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TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) — There are 38,000 homeless military veterans nationwide, according to VA.gov.
A walk was held Wednesday morning in Tupelo to raise awareness of this issue.
The walk took place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall at Veterans Park.
Hannah Maharey, the chairperson for the Tupelo Homeless Task Force, said two mute veterans currently live on the streets in Tupelo.
She said the Task Force is working with the individuals to get them into some type of housing.
“We're lucky to be able to do awareness events like this, but at the Homeless Task Force, we really talk about causes and effects of homelessness here in our community and what we can do to address it. " | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/tupelo-walk-aimed-to-bring-awareness-to-veteran-homelessness/article_04b8fdf8-f4d6-11ed-a493-1b296794ad5b.html | 2023-05-17T21:57:23 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/tupelo-walk-aimed-to-bring-awareness-to-veteran-homelessness/article_04b8fdf8-f4d6-11ed-a493-1b296794ad5b.html |
CANTON
Want to apply for a job at Amazon in Canton? Here's how.
Kelly Byer
The Repository
CANTON − The Amazon fulfillment center opened Sunday with a few hundred employees and will hire hundreds more in the coming months.
The average starting pay is $19 an hour with benefits, which include a 401k with a 50% employer match and up to 20 weeks of paid maternal or parental leave.
If you want to apply for a job at the new facility, 4747 Rebar Ave. NE, the company has a dedicated site for openings: hiring.amazon.com.
Company spokeswoman Paula Morrison said open positions, the type of which will be based on business needs, are posted on Saturday mornings.
The 1 million-square-foot Canton fulfillment center handles non-sortable, large and bulky items. Amazon is expected to employ up to 1,000 people there during peak times. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/05/17/want-to-apply-for-amazon-heres-how/70228847007/ | 2023-05-17T22:07:53 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/05/17/want-to-apply-for-amazon-heres-how/70228847007/ |
PORTLAND, Maine — At just 17 years old, Owen Kennedy is already an accomplished fiddler. He’s the 2022 New England Regional Open Scottish Fiddle Champion and the 2021 Junior US National Scottish Fiddle Champion.
Now he has released his first album, “Oh When: Now” and is holding an album release concert Saturday at Winthrop United Methodist Church.
He’ll also be performing Sunday at Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland. Kennedy will be performing both shows along with his mentor and friend, Sean Heely, an accomplished fiddler himself.
Owen Kennedy "Houses Set"
Owen Kennedy "Reel de Montreal, Pointe Au Pic" | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/champion-fiddler-owen-kennedy-getting-ready-to-release-his-first-album-music/97-758d1314-8b06-43ce-b8a5-c4de7d90fd58 | 2023-05-17T22:10:23 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/champion-fiddler-owen-kennedy-getting-ready-to-release-his-first-album-music/97-758d1314-8b06-43ce-b8a5-c4de7d90fd58 |
PORTLAND, Maine — A new adult coloring book is showcasing Maine's beauty and heritage through 40 detailed drawings.
"Coloring Maine" was crafted by Maine filmmaker and The Timber Cross creator Jeremy Grant.
"Maine has a way of grabbing your heart and never letting go," Grant said. "So, if you've been here once, you're going to color one of these pictures, and it's gonna bring you right back."
Grant is best known for his raw and fast-paced videos that oftentimes captures a side of the Maine wilderness few have ever seen. This project led him to a path he had never been down before.
"It's a combination of all these different mediums," Grant said. "You've got photos and sketches and then digital art, and it's weaving them together. It was a very steep learning curve, but it was worth it."
Grant said the idea for the coloring book came to him a few months ago. Once he began to unleash his creativity he was hooked. It took him two weeks to create each of the drawings featured in the book.
"When I get excited about something there’s not much I’m not going to do to get it done," Grant said.
He captures familiar sights with an extraordinary eye for detail. As for the people depicted on the pages, Grant said he looked to people in his own life to help capture the spirit of our state.
"The people here in Maine are what make it truly Maine. You know, when you sit down and you have a conversation with an old man or woman who has been working hard their entire life and are still doing it, like, they leave an impression on you," Grant said. "I love lighthouses, absolutely love lighthouses, but it was so important for me to capture some of that character in a way that I've never seen before to try to represent Maine authentically."
Watch the interview with Grant above to learn more about his work and the new coloring book. To purchase the book, click here. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/coloring-maine-filmmaker-creater-jeremy-grant/97-c74240c0-5c69-4653-a849-08723017203b | 2023-05-17T22:10:29 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/coloring-maine-filmmaker-creater-jeremy-grant/97-c74240c0-5c69-4653-a849-08723017203b |
PORTLAND, Maine — When Hospice of Southern Maine holds a conference next week with the theme “Dying Matters: Conversations about End of Life and the Emotional Honesty that Follows,” Nora McInerny will deliver one of the keynote speeches. She’s a woman with a deep, intimate experience with loss and grief.
In 2014, as the holidays were approaching, McInerny suffered a miscarriage. Five days later, her father succumbed to cancer. Six weeks later, her husband died of brain cancer. She was 31 years old.
“Why have just one terrible thing happen when your whole world instead could just fall apart piece by piece?" McInerny asked rhetorically.
As a successful writer and host of the “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” podcast, McInerny now spends a lot of time helping others navigate their way through heartache and grief. She doesn’t consider herself an expert on loss, only on her own loss.
“Grief is so personal that it can’t replicated,” she says. “It’s one of those things that you don’t get until you get it.”
It’s been nearly a decade since her world came apart, and McInerny hasn’t “moved on” from her grief but she has “moved forward.” She and her second husband have four kids in their blended family, and most of the time when people ask how she’s doing she replies that life is good.
“I don’t advocate for sort of spilling out all your current or past traumas on strangers,” she said. “Small talk is small talk for a reason.”
She paused, then added a final thought. “But I will say that among my close family and friends, we do not ask how you are unless we are ready to hear the truth. And we never say ‘fine’ if we don’t mean it.” | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/dying-matters-terrible-thanks-for-asking-podcast-host/97-21f2b6ec-5dcc-4207-a1d2-aaf7c5ab7865 | 2023-05-17T22:10:35 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/dying-matters-terrible-thanks-for-asking-podcast-host/97-21f2b6ec-5dcc-4207-a1d2-aaf7c5ab7865 |
KITTERY, Maine — Crews are on the scene of a fire at a Kittery hotel.
Shortly after noon Wednesday, the Days Inn hotel located on the Route 1 Bypass caught fire.
Kittery fire crews and law enforcement responded to the scene within minutes, Kittery Fire Chief David O'Brien told NEWS CENTER Maine.
O'Brien said crews are still searching for people and that one or two were still not accounted for.
One firefighter was injured with a laceration and one passerby ran by to look and became injured. The extent of the injuries is unknown at this time.
As of 1:20 p.m., Kittery police said the Route 1 Bypass was shut down to traffic in all directions. Southbound traffic was being rerouted to Ranger Drive, the Kittery Town Hall said on Facebook.
Strong winds coming from the northwest, and a lack of water, fueled the fire, allowing it to extend to a building next door, O'Brien said. Several spotty fires then spread across the street.
O'Brien added the $1.64 million building is a total loss. The state fire marshal has been called to investigate.
As of 4 p.m., it is unknown if there are any casualties, O'Brien said.
Fire crews from 16 surrounding towns responded to assist.
This is a breaking news story, and more information will be added as it becomes available.
More NEWS CENTER Maine stories | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/kittery-hotel-fire-days-inn-route-1-bypass-maine-new-hampshire/97-b1c3b897-d77f-4d63-a694-b0ba73204e54 | 2023-05-17T22:10:36 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/kittery-hotel-fire-days-inn-route-1-bypass-maine-new-hampshire/97-b1c3b897-d77f-4d63-a694-b0ba73204e54 |
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Unionized UPS workers in South Portland gathered Wednesday morning for what they called a "job action."
The president of the union Teamsters Local 340, Brett Miller, said workers gathered right before work in an effort to bring back one of their colleagues who got fired.
After accomplishing that, Miller shared that contract negotiations are underway between UPS and the union.
Some things the UPS workers are looking for include more equality between full- and part-time employees, consistency with lunch breaks, and addressing a six-day work week, which some say they did not sign up for.
"The members that were out here today are tired of working six days a week, 50, 55, 60 hours a week for an extended period of time," Miller said. "Some of them have been working six days a week. It's not what the contract was intended for. It's been manipulated by the company to enhance their workforce. They need to hire more people. There is no doubt about it. They need to hire more people. They need to have more of a balance for their workers."
NEWS CENTER Maine asked UPS about those claims and where their negotiation stands.
A UPS spokesperson said the contract from 2018 calls for working a sixth day when needed. However, no one could have anticipated the change in demand for deliveries since then.
According to their negotiations website, UPS and the union are making progress on non-economic items, and those conversations will continue in the coming weeks. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/south-portland/unionized-ups-workers-rally-for-better-work-conditions-contract-negotiations-teamsters-local-340/97-5ce2715e-03b1-40f7-ad2d-c17ee82ded38 | 2023-05-17T22:10:42 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/south-portland/unionized-ups-workers-rally-for-better-work-conditions-contract-negotiations-teamsters-local-340/97-5ce2715e-03b1-40f7-ad2d-c17ee82ded38 |
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The City of North Little Rock announced on Wednesday that people in the area should prepare for the end of debris removal in the city.
The deadline for people to both drop off debris in the parking lot of the Hospitality House (401 West Military Drive) and place debris near the street at their homes will end on Monday, May 29.
Anyone who may still need help removing debris from areas that were affected by the tornado should contact the city at (501) 906-5014. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/north-little-rock-end-debris-removal/91-9cbdfa87-9989-4521-893e-65311c781de4 | 2023-05-17T22:13:17 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/north-little-rock-end-debris-removal/91-9cbdfa87-9989-4521-893e-65311c781de4 |
Idaho Falls School District 91’s $3.3 million a year, 10-year plant facilities levy to build a new elementary school on 65th South won wide approval from voters in Tuesday’s election, and Bonneville Joint School District 93’s proposed $34.5 million, 17-year bond for a new elementary school in the Iona region fell 1.4% short of the two-thirds majority threshold required for passage.
In District 91, 2,081 voters were in favor of the levy (69.6%), and 909 voters were against it (30.4%). The levy required 55% approval to pass.
In District 93, 1,839 people voted in favor of the bond (65.26%), and 979 individuals voted against it (34.74%). The bond needed 66.6% approval to pass.
In the Idaho Falls Auditorium District election, Brian Ziel was elected as the director for seat one. Ziel received 1,239 votes (59.37%) and Don Potter received 848 votes (40.63%).
In Blackfoot, the election for Blackfoot Rural Library Board trustee Seat #4 was won by incumbent Kathleen Pressler Hall. Hall received 213 votes (76.62%), and her challenger Kim Washkow earned 65 votes (23.38%).
Fremont County’s temporary increase for the ambulance levy of $400,000 per two years passed. The levy received support from 652 voters (58.63%), with 460 voters opposing it (41.37%).
The vote to create an Island Park auditorium district fell narrowly, with 198 voters in favor of the district (48.89%), and 207 (51.11%) voting against it. The district would have required a simple majority to pass.
The Post Register will update this story with additional election coverage.
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Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/tuesdays-election-results-one-levy-passes-bond-issue-fails/article_543b5400-f4d8-11ed-ba97-4b91aeb975eb.html | 2023-05-17T22:15:06 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/tuesdays-election-results-one-levy-passes-bond-issue-fails/article_543b5400-f4d8-11ed-ba97-4b91aeb975eb.html |
ATLANTA — A nonprofit horse camp in Atlanta is providing a healthy outlet for at-risk youth.
Lilly Morgan, the founder of Morgan Valley Ranch Academy, said horses help the teens better understand themselves.
"That horse shows you who you really, truly are inside," Morgan said. "If you're emotional, then he's emotional. If you're angry, then he's angry.”
Morgan knows those feelings all too well.
“It's hard when you're in survival mode, when you come home and there's nothing to eat on the table," Morgan said. "I lived that life in the streets. I was that kid.”
Now she's become the adult she needed back then.
"This changed my life," she said. “These are at risk children. Low income housing, the parent may be dealing with some type of drug issue they have to get away from."
Morgan said campers often come to her through word of mouth, but she also works with the juvenile justice and foster care systems in Georgia to identify students who may benefit from enrollment.
"Instead of the kids going to jail, depending on what they've done, the program is their court order," Morgan said. "They did the crime, so they have to pay the time, but they don't go to jail for it. They come to the ranch and take the time and when they leave, their records are expunged."
Loren Mckee,11, said the program has helped her open up.
“Seeing how everyone else was really open about themselves, it made me feel brave," Mckee said. “Horses are like humans with four legs. They feel the same emotions, so they kind of mirror off what you feel.”
For many campers, that mirror isn't always easy to face. High school freshman Nicole Yancy had a hard time when she first started the program.
“Before I came here, I was actually I was like a very angry person," Yancy said. "But, now I'm very happy, I learned to manage it a lot, you know? I feel safe over here.”
Morgan said each session of the camp contains a deeper lesson.
“You have a choice, you choose your day, you choose your life," Morgan emphasized to the campers. "You choose how you want to feel, nobody else.”
Jada Grable, 13, said she's found solace in the camp, after dealing with trouble and stresses at school.
“Peer pressure, cyber bullying, bullying in general," Grable said. "It’s getting crazy, crazier by the day. It's like you can’t handle it because we’re still young."
She said being with the horses has brought her newfound peace.
"It's like therapy to me, when the horse understands you," Grable said. "We don't have a lot of people in this world who do that."
Most campers eventually graduate and move on. Morgan said some come back.
“When this kid turned 18 he had nowhere else to go, he was homeless," Morgan recalled. "We came in, went inside the barn and he was asleep in the stall. I said, 'Why are you here?' And he says, 'I didn't have anywhere else to go and this is the safest place I knew.'"
So Morgan keeps the door open, and the lessons going.
“When you match a rescue horse with a rescue kid, you have a real bond," Morgan said.
And she'll remind whoever will listen that the path you lead is up to you. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-horse-camp-helps-at-risk-youth-turn-violence-suffering/85-40a582f9-ebdd-4f22-b870-18508d1e644b | 2023-05-17T22:16:38 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-horse-camp-helps-at-risk-youth-turn-violence-suffering/85-40a582f9-ebdd-4f22-b870-18508d1e644b |
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A 54-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was shot several times while riding his moped on his way to work. Lawrenceville Police Department investigators are now trying to figure out who shot him.
Police said the man was shot last Friday, May 12, at 11:30 p.m.
Officers were dispatched to Five Forks Trickum Road and Old Snellville Highway after several people called in saying they heard gunshots in the area. When police got there, they found the man in the street and he had been shot several times, according to authorities.
The man was on his way home from work, riding his moped when someone shot him multiple times, investigators said. He was rushed to the hospital where, as of Wednesday, he is still in critical condition, police said, adding that he did not appear to have any enemies.
Authorities are now trying to understand what led up to the shooting and who may have fired the shots. Anyone with information is urged to call Lawrenceville Police Detective J. Woods at 770-670-5122 or email them at JWoods@LawrencevillePd.com.
For those who prefer to remain anonymous, tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia.
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- Watch live streams on YouTube | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mynews/lawrenceville/lawrenceville-moped-man-shooting/85-69ea7932-3e11-4284-b39d-1785b2b0b24f | 2023-05-17T22:16:39 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mynews/lawrenceville/lawrenceville-moped-man-shooting/85-69ea7932-3e11-4284-b39d-1785b2b0b24f |
A Burleson man who was being monitored by the FBI after allegedly posting about white supremacy and his fascination with high-profile mass shootings is facing prison time after investigators found materials for making a homemade bomb inside his home last month, prosecutors say.
Noah Calderon, 22, made his first court appearance this week for a federal charge of possession of a destructive device, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas said in a news release Tuesday detailing the investigation.
Prosecutors said the FBI was first alerted to Calderon in October after he allegedly posted about white supremacist ideology and a fascination with high-profile mass shootings, "particularly the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School," the statement read.
Calderon's social media included pictures of himself in tactical-style vests with AR-15-style rifles and handguns along with Columbine-themed memes, prosecutors said.
"This defendant exhibited several indicators of potential violence: a fascination with mass shooters, an obsession with weapons, and hatred towards a protected class. What's worse, he had allegedly progressed from ideation to planning and preparation," U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton said in the news release.
Months later in March, the FBI received a tip that Calderon had detonated a homemade bomb in a residential neighborhood. The explosion prompted several 911 calls about a loud concussive sound and smoke.
"Shortly thereafter, agents reviewed Mr. Calderon's Google account and found searches for the Columbine killers, the Charleston church shooter, 'pipe bomb how to make,' 'how to make propane bombs,' and 'wear [sic] were the propane bombs in Columbine,' as well as searches of the names of several local public schools. They also searched e-commerce activity, which showed that Mr. Calderon allegedly bought two pounds of potassium perchlorate, one pound of aluminum powder, and a striped fuse online," the release said.
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Calderon was taken into custody in April after Burleson Police and the FBI raided his home and found "items that could be used to make and detonate a bomb." Among the evidence taken from the home was a glass jar marked "frag," which contained metal BBs and lead, and 659.2 grams of explosive powder, the release said.
Investigators also found what they described as a handwritten "manifesto" which "glorified the Columbine shooters and espoused white supremacy," the release said.
"In apprehending Mr. Calderon, we may have averted mass tragedy. We are especially grateful to the tipster who alerted law enforcement to Mr. Calderon's concerning social media posts," Simonton stated.
Calderon was charged on April 18 and indicted on May 10 on one count of possession of a destructive device. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey L. Cureton on Monday.
He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Sign up for our Breaking Newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/burleson-man-who-idolized-mass-shooters-charged-with-possessing-homemade-bomb-feds-say/3260030/ | 2023-05-17T22:23:48 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/burleson-man-who-idolized-mass-shooters-charged-with-possessing-homemade-bomb-feds-say/3260030/ |
Students at two schools in the Mansfield ISD combined their efforts in a unique project that will help the Arlington Police Department do something good to comfort kids.
It started with an assignment at Charlotte Anderson Preparatory Academy. The art teacher asked her students to draw pictures of stuffed animals. The Anderson art teacher gave the pictures to her counterpart at Mansfield Summit High School. She then challenged her students to make real stuffed animals based on the drawings.
The high school students created about 60 to 70 of them.
Both schools decided to turn it into a service project and gave all the one-of-a-kind stuffed animals to the Arlington PD's Victim Services Unit.
"Whenever our Victim Services Unit responds to crime scenes where a child is involved, they'll often bring a stuffed animal to give to that child to comfort them and help them feel safe. We were incredibly touched by their donation. And the stuffed animals are ADORABLE!," wrote Tim Ciesco with the department's media relations team. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/art-teachers-assignment-comes-to-life-to-help-comfort-children/3259837/ | 2023-05-17T22:24:01 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/art-teachers-assignment-comes-to-life-to-help-comfort-children/3259837/ |
BLOOMINGTON — There are some sick sounds sprouting up in "Soy City."
Harlem Hayfield, a Decatur rock-blues project that formed in 2019 and ramped up songwriting during the pandemic, is rolling fast for harvest time. The band dished out six good tracks in its 2020 EP “Strong,” including warm-spirited love song “Light Me Up” and hefty funk riffs in record closer “Sick Style.”
With Hugh Sullivan tapping keys and lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman scatting true words of blues on the “Strong” ending track, let the evidence show that Decatur’s music scene is flourishing quite well.
As a portmanteau of the Harlem Renaissance moment and one of Schoneman's biggest soul influences, Curtis Mayfield, the band’s namesake suggests medium-sized cities planted in a sea of Illinois farm fields anything but humdrum.
The Hayfield players are headed for a Saturday set at nightshop in downtown Bloomington, opening for Seattle rockers Chris King & The Gutterballs. Next up is Make Music Normal in late June.
While Schoneman said they’re not going to compare themselves to the Harlem Renaissance, he said his band’s name is “a nod to the creative juices that are flowing through town.”
Schoneman said he feels like there’s a lot of expression coming out of Decatur now. He said it’s a “music explosion,” with a lot of original songwriting.
He said he and his bandmates have eclectic music interests. They range from Schoneman’s inspirations of classic-to-modern soul styles like Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and Erykah Badu, to other Harlem Hayfield players called to Van Halen, Dave Matthews Band, Vulfpeck, and pop punk band MxPx.
“When we get together and we start making a song, if we all like it … we feel it kind of transcends genres,” said Schoneman.
The winds of progress are lifting up Harlem Hayfield in 2023. The band signed up for a record deal early this year with Bridge Road Entertainment under producer David Bourgeois, after performing with Americana musicians Jocelyn & Chris.
Harlem Hayfield’s debut full-length LP, “Banter Tells and Trick,” is set to release in the fall. In addition to Jocelyn & Chris, the album will also invite Danny Louis of Gov’t Mule as a guest performer.
Schoneman said he’s not seeing any finish lines yet, but he’s knows the band is headed in the right direction.
He added that they’re “just going to ride it until the wheels fall off and see how far we can take it.”
Schoneman isn’t saving all the rock-star stage time for himself: He’s been passing on his musical skills to youngsters for nearly a decade.
In 2013, Schoneman said he started talks with the First Gig Rock N' Roll Camp in Danville about bringing a franchise to Decatur.
The next year, he said they got up and running in Decatur with the same curriculum as Danville’s, teaching kids ages 10 to 17 how to start a band and cover songs.
“The get the whole rock star experience in the course of a week,” he said.
The camp ends with a concert, and kids leave with band shirts and professional press photos. Schoneman said a lot of times, the bands will end up writing an original. The camp is returning to Millikin University July 17-22.
Schoneman said every member of Harlem Hayfield either serves as a band leader or guest instructor in the camp.
“They all have a hand in the camp of helping the kids along,” he said.
As a vocalist, Schoneman said he wants to hear good stories in song lyrics.
He said he doesn’t play an instrument, but he still feels emotions from instrumentation.
“The words, the feeling and the soul behind the voice is going to carry me through the majority of what I listen to,” he said.
Schoneman said we as humans are really disconnected as a species. People mostly communicate through text messages either on the phone, or through Facebook or Instagram.
When making any music, he said musicians just looking for some sort of a emotional connection to the other end of the speaker. Schoneman said that kind of communication speaks to our primal needs.
Although musicians may never meet some fans face to face, he said getting a good comment online still gives him goosebumps. Even better is when he sees someone singing along to his lyrics.
“You can’t buy that,” he said. “That’s powerful.”
Can you guess the rock band from just one lyric?
Can you guess the rock band from just one lyric?
Once I had a love and it was divine/ Soon found out I was losing my mind
Blondie: 'Heart of Glass'
I've been trying to make it home/ Got to make it before too long
Journey: 'Wheel in the Sky'
And the battle's just begun/ There's many lost, but tell me who has won?
U2: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'
But if you want money for people with minds that hate/ All I can tell you is, brother, you have to wait
The Beatles: 'Revolution'
I know I've felt like this before/ But now I'm feeling it even more
The Cranberries: 'Dreams'
I waited eight long months, she finally set him free
Paramore: 'Misery Business'
And if it's just a game/ Then we'll hold hands just the same
The Replacements: 'I'll Be You'
Late night, come home/ Work sucks, I know
Blink-182: 'All the Small Things'
She's got a smile that it seems to me/ Reminds me of childhood memories
Guns N' Roses: 'Sweet Child O' Mine'
All systems go, the sun hasn't died/ Deep in my bones, straight from inside
Imagine Dragons: 'Radioactive'
But I'm a million different people… From one day to the next
The Verve: 'Bittersweet Symphony'
This is how an angel dies/ Blame it on my own sick pride
AWOLNATION: 'Sail'
But I ain't seen nothing like him/ In any amusement hall
The Who: 'Pinball Wizard'
All the kids just getting out of school/ They can't wait to hang out and be cool
The Go-Go's: 'We Got the Beat'
You lyin' so low in the weeds/ I bet you gonna ambush me
Heart: 'Barracuda'
They're forming in straight line/ They're going through a tight wind
Ramones: 'Blitzkrieg Bop'
'Kathy,' I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh/ 'Michigan seems like a dream to me now'
Simon & Garfunkel: 'America'
Hey, street boy, want some style?/ Your dead-end dreams don't make you smile
The Runaways: 'Cherry Bomb'
We come from the land of the ice and snow/ From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
Led Zeppelin: 'Immigrant Song'
With the lights out, it's less dangerous/ Here we are now, entertain us
Nirvana: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
Green Day: 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'
He's never early, he's always late/ First thing you learn is that you always gotta wait
Velvet Underground: 'I'm Waiting for the Man'
I dream at night, I can only see your face
The Police: 'Every Breath You Take'
Criminal record says I broke in twice/ I must have done it half a dozen times
Nickelback: 'Photograph'
Sometimes I get the feelin'/ She's watchin' over me
My Chemical Romance: 'Welcome to the Black Parade'
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
Brendan Denison is our breaking news reporter. Denison was a digital content producer for WCIA-TV in Champaign and a reporter for The Commercial-News in Danville. He can be reached at (309) 820-3238 and bdenison@pantagraph.com.
Members of Harlem Hayfield pose in this April photo shot in Albany, New York. From left are guitarist and backup vocalist Brandon Pilger, drummer and backup vocalist Graham Wene, lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman, keyboardist and backup vocalist Hugh Sullivan, guitarist Chris Lourash, and bassist and backup vocalist Keenan Wilcott.
Members of Harlem Hayfield pose in this April photo shot in Albany, New York. From left are guitarist and backup vocalist Brandon Pilger, drummer and backup vocalist Graham Wene, lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman, keyboardist and backup vocalist Hugh Sullivan, guitarist Chris Lourash, and bassist and backup vocalist Keenan Wilcott. | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/decatur-rock-band-rolling-out-sick-blues-for-bloomington-show/article_3809e614-f4e4-11ed-a3d8-a7a5229b24fe.html | 2023-05-17T22:24:17 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/decatur-rock-band-rolling-out-sick-blues-for-bloomington-show/article_3809e614-f4e4-11ed-a3d8-a7a5229b24fe.html |
Several McLean County mayors and a Farm Bureau representative speak out against legislation that would expand the tax base that supports the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
SPRINGFIELD — A years-long effort to expand Central Illinois Regional Airport’s tax base from Bloomington-Normal city limits to encompass all of McLean County is on the runway and about to take flight.
The legislation passed the Illinois House 73-40 Wednesday afternoon. It was amended, so it heads back to the Senate, where an earlier version passed in March, before going to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk.
The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, would establish the Central Illinois Regional Airport Authority and dissolve all previously existing airport authorities within McLean County.
Instead of confining the airport’s tax base to the Twin Cities, it would expand it to cover the entire county. Proponents of the move say it will spread the tax burden out, thus reducing property tax bills for Bloomington-Normal residents.
CIRA officials have lobbied for the expansion for at least a decade, arguing that it would give them more flexibility to respond to a future crisis or take advantage of development opportunities in the future.
"CIRA is an important cog in the economic engine that supports McLean County and surrounding counties in Central Illinois and this legislation is a vital step in ensuring the long-term viability of CIRA," CIRA Board chairman Alan Sender told the Pantagraph in a statement.
"The entire airport board is gratified at receiving the support of the state House and looks forward to receiving similar supportive action in the state Senate in these last days of the Spring legislative session," he added.
Residents of rural McLean County, under the airport authority for the first time, would likely see their tax bills increase if the bill is signed.
Sender told The Pantagraph last month that owners of a $175,000 home outside Bloomington-Normal are estimated to see a $55 annual increase to their airport tax. Homeowners in Bloomington and Normal, on the other hand, are estimated to see their annual airport tax bill decrease from $83 to $55.
Among those opposed to the bill are a coalition of rural McLean County mayors along with Republican state legislators and the Illinois Farm Bureau.
In addition to spreading out the tax burden across the county, the legislation would allow the airport authority to nearly double its tax rate in the future from 4 cents per $100 of assessed value to 7.5 cents. Airport officials, however, say they have no plans to increase the levy.
For years, the county's state legislative delegation was a reliable backstop halting the effort. In 2017, for instance, then-state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, told airport executive director Carl Olson that he would not advance the effort in Springfield.
But the political terrain has changed. Koehler, a Democrat, picked up significant portions of McLean County following state legislative redistricting in 2021. McLean County voters also state Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, to the General Assembly in 2022.
With new legislative allies, the airport authority renewed its push.
Under the legislation, Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe and Normal Mayor Chris Koos will each get two appointments to the seven-person board.
The remaining three appointments will be made by the McLean County Board chairman John McIntyre. Of those, two have to be from rural communities with less than 5,000 residents and one from unincorporated McLean County.
State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, who sponsored the legislation in the House, said the it was specifically amended to ensure that all portions of the county would have representation on the new board.
Anna Ziegler, assistant manager of the McLean County Farm Bureau, said she appreciates the amendments to allow for more rural representation on the airport authority board.
However, the farm bureau still opposes the legislation because it imposes a new property tax on rural residents with the possibility of higher rates in the future.
"They're nearly doubling their maximum tax rate without a referendum and that affects Bloomington-Normal as well as rural McLean County," Ziegler said.
Although the new tax rate doesn't mean that the airport will levy at that rate, Ziegler said it still gives them the option without seeking input from the public.
The legislation passed on a party-line vote. House Republicans who represent portions of McLean County voiced their frustration ahead of the vote Wednesday.
"This is a property tax increase on every small community, every farm in McLean County," said state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur. "And yet none of these people have had any input into how this process is going down."
Caulkins, to no avail, urged Hoffman to hold the legislation to allow McLean County voters to weigh in via a referendum.
Sender, however, countered that the legislation is "almost identical to the legislation the General Assembly has approved in previous years in support of airports in Peoria, Crawford and DuPage airports."
The bill now heads back to the Illinois Senate, where it is expected to come for a vote in the next couple of days. If passed and signed into law, the authority would take effect within 30 days of initial board appointments being made.
Drew Zimmermann contributed to this report.
10 of the world's longest flights—and what to do if you're on one
10 of the world's longest flights—and what to do if you're on one
How the 10 flights stack up
What to do if you're on one of the world's longest flights | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill-expanding-central-illinois-regional-airports-tax-base-takes-flight-in-springfield/article_64569400-f4ef-11ed-8ea6-e331462b93b7.html | 2023-05-17T22:24:23 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/bill-expanding-central-illinois-regional-airports-tax-base-takes-flight-in-springfield/article_64569400-f4ef-11ed-8ea6-e331462b93b7.html |
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – Severe storms impacted Southwest Virginia, and the damage left behind is now causing stress for a family in Southside.
A family hired to remove the tree is pleased to know the tree didn’t do as much damage as it could have.
Lewis Wilson has been working in storm cleanup since he was a child.
“Really I’ve been doing this all my life, since like 7, 8,” Wilson, with Magic Grass Tree Company said.
Wilson sometimes removes trees that may have fallen on people’s homes. He and his family, including his sons are cutting this tree that was on the roof of the home.
The idea is that they can carry it away in smaller pieces, however, preparing may sometimes require working during a weather event.
“It was raining, storming, hailing, we did what we could to keep the structure dry as far as preventing damage on the inside, and we left around 7:30,” Wilson said.
The purpose of working through a weather event is to ensure there’s a good head start.
“I would give it minor, we’ve been in lots of situations like this even at our own place,” Lewuja Wilson, who works alongside his father, said.
Despite cleanup crews calling the aftermath minor, severe storms impacted lives around Southside.
