jill Humphreys, who serves on the board of the Gilbert Unified School District, said one problem with vouchers is lack of accountability.
Standardized testing added
Toma did agree to put provisions in the bill to require students in private or parochial schools with more than 50 students to take some sort of standardized test to measure academic progress. That's a first for Arizona voucher bills.
But unlike tests administered to students in public schools, those results will be made available only to each child's parent. Rep. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said there needs to be more transparency to determine if the public funds are being properly spent.
Rep. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix, said public knowledge of how voucher-funded students are performing is irrelevant.
"You mention accountability,'' she said. "But parents are, at the end of the day, they're holding schools accountable by either keeping their kids somewhere or removing them.''
2018 public vote 'irrelevant'?
The voucher expansion plan drew support from Jeff Blake, superintendent of Phoenix Christian Preparatory School. He said vouchers are not simply being used by the rich, telling lawmakers that about 55% of the students at his school qualify for free or reduced-price lunches under federal programs.
Epstein, however, said that still leaves the question of why state taxpayers should finance the religious education that is part of the curriculum there and at other parochial schools. Blake said he sees no problem with that.
"This program would significantly open up the opportunity for families to operate by their convictions of what is the best interests of their child,'' Blake said. "And we're committed to do that.''
Toma said the 2018 public vote rejecting voucher expansion is irrelevant to this new push, saying that was a "flawed suggestion'' and "imperfect solution'' that did not provide universal vouchers.
And Drew Anderson, senior pastor of Legacy Christian Center, a supporter of vouchers, said it doesn't really matter what voters said in 2018.
"That was eons ago,'' he said, saying a lot can change in four years.
"In 2016 the state of Arizona voted in favor of Donald Trump,'' he said. "Fast forward to 2020, Donald Trump didn't win the state of Arizona.''
The measure now goes to the full House where there may need to be further changes to pick up the support of all 31 Republicans. If it gets approved there, it faces an uncertain future in the Senate, especially with the concerns expressed by Boyer. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-voters-said-no-but-universal-school-vouchers-plan-is-back/article_b9c958b2-eccd-11ec-974f-ef0d20f71ff0.html | 2022-06-16T00:02:34 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-voters-said-no-but-universal-school-vouchers-plan-is-back/article_b9c958b2-eccd-11ec-974f-ef0d20f71ff0.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Michael Weeks has managed the Eastport Food Center for the last two years. With his food cart pod sitting right on Southeast 82nd near the shopping center, Weeks has seen a lot, but nothing like the deadly hit-and-run crash he witnessed last Monday night.
"I heard the engine roar up and I looked up and saw him coming forward," Weeks said.
Security cameras captured all of it. The video shows the driver of a pickup truck pulling into the Eastport Plaza parking lot, turning around and stopping. Moments later a cyclist rides by, followed by a pedestrian. The driver of the truck floors it and plows into the person walking.
"I've seen a lot of accidents out here," Weeks said. "I've seen people hit at the crosswalk here — but nothing like that."
Weeks said he has never seen anything like what happened next either.
After hitting the pedestrian, video shows the driver of the pickup truck turn around and attempt to hit the cyclist. Fortunately the driver failed. He then parks in the middle of Southeast 82nd. The driver gets out of the truck for a moment before getting back in and taking off.
Weeks said that he jumped into his own vehicle and gave chase. He caught up with the suspected hit-and-run driver at Lents Park. The two spoke briefly.
"He gets out of his vehicle, no problem, smoking a cigar, comes over and I was like, 'Portland is crazy', and he said 'yeah,'" Weeks recalled.
A short time later officers arrested the driver, later identified as Frederick Moore, 40.
Court documents obtained by KGW say Moore told officers he intentionally hit the pedestrian. Court papers also indicate that Moore has a troubled past. He was convicted of second degree murder in Washington in the late nineties.
Portland police have not yet identified the victim, who was killed in the crash. In a June 7 statement, the Portland Police Bureau said that their name would be released once the Medical Examiner's office had notified family.
Weeks hopes that Moore is convicted of the deadly hit-and-run and put back in prison.
"I hope, you know, it takes its course and he goes away for awhile," Weeks said.
RELATED: Hit-and-run driver who struck pedestrian near Eastport Plaza charged with murder, police say | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/video-southeast-portland-eastport-hit-and-run-deadly/283-e772efef-8830-4b71-8113-f5bc82b94cdb | 2022-06-16T00:03:29 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/video-southeast-portland-eastport-hit-and-run-deadly/283-e772efef-8830-4b71-8113-f5bc82b94cdb |
COVID-19 weekly update: Cases rise by 16,334 as 23% of weekly tests return positive
Arizona's weekly COVID-19 update again showed an increase in cases and test positivity in the state, marking about two months of rising case counts.
On Wednesday, health officials reported a high 16,334 new COVID-19 cases and 28 new known deaths over the weeklong period ending June 11. That's the highest case report since Arizona switched to weekly updates at the start of March.
Cases reported from tests done during the past week were around the highest they've been in four months, state data shows, but still far lower than the winter. Case numbers in recent months likely are not showing the full picture of infections as many more people have used at-home test kits and may not report positive results to county health departments.
Reported cases since the pandemic began are at nearly 2.1 million. Known deaths in Arizona are at 30,400.
Wednesday marked the 16th of the weekly updates to the state's data dashboard, instead of daily updates that Arizonans became accustomed to following for the latest data on infections, illnesses and deaths.
The previous week's update added 14,677 cases and 40 deaths, compared with 13,042 cases and 33 deaths, 11,498 cases and 40 deaths, 7,204 cases and 29 deaths, 5,490 cases and 41 deaths, 3,911 cases and 238 deaths, 2,350 cases and 99 deaths, 2,377 cases and 29 deaths (low because of a processing error), 2,777 cases and 142 deaths, 6,840 cases and 413 deaths, 10,143 cases (high because of a reporting catch-up) and 385 deaths, 4,566 cases and 336 deaths, 5,153 cases and 457 deaths, 6,549 cases and 382 deaths, and 9,647 cases and 449 deaths the 14 weeks prior.
This week's update shows the differences between data reported for the week of June 5-11 and May 29-June 4.
Health officials say weekly updates match how public health monitors trends and other disease reporting.
Case numbers generally were relatively lower in the past couple of months, and public health experts estimate cases of the highly contagious omicron variant peaked in Arizona around mid-January.
The state data dashboard no longer shows key hospitalization information since Gov. Doug Ducey ended the COVID-19 emergency declaration on March 30. State health officials said hospitals are no longer required to report some COVID-19 surveillance data to the state, meaning certain graphs showing weekly hospitalization levels for the disease and bed usage by COVID-19 patients are no longer updated.
At the time that data reporting stopped, hospitalizations for the disease had dropped steadily since late January.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still reports state hospitalization data for Arizona and showed a 16.5% increase in the seven-day average of COVID-19 hospital admissions during June 6-12 compared with May 30-June 5. Hospital admissions last week were down 84.2% from the peak seven-day average in early January 2021.
The number of known deaths in the state was at 30,400 as of Wednesday, after passing 30,000 known deaths in the May 4 update, 29,000 deaths in the March 30 update, 28,000 deaths in the March 9 update, 27,000 deaths on Feb. 10 and 26,000 deaths on Jan. 28. The state surpassed 25,000 deaths on Jan. 13. Deaths are now reported with a four-week lag.
Arizona's overall pandemic death rate since early 2020 is the third-highest nationwide.
For subscribers:Arizona COVID-19 cases are rising, but free tests are harder to find. Here are some options
State data on breakthrough infections
The state in December began publicly disclosing data on breakthrough COVID-19 infections, and state officials say the data underscores the effectiveness of the vaccine — especially for people with booster doses.
Data from April show that 26.7% of cases, 26% of hospitalizations and 23.2% of COVID-19 deaths were among fully vaccinated people without a booster, with much of the rest among unvaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people with a booster made up 35% of reported cases, 29.4% of hospitalizations and 28.6% of deaths in April.
The COVID-19 virus' disproportionate impact on older adults, who are also more likely to have a booster dose, could help explain why a higher percentage of people who were fully vaccinated and boosted died of COVID-19 in April than those who were fully vaccinated and not boosted. The effectiveness of boosters also appears to wane after several months. But the precise explanation for those percentages of deaths is unclear.
Looking at the proportions of deaths by vaccination status does not tell the risk, though. State health officials recommend considering the rates of death among boosted individuals versus unvaccinated individuals, which show significantly lower death rates in vaccinated and boosted individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals.
Health officials emphasize the best protection against severe illness from COVID-19 is to remain up to date with recommended vaccinations, including second booster doses for those 50 and older and people who are immunocompromised.
Unvaccinated people 12 and older in Arizona had a 2 times greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19, 9 times greater risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 and 11.9 times greater risk of dying from COVID-19 in April compared with fully vaccinated people with a booster, according to a state analysis.
Unvaccinated people had a 3.4 times greater risk of testing positive, 7.1 times greater risk of hospitalization and 8.7 times greater risk of dying from COVID-19 compared with individuals who were fully vaccinated without a booster.
As of June 1, there had been 1,948 breakthrough deaths in fully vaccinated individuals, according to state health officials’ preliminary data, which works out to a breakthrough death rate of 0.04% among fully vaccinated people.
For subscribers:COVID-19 cases are going up again in Arizona. Here's what that means
Case rates and death reports
The omicron variant and other versions of omicron are still contributing to many of the cases in Arizona, according to results from sequencing labs.
Percent positivity, which refers to the percentage of COVID-19 diagnostic tests that are positive, varies somewhat based on how it's measured. It was high in winter months, a sign of more community spread. Then it was much lower, but has been climbing upward since April.
For most of December, Arizona's percent positivity for COVID-19 testing was at 11%-13%, before rising to 22% for the week of Dec. 26, 29% for the week of Jan. 2, 32% for the week of Jan. 9, 34% for the week of Jan. 16, 29% for the week of Jan. 23, 22% for the week of Jan. 30, 16% for the week of Feb. 6, 11% for the week of Feb. 13, 7% for the week of Feb. 20, 4% for the week of Feb. 27, 3% for the week of March 6, 3% for the week of March 13, 3% for the week of March 20, 3% for the week of March 27, 3% for the week of April 3, 4% for the week of April 10, 5% for the week of April 17, 6% for the week of April 24, 9% for the week of May 1, 11% for the week of May 8, 16% for the week of May 15, 18% for the week of May 22, 22% for the week of May 29 and 23% for the week of June 5. The percentages are now for all diagnostic tests conducted, rather than for unique individuals tested, following a change to the state dashboard.
A positivity rate of 5% or less is considered a good benchmark that the disease's spread is under control.
The state's overall COVID-19 death and case rates since Jan. 21, 2020, still remain among the worst in the country.
The COVID-19 death rate in Arizona since the pandemic began is 417 deaths per 100,000 people as of Tuesday, according to the CDC, putting it third in the country in a state ranking that separates New York City from New York state. The U.S. average is 303 deaths per 100,000 people as of Tuesday, according to the CDC.
New York City has the highest death rate, at 483 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Mississippi at 419.
Arizona's first known death from the disease occurred in mid-March 2020.
Many of the reported deaths occurred days or weeks before because of reporting delays and death certificate matching.
A total of 2,093,680 COVID-19 cases were identified across the state through June 11.
COVID-19 and climate:The pandemic showed us how interconnected we are. Will our climate response reflect that?
Vaccination update
Arizonans ages 5 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine, while the Moderna vaccine is approved for those 18 and older. The FDA has approved the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on a more limited basis for people 18 and older. Many individuals are eligible for booster doses, too.
