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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/moment-of-silence-held-one-week-after-allen-mall-shooting/3257600/ | 2023-05-14T03:51:54 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/moment-of-silence-held-one-week-after-allen-mall-shooting/3257600/ |
Local governments and charities have been tested, but so far Tucson shelters have been able to handle a sharp increase in migrants released by border authorities.
Casa Alitas, the nonprofit group at the heart of the shelter operations, had more than 1,300 people sheltered in Tucson Friday night, and that's apart from those housed by the city government.
"We’re finding space for all of them," said Teresa Cavendish, who directs Casa Alitas. "We've managed to avert street releases."
"First thing (Saturday) morning, folks start moving out, and we help them circulate through that process. At the same time, hundreds more folks are arriving."
Constant coordination between the state, county and city governments as well as Casa Alitas has worked so far to keep people from being released on the streets of southern Arizona towns or Tucson without any place to go, she said.
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"This is a wild ride," said Lane Mandle, the chief of staff to the city manager, working at one of the hotels Tucson uses for shelter. "I wake up in the morning, and I don’t know what the day is going to hold."
Her fear is that the city, which is the backup provider of shelter, will run out of beds. At that point, street releases are likely.
The increase in border crossings is in part a result of the end of the enforcement of Title 42 health mandates at the border. This allowed Border Patrol agents to immediately return some people to Mexico, without any processing. But the end of the pandemic emergency meant the end of this policy.
One thing that has helped the local authorities is a court injunction issued by a federal judge in Florida. The injunction stopped the U.S. Border Patrol from conducting expedited releases of people found not to pose a risk to public safety, even though they don't have court dates yet.
As a result of the ruling, Border Patrol must detain people longer, meaning its facilities are remaining overfilled, but the releases are happening at a pace is manageable for local authorities.
Migrants and government officials were still assessing the effects of new regulations adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration in hope of stabilizing the Southwest border region and undercutting smugglers who charge migrants to get there, the Associated Press reported Saturday.
Migrants are now essentially barred from seeking asylum in the U.S. if they did not first apply online or seek protection in the countries they traveled through. Families allowed in as their immigration cases progress will face curfews and GPS monitoring. Those expelled can now be barred from reentry for five years and face possible criminal prosecution.
Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter | https://tucson.com/news/local/border/influx/tucson-area-migrant-shelter-system-stressed-but-holding-up-so-far/article_385ff8f8-f1f4-11ed-927c-9bad39b3bc83.html | 2023-05-14T03:53:29 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/border/influx/tucson-area-migrant-shelter-system-stressed-but-holding-up-so-far/article_385ff8f8-f1f4-11ed-927c-9bad39b3bc83.html |
Top stories this week: Pregnant woman's murder; gas-powered car phase-out; 'Gnomes' mural
- How political infighting over tons of "tunnel muck" will cost RI taxpayers.
- What's fueling the boom in self-storage businesses in RI?
- 10 fun things to do with mom on Mother's Day, and look at mothers who also coach their kids' teams.
- Test your knowledge of the week's events with our news quiz.
Here's a look at some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of May 7, supported by your subscriptions.
- The fate of tons of debris excavated in Rhode Island's version of the Big Dig — a massive sewer overflow tunnel in Pawtucket — has triggered political spats and turf wars up and down Narragansett Bay for four years. Patrick Anderson chronicles the latest interagency bickering, over using the "tunnel muck" as fill for a proposed sea-glider factory at Quonset State Airport, and explains how the infighting is costing taxpayers.
- The self-storage industry is booming, thanks to our overstuffed lives. Tom Mooney talks with self-storage entrepreneurs who happily offer space for our possessions, with a few ground rules: "No food, no drugs, no explosives, no guns and no bodies."
- Want to cool off with "cow-to-cone" ice cream in Providence? It's hard to beat Wright's Creamery.
- Happy Mother's Day! If you're looking for something fun to do with mom on Sunday, we have some ideas.
- Speaking of Mother's Day, meet 10 Rhode Island moms who keep the home fires burning while also coaching their kids' high school teams. For that and more sports news, go to providencejournal.com/sports.
- Did you keep up with the week's events? Take our news quiz.
Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com:
Prosecutor links accused murderers to pregnant woman's body through cell data, diamond ring
Two men accused of beating a pregnant woman to death appeared in District Court, Warwick, on Wednesday as a prosecutor presented a haul of information, including cellphone data and surveillance images as well as specifics regarding matters of romance and a diamond wedding ring that was submerged with the woman's body in the waters of Carbuncle Pond.
The father of the Brockton woman's unborn baby, Gary R. Gromkiewicz, 35, of Lincoln, and his associate, 46-year-old Michael P. Lambert, formerly of Pawtucket, face charges of murder and conspiracy in the death of 34-year-old Leila Patricia Duarte Da Luz, according to state police.
Da Luz's body was found in the Coventry pond on Dec. 21. The autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, with a "compression fracture" to the skull, and drowning, Corrigan said, adding that Da Luz was eight to 10 weeks pregnant, and apparently alive when she entered the water.
Crime: Prosecutor links accused murderers to pregnant woman's body through cell data, diamond ring
RI wants to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
Rhode Island is among the states following California’s lead to phase out sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 in a bid to reduce air pollution and combat climate change.
Gov. Dan McKee on Wednesday announced the decision to go forward with the regulations that are the strictest in the nation on mandating sales of electric cars and trucks. It would bring Rhode Island in line with Massachusetts, New York and other states that have already adopted California’s new standard that aims for a full-scale transformation of America’s automotive industry.
It would also boost Rhode Island’s efforts to comply with a landmark state law that requires deep emissions cuts.
The announcement also led to a number of questions that we got answers to this week.
Environment: State wants to phase out sales of new gas-powered vehicles in RI by 2035. Here's how they'll do it.
What's the story behind the 'Gnomes' mural on Route 95?
Peering out from behind a purple curtain, the gnomes and their canine companions, painted on the Shippeetown Road Bridge over Route 95 in East Greenwich, look astonished by the amount of traffic whipping by their hideout.
The mural, between Exits 21 and 24, is one of those things Rhode Islanders see all the time, without much explanation, which sparked the curiosity of one What and Why RI reader. She wrote in to ask if there was any information on the artist behind the mural.
You bet there is.
What and Why RI:What's the story behind the 'Gnomes' mural on I-95? We tracked down the artist to ask
From on the run to the '401 Run': Ohio sanctuary readies to receive Warwick wolf dogs
Volunteers at the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project, a wolf-dog sanctuary in Ohio, spent Saturday digging, hammering and building a home for a pair of residents from Rhode Island.
It will be called the "401 Run" as a tribute to apparent wolf dogs Bella and Libby and the people of Rhode Island who've supported their rescue efforts.
Initially believed to be black coyotes, Bella and Libby induced fascination, and some fear, when they were spotted roaming Warwick in April. Mayor Frank Picozzi posted to social media, advising residents to keep their distance.
Animals:From on the run to the '401 Run': Ohio sanctuary readies to receive Warwick wolf dogs
Love shopping secondhand? Here are 4 of the best flea markets to shop at in RI
It’s the thrill of spending the day on a treasure hunt that hopefully — if luck is with you — ends with something no one else has at a price that can’t be beaten.
It's shopping at the flea markets, a tradition that goes all the way back to 1860s Paris.
With flea market season upon us, we rounded up four flea markets in Rhode Island worth checking out.
Things to do:Love shopping secondhand? Here are 4 of the best flea markets to shop at in Rhode Island
To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here. | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/13/providence-journal-top-stories-pregnant-woman-murder-gnomes-mural/70209631007/ | 2023-05-14T04:02:10 | 1 | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/13/providence-journal-top-stories-pregnant-woman-murder-gnomes-mural/70209631007/ |
ROCHESTER, MN.--As Mother's day inches closer, children are still working to get their gifts in order. To help with the task, Family Tree Nursery in Rochester has opened up it's space for kids to decorate flower pots.
This year mark's the business' 16th Annual Mother's Day Weekend Pot Decorating event which is going on through Mother’s Day afternoon.
Tables were set up with a number of art tools kids could use , things like markers and stickers, to make their ideal product for Sunday’s festivities.
A few of the artists shared see how their crafts were coming along.
"I'm excited for Mother's Day. I'm planning to do breakfast in bed and some cards for her and a pot." and event attendee, Maci Magee says.
There's still time to get in the finishing touches on creating the perfect Mother's day gift. The Family Tree Landscape Nursery will be open Sunday from 10am to 4pm. | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/landscape-nursery-hosts-16th-annual-flower-pot-decorating-event-for-mothers-day/article_6529a36e-f1f6-11ed-9476-b7dae2b98153.html | 2023-05-14T04:07:19 | 0 | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/landscape-nursery-hosts-16th-annual-flower-pot-decorating-event-for-mothers-day/article_6529a36e-f1f6-11ed-9476-b7dae2b98153.html |
ROCHESTER, MN.-- A piece of Yale University came to Rochester, in the form of it's Spizzwinks acappella group and one member is no stranger to the Med-City.
Adam McPhail, a 2021 Mayo High School graduate ,returned with the nation's oldest underclassman acapella group, the Spizzwinks to perform at The Waters on Mayowood retirement community.
This all comes as a part of the community center's 'Spring into Fun Week'. The Spizzwinks have been performing around the country since 1914 and typically visit and perform in the hometown of it's members.
McPhail says as the 15 other 'Winks' piled into his home to prepare for the performance, they were able to get a glimpse of where he comes from and how it's shaped him.
Marni Harris, The Waters active life manager, says the experience has been a win for both the Spizzwinks as well as The Waters.
"Some of our folks maybe wouldn't be able to get out and see them in person and so to be able to have them come here to us has been just really and truly an honor and a privilege." >--Harris said.
"It's really meaningful to come back to Rochester.” McPhail adds. “The Spizzwinks sort of travel all over the globe. It's when you travel to people's hometowns that you get a better sense of where they're from."
The Spizzwinks will be performing at the Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester on Monday, May 15 at 7:30 pm. For tickets you can pay at the door of visit one of their social media sites listed on their website. | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/oldest-acapella-group-spizzwinks-comes-to-med-city/article_44efb566-f205-11ed-abea-fbfca4ae1a8d.html | 2023-05-14T04:07:25 | 0 | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/oldest-acapella-group-spizzwinks-comes-to-med-city/article_44efb566-f205-11ed-abea-fbfca4ae1a8d.html |
COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies shot and killed a man in return fire while responding to a domestic dispute call in the Senoia area Saturday, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff's office said the deputies had been dispatched on "information from a female victim advising she'd been shot by a male on scene."
According to the sheriff's office, deputies were approaching a home when a "male exited the residence and fired" at them.
"The male was shot and pronounced deceased on scene," a statement said.
The incident occurred at a location on Tranquil Road. The statement said the woman was taken to a hospital where her condition was not known.
The sheriff's office said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was en route to assist in the investigation, as is protocol with law enforcement shootings.
11Alive has a crew on its way to Coweta County.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/coweta-county-deputies-shoot-kill-man-return-fire-senoia-domestic-dispute/85-cc8a56d9-87f7-4c99-9fd9-c935069707a6 | 2023-05-14T04:15:44 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/coweta-county-deputies-shoot-kill-man-return-fire-senoia-domestic-dispute/85-cc8a56d9-87f7-4c99-9fd9-c935069707a6 |
Events
Sunday, May 14
'DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR.': 3 p.m.; join Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, and all their friends from Under the Sea; Levoy Theatre, 126-130 N. High St., Millville; $15. 856-327-6400 or levoy.net.
NEIL SIMON'S 'LOST IN YONKERS': 2 to 4:30 p.m.; Fool Moon Theatre's production of Neil Simon's Pulitzer Prize winning play; Margate Community Church, 8900 N. Ventnor Ave., Margate. $30. eventbrite.com.
Monday, May 15
ESL CAREER READINESS LAB: 9:30 a.m. to noon Mondays through July 31; learn how to use the Engen Language Upskilling platform, which provides ESL classes and tutorials with a focus on job interview skills, and the food and beverage industry and hospitality industry; Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City. 609-345-2269 or acfpl.org.
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HOUSEPLANTS: 2 to 3 p.m. Mondays through May 22; learn how to plant, propagate, and care for a variety of popular plant species; Ventnor City Branch/Atlantic County Library System, 6500 Atlantic Ave., Ventnor. 609-823-4614 or atlanticlibrary.org.
LINE DANCING - WITH SUSAN PENNYPACKER: noon to 12:45 p.m. Mondays; no meetings May 29, Sept. 4, Oct. 9; Wildwood Crest Branch, 6300 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood Crest. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
MEDITATIVE DRUM CIRCLE: 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays; bring your own instrument or borrow one; no meetings May 29, Aug. 28, Sept. 4, Oct. 9, Nov. 6, Dec. 25; Cape May Court House Branch, 30 Mechanic St., Middle Township. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. first and third Mondays through May; bring your own team or play with others; Public Library, 235 32nd St., Avalon. avalonfreelibrary.org.
Tuesday, May 16
AARP MID-ATLANTIC GALLOWAY MEETING: 1 p.m. third Tuesdays, except June through August; meeting of AARP Mid-Atlantic Chapter #4191 – Galloway; meet and network with individuals ages 50 and older; topics related to issues affecting older Americans; Galloway Senior Center, 621 White Horse Pike, Egg Harbor City. 703-725-5287 or 609-804-3082.
For kids
Monday, May 15
PRE-K CLUB AND CRAFT: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through May 22, June 5, 12; Galloway Township Branch/Atlantic County Library System, 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway. 609-652-2352 or atlanticlibrary.org.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME - ABSECON: 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays; Absecon branch/Atlantic County Library System, 305 New Jersey Ave., Absecon. 609-646-2228 or atlanticlibrary.org.
PRESCHOOL STORYTIME - EGG HARBOR CITY: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays through Aug. 28; Egg Harbor City Branch/Atlantic County Library System, 134 Philadelphia Ave., Egg Harbor City. 609-804-1063 or atlanticlibrary.org.
Groups
Monday, May 15
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS: 11 a.m. Mondays; for those troubled by someone else's drinking; Egg Harbor City Senior Center, 351 Cincinnati Ave., Egg Harbor City. AL-ANON.org.
GREAT BOOKS CLUB: 10 a.m. to noon every other Monday through May 15; Cape May Court House Branch, 30 Mechanic St., Middle Township. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
LONGPORT NEEDLERS: 10 a.m. to noon Mondays; bring your needle/crochet craft project and join us for a time of crafting and socializing; Longport Public Library, 2305 Atlantic Ave., Longport. 609-487-7403 or LongportPublicLibrary.org.
START THE DAY WITH A BOOK CLUB: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug. 14; Mays Landing Branch/Atlantic County Library System, 40 Farragut Ave., Hamilton. 609-625-2776 or atlanticlibrary.org.
Tuesday, May 16
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH CONVERSATION VIRTUAL CLASS: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; intermediate-level Spanish Conversation class via Zoom; Atlantic City Free Public Library, 1 N. Tennessee Ave., Atlantic City. 609-345-2269 or ACFPL.org.
JERSEY CAPE WRITERS: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. first and third Tuesdays; e-mail Jerseycapewriters01@gmail.com to register; share your writing and ideas in a friendly and supportive environment; Cape May Court House Branch, 30 Mechanic St., Middle Township. 609-463-6350 or Events.CMCLibrary.org.
SUSTAINABLE BOOK GROUP: 7 to 8 p.m. third Tuesdays through December; with the Upper Township Green Team; virtual event; registration required. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
WOMEN OF COLOR DISCUSSION GROUP: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. third Tuesdays; virtual group presented by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey; online networking, discussion, and wellness group for women of color. 609-652-3800 or MHANJ.org.
YARNBENDERS CROCHET AND KNITTING CLUB: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 29; Egg Harbor Township/Atlantic County Library System, 1 Swift Drive, Egg Harbor Township. 609-927-8664 or atlanticlibrary.org.
Health, fitness
Sunday, May 14
MEDITATION - ONLINE GROUP: 7:15 to 8 p.m. Sundays; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; staff offer a guided calming meditation or breathing exercise; to receive a link by email and join the group online, email btrendler@mhanj.org. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.
Monday, May 15
CHAIR YOGA - WITH LYNNE CATARRO: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays; no class 5/29, 9/4, 10/9, 12/25; Cape May County Library/Wildwood Crest Branch, 6300 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood Crest. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
'GOT STRESS?' ONLINE GROUP: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays; online group meets to discuss daily wellness, coping strategies and tools to relieve stress and reduce anxiety; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; free. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.
MEMORY CAFÉ: 2 to 4 p.m. third Mondays; with Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; light refreshments served; for those experiencing memory loss, as well as their caregivers and family members; Cape May Court House Branch, 30 Mechanic St., Middle Township. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE ONLINE GROUP : 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. third Mondays; offered by The Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; for those who lost someone to suicide; via Zoom or by dial-in teleconference; both a therapist and a peer co-facilitate this meeting. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.
Tuesday, May 16
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT GROUP: 4 to 5 p.m. third Tuesdays; Seashore Gardens Living Center (SGLC) is offering a free monthly support group for family members and caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia; 22 W. Jimmie Leeds Road, Galloway Township. 609-404-4848 or SeashoreGardens.org.
BODY IMAGE & BALANCE MEETINGS: 7 to 8 p.m. first and third Tuesdays; hosted by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; call-in and online group for those living with or recovering from disordered eating. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.
DEALING WITH DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP: 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays; hosted by the Mental Health Association in Atlantic County; online support group for those living with depression. 609-652-3800 or MHAAC.info.
MINDFULNESS & MOVEMENT: 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through December; Cape May County Library/Wildwood Crest Branch, 6300 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood Crest. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org.
ZUMBA WITH KELLIE WOOD: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; Cape May Court House Branch, 30 Mechanic St., Middle Township. 609-463-6350 or events.cmclibrary.org. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/community-calendar/article_55fd6902-ef53-11ed-91da-a79f266dfd36.html | 2023-05-14T04:21:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/community-calendar/article_55fd6902-ef53-11ed-91da-a79f266dfd36.html |
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — A local Egg Harbor Township student graduated from the Governor’s STEM Scholars, a program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, on April 29 at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken.
Ryan Elyakoubi, a senior at Egg Harbor Township High School, was one of 126 New Jersey high school and college students who completed the program, which teaches students about the state's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) economy through conferences, lab tours, master classes, and research.
The STEM Scholars program is geared toward students who excel in the field and want to pursue STEM-related majors and careers.
“As a Governor’s STEM Scholar, Ryan Elyakoubi gained a unique introduction to New Jersey’s STEM economy and opportunities through conferences, field trips, internship opportunities, and a collaborative research project," said Alise Roderer, director of the Governor’s STEM Scholars, in a press release.
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Over the course of the academic year, the students had to participate in four conferences highlighting the state's STEM opportunities. Each student was guided by a college-level team leader, received mentoring by professional STEM advisors, and produced a research project.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Governor’s STEM Scholars program are open through June 9. For more information visit govstemscholars.com/apply. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/egg-harbor-township-student-graduates-from-new-jersey-stem-program/article_e7f4405a-f0d5-11ed-9cc3-6b6d3a43c565.html | 2023-05-14T04:21:38 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/egg-harbor-township-student-graduates-from-new-jersey-stem-program/article_e7f4405a-f0d5-11ed-9cc3-6b6d3a43c565.html |
WILDWOOD CREST — The Borough of Wildwood Crest and Crest Memorial Elementary School celebrated Arbor Day on April 28 by planting two magnolia trees and discussing with students the importance of trees.
Department of Public Works employees planted two magnolias at the department's headquarters. In addition, Deputy Mayor Joseph Franco and members of the borough’s Green Team met with second and third graders at Crest Memorial to explain how trees provide value both to the community and to wildlife. Students took part in a question and answer session with the team members.
Additional ongoing projects for the borough include mapping all trees within the town's streetscape and collecting data related to the health of each tree. Once completed, the town will plant additional trees. The project is part of the borough’s ongoing Community Forestry Management Plan, which is overseen by the Green Team.
People are also reading…
For more information, visit wildwoodcrest.org. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/wildwood-crest-and-crest-memorial-elementary-school-celebrate-arbor-day/article_5bd9fce0-f0da-11ed-8f31-d71db7ea4ac0.html | 2023-05-14T04:21:44 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/wildwood-crest-and-crest-memorial-elementary-school-celebrate-arbor-day/article_5bd9fce0-f0da-11ed-8f31-d71db7ea4ac0.html |
WISE, Va. (WJHL) — Close to 220 graduates crossed the stage at The University of Virginia at Wise on Saturday morning.
The grads earned either a bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of nursing degree. Southwest Virginia native, retired engineering leader and UVA Wise alum, Judy Harding, gave the commencement address.
“You were blessed in your time at UVA Wise to have attended smaller classes than you would find at larger universities, to have professors that knew you, took an interest in you, guided you, coached you, pushed you, nurtured you, taught you to think critically, to test your limits and push beyond, to question and not accept the status quo,” Harding said.
“You have thrived in a tight-knit community of instructors and learners, among people who accepted you, believed in you, supported you and wanted you to succeed. For many of you, this was exactly the support you needed at this point in your life while you developed skills and confidence to thrive when outside this secure environment. You are now well-prepared to move on.”
UVA Wise’s Army ROTC program commissioned 6 student officers in the Army. Those promoted to second lieutenant include Ian W. Anderegg of Waverly, Ga.; Joseph W. Collins of Big Stone Gap, Va.; Zachary L. Cunningham of Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Connor Giza of Pound, Va.; James T. Graybeal of Johnson City, Tenn.; and Robert W. Jobe, Jr. of Haysi, Va. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/uva-wise-celebrates-class-of-2023/ | 2023-05-14T04:23:54 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/uva-wise-celebrates-class-of-2023/ |
LANCASTER, Pa. — Jamie Keney says his selection of drinks at Little’s Beverage Distributor in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County is suitable for most. But some customers are ready for something on the rocks, like a ready-to-drink cocktail.
“I think it’s because of all the different flavors that are available, plus the alcohol content is a factor because a lot of our customers like anything that’s eight percent or higher," Keney said.
State law prevents Little’s and other beer distributors from stocking the drinks, which forces Keney to send customers elsewhere.
“A guy called me about it yesterday and I said, ‘you have to get it over there,’” Keney said.
People can only purchase ready-to-drink cocktails at Pennsylvania's state liquor stores. A bill first proposed by Pennsylvania senator Mike Regan would expand the cocktails sales across the Commonwealth, by allowing the mixed drinks to be sold in bars, restaurants, and beer distributors.
Senator Regan believes the measure would generate $150 to $200 million annually from taxes.
“I think our profit margin would increase by probably 100 percent, easily," Keney said about the bill.
But not everyone is sold on the idea.
“If they want to kill jobs and they want to kill small businesses, this is the bill to pass," Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Tavern Association Chuck Moran said.
Moran said the bill would hurt smaller bars and restaurants, and he believes they will lose revenue to beer distributors.
“This would be a major change to the way the liquor system is in PA," Moran said. "As we saw in 2016, it’s the small business bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants that suffer. We don’t want to go through that again.”
The bill passed through committee hearings and will be considered by the Pennsylvania Senate. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/pa-senate-considering-bill-to-expand-ready-to-drink-cocktail-sales-alcohol-liquor-sales-lancaster-county/521-a2ee2ee6-c3eb-4689-a90a-64912df72f59 | 2023-05-14T04:28:07 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/pa-senate-considering-bill-to-expand-ready-to-drink-cocktail-sales-alcohol-liquor-sales-lancaster-county/521-a2ee2ee6-c3eb-4689-a90a-64912df72f59 |
BUCKEYE, Ariz. — Eastbound lanes of traffic on Interstate 10 are closed in Buckeye following a deadly crash Saturday evening, according to DPS.
DPS said the two-vehicle crash is located near milepost 110.
Traffic is being rerouted at Palo Verde Road, according to ADOT.
Motorists should expect delays and seek an alternate route.
There is no estimation for when the eastbound lanes will reopen.
The westbound lanes have not been affected by the crash
This is a developing story; additional details will be added as they become available.
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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/valley/i-10-eastbound-closed-in-buckeye-following-deadly-crash/75-b367a683-ff00-4230-bc64-61648301a8af | 2023-05-14T04:29:33 | 1 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/i-10-eastbound-closed-in-buckeye-following-deadly-crash/75-b367a683-ff00-4230-bc64-61648301a8af |
CANNON BEACH, Ore. — One person is missing after running into trouble swimming near Cannon Beach on Friday, Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team reported.
At around 4 p.m. Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team responded to a report of a group of four swimmers no longer visible from shore just south of Tolovana Beach. It was confirmed that all four are students with the Beaverton School District, according to Shellie Bailey-Shah, a spokesperson.
Police arrived shortly and found that two of the swimmers made it out on their own and two were still in the water. A rescue swimmer went in to find the other two and brought one student to shore. That student was transported to a nearby hospital.
Officials did not released the condition of the rescued student.
Rescue teams were unsuccessful locating the fourth student. The Coast Guard continued the search until late Friday night. Cannon Beach Fire continue the search on Saturday.
Cannon Beach Fire District and Seaside Fire's Surf Rescue Team remind everyone that the ocean currents are unpredictable and can take a person out. Current water temperatures are still frigid and swimmers need to be careful.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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See a typo in this article? Email web@kgw.com for corrections | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/beaverton-student-missing-swimming-cannon-beach-oregon/283-f5f655c4-1f43-4fe7-a246-17a8995febe6 | 2023-05-14T04:49:43 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/beaverton-student-missing-swimming-cannon-beach-oregon/283-f5f655c4-1f43-4fe7-a246-17a8995febe6 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — High temperatures through the weekend, and into Monday, drew people to the water in and around Portland. Some people chose to head to parks, others to the beaches.
For people heading out on the water, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Portland will be around to assist boaters, and swimmers, who call out for help. They're also checking to make sure everyone's staying safe and complying with the rules.
"We are checking to make sure that you have your required safety equipment, which includes lifejackets, fire extinguishers and life rings and throwable stuff like that," said Petty Officer Asher Ray Palomares, "[Activity] picks up in the summer... the hotter it gets, the more people. On a weekend like this we will probably respond to about 10 cases, and we have other agencies that help us, like PDX Fire and Multnomah County."
Although he said many people do not, it's important to have and to wear a life jacket, especially this early in the season, given the cold water.
"It takes your breath away. You will start to lose — sometimes consciousness — and will lose the ability to move, so that’s what leads to drowning," he said. "With a life jacket, it keeps your head above water, so if your head's above water, you're breathing."
Palomares said getting your boat ready, and having the right supplies — like food and water — before heading out is key.
"Some people think it's nice out, and they go — then their boat is in shambles, and then they call us for help." | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/coast-guard-station-portland-water-emergencies-hot-weather-weekend/283-968e1b06-b059-4b18-aee1-ea55c9af0a44 | 2023-05-14T04:49:49 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/coast-guard-station-portland-water-emergencies-hot-weather-weekend/283-968e1b06-b059-4b18-aee1-ea55c9af0a44 |
SAN ANTONIO — A motorcyclist died in a fiery wreck after crashing into a vehicle while trying to evade Bexar County deputies on the far west side Saturday night, officials say.
A deputy was driving along Loop 410 around 9 p.m. when the motorcyclist sped past him "clearly well in excess of the speed limit," according to Sheriff Javier Salazar. That deputy started to pursue without activating his siren, watching as the motorcyclist was "weaving in and out of traffic, clearly driving pretty recklessly."
The deputy started to pursue, Salazar said, and at one point it looked as though the motorcyclist was about to pull over "before punching it and taking off." The deputy lost sight of the suspect and tried to catch up to them before eventually coming upon a wreckage in the area of Loop 410 and Highway 151; Salazar says the motorcyclist hit at least one other vehicle and "burst into flames."
Three occupants in the other vehicle were taken to the hospital “by private vehicle,” indicating their injuries weren’t serious.
Salazar said the motorcyclist died on the scene, and though he hasn't been officially identified as of yet, he's believed to have been wanted for assault.
Authorities are expected to be on scene for at least several hours, limiting traffic flow in the westbound lanes of the Highway 151 underpass at Loop 410. The southbound lanes of the Loop 410 access road are also being diverted to the Highway 151 access road.
This is a developing story. Check back with KENS5.com for updates.
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE: | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/bexar-county-motorcycle-dies-crash-pursuit-san-antonio/273-10d230bf-20d2-44fe-9f13-e49b073a58ae | 2023-05-14T05:00:54 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/bexar-county-motorcycle-dies-crash-pursuit-san-antonio/273-10d230bf-20d2-44fe-9f13-e49b073a58ae |
VON ORMY, Texas — A Von Ormy woman doesn't want another driver to experience the fear she felt on Friday morning as she drove her 13-year-old son to school in San Antonio.
Natalie Martinez said she was traveling on State Highway 16 near west Loop 1604 when she noticed a man in a car tailgating her. Martinez said she tapped her breaks thinking the man would drive around her.
"When this man decided to go around me I saw that he had a gun in his hand and he was actually pointing it at me and then moved it to point it at my son," said Martinez.
Martinez said the man pointed the gun at them three different times on the highway. She took photos of the man before he drove into a driveway of a nearby manufacturing plant. He also threatened to harm her.
"He said I'll f------ kill you b----," she said.
They are words that haunt her to a point that she doesn't feel safe in her home in Von Ormy, where she also runs a business. For now, her son is staying elsewhere for protection.
"We are going to have to spend Mother's Day apart and it's really unfortunate," she said.
But it gives her some piece of mind while she figures out her options. Martinez has filed a deadly conduct report with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Deputies confirmed the report to KENS 5 and said the male driver refuted the accusations made against him.
At this time, no arrests have been made, however, the case remains under investigation with the BCSO criminal investigations division.
"He messed with the wrong mom. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure this man is brought to justice and that I bring my son back peace," said Martinez.
After the encounter, Martinez said she posted about what happened on social media. Online she learned others had similar experiences with the same male driver.
"A lot of people have mentioned that he has done this to them. I feel like God is using me to make sure that this man is caught," she said. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mom-von-ormy-woman-driver-pointed-gun/273-c53462cb-213a-4e16-8f4a-51eabbab0c2f | 2023-05-14T05:01:00 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mom-von-ormy-woman-driver-pointed-gun/273-c53462cb-213a-4e16-8f4a-51eabbab0c2f |
SAN ANTONIO — A 17-year-old has been charged with capital murder for a deadly shooting that occurred in January, San Antonio police officials say.
The suspect, Ray Espinosa, is accused of killing 18-year-old Jonathan Heredia on Jan. 11, when authorities say Espinosa arranged a drug deal and planned to rob a group of teens. Heredia was set to graduate high school this semester, according to family.
When the victims arrived on Club House Boulevard, police say Espinosa pointed a gun and told them to get out of the car. Heredia fought back and tried to take his gun away when he was shot by Espinosa, killing him, according to investigators.
"He always looked out for everybody, especially his friends and family," Alejandro Heredia, Jonathan's brother, told KENS 5 in March when police were still looking for a suspect.
Jonathan also had dreams of starting a clothing line and skateboarding line, according to relatives. Alejandro said his brother would always skateboard at Pearsall Park.
"It was his home away from home," he said.
The Heredias are raising money to build a memorial at the park in Jonathan's memory. They are hoping to plant a tree alongside a bench.
Espinosa was already in jail on another charge when the warrant was signed, according to SAPD. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-teen-charged-murder-2023-arrest-police/273-9e82691d-1ee1-4d66-b103-8e69a4019980 | 2023-05-14T05:01:06 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-teen-charged-murder-2023-arrest-police/273-9e82691d-1ee1-4d66-b103-8e69a4019980 |
ODESSA, Texas — Brantley Mitchell died in a motorcycle accident in 2019 and now his father honors his memory every year.
"He was a kid that would always bring a smile to your face," said Rick Mitchell, Brantley's father. "It didn't matter if you're in a bad mood, he'd do something silly and goofy and you'd start laughing. He was just that kind of kid. He stood up for kids, he didn't like lesser privileged kids getting picked on at school. I mean he was just a hard-working, goofy, fun-loving kid."
Brantley unfortunately died a couple years ago. "He passed away July 19th, 2019 on a motorcycle," said Mitchell.
Now Rick uses a car show as a way to honor his son.
"That's why we do this truck show," said Mitchell. "He was into everything that blew back smoke and fast and he loved it, so that's why we've done this, this is our fifth year."
All the money from the show goes to local organizations in the name of Brantley.
"We donated to the challenger league in Midland," said Mitchell. "We supported that one and I think this year we're going to donate back to the VFW."
Mitchell plans on having another car show later this year. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/father-honors-son-killed-in-accident-by-hosting-car-show/513-d5d78327-e4b6-4057-a5d3-8f58066b5544 | 2023-05-14T05:23:25 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/father-honors-son-killed-in-accident-by-hosting-car-show/513-d5d78327-e4b6-4057-a5d3-8f58066b5544 |
Salisbury man dead, 16 others injured in early Saturday crash in Gumboro
A Salisbury man is dead and 16 people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash early Saturday morning in Gumboro, Maryland State Police reported.
Police said troopers responded to a crash involving three passenger vehicles and one tractor-trailer at 9049 Gumboro Road in Gumboro shortly before 3:45 a.m. May 13.
