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KENNESAW, Ga. — Police in Cobb County are investigating after multiple incidents of "bullet damage" were reported to a Kennesaw elementary school.
Cobb County School District officials said local administration reported at least two incidents where they found "bullet damage" to the school in the middle of the night.
Authorities said the incidents often happened when no one was on campus.
Security has been increased at Chalker Elementary School, located on North Booth Road, in response to the incidents.
Officials said no specific threat had been made towards students or staff.
The district issued the following statement regarding the incidents:
“Twice in the past week, in the middle of the night with no students or staff on campus, local administration found bullet damage at Chalker Elementary. The police are aware, have been investigating, will continue to investigate, and additional police officers will be on campus throughout the day.
We are not aware of any specific threat to our school, students, or staff. Teaching and learning continue, uninterrupted.”
The 11Alive Skytracker flew over the scene Friday. Multiple police vehicles can be seen patrolling the area.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/chalker-elementary-school-bullet-damage/85-6dc24089-b94e-4bf0-b39c-d51dc32d9718 | 2023-04-28T22:48:23 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/chalker-elementary-school-bullet-damage/85-6dc24089-b94e-4bf0-b39c-d51dc32d9718 |
MARIETTA, Ga. — In the race to make history in Georgia, after a years-long battle, Jim Wages said he felt like his family had won the lottery Friday.
Wages' daughter, Sydney, has had seizures since she was six-months-old. Her dad risked breaking the law to get her medical cannabis to treat her condition.
Now, with a state commission's decision to authorize the sale of medical cannabis in Georgia, Wages no longer has to cross state lines. Nearly 20 years after his daughter's seizures began, the Dallas father became the first patient to be able to buy it in-state.
"We fought alongside shoulder to shoulder," Wages said. "It's such a relief to know we can drive a few miles to pick up product instead of having to meet in a parking lot. It's not just about Sydney. It is for us, this is our child. But there are so many others like her. We fight for all of them."
Dozens of people formed a line outside Trulieve in Marietta, set to buy low-THC cannabis products. Some traveled from as far as Newnan and Northeast Georgia. Trulieve, also opened another dispensary in Macon Friday.
It comes after a state commission authorized the company, along with Botanical Sciences, to sell medical cannabis in Georgia to the nearly 30,000 Georgians with THC registry cards.
"I've waited my whole life for this moment," Trulieve shift supervisor Zach Easterwood said. "My grandfather was a cancer patient. He died because he didn't have access to this. So being able to be here and give someone else's grandfather relief is lifechanging."
Easterwood said the Marietta location would sell tinctures, capsules and topical lotions ranging in price depending on the dosage and the product. Possessing medical cannabis in Georgia has been legal since 2015, but it took families, lobbyists and ultimately state lawmakers eight years to find a way to obtain it within state lines.
"It's going to help out Georgia farmers, it's the number one industry in Georgia," Rep. Devan Seabaugh (R-Cobb County) said. "They'll be responsible with it and I think it'll benefit all Georgians who need this type of treatment. It's been a long time coming. This is a first step, a great start. It’s going to provide some very needed relief to these patients.”
For Jim Wages and his family, their years-long race has reached a lifechanging milestone.
"Our finish line is right here," Wages said, moments before a ribbon cutting outside Trulieve's Marietta dispensary. "I risked prosecution to help this child. We’re tired, but it’s all worth it today.” | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/first-legal-medical-cannabis-sells-georgia-marietta-macon-thc-marijuana/85-07d12364-f3a0-4f24-a804-26047047feff | 2023-04-28T22:48:24 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/first-legal-medical-cannabis-sells-georgia-marietta-macon-thc-marijuana/85-07d12364-f3a0-4f24-a804-26047047feff |
BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington School District 87 announced Friday that Messina Lambert will be the new principal for Bloomington Junior High School.
Lambert, current principal at Irving Elementary School, has been an educator for over two decades, according to a news release, and attended District 87 schools herself before earning various teaching degrees from Illinois State University.
District 87 Superintendent David Mouser said in the release that Lambert joins an "outstanding team of teachers and administrators at BJHS."
Lambert's appointment will go before the District 87 Board of Education for approval in May.
In the release, Lambert said she is "excited to meet and get to know staff, students and families at BJHS."
Gavin and Avery Bryd talk about performing with the Gamma Phi Circus
Clay Jackson
MetalCow Robotics prep for championship in Houston
MetalCow, regional champs
MetalCow Robotics from Bloomington won the Greater Kansas City Regionals in early April.
PROVIDED BY FLORIAN RUECK
Tofte
Timothy Tofte, 15, works on redesigning the grab arm for MetalCow Robotics robot Lerry the Platypus.
D. Jack Alkire
Drive Team
Amber Hitchins, 18, Jake Clouse, 17, and Gokul Balaji, 17, of the MetalCow Robotics drive team.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Test run 1
The drive team of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington test their robot, Lerry the Platypus.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Test run 2
The drive team of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington test their robot, Lerry the Platypus, for the FIRST Championship games in Houston.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Lerry 2
The drive team of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington test their robot, Lerry the Platypus, for the FIRST Championship games in Houston.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Lerry 1
The MetalCow Robotics robot, Lerry the Platypus, gets ready to throw a cone to the grid in a simulated FIRST Robotics match.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Lerry 3
The drive team of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington test their robot, Lerry the Platypus, for the FIRST Championship games in Houston.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Drive team 2
Amber Hitchins, 18, Jake Clouse, 17, Noah Huber, 14, and Andy Guzman, 17, of MetalCow Robotics team.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Rueck
Florian Rueck, head mentor of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Schieltz
Alex Schieltz, 17, of the scout team for MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Guzman
Andy Guzman, 17, part of the team at MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Test run 3
The drive team of MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington test their robot, Lerry the Platypus, for the FIRST Championship games next week in Houston.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Rueck, J
Julian Rueck, 17, part of the team at MetalCow Robotics in Bloomington.
D. JACK ALKIRE, THE PANTAGRAPH
Contact D. Jack Alkire at (309)820-3275.
Twitter: @d_jack_alkire
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BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is awarding $6.6 million in grants to boost local tourism efforts and encourage visitors to travel along the historic Route 66 .
As Illinois' transportation sector continues to shift to electric vehicles , grants also will focus on building the state's EV infrastructure through the installation of new charging stations.
Among the grant recipients are the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, which was awarded $263,319, and the Logan County Tourism Bureau, which was awarded $29,320.
“The millions of dollars the State is investing in local tourism promotion and enhancing the historic Route 66 will do wonders for Illinois’ tourism industry while boosting local economies and promoting the future of travel," DCEO Director Kristin Richards said in a news release.
The Logan County Tourism Bureau's grant will go toward the installation of two EV charging stations and the painting of Route 66 insignia on the county's roads.
Alice Roate, executive director of the tourism bureau, said the charging stations will be installed in Atlanta and new signage will be installed in Lincoln.
"(Route 66 shields) will also double as wayfinding, since we have a few twists and turns in town where Route 66 runs," Roate said.
If all goes well, Roate said she hopes to incorporate these shields across the entire county.
Bloomington-Normal's grant will go toward the installation of monument gateway signage in five communities on McLean County's leg of Route 66. A charging station that would promote Route 66 also would be financed.
Crystal Howard, president and CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the signage would be installed in Bloomington, Normal, Chenoa, Lexington and McLean.
Howard added that the grant funding and projects wouldn't be possible without the involvement of each community.
"We can apply for funds, but when it comes to installing and all the work that goes into it, it takes everyone involved, and we appreciate those efforts," Howard said.
The charging station would be placed in Bloomington, but Howard said the bureau has not selected a specific location yet.
All of the Route 66 projects are expected to be completed by June 30.
Grants also were awarded to the following organizations:
Choose Chicago, $210,756 for the installation of architectural pylons on the north and south sides of Jackson Boulevard where it meets Michigan Avenue. Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, $493,032 for the expansion of a mural trail, the creation of interpretive panels at Green Book sites, Route 66 event signage and promotional efforts. Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau, $1,609,400 for marketing and advertising, Route 66 monuments, murals and charging station and landscaping projects in Lockport, Bolingbrook and Joliet. The City of Springfield, $623,000 for upgrades to Shea's Gas Station and the creation of 12 murals connecting Williamsville, Sherman, Springfield, Chatham and Auburn to the murals in the Heritage Corridor and Great Rivers and Routes service area. Visit Oak Park, $475,000 for various projects to add or upgrade iconic stops along Route 66, including an illuminated Route 66 Gateway structure on Ogden Avenue and additional wayfinding signage.
Patrick Dullard, president of the Friends of Constitution Trail, encourages people to get out and explore more sections of the trail in Bloomington-Normal.
Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state
Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state
For anyone who thrives on nostalgia, driving the 2,448 miles of Route 66 is a must. The iconic highway has inspired road trips, songs, and animated movie characters since construction on the “Main Street of America” was approved in 1926, back when gas cost less than a quarter a gallon. In “The Grapes of Wrath,” John Steinbeck dubbed Route 66 the "Mother Road;" a place where migrants came together as a community. Nat King Cole recorded “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66” in 1946—and more than a half-century later, Tow Mater from the 2006 animated film “Cars” was inspired by a rusty tow truck in Galena, Kansas.
After the Great Depression, families looking for a better life could make their way west, driving their way across eight states starting in Chicago and ending in Los Angeles. Mom-and-pop shops, service stations, and motels popped up along the route. Travelers can still visit the Old Riverton Store in Riverton, Kansas, grab a root beer at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In in Seligman, Arizona, or spend the night at the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
U.S. Highway 66 was realigned several times until 1985 when it was decommissioned and replaced with interstates. Modern roadways may have made sections of Route 66 irrelevant, but about 80% of the winding road still exists. Many of the historic sites along the route have been restored; and Congress voted in 2018 to designate the roadway a National Historic Trail .
Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions—state by state—to see along the drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside America , and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers can get their kicks on Route 66.
You might also like: Most likely destination for travelers from every state
Tamsin Slater // flickr
Grant Park (Chicago)
Many choose to begin a Route 66 journey at Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park—Chicago's oldest—before heading west. To find the original “Historic 66 Begin” sign, travelers can head to the southern side of Adams Street and look west toward Wabash Avenue. The “End Historic Route 66” sign can be found at the intersection of Jackson and Michigan avenues.
f11photo // Shutterstock
Mural City (Pontiac, Illinois)
There are 23 murals in Pontiac, including the Route 66 shield on the back of the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Roadtrippers can grab a mural guide at the museum or follow the red painted footprints for a walking tour.
IvoShandor // Wikimedia Commons
Lauterbach Giant (Springfield, Illinois)
The Lauterbach Giant is a giant fiberglass statue towering over the parking lot of Lauterbach Auto Service in Springfield. The “muffler man” has been around since 1978. He used to hold a tire but now clutches an American flag. In 2006, his head had to be replaced when a tornado took it off.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, Illinois)
The Chain of Rocks Bridge , constructed in 1929, sits 60 feet above the Mississippi River and links Madison with St. Louis. The mile-long historic structure is popular with motorists and cyclists. The bridge got its name from a 17-mile series of rocky rapids called the Chain of Rocks that made the river difficult to navigate, which is why the Corps of Engineers built a dam to cover them in the 1960s. The bridge cost $2.5 million to erect, which was twice the original estimate at the time.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
World's Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville, Illinois)
Drivers can find the World's Largest Catsup Bottle a little south of downtown Collinsville. The 170-foot-tall historic water tower was completed in 1949 for the Brooks Foods plant, which is no longer open. If it didn't have water in it, it could hold 640,000 bottles worth of catsup (or ketchup , as the tomato-based condiment is commonly called today).
MikeGassmann // flickr
Henry's Rabbit Ranch (Staunton, Illinois)
Drivers will have to get out of their car to fully enjoy the fuzzy friends at Henry's Rabbit Ranch, though appointments are necessary to get a complete tour. Visitors can also get a glimpse of VW Rabbits and pick up some Route 66 gifts and memorabilia.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Old Log Cabin (Pontiac, Illinois)
Drivers can get their day started at the Old Log Cabin restaurant in Pontiac with some freshly made eggs and hashbrowns. This quaint spot originally opened in 1926 as a roadside lunchroom and gas station. The owners now serve customers from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Sunday. Locals love the cheeseburgers, homemade coconut cream, and rhubarb pie.
diannlroy.com // flickr
(Former) World's Largest Rocking Chair (Cuba, Missouri)
The World's Largest Rocking Chair (its actual name) may have only been created to break the Guinness World Record for the largest rocking chair. Nevertheless, the Fanning Outpost decided it made a great roadside attraction. The 42-foot-tall steel rocker had to be able to move back and forth to break the world record in 2008, but it has since been secured in place. The rocker was the largest in the world until 2015, when a 56.5-foot-tall chair was built in Casey, Illinois.
AbeEzekowitz // Wikimedia Commons
66 Drive-In Theatre (Carthage, Missouri)
Most of the drive-in theaters in the U.S. have vanished since their heyday of the 1950s. The 66 Drive-In Theatre is one of only around 325 drive-ins remaining in the U.S. The theater is open from early April through mid-September each year.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Route 66 State Park (Eureka, Missouri)
The Route 66 State Park visitor center is located at the former Bridgehead Inn, built in 1935, and offers plenty on the iconic highway's history. The park also offers nature trails and picnic sites where road-weary travelers can stretch their legs or have a bite.
Yinan Chen // Wikimedia Commons
Meramec Caverns (Stanton, Missouri)
Motorists passing through Stanton can stop in for a guided tour of the Meramec Caverns, a multi-level, natural underground wonder that has been a tourist attraction since 1933. Some say the cave was a hideout for Jesse James and his crew. To get the full experience, visitors should be prepared to walk a well-lit 1.25 miles for about 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Ronincmc // Wikimedia Commons
Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri)
The Wagon Wheel Motel has been around since 1935, making it the oldest continuously running motel on Route 66. The historic inn still beckons weary drivers with original flashing neon lights from the ‘40s. The original wood doors, windows, and floors from the 1930s have been updated.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Devil's Elbow, Missouri
Devil's Elbow is situated in the Ozark Mountains and the Mark Twain National Forest, making it one of the more scenic stretches of Old Route 66. Be sure to check out the classic diners, bars, and grills in the area for a big taste of nostalgic Americana.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Cars on the Route (Galena, Kansas)
Only about 13 miles of Route 66 wind through Kansas, but Cars on the Route —the old Kan-O-Tex service station—is worth a stop. The station now has a “Cars” theme and is home to the mining boom truck that inspired the character Tow Mater in the animated film. It was first restored by Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee Charles, and Judy Courtney, which is why the gas station was dubbed “Four Women on the Route” for several years.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena, Kansas)
The Galena Mining & Historical Museum —which sits inside the old Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot—educates passersby on the history of this mining town. Visitors can also learn about how Pixar animators based the fictional town of Radiator Springs—from the movie “Cars”—on this small Kansas town.
marada // flickr
Brush Creek Bridge (Cherokee County, Kansas)
The historic Brush Creek Bridge, also known as Rainbow Bridge, was constructed in 1923. Iowa bridge designer James Barney Marsh created the Rainbow Arch design and patented the construction elements in 1912. Route 66 motorists used the 130-foot bridge to cross Route 66 until the interstate was built in the 1960s.
southernbellefabrics // pixabay
Williams' Store (Riverton, Kansas)
In 1925, Leo Williams built a small community store and deli that he ran with his wife until the Eisler family purchased the business about 50 years later. Today, Williams' Store offers groceries, sandwiches, and Route 66 souvenirs.
TheWhitePelican // Wikimedia Commons
Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station (Baxter, Kansas)
Baxter Springs is one of only three towns Route 66 drivers pass through while in Kansas. The town's Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is one of the locations worth a drive-by. What's interesting about the gas station is that it looks more like someone's home than a place to fill up. After the Great Depression, some oil companies redesigned their buildings to have more of a domestic feel that might make their customers feel more comfortable.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
The historic Milk Bottle Grocery was built in 1930 and is hard to miss: The 350-square-foot building has a giant milk bottle perched on top of it. Since its creation, many dairy companies have paid to advertise their names across the side of the sculpture. The landmark is a popular spot for Route 66 motorists to snap photos and has been home to a variety of businesses including a cleaners, realty office, Vietnamese sandwich shop, and landscape architect.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
Blue Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma)
The Blue Whale is exactly what it sounds like. Zoologist Hugh S. Davis originally built the sea mammal replica as a place where his grandchildren could play and swim. The whale took two years to create and was completed in 1972. Davis's daughter still owns the whale, but swimming is no longer allowed. There are some picnic tables nearby for motorists to take a driving break for lunch.
The Erica Chang // Wikimedia Commons
Lucille's Service Station and Roadhouse (Hydro, Oklahoma)
Built in 1929, Lucille's Service Station is no longer offering gas, but the building has been restored to its original condition. The vintage pumps are still on site and a historical marker tells visitors about how the station began. Included in that history is a bit about the station's namesake, Lucille Hamons, who ran the business for more than 50 years.
Batterup55 // Wikimedia Commons
Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station (Commerce, Oklahoma)
Built around 1930, this service station—also known as Hole in the Wall Conoco Station —offered a place for Route 66 travelers to fill up. It did start out selling Conoco gas but switched to Phillips 66 in 1938. Word on the street is that Bonnie and Clyde may have even fueled up here. Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station may have originally been a gas station, but the tiny green and red structure—built out from the side of a building—is now a souvenir shop.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Totem Pole Park (Foyil, OK)
Artist Ed Galloway created his Totem Pole Park—located about 3.5 miles off Route 66—as a place to show off folk art made of stone and concrete. Many of the pieces depict birds and Native American images. The largest totem pole in the park is 60 feet tall. The original construction lasted from 1937 to 1961 and was restored from 1988 to 1998.
Jana Taylor // Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas)
In 1974, a group of San Francisco artists decided to bury 10 Cadillacs made between 1949 and 1964 nose-first into a Texas field. Millionaire Stanley Marsh 3, who died in 2014, funded the art installation. Graffiti is encouraged, so road trippers can stop by and leave their own mark on the cars before heading further west. The site is off Exit 66 of Interstate 40.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, Texas)
If Cadillac Ranch is too crowded, motorists can drive a few miles from Amarillo to the lesser known VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas. The scene is similar to Cadillac Ranch, except the cars are Volkswagen beetles instead. To find the art installation, motorists can plug "Conway Inn & Restaurant" into GPS.
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Midpoint Cafe (Adrian, Texas)
Adrian, Texas, marks the official midpoint of Route 66. There's even a white line on the road and a sign noting the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles—both are 1,139 miles away. Hungry motorists can stop in for a burger at Midpoint Cafe, which served as inspiration for Flo's V8 Cafe in the animated movie "Cars."
Marcin Wichary // Wikimedia Commons
Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe (Shamrock, Texas)
Constructed in 1936, the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe on historic Route 66 includes a retail store, the Tower Conoco Station, and the U-Drop Inn Cafe. The latter got its name from a local boy who won a naming contest. The structure is now a visitor center, chamber of commerce office, and community center.
Judson McCranie // Wikimedia Commons
Leaning Tower of Texas (Groom, Texas)
Truck-stop owner Ralph Britten created the Leaning Tower of Texas to drum up business. The structure slants at an 80-degree angle with the ground and was quite the sight for unaware tourists who thought it was falling. Motorists regularly popped into the nearby truck stop to alert Britten, who would calm their fears and invite them in for a quick bite. While the tower is still in position, Britten's truck stop has since burned down.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas)
Travelers should bring their appetites when they visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. The restaurant, which opened in 1960, is home to the 72-ounce steak. Diners can eat for free if they finish their 4.5-pound steak—and the sides—in one hour. Tired motorists can sleep off their meals at the nearby Big Texan Motel .
Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons
Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico)
The historic Blue Swallow Motel was built in 1939 and is still around today, making it the oldest motel still operating on New Mexico's part of Route 66. The neon lights beckon guests off the road, where they can stay in vintage-style rooms that are fully restored. Some even have detached garages.
ahisgett // flickr
Tee Pee Curios (Tucumcari, New Mexico)
After spending a night in the Blue Swallow, travelers can stop by Tee Pee Curios, a 1940s-era gas station-turned-gift shop. The store offers jewelry, pottery, and any number of Route 66 souvenirs. Guests enter the shop through a concrete wigwam built around the front door. A Route 66 shield is painted on the side of the building.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
Clines Corners Retail Center (Clines Corners, New Mexico)
This New Mexico travel center has been serving Route 66 travelers since it first opened in 1934. Drivers can park their RVs overnight, or stop in the cafe for breakfast, a burger, or a burrito.
Alan Levine // Wikimedia Commons
66 Diner (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
To get the full ‘50s dining experience, avid tourists flock to the 66 Diner in Albuquerque. The spot used to be a gas station but was converted into a diner in 1987. Guests can view one of the largest PEZ collections in America while sipping on a milkshake or malt.
ahisgett // flickr
El Rancho Hotel (Gallup, New Mexico)
The historic El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936, bills itself as a favorite of movie stars who filmed Westerns in the area in the '30s and ‘40s. John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart all stayed there. Route 66 travelers can book a room named after one of the stars.
Richie Diesterheft // Wikimedia Commons
Blue Hole (Santa Rosa, New Mexico)
This natural sinkhole with sapphire-colored water was a fish hatchery in the 1930s. The Blue Hole became a recreation area in the 1970s and is now a popular spot for swimmers and scuba divers. The water is 81 feet deep and about 60 degrees, fed by a network of artesian springs connected to the Pecos River.
Mary P Madigan // flickr
Hackberry General Store (Hackberry, Arizona)
The Hackberry General Store has been around for about 80 years, but it's easy to miss. Visitors should keep an eye out for two vintage gas pumps (which don't work anymore) out front. The owners have adopted some interesting decor: the walls and ceiling are covered with old license plates, patches, and money donated from around the world. Travelers should check out the re-creation of an old ‘50s diner before picking up some Route 66 souvenirs.
Pavel Špindler // Wikimedia Commons
Winslow Corner (Winslow, Arizona)
Travelers who want to take it easy should make sure to stop by the corner where Old Highway 66 meets North Kinsley Avenue in Winslow, Arizona. The 1972 Eagles song “Take it Easy” inspired an installation called “Standin' On the Corner” Park,” a statue of a man with a guitar standing on the corner near a red flatbed truck. The town of Winslow didn't create the park until three decades after the song was written, partially because Interstate 40 bypassed the town and cut down on tourist traffic.
Arizona Parrot // flickr
Angel and Vilma's Original Route 66 Gift Shop (Seligman, Arizona)
Angel Delgadillo, now in his 90s, turned his barbershop into a Route 66 gift shop in 1987 after he helped establish the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. Delgadillo—known as the “Guardian of Route 66”—still cuts hair on occasion, though he's been semi-retired since the '70s.
traveLink // pixabay
Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman, Arizona)
Motorists can stop in for a root beer float or a burger at Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In . Visitors should take a close look at the walls and ceiling, which are covered with patches, money, and other paraphernalia donated from visitors around the world. Juan Delgadillo opened the shop in 1953, and his son still runs the business.
Scottb211 // Wikimedia Commons
The town of Oatman (Oatman, Arizona)
Visitors to Oatman, a former mining town , can get a glimpse of bighorn sheep or mingle with burros (small donkeys) that roam the city streets. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard got married in nearby Kingman and may have honeymooned in the Oatman Hotel, which remains open as a museum and restaurant.
Nick Fox // Shutterstockrizona
Wigwam Village Motel #6 (Holbrook, Arizona)
Tired motorists can sleep off a long day on the road at the historic Wigwam Village Motel #6 (there are five previous versions across the U.S.). Chester E. Lewis, charmed by wigwam villages he'd seen in Kentucky, opened the motel in 1950. There are classic cars on display out front, but the rooms have been renovated to include more modern amenities like air conditioning and cable TV. The Lewis family still owns and operates the business today.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
Grand Canyon National Park
Access to Grand Canyon National Park isn't right off Route 66, but seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World is worth a detour. From Williams, Arizona, drive 60 miles north to get to the South Rim.
Luca Galuzzi // Wikimedia Commons
Meteor Crater (Meteor City, Arizona)
Sometime between 5,000 and 50,000 years ago, a meteor crashed into northern Arizona and formed a massive crater that's been turned into a popular tourist attraction. The site is only minutes from Interstate 40 and the old Route 66. If it's too hot, visitors can pop into the Meteor Crater Visitor Center on the crater's rim to view the crater from a comfortably air-conditioned room.
Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress
Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, California)
A popular spot for an Instagram photoshoot, Elmer Long created his now-famous Bottle Tree Ranch out of bottles he collected as a kid. Years after he retired, he started hanging the empty glass bottles onto metal pipes that scatter rainbows of light when the sun shines through them. Visitors can try to spot the column topped by a rake—it's Long's favorite.
daveynin // Wikimedia Commons
Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe (Victorville, California)
Opened in 1947, Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe has been serving Route 66 visitors for more than 70 years. It also made a cameo in “Kill Bill Vol. 2.” Hungry motorists can get eggs and pancakes for breakfast or chow down on a burger—and ice cream sundaes—for lunch.
Angel DiBilio // Shutterstock
Rt. 66 Museum (Victorville, California)
Motorists can stop by the California Route 66 Museum to learn some history and take some photos in the ‘50s diner or VW Love Bus. There's a Model T on the grounds and an old outhouse. Visitors can make a pit-stop in the library and gift shop to get some Route 66 memorabilia before heading back to the road.
Sanfel // Wikimedia Commons
Original McDonald's (San Bernardino, California)
The first McDonald's opened in 1948 close to Route 66 (the exact location is 1398 N. East St. at West 14th Street in San Bernadino). In 1954, businessman Ray Kroc met the McDonald brothers in California while selling the brothers milkshake mixing machines. The rest is franchising history.
Tamsin Slater // flickr
Cucamonaco Service Station (Rancho Cucamonga, California)
The canary yellow Cucamonga Service Station was built in 1915 and remained a gas station until the ‘60s. It fell into disrepair in the ‘70s but has since been restored and turned into a museum.
Einbierbitte // Wikimedia Commons
Roy's Motel & Cafe (Amboy, California)
Roy's opened in 1938 and is located in Amboy, which some call a ghost town. The sign is a particularly popular photo spot for Route 66 road-trippers. While some hope the cafe is fully restored in the future, visitors can still pop in and thumb through old newspapers or buy a souvenir and some snacks.
ahisgett // flickr
Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, California)
In 1926, the original end to the route was at Seventh and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. That spot wasn't a very scenic end for drivers after a long trip. So in 2009, the Route 66 Alliance and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation decided to erect an “End of the Trail” sign on the pier. To get there, motorists drive toward the pier and then walk out about 200 feet. The end sign is just past the Bubba Gump shrimp franchise and just before the Playland arcade.
IVAN IVANOVICH DAN // Shutterstock
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/illinois-awards-6-6m-for-route-66-tourism-projects/article_e0246194-e5da-11ed-8c4e-23659c0039ac.html | 2023-04-28T22:48:37 | 0 | https://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/illinois-awards-6-6m-for-route-66-tourism-projects/article_e0246194-e5da-11ed-8c4e-23659c0039ac.html |
ATLANTA — April is National Donate Month, a time for raising awareness around organ donation and the gift of life that impacts countless others across the country every year.
It’s a gift Gerald Robinson and his wife Ashley are grateful for every day.
“It was hard for me to wrap my mind around how sick he was,” Ashley Robinson shared with 11Alive. “Until I got the chance to see his heart.”
Gerald and his family had only recently moved to Georgia when his symptoms started.
“I couldn't breathe. I was just feeling really, really sick,” Gerald said. “We went to the hospital, and I got admitted to the ER. That’s where I was told that I had heart failure.”
Gerald was admitted to Piedmont Athens Regional, where he stayed for over a week to remove the fluid from his heart and lungs. Despite treatment, his health continued to fail, and Gerald was ultimately added to the national transplant list.
While more people than ever are getting new organs, doctors said those waiting on the national transplant list still far exceed those numbers.
“Last year for the first time, more than 4,000 [heart] implants were performed, but still that is not enough to cover the need of so many patients,” Dr. Ezequiel Molina told 11Alive. "Heart transplantation is the gold standard therapy for some of those patients because it affords the better survival.”
But the process of waiting for a match can bring further unknowns, Gerald shared.
“It could be a month, it could a year, it could be three years,” he said. “Is today going to be the day I’m going to get the call? How long am I going to wait? Or am I going to make it to that point?”
But the call came sooner than anticipated. On New Year's Day, in the middle of the night, the team at Piedmont Atlanta got the news that a donor heart and match for Gerald was available. The surgery needed to happen within four hours of the heart's arrival in Atlanta.
But the Robinsons were in Athens and could not be reached. Piedmont heart transplant coordinator Ashley Allen was desperate to make contact.
"I was working against time," Allen explained of the urgency. "I had to get him in."
As a last resort, Allen did what she never had had to do before, calling local police and EMS to find the family at their home in Athens.
"The next thing you know, we get a knock on the door," Ashley remembered. "And they tell us they have a heart for you. I was shocked."
"I am so thankful that our transplant team in Atlanta took that extra step," Ashley added.
Allen meanwhile was up and waiting for word that EMS and police had reached the family. Once she got the call back, Allen started giving the Robinson's instructions to pack a bag and head for Atlanta.
"I knew this was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I knew that I didn't want him to miss," Allen said.
Meanwhile, Gerald and Ashley rushed to Piedmont Atlanta where doctors were ready for surgery.
"God got me through it," Gerald shared. "My family and the doctors really helped me."
Months after the transplant, the emotions are still raw, and for the Robinson family, the gift of life is never taken for granted.
"We thank God for organ donors," Ashley said. "It's such a beautiful thing that so many miracles can take place out of one person's life. It's just a beautiful gift, and we're very thankful for that. It changed our lives completely."