Meteorologists said wind gusts reached 35 miles per hour at Danville Airport.
In Dickenson County, near the state line, the same storm claimed the life of a 65-year-old man. Sheriff Deputies said a tree hit his pickup truck.
In Lee County, school officials said part of the roof blew off at Elk Knob Elementary.
Officials said there is also water damage in three classrooms.
“We’ve got roof people here now, we’ve got the building inspector here,” David Sampson, with school transportation, said. “We’re trying to make all the foundations good.”
Cleanup crews are pleased the family can remain at the home.
While there is damage to the gutters and sides of the home, if the tree fell in the center, they said the damage could have been much worse.
“That’s what saved this house, that the tree fell on the low beam of the house which held the weight of the tree,” Lewis Wilson said.
Clean-up crews said no one was hurt, and the Red Cross is assisting the family. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/cleanup-underway-after-severe-storms-leave-behind-damage-in-virginia/ | 2023-05-17T22:26:39 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/cleanup-underway-after-severe-storms-leave-behind-damage-in-virginia/ |
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – A local school district is back up and running after becoming a victim of a cyber attack. The threat forced Franklin County Public Schools to close on Monday.
Meanwhile, investigators are looking into where the ransomware attack came from.
“We don’t know the origins of the attack,” Christopher Cope, an FBI cyber task force supervisor said. “I believe forensics are still ongoing between the school district and state police and the FBI, they should have that information shortly.”
Cope said ransomware attacks are very common across the U.S. and can hit any kind of business or organization, not just schools.
“It’s a crime of opportunity that they’re identifying vulnerable systems,” Cope said. “Many times those vulnerable systems are unpatched or are no longer supported. Companies may have just poor cyber hygiene or vigilance from employees.”
Logan Diomedi is a member of Roanoke InfoSec Exchange, a group of local IT professionals, and he works for Depth Security. He said schools are often targeted in cases like this.
“These networks are typically quite large,” Diomedi said. “They’re not as locked down as like a bank network would be. They contain a lot of sensitive information, you know your children’s private information is in them.”
Diomedi recommends groups of all kinds stay vigilant following the attack.
“One thing that we see really commonly that gets us in are weak passwords,” Diomedi said. “Avoid using passwords like the name of the company, or the school district, or a season like spring 2023 or something along those lines, and then using multi-factor authentication on your accounts as well. Such as requiring a push code from your phone or a text message or something that verifies only you can log in.”
On Wednesday, school officials said they’re working with law enforcement to learn more about the recent incident.
“Immediately upon detection, we began an internal investigation and engaged third-party experts to assist in our remediation efforts. Fortunately, through this team’s quick response, we were able to stop the progress of the attack. We are working closely with local and national law enforcement in this process.”
Dr. Bernice Cobbs, Franklin County Public Schools Superintendent
Dr. Cobbs said the attack won’t have an impact on grades because those are stored in an off-site third-party managed system. She said all of the critical systems are running again. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/franklin-county-public-schools-ransomware-attack-under-investigation/ | 2023-05-17T22:26:45 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/franklin-county-public-schools-ransomware-attack-under-investigation/ |
VINTON, Va. – There’s a new bus shelter open in Vinton.
Thanks to the help of multiple local organizations — this is the fourth bus shelter in Vinton.
This one is located at the Lake Drive Plaza Shopping Center, and is said to be the most visited bus stop in Vinton.
“Transit is all about connection,” Vice Mayor of Roanoke Joe Cobb said. “Connection to get to the things we need to get to our daily lives — all of the resources and services but it also connects us with each other.”
The shelter helps people stay out of bad weather and adds a layer of safety when they are waiting for the bus.
Town leaders say the shelter has lights and is ADA-compliant. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/new-bus-shelter-opens-in-vinton/ | 2023-05-17T22:26:51 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/new-bus-shelter-opens-in-vinton/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Lieutenant Kenny Sauls oversees criminal investigations at the Roanoke City Police Department, including crimes involving juveniles.
“This is a problem. We need to fix it,” Sauls said. “When it’s a child, I mean, that hurts everybody. Hurts family, community, schools. You name it.”
To date in 2023, 22 juveniles have been victims of firearm-related offenses. Of those 22, seven minors have been shot. In total, 13 juveniles have committed weapons violations, sometimes by accident.
Sauls says this year’s numbers are similar to past years, but it’s still unsettling. And he says the department is struggling to get ahead of the problem.
Sauls says the COVID-19 pandemic hurt community relationships.
“We’re behind the eight ball,” Sauls said. “A lot of those community relations we had before, kind of fell to the wayside. You know, where we’re in schools, we’re in these communities walking around making contact. All that stuff kind of went away. Now we’re trying to get back to that.”
The department is also currently down 55 officers.
“It’s harder for us to get out and walk a street, make contact with families, kids, whatever, because we’re just, we’re overwhelmed with calls,” Sauls said.
Sauls says a lack of gun safety education, parental supervision, and gangs all impact juvenile crime rates.
“We do have gangs in Roanoke and there are juveniles in those gangs,” Sauls said. “I’m not naïve enough to think that these kids aren’t being recruited for gangs, you know. I have no doubt that they are.”
This week, Roanoke City Council debated expanding curfew hours for minors ahead of the summer.
Sauls says a curfew is a tool officers can use, but it’s difficult to enforce, there are exceptions and many times these violent incidents happen at home. Plus, police say most of the incidents involving juveniles happen outside of curfew hours.
“It may be after curfew hours, but they’re at their home. So are they really violating curfew? No. The trouble came to them,” Sauls said.
“Help us help you. Seriously. We want everyone to feel comfortable in their neighborhoods, comfortable in their homes. We don’t want to be responding to these, these acts of violence. We don’t. But these things happen and unfortunately, sometimes it’s a ripple effect. Right? So this incident happens and then there’s another one because of it. And then another one. And then another one. We need help.”
Lieutenant Kenny Sauls | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/roanoke-police-talk-setbacks-solutions-to-juvenile-gun-violence/ | 2023-05-17T22:26:57 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/roanoke-police-talk-setbacks-solutions-to-juvenile-gun-violence/ |
GARY — After Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law a bill establishing a five-member appointed school board for Gary, the Gary Community School Corp. Advisory Board has been disbanded.
The bill will end the state takeover of the city's public school system on June 20, 2024. The state took control of the school district in 2017 due to intense financial issues and put it in control of the Distressed Unit Appeal Board. In doing so, it disbanded the elected school board and established an advisory board, which doesn't have any control over management of the district but can give awards and hold meetings to listen to resident feedback or discuss matters with the public.
The legislation ending the state takeover provides for installation of a new school board on July 1 to serve in an advisory capacity for a year.
Gary schools Manager Paige McNulty told the current advisory board members they will have no more meetings in a letter that has been shared with The Times.
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"I want to thank you all for serving on the board and for your participation and support of the Gary Community Schools," McNulty wrote.
The announcement cancels a meeting scheduled for June.
Robert Buggs, president of the advisory board, took issue with dissolving the board now. He pointed out that the law doesn't go into effect until July 1 and argued that this means the advisory board should be in place until then. He was hoping to use the June meeting as an opportunity to explain to the community what is happening to the school district and to air his grievances about Gary losing its rights to an elected school board.
"The public is not aware of this stuff," Buggs said. "I need to explain to them that their rights to choose have been taken away from them."
The new school board will not be elected as most traditional school boards are. It will be comprised of one person appointed by the mayor of Gary, one person appointed by the Gary Common Council and three people appointed by the Indiana Secretary of Education, who must appoint at least one Gary resident, another resident of Lake County and a final member from anywhere.
Buggs takes particular issue with the fact that one of the board members doesn't even have to live in Lake County.
"How in the hell you going to make a decision for my grandchildren and you don't know anything about Gary at all?" he said. "The other thing is you're telling the city of Gary and everybody that lives in Gary that they don't have enough damn sense to govern themselves."
Buggs said the right to vote for a school board is "a guaranteed right" and "something I put my life on the line for as a veteran." Buggs served as a medic in the U.S. Army for 26 years.
This also comes in the middle of a lawsuit between several of the members of the advisory board. Jacquese White is suing Buggs and three other board members, Lovetta Tindal, Mary Ann Canty-Reedus and Amelia Brown, after they voted to remove her as the board's appointment to the Gary Public Library Board of Trustees — one of the board's few powers is to appoint two members to the Gary Public Library Board. That lawsuit is ongoing and Jewell Harris Jr., White's attorney, told The Times they intend to see it through.
Gallery: New furniture for kids at Glen Park Academy
Gary Community School Corp. students returned to their classrooms after winter break to a surprise Tuesday: brand-new furniture.
Glen Park Academy New Furniture.jpg
A classroom at Glen Park Academy for Excellence in Gary, decked out Tuesday with brand-new furniture.
Glen Park Academy New Furniture 2.jpg
Staff rolls brand-new furniture into Glen Park Academy for Excellence on Tuesday. Buildings throughout the Gary school district received new f…
Glen Park Academy New Furniture 3.jpg
Gary Community School Corp. officials said that Tuesday was the first time in decades that many schools in the district received new furniture.
Glen Park Academy New Furniture 4.jpg
Students sit in a classroom Tuesday at Glen Park Academy for Excellence in Gary. Students returned from the holiday break to brand-new furniture.
Glen Park Academy New Furniture 5.jpg
New tables on Tuesday at Glen Park Academy for Excellence in Gary. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/gary-community-school-corp-advisory-board-disbanded/article_2444a74e-f418-11ed-b75b-a333765f5198.html | 2023-05-17T22:27:00 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/gary-community-school-corp-advisory-board-disbanded/article_2444a74e-f418-11ed-b75b-a333765f5198.html |
GARY – Two schools in Ethiopia are grateful to receive 7,216 pieces of furniture from the Gary Community School Corporation through “Bread and Water for Africa.”
“When we were made aware of this amazing program, we knew we had to jump on it,” said Dr. Paige McNulty, GCSC manager. “Even with the equipment and resource challenges our district has faced, we still recognize there are others in need.”
New furniture was unveiled to GCSC’s five elementary schools via Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding in January. Instead of tossing out the old furnishings, the school corporation wanted to help others in need.
GCSC learned about “Bread and Water for Africa” through the IRN Reuse Network. This network serves organizations in North America who want to see their surplus furnishings and equipment reused by those in need, rather than thrown away, according to its website.
“It feels so good to be able to help others no matter where they are,” McNulty said. “Our children are witnessing an extreme act of kindness and unconditional love.”
Prior to receiving the furniture, students at Kechin Mesk Elementary and Junior High School and Nefas Mewucha Junior High School in Ethiopia were completing their classwork while seated on tree trunks or flat stones. The students’ desks had been destroyed at both schools during a war that took place in 2021 and 2022.
The variety of desks, chairs, tables and cabinets were transported to the two schools through the IRN network in February. IRN project managers removed the furniture from GCSC elementary schools during winter break.
The removal of the old furnishings allowed GCSC to replace classrooms with upgrades. Following an assessment via ESSER, it was determined the current furniture had outlived its life-span, said Toni Mitchell, GCSC ESSER project manager.
“We wanted to foster long-term impact on students’ and staffs’ physical, mental and social wellbeing,” Mitchell said. “The furnishings are intended to inspire motion and flexibility while embracing adaptability to our classroom needs.”
Mitchell noted both GCSC students and the students overseas were excited, thrilled and overjoyed to receive updated furnishings. One student referred to it as ‘Christmas all over again’, she said.
Though GCSC doesn’t have any current plans to work with Kechin Mesk Elementary and Junior High and Nefas Mewucha Junior High, the school corporation is interested in future work.
“Because teachers are always in search of ways to make learning meaningful, it wouldn’t surprise me if some took an interest in exploring more opportunities to connect with schools in Ethiopia,” Mitchell said.
PHOTOS: Gary mayoral primary
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
Eddie Melton/Jerome Prince primary night
For more information
For more information about the Gary schools or to enroll your scholar, visit www.GarySchools.org.
Students at Kechin Mesk Elementary and Junior High School and Nefas Mewucha Junior High School in Ethiopia received furniture donated from the Gary Community School Corporation in February.
Students at Kechin Mesk Elementary and Junior High School and Nefas Mewucha Junior High School in Ethiopia received furniture donated from the Gary Community School Corporation in February. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/gcsc-donates-old-furnishings-to-ethiopian-schools-in-need/article_74981768-f34f-11ed-b20b-a3239b715d57.html | 2023-05-17T22:27:06 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/gcsc-donates-old-furnishings-to-ethiopian-schools-in-need/article_74981768-f34f-11ed-b20b-a3239b715d57.html |
Nucor Chairman, President and CEO Leon Topalian won the Gary Memorial Medal, the steel industry's highest honor.
The award is named after Judge Elbert Gary, who partnered with J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie and Charles M. Schwab to found U.S. Steel. The city of Gary, which U.S. Steel built as a company town in the early 20th century, also was named after the Wheaton native, who rarely set foot in his namesake mill town.
“Congratulations to Leon on this well-deserved recognition. We are grateful for his dedication and commitment to driving stronger and better steel industry outcomes," said Cleveland Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves, who's also the incoming AISI chairman of the board. "His contribution to AISI and the industry is invaluable. Thank you, Leon, for your steadfast leadership and dedication.”
Topalian, the outgoing American Iron and Steel Institute board chairman, leads Nucor, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based mini mill operator that has a mill in Crawfordsville in downstate Indiana.
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The American Iron and Steel Institute recognized Topalian "for his unwavering commitment of time and energy to the critical public policy issues that will have a lasting impact on the future of the American steel industry; for his exceptional leadership of the Institute during a time of unprecedented change for a nation still grappling with the impacts of the global pandemic; and for his dedication to promoting American steel as the material of choice to build a more sustainable world," according to the citation.
Washington, D.C.-based AISI advcoates for integrated and electric arc furnace steelmakers, their suppliers and customers.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Unbeatable Eatables, DRIPBaR Crown Point, Taco Depot and Flashback Antiques open; Da Burger House closes
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219 News Now: Check out the weekend forecast with Matt Holiner 5/12/23
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/gary-memorial-medal-goes-to-nucor-ceo/article_ed9e4446-f41e-11ed-bbe5-373d323a6ee9.html | 2023-05-17T22:27:18 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/gary-memorial-medal-goes-to-nucor-ceo/article_ed9e4446-f41e-11ed-bbe5-373d323a6ee9.html |
SCHERERVILLE — Town leaders want residents to help shape the future of the Illiana Motor Speedway property.
On Wednesday, May 24, the Schererville Town Council and the Park Board will hold a joint study session to discuss the redevelopment of the property. The meeting will take place in the Schererville Town Hall at 6 p.m. Town Council President Tom Schmitt, D-4th, said attendees will be able to give input both through public comment and through a survey.
Located off U.S. 30, the historic Illiana Motor Speedway operated for seven decades before closing in 2016. The former track started off as a dirt oval used for motorcycle racing but eventually transitioned to stock car racing.
Initial plans for the 51-acre property involved developing a commercial business park, but after public backlash the town has decided the land will be used for recreation.
The Town Council heard development proposals from American Structurepoint Engineering and the Northern League in February of this year.
The Northern League, an independent minor baseball league with such teams as the Lake County Corn Dogs and the Northwest Indiana Oilmen, pitched using the land for a multi-purpose stadium. The proposed stadium could be used for baseball, town events and concerts. Northern League President Don Popravak said the area around the ballpark could be made up of retail and restaurants.
Representatives from American Structurepoint presented what they called the "Schererville Sports Park." American Structurepoint has worked on a number of recreation facilities, including the Hammond Sportsplex and the Grand Sports Campus in Westfield. The engineering firm said the actual design of the park would be determined after a series of community input sessions.
Schmitt said the council wants to hear from the public again before making any decisions.
GALLERY: Schererville Family YMCA undergoes expansion
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location.
Crossroads YMCA is completing construction on the new Schererville location. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/schererville/schererville-to-host-public-input-session-on-future-use-of-illiana-motor-speedway-land/article_9dac6aca-f406-11ed-8a6f-6f536aec5016.html | 2023-05-17T22:27:24 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/schererville/schererville-to-host-public-input-session-on-future-use-of-illiana-motor-speedway-land/article_9dac6aca-f406-11ed-8a6f-6f536aec5016.html |
Demand for tickets for a startup airline that will begin service to Lincoln next month has been so strong that the company has already decided to extend its schedule.
Much of the service provided by Red Way is intended to be seasonal, with only a couple of the airline's seven destinations likely to have year-round flights.
But Red Way announced Wednesday that it plans to provide twice-a-week service to all seven cities through at least Nov. 29 "to accommodate the growing demand from the local community."
The first flights take off June 8 to Orlando and Las Vegas. Flights to Atlanta and Dallas will follow on June 16, and flights to Austin, Minneapolis and Nashville will depart for the first time on June 24.
Rachel Barth, the airport's director of communications and customer engagement, said more than 5,000 tickets have been sold so far.
"We knew based on research that these destinations would be popular, but we are astonished by the community’s reception and response," Red Way said in a statement.
In addition to the schedule extension, the airline also has added three special dates to accommodate what it anticipates will be increased travel demand.
The first flight is an Aug. 30 one to Minneapolis, which is the day before Nebraska plays its season-opening football game against Minnesota.
There also will be additional flights to Las Vegas and Orlando on Oct. 17, which is during Lincoln Public Schools' fall break.
“We are thrilled to have a company operating from the Lincoln Airport who embraces customer experience and community interactions as a core component to their business and we look forward to their continued success,” airport Executive Director David Haring said in a news release.
Red Way is a collaboration between the airport, its air service consultant Nick Wangler and Global Crossing Airlines.
The flights are technically charter flights with regular scheduled service, rather than scheduled commercial service, but Ed Wegel, chairman and CEO of Global Crossing, told the Journal Star last month that passengers would not notice a difference.
Red Way will be flying out of a brand-new Lincoln Airport. The airport plans a public open house May 30 to show off the first phase of its $55 million terminal expansion and renovation project, which includes new gates, a consolidated security checkpoint and other upgrades.
Airport officials also are hoping the addition of Red Way will help boost passenger numbers back to their pre-pandemic numbers.
Through the first four months of the year, the airport has had slightly more than 75,000 passengers, a 53% increase over the same period in 2022.
10 of the world's longest flights—and what to do if you're on one
10 of the world's longest flights—and what to do if you're on one
How the 10 flights stack up
What to do if you're on one of the world's longest flights | https://journalstar.com/business/local/new-airline-extends-flight-schedules-at-lincoln-airport/article_b6739d4a-f4cd-11ed-b429-df3fe8b855fc.html | 2023-05-17T22:27:35 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/business/local/new-airline-extends-flight-schedules-at-lincoln-airport/article_b6739d4a-f4cd-11ed-b429-df3fe8b855fc.html |
VALPARAISO — The City Council has chosen to put Karl Cender back on the School Board.
Valparaiso Community Schools is different from many other school districts in that its school board members are appointed by the city and township rather than elected by voters. As part of this duty, the City Council appointed Cender Monday night.
However, this won't be his first time on the board. Cender served on it previously from 2010-2022 and was the board's president in 2021.
Cender's most notable contributions to the board during his previous tenure were financial ones. Cender, a CPA and financial consultant by day, has over 35 years of experience providing public sector municipal and financial advisory services. He is the owner of Cender and Co.
During the appointment process, Cender touted his financial expertise as a reason the council should choose him.
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When Cender first joined the School Board, Valparaiso Community Schools was in a financially precarious situation, district officials including Superintendent Jim McCall have said over the years. When Cender last stepped down from the board, McCall told Lakeshore Public Radio that it was Cender who helped dig the district out of that hole. He called Cender a financial "wizard."
Also during his tenure, Cender saw the school district successfully pass two tax referendums in 2015 that he told the community were necessary to fund the schools' programming. Then in 2022, he saw the district renew its operating tax referendum. Cender said the process of renewing this referendum was what prompted him to step down in 2022.
"We were going through a lengthy process with the referendum and I thought if we get this passed, it might be good to take a break," he said in an interview earlier this month with the council prior to his appointment. "It's been good to have a year off just to refocus a little bit."
'Disgrace and shameful'
While Cender and his supporters on the council were celebrating this appointment, Valparaiso's Democratic Party organization wasn't too pleased.
"It is amazing what can happen when people have faith and trust in a fair process," the Valparaiso Democratic Committee wrote in a statement released Tuesday. "There were 14 Democrats who applied to be the 2023 City Council School Board appointee, likely the most ever in VCS history. Republican leadership on the City Council crushed that faith last night."
The party's chief concern revolves around political persuasion. City Council and School Board bylaws mandate that the board cannot have more than a simple majority of its members from the same political party. Because three of the four current City Council appointees are considered Republicans, the 2023 appointee could not be a Republican. The political party of the candidate is determined by what party's primary election that candidate most recently voted in, or, if the candidate has never voted in a primary election, the party's county chair must certify them as a member of that party. However, the Democrats pointed out that his appointment was approved 5-2 by the council on party lines.
"It should say something when the Democratic appointee received no Democratic votes," the party wrote. "This is a disgrace and shameful."
The party also criticized what they see as "a huge conflict of interest." Cender and Co., which the appointee owns, does accounting work for the city among other government agencies, it said. The party said it is awaiting the results of a records request through the Indiana Access to Public Records Act that will tell them exactly how many contracts Cender's company has with the city.
"We had a new generation of qualified candidates, all with school-aged children, who were ready to serve the public good," the party wrote. "They are skilled and prepared. But, we have a good-old-boys club hell bent on keeping control and recycling themselves in an awful game of musical chairs, where everyone else more qualified doesn't get a chair." | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/valpo-city-council-appoints-karl-cender-back-to-the-school-board/article_ef1d1080-f4c9-11ed-8a99-1b4298463984.html | 2023-05-17T22:28:02 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/valpo-city-council-appoints-karl-cender-back-to-the-school-board/article_ef1d1080-f4c9-11ed-8a99-1b4298463984.html |
ERWIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — A regional activist group will hold a “teach-in” before Thursday’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) public hearing related to its performance review of Nuclear Fuel Services (NFS).
NFS recently won the second, half-billion dollar phase of a two-part contract to initiate a new nuclear process at its Erwin plant, which requires an amendment to its NRC license.
Members of the Appalachian Peace Education Center (APEC) are gathering at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at The Magnolia Room, 102 S. Main Ave., where a scientist who has tested soil, air and water around NFS for the past decade will speak.
After Michael Ketterer, a professor emeritus at Northern Arizona University, presents new results of air pollution testing around Erwin, the group will greet hearing participants starting at about 5:30 in front of the Unicoi County Courthouse at 100 N. Main Ave.
An APEC news release says Ketterer “will also explain how his sampling methods show clearly that the beautiful Nolichucky River has been polluted by nuclear waste all the way to Douglas Lake.”
The hearing includes opportunities for public comment and will last from 6:30-8 p.m.
The NRC published a March 3 letter to NFS’s president about its review of NRC-licensed activities for all of 2021 and 2022. It noted the facility had three Severity Level IV “Safety Operations” violations during that time and two Severity Level IV “Safeguards” violations.
Level IV is the lowest violation level, and the letter said the NRC “determined that NFS continued to conduct activities safely and securely and in a manner that protects public health and the environment.”
NRC Letter to NFS by Jeff Keeling on Scribd
Thursday’s hearing comes five weeks after NFS was approved for a $428 million National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) contract to purify and convert uranium oxide to a metal form.
It is the second of a two-phase contract that came about after the government announced it would phase out an older process at a government-run facility at Oak Ridge, Tenn.’s Y-12 National Security Complex.
Because the new contract involves a level of work NFS hasn’t performed before, it has required the company to seek a license amendment from the NRC. A citizens group, Erwin Citizens Action Network (ECAN), filed to intervene in the request and opposes the license amendment.
That opposition has been unsuccessful so far, and ECAN’s efforts are currently in their last stage of appeal. Even before that process played out, the second-phase NNSA contract was approved.
ECAN’s initial motion to intervene cited concerns with what it said was NFS’s poor historic safety record and the fact that as a private company under the NRC, it isn’t subject to as strict of quality assurance standards as the Department of Energy-regulated, publicly run Y-12.
ECAN said the highly enriched uranium would add capacity to the United States’ nuclear weapons stockpiles and should be more closely scrutinized due to nuclear proliferation protocols. They said consideration should be given to not building the line at all, particularly since the old Y-12 line continues to operate.
“Our government has spent $500 million, risked the health and safety of people and communities along the Nolichucky River just to make it more convenient to threaten the rest of the world with nuclear annihilation,” APEC’s Buckey Boone said in the news release.
In April, NFS spokeswoman Laura Bailey emailed News Channel 11 the following response to ECAN’s contentions about NFS’s safety record, saying the company has a strong safety record:
“We place the highest value on the protection of our neighbors, the environment and our employees.”
Y-12 is working on new processes that could lead to a more modern method of purifying and converting uranium oxide to metal. An NNSA release says that conversion will involve both highly enriched uranium (HEU) and very highly enriched uranium (VHEU). The DOE was seeking a bridge supplier when it first contracted with NFS in 2021.
The first contract for $57.5 million required NFS to design a process line “and demonstrate that it could convert uranium oxide to purified uranium metal while meeting the NNSA’s precise specifications…” according to an NFS news release. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/group-plans-teach-in-before-nuclear-fuel-services-public-hearing-thursday/ | 2023-05-17T22:29:40 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/group-plans-teach-in-before-nuclear-fuel-services-public-hearing-thursday/ |
A post office supervisor from Cape May County is accused of using postal funds for personal purchases at retailers around New Jersey, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday.
For six months between 2022 and 2023, Austin T. Mahan, 42, of Cape May Court House, misappropriated about $65,000 in money from the U.S. Postal Service to make purchases ranging from home decor to shaving cream to food, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.
Mahan faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a potential fine of about $250,000, or a sum equal to the amount of money misappropriated.
Mahan is represented by Thomas Young, an assistant federal public defender.
A message left with the Federal Public Defender's Office was not immediately returned Wednesday.
Mahan appeared in federal court in Camden on Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ann Marie Donio, who agreed to release him on a $50,000 unsecured bond.
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NORTHFIELD — Atlantic County commissioners approved new three-year contracts for Teamsters 3…
Mahan is not allowed to possess a firearm or other weapons, according to a filing from a federal court. He also cannot use alcohol excessively and must alert the court to changes in his address or contact information, the document states.
Mahan worked as a supervisor at two South Jersey post offices, one in Sea Isle City and the other in Somers Point.
A federal investigation into the misappropriated funds began around February, when an employee at the Sea Isle branch reported to authorities "a large volume of suspected fraudulent transactions," including more than $20,000 worth of purchases at three stores, on Postal Service purchase cards belonging to Mahan, according to the criminal complaint.
An unidentified witness told investigators Mahan did not follow procedures for filing purchase requests, adding the transactions were suspicious because of their "associated vendors, dollar values and frequency," the criminal complaint states.
After obtaining financial records for both cards in February, investigators learned Mahan allegedly used them to make $65,000 in purchases, some of which were made while he was on vacation or not at work, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Mahan was captured on store security footage at or around the time purchases were made. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/cape-may-county-postal-worker-accused-of-misusing-65k-in-postal-funds/article_2b29b13c-f4d4-11ed-84fe-d39b3cab459b.html | 2023-05-17T22:30:47 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/cape-may-county-postal-worker-accused-of-misusing-65k-in-postal-funds/article_2b29b13c-f4d4-11ed-84fe-d39b3cab459b.html |
A fugitive wanted since October in the killing of a Mays Landing man has been arrested in Virginia, according to reports.
Rasabohyt Bethea, of Atlantic City, was apprehended by police in Hampton, Virginia, earlier this month, according to BreakingAC.com.
He is charged with being a fugitive from justice. BreakingAC reported that prosecutors are working to have him returned to South Jersey to face charges.
Hampton police did not respond to a call seeking comment.
Atlantic City police directed questions about Bethea's reported capture to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Three men have been charged in the death of a man shot dead in Atlantic City in October.
Rasabohyt Beathea, Rahmir Bethea, also of Atlantic City, and David Santiago, of Westville, Ohio, are accused of murdering Tyronne Ford, 21.
Atlantic City police responding to a report of a shooting in the 1400 block of Atlantic Avenue discovered Ford unconscious at 1:47 a.m. Oct. 19. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Rahmir Bethea was arrested the day of the shooting and charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a firearm, the Prosecutor’s Office said in announcing his charges.
Santiago was arrested in Newark on Dec. 6 by U.S. marshals. He was charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a rifle.
Rasabohyt Bethea was being sought for murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a rifle.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/report-mays-landing-man-sought-in-october-murder-captured-in-virginia/article_db1f34d4-f4f4-11ed-82cd-5bf02a3141a6.html | 2023-05-17T22:30:53 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/report-mays-landing-man-sought-in-october-murder-captured-in-virginia/article_db1f34d4-f4f4-11ed-82cd-5bf02a3141a6.html |
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee on Monday unanimously approved a $30.78 million budget, which includes an increase in the local tax rate that will cost the average property owner about $225 more next year.
Township officials say they have worked to cut costs, including by privatizing emergency medical services, joining the county emergency dispatch center and entering an agreement with North Wildwood to share a construction official.
But officials cited a revenue shortfall and a slow recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns. That has meant even though the total spending in the budget is down slightly comparted to last year, the cost to taxpayers will increase by 2.95%.
“While the state of New Jersey continues to hold billions of dollars of COVID funding in its surplus, in 2023 Middle Township will not receive the nearly $1 million in COVD relief funding that helped balance the municipal budget in 2021 and 2022,” reads a statement from the township.
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The tax rate increases by 4.76 cents per $100 of assessed property value under the budget. With a local purpose tax rate of 56.7 cents for every $100 of assessed value, the owner of a property assessed at $400,000 would owe $2,268 in township taxes, which does not include county and school taxes. That’s up $225.74 compared to last year.
The township budget includes a $5.5 million sewer utility and a $25.3 million current fund.
OCEAN CITY — City officials are exploring the possibility of an additional tax on units rent…
Mayor Tim Donohue said many towns in Cape May County are also increasing taxes, citing both inflation and a big spike in the cost of participation in the state health benefits plan, calling it a substantial increase in the township’s health care costs.
“The cost of government has risen,” Donohue said.
“Town after town after town has been suffering the same thing,” said Leon Costello, the township auditor who fulfills a similar role in several towns. He said he has not seen a year like this one before in his decades in working with municipal budgets. “These increases were ridiculous.”
Costello said costs should stabilize after this year.
“A lot of the circumstances, we really have no control over,” Donohue said. He said the township would seek new revenue to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Not everyone at the meeting was convinced.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — There will be little change to school taxes this year as the district …
One resident at the meeting said her property taxes continued to rise, but she did not see much benefit.
By chance, her comments were interrupted by the township fire siren, which made much of what she had to say inaudible.
Donohue said the township taxes account for less than a quarter of the local tax bill, which also includes county and school taxes, and said the township has rarely increased taxes.
“I could sit here for an hour talking about all the good things that have been done with that money,” Donohue said. “All you have to do is drive around the town.”
He said Middle Township has issues to deal with, but there has been a noticeable improvement, including to the quality of life. He said many of the increases in expenses are outside the township’s control.
