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ROANOKE, Va. – A new development in the case of Tabitha Thompson, the Botetourt County woman who was cycling along Lee Highway last year when she was hit and killed by an SUV.
Court records show the driver, Danielle Rock, and her insurance company, filed a petition for a judge to approve a wrongful death settlement in the amount of $1.5 million.
[‘She was my missing piece’: Husband remembers Botetourt County cyclist killed, advocates for change]
Tabitha’s husband, Matt, said a Roanoke City Judge approved the settlement on Tuesday.
Matt released a statement to 10 News saying in part, “We won’t allow Tab’s light to be fully extinguished. Her communities came together and demonstrated the enormous impact of one tiny person. Today we’ll continue to carry that light in hopes to be the movement that alters the driving culture in our region.”
Thompson’s defense attorney, John Litchenstein also released a statement saying, “This was a horrible tragedy and a completely needless loss. The success of this legal case is only there to help.”
We reached out to Rock’s attorney, Andrew Gerrish who says he has no comment about the settlement. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/15-million-awarded-in-wrongful-death-settlement-for-botetourt-county-cyclist-killed-by-driver/ | 2023-06-08T15:55:47 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/15-million-awarded-in-wrongful-death-settlement-for-botetourt-county-cyclist-killed-by-driver/ |
A former legislative aide is suing Virginia representative, Delegate Marie March.
Tambra Blankenship claims she did other duties not related to legislative aide work and wasn’t paid for working overtime.
Blankenship’s lawyers filed a 16-page complaint in Richmond civil court.
According to court documents, Blankenship says she worked more than 40 hours a week and wasn’t fully paid.
She also claims she did work for March’s personal businesses while as a legislative aide and is now seeking $70,000.
“A wolf in sheep’s clothes, because what you see is not what is there,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship and Delegate Marie March connected in June 2022. At the time, Blankenship worked for an insurance company and handled March’s home and auto insurance.
Blankenship says she got a text the same month from March, asking if she knew of anyone willing to work as a legislative aide.
“With four kids, it seemed like it would be an amazing opportunity, so I decided to give it a shot,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship says about two weeks after accepting the job, she became more like an assistant.
“I was constantly on the road or in the office, taking care of business, answering phone calls, sometimes 11 o’clock at night I would sit in bed getting text messages,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship said while working as a legislative aide, things went south.
She claims she began doing work for March’s personal businesses, like Fatback Soul Shack and Due South BBQ, restaurants in Christiansburg.
Both are now closed.
“I couldn’t afford not to have a job. It was one of those things that I didn’t want to get on her bad side because, with four kids you kind of need good benefits,” Blankenship said.
While Blankenship claims there were good benefits, the relationship between her and March severed. She learned her job ended in August, the reason, Blankenship claims, is unknown.
“Monday morning, I woke up to a message saying we’re training your replacement,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship’s lawyer, Thomas Strelka, filed a complaint in Richmond civil court, claiming Blankenship performed work that benefitted March’s business and personal life that was outside her duties as a legislative aide.
“Ms. Blankenship was routinely directed by Delegate March to do things for her private businesses,” Strelka said. “Delegate March did not pay directly, Ms. Blankenship was only paid through a taxpayer-funded position.”
Strelka also claims March violated the Wage Overtime Act because March failed to pay Blankenship overtime.
“That is the law, one would think a lawmaker would know that or have more respect for that,” Strelka said.
10 News emailed Delegate March directly about the claims on May 22, and this week, she has yet to respond to our request.
10 News also reached out to the Attorney General’s office representing March, and they said, “We do not comment on pending litigation.”
In court documents, the Commonwealth’s Attorney representing March argues, “Blankenship failed to claim any expectation of compensation for any work done outside the scope of Delegate March’s official duties.”
They also claim March cannot be sued because, “She is a delegate of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has not waived sovereign immunity, meaning, Virginia’s government cannot be sued without consent.”
But, Strelka claims that’s not entirely true.
“Sovereign immunity was lifted from 2021 to about midway of 2022,” he said.
While Blankenship awaits the hearing, the reason she came forward now is because she wants to make others aware.
“Actions have consequences, and sometimes people really need to feel those consequences,” Blankenship said.