"It's something I think about every day," Gerald added. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/georgia-man-second-chance-life-heart-transplant-piedmont-athens/85-66851339-1892-47fe-b8b6-51facecf710c | 2023-04-28T22:48:40 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/georgia-man-second-chance-life-heart-transplant-piedmont-athens/85-66851339-1892-47fe-b8b6-51facecf710c |
ATLANTA — Tonight, volunteers are setting up at the Juvenile Justice center downtown, for the first ever Self-Care Fair on Saturday for crime victims and their families.
It’s part of the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. One victim tells 11Alive that losing her husband and son completely changed her world but her victim’s advocate has helped her through.
“To be honest my world has not reshaped, I’m existing I’m not living,” Ladosia Roberson said.
In October of 2020, Roberson lost her husband to gun violence and then six months ago, her son Joshua Malone, was killed in Fulton County.
"He was shot 15 times and left for dead," Roberson said.
In the months that followed, Roberson said she spoke with her Fulton County victims advocate every week.
“They always let me know ahead of time if there’s a court date they always support you through the court appearance,” Roberson said.
District Attorney Fani Willis said giving victims like Roberson a voice is crucial to responding their needs. And this year, input from victims helped them change the way they mark this week.
“They started coming to meetings and we learned we don't want vigils, we don’t want a day of sadness, we want a celebration something uplifting and something educational,” Willis said.
There was a meditation class Monday, self defense class on Tuesday and a firearm safety class on Thursday. Coming up, a self care event will be held Saturday, with 30 minute sessions with barbers, massages, yoga and writing workshops for victims and their families -- all for free.
"You’re gonna connect with other people who’ve been through your struggle and maybe through their lessons you also help yourself,” Willis said.
Roberson said it's a way to work through her pain with others who are also hurting -- learning skills to cope long term.
“Come out Saturday let’s have a ball together, grieve together, let’s put that pain aside a minute and realize there is still love out there,” Roberson said.
This event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Fulton County Government Center Atrium, but Willis said parking should not be a problem. Residents can park at the Juvenile Justice center for free, and a shuttle will bring you to the door.
To register for the fair and get free tickets, click here. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/national-crime-victims-week-fulton-county/85-dca7706b-aacb-4fcb-bba6-2dff7d01d30d | 2023-04-28T22:48:46 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/national-crime-victims-week-fulton-county/85-dca7706b-aacb-4fcb-bba6-2dff7d01d30d |
SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Two people were shot Friday afternoon after a road rage incident at a Chick-fil-A in South Fulton escalated to gunfire at a nearby Applebee's, police said.
Officers responded to the area of Cascade Road near the Applebee's in response to a person shot, where they found a person suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
They then found a second person who had been shot in the parking lot of a Walgreens at the Cascade Road and Fairburn Road intersection.
Police quickly discovered the shooting stemmed from a road rage incident when two people were inside their cars leaving a Chick-fil-A on Cascade Road at Fairburn Road when one of the drivers cut the other one off, police said.
Both drivers began arguing in front of the Applebee's along Cascade Road when both drivers pulled out handguns and began shooting at each other.
It is not yet known if either people are facing charges. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/road-rage-incident-south-fulton-chick-fil-a-double-shooting-nearby-applebees/85-cc1ac06b-4328-4a72-a2c2-953951886739 | 2023-04-28T22:48:52 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/road-rage-incident-south-fulton-chick-fil-a-double-shooting-nearby-applebees/85-cc1ac06b-4328-4a72-a2c2-953951886739 |
'It's a poor location': Neighbors concerned about plan for a Chick-fil-A near Southgate
LAKELAND — The thought of a second Chick-fil-A opening on South Florida Avenue has raised alarm among Lakeland residents.
Tampa-based Bohler Engineering held a neighborhood meeting Thursday night to meet with residents about a proposal to open a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2301 S. Florida Ave, just north of Southgate Shopping Center.
"It's a poor location. It has been for years and years and years," said Chad Reid, a Lakeland resident of 30 years. "Now the road diet ends just before it and driving is crazy at that location."
The roughly one-acre site was previously a Bank of America branch. It has been vacant for several years. Chick-fil-A seeks to use the site to build its new model restaurant. In almost a complete reversal from COVID-era policies, the franchised chain wants to build a sit-down restaurant without the drive thru that Chick-fil-A's model is well known for.
Bohler Engineering staff representing a Chick-fil-A franchise owner declined to speak with The Ledger any further about their new concept restaurant.
"The concept is still new. There's not a lot of data available on what traffic would be like," said Abby Rowzee, a West Palm Drive resident who attended Thursday night's meeting.
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Traffic and safety of local residents, students and parents traveling to Southwest Elementary School are the main concerns of residents if the proposal moves forward, Rowzee said.
The property is adjacent to residential homes on West Poinsettia Street, which loops south turning into West Oak Drive and connecting to Southgate Shopping Center. Residents say there is also an existing driveway that connects a parking lot alongside the former bank building to Play It Again Sports, potentially allowing motorists to cut north to West Palm Street.
Reid, who's son attends Lakeland School of Music on West Oak Drive, said there are already traffic problems on the residential streets.
"It's murderous traffic to get in and out of the schools every single day," he said.
Rowzee said dozens of vehicles back up on West Oak Drive and West Poinsettia daily during Southwest Elementary School's pickup and dropoff hours. This essentially limits the already narrow street to one-way travel for safety's sake.
Large sections of the neighborhood also lack sidewalks, Rowzee said, causing residents and students alike to run, walk and bike on the streets. She said she fears traffic from Chick-fil-A could lead to an increase in pedestrian accidents.
Reid and Rowzee said they both are Chick-fil-A customers who visit the South Lakeland franchise, located approximately 2.5 miles to the south. A key difference is that restaurant is located amid other businesses, not immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood.
Southwest residents asked Bohler Engineering and Chick-fil-A representatives if they would consider other locations that would not back up against residential homes.
To move forward, Bohler Engineering and Chick-a-Fil would need to request a change of zoning from Lakeland's Planning and Zoning Board. The request would go through a hearing process before going to the City Commission for final approval.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/chick-fil-a-with-no-drive-thru-planned-just-north-of-southgate-plaza/70164673007/ | 2023-04-28T22:53:50 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/chick-fil-a-with-no-drive-thru-planned-just-north-of-southgate-plaza/70164673007/ |
While much of the region braces for the impacts of flooding as temperatures climb into the 70s less than a couple weeks after dealing with large snowstorms, it's hard to imagine this year could bring more drought conditions.
But area irrigators could face that scenario later this summer.
Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke visited Idaho Falls and addressed water rights and other local issues during a Tuesday afternoon interview with the Post Register.
Last week, Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Gary Spackman announced that the department had revised its methodology for determining impacts to the Surface Water Coalition caused by groundwater users in eastern Idaho pumping from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.
“In this part of the state, I think the farmers are concerned about the water order that went out last Friday and how that’s going to affect them,” Bedke said.
The Surface Water Coalition is a group of Twin Falls area irrigation districts and canal companies with senior water rights. Idaho's water rights law is “first in time, first in right.” Under the law, surface water users with senior water rights have priority over users with junior rights on the Snake River and the aquifer, a department news release said.
The Department of Water Resources manages both surface and groundwater resources as a whole in calculating irrigation impacts each year.
Applying the new methodology to current hydrologic conditions, the department predicts that junior groundwater users pumping from the aquifer will cause a 75,200 acre-foot shortfall to the senior priority surface water users’ water supplies during the irrigation season, the release said. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to flood an acre of land a foot deep in water.
Approximately 900 ground water rights junior to Dec. 30, 1953, not protected by an approved mitigation plan, could be subject to curtailment this irrigation season, the release said.
“The good news is that nearly every farmer is covered with the mitigation plan,” Bedke said.
The release said there are seven approved mitigation plans for the surface water delivery call. The mitigation plans came from the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators Inc., Southwest Irrigation District, Goose Creek Irrigation District, Coalition of Cities, the Water Mitigation Coalition and A&B Irrigation District.
"Because these entities have approved mitigation plans in place, they, and the water users they serve, will not need to show how they can mitigate for projected water shortfalls if they continue to comply with their plans," Spackman's order said.
Spackman's order is based on projected flows of 3.7 million acre-feet at the Heise gauge on the Snake River from April 1 through July 31, the release said. Flow levels are calculated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation who analyze the snowpack and predicted streamflow runoff.
The order is delayed pending a contested case hearing, scheduled for June 6-10, where affected parties can argue if and how they believe Spackman may have erred in making changes to the methodology.
“The method that they’re using to determine injury has to be current and it has to be fresh based on the water years,” Bedke said. “The last methodology came out in 2014, and now that’s nine years old and things have changed.”
The department measures flows into the Snake River, water usage and other factors into its hydrological data calculations.
“They changed basically three things,” Bedke said. “No. 1 they changed the baseline year. I think the baseline year is now 2018. As a senior water right holder, then you’re entitled to a reasonable carry over in your storage water in the reservoir systems. But if your natural flow rights have been injured by other activity, then you have less water accruing to your storage account. They’re adjusting that a little bit. Then … all of this activity is modeled, and instead of using a steady-state approach to the modeling, they use a more transient approach to the model which is to say not what is going to happen in 50 years, but what’s going to happen next week.”
On Monday, in a separate amended final order regarding compliance with an approved mitigation plan, Spackman determined that “the Idaho Ground Water Appropriators Inc.’s approved mitigation plan unambiguously requires it to reduce its ground water diversions by 240,000 acre-feet each year — meaning that averaging is prohibited.” Monday's order amends and replaces one issued Sept. 8, 2022.
"To remedy noncompliance with the Mitigation Plan in 2021 only, IGWA must collectively supply to the SWC an additional 30,000 acre-feet of storage water in 2023 and an additional 15,000 acre-feet of storage water in 2024 within 10 days after the Date of Allocation of such year," the order said.
The actions are intended to protect senior water rights and the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, which is “approaching record low conditions in response to past ground water pumping and severe drought,” the release said. Flows from the aquifer into the Snake River are approaching record lows, the release said.
“Even though this has been a remarkable winter and water year for many basins in Idaho, it has not been uniformly great everywhere,” Idaho Department of Water Resources Deputy Director Mat Weaver said in the release.
"… Because of the past two years of drought, very low reservoir storage carryover from last year, uncertainty as to whether the reservoirs will fill, very low soil moisture conditions from last fall, and near-normal snowpack in Upper Snake basins, water supply conditions are still resulting in an injury determination at this time.”
Bedke is hopeful that some of the spring runoff can be captured and used for aquifer recharge.
“You’ve got a lot of snow to melt that’s got to go someplace, and it’s going to come off pretty quick as late as it is,” Bedke said. “There’s going to be issues around flooding and handling all this water. We don’t just want it all to go into the river and leave the state. Let’s use that to recharge our aquifers when we can and retain that water in the state for as long as we can.” | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/lt-gov-bedke-addresses-water-concerns/article_4dfcb500-e544-11ed-90f6-07ebe92a09f5.html | 2023-04-28T22:58:36 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/lt-gov-bedke-addresses-water-concerns/article_4dfcb500-e544-11ed-90f6-07ebe92a09f5.html |
LOCAL
Blackford coroner seeks help confirming identity of body found Thursday
Douglas Walker
Muncie Star Press
HARTFORD CITY, Ind. — Blackford County Coroner Zach Crouch is seeking the public's assistance in confirming the identity of a body found this week.
The remains of a man were found late Thursday afternoon in a wooded area on Hartford City's north side, according to Crouch.
"Due to the condition of the deceased, we are unable at this time to confirm his identity," the coroner said Friday.
Items found at the scene indicate the body could be that of Douglas Hall, born in 1951, Crouch said.
Anyone with information that could help locate Hall's relatives is asked to call Crouch at 765-348-7236. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/blackford-coroner-seeks-help-confirming-identity-of-body-found-thursday/70165115007/ | 2023-04-28T22:59:05 | 0 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/blackford-coroner-seeks-help-confirming-identity-of-body-found-thursday/70165115007/ |
EL DORADO, Kan. (KSNW) — Saturday marks the first anniversary of the Andover tornado that destroyed homes and buildings. Behind that day’s response, dispatchers in Andover, Butler County and Sedgwick County.
Many say it was unlike anything they had experienced before. The phones were ringing nonstop from about 8 p.m. to midnight.
“You just keep doing one thing and go on to the next, and then, it just kept going,” Butler County Dispatch supervisor Marissa Sparks said.
On top of the calls of the tornado, they were trying to deal with the typical emergencies in Butler County.
“You have people stuck in their homes calling 911,” Sparks said. “Nursing homes needed patients transported out because of the lack of electricity for those on oxygen.”
They were kept in the dark the entire time, unaware of what to expect outside.
“All you have during that time, there’s just kind of your thoughts as to how bad it really is, and then you see it, and then, it’s not as bad or way worse than you had pictured,” Sparks said.
They knew the chances of severe weather were high, so 911 director Jeremy Seglem brought in extra staff.
“Especially with how fast that tornado dropped. It all seemed very unexpected, even with the high potential for a tornado that day,” Sparks said.
The radios reached their limit.
“That’s a very unique situation,” Seglem said. “We deal with things every day. But when it takes two dispatch centers, and we have problems with radio channels and communicating, those are very unique, and things that we have to work through and have to do it on the spot.”
Sparks says that being the first point of contact in someone’s worst moments is full of learning and humility.
Butler County 911 says, for the most part, everything went smoothly on their end that day, but they still learned lessons on how to work better next time. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/butler-county-dispatchers-one-year-after-andover-tornado/ | 2023-04-28T23:02:27 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/butler-county-dispatchers-one-year-after-andover-tornado/ |
Phoenix determines which block of 'The Zone' homeless encampment will be cleared out first
The block, which is at 9th Avenue between Washington and Jefferson Streets, will be cleared on May 10.
Affected residents in The Zone have started receiving notice from Phoenix about which block will be cleared first of tents, debris and people, when the city goes in next month.
The block, which is scheduled to be cleared out on May 10, is at Ninth Avenue between Washington and Jefferson streets and sits on the outer edge of The Zone, the city’s largest homeless encampment. Roughly 20 tents lined the sidewalk on Friday.
The southwest corner of the block is home to Phoenix Inner City Kids, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “consistent intervention with at-risk youth,” according to its financial records. The street is also one block away from Library Park.
The block only became part of The Zone in recent months, as the encampment started to expand and people began putting up tents where they could still find room.
The city has started passing out flyers to alert residents that the block will soon be cleared out.
“After the cleaning is complete, you will NOT be allowed to return to the designated area and camping on 9th Avenue between Washington and Jefferson will be prohibited,” the flyer says. If a person refuses to "permanently relocate," they could be cited or arrested, it says.
Phoenix is clearing the encampment block-by-block to ensure that it has enough shelter available for everyone who must be relocated, said Rachel Milne, director of the city’s Office of Homeless Solutions. The city has not yet determined what those shelter options will be, but staff are considering hotel rooms, vacant buildings and an outdoor shelter with bathrooms and security, Milne said.
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Vanessa Martin has lived on the block with her husband for about five months. She wonders where they and their neighbors will go once they are forced to leave.
“The problem with that is, they’re getting rid of all the tents. The housing lists are closed and the hotels are full,” Martin said. “So it’s like, OK, what do we do?”
Chas Miller, who lives across the street with his girlfriend, was grateful the city provided the residents advanced notice.
“They gave us enough time. That was cool. To not just do it immediately,” Miller said. He plans to vacate the area before the May 10 cleanup but doesn't yet know where he will go.
The cleanup is in response to a court order that said Phoenix must remove tents in the area. The order is part of a lawsuit, Brown v. City of Phoenix, that nearby residents and property owners filed against the city in August, claiming that the encampment is a public nuisance and that the city hasn’t done enough to fix the problem. A trial in that lawsuit is scheduled for July 10.
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The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona also sued the city in November over its treatment of people experiencing homelessness, seeking to halt cleanup sweeps of unhoused people’s belongings and stop police from enforcing ordinances that the lawsuit says "criminalize homelessness.” A settlement of that lawsuit was expected to be finalized by May 3, but the parties have since requested an extension until June 3, according to court records.
Arizona Republic reporter Miguel Torres contributed to this article.
Juliette Rihl covers housing insecurity and homelessness for The Arizona Republic. She can be reached at jrihl@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @julietterihl.
Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/04/28/what-the-zone-homeless-encampment-block-will-be-cleared-first/70164681007/ | 2023-04-28T23:05:50 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/04/28/what-the-zone-homeless-encampment-block-will-be-cleared-first/70164681007/ |
Embry Health winds down operations, will sell COVID-19 testing, vaccination items
Embry Health, once a major player for providing mass COVID-19 testing and vaccinations throughout Arizona, is holding surplus sales in two locations around the Phoenix area as it winds down its operations now that the vaccine is more readily available, reducing the need for large-scale drive-thru sites.
The company is holding a warehouse sale in Tolleson offering items used to set up the testing sites such as plastic tables, halogen lights, trash cans and cabinets.
And in Chandler, it is selling more than 40 RVs and trailers used to set up mobile vaccination and testing clinics around the state.
Embry Health was created after the outbreak of the pandemic as an offshoot of Embry Women's Health. When demand for testing peaked, it had organized clinics in every county in Arizona, administering more than 4 million tests.
But it was soon plagued with issues during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. In June 2021, the Arizona Department of Health Services barred Embry Health from ordering new vaccines because of concerns it had administered expired doses, allowed thousands of other doses to expire, and had allowed staff members who were not authorized to administer the vaccine to do so anyway.
In April 2022, the former medical director for Embry Health agreed to pay a one-time $10,000 civil penalty to the Arizona State Board of Nursing for "unprofessional conduct" over billing. The board investigated complaints against JoEllen Embry, who stepped down in June 2021, for "upcoding" or assigning the wrong billing code in order to get higher reimbursements.
The investigation found that the company had been wrongfully using a code for in-office visits, which result in greater reimbursement rates, even though they had instead been done at a drive-thru location. In addition to the fine, Embry was placed under probation.
Over the past year, Embry Health began to scale down and close many of its testing sites across Arizona, citing a lack of money.
It still operates four locations around the Phoenix area, where the company continues to offer services such as COVID-19 testing and collecting blood samples for routine lab work. One of those locations is the Tolleson warehouse where many of the items used in the testing sites are for sale.
However, the company is no longer able to provide COVID-19 vaccines. It does offer flu vaccines at two locations.
A list of items available for sale at the Tolleson warehouse, and a list of 44 RVs and trailers also for sale in Chandler, can be found at embrysurplussales.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/04/28/embry-health-puts-items-used-for-covid-19-testing-vaccinations-up-for-sale-in-tolleson-chandler/70163469007/ | 2023-04-28T23:05:53 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/04/28/embry-health-puts-items-used-for-covid-19-testing-vaccinations-up-for-sale-in-tolleson-chandler/70163469007/ |
NEW BERLIN, N.Y. – Multiple animal shelters are working together to care for over 60 dogs rescued from a hoarding situation in New Berlin on Friday.
New York State Police discovered the animals living in unsanitary conditions at 1792 County Road 29 while investigating a separate incident.
The Chenango County Codes Department deemed the house uninhabitable and shelters became involved to handle the removal of the animal. As of Friday afternoon, there were 61 dogs, one cat and one bird found at the home.
The Chenango County SPCA, the Delaware County Humane Society, Cortland SPCA, the Herkimer County Humane Society, the Schoharie County Humane Society and the Susquehanna SPCA are taking the animals to get veterinary care and will later get them ready for adoption.
“It does seem like some of them have some pretty serious medical conditions, so our medical team will get their hands on them,” said Stacie Haynes, executive director of the SQSPCA. “They'll do intakes, figure out what's going on, and you know shelters are full. You know all of our State agencies are underfunded, understaffed, and so it's unfortunately not easy to get help, and so sometimes we run into situations like this where it's really, really a serious problem, and frankly, the conditions are a public health issue.”
The owners of the dogs voluntarily surrendered the animals. At this time, it is unclear if the owners will face animal abuse charges.
Most of the dogs will be available for adoption in about a week. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/shelters-work-together-to-rescue-over-60-dogs-from-home-in-new-berlin/article_6ce3ac20-e608-11ed-b85c-7bc085d152e1.html | 2023-04-28T23:07:15 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/shelters-work-together-to-rescue-over-60-dogs-from-home-in-new-berlin/article_6ce3ac20-e608-11ed-b85c-7bc085d152e1.html |
BALTIMORE — A woman in Baltimore is calling on city leaders to help fix the ripple effects from an uprooted tree outside her home.
Colette Pirkle said this issue has become a nuisance and a safety hazard.
For almost two years, Pirkle said she’s been working to get this uprooted tree cleaned up and now she’s asking for help from city leader to fix this mess.
She’s scared to walk in and out of her home for fear of the rodents that have nested outside and inside her garage.
“I walk with pennies in my pocket so that I can throw the pennies before I enter my courtyard because I’m scared,” Pirkle said.
Pirkle said one month after she moved into her new home she had just purchased, a tree behind her house was uprooted causing the foundation around it to crumble followed by a ripple effect of other issues.
She said someone from the city came and cut down the trunk blocking the walkway along W. Lombard and S. Martin Luther King Blvd where she lives. But shortly after, the stump left behind became a new home for some uninvited guests.
“The rats start coming and just burrowing under the tree. I was throwing poison, bleach, red crushed pepper, lilac, anything I can think of to try to keep them away,” Pirkle said.
But she said instead of them going away, it intensified, then they started spreading inside her garage.
“Just poo pooing all over. I’ve made at least I’m going to say no less than 10 complaints to 3-1-1. A city inspector came out last year, he inspected, he told me someone will be back. I haven’t seen anybody, haven’t heard from anybody,” Pirkle said.
Pirkle said councilman John Bullock is aware of the situation and she’s written letters to him, other city officials, and even Mayor Brandon Scott trying to get help.
“I’m paying $4,990 a year in taxes and this is what I got to suffer through. It’s not fair,” Pirkle said.
And she's hoping the right person hears her plea to solve this problem.
“Fix my sidewalk, fix the city sidewalk, and grind up this stump, remove this stump because they’re borrowing under it. It’s unfair for me to have to live like this,” Pirkle said.
WMAR-2 News reached out to councilman Bullock to see if he was aware and get a timeline concerning when the issue will be resolved. We’re still waiting for a response. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/just-poo-pooing-all-over-fallen-tree-led-to-rat-infestation-at-baltimore-home | 2023-04-28T23:07:23 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/just-poo-pooing-all-over-fallen-tree-led-to-rat-infestation-at-baltimore-home |
BALTIMORE — Baltimore employees want better protection on the job.
Today is Workers' Memorial Day, honoring workers killed or seriously injured on the job.
The City Union of Baltimore honored two of their own.
Trina Cunningham died in 2019 when she fell from a cat walk.
In 2018, Kyle Hancock died when a trench caved in on him.
Union leaders say added safety measures are still needed to protect workers from harm.
"They don't even have the tools that are necessary to check the air to make sure that it's safe. How can they possibly get home if they don't even know what hazards they need to find? That they need to be aware of? Like, until somebody like Trina Cunningham comes along and finds the hazard for us," said Tim Gray, Baltimore City employee/ Union member.
The union says they commissioned a safety report last summer detailing quote, "Unhealthy and dangerously unsafe conditions" at Baltimore worksites.
We have reached out to the Department of Public Works and they have not yet responded. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/workers-union-says-baltimore-work-sites-are-unsafe | 2023-04-28T23:07:29 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/workers-union-says-baltimore-work-sites-are-unsafe |
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A pedestrian crossing the lower level of Interstate 35 North downtown was killed in a hit-and-run accident early Friday.
The man, who has not been identified, was crossing the highway from north to south when he was struck about 1 a.m. near Brooklyn Avenue.
ALSO READ: Pedestrian killed by pickup on West Side street; driver accused of fleeing scene arrested
The driver fled, said police, who did not have a description of the vehicle.
Emergency medical personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene.
The driver, if and when found, will face a charge of failure to stop and render aid resulting in death.
jbeltran@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/pedestrian-killed-hit-and-run-i-35-downtown-17925463.php | 2023-04-28T23:12:41 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/pedestrian-killed-hit-and-run-i-35-downtown-17925463.php |
A former vice commander of an Air Force intelligence group was sentenced to a year in federal prison this week for wire fraud and filing a false tax return.
Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott Allen Bethel, 59, of Spring Branch, got 12 months and a day for what prosecutors said was a scheme to falsify charitable deductions and business expenses from 2015 to 2019. Bethel, a 1985 Air Force Intelligence School honor graduate, allegedly cost the government $139,687.
He'll also face three years of supervision after his release from prison and be required to pay $154,827.50 in restitution.
“Today, the sentencing of retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Scott Allen Bethel serves as a reminder that those in positions of authority and trust are expected to uphold higher standards of integrity and accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Houston field office.
“Bethel’s fraudulent actions, which included fabricating invoices, claiming false deductions, and attempting to enlist others in his criminal activities, not only tarnished his distinguished career but also undermine the very foundations of our tax and government systems," he said.
Bethel was sentenced Wednesday in San Antonio federal court. He retired in 2012 as vice commander of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The agency, which has been known by a number of names over the decades, is now called the 16th Air Force (Cyber).
The Justice Department said Bethel began working as a government contractor and advisor to the Air Force after retiring from the branch in 2012. He launched his own business, working with government staffing contracts and providing services to the Air Force.
Bethel submitted false hotel invoices for reimbursement from the federal government when he'd actually stayed with personal acquaintances while on business trips, the Justice Department said.
A large team of federal investigators looked into his case — from the IRS, General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Bethel had a sterling Air Force career. He commanded the 497th Intelligence Group at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia from December 2003 to August 2005, and led the 17th Training Wing at Goodfellow AFB in Texas from August 2005 to March 2007.
He went on to JBSA-Randolph before becoming director of Strategy, Integration and Doctrine, and deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon from July 2010 to through the following December.
He was promoted that December to one-star general, serving as vice commander of the Air Force's ISR agency at Lackland. His duty location was Fort George Meade, Md.
Bethel was 1990 Officer of the Year with the Tactical Air Command and 9th Air Force Intelligence, a 1998 Federal Executive Gold Medal award winner and 2000 Senior Intelligence Officer of the Year for NATO. A veteran of Kosovo, he held the Kuwait Liberation Medal issued by the government there for his role in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and also earned the Iraq Campaign Medal.
He also received the Air Force Combat Action Medal. It is given to airmen who participate in ground or air combat. His was for ground action.
Word that Bethel had been ordered to prison shocked those who had worked with him over the years.
"Many of us have known Scott for decades," Pastor Tom Cacy, 77, a former airman who was Bethel's instructor in intelligence technical training during the 1980s and worked with him as late as 2014, wrote in a direct Facebook message. "I have always had the deepest respect for him both as a man and as a military/intelligence professional; however, after reading the charges against him for which he was found guilty in a court of civil law with the assistance of OSI, I do have to change my opinion of him from a legal and moral standpoint.
"He severely fell to temptations and it is not my place to judge him for that. That is up to God and a court of law," added Cacy, who is retired from All Nations Korean Church.
sigc@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/retired-air-force-general-gets-prison-tax-fraud-17923396.php | 2023-04-28T23:12:47 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/retired-air-force-general-gets-prison-tax-fraud-17923396.php |
ARLINGTON, Texas — Nearly 500 students will compete for the title of "undisputed" state champion during a first-of-its-kind esports tournament in Arlington Friday and Saturday.
The event may bolster efforts to convince the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to sanction and regulate esports, just as it manages Texas high school football or volleyball.
Right now, Texas students compete in esports leagues sponsored by for-profit companies. Teams from Texas' largest leagues do not typically challenge teams from other leagues, meaning there has not been a universally recognized state champion.
The Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (TexSEF), a non-profit organized by teachers, seeks to crown an undisputed victor.
"We have invited the top teams, no matter which league their school plays in, because we only need one state champion in Texas," TexSEF director Danielle Johnson said. "We're a non-profit, so we were able to bring all of those organizations together under one roof to compete."
After the tournament ends, Texas will become the nation's only state with universally recognized victors.
Students will compete for titles in five different games, including Super Smash Bros. and Overwatch.
"Around 80% of the kids that participate in esports at their school have never been involved in anything else before," Johnson said. "So now we have a whole new group of students connected to school."
TexSEF spent almost a year planning the tournament, which takes place at Esports Stadium Arlington. A professional crew broadcasts the games live and within the arena on a big screen.
Attendees can connect with game developers for special workshops. Businesses and colleges also set up booths to recruit students.
"A lot of these organizations are not here to advertise," Johnson said. "They're here to hire."
Despite her team's work, Johnson hopes the UIL will eventually take over the event. She's among the educators pushing the state to sanction the sport and protect young competitors.
"UIL has a few goals," she said. "One of them is to prevent the third-party exploitation of our students. While we do trust a lot of these for-profit organizations, we don't know what happens in the future."
This summer, a state panel could create a pilot esports program to launch during the 2024-2025 school year. If successful, the program would eventually prompt UIL sponsorship.
"We want to build the structure" for a state championship tournament, Johnson said. "When UIL decides to get to this, we will have worked out a lot of the systems and processes for them."
Until then, competitive gamers will settle for the championship belt the TexSEF offers this weekend's victors.
"Having an official title is really cool," said Andrew Jackson, a Crowley ISD student competing Friday.
The tournament continues Saturday morning. It is free to attend and open to the public. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/arlington-esports-tournament-winners-crowned-undisputed-state-champions/287-bd834889-350a-4b7c-8144-bd5fee2556e2 | 2023-04-28T23:12:48 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/arlington-esports-tournament-winners-crowned-undisputed-state-champions/287-bd834889-350a-4b7c-8144-bd5fee2556e2 |
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — No one was hurt when a township school bus was hit by another vehicle Friday afternoon, police said.
At 4:17 p.m., police and the township Ambulance Squad responded to High School Drive and Tremont Avenue, where they found a school bus with no children on board.
A 2021 Buick Encore driven by Alison Silva, 26, of EHT, was traveling east on High School Drive and failed to stop at Tremont Avenue, police said in a news release. Her vehicle collided with the rear of the bus, which was traveling south on Tremont, causing it to leave the road into a wooded section.
