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Charges have been referred to the Kenosha County District Attorney on 18-year-old Christian Koleske a May 12shooting in the 5100 block of 29th Avenue.
Koleske’s 3-year-old sister was shot during the incident.
Koleske is charged with three counts of recklessly endangering safety and one count of child neglect.
A charge of child neglect was also referred on 19-year-old Dynasty Cooper. Cooper was present during the shooting and is also a Kenosha resident.
Just before 11 a.m. on May 12 Kenosha police were notified that a 3-year-old had been shot. Officers located the 3-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to a lower extremity and administered immediate first aid while securing a shooting scene.
The girl was taken to a local hospital and transported via Flight for Life to Children’s hospital. She is expected to survive.
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Kenosha police indicated that the gun involved in the incident "mysteriously disappeared" long before police were notified of the shooting.
If anyone knows where this gun is they are asked to call the Kenosha Police Department Detective Bureau at 262-605-5203 or the Kenosha Area Crime Stoppers at 262-656-7333. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/police-refer-charges-to-kenosha-county-da-against-two-following-may-12-shooting-that-injured/article_c8a29430-f5cc-11ed-bb6f-3306351cc5eb.html | 2023-05-18T23:57:31 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/police-refer-charges-to-kenosha-county-da-against-two-following-may-12-shooting-that-injured/article_c8a29430-f5cc-11ed-bb6f-3306351cc5eb.html |
Westosha Central High School has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association for Music Merchants Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 24th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
The school has received this award for the fifth time. It was awarded in 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017 and 2022-2023 school years. Westosha Central has also received the NAMM Support Music Merit Award four times. The Support Music Merit Award was received in 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022 school years.
Westosha Central High School music department offers a Concert Choir, Show Choir, 3 Concert Bands, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, and Pep Band. Students in the Westosha Central High School music program have performed at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Toronto Canada, Nashville, and various festivals and competitions such as WSMA Solo & Ensemble, Festival Disney, Music in the Parks and Festivals of Music.
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To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Westosha Central High School answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas
“This recognition is a huge credit to all of the music teachers in the district. Their dedication and passion for music is seen through the students in the district. Providing music education to students at Westosha Central High School through many different music opportunities and programs is very important to the District, said Kevin Kitslaar, Westosha Central High School Principal. “The families and the community are very supportive with all the music programs and realize the importance of music education. We are proud our music programs and look forward to continuing our strong music programs to support music education for the students.”
Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015 and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs.
During the pandemic, music and arts programs were a vital component to keeping students engaged in school. The Every Student Succeeds Act provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.
“Music provides an outlet for growth in a way that other academics don’t allow,” said Westosha Central High School senior Nicholas Pelczynski. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/westosha-central-high-school-receives-best-communities-for-music-education-designation-from-the-national-association/article_a639afc8-f4ff-11ed-83f2-f7e042790849.html | 2023-05-18T23:57:38 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/westosha-central-high-school-receives-best-communities-for-music-education-designation-from-the-national-association/article_a639afc8-f4ff-11ed-83f2-f7e042790849.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. — When a massive landslide washed out a bridge along State Route 504 leading up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory on Mount St. Helens this week, it stranded 12 people, one dog and seven cars.
Ryan Crandall from Seattle had traveled to the observatory for the night with hopes of capturing the Milky Way above Mount St. Helens.
"It was already going to be memorable for what it was, for what I was doing," Crandall said. "It just became a whole lot more memorable in that a lot more people know that we were up there. Overall, it was a great experience for what it was, but I do wish I could have my car back."
Tim Uhler from Port Orchard had made the two-and-a-half hour trip for the same reason: to see the Milky Way.
"That was my plan," Uhler said, "brought my pillows and sleeping bag and was going to sleep in the tent."
On Sunday, a group of 12 people stuck around after closing to watch the sunset fall on Mount St. Helens. After the sun went down, a majority had left, but didn't get far when they came across the landslide and headed back.
"I was actually not even supposed to go to St. Helens that day. I was supposed to go to a different location, but found out the lake I wanted to do was still frozen. So I pivoted and went to St. Helens," Crandall said.
The group called 911 to make emergency officials aware of the landslide. Since they couldn't go anywhere, the shared photography tips and tried to make the most of a bad situation.
"The biggest disappointment as we were shooting, waiting for the Milky Way to align with the mountain [is that] it got so windy and sandy that I gave up. I only have a few pictures, none of which are all that great," Uhler said.
The following morning, a helicopter from the King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit landed in the parking lot to retrieve Crandall, his dog Naula, Uhler and the 10 others. It took three trips to transport four people at a time a short distance down the mountain to a parking lot on the other side of the landslide.
With no way down the mountain, the cars that were driven up were left behind.
Uhler left his 2021 Subaru Forester.
"We need the Forester, that's our adventure-mobile. That's the whole point of having it and the rooftop tent. It's to do things like this, minus getting stranded," he said.
Uhler said he has a work vehicle at home and can use his wife's car as a backup.
Crandall left behind his 2021 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, a car he was still getting used to driving.
"It was a used car, but brand new to me. I had just gotten it not even maybe 3 weeks prior. I hadn't even made a payment on it," he said.
Crandall's bad luck started two months before getting stranded. His previous car had been stolen in March with all his photography gear inside and he had used the insurance money from that as a down payment to buy the Rav4 that's now stranded on the mountain.
"Now I feel like I'm back to ground zero and having to rebuild it all again," Crandall said.
He was able to evacuate with all his camera gear, but left his camping gear inside the car.
Can insurance claims be filed?
Both Crandall and Uhler said they have called their insurance companies to see if there was a claim that could be filed.
"I've talked to insurance and they said they can't do anything about this because the car's not damaged. I just can't get to it. They were basically like, 'Our hands are clean on this,'" Crandall said.
Uhler heard a similar response.
"When I talked to the insurance company (on Tuesday), she was like, 'We can't really do anything until the car is damaged. Right now it's just parked.'"
The Independent Insurance agency of Policygenius said even though the landslide is considered an 'act of God', the situation wouldn't warrant a claim.
"For those who had to leave their cars behind, they most likely won't be able to make an insurance claim to get them removed and will have to wait for clearance," an insurance agent told KGW. "An 'act of God' typically refers to the damage being caused, and because the landslide didn't damage the vehicle, it likely won't apply."
"The claim that could be made is when I get back to it and there's any kind of damage that's been done because it's been there for a year," Crandall said.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said it doesn't have an official timeframe for when the highway will reopen, but an official with the U.S. Department of Agriculture told KGW it would likely be closed at least a year.
What could happen to idle cars after a year?
With a lengthy closure, that might cause some problems for the cars left behind. A mechanic KGW spoke with said if a car sits for an extended period of time, the fluids should be fine but the car's tires would likely see flat spots as they rest in place with rotating.
With a heavy winter snow, mold could also be an issue after it melts and mice might make their way into the cars to scavenge for materials for their nest.
Crandall, like Uhler, would like to get his car back sooner rather than later. He uses it to deliver food as a Door Dash driver to help fund his photography hobby.
"Right now I'm leaning on my family to help me with things," Crandall said. "I'm leaning on my girlfriend using her car while she's at work, while I can still move around and do some things. I'm trying to use my support system the best that I can." | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/mount-st-helens-landslide-cars-stuck/283-b181aef7-3f16-4de5-83c0-46ff44dbae3e | 2023-05-19T00:05:58 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/mount-st-helens-landslide-cars-stuck/283-b181aef7-3f16-4de5-83c0-46ff44dbae3e |
OREGON, USA — Haitian Heritage Month is a celebration of the rich and precious culture of Haiti. Each May, members of the Haitian diaspora within the United States hold various events commemorating the culture and heritage.
Haiti, meaning "mountainous," is a Caribbean country located on the island of Hispaniola. Haiti is bordered on the east by the Dominican Republic, with the two nations sharing the island.
During the month of celebration, Haitian Flag Day is observed annually as a national holiday in Haiti on May 18. In homage to the country's independence from France, the red and blue flag was proudly hoisted for the first time on May 18, 1803. The flag was originally sewn by Catherine Flon with guidance from her godfather, Haitian revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
Dessalines emerged as a military figure during the Haitian Revolution and became the first ruler of a newly independent Haiti. It became the first free Black republic on Jan 1, 1804, what would become Haiti's Independence Day.
Here's a non-exhaustive list of PNW Haitian businesses to support during Haitian Heritage Month:
Creole Me Up is a brand that specializes in creating organic, healthy and allergen-free Haitian food products, offering catering services and cooking lessons pertaining to Haitian food. The brand offers products in several stores within Oregon.
This Haitian-owned winery is focused on bringing people together and creating community while opening up dialogues about diversity. The owner of the winery, Bertony Faustin, is the first known Haitian-American Black winemaker in Oregon. The vineyard has tasting rooms in North Plains and downtown Portland.
Tribes Nations Scarves provides high-quality polyester satin chiffon that is soft to the touch and feels like charmeuse. Offering an array of colorful styles, including the Haitian coat of arms, menorah scarves, Haitian nationals and masks.
One Taekwondo is a space where young and old can master the art of taekwondo. The academy promotes respect, self-discipline, and confidence through a distinctive merge of traditional and modern training of the mind and body.
Off-The-Cliff is a nature inspired brand that empowers consumers to feel that there's no limitations to the things one can do when chasing dream. The brand offers various creative clothing styles and colors.
This Caribbean kitchen provides flavorful Haitian cuisine, offering catering services for many event needs and often hosting pop up events all across the Pacific Northwest.
Kwa'Litty is a streetwear clothing brand providing high quality apparel such as hats, hoodies, sweat suit sets, beanies and of course "litty" vibes.
Negre Marron Wellness is a Haitian co-owned brand run by two naturopathic doctors based in Federal Way, Washington. The wellness center specializes in pain management with a mind-body approach, offering physical medicine, counseling, biofeedback and IV/IM injection therapy.
This online apparel brand based in Portland was created for the classy, chic woman on the go. It seeks to empower women who look to build confidence through fashion and style by providing current yet functional pieces.
RJ's BBQ Smokehouse travel across the Pacific Northwest offering catering and personal chef services and providing signature meals such as the Caribbean and Southern Style Platters — Barbecuing on the go at family reunions, corporate events, weddings, graduations and birthdays with a 14-foot mobile Smoker "Mino."
My Fresh Kicks is a sneaker brand inspired by its mantra "Time to walk in faith in your very own fresh kicks". The brand also has a clothing line called Forever: Fresh & Fly.
Frantz Visuals is run by a Haitian photographer based in Seattle offering a plethora of creative photoshoot options. From headshots, graduations, maternity, family, product and event photoshoots.
Kompa Night is a social group that puts on various events year-round, fixated on curating a space where Haitians and community members in the Pacific Northwest can gather. The group focuses on highlighting Kompa, which is a cultural music and dance form that originated in Haiti during the mid-20th century.
The social group will be hosting their annual Haitian Flag Day celebration on May 20 at the Rumba Notes Lounge in Seattle, Washington.
Polish Oregon is a cleaning service based in Oregon and offering quality, reliable cleaning services that are insured and bonded. Cleaning offices, banks, hotels, restaurants, homes, garages, doing yard work, dealership parking lot car washes and regular car washes and details. If you're seeking some help with spring cleaning, they are your go-to. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pnw-haitian-owned-businesses/283-2fd2b0ae-b312-4039-a110-d75d1fe15486 | 2023-05-19T00:06:00 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pnw-haitian-owned-businesses/283-2fd2b0ae-b312-4039-a110-d75d1fe15486 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Editor's note: The video above first aired Tuesday, May 16, prior to the latest news regarding this investigation.
An Oregon investigation into political contributions made by an executive at disgraced cryptocurrency firm FTX is being referred for potential criminal charges, the Secretary of State's office announced on Thursday.
The investigation stems from a $500,000 contribution to the Democratic Party of Oregon made in October 2022, just before the midterm election. Though the money came from then-FTX engineering director Nishad Singh, he "incorrectly reported" the funds as coming from a Las Vegas-based crypto company called Prime Trust LLC.
The Oregonian reported earlier this week that Oregon Democrats knew the true source of the funds at the time, a characterization that the Secretary of State's office pushed back against in its statement on Thursday.
"The investigation did not find clear evidence that the Democratic Party of Oregon knew the true donor when they reported the contribution last year," the statement reads. "Instead, the investigation determined that the Party could have taken more care with its compliance."
A final order issued May 11 by the Oregon Elections Division following its investigation suggests that party officials were unsure whether the donation was coming from Singh himself or Prime Trust. While they reached out to Singh to find out, it took several days to hear back. When they did get a response, Singh's representative said that he "prefers Prime Trust (though not strongly) so go w[ith] that," according to the final order.
Party officials obliged, disclosing the contribution under Prime Trust LLC.
State election officials agreed to knock down the fine for this violation from $35,000 to $15,000. Despite the lower fee, the Secretary of State's office said Thursday that the party could pay up to $50,000 if it fails to comply with oversight measures, and the investigation could be reopened if more information comes to light.
Under the settlement between Oregon's elections division and the Democratic Party of Oregon, the party will have to "publicly share steps to prevent future mistakes" and ensure compliance.
"These oversight requirements will serve the public interest through transparency and future compliance with campaign finance laws – an outcome that could not have been achieved in court," the Secretary of State's office said.
The decision to refer the investigation to the Oregon Department of Justice for review stems from admissions Singh made in court following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and related firm Alameda Research.
“Nishad Singh admitted under oath in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that he agreed to make political donations in his own name that were funded with money from Sam Bankman-Fried's companies FTX and Alameda,” said Alma Whalen, Oregon elections manager.
The U.S. Attorney's office in New York also notified the Oregon Democratic Party that Singh's $500,000 donation was funded with money "wrongfully taken by Sam Bankman-Fried" from FTX and Alameda.
“After a 7-month investigation, we believe this is sufficient information to justify a referral to the Oregon Department of Justice to consider prosecuting Mr. Singh under state law for making a contribution in a false name,” Whalen said.
A tangled web
The Oregon Secretary of State's office is currently helmed by Deputy Secretary Cheryl Myers after the toppling of erstwhile Secretary of State Shemia Fagan in a scandal over her moonlighting work for an Oregon-based cannabis company that likewise made major contributions to Democratic politics in the state, including Fagan's campaign.
In December, Oregon Elections Director Deborah Scroggin resigned after about six months in the position. In her resignation letter, Scroggin cited a challenging atmosphere for election officials due to misinformation. But Willamette Week later reported after speaking with Scroggin that she'd been forced out by Fagan — something Fagan's office confirmed.
In January, Fagan appointed her senior adviser, Molly Woon, to be director of the elections division. Despite previously working for the Democratic Party of Oregon, Woon did not recuse herself from the investigation into Singh's donation. She remains elections director in the immediate wake of Fagan's resignation.
Gov. Tina Kotek said that she wanted to wait until after the May 16 special election to appoint a new secretary of state to replace Fagan. As of Thursday, she'd yet to share an update on the search.
Oregon has the dubious distinction of maintaining some of the loosest campaign finance rules in the country, with no limits on the size of contributions and a history of light penalties for wrongdoing. For many years, the state's "limitless" status was backed by wording in the Oregon Constitution and subsequent court rulings, but a sea change began in 2020.
During the November 2020 election, voters approved Measure 107, which amended the Oregon Constitution to allow for limits on campaign contributions. That opened the door for lawmakers to pass campaign finance reform bills — something they've since repeatedly failed to do.
In the meantime, Oregon races have become more and more expensive each major election.
Hints of FTX-linked influence in Oregon elections first popped up during the 2022 primary, when a relatively unknown candidate, 35-year-old Carrick Flynn, suddenly became the best-funded Democratic candidate for Oregon's new 6th Congressional District.
A PAC funded by FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried poured almost $6 million into Flynn's primary campaign. That helped him emerge as a perceived frontrunner in the race, earning him another $1 million from national Democrats' House Majority PAC.
Flynn was defeated by then-state Rep. Andrea Salinas in the primary. Salinas went on to win the general election. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/oregon-democratic-party-ftx-campaign-donation-investigation/283-fe6c07f1-dce5-4d6c-b027-18f71a8a2fe3 | 2023-05-19T00:06:00 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/oregon-democratic-party-ftx-campaign-donation-investigation/283-fe6c07f1-dce5-4d6c-b027-18f71a8a2fe3 |
The Midland Police Department continues to search for missing 21-year-old Madeline Molina Pantoja.
"Detectives with the Midland Police Department have been working 24 hours a day using every tool and asset available to locate Madeline and discover the facts leading to her disappearance," MPD said in a press release. MPD reported they were alerted of Pantoja's disappearance in the early morning hours of May 12.
Pantoja was last seen on May 10 at 11 p.m. at 1711 West Francis Ave. Midland police, which published a missing person alert on its Facebook on May 12, did not provide any clothing description. Pantoja's vehicle and phone were found at her apartment.
The MPD also stated they remain in contact with the family regarding the investigation.
Anyone with information about Pantoja's whereabouts is encouraged to call MPD at 432-685-7108. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/midland-texas-police-search-madeline-molina-18107483.php | 2023-05-19T00:09:45 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/midland-texas-police-search-madeline-molina-18107483.php |
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) — A Starkville man is accused of burglarizing several businesses.
Starkville Police arrested Tamarris Gandy, 34, on Wednesday and charged him with three counts of commercial burglary.
He allegedly broke into Tommy Morgan Realtors; Mugshots Grill and Bar; and Dapper Doughnut on the night of May 1. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/man-accused-of-breaking-into-starkville-businesses/article_68582ee0-f5c3-11ed-9bbf-ef18ae39d31d.html | 2023-05-19T00:09:48 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/man-accused-of-breaking-into-starkville-businesses/article_68582ee0-f5c3-11ed-9bbf-ef18ae39d31d.html |
BALTIMORE — Baltimore Police have arrested two people after they attempted to kill a 16-year-old girl.
Theresa Taylor and Anthony Mason Jr. were both charged with first-degree attempted murder and various handgun violations.
According to charging documents, Taylor is the girl's mother and Mason is Taylor's boyfriend.
On May 1, in the 1000 block of Ellicott Driveway, the 16-year-old advised police that her mother was banging on the door demanding she come outside.
She refused and watched her mother go inside a vehicle and grab a handgun.
Charging documents say Taylor began waving the gun around and pointing it at the house.
The 16-year-old told police this all happened because of a prior incident that took place on April 23. Taylor and Mason allegedly discharged a firearm at her.
Police learned this happened because there is an ongoing dispute between the 16-year-old's temporary guardian and Taylor.
The teen and her guardian went to the 400 block of Lyndhurst Avenue to pick up some of her things and found her mother sitting outside with a bat.
Taylor then stated, "I got something for yall," and went in the house. When she returned, she had a gun and allegedly fired it at the teen.
Charging documents say Mason then took the gun from her mother and ran after them while shooting at them.
No one was injured during this incident.
Since being arrested, Taylor and Mason have been taken to the Central Booking Facility. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/charging-docs-baltimore-mother-allegedly-shot-at-16-year-old-daughter-over-ongoing-dispute | 2023-05-19T00:10:15 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/charging-docs-baltimore-mother-allegedly-shot-at-16-year-old-daughter-over-ongoing-dispute |
Feds approve vaccine for imperiled California condors at risk of avian flu
Federal officials have approved an emergency vaccine to protect the critically endangered California condor from a deadly strain of avian flu that has spread through a population in northern Arizona and southern Utah.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture signed off Wednesday on the emergency use of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, vaccine for condors in an attempt to prevent additional deaths. U.S. Fish and Wildlife describes this strain of avian flu as highly contagious. A pilot study among vultures has already begun.
The service approached the Department of Agriculture about vaccination after a California condor was found dead in late March and then confirmed positive for HPAI at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Since then, 20 condors have died and 13 of those were confirmed to have HPAI.
HPAI can spread quickly through “bird-to-bird contact, environmental contamination with fecal material, and via exposed clothing, shoes and vehicles,” according to an April release on the deaths.
Several condors remain in monitored care at Liberty Wildlife in Phoenix, including a newly hatched chick whose egg was pulled from its contaminated nest before its mother died from the virus.
Biologists at Liberty Wildlife are working to get the birds in care healthy enough for a release back into the wild.
“The hope is that they will be able to go back into the wild,” said Stephanie Lamb, a veterinarian at Liberty Wildlife. “We want to get these birds through this and get them back out into the wild to live their lives the way they are meant to.”
Recovering species:Condors take flight near Grand Canyon, but lead ammo could ground the birds
Condors' slow reproduction rate is a concern
The California condor has been protected as an endangered species since 1967. By 1982 fewer than 25 condors remained in the wild until an effort was launched to capture the remaining birds and start a captive breeding program. By the late 1980s the final bird was captured, making the species extinct in the wild.
The first condor was released into the wild in 1995, and the first wild-born condor was welcomed in 2003. In Arizona, the birds soar over the Vermilion Cliffs north of the Grand Canyon and are sometimes seen over the Colorado River and along the Canyon's rims.
The condor has a slow reproduction rate, typically laying only one egg a year, which has left biologists anxious about the effects this strain could have on the vulnerable population and its recovery.
The authorized vaccine is a killed, inactivated version of the virus, and was licensed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Center for Veterinary Biologics in 2016. Since the vaccine has not previously been tested against this strain of the virus in these species, the first step in the vaccination program is a pilot safety study in North American black vultures, a similar species, to investigate if there are any adverse effects before giving the vaccine to the endangered condors.
Vaccine trials have already begun on 20 surrogate vultures in North Carolina.
“California condors are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and are highly imperiled, with just over 300 in the wild,” said Joanna Gilkeson of U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. “HPAI is a newly recognized threat to the species with the recent condor deaths in Arizona. If proven safe, vaccinations may help the service and our partners address this threat and reduce the impact of HPAI to both the free-flying birds and those in captivity.”
This emergency use approval is limited to the California condors because of their endangered listing. USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists are continuing to examine vaccine options that could protect U.S. poultry from HPAI.
Conservation groups and wildlife protection organizations have been urging for a fast-tracked vaccine for highly pathogenic avian influenza as the largest outbreak of the virus in U.S. history continues to spread across the country and the world.
Avian flu spreading among chickens and other birds
The highly contagious and deadly strain has been circulating since last year. Avian flu typically does not extend past one season, but this strain has lasted longer, which has alarmed wildlife biologists.
Since early 2022 more than 49 million birds in 46 states have either died as a result of HPAI or have been killed due to exposure to infected birds.
“Factory farms have proven to be an ideal breeding ground for this highly contagious strain of avian flu that has already killed billions of chickens and is now rapidly infecting endangered California condors and other wild birds,” said Lori Ann Burd, the environmental health director for the Center for Biological Diversity. “In just a few weeks this dangerous disease has wiped out over 17 percent of the critically endangered California condors in Arizona and sickened a lot more.”
Avian flu & egg prices:High egg prices have Arizonans buying chickens
The Center for Biological Diversity said the rapid approval and deployment of a vaccine is needed to curb this outbreak and protect the condor.
Vaccines have never been approved or used to control HPAI in the U.S. but there has been limited use of specific vaccines to control low pathogenic avian influenza. Implications for an LPAI outbreak are significantly different than that of an HPAI outbreak and the vaccines used in previous outbreaks would not be effective in combatting this current strain.
Jake Frederico covers environment issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to jake.frederico@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/05/18/usda-approves-avian-flu-vaccine-for-imperiled-california-condors/70233098007/ | 2023-05-19T00:11:14 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2023/05/18/usda-approves-avian-flu-vaccine-for-imperiled-california-condors/70233098007/ |
Tonopah Tin Top restaurant fire being investigating as suspicious
A beloved restaurant in Tonopah destroyed in a massive fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning is being investigated as suspicious.
Just after midnight, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the area of Wintersburg Road and Salome Highway for reports of a fire.
MCSO deputies discovered on arrival that firefighting efforts were already underway at the Tin Top Bar and Grill, which was engulfed in flames, the Sheriff's Office said.