A preliminary investigation by the Maryland State Police Crash Team indicates three vehicles were stopped in the travel portion of Maryland Route 353 when the crash occurred.
Police said a Kia Forte, a GMC Acadia, a Chevrolet Express van and a Freightliner tractor-trailer were involved in the crash.
Eliassaint Aussideu, 39, of Salisbury, the driver and sole occupant of the Kia, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Maryland State Police helicopter transported one patient from the scene to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She is identified as Joseus Gerlie, 34, of Fruitland, Maryland. Gerlie was one of two passengers in the GMC Acadia driven by Geraldine Phauord, 37, of Salisbury.
Jenise Mondestin, 43, of Salisbury was driving the van with 12 passengers in it at the time of the accident, police said.
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Fifteen people were treated at the scene by EMS personnel from multiple fire and rescue companies that responded to the scene. All 15 were taken by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Rodney Powell, 61, of Parsonsburg, was not injured, police said.
Witnesses told police that the Kia Forte was disabled and attempting a jump-start from the GMC Acadia. The Chevrolet Express van had stopped ahead of the two vehicles in the travel portion of the road while they were initiating the jump-start.
Investigators believe the tractor-trailer, traveling in the southbound lane of Route 353, struck the rear of the Forte and the passenger side of the Acadia, which caused a chain reaction, police said.
Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office was briefed by investigators, and upon completion of the crash investigation, it will be presented to the Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office for review.
Police believe the drivers and passengers of all the vehicles involved were inside their respective vehicles when the crash occurred. The Maryland State Police Crash Team continues the investigation. | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/05/13/salisbury-man-dead-16-others-injured-in-early-sunday-crash-in-gumboro/70215452007/ | 2023-05-14T05:43:10 | 1 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/05/13/salisbury-man-dead-16-others-injured-in-early-sunday-crash-in-gumboro/70215452007/ |
SEATTLE — A 14-year-old boy is in critical condition after being underwater at Seattle's Green Lake Park on Saturday evening.
According to the Seattle Police Department, a call came in just after 5 p.m. that there was a teenager who was under water for approximately five minutes.
He was given life-saving efforts by civilians until the Seattle Fire Department arrived and the crews continued efforts and were successful. He was then taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington.
Watch KING 5's top stories playlist: | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/teen-critical-condition-under-water-5-minutes-greenlake/281-9b923e19-399c-426f-9971-2500d6398442 | 2023-05-14T06:15:56 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/teen-critical-condition-under-water-5-minutes-greenlake/281-9b923e19-399c-426f-9971-2500d6398442 |
Jeffrey James Hansen
June 6, 1953-May 3, 2023
Jeffrey James Hansen, age 69, passed away unexpectedly on May 3rd, 2023, doing exactly what he loved in a place that he loved, hunting in the mountains of Idaho. Jeff was born in on June 6th, 1953 to Conklin and Doraine (Pinta) Hansen. Jeff spent his formative years of schooling in Mason City, IA and graduated from Mason City High School in 1971. He went on to attend North Iowa Area Community College, graduating in 1973 with an Associate in Arts Degree. He then continued his education at Mankato State University, graduating in 1977 with a Bachelor's degree of Science. In 1976, Jeff received his diploma from the State of Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. From a very young age, Jeff had dreamed of becoming an officer of the law. Jeff fulfilled this dream even while attending college at MSU, when he accepted his first position as the Chief of Police in Floyd County. He later moved on to become a Deputy Sheriff of Worth County. In 1977, Jeff accepted his long-term career position as a deputy with the Mitchell County Sheriff's Department. He remained with the department until his retirement in 2001. Throughout his career as a deputy, Jeff was known for his commitment to the law while maintaining fairness, kindness and respect.
In retirement, Jeff was fortunate to be able to pursue his life-long passions for hunting and fishing. Together, Jeff and his loving wife of 22 years, Lisa, traveled to numerous interesting and remote locations. One of Jeff's most favorite accomplishments was being one of the very select few to take each of the African “Big 5” with a single shot. This is how he became affectionately known as “One Shot Jeff.” Jeff enjoyed fishing the many lakes of Minnesota and Canada and was a master at finding the fish. In recent years, Jeff's favorite place to fish was at his lake home in Effie, MN. He treasured sharing his passion and passing on his knowledge to his grandchildren.
Jeff was a master in conversation. He had a broad range of knowledge and could talk with anyone about almost anything. Because of this, he made many friends around the world. Left to cherish his memory, is his wife, Lisa; mother in-law Avis Hanson; stepdaughter Leslie (Dan) Gavrila, and grandsons Aidan & Owen Gavrila; stepson Clark (Nicole) Jorgensen, and grandchildren Clay Jorgensen and Talynn & Jaeger Trytten; daughter Jamie (Brent) Remster, and grandsons Gabe and Tyke Remster; stepdaughter Stephanie Allison Hamm, and grandsons Jacob (Sam) McGrane and Parker Cota; brother in law Dennis (Mary) Hanson; cousins, O'Brien (Donna) Tyrell, Mike (Marilyn) Pinta, Ellen (Dan) Stoneburner and Bob Hansen; and many dear friends. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents Conklin and Doraine Hansen and many beloved dogs.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 20th from 1:00-3:00pm at the First Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar, funeral service will be held immediately following visitation at 3:00pm. Burial will be at the Manly Cemetery following the service. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/jeffrey-james-hansen/article_da77b57f-aacb-569b-87d6-b37debb85fb0.html | 2023-05-14T06:41:05 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/jeffrey-james-hansen/article_da77b57f-aacb-569b-87d6-b37debb85fb0.html |
Patricia Ann Gribben
April 11, 1942-May 11, 2023
MASON CITY-Patricia Ann Gribben, 81, of Mason City, Iowa, passed away on May 11, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Patricia was born on April 11, 1942, in Mason City to Helen and Elmer Fritz. She attended Holy Family Catholic School for both primary and high school.
A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday May 16, 2023, at Epiphany Parish-Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N Adams Ave, Mason City, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions may be made in Patti's honor to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice.
Patti married the love of her life, Patrick Gribben, on April 20, 1963. Together they raised two children, Jerry Gribben and Theresa Blume-Thole (Alan). Patti was a wonderful mother and wife. She always put her family first and loved spending time with them. Her grandchildren, Samantha Ward (Luke), Isaac Gribben, Nick Blume, Jake Blume, Emma Thole, and Michaela Thole were her pride and joy. She was also blessed with a great-granddaughter, Blair Harley Ward.
Patti retired from Mason City Public Schools where she worked for many years as a paraprofessional and as the Office Coordinator at Harding Elementary School. She loved her job and the people she worked with. Patti was a hard worker and always went above and beyond to help others.
Patti was a loving, giving, and a bit sassy, person. She had a wonderful personality and was loved by all who knew her. She enjoyed dancing (especially with her favorite partner, Patrick), singing, music, having coffee every day with her parents and she was a fierce bingo player. Most importantly, Patti had a very strong faith and enjoyed going to mass often. She worshipped at Holy Family Catholic Church of Epiphany Parish and volunteered often at Mercy One Chapel.
Patti is preceded in death by her husband Patrick, her mother Helen, and her father Elmer. She is survived by her daughter, son, sisters Mary Myklestad (Jim)and Kathy Haes (Mick), brother John Fritz (Jennifer), her grandchildren, great-granddaughter and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the staff and caregivers at IOOF Home and Community Therapy Center for singing and dancing with Patti, loving her and caring for her as she struggled through the challenges of Dementia.
Patti will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her legacy of love, hard work, and dedication to her family will live on through them.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel. (641) 423-2372. ColonialChapels.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/patricia-ann-gribben/article_1f2748e6-a75a-5d05-90fd-2c24190f083b.html | 2023-05-14T06:41:12 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/patricia-ann-gribben/article_1f2748e6-a75a-5d05-90fd-2c24190f083b.html |
Aug. 14, 1954—Feb. 14, 2023
JEROME — Cynthia Irene (Barton) Rost, “Cyndi” or “Tiny”, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, in Yuma, Arizona.
Cyndi was born on August 14, 1954, in Gooding, Idaho, to Albert and DeLone Barton, the seventh of eight children, seven girls and one boy. Mom hated the name Cynthia, and would only go by Cyndi, but everyone spelled it Cindy, which is where her phrase of, “that’s Cyndi, with and i,” came from. She was raised and educated in Gooding, Idaho, graduating from Gooding High School in 1972 where she was active in Cheerleading and 4-H. During her school career, she also participated in the Pep Club, and was the Mascot her junior year. She was also on the girls track team, and a member of the girl’s “G” Club, involved with Future Homemakers and Nurses of America, French Club, Drama Club, and was Co-editor of the school newspaper. She grew up to be all of 4’11” tall and earned the lifelong nickname of Tiny, and dynamite did indeed come in this small package!
After high-school, mom moved to Boise and worked at the Idaho Candy Company for a bit making the spud bars and other candies that she loved. Mom then moved home and enrolled in Juan’s College of Hair Design, graduating a couple years later.
Mom met and married Russell Kent Rost, “Rut,” of Wendell, Idaho on March 15, 1975, in Gooding, Idaho at The First Christian Church. They would have been married for 48 years this year, but together almost 55.
Dad and mom decided to start Rost Construction, and mom joined him in the business, becoming everything from his Bookkeeper and extra driver to his crew cook and jobsite cleaner. During this time, Mom prayed for a little girl with brown hair and green eyes, and a little boy with blonde hair and brown eyes, and she received both until Rocky’s hair eventually turned brown. Jaimy Louisa was born on March 14, 1978, followed by Russell Rocky, “Rocky,” on April 18, 1979. During this time, dad and mom were also blessed with the addition of another daughter, Kayla Ruby Mischenko that came to live with them at the age of 14. Dad and mom also helped to raise and foster a few other kids as well. Much like her father, mom never really knew a stranger and could talk to anyone about anything. If she didn’t treat you well, then you needed to ask yourself what you did or why that was because she disliked very few, and was rarely angry or displeased, but you definitely knew when these moments occurred!
In the 1980’s, after the construction company was established with a crew, and the kids were a little older, mom began working with Evelyn Davis at Evelyn’s Flowers in Wendell, Idaho. Mom has always had a passion for plants and flowers and loved designing bouquets and growing things. Mom then bought out Evelyn Davis and started her own floral business named A-Bokay which she ran for 14 years until her health declined to the point that it was necessary for her to sell her business. She suffered from multiple health issues, although most people never even knew because she never let her afflictions define her and rarely, if ever complained. She was the strongest person we know, and her little body had been through so much throughout the years. We just thought she would always keep going! She was also active in the PTA and Wendell Chamber of Commerce during this time, serving as Chamber President and helping to create the Magic Valley Dairy Days festival that is still held every June in Wendell, Idaho.
After she sold the flower shop, or “Posey Palace,” she had plenty of things to keep her busy, as she still ran the household and kept the books for the construction company. This also gave mom the opportunity and time to knit, crochet, sew, paint, cook, bake, make candy, or her famous popcorn balls. Mom was a very creative person that also enjoyed playing the piano, the banjo, and sometimes, the harmonica. She loved her iced-tea, unsweetened, and as everyone knows, “no lemon, lots of ice!” She loved a good garage sale, going antiquing and collecting angels. She also liked doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, playing games and cards, reading her old Bible and other books, being out in nature and the mountains, traveling, camping, fishing, and playing with one of her beloved dogs, that had a better life and were more well-traveled than most humans. Her latest dog, a cream-colored Pomeranian name Annabelle Rose Rost preceded her in death on February 2, 2023 after thirteen years as her faithful companion. She was a lifelong learner and loved watching shows about the earth, plants, animals, history, and many other things. She also loved traveling to Yuma, Arizona every winter for the last 30 years, and spending her summers at their place in Mackay, Idaho with their friends and family. She had a lot of interests.
Mom loved her Hammie (Jaimy), Ralph (Rocky), and Ruby-Doo (Kayla), with all that she had to give, and she was always so loving and supportive. She also had a special relationship with her granddaughter, Angelena Cynthia Aggeler, “Angie,” that called mom “Gigi” because she couldn’t pronounce Grandma very well when she was small. Mom affectionately referred to Angie as “Peanut.” Angie, Gigi is so proud of you and loves you so much! We could tell her anything and while she may not agree or approve, she was always devoted and kind. She was our greatest champion, and her love was the very definition of unconditional. She tried so hard in all that she did and did everything that she could for the ones she loved, with the purest intentions. Mom always met people right where they were in their life, taking a sincere and genuine interest in others, whether their belief systems aligned with hers or not. She was very selfless and always more concerned with taking care of others, rather than herself.
She was the ultimate mom, helped run two businesses, made three meals a day, raised children, and her house and yard were always almost perfect. She always made everything so special and always had a little something to give you or talk with you about. She loved spending time with her family and friends and her positive influence, steady hand, and loving kindness will always be felt and remembered. The world is a little bit darker place without her shining light.
Cyndi is survived by her husband, Russell Rost, “Rut,” of Jerome, Idaho, daughter, Jaimy (Aaron) Aggeler, of Shoshone, Idaho, son, Rocky Rost, of Jerome, Idaho, daughter, Kayla (Anthony) O’Dea of Lone Tree, Colorado, special daughter-friend, Ellie Cnossen, of Vega, Texas, sister, Barbara Barton, of Sparks, Nevada, sister, Vonnie (Lee) Claiborne, of Twin Falls, Idaho, sister, Cherri (Randy) Suter, of Jerome, Idaho, sister, Tracie (Monte) Warwick, of Boise, Idaho, 7 grandchildren; special nephew, Casey (Beth) Suter, of Boise, Idaho, special nephew, Kelly Suter, of Boise, Idaho; special friends, Ron and Kathy Ambrose of Wendell, Idaho, special friends, Gary and Nicki Jackson of Blackfoot, Idaho, and special friends, Ken and Jo Himes of Kemmerer, Wyoming.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Albert, sister, Joye Arlene and Joye’s son, Dean, and sister, Kay Schmenk.
The family wants to thank Dr. F. John Gies for his loving care, concern and friendship to our mother, and family, as well as all his assistance through the years. We also wish to thank the staff and paramedics of Yuma Regional Medical Center, as well as the staff of Yuma Mortuary and Crematory, Jerry Rost of Rost Funeral Home, and Dwain Demaray of Demaray Funeral Service for all their support during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Ken and Jo Himes for helping our dad, taking care of him, and being with him until Rocky could get to Arizona. Our thankfulness and appreciation of your thoughtfulness and generosity in our time of distress cannot be expressed in words. Thank you all, truly and sincerely.
A funeral service will be held at The First Christian Church, at 334 W. 4th Avenue, in Gooding, Idaho, on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 am, with a dinner immediately following at the Gooding County Fairgrounds Office, at 201 Lucy Lane.
Inurnment will take place in a private family ceremony at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Gooding Chapel.
Mom, “You were wise beyond your age, but your little body was tired, and now you know the answers to all questions. We will look for you, we will look for you always, until we see you again. We will see you in every flower, every bird, every sunset. Everything of beauty will forever be you. Fly high for us mom, fly high. We love you so.” Always, Dad, Jaimy, and Rocky. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/cynthia-irene-barton-rost/article_7f12f9f6-481d-562f-b15e-7faa5fb50d58.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:22 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/cynthia-irene-barton-rost/article_7f12f9f6-481d-562f-b15e-7faa5fb50d58.html |
May 6, 1940—May 5, 2023
TWIN FALLS — Dorann (Thorpe) Ficklin passed away on May 5, 2023, after bravely battling cancer. She was born on May 6, 1940, to Twyla Johns and Ford Edwin Thorpe at her grandparents’ home in Spanish Fork, Utah, where she spent a happy childhood.
On September 4, 1958, Dorann married Royce Conrad Ficklin in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they raised their family before moving to Twin Falls, Idaho in 2010.
Dorann was a skilled seamstress, crocheter, and knitter. She was known for her knitted dishcloths, which were treasured by all who received them.
Her favorite colors were UNLV scarlet and grey, and her favorite flowers were little purple pansies. Dorann and Royce spent many peaceful hours at their cabin in Pine Valley, Utah.
She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in various capacities, including Primary Pianist, Young Women’s Secretary, and Ward Camp Leader for many years.
She left behind 5 children she deeply loved: Dale Royce (Judy), Don Jay (Devri), Daryl Gene (Melissa), Wayne Conrad (Anne), and Janet Diann Ficklin. She is survived by 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren (and 1 on the way), sisters-in-law: Laraine and La Rae Ficklin, and Tonie Thorpe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Royce Conrad, grandson, Colton Ficklin, parents, brothers: Wayne and Glen Thorpe, and brothers-in-law: Fred and Enessy Ficklin.
Friends and family are invited to the viewing on May 20, 2023 between 10:00-11:00 am at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah. Graveside services and Interment will be at the Pine Valley Cemetery in Pine Valley, Utah after the viewing. Funeral arrangements are under the care of White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel in Twin Falls, ID and Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/dorann-thorpe-ficklin/article_29a4b029-8953-5418-8063-879a156cd6d7.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:28 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/dorann-thorpe-ficklin/article_29a4b029-8953-5418-8063-879a156cd6d7.html |
Aug. 20, 1967—April 8, 2023
GOODING — Heather (Jones) Young, 55, passed away April 8, 2023 in Idaho Falls with her family by her side. Heather was born on August 20, 1967 in Gooding, Idaho to Elmer Jones and Wylene Spencer.
Heather graduated from Gooding High School in 1986. She married Allen Young and later divorced. Heather was working at Valley Wide in Gooding at the time of her death.
Heather enjoyed spending her time making jewelry for family and friends, watching lightning storms, going on road trips, camping, swimming, car races, and going to the movies. Heather’s favorite holidays were Halloween and Christmas, she loved driving around looking at the Christmas lights, and when it came to gifts she was always snooping!
Heather is preceded in death by her father, Elmer Jones and her mother, Wylene Spencer.
Heather is survived by her brother, Ronald (Debbie) Young of Gooding, sister, Robin Mullinix of Twin Falls, sister, Crystal Ortega of Gooding, brother Shawn (Jolene) Jones of Gooding.; she is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on May 20, 2023 at the American Legion Hall, 610 East Main, Wendell, Idaho at 2:00 p.m. Potluck style-bring your favorite dish.
Heather never said Goodbye because it meant forever, she said see ya later.
You will forever be missed, baby sister. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/heather-jones-young/article_a8e3e6e2-1dd4-55fa-b6f3-fb91721b5f30.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:34 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/heather-jones-young/article_a8e3e6e2-1dd4-55fa-b6f3-fb91721b5f30.html |
March 7, 1931—March 29, 2023
John Leo Thiebert went home to be with Jesus, his wife, and dozens of friends and family on March 29, 2023, at the age of 92. He was born “Jack Stewart” on March 7, 1931 to Grace and Joe Stewart in Minnesota.
Growing up during the Depression years, he fought many early battles—not the least of which were the death of his biological father and his own battle with polio. Overcoming these early struggles prepared him for the life challenges that followed. He always bounced back—with the unquenchable humor and goodwill that provided inspiration to his children and friends alike.
His mother later married Phillip Thiebert, who he considered his “Pop—my real father,” and who adopted dad and his younger brother Jerry. Dad took advantage of the adoption to choose his preferred name: John Leo Thiebert. He graduated from Stillwater High School, and also attended St. Thomas Military Academy while in high school.
He later went to the University of Minnesota and Pasadena City College. He served in the Navy as an Airplane Mechanic, which took him to California, where he met his first wife and mother of his five children, Corinne Manildi. Eighteen years later they parted, and for a while he was married to Amy Starry, who was great fun and with whom he was able to share the humorous sparring that was a hallmark of his personality.
When he finally found the love of his life, Colleen O’Harrow, he became active in the Methodist Church. During their 30+ years together, they lived very full lives, serving on various committees, collecting food for the needy, baking cookies to send to college kids, even helping build a church in South America. Loving and serving God was a quiet, yet integral part of their lives.
Dad enjoyed music, dancing, gardening, potlucks, talking, jokes (good AND bad!) He never stopped playing his beloved trombone. He would play in whatever band he could, including the pep band for “his” College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles, German Band, and occasionally at church.
He sang in church choirs, Dilettante stage productions in Twin Falls, including “Man of La Mancha” and “South Pacific”. He also enjoyed gardening, puttering around the home, and working.
He never did fully retire. He retired from IBM, but it didn’t “take”. He worked in retail for a few years and retired again. Still unable to settle down, he opened his own business! He ran “Papa John’s Lawnmower Repair,” for years.
Somehow, they found time to share their abundant love and support with Colleen’s granddaughter, Brandy. She says, “He was my dad, too!”
He was preceded by his wife, Colleen O’Harrow Thiebert; parents, Gracie and Phillip Thiebert; bio-father, Joe Stewart; brother, Jerry Thiebert; son-in-law, Jason Lough; granddaughter, Heidi Thiebert House, and niece Laura Thiebert. He is survived by his children: Debbie (Gary) Barker, Pauline Lough, John (Denise) Thiebert, Tom (Allison) Thiebert, Deanna Crowder; and grandchildren: Ryan Persinger, Kassie Barnes, Alec Persinger; Melanie Thiebert, Jacob Thiebert, Rae Harvey (Jason), Nina (Aria) Navab, Desmond Crowder; and too many great-grandchildren, step-kids, and step-grandkids to mention!
Dad was loved by so many people. We used to joke about him reuniting with those who moved on before him: “One more guest at your welcome-home party!” Now he can fully grasp how much he was loved, and by how many. Enjoy the party, Dad. We will see you later!
Celebration of Life will be Wednesday, June 3, 2023 1:00-3:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Twin Falls, 360 Shoshone St. E. in Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/john-leo-thiebert/article_df4672b0-4a61-570b-8723-63fc5fb9fc8d.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:41 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/john-leo-thiebert/article_df4672b0-4a61-570b-8723-63fc5fb9fc8d.html |
Sept. 30, 1929—May 8, 2023
TWIN FALLS — Marion “Ray” Moore, age 83, passed peacefully on Monday, May 8, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho. He was born on September 30, 1939, in Hitchcock, Oklahoma to Marvin and Vera Moore.
As a young boy, his family moved to Missoula, Montana, where his father found work as a Diesel Mechanic. Ray joined the Navy and would go on to serve our country for 24 years.
He was also a foster parent to numerous troubled teenagers, who he nurtured and loved with his kind and understanding ways.
In 2001, Ray, who was a widower, married his second wife and best friend, Sylvia. Upon both retiring, they traveled the world and had many wonderful adventures together. The love they shared is what a true love story is all about.
Ray is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Sylvia Moore, sons: Scott (Paula) Moore, Troy (Martise) Moore, stepsons: Ted (Clori) McBurney, Ken (Debby) McBurney, sister, Velma Chandler, as well as six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Ray is preceded in death by both his parents, former wife, Irene Moore, their son, Ted Moore, brothers: Leonard and Elmer Moore, and sister, Marilyn Hunter.
We want to thank our special friends for their love and support through this difficult journey. Also, to our dear Nick and Val, whose dedication, compassion, and unwavering love for both Ray and I will hold a special place in my heart. Last but not least, to our precious dog China, who rarely left Ray’s side, and brought a peace and calm to the both of us. I am grateful for this little angel.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life to honor Ray on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:00 PM, held at White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel in Twin Falls. Following the service, will be an inurnment at Sunset Memorial Park. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/marion-ray-moore/article_0fb5249a-7f5d-561c-9dee-36e8dae6b0eb.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:47 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/marion-ray-moore/article_0fb5249a-7f5d-561c-9dee-36e8dae6b0eb.html |
JOSE ORTIZ SANCHEZ
aka ENRIQUE SANCHEZ-GUTIERREZ
Age: 36
Height: 5 feet, 3 inches
Weight: 160 pounds
Sex: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Wanted for felony DUI (2 counts), providing false information to law enforcement (2 counts), possession of an open container (2 counts) and failure to notify upon striking fixtures along highway
Bond: $500,000
The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information please call 208-735-1911 or Crime Stoppers at 208-343-2677, where they can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tips can be made at www.343cops.com or download P3 Tips on your mobile phone. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls-county-most-wanted/article_9a5153de-f1e2-11ed-9b94-9f0636f89194.html | 2023-05-14T06:47:53 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/twin-falls-county-most-wanted/article_9a5153de-f1e2-11ed-9b94-9f0636f89194.html |
MERIDIAN, Idaho — Roaring Springs Waterpark welcomed guests for its opening weekend on Saturday with plenty of ways to beat the heat - like water slides, pools, and a lazy river.
Roaring Springs, the largest waterpark in the Northwest, is also making a big splash with their new expansion, coming later in May.
"I think this is our most exciting season that we've ever opened with the anticipation of our new expansion," Roaring Springs Waterpark Marketing Director, Tiffany Quilici said.
After two years of planning and construction, the new Roaring Springs expansion will open on May 31. It features three new attractions: Camp IdaH2O, Class 5 Canyon, and Critter Crossing.
"We have the new Camp IdaH20, which is a giant interactive play structure that features seven kids slides, all kinds of iconic Idaho creatures, and the world's first and only tipping potato bucket called Tippin' Tater," Quilici said.
Tippin' Tater is the centerpiece of Camp IdaH20. The 1,500 pound spud-shaped tipping bucket dumps 650 gallons of water every four-and-a-half minutes.
"We also have Critter Crossing, which is an adventure pool that has floating forest-themed features that guests can balance across, as well as water basketball," Quilici said.
Class 5 Canyon is Idaho's first wave action river.
"There's nothing lazy about this river," Quilici said. "It's a whitewater wave action adventure."
The new expansion is themed around staples of Idaho and the Northwest.
"It's a celebration of everything that we love about Idaho and the Northwest," Quilici said. "It has iconic Idaho critters, like bluebirds on a diving board, baby bears on a log flight, a grumpy lifeguard ram – and of course – our Tippin' Tater potato tipping bucket."
The new expansion also brings the Geyser Grill & Bar.
"It will feature Idaho fare, but with an Asian flair," Quilici said.
The menu includes rice bowls, fried potstickers, sliders, and American favorites. It also brings the waterpark's first bar.
"Which will serve Idaho-inspired cocktails, craft beers, frozen drinks in a very responsible way," Quilici asid.
The waterpark is also introducing Pay 'n Play wristbands this year, which serve as a season pass, and a way to load cash to tap and pay for food and gifts throughout the park.
This expansion is part one of a five-phase expansion of Roaring Springs over the next decade.
"So, over the next every two to three years, we're going to be adding another big new water ride," Quilici said.
In addition to the new attractions, the expansion is also bringing a lot of jobs to Roaring Springs. The expansion has added 150 jobs to their workforce, bringing their total count to around 1,000 employees between Roaring Springs and Wahooz - making them one of the largest employers of young adults in the Treasure Valley.
"As the Treasure Valley grows, Roaring Springs is keeping pace with expansions like to this to accommodate that capacity," Quilici said. "As well as the tourists that come here from the Northwest and beyond to enjoy Roaring Springs and Wahooz as a family vacation destination."
Day passes and season tickets for Roaring Springs can be purchased here.
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/roaring-springs-waterpark-now-open-expansion-opening-may-31/277-64268a7d-95ef-4640-9bf4-033bb09cb1eb | 2023-05-14T07:14:08 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/roaring-springs-waterpark-now-open-expansion-opening-may-31/277-64268a7d-95ef-4640-9bf4-033bb09cb1eb |
STAR, Idaho — An incredible, 8,500 square-foot home in Star recently sold for just under $7 million, setting a new record for the most expensive home purchase in the Treasure Valley.
While other homes in Idaho have sold for as much or more, this luxurious layout set a valley record. According to the owner of Boise Premier Real Estate, Brett Hughes, the home has a full basketball court and includes "1,000 feet of Boise River access."
"Everything you could possibly imagine. So, it was pretty amazing, and it sits on 17 acres, with its own private gate and everything," Hughes said. "So, it's basically one of a kind."
According to Hughes, the next most expensive home he remembers selling in the Treasure Valley was an Eagle home around $5 million. This five-bedroom, seven-bath home is located at 21805 Koa Lane in Star.
Its Zillow listing shows the home was built in 2017, and includes eight attached garage spaces, a pool, spa, covered patio and porch, movie theater, sauna and more, all leading up to waterfront access.
Hughes told KTVB a family from California recently purchased the home for just under $7 million. He said there were a number of local buyers who were in the close running, before one family landed the dream home.
KTVB asked Hughes what the purchase price says about the Treasure Valley housing market:
"People are shocked that some of our most expensive houses are selling right now in 2023, when interest rates are higher than they've been," Hughes said. "It's just, there's just so much, there's still a lot of migration coming here, people from these other areas. So, they're looking for luxury. Luxury really hasn't been as affected as some of the other segments of the market have been"
Hughes said he wants buyers to know the inventory is not going to pick up. He also said, over the last year builders have slowed down on how many homes they are building.
So, if you are serious about buying a home, Hughes thinks now is the time to do it.
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/star-home-sells-for-nearly-7m-most-expensive-treasure-valley-history/277-74606e6f-c0c6-467e-a4d6-d87d41036172 | 2023-05-14T07:14:14 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/star-home-sells-for-nearly-7m-most-expensive-treasure-valley-history/277-74606e6f-c0c6-467e-a4d6-d87d41036172 |
DALLAS — Editor's note: The full special is in the video box above and also available on WFAA's YouTube page below in this article.
Almost a week since a lone gunman opened fire at the Allen Premium Outlets, killing eight shoppers and injuring several others, many of us are still feeling the weight of this tragedy happening in our own community.
How do we move forward after trauma? And what steps can we take to find healing?
A special WFAA presentation called "Action After Allen" hopes to help answer those questions. Airing at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 12, this hour-long special will feature live interviews about mental health with guests impacted by mass shootings in Texas.
Guests include:
- Kevin Galey, a now-certified counselor who was shot twice at Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth in 1999.
- Kassandra Chavez, whose son, AJ, was shot inside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde last year.
- Aaron Fleming, a shopper who ran to the back room of a store when gunshots began at the Allen Premium Outlet Mall last Saturday.
The show will also feature a special video message from Trey Louis, who was inside the next-door classroom when a shooter opened fire at Santa Fe High School in 2018.
Cinda McDonald, child life specialist from Dallas’s Baylor Scott and White Hospital, will join the conversation later to discuss identifying trauma in teens and how to help young people navigate those heavy emotions.
You can watch the special below:
Scroll down for more details surrounding the tragic shooting.
What happened in the Allen outlet mall shooting?
Nine people died, including the suspect, in a shooting at an outlet mall in Allen, Texas, on Saturday, May 6.
According to officials, the shooting occurred at about 3:36 p.m. at Allen Premium Outlets, 820 W. Stacy Road.
Witnesses told WFAA they saw the shooter, who was reportedly dressed in all black, near the location of the Fatburger restaurant in the mall complex. Witnesses also described seeing the shooting begin in front of the H&M store at the outlet mall.
The Allen Police Department confirmed that an officer who was responding to an unrelated incident in the area heard the gunshots and ran toward them. The department said that officer “neutralized” the shooter and called for emergency personnel.
"He heard gunshots, located the gunshots, located the shooter, neutralized the shooter, neutralized the threat," Allen police Chief Brian Harvey said. "We believe at this point the shooter acted alone."
Here is a map of the outlet mall, specifically where the shooting reportedly began in front of the H&M store and where the shooter was killed. It remained unclear Monday the shooter's path from the H&M area to the Fatburger area.
Who were the Allen outlet mall shooting victims?
As of Monday, May 8, all eight victims in the shooting have been identified by officials and family: The Cho family, Kyu, Cindy and their 3-year-old son James; sisters, 11-year-old Daniela Mendoza and 8-year-old Sofia Mendoza; Christian LaCour, 20; and Aishwarya Thatikonda, 27; and Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32.
LaCour was working as a security guard at the time of the shooting, his family said. The family said he lived in the Collin County city of Farmersville, which is located to the east of Allen.
A family representative spoke to WFAA about Thatikonda, who was an engineer who lived in McKinney, while her family resides in India. The representative said she was with a friend at the outlet mall when the shooting occurred. Her friend was injured in the shooting and is currently stable in the hospital.
Wylie ISD sent a letter to parents confirming the deaths of the Mendoza sisters, who both attended Cox Elementary School. The district also said the girls' mom, Ilda, remains in critical condition in the hospital.
"Words cannot express the sadness we feel as we grieve the loss of our students. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mendoza family, the families of the victims, and all those affected by this senseless tragedy," the district said.
Cox Elementary School principal Krista Wilson said the sisters were "rays of sunshine," according to the district's email.
New Song Church in Carrollton identified three members of the Cho family as victims of the mass shooting. According to a GoFundMe page, Kyu and Cindy brought their sons, 3-year-old James and newly-6-year-old William, to the outlet to swap out some clothes that William received for his birthday.
"Cindu, Kyu and three year old James were amongst those victims that tragically lost their lives and the family is in deep mourning," the page reads. "After being released from the ICU, their six year old son William is the only surviving member of this horrific event."
The GoFundMe page is raising money to help with funeral costs and other expenses.
At least seven other victims were injured in the shooting. Three have been identified by family and friends: IIda, who is the mother of the Mendoza sisters, along with 6-year-old William Cho, and Irvin Walker II.
According to the GoFundMe page set up for Walker II, he was driving past the shooter's car to find a parking spot when the gunman began shooting into the car. The GoFundMe states that Irvin was shot twice – once in the chest and once in the shoulder – but is in stable condition and expected to survive.