The state reported over 5.1 million people in Arizona — about 71.6% of the total state population — had received at least one vaccine dose through June 11, with more than 4.4 million residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The state’s data dashboard now separates out doses administered to Arizona residents versus all doses administered in the state.
Arizona's rate of fully vaccinated people out of the total population is 62.2%, which is behind the national rate of 66.8%, according to the CDC as of Tuesday.
Out of the vaccine-eligible population, people ages 5 and older, 66.1% of those in Arizona are fully vaccinated, compared with 71% at the national level, CDC data shows.
Health experts strongly recommend booster shots for those eligible, especially with the omicron variant spreading. About 46.4% of fully vaccinated Arizonans over the age of 18 had received a first booster shot as of Tuesday, below the national rate of 50.5% for that same age group.
What to know about latest numbers
Reported cases in Arizona: 2,093,680, as of June 11.
Cases by county: 1,325,432 in Maricopa; 265,106 in Pima; 136,217 in Pinal; 63,137 in Yuma; 58,859 in Mohave; 49,773 in Yavapai; 45,622 in Coconino; 39,378 in Navajo; 32,585 in Cochise; 23,168 in Apache; 17,732 in Gila; 16,892 in Santa Cruz; 12,207 in Graham; 5,311 in La Paz; and 2,261 in Greenlee, according to state numbers.
The rate of cases per 100,000 people since the pandemic began is highest in Navajo County, followed by Apache, Gila, Santa Cruz, Graham and Coconino counties, according to state data. The rate in Navajo County is 34,902 cases per 100,000 people. By comparison, the U.S. average rate since the pandemic began is 25,759 cases per 100,000 people as of Tuesday, according to the CDC.
The Navajo Nation reported 55,217 cases and 1,800 confirmed deaths as of Tuesday. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The Arizona Department of Corrections reported 15,052 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday, including 2,469 in Tucson, 2,277 in Eyman, 2,235 in Yuma, 1,760 in Lewis and 1,328 in Phoenix; 56,364 inmates statewide have been tested. A total of 5,106 prison staff members have self-reported testing positive, the department said. Sixty-two incarcerated people in Arizona are confirmed to have died of COVID-19, with 15 additional deaths under investigation.
The race/ethnicity breakdown of cases since the start of the pandemic in 2020 is 40% white, 29% Hispanic or Latino, 5% American Indian, 4% Black and 2% Asian/Pacific Islander. Race/ethnicity of positive cases since the onset of the pandemic is unknown in 14% of cases, and listed as other race in 6% of cases.
Of those who have tested positive in Arizona since the start of the pandemic, about 21% were younger than 20, 42% were 20-44, 13% were 45-54, 11% were 55-64 and 12% were age 65 or older.
Laboratories had completed 19,804,859 total diagnostic tests for COVID-19 as of June 11, 12.2% of which have come back positive. That number includes both PCR and antigen testing.
Percent positivity was at 23% for the week of June 5, the highest it's been since January. The state numbers leave out data from labs that do not report electronically.
The state Health Department includes probable cases as anyone with a positive antigen test, another type of test to determine infection. Antigen tests (not related to antibody tests) use a nasal swab or another fluid sample to test for current infection. Results are typically produced within 15 minutes.
A positive antigen test result is considered very accurate, but there's an increased chance of false-negative results, Mayo Clinic officials said. They say a doctor may recommend a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to confirm a negative antigen test result.
Arizona as of Tuesday had the 14th highest overall case rate in the country since Jan. 21, 2020. Ahead of Arizona in cases per 100,000 people since the pandemic began are Rhode Island, Alaska, North Dakota, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York City, Utah, Guam, South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Delaware, according to the CDC.
Arizona's infection rate is 28,540 cases per 100,000 people, according to the CDC. The national average is 25,759 cases per 100,000 people, although the rates in states hard hit early in the pandemic may be an undercount because of a lack of available testing in March and April 2020.
Reported deaths in Arizona: 30,400
Deaths by county: 17,422 in Maricopa; 3,869 in Pima; 1,671 in Pinal; 1,471 in Mohave; 1,223 in Yavapai; 1,185 in Yuma; 913 in Navajo; 616 in Apache; 576 in Cochise; 479 in Coconino; 386 in Gila; 232 in Santa Cruz; 179 in Graham; 144 in La Paz; and 34 in Greenlee.
People age 65 and older make up 21,561 of the 30,400 deaths, or 71%. About 16% of deaths were among people 55-64 years old, 8% were 45-54 and 6% were 20-44 years old.
While race/ethnicity was unknown for 4% of deaths, 56% of those who died were white, 26% were Hispanic or Latino, 7% were Native American, 3% were Black and 1% were Asian/Pacific Islander, the state data shows.
The global death toll as of Wednesday was 6,313,063. The U.S. had the highest death count of any country in the world, at 1,012,099, followed by Brazil at 668,354 and India at 524,792, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Arizona's 30,400 deaths represent about 3% of COVID-19 deaths in the United States.
Republic reporter Stephanie Innes contributed to this article.
Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2022/06/15/arizona-weekly-covid-19-update-adds-16-334-cases-28-deaths/7635217001/ | 2022-06-16T00:07:55 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2022/06/15/arizona-weekly-covid-19-update-adds-16-334-cases-28-deaths/7635217001/ |
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Searching for solutions to Philadelphia's gun violence crisis | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/seeking-peace-in-philly/teens-share-concerns-and-solutions-for-phillys-gun-violence/3272197/ | 2022-06-16T00:14:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/seeking-peace-in-philly/teens-share-concerns-and-solutions-for-phillys-gun-violence/3272197/ |
Arizona man gets life in prison for killing ex-wife and friend
SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — A southern Arizona man accused of killing his ex-wife and her male friend and then burning their bodies in a rented SUV last year has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Cochise County prosecutors said 58-year-old Gregory Carlson of Sunizona admitted in court Tuesday that he fatally shot Duong Nguyen and Robert Atwell in early September.
Carlson said he didn't want his former wife to take their 3-year-old daughter back to Philadelphia after the child spent a week visiting him.
Carlson wrote in a statement read in court by his lawyer that he shot Nguyen and Atwell three times each, then drove the rental vehicle with the two victims inside to a spot on his parents' large property in Sunizona.
"I was wrong and I am so sorry," Carlson wrote in his statement.
Carlson was sentenced during the same court hearing, saying he wanted to "bring finality" to everyone involved in the matter including his parents.
The Sierra Vista Herald reported that the bodies of Nguyen and Atwell were never recovered except for a handful of bones found outside the charred SUV.
Carlson was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and abandonment or concealment of a dead body. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/15/sunizona-arizona-man-pleads-guilty-to-killing-former-wife-friend-gets-life-in-prison/7641600001/ | 2022-06-16T00:16:38 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/15/sunizona-arizona-man-pleads-guilty-to-killing-former-wife-friend-gets-life-in-prison/7641600001/ |
A Miami commission meeting was temporarily put on pause last Thursday to officially relaunch the city’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training, which will happen at the end of July.
Eligible CERT volunteers will take on a three-day training program totaling 24 hours to learn about potential hazards affecting their communities and acquire skills in disaster response, including fire safety, search and rescue, team organization and medical operations.
“When a disaster hits, first responders are not always able to attend to all people who need assistance – be it because of the number of victims, communication failures or road blockages,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
That’s where CERT comes in.
With roots dating back to the 1980s, CERT is a national program created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that has been localized across municipalities and counties, including Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County. Now, Miami Fire Rescue’s Division of Emergency Management is looking to recruit volunteers in an effort to bring the initiative back to the city.
The announcement came just days after Miami experienced its first taste of the 2022 hurricane season, with excessive floods plaguing areas throughout the city before Tropical Storm Alex officially formed over the Atlantic.
Linda Williams, a community advocate who received CERT training through Coconut Grove Village West in 2014, was present at the press conference to vouch for the program’s worth. She remembers helping neighbors in need during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017 – even before attending to her own house, which had suffered damage as a result of the storm.
“We are the community’s first responders,” she said. “Please sign up. It’s a worthy cause. It’s a mission that is life-saving, and you feel so good when you know you have helped somebody else.”
The first round of eight-hour training courses will be facilitated in late July by official rescue personnel at the city’s fire training facility in Coconut Grove, with more locations and dates expected in the future.
The CERT training program is open to anyone aged 18 or older who lives or works in Miami, holds a valid Florida driver’s license and passes a background check by the Miami Police Department. To learn more or to apply, visit MiamiGov.com/CERT.
“This program is an example of community – community coming together for the greater good,” said the commission’s chairwoman, Christine King.
Once the announcement was made and the podium rolled away, commissioners returned to the City Hall to finish their order of business for the day. Below are a few items passed at the June 9 meeting.
Defense supplies & gun buy-back for Ukraine
A resolution to send defense equipment to Ukraine was paired with a last-minute pocket item by Commissioner Ken Russell calling for the organization of a voluntary gun buy-back program, through which unwanted firearms will be allocated to those fighting against Russia at the frontline.
Dismayed both by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and by the gun violence that continues to pervade the United States, Russell sought out a way to tackle both issues simultaneously.
“We are frustrated in our community,” he said at a June 10 press conference. “We don’t know what we can do about the war in the Ukraine, about the epidemic of gun violence in our city. There is now something you can do in our neighborhood to help both.”
Police Chief Manny Morales said his department already has 316 guns ready to be evaluated for donation through the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – along with 30 gas masks, 44 ballistic helmets, five ballistic vests, 34 riot-gear protection suits and 45 traffic reflective vests.
The gun buy-back program would enable residents to add to the stock of firearms.
Morales said of the eight voluntary gun buy-back events that the city has held since 2017, the most fruitful one occurred immediately after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. – after which many residents expressed unwillingness to harbor weapons capable of such destruction in their own homes.
“To take guns off our streets and give them to people who really need them, I think, is brilliant,” said Suarez.
The buy-back event will take place Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miami City Hall, located at 3500 Pan American Drive. To make a monetary donation, email Guns@MiamiGov.com.
Allocation of funds to Liberty City youth employment
Commissioner Christine King will allocate $50,000 of her district’s share of Miami’s anti-poverty initiative program to the Liberty City Community Revitalization Trust’s 2022 Summer Youth Employment Program.
With summer break already underway, the program is currently serving 107 teenagers – a much higher amount than the 45 who were originally anticipated. King’s dollars will help meet the growing demand.
The initiative employs high school youth in a series of jobs with small businesses, parks and nonprofit organizations every summer. Since its inception in 2015, the employment program has helped approximately 400 young people acquire summer jobs.
“Our focus is to make sure that they have positive outcomes for the summer to reduce risky behavior,” said the trust’s president, Elaine Black.
The program also teaches financial management, helping participants open up their own checking accounts. This year, Black says, the program will also incorporate practice in penmanship to better prepare participants for future jobs.
Multi-Ethnic Youth Group Association gets dollars
Also being pulled from the city’s anti-poverty initiative program, Suarez has decided to grant $50,000 to the Multi-Ethnic Youth Group Association (MEYGA), a Florida nonprofit focusing on the well-being of individuals and families living in the neighborhoods of Liberty City, Brownsville and Little Haiti.
The organization promotes mental, physical and social well-being for people of all ages. Services offered include weekly meal distribution, leadership training, group literacy programs, social-emotional learning, physical fitness promotion, family engagement and more.
Local Housing Assistance Plan extended through 2025
The commission also voted Thursday to extend its Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) – created in accordance with Florida law to meet the needs of low-income individuals and to expand affordable housing – until June 30, 2025.