Tin Top, once called the Boondocks and Yellow Canary, rebranded some 30 years ago, according to its website. The property has had buildings burn to the ground at least twice.
"Unfortunately, the business appears to be a total loss," the Sheriff's Office said in a release regarding the incident.
Homicide investigation:Man charged with murder in 63-year-old's death in Yuma
MCSO told the Arizona Republic Thursday that arson detectives responded and are investigating the fire as suspicious.
The investigation is still in its early stages and no other information had been released. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley-breaking/2023/05/18/tonopah-fire-tin-top-bar-grill-mcso-arson-detectives-investigating/70233426007/ | 2023-05-19T00:11:20 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley-breaking/2023/05/18/tonopah-fire-tin-top-bar-grill-mcso-arson-detectives-investigating/70233426007/ |
The New York State Preparedness Training Center held a workshop to help first responders identify when they’re experiencing mental stressors. Amy Nitza is the Executive Director at the Institute for Disaster Mental Health for SUNY New Paltz. She explains how they’re being taught how to administer Psychological First Aid.
"It’s sort of the psychological equivalent of medical first aid. It’s intended to sort of stop the bleeding, and maybe that’s all that’s needed or maybe then it’s enough until you can get somebody to a professional."
First responders often suppress their feelings about a situation because they’re in the moment, and then it’s off to the next disaster, but Nitza says applying Psychological First Aid can help prevent long-term suffering.
"When we’re working with people who are disasters and extreme stress every day, we can assume that anybody who’s doing this work can benefit from psychological first aid. That doesn’t mean that people have a diagnosable disorder or anything like that, it’s intended to prevent that from happening."
Once an individual realizes they need help, the next step is understanding the kind of help they need. The workshops help distinguish among acute, chronic, cumulative, and traumatic stress. Terry Hastings is the Senior Policy Advisor at New York State Homeland Security & Emergency Services. He's also in charge of getting these workshops implemented across the State.
"We’re operating at such a high level that you just get burn out over time, so the operational stress is really important. Understanding when are we sort of reaching our breaking point? When do we need to maybe bring in reinforces? When do we need to take a step back and catch our breath because it seems like we’re just going 100 miles an hour always. We say we’re sprinting a marathon in our line of work. You’re never done."
Since First Responders are always on the go, it’s important for them to recognize when they need help.
"Unfortunately there’s been stigma over the years about first responders seeking help for mental health treatment, but we’re trying to demystify that. Let people know it’s ok not to be ok, but it is ok to seek help. There’s resources out there. There are people that want to be helpful, and we all should invest in our own mental health." | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/first-responders-receive-psychological-first-aid-training/article_4d003016-f5be-11ed-bffb-17b99082ad8f.html | 2023-05-19T00:14:55 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/first-responders-receive-psychological-first-aid-training/article_4d003016-f5be-11ed-bffb-17b99082ad8f.html |
A 30-year-old motorcycle rider died Thursday after a crash in Warsaw.
Emergency responders were called to Detroit Street and Anchorage Road in Warsaw about 3 p.m. regarding a serious traffic collision.
The driver of a motorcycle, who was wearing a helmet, died from his injuries despite life-saving measures, the Warsaw Police Department said in a news release.
The motorcycle rider, who has not been identified, was driving northbound on Detroit, a news release said. He was struck by a 2018 Lexus GX4 driven by a 54-year-old woman who had been driving southbound on Detroit and was attempting to turn left onto Anchorage.
The victim will be identified after the family is notified, the news release said.
The woman sustained significant injuries and was taken by ambulance to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.
Warsaw police were assisted on the scene by the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. The investigation with the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office is ongoing. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/30-year-old-man-dies-in-motorcycle-crash-in-warsaw/article_87046fe6-f5ca-11ed-9db3-1fc4d1a1e92a.html | 2023-05-19T00:15:30 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/30-year-old-man-dies-in-motorcycle-crash-in-warsaw/article_87046fe6-f5ca-11ed-9db3-1fc4d1a1e92a.html |
August 20, 1933 – April 23, 2023
Verna Fay Whiting, née Conner, formerly of North Bend and Bandon, passed away after a short illness at her residence in Eugene on April 23, 2023. She was 89.
Fay was born in Julesberg, Colorado, on August 20, 1933, to Arlie and Violet Conner. Fay’s mother nicknamed her “Faderbug” due to her overflowing energy. She was the third of four children, two boys and two girls. She was preceded in death by one of her brothers, Arlie Richard; and by her sister, Jessie Ann (Miller).
Fay’s family moved to Oakridge in 1949. There she met and married Murile “Pete” Peterson. Fay and Pete moved to Coos Bay in the mid-1950s, where they raised three children, Daniel Merle (deceased), Lee Ann (Weddle) and Laurel Fay (Smith). Fay obtained her LPN license and worked at Keizer Hospital in North Bend.
Following Fay and Pete’s divorce Fay met and married Dr. Ralph Edward Whiting, a local physician, in 1975. With Ed’s encouragement Fay obtained her private pilot’s license, a SCUBA diving license, a cosmetology license, and a real estate license. Fay was always up for an adventure, and together she and Ed traveled extensively, both for pleasure and to fill medical positions throughout the United States.
Fay and Ed enjoyed hiking and working on their beloved property on the beach north of Bandon. Fay also loved to dress up and go dancing. She and Ed formed many lasting friendships and were a welcome fixture at dance venues up and down the Oregon Coast. After Ed’s death in January of this year, Fay’s dancing was interrupted temporarily until she could join him in heaven.
Fay is survived by her brother, David; daughters, Lee Ann and Laurel; grandson, Daniel Wayne Peterson; granddaughter, Lindsey Smith; stepsons, Michael, David and Jeff Whiting; stepdaughter, Carrie Goodfellow; many great grandchildren; a great-great granddaughter, Penelope Parry; and many dear friends.
At Fay’s request no memorial service is planned. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/verna-fay-whiting/article_fbf355f6-f5c5-11ed-9d76-171838d9d8f0.html | 2023-05-19T00:15:30 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/verna-fay-whiting/article_fbf355f6-f5c5-11ed-9d76-171838d9d8f0.html |
Boy Scout Troop 38 might have set a record when they attended this week’s Fort Wayne City Council meeting.
“This is probably the largest troop we’ve ever had,” Council President Glynn Hines, D- at large, said.
He said he couldn’t recall that many Scouts attending a meeting at once in his nearly 24 years on the City Council.
Seven Scouts, four troop elders and three of the boys’ family members came, said Scoutmaster Joseph Till. The Scouts attended the meeting to earn a merit badge for citizenship in the community.
To earn the distinction, scouts have to learn about city government and know who their local representatives are, Till said. The badge is also a requirement to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.
The group’s size was influenced by earlier social distancing, he said. It was hard to attend a government meeting as a group when social restrictions were in place, although some scouts went alone or in pairs. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/a-record-number-of-boy-scouts-attend-city-council-meeting/article_b61bae86-f50f-11ed-bed1-4fe476a90370.html | 2023-05-19T00:15:30 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/a-record-number-of-boy-scouts-attend-city-council-meeting/article_b61bae86-f50f-11ed-bed1-4fe476a90370.html |
A local developer is asking Allen County Plan Commission for approval to build a subdivision of single-family homes and duplexes called Thunderhawk.
Oakmont Development Co. II LLC filed a request to have 35.6 acres on the east side of Huguenard Road rezoned from agricultural to two-family residential. The land is north of West Cook Road and bordered on the north and east by Colonial Oaks Golf Club.
Oakmont is also seeking approval for its primary development plan.
The requests are expected to go before the Allen County Plan Commission on June 15 for a public hearing and June 22 for discussion and action. The Allen County commissioners have the final say on rezonings.
The developers filed the plans for the 96-lot Thunderhawk earlier this month.
Thunderhawk would have 64 single-family homes on the north side of the property and 32 duplexes on the south side, if approved. The north and south developments would have entrances off Huguenard and be separated by a 3 1/2-acre detention pond and Hanauer Ditch.
The plans don't indicate how the houses would be designed.
The development would also surround a home and buildings at 7828 Huguenard Road.
The proposed development would receive water and sanitary sewer services from existing Fort Wayne mains, the developer said in rezoning paperwork. Two on-site retention ponds would handle storm water and empty into Hanauer Ditch, which flows through the property.
Thunderhawk would follow Allen County standards for lighting, sidewalks, signage and landscape buffers according to the paperwork.
The paperwork filed for Thunderhawk said several subdivisions of single-family homes already have been developed in the area. It specifically mentions three subdivisions on the west side of Huguenard: Colonial Heights to the north, Ravens Cove Run to the south and Fuller’s Landing on West Cook. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/developer-seeks-to-build-96-lot-subdivision-in-washington-township/article_59833196-f50d-11ed-8c6f-4b45dfef5011.html | 2023-05-19T00:15:32 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/developer-seeks-to-build-96-lot-subdivision-in-washington-township/article_59833196-f50d-11ed-8c6f-4b45dfef5011.html |
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Contact Us | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philly-high-school-sports-reporter-ted-silary-dies-at-72/3569486/ | 2023-05-19T00:16:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philly-high-school-sports-reporter-ted-silary-dies-at-72/3569486/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – A man is behind bars after a recent Roanoke shooting.
Jaliyl Clinton, 33, has been charged in connection with the shooting that happened last Friday.
As we previously reported, the Roanoke Police Department and Roanoke Fire-EMS were called to the 1800 block of Downing St. NW, where they arrived to find a man who had been shot multiple times.
After investigating further, officers determined that the shooting took place in the parking lot of a Shell convenience store in the 1900 block of 10th St NW. According to official documents obtained by 10 News, Clinton shot at a vehicle, injuring a man outside the convenience store.
Police said the man was shot several times and at the time, that the injuries appeared to be non-life threatening.
Officers arrested Clinton later that day at the Embassy Inn where they found a revolver in the hotel room freezer, according to court records.
Clinton is now being held without bond on malicious wounding and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charges. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/man-facing-charges-after-shooting-in-parking-lot-of-roanoke-convenience-store/ | 2023-05-19T00:19:17 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/man-facing-charges-after-shooting-in-parking-lot-of-roanoke-convenience-store/ |
The fate of a proposed coffeehouse remains uncertain after Roanoke City Council shot down rezoning the old cottage in Fishburn Park for the project earlier this week.
Justin vanBlaricom and his wife said they’ve spent a lot of time and money already on the project, submitting their original proposal over a year ago and spending around $15,000 on plans.
“We feel like we owe to people that this isn’t over, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen,” vanBlaricom said. “We feel like we’ve got tremendous support in the community to stand behind that.”
As to what their next step is though, vanBlaricom said he doesn’t really know.
On Monday night, the rezoning was struck down in a 6-1 vote.
A surprise to some as the couple already has a contract with the city, and the planning commission unanimously voted to recommend the rezoning.
“Though this is a proposed rezoning and sale, I’m also hearing in it people who very much care for this land and want to keep it in essence what it is, and just add another asset to it,” Vice-Mayor Joe Cobb said in the meeting.
On the other side, some city leaders are concerned about environmental impacts and future potential development.
“The proposal that’s in the plans there, I’m concerned with the future and the people who will be sitting up on this dais that come past my time,” Council Member Luke Priddy said during the meeting. “Once you have a rezoning come in, the amendments they come pretty easy.”
vanBlaricom said a June 30 deadline to close on the property is quickly approaching.
“It’s not a dream to become the next Starbucks,” vanBlaricom said. “It’s not a dream to become like our retirement plan of a coffee empire. It was that this particular park means a lot to my family.” | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/roanoke-city-council-votes-against-proposed-plan-for-fishburn-park-project/ | 2023-05-19T00:19:23 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/roanoke-city-council-votes-against-proposed-plan-for-fishburn-park-project/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – According to the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, more children in Virginia are facing mental health struggles than ever before.
While the demand for children struggling has increased, the number of providers available to help is dwindling.
Many families seeking help are met with long waitlists, like Family Service of Roanoke Valley.
“We have a waitlist,” Clinical Director Sarah Harig said. “I don’t know any provider that doesn’t have a waitlist. And if they don’t maybe they’re scheduling several months in advance for these folks and that’s for all ages but especially again for youth.”
According to the latest information from the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 90% of doctors they spoke with said they saw an increase in demand for mental health services.
“So, not only do we need the mental health, but we have no one to provide the service. So these youth are really struggling with their mental health services and aren’t able to gain access to people who can help,” Harig said.
Out of nearly 125,000 children in Virginia who have experienced at least one major depressive episode, 62% of them did not receive any mental health treatment.
Harig shared some signs parents and caregivers should be on the lookout for.
“Things like withdrawing from activities that they might have enjoyed before,” Harig said. “Isolation from their loved ones, friends, that kind of thing. And increase or decrease in appetite, an increase or decrease fatigue.”
When parents are met with long waitlists, Harig has some advice.
“Trying to create a space for their teen, or their child to talk about what they’re struggling with,” she said.
Harig also recommends looking into telehealth and virtual therapy, as well as getting on those waitlists as sometimes they can move faster than expected. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/virginia-children-facing-more-mental-health-struggles-providers-struggling-to-keep-up-with-demand/ | 2023-05-19T00:19:29 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/18/virginia-children-facing-more-mental-health-struggles-providers-struggling-to-keep-up-with-demand/ |
SEATTLE — One person was found dead in a suspected hit-and-run in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood late Wednesday night.
Shortly before midnight, police officers responded to reports of a vehicle hitting a pedestrian in the 400 block of Queen Anne Avenue North.
Officers provided aid to the woman until Seattle Fire arrived.
The 53-year-old died at the scene.
The intersection of Queen Anne Avenue at Republican Street was closed while detectives with the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad processed the scene. The squad will continue to lead the investigation.
The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2019 or 2020 black Mitsubishi Outlander. Police say it will have front-end damage.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Seattle Police Department's Traffic Collision Investigation Office at 206-684-8923.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/deadly-hit-and-run-queen-anne-neighborhood/281-d40c6614-bedb-406b-9285-8fe1c9b31089 | 2023-05-19T00:20:47 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/deadly-hit-and-run-queen-anne-neighborhood/281-d40c6614-bedb-406b-9285-8fe1c9b31089 |
KILLEEN, Texas — A 46-year-old man was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Killeen on May 18, according to the Killeen Police Department.
According to the department, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Chaparral Road and SH-195 around 8:14 a.m. Officers said they found a silver Toyota car and Chevy pickup truck on scene, both with major damage.
Police said the preliminary investigation suggests that the silver Toyota was stopped at the red light at the intersection when the white Chevy pickup, which was also pulling a trailer, struck the Toyota from behind.
The driver of the Toyota was reportedly taken to AdventHealth Central Texas in critical condition, where he later died of his injuries.
The driver of the pickup truck was reportedly taken to Seton Medical Center Harker Heights with minor injuries.
The name of the victim has been withheld as authorities notify next of kin. No further information has been given at this time.
Killeen PD says investigators with the Traffic Unit are currently investigating the crash. Updates will be given as more information becomes available.
More from 6 News: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/46-year-old-man-killed-in-deadly-crash-killeen/500-195f5bb3-48fe-432c-ac41-9c95c22c6305 | 2023-05-19T00:23:19 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/46-year-old-man-killed-in-deadly-crash-killeen/500-195f5bb3-48fe-432c-ac41-9c95c22c6305 |
KILLEEN, Texas — The City of Killeen announced that the Family Aquatics Center will open for Memorial Day weekend beginning Friday, May 26.
The center will be open through Monday, May 29, so there will be plenty of time for the whole family to come join in on the fun and cool off.
During Memorial Day weekend the center will be open during the following hours:
- Friday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday - 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Sunday - 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Monday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Following Memorial Day weekend, the Aquatic Center will close again until Tuesday, June 6, when it reopens for the summer.
In addition to the Family Aquatic Center reopening, the Junior Service League of Killeen Spray Pad at Long Branch Park will also be open on Friday, May 26 at 8:30 a.m.
For detailed pricing information and summer hours, please visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/family-aquatic-center-opens-for-memorial-day-weekend-killeen/500-75a8129b-434c-4d88-96cd-5c4be880ab10 | 2023-05-19T00:23:25 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/family-aquatic-center-opens-for-memorial-day-weekend-killeen/500-75a8129b-434c-4d88-96cd-5c4be880ab10 |
WACO, Texas — The Waco Police Department has identified an 81-year-old woman killed in a deadly crash on May 17.
Waco PD identified the woman as Dorthey Small of Fountain Colorado.
According to the department, the crash occurred when Small was traveling south down MLK Blvd. in Waco in a Mazda 5. Police say she attempted to make a U-turn and was hit by another vehicle, which then crashed into a third vehicle.
Small and a 3-year-old passenger of the Mazda 5 were reportedly ejected from the vehicle and taken to a local hospital.
The 3-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and Small was pronounced dead at the hospital, said Waco PD. The department said they expect the occupants of the other vehicles to be okay.
Waco PD stated Small's next of kin has been notified.
Related stories from 6 News: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/police-identify-81-year-old-woman-killed-waco-crash/500-3c222294-545a-4a29-ac86-6cc7808a7254 | 2023-05-19T00:23:31 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/police-identify-81-year-old-woman-killed-waco-crash/500-3c222294-545a-4a29-ac86-6cc7808a7254 |
DES MOINES, Iowa — This week, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 630 into law. The bill increases penalties for people found guilty of human trafficking.
"Human trafficking is a vile form of modern-day slavery and in Iowa, we won’t tolerate it," Reynolds said. "The bill signed today increases penalties for both labor and sex trafficking, and criminals found guilty of trafficking children under 18 will serve up to life in prison.”
In 2021, roughly 22% of Iowa's human trafficking victims were minors, according to the most recent data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Traffickers come in all forms, but often rely on existing relationships with victims, according to Patrick Waymire, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center.
"It could be a family member exploiting another family member, because they already have that trust," Waymire said.
In addition to abusing family relationships, Waymire says traffickers use social media to lure in young people.
"They'll brag about how much money they have, they'll brag about how big the cars that they have, they'll brag about other things that they've gained through the business," Waymire said.
Catching these criminals in the act isn't always easy, especially with a busy summer approaching.
"That actually makes it harder for law enforcement in the public to identify human trafficking because you have normal families that are traveling," Waymire said. "It just increases the amount of people coming through the hotels, that increases the amount of people that are going to different events."
More than 21,000 lodging employees in Iowa have been trained to identify and report trafficking. Waymire says every tip goes a long way in bringing these criminals into the light and off our streets.
"It's been very beneficial, because our tips have gone up, but the quality of tips have even been better for us to do something about it," Waymire said.
You can report trafficking by calling the national hotline at 888-373-7888, or by texting HELP to 233733. You can also report it on the Iowa Offfice to Combat Human Trafficking Website. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/human-trafficking-penalties-iowa-law-governor-kim-reynolds/524-0f8e0ca7-21d0-4479-80a1-57d4ed57ed59 | 2023-05-19T00:24:13 | 0 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/human-trafficking-penalties-iowa-law-governor-kim-reynolds/524-0f8e0ca7-21d0-4479-80a1-57d4ed57ed59 |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Ahead of a potential 2024 groundbreaking, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida released new renderings of its new museum location in downtown Orlando.
The renderings show changes to the Window of Hope, now with a proposed steel and wood covering on the front.
Museum CEO Talli Dippold said temperature and protecting exhibits were the driving factors behind the change rather than security.
“The Window of Hope provided some factors that had to be addressed, such as, as we know, the heat in Florida,” Dippold said. “So because the permanent exhibit will be on the other side of the Window of Hope, we had to take into consideration climate. We had to take into consideration light factors and security, as I mentioned, has always been part of the planning process.”
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Dippold said the wood and steel coverings on the Window of Hope were not part of the original plans, but added that none of the renderings are final.
“We do not know that that will stay,” Dippold said. “It was not part of the original design and none of the renderings are complete at this moment. We’re spending a lot of time really researching and finding the right options.”
Some other changes include the outside of the building. Dippold said it is made to resemble a ram’s horn or a Shofar. She said the Shofar has been used as a call to action in Jewish tradition.
Dippold said one of the goals of the museum is to have a safe place for people to come and talk about issues related to antisemitism and all acts of hate.
“We want to be able to address those challenges,” Dippold said. “We’re a trusted community resource. We’ve been here for almost four decades offering resources for educators, community members, and we want to continue in that tradition and expand.”
News 6 also spoke with Rabbi Chiam Lipskier at the Chabad at UCF. He said while it’s disappointing places of faith would need to consider security, it’s good that people are thinking about it.
“I think it’s important to also note, a lot of our security measures are for ‘what if’ cases,” Lipskier said. “It’s a good thing that we’re thinking about it. It’s a good thing.”
The museum is expected to open in 2026. For more information on the museum, click here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/18/new-photos-show-central-florida-holocaust-memorial-museum-ahead-of-2026-opening/ | 2023-05-19T00:27:33 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/18/new-photos-show-central-florida-holocaust-memorial-museum-ahead-of-2026-opening/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – What started as a an idea while watching anime and eating ramen has now turned into three restaurants and a store.
Soupa Saiyan, a Dragon Ball Z-themed restaurant, first opened in 2016. Now, the business is celebrating its seven-year anniversary.
It features “Dragon Ball Z” décor based on the Japanese anime TV series that first started in 1989. It follows the adventures Goku, who defends the Earth against all evil by stopping villains from collecting powerful dragon balls and taking over the world.
The name Soupa Saiyan is a reference to several of the main characters coming from an alien race called Saiyans, who can power up and become Super Saiyans. The show teaches audiences about teamwork, personal growth and redemption.
Joy Nguyen said when she and her husband, Marshall, first came up with the business, many people thought it was a joke and didn’t believe in them.
They believed it was important to give anime lovers a place to connect.
“Growing up, he always felt like kids (made) fun of him or (thought) he’s weird, so he (felt) like all the other anime fans out there must feel the same,” Joy Nguyen said, of her husband. “So opening Soupa Saiyan, he knows that this is dedicated to them. They can feel good enjoying a bowl of noodles with their kind of people without feeling judged.”
Soupa Saiyan is a family-run team with locations in Orlando and Jacksonville. One restaurant is located on Vineland Road with the Soupa Shop nearby. The other Orlando location is near the University of Central Florida on University Boulevard.
After opening their first location on Vineland Road, Joy Nguyen said an anime fan inspired her husband to open even more businesses.
“An anime fan came in one day thanking us for opening a place like this, because if not, she would just be at home playing games or watch anime. She never felt comfortable to be out and about because she felt like she didn’t fit in. My husband felt that he once was like that and he can only imagine how other people feel, so he decided to open a few more different locations,” she said.
She added one of her favorites parts about their themed restaurants is the nostalgia it brings to customers and seeing the smiles on their faces.
“It’s like a kid stepping into a candy shop, but as (an) adult, seeing how excited and overjoyed they are and knowing that we help bring back memories for them as a kid, that’s what we love,” Joy Nguyen said. “Being (an) adult is stressful sometimes. It’s nice to just go back in time and think of how it was when we (were) kids.”
Soupa Saiyan gets its ingredients locally as much as possible to help support Central Florida farmers and businesses. They participate in local events, and even showcase anime-inspired artwork from local artists in their restaurants.
“We feel that by blending the love of anime and food, we’ve created more than just a restaurant. We’ve created a hub for cultural exchange and community connection,” Joy Nguyen said.
For more information about the restaurants and shop, visit the Soupa Saiyan website.
Check out the Florida Foodie podcast. You can find every episode in the media player below: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/18/orlandos-dragon-ball-z-themed-restaurants-serve-noodles-culture-and-community/ | 2023-05-19T00:27:39 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/18/orlandos-dragon-ball-z-themed-restaurants-serve-noodles-culture-and-community/ |
TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man had the chance to win big on Wheel of Fortune Thursday evening.
Cesar Redaja appeared on Wheel of Fortune's HSN/HSN+ Shopping Spree Week where viewers at home also have the chance to win one of five $10,000 HSN/HSN+ shopping sprees.