In a Thursday, May 11 update Medical City Healthcare provided information on five of the surviving patients, one has been released.
Four patients were still getting treatment at the Medical City McKinney location. Three are said to in fair condition and one patient is in good condition, according to the hospital.
Another person was sent to Medical City Plano. The Medical City official said the patient is expected to recover.
One other patient was at the Medical City Children's Hospital in good condition, but is no longer listed.
Who was the Allen outlet mall suspected shooter?
The Texas Department of Public Safety, which is investigating the shooting, identified the suspect as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia.
Sources said FBI agents have been looking into two locations in the shooting investigation: the Dallas home where Garcia lived with his parents, and an extended-stay hotel where he was staying recently.
A search warrant obtained exclusively by WFAA stated that Garcia's driver's license listed his current address as a Budget Suites of America in Dallas, which is an extended-stay hotel. Employees at the hotel confirmed he had been renting a room there, according to the warrant.
The search warrant for Garcia's hotel room was obtained as police stated they believed it could contain additional evidence.
An Army official told WFAA that Garcia had been in the U.S. Army in 2008 but was removed due to mental health concerns. Sources added that he espoused an extremist right-wing ideology and disliked people of color and Jews.
A bulletin was sent by the FBI to law enforcement agencies about Garcia and that "an initial review and triage of the subject's social media accounts revealed hundreds of postings and images to include writings with racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist rhetoric, including neo-Nazi material and material espousing the supremacy of the white race."
According to sources, the 33-year-old had been a licensed security guard. He most recently worked at an aluminum supply company.
What gun was used in the Allen mall shooting?
President Joe Biden in a statement Sunday said the suspect, Garcia, was "in tactical gear armed with an AR-15 style assault weapon" as he shot people at the Allen Premium Outlets mall.
Authorities have not released more information about the weapons the shooter had, but DPS confirmed in a news conference that Garcia was in possession of eight weapons when he opened fire at the outlet mall. Three of those weapons were found on his person, and five were found inside the vehicle he was driving.
Who was the officer that shot the suspect?
The officer who shot the suspect has not been publicly identified.
An attorney, Zach Horn, released a statement on behalf of the Allen officer.
"The officer sprinted towards high power rifle fire as everyone else ran away. He's a brave servant with a gentle heart that embodies the best the law enforcement profession has to offer," the statement read.
"He's doing well and would appreciate privacy as he continues to process this life altering tragedy."
The Allen Police Department said there will be a ceremony to honor the "tremendous bravery" of the officer in the future once the investigation has concluded.
The officer was at the mall on an unrelated call, officials confirmed.
What did Texas leaders say about the Allen shooting?
Gov. Greg Abbott in an interview on Fox News Sunday with Shannon Bream emphasized mental health as the "long-term solution" for gun violence in America.
"People want a quick solution," Abbott told Bream. "The long-term solution here is to address the mental health issue."
"One thing that we can observe very easily is that there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of anger and violence that is taking place in America," Abbott said. "And what Texas is doing in a big-time way is we are working to address that anger and violence by going to its root cause, which is addressing mental health problems behind it."
Abbott in a news conference Monday about the border and the end of Title 42 was asked about the Allen shooting.
"The first step to leading to some type of resolution here, as well as providing information about the response needed from the state of Texas, is to know exactly why and how this happened," Abbott said. "I believe in the coming days, the public will be much better informed about why and how this happened. And that will inform us as Texas leaders about next steps to take to try to prevent crimes like this from taking place in the future."
Congressman Keith Self, who represents Allen in the U.S. House, also issued a statement on his social pages.
In a tweet, Self said, "We are devastated by the tragic news of the shootings that took place at the Allen Premium Outlets today. Our prayers are with the victims and their families and all law enforcement on the scene."
More coverage of the Allen shooting: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/action-after-allen-wfaa-special-presentation/287-7466e1bd-af20-458f-891d-8976c3fb475c | 2023-05-14T08:07:10 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/action-after-allen-wfaa-special-presentation/287-7466e1bd-af20-458f-891d-8976c3fb475c |
DALLAS — When the clock struck 10 p.m. in El Paso Thursday, Title 42 ended.
At one of the checkpoints, no one came out -- only two national guardsmen went in.
But throughout the night and day, buses began picking up migrants and taking them to processing facilities. Some migrants didn’t make it across and waited on the other side.
But others, like Frances Nazareth and her daughter, made it.
”I spent many days at the gate trying to pass,” Nazareth said.
She said she prayed around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, and Friday morning, immigration officials called their names.
”It’s hard to explain what I’m feeling, because everything we went through and lived through to get here, now we have hope,” Nazareth said.
Nazareth left her home in Venezuela a few years ago. She shared pictures of herself in happier times but she says things turned violent, so she fled. She wiped away tears while talking about the difficult journey she embarked on with her daughter.
”And it’s really hard because they’re asking you, 'mom, when we are going to get there? Why are we here?' We have to sacrifice so much. You have to get rid of your belongings because they weigh too much, and we went days without eating,” said Nazareth.
And now, they are on the other side, joined by friends they met along the way.
The U.S. Border Patrol and Customs hasn’t said how many people have been apprehended since Title 42 ended, but yesterday, 10 thousand migrants were in custody -- a record number.
Once they left the border, some were taken to processing centers.
One of the larger ones is North of El Paso. They can house up to a thousand migrants for up to 72 hours. In June, the facility will expand to hold two thousand.
The migrants like Frances that are allowed to stay eventually have to go to an immigration court hearing, and that could take months or years. For now, she is just grateful to be in the U.S.
”We came for a real dream, a goal and to succeed,” said Nazareth. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/woman-child-make-it-us-after-dangerous-journey-border/287-e722d175-3292-4f32-9bda-84164f3fbef5 | 2023-05-14T08:07:16 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/woman-child-make-it-us-after-dangerous-journey-border/287-e722d175-3292-4f32-9bda-84164f3fbef5 |
PHOENIX — For weeks Arizonans have felt the pain at the pump, however, there's good news. Experts say relief could soon be on the way.
"I would say by July 4th the Arizona state average should be back under $4.00 a gallon if everything goes well," said Patrick De Haan. "Phoenix will probably be a little bit higher, maybe $4.25 a gallon but that could represent a $0.70 a gallon drop from where we are today."
Patrick De Haan is the head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy. He says Arizona's gas prices dropped about $0.02 last week but that they should keep falling.
"It's going to be a slow-moving freight train," he said. "Once it drops, it'll drop significantly."
According to AAA, Arizona continues to lead the nation with the most expensive gas. Areas around town are even higher than what some Californians are currently paying. Many drivers are wondering why Arizona's gas prices are so high.
"The simple reason behind it is Arizona regulations are more stringent," De Haan said. "There are no refineries in Arizona itself, all the gas lines to meet demand have to come in from outside areas. Arizona's summer gasoline requirements now supersede the EPA and when you create a special blend of fuel for your state it may keep the air cleaner but that also means the refineries that produce that fuel have to have a different blend just for Arizona and that fragmentation is what disrupts the market when things aren't working 100% normally and that's the case here."
De Haan also said Arizona's population boom over the past several years has caused prices to surge because while pipelines coming from California and Texas are full of product, he said those refineries don't currently have the infrastructure that meets the new demand.
To top it off, the refineries serving Phoenix and Eastern Arizona are also undergoing maintenance and with the state's specific gas regulations, that also raises the cost.
"These are highly complex facilities they can take days getting back up to speed and once they do, the decrease should gain momentum," he said.
Which is why De Haan says it's downhill from here. At least for now.
"This is probably going to be the worst of the year for gas prices, so we're kind of through it," he said. "But this could be a consistent problem year in and year out because there's not enough pipeline capacity right now."
Also in terms of areas outside of Phoenix having cheaper gas, De Haan said "not all of Arizona has that same clean burning gasoline that's required in Phoenix which is why if you get outside of that geographic area, you get prices that are $1.00/gallon lower."
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/experts-discuss-gas-prices-in-arizona/75-6c479be1-1796-4d4b-8985-84194e39978e | 2023-05-14T08:26:03 | 1 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/experts-discuss-gas-prices-in-arizona/75-6c479be1-1796-4d4b-8985-84194e39978e |
A group of Hanover County homeowners have been dealt a decisive victory in their fight against the county, Wegmans and the massive distribution center that’s been built right on their doorstep.
That recent legal victory could be a sign that more cases of its type will be heard in local courts across the state, though their individual battle is still far from over.
The homeowners have been challenging the county board and Wegmans in court. They say a special-use permit granted for the construction of the site was passed illegally. The distribution center, roughly the footprint of 20 football fields, is almost finished.
Kathy Woodcock is one of the residents named in the case. Her farm faces one of the employee entrances that will be used by hundreds of employees. She and her husband bought their property on Ashcake Road in 2016, coming from Henrico County, to be closer to nature. They have chickens and a vegetable garden, Woodcock said, and her husband hunts on the land.
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“We never thought that we'd have to go to the Supreme Court of Virginia,” she said. “But a small group of us represent a much larger group of people who to this day believe this is completely wrong, and we're fighting for our community.”
The county held a meeting in 2020 that drew hundreds of people in protest of the 200-acre property being developed into the 1.1 million-square-foot distribution center. Most of those in attendance were there in protest of the development.
The county later passed a special-use permit that paved the way for Wegmans to build. Residents initially challenged the county’s decision in 2020, saying that it was passed without proper public input and in violation of Freedom of Information Act laws, among several other allegations.
The county’s circuit court initially dismissed the case, saying the homeowners did not have the authority to challenge the government over the issue. It was dismissed without even hearing their arguments against the facility. Then in February, the Supreme Court issued an opinion saying the lower court should have heard out their arguments before throwing out the case.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal from Wegmans, officially sending it back to Hanover Circuit Court to consider the residents’ arguments.
The residents’ camp all said they’re feeling incredibly optimistic at this stage of the proceedings.
Similar cases have been tried by residents in other parts of the state recently, and they have ended up winning.
Perhaps the most critical argument in the Hanover homeowners' suit revolves around the violation of FOIA. They say access to the public hearing was restricted during the era of COVID-19 when “stay-at-home” orders were still active.
Two other cases across the state have been decided with similar arguments.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a group of Fairfax County homeowners in March, who alleged that the county passed an update to its zoning laws over virtual meetings, which did not meet the correct level of public input. That decision placed uncertainty over every land use decision issued since the law was first formed in March 2021.
Then in April, the courts sided with Suffolk residents who were challenging their School Board over similar allegations of FOIA violation over public meetings.
“The [supreme] court said that if we can prove it, our Freedom of Information Act claim is valid,” said Brian Buniva, legal representation for the Hanover residents. “So (the) same accurate outcome could happen and I think the same arguments that were made in Fairfax have been and will continue to be made in the Hanover case.”
The Wegmans distribution center was announced in 2019 with the promise of 700 jobs for the community. Then-Gov. Ralph Northam said Virginia was using $2.35 million in state money as an incentive to build the center.
Wegmans' petition for a rehearing in the Supreme Court was supported by 22 groups like local governments, chambers of commerce, economic developers and other real estate groups that said the ruling could lead to negative impacts on the statewide economy.
Hanover has issued a statement saying that it was disappointed in the initial opinion from the Supreme Court, but that it was confident it would be found to have acted appropriately by the court system.
“We weren't against the warehouse coming to Hanover County,” said Chris French, a homeowner named in the state suit. “We were against it ... in this inappropriate location, because you've got residents right up against it. You've got environmental justice concerns and a community that has been targeted historically by Hanover County for all of the major development.”
Along with being just a few thousand feet from locals' doorsteps, they also argue that the site is disrupting a historic community in the area called Brown Grove. It was designated a state historic district in 2022 – after Wegmans started construction – and was a historically Black community.
French said county planning in Hanover – and across the country – typically placed industrial-type zoning over communities of color like Brown Grove.
The majority of people who were part of the Brown Grove community have left. Many descendants no longer live there or have sold their properties, French said.
“It's one of those things of where when you have a county that said we want to put everything here, then that just makes it so much easier for communities (to) just become dispersed over time because nobody wants to live beside industrial complexes,” he said.
The county is currently redrawing its comprehensive plan, which strategizes where certain types of projects should go. French said the plan that’s coming together so far appears to be more equitable.
Rod Morgan, another homeowner named in the suit, says the county’s process was too secretive and just didn’t give enough notice for residents to adequately voice opposition.
“The county worked on it for 18 to 24 months in secret with a codename and then they opened up the curtain said, here it is, and, you know, and we want to ram it through as quickly as you can before before anybody can get organized.”
Companies like Wegmans are often known for having highly confidential processes with strict agreements over the dissemination of information when choosing sites for large projects like a distribution center.
That left the homeowners with less than a month to act, Morgan said.
What a victory would mean for the homeowners is ultimately unclear. On one hand, Buniva says he thinks the site’s permit could become invalid. On another, Morgan said he thinks there isn’t a black-and-white answer – with some type of middle ground concession possible.
The plaintiffs have considered it a huge victory that their arguments will get their day in court. While they’re confident, there is still a lot to figure out down the road.
“I think there needs to be some finality to these proceedings,” Morgan said. “I wouldn’t look to appeal unless the circuit court either didn't do a good job, or there was some sort of error. That's different from me being unhappy with the outcome.” | https://richmond.com/news/local/homeowners-victory-against-wegmans-may-be-a-sign-of-things-to-come-for-the-little/article_590c965a-f105-11ed-8d12-8795763d538d.html | 2023-05-14T09:19:49 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/homeowners-victory-against-wegmans-may-be-a-sign-of-things-to-come-for-the-little/article_590c965a-f105-11ed-8d12-8795763d538d.html |
CEDAR FALLS — The Sturgis Falls Celebration Parade is nothing without the impressive people recognized for their volunteerism and involvement who help kick off the event.
Dave Deaver has been named grand marshal for his work in the community. He is a member of the Cedar Falls High School class of 1970 and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.
The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. June 24 at Eighth and Clay streets. It ends at Fifth and Franklin streets.
Deaver will be among about 30 people recognized for their contributions as volunteers and leaders from Cedar Falls and surrounding communities. They’ll be passengers in convertibles at the front of the parade before the rest of the procession follows at 10 a.m. The event lasts about two hours, one of the highlights of the three-day festival June 23-25.
“We’re excited because we had a lot of great candidates and feel like this will be a fun group who will bring out a really great crowd,” said Parade Director Rose Miller.
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Deaver, the 2010 Cedar Falls Representative Citizen of the Year, spent two decades leading the parade float judging. Away from Sturgis, he built a career in banking and any free time left was allotted toward his community.
His resume includes the founding of the Cedar Falls Schools Foundation and the transition of the Cedar Falls Civic Foundation into a community foundation.
He has served many organizations: Cedar Falls Community Schools, working to pass the new high school bond referendum; Cedar Falls Public Library board of trustees, working to get a new library built; and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, working to build the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. He spent with the Lions Club, Cedar Falls Community Theatre, Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, Community Main Street, NewAldaya Lifescapes and his church.
Dozens of recommendations were considered in selecting the parade dignitaries.
Bill and Kim Salmon were named the parade’s host and hostess as the perfect people to welcome visitors to Cedar Falls. Bill’s life revolved around playing and coaching football. Kim’s work led to successful moves and transitions for hundreds of people to Western Home Communities.
The Cornerstone Award was given to The United States Marine Corps Band as a vital part of the celebration. Since 1941, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band has performed at more than 50,000 events both military and civilian.
The celebration’s cover artist is Emerson Ladage, 10, who just finished up fourth grade at Hansen Elementary School. Her drawing of a jewel and a crown represents the theme of 2023, “The Crown Jewel.”
Scholarship recipients are Lejla Mehmedovic, a 2023 graduate of Cedar Falls High School. She had a cumulative 4.19 GPA. She also volunteers at local hospitals and participates in several sports and mosque activities.
Matthew Corrigan is the other scholarship winner. A 2023 graduate of Waterloo West High School, he earned a 3.87 GPA while working part-time and volunteering at MercyOne. Additionally, he participated in church, athletics, Boy Scouts, and Hawkeye Community College’s dual enrollment program.
Other dignitaries will include the Sturgis mascot Willie S. Wonderful, and event cofounders Rosemary Beach and Judy Cutler, as well as state and local officials.
All the dignitaries will join Cedar Falls native and NASA astronaut Raja Chari at the opening of the parade. Chari was recently announced as the celebrity grand marshal.
“The service groups that assist us in putting this celebration and parade together are unbelievable,” said Miller. “Overwhelming sponsors and their generosity helps to make this celebration and parade happen. And I cannot say enough words to express the gratitude about the volunteers that work on this celebration and parade.” | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/sturgis-falls-celebration-parade-to-recognize-dignitaries-for-volunteerism-community-involvement/article_79be41c9-422a-5ab7-81c2-17427570912b.html | 2023-05-14T09:20:22 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/sturgis-falls-celebration-parade-to-recognize-dignitaries-for-volunteerism-community-involvement/article_79be41c9-422a-5ab7-81c2-17427570912b.html |
Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women award 11 scholarships
The Sarasota branch of the National League of American Pen Women recently awarded scholarships totaling $17,000 to 11 high school seniors for their talents in writing, visual arts, and music.
The awards ranged from $1,250 to $2,000 and were based on competitions involving seniors at 17 high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties who are planning to pursue education in the arts. This year’s winners displayed their talents during the Performance Luncheon on April 26 Bird Key Yacht Club.
The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation Special Award for Excellence in Writing was presented to Pailey Riesgo (North Port) for “Delicate Blooms.” C.T. Bailey Special Awards went to Doura (Sarasota) for “The Memorial” and Ocean Bruinius (Pine View) for “The Wicked Monster.” Kalie Martin (Southeast) received the ABC Books Special Award for “Meeting Ollie and Georgie.”
In memory of NLAPW member Betty Altman, who started the program over three decades ago, the David Altman Foundation provided funding for the visual arts awards. Samantha Tanelli (Booker) received the Altman Award for Excellence for her watercolor “The Cat and the Monkey.” Altman Special Awards were given to Gabriela Sanchez-Gomez (Manatee School for the Arts) for her painting “Soupy David and His Band”; Jardon Osborne (Sarasota) for “Wheel of life”; Mehak Sandhu (Booker) for the mixed media “Lime and Baby’s Breath”; and Alanna Hutton (Booker) for her watercolor “American Toys.”
The Halide Smith Award of Excellence in Music Composition was earned by Danae Tran (Booker) for “Violin Solo and Piano.”
The not-for-profit NLAPW was founded in 1897 as a woman’s organization to support talented writers and journalists. Soon after female artists and musicians joined. The NLAPW is the oldest multidisciplinary arts organization in the United States. The Sarasota branch was founded in 1957 and its annual high school arts competition helps encourage budding artists.
For more information, visit sarasotapenwomen.org.
Submitted by Wilma Davidson, president, Sarasota Pen Women | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/11-sarasota-manatee-students-honored-with-local-pen-women-scholarships/70198157007/ | 2023-05-14T11:11:25 | 1 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/11-sarasota-manatee-students-honored-with-local-pen-women-scholarships/70198157007/ |
VIN'S PEOPLE: New Manatee School District teachers from USF receive major star treatment
When several University of South Florida College of Education graduates-to-be recently signed teaching contracts with the Manatee School District, they celebrated on USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus with an Educator Signing Day much like national signing day for star high school athletes.
USF’s Rocky the Bull was there, too.
The festivity highlighted the institutional partnership to address a major concern facing public education across our region and state.
“We are in dire need of teachers,” said Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock, a USF dean.
“(It’s) only right we celebrate individuals who have chosen this profession,” said retiring Manatee Superintendent Cynthia Saunders.
Those contract signees and their assigned schools are: Jessica Bailey, Palmetto Elementary; Jennifer Bartens, Freedom Elementary; Shelbi Berner and Hope Gratzer, Southeast High; Anna Bunyak, McNeal Elementary; Hailey Cosby and Ariana Morales, Samoset Elementary; Ashley Danko and Paige Dodd, Prine Elementary; (Madison Atkinson is undecided).
“Having a job lined up before graduating really made this a stress-free transition,” Morales said. “Now I have more time to focus on starting my classroom.”
Cosby, who attended Moody Elementary, Lee Middle and Manatee High, agreed.
“(It) truly feels like a full circle moment. I’ve already received so much support and guidance from staff and teachers at Samoset, I cannot be more excited to begin my career there.”
That they worked as paid interns in district classrooms is invaluable, added Dr. Jennifer Jacobs, USF’s Office of Clinical Education director.
“The quality of the clinical experience matters. We have worked closely with Manatee County to engage in intentional and thoughtful placements of teacher candidates throughout the district.”
· Carol Beck is 39. Again.
· Noreen and Bill Boychuk celebrate their Golden Anniversary Friday.
· The welcome sign is up for Harmony In The Streets (HITS), free summer day camps for kids ages 6-12, presented by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.
HITS' two camps are each limited to 60 children. Secure a spot by registering at form.jotform.com/221296122221039.
HITS Mobile Camp 1, Imagine Charter School North, 9275 49th Ave. E., Palmetto, June 26-29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
HITS Mobile Camp 2, Visible Men Academy, 921 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton, July 17-20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
· Props to Erin Spivey, Parrish Community High’s District 16 5A Softball Coach of the Year.
· Jaylin Thompson, who was on last year’s DeSoto Queen’s Court, will spend three months in sister city, Barcarrota, Spain, with the 2023 Dr. Art Engelhard Student Exchange Program.
Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at vinspeople@gmail.com. Or call 941-962-5944. Twitter: @vinmannix. | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/vin-mannix-star-treatment-for-new-teachers-on-educator-signing-day/70198175007/ | 2023-05-14T11:11:31 | 0 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/vin-mannix-star-treatment-for-new-teachers-on-educator-signing-day/70198175007/ |
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.
100 years ago
May 14, 1923: Bloomington dealers say that the automobile business is having its banner year. Every dealer is selling far more cars than were sold last year. The easy payment plan, first frowned upon by the dealers, is responsible for many of the sales. The payment plan can be adopted by those who are financially able to pay as well as those who cannot pay cash.
75 years ago
May 14, 1948: Reorganization of routes covered by Bloomington letter carriers has been completed, and two more carriers added, according to postmaster Carter Pietsch. The two extra carriers bring the total in the city to 31.
50 years ago
May 14, 1973: Bloomington has taken the first step in a planned radical traffic change by appropriating $13,654.50 as its share for two traffic signals on Main and Center streets at their intersections with Emerson Street. The signals will become necessary when U.S. 51 is routed southbound on Center Street and northbound on Main Street.
25 years ago
May 14, 1998: The 56 students in Central Catholic High School's concert and jazz bands will play this weekend in the International Festival at Sea Music Competition. The jazz band will place twice and the concert band three times in the competition, which is held on a Carnival cruise ship as it sails around the Bahamas. The bands will also perform at other ship venues, including pool lounges.
101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922
Gerthart's
Union Gas and Electric Co.
Hoover
Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists
Moberly & Klenner
W.P. Garretson
W.H. Roland
Pease's Candy
Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine
The Kaiser's Story of the War
Ike Livingston & Sons
Gossard Corsets
Cat'n Fiddle
'Stolen Moments'
Case Model X
The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co.
The Pantagraph want ads
Franklin Motor Car Co.
'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'
Calumet Baking Powder
Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket
'The Emperor Jones'
'California Fig Syrup'
Compiled by Pantagraph staff | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-bloomington-car-dealers-having-banner-year/article_7535fa54-ed10-11ed-a516-7733c1f69cdb.html | 2023-05-14T11:14:01 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-bloomington-car-dealers-having-banner-year/article_7535fa54-ed10-11ed-a516-7733c1f69cdb.html |
NORMAL — A lane reduction is planned beginning Monday on Main Street between Beaufort Street and College Avenue as Normal crews begin a water main replacement project.
The lane reduction will remain in effect through the end of the project, which is expected to be done by the end of the year, weather permitting.
All local access will be maintained during this time, but periodic interruptions may occur due to trucks and heavy equipment needed for the project.
A map spotlight of the road closure can be found at arcg.is/10590W0.
Beginning Tuesday, there also will be a road closure on Beaufort Street between Main and University streets for a water main replacement.
Access will be maintained for local traffic only. Both westbound lanes will be closed to through traffic just after the McDonald’s entrance. One eastbound lane will remain open.
The work is expected to be completed by end of day on Friday, weather permitting.
A map spotlight of the road closure can be found at arcg.is/10eHuj.
Over 100 dash colors at Bloomington 'Holi Moli' festival | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/roadwork-planned-in-normal-this-week/article_9e3d270a-f1b2-11ed-9ba9-33a2b17501de.html | 2023-05-14T11:14:07 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/roadwork-planned-in-normal-this-week/article_9e3d270a-f1b2-11ed-9ba9-33a2b17501de.html |
CEDAR FALLS — Voodoo Lounge will shutter its downtown nightclub for good Saturday.
Harmonic Hospitality Group (formerly Paramount Barco) said it will focus on growth at other upscale bars — Roxxy, The Stuffed Olive, Double Tap, and Deringer’s Public Parlor — and will “exit gracefully” after its lease expired at 401 Main St.
“This is it, this our farewell,” said Tony DeSalvo, president of Harmonic Hospitality Group. “We love the space in downtown Cedar Falls and Main Street and want to now focus on our other homegrown concepts with legs.”
“We’re going off into the sunset” to allow more resources to be dedicated to the growth of other ventures with locations on Main Street. DeSalvo became involved in the business at the beginning of the year.
The Stuffed Olive has locations in Des Moines and Iowa City, as well. Double Tap and Roxxy also have spots in Iowa City. Additionally, The Stuffed Olive and Roxxy are set to open in Omaha’s Capitol District in the fall.
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Voodoo Lounge and Stuffed Olive in Des Moines are run by a licensee who has no intentions of closing, said DeSalvo.
Voodoo opened in 2003 above the old Bourbon Street Restaurant at 314 Main St. in Cedar Falls, where the ownership group’s other restaurants are now located. In 2015, it relocated to the old Joker’s Night Club, a 7,000-square-foot space in part of the Fourth and Main streets building owned by Skyview LLC.
Ben Stroh, owner of the historic building, could not be immediately reached for comment.
Entrepreneurs Aaron Schurman and Jeff Hassman are managing partners of Harmonic Hospitality Group – roles they played before a name change at the beginning of the year.
Voodoo’s 10 employees, 80% of whom are bartenders, have been offered different opportunities at other bars, DeSalvo said.
Of Voodoo’s 20-year run, DeSalvo said customers were drawn to “one of the best dance floors” in the area, on top of the “versatility” of the two-level space as a bar and nightclub, as well as attractions like soft seating, the upstairs skull chandelier, bands and other entertainment.
May 20 will be the official farewell party at the club. More details will be released on its social media. DeSalvo said he hopes it gives customers a chance to reminisce about the good times.
Open Thursday through Saturday, Voodoo caters to a younger crowd, including students at the University of Northern Iowa, but attracts people of all ages.
“We really want to thank everybody we had the honor of serving,” said DeSalvo. “We really mean that.”
Local law enforcement line of duty deaths
Black Hawk County area law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty include:
Jurors also found Michael Thomas Lang guilty of attempted murder for shooting at armored vehicle driver, assault on officer for earlier struggle with police.
Christopher Fitzgerald was officer with Temple University police
DES MOINES — On Friday, two Iowa State Patrol troopers who died in the line of duty in 2021 — Sgt. Jim K. Smith and Trooper Ted Benda — will h…
CEDAR FALLS | A Cedar Falls police officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 1945 received special honors in Des Moines today.
WATERLOO —- The Cedar Valley said farewell to one of its protectors Friday.
CEDAR FALLS | "The first time I met Adam, I realized he was the most laid-back, relaxed, never swore, only drank once a year at church." | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-night-club-voodoo-lounge-to-shut-down-saturday/article_d6a60d51-2940-5199-a071-041f7a04b80e.html | 2023-05-14T11:21:06 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-night-club-voodoo-lounge-to-shut-down-saturday/article_d6a60d51-2940-5199-a071-041f7a04b80e.html |
WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been sentenced to prison for distributing opioids to a person who died of an overdose in 2022.
Melvin “Trav” Williams, 55, was one of three people sentenced to federal prison last week in an investigation into fentanyl sales in the Waterloo area.
Williams was sentenced to up to six years and seven months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release on a charge of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Others sentenced include Sheryl Ann Wellner, 44, who was sentenced to three years and five months in prison with six years of supervised release, and Justin Brock Jensen, 41, of Cedar Falls, who was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison and three years of supervised release.
Formerly of Chicago, Williams moved to Waterloo in 2011. Authorities allege he sold what was purported to be heroin but was actually fentanyl in March 2022. He distributed the substance to a friend identified in court records as “I.R.” on March 29, 2022. I.R. died of an overdose at home.
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Two days later, investigators used a confidential source to buy heroin from Williams, and Williams allegedly sold a substance that was .46 grams of fentanyl, according to court records.
A few days later, Williams sold Jensen fentanyl, and Jensen, in turn, distributed the .25 grams of fentanyl to a person identified as “J.R.”
J.R. overdosed and went unconscious while driving his pickup and crashed in the area of Broadway Street and Airport Boulevard. Paramedics resuscitated him using Narcan, according to court records.
In May 2022, law enforcement officers conducted several controlled purchases from Williams and Jensen before arresting them May 26, 2022.
Jensen’s attorney said in court records that Jensen became addicted to pain killers after hurting his back moving furniture at work in 2004, and his involvement in drug distribution was to fuel his own opioid use.
Court records show Jensen called 911 three times between June and October 2021 to report that three different friends had overdosed on opioids. Two survived, but a woman identified as “L.T.” died.
Jensen wasn’t charged with distributing drugs to the three and his defense attorney noted that Iowa law shields people who report overdoses to medical officials.
Court records allege Williams was acting as a middleman, distributing drugs he received from Jonathan Davis, who was indicted with Williams and Jensen. On May 26, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant on Davis’ vehicle, finding more than 200 grams of fentanyl and $6,470 in cash.
Davis is currently awaiting sentencing.
Wellner was indicted separately.
Prosecutors allege Wellner twice distributed heroin to another person in Waterloo in August 2021. Then on August 18, 2021, law enforcement officers searched her home and found almost 10 grams of a heroin/fentanyl mixture and a digital scale.
Fact Sheets: Drugs of Abuse
Fact Sheets on drugs of abuse from the Drug Enforcement Administration | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/three-sentenced-for-fentanyl-sales-overdoses/article_b7169ff3-c46b-598e-aa02-df9347c6c11f.html | 2023-05-14T11:21:12 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/three-sentenced-for-fentanyl-sales-overdoses/article_b7169ff3-c46b-598e-aa02-df9347c6c11f.html |
WGTD (91.1 FM) is owned and operated as a public service of Gateway Technical College and is an affiliate of Wisconsin Public Radio.
For an updated schedule, go online to wgtd.org. WGTD 91.1-FM’s “Morning Show” airs 8:10 to 9 a.m. weekdays.
Guests this week include:
Monday, May 15: We preview this coming weekend’s performance at Carthage of the “Kenosha Verbatim Project,” the latest Verbatim Theater project overseen by Theater Professor Martin McClendon. This one focuses on the city of Kenosha in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake. Joining Professor McClendon are two students involved directly in the project, Rayven Craft and Katherin Layendecker.
Tuesday, May 16: Bonnie J. Ruff, author of “Beyond Birds and Bees: Bringing home to our kids a new message about love, sex and equality.”
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Wednesday, May 17: From the archives, sportswriter S.L. Price, author of “Heart of the Game: Life, Death and Mercy in Minor League America.”
Thursday, May 18: Ryan Kane, Carthage College’s new Director of Athletics—and Seth Weidmann, Assistant Director of Athletics and the school’s Head Swimming and Diving Coach.
Friday, May 19: WGTD News Director David McGrath talks about his first novel, “Twenty Hours from Tulsa,” the fictional backstory of how the aforementioned song—one of the biggest hits of singer Gene Pitney—came to be written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. McGrath’s previous book is titled “Gene Pitney: The Singer, The Songs, The Songwriters.” | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/wgtd-announces-morning-show-schedule-for-this-week/article_1f2e8260-f0f9-11ed-aa86-5ffdc27a85ca.html | 2023-05-14T11:41:21 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/wgtd-announces-morning-show-schedule-for-this-week/article_1f2e8260-f0f9-11ed-aa86-5ffdc27a85ca.html |
Plain Township trustees to consider road levies as cost of paving soars
Possible road levy increase on the table
- Plain Township trustees took the first legal step toward submitting possible road levy increases to voters for approval.
- The last time Plain Township voters approved a road levy increase was in 2014.
PLAIN TWP. − Township trustees are considering putting the first road levy increase since 2014 on the November ballot as the cost of paving roads soars.
The trustees recently voted to request the Stark County Auditor certify the amounts that three proposed road levy increases assessed on properties would raise if voters approve the requests. It's the first required step to placing a levy issue on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The trustees who voted for the measure were Scott Haws and John Sabo. The third trustee, Brook Harless, was not present on Tuesday's meeting.
The three proposed levies are a 1.5-mill replacement road levy with a 0.5-mill increase; a 1.5-mill replacement road levy with a 1-mill increase and a 1.5-mill replacement road levy with a 1.5-mill increase. It would be up to the Stark County Auditor's office to determine based on Plain Township's current property values how much more property owners would pay each year for every $100,000 in value with each of those proposed levies.