Tremont Avenue was closed to traffic for about two hours while the bus was removed from the scene. Silva was issued a traffic summons. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/no-injuries-in-egg-harbor-township-accident-involving-school-bus/article_1012d3b4-e611-11ed-99df-5b56f0688190.html | 2023-04-28T23:12:48 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/no-injuries-in-egg-harbor-township-accident-involving-school-bus/article_1012d3b4-e611-11ed-99df-5b56f0688190.html |
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Retired Air Force Col. Eugene Derricotte, the last surviving Tuskegee Airman in San Antonio, was given a hero’s sendoff Friday as a pair of twin-engine T-1 Jayhawk jets swooped over Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Coming from the south end of the cemetery just after 1 p.m., the jets from the 99th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph soared about 1,000 feet over the shelter where a memorial service for Derricotte was taking place. They then gracefully disappeared over the horizon.
The flyover by the squadron, which Derricotte flew with when it was composed entirely of Black airmen, was a perfect ending to a long life of ambition and accomplishment.
“I don’t want to sound like a cliche, but the importance of paying attention to the details of what you do in life, just paying attention to the details, is what gives you success. It takes a lot of mental discipline,” said his son, Rob Derricotte, 55, of Atlanta. “He was great about that.”
The elder Derricotte, who died March 31 at age 96, was given a grand farewell by an Air Force that was transformed by the historic Tuskegee Airmen, a band of African American pilots and ground crews that broke the color barrier during World War II.
The planes Air Force Col. Eugene Derricotte flew included the AT-6 Texan trainer and the North American B-25 Mitchell, a medium-range bomber introduced to the fleet in 1941. But his military career would take him far from the flightline. For starters, he joined the Air Force Dental Service as a captain in 1962.
In Vietnam, he was the senior dental officer at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The next year, he was officer in charge of dental services at Otis AFB in Massachusetts and later served as chief of the oral surgery service on Lackland AFB after coming to Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1971. There, he was chief of the oral surgery service at Lackland AFB's dental clinic.
Over his long military career, he earned the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He also was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
SOURCE: Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and Col. Eugene Derricotte's obituary.
A crowd of more than three dozen gathered at Shelter No. 4 as a pair of airmen unfolded an American flag and a detail fired three rifle volleys, the rounds shaking the air on a sunny spring day.
The Rev. Mike Michie of St. Thomas Episcopal Church led the mourners, who included Derricotte’s wife, Jeanne E. (Hagans) Derricotte, in a reading of the Lord’s Prayer.
“We commend his body to its resting place,” he said, placing one hand on an urn containing Derricotte’s ashes.
Derricotte served in a historic moment. The nation’s troops had been segregated at least in part because of an Army War College report published years before the start of World War II. It wrote off the role Blacks could play as aviators, saying they lacked the courage and fortitude to fly planes.
African Americans were relegated to noncombat jobs, even in the war zone. But the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group became a striking exception to the rule.
Composed of the 301st, 302nd, 99th and 100th fighter squadrons, the 332nd Fighter Group had as many as 14,000 airmen, about 1,000 of them pilots. In the skies over war-torn Europe, they flew 15,533 sorties, racking up 112 aerial kills and earning 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Presidential Unit Citations.
As the decades passed, their legend grew as books, news media attention and a major Hollywood movie brought their exploits into America’s consciousness.
But Derricotte’s connection to the Tuskegee Airmen was just one of his many distinctions.
He was a standout college athlete, one of the first African American football players at the University of Michigan. He was a dentist who served as chief of oral surgery at Lackland Air Force Base and later became an assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at UT Health San Antonio.
In 2007, Derricotte was among 300 Tuskegee Airmen who were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol attended by then-President George W. Bush.
“All of our Tuskegee Airmen are originals,” said Rick Sinkfield, president of Tuskegee Airmen chapter in San Antonio. “They created that whole legend, that whole legacy of what we are working towards, so they set the groundwork of what we do and are going to do.
“He was always interested in learning and doing things for others,” he said of Derricotte. “That’s where his heart was.”
Derricotte was born June 14, 1926, in Fostoria, Ohio, to Clarence and Bessie (Anderson) Derricotte. He was the second of their three sons. He graduated from Defiance High School in 1944 and enrolled in the University of Michigan that same year, but was soon drafted.
The war, however, was over when he earned his silver wings and a second lieutenant’s gold bar in 1946.
Two months after graduating from Tuskegee, he was out of the armed services. He returned to the University of Michigan, where he studied pharmacy and spent four years on the varsity football team, setting records for kick returns and interceptions, and lettering on teams that won the 1948 Rose Bowl and Big 10 conference championships in 1947 and 1948.
Drafted to play professional ball with the Cleveland Browns, he suffered a knee injury in training camp that ended his career.
Knocked down, he got up again, working as a pharmacist until 1954, when he entered the University of Michigan school of dentistry. He graduated in 1958 and went into private practice in Detroit.
In 1962, he joined the Air Force Dental Service as a captain, initially serving with the 821st Medical Group at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, and then went to Vietnam. The decision to re-enter the armed services set in motion a flurry of assignments that ran from Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam as the senior dental officer in 1965 and Wilford Hall Medical Center 16 years later to his retirement in 1985.
“The halls of our squadron are covered with memorabilia from the time of the original Tuskegee Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Dominique Haig, commander of the 99th Flying Training Squadron. “And to walk through the halls to share memories of those heroes, I mean it’s an honor for us to wear the patch on our shoulder and to serve in it the same way that they served.”
Sinkfield has described Derricotte as “really well-spoken, just a delightful person to listen to, and he had a lot of good information about flying.”
“He was a great listener,” said the younger Derricotte, the CEO of a medical device company. “A lot of people would say, ‘Your dad’s such a great conversationalist,’ and my dad wasn’t a man of a lot of words. We always assume conversationalists are the ones who do all the talking, but it’s actually the people who do the listening that are the best conversationalists.”
sigc@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/sa-s-last-tuskegee-airman-buried-fort-sam-17923236.php | 2023-04-28T23:12:53 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/sa-s-last-tuskegee-airman-buried-fort-sam-17923236.php |
WYLIE, Texas — Inspiration is a newly built subdivision just outside Wylie city limits in Collin County near the shores of Lavon Lake.
And while its subdivision neighborhoods are labeled with monikers like Faith, Destiny and Success, it has one other unique attribute: a school resource officer funded by parent donations.
George W. Bush Elementary School opened in 2016. But, after the tragic events in Uvalde, parents here began talking about the need to have an armed school resource officer on campus full time.
“Mostly because we’re an anomaly,” said elementary school parent Brandon Sprinkel.
The anomaly is that while Wylie or Sachse police departments offer patrols near other Wylie ISD elementary schools within their jurisdictions, the Inspiration community and George W. Bush Elementary are outside those city limits and in unincorporated Collin County.
Patrols are primarily the responsibility of Collin County sheriff’s deputies. And there were no dedicated deputies on campus 24/7.
“It wasn’t full time. And all you can think as a parent is what if they’re not there,” said Sprinkel who referenced the recent school shooting in Nashville as further motivation to act.
“As soon as you saw the Tennessee video, those doors are identical to ours. And it was just gut wrenching,” he said.
So, since January, George W. Bush Elementary School parents have been raising enough money to pay the $60 an hour it costs to have an off-duty Collin County deputy on campus during school hours. The money goes to Wylie ISD, which then pays Collin County.
So, at George W. Bush Elementary at least, there is armed protection always there.
Parents WFAA spoke with support the idea -- although some wish that the parents didn’t have to foot the bill directly.
“I think that’s our biggest question, the funding and where it’s coming from. I think unanimously we all agree we need it it’s just how do we get it,” said parent Shelbi Stofer.
And to help them continue paying that $86,400 a year, the community is holding a fundraiser and block party at the Inspiration community center near the school Friday night starting at 6 p.m. The fundraiser includes a bounce house for children and food from Common Table and chef Rodman Shields.
Texas House Bill 3, under consideration in Austin, would require school districts to place at least an armed officer or employee at each campus throughout the state and provide state funding for it. If it passes, fundraisers like the one planned in Inspiration tonight might no longer be necessary.
But, Brandon Sprinkel said he and other parents are devoted to doing whatever it takes to make sure an officer is here.
“And if the ISD needs more than that we’ll figure it out. We’ll figure it out is kind of just the plan,” he said. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fundraiser-help-pay-armed-security-elementary-school-near-wylie-texas/287-69600e0e-cf2b-4037-9ef2-592c7d904fce | 2023-04-28T23:12:54 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fundraiser-help-pay-armed-security-elementary-school-near-wylie-texas/287-69600e0e-cf2b-4037-9ef2-592c7d904fce |
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Five Cape May County residents have been charged with witness tampering stemming from an assault that occurred last year, the county Prosecutor's Office said Friday.
John P. Linnington, 31, of North Cape May; James J. Linnington, 58, of Cape May; Christa Linnington, 29, of Wildwood; Marianna N. Linnington, 63, of Cape May; and Marie J. Britton, 83, of Rio Grande, were each charged with witness tampering and conspiracy to commit witness tampering.
On April 11, 2022, Cape May police found John P. Linnington involved in a physical altercation with a female victim. John Linnington was arrested and detained at the county jail.
CAPE MAY POINT — A borough man arrested last month was charged with attempted murder and oth…
On Aug. 9, John Linnington was indicted by a county grand jury on aggravated assault charges as well as unlawful possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a weapon, terroristic threats and attempted murder.
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While the investigation was ongoing, the Prosecutor's Office learned of an allegation of witness tampering involving James Linnington, Christa Linnington, Marianna Linnington and Britton.
Detectives conducted an investigation Tuesday and arrested and charged James and Christa Linnington. Both are being held at the county jail.
On Friday, Marianna Linnington and Britton turned themselves in and were also charged. Both were released pending court. Also on Friday, John Linnington was charged with witness tampering and conspiracy to commit witness tampering while in jail. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/5-from-cape-may-county-charged-with-witness-tampering/article_99f765d0-e612-11ed-bb49-47ee1427778b.html | 2023-04-28T23:12:55 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/5-from-cape-may-county-charged-with-witness-tampering/article_99f765d0-e612-11ed-bb49-47ee1427778b.html |
BRIDGETON — Police are trying to find two armed, masked men who allegedly burglarized a house while its tenants were home Thursday evening.
Officers were called to Spring Street for a reported home invasion at 8:23 p.m. Police were told two armed men entered by kicking in the home's back door, ordering those inside to get on the floor, the department said Friday in a news release.
The men stole a cellphone worth about $100 and marijuana from inside, police said.
No injuries were reported.
The men are described as Black, each about 5 feet, 11 inches tall, wearing all-black clothing, including ski masks. One was described as slim while the other was considered heavier-set.
Anyone with information can call police at 856-451-0033 or submit anonymous tips at bpdops.com/tip/new. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/armed-masked-intruders-rob-bridgeton-home-police-say/article_bf4a2b2e-e603-11ed-8b3f-03466b03c62d.html | 2023-04-28T23:13:01 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/armed-masked-intruders-rob-bridgeton-home-police-say/article_bf4a2b2e-e603-11ed-8b3f-03466b03c62d.html |
An Egg Harbor Township man was ordered detained pending trial on charges that he sold fentanyl-laced pills that killed two teenagers in August, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said Friday.
Elias A. Santiago-Vera, 25, was charged with two counts of strict liability for a drug-induced death as well as numerous other drug charges, Platkin said in a news release.
Santiago-Vera was indicted March 15, but he allegedly fled to Mexico and had been sought as a fugitive until surrendering to police in Texas on March 31. He was extradited to New Jersey last week and is being lodged in the Atlantic County jail.
The charges stem from the deaths of a 17-year-old from Sea Isle City, identified as "M.M.," and a 14-year-old from Landenberg, Pennsylvania, identified as "A.P." Both died Aug. 17, 2022, after ingesting pills that Santiago allegedly sold to M.M. as the prescription opioid Percocet. But they were counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, a far more powerful opioid, and para-flurofentanyl and audespropionyl fluorofentanyl, two unlawfully manufactured fentanyl analogs, Platkin said.
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According to the indictment, Santiago traveled to M.M.'s Sea Isle home Aug. 16 and sold him a variety of drugs, including 24 counterfeit Percocet. M.M. ordered the drugs using an instant-messaging app called Telegram and paid him via Cash App.
Later that night, M.M. traveled to A.P.'s home, where they both ingested several pills. The following day, A.P.'s father went into the teen's bedroom and found A.P. unresponsive in the bottom bunk and M.M. unresponsive in the top bunk. The teens were taken to a Delaware hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to an autopsy, the teens died from intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl and para-flurofentanyl.
Detectives executing a search warrant at the home of A.P. recovered M.M.’s book bag, which held a stash of pills packaged in bright blue resealable bags labeled “Gelatti.” One bag held 18 round, white pills marked as oxycodone, but lab tests determined them to be fentanyl and methamphetamine. Sixteen of those pills also contained para-flurofentanyl and audespropionyl fluorofentanyl. Another bag held 17 green pills marked as Xanax but which were found to contain clonazolam, a benzodiazepine not approved for medical use in the United States, Platkin said.
MAYS LANDING — A current inmate from Atlantic City was sentenced to 60 years in state prison…
Pennsylvania State Police determined M.M. appeared to have purchased the drugs in New Jersey and reached reached out to New Jersey State Police to help investigate, identify and locate Santiago.
Detectives from both states searched Santiago's residence Sept. 7 and recovered numerous drugs, including pills marked as oxycodone that tested positive for xylazine, a veterinary drug used as a sedative/anesthesia for horses and cows. They also recovered the same type of bright-blue bags marked "Gelatti" that were used to package the counterfeit pills recovered from M.M.’s book bag, Platkin said.
Santiago also was charged with two counts of distribution of imitation drugs, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, three counts of distribution of CDS and possession with intent to distribute imitation drugs.
In addition to carrying a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, a first-degree strict liability for drug-induced death charge carries a fine of up to $200,000 and a mandatory period of parole ineligibility equal to 85% of the sentence imposed. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/egg-harbor-township-man-detained-in-drug-induced-death-of-2-teens/article_4abff884-e5fd-11ed-8323-e30956c3a445.html | 2023-04-28T23:13:07 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/egg-harbor-township-man-detained-in-drug-induced-death-of-2-teens/article_4abff884-e5fd-11ed-8323-e30956c3a445.html |
The Stockton University women's tennis team returned seven players this season, so coach Harry Silverstein was confident the Ospreys would have success.
That is exactly what happened.
Stockton finished with a 12-5 record, the third-highest wins total in the program's 22-season history and the most since 2012-13. That total might have been higher but three matches were canceled. The Ospreys earned the third seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament, and advanced to the semifinals, which they lost to New Jersey City on Wednesday.
The Ospreys opened the spring season by going undefeated and winning all five of their matches at the Hilton Head Tournament in South Carolina. It was the first time Stockton accomplished that in program history.
"Most of the teams down there are very competitive," Silverstein said Friday.
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"I'm very happy," Silverstein said of the season. "We have a very strong team."
One of those talented players is captain Sophia Pasquale, a 2021 Holy Spirit High School graduate who also played softball and basketball for the Spartans. Playing third singles for the Ospreys this season, she finished with 13 wins, tied with Audrey van Schalkwyk for the most on the team. Pasquale and van Schalkwyk also were frequent partners at second doubles.
"I definitely can say I had a good season. I had a very talented team, as well. So, it was nice to have all of them to help me out and get those wins as a team," said Pasquale, 20, of Galloway Township, on Friday. "So, that was awesome."
In the fall, the Ospreys played three team matches and competed in the Goucher Invitational. Pasquale went 2-3 in her singles matches. After the winter break, Pasquale won all her matches at the early-season Hilton Head tournament, which provided momentum for the rest of the season. She went 11-3 in the spring, including winning 10 of 11 matches from March 12 to April 15.
Along with Pasquale, Brynn Bowman (Ocean City), Sarb Devi (Absegami), Lily Muir, Jenna Bryszewski, Kierstyn Fenimore and van Schalkwyk returned. Devi and Muir were named to the all-NJAC singles and doubles teams Thursday.
Fenimore missed the entire fall season after being in a car accident. Her vehicle was hit by a tractor trailer, and she was in very bad shape, Silverstein said. However, she recovered quickly and had nine wins at sixth doubles.
"She is lucky to be alive," said Silverstein, adding she is still on medication for concussions. "She is a miracle. She is a miracle walking around."
Muir and Devi, both juniors, were the top two singles players for the Ospreys and were partners at first doubles. Muir went 3-3 in her six NJAC matches at first singles. Devi went 3-2 against conference opponents at second singles. Overall, Devi won eight times in singles this season. As doubles partners, the duo earned six victories.
"It was really nice to have those returning players because we already had that chemistry," said Pasquale, who is close friends with Muir and Devi. "It was nice to have them all in the same court as me."
Pasquale and Devi knew each other from high school and trained together, but never played against each other, Pasquale said. When Pasquale committed to Stockton when Devi was a freshman, the two were "psyched," Pasquale said.
"We always wanted to play on each other's team, but never got the chance because we went to different high schools," said Pasquale.
Freshman Carlee Cristella led Stockton with 12 doubles wins.
"I knew we would be just as good, if not better, than last year, (when Stockton finished 11-4)," said Pasquale, adding Silverstein and assistant coach Jack Sorensen knowledge brought "a lot to the table."
Stockton's future
As of right now, Stockton will only lose Bowman and van Schalkwyk to graduation, Silverstein said.
"Next year, we will be better," Silverstein said, expressing confidence in the returning players as well as the ones who will join the program.
Added Pasquale, "It's very exciting because I know how much potential our team has and how much potential I have, personally. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and coming back stronger next year.
"I think our team next year will be great and make Stockton a great program." | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/stockton-womens-tennis-had-successful-season/article_0c0bc1e8-e5e1-11ed-ad83-2b7ccac14a1e.html | 2023-04-28T23:13:19 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/stockton-womens-tennis-had-successful-season/article_0c0bc1e8-e5e1-11ed-ad83-2b7ccac14a1e.html |
LANCASTER, Pa. — The Lancaster Bureau of Police is investigating a shooting that happened Thursday night along the 600 block of South Plum Street.
According to police, on Thursday, April 27 at 8:45 p.m., officers were patrolling southeast Lancaster when they heard numerous gunshots.
A few minutes later, a resident reported hearing gunshots from the 200 block of S. Ann Street.
Officers responded and inspected the scene, finding evidence along the 600 block of S. Plum Street, across from the 200 block of S. Ann Street.
At 9:11 p.m., officers received a report of an injured juvenile along the 400 block of S. Ann Street.
The victim had a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital.
According to police, the victim refused to cooperate with police and did not provide truthful information.
Lancaster Police do not believe this was a random act of violence and don't believe the public is in danger.
At this time, no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information regarding the investigation has been asked to contact Det. Adam Flurry with the Lancaster Bureau of Police at 717-735-3444. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-police-investigating-shooting-injured-teen/521-8db90d49-f463-4c93-a8f4-36de57827e1c | 2023-04-28T23:16:19 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-police-investigating-shooting-injured-teen/521-8db90d49-f463-4c93-a8f4-36de57827e1c |
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two people police say were shot at a May 2022 prom afterparty are now suing the homeowners who hosted the event.
The Des Moines Police Department said this week two people have been charged in the shooting where three Roosevelt High School students were injured.
The shooting happened around 12:30 a.m. when a group of uninvited guests showed up at a prom afterparty at the 400 block of Foster Drive in Des Moines.
But the family who hosted this party also faces two civil lawsuits filed by two of the victims of this party.
Andrew Wade and Jaray Mandosia were both Roosevelt students at the time of the shooting.
In their lawsuits, lawyers claim the men suffered physical and emotional injuries as a result of the shooting, and allege there was negligence on behalf of the party's hosts. This includes husband and wife, Jeffrey and Heath Stickel, and their son, Shea.
The lawsuits claim Shea "aggressively advertised" the party in the days and weeks leading up to the party, both on social media and through word of mouth. This party information included a $5 cover fee, according to the documents, which could be paid either at the door or through apps like Paypal.
Both lawsuits claim the Stickels not only provided alcohol to the group of roughly 200, most of whom were under the legal drinking age, but the couple was drinking as well.
Mandosia's suit claims once shots were fired, he ran toward the street to warn other girls to run but was shot in his right arm. Doctors removed the bullet, and gave him an artificial elbow, according to the suit.
His lawyers claim this left him unable to fully extend his right arm or lift it above his head, which meant full rides and financial scholarships to play college football vanished.
Wade's lawsuit claims he was shot in the leg while running from the gunfire.
He made his way to a neighbor's yard and called 9-1-1. A dispatcher coached him through using his belt as a tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
His lawyers claim he spent multiple days in the ICU, with doctors unable to remove all the bullet fragments from his leg.
Each lawsuit is set for a jury trial in the summer of 2024.
Local 5 News reached out to the lawyers representing each of these parties but has not heard back as of Friday evening. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-2022-prom-afterparty-shooting-lawsuit-homeowners/524-75e4a410-5f81-48ea-b278-e9bd4136902b | 2023-04-28T23:18:53 | 0 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-2022-prom-afterparty-shooting-lawsuit-homeowners/524-75e4a410-5f81-48ea-b278-e9bd4136902b |
Apple Holler’s new “Apple Blossom Experience” has been postponed a week, until May 6-7.
The event, which raises funds for Women and Children’s Horizons in Kenosha and the Women’s Resource Center in Racine, includes a tractor-drawn train ride “through the gentle slopes and rolling hills of the Apple Holler orchard,” organizers said. Visitors will be able to “take unlimited photos among thousands of blooming fruit trees.”
However, due to the colder weather this past week, the apple blossom growth has slowed down and the orchard “is not quite ready,” organizers said. “Because we want our customers to have the best experience possible, our Apple Blossom Experience has been rescheduled to next weekend.”
The event is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (May 6 and 7) at the venue, 5006 S. Sylvania Ave. in Yorkville (just west of I-94 at Highway KR).
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The train will depart every hour, starting at 9 a.m. In addition to the train ride, visitors “may enjoy outdoor fun at the farm park which includes the ‘kids’ korral’ play area, fun house tunnel, golden goat bridge, cool cow maze, giant slide, rainbow play system, Johnny Appleseed history walk and feeding the goats.”
Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at appleholler.com or by calling 262-884-7100.
Proceeds from the two-day event will go the local organizations that provide support, resources and more to women and children. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/apple-hollers-blossom-event-moves-to-may-6-7/article_c2405f56-e5fe-11ed-93f1-8b498e26bbf9.html | 2023-04-28T23:20:18 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/apple-hollers-blossom-event-moves-to-may-6-7/article_c2405f56-e5fe-11ed-93f1-8b498e26bbf9.html |
MADISON – The Village of Bristol is seeking state approval for an estimated $5.2 million water tower that is expected to satisfied its water demands for nearly 60 years.
The proposed 600,000-gallon water tower is need to erase a deficit in the water system’s ability to provide enough water in the event of a major fire, according to an application filed in January with the Public Service Commission.
The existing 100,000-gallon water tower was built in 1970 and the village hasn’t added any water storage capacity since then. Meanwhile, the population has doubled in the past 10 years and land development has also significantly increased.
A major fire in Bristol has been calculated as needing 3,500 gallons of water per minute for three hours to suppress. The combined output of the village’s wells and the existing water tower would still leave a 419,000-gallon deficit to meet the calculated necessary water flow, according to the village’s engineers at Strand Associates. The deficit would grow to 498,000 gallons in the future.
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The proposed 600,000-gallon water tower, combined with much of the wells’ output, would be large enough to provide enough water for the village’s current and future fire protection needs, said Ben Wood, a Strand engineer.
“The wells have plenty of capacity for normal everyday use, that’s not a concern at this point. It’s the emergency use that requires additional capacity,” Wood said Thursday.
The cost of the water tower is to be partly borne by property sale proceeds, $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and an estimated 33% increase in water rates.
The village has agreed to sell 63 acres west of I-94 and south of Highway K in the city of Kenosha to Kenosha Land LLC, for about $15 million, Bristol Village Administrator Randy Kerkman said. Closing on the sale is set for June 2024.
Talk of building a Hard Rock Casino has been associated with property, Kerkman said.
Average residential customers currently pay approximately $36 monthly for 6,000 gallons of water, would pay $47.88 for the same volume of water after the estimated increase.
A rate study has been conducted but a rate application hasn’t been filed yet with the PSC, Kerkman said.
Any rate increase the PSC would authorize would depend on the amount of property sale proceeds the village applies to the tower’s actual cost, the rate of return its wants on the value of the water utility’s infrastructure and the amount of water a customer actually uses.
The village had wanted to site the tower near the Bristol Elementary School as water mains in the area are sized to accommodate it. However, the school board rejected the idea.
Instead, the village selected property along 196th Avenue between 86th and 87th streets in the Bristol Industrial Park.
Kerkman called the property the “expected option” for the tower. The village has owned the site for years, he added.
Construction was originally slated for August 1 but now Kerkman doesn’t expect the project to be bid until this fall. The PSC officially began reviewing the project Thursday and the Department of Natural Resources also needs to approve the tower.
If approved, Kerkman expects construction to begin sometime next year and take about 18 months to complete.
That would give the village two water towers. The existing one would be taken out of service and repaired in a project separate from the construction of the new tower. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/bristol-seeks-state-approval-for-new-water-tower-to-meet-needs-for-next-60-years/article_6e4239a4-e5d3-11ed-888e-5f6fc5a517fd.html | 2023-04-28T23:20:24 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/bristol-seeks-state-approval-for-new-water-tower-to-meet-needs-for-next-60-years/article_6e4239a4-e5d3-11ed-888e-5f6fc5a517fd.html |
The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium is holding the nation’s largest High-Powered Rocket Competition for Native American college students at Richard Bong Recreational Area in Kansasville.
The First Nations Launch Rocket Fair was to be held Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Carthage College in the Todd Wehr Center. Student teams showcase their competition rocket prior to presenting their Flight Readiness Review before a panel of industry judges from NASA, U.S. Space Force, Blue Origin, The Boeing Company, Pratt & Whitney, Arcadis and Raytheon Technologies.
The public is also welcome to watch the launches between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at Richard Bong Recreational Area, 26313 Burlington Road. Visitors need to purchase a daily parking sticker ($8 for vehicles registered in Wisconsin, $11 out of state).
A total of 21 teams from 11 states and 1 Canadian Province will converge on the Carthage College campus in Kenosha, this weekend to present their rocket design projects, participate in motor and altimeter preparation workshops, meet with industry professionals and prepare to launch their high-powered rocket.
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Top performing teams will be invited to tour launch facilities at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Orlando, Florida, participate in NASA Wallop’s Flight Facility RockOn! Program, and compete in NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Student Launch Program.
This year also marks three Wisconsin teams competing in the competition: Carthage College, College of Menominee Nation and University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Wisconsin teams represent Tribal Colleges and Universities and/or the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
The First Nations Launch is a NASA Artemis Student Challenge and a collaboration between NASA’s Kennedy Space Center,, NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project, and Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium.
Judging this year’s competition is James Wood, Kennedy Space Center Launch Services Program Chief Engineer; Joseph Connolly, Glenn Research Center Aerospace Engineer; Orson John, Goddard Space Flight Center Risk and Reliability Engineer; Aaron Yazzie, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Mechanical Engineer; Lauren Denson, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Quality Assurance Group Supervisor; First Nations Launch alums Aaron Ashley, Raytheon Missile Systems Systems Safety Engineer; Jennifer Bennett, Arcadis Senior Environmental Engineer; Genevieve Bennally, Pratt & Whitney; Mark Abotossaway, Blue Origin New Shepard Mech Engineering Structural Analyst III; Sean Osurman, The Boeing Company Multidisciplinary Engineer; and Haida StarEagle, US Space Force Space Superiority ISR Requirements & Resources Analyst, whom also is this year’s keynote speaker at the 14th Annual First Nations Launch Awards Banquet.
The Wisconsin Tripoli Rocketry Association Prefecture provides the chief safety official for the event.
Also scheduled is the WSGC Collegiate Rocket Competition, with eight teams participating. Led by WSGC Associate Director William Farrow from the Milwaukee School of Engineering, the event follows a similar format and is open to the public.
Rocket launch activities will be rescheduled for Sunday, April 30, in the event of rain. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/first-nations-launch-rocket-fair-events-at-carthage-college-in-kenosha-and-bong-recreation-area/article_79125f70-e5d4-11ed-8386-aba7776bbead.html | 2023-04-28T23:20:30 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/first-nations-launch-rocket-fair-events-at-carthage-college-in-kenosha-and-bong-recreation-area/article_79125f70-e5d4-11ed-8386-aba7776bbead.html |
Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St., is hosting Karaoke with a live band Saturday night, starting at 7 p.m.
The local band the Spirit Shakers will have a list of songs available for people to perform on April 29.
Admission is $5. A cash bar will also be available, with proceeds going to the nonprofit Kenosha Creative Space.
Programs coming up at Creative Space include:
Salsa and Tacos @theSpace, 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, May 2 (continuing each week):
Guest instructor Michael Angelo Quiroz will host the May 2 event, described as “a pop-up Latin experience with music, dancing and tamales.”
Social dancing, food and drinks are available from 7 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 6:45 p.m.
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The Latin dancing lessons are 7 to 8 p.m. and again from 8 yo 9 p.m.
The suggested donation is $5. A cash bar is available.
Vamos a Bailar el Cinco de Mayo, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, May 5: “Join us as we celebrate two years of Latin dancing at Kenosha Creative Space El Grupo Tumbao will be playing salsa, and we will end the night with bachata, cumbia, merengue and reggaeton all night long.”
Instructor Erica Ness will lead a bachata dance lesson starting at 7 p.m.
Social dancing continues until 1 a.m.
Admission is $5 at the door.