Redaja and his husband are big Wheel of Fortune fans. The two tune in to the show each night and compete with each other to see who can solve the puzzles first. It's actually a tradition that started with Redaja's family when he was growing up.
The couple is big on Disney. So much so, that Chris surprised Cesar with a trip to Disneyland in California where he proposed. When Cesar said yes, it was only right that the two wed at Walt Disney World in Florida. They'd later go on to spend their honeymoon at Disneyland Paris.
"One of his dreams is to land on the $1 million wedge, proudly hold it up high, and do a little dance," a news release from Wheel of Fortune said. "With any winnings, Cesar would like to help some of his friends financially and take his parents on a much-deserved vacation."
Following the conclusion of Thursday's episode, Redaja didn't win $1 million, but he might need a bigger wallet. Redaja took home $29,448 in cash and prizes, including a trip to Portugal.
Looks like he will get to gift his parents with a vacation after all. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/wheel-of-fortune-cesar-redaja-contestant/67-ca8cc560-6de7-4109-b46b-cf08c789ff33 | 2023-05-19T00:31:14 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/wheel-of-fortune-cesar-redaja-contestant/67-ca8cc560-6de7-4109-b46b-cf08c789ff33 |
A Jerome man is being held on a $1 million bond on multiple counts of lewd conduct and sexual abuse of a minor, court records say.
Levi Benjamin Popplewell, 22, was charged in January with five felonies for alleged offenses dating back to December and January.
Among them are lewd conduct with a child under 16, child enticement, failure to register as a sex offender, and two counts of sexual abuse of a minor under 16.
The court case is sealed, and Trevor Misseldine, Gooding County prosecuting attorney, has been named as special prosecutor.
Popplewell had been on probation from a 2020 charge of lewd conduct with a child under 16, court records say. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/jerome-man-faces-multiple-sex-charges/article_fde02fde-f5c4-11ed-aff3-97488d556df5.html | 2023-05-19T00:36:35 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/jerome-man-faces-multiple-sex-charges/article_fde02fde-f5c4-11ed-aff3-97488d556df5.html |
A woman is accused of firing a gun inside a victim’s house Monday and flattening tires on his vehicle during an attempted robbery, police say.
Onnally Suzan Taylor, 28, and Brian Keith McConnell, 50, face charges in the Monday evening incident in which a resident said acquaintances entered his residence on Harmony Road in Twin Falls and demanded money.
When the man refused, Taylor reportedly shot into the house and at his tires.
Taylor and McConnell were later taken into custody, police say, where Taylor was found to have a loaded .22 handgun in her possession.
Both Taylor and McConnell were charged with burglary, attempted robbery and misdemeanor battery, while Taylor, being held on $250,000 bond, faces an additional charge of unlawful discharge of a weapon.
McConnell is held on a $50,000 bond.
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Preliminary hearings for the pair have been set for May 26. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/police-woman-fired-shots-during-attempted-burglary-in-twin-falls/article_ff1eb8f8-f5cd-11ed-8caa-a3422a52ad9a.html | 2023-05-19T00:36:41 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/police-woman-fired-shots-during-attempted-burglary-in-twin-falls/article_ff1eb8f8-f5cd-11ed-8caa-a3422a52ad9a.html |
What to Know
- A report prepared and published by Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants and Douglas Elliman Real Estate breaks down the numbers behind this spring’s competitive apartment market.
- The report indicates that the median rent in Manhattan hit a new high for the second month in a row. The new median rent is over $4,200, beating its previous record-high in March of $4,175.
- The median rental price in Brooklyn as of April 2023 was around $3,500, average studio price of nearly $2,900, and a one-bedroom can be found for roughly $3,350 on average.
If you’re on the hunt for a new rental in the Big Apple, now might not be the best time to make the move.
A report prepared and published by Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants and Douglas Elliman Real Estate breaks down the numbers behind this spring’s competitive apartment market.
Manhattan
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The report indicates that the median rent in Manhattan hit a new high for the second month in a row. The new median rent is over $4,200, beating its previous record-high in March of $4,175.
Median rent in Manhattan has risen around 8% year-over-year, and new leases year-over-year (excluding renewals) dipped nearly 14%. The average rental price, as of April 2023, in this borough for a one-bedroom is just shy of $4,300, while a studio comes in at slightly under $3,300 on average.
Brooklyn
News
Although prices over in Brooklyn are slightly cheaper, the changes have been more drastic, the report found.
The median rent year-over-year climbed almost 15%, while 24% less new leases (excluding renewals) hit the market.
The median rental price as of April 2023 was around $3,500, average studio price of nearly $2,900, and a one-bedroom can be found for roughly $3,350 on average.
The median rent is record-worthy as well, after the previous record was set last August.
Northwest Queens
Apartments in Northwest Queens had the lowest year-over-year median rent increase of just under 13%, with the price point at around $3,500. The area however had the largest dip in new lease options, seeing a decrease of 33.3% (excluding renewals) year-over-year.
Prices in April 2023 split the difference between those seen in Manhattan and Brooklyn. An average studio is marked at $3,000 and a one-bedroom at a little over $3,400.
All About Timing
Apartments typically fly off the shelves quickly, especially in a couple of boroughs. Manhattan and Brooklyn both saw a decrease in year-over-year marketing time (days on market), with Manhattan at a 20-day decrease and Brooklyn at a 15-day decrease.
Northwest Queens meanwhile saw an 11-day increase year-over-year, so potential residents may have some more flexible timing when finding their apartment match. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/rent-prices-hit-new-record-high-prices-across-these-nyc-boroughs/4346748/ | 2023-05-19T00:40:34 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/rent-prices-hit-new-record-high-prices-across-these-nyc-boroughs/4346748/ |
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Contact Us | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/80-more-migrants-arrive-in-philadelphia/3569468/ | 2023-05-19T00:46:46 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/80-more-migrants-arrive-in-philadelphia/3569468/ |
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Contact Us | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montgomery-county-honors-police-and-citizens-who-helped-those-in-need/3569525/ | 2023-05-19T00:46:52 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montgomery-county-honors-police-and-citizens-who-helped-those-in-need/3569525/ |
2023 VeeCon Indianapolis kicks off: See sights and sounds from day 1
VeeCon kicked off in Indianapolis on Thursday with a celebrity-filled lineup of guests expected over the three-day event.
Here's what to know about it, and some sights and sounds from social media.
What is VeeCon?
According to their site, VeeCon is a multi-day super conference with discussions and performances from iconic and emerging leaders in Business, Marketing, innovation and Popular Culture.
Drew Barrymore, Yung Gravy, Busta Rhymes and Neil Patrick Harris are among the big names headed to Lucas Oil Stadium, TCU Amphitheater and White River State Park for a weekend of business, innovation and pop culture.
The convention will go on from 2-10:30 p.m. May 18 and 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. May 19-20.
VeeCon preview and more:Superheroes, Legos & Unicorns: What conventions are coming to Indianapolis this summer
Sights and sounds from 2023 VeeCon Indy
Post Malone in Indianapolis:New album, tour announced that will stop at Ruoff Music Center this summer
More Indianapolis events:Mallow Run Winery's Picnic Concert Series returns with live music and special releases | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/05/18/2023-veecon-indianapolis-vcon-indy-drew-barrymore-busta-rhymes/70233894007/ | 2023-05-19T00:48:55 | 1 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/05/18/2023-veecon-indianapolis-vcon-indy-drew-barrymore-busta-rhymes/70233894007/ |
SHIP BOTTOM — Route 72 eastbound/Ninth Street will continue to experience extended lane closures through Friday afternoon as the Manahawkin Bay Bridges project advances, the state Department of Transportation said.
By 3:30 p.m., two lanes on Route 72 eastbound/Ninth Street are scheduled to be open, with all three lanes expected to be restored by Monday. Two lanes have been closed with one lane open since May 15, with crews working around the clock to complete concrete and drainage work and to repave the road, the DOT said Thursday in a news release.
In addition, the borough closed Shore Avenue on Thursday for paving, the DOT said.
Motorists should expect heavy congestion and delays Friday and are advised to use caution and slow down through the work zone.
Work on the $312 million Route 72 project began in 2013. This final phase is designed to improve safety and reduce congestion in Stafford Township at the Marsha Drive/Route 72 intersection and in Ship Bottom. In Stafford, Marsha Drive will be widened to provide double left turn lanes onto Route 72, and a third lane will be added on Route 72 in both directions near the intersection, the DOT said.
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In Ship Bottom, about 3,000 feet of Route 72 and three crossroads (Barnegat Avenue, Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard) will be widened. Two-way traffic will be restored along Central Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. Five traffic signals will be reconstructed, and a new traffic signal will be installed at Eighth Street and Long Beach Boulevard, the DOT said. In addition, a new storm drainage system and new outfalls will be installed in an effort to reduce frequent flooding along Route 72 and these intersections. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/lane-closures-expected-on-route-72-in-ship-bottom/article_11348982-f5d3-11ed-88d4-ef57ab96b53c.html | 2023-05-19T00:49:26 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/lane-closures-expected-on-route-72-in-ship-bottom/article_11348982-f5d3-11ed-88d4-ef57ab96b53c.html |
Area high school crew teams will compete against some of best competition from the U.S. and Canada on Friday and Saturday at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia. Racing begins at 8 a.m. both days on the Schuylkill River.
The Stotesbury Cup, which has 31 divisions, is considered the largest scholastic regatta in the world.
Time trials, called head races, start at 8 a.m. Friday, and semifinals start at 4:30 p.m. The rest of the semifinals begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, and the finals run from 12:40 to 5:25 p.m.
Eight area crews were finalists last year, with the Atlantic City girls junior four and the Holy Spirit girls junior eight both finishing third. The girls junior-four category had 49 crews and the girls-junior eight division had 44. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/crew-teams-to-compete-at-stotesbury-cup-this-weekend/article_f5ee257a-f5c3-11ed-9f8c-ebcae65aa3b2.html | 2023-05-19T00:49:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/crew-teams-to-compete-at-stotesbury-cup-this-weekend/article_f5ee257a-f5c3-11ed-9f8c-ebcae65aa3b2.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/police-looking-for-abducted-nampa-child/article_337066ae-f5d0-11ed-957f-9b4b342e4d6d.html | 2023-05-19T00:49:45 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/police-looking-for-abducted-nampa-child/article_337066ae-f5d0-11ed-957f-9b4b342e4d6d.html |
Cottonwood police chief placed on administrative leave
Cottonwood police Chief Steve Gesell was placed on nondisciplinary administrative leave last week while "certain internal matters are being addressed," according to a news release from the city.
Gesell's leave began last Thursday. Because personnel matters are confidential, the city declined to provide any additional information.
Cmdr. Gareth Braxton is serving as the acting chief of police in the interim.
Gesell was first appointed to lead the Cottonwood Police Department in 2016 after spending two decades with the Scottsdale Police Department.
He most recently ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 1 in 2022. The district covers a large portion of Yavapai County, including Cottonwood.
Reach the reporter at LLatch@gannett.com.
The Republic’s coverage of northern Arizona is funded, in part, with grants from Vitalyst Health Foundation and Report from America. To support regional Arizona news coverage like this, make a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/18/cottonwood-police-chief-steve-gesell-placed-on-administrative-leave/70233987007/ | 2023-05-19T00:50:25 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/18/cottonwood-police-chief-steve-gesell-placed-on-administrative-leave/70233987007/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – An Amber Alert was issued Thursday around 3:50 p.m. in search of a 2018 gray Honda Civic or 2008 gray Lexus IS200T that may have a missing child inside.
Authorities say Rudy Oziah Reyes, 2, may be travelling with 36-year-old Rodolfo Reyes in an unknown direction. The pair were last seen at 81 North Yale Street in Nampa, Idaho around 10:54 a.m.
According to police, Rudy has black hair and brown eyes, weighs 50 pounds and was last seen wearing a gray hooded shirt and diaper; Rodolfo is 5 feet 9 inches and 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jeans.
Officials say Rodolfo also has tattoos: “Front center of his neck ‘Woman Hat? line dots tattoo the right side of his neck, ‘Lil Rudy,’ left neck ‘Southside Cliq,’ right cheek ‘Joelle,’ left cheek ‘M’ head top ‘Horn.'”
The related cars have these two license plate numbers: O19YOR or 2CTJ90.
Authorities ask that anyone with information on either of these cars call 911 or 1-866-5AMBER5.
No other details were immediately available.
Stay with KOIN 6 as we receive more information. | https://www.koin.com/local/amber-alert-issued-in-search-of-honda-civic-or-lexus-is200t/ | 2023-05-19T00:54:06 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/amber-alert-issued-in-search-of-honda-civic-or-lexus-is200t/ |
BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN) — After losing several students to fentanyl overdoses, the Beaverton School District launched their Fake and Fatal: One Pill Can Kill educational series for students and parents.
A special community conversation will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. KOIN 6 News anchor Jenny Hansson will moderate the discussion with educators, law enforcement and parents who lost a child to a fentanyl overdose.
Watch “Fake and Fatal” beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the video player above. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/fake-and-fatal-fentanyl-conversation-beaverton-05182023/ | 2023-05-19T00:54:12 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/fake-and-fatal-fentanyl-conversation-beaverton-05182023/ |
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Cape Coral’s Yacht Club has been a fixture for decades, but at least one gem there could reopen soon. The boathouse restaurant could reopen in a matter of weeks.
Norma Campbell has lived in the Cape for 35 years. She knows how much the yacht club means to her community.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Cape Coral Yacht Club to be demolished after decades of history
“It’s a staple center for Cape Coral. My grandkids come down, we go down there to the beach. We go down there on the pier. There’s fishing down there. It’s just kind of a neat little place to take out-of-town guests,” she said.
The Director of Capital Improvements said The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill will hopefully be open by the end of May or the beginning of June.
John Fearon lives right next door and has seen the construction firsthand.
“On the boat you can see they put in a new thatched roof so they can cover the entire property so it looks like they’re not gonna have any umbrellas (etc.) and people can get out of the sun,” Fearon said.
The city hopes to tear down the main buildings, including the Tony Rotino Center, in September or October. The beach and boat ramp still have a long way to go. The city is waiting for FEMA to send a beach inspector.
PREVIOUS STORY: Cape Coral City Council discusses Yacht Club restoration
City leaders are also considering a charity auction to sell off items from the ballroom. You can count on NBC2 to keep you updated on when that happens. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/05/18/cape-coral-yacht-clubs-boathouse-restaurant-gears-up-for-reopening/ | 2023-05-19T00:55:23 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/05/18/cape-coral-yacht-clubs-boathouse-restaurant-gears-up-for-reopening/ |
NAPLES Fla. – Naples Pride Fest is still scheduled for June 10 at Cambier Park in Olde Naples despite new anti-LGBTQ laws signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Tampa Pride had to cancel their festival after DeSantis signed HB-1438, which allows the state to “fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment if the establishment admits a child to an adult live performance.”
Many in opposition of this bill stated that it’s a direct attack on LGBTQ events that feature drag shows.
Naples Pride is one step ahead. Naples Pride President, Cori Craciun said they are putting their drag show indoors and limiting it to an 18+ audience.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Naples Pride Festival back on track following heated city council meeting
“We moved it inside even before this Bill became a law,” stated Craciun.
Craciun said they made the decision for the safety of attendees, not just the political pressure. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/05/18/naples-pride-fest-continues-despite-new-anti-lgbtq-laws/ | 2023-05-19T00:55:29 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/collier-county/2023/05/18/naples-pride-fest-continues-despite-new-anti-lgbtq-laws/ |
DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tucked under the Caloosahatchee Bridge in downtown Fort Myers, the farmers market has returned this month after being closed since Hurricane Ian.
20 vendor booths and food trucks packed the parking lot with shoppers stopping by to look at locally made products.
“I’m happy we’re able to start moving forward from all of everything,” said Arielle Valle.
Valle owns The Wallflower Shop and is brand new to the River District Market. She makes her booth a one-stop shop for mental health and wellness with essential oil-based products like candles and sprays.
“We’re all here together to support one another,” said Valle.
One would never realize she makes her products from her garage. Valle said she’s still making repairs to her Cape Coral home and also trying to open her own storefront.
“It’s definitely been difficult,” said Valle. “You learn a lot.”
From the produce to the candles and other goods, organizers say these vendors are ambitious and excited to see so many coming back to buy local, helping them bounce back.
“They were really eager for us to come back to the downtown district,” Farmers Market manager Rebekah Zambito told NBC2.
The market’s come back for the summer and now Centennial Park is repaired.
“It was a struggle,” said Sage & Indigo Juice Co-owner, Sarah Pederson. “We really rely on this market.”
The Fort Myers native and juice vendor told NBC2 she moved her own sales to Tampa after Ian. Today her favorite part of being downtown is the returning people.
“This farmers market is pretty much where it all started for me, so it has kind of a special place in my heart,” said Pederson. “Kind of normal to be back here again.”
“I think it’s good just within our community to help each other and to help each other grow,” said Zambito.
The River District Farmers Market is set up every Thursday. Organizers say you can also find more information about the Babcock Ranch and extended Summer hours of the Lakes Park Farmers Markets here. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/05/18/local-vendors-shoppers-celebrate-revival-of-downtown-fort-myers-farmers-market/ | 2023-05-19T00:55:35 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/05/18/local-vendors-shoppers-celebrate-revival-of-downtown-fort-myers-farmers-market/ |
DULUTH — Local authorities were already planning to spend more than $5 million to replace lead water service lines this year.
But Gov. Tim Walz's visit Thursday to tout the state's recent legislative appropriation of $240 million to help communities bear the cost of replacing lead components in their water systems buoyed hopes that Duluth won't have to go it alone financially.
“We know, and the science is very clear on this and has been for some time: No amount of lead exposure is good, at all. It’s a heavy metal that sits in the central nervous system,” Walz said, suggesting that the cost of inaction is greater than that of removing lead from water systems.
“When we did a study with the Minnesota Department of Health in 2019, it’s estimated that at a minimum, the cost of lead poisoning in decreased mental acuity, the cost that goes into dealing with behavioral and health outcomes is about $4 billion,” he said.
Walz contrasted that with the $800 million-$1 billion it likely will cost the state to replace lead lines over the next decade.
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“To do nothing will cost us $4 billion, and it will harm countless Minnesotans. This is just good stuff,” he said. “Not to mention … all these projects are going to be done with union labor at a prevailing wage by skilled professionals.”
Walz estimated the replacement work will keep about 4,500 workers busy for the next decade.
“The fact of the matter is, we all know that lead lines are bad for you, and they should be replaced," LIUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America) Local 1091 Duluth business manager Dan Olson said. "We have the opportunity to do it, and we want to be partners in it with LIUNA and all organized labor.”
I know that we are ahead of other communities, in terms of how we are mapping and how we are learning about this and how we are strategizing around funding. But I also know we have a lot to learn.
Walz toured an East Hillside neighborhood Thursday afternoon, where the city launched a $1.3 million pilot project last year to replace lead service lines along a six-block section of East Eighth Street. As part of that effort, the city agreed to use federal pandemic-relief funds to cover the replacement costs for private lines that would normally be considered the financial responsibility of homeowners. The anticipated cost is estimated to be an average of about $16,000 per residence.
State funds will be used to do the same, shielding residents from that hefty financial burden.
While work approaches completion on East Eighth Street, Duluth is looking to pick up the pace, with four projects involving a total of more than 600 homes in its Lincoln Park and Gary-New Duluth neighborhoods scheduled over the next couple years at a total estimated cost of about $10 million.
Yet, the scope of the problem is far larger, due largely to the relatively old age of Duluth’s housing inventory.
Mayor Emily Larson said the city continues its efforts to identify every lead water service in Duluth, but predicted it may need to replace up to 9,000 individual lines. So far, she said the city has located about 6,500 local lead service lines, including one that delivers water to her own East Hillside home.
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“This is something we have been working on,” Larson said. “I know that we are ahead of other communities, in terms of how we are mapping and how we are learning about this and how we are strategizing around funding. But I also know we have a lot to learn."
Larson also acknowledged there is no quick fix for Duluth. The city faces obvious financial constraints as well as the challenge of scaling up work to match the immensity of the task at hand.
Walz said he aims to replace all lead water pipes in the state within a decade, and Jim Benning, director of public works and utilities, noted that could be an ambitious goal for the city. Duluth officials estimate it could cost more than $100 million for the city alone to reach the finish line.
In the meantime, Larson encourages people to request and use city-provided filtered water pitchers while waiting for lead lines to be replaced. She said her family filters its drinking water with such a pitcher and has seen its lead exposure levels cut in half.
John Maruska, an engineering technician for the city, said Duluth will continue to work from neighborhood to neighborhood, contacting residents by mail and making arrangements to access basements when replacement efforts begin.
He said about a 2- by 2-foot section of basement floor will be removed. Then, two holes will be dug: one at the water main and another near the sidewalk at the valve for each residence. A crew then uses directional drilling equipment to connect all three openings so that a new piece of plastic water line can be pulled through.
Maruska said contractors will work to minimize the disruption of private property, but in areas where the geology is difficult to navigate with a drill, some trenching of yards may be necessary. Water service is typically returned to homes the same day.
In the interim, Maruska neighbors have generally been amenable to sharing a common line.
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The $240 million recently allocated will be just the first tranche of funding required to rid Minnesota of lead water lines, but Walz pledged: “We will be the first state to get this done. Even though Michigan’s really racing for it, because of course Flint showed us what happens when you don’t.”
Walz noted the Legislature demonstrated strong resolve for efforts to remove lead from the state's water systems, recognizing the need to protect public health, and only two lawmakers failed to support the allocation. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/state-to-spend-240-million-to-help-rid-duluth-other-cities-of-lead-lines | 2023-05-19T00:58:08 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/state-to-spend-240-million-to-help-rid-duluth-other-cities-of-lead-lines |
MCCAMEY, Texas — A University Interscholastic League (UIL) hearing has been set, following an investigation into the viral incident during the McCamey vs. Cisco UIL softball playoff game.
McCamey High School and head softball coach Michael Woodard will appear before the UIL State Executive Committee on Tuesday, May 23 at 10:45 a.m.
This will be an evidentiary hearing for consideration of penalties for violations of Section 51(b)(1), School District Personnel, and Section 52(b), School Violations.
The UIL will see if the school district and/or Woodard violated these two sections of its Constitution.
Section 51(b)(1) states, "failing to comply with the Athletic Code, Athletic Code for Coaches, Music Code, Academic Code or One-Act Play Code."
Section 52(b) states, "Violations of UIL rules: Failing to comply with the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, when not in conflict with State Board of Education rules or regulations."
Stay with NewsWest 9 for the latest, as we'll have updates from the hearing here on our website. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/mccamey-high-school-ad-michael-woodard-uil-hearing/513-c4d8e22a-27a8-4401-bb29-5dc3f2ead6e7 | 2023-05-19T00:58:45 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/mccamey-high-school-ad-michael-woodard-uil-hearing/513-c4d8e22a-27a8-4401-bb29-5dc3f2ead6e7 |
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — A family is now facing a $10,000 fine after a deadly shooting in their Douglasville neighborhood.
It's been two months since the shooting that killed two teens and injured seven others, which happened after the family hosted a Sweet 16 celebration for their daughter on the night of March 4.
The mother of the girl, who hosted the Sweet 16 party, said they feel like they are victims in a way too.
"We're dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, you name it," said Chrystal Walker-Cherry after receiving notice of a huge fine from her neighborhood's HOA.
She said the neighborhood joined her in a prayer walk after the shooting. Then, weeks later – Walker-Cherry's cousin, who owns the house they rent on Talkeetna Road, received a letter from the attorney of the Chaparral Ridge HOA stating, "You are hereby given notice of a firearm violation and fines of $10,000."
"It pretty much broke our hearts," Walker-Cherry said.
The letter goes on to say in part, "On March 5, your tenants hosted a birthday party attended by more than 100 teenagers. During the Sweet 16 celebration, shots rang out leaving 2 teenagers killed and 7 others wounded."