More:Plain Township Trustees to Put Road Levy on Ballot
The deadline to place a levy issue on the Nov. 7 ballot is Aug. 9.
Why a proposed increase in Plain Township?
Haws said roughly around 2015, the township's road levies generated enough to resurface about 16 to 18 miles of township roads each year. With rising costs, that's fallen to about 11 miles a year.
He said it's his job to present the best option to voters on financing road maintenance.
The township has two 1.5-mill road levies that generate a total of more than $2 million a year to cover road resurfacing, road maintenance and the costs of the township Road Department. The current cost to an owner of a $100,000 home is roughly $76 per year. Any of the proposed levy replacements and increases would use updated higher property values to assess the original 1.5 mills and then add 0.5 a mill, 1 mill or 1.5 mills.
Plain Township road levy history
The older of the two levies dates back to 1982. Voters approved replacement levies based on updated property values for that levy, which once generated $520,343 a year, in 2001, 2007 and 2012. Voters renewed the levy in 2017 and 2021. If not renewed or replaced, it's set to expire in 2026 with final collections in 2027.
Voters approved the second levy as an additional 1.5-mill road levy in 2014 that then raised more than $966,700 a year. The township's then-Highway Superintendent Joe Iacino in a presentation to trustees that year said prior to rising costs he had been able to pave nearly 14 miles of township road a year in 2005. That declined to eight miles of township road a year by 2014. Voters later renewed the levy for five years in 2019. It's set to expire this year with final collections set for 2024. Each of the three levy proposals would replace that levy based on higher property values with the additional millage.
More:Plain Twp. trustees: Rising cost of paving might mean road levy
More:Voters will see road levies on ballot
More:Canton and Plain townships seek road money
The one time Plain Township voters rejected a property tax funding roads was in 2006 when they voted down a proposed 2-mill road levy to replace the then-existing 1.5-mill road levy.
Haws said he would look at proposing to voters that the trustees repeal the road levy set to expire in 2026 if voters approve a 1.5-mill replacement plus additional millage that would generate more funds by itself than the two levies generate together now. That would essentially consolidate the two road levies into one.
Haws said that would reduce the costs to the township of seeking renewals and replacements of road levies every few years. And it would reduce the number of times voters would be asked to approve a renewal, replacement or additional township property tax.
Plain Township has consolidated two road levies in the past. Plain Township voters approved a separate 0.5-mill road levy in 1996 that raised about $230,000 a year and renewed it in 1999. In 2001, after voters passed a 1.5-mill replacement road levy and doubled the revenue of the older 1.5-mill road levy to about $924,000 a year, trustees followed through on their pledge to drop the 0.5-mill levy. The net increase in revenue for the road department was about $174,000 a year.
Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @rwangREP. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/plain/2023/05/14/plain-township-trustees-may-ask-voters-to-approve-road-levy-hike/70201939007/ | 2023-05-14T12:02:46 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/plain/2023/05/14/plain-township-trustees-may-ask-voters-to-approve-road-levy-hike/70201939007/ |
Meet Scott Life: Executive director of First Tee – Canton
- Scott Life serves as executive director of First Tee – Canton.
- First Tee teaches not only golf, but also life skills.
- First Tee – Canton has its own nine-hole course and an indoor practice facility.
Scott Life is the executive director of First Tee – Canton.
Life and his wife Laura live in Massillon and will be celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in July. They have a daughter, Sophia, 22, who graduated from The Ohio State University last year and now works for Campus Crusade for Christ serving undergraduates at Ohio State. Their son, Tommy, 19, is also in Columbus finishing up his first year at Ohio State's Fisher College of Business.
The family has three dogs — Beau, 9, Wrigley, 8, and Stella, 7 — who keep them busy.
Life graduated from Sycamore High School in Cincinnati and Ohio State. He joined the First Tee – Canton in February.
“By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, we create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do,” Scott said. “... Everyone has been extremely supportive as I familiarize myself with the organization and our community partners. In 2022, First Tee – Canton celebrated its 20th anniversary. We continue to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf.”
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When did you start golfing and why?
I stepped onto my “first tee” at the age of 8. I enjoyed many sports as a kid – soccer, baseball, basketball and tennis. I was lucky to also be able to try golf at an early age and I was hooked right away.
I remember my first junior tournament and the thrill of teeing it up in competition. Golf is a sport you can enjoy for a lifetime, and we’re excited to be able to provide access to golf and the life lessons you can learn from the game to so many children in Stark County.
Where does the First Tee – Canton practice/play?
We have our very own golf course and indoor practice facility with simulators for participants to enjoy year-round access to golf. Our nine-hole par three course is perfect for introducing youth to the game of golf.
Since 2014, we have also managed the First Tee - Canton Junior Tour which gives children access to local courses like Pleasant View Golf Club, Arrowhead Golf Club, Sanctuary Golf Club, Raintree Golf, Tannenhauf Golf Club and Congress Lake Country Club.
Our goal for the First Tee - Canton Junior Tour is to grow the game of golf by providing junior golfers an opportunity to play competitive golf at a low cost.
How many trained coaches does the program usually have?
We have 12 trained golf coaches giving instruction to participants at our First Tee – Canton facility. Our trained coaches not only provide an introduction to junior golf and an opportunity to enhance golf skills, they also create a safe, supportive and empowering environment to help youth prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college and even their careers.
Beyond our certified coaches, we have 70 volunteers assisting with classes and events.
What are the life skills that the program teaches?
Through our program, kids will learn skills that stay with them for life:
- Understanding and managing emotions
- Resolving conflicts
- Setting up step-by-step goals
- Planning for the future
- Appreciating diversity
- Golf fundamentals and advanced techniques
Our focus is on building game changers. And if children happen to improve their golf skills and achieve lower golf scores, then that’s a bonus!
What does the First Tee program mean to you?
Providing a safe and positive environment for children to learn life lessons as well as the game of golf is extremely fulfilling. Here at First Tee – Canton, we strive to be a trusted partner in the community helping the youth of Stark County to reach their full potential.
Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/meet-scott-life-executive-director-of-first-tee-canton/70178791007/ | 2023-05-14T12:02:52 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/meet-scott-life-executive-director-of-first-tee-canton/70178791007/ |
Stark County roundup: News from around the Canton region
'Always … Patsy Cline’ on stage in Alliance
ALLIANCE – Carnation City Players will present “Always … Patsy Cline” at the Firehouse Theater, 450 E. Market St., at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. May 21. For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/2p8fy3da.
“Always … Patsy Cline” is based on the true story of Cline and her friendship with a fan from Houston, Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk in 1961. The show features many of Cline’s classic hits.
American Legion plans carryout Swiss steak dinner
BEACH CITY – Beach City American Legion Hall Post 549, 125 Third Ave. NE, will have a drive-thru carryout Swiss steak dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Watch for signs where to enter. Meal features three-bean salad, applesauce, mashed potatoes with homemade gravy, corn, bread and dessert for $12.
Black History Archive Day is Saturday
CANTON – The Wm. McKinley Presidential Library and Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Drive NW, will host a Black History Archive Day from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Stop by and reminisce, share your stories, and preserve the history of the Black community in Stark County. Bring stories, photographs, letters, documents, scrapbooks, and 3D objects and share the stories surrounding your mementos.
Staff will scan paper materials and photograph objects while you wait. Items will be returned immediately. Contributors will receive a free digital copy of all images collected.
Youth Fishing Derby is Saturday
CANTON – Canton Parks and Recreation will hold a Youth Fishing Derby from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Westbrook Park Pond, 12th Street and Harrison Avenue NW. The event is free and open to the public.
Preregister by Friday at https://tinyurl.com/57tzrp29. Walk-up registration will be permitted on the day of the event, but preregistration is strongly encouraged.
There will be prizes for the winner and runner-up in each age group (ages 4-8, 9-12, 13-15). Parents are not permitted to fish; however, they can help younger children with baiting and taking fish off hooks. All catfish must be alive to be measured and eligible for prizes.
For more information, email cantonparks@cantonohio.gov, call 330-456-4521 or visit https://cantonparksandrec.com. This event is held in collaboration with the Stark County Federation of Conservation Clubs and Berkley Fishing of Ohio.
Reception for ex-inmates is June 1
CANTON – A welcome-home reception for citizens recently released from incarceration will be held at 1 p.m. June 1 at the Drop-in Center, 1492 Cherry St. SE.
The homecoming reception is to provide access to services for them to succeed and overcome barriers, according to the Stark County Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Outreach Project.
Reservations are required; call 330-949-1927.
All service-providing agencies are invited to participate. Past attendees have included Job and Family Services, Legal Aid, Urban League, Veterans Association and Stark County Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Outreach Project, which sponsors the event along with the Stark County NAACP and Community Connection.
Abortion support group will meet Wednesday
CANTON – Hope and Healing’s Women of Worth after abortion support group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Call or text 330-834-8224 for details and location information.
Stark Countian promoted at Ohio Farm Bureau
COLUMBUS – Nick Kennedy of North Canton has been promoted to senior organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau. He will continue to serve members in Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage and Stark counties, and adds the role of lead organization director in the North Royalton office to his duties.
Kennedy is a native of Wauseon, where he worked on the family dairy and crop farm. An alumnus of Wauseon FFA, he was a member of Fulton County 4-H and Fulton County Jr. Fair Board. Kennedy has been with the Ohio Farm Bureau for 20 years, beginning his career after graduating with a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in 2004.
Professionally, Kennedy was a member of the 26th class of Leadership Stark County and received the Stark County Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award in 2020.
See 'The Spongebob Musical’
JACKSON TWP. – "The Spongebob Musical" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays from May 19 to June 4 at the Mary J. Timken Theater, 6000 Frank Ave. NW.
For more information and to buy tickets, call 330-244-3224 or visit https://www.playersguildtheatre.com/the-spongebob-musical. Parking is free.
Jackson Township Historical Society plans programs
JACKSON TWP. – Jackson Township Historical Society, 7756 Fulton Drive NW, will host the program "Stark County’s Stagecoach Era" at 7 p.m. Tuesday with local historian Richard Haldi. Learn about life in Stark County when horses were the mode of transportation. Doors open at 6:30.
The Historical Society will host a program about quilts at 1 p.m. May 21. Judy Malinowski will talk about the quilts on display at the Historical Society, as well as family quilts and ones from her own collection. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Admission for either program is $5 (ages 14 and up), free for members. For more information, visit http://www.jacksontwphistory.org.
Jackson Branch Library Book Sale is May 19, 20
JACKSON TWP. – The Friends of the Jackson Branch Library book sale will be Friday and Saturday. The sale will include DVDs for $1 and books for $1 to $2. On Saturday, books will be $5 per bag from 10 a.m. to noon. The library is 7487 Fulton Drive NW. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Civil War Roundtable meets Thursday
LAKE TWP. − The Stark County Civil War Roundtable will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church, 3088 State St. NW. Codie Eash will present “The Lutheran Seminary in the Battle of Gettysburg.”
Codie Eash, director of education and museum operations at Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center in Gettysburg, will discuss the use of the seminary building, cupola, and campus by soldiers in John Buford’s cavalry, the Signal Corps and First Corps infantry and artillery; the origins of one of Gettysburg’s largest military hospitals; the occupation of the grounds by the Confederate high command; and the impact of the Civil War’s bloodiest battle on the students, faculty and civilians who lived and worked there.
Annual dues are $20 per member, or $25 for two or more at the same residence. The nonmember meeting fee is $4.
Massillon Museum sets concert Thursday
MASSILLON – The Massillon Museum’s Rhythms Concert Series will return Thursday with a blues performance by singer-songwriter-guitarist Patrick Sweany. The Massillon native has built a Nashville-based career with his blend of blues, soul, rockabilly and Americana.
The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in the museum’s Gessner Hall, 121 Lincoln Way E. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and galleries will remain open until the concert starts. A cash bar will be available. Buy concert tickets ($15 each or $12 for members) at MassMu.org/Tickets, in person, or by phone at 330-833-4061. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots.
Native perennial flowers for sale
MASSILLON – Stark Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting a plant sale consisting of native perennial flowers in one-gallon containers for $12 and 3.5-inch containers for $8.
Orders are credit/debit only and can only be made online at www.StarkSWCD.org/2023nativeplantsale. The website also provides recommendations for plants well suited for butterfly gardens, rain gardens, and shade gardens, as well as plant size, light and soil requirements, bloom time and colors.
The order deadline is May 23, and order pickup is May 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Stark Soil & Water Conservation District office, 2650 Richville Drive SE, Suite 100.
Chicken dinner at Pike Grange
PIKE TWP. − Pike Grange, 1421 Battlesburg Road SE, will have a drive-thru chicken dinner for $12 from 3 p.m. until sold out May 20. The menu is chicken breast, noodles, corn, applesauce, bread and dessert. For information, call Jenny at 330-806-9362. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/stark-county-roundup-news-from-around-the-canton-region/70184307007/ | 2023-05-14T12:02:58 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/stark-county-roundup-news-from-around-the-canton-region/70184307007/ |
Stark commissioners approve three sheriff contracts
- The Stark County commissioners approved new contracts with sheriff's deputies, sergeants, lieutenants and captains.
- Sheriff's deputies will see a 5% pay increase in 2023 as part of the new contract.
CANTON ‒ Stark County Sheriff's Office deputies will see a 5% pay rate increase this year.
The pay bump includes some incentives that were previously not part of the base pay rate.
"There was a perfect attendance incentive that was paid twice a year to employees," Stark County Sheriff George Maier said. "So that has been basically spread out into the 26 pay periods and paid per pay, and it's calculated based on the number of hours worked."
County Administrator Brant Luther said they collapsed incentives such as longevity pay, ballistic vests and firearms supplement into the base pay.
"When new recruits or people who were interested would take a look at the base rate, they weren't seeing the whole picture ... so they would look at other communities and say, 'Well, that's higher.' Well, not necessarily. It just was spread differently," he said.
The rate increase comes as part of a collective bargaining agreement with the Stark County Deputies Association that includes 85 deputies and was approved unanimously Wednesday by the county commissioners. The commissioners also approved two contracts with the Fraternal Order of Police that cover 24 sergeants, five lieutenants and one captain.
New contracts for Stark County sheriff's deputies
The deputies' contract is retroactive to Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2025. The contracts for the lieutenants, captains and sergeants are retroactive to May 1 through April 30, 2026.
In 2023, the new rate for a deputy with zero to two years of experience is $27.56 and $32.78 for a deputy with five or more years of experience.
Deputies will receive a 4.5% rate increase in 2024 and 4% increase in 2025. Rates for ranking officers' pay are based on what deputies earn. Maier said that structure is used in most police and fire agencies in the U.S.
According to the contracts, employees will pay 14% of their premium health insurance, with a monthly cap of $285 in 2023 and $315 starting in 2024. It is the same insurance coverage provided to other county employees under Stark's group insurance plan.
Maier said the main purpose of these contracts was to ensure that deputies, sergeants, lieutenants and captains are compensated in a way that is equitable to individuals in similar positions throughout the area.
Reach Paige at 330-580-8577, pmbennett@gannett.com or on Twitter @paigembenn. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/three-contracts-approved-with-stark-county-sheriff-employees/70200631007/ | 2023-05-14T12:03:04 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/14/three-contracts-approved-with-stark-county-sheriff-employees/70200631007/ |
Police in Philadelphia are investigating after a person was found shot to death in the doorway of a Strawberry Mansion food market early Sunday.
According to law enforcement officials, officers responding to a call at about 5:38 a.m. along N. 29th Street at the intersection with W. Cumberland Avenue, found a person dead in the doorway of the Seven Days Food Market.
Officials have not yet released any information on the identity of the individual who was reportedly found dead on arrival.
Investigators said that they are on the lookout for the occupants of a Nissan Pathfinder, gold or silver in color, that, police believe, had a ladder on top of it at the time of the shooting, for their possible involvement in the incident.
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This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/strawberry-mansion-shooting-leaves-one-person-dead/3566068/ | 2023-05-14T12:08:27 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/strawberry-mansion-shooting-leaves-one-person-dead/3566068/ |
BUCKFIELD, Maine — Two motorcyclists collided Saturday evening and were sent to Central Maine Medical Center after suffering serious injuries.
According to a release from the Oxford County Sheriff's Office, the two unidentified riders were traveling on Turner Street in Buckfield when they approached a car turning into a private home.
In the release, Sheriff Christopher Wainwright said witnesses stated the two riders collided, causing them to go off the road and crash.
Officials added rider inexperience is believed to have played a part in the crash. The release did not provide a condition for the two riders. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/two-motorcyclists-seriously-injured-after-colliding-in-buckfield-saturday/97-83185475-8241-4a28-8678-952618346eef | 2023-05-14T12:23:51 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/two-motorcyclists-seriously-injured-after-colliding-in-buckfield-saturday/97-83185475-8241-4a28-8678-952618346eef |
Riders share JTA bus system deficiencies amid budget struggles
Jackson resident Vernetta Pruitt uses the JTA bus system every day and is no stranger to the issues concerning public transportation.
"I ride it every morning, and I get back on it at 3 p.m. and go to work," she said. "I've been riding the buses for a long time."
She explained that over the years, there's "not much improvement" as far as general operating habits in the bus system. Some of Pruitt's suggestions to JTA are ultimately safety concerns, such as the lack of seatbelts on the buses.
A recent shortfall in the Jackson Transit Authority budget for this fiscal year by a miscommunication with the city has highlighted ongoing concerns, according to some frequent bus riders.
"There's a lot of times when cars run out right in front of them (the buses), and they hit the brakes so hard that you slide, and move, and end up in another seat," Pruitt said. "They really need that real bad, a lot of kids are on there.
"People leave their food and papers and bottles on there, and the bottles are rolling and going around. They're nasty sometimes."
She also said the lack of covered spaces and protective glass at the bus stops, are a barrier to waiting on the bus.
"If it rains, you're definitely going to get wet," Pruitt said.
During the March budget committee meeting, it was discussed that in the event that bus services were to decrease — due to a lack of sufficient funding as a direct result of JTA's over-budgeted operational revenue and miscommunications with the city — those who rely on public transportation, like Pruitt, will be significantly impacted.
Lauren Smothers, Jackson resident and owner of Light Trap Books, shared similar concerns as Pruitt. Smothers, who does not drive, relies heavily on the JTA system and has been taking public transportation in Jackson since 2017.
As a downtown business owner who lives in Midtown, she compared the public transportation systems in smaller cities like Jackson to larger cities that she's lived in, like London.
"I know that there are challenges and one of the challenges I've found as a rider are the lack of routes for certain spots in Jackson, and also the time it would take a bus to get to certain areas would be astronomically longer than a car ride," Smothers said.
More on funding:Jackson Transit Authority goes over budget by half million, city approves extra funds
She recalled that when she would take the bus from her home in Midtown to Jackson State Community College where she taught part-time — approximately a five-mile distance — the ride would take around an hour and a half. She described the situation as being "unacceptable" and noted that this dynamic "has largely not changed."
More routes, frequency of routes needed
However, she added that she has always had positive experiences with bus drivers and fellow passengers.
"I really do like that it's a very friendly, inclusive environment," Smother said. "But I do think that JTA could do a lot more when it comes to providing resources and being inclusive to the marginalized folks in our communities whether that's those with disabilities or providing more routes and frequency of routes."
Like Pruitt, Smothers shared concerns regarding the lack of coverings and seating availability at bus stops.
"The route that I currently take, there's no signage, there's nowhere to sit, and a lot of the bus stops I've observed around town, a lot of them are not covered," Smothers said.
Per the discussion in the budget committee meeting, if JTA were to cut services, Smothers detailed the inconvenience it would cause to her daily life.
"The very frustrating part about it, for example, is yes it would affect my commute, but I have means to get rides with neighbors and friends," she said. "The bus system serves a lot of folks who don't have those kinds of resources."
The most recent update
After budgetary discrepancies from Jackson Transit Authority raised concern over its ability to maintain service through the year, the Jackson City Council voted to fund JTA with over half a million dollars to cover operating expenses through the end of the year.
The discrepancy stems from JTA preemptively budgeting for grant money before actually receiving it.
A state grant awarded to the bus system was to include a partial match of funds from the city. However, the city-matched portion was never paid because the city wasn't notified of the expense, according to councilmembers during recent city meetings.
The March meeting revealed that budget committee members were faced with two options: Deny JTA the funding they were requesting and risk services being cut for those who rely on public transportation most; or approve the funding to maintain current services that allow riders to get to work and school. The council chose the later.
After the May 2 city council meeting in which a budget amendment for $530,943 was approved to cover operating expenses through the end of the year, councilmember and budget committee member Paul Taylor explained that a second grant, around $300,000, comes from a 50% city match of a federal share of $694,843.
Taylor, who requested during the March budget committee that JTA provide a budgeting outline that clearly communicates the city's commitment by the end of April, ultimately did not receive such a document.
"What I hoped to get today, and I didn't have it, was they're supposed to provide us with monthly reports on their finances," Taylor said. "I'm not sure if those are getting distributed to us, I haven't seen those, so that's one thing you'll continue to hear me talk about. I've been talking about it for two years now. We need monthly updates from them, we need quarterly looks from their accountant at what they're doing so we can make sure the taxpayer's dollars are being spent correctly."
The current system
While operating Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., JTA does not operate on Sundays, according to the JTA Ride Guide. There are eight bus stops throughout Jackson and the current bus schedule and frequency of service are listed below:
- Bemis
- 6 a.m.- 3 p.m., once an hour at 30 minutes after the hour
- Campbell
- 6 a.m.- 3 p.m., once an hour at the top of the hour
- 3 p.m.- 10:30 p.m., every 30 minutes
- East Jackson
- 6 a.m.- 10:30 a.m., every 30 minutes
- 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m., once an hour at 30 minutes after the hour
- Highland
- 6 a.m.- 10:30 a.m., every 30 minutes
- 10:30 a.m.- 10 p.m., once an hour at the top of the hour
- Hollywood
- once an hour at the top of the hour
- North Parkway
- once an hour at the top of the hour
- North Side
- once an hour at 15 minutes after the hour
- Park Place
- once an hour at the top of the hour
Individual rider fare for adults is $1.25, students who present a valid school ID or are taken to and from a school zone as well as those under 18 pay $1, while seniors and those with disabilities are charged $0.60. Children under four years of age who have supervision ride for free.
Monthly Punch Passes are $35 for adults and $25 for students, seniors and those with disabilities. Twenty Ride Punch Passes are $20 for adults and students and $10 for seniors and those with disabilities.
For more information on passes and where they can be purchased, visit the Punch Pass page on JTA's website.
JTA has not responded to multiple attempts by the Sun to reach out for comment. | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/riders-of-jta-bus-system-discuss-deficiencies-amid-budget-shortfall/70187740007/ | 2023-05-14T12:40:16 | 1 | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/riders-of-jta-bus-system-discuss-deficiencies-amid-budget-shortfall/70187740007/ |
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Boat manufacturing, a TV series based in Atlantic City, a redevelopment plan, a sports facility and esports.
The Atlantic County Economic Alliance hosted its first Business Growth Summit on Thursday evening at the Smithville Inn, bringing all of these ideas and businesses together. The summit, intended to introduce business owners and managers to the various ways the alliance can help them in their endeavors, showed the interest and potential for growth of a county still recovering from a pandemic.
“We want them to know that help is available as we continue to build a better Atlantic County, one business at a time,” said Lauren Moore, president of the alliance.
About 75 people attended Thursday’s summit inside the historic restaurant, networking during a short cocktail hour before dinner. Following dinner, several speakers took time, some from the alliance, others giving examples of how the alliance has helped their businesses, while a few shared their future plans for the county.
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The alliance, a private-sector-directed, nonprofit corporation established in 2017, focuses on business attraction, retention and marketing efforts within the county.
“We help connect (businesses with resources), and then we help with permitting, introductions, zoning, planning boards at the local level,” Moore said. “We assist with all those navigational resources to help them do that. We help put financing packages together.”
A resolution is circulating around municipalities calling on the Atlantic County Board of Co…
Kelly Brozyna of the New Jersey Small Business Development Center said her organization has put together a team statewide that will help businesses access capital.
“I’m not going to be one of those people saying ‘I’m from the government, we’re doing it for you.’ We’re helping these businesses,” Brozyna said. “We are not going to ever claim we do it all, we’re not the be-all, end-all. We’re assisting and helping people to access these resources.”
The center has helped businesses with almost $300 million in capital over the past couple of years, Brozyna said, and helped create almost 35,000 jobs.
“We’re looking at, what are the needs of the community?” she said. “Twenty-three percent say access to capital, hence, we put together a capital team. Nineteen percent say they need increased sales and customer clients. We have marketing people we put in place to make sure that we are providing the right resources to help businesses increase sales.”
Peggy Hamilton’s family has owned the Mays Landing-based Mahogany Company for 78 years, specializing in building materials. They started with mahogany and teak for local boat manufacturers, then shifted to the fiberglass industry and shipping up and down the East Coast. After selling a large portion of the company, Hamilton said, they regrew with the help of the alliance.
“I was asking for help in trying to hire employees,” Hamilton said. “Not only did we get in touch with them once, or twice, or three times, any time we have a question or anything, (Moore said he would) find out. If he doesn’t know the answer, (he’ll) find out.”
BUENA — With the borough still polarized by the dissolution of a local fire company in 2021,…
Michael Cagno of the Ducktown Neighborhood Development Corporation, as well as the executive director of the Stockton University Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City, has several plans for that section of the resort, from a food garden to a food tour at some of the neighborhood’s well-known restaurants.
Coming up soon, Cagno said, is a redevelopment plan that will see the sidewalks along Arctic Avenue ripped up and replaced between Georgia and Mississippi avenues. Other proposals include dealing with the numerous abandoned or foreclosed properties, improving facades, trash abatement and more. The alliance is helping with all of those projects, along with a Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit of $521,000.
“Along with the grant from the NRTC, we received the Neighborhood Preservation Program Grant, $125,000 a year for the next five years, and a $157,000 grant for capital improvements (listed above),” he said.
Lisa Regina, a film producer, acting coach and advocate, was recently awarded a $150,000 grant, obtained with the help of the alliance, to benefit the Veterans Film Apprenticeship she started to teach veterans who want to work in the entertainment industry as well as go toward filming a short TV series in Atlantic County.
“A vision is only a vision and a concept until it comes to life, until it really can help others,” she said.
The rest of the county is looking at potential development projects as well, including Northfield and Galloway.
The Pine Barrens are among South Jersey’s most treasured resources. And just as they have be…
Alan Nau is looking to bring a sports facility called Trophy Park to the area near Atlantic City International Airport in Hamilton Township. That facility would host tournaments and camps for local, national and international youths.
Nau said there is a 600,000-square-foot indoor facility with 16 basketball courts and a full-sized soccer field. There will be outdoor soccer fields and outdoor baseball fields, and suites for teams to stay in that can hold about 2,000 kids.
There will even be a building for esports, which could benefit Anthony Gaud and his plans for the area. Gaud is getting help from the alliance to help build his company, G3 Esports, within the growing video-game industry.
One of Gaud’s ventures is the online publication Esports Illustrated, a news site for the gaming industry. He got the idea from his time spent in Seoul, South Korea, where gaming is an entire culture.
Gaud, who wore a Pac-Man shirt Thursday, would like to see that culture thrive in Atlantic County, especially within the casino industry.
“I was never interested in casino products, because I’m a video game guy and never really cared about playing slot machines or blackjack,” Gaud said. “We thought, what is the next generation of gambler gonna play?
“If you look at the stats, Atlantic City casinos are about 80% slot machines. The problem with that is slot machines are not very popular with people under the age of 35. People born and raised to decide what they want to do in a video game don’t like hitting a button waiting for random things to happen. They like to have agency, the ability to make a choice.”
Gaud would like to bring the ability to play video games for money to the local casinos.
“We think that will be a separator for Atlantic City from other locations,” he said. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/esports-redevelopment-tv-boats-atlantic-county-business-growth-summit-brings-many-ideas-together/article_52add8f0-f033-11ed-9ed2-dff84d454148.html | 2023-05-14T12:53:12 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/esports-redevelopment-tv-boats-atlantic-county-business-growth-summit-brings-many-ideas-together/article_52add8f0-f033-11ed-9ed2-dff84d454148.html |
Mike Trout, 31, a 2009 Millville High School graduate, is a center fielder with the Los Angeles Angels and was the 2014, 2016 and 2019 American League MVP.
Friday: Led off the top of the ninth inning with a double to start a two-run rally that led the Angels to a 5-4 win at Cleveland. One out later, Trout came around to score the tying run on Hunter Renfroe's fielder's choice. Batting second and playing center field, Trout finished 1 for 4 with a walk. The two-bagger was his 10th of the season.
Saturday: Batting second and playing center field, went 0 for 4 with a run scored and a strikeout in an 8-6 loss to Cleveland.
Sunday: Tanner Bibee (1-1, 4.30 ERA) will start the 11:35 a.m. series finale for Cleveland. Trout has never faced the rookie pitcher making his fourth career start.
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Stats: Trout is hitting .279 (41 for 147) with eight home runs, 20 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 36 games. He had walked 17 times and struck out 46 times. His on-base percentage was .367, his OPS .877. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/daily-mike-trout-report-went-hitless-in-angels-loss-to-guardians/article_9b36f8a2-f1ca-11ed-9e18-eb5ee5f30b52.html | 2023-05-14T12:53:25 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/daily-mike-trout-report-went-hitless-in-angels-loss-to-guardians/article_9b36f8a2-f1ca-11ed-9e18-eb5ee5f30b52.html |
BOYS AND GIRLS CREW
8 a.m.
Atlantic County Championship at Lake Lenape
The Millville High School softball team’s season is on hold.
The St. Augustine Prep boys second eight and the Ocean City girls novice four won their divisions Sunday at the Philadelphia Rowing Associatio…
Either Buena Regional or St. Augustine Prep high school baseball team will be the top seed in the six-team Cape-Atlantic League Tournament tha…
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — The Delsea Regional High School baseball team rallied in the sixth inning Tuesday to advance in the Joe Hartmann Diamond…
TOMS RIVER — The Egg Harbor Township High School softball team lost for the first time this season Tuesday afternoon.
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It’s Mothers Day today. Take her to one of many local holiday brunches, and give Mom an extra hug and appreciate her for doing the toughest job on Earth. If you can’t be together in person, give her a call or just wish her well. She’s earned it.
Carthage College will host its Spring Choral Concert today at 2 p.m. in the A.F. Seibert Chapel. It will feature the Treble Choir, the Chorale, the Lincoln Chamber Singers, and the Carthage Choir. Additionally, this concert will feature three student conductors working with the Treble Choir. Notably, this will be Professor Peter Dennee’s final concert as conductor of the Chorale and the Treble Choir.
Why not check out some classic automobiles at Cars and Coffee today at the Kenosha History Center, 220 5st Place. The free event is from 8 a.m. to noon, recurring monthly on the second Sunday of each month.
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The Blue House Banned Book Club meets today and the second Sunday of every month at 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Blue House Books, 5915 6th Ave A. Come and enjoy the freedom to read.
The Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave., is hosting an exhibit featuring works by members of the Transparent Watercolor Society of America. This is the group’s annual national juried exhibition and showcases 80-some paintings from the top transparent watercolor artists in the country. You won’t believe what these artists can do with watercolor paints. The show runs through Aug. 6. Admission is free to the museum, open noon to 5 p.m. today.
The Anderson Arts Center, 6603 Third Ave. in Kenosha, features works from the Racine Art Guild, plus solo show winners from the Winter Juried Show 2022 and works from the Area Artists Group and Kemper Lakefront Studios. The arts center is open 1 to 4 p.m.today Sunday. Admission is free. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-area-events-for-sunday-may-14/article_089966da-f119-11ed-8bee-5772db8f15cf.html | 2023-05-14T13:08:19 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-area-events-for-sunday-may-14/article_089966da-f119-11ed-8bee-5772db8f15cf.html |
CEDAR FALLS – Trustee Dick McAlister last week urged Cedar Falls Utilities to reconsider how it pursues future capital projects.
On Wednesday, McAlister said he wants to see financial modeling completed by advisers at Public Financial Management related to bonding and resulting rate increases for future large undertakings before making decisions on smaller ones.
“I think this is the juncture in time when we have to decide what our real priorities are,” said McAlister.
The board of trustees ultimately approved formulating plans for two projects and postponed the approval of already crafted plans for another.
I&S Group of Waterloo will be paid $29,500 to design a renovation of the work space for the water department on the first floor of CFU’s main building to address a less-than ideal-work setting in what originally was a storage space.
Staff will design plans and estimate the cost of a new solar array that will provide a quarter of a megawatt of energy to the future campus of the new high school on West 27th Street.
“That work is our future,” said MaraBeth Soneson, a trustee.
Trustees delayed approving plans for repaving the deteriorating back parking lot between the CFU main building and warehouse. It comes with an estimated cost of $232,018.
“It’s a lot more exciting than the asphalt covering, although I realize that’s important, but at least it’s in the direction of a low-carbon world, and it’s a community statement that helps the community start thinking about change,” she added.
General Manager Steve Bernard noted the office renovation was “a little more significant” but was on board with delaying it while recognizing it must done. The parking lot project “certainly” could wait a year, he added.