The civil hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in Richmond. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/former-legislative-aide-sues-delegate-marie-march/ | 2023-06-08T15:55:54 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/former-legislative-aide-sues-delegate-marie-march/ |
RADFORD, Va. – Parents in the Radford community are speaking out after the abrupt resignation of Robert Graham, Radford City Public School’s superintendent.
“I want answers. I think everyone in the community wants answers. Why?” said Erica Mendoza, a mom of three kids in the district.
Graham’s resignation was announced during Tuesday night’s school board meeting.
Graham, in tears, addressed a crowd of supporters, saying, “I’m heartbroken and I don’t want to leave this place, but I don’t have many options. You all mean the world to me.”
A former school board member tells 10 News that Graham was pushed out by the board, saying they don’t approve of his leadership.
Mendoza says her 9-year-old son Rogileo is on the autism spectrum. She says Graham always went out of his way to make sure Rogileo had what he needed.
“He is the heart of our community,” Mendoza said. “It means so much as a mom to know that your kid’s not going to fall behind or your kid’s not left behind because there’s someone fighting that’s not just you.”
Rogileo says Graham was his friend.
“He was my favorite friend,” Rogileo said. “He helps me to calm down.”
Robin Fisher, a parent of two high schoolers, says the decision wasn’t fair.
“I was just very upset about it because I like Rob Graham,” Fisher said. “He was good with my kids.”
Mendoza says the school board left parents in the dark. She and Fisher are now wondering what comes next.
“Where is this going to go now? I mean, is it going to be for the better? For the worse? I mean, I don’t know,” Fisher said.
“It’s not easy. It’s so not easy to see him leave. We don’t want him to leave,” Mendoza said.
Robert Graham and the Radford City School Board released the following joint statement on the resignation.
On June 4, 2023, Superintendent Robert Graham notified the School Board of his intent to voluntarily resign his position as Division Superintendent. Last evening, the Radford City School Board formally accepted Mr. Graham’s resignation.
“Rob Graham has been a valued and dedicated employee of the Radford City Schools as an administrator and, for the last 8 years, as Division Superintendent,” said Board Chair Jenny Riffe. “As a native of Radford, Rob has led the division with an abiding love for the children in our school division and a commitment to their success,” added Ms. Riffe. “The School Board wishes him well and success in his future professional endeavors.”
Rob Graham added, “I would like to thank the RCPS students, staff, and school community members for all of the support they have provided to my family and me during my tenure in this special school division. I have great memories that will be with me for the rest of my life. RCPS and “The Bobcats” will always have a special place in my heart. I wish them nothing but great success in the future!”
Superintendent Robert Graham & Radford City Public Schools | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/parents-concerned-confused-by-radford-city-schools-superintendents-abrupt-departure/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:00 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/07/parents-concerned-confused-by-radford-city-schools-superintendents-abrupt-departure/ |
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – The Bedford County School Board is slated to vote on a policy that outlines how controversial issues should be addressed in the classroom on Thursday.
The policy was presented to the board on April 6 and strives to determine how students should be taught when it comes to political and controversial issues. The main goal is to create a learning environment that is void of bias, prejudice or coercion, a draft document of the policy said.
Under the policy, teachers will be prohibited from having discussions with students about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Textbooks and other instructional materials that discuss the “historical oppression of a particular group of people based on race, ethnicity, religion, disability status, or sex as well as based on class, nationality, geographic region and/or other differences” will not be prohibited.
The ACLU of Virginia doesn’t support the policy, saying “The policy is so broad as to be unenforceable – for example, the way it prohibits any discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity could be interpreted to mean that a teacher couldn’t answer a student’s question about a photo of their spouse on their desk. That uncertainty will hit LGBTQ+ teachers – and those who support LGBTQ+ students – the hardest.”
The ACLU also sent a letter to the Bedford County School Board expressing their concerns.
A document containing a full breakdown of the policy can be found below: | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/bedford-county-school-board-to-vote-on-controversial-policy-thursday/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:06 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/bedford-county-school-board-to-vote-on-controversial-policy-thursday/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Happy Thursday! Grab your morning coffee and check out the Morning Sprint to find out what’s trending.