Walker-Cherry said only half of those teens attended the party. She said they checked the bags of all the guests and ended the party when they smelled marijuana.
"At that point, 'OK, it's over. Cut the lights on, it's over. Everybody, call your parents.' And that's how it ended," Walker Cherry recalled.
The letter goes on to explain that there's an HOA rule in place prohibiting the use of firearms in their community and that property owners and tenants are responsible for their guests.
However, Walker-Cherry contends the shooting suspects were never their guests.
"The people that did this shooting, they stayed at the top of the hill on Sitka Road until the party was let out," she said.
Walker-Cherry said they responded with their own letter.
"No one was harmed on my property and the assailants never attended nor was invited to the event," she wrote.
She said they've also had a virtual meeting with the HOA to try to explain what happened. Walker-Cherry said while dealing with the trauma from the shooting, this is more than they can handle.
"It's so heartless to know, that you'd come at somebody at such a vulnerable time," she said. "It's terrible."
She said the deadline to pay the fine is Jan. 1, 2024, but they are fighting it.
11Alive reached out to the Chaparral Ridge HOA but did not receive a response from its attorney. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/homeowners-fined-hoa-deadly-sweet-16-party-shooting-douglasville/85-cc71112f-34be-47ea-b2be-6ff23ba729ff | 2023-05-19T00:59:22 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/homeowners-fined-hoa-deadly-sweet-16-party-shooting-douglasville/85-cc71112f-34be-47ea-b2be-6ff23ba729ff |
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A jury has unanimously found Dontrell Wiggins guilty on all counts related to a 2020 rape case.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis made the announcement Thursday, revealing the charges against Wiggins, which include rape, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, aggravated sodomy, and false imprisonment.
The prosecution presented a compelling case to the court, recounting the events of July 9, 2020. According to the State's case, Wiggins and the victim had initially connected through social media and arranged to meet at an apartment complex on North Camp Creek Parkway. During their meeting, Wiggins brandished a handgun, threatening the victim's life. He then coerced her into performing oral sex and subsequently subjected her to a horrifying sexual assault that lasted approximately one hour.
After the assault, Wiggins, in a bid to further intimidate the victim, warned her against reporting the incident to the police, leaving with the condom he had used during the assault, according to the district attorney's office.
Fearing for her life and feeling uncertain about being believed, the victim delayed reporting the crime until eight months later. In her report to the Atlanta Police Department, she provided detectives with crucial evidence, including screenshots, text messages, and a written statement.
Following an intensive investigation by the Atlanta Police Department's Fugitive Unit, Wiggins was arrested on June 2, 2021. During his arrest, evidence emerged linking him to another rape case that had occurred at the same location, which was brought up in court.
Willis praised the victim for her incredible courage and resilience throughout the legal proceedings.
"A serial rapist was brought to justice because of the incredible courage shown by the victim of this unspeakable act," Willis said in a prepared statement. "Her efforts working with our office have ensured that a dangerous predator will not be able to victimize anyone else."
Judge Kimberly Adams is set to sentence Dontrell Wiggins on Monday, May 22. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/serial-rapist-found-guilty-fulton-county/85-1b6bc7ba-10ba-4121-84ed-bd34242a563a | 2023-05-19T00:59:28 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/serial-rapist-found-guilty-fulton-county/85-1b6bc7ba-10ba-4121-84ed-bd34242a563a |
A 24-year-old motorcyclist died a day after a crash Tuesday near Catalina, officials say.
The motorcycle collided with a car about 6:30 p.m. near East Edwin Road and North Bowman Road, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said Thursday in a news release.
Brandon Castelhano was taken to the hospital and died the next day, the news release said.
The driver of the car, a 36-year-old woman, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the release said.
The investigation into the crash continues, the news release said.
Jamie Donnelly covers breaking news for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/motorcyclist-killed-in-wreck-north-of-tucson/article_56fd070e-f5d4-11ed-929b-47af285fd019.html | 2023-05-19T01:00:19 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/motorcyclist-killed-in-wreck-north-of-tucson/article_56fd070e-f5d4-11ed-929b-47af285fd019.html |
A woman has been arrested after a fatal high-speed, head-on crash northwest of Tucson, officials say.
Jacqueline Klukosky, 31, was driving a Ford Fusion on West Picture Rocks Road about 7 p.m. Wednesday when she tried to negotiate a right curve and collided head-on with a Hyundai Accent, the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Thursday.
Benjamin Brookhart, 45, the driver of the Hyundai, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A passenger is Klukosky’s car was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Klukosky was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of causing death by motor vehicle and for outstanding warrants, the news release said.
Jamie Donnelly covers breaking news for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-arrested-in-fatal-crash-nw-of-tucson/article_2777f212-f5d6-11ed-8c96-4ff34f4358bc.html | 2023-05-19T01:00:26 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-arrested-in-fatal-crash-nw-of-tucson/article_2777f212-f5d6-11ed-8c96-4ff34f4358bc.html |
Rio Nuevo is suing the owner of a downtown Tucson hotel that it financed after the owner announced the hotel would close.
The lawsuit, filed in Pima County Superior Court on Wednesday, May 17, alleges breach of contract and seeks $333,333 that Rio Nuevo provided to Citizen Hotel owner Moniqua Lane to renovate the former Tucson Citizen building at 82 S. Stone Ave. into a 10-room wine-centric boutique hotel.
The lawsuit alleges that Lane misrepresented herself as the sole owner of the building when she requested Rio Nuevo’s support in March 2022.
Lane had a minority ownership in the property with Sofonias Astatke and Equilibrium Real Estate Investments, listed as Equilibrium QOZB2C LLC. in Pima County Assessor records.
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Equilibrium bought out her share early this year, Lane said on Monday when news broke that the hotel and its lobby bar were closing on Sunday, May 21, after only 15 months.
Lane on Thursday said she had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment. She also owns the Downtown Clifton and Red Light Lounge at 485 S. Stone Ave.
Also named in the suit is Lane’s construction company MKL Devco, LLC, which worked on the $2.5 million Citizen Hotel renovation project.
Citizen Hotel is the first Rio Nuevo-funded project to fail, said longtime Chairman Fletcher McCusker.
“It’s the first time ... where a business went out of business abruptly,” he said.
In its April 2022 economic benefits agreement with Lane, Rio Nuevo initially pledged to provide $500,000 in total support for the Citizen Hotel, with some $200,000 set aside as rent relief for Sand-Reckoner Vineyards. Sand-Reckoner was supposed to lease the 5,000-square-foot basement to create a wine-tasting room and barreling facility.
When Sand-Reckoner pulled out of the project, Rio Nuevo withheld the $200,000.
Astatke has not responded to calls for comment about what will become of the building.
The Citizen Building, which dates back to 1913, was the original home of the now defunct Tucson Citizen newspaper. For years it was used as office space for doctors, dentists, lawyers and other professionals.
Rio Nuevo works to revitalize downtown Tucson using funds generated from a portion of state sales tax from businesses within its district.
Contact reporter Cathalena E. Burch at cburch@tucson.com. On Twitter @Starburch | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/rio-nuevo-sues-failed-tucson-hotel/article_b8ef02a0-f5b6-11ed-9f34-f7885b29bcb8.html | 2023-05-19T01:00:32 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/rio-nuevo-sues-failed-tucson-hotel/article_b8ef02a0-f5b6-11ed-9f34-f7885b29bcb8.html |
Arizona, California and Nevada have agreed on a plan to shave a total of 3 million acre-feet over the next three years from their Colorado River water use in return for federal compensation of at least $1 billion, sources familiar with the negotiations say.
The agreement reportedly has approval from the U.S. Interior Department on amounts of water saved and the federal compensation.
While it’s a lot less than Interior officials wanted to get from the states until recently, one source said it’s the best deal that can be obtained without litigation. An environmentalist, however, blasted the proposed cuts as “pathetic.” Federal officials had said they wanted the states to save at least 2 million to 4 million acre-feet a year.
Other issues remain to be settled, including how the river’s three Lower Basin states would share the cuts. Also unsettled at this time is how Arizona’s share of whatever cuts are approved would be split among various water users, including cities like Tucson and farmers along the river in Yuma and other areas.
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It’s also uncertain whether the river’s Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — will sign onto this agreement, a source close to the negotiations said. Interior has wanted to get all seven states to support an agreement.
Also not clear is whether Arizona, California and Nevada and the federal government can reach complete agreement in time for a May 30 deadline, set by the feds, to comment on an earlier, draft federal environmental impact statement on the river. That statement analyzed two proposals calling for much more draconian cuts than the states are now talking about.
The agreement was first reported Wednesday by the Washington Post, citing anonymous sources. The Star was able to confirm its basic terms by interviewing sources familiar with or close to the negotiations. They also spoke on the condition their names and professional affiliations not be disclosed.
Federal and state officials directly involved in the negotiations have declined to comment, citing the gravity and sensitivity of the issues involved.
Terry Goddard, president of the Central Arizona Project’s governing board, said he’s heard that the amount agreed for savings may be lower, at 2 million acre-feet total over three years. He doesn’t sit in on the negotiations himself. CAP General Manager Brenda Burman does sit in on them, but DeEtte Person, an agency spokeswoman, said Burman isn’t commenting on the negotiations for now.
There has been a request made to Interior by Lower Basin states to extend the May 30 deadline for comments on the environmental report for another 60 days, Goddard said.
“I think there are some details that need to be worked out. The timing I’ve been privy to is if you are going to have to do your serious legal comments by the end of the month, time for discussion is almost over,” Goddard said. “It takes at least two weeks to put them together. I think it is far better to put some time in now to see if the states can come to an agreement.
“This was a hurry up deal in the first place to get the comments in by 45 days after the draft was released,” he said.
The 3 million acre-feet over three years that’s now under discussion for savings by the Lower Basin states represents less than 10% of the water that all seven river basin states pull from the river in that period. Of all the water used from the river, at least half usually goes directly to the Lower Basin states.
California controls the largest share, at 4.4 million acre-feet a year. Arizona is second largest, with rights to 2.8 million, although it has used significantly less than that in recent years due to voluntary conservation measures.
The rest is accounted for by use in the Upper Basin and Mexico and evaporation of water from the river and its reservoirs.
The 3 million is far less than Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton told Congress nearly a year ago, in mid-June 2022, that she was demanding the states save.
She said at the time that cuts of 2 million to 4 million acre-feet a year were needed to insure that Lakes Mead and Lake Powell don’t fall so low that they could no longer generate electricity.
The Interior Department’s Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the river, released in mid-April, also analyzed much more severe cuts. Depending on how high the reservoirs are in a given year, the Interior-studied proposals could cut up to 2 million acre-feet in 2024 and up to 4 million in 2025 and 2026.
Touton’s comments came, however, at a time when the short-term outlook for the river and its big reservoirs was much more dire than it is today.
At the time, Lake Powell in particular stood barely 30 feet above the level at which it could no longer generate electricity. Interior’s draft environmental report’s proposals were based on computer modeling that relied on those very low reservoir levels.
This year has brought a complete change in weather patterns, after three dry years in the river basin. Snowpack in the Upper Basin reached 150% of normal. River runoff into Powell is now expected to reach 172% of the average runoff from April through July 2023.
As a result, the river is now forecast to carry 18 million acre-feet this year, about 50% above its annual average flow. That means that on top of the 3 million acre-feet in savings the states have agreed to, the river will get the benefit of another 6 million acre-feet in additional water, one source close to the negotiations noted Thursday.
“You take 6 million this year plus 3 million and it’s 9 million” in net gains for the river over three years, that source said.
The agreement probably will be “front loaded” to put a larger percentage of cuts over the next two years, and will contain contingencies requiring more cuts if the next few years are very dry, the source said.
“If we get drier years, all bets are off,” that source said. “We go back to the drawing board.”
This “was a miraculous year,” and from the modelling the basin states have done, it appears that even if the next two or three years are dry, “we are going to be OK at least through 2025,” added a second source familiar with the negotiations.
That would keep the river and its reservoirs in good shape going into a separate but related set of negotiations seeking to set long-term operating standards for the river when the current ones expire in 2026, that source said.
The federal government is likely to go along with this reduced level of cuts because “that’s the best deal they can get” without facing litigation by the states challenging higher levels of cuts, said another source familiar with the negotiations.
But while 1 million acre-feet a year is “better than nothing and way better than litigation, it’s not sufficient to resolve the imbalance we’ve been experiencing between supply and demand” on the river since 2000, that source said.
“It may take years. It may take five years, but if that’s all there is (in water savings), we will go back into the same situation there was last summer,” that source said.
John Weisheit, an environmentalist with the Utah-based Living Rivers, savaged the states’ proposed cuts, calling them “pathetic” and “pitiful.”
“That’s not even close to what needs to be done. For every good snowmelt year we have three bad ones. That proposal proves they’re still kicking the can down the road,” Weisheit said. “It’s impossible for them to get serious about climate change and the long-term impacts, because it every decade will get worse, not better.”
Water-use cuts of only a million acre-feet a year would be problematic if they include several hundred thousand acre-feet of cuts already approved, for instance, in Arizona, said Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy. But if the newly agreed-upon round of cuts come on top of those already planned and paid for, they could be acceptable, Porter said.
Contact Tony Davis at 520-349-0350 or tdavis@tucson.com. Follow Davis on Twitter@tonydavis987. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/three-states-agree-on-plan-to-save-colorado-river-water/article_ca2b20fe-f515-11ed-b208-472196fa1294.html | 2023-05-19T01:00:38 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/three-states-agree-on-plan-to-save-colorado-river-water/article_ca2b20fe-f515-11ed-b208-472196fa1294.html |
The Bald Mountain Wildfire burns May 12 in the Grande Prairie Forest Area in Alberta, Canada.
ALBERTA FIRE SERVICE VIA AP
Smoky conditions on Thursday afternoon triggered a health advisory from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
Northern winds have carried substantial smoke from wildfires in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, says Gary Bergstrom, the supervisor for the department's air quality program.
Bergstrom said the conditions are likely to persist through early Friday afternoon and may carry over into Saturday.
The smoke is especially hazardous to those with respiratory conditions including bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, and may trigger chest pain in some residents with heart disease, Bergstrom said.
The department advises at-risk individuals to avoid strenuous activity while outdoors and be mindful of symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and chest pain.
Residents can find 24-hour updates on air quality conditions online .
Photos: Day 2 of the 2023 state track and field meet
Blair's Nolan Slominski celebrates as he wins the Class B boys 800-meter run at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Norris' Ellie Thomas celebrates as she wins the Class B girls 800-meter run at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Blair's Nolan Slominski rests against the fencing after he won the Class B boys 800-meter run at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Waverly anchor Austin Needenreip (left) reacts after finishing first and setting a state meet record in the Class B boys 400-meter relay at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Bennington's Emma Anibal (right) celebrates with friends after Bennington's Kennedy Wade broke the state record in the Class B girls 200-meter dash at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Bennington's Emma Anibal (middle) celebrates with friends after Bennington's Kennedy Wade (not pictured) broke the state record in the Class B girls 200-meter dash at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Omaha Westside's Lademi Davies (middle) shares a smile alongside Columbus' Elizabeth Wehmhoff (left) after winning the Class A girls 100-meter dash at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Omaha Westside's Lademi Davies crosses the finish line to win the Class A girls 100-meter dash at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Norris' Jordyn Williams competes in the Class B girls triple jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Seward's Kalen Knott vaults over the bar during the Class B boys pole vault competition at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Norris' Jordyn Williams hits the and while competing in the Class B girls triple jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Waverly's Landon Scott vaults over the bar in the Class B boys pole vault competition at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Norris' Sage Burbach competes in the Class B girls shot put at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Beatrice's Jaelynne Kosmos competes in the Class B girls triple jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Pius X's Reece Grosserode competes in the Class A boys long jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln North Star's Ali Jacobs leaps over the bar during the Class A girls high jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln High's Donald DeFrand Jr. competes in the Class A long jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Pius X's Sara Iburg competes in the Class A girls triple jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Norris' Sage Burbach competes in the Class B girls shot put at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Ashland-Greenwood's Lauren Gerdes leaps over the bar while competing in the Class B girls high jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Boone Central's Claire Primrose competes in the Class B girls triple jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Waverly's Landon Scott vaults over the bar while competing in the Class B boys pole vault at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln North Star's Claire Hellbusch leaps over the bar during the Class A girls high jump at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/canadian-wildfires-cause-smoky-conditions----and-some-health-risks---/article_4e54b950-f5d2-11ed-b001-430f8dfb18cd.html | 2023-05-19T01:04:05 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/canadian-wildfires-cause-smoky-conditions----and-some-health-risks---/article_4e54b950-f5d2-11ed-b001-430f8dfb18cd.html |
A year ago, Juju Tyner lay on the same Hawaiian beach as she was last Saturday — on her annual birthday trip (her age is a secret) — contemplating her next verse in life.
She'd recently left Lincoln Public Schools with a full-year severance package after teaching music for six years.
The only thing she knew for sure was her next gig would be music-related, too.
That figures. Music has always been her passion, her love language. She received an undergraduate degree in music while in Riverside, California, got her MFA in New York and had always planned to pursue a career in musical theater.
The best-laid plans often go haywire regardless of passion, preparation and talent.
Life happened to Tyner, too. She wasn't immune to love, a relationship or children. Lincoln was supposed to be a pit stop, but in the seeming blink of an eye, Tyner realized she'd been here a dozen years.
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"Oh, my gawd," she said, wondering how that happened or where the time went.
Tyner, a native of Mountain View, California, is a self-described city girl. And when she's not in a city, she needs mountains or an ocean around her.
Lincoln, in spite of its quality of life and Midwestern niceties, has no mountains and is as landlocked as any city can be.
But it's home — at least until her kids finish school. There's no ocean here, but she's not complaining. There's an accepting gay community and enough musical opportunities to keep her content.
She began giving voice lessons. She claims she can bring out the natural singing voice in anybody, a tone deaf newspaper columnist included.
She also noticed there were some "insanely good voices" in the gay community while attending karaoke nights at Das Haus, Lincoln's newest LGBTQA+ lounge at 1640 O St.
That's when the lightbulb went on. Realizing the only place for members of the gay community to perform was in drag shows — something that's not for everyone, she said — she decided to start Queer Choir LNK.
"Some people don't feel comfortable doing drag," she said. "… Some of my dearest friends are drag performers, but there are some people who just want to do music and have that kind of community. There was no space for it."
In its first year, Queer Choir LNK, with an Instagram handle of Good Treble — an homage to former U.S. Congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis — sang at local Pride events. It has performed at the Johnny Carson Theatre and at campaign stops for Patty Pansing-Brooks.
And word is catching on. In June, it will perform at Stransky Park Concert Series and at the Lincoln Arts Festival, while also taking part in Pride events.
"It's gotten bigger than I ever thought it would," Tyner said.
It wasn't easy. Finding interested singers was the first challenge.
"I talked to everybody I could think of," she said. "I plastered the town with posters. They were everywhere."
It worked, but here's the rub: Everybody is interested in singing, but not everyone can sing. Everybody likes music, but few people know music.
A total of 63 people signed up for the Queer Choir LNK and in a five-day span, she listened to 63 auditions of varying talent levels.
"I had never done anything like this before," she said. "We had people in the choir that didn't read music. They just liked to sing. We had a few people that had a lot of singing experience. And then maybe 10 people that could read music. Everyone else just wanted to sing."
Maybe that's the beauty of Queer Choir LNK. The music, while important, is merely a vessel to something bigger. In this group are people who have spent their lives wanting to fit in, wanting to belong.
And as is with any team or group there are perks— the unconditional support, camaraderie and feeling of acceptance, as well as accountability and responsibility to the others that's essential to making it all work.
The singing — icing on the cake — can be taught, especially by someone like Tyner.
Michael Barber is one of the converts. A Texas native, Barber did his higher learning at Union College and never left.
He's a child therapist — a job that has forced him to step away from the choir for now — but he credits Tyner for making him better in every way.
"She helped me to find my voice," Barber said.
And in a community that has too many voiceless members, providing a way to be heard speaks volumes.
Early on, choosing the music for a group with such a wide talent range was difficult, Tyner said. However, everyone is far more comfortable in the second year, so it's gotten easier.
Tyner has capped the number of participants at 50 and the group has begun to find its sound.
Its anthem — the song for which it has become known — is Queen's "Somebody to Love," Tyner said.
The soul-searching piece written by Freddie Mercury question's God's role in a life without love and features beautiful harmonies, and Queer Choir LNK does the late Mr. Mercury proud.
"It slaps," says Tyner, meaning it's pretty good. Pretty Good Treble, that is. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/queer-choir-lnk-is-becoming-lincolns-voice-for-a-formerly-voiceless-community/article_8cff6768-f27b-11ed-99ab-f3006e0b6fc6.html | 2023-05-19T01:04:11 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/queer-choir-lnk-is-becoming-lincolns-voice-for-a-formerly-voiceless-community/article_8cff6768-f27b-11ed-99ab-f3006e0b6fc6.html |
A fire and explosion at a dairy farm in the Texas Panhandle that injured one person and killed an estimated 18,000 head of cattle was an accident that started with an engine fire in a manure vacuum truck cleaning part of the massive barn, according to state investigators.
A State Fire Marshal report of the April 10 fire at the Southfork Dairy Farm about 50 miles southwest of Amarillo did not determine what caused the engine fire, but found there was “no intentional act to cause a failure." The April 24 report said the investigation was closed.
A worker driving the truck through a section of the 2 million-square-foot barn told investigators he noticed what he first thought was steam coming from the engine compartment. He tried to drive out of the barn when he realized it was a fire, but couldn't make it.
The driver said he tried to put out the fire with two extinguishers but failed. Several other employees told investigators they rushed to help, but the fire quickly spread.
The report noted the dairy farm had a second manure hauling truck on the property outside of the barn. A dairy manager told investigators it too had previously burned. The report noted burn marks near the engine compartment consistent with the truck fire inside the barn.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute, the number of cattle killed made the incident the deadliest barn fire involving cattle recorded since the organization began tracking barn fires in 2013. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/fire-that-killed-nearly-20000-cows-at-texas-dairy-farm-ignited-by-manuer-hauler/3261003/ | 2023-05-19T01:06:45 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/fire-that-killed-nearly-20000-cows-at-texas-dairy-farm-ignited-by-manuer-hauler/3261003/ |
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.
District 91In 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.
“We’re thrilled with the passage and the support from the community giving us the opportunity to build a new school on the south side of town which will relieve enrollment pressures at Sunnyside Elementary and hopefully will address the growth that we’re seeing on that side of Idaho Falls,” said District 91 Superintendent Jim Shank.
The district will now initiate a Request for Qualifications process for bidding to determine an architect and a contractor for the project, Shank said. The district is considering using the same basic plans used to rebuild Dora Erickson, Ethel Boyes, Edgemont and Longfellow with some security upgrades.
“We’re hoping to build a building that we’ve done four times already. We’ll probably stick with that,” Shank said, “But we still need to have drawings for the property we’ll build on.”
District officials estimate that construction on the new school may begin in about eight months, with a completed building available for students in 2025, depending upon how quickly the project moves forward.
In the meantime, the school district has taken steps to address overcrowding at its existing schools. In April, the District 91 board of trustees approved a boundary change effective next school year to send about 100 students from the Belmont Estates area to Edgemont Elementary School to reduce overcrowding at Sunnyside Elementary School.
In the future, the district will still need to address needs at Idaho Falls High School, Skyline High School and at schools on the north side of town.
For now, officials said they appreciate the support of voters in moving forward on the new elementary school project.
“Of course, we’re grateful, and we appreciate it,” Shank said. “We’re going to do our best to make sure that this construction project comes in on time and on budget, that we can maintain (patrons’) trust and make sure that these types of things occur as expected.”
District 93
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.
District 93 Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme shared his disappointment that the bond for a new elementary school did not pass.
“To be at 65% voter approval and support for something and not be able to move forward is just really disappointing for us,” he said. “We’d hoped that we’d get a stronger turnout from our voters, from our families, and that didn’t happen.”