“The cost spikes impacting the 2023 budget include a 12% increase in state pension contributions, a 23% increase in state health benefits costs, and double-digit percentage increases in utility costs for fuel, electric, natural gas and internet services,” reads a statement released by the township after the vote. “Per-employee costs have risen because of contractual obligations and the need for the township to remain competitive in attracting and retaining a well-qualified and committed workforce.” | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/middle-township-approves-budget-with-tax-increase/article_b2bb60c6-f4ef-11ed-a9f4-ff5ac7a53450.html | 2023-05-17T22:30:59 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/middle-township-approves-budget-with-tax-increase/article_b2bb60c6-f4ef-11ed-a9f4-ff5ac7a53450.html |
Veterans and residents listen as James Raphael, Meadowview administrator, and Ellen Rush, of VFW Post 8098 Auxiliary, speak Wednesday during the dedication of new veterans beds at the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Northfield.
VERNON OGRODNEK STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Ellen Rush reflects on her late husband's wishes to have 30 new beds for veterans at the Meadowview home.
Eric Conklin, Staff Writer
John Rush was a Vietnam veteran and advocate for veteran care whose widow, Ellen, helped supply beds for veterans at Meadowview. Rush died in 2018.
NORTHFIELD — Through community efforts, 25 new beds will be available to veterans living at the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a county-run nursing home on Dolphin Avenue.
Members of VFW Post 8098 in Egg Harbor Township and Atlantic County leaders welcomed the addition to the facility's Veterans Wing during a ceremony Wednesday afternoon at the home.
The beds cost about $2,000 each, said Patty Laychock of Visiting Angels in Egg Harbor Township, who helped in the donation efforts.
The donations were made in honor of Post 8098's former commander, John Rush, who died in 2018 while trying to help lead the effort to find functional beds for Atlantic City veterans living at Meadowview.
His wife, Ellen, celebrated the accomplishment Wednesday.
"I made it a point and a promise to him that I would be here to make his dream come true," Ellen Rush said through tears.
ATLANTIC CITY — Christina Casile stands in the lobby of Design 710 at 112 Park Place, the la…
John Rush's drive to provide new beds came from talks with veterans at the facility a few years ago.
"They wanted beds that work and are functional," Ellen Rush said.
Through community outreach, donations began flowing into the home. The first 10 beds were delivered last year, and another 15 were recently donated.
To reach Rush's goal, five beds are still needed.
Both the VFW and county officials believe the task can be accomplished.
"What makes this county what it is are our dedicated volunteers," said county Executive Dennis Levinson, who attended Wednesday's presentation ceremony. "We can't thank our veterans enough for what they've sacrificed, and this is a little token of our appreciation."
GALLERY: Dedication of beds for veterans at Meadowview nursing home
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Veterans and residents listen as James Raphael, Meadowview administrator, and Ellen Rush, of VFW Post 8098 Auxiliary, speak Wednesday during the dedication of new veterans beds at the Meadowview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Northfield. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/veterans-at-atlantic-county-nursing-home-fitted-with-new-donated-beds/article_68d1b6b8-f4ef-11ed-95b6-237c28646229.html | 2023-05-17T22:31:05 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/veterans-at-atlantic-county-nursing-home-fitted-with-new-donated-beds/article_68d1b6b8-f4ef-11ed-95b6-237c28646229.html |
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – A man is on the run after taking money from a Truist Bank in Altamonte Springs on Wednesday, according to the police department.
Police said they were called to the bank, located at 888 W. State Road 436, around 2:48 p.m. after receiving reports about an armed robbery.
Upon arrival, police said they discovered that a man had passed an employee a note demanding money, implying he had a gun and a bomb.
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According to the release, the man was described as wearing all black with a black mask and sunglasses, and he fled the bank in a red vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money.
Images of the suspect were caught on surveillance footage and shared by police:
Anyone with information on the robbery or about the suspected thief is urged to contact the police department at 407-339-2441 or call 911. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be called into Crimeline at 800-423-8477.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/altamonte-springs-police-search-for-truist-bank-robber/ | 2023-05-17T22:32:15 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/altamonte-springs-police-search-for-truist-bank-robber/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A new traffic light has been installed at the Avalon Park Blvd. and Pellicer Drive intersection in honor of an Orange County mother who died in a traffic crash four years ago.
Kayla Thompson died in a crash at the nearby Avalon Park Blvd. and Perdido Drive intersection in 2019. Since then, her family has made it their mission to make Orange County roads safer.
“What we want to try to do is we want to try we want to try to make Orlando or our neighborhood, our area safer again for people to enjoy living here, people to know that, ‘’Hey, I can go outside and not get hit by a car,’” said Kayla Thompson’s father, Robert.
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The new traffic light was installed about three weeks ago. A dedication ceremony for the light was held to honor Kayla. Her parents, Bernadette and Robert, said a lot of emotions surround the installation of the new lights.
“One of the emotions is that we know that with this traffic light coming up, there will be a lot of people being saved,” Robert Thompson said. “So that’s one of the emotions that we have that, you know, even though my daughter passed, and she was tragically killed, she is still her legacy still continues to move on.”
After Bernadette and Robert found out their daughter saved five lives from being an organ donor, they said they were inspired by her to save more lives. The couple pushed for the installation of the new traffic light not far from where Kayla’s crash happened.
“By us doing more, this is one thing that we can do,” Robert said. “And if we could save people just like she did – we’re going to continue to do it.”
Robert said after four years of emotional turmoil, they were able to get it done.
“Persistence, persistence, and we kept on and on until we found Commissioner Cordero,” Robert said. “She opened the door for us. She’s the one that made this happen for us.”
Orange County Commissioner for District 4 Maribel Gomez Cordero said even though the traffic light isn’t operational yet, people are happy to see its there.
“A tragedy was here and her daughter died, and this was so needed,” Cordero said. “And I mean, I have seen how the community residents in this street right here have called my office and email saying thank you, you know, it’s much needed.”
Commissioner Cordeo said she hopes the light will slow down traffic on the busy road.
“They will stop the four ways,” Cordero said. “I mean, it’s like you can’t just speed or whatever, you know, it’s red, you have to stop.”
Bernadette and Robert said their work isn’t finished and would like to help with traffic improvements throughout Avalon Park.
“Let’s get this whole road taken care of,” Robert said. “You know, let’s make Avalon Park Boulevard a safe street, not only from Colonial to Walgreens, but I’m talking from Colonial to Alafaya, all the way down. Let’s make Avalon Park Boulevard a safe place.”
Cordero said they’re waiting on a few more pieces before the lights are activated. Once they receive those parts, the lights are ready to go.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/one-thing-we-can-do-orange-county-family-gets-new-traffic-light-after-daughters-death/ | 2023-05-17T22:32:21 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/one-thing-we-can-do-orange-county-family-gets-new-traffic-light-after-daughters-death/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police said they’re investigating and confirming a homophobic threat that was posted on a digital traffic sign in Lake Nona that read “Kill all gays.”
Police say the threat was posted on a sign at Lake Nona Blvd. and Nemours Pkwy. around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday and that the sign appeared to have been tampered with.
“It’s the first thing you see when you enter Lake Nona, so you don’t want to see that hate being spread,” said Nico Cardoso, who lives nearby.
A News 6 crew saw the sign being hauled away by workers hours later.
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“We just know somebody got in there, did something unfortunate they shouldn’t have done, but the reason it happened was because the messaging box where you type in the messages was unlocked,” Orlando Commissioner Jim Gray said.
Gray, who covers this district, said the vendor, Flash-Rite, originally posted messaging about an upcoming 5k – and that someone somehow altered the messaging overnight because the box was open.
“We’ve told the vendor in the future that everything needs to be locked or else we’ll find a new vendor,” Gray said.
Janelle Martinez lives nearby and said, “It should be something that’s taken more care of and not something that’s so easily accessible.”
News 6 is also asking Orlando police if this kind of incident would fall under a new bill the governor signed into law last month that makes it a more punishable crime if someone projects hateful messages onto private property without permission. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
News 6 has reached out to Flash-Rite several times to see what steps they’re taking to make sure this doesn’t happen again, but have not yet heard back.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/orlando-police-investigating-homophobic-threat-posted-on-digital-traffic-sign/ | 2023-05-17T22:32:27 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/orlando-police-investigating-homophobic-threat-posted-on-digital-traffic-sign/ |
TITUSVILLE, Fla. – An armed kidnapping and carjacking suspect found himself in even more trouble with the law this week.
Convicted felon Dax Rodriguez faced a Brevard County judge again Wednesday as charges against the 52-year-old continued to mount.
Rodriguez was arrested last Wednesday after Titusville police ended a high-speed pursuit with a PIT maneuver. The suspect had used a gun to threaten a woman who tried to break up with him via text inside her home and then stole another victim’s vehicle to flee authorities prior to his arrest, police said.
Now, since he’s been in jail, the sheriff’s office said Dax Rodriguez broke a no contact order by communicating with his ex-girlfriend he planned to kidnap and kill her for breaking up with him. Law enforcement also determined he planned to kill the woman’s sister and brother-in-law and his ex-wife.
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Judge Thomas Brown revoked his bond.
“He’s in jail, can’t follow the court orders,” Brown said. “Too much of a risk. I’m not going to take a chance of (Rodriguez) getting out of custody.”
Before the chase and crash, the sheriff’s office said that the ex-girlfriend escaped Dax Rodriguez by running to a neighbor’s house on Willis Drive to call 911.
Janet Rodriguez is the suspect’s ex-wife and one of three other people Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said he planned to kill.
“He had plans,” she said. “And let me tell you, he would have done it.”
Until he crashed, the sheriff said Dax Rodriguez was also on his way to Seminole County to kidnap their two small children.
“Honestly, I’m grateful to God,” Janet Rodriguez about still being alive. “God saved me and that brave girl saved me. She told the cops about what was happening.”
When Dax Rodriguez lived in New York, records show he spent two decades in prison in a murder case before being paroled.
Now, his ex-wife hopes Rodriguez spends the rest of his life behind bars.
“The man is pure, pure evil,” she said.
Rodriguez faces charges of robbery with a firearm, grand theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, fleeing with disregard to the safety of persons or property, petit theft between $100-$750, armed burglary of a conveyance, kidnapping, violation of probation, fleeing/eluding law enforcement at high speed, criminal mischief incurring costs between $200-$1,000, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, tampering with a witness or victim and grand theft of a firearm from a building, records show.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/the-man-is-pure-evil-ex-wife-targeted-in-murder-plot-grateful-to-be-alive/ | 2023-05-17T22:32:33 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/the-man-is-pure-evil-ex-wife-targeted-in-murder-plot-grateful-to-be-alive/ |
BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
On Tuesday, thousands of Idahoans cast their ballots on a Vallivue School District bond and West Ada School District levy.
The West Ada School District's levy failed, with 57.5% of the 27,917 voters voting against the levy, which needed a 55% majority to pass.
“We are disappointed with the outcome of the election, but we certainly are not defeated,” West Ada Superintendent Derek Bub said in a news release. “While a lot of planning went into this levy, we will pour all our energy into finding alternate solutions for our facility's needs, our kids deserve it. We honor and respect the decision made by our voters and continue to strive for excellence in all that we do."
West Ada School District was seeking a record $500 million plant facilities levy. A majority of that money was going to go toward building maintenance.
“I committed, as superintendent, that we would not be asking our taxpayers to come forward unless there was an absolute need and in West Ada: this is an absolute need,” Bub said in an interview with the Idaho Press on May 5.
According to the release, West Ada will continue to explore options to fund facilities needs and address the rapid growth in schools.
Vallivue School District's bond passed, calling for $78 million to build two new elementary schools and repair and renovate other schools in the district.
“It feels wonderful to have it passed and to be able to actually have the funds that we need to provide the buildings and the repairs that we need for our students to have great places to learn,” Superintendent Lisa Boyd said.
In August, when the district tried to pass the same bond, it was 37 votes short of passing.
This time, the bond passed with 71.2% of votes in favor and 28.8% of votes against. Votes in support of the bond increased by 1,100 and over 5,000 people voted.
“I just want to thank all of them so much for turning up to vote but also for, you know, collecting all of their neighbors or for sharing accurate information about what we're doing,” Boyd said. “I think this time, our parents and our patrons really stepped up to explain and to advocate for us and for our students. And I appreciate everybody taking the time to get out and vote.”
According to Boyd, the district will immediately start working on getting repairs done on the Vallivue High School roof. The two new elementary schools are also a priority, and although those buildings are in the early stages of planning, Boyd said she hopes to have them built by fall 2025.
The bond will also give the district some purchasing power to buy land for a potential third high school, which is projected to be needed in the next 10 years, Director of Federal and State Programs Joey Palmer said.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
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/ada-levy-vallivue-bond-pass-election-night/277-6e2ff5e5-b0b2-4e9a-8f07-a19997dc838c | 2023-05-17T22:33:49 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/ada-levy-vallivue-bond-pass-election-night/277-6e2ff5e5-b0b2-4e9a-8f07-a19997dc838c |
Macomb Community College to provide free 'last dollar' tuition starting this fall
Macomb Community College will offer free tuition to students in a program thought to be one of the largest at a community college in Michigan.
The program, known as the Macomb Tuition Advantage, will provide free tuition to students who come from families with incomes of $70,000 or less, starting in the fall. The program will be open to the 15,000 students who are already attending Macomb Community College and those who plan to start at the college this fall and pursue an associate degree.
"We are always looking for opportunities to create better access for our students," said James Sawyer IV, president of Macomb Community College. "We know financial barriers are obstacles for many of our students. Even the students we have, (costs) prevents them from taking as many classes as they would like to take."
The Macomb Tuition Advantage will be what is known as a "last dollar scholarship." That means that students will first have to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and get federal and state financial aid and apply that to their tuition costs, such as the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which will provide up to $2,750 annually for students to attend a community college beginning in the fall. Macomb's program will cover the remainder of tuition and fees owed. Students will also have to attend full time, take 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 2.0 grade point average to remain eligible.
The students will also have to attend full time, take 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.
The amount that is leftover after federal and state financial aid is applied toward students' tuition can sometimes become a barrier, Sawyer said.
"We're excited to be able to provide funding to overcome that," Sawyer said. "We're hoping this makes a difference for many of our students."
The free tuition program is being offered in a county where the median household income is $67,828.
It's unclear how many students will be eligible, but Sawyer estimated about 50%. It will be paid for with $9 million from the Macomb County Community College Foundation.
Besides proving more access, the program is aimed at incentivizing full-time attendance, which leads to higher rates of degree completion, Sawyer said. Approximately 70% of students attend part time, and 33% of full- and part-time students graduate in six years.
Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor offers a similar program, known as the LMC Promise, but it is targeted at students under the age of 25, according to Brand Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association.
Macomb Community College's program would be the largest version of a promise-type program from a community college in the state, Johnson said.
"Macomb Community College’s announcement today is a bold step to ensure all students have access to a college education," said Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association. "We applaud Macomb for designing a tuition-guarantee that is student-centric. As our state's largest community college, this program at MCC will no doubt help the state reach its Sixty by 30 postsecondary educational attainment goal," Johnson said, referring to a statewide initiative designed to increase the number of working-age Michigan residents with a degree or skills certificate to 60% by 2030.
kkozlowski@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/05/17/macomb-community-college-tuition-advantage-last-dollar-scholarship/70228237007/ | 2023-05-17T22:37:02 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/05/17/macomb-community-college-tuition-advantage-last-dollar-scholarship/70228237007/ |
Nessel backs a new way to close Line 5 in federal court
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has weighed in on a Wisconsin federal court dispute over a portion of Enbridge's Line 5, backing the pursuit by the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians of the Bad River Reservation for an emergency shutdown of the pipeline.
The band filed an emergency motion for injunctive relief seeking closure of the pipeline on May 10 in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin, arguing erosion has been so significant that one bad storm could wipe out the riverbank and cause the pipeline to fail. Nessel filed an amicus brief in support of the effort on Wednesday.
Recent erosion events have "rapidly eaten away the bank" of the Bad River near Superior, Wisconsin and have left as little as 11 feet between the pipeline and the water, Nessel's office said in a press release.
The Bad River flows into Lake Superior.
"If the bank continues to erode and the water reaches the pipeline, the pipeline will be vulnerable to rupture due to the force of currents, debris strikes, or erosion of the ground beneath the pipeline leaving it suspended without adequate support," Nessel's office said.
Enbridge asked the court to reject the Bad River Band's request because the pipe is "completely covered by multiple feet of soil," Enbridge spokesman Ryan Duffy said in a statement.
"Line 5 remains in full compliance with all applicable codes and regulations established by the pipeline safety regulator, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration," Duffy said. "PHMSA is fully aware of the same facts on which the Band relies in its injunction motion" and has not taken action.
In her brief, Nessel asked the court to consider the impact a pipeline rupture would have on Michigan, its residents and Lake Superior.
"Lake Superior is a priceless natural and cultural resource and, like all the Great Lakes, it is vital to our way of life in Michigan," Nessel said. "As Attorney General, I owe a duty to the people of Michigan to protect all of Michigan’s waters, not only for us today, but also for future generations."
U.S. District Judge William Conley ruled partly in favor of the band last year and concluded the pipeline is effectively trespassing on tribal land, but stopped short of requiring Enbridge to immediately close the pipeline, citing "significant public and foreign policy implications."
Conley sought input from both parties in deciding on the terms of a permanent injunction.
Duffy said a permanent injunction of the pipeline at the Bad River would effectively terminate the entire pipeline, affecting customers in the United States and Canada. He said the company has proposed "numerous plans" to reinforce the riverbank and stop erosion, but has not gotten approval from the Bad River Band to undertake the work.
Enbridge plans to re-route the segment of Line 5 around the reservation. The company has permission from landowners and is waiting on permits, Duffy said.
ckthompson@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/05/17/michigan-attorney-general-nessel-backs-a-new-way-to-close-line-5-in-federal-court/70229373007/ | 2023-05-17T22:37:08 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/05/17/michigan-attorney-general-nessel-backs-a-new-way-to-close-line-5-in-federal-court/70229373007/ |
Parkview Health is inviting global innovators back for the fourth year – this time with a new competition name and focus.
This year, the “Healthy Kids Healthy Future” competition focuses on the management and treatment of chronic conditions for pediatric patients. Previously, the “Healthy Mom and Baby” event invited innovators to pitch solutions for both maternal and child health issues.
The health network changed the name to encourage more projects focused on child health, said Ethel Massing, Parkview’s innovation program leader.
“Healthy Kids Healthy Future” is open globally, accepting applications from students, entrepreneurs, startup companies and more. Applications opened May 2 and will close June 25.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a company or not,” Massing said. “Anyone with an idea is welcome to apply, whether your solution is fully fleshed out or it’s just an idea.”
On July 7, five to seven teams will be selected as semi-finalists and will take part in the innovation competition on Aug. 16. The teams will present their solutions to the Parkview selection committee, and the winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize.
Up to five teams will move on to the accelerator phase from Aug. 28 to Nov. 6, where they will refine, build and test their concepts with MATTER, a healthcare innovation hub based out of Chicago.
The final pitch day is on Nov. 16, where teams present their ideas to healthcare professionals, Parkview leaders and outside investors. All participating teams will receive a six-month global membership to MATTER.
“(MATTER) really helps with the logistics and the business side,” Massing said. “They manage the applicants and the process, and they connect companies with anyone they may need.”
Massing said Parkview was a partner with the innovation hub first, but when they started the competition, they wanted to get involved with MATTER because of their global audience.
Steven Collens, CEO of the Chicago-based company, said their partnership with Parkview began in 2019, one year before the innovation competition began.
“We really connected on the commitment and belief that new technologies and entrepreneurs could improve outcomes and experiences,” Collens said. “We look to partner with organizations that have certain characteristics, and one of those is a strong belief in the benefits and potential of working with entrepreneurs.”
Parkview is a “really special health system” to MATTER, Collens said, because of its commitment to innovation.
Collens also said Parkview has made contracts with six companies in the last four years, and he is excited to help do the same again this year.
“I am looking forward to finding and collaborating with entrepreneurs who are building solutions that can really improve the lives of kids,” he said. “Parkview is a great partner for any of these companies, and we get to work directly with the companies and Parkview. For me, that role is especially gratifying.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/applications-open-for-parkview-s-fourth-innovation-competition/article_e3ecce8e-f4e8-11ed-9949-4fc4a7d8e179.html | 2023-05-17T22:38:28 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/applications-open-for-parkview-s-fourth-innovation-competition/article_e3ecce8e-f4e8-11ed-9949-4fc4a7d8e179.html |
Nearly four out of every five Black Hoosier kids will be at the center of a maltreatment investigation during childhood — higher than the state’s 54% rate for white and Hispanic families and above the 53% national average for Black families.
Indiana also has the third-highest rate for white children in the country – one of only three states with over a 50% cumulative risk.
The figures come from a national analysis that measures the likelihood that a hypothetical cohort of children will experience a child maltreatment investigation, a confirmed maltreatment case, foster care or the termination of their parents’ parental rights.
In contrast to previous research, the paper not only studied differing rates of child welfare system contact by state but also broke it down by race. Authors found that Black children in nearly every state were more likely to become involved with a child protective agency investigation while Asian children had the lowest risk, according to data spanning from 2015 to 2019.
“Although there are commonalities across jurisdictions and agencies receive substantial federal funding, the child welfare system is largely decentralized and operates primarily at the state and local levels,” the report said.
States typically take different approaches to child welfare and have different definitions of who is considered a mandated reporter and what constitutes child maltreatment — which can include abuse or neglect. Researchers used a “synthetic cohort” to measure the cumulative risk of child welfare contact at any point before the age of 18, rather than conditional risk.
Researchers with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Rutgers University, Princeton University, Washington University in St. Louis, Yale School of Medicine, Columbia University and Duke University contributed to the paper, titled ‘State-level variation in the cumulative prevalence of child welfare system contact, 2015–2019.’ Research was supported through a grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development through the National Institutes of Health and Casey Family Programs.
The Indiana Department of Child Services didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Other findings from the study
Over one-third of children nationally will experience a maltreatment investigation, but the likelihood varies considerably by race. Indiana’s Black children faced the highest singular risk in the country at 79%, followed by 73% cumulative risk for American Indian/Alaskan Native children in Alaska.
In neighboring Kentucky, the majority of children in all but one ethnic group – Asian or Pacific Islander – were likely to undergo a maltreatment investigation.
As for cases of confirmed maltreatment, Indiana ranked second-highest for cumulative risk for confirmed maltreatment for all children, with 22%.
Kentucky ranked the highest for confirmed maltreatment cumulative risk, with 27% of all children likely to experience maltreatment. Pennsylvania children had the lowest risk, but unlike other states its policy for maltreatment didn’t include neglect until relatively recently, deflating their numbers.
As a whole, roughly one in nine children will experience a confirmed maltreatment case, with an increased risk for Black children.
Indiana ranks in the top half of states where the cumulative risk of foster care placement for children is 10%, even though nationally an estimated 5% of children will ever be placed in foster care.
White children and American Indian children have a 9% risk, compared to 7% for Hispanic children and 2% for Asian children. Black children have an 18% risk – the second highest rate in the country, behind West Virginia’s 32%.
In the last category analyzed, Indiana fell into the lowest segment, with just 2% cumulative risk of parental rights being terminated, a requisite step to start the adoption process. West Virginia again had the highest overall percentage at 8%.
But for Native American families and Black families in Indiana and several other states, the risk of parental rights being terminated was more than double that of white families.
Study takeaways prompt calls for reform
Authors emphasized that more analysis needed to be done to determine causes but said that their publication demonstrated state-level differences for children of color.
“Within the same state, children of different racial/ethnic groups had dramatically different risks of experiencing each event. Black and American Indian/Alaska Native children experienced exceptionally high cumulative risks of involvement with the child welfare system relative to white children,” the report said.
Other weaknesses included children who may have moved across state lines and been counted twice in different jurisdictions as well as only counting parental rights terminations associated with foster care.
But advocates pushing for change within the child welfare system pointed to the analysis as evidence for reform.
Richard Wexler, the executive director of the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, called child protection agencies “state family police,” saying that despite two decades of work, child abuse fatalities have only grown. At times, Wexler said, family poverty is “confused with neglect” and disproportionately targets the poorest, especially Black families and Native families.
“Of course, some of the difference may be due to better detection — but at a minimum there is no evidence that a system built on horror stories did a damn thing to stop the horror stories,” Wexler wrote earlier this month. “More than two decades of inflicting ever more misery upon ever more impoverished families, especially impoverished families of color, did nothing to make children safer.”
Wexler pointed to a pullback from child welfare agencies during COVID-19 and an influx of government aid, primarily in stimulus funds, enhanced food benefits and eviction prohibitions. During the pandemic, even when many were unemployed, childhood poverty and food insecurity decreased.
But Wexler said governments appeared unwilling to dedicate any of the $33 billion in child welfare funding funding to the family aid programs from the pandemic that helped. He argued that the system, as it functioned now, didn’t prevent the abuse it targeted.
“Before another generation of Black children and Native children has to endure the almost-guaranteed trauma of an almost-guaranteed investigation by the family police, should we shift the burden of proof from the reformers and the abolitionists to the defenders of the status quo?” Wexler said. “Shouldn’t we demand the opponents of real change have to prove that what they have given us for decades is better than the alternative?”
Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/black-hoosier-children-top-the-nation-for-likelihood-of-dcs-investigation/article_9571e56c-f4ef-11ed-bc00-efe7d9045105.html | 2023-05-17T22:38:34 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/black-hoosier-children-top-the-nation-for-likelihood-of-dcs-investigation/article_9571e56c-f4ef-11ed-bc00-efe7d9045105.html |
A new Parkview Health facility could be coming soon near Huntertown.
The health care nonprofit, the region's largest employer, filed a development plan with the city of Fort Wayne earlier this month. The plan is expected to be up for a public hearing at the Allen County Plan Commission's June 15 meeting, and the board could make a decision as soon as June 22.
In February, Parkview spokeswoman Tami Brigle said the organization plans to build a new Parkview Physicians Group clinic at the 34.4-acre site, located at the northeast corner of State Road 3 and Gump Road, which is just south of Huntertown. Brigle said then that the hospital did not have a finalized timeline for construction and development.
The site contains eleven parcels of undeveloped land and is zoned for a neighborhood center. The proposed building would be one story, less than 30 feet tall and would cover about 17,000 square feet according to plans filed by Parkview.
The organization's proposal calls for 100 parking spaces, more than double the 43 required for a building of its size.
According to Parkview's filing, the new center would be called "Huntertown Crossing." Along with the medical facility, the development would also include other non-Parkview businesses. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/parkview-proposes-huntertown-crossing-clinic/article_366c38d6-f4e2-11ed-a77e-478a9931183c.html | 2023-05-17T22:38:40 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/parkview-proposes-huntertown-crossing-clinic/article_366c38d6-f4e2-11ed-a77e-478a9931183c.html |
PHOENIX — Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Wednesday her office won't be prosecuting the Phoenix police officers involved in the shooting death of Ali Osman last September.
Osman was shot by police after the 34-year-old allegedly threw rocks at a police cruiser near 19th Avenue and Tuckey Lane. Police said Osman ignored commands to stop before shots were fired.
Mitchell said Tuesday the rocks thrown by Osman "posed a serious threat" to the community, which Mitchell provided as her justification for not trying to prosecute the officers.
After Osman's death, his family filed a claim seeking millions in damages and alleging that he was the victim of excessive force.
It's quite rare for prosecutors in Maricopa County to pursue criminal charges against police officers. Out of the 57 officer-involved shooting cases submitted to MCAO in 2022, only one has thus far resulted in charges being filed against the officer, records show.
Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.
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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/prosecutors-decline-charge-officers-shot-ali-osman-rachel-mitchell-phoenix/75-27a0c854-89f5-4e78-b648-83fdbf625855 | 2023-05-17T22:39:22 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/prosecutors-decline-charge-officers-shot-ali-osman-rachel-mitchell-phoenix/75-27a0c854-89f5-4e78-b648-83fdbf625855 |
WATERLOO — A Vinton man has been arrested for allegedly cashing in another person’s winnings at a Waterloo casino.
Logan Steven Moody, 23, was arrested Monday on a charge of false claim of winnings, a felony.
The charge stems from an Oct. 1 incident at the Isle Casino in Waterloo were an Amana woman had been playing a machine and briefly left for the restroom, tipping her chair to signal that she planned to return.
Forbes reports gambling can be a potentially harmful and severe addiction with the ability to negatively impact your personal and professional life.
Moody allegedly approached her machine, collected the winnings, cashed out and left. The incident was recorded on the casino’s security system.
Court records show Moody has been arrested in a number crimes in Tama and Benton counties last year.
On Sept. 12, he allegedly stole a bike from Mickey’s Bar in Vinton, and police found pieces of the bike scattered around his home. Then, on Oct. 2, he allegedly took items from a vehicle parked at the Meskwaki Casino in Tama.
He also allegedly broke into secondary roads buildings in Tama County and took three pickup trucks during October.
Stories behind 10 of the biggest longshot wins in sports betting history
Stories behind 10 of the biggest longshot wins in sports betting history
Everyone loves an underdog. Underdog stories inspire tales of greatness, heroics, and some of the best—and worst—sports gambling losses of all time. With underdogs come long sports-betting odds and with long sports betting odds come massive wins with heartwarming stories and some massive losses that lead to real heartache.
There are hundreds of tall tales around the world of sports gambling. Everyone knows someone who hit it big or just missed out and has long-winded stories of “what ifs.” But this isn’t about mythology.
BestOdds.com culled the legends and found 10 of the biggest longshot wins in sports betting history. To keep things simple and clear away the clutter, researchers focused on major news outlets to find inspiring, exhilarating, and breathtaking sports gambling stories that will leave you awestruck.
The next time you come across a longshot, remember these unbelievable stories. If you hit that parlay just right, you’ll have a chance of being added to this prestigious list of gamblers who simply defied the odds, and logic, for the greatest wins in sports betting history.
David Cannon//R&A via Getty Images
Golfer’s dad bets big on son’s success
As every dad understands, belief in your son’s abilities knows no bounds. For golf pro Rory McIlroy, his father took things to a whole other level. In 2004, Gerry McIlroy placed a bet on his son that within 10 years, he would win the Open Championship, otherwise known as the British Open. The bet, in British pounds, was only $557—but the odds were +50,000. Bear in mind, the young McIlroy was only 15 at the time, and the oddsmakers were more than happy to take the bet.
Cut to 10 years later—McIlroy wound up winning the British Open by two strokes in 2014, netting his father around $342,000.
David Cannon//R&A via Getty Images
US hockey team stuns the Soviet Union
Coming into the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, the Soviet Union’s hockey team had won the gold medal in four straight Olympic Games. It was the overwhelming favorite again, but Team USA had the home ice advantage—despite the +100,000 odds the bookmakers gave them to win. In what’s now known as the “Miracle on Ice,” the younger U.S. hockey players stunned the Soviets by winning 4-3 and giving sports announcer Al Michaels the call of a lifetime when he asked TV audiences, “Do you believe in miracles?”
Steve Powell // Getty Images
Leicester City wins the Premier League
To a non-football fan, it can be hard to explain how big of an upset it was when England’s Leicester City won the Premier League in the 2015–16 season.
First, the League was founded in 1888, becoming the Premier League in 1992. The Leicester City team’s history included one second-place finish in 1929 and a third-place finish in 1928—and that’s it. Coming into the 2015–16 season, the team was a +500,000 longshot to come out on top and its payroll was a meager $100 million compared to Manchester City at $578 million. But despite it all, the team found magic, pulled off the unthinkable, and became one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history.