The digital-only newscast is filled with laughter, smiles and stories you won’t want to miss. You can catch it Monday through Friday at 8 a.m.
Don’t be shy! Be sure to join the conversation as we chat about the news of the day.
Here are some of the stories we discussed today:
- Casa Bonita set to reopen thanks to South Park creators
- UVA honors slain football player by displaying his artwork
- Virginia Children’s Theatre seeks donations for emergency fundraising campaign
Here’s where you can watch us:
The Sprint can be watched on our website, YouTube account and wherever you stream WSLS 10 weekdays at 8 a.m.
You can also watch it on our 10 News app. Click here to download if you’re an IOS user and here to download if you have an Android.
Be sure to leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for watching!
Want to know more about the Morning Sprint? Leave us a question using the form below: | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/coming-up-south-park-creators-bring-beloved-restaurant-back-to-life-the-morning-sprint/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:12 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/coming-up-south-park-creators-bring-beloved-restaurant-back-to-life-the-morning-sprint/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – The husband of a Botetourt County woman who was hit and killed while cycling last year is speaking out.
On Tuesday, a judge approved a 1.5 million dollar settlement in a wrongful death suit for Tabitha Thompson’s death.
Tabitha was only 39 years old when she was killed by an SUV while cycling along Lee Highway. Her husband, Matt, said it’s a loss he feels every day.
“We met when she was 17 years old and she was my missing piece, and I was her missing piece,” Matt Thompson said. “Our strengths and weaknesses, they just compensated for one another and complemented one another. Trying to live a life without her is a struggle.”
Tabitha loved her job as a neonatal (NICU) nurse, Matt said. She also loved spending time in nature.
“She was an avid outdoorsman,” Matt said. “She was cross-training for the Blue Ridge Marathon when she was hit. So, that was a big piece of her life.”
Tabitha is just one cyclist who’s been hit in the Roanoke Valley over the past few years, another one hit just this past weekend during the IRONMAN triathlon.
“I mean just during the IRONMAN we had a local get injured on the bike from a driver,” Matt Thompson said. “A blocked road, signages, cones, and everything out there, and yet the bikers still aren’t safe to participate in these races that we have locally.”
Since Tabitha’s death, Matt has dedicated his life to advocating for change. He’s created the charity “Smiles for Tab” and he wants this to be the wake-up call drivers need to be considerate and watchful on the roads.
“Just be humble and kind,” Matt Thompson said. “Be humble enough to recognize the significant imbalance between the car vs a cyclist or a runner.”
Because each cyclist is a person, just like Tabitha Thompson.
“Tabitha was not killed in a bike accident,” Matt Thompson said. “Tabitha was struck by a driver operating an SUV. Sometimes we position things as if it could have happened to anyone. This was 100% avoidable.” | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/she-was-my-missing-piece-husband-remembers-botetourt-county-cyclist-killed-advocates-for-change/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:19 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/she-was-my-missing-piece-husband-remembers-botetourt-county-cyclist-killed-advocates-for-change/ |
ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE
VDOT says the scene of this crash is now clear.
ORIGINAL STORY
A single-vehicle crash on I-81S in Roanoke County could slow down your morning commute, according to VDOT.
As of 7:25 a.m., the south left shoulder and left lane are blocked and traffic is backed up for about 2.5 miles.
We’re told the crash happened at exit 136, so avoid this area if you can.
At this time, it is unclear if anyone was hurt but Virginia State Police said a rescue squad is headed that way.
Stay with 10 News for the latest traffic updates | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/single-vehicle-crash-on-i-81s-in-roanoke-county-causing-traffic-delays/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:25 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/single-vehicle-crash-on-i-81s-in-roanoke-county-causing-traffic-delays/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Fleet Feet’s “The Big Run” was held on Wednesday. It’s an annual race held on Global Running Day.
This year, the race benefited Smiles4Tab, a charity in Tabitha Thompson’s name. She was hit and killed by an SUV while cycling along Lee Highway last year.
Smiles4Tab donated The Big Run’s proceeds to the Schultz family, who is remembering the loss of their loved one. 26-year-old David Schultz II, who worked at Fleet Feet, died in a car wreck last month.