The mandate for two-thirds plus one voter approval of school bonds is written in the state constitution.
“Of course I support the state constitution,” Woolstenhulme said. “But I think it creates significant challenges when it’s a superminority that’s determining whether or not we can provide classrooms for our kids. I hope at some point our Legislature will really take a hard look at that.”
District 93’s board of trustees met Wednesday to discuss the election results and is considering putting the bond before voters again in August or November.
“The board is at least interested in supporting the possibility of running the bond again, where it is that close,” he said. “... When 65% of our voters are saying yes, I don’t think that’s a hard no from our voters.”
In the interim, to address overcrowding, the school district may have to take a hard look at its all-day kindergarten program.
“We really don’t have places where we can change boundaries,” Woolstenhulme said. “We’ve done that often enough that we’ve really balanced out the use of our classrooms.”
The district may also have to implement “pocket busing,” where students at schools that have reached their capacity could be transported to other schools in the district with classroom space.
The district is asking voters to complete a survey available at d93.org/PRsurvey to help officials hear from constituents and receive their input on how to handle the growth occurring within its boundaries.
Other election news
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. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/school-district-officials-respond-to-election-results/article_a50908da-f5bb-11ed-a8b5-6b583b779935.html | 2023-05-19T01:10:15 | 1 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/school-district-officials-respond-to-election-results/article_a50908da-f5bb-11ed-a8b5-6b583b779935.html |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Johnson City Commissioners are adding some challenging items to their strategic plan after settling on them at a January retreat.
Leaders targeted four new initiatives to go along with seven current ones. They didn’t aim low, getting at some vexing problems that if left unaddressed could hurt the high quality of life that has been spurring growth in recent years.
The new initiatives include:
- Developing a citywide strategy to reduce drugs and crime.
- Developing a strategy to address homelessness by collaborating with public and private entities.
- Focusing on revitalizing and “invigorating” south Johnson City.
- Creating an affordable housing strategic plan, including finance.
Mayor Todd Fowler told News Channel 11 they won’t be easy but they’re critical to keep Johnson City on the right track.
“I want to make it safe,” he said. “I want to make it a nice place where my kids that have moved away will want to come back here.”
He said everyone is worried about affordable housing. With both rising interest rates and skyrocketing home prices, the monthly payment on the median-priced home has risen from $927 to $1,600 in just three years.
“Everyone is worried about it. I mean, it goes from the people that own businesses to the people that work for them,” Fowler said. “It goes to the people coming into Johnson City that are staying in hotel rooms trying to find places to stay. So we’ve got a need.”
Ball said one potential strategy would be offering city-owned property for housing redevelopment, “wherein we make the land available at a cheaper price. If the product is put on the market at a lower rent so that it can be used for folks for affordable housing.”
She said that would be income based, but up to higher incomes than typically qualify for public housing or other types of traditional affordable housing programs.
Effectively addressing a visible and growing homeless problem won’t just benefit unhoused people, City Manager Cathy Ball said.
“What I say is homelessness is bad for everyone, especially those experiencing it,” she said. “So if everyone is of the same mindset that we want to get people housed, and the goal is to get people housed so that they’re safe, as well as, don’t create other nuisances within the community and oftentimes create real financial problems for businesses.”
Fowler said commissioners are considering having Ball and the staff leadership hire someone “to be sort of the overseer for the homelessness problem … and get the public and private people together, to come up with a plan on what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it.”
Addressing drugs and crime is another addition to the strategic plan.
“There’s drug problems, and we need to get that stuff handled,” Fowler said. “And it’s not an easy thing, so we’ve got a lot of planning to do. The city manager’s working on that right now.
Indeed, Ball said that effort will include work with not just the police department but the community development department as well and even extend to what she called environmental design.
“What can we do within our community in terms of lighting, in terms of other things to make them feel safer,” she said. “I think fundamentally all of us know that in order to have a good quality of life we have to feel safe.
“We’re really want to shore that up, make sure we’re putting the appropriate investments in that so that our community has confidence that we can that they feel safe.”
As for south Johnson City, the home to a large and long-vacant shopping center near exit 24 on Interstate 26, Fowler said that site could see an overhaul soon. Ingle’s bought the 5.3-acre property for $4.1 million in late 2020. It’s not far from the site of an under-construction Dollar General.
“We’re looking at the whole thing and not one section,” Fowler said of south Johnson City. “We’ve heard from citizens that it’s important and we think it is too.”
Ball said that section of the city is flanked by “a beautiful asset” in Buffalo Mountain.
“I think there are opportunities for us to really take an area that has been strained for some period of time and really be able to put some investment into that in order to draw more new development … for the folks who are already there.”
Ball says these aren’t challenges a city can just throw money at.
“They’re hard for a lot of communities right now but I have every confidence that we can come up with strategies for our community that will be successful and that people will feel the impact of what we’re doing to make a difference.”
Fowler said Johnson City must address the issues if it wants to keep thriving.
“We’re attractive because we’ve been given national attention now,” he said, referring to Johnson City being ranked among top housing markets and receiving other accolades.
“So we’re trying to keep up with the infrastructure, with housing, with the problems that brings with homelessness, with drugs, all those things. It’s a big ticket. It’s a lot of things to do. So we’re putting a lot of pressure on our city manager to make sure we get going the right direction on all those things.
“She’s doing well but she’s got a lot of stuff to do. We have new assistant city managers that we’ve got in place now and they are good people and she’s depending on them a lot.” | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-commission-tackles-big-issues-in-new-strategic-plan/ | 2023-05-19T01:13:42 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-commission-tackles-big-issues-in-new-strategic-plan/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Area summer programs are filling up and these organizations are attributing this to the economy, population growth, and the effects of Tennessee’s third-grade retention law.
At the Boys and Girls Club of Johnson City/Washington County, they’re counting down the days to summer vacation and are preparing for children coming for an educational boost.
“This year has a little special twist to it,” said President and CEO Robin Crumley. “So much is going on with summer learning loss and third-grade reading and are our kids on the right schedule.”
Crumley says this is something they started incorporating into their summer program around three to four years ago. This year they have an academic interventionist in place to specifically focus on reading.
“Sometimes we call it summer brain game and we create things and blow things up,” said Crumley. “And sometimes we have reading groups and math groups and things like that. And it lets kids still have fun, not think that they’re in school, but have some of that touch.”
Coalition for Kids’ Johnson City location’s program was full three weeks ago. Operators say they always have a waiting list but this year is different.
“With the world that we’re living in today, it feels worse because: the economy’s changed, the way that food costs are, the population has risen so much,” said Executive Director Randy Hensley.
To address population growth in the area, Coalition for Kids extended a summer program to Bristol, Tennessee and plans to expand into Washington County, Tennessee next year.
“You do have almost a ten thousand population growth point that we’re dealing with when it comes to Johnson City alone,” said Hensley. “So, we are experiencing higher numbers and higher need than we’ve ever experienced and there’s just no more space.”
They say not being overcrowded is very important for the kids.
“That having too many, then we call it herding cats and you don’t make the impact,” said Hensley. “The more staff we can hire, the more kids we can make a difference in their life.”
Registration is still open for the Boys and Girls Club for their summer program. You can sign up by following this link.
The waiting list for Coalition for Kids’ Johnson City location is available to sign up for. The Bristol, Tennessee location has open spots available. Click on this link to sign up. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/summer-programs-needed-this-year-for-new-reasons/ | 2023-05-19T01:13:48 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/summer-programs-needed-this-year-for-new-reasons/ |
NORMAL — Calvary Christian Academy's high school graduation will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 26, at the Calvary Baptist Church Auditorium in Normal.
The valedictorian is Chase Zeller. The salutatorian is Carter Sailer.
Graduates are as follows:
A-F
Zachary Anderson, Clayton Bartman, Austin Bemis, Caden Brennan, Haven Cox
G-K
Rylie Gerber, Marcos Hernandez, Maci Jackson, Calvin Jenkins, Raegan Kaeb
L-P
Evan Morefield, Brayden Philyaw
Q-Z
Adeline Ruffcorn, Carter Sailer, Gloriana Wetzel, Jacob Wheeler, Madeline Whisler and Chase Zeller.
Meet the 2023 prom royalty in Central Illinois
It's prom season in Central Illinois! Here's a look at prom courts for area high schools. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/calvary-christian-academy-2023-graduates/article_3d69b236-f35b-11ed-a724-47f5121724ed.html | 2023-05-19T01:17:58 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/calvary-christian-academy-2023-graduates/article_3d69b236-f35b-11ed-a724-47f5121724ed.html |
Symphony to celebrate 70th anniversary
Staff Reports
Times Record News
The Wichita Falls Symphony League will celebrate its 70th anniversary at 2 p.m. May 27 at the Forum on Speedway.
Music will be provided by members of the Wichita Falls Youth Symphony orchestra and a jazz ensemble.
Guests may bid on silent auction items.
The Symphony League supports the Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra and Applause performing arts students. It provides scholarships each year and also introduces elementary school students to musical instruments through its “Instrument Petting Zoo.”
Tickets for the event are $50 each and can be purchased at Smith’s Gardentown or by going to wfsl.betterworld.org. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/symphony-to-celebrate-70th-anniversary/70231973007/ | 2023-05-19T01:21:26 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/symphony-to-celebrate-70th-anniversary/70231973007/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Millions of dollars coming to Sedgwick County to build a state mental health hospital.
“Honestly, we have an overwhelmed population and an overwhelmed system,” said Dr. Jessica Provines, Assistant VP of Wellness and Chief Psychologist at Wichita State University.
The new state mental health hospital adding pressure to attract more workers.
“If we don’t take action now with the pipeline with the workforce. We’re basically robbing Peter to pay Paul, right? We are taking staff from one agency and putting them in another agency,” said Dawn Shepler, Executive Director of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition of Sedgwick County.
The Coalition is working on a three-part plan.
“Discussing the legislative issues of the reciprocity of what the curricula look like in reference to bringing individuals into the state or keeping them in the state or actually getting their degrees or certificates,” Shepler said.
Another priority is attracting students.
“I would love to see help from, you know, local governments funding, you know, to grow, you know, some of these programs, scholarship funds,” Dr. Provines said.
Then focus on keeping those already in the field.
“Making sure that they feel taken care of within their positions. The hope is that they won’t always be put into positions and contexts where they are at risk for high burnout,” said Dr. Rebecca Culver-Turner, Friends University, Program Director of the Masters of Science of Family Therapy.
“Are we going to be able to pay those individuals who are oftentimes being drawn to private practice?” Provines asked.
It will take several years before the hospital is ready to open. There is no official timeline. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/state-mental-health-hospital-coming-to-sedgwick-county-will-there-be-enough-people-to-staff-it/ | 2023-05-19T01:23:31 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/state-mental-health-hospital-coming-to-sedgwick-county-will-there-be-enough-people-to-staff-it/ |
DALLAS — Deep Ellum is a popular historic area known for its eccentric art murals, lively bars, as well as vibrant streets. One could easily describe it as a neighborhood that’s withstood the ages. However, some nights along the historic streets are still plagued with darkness.
Just over two months ago, two people were shot and killed at a popular Deep Ellum bar. About a month later, police released surveillance footage of the shooting. The video shows the gunman firing into a crowd at the Bitter End and those nearby can be seen trying to dodge the bullets.
“Deep Ellum is just as safe as any other neighborhood in the city of Dallas,” said Dallas City Councilman District 2, Jesse Moreno.
A new crime fighting initiative, specifically designed for the area, is hitting its one year mark.
Moreno calls it a “successful initiative.”
It’s called the Deep Ellum Community Safety Plan. During a luncheon Thursday, Moreno spoke before dozens of first responders about how crime has been reduced across the entire city within the last year. However, WFAA was not provided with detailed statistics for district 2.
“Deep Ellum is the largest entertainment district in the city of Dallas, we want to continue encouraging people to come down here…," Moreno said. "We also want to send a message that we will not tolerate crime in Deep Ellum, or anywhere in the city of Dallas."
He touched base on 14 other safety-related improvements that were specific to the Deep Ellum area, including a task force that’s active four days a week and surveillance cameras in discrete locations.
For business owners like Lilly Benitez, she said every little bit helps, including becoming self-educated on how to handle potential dangers.
“We’re going to do everything we can. We’re taking de-escalation classes that the business owners and staff are available to do,” said Benitez.
The founder of Blade Craft Barber Academy said everyone has to do their part to help keep crime away.
“For a community standpoint, I think we’re doing as much as we can, and always adding more," said Benitez.
Benitez said that’s really all a person can do. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/deep-ellum-crime-initiative-marks-one-year-dallas-city-councilman-says-its-been-successful/287-dca9419a-8a78-4dca-9268-debf0007e048 | 2023-05-19T01:30:09 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/deep-ellum-crime-initiative-marks-one-year-dallas-city-councilman-says-its-been-successful/287-dca9419a-8a78-4dca-9268-debf0007e048 |
DESOTO, Texas — The DeSoto Food Pantry is working hard to continue feeding residents across the DeSoto and Glenn Heights communities.
On any given Monday morning and Thursday afternoon, you could see cars lined outside Building C at 400 N. Hampton Road in DeSoto as staff and volunteers distribute boxes of food and other essentials. Workers say, for some time now, demand for food assistance and services has been growing.
“Our numbers show that we have an increase of 30-percent month-over-month for this year alone,” said Iris Tinner, Executive Director of the DeSoto Food Pantry. “That’s a big increase.”
Some clients said the nonprofit has been helping them make ends meet, post-COVID.
“Well, I had the need for food,” said Tommy Jordon.
He and his friend, Evelyn, said they’ve been visiting the food pantry for about four years. They said times are tough.
“The food stamps, we used to get $250-something. But now they cut us off and we only get $23,” Evelyn explained.
The staff and volunteers said they want to continue doing something for as many people as possible. Increased demand, however, could lead to strain on resources.
”Everybody is feeling the crunch. Just for example, to get meat, fresh meat, it’s hard to come by these days. So, we need to supplement that,” Tinner said.
The DeSoto Food Pantry is relying on fundraisers and partnerships to continue its good work. On Friday, May 19, the nonprofit is hosting its 12th Annual Golf Tournament at Country View Golf Club in Lancaster. The organization is working to raise as much as it can in order to continue providing resources to vulnerable residents throughout the year.
“There’s never too small of a gift,” Tinner explained.
For more information about the DeSoto Food Pantry, click here. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/desoto-food-pantry-host-annual-golf-tournament-fundraiser/287-085511dd-f0d2-4690-9b9d-28f9a766e0ff | 2023-05-19T01:30:15 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/desoto-food-pantry-host-annual-golf-tournament-fundraiser/287-085511dd-f0d2-4690-9b9d-28f9a766e0ff |
FORT WORTH, Texas — Editor's note: The video above is from a report on Jan. 19, 2023.
Texas A&M University's newest campus in Fort Worth is set to begin construction in June, officials announced on Thursday.
The new research campus will be located in the southeastern area of downtown Fort Worth. It's being financed by the university system, city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and private donators.
The first facility that will go up is the eight-story, $150 million Law and Education Building. The building will be Texas A&M's new home for its School of Law, according to the university.
In January 2023, the university said the goal is to have the Law and Education facility finished in 2025.
The university has two more facilities planned for the campus: the Research and Innovation Building, which will bring together businesses and Texas A&M agencies, and the Gateway Building, which will have classrooms, meeting spaces and a conference center.
"Our goal is to spur business and job growth in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities and throughout North Texas," Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp said in a statement. "This is a gamechanger for everyone involved."
Texas A&M said it plans to have the entire campus completed by 2027.
Read more Fort Worth headlines: | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-am-fort-worth-campus-begin-construction-june/287-3f6e2f2c-c150-40bb-8aa0-e7ab4e5cab2d | 2023-05-19T01:30:21 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-am-fort-worth-campus-begin-construction-june/287-3f6e2f2c-c150-40bb-8aa0-e7ab4e5cab2d |
DALLAS — Someone is a whole lot richer in North Texas today. We just don't know who.
A $7.5 million Texas Lottery ticket was sold at a store in Mansfield ahead of a Lotto Texas jackpot drawing, the Texas Lottery announced Thursday morning.
The winning ticket was purchased by someone who correctly picked the six numbers: 5-13-22-29-37-48. They purchased the ticket at One World Grocery at 2881 Highway 157 North.
They also chose the annual payments option, meaning they'll receive 30 annual installments of $250,000, before taxes, instead of the lump sum.
No one has claimed the winning ticket, as of noon Thursday. They'll have 180 days from Wednesday to claim the prize.
“We look forward to meeting the winner of this Lotto Texas jackpot prize,” said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery. “If you have the winning ticket, we encourage you to sign the ticket, put it in a safe place, seek financial and legal advice, and call the Texas Lottery to schedule an appointment to claim the prize.
The Mansfield ticket was the biggest winner but not the only winner Wednesday night. Lottery officials said 41,917 tickets earned at least $2 up to $11,106.
The next Lotto Texas jackpot drawing will be Saturday, with the prize money reset to $5 million. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-lottery-winner-ticket-numbers-may-17-drawing-someone-has-a-75-million-winning-lottery-ticket-sold-in-north-texas/287-76a3c0ac-c914-4d77-8b9b-985ddc0bc52c | 2023-05-19T01:30:27 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-lottery-winner-ticket-numbers-may-17-drawing-someone-has-a-75-million-winning-lottery-ticket-sold-in-north-texas/287-76a3c0ac-c914-4d77-8b9b-985ddc0bc52c |
MERIDIAN, Idaho — Community members and Idaho police officers gathered Thursday to honor those who have fallen while in the line of duty in the Gem State.
Each year in conjunction with National Police Week, Idaho's fallen officers are honored during the Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial Ceremony at the Idaho State Police (ISP) headquarters in Meridian.
The memorial honored 76 fallen officers, two of whom were sadly added this year.
"This year we added two names to the memorial. Both of them one from the 1960s an FBI agent that was killed in a car crash and I don't fish and game conservation officer that went missing in the 1930s while on duty," said ISP Lieutenant Colonel Sheldon Kelley.
"These names were long overdue to be added to our memorial so that they can get the respect and to do that is do," said Kelley.
As per tradition, those officers who have died in the line of duty had their names read aloud, one by one, along with what department they served for and when they died.
A bell was rung after each name was read and a rose was placed at the edge of the fountain in their honor. The fallen officers' names are written on the wall behind it.
Kelly said that the event serves as a time and place for families and law enforcement, both presently serving and past, to pay their respects to the officers who put their lives on the line.
The memorial was constructed and dedicated to fallen officers on May 15, 1998. The ceremony has been conducted each year at the Idaho Peace Officers' Memorial since 1995. The memorial is designed as a five-point badge, with three sandstone boulders in the center of the star at ISP headquarters.
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/gem-states-fallen-officers-honored-annual-ceremony/277-5f160963-1c45-44af-99df-428c7382c6ab | 2023-05-19T01:41:28 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/gem-states-fallen-officers-honored-annual-ceremony/277-5f160963-1c45-44af-99df-428c7382c6ab |
Memorial Day events and programs announced for Iowa City area
Memorial Day festivities around the area are back in full swing after a lengthy lay-off.
Services and ceremonies honoring local military members will be held Monday, May 29 throughout much of Johnson County, highlighted by cemetery programs, flag planting and heart-warming speaking engagements.
Iowa City Memorial Day events
Iowa City's Memorial Day services return after a three-year hiatus, having been sidelined since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Johnson County Military Affairs Association, American Legion Post 17, and Auxiliary have teamed up to sponsor and organize this year's events.
The city has various programs scheduled for the morning, starting at 8:30 am with a ceremonial event. The opening program will take place at the Park Road Bridge to commemorate soldiers and sailors who lost their lives at sea. A memorial program will follow at 9:30 am at Oakland Cemetery, situated at the cemetery entrance at 1000 Brown Street.
The morning activities will conclude with a ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Memory Gardens Cemetery located at 2600 Muscatine Avenue.
Coralville Memorial Day activities
The Coralville American Legion, in conjunction with the Area Legion Color Guard, is hosting a Memorial Day Observance at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 29 at the Oak Hill Cemetery located at 1290 1st Avenue.
The alternate location in case of inclement weather is set for the Coralville American Legion at 901 2nd Street. That program will begin at 11 a.m.
Coralville’s Memorial Day program remembers fallen military members who served by reading the names of the deceased veterans. The public is welcome to attend and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The event will last roughly 30 minutes
Guests are also encouraged to visit the Veterans Memorial at the conclusion of the program, which is located next to the cemetery.
North Liberty Avenue of Flags
The North Liberty Optimists are organizing their yearly Avenue of Flags event to support local youth programs and pay tribute to fallen veterans. Participants can purchase pre-planted American Flags for $40, which will be displayed in front of their homes and establishments during five national holidays in 2023. A 10-foot pole will be installed and remain for the whole year, situated at a distance of 3-8 feet from the street, while the flags can be raised or taken down as necessary.
Fifty percent of the proceeds from the flags will go to the youth groups who volunteer to help plant the flag poles. The other remaining proceeds will be used to support a variety of youth programs and activities in North Liberty. | https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/iowa-citycoralville-memorial-day-services/70227482007/ | 2023-05-19T01:43:13 | 0 | https://www.press-citizen.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/iowa-citycoralville-memorial-day-services/70227482007/ |
SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A church employee made a disturbing discovery in Saginaw Township early Thursday morning after a pickup truck smashed into the building.
Authorities found a man dead inside the truck, but they were not sure what caused his death Thursday evening.
A church maintenance employee discovered the scene around 5 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church on Mackinaw Road in Saginaw Township. Police say the truck was in reverse when it went into the building at a high speed.
The deceased driver was identified as a 69-year-old man from Saginaw Township, but police did not release his name.
Investigators believe the man possibly suffered a medical emergency that caused the crash. The Saginaw County medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to help determine how the man died. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/69-year-old-found-dead-after-crashing-into-saginaw-township-church/article_305ebed8-f5d6-11ed-9519-3f679e51c659.html | 2023-05-19T01:44:10 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/69-year-old-found-dead-after-crashing-into-saginaw-township-church/article_305ebed8-f5d6-11ed-9519-3f679e51c659.html |
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. — Baltimore County Police are investigating a crash that left one man dead early Wednesday morning.
Around 5:30 a.m., officers were called to Pulaski Highway west of Middle River Road for a car crash.
A 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage was making a U-turn when it crashed into a 2011 Toyota Rav4 traveling eastbound.
The driver of the Mitsubishi, 33-year-old Kenneth Chester, Jr., was taken to a hospital, where he died.
The driver of the Toyota was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call 410-307-2020. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/vehicle-crash-along-pulaski-highway-leaves-one-person-dead | 2023-05-19T01:46:23 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/vehicle-crash-along-pulaski-highway-leaves-one-person-dead |
ST. JOHN — The Indiana Supreme Court has declined to intervene in a long-running dispute over the price to be paid for 8.65 acres along U.S. 41 taken by the town of St. John in 2014 for redevelopment.
In a 5-0 order, signed by Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the state's highest court rejected the town's request for review without specifying why — a common Supreme Court response to transfer petitions.
As a result, the final word in the case is a 2-1 Indiana Court of Appeals ruling from January that the three Guzzo siblings who sued the town are entitled to 150% of the $1.28 million fair-market value, or $1.92 million, plus interest, for their former land holdings across Wicker Avenue from Lake Central High School.
According to court records, the town already has paid the Guzzos $1.28 million for their property and $664,337.53 in interest. St. John still owes the Guzzos $640,000 for their property plus additional interest until the judgment is paid in full.
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The town respects the court's decision and is working on getting the dispute resolved, St. John Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez said Thursday.
This was actually the second time the lawsuit advanced to the Indiana Supreme Court. The justices were asked in 2019 to determine whether the wooded parcels that at one time were home to the Guzzo family still qualified as a residence for eminent domain purposes — even though no one lived in the abandoned dwelling on the property.
The Supreme Court ultimately did not answer that question because the 2019 General Assembly changed the state's eminent domain statute in a way that appeared to favor a higher payment to the former owners: David J. Guzzo, Robert G. Guzzo and Betty Jo Keller.