The biggest winner from that day was a medical secretary named Mandy Clarke , whom a man jokingly handed a 10-pound ($14) ticket betting on Leicester's win. The +500,000 odds netted Clarke a 50,000-pound ($72,480) payout.
Michael Regan // Getty Images
Only the bettors know if this 1981 cricket match was fixed
In a 1981 cricket match between England and Australia, the English team was so far down its chances of coming back to win were +50,000 according to oddsmakers. Seeing the crazy odds, two of the Australian players, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh, placed $14 and $7 bets, respectively, against their own team to lose.
The English team shocked the Australians with one of the greatest comebacks of all time, in the meantime netting the two Aussies $10,446. Questions swirled as to whether the Aussies did anything to help their chances of losing the match while winning the bet; to this day, they vehemently deny doing anything wrong and said the bet was made almost as a joke.
Photo Murrell/ Allsport // Getty Images
A great betting coup hinges on a phone call
Barney Curley was one of the most colorful figures in the horse racing world and also one of the biggest gamblers. In 1975, he pulled off one of the greatest betting coups in history at a race in Bellewstown, Ireland, using a horse named Yellow Sam that had +1,900 odds of winning. Curley chose the track because there were only two phone lines for the insiders to use to communicate with the oddsmakers. Curley knew that he could tie up the phone lines while strategically getting friends and family to place bets on Yellow Sam all over the country. This scheme ensured the betting odds wouldn’t change because the bookmakers didn’t know about the incoming bets. Curley wound up netting $427,000, equivalent to about $2.7 million today.
Daily Express/Hulton Archive // Getty Images
Professional golfer hadn’t lost his prowess
The last time professional golfer Tiger Woods had won a major championship was in 2008 at the U.S. Open, and he did so while playing on a broken tibia in his leg. Fast forward 11 years, and after a series of scandals, injuries, and surgeries, Woods was back at the 2019 Masters Tournament, looking for his fifth green jacket. One intuitive gambler named James Adducci never lost faith in Woods and placed an $85,000 bet on the golfing great to win the Masters again at +1,300 odds. Adducci’s faith paid off: Woods won the 2019 Masters and Adducci walked away with $1.2 million .
David Becker/Getty Images for William Hill US
A 14-cent bet parlays a romantic ring
In gambling, a parlay is when you combine multiple bets together to achieve longer odds and bigger payouts… if you win. One of the wildest parlay gambling stories of all time involves a 14-cent wager on the 2019 NCAA basketball tournament. Kevin Maselli took the final 14 cents he had in his gambling account and placed a series of bets on seven games that took the odds to around +1,000,000. Because the odds were so long, Maselli ended up winning $1,345.78 off his meager wager. After he won said he was going to use the money for a ring when he proposed to his girlfriend.
Christian Petersen // Getty Images
Tyson was the surest thing in Vegas… until he wasn’t
The famed oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro was familiar with big bets. But when Mike Tyson was set to fight Buster Douglas in 1990, things got out of hand quickly. Vaccaro set the opening line in Vegas at +2,600, and a bettor put $54,000 on the fight to win $2,000. Vaccaro then upped the odds to +3,000, and someone bet $93,000 to win $3,000. The final line settled at +4,100 in favor of Mike Tyson while the best odds on Douglas to win were +3,600. Tyson wound up losing the fight, the big spenders lost handily when he was knocked out. Meanwhile, one lucky bettor who put $1,000 on Douglas took home $37,000 .
Bettmann // Getty Images
When betting on a dream really pays off
Adrian Hayward had a dream. In 2006, he dreamt that Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso scored a goal from his own half. Remarkably, Hayward took that dream to the oddsmakers and placed a $278 bet at +12,400 that Alonso would score from his own half at some time during the season.
During a third-round Football Association Challenge Cup match against Luton Town, Hayward’s dream became a reality as Alonso miraculously shot from over the half line to score. The dreamy bet netted Hayward nearly $35,000 and he said he was planning on using it to take his family on vacation.
Tim Ockenden/PA Images via Getty Images
A joke bet leads to joyous birthday celebration
On his 60th birthday in 2008, Fred Craggs decided to make a joke bet: 69 cents on an eight-horse parlay bet with +200,000,000 odds. The bets were placed on random races around England and included horses named A Dream Come True and Isn’t That Lucky. The 69-cent bet placed at bookmaker William Hill only paid Craggs $1.39 million instead of $1.95 million because of a rule that capped winnings, but Craggs wasn’t complaining as he walked home a millionaire on his birthday after all eight horses crossed the finish line in first.
This story originally appeared on BestOdds.com and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Gergo Orban // Shutterstock
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CEDAR FALLS – The Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge in Cedar Falls will host a Swiss steak and ham dinner from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 21.
The meal is open to the public for dine-in or carry-out. The lodge is located at 402 West Second St. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/independent-order-of-odd-fellows-holding-dinner/article_541ee968-f398-57e5-98c1-bab1b0f9298e.html | 2023-05-17T22:40:44 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/independent-order-of-odd-fellows-holding-dinner/article_541ee968-f398-57e5-98c1-bab1b0f9298e.html |
WATERLOO -- The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum is hosting a 5K run and anniversary celebration on May 20.
The first annual museum 5K kicks off at 7:30 a.m. at 500 Westfield Ave. with a kids spoker sprint, followed by a 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. that traces a historic footprint of John Deere tractor production.
After the race, family fun activities, awards, and the museum will be available for attendees.
Proceeds from the race will go to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank to address local food insecurity. Runners can sign up at: runsignup.com/Race/IA/Waterloo/JohnDeereWaterlooModelD5K .
The event also kicks off the 100th anniversary celebration of the John Deere Model D tractor. More than 60,000 Model Ds were built from 1923 to 1953 – the longest tractor production run in Deere history.
A brief overview will be shared on the Model D and the important role it played in the evolution of production agriculture. Nine of these iconic tractors will be on display. Deere history experts and Waterloo factory leaders will be on hand.
Photos: Biden honors 9 with Medal of Valor
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Lt. Justin Hespeler, of the New York City Fire Dept., during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Cpl. Jeffrey Farmer, of the Littletown, Colo., Police Dept., during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Lt. Jason Hickey of the New York City Fire Dept., during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to from right, Gabina Mora (Mother), accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Wilbert Mora of the New York City Police Dept., and Dominique Rivera (Wife), accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Jason Rivera of the New York City Police Dept., during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to from right, Gabina Mora (Mother), accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Wilbert Mora of the New York City Police Dept., Dominique Rivera (Wife), accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Jason Rivera of the New York City Police Dept., and Detective Sumit Sulan of the New York City Police Dept, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Detective Sumit Sulan of the New York City Police Dept, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington, as Gabina Mora (Mother), right, accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Wilbert Mora of the New York City Police Dept., and Dominique Rivera (Wife), accepting on behalf of Fallen Detective Jason Rivera of the New York City Police Dept., loos on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Deputy Bobby Pham of the Clermont County Sheriff's Office, Ohio, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Deputy Bobby Pham of the Clermont County Sheriff's Office, Ohio, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Sgt. Kendrick Simpo of the Houston Police Dept., during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Firefighter Patrick Thornton, of the Fire Dept. of New York City, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Valor, the nation's highest honor for bravery by a public safety officer, to Firefighter Patrick Thornton, of the Fire Dept. of New York City, during an event in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Evan Vucci
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/john-deere-tractor-engine-museum-to-host-5k-anniversary-celebration-in-waterloo/article_1ef4db59-d8a4-59ee-8e84-26f1d1c4d676.html | 2023-05-17T22:40:50 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/john-deere-tractor-engine-museum-to-host-5k-anniversary-celebration-in-waterloo/article_1ef4db59-d8a4-59ee-8e84-26f1d1c4d676.html |
ELLSWORTH - A local city has received over one million dollars in grant money to combat the ongoing firefighter shortage.
The city of Ellsworth has received a 1.2-million-dollar grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the hopes that the money will help counter the current firefighter shortage.
"So this grant is a four-year grant and like I said it's designed for the recruitment and retention of volunteers. Its goal is to infuse up to eighty volunteers into the system over four years", says Ellsworth Fire Chief Scott Guillerault.
According to Guillerault, the staffing for adequate fire and emergency response, or S.A.F.E.R. grant, for short, will be used in two ways.
One application of the grant is the recruitment side.
The grant reimburses fire departments for any advertisement or marketing they may do to get new volunteer crew members.
The other application is the retainment side.
Once volunteers are on board, the same grant money can be used for their training and safety gear.
As for the volunteers that are already part of the crew, the grant money can also be used to further their training and pay for some of their education while working with the fire department.
"It's meant to aggressively recruit but it is also meant to hold and sustain the ones that are already here," says Guillerault.
Ellsworth isn't the only fire station to benefit from the S.A.F.E.R. Grant, six stations in the Ellsworth area, including Orland, Dedham, Hancock, Mariaville, Trenton and Lamoine all have access to the million-dollar grant.
Guillerault says, "Well, I think that this helps them out a lot operationally, most of the departments around us don't have the budget that the city of Ellsworth does... So the current budgets that they have going through the approval processes now won't be adversely affected by new firefighters coming on board because that money is gonna come to them". | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/ellsworth-fire-dept-receives-million-dollar-s-a-f-e-r-grant/article_1b714e26-f4f7-11ed-bf8f-3fdedc899932.html | 2023-05-17T22:41:13 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/ellsworth-fire-dept-receives-million-dollar-s-a-f-e-r-grant/article_1b714e26-f4f7-11ed-bf8f-3fdedc899932.html |
GREENVILLE -- The Greenville Police Department is seeking donations for an upcoming community event.
Next month, police are teaming up with the Greenville Fire Department to put on a bicycle safety rodeo for pre-k through eighth grade students.
However, a number of students don't own a bicycle, and police are asking that anyone with spare bikes donate or loan them so that every child can participate in the safety training.
The day will center around teaching safe riding practices, but police say they hope to do a little bit more.
"I know probably like most people my age, we didn't see officers in school growing up," said Greenville Police Department Lieutenant Josh Guay. "I think it's important that they see us in a different light -- not always just in trying times or traumatic times, but they know they can come to us."
Police also plan to give away free bike helmets to students after the event to encourage riders to stay safe after the day is over.
To donate or loan a bicycle, you can reach out to the Greenville Police department on their Facebook page. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/greenville-police-department-seeks-bike-donations-for-upcoming-community-event/article_794a4d4a-f4fc-11ed-95f6-dbef0dd52ef2.html | 2023-05-17T22:41:14 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/greenville-police-department-seeks-bike-donations-for-upcoming-community-event/article_794a4d4a-f4fc-11ed-95f6-dbef0dd52ef2.html |
BANGOR -- The newest Fresh Start Sober Living home is now open to those in recovery seeking an alcohol and drug-free environment.
The Highland Avenue location comes after the Fresh Start group received nearly $400,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from the city -- in addition to the $600,000 Penobscot County Commissioners awarded Fresh Start in December.
Some say the opening of the building has come at just the right time for the city.
"There's an incredible homelessness crisis right now, so many people that are unhoused in Bangor with substance use disorder, mental health disorder," said James Rickrode, general manager of Fresh Start Sober Living. "We very quickly got overwhelmed with applications. We had eight beds over there, and within a few months I had 40 applications on the desk."
This property is now the group's 13th home. One resident of this new location spoke about what increased access to resources like these means to them.
"I think it's great to have places like this. When you're in active addiction, a lot of people just don't know where to go or where to start," said Kyle Thibodeau. "I never thought I would be in a spot like this a couple of years ago, but now that I'm in it I'm glad that I'm able to help guide other guys."
There are currently 91 residents in the program, and Fresh Start President Scott Pardy says each of them works together to foster a community environment.
"Anybody who lives at fresh start is accountable. We have a lot of rules -- they have to attend meetings, they have to keep the house clean," said Pardy.
For application information, visit freshstartrecovery-maine.org. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/new-sober-living-home-opens-in-bangor/article_751ca404-f4fa-11ed-8588-e372ed0056ab.html | 2023-05-17T22:41:15 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/new-sober-living-home-opens-in-bangor/article_751ca404-f4fa-11ed-8588-e372ed0056ab.html |
AUGUSTA- The Maine CDC confirmed one person has died from Powassan Virus disease.
An adult from Sagadahoc County developed neurologic symptoms and died while in the hospital after becoming infected, likely in Maine.
The tickborne infection remains rare, and this death is the first identified case in Maine this year.
Cases of Powassan are rare in the United States, with about 25 cases reported each year since 2015.
Maine has identified 15 cases since 2015, including four in 2022. Two of the individuals who contracted Powassan in 2022 died of the illness, making this the third recorded Powassan death in Maine since 2015.
People acquire the Powassan virus through the bite of an infected deer tick or woodchuck tick.
Ticks can be active any time the temperature is above freezing, but are most active in the Spring, Summer and Fall.
Many people infected with Powassan do not have symptoms;for those who develop symptoms , the time from the tick bite to feeling unwell can range from one week to one month.
Symptoms can includefever,headache,vomiting, weakness, confusion,seizures, or memory loss. Some people may experience serious neurologic problems like brain or spinal cord inflammation. About 10 percent of people with severe disease die. If you experience any of these symptoms after a tick bite, call a health care provider as soon as possible. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/person-in-maine-dies-from-virus-caused-by-tick/article_c20a4620-f4f7-11ed-83cd-afbc48f0afa1.html | 2023-05-17T22:41:17 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/person-in-maine-dies-from-virus-caused-by-tick/article_c20a4620-f4f7-11ed-83cd-afbc48f0afa1.html |
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb talks with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during a question-and-answer session Monday at the induction luncheon for the 2023 class of the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame.
Tony V. Martin, The Times
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb discusses topics ranging from health care to economic development with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame luncheon Monday.
Tony V. Martin, The Times
Six new members were inducted into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame during a luncheon Monday at Avalon Manor.
Tony V. Martin, The Times
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb talks with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during a question-and-answer session Monday at a luncheon for the 2023 inductees to the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame.
HOBART — Term-limited Gov. Eric Holcomb knows he won't be in charge when the economic development initiatives Northwest Indiana is putting into motion get up to speed.
But the Republican chief executive still could not be more excited and optimistic about the Region's future, declaring Monday: "The sky really is the limit."
"It really feels magnetic up here. ... This is a great place to grow," Holcomb told 500 business and community leaders at the annual induction ceremony for the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame, sponsored by The Times Media Co.
The governor cited the Region's location next to Chicago, the nation's third-largest city; its myriad road, rail, port and airport connections to world markets; its history of making what the world needs; a ready supply of homegrown talent; and the willingness to charge after new technologies, such as microchip production and hydrogen fuels, as proof that Northwest Indiana has everything going for it.
"This is not an alternative anymore. There's no better part of our state that really has the total package in reach."
The governor urged the Avalon Manor luncheon audience to stay focused and remain unified, continue to promote business, and social certainty and stability, and even more success, is sure to follow.
"Keep it going," Holcomb said. "We're chasing some darn big deals that will fit perfectly in this ecosystem."
At the same time, the governor readily acknowledged that he's got only 20 months left in his second term. The Indiana Constitution allows governors to serve an unlimited number of terms, but no more than two in a row.
Given the chance, Holcomb said, he would like to run for a third term. He said being governor is on par with his service in the U.S. Navy when it comes to his happiness at work.
"I enjoy the job," Holcomb said. "The amount of good that you can do on a day-in, day-out basis is enormous."
Holcomb, a onetime student of history at Hanover College in Madison, Indiana, said he agrees with the need for a two-term limit, and he believes it's healthy for the state because it ensures that the governor always is energetic and ready to work on behalf of the people.
"It's good to know that there is a shelf life, or there's a date stamp, and it forces you to stay focused if you're in it, hopefully, to be a powerful force for good. I won't finish everything that we've been working on. There will be projects that will be completed on my successor's watch, and rightfully so. But it'll be time."
That said, Holcomb insisted that he won't be propping his cowboy boots up on his desk and merely watching the sands in the hourglass slip away until January 2025.
"I'm not going to take my eye off the ball. Quite frankly, there's too much to do," he said.
The governor said he's been energized by the output of the 2023 General Assembly, which ended its four-month annual session in April, including new opportunities for public health services across the state, dedicated funding for mental health assistance, a second round of regional quality-of-place grants, pay raises for state police officers, and expanded economic development opportunities, among others.
"It's all about implementation from this day forward," Holcomb said. "As we partner with local communities all across Indiana, I try to go up 20,000 feet and look down on the whole state, look regionally, and see what is needed, whether it be housing or water or you-can-fill-in-the-blank, and then figure out how we can get all those pieces of the puzzle more access."
One project Holcomb said he will not be working on during his final months in office is changing the state bird from the cardinal — which is the official bird of seven states, including Illinois — to something more unique, such as the sandhill crane, of which tens of thousands visit Northwest Indiana marshes every autumn.
In fact, Holcomb intended to see the sandhill cranes last year at the state's Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area but had to cancel because he was hospitalized with pneumonia.
He urged everyone to go this year: "If you've never seen it, you're too close, you have no excuse. You need to get down to east Pulaski County."
Nevertheless, he's still not persuaded that Indiana should dump the cardinal.
"To see 30,000 sandhill cranes flying in military precision, and landing, and taking-off. It is a sight to behold. But they're migratory. The cardinal — chirp, chirp — is here year-round. They don't just fly down to Florida when it gets cold. So we will continue to honor the Northern Cardinal as our state bird."
The discussion prompted hearty laughs from the large audience who seemed to appreciate Holcomb's ability to balance serious discussions with slightly less important state issues.
In the end, Holcomb hopes Hoosiers will remember him as a "level-headed, balanced, fair person during good times and tough times," a person who "understands the value of team," and someone who tried to guide Indiana on a viable path to the future.
Gallery: Get to know the state symbols of Indiana
State Aircraft: Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt
State Bird: Cardinal
State Flag
State Flower: Peony
State Fossil: Mastodon
State Gun: Grouseland Rifle
State Insect: Say's Firefly
State Language: English
State Motto: "Crossroads of America"
State Nickname: The Hoosier State
State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie (unofficial)
State Poem: "Indiana"
State River: Wabash
State Seal
State Snack: Indiana-Grown Popcorn
State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away"
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb talks with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during a question-and-answer session Monday at the induction luncheon for the 2023 class of the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb discusses topics ranging from health care to economic development with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame luncheon Monday.
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb talks with Lee Enterprises Regional News Director Marc Chase during a question-and-answer session Monday at a luncheon for the 2023 inductees to the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/government-politics/governor-confident-in-continued-success-of-northwest-indiana/article_337edf64-f35e-11ed-af0b-13eb05d7ccbf.html | 2023-05-17T22:44:07 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/government-politics/governor-confident-in-continued-success-of-northwest-indiana/article_337edf64-f35e-11ed-af0b-13eb05d7ccbf.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The people who work in Sedgwick County’s Public Safety Center have not felt very safe recently.
As they arrive at or leave the building at 714 N. Main, the 911 dispatchers have been dealing with strangers approaching them.
“Couple years ago, Public Safety presented concerns and issues with unsolicited encounters in the Public Safety parking lot,” Andrew Dilts, Sedgwick County director of facilities, said. “These encounters were occurring at each shift change three times a day.”
Back then, Dilts said the County considered two options to address the safety of the 911 dispatchers: securing the parking lot with a fence and creating a law enforcement presence during shift change. But the County did not own enough land for the 65 parking spaces it would need during a shift change.
So, the County relied on the presence of police officers and sheriff deputies in the vicinity to keep people from approaching the 911 workers.
“However, the encounters are still occurring and at a high level,” Dilts told the Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. “In a recent six-month period, approximately nine incidents occurred where law enforcement officers were dispatched.”
So, Dilts said the County worked with one of Public Safety’s neighbors, Envision Inc., which owns a parking lot that abuts the Public Safety parking lot.
“During these conversations, it became viable for Envision to sell the parcels,” he said. “As part of the purchase price of $325,000, Envision retains 15 unassigned parking stalls for the duration of 10 years.”
Dilts said the cost of buying the land, building the fence, installing electric gates, and restriping the lot is just over $528,000.
The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the deal.
“We’ve got a lot invested in 911 and our employees there,” Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said. “I am very supportive of this.”
He said a safer parking situation would help 911 retain and recruit employees.
“(It) might be a little larger investment than we wanted to make, but I think … the safety outweighs everything we need to do to get this secured,” Meitzner said.
“We’ve been listening to our staff and our employees over in 911,” Commissioner David Dennis said. “We know there are safety concerns, so that got us involved in this.”
He thanked Envision for working with the County.
“This is the right solution at the right time,” Dennis said.
Commissioner Jim Howell agreed. He said many people may not realize how essential the Public Safety Center and its employees are to the community.
“We’ve invested so much money in this location already,” Howell said. “To relocate this would be, I would say, would be not in the best interest of the taxpayers, so to find a solution in that spot, this is a reasonably good solution.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/sedgwick-county-takes-action-to-protect-911-employees/ | 2023-05-17T22:44:13 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/sedgwick-county-takes-action-to-protect-911-employees/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — The signs of summer are upon us.
A little over a week after Memorial Day weekend and the Indianapolis 500 mark the unofficial start of summer, another Indianapolis tradition returns to Monument Circle.
(Note: The video in the player above is from a live report from the 2019 Strawberry Festival.)
The Cathedral Women of Christ Church Cathedral will hold their annual Strawberry Festival downtown on Thursday, June 8. It's the 57th year for the event.
The festival features homemade shortcake topped with strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream, called "The Works," for $10 each. The individual ingredients are also for sale downtown, with strawberries and ice cream sold for $3 each and shortcakes and whipped cream going for $2 each.
The festival accepts cash or credit card and will sell the treats from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., or when supplies run out. Over 15,000 shortcakes were baked for this year's festival, to go with four tons of strawberries.
If you can't wait for June, bulk and presale orders will go live online on Thursday, May 25.
The organization is reminding festivalgoers of some changes to the traditional layout, due to construction on Monument Circle and the Soldiers & Sailors Monument. The north steps of the monument will be closed, so entertainment will be held on the Cathedral's lawn, with visitors encouraged to use the south steps of the monument to enjoy their shortcakes.
Proceeds from the festival will go directly to charities supported by the Cathedral Women. Groups that have recently benefitted from donations from the Strawberry Festival include El Sistema Indianapolis, Outreach Inc., Brightlane Learning, Alternatives Incorporated, Coburn Place, and Indiana Women in Need Foundation (IWIN), the organization said. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-strawberry-festival-returning-to-monument-circle-for-57th-year/531-f0a1d41e-6aa2-4e1e-bc79-e99b0a6deb89 | 2023-05-17T22:44:59 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-strawberry-festival-returning-to-monument-circle-for-57th-year/531-f0a1d41e-6aa2-4e1e-bc79-e99b0a6deb89 |
NASHUA -- In an attempt to mitigate the astronomical rise in home prices and help potential buyers purchase their first homes, city and federal officials are announcing a new assistance program.
Homebuyer Assistance Program provides financial assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals and households who qualify, Mayor Jim Donchess said.
He said the definition of low- and moderate-income is those who earn 80% of the median income in the Nashua area. Based on that rate, the income limit for a four-person household to qualify for the program stands at $87,600.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investments Partnership Program, the initiative will be managed by the city's Urban Programs Department.
Qualified applicants can receive a grant of up to $10,000, which can be applied to down payments, closing costs, interest rate buy-downs or a portion of the purchase price of the home.
"This new initiative ... will provide much-needed assistance to first-time homebuyers who may otherwise be unable to purchase a home," Donchess said.
"We want to help remove any barriers to residency that we can to enable, and encourage, young families and new workforce members to join us here in Nashua and thrive as part of our community," he added. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/nashua-launches-first-time-homebuyer-assistance-program/article_f9dddcc1-293e-5bc0-ba13-290ea9fe764c.html | 2023-05-17T22:45:31 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/nashua-launches-first-time-homebuyer-assistance-program/article_f9dddcc1-293e-5bc0-ba13-290ea9fe764c.html |
Carter In The ClassroomFocusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/highlighter-new-teacher-perks-math-competitions-and-forney-isd-honor/3260079/ | 2023-05-17T22:48:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/highlighter-new-teacher-perks-math-competitions-and-forney-isd-honor/3260079/ |
Football season is coming to a close in Fort Worth ISD. Yes, you read that correctly-- football season.
Fort Worth is the first district in the state to have girls flag football teams. Wednesday night, the best teams are playing for the 3rd, 2nd, and Championships titles.
"They are overprepared for this moment and they're excited," North Side Girls Flag Football Head Coach Kylie Johnson said. "They're just gonna go out there and play our best."
North Side H.S. finished the regular season undefeated this year. Last year, the first season for girls flag football, they finished 2-5.
"We want to have that drive that it's not just the boys that can play this sport. Girls can too," junior wide receiver/safety Savanna Johnson said. "And we have fun while we do it, too," junior wide receiver/safety Ti'Yanna Johnson added.
FWISD has 16 girls flag football teams; 8 in Division 1 larger schools, and 8 in Division 2 smaller schools. Wednesday night's final 3 games match the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st seeded teams in each division against each other.
"It's a testament to the girls," North Side Girls Flag Football Assistant Coach Irwin Garcia said. "They play their hearts out and they've absolutely taken the challenge that we've given them."
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While learning football fundamentals, the players have also learned something about themselves.
"That I'm more competitive than I thought and that I push myself a lot harder than I thought I would," Savanna Johnson said.
"I hope it grows bigger, going to the next level," Ti'Yanna Johnson said. "To really show the girls how it's really important to us and how it could be."
The final games start at 6 p.m. at Herman Clark Stadium in Fort Worth. The undefeated Division I North Side H.S. will face undefeated Division II Eastern Hills H.S. in the district championship game at 8:00 p.m. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-isd-girls-flag-football-teams-face-off-for-championship/3260074/ | 2023-05-17T22:48:41 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-isd-girls-flag-football-teams-face-off-for-championship/3260074/ |
A neighborhood health clinic is coming to Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail area.
The center is a partnership between Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network.
Providers say it will offer services beyond sick and well visits for adults and children.
It will also offer families access to behavioral health and social services. A food pantry, community education and on-site job training for the healthcare industry will also be included, according to a release.
Fort Worth Councilmember Michael D. Crain represents the area and calls it a game-changer for the neighborhood.
“If you can get preventive care, it solves a lot of your problems long-term so for this area to have easy access to preventive care measures and other things, it will change their lives,” said Crain.
The area has been identified as a healthcare desert which means it lacks access to doctors and basic services.
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“It is a desert for lots of other things, too – whether it’s nutritious food, economic stability, housing – all of these things are missing in this neighborhood,” said Veronica Tolley with Cook Children’s.
The two-story 40,000 square foot building will sit on the corner of Calmont Avenue and Cherry Lane in west Fort Worth. Construction will start this year with an expected opening in late 2025.
According to Cook Children’s more than 20,000 children live in the area with a 7% growth expected by 2025.
A lack of access to transportation and care often leads residents in Las Vegas Trail to the emergency room.
“There have not been any pediatricians in this area for many years and we want to bring those services to those children,” said Chris Pedigo with Cook Children’s.
City leaders and providers believe the clinic can transform lives and the neighborhood.
“One positive thing leads to another positive thing so there’s probably an impact here that we can’t predict today but the potential is there,” Tolley said. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/health-clinic-coming-to-fort-worths-las-vegas-trail-neighborhood/3260098/ | 2023-05-17T22:48:53 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/health-clinic-coming-to-fort-worths-las-vegas-trail-neighborhood/3260098/ |
Texas Woman's University in Denton is adding a school of aeronautical sciences, hoping to give more women the opportunity to join the aviation industry.
TWU's Board of Regents formally approved the new school and will begin enrolling students in the 2024 fall semester. The university expects to have cohorts of about 25 students per year and 160 students enrolled by the program's fifth year.
The university said the school was made possible in part by a $15 million gift from the Doswell Foundation. After accepting the gift, regents named the school the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences.
The program will offer a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Sciences degree with two tracks: one in professional pilot training and the other in aviation management.
Graduations of the pilot track would earn a commercial pilot's license, something not always offered at public universities and rarely offered at schools like TWU where 89% of the student body is made up of women.
"In the last couple of years, we have researched, sort of, the pilot shortage. We knew that TWU is perfectly positioned being a primarily focused university for women and also very diverse," said Kimberly Russell, vice president of university advancement at Texas Women's University.
Russell said many women face significant barriers to becoming a pilot, including cost and time, and that they hope that combining a baccalaureate degree with a commercial pilot's license would help alleviate some of those barriers.
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Final approvals are still pending, including from the Federal Aviation Administration. Campus leaders are also looking for an airport partner to serve as a flight training ground school and for ways to address one of the biggest hurdles -- cost.
"It's very expensive, not just to obtain a bachelor's degree but also to obtain that flight training that can run anywhere from $60,000 to $80,000, to upwards of $100,000 in addition to tuition and fees," Russell said. "So, partnering with our airlines, partnering with companies that are interested in helping us fill that gap, we're hoping that we can overcome those barriers for women for sure."
If things take off, the Denton campus could one day even have its own aircraft. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-womens-university-adds-school-of-aeronautical-sciences/3260113/ | 2023-05-17T22:49:05 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-womens-university-adds-school-of-aeronautical-sciences/3260113/ |
New charges have been filed against a man accused of abusing a woman and holding her captive for nearly a year before she escaped in New Jersey.
On Wednesday, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault against James Parrillo Jr., 57. The new charges were contained in an indictment recently handed up by a state grand jury on May 3, officials said. The 11-count indictment also includes two counts of sexual assault (second-degree), one count of criminal coercion (second degree) and one count of theft by extortion (second degree.)
Parrillo was arrested on February 7 after the woman he was holding captive escaped from the New Jersey home they shared and fled to a nearby gas station, investigators said. He was initially charged with kidnapping, strangulation, aggravated assault and criminal restraint.
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Investigators said the victim met Parrillo – who she knew at the time as “Brett Parker" – at a gas station on Interstate 10 in New Mexico in February 2022 and she agreed to give him a ride to Arizona. The woman told police the two were in a relationship for about a month when he physically assaulted her. At that point she felt unable to leave, according to investigators.
Parrillo took away the woman’s phone, confiscated and used her debit cards and isolated her from her family, police said.
In December, Parrillo and the woman arrived in New Jersey where he held her against her will, investigators said. In January, the two stayed in a rented room with other people in Bass River Township, according to police. At one point, the woman noticed an interior deadbolt on the door of a nearby gas station they had visited and she began to plan her escape, investigators said.
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The woman said Parrillo began beating and choking her during an argument inside the home on February 7 but stopped once he realized other people were inside. The woman then ran outside the house with nothing but shorts and a shirt on while temperatures were in the low 40’s, according to investigators.
The woman reached the gas station, bolted the door and told the attendant she had been kidnapped for about a year. Surveillance footage shows Parrillo following the woman to the gas station, trying to open the door and then leaving when he realized it was locked, police said. A gas station attendant then notified New Jersey State Police who arrested Parrillo a short time later as he walked down County Road 542.
Parrillo was detained at the Burlington County Jail. Assistant New Jersey Attorney General Theresa Hilton said information provided by the woman along with information found on social media and other websites indicated that Parrillo may have victimized other people in other states.
Sara Dhooma, a West Coast hiker, World traveler and blogger, told NBC10 those possible victims may have included one of her friends.
“It’s a scene from a horror movie,” Dhooma told NBC10 as she viewed the video of the woman escaping. “The worst horror movie you could ever imagine because this is real life and this is a real human being that’s escaping from a monster.”