Programs under LHAP include Emergency Home Repair Assistance, Single Family Rehabilitation Assistance, Single Family Replacement Home, Home Buyer Financing, Disaster Relief, Homeownership Development and Rental Housing Development.
The initiative is facilitated in partnership with local community organizations, including Allapattah Business Development Authority, East Little Havana Community Development Corporation and Little Haiti Housing Association. It also outlines anti-discrimination, welfare transition and green energy measures. | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/community-emergency-response-team-training-launched/article_1ec9833e-ebef-11ec-b4d7-8f725239842c.html | 2022-06-16T00:23:49 | 1 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/community-emergency-response-team-training-launched/article_1ec9833e-ebef-11ec-b4d7-8f725239842c.html |
Barely a month after renters and organizers pushed the Tenant’s Bill of Rights through the Miami-Dade County Commission, tenants gathered again to strategize for additional protections in the middle of Miami-Dade County’s worst housing crisis.
The Tenant’s Bill of Rights – passed May 3, 2022, and added to county code – creates an office of housing advocacy, or allows for the designation of an existing county office to perform the duties of that office; establishes unlawful practices, such as landlords asking about eviction history; requires landlords to provide tenants notice of their rights; and requires that the county government provide an information helpline and a website for tenants and establish enforcement procedures.
The Tenant Assembly, organized by the Miami Workers Center, gathered dozens of people at the Joseph Caleb Center June 11, including renters, government officials and community partners such as the Community Justice Project and Allapattah Community Development Corporation, to brainstorm solutions related to concerns already addressed therein. This includes chipping away at what those describe as an all-encompassing crisis involving development, subsidies, affordability, tenant treatment, code enforcement, landlord oversight, rental assistance, section 8 vouchers and public housing.
Unsafe living conditions
Tenants present at the assembly spoke of living in illegal and unsafe conditions while facing retaliatory landlords and few if any other housing options.
Bernadine Dent, who has a disability and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, says she ended up in the hospital because of mold in her county-owned unit, but was harassed by her landlord for trying to have the issue remediated.
“I cannot feel safe to see I’m breathing that,” Dent said. “I don’t want to die.”
“Yes, that’s why we’re here,” said Jason Smith, director of equity and engagement in the office of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “We’re committed to come into the community to know what the issues are.”
He noted a federal government program called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), which will convert public housing to more renovated and rebuilt section 8 housing units. The project will allow the county to redevelop apartments into brand-new, mixed-income rentals.
Nadege Green, a journalist and historian with the Community Justice Project, says low-income housing provides critical shelter to the community’s most vulnerable.
“Death by poverty is real,” she said. “There are plenty of immunocompromised people in Miami.”
Through her reporting, Green says she discovered that the biggest area slumlord is the county. Many in attendance concurred.
“That has been a fact my entire life and I’m four generations deep from Miami-Dade County,” Sonya Brown-Wilson said.
Brown-Wilson has lived at the North Park at Scott Carver apartment complex for 14 years, where she says essential repairs can go for months without being addressed, and where the cost of rent is “out of control.”
Juana Marin, a Black Indigenous woman from Honduras who is pregnant and a mother of two, said her family was evicted in February.
Speaking in Spanish, Marin said her landlord ignored repairs for six months. She wrote to the landlord and withheld the rent because of that, but a judge ruled against her. Through tears, she explained how the landlord harassed and mistreated her prior to the eviction proceeding, and shared that her family was on the brink of collapse until the Miami Workers Center stepped in to help. Now, she says she’s transformed her pain into action to help others.
Pushing for accountability
Santra Denis, executive director of Miami Workers Center, says 9 in 10 evictions stem from an inability to pay the rent.
From October 2020 to November 2021, 17,962 residential and 1,322 commercial evictions were filed in Miami-Dade, according to the January 2022 County Commission Auditor’s Countywide Evictions and Foreclosures Data report. However, Taycha Santos, assistant division director in public housing and community development, says 600 of those were prevented.
The rising cost of shelter contributed most to the 8.5% inflation rate in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which also reported a real average hourly income decrease of 3% from May 2021 to May 2022, despite reports of companies raising pay to attract workers. Rent prices in metro Miami, which includes Broward and Palm Beach counties, have risen by 32.12% since February 2021, according to a study by three economics professors.
Another Miami Workers Center goal is for the right to counsel to be connected to the newly established housing advocacy office – which will operate as part of the county’s Community Action and Human Services department and must include a director, a tenant advocate and a housing advocate.
Also part of the give-and-take discussion with tenants is the department’s name, says Denis.
“I think that ultimately, this is what I mean in terms of whose duties it is; ultimately it is the mayor’s duty … to put forth budget proposals. Last year we already advocated for the office of tenant advocacy. Now it’s housing advocacy. We already advocated for an increased amount to fund it. This year it’s making sure it’s in the law that it exists. It’s still a part of our advocacy.”
One responsibility of the new office of housing advocacy is to ensure that a notice of tenant rights is delivered by the landlord within 10 days, and signed by the tenant and returned within seven days.
“We’ll continue to do our part to make sure the office is accountable to the people,” Denis said.
Long-term solutions
Since the Tenant’s Bill of Rights passed, 311, the county’s information phone line, has answered calls to the Office of Housing Advocacy’s housing hotline.
A call on June 9 to the housing hotline number redirected to 311, which was then transferred to Community Action and Human Services, then back to 311; a government official answered questions providing numbers for assistance.
County Information takes a tenant’s information so Public Housing and Community Development can contact the tenant within seven business days. It also recommends checking with legal aid to confirm whether or not an eviction can be delayed.
Three calls to Community Action and Human Services made on June 9 went unanswered.
In the short term, Miami Workers Center plans to host listening surveys of tenants across the county, to better understand contracts between the county, developers and landlords. The group also plans to host “Know Your Rights” training sessions across Miami-Dade County and set a cap on application fees, particularly for subsidized units. In New York, rental application fees are capped at $20.
In the mid- to long term, the organization plans to speak with thousands of tenants to bring them into the movement for housing justice. The group hopes to win in 2022 the right to counsel for tenants, and expand legal support and defense of tenants in eviction court.
Denis says it infuriates her when elected officials speak of maintaining a balance for landlords, and that the importance of right to counsel is to add protections for tenants. According to her, the right to an attorney would address the inherent power imbalance between renters and landlords, and make landlords more willing to negotiate.
“What we’re seeing is people don’t respect tenants,” she said.
Smith said during the assembly that the mayor’s office set up Court Help with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court to shorten the settlement process with landlords and increase fair market standards, and is developing 14,000 workforce and affordable housing units.
“We have money for them,” he said of landlords who say they lack the funds for repairs.
He added that the county has passed policies to protect both tenants and landlords, and there are things the mayor’s administration can do without going to the county commission, such as reducing red tape for development, quickly reviewing permits for affordable housing and creating partnerships with donors, citing the mayor’s Building Blocks Fund.
The fund has a commitment of $55 million in total from seven different providers – four for-profit and three nonprofit. With an additional $15 million coming from the county’s Public Housing and Community Development department, it will pay for affordable housing for the next three years.
That should address in part tenants seeing commitments of 50% low-income or affordable housing units that have dwindled down below that.
Ultimately, Denis says the county should stay in the business of affordable housing, but believes publicly owned and community-designed housing should be on public land.
“The public should be determining what should be put on public land,” she said. | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/tenants-organize-for-more-rental-protections/article_5a37d3d6-eb49-11ec-a6a9-0795208f7312.html | 2022-06-16T00:23:55 | 0 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/tenants-organize-for-more-rental-protections/article_5a37d3d6-eb49-11ec-a6a9-0795208f7312.html |
HAMMONTON — Police are looking for a teen who was reported missing by his mother Tuesday.
Marcos Molina-Galves left his mother's custody and reportedly disappeared about 11:30 p.m., police said. Investigators do not know where he may have been headed.
Police said Molina-Galves was not lured, abducted or forcibly removed from his home.
Molina-Galves was last seen wearing a blue T-shirt, gray pants and black shoes, police said. They did not give his age.
Tips about Molina-Galves' whereabouts can be reported to police at 609-561-4000, ext. 1. Tips can be anonymous. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/hammonton-teen-reported-missing/article_24792458-ed00-11ec-b6ea-13bb0b66f7b6.html | 2022-06-16T00:25:13 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/hammonton-teen-reported-missing/article_24792458-ed00-11ec-b6ea-13bb0b66f7b6.html |
QLine hours extended beginning this weekend
The QLine is extending its hours through midnight Monday through Saturday starting this weekend, officials announced.
The move begins Saturday, representatives said in a statement Wednesday.
“When the QLINE returned from its COVID-19 service pause, we pledged to extend hours as activity increased throughout greater Downtown,” said M-1 Rail President Lisa Nuszkowski.
“With service until midnight Monday-Saturday and Sunday service until 9 p.m., riders will be able to use the QLINE to enjoy nightlife along the Woodward corridor, special events, and concerts, and to get to and from sporting events throughout the year.”
The streetcar resumed service in September after nearly 18 months of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 6.6-mile route serves Woodward Avenue from Congress downtown through Midtown to Grand Boulevard in New Center and North End.
Rides have been free thanks to a pilot program.
Meanwhile, this month M-1 Rail is slated to start removing vehicles blocking tracks using its own tow truck donated by Stepp’s Towing, officials said Wednesday.
The nonprofit can do so through state legislation and has signed an agreement with the city of Detroit to tow all vehicles to city-owned impound lots. M-1 Rail will not collect any fines or fees from towed vehicles, according to the release.
“The QLine is committed to providing service in 15 minutes or less,” Nuszkowski said. “With the ability to tow vehicles obstructing the streetcar tracks ourselves, we can reduce blockages, clear obstructions faster, and free up the Detroit Police Department and other city resources to serve other needs.” | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/06/15/qline-hours-extended-detroit-streetcars-nightlife/7641752001/ | 2022-06-16T00:27:46 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/06/15/qline-hours-extended-detroit-streetcars-nightlife/7641752001/ |
'Heat dome' temps set record in part of Michigan, send people looking for cool spaces
As temperatures rose to the mid-90s Wednesday afternoon, Metro Detroiters were just looking for ways to stay cool amid the "heat dome"
With the humidity above 40% in the region for much of the day, the temperatures felt more like 100 degrees or higher.
Saginaw set a temperature record for June 15 at 94 degrees, said Megan Varcie, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Pontiac office. Flint tied its record temperature, set in 1988, of 93 degrees. Detroit reached 94 degrees, just short of its daily record mark of 95 degrees, also set in 1988.
Across the country, millions of people were enveloped in stifling heat as "excessive heat warnings" from the National Weather Service covered portions not only many of the Great Lakes states but also California, Arizona and Georgia.
In Michigan, hospitals reported minimal cases of heat-related illnesses, but Maryanne MacLeod, a spokeswoman with Beaumont Health, said they could see more cases overnight Wednesday or Thursday.
In Detroit, seniors sat under a tent on the asphalt parking lot outside the Adams Butzel Recreational Complex doing spirited arm exercises. Not even temperatures so hot they could feel it through their shoes could stop them from Senior Fun Day.
"My first thought today was to stay at home," said Edna Jackson, a 74-year-old living in Detroit. "But me living by myself, that's not a good thing. So I got out to meet the people, and it's not as bad as I thought it was going to be."
Jackson wore a large hat and a battery-operated fan around her neck. She also had a battery-powered hand fan. Dressed in light clothes, she was waiting for organizers to announce the last raffle winner of the day before dashing back to her car.