However, Lake Superior Judge Bruce Parent ruled in September 2021 that the Guzzos were entitled to 100% of the fair-market value of the property because the former home on the land had not been used as a residence since 2009, its utility services were removed, and it was listed for sale by the Guzzos as "commercial-industrial real estate."
But Judge Rudolph Pyle III, writing for the Indiana Court of Appeals, said Parent got it wrong because the plain language of the statute does not require the dwelling to be occupied or owned for personal use to qualify for the higher payment required for the taking of residential property.
"Because the Guzzos' real property consisted of property containing a single-family dwelling that was not owned for purposes of resale, rental or leasing, we conclude that the trial court erred by denying the Guzzos' request for the town to compensate the Guzzos at the statutory rate of 150% of the fair-market value of the property as residential property," Pyle said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/st-john/st-john-on-hook-for-higher-payment-in-property-taking-lawsuit/article_83642082-f5ae-11ed-bf09-5797b2a18692.html | 2023-05-19T01:49:35 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/st-john/st-john-on-hook-for-higher-payment-in-property-taking-lawsuit/article_83642082-f5ae-11ed-bf09-5797b2a18692.html |
People will soon start flocking back to Lake Michigan beaches in Northwest Indiana.
The Miller Beach Water Safety group in Gary has been ramping up its efforts to save beachgoers from drowning.
The nonprofit has been hosting educational meetings, providing police with life rings, putting yard signs around town, hosting kayak safety classes in conjunction with the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association and teaching survival skills. It's increasing its efforts this year, installing a new lifejacket loaner station, sending out safety tips with every box of pizza Miller Pizza Co. delivers, putting out yard signs in Spanish as well and extending its billboard on U.S. 20 at the terminus of Interstate 65 for a three-month run.
The Miller Beach Water Safety group is hosting its annual fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts at 540 S. Lake St. in Gary. Nashville Star contestant Nicole Jamrose will perform at the fundraiser.
"The money will go to help raise awareness of water safety this summer," organizer Mary Ann Best said. "We want to bring awareness about survival skills like don't panic, either swim or turn around and float."
It's boosting its efforts as visitation to the beaches has increased as a result of Airbnbs and the Indiana Dunes National Park designation. The former Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore now draws more than 3 million visitors a year, many of whom are looking for an afternoon in the sun, surf and waves of a Lake Michigan beach.
Last year, the group put out a billboard encouraging water safety near the gateway to Gary's Miller neighborhood for a month. The billboard will return in June for a longer three-month run. It will feature the slogan "best day at that beach is a safe day at the beach" and the group's mascots, Sandy the Seagull and Corey the Cormorant.
"The cormorant is a duck-like bird in Lake Michigan that's often seen around Miller and is a strong swimmer," she said. "It dives underwater and pops up somewhere else far away."
For the last three years, the group has put out yard signs around the Miller section of Gary, warning about currents or encouraging people to "flip, float and follow" to survive if adrift at sea. This summer it's adding Spanish yard signs to reach out to more people.
The group also will continue to provide educational opportunities at social gatherings around the lakefront community. It teaches people how to spot threats like currents, rip currents and waves that can knock them down.
The Miller Beach Water Safety group provides advice like staying out of Lake Michigan during storms or high winds, locating the closest safety station and knowing how to use it and never swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
It has a badge program in which people learn survival skills, such as the that the bottom of the lake is uneven and it's not safe to stand on sandbars as waves create holes in them.
"A boy drowned at Marquette Park a few years ago because the family stepped off a sandbar and not one of them could swim," Best said. "People think they're safe on a sandbar but the dropoff is a few feet."
To earn the badge, people have to demonstrate they can swim a whole block from one street sign to the next without touching the bottom.
"You can flip on your back or tread water if you need to build endurance," she said. "They go out further than they can walk back. What this really demonstrates is how different the depths are a distance offshore. People are used to being in thigh-deep water but when it's over their head they're surprised by how deep it is."
The group hands out water watcher cards at the beach that are printed on waterproof paper. They outline who is responsible for watching people in the water and what to do in the case of an emergency. Best urges beachgoers not to attempt rescues of struggling or stranded swimmers if they don't feel they're up to it.
"Many of the people who drown are trying to save someone," she said. "Call 911 and get help if there's trouble. If you can't do it, don't try."
The group is teaming up with Miller Pizza to deliver a tip card with every pizza, with tips such as to check the weather in advance of a beach visit and designate an adult water watcher.
"Miller Pizza has been an exceptional partner," she said. "They let us use part of their billboard last year. They've also been a great partner on programming and events, which we do there once or twice a summer."
Miller Pizza, for instance, sponsored the safety stations Miller Beach Water Safety put out at the beaches in Gary's lakefront Miller neighborhood.
"They've been credited with aid in rescuing seven individuals," Best said. "They've made a big difference."
The group also provided seven throw rings to the Gary Police Department and Lake County Sheriff's Office beach patrols.
"They've been used to bring three people out of the water," she said.
This summer, the group is installing a life jacket loaner station at Marquette Park. People can borrow life jackets for toddlers through adults for free. They're asked to put them back when they're done.
"It's operating on the honor system," she said. "It has information about how to size it properly and instruction on how to use it. These are popping up at small inland lakes and boat launches. South Haven, Michigan has one now."
It will be installed at Marquette Park in the next few weeks.
"Not everybody thinks about bringing a lifejacket to the beach," he said. "Hopefully, everybody thinks about it. Hopefully, it makes parents feel better with their kids out there. The saying is 'kids don't float.'"
People drown year-round in Lake Michigan but it's most dangerous in the summer because of the sheer volume of people out at the beach August tends to be the biggest drowning month as it's when the water is the warmest and more people are out, she said.
"Most drownings take place on yellow flag days," she said. "The waves look fun and safe and people don't understand how dangerous they can be."
The lake poses other hazards, such as hypothermia when it's still cold. People will start returning to the beach on Memorial Day weekend but the water in Lake Michigan will likely remain in the 50s.
Beachgoers also suffer from misconceptions that can put them at risk.
"There's not a single current in Lake Michigan that will pull out under," she said. "There are rip currents that will take you out and longshore currents that will pull you to the side. You might go to a deeper depth but if you float and calm down you'll be fine. People need to understand it's a big lake with surf. There are offshore winds. It's very different than practicing swimming in a pool."
Best grew up on the beach. She's served as a lifeguard and a water safety instructor who's pulled people out of the water who died.
She started the Miller Water Safety group with her husband and friends hoping small social gatherings passing out water safety tips would help save more lives. The neighborhood group has grown to offer bigger and bigger programming reaching more people who visit Lake Michigan beaches.
"This is really the time of year to bring awareness to people to be safe at the beach," she said. "Nobody likes the sound of a helicopter in the summer. People should enjoy the lakefront safely."
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Unbeatable Eatables, DRIPBaR Crown Point, Taco Depot and Flashback Antiques open; Da Burger House closes
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NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close
Class UFC Gym in Winfield to celebrate grand opening with top contender Belal Muhammad
The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield.
The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name.
"We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange."
The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed.
"We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches."
Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering.
Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend.
"You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals."
The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa.
People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways.
"It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience."
Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close
Class UFC Gym in Winfield to celebrate grand opening with top contender Belal Muhammad
The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield.
The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name.
"We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange."
The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed.
"We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches."
Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering.
Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend.
"You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals."
The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa.
People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways.
"It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience."
Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close
Class UFC Gym in Winfield to celebrate grand opening with top contender Belal Muhammad
The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield.
The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name.
"We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange."
The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed.
"We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches."
Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering.
Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend.
"You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals."
The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa.
People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways.
"It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience."
Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close
Class UFC Gym in Winfield to celebrate grand opening with top contender Belal Muhammad
The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield.
The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name.
"We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange."
The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed.
"We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches."
Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering.
Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend.
"You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals."
The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa.
People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways.
"It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience."
Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Biggby Coffee, Flora Plants, Funk My Life and McDonald's open; Aster & Gray and Elements Wine Bar close
Class UFC Gym in Winfield to celebrate grand opening with top contender Belal Muhammad
The Class UFC Gym in Winfield will have a grand opening Saturday with top welterweight UFC title contender Belal Muhammad.
Muhammad, a Chicago-based fighter with a 23-3 record in the mixed martial arts, will do a meet-and-greet and teach a class at the grand opening, which will take place from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the gym at 10660 Randolph St. in Winfield.
The high-end gym focuses on classes, specializing in boutique boxing conditioning, kickboxing and HIIT, or High Intensity Interval Training. Manager Hannah Elliott said it's more akin to an Orange Theory than the boxing or mixed martial arts gym one might expect from the name.
"We use Myzone Fit Metrics, which track your workout and connect you to an app," she said. "It's like Orange Theory where they track you the same way and you burn the most calories and sweat the most when you're in the orange."
The owners also own the Class UFC Gym on Calumet Avenue in Munster. There also was an unaffiliated UFC Gym in Merrillville that closed.
"We are an affiliated class-based gym that's mostly focused on conditioning," she said. "There's also sparring. We hold classes for boxing, kickboxing and high interval cardio and strength classes. We have circuit training and one-on-one time with coaches."
Most classes run 60 minutes per session. People can get coached by active MMA fighters or trainers who help them reach their fitness goals, whether getting in shape, losing weight or recovering.
Classes run from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Class UFC Gym also has open gym times between 12 and 4 p.m. during the week. People can come in and work out outside of classes, such as by punching a heavy bag, rowing, cycling, lifting weights or practicing fundamentals. It has classes like Muay Thai, cycling and a coach's choice day on the weekend.
"You can get a day pass to come in and learn techniques and fundamentals," she said. "Our coaches will push you. There's no downtime. They push you hard and you feel accomplished. It's a good workout you feel for days. It will help you get in shape again. We focus on conditioning and fundamentals."
The grand opening event will have a taco truck, an ice cream vendor, a bounce house, a bakery, an artisan jewelry maker and fitness clothing for sale. It will feature a motorcycle club, balloon animals, Jersey Mike's and Muse Med Spa.
People will be able to buy sparring gloves and have Muhammad sign them. There will be discounted memberships and giveaways.
"It's an open house where people can come in to see how we operate," she said. "The facility itself is impressive and high-end. It will be an amazing experience."
Class UFC Gym offers monthly membership and multi-class passes. It gives discounts to teachers, first responders and veterans.
Region native Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times of Northwest Indiana since 2013. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/miller-beach-water-safety-working-to-save-more-from-drowning-in-lake-michigan-this-summer/article_d6e22cdc-f503-11ed-b884-172b63a9a7a9.html | 2023-05-19T01:49:41 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/miller-beach-water-safety-working-to-save-more-from-drowning-in-lake-michigan-this-summer/article_d6e22cdc-f503-11ed-b884-172b63a9a7a9.html |
DENVER — Forty-one migrants arrived in Denver on Thursday on a chartered bus organized by Texas state officials, the city said.
Denver officials said this is the first time migrants have arrived on a bus coordinated by another state. Until now, all migrants who have arrived in Denver have taken commercial transportation.
A city spokesperson said the migrants came from McAllen, Texas. Of the 41 people on the bus, seven were children. Texas officials told the city that the migrants wanted to come to Denver.
Migrants who had just gotten off the bus told 9NEWS they are thankful for what turned out to be a free bus ride.
"I'm very grateful with [Gov. Abbott]," said Enyrebe, who arrived on the bus chartered from McAllen. "Thank you for the support to get us out of there, to come here."
Enyrebe said the bus ride didn't feel like a political game or stunt to him.
The American Friends Service Committee was there welcoming people as they got off the bus.
"This is a stunt by Gov. Abbot to create the appearance of a big influx, when in fact Biden's policies have so restricted access to asylum that numbers are way down," said Gabriela Flora with AFSC, referring to the newly-implemented policies announced since the expiration of Title 42.
Flora emphasized that nonprofits at the border are currently meeting the need as a smaller number of people attempt to cross.
The city said arriving migrants are being welcomed at the city's Reception Center seven days a week. On Thursday morning, 98 migrants were processed through the center, the city said.
"The city is doing everything possible to ensure people are not unsheltered, especially given sudden changes in weather that often occur in Denver during the spring," the city said in a news release. "Currently there are five shelters housing nearly 1,200 people."
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office sent out a news release announcing the arrival of the migrants in Denver.
"Until the President and his Administration step up and fulfill their constitutional duty to secure the border, the State of Texas will continue busing migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities like Denver to provide much-needed relief to our small border towns," Abbott said in the release.
Earlier this month, Abbott said in a letter to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot that he would continue busing migrants to Democratic cities such as Washington D.C., New York City and Philadelphia.
"What is happening at the border, and what is showing up at the doorsteps of cities across the country, is a humanitarian crisis," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said in a statement Thursday afternoon. "What none of us need is more political theater and partisan gamesmanship pitting jurisdictions against each other and exacerbating this situation instead of advocating for real solutions to this challenge. If Gov. Abbott thinks he’s going to win over allies to his cause here in Denver with this latest stunt, he’s going to be sorely mistaken. And we’re more than happy to send him the bill for any additional support we have to provide now because of his failure at managing his own state.”
A spokesperson for the city said they are concerned buses like this will continue to arrive.
On Tuesday, the City of Denver told 9NEWS it has purchased 5,340 bus tickets for migrants who decided to leave Denver since December 2022 – with the vast majority heading to Chicago and New York.
The city does not have a breakdown of country of origin, but anecdotal accounts from city officials and immigration advocates indicate the vast majority of daily newcomers to Denver are Venezuelan, as people flee the country’s shattered economy.
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Latest from 9NEWS | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/texas-bus-migrants-denver/73-f0927fb7-5b20-4e42-a7de-138d424ce47f | 2023-05-19T01:50:38 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/texas-bus-migrants-denver/73-f0927fb7-5b20-4e42-a7de-138d424ce47f |
BATH, Maine — Twenty-one years ago, Gerald Brann had a dream—a musical dream.
After earning a degree in music and playing keyboards in a variety of rock bands for years, Brann wanted something different.
He wanted to be the guy playing and singing up front, not just supporting the band, but leading it. He decided he should start a tribute band, an idea then just starting to become popular.
"And as a keyboard player, there were only a few options: Billy Joel or Elton John. But [choosing] Elton John was a no-brainer for me. I’ve loved the music forever, have kind of the same vocal range and playing style, and I had to do it," Brann said, sitting at his keyboard.
He spent months planning, learning, and practicing the music, then recruited a band to join him. He knew a lot of musicians and called some he had played with in the past to ask them to join.
But that proved a somewhat surprising challenge, current band members said, because the Elton John music was composed for the piano, and was very challenging for guitar players.
"You can take deep dives on almost every tune,” guitarist Rich Daigle, who has played with Brann in bands since they were teenagers, said. "For a guitarist, the chords are from the piano so it's so greatly different that you could never get bored with it."
Fellow guitarist Mike Tosier agreed.
"It was difficult as everybody else said to adapt to music written by a piano player because the keys are very different from anything I’ve ever played before," he said.
"We were familiar with the music because it's Elton John, but I had to really ring my A-game because there was quite a lot going on for a bass player," Mark Kavanaugh added.
Drummer Kevin Ostrowski said he had misgivings as well, until he went to a practice session and listened, and was hooked.
"I don’t think I ever missed a practice and I never missed a gig, and it's been 20 years, 21 years."
Ostrowski has been with Brann from the start, while the others—even though they were all friends of Brann’s before—have joined in the years since.
And over time, the band officially known as "Yellow Brick Road, A Tribute to Elon John," has gained a following. They play about 35 performances a year around Maine and a big piece of the country. Brann says they try to capture the spirit of Elton John’s live performances during the 1970s and 80s.
"We’re trying to give them the experience of seeing a live Elton John concert. So we aren’t a tribute to the album, we are a tribute to the artistry of performing live," he said.
Brann said audiences have been enthusiastic while cheering, singing along, and sometimes dancing in the aisles.
"When you present it in this live format and the band is jamming, this energy and jumping on the piano, and the audience is on their feet—it's incredible," Brann said.
The impact on the audience includes Brann performing in reproductions of costumes Elton John wore in shows of that era: rhinestones, flashy colors, outrageous sunglasses—even a Donald Duck outfit mimicking the one John wore in a Central Park concert. All part of the performance the audiences cheer, and give Brann the "out front" role he wanted.
"I was always in the corner, against a wall [playing keyboards] all night. Now I’m doing handstands on the piano and dressed as a duck."
After more than 20 years of performances, band members said they have come to love the music and the performances, and the cheering audiences.
All five have day jobs, ranging from Brann, who is an electrical engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, to Kavanaugh, a professor at Kennebec Valley Community College.
Drummer Kevin Ostrowski—a meteorologist for the state of Maine—said Brann is the best performer he’s ever played with, and that he intends to stay with Yellow Brick Road as long as the journey lasts.
"I think everybody now, having had the experience of playing in bars, recognizes the good thing we have and want to ride the wave."
For Brann, who does everything from singing and playing to making his costumes and handling concert bookings, their success is gratifying.
"It feels amazing, incredible," the singer said. "Its what you’ve always wanted since you were a little kid playing on a guitar, keyboard, drums, whatever. You imagine you’re on a big stage with the audience freaking out. And I feel so privileged to be able to have that experience."
The Yellow Brick Road tribute band’s schedule can be found on their website or on the Yellow Brick Road Facebook page. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/maine-tribute-band-captures-spirit-of-live-elton-john-performances-yellow-brick-road-207-music/97-b0db0a0e-ac2b-405f-95b5-ec9ab7839250 | 2023-05-19T01:54:09 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/maine-tribute-band-captures-spirit-of-live-elton-john-performances-yellow-brick-road-207-music/97-b0db0a0e-ac2b-405f-95b5-ec9ab7839250 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Preserve Arkansas released a list this week of the most endangered historical landmarks in the state, and some are in the capital city.
“Historic buildings are the tangible reminders of our past,” Preserve Arkansas Executive Director Rachel Patton said. “That's what we have left to remind us of the stories of our past.”
Walking around the Central High School Neighborhood Historic District provides a glimpse into history.
“The neighborhood's been established for many years before 1957,” Patton said.
According to Patton, the area was listed in the national register as a historic district in the 90s. Still, it could be taken away, which is why the neighborhood is listed as “endangered” by Preserve Arkansas.
“At least 51% of the properties within the district boundary have to be considered what's called 'contributing to the significance of that district',” Patton said.
This means 51% needs to be taken care of.
“Their association, their materials, the appearance that they have, that they retain this historic integrity,” Patton said. “There's an issue with some homes that have been demolished. Whenever something is demolished, that counts as 'non-contributing.'”
If there's a balance then everything’s ok, but Patton said the current outlook is not good.
“It's somewhere between 51% and 59% is our best guess," Patton said. "A comprehensive re-survey of that entire district is needed."
Patton and others, like Kathy Wells with the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods, want to bring attention to these so-called "endangered" places.
“We're doing everything that we can to support them in redeveloping their blight, their vacant lots, their vacant houses,” Wells said.
Wells lives in a different historical neighborhood, and hopes by sparking conversations about preservation, history can be kept alive in Arkansas.
“We have a scattering of homes in other historic districts," Wells said. "This is the point of the spear aimed at the heart of a critical neighborhood."
Learn more about Preserve Arkansas's most endangered places here. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/endangered-historical-landmarks-in-arkansas/91-4197079b-4714-4df5-98f6-41731d16957e | 2023-05-19T02:03:41 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/endangered-historical-landmarks-in-arkansas/91-4197079b-4714-4df5-98f6-41731d16957e |
ODESSA, Texas — The oil and gas industry is very important in the Permian Basin. But, it's not just oil and gas that keep cities like Odessa afloat.
It's also the small businesses that keep the city going.
It's why Tyler Patton, the Small Business Development Center Director at University of Texas Permian Basin, speaks to the Odessa Development Corporation once a month.
When somebody wants to open a small business in Ector County, they usually go to someone like Patton.
“Those services include helping people prepare to get funded," Patton said. "In other words, going before a bank. Most companies will need a business plan, so we help them with that. We consult on a lot of other things, like marketing, such as safety, other issues that come up with businesses.”
He calls small businesses the lifeblood of a community.
Oil and gas might bring most of the money to the Permian Basin, but a wide range of businesses can protect a city when that industry has a cold streak.
“It’s critical for, not just the citizens, but also for the community as itself, the tax base, to make it as diversified as possible," Patton said. "Because there's going to be ups and downs in every industry, that’s normal. So you want those ups and downs to offset each other.”
It’s not all about the money though. Some of those mom and pop shops end up as major players within the local community.
“These small business owners, not only provide jobs, but they provide people going out and supporting other business," Patton said. "They tend to be the people who are most involved in the community. So whether it’s the school board or the Odessa Development Corporation, or the city at large, volunteers, things like that, they get very involved in the community. So, they help in a number of ways."
Patton's past month of work only brought a couple of new business to Odessa, but he was confident that more are on the way, including day cares, barber shops and beauty salons. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-development-corporation-future-small-businesses/513-b52a0e85-f4a8-447c-a721-205380396d90 | 2023-05-19T02:07:56 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-development-corporation-future-small-businesses/513-b52a0e85-f4a8-447c-a721-205380396d90 |
ODESSA, Texas — The West Texas Food Bank revealed expansion plans for their Odessa facility Thursday.
The expansion includes additions to the Abell-Hanger Foundation Volunteer Center, which will transition into a permanent dry storage. This will add more storage space for shelf-stable food to distribute to the 19 counties they currently serve.
Overall, this will provide the capacity to do more for the community.
“We’ll be able to house more food, which is good," said Libby Campbell, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. "That means we’ll be able to supply more variety. We’ll also be able to have more volunteers, which means we can put things together quicker, that we can make things happen, especially when there’s a disaster, that we can get things done.”
There will be a separate facility added to house their volunteer workforce, a covered drive through pantry, and 150 extra parking spaces.
All of these additions will give the food bank more than 25,000 square feet of operation.
But Campbell says none of this could have been done without the support of their people and the greater community.
“I’ve always been very blessed to have such amazing support from our community, from foundations, from different corporations, from individuals, that make these projects really come to life," said Campbell. "And it’s really exciting to see this actually again, another vision, another dream, continue to keep happening right here in West Texas."
Campbell also said that they plan on having the expansions done by March of 2024. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/west-texas-food-bank-odessa-expansion/513-cf7a8af5-447f-46b0-ba15-968e1ea6ba64 | 2023-05-19T02:08:02 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/west-texas-food-bank-odessa-expansion/513-cf7a8af5-447f-46b0-ba15-968e1ea6ba64 |
There's a new twist in the viral Citi Bike confrontation that saw a New York City healthcare worker get into a heated argument with a group of young Black men: Her lawyer said she did pay for the bike, and has the receipts to prove it.
The 90-second clip, which has been viewed more than 35 million times since it was posted on May 13, shows NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue employee Sarah Comrie straddling the two-wheeler as she argues with a man right next to her, claiming it's his.
"Help! Help me! Please help me," she can be heard shouting loudly as the video starts.
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But the young Black man standing next to her repeatedly tells her, "This is not your bike," stating that he just rented that Citi Bike as his friends stand beside him.
"This is my bike on my account, please move," he tells Comrie, to which she says, "Get off me."
While the video doesn’t show the young man touching her, it does show Comrie grabbing the young man’s phone. He immediately reaches for it and demands she return it — which is when she tells him he’s hurting her fetus.
“My unborn child," Comrie yells.
“I’m not touching you," the unidentified man replied.
Eventually, a man also in scrubs inquired what was wrong. That's when Comrie suddenly appeared to begin sobbing. The other man in scrubs tells her to choose another bike, and she calmly removed herself.
It's not clear what happened before someone started recording the fracas near East 30th Street and First Avenue in Kips Bay, but a spokesperson for the hospital earlier in the week called the video "disturbing." The hospital put Comrie on leave pending a formal review.