In a video posted in 2019, Dhooma warned her fellow hikers about a man who she met on the trail system named “Medic” whom she described as “pure evil.”
“When I met James, his eyes seemed very blank and dead,” Dhooma said. “It felt like he just kind of stared straight through me.”
Dhooma now believes Parrillo is that same man and that he conned and abused one of her friends on the Pacific Crest trail in California.
“He held her financially, taking away her access to money,” Dhooma said. “Held her away from the family and he was also torturing and beating her.”
Dhooma said she received some negative feedback when she initially posted the video about “Medic.”
“A lot of people thought I was being alarmist and I was dragging, potentially, a good man through the mud,” she said. “I want to say, look what happened. I was right. He’s evil. I knew it from the start.”
Dhooma also said other hikers contacted her who confirmed her allegations.
“People started reaching out to me with sightings of him. I talked to a number of people from the hiking community who had assisted him, giving him rides, letting him stay at their house and they were frightened,” Dhooma said.
At the time Dhooma alerted authorities but said the charges and jail time never seemed to stick.
“Police picked up James and he was only detained for a very short time on an unrelated misdemeanor,” she said.
Dhooma now fears more victims are out there.
“There’s a number of hikers that have not been found and he was spotted in those areas,” she said.
As officials continue to investigate Parrillo, Dhooma had a message for the woman who police say escaped his abuse.
“You survived,” Dhooma said. “James Parrillo is pure evil incarnate and you survived. You made it through. Everything else in your life is going to be easier. You’ve done the hardest part. You are responsible, hopefully now, for putting away this guy for good.”
If you or someone you know has additional information on Parrillo, please call New Jersey State Police at 855-363-6548.
“Knowledge is power,” Dhooma said. “Everyone come forward with any interaction they may have had with James. I think police are listening now and we can get a strong conviction.”
Parrillo will appear before a Burlington County judge on March 29. NBC10 has not yet received confirmation on whether he was assigned a public defender or has otherwise hired an attorney.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cross-country-kidnapping-suspect-faces-new-charges-officials-say/3568675/ | 2023-05-17T22:49:46 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/cross-country-kidnapping-suspect-faces-new-charges-officials-say/3568675/ |
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota settled its lawsuit against e-cigarette maker Juul Labs and Henrico County-based tobacco giant Altria for $60.5 million, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday, saying the total is significantly higher per capita than any other state that sued Juul over youth vaping and marketing practices.
The state's lawsuit was the first and still the only one of thousands of cases nationwide against the e-cigarette maker to reach trial. It settled just ahead of closing arguments last month, but the terms had to be kept confidential for 30 days until the formal papers were filed publicly with the court.
Ellison said Minnesota got the big settlement precisely because the state took Juul to trial. He said the sum exceeds what Juul made in Minnesota from 2015 to 2021.
Juul will finally have its day in court for its role in the teen vaping epidemic. The Minnesota attorney general is preparing for opening arguments in the state's lawsuit against the vape maker. Here to break down the complicated backstory for this legal case is Senior Reporter Chloe Aiello.
“We were the only state willing to take this battle to trial and hold the bad actors accountable. It sends a message that you cannot get away with this," Ellison said at a news conference with Gov. Tim Walz. "We will put you in front of a Minnesota jury and you can take your chances.”
Most of the other cases have settled, including dozens with other states and U.S. territories. The largest settlement came last month , when it was announced that Juul Labs will pay $462 million to six states and the District of Columbia to settle lawsuits related to its marketing tactics. As part of that deal, Juul pledged not to market its products to anyone under the age of 35 and to limit the amount customers that can purchase in retail stores and online.
Ellison said ahead of the state's trial that he was seeking more than $100 million in damages. His spokesperson, John Stiles, told reporters Wednesday that if Minnesota had settled on the same terms as the six states and the District of Columbia, it would have gotten about $30 million, or as little as $15 million if it had accepted the terms most other states did.
Not only will Juul and Altria pay $60.5 million, Ellison said, they will pay more than a third of it within 30 days and more than 60% within a year. The state will get about $43 million after litigation costs and attorney's fees. Legislation is pending to dedicate the money to tobacco prevention.
In addition to the internal company documents Juul has disclosed in other settlements, Minnesota will also get documents specific to the state for a total of 10 million documents that researchers and journalists can pore through, Ellison said. “We're going to have a lot of sunlight,” he said. And unlike the other settlements, he said, Altria will disclose its internal documents on its involvement with Juul.
The settlement specifically prohibits Juul from marketing to children and young adults in Minnesota, he said, and requires the company to accurately disclose the nicotine content of its products.
Juul declined to say anything about the details of the settlement and stood by a statement it issued when the agreement was announced.
"We have now settled with 48 states and territories, providing over $1 billion to participating states to further combat underage use and develop cessation programs,” the statement said. “This is in addition to our global resolution of the U.S. private litigation that covers more than 5,000 cases brought by approximately 10,000 plaintiffs.”
Attorneys for Minnesota argued during the case that Juul unlawfully targeted young people with vaping products to get a new generation addicted to nicotine. Juul attorneys countered that its purpose was to convert adult smokers of combustible cigarettes to a less-dangerous product — not to lure kids.
Minnesota, which won a landmark $7.1 billion settlement with the tobacco industry in 1998, filed its lawsuit in 2019 and added Altria, which formerly owned a minority stake in Juul, as a co-defendant in 2020. Altria completed its divestiture in March and said it effectively lost its $12.8 billion investment.
Washington D.C.-based Juul Labs launched in 2015 on the popularity of flavors like mango, mint, fruit medley and creme brulee. Teenagers fueled its rise, and some became addicted to Juul’s high-nicotine pods. Amid a backlash, the company dropped all U.S. advertising and discontinued most of its flavors in 2019, losing popularity with teens. Juul’s share of the now multibillion-dollar market has fallen to about 33% from a high of 75% in 2018.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announces the $60.5 million settlement with Juul over marketing vaping to youth in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune
The Times-Dispatch's 'Photo of the Day' 📷
Jan. 1, 2023
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) carries the ball as Washington Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson (36) tries to stop him during the first half of a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Commanders on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in Landover, MD.
Shaban Athuman/ RICHMOND TIMES-D
Jan. 2, 2023
Sharon MacKenzie of Mechanicsville walked with her friend Cindy Nunnally and her golden retriever, Sunny, during a GardenFest for Fidos at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Jan. 2.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Jan. 3, 2023
People remember eight-year-old P'Aris Moore during a vigil in Hopewell Tues., Jan. 3, 2023. Moore was shot and killed while playing in her neighborhood.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 4, 2023
UR's Jason Nelson presses down court as George Washington's Brendan Adams, left, and Hunter Dean defend in the Robins Center Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 5, 2023
Manchester's Olivia Wright reaches in on James River's Alisha Whirley at James River Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 6, 2023
Daron Pearson plays basketball at Smith Peters Park in the Carver neighborhood on Friday, January 6, 2023 in Richmond, Va.
Shaban Athuman/ RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 7, 2023
UR's Tyler Burton takes a shot as Duquesne's Joe Reece defends Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 8, 2023
Park ranger Bert Dunkerly leads a walking tour of Revolutionary Richmond on the grounds of the Chimborazo Medical Museum in Richmond on Jan. 8. The tour was part of a multiday annual event interpreting Richmond’s Revolutionary history, including the capture of the city by British General Benedict Arnold on Jan. 5, 1781.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 10, 2023
Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital COO Joey Trapani and Richmond City Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille react after cutting the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the East End Medical Office Building on Tuesday. Bon Secours Richmond Market President Mike Lutes (left) and Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, were also part of the festivities.
EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
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Jan. 11, 2023
Pages are introduced at the Senate chamber during the first day of Virginia General Assembly at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 12, 2023
Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, worked at his desk at the Virginia State Capitol on Thursday. Above him is a portrait of former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, now a congressman representing the 8th District in Northern Virginia.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 13, 2023
Elizabeth Leggett is photographed with her pup Pallas, 10, in her neighborhood in Richmond's business district on January 13, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Jan. 14, 2023
Aubrey Nguyen, age 5, and Andrew Nguyen, age 8, eye the dragon as it comes by during the Tet celebration at Vien Giac Buddhist Temple Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Jow Ga Kung Fu, of Virginia Beach, performed the Dragon Dance.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 15, 2023
The St. James's West Gallery Choir sings during "Evensong, A Celebration of the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." at St. James Episcopal Church Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 16, 2023
James "States" Manship of Thornburg came to the gun rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, dressed as President George Washington.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 17, 2023
Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, confers with Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, at the state Capitol on Jan. 17. Brewer sponsored the bill on state purchasing, House Bill 2385.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 18, 2023
Aaliyah Rouse, 9, and Jennifer Rouse stand by as Aaron Rouse is sworn in in the Senate by Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar during a general assembly session at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Jan. 19, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin talks to the media at George W. Carver Elementary School on Jan. 19.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 20, 2023
VCU's fans cheer for the team against Richmond during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game at University of Richmond, Richmond, Va., on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 21, 2023
Jacqueline Dziuba, bottom left, and Steven Godwin, who live in Greenville, N.C., and other visitors check out the exhibits at the Poe Museum in Richmond in January as the museum celebrates Edgar Allan Poe’s 214th birthday and its own 100-year anniversary.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 22, 2023
Paul McLean (left), founder of the Virginia Minority Cannabis Coalition, listens alongside Mark Cannady during the “Is Social Equity in Off the Table in 2023?” portion of the program on Sunday on the second full day of the Virginia Cannabis Conference presented by Virginia NORML at Delta Hotels Richmond Downtown. Lobby Day takes place Monday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 23, 2023
The flags at the Executive Mansion are at half-staff to honor those killed and injured in Monterey Park, California last weekend. Photo was taken on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 24, 2023
Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, listens to debate during a Senate floor session in the state Capitol on a bill to make Daylight Savings Time year-round.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 25, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Next to Daniel are (L-R) Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 26, 2023
Meghan Vandette is photographed with her dogs, Pepper, a deaf mini Australian shepherd, and Finn on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Ruff Canine Club in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 27, 2023
Three-year-old London Oshinkoya (from left) and 3-year-old twins Messiah and Malkia Finley go through the toys brought by Crystal Holbrook-Gazoni near the Gilpin Resource Center in Richmond on Friday.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 28, 2023
Dance instructor Paul Dandridge (foreground) works with youngsters as he teaches a theater dance during the “Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series: On the Road” at the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School on Saturday. The series offers free workshops and performances throughout the year for youth of all ages.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 29, 2023
Ronnie Jenkins II of Chesterfield County sits inside a Barefoot Spas hot tub with his 11-year-old son, Connor, and his wife, Amber, during the RVA Home Show at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
Daniel Sangjib Min photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 30, 2023
Frank Saucier listens as elected officials give remarks during a vigil for Tyre Nichols on Monday at Abner Clay Park in Richmond. Nichols died from the injuries he sustained after being beaten by police officers in Memphis.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 31, 2023
Mayor Levar Stoney gets ready to deliver his State of the City on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the Richmond Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 1, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life in Richmond, VA on February 1, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 2, 2023
Petersburg High School's basketball standout Chris Fields Jr. on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 3, 2023
Shawnrell Blackwell, left, a Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation homeowner and board member, watches as Dianna Bowser, president and CEO of SCDHC, shares a moment with Suzanne Youngkin during a ceremony at Virginia Housing in Richmond on Friday after Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the first lady presented the first Spirit of Virginia Award of 2023 to the affordable housing nonprofit.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 4, 2023
Members of the Break it Down RVA Line Dancing group perform during a Black History Month Celebration at Virginia State University on Feb. 4.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 5, 2023
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) of the Washington Commanders, right, look on before the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday in Las Vegas. With him are, from left, NFC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) of the Detroit Lions, NFC wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) of the Dallas Cowboys and NFC wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) of the Minnesota Vikings.
John Locher, Associated PRess
Feb. 6, 2023
(From left) U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, and Sethuraman Panchanathan, Ph.D., director of the National Science Foundation, arrive for a tour of VCU's Nanomaterials Core Characterization Facility with lab director and physics professor Massimo Bertino, Ph.D. (right) on Monday, Feb. 6. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 7, 2023
Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, is seen 4 1/2 hours into Tuesday's crossover session at the state Capitol.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 8, 2023
Chef Patrick Phelan works with his staff on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Lost Letter in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 9, 2023
Onlookers stand near a shattered window on East Broad Street following a shooting on Thursday. One person was killed and another wounded.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 10, 2023
Colonial Williamsburg moves a 260-year-old building, originally called the Bray School, on a truck to a new location a mile away, where it will be put on public display, in Williamsburg, Va., on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The Bray School is believed to be the oldest building in the US dedicated to the education of Black children.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb 11, 2023
Randolph-Macon celebrate after beating Roanoke College during a NCAA Division III Basketball game on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Randolph Macon Crenshaw Gym in Ashland, Virginia. With today's win, the Yellow Jackets hold the longest home winning steak in NCAA Division III history.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 12, 2023
The Science Museum of Virginia hosted a competition for student engineers during a commemoration of Celebrate Engineering Ingenuity Day. A packed crowd watches Sunday as a team of “Bridge Breakers” from the American Society of Civil Engineers puts students’ inventions to the test.
Lyndon German
Feb. 13, 2023
A crew from Walter D. Witt Roofing installs a new roof for Melvin Washington, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, as part of the Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project in Richmond, VA on February 13, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 14, 2023
Richmond City Council member Cynthia Newbille pulls the winning raffle ticket as Marc Edwards, from InnovAge Virginia PACE, holds the basket during the 9th annual "For the Love of Our Seniors" event at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA on February 14, 2023. The event is a resource fair for senior residents and caregivers in Church Hill. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 15, 2023
A crew from the Richmond-based company Cut Cut installs the new art installation "McLean" by Navine G. Dossos on the façade of the Institute for Contemporary Art in Richmond, VA on February 15, 2023. The installation is part of the exhibit "So it appears" opening February 24th. The vinyl pieces being used are adapted from a series of paintings. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 16, 2023
Giov. Glenn Youngkin meets with the community at Westwood Fountain in Richmond, VA on Thursday, February 16, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 17, 2023
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Alison Linas, left, and Franklin greet Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jennifer Guiliano and attorney Alex Clarke at the Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court building on Friday.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 18, 2023
Fans take pictures during the All-alumni Block Party before VCU’s game against Fordham on Saturday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 19, 2023
Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore, left, waits for a pass from Elizabeth Kitley (33) during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Blacksburg.
Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times
Feb. 20, 2023
Richmond resident David Scates filed an appeal with the VEC last summer four days after the state agency notified him that he had been overpaid unemployment benefits after catching COVID-19 and losing his job. Now, Scates is one of almost 17,000 Virginians at risk of having their appeals dismissed because the VEC contends they filed too late.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 21, 2023
State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, greets chief election officer and college friend Sheryl Johnson (right) at the Tabernacle Baptist Church polling station in Richmond, VA on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 as (from left) election workers Katie Johnson and Eric Johnson look on. McClellan is running to succeed Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th. McClellan would be the first African American woman to represent Virginia in Congress and would give Virginia a record four women in its congressional delegation. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 22, 2023
Members of the media tour Fox Elementary School in Richmond, VA after Richmond Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Dana Fox provided an update on construction plans to rebuild the school on Wednesday, February 22. The building, which dates to 1911, was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire on the night of Feb. 11, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 23, 2023
Marley Ferraro and her boyfriend, Zack Bannister, both VCU freshmen, spend time together between classes at Monroe Park as Thursday weather reaches around 80s in Richmond, Va., on Feb. 23, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 24, 2023
Sen. Aaron Rouse, left, D-Virginia Beach, talks with Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, before a general assembly session at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 25, 2023
Jenna Anderson of Cosby High shows her medal to her dad, Waylon Anderson, after winning the 112-pound weight class during the VHSL Girls State Open Championships at Unity Reed High in Manassas on Saturday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 26, 2023
Contestants in a duathlon race (run-bike-run competition) dash from the starting line in the first event of the West Creek Endurance Festival at the West Creek Business Park in Goochland County on Sunday.
Mark Bowes
Feb. 27, 2023
Eric and Linda Oakes speak to a small crowd before unveiling a plaque and bench dedicated to their son, Adam Oakes, in the VCU Student Commons building near the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life on February 27, 2023. The date marks the two-year anniversary of Oakes' death in a hazing incident, and VCU is calling this an annual hazing prevention day and day of remembrance for Oakes. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 28, 2023
Jess Tanner (center) looks on as her daughters Aubrey (left), 10, and Charleigh, 8, deliver Girl Scout cookies to school counselor Michelle Nothnagel (right) and the other teachers and staff members at Manchester High School on February 28, 2023. With help from groups of retired teachers and others in the community, the girls, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 3654, raised over $1,000 to purchase the cookies for the staff. Jess Tanner, is an art teacher at Manchester and also a co-leader of their troop. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 1, 2023
Shirley Wiest, left, and Wilma Bowman, center, show a blanket for a veteran with the help of Julie Wiest, daughter of Shirley Wiest, at Sunrise of Richmond in Henrico, Va., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Shirley Wiest and Wilma Bowman sewed over 3000 blankets for people at the VA Hospital, the Children’s Hospital and Moments of Hope Outreach among others.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 2, 2023
Carl Gupton, president of Greenswell Growers, is shown at the greenhouse of the company in Goochland, Va., on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Greenswell Growers, an automated indoor farming, can produce 28 times more greens per acre than traditional farming. They just sealed a deal with Ukrops and will start selling on Kroger shelves all across the mid-Atlantic.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 3, 2023
Highland Springs walks off the court after beating Stone Bridge during the Class 5 boys basketball quarterfinal on Friday, March 3, 2023 at J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 4, 2023
Nutzy plays with Shane Paris-Kennedy,9, during the Richmond Flying Squirrels Nutzy's Block Party on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 5, 2023
Patrons wait in line for Caribbean soul food from Mobile Yum Yum, one of the food trucks participating in Mobile Soul Sunday in Monroe Park. The event kicked off the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, a weeklong celebration of Richmond’s Black-owned restaurants.
Sean McGoey
March 6, 2023
Henrico County officials celebrate the start of renovations at Cheswick Park in Henrico's Three Chopt District on March 6, 2023. The 24.5-acre park, Henrico's oldest official park, will receive $2.1 million in improvements, including a new open fitness area and upgrades to its trails, playground, restroom facilities, pedestrian bridges, parking lot, main entrance, stormwater management infrastructure and signage. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 7, 2023
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan heads into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC for orientation on March 7, 2023 in preparation for her swearing in as the first Black Congresswoman from Virginia. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 8, 2023
Kate Chenery Tweedy shows the exhibition of Secretariat at Ashland Museum in Ashland, Va., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Kate Chenery Tweedy is spearheading an effort to bring a monument of Secretariat to Ashland.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 9, 2023
John Marano of Top Trumps USA speaks to the media next to Mr. Monopoly at Maggie Walker Plaza in Richmond, Va., on March 9, 2023. Top Trumps USA, under license from HASBRO, will design a Richmond-specific board that highlights the region’s favorite historic landmarks.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 10, 2023
The U.S. Postal Service commemorate the history and romance of train travel with the unveiling of its Railroad Stations Forever stamps during a ceremony at the Main Street Station in Richmond, Va.
Lyndon German
March 11, 2023
Susie Williams of Richmond gets a makeover at the Shamrock the Block Festival in Richmond on Saturday. The festival was relocated to Leigh Street this year.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
March 12, 2023
A procession of Fifes and Drums moves down Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday. It traveled from old Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse to the Raleigh Tavern, where Thomas Jefferson and other leaders formed a Committee of Correspondence in 1773.
Sean Jones photos, Times-Dispatch
March 13, 2023
Cuong Luu, foreground, a volunteer of Feed More, prepares boxes of meals with other volunteers and staff at the food bank in Richmond, Va., on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 14, 2023
Bill Barksdale, technical director of Virginia Video Network, works with Kelli Lemon, director of digital programming, at the video studio of Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Va., on March 14, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 15, 2023
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, looks on a portrait after unveiling it as former Speaker of the House at the house chamber of the State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Filler-Corn made history as the first woman and first Jewish Speaker in Virginia.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 16, 2023
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia's Isaac McKneely (11) becomes emotional after an NCAA Tournament first round game against Furman in Orlando, Fl., Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Mike Kropf
March 17, 2023
Brian Erbe, center, a pipe manager, and other members of Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums perform to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Rosie Connolly's Pub Restaurant in Richmond, Va., on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 18, 2023
Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis takes down Oklahoma State's Dustin Plott during the consolation semifinals at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Ian Maule
March 19, 2023
Virginia Tech's Kayana Traylor (23) is congratulated by teammates after scoring just before halftime of a second-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Matt Gentry
March 20, 2023
Hannah and Ty Bilodeau of Lynchburg visit the recently completed Richmond Virginia Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children, Blythe, 5, Goldie, 4, and Graham, 2, in Glen Allen in Henrico, Va., on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 21, 2023
Doug Ramseur, center left, and Emilee Hasbrouck, center right, defense lawyers for Wavie Jones, one of three Central State Hospital employees , who was charged in death of Irvo Otieno, speak to the media at Dinwiddie Courthouse in Dinwiddie, Va., on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 22, 2023
WRANGLD's, from left, senior customer success manager Trevor Lee, chief business officer Andy Sitison and CEO Jonathan "JD" Dyke work at their office of the 1717 Innovation Center in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 23, 2023
New Bon Secours Community Health Clinic is open in Manchester, Richmond, Va., on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The clinic will serve scheduled appointments and same day call-in appointments for the uninsured. The 8,000 square foot building is also home to the Bon Secours Care-A-Van, a mobile health clinic.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 24, 2023
Liz Kincaid, CEO of RVA Hospitality and owner of Max's On Broad, is photographed at the restaurant in Richmond, VA on March 24, 2023. Max's On Broad will be closing April 1 and will relaunch as a new concept in the summer. Kincaid also owns Tarrant's & Bar Solita. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 25, 2023
Henrico County families gather at Deep Run Park & Recreation Center on Saturday to celebrate all things agriculture during the county's second annual Farm Graze event. Children went booth to booth learning about the wonders of agriculture while participating in fun activities and scavenger hunts.
Lyndon German
March 26, 2023
Church Hill resident Alex Gerofsky finishes the Hill Topper 5K at the Church Hill Irish Festival with a time of 20 minutes, 26.8 seconds.
Thad Green
March 27, 2023
Wyatt Kingston, center, conducts a strength training session with Marshall Crenshaw, left, and Kevin Wright, right, at Hickory Hill Community Center in Richmond, Va., on Monday, March 27, 2023. Kingston, 71, has been working with the parks department for nearly 40 years on all kinds of initiatives, particularly those aimed at children in public housing communities.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 28, 2023
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, center, talks about the ongoing housing crisis in the city during a news conference on March 28.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
March 29, 2023
From left, Caroline Ouko and Leon Ochieng, mother and older brother of Irvo Otieno, react near the casket during the celebration of life for Irvo Otieno at First Baptist Church of South Richmond in North Chesterfield on March 29.
Eva Russo
March 30, 2023
Senior students in Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center's culinary program presented Taj Mahsala: an Indian fusion menu.
SYDNEY SHULER, THE DAILY PROGRESS
March 31, 2023
Richmond Police address onlookers Friday, March 31, 2023 at the intersection of North Avenue and Moss Side Avenue, near Washington Park. Richmond police shot a man who was suspected of shooting a woman earlier in the day in the 1100 block of Evergreen Avenue on Richmond's Southside.
April 1, 2023
Sculptor Jocelyn Russell takes photos of the crowd after the unveiling of her statue of Secretariat at Ashland Town Hall Pavilion on Saturday.
Michael Martz photos, TImes-Dispatch
April 2, 2023
Drivers race in the Toyota Owners 400 at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, VA on April 2, 2023.. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 3, 2023
Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill is photographed at the Dinwiddie County Courthouse on April 3, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 4, 2023
From left, Judy and Ron Singleton pose for a photo on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. MIKE KROPF/TIMES-DISPATCH
Mike Kropf
April 5, 2023
Beatrix Smith dips her matzah in salt water as she enjoys a Pasover Seder with her classmates (from left) Helen Corallo, Camp Maxwell, and Amara Ellen at the Weinstein JCC Preschool Program in Richmond, VA on April 5, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 6, 2023
Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré speaks with students at Piedmont Virginia Community College on Thursday.
SYDNEY SHULER, THE DAILY PROGRESS
April 7, 2023
A worker pushed water off a tarp on the field at The Diamond Friday, when the Flying Squirrels were scheduled to open their season against Reading.
MIKE KROPF/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 8, 2023
Ember O’Connell-Evans, 1, plays with hula hoops during the Dominion Energy Family Easter event at Maymont on Saturday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
April 9, 2023
Mike Kearney plays an early form of badminton with grandkids Savannah and Ashton on the lawn of Montpelier during “We, the Kids” Day.
ANDRA LANDI, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REVIEW
April 10, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center left, tours Richmond Marine Terminal with W. Sheppard Miller III , Virginia Secretary of Transportation , center right, as Stephen A. Edwards, left, Virginia Port Authority CEO, and Christina Saunders, manager of Richmond Marine Terminal, give them the tour on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 11, 2023
Inaara Woodards, 5, of Henrico, visits Italian Garden at Maymont with her mother, Victoria Crawley Woodards, and three brothers, Kai, 13, Zion, 12, and Avion Woodards, 11, during their home-school field trip to the park in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. "It’s gorgeous!" Victoria Crawley Woodards said of Tuesday weather. She said it was the perfect weather for the field trip and other activities.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 13, 2023
Clarence Thweatt, right, a lead trainer for Chesterfield Public Schools, works on marking points during a transportation road-e-o event, which is friendly competition of school bus drivers demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of laws, at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 14, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at Liberty University.
PROVIDED BY LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
April 15, 2023
Tyson Foods workers attend a job fair at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Mechanicsville Turnpike. The Glen Allen plant is closing, displacing about 700 employees.
Em Holter
April 16, 2023
A display of 32 white balloons were raised and a 32-second moment of silence was observed in honor of the victims of the April 16, 2007, tragedy at the start of the 2023 3.2-mile Run in Remembrance on the Virginia Tech campus.
MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times
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April 17, 2023
Albert Hill Middle School sixth-grader Drew Sirpis looks for birds during the educational boat trip on the James River on Monday.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
April 18, 2023
Richmond Flying Squirrels Luis Matos steals the second base against Erie SeaWolves shortstop Gage Workman in the 3rd inning at The Diamond, Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 19, 2023
Children participate in Little Feet Meets at Matoaca High School in Chesterfield, VA on April 19, 2023. A total of 1,400 Special Olympic athletes from grades PK-5 throughout Chesterfield County Public Schools competed in Little Feet Meets between two dates, April 12 at James River High and April 19 at Matoaca High. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 20, 2023
Mike Blau, center, a line cook, and others work on preparing a soft opening of The Veil's new taproom, located in Scott’s Addition at 1509 Belleville St., on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 21, 2023
(From left) VCU sophomore Caroline May, of Pittsburgh, PA, and senior Lee Finch, of Norfolk, VA carry a coffin with a blow-up Earth ball during a VCU Student Climate Protest in Richmond, VA on April 21, 2023. The small crowd walked from the James Branch Cabell Library, though Monroe Park, to the office of VCU President Michael Rao in a mock funeral procession. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 22, 2023
Anthony Clary gestures as he runs through confetti during the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k on Saturday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
April 23, 2023
A volunteer picks up an old wooden palate and brings it to a trash pile during Friends of Fonticello Park's community cleanup on Sunday.
Sean Jones, Times-Dispatch
April 24, 2023
Kay Ford spends time with her cat, Patches, at her home in Mechanicsville, VA., on Monday, April 24, 2023. Ford recently adopted Patches, a 40-pound cat, from Richmond Animal Care and Control. The story of Patches went viral after RACC publicized the cat.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 25, 2023
Emily Cover, a project manager with DPR Construction, is shown at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, left top, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. DPR is the team that built the hospital.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 26, 2023
Guests tour the Anthropology Lab at the new College of Humanities and Sciences STEM building on West Franklin Street in Richmond, VA on April 26, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 27, 2023
Police tape marks the scene outside George Wythe High School.
ANNA BRYSON/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 28, 2023
Sculptor Kate Raudenbush takes in her finished piece "Breaking Point" in the Flagler Garden Near the Monet Bridge at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on April 28, 2023. The garden is set to debut "Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture" on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Incanto features five designed, allegorical sculptures, accompanied by poetry, throughout the garden. The exhibition is the work of Raudenbush and poet Sha Michele. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 29, 2023
Pharrell Williams performs during the Pharrell's Phriends set at Something in the Water in Virginia Beach on Saturday.
Kendall Warner
May 1, 2023
A man carries a piece of furniture through a neighborhood in Virginia Beach, Va. on Monday May 1, 2023. The City of Virginia Beach declared a state of emergency after a tornado moved through the area and damaged dozens of homes, downed trees and caused gas leaks. (AP Photo/Ben Finley)
Ben Finley
May 2, 2023
Sports Backers Stadium is shown next to The Diamond in this drone photo, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 3, 2023
CAL CARY, THE DAILY PROGRESS UVa cheerleader, Madison DeLoach, in front of other UVa cheerleaders tour the The Avelo Airlines Boeing 737 after landing at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport coming from Orlando on May 3, 2023. Avelo Airlines launched its first Charlottesville to Orlando flight line at the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport on May 3, 2023. The inaugural event consisted of a returning flight from Orlando to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, a firetruck water salute upon arrival and a tour of the airplane.
Cal Cary
May 4, 2023
(From left) Maryann Macomber, of Mechanicsville, VA, leads a small group prayer with Gloria Randolph, of Richmond, VA, Randolph's great-grandson Xavier Jones, also of Richmond, and John Macomber, of Mechanicsville, during a National Day of Prayer event at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square in Richmond, VA on May 4, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 5, 2023
Steffiun Stanley preps dishes at Birdie's in Richmond, VA on May 5, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 6, 2023
People at the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival sit on the grass and enjoy the weather on Brown’s Island on Saturday.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 7, 2023
Arts in the Park saw thousands pass through Byrd Park over the weekend. The festival is sponsored by the Carilion Civic Association.
Charlotte Rene Woods, Times-Dispatch
May 8, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin shares a quiet moment with Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm on Monday afternoon before ceremonially signing a bill that adds a definition of antisemitism to Virginia law.
David Ress, Times-Dispatch
May 9, 2023
The Molcajete Sinaloa at Mariscos Mazatlan in Henrico, VA on May 9, 2023. Mariscos Mazatlan focuses on traditional Mexican cuisine from the city of Mazatlan and all along the Mexican coast. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 10, 2023
A goose, seen here on May 10, 2023, has built a nest in a median of the parking lot near Dilliards at Short Pump Town Center. The mall has put out orange cones to keep cars away and Jerome Golfman, assistant manager at Fink's Jewelers, said he regularly brings it water, cracked corn and other grains.