The event was an important chance for older people to socialize, said Laura Riddick and Crystal White, caregiver support coordinators for the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Attendees were given lunch and plenty of water, and an ambulance was nearby in case of emergencies, although there were none.
The COVID pandemic has cut back on the number of events like Wednesdays, White said, so seeing people turn out despite the heat was a victory.
"They're here, and they're enjoying themselves," Riddick said. "It's good to see."
For Jackson, attending was a good chance to see other people. She said she might make a run to the grocery store but was otherwise limiting her trips outside.
"I'll be in the house for the rest of the day with the air, looking out the window to see how hot it is," Jackson said.
Many pedestrians in Detroit could be seen toting water bottles, while around the city, recreation centers opened as cooling centers to offer people the chance to get out of the heat.
Varcie said that Wednesday's weather, while more typical for July or August, was a fluke caused by high pressure, lots of sunshine and few clouds creating a "heat dome" rather than a heat wave that will last for the rest of the week. Temperatures are expected to drop Thursday and through the weekend, returning to more June-like weather.
A cold front was expected to come through late Wednesday and into Thursday, likely bringing some showers. Severe storms were unlikely, she said.
She advised people to still keep an eye on the weather as it cooled off slightly because high heat indices — temperature with humidity factored in — can still be difficult for those working or spending time outside.
"If you have higher heat indexes, it could make it harder for your body to cool down, versus if the temperature were 94 with barely any humidity," Varcie said.
The National Weather Services predicted a high of 91 degrees on Thursday with a 30% chance of rain in Detroit. Friday is expected to reach 83 degrees, while daily high temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s over the weekend.
Twitter: @Hayley__Harding | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/15/heat-dome-high-temps-set-record-saginaw-flint-and-detroit/7634487001/ | 2022-06-16T00:27:52 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/15/heat-dome-high-temps-set-record-saginaw-flint-and-detroit/7634487001/ |
Michigan House panel OKs $101M cash incentive for Ford over some lawmakers' objections
Lansing — Michigan House lawmakers on Wednesday signed off on a nearly $101 million incentive for Ford Motor Co. as some lawmakers voiced concerns over the reach of the investment and whether the state should make other economic changes before handing money to select companies.
The Michigan House Appropriations Committee voted 20-8 to approve the transfer of $100.8 million from the state Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve to accounts that Ford will tap into to help finance $1.16 billion in facility upgrades at several of its plants.
The transfer still needs approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee, which is meeting next week to consider the proposal.
Some lawmakers questioned the impact of the investment outside of Metro Detroit and asked economic development officials what they would do to hold Ford responsible to its suppliers, who may benefit as part of the "broader ecosystem" of the Ford investment but, according to one lawmaker, are waiting 90 to 120 days for payments from the Dearborn-based automaker.
Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield, said the delayed payments are a "sticking point."
"We see a large company that is already making profits benefiting," Hornberger said. "They’re the people that benefit from this investment of dollars from the people of the state of Michigan and our suppliers down the line that are taking the most risk every day" aren't reaping the same timely benefits.
Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond, voiced concerns about the state's push for incentives for specific companies.
"There’s been multiple offers to Ford, GM, Chrysler to stay in Michigan and we pay the big fish to stay," Yaroch said. "Is this what we’re left with? That we’re going to have to pay companies to stay? Or in reality do we have an unfriendly regulatory structure, not a competitive tax rate, education?”
Other lawmakers celebrated the decision and argued the investment would have ripple effects in local communities and businesses.
"These people will be spending money to go to and from the jobs, the 7-11s, the McDonalds, the small shops," said Rep. Timothy Beson, R-Bay City.
Ford didn't respond directly to Hornberger's comments about the wait period suppliers face for payments. But the company said the investment would "deepen our connection to Michigan."
"Our home state will continue to play a key role in Ford’s future as we lead the EV revolution and strengthen our portfolio of iconic vehicles that customers love," said Gabby Bruno, Ford's director of economic development.
Ford plans to invest about $1.16 billion to update five plants and create 3,030 jobs. The automaker has said about 65% of jobs created through the investment will be tied to electric vehicle manufacturing, said Josh Hundt, chief projects officer and executive vice president of strategic accounts at the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
The plan includes the creation of 1,508 jobs and $450 million investment at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center; 382 jobs and $475 million at the Michigan Assembly Plant; 650 jobs and $35 million investment at the new Monroe Packaging Center; 250 jobs and $160 million at the Rawsonville Plant; and 240 jobs and a $40 million investment at the Livonia Transmission Plant.
“Time is of the essence; competitive states or provinces are waiting,” MEDC CEO Quentin Messer Jr. said.
“It truly is an unprecedented amount of activity," Messer added. "And this activity is not just concentrated in one part of the state but it’s across both peninsulas. It will have positive effects on small and medium-sized businesses as well as large companies.”
In order to meet the terms of the state incentive, Ford must make the full $1.16 billion investment by June 30, 2024 or the tax dollars can be clawed back.
The company must fulfill its hiring quota by June 30, 2025; the jobs, which have an average pay of about $55,000, must be created in addition to Ford’s current Michigan base of about 22,190 employees and sustained for at least 12 months.
“This investment by Ford will help secure future electric vehicle manufacturing in the state as well as continue to show investment for what remains their profit center, with the internal combustion engine manufacturing,” Hundt told lawmakers.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/15/house-panel-oks-101-m-taxpayer-cash-incentive-ford-over-some-lawmakers-concerns/7633874001/ | 2022-06-16T00:27:58 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/15/house-panel-oks-101-m-taxpayer-cash-incentive-ford-over-some-lawmakers-concerns/7633874001/ |
KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK)—A 17-year-old accused of murder pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in court on Wednesday.
According to Attorney Ben Freeman, Eli Nelson admitted to shooting 26-year-old Jimmy Keith, of Pond Gap, West Virginia on March 10, 2022.
Nelson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was transferred to adult status on Wednesday.
On the record in court, Nelson admitted to breaking into cars in the St. Albans area when he met up with Jimmy Keith.
The pair got into an argument and shots were fired, killing Keith.
The shooting happened in the area of 3rd St. W in St. Albans. Keith was taken to the hospital and later died. At the time, officials did not release Nelson’s name because he was a juvenile.
Nelson will be sentenced on August 8. He faces up to 15 years behind bars.
As a part of a plea agreement, they are asking for him to be sentenced as a youthful offender. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/17-year-old-enters-plea-in-st-albans-shooting-death-case/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:15 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/17-year-old-enters-plea-in-st-albans-shooting-death-case/ |
HUNTINGTON, WV (WOWK) — People in need now have access to ice-cold water thanks to the Huntington City Mission.
Right outside the Mission’s dining hall is a cooler filled with ice and water that people can just come up and grab.
Some who are benefitting from this say without those water bottles, their options on getting a cold drink throughout the day would be greatly limited.
“You’re just going to have to your local shop and ask if you can have a cup of iced water, and some people don’t like to give out products unless you’re a paying customer.”
Robert Johnson, a person experiencing homelessness.
Johnson also says that during rising temperatures, he has “seen some people just bell over on the side because it was so hot.”
The Mission says the need for water is huge as they go through around five cases each day, constantly filling and refilling the cooler.
“Due to COVID-19, the number of meals that we’re serving here at the Mission has doubled. But on top of that, a weather condition like we’re having now, I don’t know how much more we’re going to serve, but I know the number’s going to skyrocket.”
Mitchell Webb, Executive Director for the Huntington City Mission.
The Mission is now asking for donations, so anyone wanting to help can drop off a case of water during the week between 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on the weekend between 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/huntington-organization-provides-water-to-homeless/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:21 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/huntington-organization-provides-water-to-homeless/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Finding places to cool off in this heat wave is tricky. However, there is one place that always keeps cool.
South Charleston Memorial Ice Arena is providing much needed relief for those bracing the extreme heat this week. The rink is open all summer offering skating, bumper cars and most importantly, a cool place to hangout.
Hunter Moles, assistant recreational director, said they’ve seen even more people than usual chilling out in their rink.
“We’ve started to see a little bit more pick up, just to come stay inside because it is so hot outside,” Moles said. “We’re looking forward to trying to give something to do with this heat going on right now.”
Several parents are bringing their children to the rink, including local resident James Palmer, who frequently brings his children to exercise and cool off.
“This center is really a blessing because it’s open year-round and we can go in the wintertime … we can also come in here in the summer and the fall,” Palmer said. “And it’s been a blessing for my kids to be able to come in here and exercise when it’s too hot to do anything outside.”
The skating rink is open all summer long with special summer camps and ice-skating lessons happening throughout June and July.
“It’s the coolest place in town,” Moles said. “You can stay nice and cool off and have some fun.” | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/south-charleston-memorial-ice-arena-provides-relief-from-the-heat/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:27 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/south-charleston-memorial-ice-arena-provides-relief-from-the-heat/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — Metro reports a structure fire is burning in Charleston’s West Side on Stockton Street.
There is little information at this time.
Metro says Charleston Police Department and Charleston Fire Department are responding.
This is a developing story. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/structure-fire-on-charlestons-west-side/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:34 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/structure-fire-on-charlestons-west-side/ |
ONA, WV (WOWK) — Thousands of people are still without power in the Tri-State on Wednesday.
Ona is just one of many areas across our region hitting almost 48 hours without power.
Many families are struggling with the dangerously hot temperatures as there are no fans or air conditioning to help.
“I need oxygen and my oxygen is low because there’s no electric. I’ll die, most people if you don’t have any oxygen you don’t live,” said Ona resident Betty Byrd.
An AEP official says that many households won’t have their power restored until Thursday or Friday at the earliest.
This delay has many people concerned about their loved ones and neighbors. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/thousands-battle-power-outages-along-with-unbearable-heat/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:40 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/thousands-battle-power-outages-along-with-unbearable-heat/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — For now, the high price of gasoline does not appear to be hurting tourism in West Virginia, according to state officials. If anything, prices at the pump may be a factor in where people are willing to vacation.
There is the old saying that “home is where the heart is,” and that may be especially true in the Mountain State. Gasoline may be above $5 a gallon across the United States on average, but people still want their summer vacations.
Fuel prices are also spiking the cost of airline tickets, so many people are apparently driving to destinations such as state parks closer to home for so-called “staycations.”
“Our state parks are doing great. You know our bookings and our numbers are really good. And people are electing, in a lot of ways, to stay here and utilize the beauty and the wonderfulness of those state parks, and everything, instead of going off to a beach.”
Gov. Jim Justice, (R) West Virginia.
State leaders also hope more fishing and trail riding opportunities will mean that West Virginia’s economy could benefit from more of these stay-at-home vacations.
To check out more opportunities at West Virginia State Parks, visit the park system’s website. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/west-virginia-tourism-holding-steady-despite-high-gas-prices/ | 2022-06-16T00:30:46 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/west-virginia-tourism-holding-steady-despite-high-gas-prices/ |
SUBIACO, Ark. — Brother Sebastian Richey was a teacher and football coach at Subiaco Academy for 15 years before changing his title to Director of Brewing Operations for Country Monks Brewing.
Monastic breweries are centuries-old says Brother Sebastian.
"Their drinking water wasn't always very good in the Middle Ages so they were creating mead and things like that - other things to drink, which is where I think the boiling of the water comes into brewing," said Brother Sebastian. "Then you add yeast, you get alcohol, you have beer."
Country Monks Brewing is one of three local breweries in Subiaco but has a tradition unlike any other.