For more information about Kenosha Creative Space programs, call 262-945-9411 or send an email to info@kenoshacreativespace.com. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/karaoke-with-a-live-band-at-kenosha-creative-space-on-april-29/article_109051cc-e5d0-11ed-b99d-af598d876c6c.html | 2023-04-28T23:20:37 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/karaoke-with-a-live-band-at-kenosha-creative-space-on-april-29/article_109051cc-e5d0-11ed-b99d-af598d876c6c.html |
KDAF (DALLAS) — Ice hockey fans are in for a treat as the Dallas Stars face the Minnesota Wilds in what promises to be a thrilling encounter!
Both teams hope for a crucial win, as this is the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the second time the teams go against each other.
Whether you’re a fanatic or just a casual viewer, you can watch the game in Dallas through traditional TV broadcasts, online streaming options, and even watch parties.
“So, what’s the 4-1-1?” | https://cw33.com/news/local/the-dallas-stars-take-on-the-minnesota-wild-how-to-watch-stream-and-more/ | 2023-04-28T23:25:17 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/the-dallas-stars-take-on-the-minnesota-wild-how-to-watch-stream-and-more/ |
Sweat equity: LISD, Habitat for Humanity partner to build houses, educate students
From building the bones of a house to installing the HVAC system, Lubbock ISD students and Habitat for Humanity have partnered for the 20th time to help educate students about building and working on house with the goal of creating a home for a family in need.
On Tuesday, Habitat with the help of John Sills of Rammbock Construction LLC moved the newest student-made house from LISD's Byron Martin Advance Technology Center on Avenue Q to Habitat's construction site in East Lubbock. The slow-moving process took around three hours to do.
A few days was required for the house to settle, Sills said, before his team can go in to finish up some loose ends before Brittany Morgan and her team can go in to finish it out.
Morgan, the construction project manager for Habitat for Humanity, said there is still a way to go before a family can move in.
"I'd say about six months, and we're about to be ready to move people in," Morgan said. "But we need homeowners."
As of right now, Morgan said they don't have any applicants to live in the new home.
Christy Reeves, executive director for Habitat for Humanity, said a family would need to meet these requirements: show a need, have the ability to pay an affordable, no-interest mortgage and demonstrate a willingness to partner with Lubbock Habitat for Humanity.
"If it works out, they sign a partnership agreement and then they have to do the 250 hours (in) sweat equity," she said.
The 250 hours are split into so many hours working on constructing the home and so many hours learning financial literacy to pay for the home.
For more information about applying, individuals can contact Reeves at creeves@lubbockhabitat.org.
With the cost of building a single house nearly doubling since the foundation of the LISD partnership, she said Habitat is looking for sponsors who will help not only build a house but support the education of LISD students.
"We want to keep funding this program to promote that." Reeves said. "But in order to do that, we need sponsors to pay for the materials which keep keeps going up. It used to be $60,000 to build one these houses at the most when the program was started," later adding the cost for a Habitat House now is well over $100,000. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/lubbock-isd-habitat-for-humanity-partner-build-houses-educate-students/70154772007/ | 2023-04-28T23:25:37 | 0 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/lubbock-isd-habitat-for-humanity-partner-build-houses-educate-students/70154772007/ |
LABELLE, Fla. — If fresh fruit is your thing, this weekend may be your last chance to bring home some blueberries. Blueberry Bunch Farms in LaBelle is being forced to end their U-Pick season earlier than normal because of Hurricane Ian.
“I usually bring out the kids, then my husband, then my sister and my in-laws — so I’m trying to squeeze everybody into just this weekend,” Zakir Esparza said.
The blueberry bushes were wrecked by Ian. Leaves were torn away and plants uprooted, that’s why only part of the farm is viable this season.
“Hurricane Ian did a lot of damage to the farm, a lot more than we thought initially so all these bushes here on my left side…most of them were laying down when we got out here,” Kristian Velasco said.
Up to 90% of commercial crop was lost, leaving only U-Pick to sustain the farm.
“Definitely is hurting us big time because the commercial is where we make all our actual money to keep the farm supported, our workers going and all that,” Jesse Molzan said. “We’re taking it day by day and hoping that next upcoming season we won’t have a hurricane to damage it again and hopefully next blueberry season the berries will be coming back bigger and brighter than they had in previous years.”
“The blueberries. They’re so tasty. They taste so much more fresh than whenever you buy them in the store. Kind of a lemony zing to them,” Esparza said. “We use them, my sister and I use them to bake pies and make ice cream, anything.”
The farm will be open all weekend from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. if you want to come get some fresh blueberries. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/inland-counties/2023/04/28/labelle-blueberry-farm-ends-u-pick-season-early-due-to-hurricane-damage/ | 2023-04-28T23:28:44 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/inland-counties/2023/04/28/labelle-blueberry-farm-ends-u-pick-season-early-due-to-hurricane-damage/ |
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Rebuilding Together is helping build back Harlem Heights.
The organization’s main focus is to fix roofs for homes damaged by Hurricane Ian in the Harlem Heights community. They are working with other organizations to rebuild the inside of homes as well.
One of the residents they’re helping is Auria Adorno. Her son Fernando Adorno is hopeful she’ll be able to move back soon. “I’m really hoping that within the next two maybe three months she’ll be back home,” he says.
Chris Reesor, the project manager for Rebuilding Together, is asking for help. They are in need of licensed roofers, handymen, contractors, and more. Even for those without experience, he’ll find a place for you. “If you want to volunteer your time and you have zero experience in construction we will still find ways for you to assist,” said Resson.
If you would like to get hired or volunteer, click here. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/04/28/non-profits-helping-harlem-heights-community-recover-from-hurricane-ian-damage/ | 2023-04-28T23:28:50 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/04/28/non-profits-helping-harlem-heights-community-recover-from-hurricane-ian-damage/ |
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — The Collier County Supervisor of Elections, Jennifer Edwards, has retired after more than 20 years in office.
“It’s bittersweet. I look forward to retirement but I’m gonna miss everybody,” said Edwards.
Edwards, who began her career in Collier County public service in the 1980s, started as a schoolteacher for Collier County Public Schools. She also worked in Human Resources and the County Budget Office before taking over in 2000.
“I’m very proud of what I’m allowed to do by the residents of Collier County. I’ve reached a point in my career where I know that the timing is right for me and my family,” added Edwards.
NBC2 News asked Edwards why she plans to retire, and what she plans to do now that she is moving on.
“For now, I live on Marco Island and I’m as happy as I can be. My hobby is gardening and I’m going to be doing that. I’ll be watching the birds and I have a lot of bird feeders in my backyard,” she said.
Edwards has formally asked Governor DeSantis to appoint Melissa Blazier, the deputy chief, as the interim Supervisor of Elections until the year and a half remaining in her term runs out.
“It is emotional you can see, but from the heart, it’s time for me to retire and let my staff continue on,” said Edwards.
Governor DeSantis’ press office did not respond to NBC2 requests for comment on who will fill the role. Regardless of who is appointed, they will have to run for re-election when Edwards’ term expires.
Count on NBC2 to bring you updates when a new Supervisor of Elections in Collier County is announced. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/04/28/collier-county-supervisor-of-elections-retires-after-more-than-20-years-in-office/amp/ | 2023-04-28T23:32:55 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/04/28/collier-county-supervisor-of-elections-retires-after-more-than-20-years-in-office/amp/ |
Laura Nobles Banks-Reed helped change the face of education in Tucson, after growing up, attending school and teaching students in what was then a segregated city.
The public schools pioneer and civil rights activist died in San Antonio, Texas, on April 14. She was 101.
About 100 friends, family members and former students gathered to remember her Friday at the Dunbar Pavilion, an African American cultural center that now operates out of what used to be Tucson’s only school for Black students during segregation.
Banks-Reed attended the Dunbar School as a child, then returned there to teach in 1943, eight years before Tucson Unified School District agreed to desegregate the school.
“So many of us learned so much from her,” said Doris Snowden, a board member with the Tucson chapter of the NAACP.
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El Charro Café owner Carlotta Flores came to Friday’s remembrance with a spread of donated Mexican food and fond memories of her dear friend Laura.
She said she was a young mother working herself to the bone when Banks-Reed took her under her wing, inviting her to join her on some local boards where she could do some good and expand her profile in the community.
Flores said there are a lot of upstanding citizens in Tucson who got to where they are because “they met Laura on the road to their own successes.”
Larry Starks is president of the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Committee, but in the early 1970s, he was a student at Cavett Elementary School.
He said the woman he knew then as Principal Banks used to hand out inspirational, wing-shaped pins — and the occasional, well-earned paddling — to the students she called into her office.
“She instilled such a sense of pride in us at that school,” Starks said. “I’m a better man because of her.”
'Noblesville'
She was born Laura Nobles in Tucson on June 29, 1921. She grew up with nine siblings and her parents, James and Missouri Nobles, in a big house in Barrio Anita, then an enclave for minorities excluded from living in white neighborhoods.
Her grandmother and a host of her aunts, uncles and cousins lived nearby along the same block of Anita Avenue and Contzen Avenue.
“That little area, they used to call it Noblesville,” said Banks-Reed in an oral history she recorded last year, at age 100, about her life in Tucson for the African American Museum of Southern Arizona.
Her father worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad for more than 30 years, and the family traveled the country on the rail passes he would earn.
After graduating from Tucson High School in 1939, Banks-Reed enrolled at the university, where she planned to double-major in elementary education and physical education. There was just one problem, she said: Her P.E. degree required practical work in swimming, “and they didn’t allow us Blacks to go in the pool at the University of Arizona.”
But that soon changed. Banks-Reed said it was her and her mother who convinced the head of the department to drop that Jim Crow-era rule once and for all.
With degrees in hand, she began a long and illustrious career with TUSD, first at the Dunbar School and then as a teacher at Davis Elementary back in Barrio Anita.
She married Jack Banks in 1950, and the two of them opened a barbecue restaurant they called Jack’s Across the Tracks on Fourth Street and Ninth Avenue. They eventually changed the name to Jack’s Original Bar-B-Q and moved the business several times before settling in on 22nd Street near Craycroft Road.
A hysterectomy kept her from having kids of her own, but she made peace with that. “I said, ‘That’s fine, I’ll just use all my energy for helping to take care of other people’s children.’ And that’s what I have done throughout my life,” she recalled.
Banks-Reed also devoted her time to community activism, serving two terms as the president of the local YWCA and two terms as president of the local NAACP chapter. She was the first woman to hold that job, and she helped lead the civil rights organization in its fight to force Tucson restaurants to seat and serve Black customers.
She eventually became the first Black woman from Arizona to be named to the YMCA’s national board, one of many racial barriers she broke. She used her 11 years on the board to advocate on behalf of other women and people of color.
Love and legacy
Banks-Reed returned to the UA for a master’s degree in education in 1966, and she became the principal at Cavett in 1969.
After that, she was promoted to coordinator of TUSD’s reading program and earned two more university degrees — the first as an educational specialist in 1970, the second a Ph.D. in education in 1980.
She retired from Tucson’s largest school district in 1982, after serving as its first Black assistant superintendent.
Her husband, Jack, retired from the restaurant business a decade later, and the two moved to the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, Texas, where he died in 1998 at age 84.
She found love again in 2006, when her wartime sweetheart, Eugene Reed, tracked her down more than 60 years after they first met in Tucson.
He was a young airman at Davis-Monthan, and she was a USO hostess he couldn’t forget. In the end, they got to spend just over 10 years together, before he died on his 97th birthday in 2017.
Banks-Reed was a devout Christian and a long-time member of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Tucson. She credited her activism and her devotion to God to her mother, who she described as a “trailblazer” and an active member of both Mount Calvary and the NAACP.
“I think that’s where I got most of my interest in trying to do something to help other people,” she said in her oral history. “It seems, as I review my life, that I’ve always been that kind of person. If I have something or if I’m somewhere, I’m going to open the door so that another Black person can come in.”
Tucson will soon be home to two buildings with Banks-Reed’s name on them.
TUSD dedicated Laura Nobles Banks Elementary School, off Bopp Road on the west side of the Tucson Mountains, in her honor in 2003.
Then in January of this year, the YWCA of Southern Arizona announced plans to establish the Dr. Laura Banks-Reed Center for Gender and Racial Equity to honor her service and further the organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
“I always wanted to make a difference,” Banks-Reed said. “I wasn’t doing it to get my name here or there. I didn’t ever even think about that part of it. I just wanted to make the world I lived in a little bit better place.”
Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 573-4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean | https://tucson.com/news/local/education/laura-banks-reed-was-devoted-to-education-equity-in-tucson/article_74598532-e55f-11ed-a3fb-2f8d2e006a04.html | 2023-04-28T23:34:15 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/education/laura-banks-reed-was-devoted-to-education-equity-in-tucson/article_74598532-e55f-11ed-a3fb-2f8d2e006a04.html |
Zach Yentzer, an Independent candidate running to take over as Tucson’s mayor this year, has ended his campaign after a challenger successfully won a lawsuit that invalidated 1,359 nomination petition signatures that previously qualified Yentzer to be put on the Nov. 7 general election ballot.
Ed Ackerley, the only other Independent candidate running for mayor, challenged Yentzer’s signatures in an April 17 complaint that alleged Yentzer didn’t meet the 2,952 threshold of signatures he needed to be placed on this year’s ballot.
The lawsuit triggered a mandatory signature verification report from the Pima County Recorder’s Office, which found the candidate only had 2,505 signatures after finding 1,359 invalid signatures.
The majority of the reasons the recorder listed for invalidating signatures were for signatories that weren't registered to vote when signing the petition, did not live in city limits and signed more than once.
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“I did what any candidate would do who was in my position, who was trying to make it to the ballot and win as many votes as possible,” Ackerley said. “I did it the right way, and I did it legally. And the result was, from our camp’s perspective, a positive thing for us.”
While the Tucson City Clerk's Office serves as a filing officer and makes sure candidate petitions are complete, nominations aren't typically challenged unless someone takes the matter to court for further vetting.
Yentzer challenged the lawsuit alleging insufficient service of process. The City Clerk’s Office omitted a page of Ackerley’s complaint when serving Yentzer an electronic version of the file. In response to the complaint, Yentzer’s attorney argued that the missing page was “important” and contained “factual allegations, one of four ‘legal objections’ that formed the basis” of Ackerley’s complaint. He received that missing page three days after the complaint was filed, according to Yentzer’s motion.
Pima County Superior Court Judge Gary Cohen denied Yentzer’s motion to dismiss the case as the legal objection outlined on the missing page was stated on an attached exhibit “with specificity,” Cohen wrote in his April 27 ruling. The judge also said Yentzer’s attorney filed a notice of appearance confirming participation in the case before the objection based on the missing page, which “has exactly the same effect as a proper, timely and valid service of process,” according to legal precedent Cohen cited.
Yentzer said the ruling is “an opinion document” that “reflects the fact that we came in with a sound case, but I don't think the judge was open to digging into that legality.”
State law says the superior court must issue a ruling on court actions challenging candidate nomination petitions within ten days. Yentzer said the time constraint was a burden to his defense, and his team only had 23 hours to review the county recorder’s report after receiving it on Saturday afternoon, which he said was “just simply not enough time” to “assess or respond to that.”
Independent candidates for mayor in Tucson typically have a higher threshold of signatures to receive than other political parties, as the minimum number of votes required to get on the ballot is calculated as 3% of the number of city voters registered as “other,” which is currently more than 98,000. The minimum number of signatures for candidates affiliated with a political party is at least 5% of their designated party’s vote in the last general election.
Although he was a registered Republican until 2022, Yentzer said he doesn’t regret running as an Independent, or for mayor instead of a City Council seat. He said the mayor’s position “best fit the execution, the vision that I have for the community.”
Yentzer said Democratic and Republican candidates have “an instant army,” but, “As an independent, you kind of have to build that from scratch. For us to build the movement that we built and the team that we had … we're really proud at a high level of what we built and the effort we put in to turn in as many signatures as we did.”
Yentzer said he’s still processing being kicked off the ballot but is open to other political opportunities in the future. For now, he’s still working as the executive director of Tucson Young Professionals, a coalition of up-and-coming leaders and working professionals throughout the city.
“I ran to serve the community. I knew how hard this would be, and I didn't do it for my ego or ambition. I wanted to make Tucson better,” he said.
Ackerley, on the other hand, is looking forward to being the only Independent candidate for mayor this year. He said he’s welcomed Yentzer to join his campaign, but the former candidate said he has a lot to think about before making that decision.
“I did it (filed the lawsuit) to clear the path so that I can be on the ballot, and obviously get as few contestants against me as possible,” Ackerley said. “It clears the way for me to go head-to-head with the incumbent.”
Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/yentzer-booted-from-ballot-in-race-for-tucson-mayor/article_4fdce736-e5ea-11ed-8afd-7323d19ff98a.html | 2023-04-28T23:34:21 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/yentzer-booted-from-ballot-in-race-for-tucson-mayor/article_4fdce736-e5ea-11ed-8afd-7323d19ff98a.html |
PORTLAND, Oregon — On its face, Oregon House Bill 2098 isn't particularly eye-catching — all it does is call for a study of uniform standards for speed bumps. It's not the kind of bill that would be expected to result in hours of impassioned public testimony, but that's exactly what happened Thursday night.
The attention wasn't focused on HB 2098 itself, but rather a series of proposed amendments to the bill that tackle a much bigger topic: How to fund Oregon's share of the $6 billion cost of replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge.
For two and a half hours, community members and public officials took turns weighing in on the funding plan at a hearing before the Joint Committee on Transportation in Salem.
Under the first proposed version of the plan, outlined in Amendment 2, the state would commit $1 billion financed through bonds, matching $1 billion that Washington State pledged last year, with the remainder of the project paid for by federal grants and tolls.
Supporters at the hearing praised the focus on leveraging federal funding to pay for the new span.
"We need this project, we need this bridge, it needs to be replaced now," said Gwenn Baldwin of Beaverton. "We have a window for federal money that is not going to come back again."
Many emphasized the critical need to replace the Interstate Bridge, citing the advanced age of the current twin spans and the improvements that a modern replacement would provide for transportation commerce.
"With severe congestion during peak travel hours, the bridge is no longer serving those travelers efficiently or safely," said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland. "Further, the 106-year-old bridge is at risk of catastrophic failure in the event of an earthquake."
Amendment 2 also includes a provision a provision capping the total cost of the project at $6.3 billion, an effort to try to avoid getting the state caught in a financial bind if the project costs escalate.
Critics of the plan suggested that even with the cap, the $6.3 billion limit and a lack of included enforcement mechanisms still felt like handing the Oregon Department of Transportation a blank check.
"We need a bridge that is climate forward," said Nikisha Nathan with the local organization Just Crossing Alliance. "We need it to leave money for vital transportation improvements throughout the state."
An alternative proposal introduced more recently, Amendment 3, maintains the $1 billion funding plan and the $6.3 billion overall cap, but it adds a stipulation that initial construction work can only involve the new bridge itself and the two freeway interchanges closest to it.
The project plan includes upgrades to seven interchanges along a four-mile stretch of I-5 around the bridge, which together could account for anywhere from a third to nearly half the cost of the overall project.
Amendment 3 states that construction on five of those interchanges can't begin until the main bridge and transit components are complete and both states certify that the remaining peripheral parts can still be built without exceeding the $6.3 billion cap. Many community members expressed support for that option.
"I'm asking you as a father, as a teacher and as a business owner to shrink this project," said Garron Lamoreau of Silverton. "Please tell ODOT to live within their means and pay for this project using some of the billions of dollars they manage every biennium."
Another big sticking point for critics of the Amendment 2 plan is that it includes language about the Rose Quarter expansion, declaring that the legislature will fully fund that project in the next two legislative sessions.
Many local critics have opposed widening that section of the freeway for environmental reasons, and they objected to the language lumping that project in with the I-5 bridge replacement. The Amendment 3 version of the plan ditches that language.
"An approach that connects our community," said Rev. Cecil Prescod with Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. "Without endangering the general fund or the climate." | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/interstate-bridge-replacement-funding-public-hearing/283-12d4ca1c-580f-4d55-9834-2fad6a48a454 | 2023-04-28T23:38:48 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/interstate-bridge-replacement-funding-public-hearing/283-12d4ca1c-580f-4d55-9834-2fad6a48a454 |
WATERLOO — Bringing attention to high turnover and staffing shortages in the mail system, local postal workers briefly demonstrated in downtown on Friday.
More than a score of U.S. Postal Service employees, members of American Postal Workers Union, joined in the nation-wide call to action to address staffing shortages they said are leading to a dangerous and hostile work environment.
“We need help. People aren’t getting trained, and it’s causing service problems. We have a lot of delayed mail,” said Debby Szeredy, executive vice president of APWU.
“When you are short staffed, the work environment gets a little more hostile at times. We need staffing to move the mail, and we also need staffing in the facilities,” said Arrion Brown, national support services director for the APWU.
Szeredy said many of the issues began about two years ago with plans to consolidate operations at regional mail centers. She said the concept results in carriers adding two to four more hours to their routes.
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“We are again fighting that issue. … They started to consolidate, and that just screwed the whole system up, and that really hurt us as workers because we have pride in serving our customers and our communities,” she said.
Ideally, she added, the union would like to see postal operations dialed back to the 2012 service standards.
“That is when we had our best times,” Szeredy said.
According to union officials:
- An audit report from the USPS Office of Inspector General on turnover in “non-career,” new hire, workforce released this month found a turnover rate of 58.9% in 2022, an increase from 38.5% in 2019. The two main reasons for turnover cited in the OIG report were a lack of respect from supervisors and too many hours on the job.
- USPS’s own data show a 12.5% decrease in the number of retail counter clerks who staff post office retail counters and distribute mail to letter carriers. The figure fell from 79,182 in 2006 to 69,298 in 2023. While mail volume has decreased in that timeframe, package volume has surged from 1.2 billion in 2006 to 7.2 billion at the end of 2022.
- Wait times for customers have increased since 2018 to today, according to a recently released study by the Postal Regulatory Commission. The PRC report also singled out sorting facilities that handle both mail and packages as the site of “staffing challenges.”
- At the same time, the USPS is delivering mail and packages to more locations, a 12.8% increase in delivery points from 2006. Today the USPS delivers to 164.9 delivery sites, an increase of 18.7 million from 2006.
The Postal Service has tried to address staffing problems by creating more career track positions, but there has been little gain in real numbers. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/postal-workers-call-for-full-staffing/article_23cf72e7-8684-54b6-84d8-86a0c1a2c981.html | 2023-04-28T23:38:56 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/postal-workers-call-for-full-staffing/article_23cf72e7-8684-54b6-84d8-86a0c1a2c981.html |
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks to reporters in his Statehouse office early Friday morning following the adjournment of the annual session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb tells reporters in his Statehouse office early Friday morning that he's proud of the accomplishments of the 2023 General Assembly and eager to get to work implementing everything lawmakers approved.
Gov. Eric Holcomb felt no need to wait for the sun to come up Friday to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 Indiana General Assembly.
Speaking to reporters at 3:15 a.m. Indianapolis time, shortly after the Legislature adjourned for the year, the Republican chief executive proclaimed the state budget and other new laws enacted during the four-month session will have a "generational impact" on Hoosiers.
"This is a great day for Indiana. But most importantly, it's what we do with it. It's a heck of an opportunity," Holcomb said. "For this administration, it's all about implementation now. We have the resources to address long, lingering issues, be it health, be it economic development in a new world that we find ourselves in. We are properly equipped in resources to get the job done."
Holcomb specifically touted the new resources approved for mental health services in Senate Enrolled Act 1, public health and prevention programs in Senate Enrolled Act 4, and in House Enrolled Act 1001 the elimination of student textbook fees, pay raises for state police officers, new business attraction incentives, record education funding, expanded workforce development programs, and renewed quality-of-life initiatives.
The governor also pointed to budget allocations for a new Westville Correctional Center in LaPorte County, a new state park inn near South Bend, a new state archives building in Indianapolis, and the consolidation of Indiana's schools for deaf and blind students in the capital city as outstanding investments in the future.
"We're in a state in a perpetual forward motion in the state of Indiana, and we didn't get here by accident. We got here through discipline and focus and minding the business of the state on behalf of taxpayers," Holcomb said.
Holding up a copy of his pre-session agenda, Holcomb said every single item on the list was checked off in one form or another, and even if some of his proposals weren't funded at the levels he sought, his team still has a great opportunity to get things going.
"I'm proud of what was accomplished this legislative session and through collaboration and hard work we will be able to make transformational investments that will better the lives of Hoosiers and build a better today and stronger tomorrow," Holcomb said.
The governor did acknowledge one failing, however. He was unable to persuade the Republican-controlled General Assembly to advance Senate Bill 322 designating the breaded pork tenderloin as the official sandwich of Indiana.
"I'm going to put that aside. I've got executive orders. We'll deal with that later," Holcomb quipped.
As for the more serious business of deciding whether to approve or reject the legislation heading to his desk over the next couple weeks, Holcomb pledged to carefully review the language of each proposal to decide whether to sign it into law or issue a rare veto.
"I like to read every bill, as does my staff," Holcomb said. "There are some bills that I'm paying close attention to and I'll come to a final conclusion before the time expires."
This was Holcomb's final budget session as governor. The term limits imposed by the Indiana Constitution bar him from running next year for a third consecutive term as the state's chief executive.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks to reporters in his Statehouse office early Friday morning following the adjournment of the annual session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb tells reporters in his Statehouse office early Friday morning that he's proud of the accomplishments of the 2023 General Assembly and eager to get to work implementing everything lawmakers approved. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/holcomb-sees-generational-impact-from-indiana-legislative-session/article_7fec1366-e5ea-11ed-a8d8-4f39551b906b.html | 2023-04-28T23:41:36 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/holcomb-sees-generational-impact-from-indiana-legislative-session/article_7fec1366-e5ea-11ed-a8d8-4f39551b906b.html |
The Merrillville Town Council will have the opportunity to decide, on or after July 1, whether to become the first Northwest Indiana community to raise additional revenue for town projects using a food and beverage tax.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly gave final approval Friday to House Enrolled Act 1454, a behemoth, 235-page tax measure that included state authorization for Merrillville to enact a local food and beverage tax.
Specifically, the legislation permits the town to impose a food and beverage tax of up to 1% on all dine-in and take-home food and drinks sold at Merrillville eateries, bars and similar outlets.
If adopted at 1%, the Merrillville food and beverage tax would add 20 cents to a $20 dining tab and raise an estimated $1.3 million a year.
The Town Council alternatively could adopt a food and beverage tax at a 0.25%, 0.50% or 0.75% rate, according to the legislation.
The town plans to use the money to construct an 18,000-square foot expansion of the indoor recreational amenities at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, particularly more basketball and volleyball courts for youth and adult tournaments and other sporting events designed to attract out-of-town visitors to Merrillville.
Council President Rick Bella told lawmakers earlier this year the projected cost of the expansion is $6 million to $8 million because the footings for the expansion were put in place at the same time as construction on the 84,000-square-foot original building, which opened March 1, 2021.
The tax legislation, cosponsored by state Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D-East Chicago, was approved 76-20 in the House, and 35-15 by the Senate.
It's soon expected to be signed into law by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb.
According to the Department of Revenue, 34 Indiana municipalities or counties have enacted a food and beverage tax.
Each is set at 1%, except in Marion and Orange counties where the rate is 2%.
PHOTOS: Residents offer ideas on Merrillville's growth
The Merrillville Town Council will have the opportunity to decide, on or after July 1, whether to become the first Northwest Indiana community to raise additional revenue for town projects using a food and beverage tax. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/merrillville-gets-state-ok-for-food-and-beverage-tax/article_de439694-e5e2-11ed-80a9-3b2c0b179105.html | 2023-04-28T23:41:43 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/merrillville-gets-state-ok-for-food-and-beverage-tax/article_de439694-e5e2-11ed-80a9-3b2c0b179105.html |
An 85-year-old Long Island woman is fighting to get her money back after she fell prey to scammers who got her to wire $49,000 to an account in Florida.
“You beat yourself up, how could I be so damn stupid?”
She only wants to be known as Lee, but it was back in March when the Long Island woman spotted a pop-up window while she was browsing websites online.
“It was red and it took up much of the screen,” explained Lee. “I tried to exit out but it didn’t work.”
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On the pop-up was a phone number, which for reasons she still doesn’t know… she called.
“They said 'this is Microsoft' and 'we want you to know your computer has been hacked, but we are going to help you get it back,'” she explained.
Lee says the person on the phone told her they would set up a sting to catch the hackers but she would need to send $49,000 to a bank in Hialeah, Florida.
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The plan was elaborate. Lee says the person on the phone gave her a script of what she should tell the bank workers if they asked. And they told her not to go to her usual branch, but a different one because the workers might know the hackers.
“If I had I gone to my branch, the gentleman who knows me there, he would have probably said 'Lee what are you doing are you sure you want to do this?'"
She went to a different branch where the teller there also asked if she was sure about the transaction. Lee authorized it and four hours later, she came to a realization: “I said holy, I think I’ve been scammed!”
Lee called Chase Bank to report fraud, but she didn’t stop there. She filed a report with the Nassau Police as well as police in Hialeah — the bank where she had sent the money was in Florida.
And then she called the information technology worker who set up her home computers. He told her to immediately shut down her computer. Immediately she got a phone call: "You just turned off your computer."
Lee has been having trouble getting answers from Chase Bank, all while hating herself for falling victim this scheme.
“I don’t think of myself as that stupid we know the thing your son’s been kidnapped we have your grand children, I’ve gotten those I don’t fall for them but this,” said Lee. “Hook, line and sinker. I could not have been more dumb.”
A Chase spokesperson provided a statement which read, “It’s unfortunate that our customer fell victim to a scam. We are working with the recipient bank to try to recover the funds and will credit the customer if any are recovered.”