Eva Russo, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 11, 2023
Mary Finley-Brook, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Richmond and an expert on American gas infrastructure, says repairing the pipes no longer makes sense as gas prices continue to rise.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 12, 2023
(From left) Sam Amoaka, a freshman at Virginia State University, helps his girlfriend, Tamia Charles, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, move out of her dorm along with her dad, Thomas Charles, of Fredericksburg, VA, in downtown Richmond, VA on May 12, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 13, 2023
Virginia’s Thomas McConvey (left) defends the ball from Richmond’s Jake Kapp during an NCAA Tournament game at Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville on Saturday.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 14, 2023
University of Richmond outfielder Christian Beal made a catch on the run during the Friday game of Spiders-VCU series at The Diamond.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 15, 2023
The flags at Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission building are flown at half-staff on Monday. Governor Youngkin announced that flags would fly half-staff in honor of Peace Officers' Remembrance Day.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 16, 2023
Ukrop's crumb cake has been picked up by Kroger and is being sold nationwide. Here, fresh cinnamon crumb cakes are packaged at the Ukrop's bakery in Richmond, VA on May 16, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 17, 2023
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney officially proclaims May as Jewish American Heritage Month during a celebration held in collaboration with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) at Richmond City Hall in Richmond, VA on May 17, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo | https://richmond.com/business/local/minnesota-gets-60-5m-in-settlement-with-tobacco-giant-altria-e-cigarette-maker-juul/article_f36b9fee-f4f6-11ed-83cc-9bdd29a0b485.html | 2023-05-17T22:51:07 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/local/minnesota-gets-60-5m-in-settlement-with-tobacco-giant-altria-e-cigarette-maker-juul/article_f36b9fee-f4f6-11ed-83cc-9bdd29a0b485.html |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The City of Birmingham is partnering with several organizations to recognize a Mental Health Day that is free for the public to attend.
Nurture of Alabama, BWell Bham and other partners participate in the event Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Linn Park in recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month.
Free mental health resources and a licensed professional counselor providing depression screenings will be provided for the public. There will also be food trucks starting at 11 a.m., giveaways and more. The main stage will feature speakers, low-impact exercises and the Sixth Avenue Sliders, a line dance and fitness ministry.
“Even though we are highlighting the importance of mental health in May, I want to stress that mental health is something that should be discussed throughout the year,” Mayor Randall L. Woodfin stated in a press release. “I encourage people to use this event to learn more about mental health and self care, have conversations with loved ones, connect with experts and help reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues.”
Read more below on which groups will be featured on the main stage:
10:10 a.m. – Why Mental Health Matters in the Spiritual Community with the Rev. Ken Gordan
10:25 a.m. – Recognizing Addiction and the Recent Fentanyl Crisis with Maggie Banger
10:40 a.m. – How to Deal with Adverse Childhood Trauma with Dr. Larrell L. Wilkinson
11 a.m. – Fun Low-Impact Exercises with Christine Law
12:25 p.m. – Male Mental Health and the Traditional Stigma with Jonathan R. Borden
12:40 p.m. – Conflict Resolution with Earnest Brown
1 p.m. – Performance by the Sixth Avenue Sliders | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/city-of-birmingham-to-host-mental-health-day-at-linn-park/ | 2023-05-17T22:54:18 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/city-of-birmingham-to-host-mental-health-day-at-linn-park/ |
A South Jersey mom who was reported missing on Mother’s Day was found dead in North Jersey, investigators said.
On May 14, Jersey City Police received a missing person report for 32-year-old Norelis Mendoza of Lindenwold. Mendoza was last seen in Jersey City on May 13, investigators said.
On Wednesday, investigators found Mendoza’s body off of Route 440 near the border of Jersey City and Bayonne, New Jersey. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Mendoza had two children.
Investigators consider her death suspicious. They have not yet determined a cause or manner of death.
Get Philly local news, weather forecasts, sports and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Philadelphia newsletters.
If you have any information on Mendoza’s death, please call the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip on their website.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/missing-nj-mom-found-dead-officials-say/3568714/ | 2023-05-17T22:58:29 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/missing-nj-mom-found-dead-officials-say/3568714/ |
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)- The Bristol Virginia School Board asked the city on Monday night for an extra million dollars in funding on top of the school district’s usual budget amount.
The reason for the additional amount is to allow teachers and staff to get a pay raise, school leaders told News Channel 11. The Bristol Virginia City Council discussed the matter Tuesday and said the school system might only receive $500,000 because of other expenses, such as the Bristol Landfill.
Vice Chair of the Bristol Virginia School Board Breanne Forbes-Hubbard said they want all their staff to receive the raise.
“Most of it is going to salary increases that are required by the state,” said Forbes-Hubbard. “We want to be able to match that and bring the rest of our staff along.”
But without the extra funding, that might not be a plausible move for Bristol Virginia Public Schools (BVPS).
“If we don’t have extra funding above that required local minimum, that means we could only technically give raises to about half of our staff,” said Forbes-Hubbard. “Which as you can imagine, is not something that anyone wants to do.”
Bristol, Virginia Mayor Neal Osborne said they do not want to burden taxpayers.
“The difference in the $500,000 was ‘do we charge citizens $72 for trash pick up every month or do we charge them $60 for trash pickup?'”
The city council said it supports staff raises but simply cannot make it work for the $1 million.
“I believe a lot of people are getting pay raises,” said Osborne. “They’ll get that additional $500,000 from us, and then they’re looking at an alternative funding method to use one-time lottery and extra funds.”
Forbes-Hubbard said BVPS wanted to plan ahead.
“We wanted to make sure, first of all, that the amount we’re getting from the city doesn’t fall below that required local match,” said Forbes-Hubbard. “Because then you’re in a position of having to pay back the state, and nobody wants to have to do that.”
Osborne said with the extra funding, the school board should be in a good position to work this fiscal year.
“They’re in a good position from a city standpoint,” said Osborne. “And they’ll have that additional $500,000 from the lottery and the federal funds that they have access to now.”
Although the Bristol Virginia School Board might not receive the $1 million it sought from the city, Forbes-Hubbard said they understand the council’s decision.
The $500,000 in extra funding has not been finalized but the Bristol Virginia City Council will meet again on Tuesday to finalize the decision. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/city-council-unlikely-to-assign-1m-for-bristol-va-schools-pay-raises/ | 2023-05-17T23:00:06 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/city-council-unlikely-to-assign-1m-for-bristol-va-schools-pay-raises/ |
PENNINGTON GAP, Va. (WJHL) – Tuesday evening’s storm system battered parts of Lee County, which were under a tornado warning at the time.
Trees were down across the Pennington Gap, Woodway and Ben Hur communities. Elk Knob Elementary School and the Westgate Mini Mall in Pennington Gap sustained considerable wind damage.
Larry Warner owns Warner Tobacco Outlet in the mini-mall. He was at the store when the storm rolled in, holding the front door shut as wind threatened to pull it open.
“I was actually expecting the building to go down because I’ve never seen wind like that,” Warner said.
The other side of Warner’s building received far worse damage. Warner said metal was ripped off and the mini mall’s concrete-anchored sign was blown over.
“I was here just watching things fly away,” Warner said. “There was an electrical sign up on that side of the building. I don’t know where it ended up… maybe in Wise County.”
Several structures at the Pennington Gap Farmer’s Market were also seen toppled over.
South of town in Woodway, Lee County Schools Superintendent Brian Dean said Elk Knob Elementary School was forced to cancel school Wednesday and Thursday due to wind damage.
Students were thankfully out of the building by the time the storm rolled in.
“We realized part of the roof had been blown back,” Dean said. “It picked up some of the solar panels that were there and pushed them on the other part of the system.”
The solar panels, awarded as part of a renewable energy grant, had only been in use for a couple of months.
Dean says it’s unclear whether they are salvageable or will need to be replaced.
Roofing crews were working to fix the damage to the school’s exterior. Teachers and staff were hard at work inside making sure the school is dry.
“We’ve had water inside, so we had some windows that were blown out,” Dean said. “We had some windows that were blown open, so we’re trying to mitigate that at this time.”
If all goes well with repairs, Dean said students could be back at Elk Knob as soon as Friday.
School was out district-wide Wednesday as multiple schools were without power. All schools except Elk Knob will be back in class Thursday.
It was also a busy 24 hours for emergency crews, tree cutters and local power companies.
Wind and tree damage left hundreds of Lee County Old Dominion Power customers with power outages.
“We’ve had trees down, power lines down, transformers blowing, things of that nature,” said Lee County Emergency Services Coordinator Billie Coleman. “We did have a couple of reports of trees on houses, three or four. No injuries in those cases thankfully.”
The storm knocked the county 911 system offline for some time. Calls had to be directed to neighboring counties, then sent back to Lee County first responders.
“We were working off mobile radios and cell phones in order to get response out to the citizens,” Coleman said. “That lasted for no longer than three hours, so we are back and operable.”
No injuries have been reported in Lee County as a result of the storm surge.
“I’ve just never experienced anything like that, and hope I don’t again,” Warner said.
Coleman said crews should have most of the power back on by Wednesday night. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/lee-co-elementary-school-strip-mall-damaged-in-tuesday-storm/ | 2023-05-17T23:00:12 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/lee-co-elementary-school-strip-mall-damaged-in-tuesday-storm/ |
MARCO ISLAND, Fla. — On Tuesday, Ahtna Marine and Construction, the City’s contractor working on the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island restoration project, drove an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) over a marked potential sea turtle nest.
City officials were alerted at approximately 8:00 am on May 16th and immediately issued a stop work order for all construction work at this location. While the work ceased, a damage assessment was done at the nesting area, and the contractor developed an adaptive management plan for all future work.
Construction work resumed at approximately 3:00 pm after a meeting between the contractor, City officials, County officials, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
All stakeholders agreed that the best next steps are to finish the project with increased oversight and complete the work as quickly as possible.
Project manager Mohamed Dabees, Humiston & Moore Engineers, said this incident was human error and they are using it as a chance to reevaluate their final days of work.
“We understand the concerns and the sensitivity to the community of the construction during nesting season and we are operating with authorizations that were provided for this large-scale project,” said Dabees.
Cindy Johnson, a volunteer with Turtle Time said disrupting a nest is unfortunate because it’s preventable. She said the incident raises a lot of concerns.
“I don’t know why they were working at night,“ said Johnson. “That’s surprising to me.”
Dabees said they were working around the clock to complete the project before the peak of nesting season. Since the incident, the city said they stopped working after sunset, but Dabees said they will reevaluate that with the proper agencies if they feel like they need the extra hours to hit its deadline.
Daytime operations will continue after receiving clearance each day from the County’s sea turtle monitors. Equipment and obstructions must be removed at the end of each day to facilitate nesting.
Additionally, the driver of the ATV was relieved of his duties following the incident. Finally, the nesting area that the ATV struck had been cordoned off by the Collier County sea turtle monitoring team and identified as a “potential nest.”
The monitoring team had conducted hand digging to identify the presence of eggs, and no eggs were seen; however, the area was cordoned off to alert the work crew of a potential nesting site.
FWC is investigating this incident. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/05/16/marco-islands-construction-modified-due-to-turtle-nest-hit/ | 2023-05-17T23:06:44 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/05/16/marco-islands-construction-modified-due-to-turtle-nest-hit/ |
Reedy River Wetlands Preserve now open at Greenville's Unity Park. Here's what to know.
Four acres of urban wetlands in Unity Park are now open to visitors in the the Reedy River Wetlands Preserve.
The preserve includes an outdoor classroom space, overlooks and a series of low-impact, ADA-accessible boardwalks offering vantage points to observe and learn about native species and wildlife. MKSK Studios designed the preserve and Harper General Contractors built it.
The wetlands area along the northern perimeter of the 60-acre park marks the original path of the Reedy River before it was diverted in a 1933 Depression-era project by city engineers and the federal Works Progress Administration, according to a previous city press release.
The restoration of the wetlands included the removal of invasive plant species as well as ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer, a wood-boring beetle that has killed millions of ash trees in North America, according to a press release from The Hughes Agency. In their place, workers placed at least 100 native trees and more than 200 native shrubs to promote sustainability.
Looking ahead:What's next for Unity Park in Greenville?
Reedy River Wetlands Preserve to feature outdoor classroom
BMW Manufacturing donated $1.25 million for the restoration project, in addition to a $500,000 grant from Duke Energy and $100,000 from the C. Dan Joyner Family.
Mayor Knox White said the fundraising "wasn't a hard sell."
"It's all about people," White said. "The tremendous diversity in the park, embraced by people — embrace of the message of unity and embrace of the beautiful spaces."
Manufactured by The Heirloom Companies of Greenville, the Duke Energy Outdoor Classroom is made up of 72 pieces of wood and twisted steel overlooking one of the wetland's vernal pools.
The classroom will be used to educate people about wetlands' environmental contributions and the purpose of their preservation. The C. Dan Joyner family funded one of three overlooks where visitors can learn about the native species and wildlife living in the wetlands ecosystem.
Duke Energy president Michael Callahan said it was important for companies like Duke to work alongside the communities they serve.
"As the son of public schoolteachers, that's why I was so excited that Duke Energy was able to provide the funding for this incredible classroom," Callahan said. "This is a unique facility that will educate the public about the wetlands and the important environmental contribution of wetlands and the need to preserve them. Public-private partnerships are critical to the success of projects like this, and I'm excited that Duke Energy stands alongside great organizations like BMW and C. Dan Joyner Company to bring this wetlands project to the people of Greenville."
"When we last came together and announced our donation of $1.25 million to restore and to preserve these wetlands, I pointed out that sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy," said Robert Engelhorn, president of BMW Manufacturing Company. "So today, it is truly great to see this ambition come to life."
Here's what to know about Unity Park's progress
The wetlands are the latest phase of park amenities to open this year. Unity Park is a public-private project on the west side of Greenville that includes the protection and enhancement of the Reedy River and restoration of historic Mayberry Park, along with new playgrounds, walking paths, basketball courts and more.
BMW Manufacturing's significant donation joins other corporate heavy hitters like Prisma Health and Michelin, who also gave $1 million to the park, and Duke Energy and Auro Hotels, who each gave $500,000 in 2019.
Greenville philanthropists and entrepreneurs Thomas and Vivian A. Wong also donated $1 million in December to build the Honor Tower, marking a major milestone for that project.
Rising 125 feet above the Reedy River, the Honor Tower will pay homage to law enforcement, firefighters, veterans, utility crews, EMS and public health workers. The structure will have an observation deck offering panoramic views of Greenville, as well as a plaza at the base of the tower for public ceremonies, memorials and tributes to veterans and first responders.
To fund the tower, the city will use $3.5 million in local accommodations tax, $1 million in hospitality tax and $1 million in "leftovers" from Unity Park's first construction phase budget — also primarily hospitality tax money. The Hughes Agency has raised the remainder of the funds in private donations to cover the total $11 million cost. The city plans to break ground on the project this year.
Also in the works is a new Mayberry Field, where Black residents held baseball games during Greenville's segregation. The city will build a new field for Little League baseball with contributions from Greenville Drive owner Craig Brown and his wife, Vicki, who pledged $500,000 for the project in 2019. The city will also plant gardens in the park sponsored by donors Billy and Teresa Webster.
Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporter for The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her on Twitter@maconatkinson. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/greenville/downtown/2023/05/17/wetlands-preserve-now-open-to-the-public-in-greenville-sc-unity-park-reedy-river/70227454007/ | 2023-05-17T23:08:53 | 0 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/greenville/downtown/2023/05/17/wetlands-preserve-now-open-to-the-public-in-greenville-sc-unity-park-reedy-river/70227454007/ |
Sons of Maricopa 'Youtube Mom' charged with sexual misconduct with minors
Two sons of a Maricopa "Youtube Mom," who was indicted on child abuse charges, have themselves been charged with sexual misconduct with minors.An indictment from February in Maricopa County Superior Court accuses Logan and Ryan Hackney of several counts of sexual misconduct with minors.
Attorneys for the Hackneys did not respond to a request for comment.
The Hackneys are the adult sons of Machelle Hobson, She was arrested in 2019 and accused of beating and starving seven adopted children who she forced to produce popular YouTube videos in their Pinal County home in the city of Maricopa.
Police said the children were pepper-sprayed in the face, beaten or locked in a closet for days on end without food or bathroom breaks for forgetting a line in their video script or for not following directions.
The case gained international media attention. Hobson's Fantastic Adventures channel on YouTube attracted 800,000 subscribers and nearly 350 million page views, earning her tens of thousands of dollars.
Pinal County prosecutors charged Hobson with 30 felony counts of child abuse and kidnapping involving five of her adopted or fostered children.
She pled not guilty, but while in Pinal County's custody suffered a non-traumatic brain injury, was declared mentally incompetent to stand trial and died in hospital six months later.
Her sons were never charged in connection with the abuse allegations. They were arrested, but released without charges, after police suspected them of failing to report the alleged abuse of their adopted and fostered half-siblings. It's unclear if the February indictments from a Maricopa County Grand Jury are connected to the Fantastic Adventures case, because many of the details in the new cases are sealed.
The Pinal County Attorney's Office declined to comment on the new charges.
Maricopa County Attorney Chief of Staff Jennifer Liewer said, "There is not a statute of limitation on sex abuse crimes and our office will seek indictments on crimes, when there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction, regardless of when an incident occurs."
"Because this is a pending case, we can’t provide further comment," she added.
Logan Hackney, 31, faces four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. Three of the counts are class two felonies, and one is a class six felony.
Arizona law ranks felonies from class one, the most serious, to class six.
The indictment alleges Logan Hackney engaged in sexual intercourse and had sexual contact with two minors under the age of 15 during different time periods ranging from June 2008 to June 2013.At an arraignment on May 5, Logan Hackney pled not guilty to the charges. A date has been preliminarily set for August 31 to assign a trial date. Hackney was offered a $20,000 bond but has not paid and is still in MCSO custody.A separate indictment from February charges his brother Ryan Hackney, 29, with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. Both counts are class two felonies. The indictment alleges Ryan Hackney engaged in sexual intercourse or contact with one victim under the age of 15. The time span of the alleged conduct is on or between August 1, 2011 and March 1, 2012.
The charges were first reported by ABC15 news.He pled not guilty on March 24. Hackney's trial date is, for now, has been scheduled to be assigned on August 17.Hackney paid a $25,000 bond and was released but is under electronic monitoring. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/17/sons-of-youtube-mom-charged-with-sexual-misconduct-felonies/70225835007/ | 2023-05-17T23:09:01 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/17/sons-of-youtube-mom-charged-with-sexual-misconduct-felonies/70225835007/ |
Mother, boyfriend arrested in murder of 2-year-old child
Glendale police announced the arrest of a mother and her boyfriend following the death of her 2-year-old child.
According to police, at about 10 a.m. on May 16, police responded to the area of the 6000 block of West Golden Lane for reports of a sick or injured child.
Police said the mother's boyfriend, 20-year-old Johnny Brazell II, made the call, stating that his 2-year-old stepson, Braxton Lopez, was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Brazell said that Braxton had been attacked by a dog earlier in the morning, resulting in a gash and bump on his head.
Glendale fire crews responded and provided lifesaving measures, but Braxton was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
According to court documents, the mother, 20-year-old Leilah Lopez, told hospital staff that Brazell and her, along with their other children, had been on a walk earlier in the day when they were approached by a pitbull who attacked Braxton.
Court documents state that no bite marks were observed on Braxton or any other injuries consistent with a dog attack.
Brazell told officers a similar story.
Court documents state that Brazell said the family had been on a walk earlier in the morning when a pitbull came up and knocked Braxton down, but did not bite him.
Brazell also told officers that after the attack, he had to take their infant son to a doctor's visit and while away, received a call from Lopez saying Braxton was not breathing.
Treating physicians as well as officers observed "numerous bruises of varying sizes and colors across the entirety of the child's body, to include swelling and bruising to his eyes, head and a significant skull fracture," according to the statement.
Ultimately, the injuries were determined to be consistent with child abuse, police said.
Both Brazell and Lopez were brought in for interviews, in which police said the couple shared inconsistent stories about the alleged dog attack.
According to court documents, Brazell provided detectives with a "detailed path of travel" for their early morning walk when Braxton was attacked, taking place in a different location than Lopez had stated. Brazell, however, was still unable to get his story straight whether Braxton had fallen back and hit his head or not, according to police.
Court documents state that Brazell told officers he had to carry Braxton home as on the way back, he had stopped, which Brazell attributed to a head injury.
Once home, Brazell prepared to take their other child to a doctor's appointment, where he received the call from Lopez stating Braxton's worsening condition.
With contradicting stories and locations, police opted to look at video footage of where Brazell had said the attack took place.
Court documents state that there was no indication that this incident had ever occurred.
Through further investigation, Brazell allowed detectives to view his call log over the time of the reported events.
Brazell's call log would show that he never received a call from Lopez, instead placing outgoing calls to her around the time he claimed to be at the doctor, court documents state.
When confronted, Brazell ultimately admitted to killing the child, police said.
"In the morning (May 16), Braxton was trying to take down a blanket that was covering a window and Brazell came into the room and punished him for doing so," Glendale police spokesperson Officer Gina Winn told reporters at a briefing on Wednesday.
According to the police statement, Brazell told officers he had hit the child multiple times with a leather belt while dangling him in the air by his leg. Additionally, Brazell said he had dropped him on his head onto the hardwood floor and swung the boy's body into objects inside the room, striking the child's head against some furniture.
"Brazell told Lopez what occurred and left the residence to bring another child to a medical appointment," Winn told reporters. "Braxton was then left in the care of his mother, who is there to protect him, and she did not. Instead, she noticed that he had shallow breathing and was struggling to get breaths and decided to give him a bath and then laid him down for a nap."
Police said that Brazell and Lopez failed to call 911 when the child sustained visible injuries and shallow breathing, waiting to call after he was no longer breathing as well as agreeing to lie to police, paramedics and the hospital about the incident.
"Following Brazell and Lopez's interviews, the two were placed into an interview room together. During this time, Brazell was overheard telling Lopez that he killed the victim. Brazell also said something to the effect of; 'The story didn't work,'" court documents state.
Winn told reporters on Wednesday that there were two other children in the home at the time, Lopez and Brazell's 2-week-old newborn, as well as Brazell's own 2-year-old child. Neither child had any reported injuries and has since been taken into custody by the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Brazell and Lopez were later booked into jail and are facing charges of first-degree murder and child abuse.
No other information had been released. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-breaking/2023/05/17/woman-boyfriend-arrested-murder-2-year-old/70228577007/ | 2023-05-17T23:09:07 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-breaking/2023/05/17/woman-boyfriend-arrested-murder-2-year-old/70228577007/ |
Man arrested in north Phoenix deadly stabbing
Police arrested a man on Wednesday in connection to a fatal stabbing that took place Tuesday afternoon in north Phoenix.
Officers responded to a home near 19th Avenue and Greenway Road around 4 p.m. Tuesday, where they found three adults with stabbing injuries.
Arturo Cabrera-Garcia, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene.
An unidentified woman was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, while another man, identified as Ulises Alexander Garcia-Garcia, 32, was treated on scene by the Phoenix Fire Department.
According to Phoenix police, the investigation established a probable cause to take Garcia-Garcia into custody on Wednesday morning on multiple charges, including murder.
The investigation and details regarding the case were still ongoing, police said. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/17/north-phoenix-stabber-identified-and-arrested-1-victim-identified/70229364007/ | 2023-05-17T23:09:13 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/17/north-phoenix-stabber-identified-and-arrested-1-victim-identified/70229364007/ |
In September of 2022 Officer William Preuss responded to a disturbance call in the Village of Canastota. Officer Preuss approached a disorderly man, trying to understand his situation, but the man quickly became violent and attacked the Officer. The man punched Officer Preuss several times, blinding him in one eye. At the same time he was trying to take the Officers gun.
"He was able to take my Taser off of my belt, and he was actually using…attempting to use it."
The altercation happened in a parking lot at the corner of Canal and Main Streets, just a few blocks from the police station, but it required another Police Officer before the man could be subdued.
"One of the Investigators from Madison County Sheriff’s Office was the next law enforcement to get there. He deployed his Taser, which incapacitated him, and we were able to between the 2 of us we were able to put him in handcuffs."
25 year-old Richard Branch Jr. of Canastota, the man who assaulted Officer Preuss, pled guilty to Robbery in the 1st Degree, and will spend the next 20 years in State Prison. Officer Preuss has undergone three operations, and has to treat his eye 4 times a day. He says the situation ended well, as no one else was injured or killed, but his eye recovery is far from over.
"They did a surgery in January where they reattached the retina. They removed any blood that was still in the eye. They put a buckle around the eye which helped secure everything. There’s silicone that was put in the eye to maintain the shape, and I’m waiting for another surgery where they’re going to replace the lens in that eye."
Doctors aren’t sure if he’ll ever regain full vision, but Officer Preuss is keeping a positive attitude.
"Hopefully I’ll regain enough vision to come back to full duty, which is my ultimate goal."
Officer Preuss is now assigned to light duty as he finishes up his 11th year with Canastota Police Department. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/canastota-police-officer-returns-to-duty/article_8c19e45e-f4f1-11ed-b379-63033c71c509.html | 2023-05-17T23:09:34 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/canastota-police-officer-returns-to-duty/article_8c19e45e-f4f1-11ed-b379-63033c71c509.html |
MULBERRY, Fla. — Bartow High School senior Karissa Rutherford was on her way to school early Tuesday morning on May 9, two weeks away from graduation, when she was involved in a deadly car crash.
The crash left her seriously injured and her car totaled.
"I'm just here. I just genuinely exist," said Karissa, when asked about how she was holding up following the crash.
The teen is back home now after spending two days at Tampa General Hospital, where she received treatment for several broken bones.
In the aftermath, she is stoic.
"I don't really think about it too much, it's just kind of something that happened," Karissa said.
However, her father, Christopher Rutherford won't forget the scene of the crash any time soon, or how much worse it could have been for his daughter.
"It was bad, but she was breathing," Christopher said. "You take good days and bad days and I guess what I mean by that is I got better news and two other parents."
Now, with a broken leg in a boot and crutches on hand, Karissa is looking forward to the future. She plans to cross the graduation stage next week with some help from her twin brother, Chris.
"My brother is supposed to put me in a wheelchair to get up on the stage and then I'll walk across," Karissa explained.
In doing so, she is fulfilling a promise to her late Grandmother Donna.
"She made a promise four years ago to her grandmother. She's going to cross the stage," her father, Christopher, said. "Her grandmother passed and that was the last thing she said, 'I wish I could be there to see it.'"
Karissa said she saved money for three years in order to buy her truck, which was totaled in the crash.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay medical bills and get Karissa a new truck. If you'd like to help the family, click here. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/high-school-senior-mulberry-crash-walk-graduation-ceremony/67-552e4061-9fd5-4c86-8ec4-7f9963e48802 | 2023-05-17T23:18:59 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/high-school-senior-mulberry-crash-walk-graduation-ceremony/67-552e4061-9fd5-4c86-8ec4-7f9963e48802 |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — Volunteers smoked marijuana in front Baltimore County Police officers Wednesday. It's part of their "green lab" that trains officers on how to recognize drivers under the influence of cannabis.
With the legalization of recreational marijuana July 1, the department wants officers to be prepared for impaired drivers.
Medical marijuana users volunteered to get high and then assessed by Baltimore County Police Officers. Not the usual day on the job.
It's part of the cannabis impaired driving lab--training officers on signs, symptoms, and behavior when someone has smoked pot and decided to get behind the wheel.
"We can't just go on the 'I smell marijuana, so they must be impaired' theory anymore, we need to evaluate folks and really be fair about determining whether they are impaired or not,” Jeff Schaub, police officer with Baltimore County DUI Task Force.
Volunteers arrived at the Chesapeake Region Safety Council, where their vitals were checked and then it was time to get down to business. Filling the table with their own smoke supplies.
Mack Dawson has volunteered four times for the training. He says he hopes to provide a better understanding between officers and users, improving their relationship.
"Bridging the gap of communication with this is what this medicine can do for me and this is what someone looks like if someone has impairment and this is what it looks like someone who is just not on the right path,” said Mack Dawson, who volunteered for the “green lab.”
After two and half hours of smoking their own medical marijuana, the volunteers then stepped outside for a sobriety test from the Baltimore County Police Department.
"The main thing that we teach at Baltimore County and really every county is the walk and turn and one leg stand test,” said Schaub.
Then volunteers hopped on their phone for a druid test. An app that tests cognitive and motor skills, scoring the level of impairment.
"They did use their own phone, they downloaded the app so they achieved their baseline beforehand so after when the officers talk to them they are also going to take a druid test and it will give them their score,” said Chris Bensley, COO for Impairment Science.
Before the volunteers were transferred home, results were shared between the volunteers and different departments. The Baltimore County Police Department hosts this lab six times a year. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-county-police-train-to-detect-when-a-driver-is-high | 2023-05-17T23:34:49 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-county-police-train-to-detect-when-a-driver-is-high |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — Firefighters across the state and the Maryland National Guard performed their annual training to help with rescues during natural disasters.
During the training WMAR-2 News trailed along while both organizations demonstrated what it takes to safely perform a water rescue.
Maryland’s Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) takes a collaboration between fire fighters across Maryland like Micheal Szczesniakowski, who’s a lieutenant Baltimore County Fire Department, and Will Tobin who’s a Chief Warrant Officer III with Maryland National Guardsman, to safely rescue someone from the water in the event of a hurricane or natural disaster.
“We are surrounded by water, the state of Maryland has a tremendous amount of water bay estuaries ocean this can happen anytime. Anytime a hurricane coming up the Chesapeake Bay could basically require the skills that we’re training on currently,” Szczesniakowski said.
“We have a yearly training schedule that we execute for the HART program, the Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team. Any swift water event that required a hoist and then a rescue technician that’s where we would come in,” Tobin said.
Tobin told WMAR-2 News what’s going through his mind while flying out there training for an exercise like this.
“A priority for us the air crew is getting the rescuer to the victim safely, getting through that evolution safely, and then recovering, and back to start over," Tobin said.
How the training works is both organizations brief their teams with the plan before demonstrating.
“We start with three victims in the water, three rescuers in the helicopter, and from there it’s we’re simulating, responding to the scene,” Tobin said.
Once they identify victims they go into the actual hoist iteration.
“Where from 100 feet we have a rescuer in the hook flying him into the water getting him hooked up with a survivor, and then from there, recovering him safely back into the aircraft,” Tobin said.
He also mentioned some of the most critical factors to consider during a real incident.
“As aviators where is the wind, how much fuel do we have, and how long is it going to take,” Tobin asked.
They haven’t had to apply this training here in Maryland yet but, it hasn’t stopped them from helping our neighboring states.
“We’ve deployed to South Carolina, I believe twice for hurricane response for emergency activations,” Tobin said.
Organizers said with this practice, in the event Marylanders need the skill set, these rescuers are more than prepared.
“These are skills that are perishable if you don’t use them often and it’s a good teamwork,” Szczesniakowski said. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/first-responders-train-for-worst-case-scenarios-in-event-of-water-rescue | 2023-05-17T23:34:55 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/first-responders-train-for-worst-case-scenarios-in-event-of-water-rescue |
DULUTH — A man was walking home when he was struck by a stray bullet fired by an assailant who he did not know, according to charges filed this week.
Authorities said Mikiyel Deshone Patton, 36, of Minneapolis, was firing at another man when he instead struck Timothy Stauffenecker, 59, a pedestrian on the other side of the street. The victim reportedly took himself to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, which included a bullet fragment that remains in his shoulder.
Patton allegedly changed clothes and swapped vehicles before fleeing the area to the Twin Cities, where he was arrested Tuesday. He is facing three felony counts and will likely make his first appearance Thursday in State District Court.
According to court documents:
The shooting was reported on the 100 block of East Third Street around 2:15 p.m. Saturday. Both the shooter and victim had left the scene by the time officers arrived, but the entire incident was captured on surveillance video.