The monastery was founded over one hundred years ago and began privately brewing beer in the early 1920s. By 2017, Brother Sebastian moved out of teaching and into the brewery. Since then, Country Monks Brewing has turned into a commercial operation, canning beer and opening their taproom on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for monks, locals and passersbys to enjoy a cold beer and great conversation.
"When it gets really hot in Arkansas, the refreshingness of good cold beer is hard to beat," says Nick McDaniel, a teacher at the Subiaco Academy. "You have a lot of people coming in and out of the community and there's not always a single spot for them to meet and again, you get that opportunity when you come here on a Saturday."
Brother Sebastian says a prayer and his duties to the monastery come first, brewing beer comes second. However, that hasn't stopped the local brewery from winning local awards and expanding its beer options.
Patrons can choose between nine different types of beer - from wheat, pale ale, amber and uniquely their own, peanut brittle stout. But finding a favorite?
"Oh, that's tough! That's tough," exclaimed McDaniel.
If you ever find yourself driving along the hills of the River Valley and see the 'Castle on the Hill' be sure to stop by, maybe even for your second or third time - Brother Sebastian is sure to remember.
"The people you want to reach are the ones you haven't learned who they are yet. For me, that's important," says Brother Sebastian. "I want to have that ability when they come in, they come back a second time, I know who they are. But it also is a huge sense of pride when somebody comes back in because they liked the beer that you made."
If beer isn't your thing, don't worry, there's a little something for everyone. When he isn't behind the bar or busy creating the latest beer, Brother Sebastian makes candles that are available to purchase. You can also pick up homemade hot sauces and soaps, as well as pick up some merchandise for your beer lover in the form of t-shirts, pint glasses and hats.
All proceeds from the brewery go back to the Abbey, but it has also helped create more than $10,000 in financial aid for the students of Subiaco Academy.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/monasteries-brew-beer-arkansas-subiaco-abbey/527-e19ec60c-91e1-4597-8d15-66da4fd93995 | 2022-06-16T00:32:49 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/monasteries-brew-beer-arkansas-subiaco-abbey/527-e19ec60c-91e1-4597-8d15-66da4fd93995 |
Noblesville school board hires its next superintendent in unanimous vote
Daniel Hile is the next superintendent of Noblesville Schools.
The Noblesville school board approved his hiring with a vote of 5-0 at a special board meeting Wednesday evening. Hile starts on July 1 as the leader of the district of roughly 10,500 students.
The superintendent is the leader who manages the day-to-day operations of the district, and reports to the school board. Hiring this leader is one of the school board’s biggest roles.
Hile was previously superintendent of Smith-Green Community Schools, a district of about 1,200 students in Churubusco, Indiana about 15 miles from Fort Wayne, and was named the 2022 Northeastern Indiana Superintendent of the Year.
He also worked as a principal, assistant principal and teacher in the Churubusco district, per a news release from Noblesville Schools. Hile started his career as a choir teacher.
“I’m humbled and excited to have this opportunity to be part of such an outstanding school culture and community," Hile said in the release. "Relationships are central to everything we do as educators, and I look forward to meeting and building strong connections with Noblesville students, staff, families, and community members.”
More:New Noblesville superintendent talks plans, political pressures, working with parents
Hile’s hiring was approved during a less than 10 minutes with no one speaking during public comment and no board discussion. The only board comments were from Forgey as he recapped the process and thanked Hile for applying. After the meeting, the handful of people in the audience introduced themselves to the new district leader.
Per a contract posted ahead of the hiring, Hile will make $182,500 in base pay, $12,000 in annual stipends plus retirement and health benefits as Noblesville superintendent. Hile has the potential for a raise starting in August 2023, according to the contract which is for three years, through June 30, 2025. However, it has an automatic annual extension unless notice is given.
The contract also includes up to $10,000 in moving reimbursement as long as the superintendent moves to the district by June 30, 2023. Hile and his family will move to Noblesville and the younger of his two children will attend Noblesville High School, per the news release.
Much of the superintendent hiring process, including interviews, is done in closed sessions as allowed by state law. Wednesday’s meeting was the first public appearance for Hile as the incoming district leader.
The Noblesville school board hired University Search Team in February to aid the district in the search process. The search firm is created of faculty from the four public universities in the state – Ball State, Indiana, Indiana State and Purdue – and solely works with Indiana schools. It is free to districts, except for the travel costs for team members.
“The Noblesville community told us they wanted a trustworthy, approachable school leader with strong communication and problem-solving skills,” Joe Forgey, president of the Noblesville school board, said in the release. “Dan rose to the top of our candidate pool as someone who exhibited not only these strengths, but who also brings skills in planning, engagement, and financial management."
Hile has a doctorate in educational leadership from Purdue University, as well as a master’s degree in education administration from Indiana University Fort Wayne and a bachelor’s degree in music education from IU. He’s also served on several boards for school leaders as well as the advisory board for the Purdue University Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Hile is the fourth new superintendent in Hamilton County’s six public school districts in roughly a year. Westfield Washington Schools Superintendent Paul Kaiser started in May 2021, Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Yvonne Stokes started in July 2021, and former Noblesville administrator David Mundy started as Sheridan Community Schools superintendent in April 2022.
Outgoing Noblesville Superintendent Beth Niedermeyer announced in December that she’d be retiring and her last day is June 30. She has led the district since 2014.
Call IndyStar education reporter MJ Slaby at 317-447-1586 or email her at mslaby@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mjslaby. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/education/2022/06/15/noblesville-school-board-hires-next-superintendent-meet-daniel-hile/7532047001/ | 2022-06-16T00:39:28 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/education/2022/06/15/noblesville-school-board-hires-next-superintendent-meet-daniel-hile/7532047001/ |
ROEBUCK, Ala. (WIAT) — On a hot afternoon in early May, Donna Johnson was getting the job done right.
As guests walked in and out around her, Johnson didn’t lose her focus. She never really did. The 84-year-old woman, her uniform spotless and her make-up flawless, pushed and pulled on a sweeper, meticulously ensuring the rugs at the entrance of the Roebuck Chick-fil-A were clean. When she was finished, she moved on to what she loved best — talking to people.
Just a month later, Johnson– a mother, grandmother, and unforgettable Chick-fil-A hostess– died at her home. Since her death May 27, dozens of friends, family, and Chick-fil-A customers have paid tribute to Johnson, remembering her as a loving, hard-working Southern woman who they said was “forever young.”
Donna Johnson was born in Birmingham on May 16, 1938, to Anita Collet and Edward Dawson. After graduating from Tarrant High School, she quickly married and became a mother, a role she’d cherish for the rest of her life.
Johnson’s son, Finlay, said she would do anything she could for her children. Once, he said, when his brother had a milestone birthday in Costa Rica, his mother –who’d never left the country — flew down to see him, bringing an entire birthday cake “through customs and all.” The move wasn’t out of character for her, Finlay said.
After her kids were old enough not to require constant supervision, Johnson set out to find a job outside the mothering she’d been committed to for years. In the early 1970s, she worked part-time at the Birmingham Loveman’s and at a fitness center in Center Point. Later, when her kids were old enough to drive, she was ready to take on even more.
“She was bored with being at home,” Finlay said.
So around 1981, Donna Johnson began working more regularly at the Roebuck Shoney’s.
“She loved it,” Finlay said. “That’s because her entire life, she’s always loved people. She loved to be around people. She loved to wait on people.”
Johnson worked at that Shoney’s for around a decade, up until the day the location closed its doors.
Asked how his mother felt about the closure, Finlay didn’t skip a beat.
“I’ll tell you how she felt — she moved directly to the Shoney’s at the Eastwood Mall,” he said.
Johnson would outlive that location, as well as Eastwood Mall itself, which closed in 2006. She then moved on to the Shoney’s in Gardendale, the last to remain in the Birmingham area. That’s where Johnson, who’d divorced her first husband years earlier, met her second husband. The two then moved to Florida.
Johnson didn’t work during her second marriage, but she would eventually get divorced once more. After that split, she got a job near her home at a Chick-fil-A near Palm Coast, Florida.
As Johnson got older, her family encouraged her to move back, and they renovated the home Finlay had grown up in. Johnson soon headed back in Alabama.
Once she’d settled in, Johnson went to the Trussville Chick-fil-A, a resume and letter from her former boss in hand. Their location, the staff said, already had a hostess. Donna had struck out. But as always, she pushed on. Around 2018, she went to the Roebuck Chick-Fil-A and talked to its management. The rest is history.
“If you were to ask her what she thought about she did, she thought she owned the place,” her son said. “It was her Chick-fil-A. She was going to make certain that everybody that came in there enjoyed their food and got good service.”
Recently, Donna Johnson experienced some health issues that had required her to wear a heart monitor: an effort to help diagnose potential heart problems. The day she died, she was scheduled to return the monitor and await results. The monitor was already in her purse.
Finlay couldn’t get in touch with his mother that day, so he went to check on her. She had died near the doorway of her home, apparently on her way out.
“I’m assuming it must have been her heart,” Finlay said. “But we don’t know.”
After her passing, Chick-fil-A posted a tribute to Donna Johnson.
“She will truly be missed by her Chick-fil-A Family and everyone who knew her,” the franchise location posted on social media.
Under the post, dozens of customers and friends posted their condolences and tributes to Johnson.
Ruth Johnson, Finlay’s wife, thanked those who’d shared kind words about her mother-in-law.
“It warms my heart to read all these comments,” she wrote. “My mother-in-law was one of a kind. She was always sweet and kind and her friends and family were always her priority. She loved her work so much she refused to quit until the very last day. She loved being independent and I thank God she could be that way until the end.”
Finlay said he’ll miss hearing from his mother each night about her day. He’ll also miss her calming influence, always upbeat, even in the face of frustration or anger.
“She was forever child-like and happy and loved,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “I’m glad to have shared her with everyone.” | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/donna-johnson-beloved-chick-fil-a-hostess-in-birminghams-roebuck-community-dies-at-84/ | 2022-06-16T00:39:48 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/donna-johnson-beloved-chick-fil-a-hostess-in-birminghams-roebuck-community-dies-at-84/ |
CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) — A new waterpark in Cullman will be celebrating its grand opening this Friday with giveaways, live music and more to beat the heat.
WildWater waterpark is located at 1707 Main Avenue SW and will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday. The grand opening ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The waterpark covers 12 acres and features a 22,000 square foot wave pool dubbed “RipTide”, 18 waterslides and a drift river. There are multiple food and drink outlets located in the park, including a bar patio called Breakers for visitors 21 and older.
The first 50 guests to enter the park Friday through Sunday will receive “swag bags.” There will also be opportunities for fun competitions and season pass giveaways during the celebrations.
Throughout the summer, guests can enjoy different savings nights and events. Splash-In Movie Nights will take place at the wave pool on select Thursday nights with a 50% savings on admission.
Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism Department, Cullman City Council and Mayor Woody Jacobs all played a role in the creation of WildWater. In a press release, Mayor Jacobs comments on his hopes for the waterpark’s role in summer fun for city residents.
“Cullman is growing, with nearly 25% of our population under the age of 18,” Jacobs said. “WildWater is a great addition to the overall plans we have for the families and youth within our community.”
A full list of attractions, ticket options, savings nights, and concessions can be found on the waterpark’s website. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/wildwater-waterpark-celebrating-grand-opening-in-cullman/ | 2022-06-16T00:39:54 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/wildwater-waterpark-celebrating-grand-opening-in-cullman/ |
BOISE, Idaho — In May, the West Ada School District’s Board of Trustees decided to make changes to what teachers can display in their classrooms. The district is beginning to hear revisions to a policy that would dictate what can and cannot go inside classrooms.