While many blasted the hospital worker for potentially putting the young men’s safety at risk, her lawyer said Thursday that the entire incident is being taken out of context — and his client is being bombarded with threats.
"Every part of that story is incorrect — starting with my client is not a racist. Two, my client did not take anyone else’s bike," said lawyer Justin Marino.
He pointed to receipts Comrie provided that NBC New York examined. They show a rental for bike 560-3915, which lasted just one minute.
Freezing the now-viral video shows that the code on the bike she and the other man are feuding over reads 560-3915.
NBC New York reached out to Citi Bike to confirm her rental and if anyone else reserved it around that time, but the company did not immediately respond. Marino said it's not possible for someone else to have a reservation for that same bike, saying Comrie's receipt "confirms the bike she was on was rented by her."
Marino said that Comrie, who is six months pregnant, had wrapped up 12-hour shift at Bellevue on Saturday, walked up to the rack, paid, and pulled the bike back. He says that’s when the men approached.
The lawyer also said his client has been heckled online for mentioning her unborn child, as well as the moment she starts to cry.
"How dare you judge someone in that circumstance based on the conditions she was going through at that time," said Marino.
The video ends with Comrie getting on another bike, which her lawyer has a receipt for as well, proving she rode that one home.
The men in the video have not been identified. The NYPD reiterated Thursday there were no 911 calls or reports on file for this incident and it asked anyone who thinks they were victimized to come forward.
Some have compared Comrie to the so-called "Central Park Karen," referring to the May 2020 incident in which a woman walking her dog called 911 on a Black bird watcher. But Marino said he simply wants to change the narrative and clear Comrie's name.
"There was nothing other than the difference in skin color that suggests race had anything to do with it," he said. "We’re hoping that her employer will not violate her rights, if they do, they will be added to the list of people that we sue."
NYC Health + Hospitals did not immediately respond to a request for comment. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/bellevue-worker-seen-in-citi-bike-video-has-receipts-showing-she-rented-bike-lawyer/4346955/ | 2023-05-19T02:11:53 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/bellevue-worker-seen-in-citi-bike-video-has-receipts-showing-she-rented-bike-lawyer/4346955/ |
A teenager was killed after crashing a car into a Montgomery County home, causing the vehicle to catch fire, officials said.
The 16-year-old teen from Sellersville was driving a 2016 BMW around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday along the 200 block of Allentown Road in Franconia Township, Pennsylvania, when they lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a home, police said.
Police responded to the scene and found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames. The teen, who was the only person inside the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Five people were inside the home at the time of the crash though none of them were injured.
Firefighters were able to put out the flames which did not spread to the house. The family was relocated after officials determined the home was structurally unsafe.
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Investigators have not yet revealed the teen’s identity. An autopsy was performed Thursday to determine a cause of death.
Investigators also have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash but said speed appears to have been a factor.
If you have any information on the crash, call the Franconia Township Police Department at 215-723-6778. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/teen-dies-after-crashing-car-into-montgomery-county-home-police-say/3569558/ | 2023-05-19T02:18:19 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/teen-dies-after-crashing-car-into-montgomery-county-home-police-say/3569558/ |
The Ocean City High School boys and girls tack and field teams were dominant Thursday and captured Cape May County Championship titles at Carey Stadium.
On the girls side, the Red Raiders won with 172 team points. Middle Township was second with 108 points, and Lower Cape May Regional was third with 51. Wildwood (14) was fourth, and Wildwood Catholic (three) was fifth.
On the boys side, the Red Raiders won with 217 team points. The Panthers were second with 58.50, and the Caper Tigers were third (50.50). The Warriors were fourth (22).
"The Ocean City boys team had a strong effort (Thursday), taking first place in every event on the track and in the field," Ocean City boys coach Matt Purdue said.
Ocean City's Elaina Styer won the girls long jump (17 feet, 7.50 inches), high jump (5-0) and shot put (31-7). Styer's leap in the long jump ranks in the top 25 in the state this season, according to milesplit.com.
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Ocean City's Nick Scarangelli won the boys 1,600-meter run in 4 minutes, 34.79 seconds, almost eight seconds faster than Lower's Jack Cura's second-place time (4:42.59).
The Red Raiders' James Burke finished first in the boys 400 hurdles (1:02.09), and teammate Cole LaBarre placed second (1:02.54). LaBarre placed first the 110 hurdles (17.29). Ocean City's Luke Halbruner won the 100 dash (11.45), and teammate Talon Fischer won the 400 dash (52.89). Matt Hoffman placed first in the 800 run in a personal-best 59.81. Burke, Zion Hamilton, Hoffman and Jude Govern won the 4x400 relay (3:47.80).
Ocean City's Duke Guenther won the 200 dash (24.32), and the Caper Tigers' Braswell Thomas was second in a personal-best 24.34. The Red Raiders' Ethan Buck finished first in the 3,200 run (10:23.28), and teammate Erick Preisner was second in a personal-best 10:28.92.
On the girls side, Sophia Curtis won the 400 hurdles in 1:02.05. Her time ranks in the top 25 in the nation, according to milesplit.com. The Red Raiders' Naomi Nnewihe won the 100 dash (13.37) and the 200 dash (27.42). Teammate Chloe Care won the 1,600 run (5:31.96) and Middle's Sofia Jurusz placed second in a personal-best 5:37.12.
The Panthers' Reagen Powell won the 400 dash in a personal-best 1:03.28, and teammate Iyanna Bennett won the 100 hurdles (17.38) and Ocean City's Emily Swan was second in a personal-best 18.99. Lower's Jenna Hill won the 800 run in a personal-best 2:30.14, and Ocean City's Frankie Ritzel placed second in a personal-best 2:33.20.
The Red Raiders' Maeve Smith won the 3,200 run in 11:25.80, which ranks in the top 50 in the state, according to milesplit. Middle's Kamryn Super placed second in a personal-best 13:18.46. The Red Raiders' Scarlett Fletcher, Zoe Zammit, Molly Quinn and Elaina Styer won the 4x400 relay (4:23.90).
In the boys field events, Ocean City's Colin Dice won the discus in a personal-best toss of 146 feet. Teammate Nick Layton won the pole vault (10-6), and Middle's Noah Nagle was second with a personal-best leap (10). Layton also placed first in the javelin in a personal-best throw of 153-4, and the Caper Tigers' Brock Zurawski was second in a personal best 138-10.
Ocean City's Zion Hamilton won the long jump with a personal-best leap of 19-11, and teammate Hercules Stewart finished first in both the triple jump (40-5.75) and the high jump (5-8). Ocean City's Grady Hanson won the shot put (42-10), and Lower's Joe Franzello was second in a personal best 40-10.25.
In the girls field events, Corinne Williams won the javelin (78-7), and Middle's Audrey Cassidy was second with a personal-best throw of 75-2. Middle's Paulina Rios won the pole vault in a personal-best 8-6, and teammate Bennett won the triple jump (34-5). Ocean City's Madyn Rihl placed second in the triple jump with a personal-best leap of 31-7.25.
Middle's Daniella Oliver won the discus (106-9), and teammate Camille Harris was second in a personal-best 98-9. Ocean City's Sophia Whelan was second in the shot put in a personal-best 28-11.25. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/ocean-city-boys-girls-win-cape-may-county-championship-titles/article_c691a8d0-f5b7-11ed-8f5f-4f8497b1ad62.html | 2023-05-19T02:20:54 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/ocean-city-boys-girls-win-cape-may-county-championship-titles/article_c691a8d0-f5b7-11ed-8f5f-4f8497b1ad62.html |
Man caught on viral TikTok video slapping woman on Phoenix job site faces assault charge
A recent video showing a man slapping a woman and repeatedly insulting her spurred reactions on social media claiming a lack of response from Phoenix police, who arrested and later released the man following the recorded assault.
Police identified the man as Brent Michael Hospelhorn, 46. Online records show Hospelhorn owns a construction company in Scottsdale called BPH Construction LLP.
The incident happened on Tuesday at about 12:30 p.m. at a property near Deer Valley Drive and 56th Street in north Phoenix, police said. The video shows Hospelhorn using coarse language and acting aggressively toward a woman who he says scratched some cabinets inside a property under construction.
Hospelhorn is seen in the video slapping the woman, belligerently ordering her to leave the building and threatening to fire her.
The video showing the assault originally posted on TikTok by Guadalupe Solano has a text in Spanish that translates to "no one can treat you like this, even if they're the owner simply because the cabinet was scratched."
TikTok users reshared the video and demanded accountability from police, asking why they didn't arrest Hospelhorn.
In a statement released Wednesday, Phoenix police said the claims from social media users were spreading an "inaccurate narrative" and that there was no lack of action from officers. Hospelhorn was detained for assault, cited instead of being arrested and then released on site after being "recommended for charges," the statement read.
Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Robb Scherer told The Arizona Republic this means the assault was considered a misdemeanor.
"Citing him is not letting him go, he has a court cite to attend," Scherer said.
The differences between misdemeanor and felony assault in Arizona are based on a variety of factors, such as the amount of force used, the severity of the injuries and whether the attack involved weapons such as a baseball bat or a knife. Lesser assault charges can also be upgraded if they're against someone in a certain profession such as a police officer or firefighter.
According to Phoenix City Court records, Hospelhorn was facing one assault charge and was scheduled to appear in court on May 26.
Republic reporter Perry Vandell contributed to this article. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/18/phoenix-man-caught-on-video-slapping-worker-faces-assault-charge/70233917007/ | 2023-05-19T02:22:13 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/18/phoenix-man-caught-on-video-slapping-worker-faces-assault-charge/70233917007/ |
The Allen County Council approved a more than $24.5 million tax abatement Thursday for the General Motors plant in Roanoke but not without some contention.
Some council members were concerned about what the 10-year abatement on $468 million in new equipment would mean for the Southwest Allen Fire District’s capital improvements fund. The resolution passed 5-1 with Ken Fries, R-at large, voting against and Robert Armstrong, R-at large, absent.
The request was for 100% tax forgiveness for the entire period, as opposed to the usual stair-step approach that gradually increases taxes over the 10-year period. Companies usually pay increasingly more taxes each year until the abatement expires.
The new manufacturing equipment receiving the abatement would be for the next generation of internal combustion engines of full-sized pickup trucks and fit into the walls of the current plant, said John Blanchard, GM’s director of local government relations. The design stage would begin in 2025, and work would finish by 2027.
The total commitment would reach $622 million, including materials and renovations, Blanchard said. The new equipment will mean about 3,900 jobs retained, although the paperwork said 3,300 jobs in case of economic downturn.
Blanchard said the plant would not go below 3,300 jobs and has always employed workers well beyond that level. Although the company has a goal of mostly producing electric vehicles in the coming decades, internal combustion engines remain a large part of its portfolio, Blanchard said of the financial commitment.
Fries said after the council meeting he’s not a big fan of tax abatements and preferred to table the vote until next month, after GM officials meet with representatives of the Southwest Allen Fire District.
Blanchard, who’s based out of Detroit, said local GM officials had the meeting scheduled next week to strengthen the relationship with the fire department. Waiting until after that gathering to receive tax abatement approval would slow the process too much, he said.
Council President Tom Harris, R-2nd, said representatives of Southwest Allen Fire District came to the county a year ago in an attempt to prod GM to assist with the district’s capital improvements budget, which includes replacing equipment. Existing fire equipment is approaching obsolescence.
Councilman Josh Hale, R-1st, said the district had to buy a used fire truck to keep up with requirements.
The fire district made 172 runs to GM last year, Harris said.
Councilman Kyle Kerley, R-at large, said the plant is the reason the fire district was created.
“It’s actually your employees that could be at risk because the fire department doesn’t have the equipment to respond,” he said.
Data show GM might be paying its fair share, however. The plant’s taxes cover about 18% of the fire district’s budget, but accounts for about 8% of the responses the district makes, said Scott Harrold, senior economic development specialist.
Blanchard said he’d just become aware of the lack of communication between the truck assembly plant and fire district officials. Those issues should be handled at the local level, he said.
Fries said General Motors made no effort until scheduling the fire district meeting at the last minute.
Council members also talked about looking more closely at tax abatements in the future.
Fries said economic development officials’ numbers-laden requests don’t include the impact abatements would have on the fire district’s ability to update its equipment.
Hale said he wanted to see the idea of abatements revisited and their impact on public safety discussed. Hale is also the fire chief for East Central Fire Territory, which services New Haven and Woodburn.
Harris said the challenge is that abatements are designed to persuade companies to locate or expand in Allen County. However, the area has become desirable because GM suppliers want to be near the assembly plant and Fort Wayne is recognized nationally as a desirable place to live.
“They’re coming here anyway,” Harris said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/county-approves-24-5-million-tax-abatement-for-general-motors-plant-amid-concerns/article_600239b6-f5dc-11ed-a51f-e3d4bc10f966.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:13 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/county-approves-24-5-million-tax-abatement-for-general-motors-plant-amid-concerns/article_600239b6-f5dc-11ed-a51f-e3d4bc10f966.html |
WEATHER
Strong thunderstorms hit Maricopa, Pinal counties
Perry Vandell
Arizona Republic
The National Weather Service issued a warning shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday that parts of Maricopa and Pinal counties will face strong thunderstorms through 7:30 p.m.
The agency announced Doppler radar located storms along a line from near Paradise Valley to downtown Mesa to Apache Junction to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and was moving at around 35 mph.
Matt Salerno, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the storms brought light rain — a tenth of an inch at the most — along with gusts of wind. Salerno estimated the storm would last for another hour as it continued heading southwest.
Salerno said the region had a 20% to 30% chance of seeing similar storms roughly the same time Friday evening.
Impacted areas include the following:
- Apache Junction
- Gold Canyon
- Buckeye
- Avondale
- Cave Creek
- New River
- Phoenix
- Deer Valley
- East Valley
- West Valley
- Fountain Hills
- Northwest Pinal County
- Superstition Mountains
- Rio Verde
- Salt River
- South Mountain
- Ahwatukee Foothills
- Southeast Valley
- Queen Creek
- Superior | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-weather/2023/05/18/strong-thunderstorms-hit-maricopa-pinal-counties/70234368007/ | 2023-05-19T02:22:19 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-weather/2023/05/18/strong-thunderstorms-hit-maricopa-pinal-counties/70234368007/ |
A Fort Wayne man who faces a 179-year prison was not allowed to enter a plea agreement Thursday after failing to admit guilt to nine sex-related felony charges.
Aine Noh, 26, was charged in January with two counts of rape, three counts of child molesting, child exploitation, possession of child pornography, voyeurism and sexual battery. He was offered an agreement to plead guilty to two level three felonies, rape and child molesting, for a total of 18 years in prison.
Allen Superior Court Magistrate Samuel Keirns rejected the deal, however, after questioning Noh and learning the defendant wouldn’t comply with terms of the plea agreement.
Noh, through a Burmese interpreter, said he “did sex, then oral sex” with the victims, who are the 17-year-old and 12-year-old daughters of the woman he was dating and living with at the time of his arrest.
Noh said the girls wanted to have sex with him and that he did not threaten them. He also denied threatening to post a video of one of the assaults. However, he admitted to filming it without permission.
Noh’s public defender Ryan Gardner explained to Noh through his interpreter that he had to admit to the acts for the plea agreement to go through, but Noh continued to deny doing anything wrong.
Keirns ultimately did not accept the agreement because to plead guilty, a defendant must provide a factual basis for the crime and admit to committing it.
“I didn’t hear a factual basis for rape,” Keirns said, “I heard it for consensual sex.”
A sworn affidavit signed by Fort Wayne Detective Todd Garman detailed several instances of reported sexual abuse. The victims described being forced to engage in sex acts with Noh at the threat or act of violence.
The 17-year-old described trying to getting away from Noh in one attack and being thrown to the ground and put in a headlock, according to court documents.
“Is this what you want?” the girl said Noh asked her. “Do you want to die?”
The 12-year-old described having a knife held to her throat and being told by Noh that he would kill her and bury her in the backyard if she did not have sex with him, according to court documents. She said Noh told her the police would not care if she reported the assault.
During an interview with police, Noh allegedly admitted to sex acts with the 17-year-old, according to the affidavit. The document does not mention Noh admitting to sexual activity to the 12-year-old.
Noh gave consent to search his phone, according to court documents. Investigators found more than 40 photos and videos, which included both of the victims naked.
A trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday in Allen County Superior Court. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/man-accused-of-9-sex-crimes-facing-179-year-sentence-does-not-admit-to-new/article_312d3276-f591-11ed-85c6-97e0417f4fc5.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:19 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/man-accused-of-9-sex-crimes-facing-179-year-sentence-does-not-admit-to-new/article_312d3276-f591-11ed-85c6-97e0417f4fc5.html |
Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne students will have a new child care option beginning next month.
The college is partnering with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne to open a YMCA Child Watch site that will exclusively serve students’ children, Ivy Tech announced Thursday.
It will open June 5 – the beginning of the summer term – in a recently renovated space on Ivy Tech’s Coliseum campus, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., a news release said. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, but students may drop off their children for up to four hours a day.
A student survey last fall showed there is demand for campus child care options, the release said.
Chancellor Kim Barnett-Johnson can relate to students who need such services.
“As a working mother, I know the struggles of finding quality child care at an affordable cost,” Barnett-Johnson said in a statement. “We understand our students are working to support their families, and Ivy Tech hopes to alleviate any challenges that might make their journey harder.”
Capacity will be limited to 30 children at a time on a first-come, first-served basis, the release said. It noted students must be on Ivy Tech’s North or Coliseum campus for their children to receive services.
Children can be registered at the beginning of each eight-week term with a fee of $150 per eight-week session of care, the release said.
It indicated there are also costs at the beginning of each semester: $50 for one child and $25 for each additional child. The daily drop-in rate is $20.
Registration is open. Students must pre-register before using either drop-in or regular services at link.ivytech.edu/childwatch. Drop-ins can be scheduled at link.ivytech.edu/drop-in.
Tabitha Ervin, YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne’s chief operating officer, said the Jackson Lehman YMCA is excited about the partnership.
“Child care can be a barrier for many in our community,” Ervin said in a statement. “By providing this service, the Y hopes to eliminate that barrier and support students in the pursuit of their education by supporting their children with care provided by trained and caring staff from the Y.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/ivy-tech-ymca-partner-for-on-campus-child-care-option/article_ae566806-f59d-11ed-b707-733f021e0229.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:25 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/ivy-tech-ymca-partner-for-on-campus-child-care-option/article_ae566806-f59d-11ed-b707-733f021e0229.html |
Northwest Allen County Schools wants to begin next academic year with new districtwide goals shaped by input from thousands of stakeholders.
The 8,200-student district is creating benchmarks as part of a months-long strategic planning process. The efforts should produce what Superintendent Wayne Barker has called the school system’s North Star, which will guide the way forward.
“We’re trying to develop a plan that’s specific, not too wordy, but at the same time gives us some direction on some prioritized goals and some action we can take to meet those goals over the next two to five years,” Assistant Superintendent Bill Toler told the school board this month.
Leading NACS through a strategic planning process was among four goals Barker and the board set last year for his term as superintendent.
The district hired consulting firm Education Elements last fall to help NACS navigate the process, which included community engagement activities in February.
That input – including almost 6,500 survey responses – was valuable, Toler said.
“Through that work, Education Elements helped us narrow down that feedback and really focus on what can we do to improve our service to students, staff and families,” he said.
The stakeholders’ responses generally fell under four categories: personalized learning experiences; trust and transparency; student and staff wellness; and community and belonging.
Specific concerns, Toler said, addressed vocational opportunities, special education students, high-ability students, discipline, communication about instructional practices, navigating politically charged topics in the classroom, communication from the superintendent, physical and emotional safety, empathy among students and feeling connected to the NACS community, among other input.
“This is exactly what I was hoping to see at this stage,” board President Kent Somers said.
He suggested the board plan a work session to discuss the strategic plan before details are finalized.
Ideally, Toler said, goals and a plan to achieve them will be determined before the next school year starts in August. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/strategic-plan-progresses-at-northwest-allen-county-schools/article_991de2ce-f594-11ed-b213-e3bb478430cd.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:31 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/strategic-plan-progresses-at-northwest-allen-county-schools/article_991de2ce-f594-11ed-b213-e3bb478430cd.html |
The Kimberly man shot by law enforcement officers Monday evening after a standoff has died from his injuries, police say.
The Idaho State Police made the announcement Thursday afternoon in a news release.
Multiple shots were fired shortly after 6 p.m. Monday at the man's home in the 300 block of Fafnir Drive in Kimberly.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident, which began at 4:45 p.m. when officers from the Twin Falls Police Department and Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Department arrived to serve a civil protection order, according to a release from the Idaho State Police.
The man, who has not been identified, armed himself with a knife and later with a shotgun, the release said, and law enforcement officers first attempted to gain “voluntary compliance.”
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The man was airlifted to a hospital.
The Twin Falls County Coroner's office will identify the 45-year-old male and release the cause and manner of his death after concluding its investigation and family notification, the ISP said.
ISP has been named lead investigator for the critical incident task force. Additional information will be released when it is deemed appropriate. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/man-shot-by-officers-dies-from-injuries/article_12780cb6-f591-11ed-bdc2-37f13f3e4c3c.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:35 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/man-shot-by-officers-dies-from-injuries/article_12780cb6-f591-11ed-bdc2-37f13f3e4c3c.html |
A suicide awareness fundraiser on Saturday, organized by a local teenager, will feature live music, motivational speakers, silent auction and food trucks.
“You’re Here for a Reason!” is the theme of the event, put together by Ashlynne Garrison, 16, for her senior project. It is set from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Twin Falls City Park.
Suicide awareness “is very important to my heart,” said Garrison, who experienced a mental health crisis a year ago. She will take the stage at 1:45 p.m. to tell her story.
Other speakers will discuss various aspects of mental health, and will address the audience between performances by musicians Heath Owens, Cliftonite Acoustics and Brianne Lynn.
In addition, volunteers wearing green T-shirts will be mingling with the crowd to talk to people who might be struggling.
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“You have a voice,” Garrison said. “Let us help you use it.”
It was a large project to get the event organized, she said, but she wants to make it big and successful.
And several food trucks will be on hand to satisfy hungry appetites.
Proceeds will go to the Jae Foundation. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/suicide-awareness-event-set-saturday-in-twin-falls/article_e61635d4-f5dc-11ed-8734-2f45535f010b.html | 2023-05-19T02:22:41 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/suicide-awareness-event-set-saturday-in-twin-falls/article_e61635d4-f5dc-11ed-8734-2f45535f010b.html |
Janet Marie Dobbs, 85, of Twin Falls died Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at home. Arrangements are under the care of White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel, Twin Falls.
Cynthia Marie Galusha, 65, of Buhl died Thursday, May 18, 2023, at a local hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary & Crematory, Jerome.
Diana Francene Calvert, 89, of Twin Falls died Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at home. Funeral arrangements are under the care of White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel, Twin Falls. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/article_744d1ff8-f59b-11ed-bf2a-b39e5e000a76.html | 2023-05-19T02:24:15 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/article_744d1ff8-f59b-11ed-bf2a-b39e5e000a76.html |
Regal Sequoia Mall 12 closes its doors, construction on the mall continues
Those looking for a luxury movie experience can go to Tulare's Galaxy or Coyote Entertainment Center at Tachi Palace.
A single white sheet of paper taped to the locked entrance of the theatre inside the Sequoia Mall reads:
“Thank you. It has been our pleasure to serve you at this theatre. Regal Visalia Sequoia Mall is now closed. We invite you to visit Regal Visalia at 120 S. Bridge Street or any of our other area locations.”
Jim Sanders, executive vice president at Paynter Realty and Investments confirmed the theatre's closing Wednesday night.
“We had hoped Regal would remain open through the remodel," he said. ”It has been an ongoing concern as to whether they would stay open here and/or be able to restructure through bankruptcy and stay in operations as a company.”
Regal operates one other location in downtown Visalia, as noted by the Regal Sequoia Mall 12’s farewell message. the aging downtown theater hasn't been invested in since it was built and the fan-going experience remains the same.