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The footage reportedly showed Patton and another man, both of whom were known to police, arguing in front of an apartment building. Patton was then seen reaching into a jacket pocket and pulling out an apparent gun, pointing it at the other man's feet. The man could be seen flinching and running away as dirt kicked up from the ground when Patton apparently fired.
A canvass of the area resulted in the recovery of three .45-caliber shell casings and a bullet fragment near an indent in the sidewalk.
The other man, when located by police, recalled being "afraid for his life" as he was only 4-5 feet away from Patton as he fired. That victim, who was not identified in documents, said he had been standing outside when the defendant approached, appearing angry and confronting him.
The man indicated one of the shots landed near his feet, leaving a bullet fragment embedded in his shoe — a fact confirmed by police.
Officers were still searching the area when a dispatcher reported that Stauffenecker had walked into the nearby emergency room at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center. An officer went there and wrote that there was a "large circular hole" in the victim's left bicep.
Stauffenecker told police he was walking east down Third Street when he saw two men arguing on the opposite side. He reported that he stopped near Second Avenue East to type a text message and heard gunshots, then felt a pain in his left arm.
Hospital staff reported that a bullet fragment had traveled to the backside of the Stauffenecker's shoulder blade and could not be removed.
Investigators determined Patton had fled the scene in a truck owned by a 28-year-old Duluth woman. After obtaining a search warrant, they went to her residence and seized at least three firearms and multiple boxes of ammunition, including .45-caliber bullets matching the shell casings recovered on Third Street.
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Surveillance video also showed Patton entering Pier B Resort, 800 W. Railroad St., just before 2:30 p.m., changing clothes and leaving with a duffel bag just 11 minutes later. Investigators indicated he apparently swapped vehicles with another person, heading toward Wisconsin in an SUV.
The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force learned the vehicle was a rental and traced it to Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, requesting the assistance of a Twin Cities law enforcement task force whose officers confirmed the presence of the SUV.
A warrant was issued Monday, and Patton was taken into custody without incident by the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force on Tuesday in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
Patton is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and reckless discharge of a firearm. Records show he was transported Wednesday from Anoka County to the St. Louis County Jail, where he remains without bail ahead of his arraignment.
Authorities described Patton as a "known drug dealer and violent offender in the Duluth area," though he has only one misdemeanor driving case pending in the region. He is also on conditional release for a misdemeanor domestic violence case in Hennepin County.
However, St. Louis County prosecutor Michael Hagley said the defendant has significant history in Illinois, including felony convictions for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance, aggravated vehicle hijacking with a weapon, delivery of 30-500 grams of cannabis and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
"The severity of defendant’s conduct, defendant’s criminal history and defendant’s demonstrated willingness to evade law enforcement and violate terms of pretrial release necessitate a high bail in this matter," Hagley told the court, requesting $125,000 and no referral for supervised release. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/duluth-man-shot-by-stray-bullet-while-walking-home | 2023-05-17T23:36:05 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/duluth-man-shot-by-stray-bullet-while-walking-home |
CLOQUET — Minnesota State officials agreed to posthumously honor the late president of Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College.
The state college system’s board of trustees conferred on Wednesday the title of president emeritus to Stephanie Hammitt, who was the college’s president from 2019 to 2022 and a finance guru there for years beforehand. Hammitt, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, died in November at age 60 after a brief battle with cancer .
Hammitt helped the college implement its first four-year degree program, get its nursing program reaccredited, and was at the forefront of its effort to build a new outdoor classroom. She was also Fond du Lac’s first female president and a staunch promoter of American Indian culture.
“Stephanie was a quiet soul, but there was no doubt of her deep conviction and passionate commitment for her students, her community, and her culture and heritage,” Devinder Malhotra, Minnesota State’s chancellor, is quoted as saying in a Wednesday news release. Malhotra recommended her for the honor.
“She took seriously the responsibility of being a leader in the system and the state regarding enhancing access to post-secondary education for students from native communities and incorporating native issues in our programmatic structures and curricular paradigms,” Malhotra said of Hammitt. “She believed that each and every student that walked the halls of the college deserved the most robust support to achieve their full potential and academic success.”
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An emeritus title is meant to allow someone to retain a title after they have retired. At Minnesota State, it is an honor reserved for people who have served with great distinction, communications staff there said.
The college system’s board of trustees has similarly recognized Larry Anderson, who preceded Hammitt as Fond du Lac’s president. Trustees named him president emeritus of the college in 2019. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/hammitt-posthumously-named-president-emeritus-at-fond-du-lac-tribal-community-college | 2023-05-17T23:36:16 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/hammitt-posthumously-named-president-emeritus-at-fond-du-lac-tribal-community-college |
DULUTH — A bill destined for Gov. Tim Walz’s signature won’t result in cuts at Lake Superior College and would mean a budget surplus at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
Reached last week, Minnesota lawmakers’ $4.2 billion compromise on higher education spending would apportion about $1.87 billion over the next two school years to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
That total includes $75 million, spread across next year and the one after it, to offset an agreed-upon freeze in tuition rates for the approximately 300,000 students who attend the system’s 26 colleges and seven universities, plus $50 million worth of one-time campus support next school year.
At Lake Superior College, it means the school’s budgeted general fund revenue for the 2023-24 school year will rise by about $2 million to $34.5 million, according to Al Finlayson, the college’s vice president of finance and administration.
Of that increase, $700,000 comes from a hike to the school’s basic appropriation via the Minnesota State system, and the remaining $1.3 million comes from the one-time campus support money. The school’s budgeted expenditures, Finlayson said, will rise to $34.5 million as well.
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Baked into those projections is an assumption that salaries at the college will rise by about 4% overall, benefits will rise by about 0.5%, and that enrollment will decline by about 3% to the equivalent of approximately 2,000 full-time students.
Finlayson said the enrollment estimate is deliberately pessimistic, and that recent enrollments suggest it won’t come to pass. Higher education administrators frequently use “full-year equivalent” figures when they put together a budget because that figure more readily accounts for students who are taking partial credit loads than a strict headcount does.
At FDLTCC, the higher ed bill would mean general fund revenue for the coming school year of about $10.4 million, up from about $10 million this year, according to Bret Busakowski, the college’s chief financial officer.
But the college initially expected to spend only about $10.3 million, resulting in an extra $100,000 that school administrators plan to spend in the coming year.
“We got a little more than we expected,” Busakowski said.
That projection assumes that enrollment will increase by about 10% to the equivalent of about 490 full-time students, and that personnel costs will increase by 6% and non-personnel costs, like classroom supplies and utilities, will increase by 10%.
It’s a swing from the school’s earlier projections, which suggested it would need to balance its budget by drawing between $235,000 and $440,000 from the approximately $11 million it has in reserve.
“Overall, this is a really good bill for Minnesota State,” Busakowski said.
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Administrators at the University of Minnesota Duluth said they wouldn’t be available to discuss how the higher ed bill would affect the university’s budget until later this week. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/what-does-a-higher-education-bill-mean-for-northland-colleges | 2023-05-17T23:36:26 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/what-does-a-higher-education-bill-mean-for-northland-colleges |
CLIVE, Iowa — A Supreme Court ruling about pork sales in California is making an impact here in Iowa.
Back in 2018, California passed a law called Proposition 12, which requires pork producers to provide breeding pigs at least 24 square feet of floor space in order to sell in the state.
The Supreme Court upheld the law last week, frustrating many local pork producers.
“While the Constitution addresses many weighty issues, the type of pork chops California merchants may sell is not on that list,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in an opinion for the court.
The National Pork Producers Council argued to the Supreme Court that Prop 12 places an undue burden on them, since California imports far more pork than it raises itself.
The Supreme Court disagreed.
"The court looked at this and said, 'you know, we've seen other examples of this. There's no discriminatory sort of intent or impact, because it applies evenly across any pork producer that's going to sell in the state, in state or out of state,'" said Jennifer Zwagerman, director of Drake University's Agricultural Law Center.
The ruling puts many pork producers in a difficult spot. If they don't update their barns to provide the required living space for pigs—a potentially costly renovation—they're losing out on sales to a state that consumes 13% of the nation's pork.
"Every farm is going to have to have discussions with their packer or whoever is buying the meat off of their farm and see what kind of guidelines or rules those folks are going to put forth onto the farmers that are raising the pigs that go into their supply chain," said Trish Cook, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association.
And the impacts of the Supreme Court's ruling could go far beyond the pig pen. The case centered around questions about what types of restrictions states are able to put on interstate commerce and experts say the ruling could be used to justify laws based more in ethics than economics.
"Can a state ban products that were produced by child labor? Can we do it if it's produced by agricultural workers that we argue don't receive a fair or living wage?" Zwagerman said.
There's at least some Americans celebrating the Prop 12 ruling—animal rights groups. Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, said in a statement that the ruling is "...a loss for hog factory farmers and a win for the vast majority of Americans who want to know that animals raised for food were not immobilized and otherwise tormented in production.” | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/california-proposition-12-supreme-court-pork-sales-iowa-living-space-producers-farmers/524-707d9fd6-b272-4572-9d58-431e08d5ddea | 2023-05-17T23:39:36 | 0 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/california-proposition-12-supreme-court-pork-sales-iowa-living-space-producers-farmers/524-707d9fd6-b272-4572-9d58-431e08d5ddea |
Downed power line closes Hwy 214 near Silverton
Shannon Sollitt
Salem Statesman Journal
A downed utility line has closed a portion of Highway 214 near Silverton Wednesday afternoon, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The road is closed at milepost 39, 2 miles southeast of Silverton, and is expected to be closed till at least 3:30 p.m.
ODOT is asking drivers to use an alternate route or delay plans if possible.
The story will be updated. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/17/or-214-closed-near-silverton/70229493007/ | 2023-05-17T23:48:17 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/17/or-214-closed-near-silverton/70229493007/ |
Housing dominated this week’s meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Commissioners approved a request by DR Horton-Texas for an initial zoning of SF3, Single Family Dwelling District, on 24.897 acres at Potomac Parkway and Victory Parkway for housing development. The acreage, west of the intersection of Avalon and Musial Way, is in the process of being annexed into city limits as well as in the process of being platted.
The request was originally denied in February amid opposition from numerous residents living in the area, citing concerns the area was already densely populated and increased traffic. Some also said they had been promised no more homes would be built when they purchased their property – and some were charged a premium because of that promise.
This new request included a slight increase in acreage to allow for a road connection through to Avalon Drive. Approximately 12 homeowners opposed this request, but commissioners voted their approval.
Commissioners also approved a request by Outkick Investment Partners LLC for a zone change from AE, Agricultural Estates District to MF16, Multiple Family Dwelling District on property at 1201 Occidental Parkway.
Outkick is planning to construct a multi-family housing complex comprised of 334 units. Of those, 196 will be one-bedroom, 114 two-bedroom and 24 three-bedroom apartments. There will also be 62 single-car garages. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/dr-horton-gets-p-z-approval-housing-west-midland-18104575.php | 2023-05-17T23:49:03 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/dr-horton-gets-p-z-approval-housing-west-midland-18104575.php |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The Concho Valley Community Action Agency has been assisting the Wes Texas homeless and low income population since the mid-1900s.
For the past twelve or thirteen years, this non-profit was located in the Cactus Hotel basement in San Angelo.
At the start of 2023, they moved to a brighter, more welcoming area near the center of the city.
"There was really nowhere for us to talk to clients and have that privacy," CVCAA Marketing and Outreach Director Sidney Timmer said. "So we started looking for a new location and ended up here at Concho Suites."
On May 17, the organization celebrated its new building with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 133 W Concho Ave, Suite 301.
San Angelo partners, donors, board of directors and other community members attended the event, which celebrated a more open safe space.
"It takes a lot for someone to come in and ask for help and so having them spill their life story with other ears around is really difficult," Timmer said. "And so we have cubicles where we can really talk to them, really hear their stories, get it all out and then we can see what other ways we can connect them to resources beyond our capacity."
CVCAA assists those in need by providing hygiene kits, utility assistance, weatherization and more.
They work with eleven counties across West Texas including Coke, Concho, and Runnels.
For Timmer, giving clients a sunny space helps make stressors like surveys and paperwork feel like less of a burden.
"As weird as it sounds, I feel like we are removing the stigma of asking for help and being in a very visible, bright location," she said. "It's okay, everyone needs help sometimes and we're very happy to give that hand up to our neighbors."
The CVCAA hopes to continue helping clients for years to come. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/concho-valley-community-action-agency-hosts-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/504-5b43420e-adf5-4ed5-a052-4fdc44f69b2f | 2023-05-17T23:52:01 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/concho-valley-community-action-agency-hosts-ribbon-cutting-ceremony/504-5b43420e-adf5-4ed5-a052-4fdc44f69b2f |
TEXAS, USA — Kevin Von Erich and his two sons -- Ross and Marshall Von Erich -- have confirmed they will all be moving from Hawaii back to the Lone Star State shortly.
While the Von Erichs are household names in North Texas, that's not where they will be moving back to. Marshall Von Erich confirmed in a tweet that the new Von Erich headquarters will be located in Boerne, Texas, which is northwest of San Antonio.
Marshall Von Erich wrote in the tweet it was originally going to be just he and his brother moving to the state, but that they wound up getting a place big enough for all three of them.
Ross and Marshall Von Erich are tag-team wrestlers themselves, most notably working for Major League Wrestling. Relocating from Hawaii to Texas will likely mean an increase in the number of shows they will be wrestling as the cost of travel will be drastically reduced from what it would be flying them from Hawaii to the mainland.
Kevin Von Erich himself will be making his first public appearance in 20 years this September at the Majestic Theatre for a one-man show entitled "Stories from the Top Rope," where he will share stories from his legendary career as a pro wrestler along with his brothers, Kerry and David Von Erich.
The family also has a movie releasing soon about their life story, called "The Iron Claw." Currently in production, the A24 film will chronicle the history of the Von Erich brothers from their triumph to their downfall. Kevin Von Erich will be played by Zac Efron, while his brothers Kerry and David will be played by Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson, respectively. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/kevin-von-erich-two-wrestler-sons-moving-to-texas/287-8bc19adf-0aac-4891-b6b4-971c77fea754 | 2023-05-17T23:52:07 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/kevin-von-erich-two-wrestler-sons-moving-to-texas/287-8bc19adf-0aac-4891-b6b4-971c77fea754 |
It’s back to the drawing board for Tucson Electric Power Co. and its plan to build a new high-voltage transmission line through midtown Tucson, and city efforts to minimize the line’s impact and boost future city climate-action initiatives.
City voters on Tuesday soundly defeated a ballot measure proposing a new, 25-year city franchise agreement with TEP that would have imposed a new monthly fee on city residents to help fund underground installation of the line, as well as future city climate-action programs.
The franchise agreement embodied in Proposition 412 was losing by a margin of about 45 percent to about 55 percent, with 129 or 144 precincts reporting, according to preliminary results released about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday night. A final tally is expected Monday.
The proposed Kino to DeMoss Petrie high-voltage transmission line would run from a substation at South Kino Parkway and East 36th Street, to a new substation on the north edge of the University of Arizona campus to an existing substation near West Grant Road and Interstate 10.
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The city and neighborhood activists want the TEP to install the high-voltage lines underground, but TEP says that would be prohibitively expensive — an estimated 13 times the cost of overhead lines or up to $60 more — and the company wouldn't pay for the difference or seek to increase its state-regulated general rates to pay for the excess cost.
In January, city officials and TEP proposed a new franchise agreement including a fee that would have added an average 93 cents monthly to the TEP bills of home customers in the city limits, on top of a current franchise fee, initially to pay for burying the transmission line but also to fund future city climate-change programs.
TEP plows ahead
TEP said in a prepared statement it was disappointed voters defeated Prop. 412, “as it offered a collaborative response to important energy-related issues.”
“We must now address those issues directly in ways that support affordable, reliable and increasingly sustainable energy for our community,” the company said.
TEP previously had said that if Prop. 412 failed, it would need to spend more than $12 million on stopgap measures to reinforce Midtown’s older, lower-voltage system to help maintain service.
In the near term, TEP will resume development of a new 138-kilovolt transmission line to serve growing energy needs in central Tucson, in consultation with area residents and stakeholders to identify the best route for the line, TEP spokesman Joe Barrios said.
The company says it will restart its review of potential routes for the project through central Tucson.
“Because the line is urgently needed to maintain reliable service, we will seek to complete it by the summer of 2027 — the same timeline we hoped to achieve if Prop 412 had passed,” the company said, adding that more details will be provided soon to area residents.
Reopening debate
Mayor Regina Romero and other city council members said they were disappointed with the election outcome but pledged to continue to work on the TEP line and climate-action issues.
“TEP and the city put together a franchise agreement that tried to be responsive to the different needs our community was asking for, like undergrounding, investing in climate resiliency and creating EV (electric-vehicle) infrastructure in public rights of way,” Romero said in a prepared statement posted online Tuesday night. “I respect the voters' decision not to approve."
Council Member Steve Kozachik said he’s already offered to facilitate a meeting between community members and TEP to start discussing terms of a new deal.
But he said the utility will still be subject to Tucson ordinances that ban overhead power lines in Tucson’s designated scenic and gateway corridors.
As for the climate resiliency measures baked into the agreement, Kozachik said TEP should consider what he sees as a new opportunity with the proposition’s failing “to take a kind of groundbreaking position that is not typical of utilities across the country.”
“This is a $200-plus million corporation,” Kozachik said, referring to TEP’s 2022 profit of about $217 million. “Their shareholders need to understand that communities in which they're operating deserve a much more robust commitment to decarbonization and climate mitigation than simply passing the bill on to ratepayers.”
Timing and optics
But Prop. 412 faced criticism from different opponents for varying reasons.
The Pima County Republican Party said it opposed any funding of the city’s climate-change action measures. Under the proposed franchise agreement, 90% of the money from the new 0.75% "community resilience fee" was earmarked for undergrounding TEP’s proposed transmission line for the first 10 years.
Some environmental activists contended the proposed franchise agreement didn’t go far enough to prompt TEP to move the city grid faster to carbon-free and increasingly cost-effective renewable energy.
Other opponents said TEP shareholders should pick up at least part of the extra cost of undergrounding the new transmission line.
The franchise agreement was likely rejected, Council Member Kevin Dahl said, in part because the city “tried to do too much in having both the undergrounding and climate change on this additional fee.”
Dahl also pointed to “the unfortunate timing" of an unrelated TEP bill increase.
State regulators recently approved a fuel surcharge increase that will cost TEP home customers an average of about $10 per month for a year, while the utility also has a pending general rate request that would raise home rates 12%.
A staunch advocate for climate resiliency measures, Dahl said he was disappointed "but the voters have spoken, and we'll move on.”
Council Member Paul Cunningham agreed the pending TEP rate changes served as "bad optics" but believes new opportunities now exist to reimagine a future franchise agreement.
“I think that we need to distribute the undergrounding money more universally to all areas of Tucson,” he said. “I think that the climate action piece requires that TEP put some actual skin in the game.”
TEP: Need for new line urgent
TEP said the company will continue to operate under its current franchise agreement with the city, which authorizes use of public rights of way for the local energy grid, and will seek a new agreement before the current pact expires in April 2026.
Barrios said TEP also will continue working toward an agreement to supply up to 100% renewable energy for city operations, under a letter of intent unveiled in early May. TEP already has a similar agreement with the UA.
“We remain committed to helping customers achieve their clean energy objectives as we pursue our own plans for a cleaner, greener grid,” the company said.
TEP said the new line is urgently needed to boost capacity to keep up with load growth along the route, which runs astride the University of Arizona campus into the midtown area.
The new franchise agreement was backed business groups including the Tucson Metro Chamber, the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and Sun Corridor Inc.
Other supporters included the Sam Hughes Neighborhood Association; and the steering committee of the Underground Coalition, which includes about a dozen neighborhood associations.
New concepts
Cunningham is interested in a future franchise agreement that would turn TEP into a public utility.
“We could add 15 years to the agreement so that we could actually purchase the utility, the city's going to become a public utility, which is a much better model,” he said.
Council Member Nikki Lee also hopes the failure of Proposition 412 provides an opportunity to “come up with an even better solution and a better concept to put on the ballot.”
But given the outcome, she also worries about the fate of future agreements with TEP.
“I felt like we tried really hard to find something that really would address a lot of the interest from the stakeholders and we just missed the mark, apparently,” she said.
Next steps
As TEP reviews possible routes for the new for the transmission line, it has few options to avoid running through or near residential neighborhoods.
TEP presented several different proposed line route segments for the Kino-DeMoss Petrie Transmission Line and hosted a series of meetings with a community working group and public open-house meetings from 2019 to April 2022.
In 2021, TEP chose a preferred route that would run from the substation at South Kino substation along the east side of the University of Arizona campus and north up North Campbell Avenue to reach a the planned new substation at Banner-University Medical Center Tucson, before zigzagging north to West Grant Road.
The route would run through or astride several historic neighborhoods, including the Jefferson Park neighborhood north of Banner-UMC, neighborhoods including Sam Hughes near Campbell and the South Park and Pueblo Gardens neighborhoods on the south end of the line.
Once it settles on a route, TEP will have to file for approval with the state Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee, which holds hearing and makes recommendations to the Arizona Corporation Commission whether to approve a plant site or line route.
TEP filed its initial plan with the state panel in August 2021, but after drawing fire from city council members and neighborhoods, the company withdrew its application in February 2022 to allow more time for negotiations.
Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz | https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/tep-tucson-pressing-on-after-prop-412-flop/article_ee108aca-f4ef-11ed-a7a3-a75d3b07c965.html | 2023-05-17T23:53:35 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/tep-tucson-pressing-on-after-prop-412-flop/article_ee108aca-f4ef-11ed-a7a3-a75d3b07c965.html |
AMHERST COUNTY, Va. – Four people have been arrested as a result of collaborative investigation efforts in Amherst County, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.
The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said they worked with the Lowesville Community Group and other concerned citizens to conduct criminal interdiction efforts in northern Amherst County.
Four people were arrested in total as a result of their efforts thus far, authorities said.
On May 2, the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Samuetta Lane and arrested three people: Hunter Ponton, Michael Agnor, and Jessica Givens. According to the department, the three are facing the following charges:
- Hunter Ponton
- Possession with intent to sell Schedule I or II drugs,
- Grand larceny,
- Michael Agnor
- Receive stolen goods worth $200 or more,
- Possession of Schedule I or II drugs,
- Grand larceny,
- Felony probation violation
- Jessica Givens
- Falsely identifying to law enforcement,
- Three counts of felony probation violation,
- Two misdemeanor counts of probation violation
Two weeks later, on May 16, authorities said they were staking out the Roses Mill Road area. As a result of those surveillance operations, deputies intercepted meth being taken from a local residence.
Around 2 p.m. that day, we’re told the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team executed 2 simultaneous search warrants on Carlos Tucker’s residence and shed on Roses Mill Road.
During the search, authorities said they found a stolen Maverick 12 gauge shotgun inside Tucker’s home along with various caliber ammo. The sheriff’s office said the gun was reported stolen out of Campbell County back in February.
The next day, May 17, authorities said they arrested Tucker at a residence on Turkey Mountain Road. The sheriff’s office said they obtained another search warrant for this residence and found two more firearms along with various caliber ammo.
Tucker, a four-time convicted felon, is now facing the following charges as a result of the operations, according to the ACSO:
- Sell, give, or distribute a controlled substance classified as Schedule I or II,
- Possession of firearms while in possession of certain substances,
- Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives, or concealed weapons by convicted felons,
- Receipt of a stolen firearm.
The Amherst County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage citizens to report criminal activity in their neighborhoods to the Drug Hotline at 434-946-7585.
Mugshots for Agnor and Givens were not used per WSLS guidelines. To read our mugshot policy, click here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/amherst-county-authorities-community-work-together-to-bring-four-into-custody/ | 2023-05-17T23:58:04 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/amherst-county-authorities-community-work-together-to-bring-four-into-custody/ |
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – The Franklin County Board of Supervisors met for a work session on Tuesday to discuss how to pay for a permanent SRO in each elementary school.
County leaders are still waiting to learn how much grant funding they’ll receive before making a final decision on how to fund the SROs.
Franklin County Finance Director Brian Carter said recent school shootings across the nation prompted county leaders to push for more security.
“The board definitely has the safety of the children in our public schools at heart,” Carter said. “So, certainly a priority of the board.”
The discussion will continue at an upcoming board meeting in June. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/franklin-county-leaders-consider-putting-more-sros-in-schools/ | 2023-05-17T23:58:11 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/17/franklin-county-leaders-consider-putting-more-sros-in-schools/ |
BLOOMINGTON — There are some sick sounds sprouting up in "Soy City."
Harlem Hayfield, a Decatur rock-blues project that formed in 2019 and ramped up songwriting during the pandemic, is rolling fast for harvest time. The band dished out six good tracks in its 2020 EP “Strong,” including warm-spirited love song “Light Me Up” and hefty funk riffs in record closer “Sick Style.”
With Hugh Sullivan tapping keys and lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman scatting true words of blues on the “Strong” ending track, let the evidence show that Decatur’s music scene is flourishing quite well.
As a portmanteau of the Harlem Renaissance moment and one of Schoneman's biggest soul influences, Curtis Mayfield, the band’s namesake suggests medium-sized cities planted in a sea of Illinois farm fields are anything but humdrum.
The Hayfield players are headed for a Saturday set at nightshop in downtown Bloomington, opening for Seattle rockers Chris King & The Gutterballs. Next up is Make Music Normal in late June.
While Schoneman said they’re not going to compare themselves to the Harlem Renaissance, he said his band’s name is “a nod to the creative juices that are flowing through town.”
Schoneman said he feels like there’s a lot of expression coming out of Decatur now. He said it’s a “music explosion,” with a lot of original songwriting.
He said he and his bandmates have eclectic music interests. They range from Schoneman’s inspirations of classic-to-modern soul styles like Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and Erykah Badu, to other Harlem Hayfield players called to Van Halen, Dave Matthews Band, Vulfpeck, and pop punk band MxPx.
“When we get together and we start making a song, if we all like it … we feel it kind of transcends genres,” said Schoneman.
The winds of progress are lifting up Harlem Hayfield in 2023. The band signed up for a record deal early this year with Bridge Road Entertainment under producer David Bourgeois, after performing with Americana musicians Jocelyn & Chris.
Harlem Hayfield’s debut full-length LP, “Banter Tells and Trick,” is set to release in the fall. In addition to Jocelyn & Chris, the album will also invite Danny Louis of Gov’t Mule as a guest performer.
Schoneman said he’s not seeing any finish lines yet, but he’s knows the band is headed in the right direction.
He added that they’re “just going to ride it until the wheels fall off and see how far we can take it.”
Schoneman isn’t saving all the rock-star stage time for himself: He’s been passing on his musical skills to youngsters for nearly a decade.
In 2013, Schoneman said he started talks with the First Gig Rock N' Roll Camp in Danville about bringing a franchise to Decatur.
The next year, he said they got up and running in Decatur with the same curriculum as Danville’s, teaching kids ages 10 to 17 how to start a band and cover songs.
“The get the whole rock star experience in the course of a week,” he said.
The camp ends with a concert, and kids leave with band shirts and professional press photos. Schoneman said a lot of times, the bands will end up writing an original. The camp is returning to Millikin University July 17-22.
Schoneman said every member of Harlem Hayfield either serves as a band leader or guest instructor in the camp.
“They all have a hand in the camp of helping the kids along,” he said.
As a vocalist, Schoneman said he wants to hear good stories in song lyrics.
He said he doesn’t play an instrument, but he still feels emotions from instrumentation.
“The words, the feeling and the soul behind the voice is going to carry me through the majority of what I listen to,” he said.
Schoneman said we as humans are really disconnected as a species. People mostly communicate through text messages either on the phone, or through Facebook or Instagram.
When making any music, he said musicians are just looking for some sort of a emotional connection to the other end of the speaker. Schoneman said that kind of communication speaks to our primal needs.
Although musicians may never meet some fans face to face, he said getting a good comment online still gives him goosebumps. Even better is when he sees someone singing along to his lyrics.
“You can’t buy that,” he said. “That’s powerful.”
Can you guess the rock band from just one lyric?
Can you guess the rock band from just one lyric?
Once I had a love and it was divine/ Soon found out I was losing my mind
Blondie: 'Heart of Glass'
I've been trying to make it home/ Got to make it before too long
Journey: 'Wheel in the Sky'
And the battle's just begun/ There's many lost, but tell me who has won?
U2: 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'
But if you want money for people with minds that hate/ All I can tell you is, brother, you have to wait
The Beatles: 'Revolution'
I know I've felt like this before/ But now I'm feeling it even more
The Cranberries: 'Dreams'
I waited eight long months, she finally set him free
Paramore: 'Misery Business'
And if it's just a game/ Then we'll hold hands just the same
The Replacements: 'I'll Be You'
Late night, come home/ Work sucks, I know
Blink-182: 'All the Small Things'
She's got a smile that it seems to me/ Reminds me of childhood memories
Guns N' Roses: 'Sweet Child O' Mine'
All systems go, the sun hasn't died/ Deep in my bones, straight from inside
Imagine Dragons: 'Radioactive'
But I'm a million different people… From one day to the next
The Verve: 'Bittersweet Symphony'
This is how an angel dies/ Blame it on my own sick pride
AWOLNATION: 'Sail'
But I ain't seen nothing like him/ In any amusement hall
The Who: 'Pinball Wizard'
All the kids just getting out of school/ They can't wait to hang out and be cool
The Go-Go's: 'We Got the Beat'
You lyin' so low in the weeds/ I bet you gonna ambush me
Heart: 'Barracuda'
They're forming in straight line/ They're going through a tight wind
Ramones: 'Blitzkrieg Bop'
'Kathy,' I said as we boarded a Greyhound in Pittsburgh/ 'Michigan seems like a dream to me now'
Simon & Garfunkel: 'America'
Hey, street boy, want some style?/ Your dead-end dreams don't make you smile
The Runaways: 'Cherry Bomb'
We come from the land of the ice and snow/ From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow
Led Zeppelin: 'Immigrant Song'
With the lights out, it's less dangerous/ Here we are now, entertain us
Nirvana: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
Green Day: 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'
He's never early, he's always late/ First thing you learn is that you always gotta wait
Velvet Underground: 'I'm Waiting for the Man'
I dream at night, I can only see your face
The Police: 'Every Breath You Take'
Criminal record says I broke in twice/ I must have done it half a dozen times
Nickelback: 'Photograph'
Sometimes I get the feelin'/ She's watchin' over me
My Chemical Romance: 'Welcome to the Black Parade'
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
Brendan Denison is our breaking news reporter. Denison was a digital content producer for WCIA-TV in Champaign and a reporter for The Commercial-News in Danville. He can be reached at (309) 820-3238 and bdenison@pantagraph.com.
Members of Harlem Hayfield pose in this April photo shot in Albany, New York. From left are guitarist and backup vocalist Brandon Pilger, drummer and backup vocalist Graham Wene, lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman, keyboardist and backup vocalist Hugh Sullivan, guitarist Chris Lourash, and bassist and backup vocalist Keenan Wilcott.