He was loved by many, including his 9-month-old son, according to his wife, Kirsten.
“David was a loving father and husband,” Kirsten said. “He was a friend to everyone he met.”
She said performing was a big passion of David’s. She said she’s thankful for community support and has plans to advocate for a guardrail in Tinker Creek, where the crash happened. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/the-big-run-proceeds-donated-to-family-of-father-killed-in-car-crash/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:31 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/the-big-run-proceeds-donated-to-family-of-father-killed-in-car-crash/ |
With school letting out for the summer, some families are looking for ways to stretch their grocery budget.
Below we have a full list of free summer meal programs in our area.
Alleghany Highlands
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools are providing free meals to children during the month of June. Meals are being provided at designated locations in Covington, Low Moor and Clifton Forge. The meals are for children 18 and under on a first-come, first-served basis at Jeter Watson Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School and Clifton Forge Fire Department.
Lynchburg City Schools
Lynchburg City Schools is providing free meals to all children. Meals are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. All meals must be eaten at the site location. These sites include Bedford Hills Elementary, Biggers Park, Daniels Hill Community Center, Heritage High School, and Lynchburg Public Library. The program runs until Aug. 4.
Montgomery County
Meadowbrook Public Library is bringing back its summer backpack program. This is a community initiative to help families with children and teens stretch their grocery budget. The program runs every Tuesday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. until Aug. 8. Each bag is packed with groceries donated by the community. The library is always looking for more donations for the program. Shopping lists include items like cereal, peanut butter, applesauce, canned good and mac & cheese.
Henry County
Children 18 years of age or younger can get free meals at the Kids’ Cafe Bus in Henry County. The bus has a booth-style seating and air conditioning. Meals must be eaten on the bus and parents can eat on the bus with their children for $3. The bus is at Walmart Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at the Fielddale Recreation Center from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Pulaski County Public Schools
All students up to the age of 18 are eligible for free meals. There is no age limit for children or students with disabilities. The meals are being prepared by the Pulaski County School Nutrition Program staff. Meals are available starting June 5 at Pulaski County Middle School and Randolph Park. Starting on June 10, students can get meals at Pulaski Elementary and Riverlawn Elementary. Then on June 26, Fairlawn Church of God will be offering dinner starting at 5 p.m. In July, Camp Marantha New Hope, Wilderness Road Museum, and Ratclifee Museum will be serving up meals.
Roanoke City Public Schools
Roanoke City Public Schools is offering free summer meals to children ages 18 years or younger. Melas will be provided on-site on a first-come, first-served basis. The program begins on June 12 and runs until Aug. 11. Woodrow Wilson Middle School will serve meals Monday to Friday from June 12 through Aug. 11. Breakfast runs from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Lunch is served from 12 to 12:30 p.m. Starting on June 20, Crystal Spring Elementary, Fallon Park Elementary, Forest Park Academy, Grandin Court Elementary, Lucy Addison Middle School, Noel C. Taylor Academy, Patrick Henry Highs School, Preston Park Elementary, Roanoke Academy, Round Hill Elementary, Virginia Heights Elementary, Westside Elementary, and William Fleming will all start serving free breakfast and lunch.
For a full list of USDA free summer meal programs throughout Virginia, click here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/where-students-can-pick-up-free-meals-this-summer-throughout-southwest-virginia/ | 2023-06-08T15:56:37 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/08/where-students-can-pick-up-free-meals-this-summer-throughout-southwest-virginia/ |
FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (WJRT) - Mid-Michigan's dry weather conditions have forced the cancellation of a popular fireworks show this weekend.
The Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth is calling off Friday night's fireworks show due to that dry air and safety concerns. Most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula is classified as extreme risk for wildfires after abnormally dry weather this spring.
There is still plenty to enjoy this weekend in Michigan's Little Bavaria. Main Street will shut down for bands, food trucks, a rock wall, beer, a zip line and much more.
The Bavarian Festival runs through Sunday, when the parade rolls down Main Street. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/bavarian-festival-cancels-fireworks-due-to-dry-weather/article_6697b8ce-0607-11ee-8a5a-539195e128f7.html | 2023-06-08T15:57:03 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/bavarian-festival-cancels-fireworks-due-to-dry-weather/article_6697b8ce-0607-11ee-8a5a-539195e128f7.html |
SANILAC COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - A 24-year-old woman from Peck died on Tuesday, hours after she was involved in a crash at a rural Sanilac County intersection.