On Microsoft’s website there are warnings about such scams. The company telling users “any communication has to be initiated by you” and “don’t call the number in the pop-ups. Microsoft’s error and warning messages never include a phone number.” | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/85-year-old-ny-woman-jumps-through-hoops-to-avoid-hack-but-pays-50k-to-scammers/4286221/ | 2023-04-28T23:48:06 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/85-year-old-ny-woman-jumps-through-hoops-to-avoid-hack-but-pays-50k-to-scammers/4286221/ |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Construction trucks, fire trucks, police cars and more will be on display April 29 in the parking lot of Foster Communications Coliseum in San Angelo.
The 10th annual "Touch-A-Truck" event is being organized by the Junior League of San Angelo from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. and is completely free to the public.
"It's a really good family-oriented thing to do," Junior League member and 2023 Touch-A-Truck chair member Cassie Garrison said.
The first hour of the event will be horn free while the rest of the day will continue as usual.
Attendees can expect to see members of the San Angelo Police Department, San Angelo Fire Department, San Angelo Independent School District, Goodfellow Air Force Base, local trucking companies and more.
There will also be local food trucks, which is the only part of the event where payment is necessary.
"All of these vehicles are out there and open for children to get on and get inside and then of course as adults, it's fun for us to get in, too so no one's feelings are ever hurt about that," Garrison said.
This year, there will also be a bike riding area as well as free autograph books for the first 500 children.
Participants will be able to walk around the parking lot while getting signatures and stickers from police officers, firefighters, vendors, etc.
Two H-E-B $50 gift cards have also been donated and can be won using tickets.
For Garrison, though, her favorite part of this annual event is connecting with the San Angelo community.
"When you come you just see these other little businesses that come out and just volunteer their time so they can just support kids in the community, it's a really great event," she said.
Go to JuniorLeagueSanAngelo to learn more. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/junior-league-of-san-angelo-to-host-10th-annual-touch-a-truck-event-april-29/504-f2de2044-b454-4aa1-98dc-744f7c469541 | 2023-04-28T23:49:41 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/junior-league-of-san-angelo-to-host-10th-annual-touch-a-truck-event-april-29/504-f2de2044-b454-4aa1-98dc-744f7c469541 |
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There’s a new effort to bring running water to dozens of Dallas County families who’ve lived for years without basic utilities that other people take for granted.
Top officials confirm the new approach to service in the far southeast Dallas County community of Sand Branch.
Bottled water always sits close to residents there.
“When the church and other people come around they bring water and we use this for drinking water,” resident Norma Ghant said.
In the 17 years she said she has lived there it was never safe to drink water from wells that became contaminated decades ago.
Resident Johnny Chambers said he has lived in Sand Branch since 1988 and heard many past conversations about adding utilities that residents with very low incomes could not afford to install themselves.
“There’s been so many times, everybody be coming here talking, talking, nothing was ever done,” Chambers said.
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A former Freedman’s Town community, Sand Branch was a refuge for former slaves. It once had hundreds of families.
Chambers said he stayed as others left.
“I got to where I’m older, there ain’t too much I can do anymore and I just enjoy being here with my friends,” Chambers said.
When groundwater contamination was confirmed in the early 1980s, long before his time in office, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said buyouts were offered, but they fell short of what most families needed for new homes.
“Most homeowners ended up with an average of $350 to go find a place to live,” Jenkins said.
The county judge recently volunteered to deliver bottled water in Sand Branch. Jenkins said he visited the community Saturday with the regional Environmental Protection Agency administrator to help draft a new plan for the state and federal money necessary for utility lines.
“There’s a renewed interest in getting something done and getting it done quickly,” Jenkins said. “We’re all working together to see what those next steps are. The money will come from a variety of sources.”
Jenkins said connections could come from the Dallas Water Utilities Plant that’s right beside Sand Branch. But the community is in an unincorporated area with no city to receive the funds and oversee the work.
A special utility corporation may need to be created to accomplish the task.
Jenkins said the estimated cost of $6 million years ago is likely more than double that much today.
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Dallas, District 30), who took office in January, now represents the community.
“It’s a situation that the majority of us wouldn’t even contemplate, not in today’s time,” Crockett said.
She confirmed Friday that she has been working with Jenkins and other officials on funding and solutions.
“This area actually qualifies as rural and actually there may be some more opportunities to help out this project for funding through USDA as well,” Crockett said. “If it’s something that somebody can lay out in a very clear plan then it’s my job to look at it.”
Affordable housing developer Derek Avery said he has been involved in the talks. He said utility service could support new homes in Sand Branch.
Ghant said she believes all the people involved now will make a difference in running water for Sand Branch.
“I got faith and I think it’s going to happen,” she said.
Johnny Chambers said it would be a welcome improvement.
“I would like it,” he said.
Jenkins said a community meeting on the project is scheduled for May 20 in Sand Branch. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-effort-to-get-running-water-in-former-dallas-freemans-town-of-sand-branch/3246740/ | 2023-04-28T23:50:21 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-effort-to-get-running-water-in-former-dallas-freemans-town-of-sand-branch/3246740/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-support-for-water-sewer-service-for-sand-branch/3246751/ | 2023-04-28T23:50:27 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-support-for-water-sewer-service-for-sand-branch/3246751/ |
Casper Mayor Bruce Knell angered some in the community last week when he shared an image of a fire in response to a Facebook post announcing Wellspring Health Access, a new abortion clinic, was finally open for business. The clinic’s opening was delayed for 11 months because of an arson attack.
In the days since, Knell has steadily defended the comment. He said the image was meant to express his personal opposition to abortion, that it wasn't a reference to the arson and he doesn’t condone violence against the clinic or abortion rights supporters.
At any rate, he said, he’s gotten more support than backlash from community members.
“I can promise you in conservative Wyoming, there are more people who share my view,” he told the Star-Tribune last week.
Now, Wellspring’s working to challenge that assumption — it’s calling on local abortion rights advocates to attend an upcoming Casper City Council meeting in response to Knell’s comment.
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“Mayor Knell’s post was careless, cruel, and minimizes the violence that clinics and people who want to get abortions face,” the clinic said in a Friday afternoon statement posted on Twitter. “But his post does not reflect the spirit of the Casper community. Join us in raising our voices and be heard defending our rights on Tuesday, May 2nd at 6 p.m.”
In a statement to the Star-Tribune later that day, the abortion clinic’s founder, Julie Burkhart, said the clinic believes some city councilors are “concerned about the post,” and that Wellspring is “looking forward to sharing our concerns with them on Tuesday.”
The City Council meeting will take place in the council chambers at City Hall, located at 200 N. David Street.
In a text to the Star-Tribune, Knell said the group is “more than welcome, as is any resident” to speak at the meeting, so long as they adhere to the council's rules for public comment.
It’s not clear how big an audience the meeting will draw. On Facebook, a local activist group called “Feminists of Casper” and Lander-based abortion rights organization Chelsea’s Fund both urged people to attend.
(Chelsea’s Fund is part of a group that filed suit in March against the state of Wyoming challenging the Life is a Human Right Act, which replaced the state's trigger ban and prohibits abortion except in cases of rape, incest and select medical circumstances.)
In anticipation of a larger crowd, more law enforcement than usual will be attending the meeting, said Jolene Martinez, assistant to the Casper city manager. She noted that that's standard practice when the city is expecting a lot of guests, and the decision to have more officers at the meeting wasn't issue specific.
Knell’s comment was originally made beneath a Facebook post by Oil City News that linked to an article about the clinic's opening. Oil City later indicated it had deleted the comment in accordance with an internal policy.
Burkhart in an April 20 statement condemned Knell’s post as “incendiary and violent.”
“I’ve lived and experienced the real-world costs of this kind of anti-abortion rhetoric,” she said in the statement. “Fourteen years ago, after years of harassment, my former boss, Dr. George Tiller, was assassinated in church. Less than a year ago, an anti-abortion terrorist set fire to our Casper clinic, rendering it inoperable and costing $290,000 in damage.”
Wellspring, which began seeing patients this week, is the only clinic in Wyoming to offer both surgical and medical abortions. In an interview with the Star-Tribune earlier this month, Burkhart said she's still worried about violence against the clinic, and that Wellspring has added additional "layers of protection" to keep staff and patients from harm.
Wyoming residents hold a wide range of opinions on abortion, an October University of Wyoming poll found.
In the survey, 36% of respondents said they considered abortion a matter of personal choice, and another 36% said they felt abortion should be allowed in cases of rape, incest or when the pregnancy poses a danger to the life of the mother. About 19% of those surveyed said they support abortion when the reason for the procedure is clearly established. Only 7% said abortion should be banned in all cases.
In Casper, the role of mayor is somewhat ceremonial. Casper follows the “council-city manager” system of local government, where the mayor is part of city council and wields no more voting power than other members. Because of that, the mayor isn't directly elected by residents, but chosen by their follow councilors.
In this system, the main job of the council — including the mayor — is to act as the city's legislative branch. A lot of the administrative duties people usually associate with running a city are delegated to city staff. | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/abortion-rights-supporters-to-speak-against-mayor-at-casper-city-council-meeting/article_6f25ff24-e5f4-11ed-9e53-079ef9d10aa8.html | 2023-04-28T23:52:46 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/abortion-rights-supporters-to-speak-against-mayor-at-casper-city-council-meeting/article_6f25ff24-e5f4-11ed-9e53-079ef9d10aa8.html |
Casper’s prospective police officers were given a sneak peak at what it takes to join the force Thursday night ahead of the next official testing process.
The Casper Police Department is currently hiring new officers — applications close on May 4 and testing will be held at the Ford Wyoming Center on May 8, the department's website states.
Prospective officers typically fail interviews more than any other part of the application process. So the agency decided to hold mock interviews in which prospective officers could practice talking to a hiring panel.
The department is down by about 10% of its sworn officers right now, Amber Freestone, a spokesperson for the department, said Friday.
"At any given time, we have 15 to 20 positions to fill, including sworn and professional staff," she said.
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Three officers, seated at a long table in the basement of the City Center building, conducted mock interviews to gauge potential candidates' command presence, ability to tell a story and overall moral judgment. The questions were similar to those asked during the real interview.
It’s an intimidating process. The candidate sits alone facing a panel of judges, who are taking notes and actively rating his or her performance using a point system.
“It’s not meant to be easy,” said Officer Alyssa Baedke. “It’s not an easy job.”
Interested candidates ranged from a veteran to a former oil field worker to a man that had just relocated to Wyoming the night before. One wore a full black suit and another wore faded jeans and cowboy boots.
Ruben Aranda, one of the potential applicants, was asked what a career in law enforcement meant to him, and how he planned to succeed.
“Growing up in Mexico, I’ve seen a lawless land,” he said. “I’d like to see a better view of what law can do for my community.”
Albert Fraizer, 24, has already gone through the application and testing process with the Casper Police Department but failed the oral board interview. If a person fails that portion of the testing process, he or she has to redo the entire thing.
He asked the board if mistakes he’d made as a younger man could potentially disqualify him from being an officer.
It depends on a case-by-case basis, but typically nonviolent crimes like driving under the influence can be worked around if the offense happened a while back.
People must be 21 years old, have no felony convictions, a valid U.S. driver’s license and citizenship, no illegal drug usage within five years and no marijuana usage within two years to be considered.
One detective had to go through the process three times, but now, he’s been with Casper police for 12 years, said Baedke. The bottom line is be professional, confident and persistent if you want to work with the department. | https://trib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hoping-to-find-new-officers-casper-police-hold-public-mock-interviews/article_f2b85138-e5e6-11ed-b57e-1b6487c8ede1.html | 2023-04-28T23:52:52 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/hoping-to-find-new-officers-casper-police-hold-public-mock-interviews/article_f2b85138-e5e6-11ed-b57e-1b6487c8ede1.html |
PHOENIX — UnitedHealthcare on Friday said its recently been the victim of a cyberattack and the personal information of its customers in Arizona may have been impacted.
The insurance company identified suspicious activity between Feb. 19-25, occurring on its mobile app which may have led to the disclosure of member information.
The company believes it was the target of a credential-stuffing attack, which involves hackers fraudulently gaining access to user accounts by entering in stolen usernames and passwords.
Personal information that may have been obtained in the attack includes first and last names, insurance member IDs, addresses, dates of birth, and info about insurance claims. The incident did not involve the disclosure of Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers, the company said.
"The company regrets this incident and any inconvenience or concern it may cause," UnitedHealthcare wrote in a statement.
Those who were affected have been notified by UnitedHealthcare. Customers will be offered free services for identity theft protection as a result of the cyberattack.
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12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/unitedhealthcare-warns-arizona-cyberattack-insurance/75-07d94a55-935b-4a54-b645-0bd34ccdaa4f | 2023-04-28T23:56:25 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/unitedhealthcare-warns-arizona-cyberattack-insurance/75-07d94a55-935b-4a54-b645-0bd34ccdaa4f |
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – The Campbell County Rescue Squad has been serving the community for 60 years.
This Saturday, the rescue squad is celebrating the milestone with an open house for the public.
There will be food, games and tours of their station and fleet.
The squad serves Campbell County and a portion of Forest in Bedford County.
“Come on out and celebrate with us,” said President of Campbell County Squad Tina Miller. “Help us celebrate 60 years of being volunteers and think about even joining us so we look forward to having you all.”
The open house is scheduled for Saturday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/campbell-county-rescue-squad-celebrates-60-years-of-serving-the-community/ | 2023-04-29T00:00:53 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/campbell-county-rescue-squad-celebrates-60-years-of-serving-the-community/ |
SALEM, Va. – The 71st annual Ernest ‘Pig’ Robertson Trout Rodeo returns to Salem this Saturday. You and your family can spend the day fishing at Lake Spring Park.
The first day is just for children ages three to eight years old.
You have to bring your own fishing equipment, but there will be some supplies available on site.
Each child can catch up to six trout, and must keep all the fish they reel in. There will be competitions and prizes for each age group.
“This was started by a local man in Salem — the Ernest ‘Pig’ Robertson Fishing Rodeo,” Recreation Program Supervisor for Salem Parks and Rec, Ashley Pelletier said. “So, it’s named after him and then the city of Salem kind of took over from there. It has been awesome to be able to continue the tradition and it is something people look forward to every year that is known to do here in Salem.”
The rodeo continues through May 6, with events for specific groups each day. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/ernest-pig-robertson-fishing-rodeo-returns-to-salem/ | 2023-04-29T00:00:59 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/ernest-pig-robertson-fishing-rodeo-returns-to-salem/ |
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Lynchburg park was among areas in the region that saw flooding due to heavy rainfall Friday.
Peaks View Park saw flooding on some of the ball fields and trails.
Chris Higgins with Lynchburg’s Parks and Recreation Department said crews are waiting for the water to recede to assess damage, but that there are trees down and miniature mudslides on trails.
Higgins warns people to avoid moving water because it may be rushing faster than it looks.
He said the park could see more problems if it’s hit with more rain again this weekend.
People who enjoy the area on a regular basis said they were surprised at just how much water they saw in the park on Friday.
“All of the fields down there they have a current,” Neighbor Virginia Dunning said. “You could go fishing in them, really. It’s amazing.”
Higgins said flooding isn’t a new problem for the park or even Lynchburg as a whole. He said that there have been flood studies done, but due to the geography it’d be difficult to prevent. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/lynchburg-park-sees-widespread-flooding/ | 2023-04-29T00:01:05 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/lynchburg-park-sees-widespread-flooding/ |
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NC – The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a Martinsville man who they say is armed and dangerous.
On Thursday, April 27 around 7:45 p.m., authorities said they responded to a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of Vintage Road in Eden, North Carolina.
The suspect, Douglas Scholz, fled the scene in a blue, newer model Ford F150 before deputies arrived, according to the sheriff’s office.
We’re told Scholz was armed with a gun at the time of the disturbance.
Authorities said they’ve obtained warrants on Scholz for felony first-degree kidnapping and felony domestic violence protective order violation,
According to the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, Scholz currently lives in Martinsville and should be considered armed and dangerous if seen.
Anyone who sees Scholz or knows his whereabouts is asked to call 911 to report their location immediately, authorities said. You can also reach the Rockingham County Crime Stoppers Tipline at 336-349-9683 – Crime Stoppers tipsters remain anonymous and can receive rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/martinsville-man-wanted-out-of-north-carolina-is-armed-and-dangerous-authorities-say/ | 2023-04-29T00:01:11 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/martinsville-man-wanted-out-of-north-carolina-is-armed-and-dangerous-authorities-say/ |
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Overnight and early morning rain Friday prompted flooding and damage in some parts of our region.
On Friday morning, crews worked to fill a hole on Huntridge Road in the Bonsack area and traffic was temporarily delayed.
According to VDOT, it was related to a nearby construction project.
“These were cuts that were made in the road to put in some pipes to connect into the utility system,” VDOT Spokesperson Jason Bond said. “It really wasn’t a sinkhole, it was just some pipes that were being installed.”
Roanoke County police say one person reported damage to their car to an officer. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/roanoke-county-road-impacted-by-rain-damage/ | 2023-04-29T00:01:17 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/04/28/roanoke-county-road-impacted-by-rain-damage/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month.
According to medical researchers, the disease involves abnormal collections of inflammatory cells that form lumps known as granulomata that usually begins in the lungs, skin or lymph nodes and can affect any organ. It has no known cure or cause.
Symptoms have been reported to vary depending on which organ is affected. It can include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pains, fever and weight loss. The disease is relatively rare, affecting one in every 200,000 individuals.
“Sarcoidosis is a kinda systemic and kinda whole body inflammatory disorder that typically affects individuals that are in the 6th to 7th decade of life,” Dr. Joshua Gautney, a pulmonologist at Ascension St. Vincent’s East, said. “It’s about 2 to 3 times more common in African Americans and generally more common in certain regions of the states, like down here in the South.”
Health experts say the disease can be treated with steroids for inflammation. For more information, visit Ascension’s website. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/april-is-sarcoidosis-awareness-month/ | 2023-04-29T00:03:20 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/april-is-sarcoidosis-awareness-month/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — March of Dimes, the leader in the fight for the health of all moms and babies, is hosting its largest fundraiser in Birmingham.
“March for Babies: A Mother of a Movement” will take place starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Railroad Park. The purpose of the event is to raise critical funds so Birmingham families can get the best possible start.
“We welcome anyone and everyone to sign up [online] and just start fundraising efforts and come out to the walk on Saturday at Railroad Park,” Ashley Toms, executive director at March of Dimes, said. “A lot of people have set up teams or you can sign up as an individual, it’s totally up to you.”
The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth. The maternal mortality rate saw its largest increase since 2018, according to the latest CDC report. Alabama earned an “F” in the latest March of Dimes report card — which measures the state of maternal and infant health. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/march-for-babies-to-be-held-in-birmingham-saturday/ | 2023-04-29T00:03:26 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/march-for-babies-to-be-held-in-birmingham-saturday/ |
BANGOR -- A Carmel man has been ordered to serve six years in prison after pleading guilty to attacking his three-year old step-son.
"I've tried to come up with the right words to apologize for my actions. I did something horrible, unthinkable, and unimaginable. I abused Gunner,” said 24-year-old Damion Myers in the Penobscot Judicial Court in Bangor Friday.
On January 3, 2022 Gunner Doe was attacked by his step father Damion Myers at their then home on Plymouth Road in Carmel.
Myers was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but four suspended. Prior to sentencing the honorable Judge Ann Murray listed the multiple ways the child was attacked.
"Picking up a gunner and slamming him down. Picking him up by one arm and then tossing him on the bed. He was shoved to the floor. There was a tackle on him,” according to Murray.
The child was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bangor the next day.
It was later determined that the child suffered from bruising and abrasions as a result of abuse.
"From the state's perspective it was absolutely the worst way that an aggravated assault could be committed. We need to work on raising our sentences for these kinds of cases,” said assistant district attorney for Penobscot County, Chelsea Lynds.
Defense attorney Jeffery Toothaker acknowledged that an assault did take place however, said the level of abuse does not justify an extensive sentence due to the lacK of injuries.
"If you watch the video a lot of it is just [Gunner] he's whimpering, he's whining. He's being mistreated. But, is it physical, verbal or other? It's a three-year-old and nobody is sympathetic to somebody that beats up a three-year-old,” said Toothaker.
The prosecution showed a video where they said Myers is caught on camera abusing a 3-year-old Gunner Doe.
"It is really rare. They [police] really went the extra mile, got the evidence and it paid off. They found this video. I honestly think that they saved a child's life in this case,” said Lynds. “I mean if they had not found that video then I think there is a very high probability that the child would be dead already.
Gunner Doe and his siblings are currently in their grandparents custody.
The children are reportedly set to be reunited with their birth mother in the upcoming weeks. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/man-to-serve-6-years-in-prison-for-abusing-3-year-old-step-son/article_ac5f8f92-e610-11ed-b8e5-1b0ec9bab608.html | 2023-04-29T00:03:55 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/man-to-serve-6-years-in-prison-for-abusing-3-year-old-step-son/article_ac5f8f92-e610-11ed-b8e5-1b0ec9bab608.html |
BANGOR -- Fire service training centers such as the one here in Bangor are used by fire departments across the state to train new recruits.
Fire chiefs we spoke to say they would like to see funding for these facilities so that new firefighters can have a better understanding of what to do when a fire happens.
There are only two fire service training centers in East-Central Maine: one in Bangor, one in Ellsworth.
The next closest center to Bangor is an hour and a half away in Auburn.
Liberty fire chief and Maine Fire Chiefs Association liaison Bill Gillespie says he'd see more training centers to support the 338 registered Fire Departments across the state
"Our goal is to have 11 training facilities situated throughout the state to make it feasible for firefighters to reach training within one hour of their department," said Gillespie.
A proposed bill by Senator Chip Curry would allocate $2 million in funding to build and upgrade training facilities in Maine over the next two years.
"Having adequate training facilities to help prepare our people and our firefighters the skills and the training they need to do their absolute best in the field when it is needed is extremely important," said Deputy Chief Erik Tourtillotte of Brewer Fire Department.
Tourtillotte says the bill is a step in the right direction.
"I'm not sure $1 million dollars is going to cut it but it's a good start," Tourtillotte. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposed-bill-to-build-facilities-services-facilities/article_f1cce3b6-e612-11ed-9dd3-03813a0a5eb0.html | 2023-04-29T00:04:01 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposed-bill-to-build-facilities-services-facilities/article_f1cce3b6-e612-11ed-9dd3-03813a0a5eb0.html |
DUNMORE, Pa. — Table saws buzz through wood, and those pieces are screwed into place by high schoolers.
Carpentry students from the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County are building benches for the Dunmore Missy Softball League at Sherwood Park.
"It gives me skills and gets me better at doing what I do. And it's very important for me," says student Thomas Hazelton.
Riley Robinson is from Dunmore and a CTC carpentry student. He says he's glad to be doing a project he's familiar with.
"I've been at this park a thousand times. I used to play soccer here a lot of baseball and go to the playground, so it's just nice to be able to give back to the community," Robinson said.
The benches weren't the only thing that needed to be fixed at the softball complex.
Dunmore Missy League officials say they've replaced the dugouts, fencing, and more, saying nothing had been done for years.
"We had a lot of drainage issues on the fields, a lot of ponding of water, some fencing issues, the old dugouts were kind of really getting old," said league Vice President John Mecca.
"It was bad. The benches were falling apart, the dugouts were definitely also falling apart. It's looking even better now, and it's not even done yet," Robinson said.
League officials say they received state funds for this project, which costs about $100,000.
Mecca says the students getting hands-on experience is a bonus for keeping those costs down, "It does help a lot having the kids from CTC do this."
All of the improvements took about six weeks, and league officials say it will all be worth it when the players take the field on opening day this weekend.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/carpentry-students-helping-to-improve-softball-complex-in-dunmore-sherwood-park-missy-softball-league-thomas-hazelton-career-technology-center-john-me/523-82ebea7a-d90d-4df1-8201-7a6ebf186690 | 2023-04-29T00:07:08 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/carpentry-students-helping-to-improve-softball-complex-in-dunmore-sherwood-park-missy-softball-league-thomas-hazelton-career-technology-center-john-me/523-82ebea7a-d90d-4df1-8201-7a6ebf186690 |
SCRANTON, Pa. — Four new trees will soon grow tall in Novembrino Park in Scranton.
The city's Shade Tree Commission held a ceremony Friday, welcoming local officials and front-line workers as part of an Arbor Day celebration.
"We wanted something that was going to bloom and be a permanent reminder to what we went through during COVID-19," said Norma Jeffries.
Nurses, doctors, police, and paramedics helped put the trees in place.
During the ceremony, officials compared these essential workers to what a tree does for the Earth and how important they are to live and survive.
"It's about life. It's about hope. It's about giving, and to be invited here and to be able to participate with other healthcare entities in the city is just so powerful," Renee Blakiewicz from Geisinger.
A plaque was also unveiled, recognizing all the front-line workers who pushed through the pandemic.
It will serve as a reminder to everyone who visits the park about those challenges. Healthcare workers we spoke with say it's an honor.
"Just to be able to come back to the park and remember some of the good things that happened and some of the good bonds that we had and we create it during the pandemic. It's a great symbol to all of our healthcare workers," said Patricia Redman from Commonwealth Health.
"Future generations will be able to look at these trees and see that this is a reminder of what happened back in 2020 and 2021," Jeffries said.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/new-trees-and-plaque-in-novembrino-park-in-arbor-day-ceremony-lackawanna-county-renee-blakiewicz-norma-jeffries-shade-tree-commission-patricia-redman/523-9afa5b03-33ce-494e-ab61-abc0771aff81 | 2023-04-29T00:07:14 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/new-trees-and-plaque-in-novembrino-park-in-arbor-day-ceremony-lackawanna-county-renee-blakiewicz-norma-jeffries-shade-tree-commission-patricia-redman/523-9afa5b03-33ce-494e-ab61-abc0771aff81 |
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — People set up these baskets inside the American Legion of Northumberland.
They are preparing for the Getting Ahead Foundation's upcoming raffle auction.
"I print out brochures and fliers so they can go out and get donations. The last count, they had 190 items and 135 gift certificates," Rose Williams said.
Rose Williams is the founder of the Getting Ahead Foundation, which serves people in Union, Snyder, and Northumberland counties.
Williams started the non-profit five years ago. It's a 42-week program for low-income adults to build resources for a better life.
"We offer financial literacy. We offer nutrition links. For all of our graduates, we offer staying ahead workshops, where you take a deeper dive into those 11 essential resources for a better life," Williams said.
The program is free to participants but costs the Getting Ahead Foundation about $1,000 per person.
"It helped with learning how to budget more and a lot of different things," Michele Bingaman said.
These graduates want to make sure others can go through the program like they did, so they organized this raffle auction to help fund the program.
"I got a lot of help when I didn't have oil or anything, and I didn't know where to go," Tammy Young said.
"We all come from different ethnicities and backgrounds, but we all have something in common. We all have a story to tell. Some worse than others, some emotional, but it's just one big family," Hassan Salaam said.
The event is Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Legion in Northumberland.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/getting-ahead-foundation-to-host-first-fundraiser-smerican-legion-northumberland-rose-williams-michele-bingaman/523-f7bfc538-b8bc-4ab7-aacc-a2be86173a56 | 2023-04-29T00:07:20 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/getting-ahead-foundation-to-host-first-fundraiser-smerican-legion-northumberland-rose-williams-michele-bingaman/523-f7bfc538-b8bc-4ab7-aacc-a2be86173a56 |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Jones High School senior Zavier Avera is all smiles. That’s because he’s heading to Yale University in the fall and making history as the first athlete at his school to receive a full-ride to an Ivy League university.
“I never thought God would put me in this position. I worked really hard,” Zavier Avera said.
News 6 was at his signing day back in December when he unveiled his school’s choice. The basketball-turned-football player is not only a star on the court and the field, but also has a 4.9 GPA and is graduating eighth in his class.
“Jones High School was my best decision ever,” the high school senior said.
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Zavier Avera’s mom, Kimberly, is overwhelmed with joy. She said as a single mother, it means so much having coaches, teachers, a principal and many others who helped guide her son.
“It’s just a blessing to have great people in your life who support a child that’s not even theirs,” she said. “He did the work for the 4.9 GPA, however, I had to stay on top of him to make sure. You’ve got to get your work.”
Jones High’s head football coach Elijah WIlliams said Zavier Avera is a standout, and he’s seen his progression.
“I really think he has a chance to go and play in the NFL because of his desire and his heart and he doesn’t give up,” Williams said. “He works, he’s hungry.”
He said mastering his schoolwork and also listening to his parents, teachers and coaches have been key.
Dr. Alex Jackson is an assistant principal at the school and also Zavier Avera’s former basketball coach.
“Super scholar going to Yale. He is the model for what we want our student athletes to be,” Jackson said.
Zavier Avera said he and his team were led by a great coach.
“Our coach taught us teamwork, hard work and never give up,” he said.
His advice to other boys is of a similar sentiment.
“Don’t ever give up on your dreams and don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t do something in life,” Zavier Avera said.
He said he plans to major in computer science at Yale University in the fall.
He said his dream is to someday play in the NFL, but if not, he wants to work for Lockheed Martin or NASA building spacecrafts.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/04/28/jones-high-senior-becomes-1st-athlete-at-school-to-get-full-ride-to-ivy-league-college/ | 2023-04-29T00:18:20 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/04/28/jones-high-senior-becomes-1st-athlete-at-school-to-get-full-ride-to-ivy-league-college/ |
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A former Marietta school teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse charges, according to a release from the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
It was announced Friday that Freddie Early pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation earlier this week.
The 50-year-old pleaded guilty in connection to a child sex abuse case stemming from two years ago. On Jan. 11, 2021, a child told one of his middle school teachers that he and his younger brother had been abused by a family friend between October and December of 2020.
That family friend was later identified as Early.
Detectives learned that Early had groomed the two children while working as a school teacher aid at Dunleith Elementary school in Marietta. He was also a music minister at Reset Church in Morrow.
Early, who also attended the children’s church “from time to time,” bought gifts for the children. He also took them to dinners and let them hang out at his house, the release said.