Revisions to policy 401.2 would place a limit as to what teachers can display on school grounds and limit the information they ask from students.
Teachers in the West Ada Education Association were not pleased to hear some of the policy revisions. President of the association, Zach Broman, said the policy would require administrative approval on any surveys given to students and what those surveys can ask.
“A teacher often does a survey to get to know them and nicknames about them that might help you find ways to connect with them,” Borman said. “There was a big push where teachers gave surveys for pronouns and there was a big uproar at that point.
"The intent appears to be that teachers just can’t ask specific questions regarding a kid’s sexual identity and orientation and that they are attempting to make the classroom as neutral as possible, by not allowing political or quasi-political materials to be displayed in the classroom that didn't directly relate to curriculum."
The other notable policy change was regarding what teachers could hang or display on school grounds. The policy read, “staff shall not use school property including the classroom, conference room, office, desk area, to hang, post, erect, or display any posters, signs, flags, banners, pictures or other digital or physical image that depicts support or opposition relating to political, quasi-political, or controversial topic”.
The district defines a controversial topic as, “one that a professional educator could reasonably understand to have students on more than one side of said issue”.
According to Borman, the policies are intended to create a neutral learning place for students.
“For me, it’s hard to say that the classroom is going to be a neutral environment because humans are not neutral," Borman said. "What is personal and what is political, it mucks it up and could lead to a further chilling effect of teachers being afraid to talk about things or to be themselves in the classroom."
The draft was one of more to come. Borman said West Ada School District’s Board of Trustees must approve three readings of the drafted policy before giving it the green light.
"To be neutral in a sense is almost a way to hurt these kids," Borman said. "To say that its divisive, you can’t put a pride flag in your classroom, is to basically say that 'well, some people don't believe that you have the right to exist and be you and therefore we can’t have that in your classroom,' but that doesn't mean that the kid just goes away."
The second draft will come together in the coming weeks and be presented to the West Ada School District Board of Trustees on July 11.
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- Still reading this list? We're on YouTube, too: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/new-proposed-policies-for-west-ada-teachers/277-00acb837-1aa6-4e2c-9160-a90e87677f85 | 2022-06-16T00:44:50 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/new-proposed-policies-for-west-ada-teachers/277-00acb837-1aa6-4e2c-9160-a90e87677f85 |
An author whose children’s book was the subject of a removal effort in the Hanover County school district posted on social media Wednesday that the School Board there made the right decision.
“Victory for #freadom,” Zetta Elliott said on Twitter. “Many thanks and much love to everyone in Hanover County for standing up against the book banners.”
Hanover’s School Board voted 4-3 on Tuesday to keep Elliott’s “A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart” on school shelves following a challenge to remove the title over its content. A dozen people spoke at the meeting.
Elliott’s story follows a Black boy’s journey as he tries to describe his feelings in the wake of the death of a Black woman shot and killed by police. The 32-page book, which is recommended for children 4 to 8, received the 2021 Caldecott Medal for its illustrations by Noa Denmon.
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Victory for #freadom! Many thanks and much love to everyone in Hanover County for standing up against the book banners 📚⭐️🥰 https://t.co/BIXFYpv4R3
— Zetta Elliott (@zettaelliott) June 15, 2022
County Supervisor Michael Herzerg criticized Elliott on Facebook and called the illustrations “garbage.” Two pages depict a crowd of people and a “Black Lives Matter” sign, while a third illustration shows five faceless police officers, one holding a baton, in front of a crowd.
“Hanover: It’s time for your school board to create policy to get garbage like this out of YOUR libraries,” Herzberg’s Facebook post read. “Indoctrination has been going on for years and it has to stop. Slicing through flesh and bone is not appropriate for K-5.”
Herzberg asked that the School Board remove the book and any other it deems inappropriate, but on Tuesday a group of parents asked that it stay.
Robert French, of the Chickahominy District, brought the book for the board to see. French said he has two young children at home and was struck by the story’s message.
“I wish this book was available to me when I when I was kid, when I lost somebody very close to me, and I had the emotions that are described in this book,” French said.
French told the board he’d spend $1,000 of his own money just so elementary school students would have the chance to read Elliot’s story.
“I’m going to put my own money to this,” French said.
Banning books has become a flashpoint in several communities nationally in recent months. Across the U.S. about 1,600 books have been pulled from school libraries or classrooms this academic year, according to the nonprofit group PEN America, compared to about 300 challenges or bans in previous years. Most of the targeted books feature LGBTQ or Black characters or themes.
Elliott told the Times-Dispatch in an interview in May that she hoped the board would consider keeping her book.
“Well, we’ll have to wait and see what happens, whether that book gets banned in Hanover County, I certainly hope not,” Elliott said. “But I’m really happy for all the people who are supporting me and think that books should stay in kids’ hands.”
Elliott did not immediately respond to an interview request on Wednesday.
Dottie Walsh, of Beaverdam, told the board that she was moved by the book’s message and that it’s never too early to talk to children about race.
“In life, there are teachable moments and this one of them. I’m the daughter of a South Carolina state police trooper, and I approve this book,” Walsh said. “I was moved by this book … it’s a book about the feelings we all experience in life, young and old and they’re all inside of us. All of us.”
Board member Bob May of the South Anna District said during the meeting that while he’s against banning books, the content of this story is still too political and should be read only by older audiences.
“I think this book should be limited to a higher education levels meaning possibly fourth- and fifth-graders, not the kindergarten age. That’s my concern,” May said. “I’m not for banning books but I am for trying to make this available for students that have the ability to further understand what they’re reading.”
A group of librarians and school staff previously reviewed the book’s content. Their recommendation was to keep the title in the poetry section rather than the picture book section, which would decrease the likelihood that younger children would checkout the book.
The book is available at Cold Harbor and Elmont elementary schools and isn’t used in any supplemental or instructional material in any Hanover classroom.
Board member John Axselle, representative of the Beaverdam District, was against keeping the book, saying it had too much violence and portrayed law enforcement negatively.
“I happen to think that those types of messages are the wrong messages to send,” Axselle said.
The board agreed with the recommendation presented by school staff that the book should stay in its libraries, albeit in the poetry section rather than the picture book section.
May ended up voting in favor of keeping the book along with Chairman Ola Hawkins of the Ashland District, Vice Chair Robert Hundley, Jr. of the Chickahominy District and Sterling Daniel of the Mechanicsville District.
Board members Axselle, George E. Sutton of the Henry District and Steven Ikenberry of the Cold Harbor District voted in opposition.
(804) 649-6340 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/author-on-book-ban-vote-much-love-to-everyone-in-hanover-county/article_ef7a1312-5c04-58de-91cd-7856e8869dc2.html | 2022-06-16T00:45:58 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/author-on-book-ban-vote-much-love-to-everyone-in-hanover-county/article_ef7a1312-5c04-58de-91cd-7856e8869dc2.html |
Hanover County public school students could face harsher penalties if they participate in walkout protests under the school board’s newly adopted code of conduct.
The school board unanimously approved changes Tuesday to its definition of a “walkout” in addition to tacking on language to define student self-defense claims.
Hundreds of students during the school year participated in several demonstrations, which prompted the school board to clarify the language.
- Patrick Henry High School students in September walked out during the school day to call attention to student mental health needs after the suicide of a classmate. The protest was held during the school day near school grounds, and participating students were given 10-day suspensions.
- Atlee High students staged a walkout in March to protest the board’s hesitancy to adopt policies that give transgender students access to bathrooms and locker rooms that fit with their identity — a policy that’s mandated by the state. The demonstration was held on school grounds during normal class time. Atlee students were given two- or three-day suspensions.
- Another walkout at Mechanicsville High — also for transgender students’ rights — was held April 22, though that event took place after the school day ended and just off school grounds. Those students weren’t given any suspensions.
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The lack of consistency towards disciplinary actions is what led the board to discuss changing its written policy and clarifying the school system’s intent.
The board Tuesday approved a provision that prohibits demonstrations, including protests and walkouts, “which may interfere with teaching or the orderly conduct of school activities.”
Additionally, leaving class during school hours without permission “is prohibited and will be subject to the Code of Student Conduct.”
Under the new policy, students could face short- or long-term suspensions as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct, as opposed to the previous absence of a general standard of punishment.
The language closely resembles definitions put forth in Tinker v. Des Moines, a landmark 1969 Supreme Court ruling protecting students’ rights to free speech in public schools.
Board member Robert Hundley Jr. of the Chickahominy District said the change is not meant to hamper student’s right to protests, but prevent classroom disruptions.
“Just to be clear, the intent of this is to mirror the language of Tinker, which basically allows certain demonstrations,” Hundley said.
Hundley said students can still patriciate in passive demonstrations like wearing T-shirts or buttons that support their point of view or participate in demonstrations outside school hours.
Board members also approved a measure for student defense claims, which states anyone claiming self-defense during a fight or incident must be “without fault” in provoking or bringing on the fight or incident.
The student must also have “reasonably feared” at the time that there was “imminent risk of physical harm” and that they used no more force than reasonably necessary to prevent the threatened harm. | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-schools-toughen-penalties-for-student-walkouts/article_701265f6-7b68-5cce-8748-d26e13861d17.html | 2022-06-16T00:46:04 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-schools-toughen-penalties-for-student-walkouts/article_701265f6-7b68-5cce-8748-d26e13861d17.html |
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Jim Carveth looked closer to home when he decided it was time to sell his longtime bike shops.
But his kids hadn’t followed him into the business, and he couldn’t find an employee ready to make the investment.
He didn’t want to sell his Bike Rack stores in Lincoln and Omaha to just anybody.
“I’ve been working on this a little while. I think it’s the best thing for employees to have a really strong company that has the wherewithal to weather all the storms.”
And he found that company, he said, in one of the world’s leading bike builders, Trek Bicycles.
He announced the sale to Trek on Facebook early Wednesday. “We knew we wanted to work with people who share our long-term vision — and would provide the same commitment to hospitality and service to our customers,” he wrote.
Carveth got into the business in 1991, when he bought the Freewheeling Bike Shop near 13th and K and renamed it Blue’s Bicycles and Fitness. Two years later, he bought the Schwinn Cyclery at 33rd and Pioneers and eventually consolidated his stores there.
In 1997, he bought the Bike Rack in Omaha, which is now near North 144th and West Maple and is celebrating its 50th year in business. In 1999, he renamed his Lincoln store the Bike Rack.
Both locations will close from July 11 to July 22 for remodeling, and he urged customers who have bikes there to be serviced — or on hold or layaway — to pick them up before then.
Trek Bicycles will keep the Bike Rack’s 45 full- and part-time employees, Carveth said.
The Wisconsin-based company already operates a Trek Bicycles store in Omaha near 72nd and Dodge.
Beokleigh Gildersleeve, bottom right, and Meredith Jenkins look at work from their school day during the bike rodeo Thursday at Fredstrom Elementary School.
Check out photos from Fredstrom Elementary School's annual bike rodeo, which gives kids a chance to showcase their biking ability through various drills while learning about safety.