Members of Harlem Hayfield pose in this April photo shot in Albany, New York. From left are guitarist and backup vocalist Brandon Pilger, drummer and backup vocalist Graham Wene, lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman, keyboardist and backup vocalist Hugh Sullivan, guitarist Chris Lourash, and bassist and backup vocalist Keenan Wilcott. | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/decatur-rock-band-harlem-hayfield-rolling-out-sick-blues-for-bloomington-show/article_3809e614-f4e4-11ed-a3d8-a7a5229b24fe.html | 2023-05-18T00:03:31 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/decatur-rock-band-harlem-hayfield-rolling-out-sick-blues-for-bloomington-show/article_3809e614-f4e4-11ed-a3d8-a7a5229b24fe.html |
PEA RIDGE, Ark. — According to Pea Ridge police, On May 17, 2023, the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office filed adult charges against two Garfield teens who were arrested for aggravated robbery and theft.
The Pea Ridge Police Department received a complaint in the early morning hours of April 11, in which the alleged victim stated that the suspects drove him to the Baker Hayes Urban Trailhead where they lured him out of the vehicle under the pretense of car troubles. The alleged victim told police the teens then put a gun to his head while demanding his shoes, cell phone, and anything in his pocket.
The suspects reportedly fled the scene after driving away, and the alleged victim walked to a nearby house where he asked the homeowners to call the police.
The teenage suspects are now being held at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center in Bentonville and have been formally charged as adults in the matter, according to police.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/juveniles-charged-armed-robbery-adults-pea-ridge/527-d43704f8-0724-4e94-92d1-788bf226eca0 | 2023-05-18T00:03:36 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/juveniles-charged-armed-robbery-adults-pea-ridge/527-d43704f8-0724-4e94-92d1-788bf226eca0 |
WASHINGTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — The pilot of a twin-engine plane out of Mississippi died after crashing into the Boston Mountains near Fayetteville, officials confirmed to 5NEWS on May 17.
Three hours after a plane was heard sputtering followed by a loud crash was reported to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the wreckage site was found in the Boston Mountains.
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the plane lost altitude "and possibly crashed in south Washington County" at around 12:50 p.m.
The Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department was on the scene and set up a staging area near Oak Grove Cemetery off Brentwood Mountain. Reports seemed to point to the incident happening somewhere between Highway 71 and Oak Grove.
WCSO confirmed that the Fort Smith Airport Air Traffic Control also reported the possible plane crash after losing contact before 1 p.m.
According to the Arkansas National Guard, their black hawk was on a training mission and unofficially assisted agencies in searching for the wreckage site. The aircraft wasn't officially requested, as that would come from the county judge through to the Governor and then to the Arkansas National Guard.
Update (2:40 p.m.)
According to WCSO Lt. Rick Jensen, a call came in from someone who thought they heard a plane sputter and then a loud bang and sent authorities all over the area.
Three aircraft are currently up in the air (a military black hawk, a Mercy Health helicopter, and a helicopter registered with the Benton County Sheriff's Office).
Ground units, central ems, emergency management, state police and multiple fire departments helping.
Fort Smith air traffic control reported the possible plane crash after losing contact with the plane. The exact number of passengers on the plane isn't known but the type of plan can hold 8-12 people, Jensen said. He also said he was one of the first responders to the scene and "smelled fuel."
"We won't stop until we cover the entire area or find everybody," Jensen said.
Update (3:15 p.m.) "Only one soul on board."
The plane had "only one soul on board" which was confirmed to be the pilot, according to Jensen. Officials were able to ping the pilot's cell phone, which was last located in the area of the Brentwood Mountains.
Type of plane: King Air 90
Update (3:45 p.m.)
Authorities confirmed they have found what they believe to have been the crash site.
Update (4:25 p.m.)
Breaking: The pilot died in the crash, Fayetteville Fire Dept. confirmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the wreckage of a missing twin-engine plane was found at 3:46 p.m. near Fayetteville.
The aircraft departed University-Oxford Airport in Mississippi earlier in the day. The FAA alerted local agencies about the missing aircraft on Wednesday, May 17 at 1:05 p.m.
Video of a black hawk on the scene:
5NEWS is on the scene gathering more information, and once more confirmed details are available this story will be updated.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/plane-crash-reported-fayetteville-pilot-dies/527-f8d019a5-c7e7-4a72-a992-cf6660e3ddfa | 2023-05-18T00:03:42 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/plane-crash-reported-fayetteville-pilot-dies/527-f8d019a5-c7e7-4a72-a992-cf6660e3ddfa |
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning on Wednesday about an unsanctioned event being planned at the end of May.
According to the department’s social media post, Sheriff Mike Chitwood presented cease-and-desist letters to two promoters of the “Orlando Invades Daytona” event, which is scheduled for May 27.
The event caused a stir in Daytona Beach last year, prompting a larger police presence during Memorial Day weekend in 2022. It also brought out massive crowds in 2020 as an unsanctioned event.
The letters explain to the promoters that any unsanctioned or unpermitted events held at Daytona Beach will result in traffic problems and “unreasonable strain on the already burdened law enforcement, medical, firefighter, and beach safety resources of Volusia County.”
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“Rest assured that if you continue promoting this unpermitted and unsanctioned event and persons show up as you have advertised, Volusia Sheriff’s Office will enforce all laws, state and local, to ensure the public health, safety and welfare of all,” the letter reads. “Volusia Sheriff’s Office will have ZERO TOLERANCE for any violations, traffic or otherwise.”
While one of the promoters stopped advertising after receiving the letter, a second promoter — identified as Reginald Bulger, a.k.a. “DJ Wavy” — has since begun advertising a similar “Beach Day” event from 12-5 p.m. on May 27, deputies said.
Stricter penalties were put in place for unsanctioned events in Volusia County after a law was passed last year that designated “special event zones” to help law enforcement deal with larger crowds.
The law has already been put into practice, with the sheriff’s office cracking down on an unsanctioned “Trucktoberfest” event in October 2022.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies will impound vehicles for traffic and criminal violations as necessary, and law enforcement will recover from the promoters any costs and fees that arise from dealing with an unsanctioned event.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/orlando-invades-daytona-volusia-sheriff-issues-warnings-over-unsanctioned-event/ | 2023-05-18T00:03:48 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/orlando-invades-daytona-volusia-sheriff-issues-warnings-over-unsanctioned-event/ |
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – An arrest warrant was issued for a Clermont woman after she was accused in a home invasion robbery scheme during a date with a man she met online, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said that on Sunday evening, a man met with a woman whom he’d met on a dating website at his home in St. Johns County.
The man and the woman — later identified as 22-year-old Sierra Kennedy of Clermont — then began drinking cocktails and “socializing” for about an hour, deputies said.
However, an arrest warrant shows that someone began knocking at the door, and Kennedy told the man that it was her abusive ex-boyfriend. Kennedy then opened the door, and a masked gunman entered the home while wielding a handgun and demanding money, deputies said.
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The man gave the gunman $500 in cash from his wallet, though it appeared that Kennedy had been working with the gunman, according to the arrest report. Investigators said that both the gunman and Kennedy began demanding that the man transfer them additional funds through Venmo.
During the transfer, the man received a call from his neighbor, and the man answered his phone, telling the neighbor he needed help, deputies said. At this time, the gunman grabbed the phone out of his hand and fled alongside Kennedy in his Silver Chevrolet SUV, the arrest warrant shows.
In addition to the $500, the gunman and Kennedy are also accused of stealing a MacBook laptop and two Apple iPhones, according to deputies.
Kennedy faces charges of burglary with assault or battery, and home invasion robbery with a firearm. She also faces bond of $200,000.
A man and two women were arrested in Orange County on Wednesday following a car chase through several other counties. They face charges stemming from an armed home invasion in St. Johns County, though it has not been confirmed whether Kennedy was part of that trio or whether the two cases are linked.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/woman-accused-in-florida-home-invasion-robbery-during-date-scheme/ | 2023-05-18T00:03:54 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/woman-accused-in-florida-home-invasion-robbery-during-date-scheme/ |
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Authorities in Hollywood responded to a deadly small plane crash Wednesday afternoon, according to News 6 partner WPLG-TV.
The crash happened at around 12:45 p.m. in the area of 450 N. Park Road, just north of Hollywood Boulevard and near a popular shopping plaza containing a Target and a Publix.
The plane appears to be a banner plane, and it caught fire after crashing. Viewer photos and video showed the plane fully engulfed as firefighters arrived.
“You could feel the heat,” witness Chris Apinis said. “It was pretty, pretty intense.”
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The Federal Aviation Administration identified the plane as a single-engine Piper PA-25-235.
City spokesperson Joann Hussey said the pilot died in the crash. Officials didn’t report any additional injuries.
“I was petrified,” witness Suzette Jadotte said. “I didn’t see anybody get out of the airplane. I knew for a fact whoever was in there was already dead.”
Officials said that North Park Road was expected to be closed for the next day. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, according to the FAA.
Authorities haven’t released the name of the pilot, who was working for Aerial Banners.
Local 10 News reached out to the company for comment but hadn’t heard back as of Wednesday evening.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/you-could-feel-the-heat-1-dead-in-fiery-small-plane-crash-in-broward-county/ | 2023-05-18T00:04:00 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/17/you-could-feel-the-heat-1-dead-in-fiery-small-plane-crash-in-broward-county/ |
The Kirk Apartments demolition is underway in downtown Mason City.
The city of Mason City has canceled emergency abatement on the recently destroyed, 44-unit apartment building, located at 206 N. Federal Ave.
During Tuesday's regular council meeting Deputy City Administrator Brent Hinson explained the building's owner, Ed Kent, was able to reach an agreement with his insurance company to begin the demolition, which was underway by Wednesday afternoon.
The city had scheduled the emergency abatement as structural integrity of the apartment building shell is poor at best. The building was destroyed in a blaze that lasted the better part of a day on April 24.
With the 84th annual North Iowa Band Festival scheduled for downtown Memorial Day weekend, foot traffic will be considerable higher, and safety is paramount for any community event.
People are also reading…
"A lot of people are talking on Facebook, and I know I'll get asked this question, so here goes," started Councilmember John Lee. "Will there be any way to save any part of that building? I know some people want there to be something saved from it."
Hinson has been working closely with contractors and Kent while City Administrator Aaron Burnett is on vacation and answered quickly, "Yes, there should be some architectural salvage that goes on with the specialized contractor."
DeCarlo Demolition Company had workers on site as early a 8 a.m. to prepare the area. Zach DeCarlo, demolition foreman, explained the process in more detail. "We're gonna start on the north wall and pull the walls down gently. We'll make our way to the south and by the end of the week. We should have it down to rubble."
"We aren't really in the demolition business, we're in the deconstruction business," he explained. "We'll do everything in our power to do any salvage work that we can while staying on the tight timeline we have."
Hinson expanded on the timeline and plan, telling councilmembers and the public initial demolition for safety should end by next week, before Band Fest begins.
In total the process should take three to four weeks with phased re-opening of the sidewalks as they become safe for pedestrians.
The completed demolition will leave the premises completely empty. Foundations will be taken down to three feet below grade on the site and the building's 10 foot basement will have holes punched through it for drainage. The contractor will fill, topsoil and seed the location, leaving an open space. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/kirk-apartment-demolition-underway-with-owners-contractors/article_4b713426-bc7c-5178-91e5-d7da4d14430a.html | 2023-05-18T00:05:42 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/kirk-apartment-demolition-underway-with-owners-contractors/article_4b713426-bc7c-5178-91e5-d7da4d14430a.html |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A lack of safety precautions that's what the parents of a Little Leaguer from Utah say was the cause of their son's serious injuries.
Nine months ago, Easton Oliverson fell from a bunk bed at the Little League complex near Williamsport.
Since then, he's undergone three brain surgeries and has spent many months recovering.
His parents say Easton wasn't the first one to be injured after falling from a bed in the dorms.
"There was another little boy in 2019 who had suffered a TBI. And because of a bunk bed and not taking the safety precautions, it should have taken my son," said Jace Oliverson, Easton's father.
The parents have filed a lawsuit against the league.
Easton continues to recover in Utah.
Want to see what Newswatch 16's newscast was like in 1976? Head on over to WNEP's YouTube. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/parents-of-injured-little-leaguer-speak-out-easton-oliverson-utah-wnep/523-ce3cb54b-4f23-4c10-854e-c590117fe2c4 | 2023-05-18T00:06:05 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/parents-of-injured-little-leaguer-speak-out-easton-oliverson-utah-wnep/523-ce3cb54b-4f23-4c10-854e-c590117fe2c4 |
Lincoln-based nonprofit Cedars announced plans Wednesday for a first-of-its-kind housing facility for pregnant and parenting teens.
The 6,800-square-foot-facility — named "Carriage House" — will serve as an expansion to Cedars' south Lincoln campus at 6601 Pioneers Blvd.
The nonprofit, which serves vulnerable Nebraska children and families without stable housing, will allow pregnant and parenting teens to stay at the facility for three to four months in one of the Carriage House's apartments, Cedars CEO Jim Blue said in a news release Wednesday afternoon.
The housing facility — which will cost around $3 million and will be funded via a public-private partnership — will have four one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom units, Blue said. There will also be common space for youths and office space for staff to provide supervision and support to residents.
Lancaster County is appropriating $250,000 for the project, and the state is tacking on another $1 million as the organization launches a fundraising campaign for an additional $800,000 in private donations to pay for the project in full.
Cedars has already secured nearly $1 million in private funds for the facility, Blue said.
The facility will help fill the gaps for an underserved population in Lincoln, according to the 75-year-old nonprofit's news release.
Cedars estimates that there are more than 350 youths experiencing homelessness each day in the Lincoln area — nearly 100 of whom are pregnant or parenting their own young children.
In addition to housing, residents at the Carriage House will also receive life skills training such as prenatal care, parenting, nutrition, budgeting, household maintenance, continued education or employment, and instruction on how to access health care and other resources.
Residents will also have access to mental health services.
A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Andrew Wegley joined the Journal Star as breaking news reporter after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2021. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-nonprofit-cedars-plans-housing-facility-for-pregnant-parenting-teens/article_64893690-f4f3-11ed-bf9b-b35a7089dfdd.html | 2023-05-18T00:07:37 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-nonprofit-cedars-plans-housing-facility-for-pregnant-parenting-teens/article_64893690-f4f3-11ed-bf9b-b35a7089dfdd.html |
OLD TOWN -- "If you can envision going down the interstate, the University of Maine has the football field lights on, there's that glow in the sky. It's the same thing except it was a red glow."
Neighbors who lived in the nearby area say fire crews were called to the Juniper Ridge Landfill around 8 p.m. Monday night.
Firefighters in Old Town, Alton, Hudson and Bradley were assisted by Casella employees in battling the flames.
Casella Waste Systems runs the state-owned landfill. The company's director of communications Jeff Weld said there were no physical injuries and damage was limited.
However, residents were worried about what specifically was burning inside the landfill.
"We were concerned with what's in the landfill, and when you burn that, is there going to be any toxic fumes, any carcinogens," said Harry Sanborn, a resident who lives next to the landfill.
The fire prompted residents, Penobscot Nation Citizens and environmental advocates to speak out, calling it an environmental disaster.
"The fire last night is an example of the dangers that are from this massive landfill. It's a huge environmental injustice," said John Banks, Director of Natural Resources for the Penobscot Indian Nation.
Weld said that the company "takes the responsibility to operate Maine's state-owned facilities seriously and are committed to protecting Maine's citizens and natural environment."
Sanborn says this is not the case.
"There was absolutely no plan. What do we do, and who does what if that landfill catches on fire? There's no plan," said Sanborn.
He also says the company needs to be more responsible and show real concern for residents.
"Do you know how many people from Casella called their only neighbor here yesterday to find out if we were ok? Nobody. Is there anything we need for anything we can do? Are you ok? Nope, nothing. It's time for them to stop saying we're a good neighbor, we do the right things and act like a good neighbor," said Sanborn. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/residents-want-answers-for-juniper-ridge-landfill-fire/article_ea16c428-f500-11ed-9a3a-5f6ffb83ac5d.html | 2023-05-18T00:12:38 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/residents-want-answers-for-juniper-ridge-landfill-fire/article_ea16c428-f500-11ed-9a3a-5f6ffb83ac5d.html |
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People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/former-north-idaho-college-instructor-arrested-for-dumping-bucket-of-liquid-on-school-trustee/article_c6090d42-f4ed-11ed-bfdf-dbb61e858017.html | 2023-05-18T00:14:17 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/former-north-idaho-college-instructor-arrested-for-dumping-bucket-of-liquid-on-school-trustee/article_c6090d42-f4ed-11ed-bfdf-dbb61e858017.html |
Meridian Library Board of Trustees incumbents Josh Cummings and Destinie Hart defeated challengers on Tuesday night by winning over two-thirds of the vote, illustrating support for the Meridian Library.
The library faced a petition seeking dissolution earlier this year, and Hart’s opponent, Xavier Torres, had signed the petition for dissolution. Cummings’ opponent, David Tizekker, had posted clips from a conspiracy theorist and other similar content on social media.
“I’m happy to serve, and hopefully the state Legislature can get out of the library kick that they’ve been on and do the things that we send them to the Capitol to do instead,” Cummings said on Wednesday.
Hart did not return a request for comment.
Both Hart and Cummings testified at the hearings on the proposed dissolution of the Meridian Library District. Cummings said that Meridian wasn’t North Korea where an “elite few oppress the many and control their access to life-enriching information.”
“What we can’t do is set a precedent where the citizens, a small group of citizens, specifically, disagree with a governmental body and then rather than just go through normal democratic processes to replace those leaders that they disagree with, they just burn the whole thing down,” Hart said at the time.
Cummings said Wednesday that the next steps for the Meridian Library include focusing on opening a branch in south Meridian. The library will vacate the Silverstone branch after the south Meridian one is complete. He also said the library will be focusing on Cherry Lane renovations.
Elsewhere in the Treasure Valley on Tuesday, Barb Powell defeated Teresa Haldorson for the Kuna Library District trustee seat with 58.1% of the vote.
In the Ada County Free Library District, Mary Anne Saunders (6-year term, 50.3% of the vote) and Sandra B. Taylor (4-year term, 57.2% of the vote) were victorious in their trustee races. Saunders held off Melodie C. Huttash and Renee L. Trommler, while Taylor beat Deborah A. Pogue.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County. Contact her at 208-465-8107 or ckomatsoulis@idahopress.com and follow her on Twitter @CKomatsoulis.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County for the Idaho Press. She previously worked at a newspaper in rural Nebraska. She's from the D.C. area and went to school in Boston, where she graduated with a degree in journalism. In her free time, she loves watching football, spending time with Kyoko and Pickles, exploring and going on road trips with her best friends. She welcomes news tips in English or Spanish. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/incumbents-win-trustee-seats-next-steps-for-the-meridian-library/article_bd5a57cc-f4df-11ed-8f83-ffe1cb5a837b.html | 2023-05-18T00:14:23 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/incumbents-win-trustee-seats-next-steps-for-the-meridian-library/article_bd5a57cc-f4df-11ed-8f83-ffe1cb5a837b.html |
The Meridian Police Department has responded to a video that was posted online Wednesday morning that shows officers using aggressive use-of-force tactics against a man who it appears could not defend himself.
In the 25-second video, an officer flips the man to the ground. The officer kneels over the man lying on the ground and punches him three times. Another officer does not stop him. The first officer punches the man at least three more times before the video, taken from a nearby car, ends.
The man, 31-year-old Boise resident Colt Seward, was arrested on charges of resisting and obstructing, drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, among other things. His mugshot shows a black eye and bloody lacerations on his face and head.
“The Meridian Police Department takes every use of force very seriously and conducts reviews on each,” Meridian Police said in a release. “While the video on social media only captures part of the use of force, we are asking for the public’s patience, while we conduct our internal review of this incident.”
Meridian Police said they had received a call from citizens on Tuesday about a motorist, Seward, passed out in traffic near Ten Mile and Ustick roads. The release said that after Seward was handcuffed, he slipped the handcuffs to the front of his body when an officer was arresting him.
The first officer then called a backup officer. Seward allegedly attempted to pull away from the officer when his right hand was released and “threw an elbow striking the officer," Meridian PD's release says.
The two officers involved have not been placed on administrative leave, according to City of Meridian Communications Manager Stephany Galbreaith. One officer has six years of service, including two years at Meridian PD, and the other has eight years of service, with five at Meridian.
Meridian’s ‘use of force’ policy says that there is no policy that can reasonably predict every possible situation an officer can find. Instead, officers have to use “well-reasoned discretion.”
Meridian’s policy also contains factors used to determine the reasonableness of force, such as the risk and potential consequences of escape, availability of other options, proximity of weapons, the effects of suspected drug or alcohol use and the individual’s mental state or capacity.
However, the idea of reasonableness is a contentious topic, according to Cody Jorgensen, Boise State University associate professor of criminal justice. Jorgensen previously told the Idaho Press that there are aspects of policing that can prime officers to excessively use force.
Meridian Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea previously told the Idaho Press that the best way to avoid strained community relations is to build a “servant culture” and make sure that public interactions are viewed as fair and just.
He also said the most common use of force is “hands-on, grabbing a hold of someone and ending up rolling around in a wrestling match with them on the ground."
“Whenever you have anyone who doesn’t understand a subject, things can be misinterpreted and mischaracterized,” Basterrechea said at the time. “Use of Force is always messy and never looks like it does in the movies, so people with no experience will make very ill-informed opinions.”
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County. Contact her at 208-465-8107 or ckomatsoulis@idahopress.com and follow her on Twitter @CKomatsoulis.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County for the Idaho Press. She previously worked at a newspaper in rural Nebraska. She's from the D.C. area and went to school in Boston, where she graduated with a degree in journalism. In her free time, she loves watching football, spending time with Kyoko and Pickles, exploring and going on road trips with her best friends. She welcomes news tips in English or Spanish. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/meridian-pd-responds-to-video-of-officers-use-of-force/article_7d11e05c-f4f5-11ed-8731-ff0011c70176.html | 2023-05-18T00:14:29 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/meridian-pd-responds-to-video-of-officers-use-of-force/article_7d11e05c-f4f5-11ed-8731-ff0011c70176.html |
Garden City police have made three arrests in connection to the bowling alley shooting that required a teenage girl to be hospitalized.
Additionally, the suspects have been charged with other crimes related to vehicle burglaries.
Garden City police have made three arrests in connection to the bowling alley shooting that required a teenage girl to be hospitalized.
Additionally, the suspects have been charged with other crimes related to vehicle burglaries.
Boise residents Kalehe Byiringiro, 20; Isiak Hatwibu, 21; and Sefu Idi, 23, were arrested and booked into the Ada County Jail on Tuesday, according to Garden City police. Police say the three men were involved in a shooting that occurred Saturday night in the parking lot of Westy’s Garden Lanes bowling alley on Alworth Street. A 17-year-old girl was shot in the leg in the shooting; she was taken to a hospital, treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.
Police identified Byiringiro as the primary shooter and determined that Hatwibu also was shooting. They were charged with felony aggravated battery and felony aggravated assault, respectively, for their alleged roles in the shooting.
Idi was charged with felony aiding and abetting.
Police also determined that another man, who was being shot at, returned fire in self-defense.
"This was a senseless incident in which untrained individuals attempted to solve an altercation with a gun fight in the middle of our great city," Garden City Police Chief Rick Allen said. "This type of behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I can assure you that we will hold all three of these individuals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Byiringiro, Hatwibu, Idi and 19-year-old Samuel Nsanzamahoro, of Boise, were also arrested for their alleged roles in "several vehicle burglaries where firearms and other items were stolen out of locked and unlocked vehicles," according to Boise police.
"In addition to the vehicle burglaries officers investigated multiple reports of violence involving the suspects including the possible involvement in a shooting where shots were fired, but no one was injured in Boise," BPD said in a release.
The four men were each charged with multiple felonies for their suspected roles in those crimes.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/three-arrested-in-garden-city-bowling-alley-shooting/article_1214643e-f4df-11ed-912d-e7253f759e61.html | 2023-05-18T00:14:35 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/three-arrested-in-garden-city-bowling-alley-shooting/article_1214643e-f4df-11ed-912d-e7253f759e61.html |
Magic Valley voters approved a school levy, a library levy, a revenue bond for water, and more, during Tuesday's consolidated election.
In Hagerman, two issues were decided by razor-thin margins and, in Burley, a supermajority voted to support the library.
Hagerman Joint School District passes plant facilities levy
The Hagerman Joint School District’s request for a five-year plant facilities levy needed 55% to pass, and came out with 55% voting in favor.
“I thought it was going to be close, and it was," Hagerman Superintendent Jim Brown told the Times-News by phone. "I was hoping it wasn’t going to be this close."
The levy authorizes $400,000 per year for five years, and will be used to renovate the Prince Memorial Gym.
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With the levy in hand, they will be able to renovate the space, replace heating and cooling, as well as making for additional classrooms, better utilization of space, and modernization to meet the school and community’s needs.
“We barely got it passed, but we got it passed," Brown told the Times-News. "Instead of putting Band-aids on certain areas, we can move forward and provide a really quality facility for years to come."
A plan will be presented in early spring 2025, with an expected groundbreaking in summer 2025. The project will take about a year to complete, and should be in use in 2026.
Hagerman Water
Voters in the city of Hagerman also voted for a special revenue bonds to the tune of $4.8 million. The decision was made by a one-vote difference, with 88 in favor, and 87 opposed.
It is the second time Hagerman has voted on the bond this year, after it failed in the March election by a single vote.
Hagerman Mayor Jared Hillier said he was glad it passed, but the issue is still contentious.
“We’re very fortunate, but at the same time, it’s kind of a little bit of a controversy in the city of Hagerman,” Hillier told the Times-News in a phone call. “Half the town likes it, half the town doesn’t. I hope we can manage that well.”
The money will be used for new infrastructure for storage tanks and infrastructure to resolve existing water pressure issues in the city, where some houses have very high water pressure, and others have very low water pressure.
Hillier said he thinks the time the city and supporters spent informing the voters about the bond made the difference this time.
“I think ultimately we just tried really to get the correct information out there,” Hillier said. “I think (last election), the people didn't have all the information and all the facts. And I think we did a good job of getting that out there.”
Planning for the improvements will begin right away, and construction is anticipated to be underway by 2024 or 2025.
Burley Public Library
Burley’s library override levy passed with a wide margin, with voters in Cassia and Minidoka counties casting 305 votes in favor of the levy renewal, to 121 opposed, giving it more than a 70% approval rate.
Burley Administrator Mark Mitton told the Times-News that the two-year override levy renewal has been approved by voters every two years, and provides additional funds for library services and hours of operation, because the base property tax levy will not fund all that.
“There’s a lot of library users and a lot of library users from outside the city, Mitton told the Times-News by phone. “It services probably the majority of the population of Cassia County."
Burley Library Director Tayce Robinson told the Times-News that the levy, which supports 61% of operating costs, allows the library to, among other things, have a programs librarian who focuses on programming for children from kindergarten through high school.
“The library is here to support our community," Robinson told the Times-News in a phone call. "We’re here to strengthen our community, and make it a better place for everybody.”
Robinson said the library users are a wide range of people, from children attending story time with a parent or caregiver, homeschoolers, and teens.
“We have a good size group of teens that come in every other week and they play a game called Dungeons and Dragons," Robinson told the Times-News. "This game helps them develop communication skills, math skills, and storytelling skills.”
Blaine County voters support workforce housing
Residents in Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley voted to reallocate tax money toward workforce housing. The Idaho Mountain Express reported that each city passed measures to redirect money from marketing and air service into housing initiatives.
Around 85% of voters in Sun Valley and Hailey backed the move, along with 75% of voters in Ketchum. Each of the measures required 60% support.
Highway district elections
Burley and Shoshone highway districts also held elections. Anthony Owens was elected to the Shoshone Highway District with 56.12% of the vote, edging out Mark R. Kime.
Michael Glen Searle was elected to the Burley Highway District, with 596 votes or 52.46% approval. Searle beat out Gaylen Smyer, who had 540 votes or 47.54%. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/hagerman-votes-to-fund-school-and-water-improvements-while-burleys-library-keeps-on-truckin/article_23dc259c-f4dc-11ed-92c8-f3f2395e900c.html | 2023-05-18T00:16:19 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/hagerman-votes-to-fund-school-and-water-improvements-while-burleys-library-keeps-on-truckin/article_23dc259c-f4dc-11ed-92c8-f3f2395e900c.html |
BIRCH RUN, Mich. (WJRT) - The Birch Run Police Department is announcing the death of one of its own.
Retired Officer Rob Neilson died this week after a long battle with cancer. The department says he was still a brother even though Rob was no longer on duty.
Neilson was a police officer for more than 20 years and was named Village of Birch Run Police Officer of the Year in 2020. He also worked for the Frankenmuth Police Department. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/birch-run-police-mourn-the-loss-of-retired-officer/article_263e334e-f508-11ed-b8f3-cf37857d774d.html | 2023-05-18T00:17:37 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/birch-run-police-mourn-the-loss-of-retired-officer/article_263e334e-f508-11ed-b8f3-cf37857d774d.html |
WASHINGTON (WJRT) - Dozens of Mid-Michigan veterans were honored for their service in Washington, D.C. as part of an Honor Flight on Wednesday.
The nonprofit Mid-Michigan Honor Flight gave these veterans the trip of a lifetime. It was an emotional day as they visited the war monuments in Washington honoring the service they and thousands of other soldiers gave.
The trip included 88-year old Ronald Gavord of Bay City. He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Gavord is confident, kind and humble after his upbringing in a family of 12. He shrugs off his decision to become a soldier in 1953.
"As I got older, I just figured I had to go off and do something. So I joined the Army," Gavord said.
He was only 17 when he enlisted, so his mother had to sign the paperwork for the U.S. Army.
"Us guys, when I was a kid that age, we were gung ho. We had come out of the second world war and we thought, we'll show them," Gavord said.
He was placed in the Seventh Infantry Division, 17th Regiment, Charlie Company and shipped off to Korea for what some call "the forgotten war."
"I've always been disappointed over that, to be honest, because you always called the police action. But you know, it was actually a war. People were fighting and dying," Gavord said.
He and thousands of other U.S. service members were subjected to constant combat in deadly cold temperatures with just two pairs of socks in Korea.
"It was hard very hard. It was cold, very brutal," Gavord said. "Our clothes weren't quite up to par. But we were just starting to get boots and stuff that was that was kind of better on our feet in the trenches."
Gavord kept his head up and followed orders. He downplays his skill as a marksman and honor of being second in his class for Morse Code.
"It was high, I guess. Maybe 30 words a minute," Gavord said. "But that's a lot of dots and dips."
At one point in battle, he saved himself and another soldier from becoming buried alive.
"The bunker caved in and we were just buried under it," Gavord said. "And I threw my arm out like this, and that's the only thing that was out. So I dug all night. Dug him out and me out."
But Gavord doesn't consider himself a hero.
"I gave a little bit. Some gave all, you know," he said.
He looked back at photos, memories and mementoes before his Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. this week. Gavord traveled with his daughter, Tina.
"I guess to spend time together, going off and doing something a little different," he said.
His bride of 66 years wished him well ahead of the memorable trip.
"It's going to be the most wonderful thing. He's going to really love it," said Darlene Gavord. "And for him to see the Korean monument is going to be everything."
Ronald was looking forward to sharing the experience with dozens of other veterans just like they shared their time in battle.
"You didn't know each other but you bonded together real quick. Like you knew each other for a long time," he said. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/honor-flight-brings-bay-city-veteran-to-war-memorials-in-washington/article_49dd8178-f509-11ed-8872-633ba22f57bb.html | 2023-05-18T00:17:43 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/honor-flight-brings-bay-city-veteran-to-war-memorials-in-washington/article_49dd8178-f509-11ed-8872-633ba22f57bb.html |
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