The abuse began when he walked around his home “with his private parts exposed,” making sexual comments to the two young boys.
One of the brothers even recorded a time when Early "[made] sexually explicit comments to them,” the release said.
Once investigators learned about Early's behavior, he was arrested. Following the arrest, he surrendered his teaching license, the release said.
Superior Court Judge Ann B. Harris spoke after the two victims spoke of the abuse at a plea hearing.
“You’re a groomer and molester," Harris said. "You preyed on the trust of two motherless teenage boys who needed someone. You victimized them then and again today. This is shameful conduct. I can’t fix what happened, but I can make sure there are no more victims.”
Once Early is released from prison, he will serve 10 years on probation, the release said.
If you or someone you know has been affected by child abuse or child sexual assault, call SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center for assistance at 770-801-3465 or the Cobb County Police Department Special Victims Unit at 770-801-3470. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/former-marietta-school-teacher-sentenced-10-years-child-sex-abuse-cobb-county/85-8da9073f-10fc-4259-921a-d1314e37ccb4 | 2023-04-29T00:20:14 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/former-marietta-school-teacher-sentenced-10-years-child-sex-abuse-cobb-county/85-8da9073f-10fc-4259-921a-d1314e37ccb4 |
ODESSA – Navigating Permian Basin roads has become more and more challenging as the population of school buses, SUVs and family sedans share the road with more and more trucks and tractor-trailers.
According to Michael D. Smith, managing director of the Permian Road Safety Coalition, in 2018 – just before the coalition was formally organized – the Permian Basin accounted for 11% of the state’s road fatalities though it held only 1% of the state’s population.
Things have gotten a bit better, he told those attending the West Texas Safety Training Center’s annual meeting at the MCM Elegante hotel in Odessa Monday. Current figures have the region responsible for 6% of the state’s road fatalities – though it now holds 1.6% of the state’s population.
“Fatalities are a little better, but that comes with a caution,” he said. The count last year was impacted by the accident in Andrews County involving the University of the Southwest golf team that resulted in 12 fatalities, he noted. He also added that incidents involving tractor trailers are up this year.
That’s not just oil and gas trucks but trucks delivering for Walmart or delivering beer, FedEx packages and, yes, frac sand, he said.
To help improve road safety for all Permian Basin residents, Smith said his coalition will intensify its education and awareness efforts this year. That includes holding luncheon programs to highlight sharing of best practices and demonstrations of emerging safety technology as well as collaboration with area law enforcement agencies.
The coalition is also establishing the Road Safety Champion awards to recognize best-in-class drivers and companies. “We want to amplify those achievements so others will take notice,” Smith explained.
The coalition is also advocating in both Austin and Santa Fe, New Mexico, for investment in area road infrastructure to improve safety. A task force has been formed to address issues caused by the growing frac sand mining activity in the region and work to ensure the trucks delivering that sand operate safely. The coalition is also continuing its First Responder life-saving equipment initiative, which has already delivered 7,000 pieces of equipment valued at $4.6 million to 82 departments in 27 Permian Basin counties.
Smith said the coalition is also working to improve the Crash Records Information System to make sure local law enforcement agencies submit accurate crash reports, since that could bring counties more funding for infrastructure.
Alongside the CRIS training, Smith said training will be provided on the widely used Wellsite Navigator app and the SafeLand training module that has already been added to existing oilfield curricula.
Smith also noted that road fatalities in the Permian Basin are only slightly lower than those reported in Los Angeles, the nation’s second most populous city with 4 million residents.
“Los Angeles has had a few more, but by comparison we’re close,” he said. “An area with wide open spaces should in no way match the gridlock of Los Angeles.”
He offered two suggestions that could halve road fatalities in the Permian Basin. Approximately 30% of fatalities weren’t using restraints like seatbelts. Another 20% involved distracted drivers. Using restraints and avoiding distracted driving would result in a 50% reduction in traffic deaths, he said.
“We’re excited the numbers are going down, but it’s a cautionary tale,” Smith said. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/permian-road-safety-coalition-remains-cautious-17925996.php | 2023-04-29T00:41:21 | 0 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/permian-road-safety-coalition-remains-cautious-17925996.php |
Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks to reporters early Friday in his Statehouse office after the adjournment of the annual session of the Indiana General Assembly.
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Gov. Eric Holcomb tells reporters early Friday in his Statehouse office that he's proud of the accomplishments of the 2023 General Assembly and eager to get to work implementing everything lawmakers approved.
Gov. Eric Holcomb felt no need to wait for the sun to come up Friday to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 Indiana General Assembly.
Speaking to reporters at 3:15 a.m. Indianapolis time, shortly after the Legislature adjourned for the year, the Republican chief executive proclaimed the state budget and other new laws enacted during the four-month session to have a "generational impact" on Hoosiers.
"This is a great day for Indiana. But most importantly, it's what we do with it. It's a heck of an opportunity," he said. "For this administration, it's all about implementation now. We have the resources to address long, lingering issues, be it health, be it economic development in a new world that we find ourselves in. We are properly equipped in resources to get the job done."
Holcomb specifically touted the new resources approved for mental health services in Senate Enrolled Act 1, public health and prevention programs in Senate Enrolled Act 4, and in House Enrolled Act 1001 the elimination of student textbook fees, pay raises for state police officers, new business attraction incentives, record education funding, expanded workforce development programs and renewed quality-of-life initiatives.
The governor also pointed to budget allocations for a new Westville Correctional Center in LaPorte County, a new state park inn near South Bend, a new state archives building in Indianapolis, and the consolidation of Indiana's schools for deaf and blind students in the capital city as outstanding investments in the future.
"We're in a state in a perpetual forward motion in the state of Indiana, and we didn't get here by accident. We got here through discipline and focus and minding the business of the state on behalf of taxpayers."
Holding up a copy of his pre-session agenda, Holcomb said every single item on the list was checked off in one form or another, and even if some of his proposals weren't funded at the levels he sought, his team still has a great opportunity to get things going.
"I'm proud of what was accomplished this legislative session, and through collaboration and hard work we will be able to make transformational investments that will better the lives of Hoosiers and build a better today and stronger tomorrow," he said.
The governor did acknowledge one failing: He was unable to persuade the Republican-controlled General Assembly to advance Senate Bill 322 designating the breaded pork tenderloin as the official sandwich of Indiana.
"I'm going to put that aside. I've got executive orders. We'll deal with that later," Holcomb quipped.
As for the more serious business of deciding to approve or reject legislation heading to his desk over the next couple weeks, Holcomb pledged to carefully review the language of each proposal to decide whether to sign it into law or issue a rare veto.
"I like to read every bill, as does my staff. There are some bills that I'm paying close attention to and I'll come to a final conclusion before the time expires."
This was Holcomb's final budget session as governor. The term limits imposed by the Indiana Constitution bar him from running next year for a third consecutive term as the state's chief executive.
Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks to reporters early Friday in his Statehouse office after the adjournment of the annual session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Gov. Eric Holcomb tells reporters early Friday in his Statehouse office that he's proud of the accomplishments of the 2023 General Assembly and eager to get to work implementing everything lawmakers approved. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-eric-holcomb-sees-generational-impact-from-indiana-legislative-session/article_7fec1366-e5ea-11ed-a8d8-4f39551b906b.html | 2023-04-29T00:42:45 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/gov-eric-holcomb-sees-generational-impact-from-indiana-legislative-session/article_7fec1366-e5ea-11ed-a8d8-4f39551b906b.html |
The Atlantic City High School baseball team scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning en route to an 11-10 victory over Winslow Township in a nonconference game Thursday.
Kevin Klein went 3 or 5 with two runs and an RBI for the Vikings (2-11). Jackson Barrie singled twice and had a run and an RBI. Matt Master had two runs and two RBIs. Jacob Downing and Ramsel Perez each singled and scored twice. Anthony Delorenzo and Oldis Zappata each singled, scored once and drove in one.
Atlantic City score five in the fourth inning to go up 9-7. Winslow (1-10) scored three in the bottom of the sixth to take a 10-9 lead. The Vikings outhit Winslow 12-9.
Boys tennis
Pinelands Reg. 5, Lakewood 0
Singles: Ashish Gainder d. Xavion Moore 6-0, 6-0; Aiden Falduto d. Victor Eligio 6-0, 6-0
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3rd Singles: Ty Kline d. Freddy Ortiz 6-0, 6-1
Doubles: Daniel Eberlin and Ian Cahill d. Luis Garcia and Andres Perez 7-6 (7-4), 6-2; Lucas Goodwin and Kai Santa Cruz d. Eli Helwani and Kevin Eligio 6-1, 6-1
Records: Pinelands 11-2; Lakewood 3-5
Boys volleyball
ACIT 2, Cedar Creek 1: The host Red Hawks lost the first set 27-25, but then won 25-22 and 25-15.
Ian Morrissey had 10 kills and three digs for ACIT (6-5), and Danny Ta contributed added nine kills, three digs, 16 service points and three aces. Timothy Creelman contributed nine digs, 22 assists and six service points, and Hansen Tran had five digs, 11 service points and four aces.
Mathew Juan had four kills and five digs, and Erick Perez finished with 10 digs.
Cedar Creek fell to 0-6.
Boys golf
Timber Creek 167, Cumber Reg. 215
T: Joe Holwell 33, Anthony Liberi 42, Matthew Glynn 45, Chase Kelly 47
C: Sam Thompson 51, Stephen Wilchensky 54, Hudson Iwaszkiewicz 54, Braden Staffieri 58
Records: Timber Creek 4-6; Cumberland 0-13
Gloucester Catholic 188, Wildwood 202
G: Billy Stuski 42, John Sasselli 46, Mike Joyce 46, AJ Palumbo 54
W: Dan Sanzone 45, Burke Fitzsimons 47, Kelan Miller 53, Matt Sottnick 57
Records: Gloucester Catholic 6-3; Wildwood 1-7 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/atlantic-city-baseball-defeats-winslow-late-thursday-roundup/article_8c4ccae8-e60c-11ed-a17d-436f6d869cb2.html | 2023-04-29T00:44:11 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/atlantic-city-baseball-defeats-winslow-late-thursday-roundup/article_8c4ccae8-e60c-11ed-a17d-436f6d869cb2.html |
Former superintendent named dean for Alaska university, reflects on time in Alachua County
Former Alachua County superintendent Carlee Simon has landed a new gig where she will continue to work in education but in a town far, far away.
In fact, it’s almost the furthest possible location in the U.S.
Simon, 46, announced on Facebook that she has accepted a job as interim dean for the University of Alaska Southeast’s School of Education. The position comes with a two-year contract that will allow the former district leader to reassess her options and apply for the permanent role if she chooses.
In her role, she will work on accreditation and recruit teachers, among other tasks.
“I'm very pleased to be able to continue to be in the education field,” she said. “I met the community in Juneau, Alaska and they're very proud of their education in K-12 and higher ed. I'm glad I have the opportunity to continue this work because I think it’s very purpose driven.
More:Alachua school officials discuss findings of 'alarming' Camp Crystal Lake investigation
Opinion:Keep Carlee Simon as superintendent of Alachua County Public Schools
Working in Alachua
Simon was tapped for Alachua County's interim superintendent job in December 2020 before being named to the permanent position.
During her tenure, the Eastside High graduate was instrumental in establishing a districtwide early literacy program with the University of Florida, known as UFLI. During its first year, the program showed progress in students learning.
She was also the leader behind the district’s rezoning efforts and forming a strategic plan to better address the achievement gap between white and minority students. Much of that work, however, has largely stalled following her termination as superintendent from the previous, more conservative school board.
Simon’s toughest challenge came in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, as she and other educators tried to keep families and students safe from a deadly virus while still learning.
Her stance on requiring masks in schools made her a target for local Republicans, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Board of Education.
“It was an enormous challenge, but I’m proud of that,” she said.
She was a leader of accountability as head of the district, a skillset not widely seen in years prior to or since her tenure.
Among her district changes, Simon notified law enforcement of a questionable land deal orchestrated by other district employees and led the charge for better financial control and management of Camp Crystal Lake. The two causes drew pushback from some longtime board members and played a role in her ultimate termination.
Florida's political attack on schools
The landscape of education drastically changed following the pandemic. The state began targeting “critical race theory,” banning textbooks, library books and removing teachers who spoke out or didn’t heed the state’s demands.
Simon said she cares for the district but is scared for students, educators and future potential teachers.
“It’s a hostile work environment for education in Florida right now,” she said. “I’m very concerned about what’s happening around the state. I hope there’s a way out of this.”
Simon said she plans to recruit teachers from Florida to Alaska, hoping to capitalize on some of those concerns.
Also while in Alachua County, Simon created a political committee called Families Deserve Inclusive Schools, which aims to support candidates who believe in public education. Simon has been vocal about protecting education in Florida throughout her time in office and after and has pushed back against conservative groups like Moms for Liberty. She hopes the PAC will further deter the group’s efforts come 2024.
“We don’t believe in banning books and we believe in teaching all of history,” she said.
Moving on
There is a bittersweet farewell that comes with Simon’s new role, she says.
“I value the time I had serving our district as superintendent,” she wrote on Facebook. “I learned so much about myself and about people. We had a strong team and were moving forward. It was painful and joyous at the same time. I am stronger, more resilient, and more compassionate for all the families I served, even the ones that disagreed with my choices. I also saw the savagery of politics and the stooges involved.
“I've told many people about my feeling of fulfillment in the superintendency position. The job was exceptionally hard but also the most fulfilling and purposeful position I ever had. When I lost that position I felt rudderless.”
She said she will miss being close to lakes and people who she has known almost her entire life. The August heat, however, is one thing she won’t miss.
Simon said she doesn’t know what the future holds for her or her family and hasn’t entirely ruled out coming back to the Sunshine State.
“My successes in life have always come from my willingness to embrace change,” she wrote. | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/carlee-simon-lands-job-at-university-of-alaska-southeast/70164019007/ | 2023-04-29T00:45:49 | 1 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/carlee-simon-lands-job-at-university-of-alaska-southeast/70164019007/ |
The city election is just three days away and the Lancaster County Election Commissioner has a message for early voters: Don’t count on the postal service to get ballots delivered at this point – and please turn them in as soon as possible.
Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen said he expects voter turnout for Tuesday’s general election to be around 38% – higher than the five previous city general elections.
The largest turnout in those previous elections, dating back to 2013, was the 2019 mayoral election when then-City Council members Leirion Gaylor Baird and Cyndi Lamm ran for mayor. Turnout that year was 36%. Turnout at the 2015 mayoral race – when Andy Stebbing challenged Chris Beutler – was 30%.
Gaylor Baird’s bid for a second term – a heated race against former state Sen. Suzanne Geist – will likely be what draws more voters to the polls.
And many of them will be early voters.
Wilgten said he mailed 37,000 early ballots for the general election and has received 22,000 back as of the end of the day Thursday. He mailed out about 34,000 for the primary.
Those early ballots – along with any received Friday through Monday – will be counted on Election Day and tallies released after the polls close at 8 p.m.
Any early ballots received on Election Day will be counted after the election. In the primary, where early voting slightly out-numbered in-person voters, an additional 6,900 early votes were counted after the election.
That didn’t change any results, but widened Gaylor Baird’s lead over Geist, as it did in some City Council races, notably increasing the lead of incumbent City Councilman James Michael Bowers over challenger Taylor Wyatt in District 1.
Wiltgen had estimated he would have 5,500 additional early ballots to count after Election Day in the primary, but it was higher than expected because of a change in how the office processes early ballots, he said.
The change, recommended by the state, involves separating early votes into the 177 precincts during the auditing process, which is more time-consuming than the process they’d followed in earlier elections, Wiltgen said.
That meant in the primary, not all the early ballots that came in on Monday got audited, so that process had to be finished and votes counted after the election, Wiltgen said.
Of the early ballots mailed out, they typically get about 90% back. That means, between now and Tuesday, they’ll have about 11,000 more early ballots to count.
So drive by that ballot drop box at his office, 601 N. 46th St., as soon as possible, Wiltgen advised.
Top Journal Star photos for April 2023
Opponents of LB626 celebrate in the Rotunda Thursday after the bill fails to advance after failing one vote short of cloture. The bill sought to ban abortions in Nebraska after about 6 six weeks.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kenneth Williams (left) finishes first in the 200-meter dash at 22.153 with Lincoln East's Gabe Miles finishing second at 22.158 during the LPS Championship, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Beechner Athletic Complex.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A gosling waddles along the shore of a small pond as it looks for food on Wednesday at Pioneers Park in Lincoln. Within 24 hours of hatching, goslings, or baby geese, can dive underwater 30 to 40 feet. Goslings stay with their parents for their first year of life and as they grow older tend to group together in "gang broods" that can oftentimes number in the hundreds.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Shinedown's Zach Myers rocks out on his guitar as he performs during Shinedown’s Revolutions Live Tour on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Six-year-old Hsa Lay Hser revels in a cascade of bubbles as he tries to pop them before they fly away during Bubblepoolza on Tuesday at Whittier Field. UNL hosted the free event for students with children. Families were able to explore painting with bubbles, a bubble snake, a bubble tower and rainbow foam. All attendees left with free kits to recreate the activities at home.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Stars' Patrick Raft (9) celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Marcus Washington (left) is defended by Syncere Safeeullah during the Red-White Spring Game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims (14) celebrates with offensive lineman Ethan Piper (57) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Sparky chows down on an oats and molasses birthday cake held by UNL equestrian team assistant coach Ibby Rodgers as they celebrate his 30th birthday on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Nebraska Animal Science Barn in Lincoln.
The birthday party for one of the eldest members of the UNL equestrian team brought a steady crowd of faces new and old. "Sparky was the first horse I rode when I joined the Equestrian team," alumni Tatem Vance remarked. "He means a lot to me and he's just everyone's favorite." While Pony rides and horse kissing booths attracted some. The prospect of seeing the old man on his 30th birthday was the main event. Visitors were all able to wish the birthday boy his birthday wishes. Often with a ninny or nibble on patrons shirt. "He kind of has an old man personality but in the best way possible," UNL equestrian Team assistant coach Ibby Rodgers said. "He also has no teeth, so he is also like a grandpa that way."
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Boys run the 800 meter final during the Harold Scott Invite Thursday at Beechner Athletic Complex.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest's Charley Kort is dogpiled after scoring against Lincoln East during the HAC soccer championship match Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Creighton players celebrate Andrew Meggs' run against Nebraska with teammate Tyler Lozano, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Haymarket Park.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast students, senior Grayson Waller (from left), senior Micah Brusnahan and junior Parker Horvath react to stock prices during Junior Achievement's stock market challenge on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Troops from the Nebraska National Guard Company A, 2-134th Infantry Battalion march on to the field to take part in a departure ceremony on Sunday at Memorial Stadium. One hundred thirty-one Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers of Company A, 2-134th Infantry Battalion were seen off by their families and elected officials on Sunday. The Guard unit, based in Mead, is deploying overseas to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility where it will serve as a security force working with other U.S. military and partner nation forces.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lightning strikes above Memorial Stadium during a severe thunderstorm over Lincoln on Friday, April 14, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Cole Evans (bottom) slides into home for a run against Northwestern's Cooper Foard (7) Friday at Haymarket Park.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
A Lincoln Fire and Rescue firefighter walks across charred grass after a grass fire near the eastbound lane of US-34 on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Sparks and smoke rise from a the workbench where Lincoln East senior Blake Allen welds together two pieces of metal on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at The Career Academy in Lincoln. Lincoln East senior Blake Allen has been welding large letters to spell out a word. He plans to place the letters around the city for his capstone project at The Career Academy. His project honors a fellow welder and Lincoln East student.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Fire & Rescue personnel leave the site of a fire covered in insulation from inside the walls of a mobile home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, near North First Street and Cornhusker Highway in Lincoln. Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews responded to the fire, near North First Street and Cornhusker Highway, just before 2 p.m. Wednesday and found a mobile home fully engulfed, Battalion Chief Jeremy Gegg said. One firefighter was injured while fighting the blaze, which totally destroyed a mobile home at 342 Alexander Road and caused damage to the exterior of a neighboring unit, which was vacant, Gegg said.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Meg Jackson, Jordan Hasselbalch, Kenna Lehmann, Allison Johnson and one individual who did not give their name (from left) hold a sign that spells out "no bans" outside the Capitol on Wednesday. Groups on either side of the abortion debate rallied at the Capitol as debate began on LB626.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Pius X's Reese Kortum (left) dives for second base as the ball flies by Lincoln Southwest's Karter Chamberlain during a HAC baseball tournament quarterfinal game Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Sherman Field.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Briana DeSanctis poses with her stuffed rucksack at the Husker Bar II on Monday in Brainard. DeSanctis is traveling the American Discovery Trail and aims to be the first solo woman to complete the trip in its entirety. The trail brought her from Delaware before she stopped for a drink and a bite to eat.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Nebraska defensive backs line up for drills during practice on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Laney Choboy (right) dives to save the ball from hitting the floor as players scrimmage during a volleyball spring practice session on Monday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA ,Journal Star
Anna Johansen organizes quarter annuals by type on the opening day for Canoyer Garden Center on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Lincoln. The new shop is the second Canoyer Garden Center in Nebraska. The family-owned business sells a selection of annuals, herbs, houseplants, home décor, and other gardening supplies.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Escher Deal, 7 (right), cracks open an egg filled with pennies into a donation basket alongside Mira Krafka, 6 (left), after an Easter Egg hunt at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Eggs were filled with pennies instead of candy per usual Easter tradition, with the children receiving a lesson about giving back by donating the pennies they retrieve from the egg hunt into three different donation baskets. After donating the pennies, the kids got to choose from a various assortment of prizes. The baskets, which were evenly filled at the end of the prize frenzy, were for OutNebraska, a non-profit pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Center for People in Need, a center aimed at addressing basic needs for low-income households, and Little Free Pantries, a network of Lincoln-based free-food pantries fully provided by donations to combat food insecurity in the community.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln East's Brayden Bouwens (right) makes a save on a Lincoln Southeast shot on goal on Saturday at Seacrest Field.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
A more than yearlong campaign by First-Plymouth Church to erase the medical debt of residents in the Near South neighborhood will come to a close this Easter Sunday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Former Illinois prison director, Rob Jeffreys, is introduced as the new director of Nebraska Department of Correction Services at the Nebraska State Capitol on Monday, April 3, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
The Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility is photographed by drone on Friday, April 7, 2023. The Water Resource Recovery Facility sits on 51 acres along Salt Creek in the north central section of the City. the treatment facility has a maximum capacity of recovering 28 million gallons per day and on an average day presently recovers about 20 million gallons of water.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Malcolm's Carson Frank waits to bat against Lincoln Christian Thursday at Lincoln Christian High School.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Pius X's Basil Fulton (lleft,12) and Morgan Armagost (3, Center) fight for position against Lincoln East's Marek Laird (first left, 8), Owen Hunt (right, 6) and Luke Duden (5, far right) during a corner kick in the first half on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Lincoln Pius X High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Children, alongside Ella Bruce (top left), her mom BrieAnna Bruce (first left) and Hai Any Tran (right) vie for Easter eggs tossed into the pool during an Easter egg hunt, on Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Northeast YMCA in Lincoln.
Those in attendance were able to meet the Easter Bunny and get their toes wet searching the pool for eggs. Participants made sure to bring their swimsuits and pool-friendly baskets. Eggs were exchanged for treats outside the pool.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
A Lincoln resident casts a ballot in the city primary election at North Star High School on Tuesday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda runs with the ball during a football practice, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast students walk out of class Monday in protest of a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youths.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Michigan's Ellie Sieler (1) slides into home, scoring a run, against Nebraska's Courtney Wallace (right) Sunday at Bowlin Stadium.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Stars' Mason Marcellus (right) slams Waterloo's Gavin Lindberg into the glass during the first period at the Ice Box on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Dressed in Native American regalia, Many Moccasins Dance Troupe member Marysa Dominguez performs a shawl dance during the Return of the Thunderbirds celebration on Saturday at the Indian Center in Lincoln.
The event celebrates the time of year many Native peoples give thanks to the Thunder beings for providing rebirth with rain & thunder. It is also a time we celebrate the return of many migratory birds to Nebraska. The Audubon society and the Indian Center celebrated together with music, dance, food, arts, kids games and activities, and more.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Contact the writer at mreist@journalstar.com or 402-473-7226. On Twitter at @LJSReist.
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After a week marked by departures of controversial figures in national media, including Don Lemon at CNN and Tucker Carlson at Fox News, local radio host Jack Riggins took to the airwaves to say his final farewell Friday afternoon.
As the host of KLIN’s 5 p.m. weekday talk show "Drive Time Lincoln," Riggins has developed a reputation as both a staunch conservative and a source of controversy over the past few years, including airing unverified anonymous allegations of sexual assault against Adam Morfeld during his run for county attorney, tweeting obscene imagery in protest of educational materials at public schools and feuding with a KLIN colleague.
But during Friday's show, the retired Navy SEAL commander made an argument for more dialogue across the political spectrum ahead of next week's mayoral election.
"Everything you generally feel is local politics," Riggins said. "(Which is) why you need to pay attention to it, and you've got to talk to people about getting out to vote no matter how they vote."
Riggins also acknowledged his own controversial nature.
"Any time you're going to make a stance, you're going to make 50% of people mad," Riggins said. "You cannot please everyone and take a stance."
Despite his strong views, Riggins claimed he's shown a willingness to engage, pointing to discussions he's had on the show with people on the other end of the spectrum, such as transgender activist Natalie Weiss and Rachele Walter, the vice chair of Secular Democrats of Nebraska.
"If you go back and listen to those conversations from polar opposites of the political aisle and maybe even values," Riggins said. "When we could decide on the common problem, we could then begin to work for everybody that lives here."
At the end of the episode, Dan Parsons, a public relations consultant and former vice president of the state Chamber of Commerce, was announced as Riggins' replacement.
Riggins encouraged listeners to continue supporting the show, regardless of their feelings toward him.
"I can be a divisive guy, and some of you are going to love today, some of you are going to hate today," he said. "At the end of the day, I think Dan's going to do a bang up job."
How LB626 died in the Nebraska Legislature; Voter's Guide for upcoming Lincoln City General Election; Nebraska volleyball's Memorial Stadium sellout leaves leaders 'blown away.'
Top Journal Star photos for April 2023
Opponents of LB626 celebrate in the Rotunda Thursday after the bill fails to advance after failing one vote short of cloture. The bill sought to ban abortions in Nebraska after about 6 six weeks.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln East's Kenneth Williams (left) finishes first in the 200-meter dash at 22.153 with Lincoln East's Gabe Miles finishing second at 22.158 during the LPS Championship, Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Beechner Athletic Complex.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
A gosling waddles along the shore of a small pond as it looks for food on Wednesday at Pioneers Park in Lincoln. Within 24 hours of hatching, goslings, or baby geese, can dive underwater 30 to 40 feet. Goslings stay with their parents for their first year of life and as they grow older tend to group together in "gang broods" that can oftentimes number in the hundreds.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Shinedown's Zach Myers rocks out on his guitar as he performs during Shinedown’s Revolutions Live Tour on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Six-year-old Hsa Lay Hser revels in a cascade of bubbles as he tries to pop them before they fly away during Bubblepoolza on Tuesday at Whittier Field. UNL hosted the free event for students with children. Families were able to explore painting with bubbles, a bubble snake, a bubble tower and rainbow foam. All attendees left with free kits to recreate the activities at home.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Stars' Patrick Raft (9) celebrates with fans after scoring a goal against Des Moines at the Ice Box on Monday, April 24, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Marcus Washington (left) is defended by Syncere Safeeullah during the Red-White Spring Game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Memorial Stadium.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims (14) celebrates with offensive lineman Ethan Piper (57) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 22, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Sparky chows down on an oats and molasses birthday cake held by UNL equestrian team assistant coach Ibby Rodgers as they celebrate his 30th birthday on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Nebraska Animal Science Barn in Lincoln.
The birthday party for one of the eldest members of the UNL equestrian team brought a steady crowd of faces new and old. "Sparky was the first horse I rode when I joined the Equestrian team," alumni Tatem Vance remarked. "He means a lot to me and he's just everyone's favorite." While Pony rides and horse kissing booths attracted some. The prospect of seeing the old man on his 30th birthday was the main event. Visitors were all able to wish the birthday boy his birthday wishes. Often with a ninny or nibble on patrons shirt. "He kind of has an old man personality but in the best way possible," UNL equestrian Team assistant coach Ibby Rodgers said. "He also has no teeth, so he is also like a grandpa that way."