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Bike Rodeo 4.14
Madi Vancura waits for her turn on the obstacle course during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Link Colley navigates his way through an obstacle course during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Students cruise around the parking lot of Fredstrom Elementary School during the bike rodeo Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Connor Wittrock (second from left) waits alongside other students during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Adrian Saure rides his scooter through an obstacle course during a bike safety event at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Henry Bredehoft, wears a dinosaur helmet during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Anakin King peddles to the finish line of an obstacle course during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Students ride around the parking lot during a bike rodeo at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Lily Madsen circles around a traffic cone during a bike rodeo Thursday at Fredstrom Elementary School.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Students line up to take on an obstacle course during a bike rodeo Thursday at Fredstrom Elementary School.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Students line up to check in to the bike rodeo Thursday at Fredstrom Elementary School.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Students line up to take on an obstacle course during the bike rodeo, a safety event at Fredstrom Elementary School on Thursday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bike Rodeo 4.14
Beokleigh Gildersleeve, bottom right, and Meredith Jenkins look at work from their school day during the bike rodeo Thursday at Fredstrom Elementary School.
The airport needs to reconstruct its nearly 13,000-foot main runway, but the Federal Aviation Administration will likely only be willing to pay for something shorter.
One of the projects, a $20 million apartment complex at 48th Street and Aylesworth Avenue, is already in the works. The other involves a building at 1005 O St. that the city wants to sell.
CHI Health is notifying patients that one of its vendors had a "cybersecurity event" that may have exposed some patients' protected health information.
The expansion will include a 46,000-square-foot hangar and an additional two-floor wing comprised of 56,000 square feet, which will be used for storage and shops.
In an internal announcement dated June 1, Michael Foods said it determined there was “excess capacity across our dried egg network that would not be utilized by current demand or the anticipated growth in this category.”
Wahoo native Eli Vedral is making a splash with Kookaburra Cookies, the business he launched a couple of years ago with a little capital, some big ideas and his brother’s Kitchen Aid mixer.
The owners of the former Sears building at Gateway Mall have filed a $4.5 million building permit for work to transform it into a mixed-use, multiple-tenant building. | https://journalstar.com/business/local/longtime-lincoln-omaha-bike-shops-getting-a-new-owner/article_37264be4-0866-57f2-840b-cd7b735732d6.html | 2022-06-16T01:01:13 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/business/local/longtime-lincoln-omaha-bike-shops-getting-a-new-owner/article_37264be4-0866-57f2-840b-cd7b735732d6.html |
A Lancaster County jury Wednesday found a former Nebraska State Penitentiary inmate not guilty of a prison assault last year.
Prosecutors had charged Cody Granfield, a 35-year-old Hoskins man, as a habitual criminal, meaning he would've faced a minimum of 10 years in prison if he was convicted.
Both men have been released from prison after finishing their sentences.
In closing arguments Wednesday, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Charles Byrd said the 43-year-old inmate who was beaten in a bathroom at the Nebraska State Penitentiary on June 19, 2021, testified that Granfield was holding him as another inmate punched him in the face.
The inmate who was beaten had snuck into a housing unit where he wasn't supposed to be in order to meet for the fight, though it was disputed if he or Granfield had set up the fight.
It wasn't on video because it happened in the bathroom, where there are no cameras. But video showed them and several other inmates entering the bathroom before the injured man was found knocked out.
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He woke up in the hospital with a hematoma and bruising around his eye and a cut to his eyebrow that required stitches.
Byrd said Granfield was there to send a message to others not to disrespect the prison gang to which he was a part by beating the inmate senseless.
Defense attorney Mona Burton said Granfield simply watched a fight.
"That's not a crime," she said.
The injured inmate said Granfield held him as Clayton Highwolf, struck him.
Granfield denied he ever touched him.
Nebraska's 10 state prisons from least to most crowded
10. Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility
9. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women
8. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution
7. Community Corrections Center-Lincoln
6. Nebraska State Penitentiary
4. Work Ethic Camp
3. Community Corrections Center-Omaha
2. Omaha Correctional Center
1. Diagnostic and Evaluation Center
Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSpilger | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/jury-finds-hoskins-man-not-guilty-of-felony-assault-in-lincoln-prison/article_bda69063-1463-5fd8-9c4f-24f48f87f5e5.html | 2022-06-16T01:01:19 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/jury-finds-hoskins-man-not-guilty-of-felony-assault-in-lincoln-prison/article_bda69063-1463-5fd8-9c4f-24f48f87f5e5.html |
An internal investigation is underway at the Lincoln Police Department after an officer on Tuesday shot a dog that police say charged a pair of officers after they knocked on a door in north Lincoln.
The two unidentified officers, who had gone to the residence in reference to an ongoing investigation, were waiting on the porch at 1340 Manatt Street around 8 p.m. Tuesday when the woman who answered the door turned back to yell for her boyfriend, the police department said in a news release.
As the woman turned, Diva, a 5-year-old "large breed dog" ran by her and toward officers, the police said, knocking one down before charging the other.
The second officer retreated backward and fired his gun, striking Diva, the police department said.
"We need a sergeant here," one of the officers told dispatchers in the moments after the shooting, according to archived emergency scanner traffic. "We need a sergeant now. ... Shots fired at a dog. Everything is OK for now."
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A male resident rushed the dog to an emergency veterinarian, but Diva was ultimately euthanized due to her injuries. Attempts to contact the residents Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.
"The Lincoln Police Department is investigating the incident to include review of all available video and witness statements," the department said, adding that officers are trained to handle aggressive dogs and "part of the investigation will be to determine if that training was followed."
Steve Beal, the city's Animal Control manager, said Diva was a blue-blood bulldog who had previously bit a city resident in an unprovoked incident in December 2019.
In that instance, Diva had been unleashed and running at large before biting a man, Beal told the Journal Star. As a result of the biting, Beal said the city had deemed Diva potentially dangerous.
The police department noted the previous incident in its news release, though the officer who shot Diva was not aware of the designation when he fired.
"Despite this, the Lincoln Police Department recognizes how important dogs are in our lives and understands that the loss of any pet is painful," the police department said.
Tom Casady's list of the 10 most infamous crimes in Lincoln history
Crimes of the times
This is simply one man’s perspective from the early 21st century (first written in 2010). I had to make a decision about crimes that occurred at locations that are inside the city today, but were outside our corporate limits at the time they occurred. I chose the latter.
Before beginning, though, I have to deal with three crimes that stand apart: the murders of three police officers in Lincoln. I’m not quite sure how to place them in a list. They all had huge impacts on the community, and on the police department in particular. Because these are my colleagues, I deal with them separately and in chronological order.
Patrolman Marion Francis Marshall
Shot in the shadow of the new Nebraska State Capital, Gov. Charles Bryan came to his aid and summoned additional help.
Lt. Frank Soukup
Marion Marshall was technically not a Lincoln police officer, so Lt. Soukup was actually the first Lincoln police officer killed on duty. One of his colleagues who was present at the motel and involved in the gunbattle, Paul Jacobsen, went on to enjoy a long career and command rank at LPD, influencing many young charges (like me) and leaving his mark on the culture of the agency.
Lt. Paul Whitehead
In the space of a few months, three LPD officers died in the line of duty. Frank Soukup had been murdered, and George Welter had died in a motorcycle crash. Paul Whitehead's partner, Paul Merritt, went on to command rank, and like Paul Jacobsen left an indelible mark at LPD and the community.
No. 1: Starkweather
The subject of several thinly disguised movie plots and a Springsteen album, the Starkweather murders are clearly the most infamous crime in Lincoln’s history — so far. One of the first mass murderers of the mass media age, six of Charles Starkweather’s 11 victims were killed inside the city of Lincoln, and the first was just on the outskirts of town. I didn’t live in Lincoln at the time, but my wife was a first-grader at Riley Elementary School and has vivid memories of the city gripped by fear in the days between the discovery of the Bartlett murders and Starkweather’s capture in Wyoming.
The case caused quite an uproar. There was intense criticism of the police department and sheriff’s office for not capturing Starkweather earlier in the week after the discovery of the Bartletts' bodies. Ultimately, Mayor Bennett Martin and the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners retained a retired FBI agent, Harold G. Robinson, to investigate the performance of local law enforcement. His report essentially exonerated the local law officers and made a few vanilla recommendations for improving inter-agency communication and training.
Now I know that many readers are mumbling to themselves “how obvious.” Hold your horses, though. It’s not quite as obvious as you might think. I had two experiences that drove this fact home to me. The first was a visit by a small group of journalism students. Only one member of the class had any idea, and her idea was pretty vague. You need to remember that the Starkweather murders were in 1957 and 1958 — before the parents of many college students were even born.
The second experience was a visit by a Cub Scout den. I was giving the kids a tour of the police station one evening. We were in the front lobby waiting for everyone to arrive. As I entertained the boys, I told the moms and dads that they might enjoy looking in the corner of the Sheriff’s Office display case to see the contents of Starkweather’s wallet — discovered a couple of years ago locked up in the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office safe. After a few minutes, one of the confused fathers asked me who Starkweather was, and why it was significant.
No. 2: Lincoln National Bank
On the morning of Sept. 17, 1930, a dark blue Buick carrying six men pulled up in front of the Lincoln National Bank at the northwest corner of 12th and O streets. Five of the men entered the bank, while a sixth stood outside by the Buick, cradling a machine gun. Observing the unusual events, a passerby called the police. The officer who responded, Forrest Shappaugh, was casually instructed by the machine-gun-toting lookout to just keep going, which he wisely did. Returning with reinforcements, he found that the robbers had already made good on their getaway, netting $2.7 million in cash and negotiable securities.
Ultimately, three of the six suspects were arrested. Tommy O’Connor and Howard Lee were convicted and sentenced. Jack Britt was tried twice but not convicted by a hung jury. Gus Winkeler, a member of Al Capone’s gang, winged a deal with County Attorney Max Towle to avoid prosecution in exchange for orchestrating the recovery of $600,000 in bearer bonds. The following year, Winkeler was murdered in Chicago, the victim of a gangland slaying. The final two robbers were never identified.
The Lincoln National Bank robbery stood as the largest cash bank robbery in the United States for many decades. It precipitated major changes at the Lincoln Police Department. Chief Peter Johnstone was rapidly “retired” after the robbery, the department’s fleet was upgraded to add the first official patrol cars, the full force was armed and a shotgun squad was organized. Forty-four years later when I was hired at LPD, the echo of the Lincoln National Bank robbery was still evident in daily bank opening details, and in the Thomspon submachine guns and Reising rifles that detectives grabbed whenever the robbery alarm sounded at headquarters.
No. 3: The Last Posse
My first inkling about this crime came when I was the chief deputy sheriff. One of my interns, a young man named Ron Boden (who became a veteran deputy sheriff), had been doing some research on Lancaster County’s only known lynching, in 1884. I came across a reference in the biography of the sheriff at the time, Sam Melick, to the murder of the Nebraska Penitentiary warden and subsequent prison break. Melick had been appointed interim warden after the murder and instituted several reforms.
Several years later, a colleague, Sgt. Geoff Marti, loaned me a great book, Gale Christianson’s "Last Posse," that told the story of the 1912 prison break in gory, haunting and glorious detail.
To make a long story short, convict Shorty Gray and his co-conspirators shot and killed Warden James Delahunty, a deputy warden and a guard on Wednesday, March 13, 1912. They then made their break — right into the teeth of a brutal Nebraska spring blizzard. Over the course to the next few days, a posse pursued. During the pursuit, the escapees carjacked a young farmer with his team and wagon. As the posse closed in, a gunfight broke out and the hostage was shot and killed in the exchange, along with two of the three escapees.
There was plenty of anger among the locals in the Gretna-Springfield vicinity about the death of their native son, and a controversy raged over the law enforcement tactics that brought about his demise. Lancaster County Sheriff Gus Hyers was not unsullied by the inquiry, although it appears from my prospect a century later that the fog of war led to the tragedy.