In other business, plans will move forward to purchase a solar array in Prairie Lakes Park off Viking Road from Altus Power America Inc. with a capacity of approximately 1.5 megawatts.
A 180-day notice will be sent expressing the intent to pursue an already approved power-purchasing agreement with the company; $2.63 million had been budgeted for that acquisition.
Photos: 2023 Cedar Valley Top Nurses recipients at award ceremony
I've covered city government for The Courier since August 2021. I'm a Chatham, NJ native who graduated from Gettysburg College in 2018 and previously worked for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/cedar-falls-utilities-board-talks-planning-for-future-capital-projects/article_155ed804-107d-5a32-8514-651d289f16cb.html | 2023-05-14T13:15:48 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/cedar-falls-utilities-board-talks-planning-for-future-capital-projects/article_155ed804-107d-5a32-8514-651d289f16cb.html |
Hicks: For parts of Indiana, remote work an economic calamity
MUNCIE, Ind. – The most recent Census survey reported 34 million Americans working fully remote, and more than 4 in 10 workers nationwide working remotely at least one day per week.
To put this on a scale most of us will understand, there are now more households with a remote worker than there were Baby Boomer families.
We are in the early stages of the largest shock to household migration in the nation’s history. For parts of Indiana this is an economic opportunity greater than anything in our state’s history, far bigger than the Industrial Revolution. For other parts of Indiana, the remote work revolution will be an economic calamity, worse than the loss of factory jobs in the 20th century. The proliferation of remote work and its different impacts warrant a thorough and immediate policy discussion.
The gist of the issue surrounding remote work is simple. A large share of the most mobile families perhaps half — no longer need to live near where they work. This newfound freedom unleashes a much broader geography of population and employment growth. Some places will have precisely what these new, highly mobile workers want; others will not. For an economist, it is a splendid natural experiment.
I am in the midst of academic work on the topic, so I have read nearly all the new research on post-COVID migration. From what we now know, two issues are emerging as leading explanations for household relocation. One is great for Indiana as a whole; the other offers optimism for fewer than half of Indiana counties.
First, the post-COVID migration appears to be penalizing places with restrictive housing policies. There are a few states, such as Vermont and Connecticut, and two dozen large cities where regulatory restrictions make it very costly to build new housing. Policies that restrict the type and size of homes make these places artificially expensive to live. That issue alone explains the exodus of people from New York, Seattle, San Francisco and other similar places.
Indiana, and much of the Midwest and South, have modest building restrictions. This helps to keep homes from experiencing artificially skyrocketing prices. So, for families seeking a single family home, many places in Indiana offer a good value. But, this doesn’t mean people are looking for a low cost of living. On the contrary, post-COVID population growth is still concentrated in higher-priced cities. As always, families are seeking value, not simply price, when choosing where to live.
Economists have a special name for the value proposition in choosing a home — "quality of life." That search for a place with a high quality of life is now much more important than in the decade preceding COVID. Some of the research my colleagues and I are working on finds that quality of life considerations are three or four times more powerful in predicting population change than they were in the decade before COVID.
Just as a reminder, the way economists measure "quality of life" is simply to compare the market price of statistically identical houses in each county or city. Houses worth more are located in higher quality of life places, and houses worth less are located in lower quality of life places. Typically, we would measure a labor market dimension for quality of life as well. But, for remote workers, that doesn’t hold.
This means that the factors that add value to a home are now playing a dominant role in location choices for the vast majority of moves. To put it in context, for every relocation of a factory or logistics job in each of the next ten years, there will be close to 100 potential relocations due to remote work. Unfortunately, many places in Indiana will struggle to take advantage of this opportunity. They lack the amenities that affect home value, and hence the ability to attract remote workers.
I like to sort all amenities into three broad categories — natural amenities, private amenities and public amenities. The last few decades have seen a lot of research dedicated to assessing the relative contribution of these amenities to home values — and, hence, to migration. My colleagues and I ran a statistical model on 500-plus amenities, to assess which ones best predicted quality of life. The results of that calculation offer both caution and hope for Hoosier communities.
Indiana has a number of natural amenities, but we don’t do especially well in the characteristics that most Americans appear to prefer. We rank poorly for January temperatures and hilliness. We rank much higher on water frontage and on state/local recreational areas. Our trail systems receive special focus in many places. We are getting better at what we can change, but our real competitive advantage will need to come from elsewhere. The good news is that these natural amenities were fairly modest predictors of quality of life.
Indiana has among the best environments for private sector amenities. Large, densely populated places always have more variety, but the role of state and local policy is primarily to remove barriers to commerce. Here in Indiana, it is very easy to start and operate a business. We have one of the easiest tax climates in the developed world, and plenty of opportunities to open gyms, restaurants, groceries or recreation-focused businesses. Indiana is strong in our ability to develop private amenities, but these mostly follow people. So, these amenities play an important role in population retention, but they play a pretty modest role in attracting them.
Far and away the biggest factors that predict quality of life are those associated with local government quality. The effects of school spending or school quality are bigger predictors of quality of life than all other factors combined. In second place is crime rate—places with high rates of crime do very poorly in quality of life. In third place are several different measures of public health. These are all issues of investment in people.
The good news is that Indiana has several communities that rank really well on all three of these measures. The bad news is that most of the state ranks poorly on all three. Being brutally honest about these facts is necessary to reverse course. Indiana’s overall crime rate is twice that of New York’s, and that is not just a big-city problem. The health of our citizens is among the worst in the nation, and educational attainment across our state is now in long-term decline. This legislative session began to address these issues in some meaningful ways. However, a prosperous future will require a lot more investment in human capital than we have seen in recent decades.
Michael J. Hicks, PhD, is the director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and the George and Frances Ball distinguished professor of economics in the Miller College of Business at Ball State University. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/hicks-for-parts-of-indiana-remote-work-an-economic-calamity/70208373007/ | 2023-05-14T13:28:15 | 0 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/hicks-for-parts-of-indiana-remote-work-an-economic-calamity/70208373007/ |
DANVILLE, Va. – The Danville Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire on Saturday, May 13 at 11:20 a.m. at 145 London Bridge Drive.
According to Battalion Chief F.D. Fowler, when crews arrived, they found a single-family residential structure with smoke showing from the roof.
All occupants had already gotten out of the home safely.
Inside the home, crews found a grease fire that had spread into the attic. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported.
Fire damage to the structure was contained to the kitchen with smoke damage to the remainder of the house.
Four people were displaced and the Red Cross assisted them with temporary housing.
The cause of the fire was determined to be unattended cooking. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/family-displaced-after-danville-house-fire/ | 2023-05-14T13:30:15 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/family-displaced-after-danville-house-fire/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke Police say a man is in serious condition after he was shot Saturday night.
The shooting happened on the 4500 block of Melrose Avenue.
Police say they found the man with a gunshot wound.
Investigators say no suspects have been arrested at this time. Police say there are no public safety concerns. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/police-one-man-in-serious-condition-after-roanoke-shooting/ | 2023-05-14T13:30:21 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/police-one-man-in-serious-condition-after-roanoke-shooting/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the deaths of two people Sunday morning whom deputies believe were targeted, according to a statement.
Deputies responded to the 911 call at 6 a.m., reaching the 10500 block of Bastille Lane and locating a man and a woman in their 40s with “obvious signs of trauma.” Both were taken to a hospital where they died from their injuries, deputies said.
Investigators are working leads in the case, the sheriff’s office said in the statement.
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No other details were shared.
This is a developing story, check back here for the latest updates.
Note: Due to the information provided, this map depicts the general area of this scene and not necessarily its exact location.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/14/investigation-begins-after-2-die-in-orange-county-victims-believed-to-be-targeted-deputies-say/ | 2023-05-14T13:43:51 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/14/investigation-begins-after-2-die-in-orange-county-victims-believed-to-be-targeted-deputies-say/ |
SAN ANTONIO — Police are searching for a suspect who shot a man in the leg while he was fighting with another man in a gas station parking lot.
It happened just before 3 a.m. in the 1900 block of SW Military Drive at a QuikTrip gas station on the southside.
Police say that two men in their 20s were physically fighting in the parking lot of the convenience store when someone in a crowd of onlookers fired off a shot, hitting one of the men in the leg.
He was taken to BAMC with a gunshot wound to his leg. Police say the crowd scattered following the gunfire.
Officials were given very little information about the suspect who fired the shot, but they do know he fled from the location in a dark colored sedan.
This is an ongoing investigation.
No other injuries were reported and no other details were provided.
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Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/police-searching-for-suspect-who-shot-man-in-quiktrip-parking-lot-sapd-san-antonio-texas-shooting-gas-station/273-1759d47e-b7ff-4af7-b448-cef7800014bd | 2023-05-14T13:44:39 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/police-searching-for-suspect-who-shot-man-in-quiktrip-parking-lot-sapd-san-antonio-texas-shooting-gas-station/273-1759d47e-b7ff-4af7-b448-cef7800014bd |
SAN ANTONIO — Two people were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation after a fire inside an apartment on the west side of town, official say.
It happened just beofre 2 a.m. on the 200 block of Violeta Place near Guadalupe Street.
The Battalion Chief said when firefighters arrived they found a couch inside the apartment on fire.
They were able to extinguish the fire quickly and help the two residents out of the apartment.
Both were taken to the hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.
The Fire Chief says the cause of the fire is under investigation and SAPD has one person in custody as a person of interest.
Investigators were called to the scene and will be following up.
The fire was contained to just one unit inside th ebuilding.
That unit mainly suffered smoke damage as a result of the fire, but no word on the dollara mount of damages was provided.
No other injuries were reported and no more information was provided.
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/two-people-taken-to-hospital-for-smoke-inhalation-following-apartment-fire-safd-firefighters-flames-san-antonio-texas/273-de082d16-23f6-4dc3-8d00-6ff4ee8a5528 | 2023-05-14T13:44:45 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/two-people-taken-to-hospital-for-smoke-inhalation-following-apartment-fire-safd-firefighters-flames-san-antonio-texas/273-de082d16-23f6-4dc3-8d00-6ff4ee8a5528 |
Name: Bianca Segreti
School: Indian Trail High School & Academy
Parents: Larry and Vanessa Criss
Most memorable high school moment: My most memorable high school moment is homecoming my freshman year. The music was really good and everyone was dancing. I also went with a lot of my friends and met most of my friends that I have now there. It was a really great experience considering that it was my first time going to a school dance.
Most influential teacher: Mr. and Mrs. Metzler; Mr. Metzler teaches AP bio. Mrs. Metzler is currently teaching me medical terminology; Mrs. Metzler has been one of my teachers all four years of high school since I am in the medsci academy. She is a great teacher who is very nice and understanding. Along with her husband Mr. Metzler, he is a good guy with great humor. Both of the Metzler’s are great people and I’m thankful to have them both as my teachers senior year.
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School activities/clubs: Link Crew, National Honor Society, AAYI/AAFI, senior vice president
School athletics: Track
Honors, letters or awards: National honor society; honor roll; senior vice president
Out-of-school activities/hobbies: Over 100 community service hours; work as a CNA; I enjoy working out, running, painting, and hanging out with friends and family.
College choice: University of Tampa (Fla.)
Intended major/field of study: Pre med or nursing in trauma and pediatrics
Role model: My sister
Three words that best describe my role model: Strong, compassionate, determined
What I hope to accomplish in my lifetime: What I hope to accomplish in my lifetime is reaching all of my goals and traveling as much as possible. I would also like to leave a positive impact in the medical field whether that be finding a cure to certain diseases or simply leaving a positive impact on the people I care for. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-teen-2023-bianca-segreti-of-indian-trail-high-school-academy/article_9112b914-f036-11ed-a44d-63106eac46ac.html | 2023-05-14T13:51:49 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-teen-2023-bianca-segreti-of-indian-trail-high-school-academy/article_9112b914-f036-11ed-a44d-63106eac46ac.html |
DANVILLE, Va. — Jennifer Miller is delivering clothes from her refurbished camper to needy people in the Dan River Region.
“Me and Chris Miller (Jennifer’s husband), we got in there and completely gutted the camper and completely refurbished it so it looks like the inside of someone’s closet,” Miller said.
Though Kitty’s Closet began providing clothes last summer, Miller’s goal now is to travel twice a month to neighborhoods in the area to donate items to residents who need them.
She will alert the public via social media before each excursion.
“When we have a secured location and time, that will be posted on our Facebook page so people can find out where we’re going to be,” Miller said.
The organization’s Facebook page is named “Kitty’s Closet.”
Linda Zimmermann, founder and director for Danville Cares, a community social welfare group, said she and her husband had the camper for about six or seven years before donating it to Miller almost a year ago.
They originally had planned to revamp the vehicle, but never got around to it.
“Every day went by and we didn’t fix it,” Zimmermann said. “Finally, we saw the opportunity and thought, ‘let’s have something good come out of it.’”
Miller relies on clothing donations from the community, accepting items for everyone from infants to adults.
“We like to have new, very gently used items,” she said. “The only things we require to be brand new are socks and underwear.”
Miller, who has worked in behavioral health, came up with the idea for Kitty’s Closet after noticing the main barrier many poor people face: lack of transportation.
She posted the concept on Facebook and received the response from Danville Cares that would help put her idea in action.
“Within a couple of days, someone had donated a camper,” she said.
Though not yet officially a nonprofit, Kitty’s Closet is getting attention from outside the area.
“We have had people from Lynchburg and Roanoke drive down to Danville to make donations,” she said.
There are two drop-off sites for those who wish to leave clothing donations during daytime business hours Monday through Friday: Riverside Insurance Agency and Belles Images Salon.
Kitty’s Closet also appears at events, including the Danville Public Schools’ STEAM+C night that took place at Averett University’s North Campus.
Kitty’s Closet gets by with a little help from Miller’s friends and family members, but will need more volunteers as donations start to pick up, she said.
Also, Miller would like to expand her services outside of Danville and Pittsylvania County. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/14/exchange--kitty's-closet/7a07bd64-f257-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html | 2023-05-14T13:53:46 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/14/exchange--kitty's-closet/7a07bd64-f257-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html |
FREDERICK, Md. — The Employment Law Center of Maryland has recently adopted an artificial intelligence tool that acts as a legal assistant — a move that an attorney at the center says will help close the gap for access to justice.
Gibson said the firm was amazed by CoCounsel’s capabilities.
“Candidly, I think our first reaction involves some expletives because we were blown away by the tool,” Gibson said. “And then we really dug in and started using it.”
Casetext, the legal AI company that developed CoCounsel, says it can do “document review, legal research memos, deposition preparation, and contract analysis in minutes.”
Casetext had the Law Center beta test the tool and give feedback to better develop it, Gibson said.
The company wanted the Law Center to think about the tool from a perspective of access to justice.
The whole purpose of the Law Center is to provide affordable legal counsel for those facing legal employment issues, and the tool helps build on that, Gibson said.
“If it allows lawyers to provide legal assistance to more people at a more affordable level, that’s a good thing,” Gibson said.
The tool uses plain language, making it easier for lawyers to use when they’re looking for relevant information for their cases. Instead of having to use complex search terms riddled with parentheses, dashes and exclamation marks to find a case, lawyers can ask CoCounsel to find the case for them.
Gibson said he could see a future in which the average person can use the tool to better understand the law.
“What that means for me is it’s going to be more accessible to other people,” Gibson said. “Lawyers spend a lot of their time translating the law into language that is accessible to your normal person walking down the street and this tool helps us do that.”
Another example of the tool’s abilities is searching through pay stubs.
Instead of spending hours combing through over 1,000 pay stubs to find the right one, an attorney can instead give the pay stubs and the search criteria to CoCounsel, which can find the right one in seconds. The tool has strengthened the firm’s legal work, Gibson said.
“That time saving, it means money saved for clients and law firms,” he said. “For us, we can help more people, because we have more time.”
Renée Hutchins, the dean of the University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School, saw a different path for AI being used in legal work. She acknowledged the tool would help make legal work more efficient, but it also eliminates the human element of lawyering, she said.
If a lawyer combs through pay stubs themselves, they can look their client in the eyes and say they understand the concerns and their struggle, versus handing over pay stubs and saying a tool scanned a client’s pay stubs and found the right things.
“There is a human component to that communication that may be lost,” she said.
Similarly, she worried about the future generation of attorneys who won’t do routine tasks that are handed over to AI. Going through documents is how budding lawyers become familiar with what may be in important documents and identify patterns.
“Perhaps training young lawyers on client matters is not the most efficient way to get that work done, but I do think that we’re going to have to think critically about how to get that training done if it is not being done on live cases now,” she said.
She also raised other concerns, like giving AI confidential information, trusting the AI tool too much and getting wrong information, and the question of whether the access gap would actually close.
The best-case scenario, she said, is that the tool will help underrepresented communities have access to legal representation. The worst case is that richer people can afford a live lawyer aided by AI, while poorer people will only have access to the AI tool.
“What concerns me more than lawyers being aided by AI, it’s lawyers being replaced by AI in spaces where the work of lawyers is more than just crunching out a product — it’s about engagement with the client on a very human plane,” she said.
Gibson didn’t share the same concerns of lawyers being replaced by AI. Google can’t replace his law degree, and AI can’t either, he said.
He also said that even with the tool, there is a high bar for legal professionalism.
“You don’t just hand over the keys to the kingdom. You have to keep upholding the standards that make Maryland lawyers great,” he said.
He acknowledged the tool might promote inefficiency in lawyers if they can rely on AI — for example, not checking the information the tool gives them.
But like with any technology, he said, there’s a learning curve.
“There’s going to be some growing pains for sure, but ultimately, I think it’s going to be a net positive for Maryland workers, from my perspective, and I think the broader public that needs lawyers,” he said. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/14/exchange-law-firm-ai-tool/7667bff6-f257-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html | 2023-05-14T13:53:52 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/14/exchange-law-firm-ai-tool/7667bff6-f257-11ed-918d-012572d64930_story.html |
BLOOMINGTON — In American tattooing, there's not much more classic or classier than a traditional heart surrounded by a ribbon featuring a mother's name — or simply "Mom."
"How can your mom complain when you get a 'mom' tattoo?" said David Lane, author of "The Other End of the Needle: Continuity and Change Among Tattoo Workers."
"Love your mom enough to get a mom tattoo," he chuckled.
Lane, an assistant professor at Illinois State University, sat in his office last week surrounded by books and magazines about American tattooing through the centuries.
"Mom tattoos are really old in tattooing, at least in the United States," Lane said. "There's evidence dating back to well over a century of mom tattoos, for sure. And I don't think it's just a mom tattoo."
Lane explained that the phenomenon may have originated as a form of physical memorial. He said there was "evidence in some of the earliest sketchbooks that we have what would be flash designs of memorial pieces that would be about family.
"So remembering family has always been a key theme in tattooing."
'Brought her to life'
Shania Brady sat waiting last week at Illinois Tattoo Co. in downtown Bloomington to get fresh ink on her right arm, just next to a portrait of her late grandmother.
"She raised me and my siblings," said Brady, of Bloomington.
Judy Brady, her grandmother who also lived in Bloomington, raised Shania Brady and her five siblings in place of their mother, she said.
"Everything that I've learned, the person I've become, is because of her," Shania Brady said.
May 16 will mark two years since her grandmother died of cancer.
"I told her I was going to get it when she was still around, and she thought it was the silliest thing," she said.
She said this tattoo holds a great amount of significance for her.
"She is my favorite person in the entire world. Getting this — he really brought her to life ... the detail and everything was just amazing," Brady said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Brady also said she was glad she chose Chad Ramsay at Illinois Tattoo Co. for his portrait skills. "He did his thing, he really did," she said.
Recent Illinois State University graduate Livi Swiech is also among those with a permanent tribute to her mother.
Swiech, who responded to a Pantagraph social media post seeking people to interview for this story, said her parents are from Poland. "Tattoos were frowned upon a lot more there than they are here," she said.
So, when she started getting inked at age 18, Swiech decided to soften the blow to her folks with the second tattoo: a rose on her left ankle.
"It's my mom's favorite flower," Swiech said.
"Whenever I look at it, it makes me think of my mom," she said. "It reminds me to call her ... and I just really like it because it's not super obvious that it's in her honor, but when people ask why I have a rose tattoo ... it's my mom's favorite flower."
Swiech said it often reminds her to buy a bouquet of roses for her mom when visiting home in the Chicago suburbs.
Changing traditions
Charlie Roberts has operated Iron and Ink tattoo shop, 420 N. Madison St. in Bloomington, for 12 years, but has been tattooing since he was a teenager, he said.
"Generally, when it comes to the mom tattoo thing ... not a whole lot of people get them anymore," he said at the shop Wednesday.
Roberts sat at his work station, stenciling a "traditional" heart-ribbon mom tattoo that he was putting on his 24-year-old son, Stephen Roberts.
"It's really, like an old-school tradition. It's not really something that's going on a whole lot these days," the elder Roberts said.
The Pantagraph had contacted Iron and Ink about clientele getting the traditional piece and, almost immediately, Charlie Roberts brought his son in to tattoo.
The artist said he's "a man of tattoos by coincidence," trusting fate and karma to lead the way.
"Nine times out of 10, it turns out fine," he said before telling his adult son, "Your mom will probably like you getting a tattoo. Now's as good a time as any."
Charlie Roberts said conventional ideas of tattooing are changing as the artform becomes more socially acceptable.
"The kids these days are expecting more from their tattoos, so it's not so basic anymore," he said.
In fact, he said he doesn't even bother hiring basic "tattoers" anymore. He hires artists and then trains them how to put ink on skin.
"If they swim, they swim. If they sink, they sink," he said, needle buzzing as he tattooed his son.
Lauren McLeod, a 25-year-old mother of two, turned the commemorative tattoo idea around, with a tattoo on her left arm for her firstborn.
"I feel like the stigma on tattoos — I'm glad it's going away. It's something that people can use to express themselves and add color to boring skin," said McLeod, who works in Bloomington.
Lane said this societal shift revolves around changing priorities and represents a move away from more conservative notion of what a "pure" body is.
"America is heavily influenced by Protestantism," he said, "and this notion of what the body should be in relation to work. And so, marring the body, whether it's scars, tattoos or anything like that, is sort of a violation of its purity."
Lane continued, "We're in an era where religiosity is dropping in the United States. ... Maybe people aren't tied to the same notions of what their body should look like."
McLeod said her children love her tattoos. "As my kids grow older, they like to look at (my tattoos), and it kind of means something special to them."
And, she added, they're eager for ink themselves.
"My 5-year-old, she does want to get some already," McLeod said, "but I told her it hurts and she's got to get older. She's all about it."
Searching for permanence
Ramsay, the artist who tattooed Shania Brady's portrait of her grandmother, said he enjoys pieces that are more unique for memorials, like a snippet of a loved one's handwriting.
Ramsay has a tattoo of a note from his grandmother on his left elbow that features what he said was a characteristic misspelled vulgarity.
These types of memorials have always been a staple of tattooing over the centuries, Lane said.
"Haven't people historically and throughout societies memorialized the dead in some way?" he said. "How many people have pawprints of their lost pets? Or get the dates of a loved one tattooed on them, or something with a cross? This is not a new phenomenon by any means."
He said it is the nature of a tattoo that keeps the phenomenon alive — its inherent permanence.
"There's nothing quite as priceless as a tattoo," Lane said. "It has no secondary value. It's not like people are skinning themselves and selling them," he laughed.
He continued: "We live in a world where there's not a lot of permanence to some things. ... We engage in all sorts of meaningless consumption — we all have the same stores in our little towns. But tattooing can become something so significant to us individually."
Lane added, "I can guarantee you the toaster I got at Target doesn't mean a lot to me. But, for tattoos, that's a little bit more significant."
Swiech, who plans to teach seventh grade after graduating, said her mother was a little shocked when she saw the rose tattoo in her honor.
"It's definitely grown on her since then," Swiech said. "Because it's her favorite flower, and because it's for her, she didn't get very mad at me.
"My parents still aren't the biggest fans of tattoos, but it has eased them into accepting them more," she said.
For Brady, who also has her grandmother's handwriting tattooed on her clavicle, these tributes keep her grandmother close.
"The significance of this is just her — how pure she was, and how much she did, and what she took on even after she got cancer," Brady said. "She still did everything she could possibly do for all of us." | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/lasting-tributes-maternal-influences-in-tattooing-run-more-than-skin-deep/article_9ffbe270-f0ef-11ed-9268-9fee12ab1dd3.html | 2023-05-14T14:00:11 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/lasting-tributes-maternal-influences-in-tattooing-run-more-than-skin-deep/article_9ffbe270-f0ef-11ed-9268-9fee12ab1dd3.html |
For more than 130 years, the Casper Star-Tribune has been proud to serve as your leading provider of local news in Wyoming.
From public lands to public schools, from bears to blizzards, from the arts to local government, we have been committed to informing, educating and entertaining our readers. And we couldn’t do it without your support of our local journalists who produce important work.
Take today’s edition, for example. Reporter Sofia Saric produced a 4,200-word investigative piece on a shooting that’s still being discussed four years after it occurred. The story is based on months of interviews, public documents and an audio recording obtained by the Star-Tribune. Or consider last month’s front-page story by sportswriter Ryan Thorburn, which offered previously unknown details about how a promising Cowboys’ basketball season went off the rails.
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Our commitment to being the strongest local news provider remains steadfast, but we also continue to change with the habits of our readers. Today, the city and state we serve are different. We’ve all seen how the engines that power Wyoming’s economy have changed as the energy industry adopts new technologies. We at the Star-Tribune are evolving, too.
Also, as we’ve adjusted to changing news consumption habits, we’ve adapted to some outside forces affecting the local news industry, such as shifts in advertising trends, increasing newsprint costs and the job market.
With all of that in mind, and in an effort to preserve the excellent local news coverage you’re used to, I want to let you know that starting June 13, the print edition of the Star-Tribune will move to a different publication schedule, with delivery three days each week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. In addition, your newspaper will transition from being delivered by a traditional newspaper delivery carrier to mail delivery by the U.S. Postal Service.
The new three-day print frequency certainly represents a shift in your newspaper experience. But fewer days of print doesn’t mean less of the important, impactful local coverage that you’ve come to expect from us. We’re still your best source for local news content, and we remain deeply committed to covering our community all day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Every day, you’ll find the best of local, national and international news and features on Trib.com, our mobile app, our newsletters, our social media channels and our E-edition — the popular electronic replica of our print edition that’s accessible on our website or via our app. If you love the experience of reading the printed newspaper, our E-edition could become your new best friend on days when a print edition is not delivered to your home. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, it will mirror the print newspaper. On the non-print days – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays – your E-Edition will include the most important news of the day – local, national, international, sports – and your comics, puzzles and advice columns, but it will be a condensed version of our traditional daily news report.
Now, back to your print edition …
Starting June 13, when you pick up your newspaper, you’re going to feel a difference. That’s because every print edition will be an expanded edition, with more content, more sections and more pages.
Every print day, you’ll have a “Sunday” reading experience full of local news and opinions, investigative and watchdog journalism, personalities and profiles, sports stories that take you beyond the results of a game, and a deeper look at the businesses and market leaders in our community and the world around us. You’ll be able to unwind from a work day with a great story from your favorite reporter. Or you can enjoy a laugh over dinner with your favorite comics. Are the kids done with their homework? See how THEY do with our challenging puzzles. Our new print editions are going to engage you like never before.
You’ll also still have access to the daily comics and puzzles you’ve grown to love. All seven days’ worth of comics and puzzles will be delivered as part of the new three-day-per-week print editions. Can’t wait for the next print edition? Our E-editions will include daily comics and puzzles, and our website will continue to host more than 500 daily comic strips, dozens of puzzles and regular nationally syndicated columnists we’re sure you’ll love – if you haven’t already fallen in love with them, that is.
We at the Star-Tribune are proud to bring you the most important news from our communities, all day, every day. We know it’s our job to meet you where you are with news that’s relevant to you, your families and your neighbors. If you’re already a subscriber, thank you for supporting local journalism – and we know you’re going to love the new, more fulfilling print editions that will start arriving at your home on June 13.
What’s more, we remain committed to bringing this community the most significant news every hour of every day on our digital platforms, so if you haven’t taken that step with us yet and activated your digital account – which you’re already paying for if you’re a print subscriber – we hope you’ll take a leap of faith with us. We have grown our digital customers more than 13% over the past 12 months alone.
As you adjust to changes in your print newspaper experience, just know that the truly meaningful things remain the same: We’re still a team of dedicated local journalists who work for a local news organization. We still care deeply about our readers. We live here, we work here, we are part of the fabric of this community. And we couldn’t do this vital work without you and your financial support of local news. Every dollar counts – for you, and for our news organization – and your commitment allows us to sustain and grow local journalism in this community.
As always, you can reach out if you want to talk with us. My contact information, and the contact information for Star-Tribune President Kevin Austin, can be found below.
Thank you for supporting the Star-Tribune and its journalists. We’re here, as we’ve always been, to serve you.
Joshua Wolfson is the editor of the Casper Star-Tribune. He can be reached at 307-266-0575 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Kevin Austin is the Star-Tribune’s president. He can be reached at 307-266-0508 or at kevin.austin@lee.net.
Joshua Wolfson is the editor of the Casper Star-Tribune. He can be reached at 307-266-0575 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Kevin Austin is the Star-Tribune's president. He can be reached at 307-266-0508 or at kevin.austin@lee.net. | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/your-expanded-casper-star-tribune-coming-soon/article_28d9ecd0-f1aa-11ed-95fd-6776879b3cc4.html | 2023-05-14T14:04:18 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/your-expanded-casper-star-tribune-coming-soon/article_28d9ecd0-f1aa-11ed-95fd-6776879b3cc4.html |
DADE CITY, Fla. — A woman was found dead early Sunday morning in the Blue Jay Mobile Home Park in Dade City, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies wrote in a statement on Facebook that a call came in around 12:15 a.m. to report a woman found dead with multiple stab wounds inside her home.
Authorities say they already have a suspect in custody and he reportedly knows the victim.
The investigation into this death is still ongoing. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pascocounty/woman-found-dead-in-mobile-home-park-in-dade-city/67-49dc32ad-7d9c-4d20-b17b-74c0aef4a3c0 | 2023-05-14T14:07:57 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pascocounty/woman-found-dead-in-mobile-home-park-in-dade-city/67-49dc32ad-7d9c-4d20-b17b-74c0aef4a3c0 |
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 35-year-old man died from his injuries received during an all-terrain vehicle crash Saturday evening north of Lakeland, the sheriff's office said.
Roger Tyer Jr. was found pinned under his green 2023 Polaris Sportsman 570 ATV after it flipped over and landed on top of him near Wildlife Trail, deputies said.
According to a preliminary investigation, Tyer was under the ATV for about 30 minutes before someone found him and called 911.
Deputies said life-saving measures were performed on Tyer at the scene before he was taken to the hospital where he later died.
Tyer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
An investigation into this crash is still ongoing. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/lakeland-man-dies-atv-crash/67-2fed1e42-ac4e-47e5-a879-1357eb3c4118 | 2023-05-14T14:08:04 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/lakeland-man-dies-atv-crash/67-2fed1e42-ac4e-47e5-a879-1357eb3c4118 |
The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund raises money so children from low-income households and military families can attend summer camp at little or no cost to their families.
Since 1947, the Sportsmen’s Fund has helped pay for 43,468 children to go to camp. We’re one of the oldest 501(c )(3) charities in Arizona and one of the most efficient, with 97 cents from every dollar going to send kids to camp.
We send local kids to weeklong YMCA, Boy Scout and Girl Scout overnight camps, as well as overnight camping at Camp Tatiyee for school-age children and older teens with special needs.
Our goal is to raise $225,000 to send up to 700 kids to camp. So far, we’ve received 546 donations totaling $87,978 or just under 40% of our goal, with camps starting in a few weeks.
Your contribution qualifies for the Arizona tax credit of up to $800 for donations to qualifying charitable organizations. Our code is 20450.
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Donations are welcome throughout the year.
We do not share or sell our donor information.
Recent donations include:
Paul Athey, $100.
Sheila Baize, in memory of Mary Hines, $200.
Molly Senor and Melvin Cohen, $300.
Marian Crane, $100.
Joe D. Daniszewski, $100.
George Duncan, $520.87.
Bonnie Gibson, in memory of Everett W. Gibson, $200.
Kathleen Greenwood, $104.42.
Loma Griffith, $208.54.
Barb Hunsinger, $50.
Joane E. Janega, $400.
Steven Jarrett, $100.
Beverly Kofron, $100.
Jerry Lapin, in memory of Bertram Becker, Brad Tolson and Anne Lapin on what would have been her 84th birthday, $150.
Barbara and John E. Leonard, $500.
Alfred Luckau, $50.
Dave Walter Martin, $50.
Dolores Mcfadden, $400.
Philippa Mulford, $100.
Milan Murchek, $100.
Angela Murphy, $156.48.
Thomas Progin, $100.
Ruth Reiter, $50.
Barbara Sattler, $260.59.
Catherine Scheiman, $200.
Cheri Schwartz, $52.37.
Peter T. Stewart, for Don Lewis, $50.
John and Angela Taylor, $841.
Hugh Thompson, $500.
James Waterman $104.42.
Mark Zimmer, $25.