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Boys run the 800 meter final during the Harold Scott Invite Thursday at Beechner Athletic Complex.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest's Charley Kort is dogpiled after scoring against Lincoln East during the HAC soccer championship match Wednesday at Seacrest Field.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Creighton players celebrate Andrew Meggs' run against Nebraska with teammate Tyler Lozano, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Haymarket Park.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast students, senior Grayson Waller (from left), senior Micah Brusnahan and junior Parker Horvath react to stock prices during Junior Achievement's stock market challenge on Tuesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Troops from the Nebraska National Guard Company A, 2-134th Infantry Battalion march on to the field to take part in a departure ceremony on Sunday at Memorial Stadium. One hundred thirty-one Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers of Company A, 2-134th Infantry Battalion were seen off by their families and elected officials on Sunday. The Guard unit, based in Mead, is deploying overseas to the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility where it will serve as a security force working with other U.S. military and partner nation forces.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lightning strikes above Memorial Stadium during a severe thunderstorm over Lincoln on Friday, April 14, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Nebraska's Cole Evans (bottom) slides into home for a run against Northwestern's Cooper Foard (7) Friday at Haymarket Park.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
A Lincoln Fire and Rescue firefighter walks across charred grass after a grass fire near the eastbound lane of US-34 on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Sparks and smoke rise from a the workbench where Lincoln East senior Blake Allen welds together two pieces of metal on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at The Career Academy in Lincoln. Lincoln East senior Blake Allen has been welding large letters to spell out a word. He plans to place the letters around the city for his capstone project at The Career Academy. His project honors a fellow welder and Lincoln East student.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Fire & Rescue personnel leave the site of a fire covered in insulation from inside the walls of a mobile home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, near North First Street and Cornhusker Highway in Lincoln. Lincoln Fire and Rescue crews responded to the fire, near North First Street and Cornhusker Highway, just before 2 p.m. Wednesday and found a mobile home fully engulfed, Battalion Chief Jeremy Gegg said. One firefighter was injured while fighting the blaze, which totally destroyed a mobile home at 342 Alexander Road and caused damage to the exterior of a neighboring unit, which was vacant, Gegg said.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Meg Jackson, Jordan Hasselbalch, Kenna Lehmann, Allison Johnson and one individual who did not give their name (from left) hold a sign that spells out "no bans" outside the Capitol on Wednesday. Groups on either side of the abortion debate rallied at the Capitol as debate began on LB626.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Pius X's Reese Kortum (left) dives for second base as the ball flies by Lincoln Southwest's Karter Chamberlain during a HAC baseball tournament quarterfinal game Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at Sherman Field.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Briana DeSanctis poses with her stuffed rucksack at the Husker Bar II on Monday in Brainard. DeSanctis is traveling the American Discovery Trail and aims to be the first solo woman to complete the trip in its entirety. The trail brought her from Delaware before she stopped for a drink and a bite to eat.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Nebraska defensive backs line up for drills during practice on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Nebraska's Laney Choboy (right) dives to save the ball from hitting the floor as players scrimmage during a volleyball spring practice session on Monday at the Devaney Sports Center.
KENNETH FERRIERA ,Journal Star
Anna Johansen organizes quarter annuals by type on the opening day for Canoyer Garden Center on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Lincoln. The new shop is the second Canoyer Garden Center in Nebraska. The family-owned business sells a selection of annuals, herbs, houseplants, home décor, and other gardening supplies.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Escher Deal, 7 (right), cracks open an egg filled with pennies into a donation basket alongside Mira Krafka, 6 (left), after an Easter Egg hunt at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Eggs were filled with pennies instead of candy per usual Easter tradition, with the children receiving a lesson about giving back by donating the pennies they retrieve from the egg hunt into three different donation baskets. After donating the pennies, the kids got to choose from a various assortment of prizes. The baskets, which were evenly filled at the end of the prize frenzy, were for OutNebraska, a non-profit pro-LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Center for People in Need, a center aimed at addressing basic needs for low-income households, and Little Free Pantries, a network of Lincoln-based free-food pantries fully provided by donations to combat food insecurity in the community.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln East's Brayden Bouwens (right) makes a save on a Lincoln Southeast shot on goal on Saturday at Seacrest Field.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
A more than yearlong campaign by First-Plymouth Church to erase the medical debt of residents in the Near South neighborhood will come to a close this Easter Sunday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Former Illinois prison director, Rob Jeffreys, is introduced as the new director of Nebraska Department of Correction Services at the Nebraska State Capitol on Monday, April 3, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
The Theresa Street Water Resource Recovery Facility is photographed by drone on Friday, April 7, 2023. The Water Resource Recovery Facility sits on 51 acres along Salt Creek in the north central section of the City. the treatment facility has a maximum capacity of recovering 28 million gallons per day and on an average day presently recovers about 20 million gallons of water.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Malcolm's Carson Frank waits to bat against Lincoln Christian Thursday at Lincoln Christian High School.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Pius X's Basil Fulton (lleft,12) and Morgan Armagost (3, Center) fight for position against Lincoln East's Marek Laird (first left, 8), Owen Hunt (right, 6) and Luke Duden (5, far right) during a corner kick in the first half on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Lincoln Pius X High School.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Children, alongside Ella Bruce (top left), her mom BrieAnna Bruce (first left) and Hai Any Tran (right) vie for Easter eggs tossed into the pool during an Easter egg hunt, on Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Northeast YMCA in Lincoln.
Those in attendance were able to meet the Easter Bunny and get their toes wet searching the pool for eggs. Participants made sure to bring their swimsuits and pool-friendly baskets. Eggs were exchanged for treats outside the pool.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
A Lincoln resident casts a ballot in the city primary election at North Star High School on Tuesday.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Nebraska's Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda runs with the ball during a football practice, Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Hawks Championship Center.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast students walk out of class Monday in protest of a bill in the Nebraska Legislature that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youths.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Michigan's Ellie Sieler (1) slides into home, scoring a run, against Nebraska's Courtney Wallace (right) Sunday at Bowlin Stadium.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Stars' Mason Marcellus (right) slams Waterloo's Gavin Lindberg into the glass during the first period at the Ice Box on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Dressed in Native American regalia, Many Moccasins Dance Troupe member Marysa Dominguez performs a shawl dance during the Return of the Thunderbirds celebration on Saturday at the Indian Center in Lincoln.
The event celebrates the time of year many Native peoples give thanks to the Thunder beings for providing rebirth with rain & thunder. It is also a time we celebrate the return of many migratory birds to Nebraska. The Audubon society and the Indian Center celebrated together with music, dance, food, arts, kids games and activities, and more.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/jack-riggins-leaving-as-host-of-drive-time-lincoln/article_a6d2bb56-e61c-11ed-89ea-f7ed1a02461e.html | 2023-04-29T00:45:55 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/jack-riggins-leaving-as-host-of-drive-time-lincoln/article_a6d2bb56-e61c-11ed-89ea-f7ed1a02461e.html |
Jake Angeli, QAnon shaman, asks sentence be tossed based on video shown by Tucker Carlson
Jake Angeli, the Phoenix man who took part in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, shirtless and wearing a furry horned helmet, has asked that his sentence be vacated because of video footage shown two months ago by former Fox News Network host Tucker Carlson.
The Hawaii attorney who filed the motion has asked for donations from the public for a legal defense fund to argue the case.
The motion, filed on Thursday in federal court in Washington D.C., cited footage Carlson showed in March. The footage showed Angeli walking calmly with officers inside the U.S. Capitol. At one point in the footage, as described in the court document, an officer appears to try to open a door as if wanting to allow Angeli to enter.
In the motion, Angeli's attorney argues that Angeli pleaded guilty to a felony without his attorney at the time having seen that footage, which he said was exculpatory.
The motion was filed by William Shipley, a Hawaii attorney who has defended several people facing charges for their actions during the Capitol riot. He has also been a prodigious fundraiser for the January 6 Legal Defense Fund Foundation.
Jan. 6, 2021:These are the Arizonans arrested after rampage at U.S. Capitol
The motion was previewed on April 19 on a Substack newsletter written by Shipley. Paid subscribers were able to see more of his argument ahead of the filing.
Shipley, in a Twitter post, linking to a donation page said that the costs of the case "are expected to be significant because I do not expect the Government to concede without a fight."
Shipley in a phone interview on Friday said that as a former federal prosecutor he felt he owed something to defendants caught in the system, especially those without means to hire an attorney with his experience.
Shipley said he was fundraising because there was "some sentiment in the public that there's people that deserve competent council."
Fundraising was going well in its initial six months, he said, but had slowed down a bit recently. Shipley said that he hoped taking Angeli's case would boost donations, something he said Angeli has agreed with.
"Jake has committed to helping that happen," Shipley said.
Angeli was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 after pleading guilty to a single felony count. He is serving the last weeks of his sentence in a Phoenix halfway house.
Angeli became an icon of the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol thanks to his eye-catching getup: shirtless, showing off elaborate shamanistic tattoos, painted face and a horned hat with fur tails that lined his face.
Angeli wore the same outfit during protests in Phoenix, also carrying a sign that said, "Q Sent Me." He preached fealty to the false QAnon conspiracy that imagined a top-level government agent with Q-level security clearance was posting cryptic messages on an online bulletin board. The theory coalesced around a narrative that former President Donald Trump was set to dismantle a global cabal of leaders who had committed crimes against children, including ingesting their blood.
After the nation saw Angeli at the Capitol, he was dubbed the QAnon Shaman and became fodder for late-night comedy shows.
He also played a starring role in the March 6 episode of "Tucker Carlson Tonight," during which Carlson showed what he described as never-before-seen footage given to him by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
As Carlson showed footage of Angeli being near officers, he asked why, if Angeli was committing "such a grave crime, why didn't the officers who were standing next to him place him under arrest?"
Carlson showed the footage on his show to make an argument that the breach of the Capitol was overblown, with most of the Trump supporters who broke through security to enter acting peacefully.
The chief of the Capitol Police called Carlson's use of the footage "offensive and misleading." U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was a "mistake" for the network to depict the storming of the Capitol the way it did.
Carlson parted ways with the network earlier this week.
Why did Tucker Carlson leave?Everything to know about the ex-Fox News host
Prosecutors did not accuse Angeli of any act of violence or property damage during his time in the U.S. Capitol. But, prosecutors said he played a key role in goading the crowd through shouts blasted through his megaphone.
Angeli also refused an officer's order to leave the U.S. Senate chamber, briefly taking the dais and leaving a note for then-Vice President Mike Pence. The note said: "It's only a matter of time. Justice is coming!"
At his sentencing, Angeli took responsibility for his actions, saying the time in near solitary confinement, brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, left him a lot of time for soul searching. "I'm a good man who broke the law," he told the judge.
Angeli, who was charged under his legal name Jacob Chansley, had appealed his conviction in February 2022, but withdrew it voluntarily in June 2022. That motion was filed by another attorney for Angeli, John Pierce of Woodland Hills, California.
As of late Friday, the online fundraising campaign hosted by GiveSendGo had raised just over $2,200. It's goal was listed as $250,000. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2023/04/28/jake-angeli-the-qanon-shaman-asks-for-his-conviction-to-be-tossed/70164948007/ | 2023-04-29T00:50:34 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2023/04/28/jake-angeli-the-qanon-shaman-asks-for-his-conviction-to-be-tossed/70164948007/ |
Lawmakers to Forest Service: Do more to fight wildfires in West, including Arizona
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Lawmakers from several Western states want the U.S. Forest Service to do more to address a wildfire crisis that they say will surely destroy more landscapes, communities and livelihoods as long-term drought persists around the West.
They grilled Forest Service Chief Randy Moore during a congressional hearing this week, asking about the agency's spending priorities and the backlog of national forest lands that need to be treated to reduce wildfire risks.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Wisconsin Republican and chair of the House Natural Resources Committee's panel on federal lands, said the agency needs to usher in a new phase of accountability and transparency if it wants to "reverse the tide against this historic crisis."
Tiffany pointed to a yearslong restoration project that has struggled to treat wide swaths of land spanning four national forests in northern Arizona, saying the agency has reported more acres being treated than what regional managers have submitted.
Moore did not directly address the discrepancy but said the top priority is reducing hazard fuels on more than 4 million acres in high-risk areas nationwide over the next year. He said the Biden administration is requesting more than $320 million for the work on top of money already appropriated by Congress through the infrastructure and inflation spending packages.
"We all recognize that we have an emergency situation out there and we need to be doing more work rather than less work," Moore said.
The agency's spending request also includes $56 million for rehabilitation in burned areas, but some of the subcommittee's members said that's a drop in the bucket when considering the amount of acres that burn each year.
Lawmakers from California noted that their state has seen seven of its largest wildfires over the last five years, while Colorado in fall 2020 saw two record-setting fires.
New Mexico marked its worst wildfire season in 2022 as a conflagration caused by the federal government charred more than 530 square miles of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Hundreds of homes were destroyed and residents in villages throughout the region are now bracing for flooding that will come with the monsoon season.
Moore vowed to work with New Mexico's congressional delegation after being confronted by U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández during Wednesday's hearing about the agency's failure to use its resources to keep the treatment projects from going awry.
The New Mexico Democrat told Moore that gone are the old-growth forests that meant so much to her constituents, along with the livelihoods of the rural residents who depended on them.
"The pain of losing so much, it's not going to go away," she said. "Chief Moore, victims in New Mexico are watching us today. What do you have to say to them?"
Seeing the devastation in New Mexico and in other areas wrecked by wildfire, Moore said his heart bleeds and that his employees are moving ahead with treatment projects.
The New Mexico fire forced a pause and evaluation of the Forest Service's prescribed burn operations last year. The agency has since made changes, and the lawmakers agreed that prescribed fires are a necessary tool for clearing out dead and overgrown vegetation at the scale required.
'The impact is still severe':Arizona officials urge caution ahead of wildfire season despite improved drought conditions
The Forest Service has estimated that more than 460 million acres are at moderate to high risk from wildfire.
Moore acknowledged to the lawmakers that lawsuits by environmental groups over timber projects and endangered species along with previous policy decisions to limit access to roadless areas within the national forest system have made it harder to treat areas. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2023/04/28/lawmakers-tell-forest-service-to-do-more-to-fight-wildfires-in-western-states-including-arizona/70165206007/ | 2023-04-29T00:50:40 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2023/04/28/lawmakers-tell-forest-service-to-do-more-to-fight-wildfires-in-western-states-including-arizona/70165206007/ |
Child care center worker pleaded guilty to abuse; 2nd worker also faces charges
One of two former child care workers in Yuma embroiled in a child abuse case pleaded guilty to child abuse after she was seen roughly handling 1-year-old children at a day care center at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
Valerie McKinstry, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of felony child abuse and 11 counts of modified child endangerment, misdemeanors, according to court documents. She originally faced 13 child abuse charges.
Katherine McCombs, 29, another former staff member at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma’s Child Development Center also faces similar charges.
According to court documents, from December 2020 to March 2021, McKinstry was seen doing various actions that were considered child abuse or child endangerment.
Court documents revealed she yanked children causing them to fall or bump against furniture, grabbed a child’s wrist, arms and legs suddenly and violently; and pulled a child off his feet by yanking his arms.
She was also seen carrying a child by his wrists, dragging and throwing a child by his arms, and shoving a child’s chair in with such force that his body hit the table. Court documents said she also hit a child in the face with a toy or other object, and push and pulled on a child’s head, among other abusive treatment.
McKinstry is scheduled for a sentencing hearing at 8:30 a.m. on May 10.
All the children were 1 year old at the time of the abuse.
McCombs, the other child care provider facing charges for alleged abuse, is charged with seven counts of child abuse for similar actions which spanned from December 2020 to February 2021, according to court documents. She pleaded not guilty in February 2022 and has a change of plea hearing scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on June 15.
Abuse of the children was discovered by an assistant trainer who “identified an inappropriate interaction of a direct care staff member,” at the Child Development Center, said Capt. Brett Vannier a spokesperson for the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
The assistant notified the management team, who along with subject matter experts reviewed closed circuit television footage and notified local authorities, Vannier wrote in an email.
During the investigation, the Yuma Marine Corps Air Station also reviewed approximately 20 hours of random video samples from each of the other classrooms to make sure the abuse was not a systemic problem within the Child Development Center, he said.
He noted that the center has added an additional monitoring requirement for all classrooms that is now a permanent internal policy at the Yuma Marine Corps Air Station.
“Live and recorded video feed from each classroom is monitored every week, at unannounced times, by curriculum specialists and trainer assistants, with additional reviews conducted by the Child & Youth Program leadership to ensure that the quality of care meets the high standards we demand,” he wrote.
Vannier said Child Development Center staff also have implemented additional requirements for staff, including conducting a mandatory child care training refresher of 26 different subjects including developmentally appropriate practices, appropriate touch policy and procedures, child safety, and more.
Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/04/28/childcare-worker-pleads-guilty-to-abuse-2nd-faces-charges-at-mcas-yuma/70164220007/ | 2023-04-29T00:50:46 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/04/28/childcare-worker-pleads-guilty-to-abuse-2nd-faces-charges-at-mcas-yuma/70164220007/ |
Arrest made in 'targeted' murder of 25-year-old Glendale Chevron employee
Glendale police announced Friday that an arrest had been made in connection to the murder of 25-year-old Irma Rivera-Martinez.
Martinez was murdered on April 21 at a Chevron gas station, where she worked, located at 51st and Glendale avenues. Officers had responded to the Chevron at around 9:19 p.m. after a clerk reported someone had been shot.
Upon arrival, officers found Rivera-Martinez on the ground in the store, having sustained more than 10 gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Glendale police spokesperson Officer Gina Winn told reporters on Friday that the clerk told officers the shooting suspect, dressed in all black, including a black mask, had entered the Chevron, walked up to Rivera-Martinez and shot in her direction 10 times.
Winn said that video surveillance corroborated the clerk's story, as the tape showed Rivera-Martinez stocking shelves when the suspect, identified by police as 20-year-old Mohammad Ataei, entered the store. Rivera-Martinez moved to another section of the store and the suspect followed before firing multiple times at her and proceeding to flee on foot.
Surveillance footage also showed the suspect arrive in a dark blue Toyota Camry, parking it in an alleyway down the street from the gas station and re-entering the vehicle after the murder with a gun in his hand, Winn said.
Cameras in the area were able to help officers pull the suspect's license plate, which showed him to be the registered owner of the Camry.
Glendale Chevron shooting:Woman shot to death in Glendale gas station; investigation underway
Police were later able to detain Ataei following an undercover surveillance operation and conducted a search of both his home and vehicle.
"During the execution of this search warrant, our detectives located the same clothing which was worn during the homicide as well as the firearm which we believe to be involved with the homicide," Winn told reporters Friday.
Police are still unsure of the relationship between Ataei and Rivera-Martinez as well as a motive, but do believe it to be a targeted attack, Winn said.
Ataei was arrested and booked without incident, and is being charged with one count of first-degree premeditated murder.
No other information had been released as the investigation remained ongoing.
A GoFundMe for Martinez funeral expenses was created by her cousin. Those who would like to donate can visit the site here. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-breaking/2023/04/28/glendale-chevron-shooting-arrest-made-in-targeted-killing-of-employee/70165058007/ | 2023-04-29T00:50:52 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-breaking/2023/04/28/glendale-chevron-shooting-arrest-made-in-targeted-killing-of-employee/70165058007/ |
Undercover Phoenix police officers arrest 8 after posing as drug buyers in 'The Zone'
Phoenix police made eight arrests this week as they searched the downtown encampment of tents known as "The Zone," where many unhoused people live.
Throughout April, undercover police officers entered tents and contacted at least six people to pay for fentanyl and meth.
The arrests, unveiled with unusual publicity, have come amid growing public scrutiny of safety in and around The Zone. They have come after residents filed a lawsuit against the city, complaining of drug use, violence and public nuisance.
Police and prosecutors touted their efforts to protect the Phoenix's "vulnerable" unhoused community. In June, Phoenix police busted one man with 1,000 fentanyl pills. In November, prosecutors trumpeted that they had gotten a conviction and a three-and-a-half-year sentence for a man they claimed was preying on the homeless.
But available records show the arrests on Monday came to just 33 oxycodone pills and 30 grams of meth, or about enough to fill eight sugar packets.
On Wednesday, the city passed out flyers announcing that Ninth Avenue, between Washington and Jefferson streets, would be the first block they would clear of people living in tents in response to a lawsuit for not enforcing public nuisance laws.
Two days earlier, police began executing search warrants and making at least three arrests on Ninth Avenue.
The Police Department did not comment on whether the order affected its investigation.
Plan in motion:Phoenix determines which block of 'The Zone' homeless encampment will be cleared out first
Police arrested five people on charges of sales of narcotics and dangerous drugs. Three others were arrested on warrants.
The arrests were part of a combined effort in the area, consisting of several different teams and units within the department, according to Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower.
Police drove into the area with multiple vehicles at about 6 a.m. Monday. People living in the encampments didn’t know what was going on, according to one resident, Susana Gutierrez.
The bust was part of a longer investigation into the sales of drugs “negatively affecting our community in the downtown area,” Bower explained in an email.
According to ACLU Legal Director Jared Keenan, these types of “war on drugs” investigations do more harm than help since they target users, the people most in danger of being harmed from overdoses and drug-related violence.
Police arrested a couple living together in a tent, Crystal McDougall, 39, and Matthew Burke, 28, after undercover officers claimed they bought 20 “blue oxycodone m30 pills” and one-and-half grams of meth.
“People who are selling small amounts of drugs are doing it to fund their own habit,” Keenan said, and sometimes they do it because they know the person they sell to might sell them some back down the line.
In Arizona, selling a dangerous drug is considered a class 2 felony, which can come with three to 12.5 years of prison.
Out of six classes, class 2 felonies are the highest in legal severity outside of class 1 felonies, which only apply to first- and second-degree murder.
Selling meth is special.
Arizona has singled out the crime of selling meth, applying a range of five to 15 years of prison time.
Police also arrested Jewel Armstrong on charges of selling five oxycodone blue pills and 28.35 grams of meth to an undercover officer. That’s about seven sugar packets worth of meth.
“They're not going after the people who are actually making or supplying all sorts of drugs into the communities, they're going after and arresting users,” Keenan said.
In June 2022, police arrested Cristian Machado on suspicion of distributing fentanyl pills to dealers that would specifically target unhoused people.
According to police, the officers received tips that someone known as the “Ghost” had come to the area to sell to people. Police used several informants and electronic surveillance and made undercover purchases to find Machado.
In November, he was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell released a statement, saying the sentence was a warning and a reminder of her office’s commitment to come down on dealers who target the vulnerable.
“To target those who are experiencing homelessness, and particularly vulnerable, is especially cruel,” she said about the case.
Drug offenses are the number one crime prosecuted by the county attorney. They represent 33% of all charges that the office takes to court.
“The people that police and prosecutors want to keep safe are the same people they are arresting every day,” Keenan said. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/04/28/undercover-phoenix-police-officers-pose-as-drug-buyers-arrest-8-in-the-zone-for-homeless-people/70155223007/ | 2023-04-29T00:50:58 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/04/28/undercover-phoenix-police-officers-pose-as-drug-buyers-arrest-8-in-the-zone-for-homeless-people/70155223007/ |
Anthony Patterson trial delayed
The trial of former Wichita Falls car dealer Anthony Patterson will not begin May 8 as previously scheduled.
Wichita County Chief Felony Prosecutor Dobie Kosub said Friday that the District Attorney’s Office agreed to a continuance due to new developments in the case.
Seventy-eighth District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy is expected to set a new trial date next week. Kosub said he did not know how long the delay would be.
More:Details released on new sexual assault charges against Anthony Patterson
New charges were filed this week against Patterson after follow-up interviews were conducted with two alleged victims in the case.
Patterson was booked into the Wichita County Jail on five new charges including one count of sexual performance of a child and four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14, all related to events in 2017.
He was released from jail Wednesday after posting a $2.5 million cash bond. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/anthony-patterson-trial-delayed/70162737007/ | 2023-04-29T00:53:06 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/anthony-patterson-trial-delayed/70162737007/ |
Osborn pleads guilty in Day murder
A man who claimed he became paranoid after smoking meth pleaded guilty Friday to killing another man in January 2021.
Patrick Lyle Osborn, 32, pleaded guilty to murder, aggravated assault and illegal possession of a firearm.
Seventy-eighth District Court Judge Meredith Kennedy sentenced him to 45 years in prison.
Osborn was convicted of killing Curtis Wayne Day and wounding a woman at Osborn's home on Pearl Street in Wichita Falls.
Court documents said both victims were shot multiple times. Day died of his wounds but the woman survived and made a victim impact statement in the courtroom Friday after Osborn was sentenced.
"Forty five years is not justice. I hope you serve every minute, every part," Samantha Hardesty said. "You knew what you were doing when you did it."
Hardesty was shot multiple times and suffered other injuries. Day threw himself over her in an effort to protect her.
Day's mother, Debbie Day, also made a statement Friday.
"It's what you deserve. You have totally destroyed our family," she said.
She said her husband died of a broken heart because of the murder.
Court affidavits claimed Osborn fled the scene after the shooting. Sherelle Maxwell, who shared the house with Osborn, was later arrested and charged with making false statement to police about the incident. She was sentenced to 24 days in jail on the misdemeanor charge. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/osborn-pleads-guilty-in-day-murder/70163722007/ | 2023-04-29T00:53:12 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/osborn-pleads-guilty-in-day-murder/70163722007/ |
Amber McDaniel's punishment to be decided by a jury in another county
Amber Nichole McDaniel on Friday afternoon pleaded guilty to charges of endangering a child and tampering with evidence before a judge at the Wichita County Courthouse, but a jury in another county will determine her punishment.
The charges are connected to the death of her 2-year-old child, Jason Wilder McDaniel, on Oct. 11, 2018, in a Wichita Falls home. Amber, 33, is eligible for probation for both charges and has not previously been convicted of a felony.
"Due to the level of publicity surrounding the case, the parties have agreed to move the venue for the sentencing phase to another county," said a media release sent by the Wichita County District Attorney's Office after Amber's pleas.
Prosecutors do not know yet which county the punishment phase will be set in. The trial of James Irven Staley III, who was convicted of murdering Wilder, was moved to Tarrant County because of pretrial publicity and safety concerns.
Amber became emotional and was handed a tissue as she tearfully entered her pleas in a short hearing before 30th District Court Judge Jeff McKnight.
She was charged with endangering a child for allowing Wilder to be around Staley, who was convicted of the toddler's murder in March. Prosecutors say Staley smothered the child with a pillow.
Amber was also accused of tampering with evidence because she deleted electronic messages between herself and Staley that showed his pattern of violence and hatred toward the little boy.
There was no plea agreement for Amber. She waived her right to have a jury determine guilt or innocence, pleaded guilty and asked that a jury decide her punishment.
McKnight said he would set a date for that, and Amber would plead guilty once again before jurors who will determine her punishment.
The tampering charge is a third-degree felony which carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison while the endangering charge is a state jail felony punishable by six months to 24 months in state jail.
Typically, a criminal jury trial has two parts. First, jurors decide guilt and innocence after the prosecution and the defense present their cases.
Then comes the punishment phase when both sides can again present witnesses and evidence before the jury retires to deliberate on a sentence.
Defense attorney Mark Barber and Chief Felony Prosecutor Kyle Lessor had a conference with the judge in his chambers after she pleaded guilty. No date was set as of Friday afternoon for the sentencing proceedings.
Barber said he will seek probation.
Amber was free Friday from the Wichita County Law Enforcement Center on $60,000 in total bonds, according to online jail records.
During Amber's pleas, her tears were echoed by her mother-in-law, who was watching from the gallery. Amber's husband, Robert "Bubba" McDaniel Jr., was also among those in court to support her.
Outside of the courtroom, Bubba declined to comment at this time.
Amber and Staley, 40, were in a relationship at the time the boy died. Staley, scion of a wealthy Wichita Falls oil family, was arrested two years after Amber found her child deceased on the floor of a bedroom in Staley's Country Club area home.
Staley was convicted of capital murder of a person under 10 on March 13 in a Fort Worth courtroom. He was given an automatic sentence of life without parole and has been transferred into the state prison system.
Trish Choate, enterprise watchdog reporter for the Times Record News, covers education, courts, breaking news and more. Contact Trish with news tips at tchoate@gannett.com. Read her recent work here. Her Twitter handle is @Trishapedia. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/wilders-mom-pleads-guilty-will-leave-punishment-up-to-a-jury/70164481007/ | 2023-04-29T00:53:16 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/wilders-mom-pleads-guilty-will-leave-punishment-up-to-a-jury/70164481007/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — On Wednesday morning, a former student entered Greenfield-Central High School through the main door before the start of the school day, according to the school corporation.
The former student also livestreamed the incident on her Instagram and later shared it to her page.
“Look, I’ll be honest, I’m a little embarrassed it happened. We don’t want people in our buildings that shouldn’t be there. We have adults at all of our entry points to stop anything from happening. We have state-of-the-art video surveillance system,” said Dr. Harold Olin, superintendent of the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation.
Olin said the recent graduate claimed she was there to obtain her transcript after a teacher spotted her. She was then instructed to go to the main office. Instead, she ducked into a bathroom before roaming the hallways.
In the more-than-11-minute video, the former student made several alarming comments including, “This is why you have bomb threats, because I’m in the building. Just kidding I don’t have a bomb at all” and “Your school has no security, and I could’ve shot that school up.”
She also made derogatory comments towards some of the school staff members, principal and school resource officer.
“Those are the types of comments that make you wonder, 'Why even say something like that?'" Olin said. "Is there something you would want to do with that? Or are you just trying to make a point that security isn’t what you think it should be?"
Once staff members were able to track her down, the school resource officer escorted her out of the building.
She was given a no-trespassing letter and Greenfield police were made aware of the situation.
“We are doing a lot of the right things, we still have human error that happens from time to time. Wednesday was an example of that,” Olin said.
He said that morning there was also an award program going on at the school, saying fewer eyes were on the entrances. It’s something he said they plan to fix going forward.
“Any time an event like this happens, we are looking at what we can do to ensure that we have greater safety,” Olin said. “It’s an opportunity for us to remind our families and students we have protocols in place. We are doing a lot of things well. When we make some mistakes or when something falls through the cracks, we are going to make some adjustments. We are already doing that.”
He said the school corporation didn’t send a notice to families that day because they weren’t aware that the incident was being recorded.
“That would be the rationale. We didn’t know it was recorded. We thought it was something that was pretty small and contained,” Olin said.
Greenfield police say the former student was later arrested on a charge unrelated to being at the school. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/former-greenfield-central-student-sneaks-into-high-school-livestreams-incident-instagram-threat/531-b1e2fdc8-842f-463f-a31d-dad18242c720 | 2023-04-29T00:57:12 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/former-greenfield-central-student-sneaks-into-high-school-livestreams-incident-instagram-threat/531-b1e2fdc8-842f-463f-a31d-dad18242c720 |
SPRING BRANCH, Texas — Spring Branch Independent School District canceled upcoming field trips to see performances of "James and the Giant Peach."
The move comes after some parents raised concerns about actors who play cross-gender roles.
Main Street Theater's “James and the Giant Peach” performance is recommended for children in first grade and up. The play, based on Roald Dahl’s well-known children’s book, is a story of an orphan boy who finds refuge inside a magical peach.