Christianson, a professor of history at Indiana State University who died earlier this year, notes the following on the flyleaf:
“For anyone living west of the Mississippi in 1912, the biggest news that fateful year was a violent escape from the Nebraska state penitentiary planned and carried out by a trio of notorious robbers and safe blowers.”
Bigger news on half the continent than the sinking of the Titanic during the same year would certainly qualify this murder-escape as one of the most infamous Lincoln crimes in history.
No. 4: Rock Island wreck
The Aug. 10, 1894, wreck of a Rock Island train on the southwest outskirts of Lincoln was almost lost in the mist of time until it was resurrected in the public consciousness by author Joel Williams, who came across the story while conducting research for his historical novel, "Barrelhouse Boys."
The wreck was determined to be the result of sabotage to the tracks, perhaps an attempt to derail the train as a prelude to robbery. Eleven people died in the crash and ensuing fire, making this a mass murder, to be sure. G.W. Davis was arrested and convicted of the crime but later received a full pardon. The story was told in greater detail earlier this year by the Lincoln Journal Star.
A historical marker is along the Rock Island Trail in Wilderness Park, accessible only by foot or bike from the nearest trail access points about a half-mile away at Old Cheney Road on the north, or 14th Street on the south.
Here’s the big question that remains unanswered: Was there really significant evidence to prove that George Washington Davis committed the crime, or was he just a convenient scapegoat? The fact that he received a gubernatorial pardon 10 years later leads me to believe that the evidence must have been unusually weak. If he was railroaded, then my second question is this: who really pried loose the tracks with the 40-pound crowbar found at the scene?
No. 5: Commonwealth
On Nov. 1, 1983, the doors to Nebraska’s largest industrial savings and loan company were closed and Commonwealth was declared insolvent. The 6,700 depositors with $65 million at stake would never be fully compensated for their loss, ultimately receiving about 59 cents on the dollar for their deposits, which they all mistakenly believed were insured up to $30,000 through the Nebraska Depository Insurance Guaranty Corporation, which was essentially an insurance pool with assets of only $3 million.
The case dominated Nebraska news for months. The investigation ultimately led to the conviction of three members of the prominent Lincoln family that owned the institution, the resignation of the director of the State Department of Banking and the impeachment of the Nebraska attorney general and the suspension of his license to practice law. State and federal litigation arising from the failure of Commonwealth drug on for years.
At the Lincoln Police Department, the Commonwealth failure led to the formation of a specialized white-collar crime detail, now known as the Technical Investigations Unit. At the time, municipal police departments in the United States had virtually no capacity for investigating financial crime and fraud of this magnitude, and we quickly became well known for our expertise in this area. The early experience served LPD very well in the ensuring years.
No. 6: Candice Harms
Candi Harms never came home from visiting her boyfriend on Sept. 22, 1992. Her parents reported her as a missing person the following morning, and her car was found abandoned in a cornfield north of Lincoln later in the day. Weeks went by before her remains were found southeast of Lincoln.
Scott Barney and Roger Bjorklund were convicted in her abduction and murder. Barney is in prison serving a life term. Bjorklund died in prison in 2001. Intense media attention surrounded the lengthy trial of Roger Bjorklund, for which a jury was brought in from Cheyenne County as an alternative to a change of venue. I have no doubt that the trial was a life-changing event for a group of good citizens from Sidney, who did their civic duty.
I was the Lancaster County sheriff at the time, involved both in the investigation and in the trial security. It was at about this time that the cellular telephone was becoming a consumer product, and I have often thought that this brutal crime probably spurred a lot of purchases. During my career, this is probably the second-most-prominent Lincoln crime in terms of the sheer volume of media coverage.
No. 7: Jon Simpson and Jacob Surber
A parent’s worst nightmare unfolded in September 1975 when these two boys, ages 12 and 13, failed to return from the Nebraska State Fair. The boys were the victims of abduction and murder. The case was similar to a string of other murders of young boys in the Midwest, and many thought that these cases were related -- the work of a serial killer. Although an arrest was made in the case here in Lincoln, the charges were eventually dismissed. William Guatney was released and has since died.
No. 8: John Sheedy
Saloon and gambling house owner John Sheedy was gunned down outside his home at 1211 P St. in January 1891. The case of Sheedy, prominent in Lincoln’s demiworld, became the talk of the town when his wife, Mary, and her alleged lover and accomplice, Monday McFarland, were arrested. Both were acquitted at trial. The Sheedy murder is chronicled in a great interactive multimedia website, Gilded Age Plains City, an online version that builds upon an article published in 2001 by Timothy Mahoney of the University of Nebraska.
No. 9: Patricia McGarry and Catherine Brooks
The bodies of these two friends were found in a Northeast Lincoln duplex in August 1977. Their murderer, Robert E. Williams, was the subject of a massive Midwest manhunt during the following week. Before his capture, he committed a third murder in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and raped, shot and left for dead a victim who survived in Minnesota. He is the last man to be executed in Nebraska, sent to the electric chair in 1997.
No. 10: Judge William M. Morning
District Court Judge William Morning was murdered in February 1924. He was shot on the bench by an unhappy litigant in a divorce case. His court reporter, Minor Bacon, was also shot, but a notebook in his breast pocket deflected the bullet and saved his life.
Many other crimes
Choosing Lincoln's 10 most infamous crimes was a challenge. Although the top two were easy, the picture quickly became clouded. We tend, of course, to forget our history rather quickly. Many of the crimes I felt were among the most significant are barely remembered today, if not completely forgotten.
Some readers will take issue with my list. In choosing 10, here are the others I considered, in no particular order. They are all murders:
-- Mary O'Shea
-- Nancy Parker
-- Charles Mulholland
-- Victoria Lamm and Janet Mesner
-- Martina McMenamin
-- Regina Bos (presumably murdered)
-- Patty Webb
-- Marianne Mitzner
I also thought about the five murder-suicides in which a mother or father killed multiple family members before taking their own life. Though tragic, these crimes did not command the same kind of attention as the others, perhaps because there was no lengthy investigation, no tantalizing whodunit, no stranger-killer, nor any of the details that come out in the coverage of a major trial.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @andrewwegley | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-police-officer-shoots-dangerous-dog-dog-later-euthanized/article_c66b07f6-42b8-5923-bf59-0b6becca9a39.html | 2022-06-16T01:01:25 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-police-officer-shoots-dangerous-dog-dog-later-euthanized/article_c66b07f6-42b8-5923-bf59-0b6becca9a39.html |
BERLIN — The city is about to begin a property revaluation, the result of a state demand after a scandal involving the city’s assessors and the white-hot property market.
Mayor Paul Grenier said Wednesday some property owners may pay higher taxes if their valuations go up. The cost of the revaluation will be around $250,000.
He said that cost is due to the three-member Board of Assessors giving and receiving each other, and one of their relatives, inappropriate abatements for 2018.
The assessors resigned at the request of Grenier and the City Council after a February review by the state Bureau of Tax and Land Appeals found found the assessors had engaged in “self-dealing” to lower their assessments.
“We’ve been dealing with the DRA for over two-and-a-half years to get things finally resolved,” said Grenier.
Grenier said Berlin is not alone among New Hampshire municipalities in not being fully up-to-date on valuations.
According to City Manager Phil Warren, Berlin’s first tax bills of the year — which were sent out recently and are payable by July 12 — are based on valuations of between 50% and 60%, well below where they should be.
“It’s nobody’s fault. It’s the fault of the market,” said Grenier, adding that properties are selling at high prices and so quickly that “we can’t keep up.”
Warren, who recently became city manager after 13 years in Meredith as town manager, said he wanted to add a full-time staffer to the Assessing Office, like he had in Meredith. Grenier said, “We’ll see what happens.”
Warren said a significant proportion of property sales in the past two years were to buyers “strictly because of the recreation opportunities” in and around the city.
Property owners should receive new notices in August, with the DRA determining the tax rate sometime in October.
On Monday, June 20, the City Council will hold a final reading of the proposed $38.9 million municipal budget for 2023, which is some $700,000 more than in 2022. Warren and Grenier expect that as the revaluation increases assessment ratios, the tax rate will drop between $3 and $5. It is at present projected to go up $3.31 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
Berlin property owner Ted Bosen, who lives on Cates Hill, agreed that the underassessments in Berlin were due to “an unprecedented, volatile real-estate market.”
Until that volatility subsides, he said, “I wouldn’t put any faith in any assessment.” | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/berlin-property-valuations-well-below-market-rate/article_84a41b42-4bff-5ee2-aee9-6576dba676ce.html | 2022-06-16T01:05:48 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/berlin-property-valuations-well-below-market-rate/article_84a41b42-4bff-5ee2-aee9-6576dba676ce.html |
PETERBOROUGH — The Monadnock Rod & Gun Club is taking the town of Peterborough to court to appeal a decision by the Zoning Board of Adjustment that is preventing the club from reopening.
The club needs zoning board relief from an ordinance that was enacted by the town in 2019 which prohibits outdoor shooting ranges.
The nonprofit club has been using the land on Jaffrey Road since the 1940s. Its outdoor shooting range should have been a grandfathered use, however, the club abandoned its use of the original footprint, causing the loss of the shooting range’s grandfathered status, according to the town.
Monadnock Rod & Gun Club applied to the Planning Board for “an east to west gun range on their property” in the fall, a request that would restore the club’s grandfathered footprint for its shooting range.
The zoning board, however, denied the club relief from the 2019 ordinance and its appeals to that decision based on a written decision by the town’s code enforcement officer.
Code Officer Tim Herlihy said in his decision that the use is not grandfathered because submitted aerial images from the years 2015 and 2017 show that the club had changed the original footprint of the shooting range.
“When the club made the directional change and expanded upon the previous shooting range, the club never applied for permits or approvals for this change. In doing so, it is my opinion that they abandoned their existing non-conforming use of the East to West shooting range …” Herlihy said in his decision.
The club’s attorney, Kelly Dowd, has argued that the issue stems from previous club management changing the footprint of the shooting range but said that action should be amendable.
“Peterborough Zoning permits “recreational facility” as a permitted use in the Rural District. Only on May 14, 2019 did Peterborough outlaw outdoor shooting ranges,” Dowd said in the April 26 petition to the Superior Court. “The allegations made by Code Enforcement, that the club switched shooting to North to South from East to West sometime between 2015 and 2017 does not constitute a “change in use” from an outdoor shooting range to some other land use, permitted or otherwise, in the Rural District.”
The appeal to the Superior Court also argues that the decision is illegal since it was made by a town employee and not the zoning board.
“The Code Enforcement Officer erred in issuing an unconstitutional and illegal “Administrative Decision” and the Zoning Board of Adjustment erred in upholding an illegal and unconstitutional act of a local official,” Dowd wrote.
On Monday, the Peterborough Planning Board denied Monadnock Rod & Gun Club’s site plan review application after Town Planner Danica Melone said the club has come before the zoning board several times and has yet to be granted relief.
“At this point, they’ve gone through several processes with the zoning board,” Melone said. “My recommendation would be to deny the site plan application because they can’t move forward with us without zoning board approval.”
Planning Board member Ivy Vann concurred, “I move that we deny the application for the gun club because they have not been able to achieve relief from the appropriate zoning.”
Vann’s motion was unanimously approved by the board.
Dowd declined to comment Tuesday due to the pending litigation. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/monadnock-rod-gun-club-suing-peterborough/article_51cf693c-15a5-5387-9c77-1b102aa8eabe.html | 2022-06-16T01:05:54 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/monadnock-rod-gun-club-suing-peterborough/article_51cf693c-15a5-5387-9c77-1b102aa8eabe.html |
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