Three anonymous donations totaling $452.32. | https://tucson.com/news/local/donate-to-send-southern-arizona-kids-to-camp-get-a-2023-arizona-tax-credit/article_319d682c-f076-11ed-a942-27bf9b66f9a7.html | 2023-05-14T14:10:46 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/donate-to-send-southern-arizona-kids-to-camp-get-a-2023-arizona-tax-credit/article_319d682c-f076-11ed-a942-27bf9b66f9a7.html |
Hello again, old friend.
Saguaros and palo verde trees in bloom, 85-degree afternoons, carne seca at El Charro — you’re really pulling out all the stops, making me wonder why I ever left you.
It’s truly a blessing to be back in Tucson — and, for the third time, back at the Arizona Daily Star. This time I’m here as executive editor and Arizona state editor for Lee Enterprises, which includes oversight of our sister publication, the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.
When I was here before, the Star was out on South Park Avenue. We were engaged in a spirited, ink-stained competition with the Tucson Citizen, and the internet was not even a twinkle in Al Gore’s eye.
While it’s perhaps true that we didn’t know how good we had it, this is not a paean to those times. I have no interest in going backward.
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Today we can report the news in many more ways, with immediacy, with podcasts and video, with more reader engagement, and without cigarette ash covering every surface in the newsroom.
The power of words and images is undiminished. When we put them together in a compelling way, we can inform, inspire and make change.
The Star had wonderful reporters and writers then. And we had thoughtful, principled, visionary editors.
We still do.
It’s true — we have fewer journalists now than we did then; fewer now than we had last year, or last month. That’s a reflection of the challenging times we are going through across the news industry.
But we still have the ability, and responsibility, to cover the news with energy and urgency, with thoughtfulness and depth.
We would fail to do what’s needed to continue the Arizona Daily Star’s proud tradition of service to Tucson if we operated from a mindset of deprivation. We are amid an epochal transition in this business, from being print-centric to being online-centric. Our revenue model is changing, and we are in the depths of that swing. We expect things to get better and we are determined to drive the change in ways that meet readers’ expectations.
We will continue to strive to present the news however you want it — in print, with our E-edition, with our core website, tucson.com, and with innovative ways to celebrate the people who call Tucson home, like thisistucson.com.
Because we have great people and a ton of determination, we will continue to focus on — and excel in — covering the environment, real estate and economic development, border and immigration, public safety and quality of life, University of Arizona news and athletics, and the Tucson personalities and unique cultural aspects that shape daily life here.
And we will continue to transform.
We’ll soon work to constitute an editorial board selected from members of the community. As the editor, I’ll serve as a moderator, but the discussions that form our editorial positions won’t be one-way. We’ll strive to make those conversations dynamic and inclusive. Stay tuned.
I’m proud and honored to be part of the “we” that is the news staff at the Star once again. We in the newsroom feel deeply our responsibility to you, the readers, to help inform and improve your daily lives here in this great city.
More than ever, we need your support. We will do our best to earn it. | https://tucson.com/news/local/star-s-tradition-of-service-to-tucson-will-continue/article_aa96ef34-f0e2-11ed-8cc5-4f7baa1f468a.html | 2023-05-14T14:10:52 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/star-s-tradition-of-service-to-tucson-will-continue/article_aa96ef34-f0e2-11ed-8cc5-4f7baa1f468a.html |
Yvonne So was listening to a country station on the radio one day last spring when she heard the commercial.
iHeartMedia and the global leadership organization Seneca Women were hosting a contest: “Seneca Women to Hear: The Search for the Next Great Female Podcasters.”
So is a fan of podcasts, but she is not a podcaster; she’s a full-time Tucson mom to three young sons.
But she was intrigued.
An editorial she read in the New York Times in March 2020 had really gotten her to thinking about how her role as mom and homemaker was often overlooked in society. The Times editorial reported that American women’s unpaid work at home was valued at $1.5 trillion — if the women were paid minimum wage.
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“That’s 11 zeros,” said So, who spent 10 years working on Wall Street before starting her family. “What would it be like if women monetized all the free work they do. Economically, we’d be better off, and socially, women’s work and services would be valued.”
That was the premise of “Cashing Our Trillions,” the idea she pitched to the Seneca Women contest. It was among hundreds of entries that were whittled down to 10 winners including So.
“She proposed to tackle the topic of motherhood — but from a unique perspective: their contribution to the economy,” Seneca Woman co-founder and CEO Kim Azarelli said in an email interview. “Yvonne wanted to showcase mothers as an economic force, and address their special concerns.”
The winners were given six weeks of training in the Seneca Women Podcast Academy before launching their shows through Seneca Women Podcast Network on iHeart.
The first of eight episodes of So’s “Cashing Our Trillions“ debuted on May 11 with Reshma Saujani, founder of Moms First (formerly known as Marshall Plan for Moms), which campaigns for equal pay for women and changing the way motherhood is seen and valued; and Girls Who Code, which aims to increase the number of girls in the computer science and engineering fields. So and Saujani talked about women’s roles in the workforce and the changes needed to make women feel more empowered in the workplace, including affordable child care and paid family leave.
Future episodes will dive into everything from activating moms to become more politically engaged to ways women can get funding for startups and make money off Web3 and the growing non-fungible token-based economies.
“I’m hoping this is a conversation started,” So said of the show, which she recorded from her bedroom closet while her three young sons — 11-year-old Jasper, 8-year-old Miles and 5-year-old Dean — were at school. “This is my love note to moms.”
“Cashing Our Trillions” is one of two winning podcasts that focus on finance and workplace issues; other winning podcasts focus on science, dating, TV, women’s health, Alzheimer’s, Latina life and global women’s stories.
“Our goal for ‘Cashing Our Trillions’ and all the other podcasts on the Seneca Women Podcast Network is to amplify the voices of women,” Azzarelli said. “We know that while 48% of podcast listeners are women, women hosts are underrepresented among top podcast hosts. We want women to be inspired, empowered — and most of all heard. Because when women’s voices are heard, we can begin to make a difference for women and girls. And when women progress, the world progresses.”
So’s podcast has a political agenda, as well, driven by her desire to empower women to get more politically active as a means of effecting change on the local and national levels.
“We have to politically activate moms because if you look at the makeup of our legislatures, there aren’t a lot of moms who are legislators,” said So, who grew up in New York and moved to Tucson six years ago. “If I’m given that 15 minutes, I’m given the mic, this is what I want to talk about.”
So, who has published a number of editorials in the Arizona Republic on issues ranging from expanding Asian-American studies in schools to the dangers Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders faced from hate crimes during the pandemic, said she also wants to shine a light on “how much moms are screwed over” in a society that doesn’t place value on their role.
“People don’t value the work that we do. I don’t think our American society values mom,” So said. “We point to American exceptionalism, to our people and our culture. Who cultivates that? It’s mom. It’s mom and caretakers and day care workers.”
“Cashing Our Trillions” will feature guests who will focus on helping women find their political voice, which So said could be powerful and loud when it comes to passing national and local policies on paid family leave and universal child care. Those are among the key issues that could open doors for many women to compete in the workplace.
“I think moms are the CEOs of our families. We have the exact same skills as (Fortune 500) CEOs,” she said. “I think it’s time for society to value us and for us to be able to monetize that.”
You can tune into “Cashing Our Trillions” on most major streaming sites including iHeart (tinyurl.com/4jv4nusp), Apple (tinyurl.com/3fj5mkwv), Spotify (tinyurl.com/5n85r9kc), Stitcher/Simplecast (tinyurl.com/3hjyj4rc), Pandora (tinyurl.com/apabk8hy) and Amazon (tinyurl.com/34kacyjw).
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Twitter @Starburch | https://tucson.com/news/local/this-tucson-mom-won-a-national-podcast-contest/article_61cef98e-edd3-11ed-aefd-5fbafc76aed7.html | 2023-05-14T14:10:58 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/this-tucson-mom-won-a-national-podcast-contest/article_61cef98e-edd3-11ed-aefd-5fbafc76aed7.html |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writers:
Today we address a major issue facing our community: The challenges of people without shelter, with substance use disorders, suffering overdoses, and committing property crime are real.
As your Mayor, your Board Chair, and your County Attorney, there is not an hour of the day that goes by without the thought of a mother worried sick about her son, lost and ill with a substance use disorder; a father worried about his daughter walking safely to school; neighborhood associations preserving their parks; and small business owners who deserve a sense of control over their property.
We, the leadership responsible for these issues within the City of Tucson and Pima County, are working together to tackle these realities that directly or indirectly impact virtually all of us who call Southern Arizona home.
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Only when we work together in a partnership: City and County, can we begin to address these difficult challenges. We acknowledge the public may not always be informed about the earnest work that happens behind the scenes to address these concerns, and so we are committed to communicating with the public more effectively. This op-ed is just a first report on what is happening on our streets, in our parks, and alongside small businesses.
Although the pandemic did not cause these problems we are dealing with, the stress of so much illness and loss of life and the necessary COVID limitations certainly exacerbated them.
This became a puzzle that the City and County are committed to solving together.
This City/County team is laser focused on fentanyl, the overdose epidemic it has intensified, and accountability for substance dealers who harm our most vulnerable, disrupt businesses, and affect the quality of our daily lives. What follows is just a sampling of the efforts that are underway.
Under the leadership of Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Pima Board Supervisor Chair Adelita Grijalva, and County Administrator Jan Lesher, we are on schedule to expand the use of the jail property and considering court ordered detox;
County Attorney Laura Conover is in daily review of the jail population and initial appearance hearings that determine who is detained and who is eligible for release;
TPD has instituted Place Network Investigations to uncover networks of offenders and places within neighborhoods that facilitate violent crime;
Sheriff Chris Nanos, Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar, and County Attorney Conover put out a first-ever joint public service announcement, “Make The Call,” regarding the Good Samaritan Law to encourage people to call 911 immediately in case of overdose, and to increase the distribution of Narcan;
The Pima County Health Department, as a recipient of opioid settlement money, supports the above efforts; and has active programs addressing these issues from the public health perspective.
County and city leadership are meeting with stakeholders, community non-profits and County Health Department experts to hear their concerns and develop steps to address their specific needs.
Without a doubt, the most effective way to meet these challenges is in collaboration with each other and the public we serve. We do not have all the solutions, but we are taking a broad approach to finding the best way forward in seeking a healthier and safer region.
Laura Conover is the Pima County Attorney, Regina Romero is Mayor of the City of Tucson, Adelita Grijalva is the Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-city-county-metro-leaders-in-full-collaboration-for-our-streets-neighborhoods-and-businesses/article_3a904740-ef65-11ed-99f7-b75c0c534c72.html | 2023-05-14T14:11:17 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-city-county-metro-leaders-in-full-collaboration-for-our-streets-neighborhoods-and-businesses/article_3a904740-ef65-11ed-99f7-b75c0c534c72.html |
Flagstaff City Council is set to discuss construction of eight new pickleball courts Tuesday, a topic that has seen increasing public controversy in recent weeks.
Practitioners of the country’s fastest-growing sport have long pushed for the construction of dedicated pickleball courts within Flagstaff. At the moment, the city only has two free dedicated courts at Ponderosa Park.
But that has rankled some residents of the Greenlaw neighborhoods who are pushing against the pickleball project, which plans to bring eight free dedicated courts to Bushmaster Park.
Residents worry the new courts will create more noise, lead to the destruction of trees and further change the character of the park surrounded by residential homes on all sides.
Lynn Walsh, the president of the Flagstaff Pickleball Association, said the pickleball community is in desperate need of courts.
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“We're really just trying to find a home for us to be able to have this community, to be able to play pickleball. And Bushmaster is really the best place for it to happen,” Walsh said.
For the last few years, players have been playing on restriped tennis and basketball courts at Bushmaster Park. In the mornings, those courts are reserved for pickleball by the city, but they become free for all sports after noon.
Those courts are able to accommodate about 32 players at a time. There are, however, routinely many more players than that hoping for a turn to play pickleball, Walsh said.
But for Audria Smith, who has lived in a house that borders Bushmaster Park since the late 1980s, the proposed courts represent a challenge to the current character of the park, and one that could generate noise that is allegedly bothersome to nearby residents.
Smith is no stranger to public discussion around the future of Bushmaster Park. Smith said in the late '90s, she was also involved in preventing the construction of soccer and softball fields within Bushmaster. And at that time, Smith said, the community concluded that the park would be managed for more passive and casual use, rather than hosting more organized and disruptive activities.
“We did establish that Bushmaster Park because of its uniqueness -- it's surrounded by homes, it was built in the '50s and '60s -- we established that it is a passive-use, passive-playground park,” Smith said, whose home is located near the proposed location for the courts. “We are a neighborhood; we welcome and invite use. And we have, it's everywhere. But it’s time to move on.”
Since the proposal was announced this spring, Smith has gathered more than 80 signatures on a petition for those opposed to the court construction.
Why Bushmaster?
The proposed project would cost about $900,000 to construct eight pickleball courts on the southern end of Bushmaster Park, just east of the basketball courts where pickleball is already played. The money would also go to resurface the two nearby basketball and tennis courts that are in dire shape.
Based on the existing infrastructure at the park, the City of Flagstaff has asserted Bushmaster is the optimal place for the new courts. Two bathroom facilities, lighting and adequate parking already exists within the park to support the new courts, city documents state.
The nearest home would be 125 feet away from the courts, and the park has a significant amount of undeveloped land within it, according to the city.
For the Flagstaff Pickleball Association, which largely acts as a local advocacy group for the sport, the addition of the courts has been a long time coming. The association gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a petition calling for more courts to be built in Flagstaff.
Walsh said the association has been working with the city parks department for close to four years, emphasizing the need for dedicated pickleball courts.
And Walsh pointed out that Flagstaff is one of the only communities within Arizona that does not have a significant number of dedicated pickleball courts, even as the sport has grown.
Flagstaff resident Randy Marlatt, who plays both tennis and pickleball, said after a long time using shared multisport courts, the large number of pickleball players do need a longer-term solution.
And Marlatt said he thinks the addition of the dedicated pickleball courts would benefit residents who play other sports as well.
“This would also relieve pressure on basketball and tennis facilities,” Marlatt told the Arizona Daily Sun. “Providing dedicated pickleball courts will finally enable a huge local user group with the facilities needed, much like facilities have been provided to other users including [disc] golf, soccer, baseball, basketball, skating, volleyball and tennis.”
But for residents like Smith, the proposed courts would only bring headaches.
Noise is a particular concern, she said, adding that in her opinion, the playing of pickleball has gotten louder as time has gone on and more people have taken up the sport.
“Just in the four years or so that they've been playing here, it's getting louder and louder and louder, and it's getting more competitive: harder hits,” Smith said. “There are definitely nights where it's going on till 10 o'clock at night, And especially at night, it can get pretty loud. There is a thing called peaceful enjoyment of property and that seems like it's going out the window.”
That concern does not come without precedent. Issues around the noise generated by the play of pickleball has wrangled many communities across the country, pitting neighbor against neighbor within the chambers of city government and even courthouses.
That said, according to the city, there have been almost no noise complaints regarding pickleball since the park began hosting the sport a few years ago.
Paul Haro, who plays tennis in the park, said he is also bothered by the noise. Haro said he feels unable to play tennis at the park, in part because the noise of pickleball makes it difficult to concentrate.
“That noise is hurting my ears. It’s hard to focus on a serve,” Haro said. “I know the court etiquette as tennis players and that you need silence. I'm trying to focus and it’s like ‘budup, budup, budup.’”
Haro also said he feels pickleball players have come to dominate the park, pushing out players of other sports.
He especially dislikes that the current dual tennis, basketball and pickleball courts are reserved for pickleball each morning -- which he believes shows favoritism toward the sport on behalf of the city.
“As a tennis player that gets kicked off the courts along with the basketball players who get kicked off the courts, they are just kind of dominating everything,” Haro said, adding that the last thing he wants is more pickleball players at Bushmaster.
Marlatt said he understands the concern over noise, but added that he thinks pickleball is not the only generator of noise within a park.
“Screaming happy children, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, loud music from the skatepark, barbecues, parties and special events obviously must take a toll on the neighbors. But it is a public park, and hopefully the neighbors understand the very nature and purpose of a city park,” Marlatt wrote.
But whether new pickleball courts end up at Bushmaster or at another park, it is clear some solution will need to be found given the ever-growing demand for the sport.
Walsh said there are regularly more people coming out to play pickleball each morning than there is court capacity.
“We're there on Saturday mornings, we have easily 60 people. People just waiting to play, because we only have those [eight converted] courts,” Walsh said. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/a-pickle-in-the-pines-bushmaster-pickleball-proposal-proves-controversial/article_f61ab804-f052-11ed-9128-2ffa6f3e24ef.html | 2023-05-14T14:33:55 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/a-pickle-in-the-pines-bushmaster-pickleball-proposal-proves-controversial/article_f61ab804-f052-11ed-9128-2ffa6f3e24ef.html |
Last week, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors voted to change the name of the Tuba City Elections Office to the Alta Edison Native American Outreach Center, taking a formal step toward remembering an ardent advocate of voter participation.
Edison worked for Coconino County for more than 40 years and played an instrumental role in developing and leading the county’s Native American Election Outreach Program.
Just a few months after she worked to register voters and coordinate ballot collection on tribal land for the 2020 election, Edison died. She had contracted COVID-19.
A crowd of county dignitaries, family members and friends of Edison gathered for a memorial luncheon and celebration of her memory on Tuesday.
It was standing room only inside the atrium of the county building on Cherry Avenue in downtown Flagstaff where the supervisors meet. On one side of the room a voter registration booth was set up, a warm nod to Edison’s enduring effort to encourage civic engagement.
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She was remembered Tuesday by Candace Owens, a former Coconino County recorder, as a tireless champion for voting rights, particularly for Native American residents of Coconino County.
“She’d work like 12 days in a row, and I would be like, ‘You can’t work another day.’ She was mad at me, really mad at me. So, I said to Patty, 'You tell her. I won’t. She has to go home,'” Owens recalled amid a wave of laughter, as she gestured toward Patty Hansen, the current Coconino County recorder.
Edison started working in the Coconino County Recorder’s Office in 1979. Owens and Edison were in their 20s and started working for the county around the same time. In Owens' telling, the two “grew up” in their careers together.
“Alta could make anything work ... going to the bottom of the Canyon at Havasupai and bringing the ballots up,” Owens said. “She would recruit. She just had so many innovative things to do, always. You could always count on her.”
Edison was the kind of woman who could install an engine in a pickup truck and confidently sit on a horse. She was also good at building and maintaining relationships.
“[On the reservation] she knew where everybody lived, and she knew who everyone was related to and everybody in every community. I was just astonished at the wealth of her knowledge,” Owens here. “She went above and beyond what you would do to make sure that everyone voted, that every vote counted and that everyone got registered.”
Edison would ultimately help to register citizens in rural areas to vote, in the absence of addressing maps. She was known for her door-to-door registration efforts, and for setting up booths at fairs, rodeos and community markets.
Edison had a knack, colleagues say, for meeting people where they were and encouraging them to use their voice.
Under her leadership, Coconino County received the U.S. Election Assistance’s Commission’s 2019 Clearinghouse Award for Innovation in Elections.
“The election commission said at that time, ‘The program has emerged as a hub to coordinate the unique elections needs of communication, registration and polling on tribal lands. Outreach activities include the coordination of reservation polling places, election worker recruitment and training, a customized Dine language handbook to assist Navajo poll workers and other initiatives,’” Hansen said.
Certainly, Edison boasted a legendary work ethic at the county, but her family had fond memories to share Tuesday as well.
Edison was 37 years old when she became a grandmother. She is remembered by some of her grandchildren as a teacher of language.
She spoke Dine, and, moreover, she helped develop a "Navajo Language Terminology Guide." The working document was designed to help voters decipher often clunky election terminology.
That guide is now available to voters anywhere where Navajo is spoken.
By one grandchild, Edison was remembered as someone who spoke in third person.
“Her grandson Jason ... this is what he remembers. Her saying things like, “Grandma went to the store. Grandma is hungry. Grandma knows a lot of things,’” Edison’s daughter, LaDonna Edison, shared Tuesday.
Her daughter remembers Edison as a woman who was generous in the way she shared her history, and the history of her community and culture.
“Mom liked to remind us that she was not born in a hospital,” Ladonna recalled. “She showed me the spot on top of the hill, with a view of Sand Springs to the north and the San Francisco Peaks to the southwest. ‘Here, by this bush. This is where your mother was born.’”
Edison grew up near Sand Springs, roping logs as they floated down a rain water-filled wash and drying them for fire wood.
“She was the second oldest of her siblings. She had five sisters and two brothers ... she graduated eighth grade at Tuba City Boarding School in 1972. Summers were spent herding sheep, rounding up cattle, riding horses and learning the Navajo tradition, culture and language,” LaDonna said.
Edison’s daughter remembered her mother driving up Indian School Road in Phoenix. She would use the opportunity to teach her children about the brutal history of boarding schools. Then, driving by the Indian Hospital, she reminded them they were promised free healthcare.
“This was her way of touring and educating us,” LaDonna said. “She educated people on the importance of voting, and not taking their right to vote for granted. She would tell the younger generation how Native Americans were only recently granted citizenship.”
Indigenous people were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924, but their right to vote was not secured. In Arizona, Indigenous people were not granted suffrage in until July 15, 1948 — just nine years and three days before Edison was born.
As an employee of Coconino County, Edison helped develop culturally sensitive civic education and voter engagement programs designed to serve the unique needs of all six tribes in Coconino County.
It was a big job, and one that Edison dove into headfirst.
Owens' predecessor in the county recorder position, Helen Hudgens Ferrell, remembers Edison as someone who could take a bull by the horns — literally.
Edison once asked Ferrell for time off to help her family brand cattle. She explained, to Ferrell’s shock, that she was the mugger, the person tasked with flipping young bulls over at the branding fire.
Ferrell recalled: “Alta wasn’t a big person in the sense of stature, nor did you think of her as muscular, but sure enough when she came back and I asked, ‘Did you throw that bull?’ as a joke. She said, ‘Yeah, I grabbed the horns and flipped them.’”
It was her strength and perseverance, colleagues said, that saw Edison tackling her job with tenacity in 2020, in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.
She organized drive-thru voter registration efforts, and is credited with having helped Native American voters to turn out in record numbers. The votes of Indigenous people in 2020 ultimately helped tip the scales in Joe Biden’s favor. He won in Arizona by more than 10,000 votes.
“We worried a lot about her as she was getting ready to work the 2020 election, and we were hoping and praying that she would not be exposed to COVID-19,” LaDonna said.
When Edison passed away in January of 2021, her daughter said it was hard to believe she was gone. Because she was so dedicated to her job, it was easy to imagine her mom was simply “at work.”
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs reached out to Edison’s children to express her condolences, having worked with Coconino County's pioneering Native American Outreach Coordinator in her capacity as secretary of state. Edison's daughter recalled her mother calling the office "SOS."
The now-governor was not the only colleague who went out of their way to show gratitude for Edison’s memory.
Two members of the Coconino County Facilities Team handcrafted a beautiful juniper picture frame, with wood they harvested personally, for a photo of Edison accepting her 2019 Clearinghouse Award. The frame, photo and award declaration now hang in the county office building. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/honoring-an-election-hero-in-tuba-city/article_2da8d274-f00d-11ed-a377-9fd3446e85e5.html | 2023-05-14T14:34:01 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/honoring-an-election-hero-in-tuba-city/article_2da8d274-f00d-11ed-a377-9fd3446e85e5.html |
STACKER—Comfort food. Just saying the phrase manages to create a feeling of warmth that suddenly envelops you and travels directly to your stomach. It’s the small, happy dance you do in your chair as your mom puts your favorite dinner in front of you when you go home to visit. It’s the infamous cranberry sauce that your beloved aunt makes every Thanksgiving. It’s the inexplicably delicious French bread pizza that makes you remember the nostalgia of childhood when everything was simple and eating pizza for lunch felt like a dream come true.
There’s a wonderfully subjective quality about comfort food because when it comes down to it, the only criteria it has to have is that it has to make you feel comfortable when you eat it. It’s the dish you eat when you’re having a rough day—like a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream—or it’s the dish you eat when you have something amazing to celebrate—also a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream.
Whether you’re out traveling for work, enjoying a road trip for solely play-related purposes, or just tired of figuring out what to have for dinner tonight, Stacker decided to help you find some of the highest-rated comfort food restaurants in Dallas. The restaurants that serve the starchy, salty, sweet, greasy, cheesy, flaky, buttery comfort food that hits close to home—exactly when you need it most.
Stacker turned to Yelp to ensure that we were giving you the best comfort food Dallas has to offer, based on the average rating the restaurant received and the number of reviews. Keep reading to find out if your favorite comfort spot made it or to find a new favorite!
#3. Kitchen + Kocktails: By Kevin Kelley
– Rating: 3.5/5 (1095 reviews)
– Price: $$$
– Address: 1933 Elm St Dallas, TX 75201
– Categories: Southern, Comfort Food
– Read more on Yelp
#2. Chicken House
– Rating: 4.0/5 (103 reviews)
– Price: $
– Address: 909 N Fitzhugh Ave Dallas, TX 75204
– Categories: Comfort Food, Southern
– Read more on Yelp
#1. Harwood Tavern
– Rating: 4.0/5 (90 reviews)
– Price: $$
– Address: 333 South Harwood St Dallas, TX 75201
– Categories: Cocktail Bars, Comfort Food, Sports Bars
– Read more on Yelp | https://cw33.com/news/local/highest-rated-comfort-food-restaurants-in-dallas-according-to-yelp/ | 2023-05-14T14:39:50 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/highest-rated-comfort-food-restaurants-in-dallas-according-to-yelp/ |
2 CSI students receive Magic Valley Energy scholarships
Two College of Southern Idaho students were selected to receive Magic Valley Energy scholarships for the CSI Renewable Energy Systems Technology Program.
Zach Schroeder will receive $1,000 toward completing his degree, and Cougar Anderson, a graduate of Filer High School, will receive $500.
This is the third round of scholarships Magic Valley Energy has sponsored for CSI students interested in renewable energy careers.
The CSI energy program has grown substantially over the past decade and has a 97% job placement rate for students. The degree is usually completed within two years. CSI, however, works with high school students and those already working in the industry that still need to satisfy their degree requirements.
Associate Professor Eli Bowles said his connections in the industry and the substantial demand for clean energy across the country make the transition for his students from the classroom to a career easy.
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“All but one of my sophomores have jobs lined up and ready to go. Some of them won’t even walk at graduation because they are on their way to their job,” Bowles said in a statement about the awards. “We’re looking forward to having a pipeline for more local renewable energy jobs for the students who want to stay in the Magic Valley.”
Schroeder and Anderson said they chose a career in renewable energy because of seeing wind turbines and solar panels from the road.
“I’ve wanted to climb a wind turbine since I first saw one when I was a little kid,” Schroeder said. “The industry is exploding, and it’s on its way up. Everything tells me it’s on the upward swing, and being on the ground floor is exciting.”
Anderson focused his high school senior project on renewable energy and said his goal after graduation was to get a wind energy job.
Magic Valley music students make strong showing in state solo competition
More than 300 students from around Idaho participated in the state solo and ensemble competition, held May 5 and 6 in Caldwell
The following Magic Valley students placed in the statewide contest:
- Caleb Portillo, from Burley High School: first place, alto saxophone Solo
- Ethan Davis, from Minico High School: first place, baritone vocal solo
- Jacob Shepherd, from Kimberly High School: first place, bass vocal solo
- Forrest Peterson, from Mountain Home High School: second place, timpani solo
- Mason DuBois, from Buhl High School: second place, trumpet solo
- Sadie Dimond, from Jerome High School: third place, euphonium solo
- Ava Atkin, from Twin Falls High School: third place, oboe solo
- Anna Hastings, from Twin Falls High School, third place, viola solo
- Giianni Faught, from Buhl High School, fourth place, alto vocal solo
- Canyon Ridge High School: first place, tenor-bass vocal ensemble
- Wood River High SchoolL second place, string trio
- Burley High School, fourth place, mixed vocal ensemble
School spring concert and art show
The Shoshone School Spring Concert and Art Show for middle- and high-schoolers will be 6:30 p.m. Monday in the high school gym.
Each class will be performing two or three pieces. Guests attending the concert can also view an art gallery featuring work of middle and high school students.
There is no charge for entry, and refreshments will be served.
Burley High School’s Cinco de Mayo
Burley High School students and staff met during the past week for a multicultural assembly to celebrate student diversity.
The event included dance performances from a variety of cultures, a quincenera dress showcase and more. The student club Latinos in Action used a donation from Idaho Central Credit Union to purchase new fan skirts for the showcase. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/education/magic-valley-school-briefs/article_51789d22-f0f5-11ed-92cf-83c0fcd4f032.html | 2023-05-14T14:54:14 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/education/magic-valley-school-briefs/article_51789d22-f0f5-11ed-92cf-83c0fcd4f032.html |
TWIN FALLS — According to the Farmers’ Almanac 2023, the average last-frost date has passed and gardeners across the Magic Valley are starting to kick into gear for spring plantings.
Many people look forward to bees, butterflies, and other busy little insects that start to appear when the weather warms.
The Twin Falls Pollinator Council, which encourages planting of native and pollinator-friendly plants, held its much-anticipated pollinator-friendly plant pick-up, after pre-selling the trays for the last half a year.
Bill Bridges was out representing the council, helping people pick up the trays of native and pollinator-friendly plants that they had pre-purchased over the last half-year.
Bridges, who wears numerous hats around the community, is president of the Idaho Native Plant Society in Twin Falls, and field trip director for the Audubon Society. As he checked names off the pre-sale list, Bridges told the Times-News he loves to spread the word about the benefits of native plants.
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“Most of the bugs can’t do anything with cheat grass, mustard, kochia. They just don’t know what they are,” Bridges told the Times-News. “We need to get rid of all of those and go back to the natives. Not just pretty flowering plants, but the grasses, too.”
In addition to providing habitat for all the helpful little bugs that pollinate crops, native grasses and plants require much less water and are perfectly adapted to Idaho’s climate.
Bridges shared an anecdote about an acquaintance who only waters her native plants when needed.
“You’ve got to water them enough for a couple weeks to get the roots going, but once the plants are established, they only need water a few times a summer,” Bridges said.
As of Friday, 125 native perennial plant trays and 75 “cottage” trays of annuals had been sold before the day of the plant pick-up. The council ended online pre-orders earlier this week, and any unsold trays will be at Orton’s Botanical Gardens for their plant sale the weekend of May 20.
The city of Twin Falls adopted a Pollinator Friendly Community resolution in 2019, and committed to two programs: Bee City, U.S.A., and Monarch City U.S.A.
The programs ask communities to commit to being a better steward for pollinators by providing abundant food and water in an undisturbed, pesticide-free environment.
The resolution also created the Pollinator Council, which is one of the recommendations of both Bee City and Monarch City programs.
Steven Paulsen, owner of Native Roots, got involved in the Pollinator Council through his work as a grower, distributer, and consultant for native planting and landscapes.
Boosting habitat for pollinators, Paulsen said, helps a lot of other little critters that play a role in the ecology as well.
“It’s the 3,000 species of native bees that nobody knows anything about that really benefit from all of the activity around monarch butterflies and honeybees,” Paulsen said.
When it comes to landscaping and lawns for homes, Paulsen said he has a lot of interest in how native, drought-resistant plants and grasses can look appealing, while being good for pollinators and easy to maintain.
Traditional grass lawns are “a really funny socio-economic burden that people feel obligated to bear,” Paulsen told said. “There are some unique ways to maintain an aesthetic that is beautiful that creates a lot more function with a lot less input and allows you to participate with your landscape rather than be a victim of it.” | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/pollinator-plant-sale-is-the-bees-knees/article_cb2aa744-f11a-11ed-be35-5b42e1e035c3.html | 2023-05-14T14:54:21 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/pollinator-plant-sale-is-the-bees-knees/article_cb2aa744-f11a-11ed-be35-5b42e1e035c3.html |
In October 2018, Magdalena Schwartz, a pastor for the Spanish service at Vineyard Community Church in Gilbert, received a call from the Department of Homeland Security asking for her help.
It was a request to use her church as a holding facility for asylum-seeking migrants from nearby border patrol stations; the department was unable to hold them past 24 hours due to the next large influx of arrivals.
Schwartz, an immigrant herself, opened her doors and agreed to help however she could.
The first day, they sent 20 families. The next day, another 20 families. The day after that, they sent 40 families.
Schwartz realized this was an extensive commitment because they were in need of assistance every single day. She immediately reached out to other churches in the area and formed a network of about 17 churches, mostly Hispanic, who were willing to take in migrants.
Five years later, Schwartz is now the director of the migrant ministry at Vineyard Church and maintains a partnership with The Grove Church in Chandler. Both of which take in a combined total of 60 to 100 migrants weekly.
"(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) brings a bus of immigrants here to the church and we provide for them food, water, clothes," said Schwartz. "We call their sponsors or family relative, and they are released with paperwork."
The final steps are arranging volunteers or staff to drive the migrants to the airport to meet their sponsors all across America. Then, the team begins preparations for the next group of arrivals.
Although it's hard work, Schwartz said she hopes to provide for them the help that was provided to her during her immigration process.
"I want to do for another what somebody else did for me and my kids," said Schwartz. "I'm so grateful that I can do what I'm doing."
'The best decision I made': Schwartz's journey from Chile to America
After years of employment instability and working low-paying jobs, Schwartz made the decision to leave her home country of Chile at the age of 29 with her two children, ages 7 and 10.