Shannon Emerick is the director of marketing and communications at Main Street Theater.
“We have over 100,000 kiddos come with school groups, families, grandparents and friends," she said.
Jessica Gerland’s kindergartener was scheduled to go on the field trip.
“The way that they are normalizing this, especially in front of 5- to 6-year-olds, it just raises concerns for some parents,” she said.
Gerland says she brought her concerns to the district at Monday’s school board meeting, after calling Main Street Theater to get additional details. She says the theater told her actors play multiple roles that are both male and female.
"She explained to me how they wear flamboyant makeup and wigs to make it fun for the kids," she said. "Do you know what the definition of a drag queen is?"
Emerick says cross-gender acting is common in theater.
"There's no drag in the show," she said. "You are going to see men playing women and women playing men sometimes, absolutely. That has happened since the creation of theater 1,000 years ago."
Emerick says they've hosted field trips from several other area districts without incident.
"We just want to do what we do and doing what we've done for 43 years,” said Emerick.
"It's something that I thought would be more appropriate for high schoolers, not kindergarteners,” said Gerland.
Spring Branch sent the following statement Thursday:
"We received feedback from employees and other adults who attended Main Street Theater’s production of James and the Giant Peach that expressed concern over elements of the performance that were not age-appropriate for elementary students.
Based on the concerns we heard, the decision was made to request campuses planning to attend make alternative arrangements. My responsibility is to ensure that content students are exposed to during school hours is age appropriate. Given the information we had, the decision was made to err on the side of caution. Please understand these decisions are not always easy to make and are always done in the best interest of our students." | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/spring-branch-isd-play/285-daeb472a-1889-41ba-81a4-6d8f24b50601 | 2023-04-29T01:00:40 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/spring-branch-isd-play/285-daeb472a-1889-41ba-81a4-6d8f24b50601 |
GEM COUNTY, Idaho — Western States Center (WSC) hosted a teleconference Friday with the Southern Poverty Law Center and retired Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney to discuss the 'threatening activities demonstrated by Ammon Bundy.'
St. Luke's Health System filed a civil lawsuit against Ammon Bundy in February from a days-long protest organized by Bundy outside St. Luke's in Boise over a baby taken by Child Protective Services (CPS). "Baby Cyrus" was removed from his parents after Health and Welfare determined he was malnourished and in imminent danger.
Bundy has harassed, intimidated, and defamed several members of its staff, the lawsuit said.
Bundy has not appeared in any court proceedings. KTVB previously reported Monday Judge Lynn Norton gave a default ruling in St. Luke's favor as result.
The WSC teleconference recounted Bundy's family history dating back to the Bunkerville, Nevada, standoff over unpaid cattle grazing fees and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation.
"Like many far-right leaders, Bundy uses victimhood framing, and claims his actions are in response to perceived injustice by the state, federal, or local government," WSC Momentum Program Director Stephen Piggott said.
Piggott talked extensively about the People's Rights Network (PRN), an organization launched by Bundy in 2020 to organize his followers and relay messages. PRN has 65,000 members, according to their website.
"PRN has quickly grown by tapping into fears around uncertainty around the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown. The group now boasts thousands of members in a number of states," Piggott said. "It relies on threats, intimidation, and political violence in order to achieve its goal of building power locally by sewing distrust in specific institutions."
Bundy has contacted his PRN support system throughout the month of April via text message announcing law enforcement on his property. Deputies have routinely served Bundy papers for some time now, he told KTVB during a Friday phone call.
Body camera footage from the Gem County Sheriff's Office dated April 24, 2023, show Ammon Bundy yelling at two deputies after they knocked on his front door and wandered around the outside of an adjacent building on his property.
"They had been to my house many, many times before serving and there was never an issue. It was only until they went around my property and went into a building that upset me and caused me to ban them from my property," Bundy said. "They didn't have the right to snoop around my property, knocking on windows looking in windows and then going into one of buildings."
The body camera footage obtained by KTVB does not show any deputies going inside a building; deputies did look through windows and doorways, presumably, to find Bundy and serve him papers. Speakers at the WSC event discussed concerns about the possibility of Bundy - and his PRN followers - resorting to violence regarding the St. Luke's lawsuit.
"I think the real question is, is Bundy gonna try to push something? Because as time goes on, he realizes his supporters are getting bored of this and nothing is happening," Raney said. "Will he push something to create the confrontation?"
St. Luke's is not the victim in this lawsuit, according to Bundy. The Southern Poverty Law Center, for years, has worked to incite the government to carry out violence against Bundy and his family, he added.
"I want to be left alone," Bundy said. "I want them to leave other people alone and follow the law. Don't take babies that are loved and cared by their parents."
Raney concluded there is no need for urgency that would otherwise escalate tensions between Bundy and law enforcement.
"[Bundy] does need to answer to our justice system, he needs to go to court, he does need to be held accountable for his actions," Raney said. "But they need to, for the lack of a better term, sit back. Let things calm down. He will be held accountable. There is no other way out of this."
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/ammon-bundy-says-he-will-not-initiate-violence-st-lukes-lawsuit/277-a776bc86-c11a-4ba7-9bed-cd32f511d865 | 2023-04-29T01:06:10 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/ammon-bundy-says-he-will-not-initiate-violence-st-lukes-lawsuit/277-a776bc86-c11a-4ba7-9bed-cd32f511d865 |
BOISE, Idaho — The Bureau of Land Management is hoping to purchase 350 acres of land in the Boise Foothills from the Treasure Valley Land Trust, and is asking for public comment.
On Friday, the BLM said it proposed purchasing the two land parcels to "maintain open space and provide public access." The land also includes important big game winter range.
The first proposed acquisition is the South Fork Willow Creek parcel, which includes 320 acres. The parcel is located 12 miles northeast of Eagle.
According to BLM, the Avimor Community trail system would allow public, non-motorized access to the South Fork Willow Creek parcel (shown below).
The BLM also hopes to purchase the Rocky Canyon parcel, a 30-acre area located 5.5 miles east of Boise.
The space is nestled between Idaho Fish and Game's Boise River Wildlife Management Area and BLM's Boise Front Special Recreation Management Area (shown below).
The 350-acre purchase would use money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, according to Friday's news release.
Up until May 28, the public is encouraged to submit written comments on the project's website to help the BLM "draft a more thorough analysis."
Officials hope to collect specific feedback with technical or scientific information. The BLM said comments with only opinions or preferences "will not receive a formal response, but may be considered" during its decisions.
When submitting written comments, reference "land acquisition." The BLM said each comment may be made publicly available, including personal identifying information.
The project's website can be found by clicking here. Anyone seeking additional information is asked to call Lonnie Huter at 208-384-3300.
“Acquiring these parcels will enhance the conservation and protection of wildlife habitat, cultural and recreational values,” BLM Boise District Manager Tanya Thrift said.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist:
Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/blm-public-input-proposed-purchase-2-land-parcels-boise-foothills/277-4c25b1b4-d6ac-415c-b06f-4e0e5f69eb54 | 2023-04-29T01:06:13 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/blm-public-input-proposed-purchase-2-land-parcels-boise-foothills/277-4c25b1b4-d6ac-415c-b06f-4e0e5f69eb54 |
CEDAR FALLS -- The New Horizons Band will perform their Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Great Hall at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 8201 Dakota St.
The concert, conducted by Diana Blake, will feature the New Horizons Saxophone Ensemble, the University of Northern Iowa Flute Choir and clarinet soloist Heather Hamilton.
Admission is free. A reception will follow.
Musicians must be at least 50 to join New Horizons Band. Members come from Waterloo and Cedar Falls, as well as Grundy Center, Waverly, Fredericksburg, Tripoli, Dysart, and other surrounding communities.
The band includes people who may have played an instrument in their younger days, who currently play an instrument, or who might like to try a new instrument.
The band is offered through the UNI Community Music School. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/new-horizons-band-to-present-spring-concert-monday/article_4cc43bbe-20e1-53e5-8784-2b0db609a1ac.html | 2023-04-29T01:13:34 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/new-horizons-band-to-present-spring-concert-monday/article_4cc43bbe-20e1-53e5-8784-2b0db609a1ac.html |
FORT MYERS, Fla. — With such high rent across Southwest Florida, people are losing hope. Fort Myers leaders have their own hope — a new program that will set up families living in the city to go from renting to owning homes in the future.
The city launched an Affordable Housing Trust Fund and opened applications on April 24 for residents to receive a subsidy to help with rent.
“We just don’t have $7,000 to give someone to move in today,” Zakiyyah Glenn told NBC2.
She said she’s been looking for months.
“So I’m back at my mom’s and there’s two of us, no kids, no pets,” she said. “It is a little hopeless, the pricing…the process.”
It’s no surprise SWFL rent has skyrocketed out of affordability for many.
“The word affordable is really tricky, you know what is affordable,” explained Liz Bello-Matthews with the City of Fort Myers. “Obviously our population has grown, our disparity that we have throughout this city, it’s clearly something we need more of.”
The fund works like this: The area’s median income for a family of four is just over $83,000. Depending on where a resident of the city falls below that, they could receive upwards of $600 a month in rent help for three years. Residents will have to requalify yearly.
When you fill out the application, you will need to show your lease, photo I.D. and proof of employment.
To get the program started, only up to 150 eligible applicants will see the help. Payments will be made directly to property owners.
But the city hopes as more development comes, properties will pitch in to offer more affordable options.
“The idea is that they don’t receive this for the rest of their lives. The idea is to get them started and to help them so they can work toward a path of home ownership,” said Bello-Matthews.
Fort Myers leaders say they’re continually looking at new ways to work with developers to add affordable attainable housing in the growing city.
Council plans to look at the trust fund at Monday’s council meeting.
To learn more and apply for housing assistance, click here. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/04/28/new-affordable-housing-trust-fund-offers-hope-for-fort-myers-residents-struggling-with-high-rent/ | 2023-04-29T01:14:17 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/04/28/new-affordable-housing-trust-fund-offers-hope-for-fort-myers-residents-struggling-with-high-rent/ |
ODESSA, Texas — Oxy and its subsidiary, 1PointFive, held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for their planned carbon capture plant, Stratos, that is now under construction.
The site is about one hour outside of Odessa, and once finished, Stratos will be considered the world's largest direct air capture plant.
Stratos will remove up to 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere a year.
“As we look at the scenarios drawn out by the IPCC, in addition to all the solar and renewable energy that they feel is important, in addition to not deforesting the planet, removing carbon from the atmosphere is really important,” said Michael Avery, president of 1PointFive.
Oxy and 1PointFive hope to not only lower the carbon footprint of the Permian Basin, but also provide new opportunities for their people.
“Oxy's got a very long history here in the Permian Basin," said Avery. "I think that, you know, we've got generations that are working for us, and really as we look into the future, being able to repurpose skillsets into new growth areas that are complementary to the energy business that we have is incredibly important.”
1PointFive said that the plant will begin capturing carbon by late 2024, and be commercially operational by 2025. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/oxy-groundbreaking-carbon-capture-plant/513-3251a044-624a-40aa-888e-fa5ebb0b533b | 2023-04-29T01:14:49 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/oxy-groundbreaking-carbon-capture-plant/513-3251a044-624a-40aa-888e-fa5ebb0b533b |
The Forest Service announced the fees for camping and day-use sites across the Coconino National Forest would be increasing this season.
The announcement came as many sites across the national forest, and forest roads were reopened after the winter season.
All campgrounds on Flagstaff Ranger District except Dairy and Double Springs and Lockett Meadow opened Friday.
On the Mogollon Rim Ranger District, the Elks Group Campground opened Friday, with additional campgrounds planned to open the first week of May.
The change comes after the National Forest signed a new contract with the company ExplorUS, which manages many of those sites.
Concessionaire-managed Coconino National Forest day-use sites are now $12 per vehicle and campground fees range from $24 to $30 per night.
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Group campground fees range from $95 to $175 per night. Fees have been updated accordingly on recreation.gov.
Lake Mary Narrows Boat Launch and Picnic Area and the Upper Lake Mary Boat Launch and Picnic Area will be free until Friday of Memorial Day Weekend (May 26).
The Forest will begin collecting $10 fees per day after that date. Local and Interagency Passes, like the America the Beautiful and Red Rock Annual Passes, will also be honored at these sites. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/reopening-many-campsites-coconino-nf-announces-fee-increases-for-use/article_548625fe-e617-11ed-9bb4-eb6f05a54341.html | 2023-04-29T01:18:22 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/reopening-many-campsites-coconino-nf-announces-fee-increases-for-use/article_548625fe-e617-11ed-9bb4-eb6f05a54341.html |
With warming weather, Coconino National Forest announced numerous forest roads would be reopening to motor vehicle traffic.
Even though many forest roads across each district will be open by this weekend, there are still some that will remain closed due to wet and muddy conditions.
On the Flagstaff Ranger District, Ashurst Lake Road (Forest Road [FR] 82E), Marshall Lake Road (FR 128), and Kinnickinick Lake Road (FR 125) are all now open.
The Mogollon Rim Ranger District opened forest roads north and west of State Route (SR) 87 and along the east side of the Lake Mary Road corridor Friday.
All forest roads south and east of SR 87 and down to the Rim Road (FR 300) will remain closed until they dry out enough for safe travel.
Motorists should be prepared to encounter wet spots, areas of snowbanks and snow drifts on newly opened roads. Forest officials ask members of the public use caution before pulling off main roads to camp and refrain from creating deep ruts in areas of the road that are still wet.
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Atypical moisture and strong winds have resulted in a significant number of downed trees as well as inaccessible roads throughout the Flagstaff and Mogollon Rim ranger districts.
Personnel will continue to monitor closed roads and will open them as soon as conditions are safe for travel.
Many lower elevation roads, such as those on the Red Rock Ranger District, are primarily open. This excludes roads impacted by recent significant flooding events as well as Fossil Creek Road (FR 708), which is being resurfaced.
Forest visitors are reminded to visit the Coconino National Forest’s Forest Roads Status website for more information on which main roads throughout the forest are open and closed prior to planning any forest excursion.
The public should remember to only stay on open and authorized roads that are shown on the Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), which is free at any Ranger Station or can be downloaded on the Coconino National Forest website. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/with-warmer-weather-numerous-forest-roads-reopen-coconino-nf-announces/article_02762964-e615-11ed-b099-4fea3f75a7b3.html | 2023-04-29T01:18:26 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/with-warmer-weather-numerous-forest-roads-reopen-coconino-nf-announces/article_02762964-e615-11ed-b099-4fea3f75a7b3.html |
In the relatively small Flagstaff-area sports scene, many of the top athletes compete for several of their high school teams throughout the different seasons.
Nobody exemplified that more this year than Basis Flagstaff senior Evan Hofstetter.
Hofstetter, in the 2022-23 academic year, has played on six Yeti varsity teams. He competed on the Basis Flagstaff soccer and cross country teams in the fall, basketball in the winter and boys volleyball, tennis and track in the spring.
Seth Polansky, the director of sports information at the Arizona Interscholastic Association, said he can’t recall an Arizona athlete playing on that many teams in one year during his tenure, and he applauded the effort.
“As long as they are eligible to participate, then we encourage as much participation as they want,” Polansky said via Twitter message.
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Not only has Hofstetter played and started for all these teams, he’s also excelled and was the captain on five of them. In the fall, he was named to the All-Conference Second Team in soccer, and the North Region Player of the Year. Simultaneously, he won the region championship in cross country alongside Yeti girls runner Emily Mullaney.
In basketball he was named the North Region player of the year and earned a nod to the 1A Conference Honorable Mention list.
On the tennis squad, he went an undefeated 7-0 in his matches, switching between the No. 4 and 6 singles spots and No. 1 and 2 doubles. He was the captain and likely the best player on the Yeti boys volleyball team that played its first season this spring. And in track and field, his best sport, he’s still got a bit to go.
Last spring he placed fourth in the long jump and second in the triple jump at the Division IV championship meet.
This year he hopes, like his older brother Brian, to hoist a gold medal in the upcoming state championships.
Brian won the 800-meter race in 2022.
So far, Evan’s ranked first in the newly founded Division V in the long jump (22-01.75), second in the 200m (22.70), sixth in the 800m (2:02.39), fourth in the 300m hurdles (43.84), tied for sixth in the high jump (6-00), and third in the triple jump (42-11), according to athletic.net. All of this has come while playing volleyball and tennis alongside his track competition, though both of the latter two seasons ended in the past couple weeks.
How has Hofstetter made the schedule work?
“It’s pretty hectic,” he said, laughing.
He added: “It’s probably the thing I love most about Basis, though, being able to be involved in everything.”
Especially in the spring, he attended multiple practices each day. The trait that sets Hofstetter apart in all of his athletics is his speed and leaping ability.
And oh, yeah, his constant energy.
“He’s always been an active, talented kid. We always thought that he’d do well in athletics, but we definitely didn’t expect this,” said Rich Hofstetter, Evan’s father and coach on the Yeti volleyball team. “He’s just moving all the time; never stops.”
Hofstetter’s athletic talent and speed have earned him a role on the UC-Santa Cruz track and field team next year. Even there, he’s planning on competing in several events on the track.
College will mean specializing. However, he believes his participation on as many teams as possible has allowed him to get to this point.
“I think it’s tremendous. All of the different sports do a ton for cross-training. I think the biggest part is that I’m not injured, and I’m doing different things all the time,” Hofstetter said.
But, beside the success, Rich Hofstetter and Evan’s mother, Karen London, have marveled at their son's positive attitude on the court, field, track or wherever he plays.
They both remember a basketball game during the winter, in which Hofstetter was defending against a player short in stature. The opponent stole the ball and dunked, a feat for a kid shorter than Hofstetter who himself is listed as just a 5-foot-7 player.
After the game, a win for the Yeti, Hofstetter ran over to them asking if they had filmed any highlights. But he wasn’t looking for his own big plays. He’d told the opposing player that he’d try to find a video of him dunking the ball.
“He’s all excited like, ‘Do you have it?’ I want to give it to him,’” Rich Hofstetter said.
Following the track and field season, Evan Hofstetter will leave a legacy at Basis Flagstaff as one of its most successful and well-versed athletes. He has appreciated every moment.
“I’ve just had so much fun, especially this year,” he said. “Every season and team has been rewarding in its own way and I’ve enjoyed all of it.” | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/basis-flagstaff-senior-evan-hofstetter-excels-in-six-varsity-sports-this-academic-year/article_dc1dca4e-e617-11ed-9bcc-932fcd8a768f.html | 2023-04-29T01:18:27 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/basis-flagstaff-senior-evan-hofstetter-excels-in-six-varsity-sports-this-academic-year/article_dc1dca4e-e617-11ed-9bcc-932fcd8a768f.html |
The Northern Arizona women's tennis team is headed to the Big Sky Conference championship tournament title match following a 4-3 win over Sacramento State Friday in Phoenix.
Despite losing the doubles point to start the day, No. 1 Northern Arizona bounced back to squeak by and earn a spot in the championship match.
Daryna Shoshyna was the first Lumberjacks player to finish a match in singles play, easily defeating her opponent 6-3, 6-1 at the No. 4 spot. Teammate Ana Karen Guadiana Campos finished next, putting up a strong effort before falling 6-3, 6-3 at the second spot as the Lumberjacks fell behind 2-1 overall.
Laura Duhl played an impressive match on court six, starting off with a decisive 6-3 first-set win. She never trailed in the second set, earning her team another point after winning her second set 6-4.
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Ava Neyestani fought hard at the No. 5 flight, pushing her first set to a tiebreak before falling 7-6. The second set was a little lopsided, as she fell 6-1 to lose in straight sets.
Sofia Markova kept the Lumberjacks alive with an intense match at the top spot, falling in the first set but coming back to win 1-6, 6-4, 7-6.
All eyes were on court three as Patrycja Niewiadomska fought to send Northern Arizona back to the conference finals. She split the first two sets and pulled through in a tiebreaker to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 to clinch the team victory.
Northern Arizona will face No. 2-seeded Weber State for a Saturday contest in a rematch of last year's tournament final. The Lumberjacks defeated the Wildcats 4-1 last year to win their third consecutive conference title.
This regular season, the Lumberjacks beat the Wildcats 4-3.
The title round is set for an 8 a.m. start in Phoenix.
Men's tennis
The Lumberjacks are also headed to its title match on the men's side.
No. 1 Northern Arizona defeated Idaho State 4-1 on Friday in Phoenix. Also like the women's team, the Lumberjacks dropped the doubles point to fall behind 1-0.
Alex Groves put the Lumberjacks on the board with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory at the No. 5 spot. Following quickly, Piotr Galus closed out his match at the No. 2 position with a 6-2, 6-2 win to take a 2-1 lead. Shortly after, Dominik Buzonics extended his team's lead to 3-1 with a victory against Victor Sklenka, 6-3, 6-3.
The Lumberjacks' final point came down to the wire as Dani Torres forced a third set after dropping the first set, but came back to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-5 and clinch the team win.
Northern Arizona will face third-seeded Idaho in the title match Saturday at 8 a.m.
The last time Northern Arizona and Idaho met was April 2 in Moscow, Idaho. The Lumberjacks won that contest, 5-2. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-tennis-teams-reach-big-sky-finals/article_1e78a484-e606-11ed-8fce-3b3cb60b6e4a.html | 2023-04-29T01:18:27 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-tennis-teams-reach-big-sky-finals/article_1e78a484-e606-11ed-8fce-3b3cb60b6e4a.html |
UF President Ben Sasse announces departure of top official in first major shakeup
A longtime top University of Florida official is out in what is President Ben Sasse's first major leadership shakeup since taking office.
Sasse sent out an email late Friday evening announcing that longtime Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Charlie Lane is no longer with the university. The abrupt departure comes just two months after Sasse took the helm at the flagship university.
Lane, who has been with the university for nearly a decade, has been responsible for overseeing numerous university-wide functions, including Information technology, human resources, audits, business and real estate. He was also the leader in bridging a relationship between the school and city of Gainesville.
"I want to let you know that we've made a change in the leadership of UF's operation," the former Republican Nebraska senator wrote late Friday. "Effective today, Charlie Lane, chief operating officer, is no longer with the University of Florida."
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Sasse went on to say that the university over the next few weeks will begin a "strategic review" and launch a national search for a replacement. In the intern, UF's Vice President for Business Affairs Curtis Reynolds and Associate Vice President for Enterprise Projects Colt Little will split the duties that Lane was responsible for.
"I'm grateful for their team play during this search," Sasse wrote.
"The University of Florida is a special place and, as we bring this semester and academic year to a close, I'm grateful to be pulling oars with you. This team is committed to excellence and speed. We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us."
The email gives no reason was given for Lane's sudden exit.
Community members and students have long suspected that Sasse would come in and shake up the university, though much of those concerns revolved around political influence. His arrival in February was met with large student and faculty protests, largely for his past statements on same-sex marriage and minorities.
Sasse is expected to give his first formal speech before a UF crowd next weekend for commencement.
His office has denied multiple requests for interviews with The Gainesville Sun since taking office. | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/charlie-lane-out-as-uf-top-official-ben-sasse-announces/70165441007/ | 2023-04-29T01:22:19 | 1 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/04/28/charlie-lane-out-as-uf-top-official-ben-sasse-announces/70165441007/ |
GREENSBORO — This week and next are the big ones for college graduations in the Greensboro area.
Leading off the season is UNCG, which will be reading the names of every graduating student this year as that student crosses the stage. That's a new tradition for UNCG, aimed at honoring the graduates, the university said in a news release.
The university will stick with longstanding traditions like greetings from a student speaker, the granting of honorary degrees, and the ringing of the University bell, according to the release, but will skip having a keynote speaker for the undergraduate commencement on Friday in favor of reading the names.
Here's when local colleges and universities will hold their undergraduate graduations. Those interested in attending should check university and college websites for additional information; some schools require graduates to pick up tickets for attendees in advance.
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UNCG: Friday, 10 a.m., Greensboro Coliseum.
High Point University: Saturday, 9 a.m. Roberts Hall Lawn at the university in High Point.
Keynote Speaker: Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, former ambassador to Finland, CEO of Pace Communications, and board chairwoman of the American Red Cross.
Greensboro College: Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. Front Campus at Greensboro College.
Keynote speaker: Jean Lojko, Jefferson Pilot Professor of Health and Physical Education
GTCC: May 11, Greensboro Coliseum.
11 a.m. for Adult Education & High School Equivalency; Aviation; Health Sciences; Human Services and Public Safety; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
4 p.m. for Business, Creative, and Performing Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Industrial, Construction, and Transportation Systems Technologies
Keynote speakers: Jeremiah Harris (11 a.m.) and Kaitlyn Buchko (4 p.m.)
N.C. A&T: May 13, Greensboro Coliseum.
8:30 a.m. for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics, and College of Education.
3 p.m. for the College of Engineering, John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences, and College of Science and Technology.
Keynote speaker: Actor Morris Chestnut, who has starred in films like “Boyz in the Hood," “The Best Man” and “The Best Man Holiday.”
Guilford College: May 13, 9 a.m. on quadrangle lawn at the college. Master's degree students will also be included. Keynote speaker: Mandy Cohen, former secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.
Bennett College: May 13, 11 a.m. Bennett College's campus quadrangle.
Keynote Speaker: Erika Alexander, an actor, activist, and creator, who played Maxine Shaw in the show "Living Single" and directed the film "The Big Payback."
Elon University: May 19, Schar Center in Elon.
9 a.m. for the Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education
2:30 p.m. for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business and the School of Communications
Keynote speaker: C. Ashton Newhall, a venture capitalist and university alumnus | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/graduation-commencement-uncg-aggies-guilford-gtcc/article_ec6df13e-e52d-11ed-b48c-7316be01464f.html | 2023-04-29T01:22:41 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/graduation-commencement-uncg-aggies-guilford-gtcc/article_ec6df13e-e52d-11ed-b48c-7316be01464f.html |
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Fiesta Mall in Mesa through the years
32 PHOTOS | https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/mesa/2023/04/29/photos-fiesta-mall-mesa-through-years/11760065002/ | 2023-04-29T01:34:13 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/mesa/2023/04/29/photos-fiesta-mall-mesa-through-years/11760065002/ |
BANGOR -- A Carmel man has been ordered to serve six years in prison after pleading guilty to attacking his three-year old step-son.
"I've tried to come up with the right words to apologize for my actions. I did something horrible, unthinkable, and unimaginable. I abused Gunner,” said 24-year-old Damion Myers in the Penobscot Judicial Court in Bangor Friday.
On January 3, 2022 Gunner Doe was attacked by his step father Damion Myers at their then home on Plymouth Road in Carmel.
Myers was sentenced to 10 years in prison with all but four suspended. Translating to Myers being ordered to serve only six of the 10 year sentence.
Prior to sentencing the honorable Judge Ann Murray listed the multiple ways the child was attacked.
"Picking up a Gunner and slamming him down. Picking him up by one arm and then tossing him on the bed. He was shoved to the floor. There was a tackle on him,” according to Murray.
The child was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Bangor the next day.
It was later determined that the child suffered from bruising and abrasions as a result of abuse.
"From the state's perspective it was absolutely the worst way that an aggravated assault could be committed. We need to work on raising our sentences for these kinds of cases,” said assistant district attorney for Penobscot County, Chelsea Lynds.
Defense attorney Jeffery Toothaker acknowledged that an assault did take place however, said the level of abuse does not justify an extensive sentence due to the lacK of injuries.
"If you watch the video a lot of it is just [Gunner] he's whimpering, he's whining. He's being mistreated. But, is it physical, verbal or other? It's a three-year-old and nobody is sympathetic to somebody that beats up a three-year-old,” said Toothaker.
The prosecution showed a video where they said Myers is caught on camera abusing a 3-year-old Gunner Doe.
"It is really rare. They [police] really went the extra mile, got the evidence and it paid off. They found this video. I honestly think that they saved a child's life in this case,” said Lynds. “I mean if they had not found that video then I think there is a very high probability that the child would be dead already.
Gunner Doe and his siblings are currently in their grandparents custody.
The children are reportedly set to be reunited with their birth mother in the upcoming weeks. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison-for-abusing-3-year-old-stepson/article_ac5f8f92-e610-11ed-b8e5-1b0ec9bab608.html | 2023-04-29T01:35:22 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/man-sentenced-to-10-years-in-prison-for-abusing-3-year-old-stepson/article_ac5f8f92-e610-11ed-b8e5-1b0ec9bab608.html |
BANGOR -- Fire service training centers such as the one here in Bangor are used by fire departments across the state to train new recruits.
Fire chiefs we spoke to say they would like to see funding for these facilities so that new firefighters can have a better understanding of what to do when a fire happens.
There are only two fire service training centers in East-Central Maine: one in Bangor, one in Ellsworth.
The next closest center to Bangor is an hour and a half away in Auburn.
Liberty fire chief and Maine Fire Chiefs Association liaison Bill Gillespie says he'd see more training centers to support the 338 registered Fire Departments across the state
"Our goal is to have 11 training facilities situated throughout the state to make it feasible for firefighters to reach training within one hour of their department," said Gillespie.
A proposed bill by Senator Chip Curry would allocate $2 million in funding to build and upgrade training facilities in Maine over the next two years.
"Having adequate training facilities to help prepare our people and our firefighters the skills and the training they need to do their absolute best in the field when it is needed is extremely important," said Deputy Chief Erik Tourtillotte of Brewer Fire Department.
Tourtillotte says the bill is a step in the right direction.
"I'm not sure $1 million dollars is going to cut it but it's a good start," Tourtillotte. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-build-fire-service-training-centers/article_f1cce3b6-e612-11ed-9dd3-03813a0a5eb0.html | 2023-04-29T01:35:28 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-build-fire-service-training-centers/article_f1cce3b6-e612-11ed-9dd3-03813a0a5eb0.html |
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Contact Us | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/rowan-university-to-become-njs-first-and-only-veterinary-college/3555702/ | 2023-04-29T01:38:49 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/rowan-university-to-become-njs-first-and-only-veterinary-college/3555702/ |
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