Regal's policy is not to talk to the media and an employee at the downtown location pointed to their public relations team for comment. Regal, the second-largest exhibitor in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy last year and announced it would close at least 39 locations.
The chain lost nearly $4 billion during the pandemic and their debt neared $5 billion, Variety reported earlier this year.
The closure of the mall's location brings with it an opportunity for others, such AMC, the nation's largest theater chain or Galaxy, a local fan favorite, to emerge in Visalia.
However, Sanders wouldn't confirm any discussions or plans for portions of the empty mall.
“Other than what has already been announced, we are not ready to announce our future plans at this time,” Sanders said, though he noted the group would be announcing another three businesses that plan on opening at the mall.
The Sequoia Mall has been undergoing a series of renovations since last year — more and more lumber has gone up around the outside of the mall, while the inside remains sealed away from the public.
Nordstrom Rack, Sprouts Farmers Market, Sola Salon and Barnes and Noble are just a few of the stores planning grand openings after construction wraps up. Hobby Lobby is following suit and renovating their current location as an anchor at the mall.
Those who enjoyed the theater in the mall still have options, though.
Other local theatres include Galaxy Theatres at 1575 Retherford St., Tulare and at 631 N. Indiana St., Porterville, as well as Cinemark Movies 8 at 1669 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford. Coyote Entertainment Center at Tachi Palace in Lemoore offers Dolby Atmos and reclining seats, as does Regal's locations in Fresno, including the only IMAX theater in the Valley. | https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/regal-sequoia-mall-12-closed-construction-on-the-mall-continues/70228177007/ | 2023-05-19T02:31:09 | 1 | https://www.visaliatimesdelta.com/story/news/local/2023/05/18/regal-sequoia-mall-12-closed-construction-on-the-mall-continues/70228177007/ |
The construction of eight new pickleball courts will move forward at Bushmaster Park after Flagstaff City Council voted 6-1 in favor of the effort.
The project, a collaboration between the Flagstaff Pickleball Association and the city parks department that has been four years in the making, has proven controversial with neighbors of the park.
Throughout the city council meeting Tuesday, pickleball players and opposing neighbors engaged in a lively back-in-forth on the topic as Council watched the contest.
Although only Councilmember Jim McCarthy voted against the project, the city council overall appeared moved by the opposition from neighbors and directed staff to construct the courts as far north as possible as to limit the impacts of noise and the cutting of trees for the project.
As a concession to neighbors, Council also determined that pickleball play should not be permitted after certain hours. The exact hours pickleball play will be allowed at Bushmaster is yet to be determined, but city parks director Amy Hagin said the issue will come back to Council as restricting the hours will require a change in city code.
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Currently all parks are open to activities at 5 a.m. each day, until 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on Friday and Saturday.
At the moment, there are only two free, dedicated courts within the city to play what has become the fastest-growing sport in the country. Pickleball players have reported there are often many more players than the current multisport courts at Bushmaster Park can support.
Pickleball has been played at those courts for the last three years. Those courts also host basketball and tennis but are currently reserved for only pickleball from 8 a.m. to noon each day.
“We are just asking you to just give us a home, softball has a home, tennis has a home, soccer has a home, everybody does, except for pickleball,” Flagstaff Pickleball Association President Lynn Walsh told Council.
But some Flagstaff residents and neighbors to the park have said the play of pickleball is already noisy and bothersome, and the addition of new dedicated courts would only further the changing character of the park.
And it was those sentiments that had McCarthy voting against the project.
“The right to freedom is absolute up to the point it interferes with someone else’s freedom,” McCarthy said. “The issue today is the freedom to make noise versus the freedom from noise. ... I feel that pickleball is a wonderful sport, but it’s noisy, it’s more annoying than the other sports that are at the park now.”
McCarthy added that, in his view, it was “completely inappropriate” to place pickleball courts at Bushmaster Park, calling on city staff to find other places that courts could be constructed.
That call was one also made by members of the public who said they didn’t oppose pickleball but that Bushmaster was not the right place for the sport.
“Five in the morning until midnight: pup pup pup pup,” Flagstaff resident Laura Shearin said, imitating the sound that neighbors say will only get worse with the creation of new courts. “There are lots of places in town that are not near people’s homes, let’s choose one of them.”
Shearin added that she was disappointed with the process the city took in proposing the new courts and that in her view, Flagstaff needs more parks rather than “shoehorning” new courts and sports into existing parks.
Hagin told Council that the department has examined every other location that pickleball courts could be built in a timely fashion and Bushmaster Park is the only contender.
Like many on city council, Khara House said she was sympathetic to both groups. But House said she was weighing the decision between providing a local community a concrete benefit in the form of the new courts versus a nebulas “other place” that the courts might be located years down the line.
House wondered if the city would see such opposition to the courts no matter where they were proposed.
“I found very interesting the concerns that were brought up about the ‘not in my back yard’ mindset,” House said. “It’s something we typically talk about in terms of housing and yet it is a very interesting concept to apply to a situation like this where we have the opportunity to meet the needs of community members, to advance some of our goals for a thriving, vibrant community and yet the answer is ‘it can exist but not here.’”
In moving the project forward, city ouncil approved $920,642 to construct the eight new courts, and resurface the existing multiuse courts at the park. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/verbal-brawl-at-city-hall-over-pickleball-council-moves-courts-forward/article_0e7a94ce-f5d9-11ed-9290-ab02102e2c53.html | 2023-05-19T02:34:15 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/verbal-brawl-at-city-hall-over-pickleball-council-moves-courts-forward/article_0e7a94ce-f5d9-11ed-9290-ab02102e2c53.html |
After its deepest postseason run in team history, the Northland Prep Academy softball team had several players named to the 2A All-Conference teams for their play this season.
The Spartans, who reached the 2A state tournament's title game for the first time in program history, were led by senior Reannan Butler. She was named offensive player of the year. She boasted a .731 batting average, and totaled a team-high 36 RBIs and 38 hits. She also scored 19 runs.
Butler earned a first-team nod, along with teammates sophomore Kianna Butler and senior Bella Giurlanda.
Sophomore Audre Wilson made the second team, while sophomore Haley Cody, senior Christianna Janisse and junior Dakota Lakin earned spots on the honorable mention list.
Baseball
The 4A baseball awards came out this week, too. There were two Flagstaff players honored.
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Junior Luke Hewes and freshman Will Carpenter made the second team.
The Eagles also had two seniors selected to play in the 4A Conference Senior All-Star Game. Luke Wilson and Heath Lopez will play in an exhibition set for Saturday, May 27, at Goodyear Ballpark, the spring home of the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians.
Basketball
The National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) announced a significant rule change to high school basketball beginning in the 2023-24 season having to do with free-throw shooting.
Teams will shoot two free throws for common fouls when in the bonus, rather than the one-and-one scenario previously used. The process of getting to the bonus has also changed.
In addition to awarding two foul shots for all common fouls, teams will reach the bonus when their opponent commits five fouls in each quarter and team fouls will reset at the end of each quarter. Previously, teams were awarded the one-and-one bonus when their opponents committed seven fouls in a half and two foul shots when 10 fouls were committed each half.
“The rules committee studied data that showed higher injury rates on rebounding situations and saw this as an opportunity to reduce opportunities for rough play during rebounds,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee. “Additionally, resetting the fouls each quarter will improve game flow and allow teams to adjust their play by not carrying foul totals to quarters two and four." | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/local-roundup-butler-leads-npa-softball-honorees/article_8e5ee4a2-f5b5-11ed-8d96-476776f687b8.html | 2023-05-19T02:34:21 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/local-roundup-butler-leads-npa-softball-honorees/article_8e5ee4a2-f5b5-11ed-8d96-476776f687b8.html |
Northern Arizona women's basketball coach Loree Payne announced the addition of Ceren Oturakci to the 2023-24 roster.
Oturakci will join the Lumberjacks as a true freshman and is a 6-foot-1 forward from Ankara, Turkey, where she attended Hasan Ali Yucel High School.
Oturakci played for the Diba Sports Club from 2014 to 2020, where she was a starter for six years and a captain for three. She then moved to the Cankaya Universities Sports Club, a youth development squad with the goal of leading athletes to the professional level, from 2020 to 2023, where she was a two-year starter.
This season for Cankaya, she averaged 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, shooting 38% from 3-point range. Prior to the end of the season, she scored in double figures and grabbed five or more rebounds in every game.
Oturakci completes the 2023-24 recruiting class for the Lumberjacks. She will join fellow true freshmen Reilly Clark, Allie Cummins and Ava Schmidt, along with a pair of Montana State transfers in Grace Beasley and Leia Beattie.
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Men's basketball
Northern Arizona hired Ben Johnson as a new assistant coach this offseason, the program announced Thursday.
"I would like to thank head coach Shane Burcar for this incredible opportunity. I appreciate him taking a chance on me," Johnson said. "I'm excited to start working with the coaching staff, players and administration to help them build on the serious momentum they created by their late-season Big Sky Conference tournament run. It's an exciting time for NAU basketball and I'm grateful and thankful to be a part of it."
Ben Johnson coached for the San Jose State Spartans beginning in April of 2021 after a five-year stint at the University of Portland -- which ended with him coaching the Pilots' final four games of the 2020-21 season as their interim head coach.
From 2003 to 2013, Johnson was an assistant coach at Washington State, where he took part in just about every role of coaching duties. As an assistant under Ken Bone, Dick Bennett and three-time National Coach of the Year Tony Bennett, Johnson was known to be an outstanding recruiter. He had a hand in the recruitment and development of Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson and former San Antonio Spurs player Aron Baynes.
During his time with Washington State, Johnson helped the Cougars reach back-to-back NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007-08.
A member of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Hall of Fame, Johnson made his name known as both a player and coach for the Phoenix. In 1991, he was the team captain for the first team in program history to make the NCAA Tournament. Johnson returned to the team in 1995 as an assistant coach and helped lead the Phoenix to a 25-4 overall record and a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. He remained on staff at UW-Green Bay until 2002.
In 2002, Johnson began his first of two stints as a head coach at the international level. For the 2002 and 2003 seasons he was the head coach and program director for Indigenous North Basketball (Kuiyam Pride) of the Queensland Basketball State League in Australia. Johnson returned to Australia for another stint from 2013 to 2016 as the coach and director for Basketball Queensland. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-basketball-adds-turkish-freshman/article_6be286b2-f5a2-11ed-beb4-db4f91338eb9.html | 2023-05-19T02:34:27 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-basketball-adds-turkish-freshman/article_6be286b2-f5a2-11ed-beb4-db4f91338eb9.html |
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County is reminding residents about its Plumbing Repair Program which offers free fixes for qualifying homeowners.
Applications opened May 1 and will run through Dec. 31. People must submit the required documentation and after inspections, plumbing contractors can assist.
According to the county, crews can help with private sewer lateral remediation, septic to sewer conversion, water leaks due to high water usage and leaks related to weather issues.
The DeKalb County Community Development Department outlined some of the program's requirements. Applicants must be DeKalb County homeowners, the repair must be at the homeowner's principal residence, and the total household income must be at or below 60% of the Area Median Income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For perspective, the maximum income for a family of four needs to be $57,840.
Interested applicants can learn more about the program and see what documents they have to submit on the DeKalb County website. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/apply-for-dekalb-countys-plumbing-repair-program/85-48cf034c-4489-4af7-b2fa-f45ef57411db | 2023-05-19T02:39:40 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/apply-for-dekalb-countys-plumbing-repair-program/85-48cf034c-4489-4af7-b2fa-f45ef57411db |
A 43-year-old Lincoln man is facing seven felonies for his alleged role in a scheme to profit from cash advances at the WarHorse Casino using fraudulent IDs and forged checks.
Rondale King is accused of theft by deception, identity theft, criminal possession of financial transaction devices and two counts possession of written forgery devices and possession of methamphetamine and amphetamine.
A warrant also had been out for his arrest on a forgery charge for allegedly trying to pass a fake $20 bill at a Lincoln U-Stop in November.
In an affidavit for King's arrest, Lincoln Police Officer Nathan Wagner said he used another man's stolen U.S. Passport card and forged check to get a $3,000 cash advance there on Nov. 22.
Wagner said they discovered King had used five identifications to enter the casino throughout the scheme and the month leading up to it and attempted around five times to defraud the casino using the fake IDs and forged checks.
On Wednesday, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force arrested King near North 44th and Adams streets, allegedly finding a small amount of meth and Adderall pills. He made his first court appearance on the charges Thursday, where his bond was set at $100,000.
At least one other person, Diamond Helmstadter, has been charged in the scheme.
Police said in court records that the casino had suffered a total of $12,000 in financial losses by mid-December in the incidents. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-accused-of-being-part-of-scheme-to-profit-from-cash-advances-at-lincoln-casino/article_1f40bee4-f5b8-11ed-898b-cbe717867a5b.html | 2023-05-19T02:39:45 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-accused-of-being-part-of-scheme-to-profit-from-cash-advances-at-lincoln-casino/article_1f40bee4-f5b8-11ed-898b-cbe717867a5b.html |
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — A 67-year-old Punta Gorda man is dead after he crashed his pickup truck into a pole and drove into a Charlotte Harbor pond.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the crash at around 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday at the Charleston Cay apartments located at 23450 Charleston Circle.
Troopers say the man lost control of his truck before hitting a pole and driving into the pond.
The man was taken to a local hospital and was later pronounced dead.
The crash remains under investigation by FHP. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/charlotte-county/2023/05/17/one-dead-after-truck-submerges-in-port-charlotte-pond/amp/ | 2023-05-19T02:39:51 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/charlotte-county/2023/05/17/one-dead-after-truck-submerges-in-port-charlotte-pond/amp/ |
Attorneys for the man accused of killing five of his neighbors after storming into their Texas home suggested on Thursday that not all has been revealed about what led up to the deadly shooting and that the suspect was someone who was generous and well-liked.
Francisco Oropeza, 38, made his initial court appearance Thursday following his arrest on May 2 after a four-day manhunt.
He is facing five charges of murder for the April 28 shooting deaths in a rural neighborhood in Cleveland, located 45 miles (72 km) northeast of Houston. Authorities allege Oropeza, after being asked by his neighbors to stop firing his AR-style rifle because a baby was trying to sleep, responded by charging into their home and killing five people, including a 9-year-old boy. All five victims were from Honduras.
Oropeza, dressed in a faded pink and white striped prison uniform, did not say anything to reporters as he was led into a courthouse in Coldspring, Texas, located about 60 miles (97 km) north of Houston. He also did not speak during the procedural court hearing. Oropeza is a Mexican national who has been deported four times between 2009 and 2016, U.S. immigration officials said.
After the hearing, his attorneys said it's still too early to know what happened on the night of the killings and that tension between Oropeza and his neighbors had been building for quite some time.
"The initial story about asking him not to shoot his gun in the backyard because a baby was sleeping is probably not going to prove to be an accurate version of the events," said Anthony Osso, one of Oropeza's attorneys.
Osso said that while the killings have been presented as a mass shooting, it will end up being "a different kind of situation."
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Wilson Garcia, whose wife and 9-year-old son were two of the people killed, previously told reporters he and two others had "respectfully" asked Oropeza if he could shoot farther away from his home because Garcia's newborn son was trying to sleep.
"He told us he was on his property and he could do what he wanted," Garcia had said after a vigil at his son's school on April 30.
Osso said Oropeza and his neighbors had been friends. Oropeza, a tradesman, would help anyone in the neighborhood who needed any electrical or plumbing work done, his lawyers said.
The relationship between Oropeza and his neighbors "started to go downhill" after the neighbors' dogs went into Oropeza's yard and killed his family's sheep and chickens, Osso said.
Lisa Andrews, another of Oropeza's attorneys, said what led up to the shooting is "much more complicated and much different a picture than that original witness statement."
Both Andrews and Osso declined to comment on what happened the night of the shooting or what Oropeza might have told them about it.
Garcia said he never had problems with Oropeza and that their wives sometimes talked. He said Oropeza had once helped him cut down a tree.
Rob Freyer, the first assistant district attorney with the San Jacinto County district attorney's office, declined to comment on the claims by Oropeza's attorneys that not all has been revealed about what led up to the shooting.
"It was a massacre. The whole world knows that … It was a tragedy," Freyer said.
Andrews said she expects the murder charges against Oropeza to be upgraded to capital murder, which would make him eligible for the death penalty.
San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon said Oropeza's case will likely not be presented to a grand jury until next month.
Oropeza's next court date is Aug. 10. His wife and one of Oropeza's friends have each been charged with hindering the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/attorney-for-man-accused-of-killing-5-neighbors-in-texas-suggests-not-all-has-been-revealed-about-shooting/3261004/ | 2023-05-19T02:42:05 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/attorney-for-man-accused-of-killing-5-neighbors-in-texas-suggests-not-all-has-been-revealed-about-shooting/3261004/ |
A fire and explosion at a dairy farm in the Texas Panhandle that injured one person and killed an estimated 18,000 head of cattle was an accident that started with an engine fire in a manure vacuum truck cleaning part of the massive barn, according to state investigators.
A State Fire Marshal report of the April 10 fire at the Southfork Dairy Farm about 50 miles southwest of Amarillo did not determine what caused the engine fire, but found there was “no intentional act to cause a failure." The April 24 report said the investigation was closed.
A worker driving the truck through a section of the 2 million-square-foot barn told investigators he noticed what he first thought was steam coming from the engine compartment. He tried to drive out of the barn when he realized it was a fire, but couldn't make it.
The driver said he tried to put out the fire with two extinguishers but failed. Several other employees told investigators they rushed to help, but the fire quickly spread.
The report noted the dairy farm had a second manure hauling truck on the property outside of the barn. A dairy manager told investigators it too had previously burned. The report noted burn marks near the engine compartment consistent with the truck fire inside the barn.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute, the number of cattle killed made the incident the deadliest barn fire involving cattle recorded since the organization began tracking barn fires in 2013. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/fire-that-killed-nearly-20000-cows-at-texas-dairy-farm-ignited-by-manure-hauler/3261003/ | 2023-05-19T02:42:11 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/fire-that-killed-nearly-20000-cows-at-texas-dairy-farm-ignited-by-manure-hauler/3261003/ |
SPEEDWAY, Ind. — You'll find Dave Calabro at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during most of the month of May, so what better place to go looking for people to share their good news?
Dave set up shop on the fourth floor of the media center at IMS, overlooking the front straightaway, where he found plenty of smiling - and familiar! - faces.
That included 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson, who has been at the top of the speed charts in the opening days of practice for this year's race, but who also has plenty of good news to share from off the ice.
"I got married a couple weeks ago, that's very good news!" Ericsson said.
"Indianapolis. May. Speedway," said Colleen, who works the front desk in the media center.
"It's sunny. Amazing weather in Indy," said Alex Palou, whose father is in Indianapolis to spend the month of May with him.
Palou is looking to win his first Indianapolis 500 and finish off an "Indy double" after winning last weekend's GMR Grand Prix on the IMS road course.
Pato O'Ward, who finished second in last year's race, was also spending time with family when he's not on track.
"I just had my birthday. I had great time with my loved ones. Enjoyed the time with my family," he said.
And what might be a bit of good news for those wondering about Pato's relationship status, "I'm single," he said.
You can see Dave's entire segment in the video player above and watch recent "Good News" segments in the links below. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/good-news/good-news-indycar-drivers-at-indianapolis-motor-speedway-dave-calabro/531-6826a1a7-7b0a-4257-b1fd-4e8915ba1349 | 2023-05-19T02:42:16 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/good-news/good-news-indycar-drivers-at-indianapolis-motor-speedway-dave-calabro/531-6826a1a7-7b0a-4257-b1fd-4e8915ba1349 |
BOISE — Mayor Lauren McLean sees Boise as a "magical" oasis in an Idaho desert, and she hopes to keep it that way.
“We are working every day to build a city for everyone,” McLean said during Thursday's State of the City address at JUMP in downtown Boise. “When we talk to each other, when we really take the time to talk to our neighbors on porches and in backyards and coffee shops, in our parks or on our trails, in school yards and at work, there's always more that unites us than divides us.”
McLean, the first woman elected as mayor in Boise, also addressed affordable housing, police, small businesses and climate action.
“It's getting more and more difficult to find a good affordable home — a place to live,” McLean said. “So, I've worked with public and private partners to deliver on a promise: more housing, at Boise budgets, so that kids today feel that same sense of stability that a home brings.”
Boise has invested $2 million to keep unhoused families off the street and is on target to meet the goal of producing 1,100 affordable homes by 2026. This year, Boise is on track to open 250 homes for people exiting homelessness via Permanent Supportive Housing Projects, McLean said.
McLean is also proposing protections for renters in Boise, to prevent sudden evictions from occurring frequently.
“We've all seen what's happened in other cities, when they fail to prioritize housing,” McLean said. “We will not repeat the mistakes of other cities.”
Boise is the only city in Idaho to give money back to residents in the form of property tax rebates, McLean said. Next year, she plans to continue to keep property dollars in the hands of Boiseans and ensure that every person who qualifies for a rebate, receives one.
Of the 122,000 calls the Boise Police Department was involved with in 2022, 99.95% were resolved without any use of force. Since 2020, Boise has invested $14.5 million in training, equipment and officers. A new police facility is in the works, in an effort to make the Greenbelt safer than it is now.
“We provide service, prevent crime, but to be clear, we also hold folks accountable when it’s necessary,” McLean said.
In November, McLean announced an investigation into racism in the Boise Police Department after news broke that former captain Matthew Bryngelson was scheduled to participate in a white nationalist conference.
The city approved a $500,000 budget for the investigation. Before that, Bryngelson retired in August 2022, after spending over 20 years with BPD.
“We made the kind of state high-impact investments and priorities to prioritize safety, justice and accountability to keep Boise from making the mistakes that we've seen in other major cities in our region,” McLean said.
Boise is also investing in fire departments. McLean’s 2024 budget proposes four-person staffing on fire engines — a first for Boise. A new fire station near State Street is also in the works, and is expected to begin construction this year.
This year, Boise had its lowest property crime rate in 22 years.
Boise has provided 480 local businesses with $2 million in grants and supported child care workers, allocating $2 million to go directly to 1,220 child care employees.
“We've got to make sure that kids have care, so the parents can seek opportunity and that we meet the needs of our business community,” McLean said.
The mayor's office has recently streamlined child care facility and licensing times, reducing costs by $120 per license.
“This investment was not guaranteed by any stretch,” McLean said. “I say it was our grit, our determination, our innovation and frankly Boise’s values that helped win this $15 billion investment and thousands of jobs.”
The city is on track to be powered by clean electricity, McLean said. Boise has planted 15,000 trees and nearly 150,000 seedlings.
“Our work to protect this special place, to prepare for the future impacts of climate, to do the work that we do is about more than jobs — it's about protecting our health, protecting our home,” McLean said. "So that the next generation inherits a clean, resilient city, rich in opportunity.”
McLean is working with several partners to make sure the Boise Depot has passenger trains again, pushing to link Boise with southern Idaho and Salt Lake City.
“Boiseans are at our best when we’re working together. We’ve always managed to beat the odds,” McLean said. “I'm grateful, deeply grateful for the opportunity that I get to work along with all of you that are here, as well as you that are not, in service to this great city.”
Emily White is a reporter for the Idaho Press. She covers Boise and Ada County with an emphasis on education. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyWhite177 and email her at ewhite@idahopress.com
Emily White is a reporter for the Idaho Press. She is a graduate from Utah State University and holds degrees in journalism and English. Previously, White worked as a reporter and content manager at the Utah Statesman. In her free time, she can be found baking or watching a good movie. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-mayor-talks-affordable-housing-police-at-state-of-the-city-address/article_792ababc-f5c8-11ed-891d-83e234fb73c0.html | 2023-05-19T02:42:57 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-mayor-talks-affordable-housing-police-at-state-of-the-city-address/article_792ababc-f5c8-11ed-891d-83e234fb73c0.html |
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