"I'm so grateful for the best decision I made in my life for my children," said Schwartz. "They have a good life here."
Before her arrival, Schwartz looked up to her sister, who had successfully migrated to the U.S. and found work, as an inspiration for the life she could have. One day, she received a call from her sister saying she would be willing to let her live in her Phoenix home if she could find a way to the U.S.
Schwartz immediately applied for a visa, only to be denied three separate times. Yet, her faith never wavered and her desire to migrate her children and give back to the people of the U.S. only grew. On her fourth attempt, she was approved and allowed to stay in the U.S. for six months. In 1988, Schwartz and her two children boarded a plane from Chile to Los Angeles and never looked back.
"Even though I was little, I knew coming to the United States was the biggest thing in the world," said Ester Rodriguez, Schwartz's daughter, who was 10 at the time they migrated to the U.S. She said as they boarded the shuttle to the airport, the words "freedom" and "opportunity" rang through her head.
"When we got there in Los Angeles, when I see American flag there, I start crying," Schwartz said. "I went down on my knees, and I said, 'Lord, thank you for giving me the desire in my heart.'"
Schwartz's sister and brother-in-law picked up Schwartz and her children from the airport and traveled to their home in Arizona, according to Schwartz. When they arrived, donated clothes and toys were awaiting the children, who cried and exclaimed, "Thank you, United States!"
From then on, Schwartz knew it was her mission to give to another what was graciously given to her and her children.
Schwartz said her children, now aged 42 and 45, have successful careers and families in the U.S.
Carlos Salaz, her son, said he visited Chile in 2018 with his wife and three children and said it was a "surreal and emotional experience" to go back to the country he grew up in and visit family he had not seen in over 30 years.
"It made me realize this is where we would have been if we didn't make this journey to the U.S.," Salaz said. "To be where I am today and to have what I have because of that sacrifice is life-changing."
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A mission to help the community, locally and nationally
Having to make her way in a new country with a prominent language she didn't speak, and no U.S. work experience was a rough journey. She worked as a babysitter, a housekeeper, and whatever else she could find to provide for her children. However, her mission to give back was always the end goal.
Almost 10 years after overstaying her visa, Schwartz said a Mesa police officer appeared unexpectedly at her church office in Mesa threatening to see her paperwork and stating that she was working illegally. She said he was not called by her nor anyone at the church and she believes he stepped outside of his jurisdiction as a police officer by threatening her.
Months later, she recalled the experience while at a meeting with a police detective who was trying to mend the relationship between the Hispanic community and the police because Hispanic people, especially immigrants are "afraid to call the police and afraid to report crime" due to deportation fears.
The officer told her that if there are any further concerns or problems within the community, the police department was willing and wanted to have a conversation about it to attempt to improve.
"This is the purpose," Schwartz said. "To do something for, not just for my community, but for the police department."
After she became aware of deportation incidents occurring by police threats in the East Valley, she talked with the Gilbert mayor and council members. She said after they communicated, Gilbert police were willing to reach out to her for insight regarding migrant issues and often allowed such cases to be handled by the correct agency.
"The Hispanic community and every community need to trust the police department," Schwartz said. "We need to have good communication."
As an initiation for clear equal communication and as a thank-you, Schwartz decided in 2016 to organize a big breakfast for police officers where they could enjoy a meal and talk with one another. This big home-cooked breakfast has now become a yearly tradition and has continued to expand, including more police departments across the Valley, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The event is organized by a small team with a very low budget, yet a bustling team of volunteers, community donations, and passion keep the yearly breakfast running, according to Denise Brittain, a corporate liaison from Arizona Interfaith Movement who has helped Schwartz organize the event every year since 2018.
"Each year I help her with her invite list, and it has now grown so much," Brittain said. "She has really built this on the sincere honestly about what she is trying to accomplish and it's just helping and appreciating other people."
Title 42 is ending: Here's how Phoenix humanitarian groups are preparing
Along with hosting the event, Schwartz sends awards to every police agency invited thanking them for their service and kindness to the community, Brittain said.
"We need to establish a relationship because we never know when we'll need each other," said Schwartz, citing when the Department of Homeland Security first called her and asked for her to hold migrants at her church. Brittain said Schwartz is actively called upon by local law enforcement when they need insight on a migrant situation or translation services because of the trust they have in each other.
Outside of building police relations, Schwartz has continued working to improve her community locally and nationally. Either by going to Washington, D.C., to talk with politicians regarding immigration reform or owning her own business, Latino Community Services, that helps with document preparing for immigrants applying for citizenship or the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Schwartz says she always searches for where she could help.
"For me, I put the word of love into action," Schwartz said. "When you put the love of God into action, you can change your community, you can change your family, the city, the world."
'We need help. We need people': 5 years of struggles for Vineyard Church while helping migrants
The call for Schwartz's help to hold migrants came in 2018, with a two-year halt starting in 2020 due to fears over COVID-19. After resuming in 2022, they amassed the highest number of immigrants they have received over the five-year period, averaging about 300 people a week.
That number has begun to slowly decrease, but a higher influx of individuals potentially may arrive following the termination of Title 42, a Trump-initiated immigration measure restricting access of asylum seekers due to COVID-19 concerns, which the Department of Homeland Security said may be coming soon.
For now, Vineyard Community Church continues to provide for migrants every Thursday and Friday, with staff and volunteers who cook food for them, help process paperwork, and drive them to the airport.
"We receive no financial resource from the government," Schwartz said. "We need help. We need people. They can donate us clothes, shoes, water, food, even if somebody wants to give us some money."
Donations are always accepted at the church and those wanting to help care for migrants who pass through the Valley can contact Schwartz at 480-221-7970.
"They say 'I haven't eaten for two weeks,'" said Schwartz, regarding the migrants who stop by. "I tell them, 'Be grateful for what you received today and do with another what we do with you.'"
Reach breaking news reporter Ellie Willard at ellie.willard@gannett.com or on Twitter @EllieWillardAZ.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/mosaic-story/news/local/arizona-people/2023/05/14/gilbert-pastor-magdalena-schwartz-helps-migrants-seeking-asylum/69990996007/ | 2023-05-14T14:56:58 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/mosaic-story/news/local/arizona-people/2023/05/14/gilbert-pastor-magdalena-schwartz-helps-migrants-seeking-asylum/69990996007/ |
Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian sat down with the Kenosha News to talk about the major multi-year development plan that would fundamentally reshape Downtown Kenosha if approved.
This past week Antaramian unveiled the plan which will cover nine blocks of Downtown and includes a new City Hall, a multi-story hotel, a large corporate office building, apartments, a market, fountains and a park, among other things. It’s a partnership with Cobalt Partners, LLC of Milwaukee and C. D. Smith, a general contractor and development firm based in Fond du Lac.
This has been in the works for years, right?
I know that people always like projects to happen quickly. The reality is things like this just don’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of time. You have to have developers, you have to get all the the different groups involved.
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This is a massive project. We’re talking $450 million in value, when it’s all said and done. And to be very honest with you, I believe that’s low, but at the present time, that’s the number we’re looking at in the sense of what the value of this project will be for the community.
In Kenosha’s history how big will this be?
Oh, this will be huge. We anticipate roughly building out about $450 million, and we believe that’s low. You’re talking about a huge, huge project that will include a new City Hall for the city.
This will add a number of people to Downtown. It does provide commercial office activities but it doesn’t take away from the rest of Downtown. That’s the intent. We want to make sure we have enough people coming in ... on a living arrangement to be able to help support the Downtown winter and summer. The amenities that are here are going to be draws to get far more people to come Downtown and walk and enjoy the area. Those things are all tied together.
How is this being paid for?
Most of this is a developer-driven project. The developer is going to be picking up the lion’s share of the tab. It is part of a TIF district, so (the city) will have responsibilities for the veterans’ areas that we’re going to do, the whole park area that’s going to get redone, and a walkway between the buildings.
It’s a shared valuation of what’s going on. Both the developer and the city have the TIF district in play to take care of a number of issues and to make it so it’s viable.
Does the county need to approve such plans?
This is this is purely a city project, the county is is not involved in this part of the project at all.
In working with the county we’ve not had any problems working with County Executive Samantha Kerkman on projects, so we keep her informed. I brought her in so she could get a heads-up on the project, so she knew what we were doing. We try to keep each other informed.
Most of the project spaces are vacant?
Literally almost everything that is being built on here is pretty much empty spaces. There are only one or two buildings that are not already owned by either the city or the developer.
So we’re not removing any housing and we’re not taking anything away from anyone. We’re adding.
Will this make the Downtown too expensive to live in or negatively impact businesses?
It definitely won’t negatively impact businesses because, with the number of people coming here, you’re going to see businesses flourish.
As far as housing, the city has in the past done a number of workforce housing and other types of housing in the Downtown area. Those things are already set in place.
This this will create a tremendous tax base on a long-term basis and totally transform Downtown in a very, very positive way.
Construction could begin this fall?
One the one of the reasons I’m moving so quickly on this is that I wanted construction to start this fall.
Will this pass the City Council?
I believe it will.
Are you excited?
I am excited. It’s a it’s a gorgeous plan, and it’s something that I believe will definitely transform Downtown Kenosha.
And it’s something that when you put it together with all the other projects that are going on — the Chrysler site, the Uptown development, this project, Uline coming in with another one of their major buildings — when you put all this together, it is a huge opportunity for our community.
Now we’ve got people who are interested in our community for a lot of reasons including quality of life. The opportunity for the business community to thrive in the Downtown area is huge, and our location absolutely plays a part in why we’re succeeding.
Anything else?
I think that people need to realize that part of this plan is to make sure that we maintain a park area here.
One of the things we’re looking at it — and I’ll bring this up because it’s important to me — is that the fountain that’s going to be here is also going to be an ice skating rink. So we’ll actually have a large ice skating rink and not the small one that we put in every year.
We’re trying to make sure there will be year-round activities.
There’s a market that’s going to be built here that’s similar to the one in the Third Ward up in Milwaukee. I think that people are going to enjoy this tremendously.
The developer has solar on the buildings, too. It’s an exciting opportunity we tried to make as green and friendly as possible. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/business/real-estate/a-new-downtown-kenosha-mayor-john-antaramian-talks-major-development-plan-for-downtown/article_3e0c497a-f120-11ed-8b60-236c9764140d.html | 2023-05-14T15:01:31 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/business/real-estate/a-new-downtown-kenosha-mayor-john-antaramian-talks-major-development-plan-for-downtown/article_3e0c497a-f120-11ed-8b60-236c9764140d.html |
CEDAR FALLS — Some community members hope the City Council endorses a recently crafted housing needs assessment Monday.
The council meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 220 Clay St.
If the council fails to adopt the report – the largest and most technical document to come up for a vote since the Resilience Plan about a year ago – it will likely face criticism from well-known figures. The Resilience Plan was not approved by the council.
“The state mandates a HNA when the city/CFEDC/INRCOG/etc. apply for state incentives,” wrote Jim Brown, executive director of the Cedar Falls Economic Development Corporation, in a message to The Courier. “Debi Durham said as much at our social event. Technically they’ll still look at applications, but it’s score-based and CF would be behind from the get go.”
The Economic Development Corporation sponsored the report, contracting with Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments and the University of Northern Iowa’s Institute for Decision Making to develop it over a year’s time.
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A housing needs assessment has not been completed in Cedar Falls since 1998.
The study is meant as an economic development tool and for workforce recruitment. It came in response to a Cedar Falls Racial Equity Task Force request for solutions to a lack of affordable housing.
The assessment seeks ways to respond to rising home prices – up 25% the previous five years – and declining inventory of homes for sale – down 66% the previous five years – as well as slower housing construction and a near absence of buildable lots for sale to homebuyers and custom builders.
It sought to identify and foster housing options for low- to moderate-income households, young families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The document makes 33 recommendations, and can supplement applications from developers for state incentives. Two will seek council support Monday for Workforce Housing Tax Credits administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
One is BJW Holdings, led by Brian Wingert, a key participant in the assessment. He wants to construct 12 small cottages at 215 W. Ninth St., the former site of a Mennonite church he purchased and demolished.
His plans are still under review by city staff. Officials haven’t raised any red flags that could slow approval.
As part of his application, the city is required to provide a resolution of support as well as a local match of incentives of at least $1,000 per unit, a total of $12,000.
Another application is from CV Commercial LLC, led by Brent Dalhstrom. He seeks to construct a new five-story, multi-use building with 32 market-rate residential units at 2119 College St. and 1003 W. 22nd St. on College Hill, a controversial plan approved by the council in 2019.
The local match requirement is the same as Wingert’s, and officials say the city agreed to provide five years of tax rebates totaling as much as $593,937, which can be used as the match requirement.
“We have a divided council, and we have issues with our elected folks that we really feel like are impeding on our ability to come to consensus on where we want to go as an organization, and we think that that’s an issue that we will be highlighting throughout the election,” Mark Kittrell, an Economic Development Commission and Economic Development Authority board member, told Cedar Falls Utilities trustees during a presentation last week.
Additionally, the council will consider approving:
- A site plan for a Popeyes fried chicken restaurant at the southeast corner of Brandilynn Boulevard and Winterberry Drive.
- A $2.63 million contract with Dave Schmitt Construction of Cedar Rapids, the lowest bid received for the first phase of the North Cedar Heights Area reconstruction project. That came in significantly under the $3.39 million estimate. The project’s scope was previously reduced after the only bid came back significantly higher than budgeted.
- Alan Stalnaker and Sloan Alberhasky as new members of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- An ordinance, on its third and final reading, rezoning 14.43 acres of farmland owned by Jim Sands Construction for future homes. The land is north of Tomahawk Lane and west of Cypress Avenue.
- An ordinance, on the third and final reading, rezoning three acres along the future Ashworth Drive extension from Kara Drive to Hudson Road for new residential development.
Committee meetings begin at 6:20 p.m. Mayor Rob Green will present his proposal for an emeritus program for former elected city officials, and City Engineer David Wicke will discuss a request for no parking on Bluebell Road from South Main Street to Coneflower Parkway. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/cedar-falls-city-council-to-discuss-endorsing-hna-proposed-city-official-emeritus-program/article_109d0ce1-5de1-54a8-be4c-d62c57a3662a.html | 2023-05-14T15:03:08 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/cedar-falls-city-council-to-discuss-endorsing-hna-proposed-city-official-emeritus-program/article_109d0ce1-5de1-54a8-be4c-d62c57a3662a.html |
WATERLOO — A revised ordinance that would ban conversion therapy will make its initial appearance before the City Council Monday.
This comes after councilmembers voted down the original proposed ordinance two weeks ago. Now, the first reading of the amended version will be heard during the 5:30 p.m. meeting in the council chambers at City Hall.
With this version of the ordinance, people could make a complaint to the city attorney or the human rights commission. Then the issue would be looked into with a letter sent out if the process goes forward. That would allow the city to report a potential ethical violation to medical licensing bodies.
The council has the potential to suspend the rules and pass all three readings at once.
Before the ordinance is read, a resolution for supporting LGBTQ+ Waterloo residents will be up for approval. If passed, it states that the city “affirms, defends and stands in allyship with our LGBTQ+ citizens and their fundamental human rights’’ and affirms their “constitutional duty to defend and ensure the equal protection of all citizens” regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
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An ordinance that will be introduced for the first time involves a potential increase in sewer rates.
The proposed ordinance will raise the average residential user cost to $2.68 per month, while the minimum quarterly charge will rise to $4.46.
City documents state that if rates aren’t increased and improvements required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are not made, the city wouldn’t be complying with regulatory requirements and could be penalized with fines.
There will be 10 public hearings at the meeting.
One centers around a recommendation to renew the City Limits Urban Revitalization Area Plan. CLURA is an incentive program that encourages the development of new housing in specific areas of the city.
New incentives could be included that would allow child care facilities to apply for property tax abatements.
Another public hearing will be about authorizing the sale and conveyance of city-owned property for a master build-out of a North Crossing retail and medical district. The property is located near the intersection of Heath Street and Logan Avenue, going east toward East Fourth Street.
After the last public hearing of the night, a bid of $2.5 million could be awarded to Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck for the East San Marnan Drive reconstruction project.
Other items on the agenda include:
- The reading of bids for improvements to Gates Park.
- A resolution approving a development agreement with Prairie Rapids II LLC, to construct 48 new housing units located near the southeast corner of Kimball and Ridgeway avenues.
- A resolution approving Waterloo’s Smart City strategic action plan.
- A resolution supporting Grow Solar Cedar Valley, a voluntary solar electricity program. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/conversion-therapy-ban-returns-to-waterloo-city-council/article_e1634d14-c364-56c5-bd4c-e1e5874b29d8.html | 2023-05-14T15:03:14 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/conversion-therapy-ban-returns-to-waterloo-city-council/article_e1634d14-c364-56c5-bd4c-e1e5874b29d8.html |
ROANOKE, Va. – It may not quite be summer, but Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke has kicked things off.
On Saturday night, they held their first show in their Dog Bowl concert series.
Co-owner Robert Culp says it all started a few years ago.
“We cleaned out the woods back here because we were having some problems, and once we did it was obviously an amphitheater,” Culp said. “And we thought what better thing to have for Black Dog Salvage than a dog bowl?”
They’ve held live music events before, but this year they’re teaming up with 5 Points Music Sanctuary.
“When I found out they would hold outdoor concerts and even come out and run it, we are not experts ‚we are not in the music business, we’re not even in the TV businesses anymore. We’re in the salvage business,” Culp said.
Saturday’s concert was a mix of bluegrass artists, a genre that band member Will Herrin says brings the community together.
“You can bring your kids, your grandparents, bluegrass offers something for everybody and it’s a very inclusive, communal type of music,” Herrin said.
Concertgoer Olivia Adams says events like this draw a familiar crowd.
“We love seeing the community,” Adams said. “We always see some familiar faces here this is a great spot. 5 Points brings some of the same faces around and then some.”
Culp says he hopes it brings more business to Black Dog, along with other local vendors they bring in.
“And this is a good way to kind of sideways get them in here, and then they go well what’s that big place with all that cool stuff?” Culp said.
If you didn’t get a chance to come out Saturday, there are still plenty of events for the rest of the summer. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/black-dog-salvage-kicks-off-summer-concert-series/ | 2023-05-14T15:05:10 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/14/black-dog-salvage-kicks-off-summer-concert-series/ |
Scholarship continues Taunton High grad's legacy: Top stories
Before we begin the new week in earnest, we're taking a look back at the week that was, and the stories that led the news with Taunton Daily Gazette readers.
Top stories this past week included:
More of our All-Scholastic picks. This week, we had All-Scholastics teams for: girls indoor track and gymnastics.
The latest Greater Taunton real estate report, featuring a colonial in Berkley that sold for $645,000. The Parsons Walk home features a large kitchen, a great family room, and a cozy three-season room, and lots more. Check out this property, as well as other recent top-sellers.
These were the Top 5 stories of the past week, according to Gazette readers:
Taunton High grad's kindness and passion for history live on in scholarship
Cassie Pearson of Taunton was only 22 when she died from lymphoma in Oct. 2020.
She wanted to be an educator, a history professor in fact. She had just one more semester to complete her bachelor’s in history at Salem State University, and then her intention was to go on to get a master’s and then a Ph.D.
Her father Eric Pearson said he and Cassie’s mother, Rebecca, wanted to memorialize her by showcasing Cassie’s passion for education and helping others.
The Cassie Pearson Memorial Scholarship was founded in Dec. 2020, offering scholarships for history and/or education majors at Salem State University, and now those efforts in Cassie's memory are being localized. The fund has started offering college scholarships for seniors from Taunton High School, where Cassie graduated in 2016.
In memory of Cassie Pearson:Taunton High grad's kindness and passion for history live on in scholarship
Araujo Farms in Dighton opens brand new greenhouses to showcase huge array of plants
Araujo Farms in Dighton recently celebrated some big greenhouse changes with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Co-owner Darlene Araujo said customers can now browse their extensive stock of plants without getting wet on a rainy day because all the greenhouses have been condensed into a single enclosed building.
Araujo, who owns the farm with her husband Ken Araujo, said these plans have been in the works for years.
'I love their flowers':Araujo Farms in Dighton opens brand new greenhouses to showcase huge array of plants
Grilla Greek Kouzina gets shoutout from Phantom Gourmet
Every week, Taunton Eats rounds up the latest meals, deals and announcements from local restaurants.
Grilla Greek Kouzina, 224 Broadway, Taunton, had a pretty special announcement:
They recently got a shoutout from the one and only Phantom Gourmet.
Visit TauntonGazette.com on Thursday mornings for the latest Taunton Eats.
Taunton Eats:Grilla Greek Kouzina gets shoutout from Phantom Gourmet
How will Christmas Tree Shops' bankruptcy affect Middleboro headquarters?
In the wake of the news that Christmas Tree Shops was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, one of the big questions has been:
How will this affect the company's Middleboro headquarters?
Let's take a look at Middleboro HQ, and what plans there currently are.
Filing for bankruptcy:How will Christmas Tree Shops' bankruptcy affect Middleboro headquarters?
Taunton Tornadoes 10U softball cruises to victory at Middleboro Spring Fling
The travel softball season may have just begun, but the Taunton Tornadoes 10U team are already in championship form.
In their first tournament of the season, the Tornadoes cruised to victory, going 6-0 while outscoring their opponents 89-11 on the way to winning the Middleboro/Carver Youth Softball League's 2023 Spring Fling Tournament.
'Our girls played great':Taunton Tornadoes 10U softball cruises to victory at Middleboro Spring Fling
Taunton Daily Gazette/Herald News copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached atkfontes@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today. | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/taunton-gazette-top-5-cassie-pearson-araujo-farms-grilla-greek-cts/70209590007/ | 2023-05-14T15:12:54 | 1 | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/taunton-gazette-top-5-cassie-pearson-araujo-farms-grilla-greek-cts/70209590007/ |
Why Berkley's two new selectmen ran for office right when everyone else was quitting
BERKLEY — Two months ago, there was a nearly clean sweep of important town leaders as two selectmen, Dean Larabee and Chairman George F. Miller, and brand new Town Administrator Mark Stankiewicz, resigned by the end of March.
Then, compounding the situation, the remaining select board member, Wendy Cochrane, chose to semi-retire and run for the open one-year seat instead of her full three-year term.
This month, the dust of this town hall turmoil settled with the swearing in of an almost totally new select board, overseen by the return of Stankiewicz's predecessor, the previous interim town administrator and retired fire chief in Berkley and Easton, Kevin Partridge.
The select board now consists of Cochrane, former Finance Committee Chair Joseph Freitas and former FinCom member Tabitha McCrohan. Both have resigned from the FinCom and Vice-Chair Mark Chabot has the reins as FinCom chair.
But has the dust really settled?
How many votes did the selectmen candidates get in the election?
Out of 619 voters who cast their ballots at the May 6 election, Freitas, 59, a retired state corrections officer, earned 470 votes in an uncontested bid for, technically, Cochrane's three-year term on the board.
McCrohan, a financial analyst for the Department of Veterans Affairs, attracted 435 votes for her uncontested bid for a two-year seat.
Cochrane won her race for a one-seat against Nancy Thompson, a former Council On Aging board and current Friends of the COA member. Cochrane garnered 341 votes versus a close second for Thompson, who received 246 votes.
Need a little inspiration?Taunton man shares remarkable story of trauma, addiction, prison, redemption and love
Why did Joseph Freitas run for selectman?
To the question of why he ran for selectman during a time of mass exodus, Freitas said, "It's part of why I started on the Finance Committee (in 2017). I saw where the town was going in a positive way and I wanted to be part of that movement. I don't feel I have finished yet with what I wanted to do."
He said the turmoil that emptied the selectmen's and town administrator office wasn't much turmoil at all.
"You hear stories about how Berkley is run," he said. "But it still has its rural charm, and I like that charm. And I would like it to be maintained to the best of my ability. What happened was all based on individual decisions. It's a reflection of the times, the way the job market pays much better than the town of Berkley. Individuals having decisions like that to make."
How we got here2 Berkley selectmen resign, dramatic exodus from Town Hall continues. Here's what we know.
Why did Tabitha McCrohan run for selectman?
McCrohan also referenced the lack of willing volunteers for town service in her own answer.
"The reason why I ran for Selectman?" McCrohan said. "Because I want to be able to help our town in the best way possible. There aren't very many people volunteering these days to come out for political positions, town committees, or very much else that has to do with running the very small town of Berkley. I love this town, and I want to do the best that I can helping it handle all the new things that are going to be thrown at it in the upcoming years."
How did the new board's first meeting go?
The new board's first meeting, on May 10 meeting settled quickly into a normal routine.
Freitas was elected chair and McCrohan clerk.
Miller and Larabee were awarded plaques thanking them for their service to the town and the board.
What's happening with the search for a new town administrator?
Partridge announced the process for finding his replacement. He said he will stay on as interim town administrator only until a permanent replacement is hired, by late July. A Resume Review and Interview Committee was formed, to include a selectman, a Finance Committee member, the current interim administrator, the police and fire chiefs and the highway surveyor.
The board agreed with Partridge's assessment that an outside consultant won't be necessary this time in the search for new administrator. Partridge estimated interviews of semi-finalists for the permanent job will happen in late May. | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/why-new-berkley-ma-selectmen-joseph-freitas-tabitha-mccrohan-ran-for-office-during-town-hall-turmoil/70208726007/ | 2023-05-14T15:13:00 | 1 | https://www.tauntongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/why-new-berkley-ma-selectmen-joseph-freitas-tabitha-mccrohan-ran-for-office-during-town-hall-turmoil/70208726007/ |
Delaware State Police are investigating after a man died in a vehicle crash along Lewes-Georgetown Highway, in Georgetown, Delaware, on Saturday evening.
According to law enforcement officials, the incident happened at about 5:02 p.m., when a 2020 Ford Eco Sport, driven by a 27-year-old man, exited the roadway while traveling westbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway, west of Fawn Lane.
Investigators said that, for an unknown reason, the vehicle exited the roadway and struck a tree.
The driver -- who police have not yet provided identifying information for, pending notification of the victim's family -- was pronounced at the scene of the crash, officials said .
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Law enforcement officials said the incident is under investigation.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/27-year-old-man-dies-in-delaware-crash/3566078/ | 2023-05-14T15:28:56 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/27-year-old-man-dies-in-delaware-crash/3566078/ |
Police are on the lookout for a gunman who, officials said, shot a man in a strip club parking lot after an argument over a minor vehicle crash, early Sunday.
According to police, an officer witnessed the shooting occur at about 2:13 a.m., and assisted a man who had been shot in the parking lot of the Purple Orchid gentlemen's club near the intersection of W. Passyunk and S. 61st Street in Southwest Philadelphia.
Investigators said that they believe the shooting was the result of an argument over a minor accident that happened in the parking lot of the club.
The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, though police have not reported on the individual's condition yet.
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Law enforcement officials said they believe a man in a blue shirt was involved in the shooting, but the individual fled the scene.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-shot-after-minor-crash-in-southwest-philly/3566074/ | 2023-05-14T15:29:02 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-shot-after-minor-crash-in-southwest-philly/3566074/ |
DULUTH — Just over a year after the Barry family was killed in their home, community members and relatives have come together in coordination with the city of Duluth to honor them with a memorial and improvements to Chester Park.
For the late family of four, Chester Park served as a beloved destination where the Barry children played while their parents socialized.
Loved ones said the park, about a mile from their home in the East Hillside neighborhood, was where 12-year-old Shiway Barry could swing and contemplate life for hours at the playground, while 9-year-old Sadie Barry spun around or played in the sand. Both girls would join in group games in the field.
Over the years, Chester Park became the place the girls' parents, Riana and Sean Barry, grew in their community and friendships as the family met there weekly for homeschool park days.
Police said Riana and Sean Barry's nephew, Brandon Taylor Cole-Skogstad, 29, shot dead the four relatives, a dog and then himself on April 20, 2022. Authorities believe he was previously living with the family.
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Fundraising event and silent auction
A benefit will be held Saturday from 3-6 p.m. at The Other Place Bar and Grill at 3930 E. Calvary Road. The event will include a pasta bar dinner, silent auction and bake sale, as well as sticker- and coloring-book sales.
The coloring book was created by Sadie's private art teacher, Alyssa Swanson of Cloquet, and designed by Ashley K. Timms. It includes Sadie's original drawings, as well as 78 drawings contributed by friends, family and young artists.
"As we sculpted with polymer clay together, Sadie taught me all about the mythical creatures she had conjured up. She had a particular love for dragons, and she had created an entire taxonomy of them. They each had special diets, habitats and temperaments. She would describe in detail their scales or fur, how they hunted, and what their role in the ecosystem was. She was working on a handmade book that was called 'The Book of Dragons.' To keep her beautiful and pure spirit of creativity alive, I am creating a coloring book in her memory," Swanson said.
Pre-orders for "Sadie's Book of Dragons" coloring book were available online through 7 p.m. Sunday, May 14.
"We have raised over $1,000 through the coloring book already," Swanson said.
Donations are also being accepted for the silent auction by contacting barryfamilymemorial@gmail.com.
"Over $10,000 in community donations have been received so far for the silent auction," said Britinee Janson, volunteer and family friend of the Barry's homeschool community.
Additionally, a GoFundMe for the memorial at Chester Park is accepting donations, with 49 donors raising $4,023 of the $22,000 goal as of Sunday morning.
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"We are thrilled to be moving forward with this project, honoring this dear family while contributing to the community of Duluth and a park they loved," according to the GoFundMe organized by Elizabeth Salmela, Halee Schlangen on behalf of Anjela Ayllon, Riana's sister.
Money raised will be used to replace the spinner element in the playground and fall-zone safety material and edging; add a wheelchair-accessible crushed stone path; install a memorial bench with signage; upgrade a swing bay to include an accessible swing; and more.
Installation is anticipated in July.
Follow the Shiway and Sadie Memorial at Chester Park Facebook page for more information. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/chester-park-improvements-to-honor-late-barry-family | 2023-05-14T15:34:36 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/chester-park-improvements-to-honor-late-barry-family |
Fifth Annual Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament raises $20,559 for Tidewell Hospice
In its first year, the tournament raised $3,000 to benefit the Tidewell Hospice, which cared for Chad Day when he was sick
SARASOTA - Much like the Dick Vitale Gala, the Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament keeps raising the bar.
Started by Bradenton's Joann Day, the mother of Chad, an avid local fisherman, who died of brain cancer in 2015 at 24, the annual tournament recently had its fifth celebration. And after raising nearly $16,000 last year, all of it benefitting Tidewell Hospice, which cared for Chad when he was sick, this year's event topped $20,000, earning Tidewell a total of $20,559.
The catch-and-release tournament attracted 14 boats, its anglers targeting snook, redfish, and trout. First place in each species earned $1,000, second place $700, and third place $300. In the snook category, Cancer Sucks took first, Reel Knowledge Fishing second, and Anderson Dock & Lift third.
In the redfish category, Wet Dreams took first, FL Fishing Team second, and Reel Knowledge Fishing third. In the trout category, FL Fishing Team took first, Team Longshank second, and Wet Possy third.
And two teams donated their winnings to Tidewell Hospice. Cory Shannon, Ian Shannon, Luke Fisher, and Terry Bailey of Cancer Sucks gave back their $1,000, as did Josh Harris and Scott King of Reel Knowledge Fishing. | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/sports/local/2023/05/14/chad-day-fishing-tournament-raises-20559-for-tidewell-hospice-which-cared-for-day-while-he-was-sick/70215412007/ | 2023-05-14T15:41:20 | 0 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/sports/local/2023/05/14/chad-day-fishing-tournament-raises-20559-for-tidewell-hospice-which-cared-for-day-while-he-was-sick/70215412007/ |
The Coos County Friends of Public Health will host its 15th annual Recognition Luncheon, on Thursday, May 18, to honor “Super Stars” who have shown outstanding dedication for improving health in Coos County:
Recognition for their contribution to community health and wellbeing will be awarded to:
• Sam Baugh – Advanced Health
• Ralph Mohr – Swimmers of Coos County
• Laura Philips – Coos Health & Wellness
• Jeremy Pittz – Bay Area Hospital
• Debra Richardson – Coos Health & Wellness
• Jen Shafer – United Way of Southwestern
• Matt Vorderstrasse – North Bend City /
Coos Curry Housing Authorities
The public is invited to this event, which will be at the Black Market Gourmet, 495 Central, Coos Bay, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday, May 18. Cost is $25 for lunch. Reservations are required by May 11. Call 541-266-6804 or visit the website: ccfoph.org to register.
The Coos County Friends of Public Health is a 501c3 non-profit organization that works to enhance local public health services through education, advocacy, fund raising, and volunteerism. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-friends-of-public-health-honors-super-stars-for-service/article_8479ec70-f263-11ed-b833-6b6666a538f7.html | 2023-05-14T15:44:59 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-friends-of-public-health-honors-super-stars-for-service/article_8479ec70-f263-11ed-b833-6b6666a538f7.html |
The Coos Bay Downtown Association will hold the fifth annual "It's All Berry Good" recipe contest during the 2023 Blackberry Arts Festival. This year recipes will be accepted at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Coos Bay Elks No. 1160, located at 265 Central Ave. in downtown Coos Bay. Look for the Berry.
Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the winner’s names will be announced no later than 2 p.m. Saturday at the festival. Prize awards will be made at 2 p.m. at the Elks.
The winner and top contestants will receive prizes from our CBDA members.
Each recipe entry should be sizable enough for at least six healthy tastes. Each recipe entry must include a copy of a detailed recipe with credit given to the original source; for example Betty Crocker's Cook Book or great grandma Lulu's family recipe. *Recipes will be included in an official Blackberry Arts Festival It's All Berry Good Recipe cookbook at a later date.
When creations are submitted a number will be assigned to ensure anonymity. A photo of you and your recipe will be taken and protected until after the contest. A copy of your recipe will be attached to the contestant’s entry form. Then the special panel of judges will arrive to determine the prize winning “It's All Berry Good” recipe creations.
Use of blackberries; appearance; prep time/ease of recipe; and of course, taste. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/it-s-all-berry-good-recipe-contest-returns/article_1cc1d706-f262-11ed-b426-c32126d4f04e.html | 2023-05-14T15:45:05 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/it-s-all-berry-good-recipe-contest-returns/article_1cc1d706-f262-11ed-b426-c32126d4f04e.html |
Photo submitted by Mary G
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/photo-spotlight/article_d5140d7e-f262-11ed-8582-e37d3d20430a.html | 2023-05-14T15:45:12 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/photo-spotlight/article_d5140d7e-f262-11ed-8582-e37d3d20430a.html |
Going into high school, Jack Anderson thought he knew what he wanted to be when he was older. Drawn to math, he dreamed one day of being a civil engineer.
That all changed during his freshman year at Lincoln Southwest when he decided to join the speech and debate team.
"I immediately realized I wanted to be a lawyer," said the junior, who has competed in events like Congressional debate, in which students emulate legislators. "Joining the debate team has really changed the trajectory of my life."
Last year, Anderson even made it to the pinnacle of competitions: the National Speech and Debate Tournament held in Louisville, Kentucky. More than 30 students from Southwest, Southeast and East qualified, with three students bringing home national champion honors.
But this year, Anderson and his peers say many students may not be able to afford to attend the tournament going forward, citing district budget cuts in 2021 that they say have made it more cost-prohibitive.
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Multiple students, including Anderson, made an impassioned plea at Tuesday’s Lincoln Board of Education meeting, requesting Lincoln Public Schools reinstate the funding, citing the opportunities the tournament opens up for students. Anderson, for one, said nationals is the only way speech students can receive scholarships and notoriety among college recruiters.
“If you’re a football player, the recruiter will come to you. If you’re in speech and debate, the only way to get recognized is to go to a national tournament,” he said.
The district has never funded students to attend national tournaments, said John Neal, associate superintendent for general administration and governmental relations. Unlike regular-season and state tournaments, national tournaments are not sanctioned by the Nebraska School Activities Association.
LPS, has, however, covered the cost for coaches to attend, meaning the events were technically school-sponsored, Neal said.
That was the case for speech and debate teams until 2021, when because of district-wide budget cuts a joint committee between LPS administrators and the city’s teachers union had to slash $400,000 from the extra standard budget, which funds coaches' pay.
One of the cuts made was funding for speech coaches to go to nationals.
“Those were the (areas) we were more likely to cut because they impacted the least amount of students,” Neal said.
But while that only affected coaches, it technically meant those trips were no longer school-sponsored, leaving them essentially on their own. If teams wanted to use school space to hold fundraising events, for example, they would have to pay to rent it out.
Tommy Bender, Lincoln Southeast's longtime speech coach, said it also meant teams couldn't use savings accrued from other school-sponsored tournaments the district helps fund, which has typically helped students attend nationals. Staff also now have to purchase their own insurance for the trips, Bender said.
It can often cost students thousands of dollars to attend nationals, with a significant portion going toward transportation, lodging and entry fees.
"I have absolutely had kids say they can't afford to go this year, which is horrible," Bender said.
Teams like Southeast's do some fundraising to help cover the cost through things like T-shirt drives and sponsoring a restaurant night. But because of the funding change in 2021, teams have had to form their own nonprofit — like through an alumni association — to facilitate the funding, Bender said. Before, the funding was held in an LPS account.
Last year, Southwest students were able to do some outside fundraising, including at a local restaurant. But this year, Anderson said, it’s been more difficult. The trip’s cost has also increased, he added.
“I had one of my friends text me saying, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to afford to go,'" Anderson said. “It’s extremely challenging.”
In many cases, alumni or even coaches will dip into their own pockets to sponsor students at the weeklong tournament, which will be in Phoenix in June.
East, Southwest and, to an extent, Southeast have been speech and debate powerhouses, often performing well at nationals. Last year, a Southwest student and two from East were crowned national champions. Southwest was named a school of honor in speech, which goes to the top 40 schools, and East placed in the top 20.
But, typically, other schools in the city are largely absent from the event. Students argue that’s because it’s cost-prohibitive to attend.
“We’re all just kids that want to go out and learn, compete and represent our city,” another student told the board Tuesday. “And if LPS would provide funding for nationals, we would be able to do this on a much greater scale.”
LPS has three levels of approved trips: Routine field trips, held during the school day; non-routine field trips, that go beyond the normal school day; and non-sponsored events. Routine field trips are completely covered by LPS, while non-routine trips are covered through fundraising, although students can receive support through the fee waiver process if they qualify for the federal free- and-reduced lunch program.
Non-school-sponsored events like national championships — which are not curriculum-focused class trips, Neal said — are not covered at all.
Some students claimed the district changed its policy regarding these trips, which officials refuted.
"I think we might be dealing with a little bit of a misunderstanding. I'm not aware of changes to the policy." Board President Don Mayhew said Tuesday. "We'll take a look at it; we will review it."
Neal said the district will look at the issue as part of the normal budgeting process for student activities. The extra standard committee typically meets once a year to examine budget requests but can also meet on an ad hoc basis when questions of this nature are raised.
Bender wondered if trips could simply be designated as school-sponsored without paid staff to allow teams to direct any savings accrued from other regular-season events toward nationals.
"It has at least started the conversation," said Bender. "Whether or not anything changes, I don't know. It's not up to me to make the budget decisions."
Anderson said he was “a little disappointed” by the district’s answer Tuesday, but said he was “excited” LPS is willing to sit at the table in the future and hopefully help more students attend nationals.
“Going to a national tournament, it isn’t just a build-up of our entire season, it’s really a way to be a better citizen,” he said. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/lincoln-students-staff-say-budget-cuts-have-made-it-harder-to-attend-national-speech-tournament/article_da55429c-f025-11ed-9046-77f05ab3ac8c.html | 2023-05-14T15:59:19 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/lincoln-students-staff-say-budget-cuts-have-made-it-harder-to-attend-national-speech-tournament/article_da55429c-f025-11ed-9046-77f05ab3ac8c.html |
Gunshot victim in critical condition following Melbourne shooting
Search continues for Melbourne shooter
MELBOURNE — A person was shot and critically wounded at a city home late Saturday, and police said Sunday they were still searching for the assailant.
Melbourne Police said multiple callers told 911 dispatchers around 9:20 p.m. Saturday about hearing gunshots in the 900 block of Cedar Avenue, just west of Lipscomb Park in South Melbourne. Officers converged on the house and found the shooting victim and began efforts to render aid, reports show.
The wounded person, who was not identified by gender, name or age, was taken to the trauma unit at Holmes Regional Medical Center for treatment.
More:Mims woman charged in shooting death of friend while handling loaded weapon
Police said they were told the shooter left the neighborhood immediately after the confrontation and rode off in a vehicle described only as a white car. Officers searched through the night but did not locate the vehicle, police said. No arrests have been made.
More:Melbourne police: Physical education teacher urged kids to fight
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop. | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/person-seriously-wounded-after-being-shot-in-melbourne-home/70216226007/ | 2023-05-14T16:05:08 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2023/05/14/person-seriously-wounded-after-being-shot-in-melbourne-home/70216226007/ |
A local developer is planning an entertainment venue that is expected to make northwest Tucson as big of a draw as the downtown area has become.
Called Uptown, the $500 million project is close to breaking ground at the site of the former Foothills Mall on Ina Road and La Cholla Boulevard.
The 51-acre development by Bourn Cos. will include shops, restaurants that spill out onto patios, an entertainment stage, event lawn and splash pad, video screens, a public market, apartments and hotels.
With inspiration drawn from places such as Santana Row in San Jose, California, and Scottsdale Quarter, Uptown will offer an environment unique in the Tucson market, said Don Bourn, the company’s president and CEO.
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“We have a great downtown, why not an Uptown?” he said. “It’s an urban environment in a suburban setting and creates multiple places with different lifestyle elements to make a better community.”
Demolition of the former indoor mall is underway, and construction of Uptown’s first phase is expected to begin in August and last about two years.
The first phase will include an apartment complex with 157 units ranging in size from studios to three-bedroom models.
Among the amenities will be a pool deck, elevated above the ground floor public space and a private rooftop deck for residents.
A hotel with up to 300 rooms will also go up at the site. A brand has not yet been announced.
Bourn envisions up to three hotels at Uptown at full build-out in about eight years, as well as two or three more apartment buildings.
“Down the road, we may add condominiums, townhouses and active senior housing,” he said. “It will be something very different for Tucson.”
The public space, with a large lawn, stage and screens can be used by local musicians, artists or a farmer’s market.
An indoor public market will be created near the existing Barnes & Noble, where local businesses can rent stalls in an exhibition hall-style setting.
Also, national retailers that are not currently in the Tucson market can test the waters with a small presence.
“It will no longer be a traditional mall,” Bourn said. “It will be pedestrian focused.”
The parking garages will be located on Uptown’s perimeter.
As the project was being imagined, Bourn’s team traveled around the country to visit similar entertainment hubs.
“We have a unique opportunity to provide this type of environment locally,” Bourn said, “an urban resort that’s not behind gates and you can live there or visit for the day or for a week.”
To accommodate families, Uptown will also have daycare so parents can plan the day with the kiddos and then have somewhere to leave them if they’d like some grownup time.
“By paying attention to detail,” Bourn said, “we hope people feel like this is their space and think, ‘Let’s head Uptown.’”
Foothills Mall was built in 1982. Bourn owned it from 1994-99 and took it from 12% occupancy to 95% occupancy. Bourn bought the mall again in 2016.
This will be the company’s third large mixed-use center locally.
The Bridges, near Park Avenue and Interstate 10, is anchored by Costco and Walmart and has offices, restaurants and hotels.
Likewise, The Landing, on Irvington Road and Interstate 19, has a Sprouts grocery store and various restaurants and entertainment spots and a hotel under construction as well as an apartment complex.
While some retailers at those sites may also open at Uptown because of their established relationship with the company, Bourn thinks it will also bring new businesses to Tucson.
The area around Uptown is densely populated, with about 154,131 people within 5 miles of the property with a median household income of $95,214.
“There are stores that may not have considered the Tucson market before,” Bourn said. “Our hope is when they see the scope of this project, they will consider Tucson.”
The Uptown website, headuptown.com, will be live Monday, May 15, for those interested in receiving updates.
The concept of creating mixed-use projects at old malls has taken off in the past several years as traditional shopping venues have lost foot traffic to online vendors.
“Retail-to-residential conversions range from apartment buildings that are springing up in what were once mall parking lots or the former sites of closed big box stores, to partial or complete ‘scrapes’ in which malls and shopping centers are torn down and replaced with mixed-use communities with plenty of housing,” according to a recent report by the Urban Land Institute. “Retail center owners increasingly see residential as both a new revenue source and a way to invigorate stores by putting potential consumers in close proximity.”
That type of redevelopment is also scoring environmental points.
Conversions improve sustainability, the Urban Land Institute report says, quoting architect Daniel Gehman of Danielian Associates, based in Irvine, California, who has worked on numerous retail-to-residential projects.
Stormwater that once collected residue from cars in asphalt parking lots, for example, can instead be diverted and treated in new residential projects.
Locally, developers are eyeing possible residential development at Park Place Mall on Broadway.
“It just is better for the environment,” Gehman says. “It fits with the whole idea of developing places that are already developed and densifying, as opposed to just sprawling everywhere.” | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/take-a-sneak-peek-at-plans-for-former-foothills-mall-in-tucson/article_87023490-e86b-11ed-b8ce-572c24501b7a.html | 2023-05-14T16:16:51 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/take-a-sneak-peek-at-plans-for-former-foothills-mall-in-tucson/article_87023490-e86b-11ed-b8ce-572c24501b7a.html |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Fog
By Carl Sandburg
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
I chose this line from Carl Sandburg’s poem as the title for a University of Arizona OLLI course I teach because it shows how a poem can come softly padding into your life and take you by surprise, even if you think you hate poetry. Think of how fog tends to creep in like a cat, slowly settling over a harbor or city. Our lives, whether we admit it or not, are surrounded by poetry. We breathe it like air. We live in metaphors and similes, calling our neighbor a horse’s ass or saying that a certain politician looks like an orc from Mordor. In a sense, all language is metaphorical. We use it to constantly call one thing another or compare it to that thing.
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OK, so maybe you don’t actually hate poetry. Maybe you feel it’s just not your thing or that it has no relevance to your life. Or that it’s filled with “thees” and “thous” and seems written in such abstruse, highfalutin language as if it were something that needs to be decoded.
You know that lyric from a favorite song whose magical lines you keep singing over and over in the shower? Well, that’s how the earliest poems were shared. They were sung. You may be familiar with this first stanza of Dylan Thomas’s famous poem. “Do not go gentle into that good night/Old age should burn and rave at close of day/Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Kind of like what rocker Neil Young sang in Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black): “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” Tragically, it was also part of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s suicide note. Do you get the feeling they might have read Dylan Thomas?
Or maybe it’s a line from a speech, essay, or play that moves you to tears, but you don’t know why. Or when we say that something we read in a novel or hear someone say is pure poetry. It’s like someone speaking directly to you, pulling on all your emotional strings with words so perfect you can’t imagine them being said any other way. While you might think of this line by Hamlet as prose, it is also poetry in every sense of the word. “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” How could we ever improve upon that?
Don’t let anyone tell you what poems you should read or what they mean. That’s between you and the poet on the page. It’s what Ruth Stephan envisioned when she first founded the University of Arizona Poetry Center in 1960, where a person can “discover poetry for herself or himself by browsing alone, selecting alone, and reading alone in a quiet atmosphere.” She wanted there to be no intermediaries between you and the poet, no snotty critics or teachers to tell you what’s good or not. So forget everything you learned in English class about poems, especially that absurd question “What does the poem mean?” Who cares? The more important question is, do you like it? How does it make you feel? According to Emily Dickinson, “If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.”
We are fortunate to live in this city of art, where on almost every street corner, there’s some form of artwork, including poems to read and enjoy while you wait for the Sun Link. And a magical place like the Poetry Center — think of it, a whole building devoted solely to poetry. So go grab some poems and make your head explode!
Gene Twaronite is the author of four poetry collections. He is the current Writer in Residence for Pima County Public Library, from May through July 2023. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-approaching-poetry-on-little-cat-feet/article_d608f1e0-ee9d-11ed-a197-3f60c0f9f119.html | 2023-05-14T16:16:57 | 1 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-approaching-poetry-on-little-cat-feet/article_d608f1e0-ee9d-11ed-a197-3f60c0f9f119.html |
Originally published May 12 on IdahoCapitalSun.com.Thirty-five states have fewer children than they did five years ago, a situation caused by declining birth rates nationwide, but also by young families migrating across state borders in search of cheaper housing.
Even in the 15 states that gained children, all but North Dakota experienced greater growth in the adult population, meaning children now make up a lower percentage of residents.
In states where the number of children has declined, school officials are facing the possibility of teacher layoffs or even school closures when pandemic aid expires next year. A decline in school enrollment could provide short-term cost savings and might be a benefit to children if there are more resources to go around, but it bodes poorly for future state workforces.
In states where the drop in the number of children is part of a broader population decline, there will be additional fiscal, economic and political ramifications, such as diminished representation in Congress.
The states with the largest drops were California, Illinois and New Mexico, where the child population declined by 6% between 2017 and 2022, according to a Stateline analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.
Idaho and North Dakota saw the largest increases, at 4.4% and 4%.
In Idaho and North Dakota, annual school enrollment has increased over the past five years, except for temporary drops early in the pandemic. But Idaho is bracing for a decline starting in 2025, when children from a historic 2007 baby boom in the state start turning 18.
Idaho has become known as a picturesque and affordable place to raise children, said Jaap Vos, a planning professor at the University of Idaho in Boise. He relocated from Florida with his 3-year-old son in 2012, “when it was still the middle of nowhere,” he said.
The number of adults in Idaho grew by 16% since 2017.
Boise is getting a lot of new residents from California, and northern Idaho is seeing more movers from Northern California, Washington and Utah. “It might be for ideological reasons, people looking for a more conservative lifestyle,” Vos said. He added that some people have left Boise as it has grown more crowded.
Throughout Idaho, housing prices have risen rapidly.
Writer Leah Hampton is moving from North Carolina to Moscow to teach at the University of Idaho. But she said she is having trouble finding an affordable house — even without children. Her husband is working remotely.
“Moscow is definitely a great place to raise kids. It’s like a 1950s movie up here but more diverse and left wing,” Hampton said. “All of my friends’ children seem really happy and well-adjusted. But cost of living is much higher than we expected. We have money and we literally can’t find anything to buy.”
Many houses are sold sight unseen to investors offering cash, she said.
WHY IS THE UNDER-18 POPULATION SHRINKING?
The declines mostly are a reflection of historically low fertility rates, which have been below the replacement rate of two children per woman since 2010. Births increased in only a handful of states in 2021.
But in the 35 states that experienced declines, high housing prices also are a factor. In California, jobs pay well but the state’s housing shortage has sent prices beyond the means of young families, said Hans Johnson, a senior fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank.
“People want to buy a house and have children, but they realize they can’t do it here so they look in the vicinity, states close by, and work remotely so they can keep their California paychecks,” Johnson said.
Slow population growth cost California a seat in Congress after the 2020 census. The number of adults in California grew in the past five years, according to the Stateline analysis, but the decline in the number of children led to a lower overall population.
California also has experienced a phenomenon shared by other Western states: The children of Hispanic immigrants have lower birth rates than their parents. California’s total fertility rate dropped from 2.15 per woman in 2008 to a historic low of 1.52 in 2020, the lowest since records have been kept, Johnson wrote in a January report.
California, Illinois and New Mexico all have seen lower school enrollment in recent years, even as they’ve tried to rekindle interest in public education after pandemic upheavals.
In New Mexico, enrollment has dropped particularly sharply in the northwestern part of the state, where there are many Indigenous students, according to a January state report. Between 2012 and 2022, enrollment declined by 22% in the majority-Native Central Consolidated Schools in San Juan County, compared with a statewide decline of 7%, according to the report. Indigenous and other children in the mostly rural area struggle to stay in school because of long bus commutes and lack of internet access at home.
The recent closure of a coal mine and the power generating station it fueled forced many families with children to move away from San Juan County to find jobs, according to Central Consolidated school board President Christina Aspaas.
“A lot of Navajo workers who were employed had to relocate to Phoenix or elsewhere out of state to earn the same wages,” Aspaas said. “It affected the local tribes, Hopi and Navajo, Diné. Seeing the impacts makes my heart break. These are all my children, and they deserve the best in education and in life.”
FLORIDA: NOW MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS
Another fast-growing state with meager growth in the number of children is Florida, where a decrease in births and an increase in deaths over the past five years has created a negative drag on overall population, according to census estimates.
The state had almost 25,000 more births than deaths in 2017, but there were 40,000 more deaths than births by 2022.
Still, Florida had the third-highest increase in child population between 2017 and 2022, at 2%. One reason: Hispanic births in Florida have continued to increase, unlike in Western states, said Stefan Rayer, director of the population program at the state Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
In fact, births are increasing for white, Black and Hispanic mothers in Florida, helping to offset some of the increasing deaths among the white population, Rayer said.
“Unless births increase substantially, because of the aging of Florida’s population, the state will likely see natural decrease for the foreseeable future, with all growth coming from migration,” Rayer said. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-leads-the-u-s-in-child-population-growth-the-kid-demographic-has-shrunk-in/article_6512f10c-f109-11ed-9a8d-33eb147287c0.html | 2023-05-14T16:26:39 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-leads-the-u-s-in-child-population-growth-the-kid-demographic-has-shrunk-in/article_6512f10c-f109-11ed-9a8d-33eb147287c0.html |
BALTIMORE — Multiple investigations are underway in Baltimore after multiple shooting incidents occurred between Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
RELATED: May 2023 Tracker: Baltimore murders and shootings
Just before 10:00pm on Saturday, officers were called to the 4800 block of the Alameda for reports of shots fired.
A man was located suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was taken to an area hospital, where he is expected to survive.
The next shooting occurred after 2:00am.
Police found a man in the 2400 block of Washington Boulevard with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead by medical personnel at a Shock Trauma Center.
Just after 4:00am, Another call came for reports of shots fired in the 800 block of East Pontiac Avenue.
Officers located a man in the 3800 block of Brooklyn Avenue suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. His current condition is unknown.
Anyone with information can contact Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/three-separate-shootings-leaves-one-dead-two-injured-in-baltimore-city | 2023-05-14T16:32:05 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/three-separate-shootings-leaves-one-dead-two-injured-in-baltimore-city |
BALTIMORE — Firefighters battled a house fire early Sunday morning in Oldtown.
Fire officials responded to the 800 block of N. Central Avenue and reported a 2-story row home was on fire.
According to fire personnel, heavy fire was showing from the first floor.
Three people were treated for injuries from the fire, an adult and two children. Their conditions are unknown.
The fire was quickly extinguished.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/three-injured-in-2-story-row-home-fire-including-two-children | 2023-05-14T16:32:11 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/three-injured-in-2-story-row-home-fire-including-two-children |
In August 1849, the first circus visited town for one day only. Just 15 years later, in 1864, the pages of The Pantagraph advised its readers of another circus coming to set up “on the old circus lot” known by all as being on Grove Street. It didn’t take circus owners long to learn that this community loved their business.
Flash forward to the second decade of the 20th century where Bloomington featured more circus-centric venues and was home to more than a few star circus performers — the aerialists. To maintain their peak physical condition in the off-season (winter), many aerialists found their way to the training barn on East Emerson Street (built by siblings Eddie and Jennie Ward), and the YMCA, which stood at the southeast corner of Washington and East Streets.
While impossible to name all the aerial artists who called Bloomington home, a few of the brightest stars became the subject of news articles — not only in newspapers from coast to coast, but also in national publications like Popular Science, The New Yorker, Variety, and Billboard.
The town’s central location, and its lower cost of living when compared to Chicago or St. Louis, combined with the ease of travel via rail, all worked together to make this community attractive to performers.
At the same time, in the early 1920s, Clarence D. Curtis introduced the flying trapeze to scores of youngsters at Bloomington’s YMCA.
Teens like Bert Doss, Wayne Larey, Tuffy Genders, and Art Concello took the trapeze bar into their hands before leaping off the pedestal board, and turned aerial tricks before being caught by the man hanging head down some 30 feet away. If the trick went sour or the flyers weren’t caught, they landed in the net that was part of the trapeze rigging permanently installed above the basketball court.
Eddie W. Ward, a catcher and act owner/manager, periodically made the short trip downtown to scout talent. He picked up these four men (and more!) and finished training them in his barn.
Once Ward felt they were ready, he assigned them to perform in one of his Flying Ward acts that he booked with the American Circus Corporation shows (based out of Peru, Indiana) and served as the chief rival to the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus’ “Greatest Show on Earth.” This practice continued until Ward’s untimely death in 1929.
Locals ascended to the ranks of big-name circus performers. Bert Doss worked in the premier early 1930s aerial act, The Flying Codonas, after their star leaper’s shoulder injury sidelined him.
Art Concello perfected what once was considered “the killer trick,” the triple somersault. After doing so, The Flying Concellos moved to the coveted center ring spot for Ringling.
Concello’s wife, a French Canadian orphan-turned-acrobat named Antoinette, eventually made that trick her own in 1937, securing her place in the annals of circus superstardom. Art and Antoinette became the only husband and wife team performing the dangerous stunt.
Over time Art adopted and improved his former mentor’s business model. He booked acts with circuses in the United States, Australia, and eventually even what was then the Soviet Union. He initially peppered the troupes with people he grew up with like Wayne Larry, Red Sleeter, and Tuffy and Grayci Genders.
While Art likely could have garnered lots of press for himself, he preferred to keep Antoinette in the spotlight. Her fame and tremendous looks translated into commercial endorsement deals with everyday products like Wheaties cereal and Camel cigarettes.
Her sister, Mickey King (who was no circus slouch herself), was awarded with Billboard’s favorite outdoor female performer in 1939.
Normal got in on the circus action, too. In 1929, soon after his arrival at Illinois State Normal University (today ISU), Clifford “Pop” Horton brought a gymnastics fraternity to life with an annual spring show highlighting the acrobatic abilities of young male students.
In addition to the spring exhibition on campus, his students performed in Bloomington’s annual YMCA Circus, which ceased a few years before World War II. By the 1940s, the university’s extracurricular organization included women and had morphed into the Gamma Phi Circus, which is the longest-running collegiate circus in the world!
The museum hosts a long-term display featuring documentation and artifacts from local performers. The reputation of Illinois State University’s Circus & Allied Arts Collection spans the globe as a tremendous site of primary source material ranging from contracts to correspondence, wardrobe to photographs, slides, posters, and much more.
A few of their treasures will be displayed throughout Milner Library this fall when the Circus Historical Society (www.circushistory.org) makes a return visit Aug. 24-27 for their annual conference, which coincides with Normal’s Sweet Corn Circus festival. The exhibition in Milner will be free to and open to the public.
Visitors, and sometimes even longtime residents, are often surprised to learn about this community’s circus past. In addition to the exhibits at the museum and Milner, the Circus Historical Society conference, and the Sweet Corn Circus festival, there’s more movement afoot to raise awareness and celebrate it.
In early August, an Illinois State Historical Society marker will be placed at the corner of Washington and East streets, where Bloomington’s first YMCA building stood.
More immediately, in fact just days ago, the book titled "In the Shadow of the Big Top: The Life of Ringling’s Unlikely Circus Savior" was released by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. Chronicling the life of Bloomington’s truant-turned trapeze star, impresario and circus executive, Arthur M. Concello and his wife, Antoinette, the book is available to purchase at the museum, all major retail bookstores, and online outlets.
Photos: The final days of the Ringling Bros. circus
Pieces From Our Past is a weekly column by the McLean County Museum of History. Maureen Brunsdale is special collections librarian at Illinois State University's Milner Library.
Grayci Genders styles on the mezzanine level of Bloomington’s old YMCA during its annual circus in 1936. Next to her, with the bar in his hand, stands Bob Fisher. “Bones” Brown is at the top of the photo in his striped costume.
In this undated photo, Antoinette Comeau, Arthur Vasconcellos (Concello), and Mickey King relax in the sun after a trapeze practice at Eddie Ward’s barn, which used to stand on the 1200 block of East Emerson Street in Bloomington. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/b-n-celebrates-its-high-flying-circus-history/article_a6602e28-f086-11ed-ab45-b3e6150b5352.html | 2023-05-14T16:45:20 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/b-n-celebrates-its-high-flying-circus-history/article_a6602e28-f086-11ed-ab45-b3e6150b5352.html |
DULUTH — Maria Oppelt’s business has already pivoted once, and is set to expand this summer.
The Denfeld sophomore started North Shore Sugar as a baking business when she was 13. She initially sold cakes and cupcakes, but has since shifted to selling made-to-order and prepackaged cotton candy.
"Extra Credit" is an occasional Q&A series by the Duluth News Tribune designed to let Northland-area students describe themselves and their accomplishments in their own words.
Know someone the DNT should feature here? Email education reporter Joe Bowen at jbowen@duluthnews.com or call him at 218-720-4172.
Oppelt said she has kept the business relatively small in earlier years, but plans to set up shop at the Bailey Builds marketplace this summer and other Twin Ports get-togethers. Her business has no employees at the moment, but occasionally a friend will volunteer to help her work an event.
The emerging entrepreneur answered a handful of News Tribune questions about her business, how she balances it with her schoolwork and other obligations, and so on. Her responses have been lightly edited for clarity.
Q: Why did you start a baking business? What appealed to you about that field?
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A: I have always loved baking and cooking, as well as eating, and always admired those on TV who could make such beautiful cakes just with their bare hands, as well as the creativity that this field brought. I also saw a lack of bakeries in Duluth and the surrounding areas where people could get creative and fun cakes from, and I knew that I could be the person to do those cakes. Making cakes has always come naturally to me and has been a great outlet for my creativity.
Q: Why did you switch from cakes and cupcakes to cotton candy?
A: I made the switch from baked goods to cotton candy a few months after I bought the machine. At that point, I had only done a few events for some friends and family, but seeing the look on the peoples faces, especially children, I knew there was no looking back. I love making a huge puff of cotton candy and seeing their eyes just light up when I hand it to them. I have always loved interacting with the people that I make things for, and this allowed me to do more of that than I have ever done before.
Q: How have you balanced your social life, school work, and/or extracurriculars with your obligations to your business?
A: The great thing about working for yourself is that you can create your own schedule and prioritize as the seasons change. Even though I’ve had to say "no" every now and then, this business has surprisingly aligned well with my school breaks and free weekends. My friends really support me in this business venture and even have helped me out a few times with the bigger events. I am so grateful for such a supportive group of friends that understand when I have to work.
Q: Has North Shore Sugar made a profit? If so, what did it take to get that point? If not, when do you expect it might?
A: I have made a profit, especially with my new business model. This business was really just a great opportunity to grow my experience and to work for myself at a time when others my age are working for someone else. It only took a few events to make a profit off of my cotton candy business, but it was still a lot of work to get there. It was a risk to purchase a cotton candy machine in fear that I would not make my money back on it, but I am very grateful that it did, and I am hoping that it will serve me well for years to come. I recommend to any other person with a liking to a certain trade to start a business, especially in your teen years, it is a great alternative to a job if it is done right.
Q: Do you plan to change or expand the business at all? If so, what do you have in mind? If you don’t plan to change or expand, what do you think makes North Shore Sugar work well as-is?
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A: I definitely plan to expand on the business model that I have right now, and to make unique cotton candy flavors that aren't available anywhere else. I do want to add new packaging to include the events that I cannot be present at, with unique packaging. I also plan on getting a second cotton candy machine as well as set up at larger events. I don’t see myself stepping away from cotton candy any time soon as I already have a wide range of flavors to choose from and packages to pick from that can fit any size event or party.
Q: What are you most proud of about your business? What has been the most difficult part of starting or running it?
A: I am proud of how far my business has come and where it is today. It really started from a dream that I had as a kid and has flourished into more that I could ever imagine. I am very proud of the people I was able to give happiness to, and grateful to those who take a chance on hiring a teenager. One of the most difficult things that I had to overcome in this business is the stress that came with running it, mostly scheduling and coordination.
Q: Do you think North Shore Sugar might be the beginning of a career in business?
A: No matter what I do in the future, I have learned so much from owning a business that will help me with whatever I do. I have learned many lessons, such as time management, networking, budgeting and my marketing presence. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/extra-credit-denfeld-student-runs-sweet-business | 2023-05-14T17:05:56 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/extra-credit-denfeld-student-runs-sweet-business |
JIM THORPE, Pa. — For Mackenzie Nedley, it was a good day at Germantown Grove in Jim Thorpe.
"I got two," Nedley said.
The 7-year-old is just one of 100 students and young adults who spent the day taking part in the Special Needs Fishing Derby.
The Germantown Grove Club and American Legion Post 304 has put on the event for more than six decades.
Except for the past three years because the coronavirus put a halt on fishing fun.
"It's a special day for everybody here, and as you can see, there's a lot of fish in the water, and they're hungry, and they wanna bite, which makes it great for everybody," said Dave Remmel, with the Germantown Grove Club.
"Just watching the kids pull out the fish and see that big smile on their faces. It's awesome, it was awesome just all you see is smiles," said Ronald Mertz, the Vice President of the Germantown Grove club.
Kids of all ages throughout Carbon County were able to take part, regardless of their disabilities.
For children who couldn't cast a line or physically reel in a fish, this special device was used to help them still get the full experience.
"We come out for the kids. They love it. They like to try something different. They don't get too much of anything outdoors. It's hard for their parents," said Kristen Farley, a teacher in the multiple disabilities functional room at Lehighton High School.
The fishing derby this year was filled with many firsts.
Not only was this the first year students were able to go on a field trip, but it's also the first time many of them have learned how to fish.
"That's why we have all the adults here there helping them catch fish, and then they're fielding the fish to take home," Mertz said. "A lot of the schools take the fish back and will make this afternoon and feed it to the kids."
"We haven't been out in two years, so this is our first one out, and it's been really nice to see them and expose them to other people and not be so closed off," Farley said.
New fishing rods were given out to the kids who caught the biggest fish.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/special-needs-kids-cast-a-line-at-fishing-derby-in-jim-thorpe-germantown-grove-club-american-legion-post-304-wnep/523-a36653d7-762b-466f-ad57-d1e174e8e1a3 | 2023-05-14T17:06:08 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/special-needs-kids-cast-a-line-at-fishing-derby-in-jim-thorpe-germantown-grove-club-american-legion-post-304-wnep/523-a36653d7-762b-466f-ad57-d1e174e8e1a3 |
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