Michigan State Police say Calli Patricia Newberry died from injuries she sustained on Monday morning at the intersection of Peck and Todd roads in Buel Township.
Investigators say Newberry was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox north on Todd Road when she ran a stop sign at Peck Road and hit a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was traveling east, around 9:35 a.m. Monday.
Newberry and the 23-year-old woman from Croswell driving the Jeep both were rushed to area hospitals, where both initially were listed in critical condition.
Michigan State Police say the Croswell woman, who hasn't been identified, was upgraded to serious but stable condition since the crash.
Both women had young children with them, who were treated and released with only "very minor injuries," according to Michigan State Police.
The Times Herald newspaper in Port Huron identified Newberry as a sports reporter for a new online publication she launched, The Sports Report. She also helped form the Blue Water Sports Media Association with two other existing publications to highlight Thumb-area athletes.
Several high school coaches that she covered are remembering her upbeat, kindhearted and generous nature.
Newberry is survived by her husband, young daughter, parents, two brothers and other relatives. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/sanilac-county-youth-sports-reporter-dies-a-day-after-crash/article_3d47b77e-0609-11ee-a545-9786057da580.html | 2023-06-08T15:57:10 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/sanilac-county-youth-sports-reporter-dies-a-day-after-crash/article_3d47b77e-0609-11ee-a545-9786057da580.html |
FENTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - The pilot of a seaplane is OK after making an emergency landing on Lake Fenton.
The Genesee County Sheriff's Office says the pilot, who was not identified and was alone in the plane, experienced unspecified mechanical trouble with the aircraft around 10 a.m.
The Fenton Township Fire Department, Genesee County Sheriff's Office Dive Team and emergency medical crews all responded to the Skipper Bud's on Fenton Road to assist.
Authorities say the pilot made a safe landing around 10:20 a.m., he was not injured and the seaplane did not sustain any major damage.
The pilot, who lives on Lake Fenton, was able to bring the plane back to his home dock to seek repairs. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/seaplane-makes-emergency-landing-on-lake-fenton-pilot-not-hurt/article_81b0c1bc-060e-11ee-997e-efe416a0becc.html | 2023-06-08T15:57:16 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/seaplane-makes-emergency-landing-on-lake-fenton-pilot-not-hurt/article_81b0c1bc-060e-11ee-997e-efe416a0becc.html |
WEST FORK, Ark. — According to the City of West Fork, Former Police Chief John Nelson has died.
West Fork Mayor Heith Caudle, released the following statement in regard to his passing:
"On behalf of the City of West Fork, I extend our heartfelt condolences for the loss of retired Police Chief John Nelson. We are deeply saddened to hear of his passing"
The mayor went on to recognize his accomplishments as chief police.
"We are grateful for Chief Nelson’s dedicated service and his legacy will forever remain a cherished part of our community." said the mayor.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/former-west-fork-chief-police-dies-john-nelson/527-8bc54506-8351-48a9-bf43-5366878e3d32 | 2023-06-08T16:00:32 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/former-west-fork-chief-police-dies-john-nelson/527-8bc54506-8351-48a9-bf43-5366878e3d32 |
BELLA VISTA, Ark. — Officials with the Bella Vista Police Department (BVPD) and other agencies are currently searching for Garland "Mac" Macabee, 75, who was last seen at the intersection of Evanton Rd and Glenwood Ln in Bella Vista on June 7.
According to BVPD, Macabee was walking in the area around 4:30 p.m. after he left his home wearing a navy blue shirt and grey sweatpants.
Police say Macabee has been diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson's disease and has been known to wander in the past.
Multiple agencies including including Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Search and Rescue, Highfill Police Department with more than 50 volunteers searched until early morning hours on Thursday, June 8.
They used on-foot search teams, infrared drones, helicopters, K9 units, jet skis and more while searching, according to BVPD.
Officials report that the search resumed this morning at 7 a.m., and police plan to deploy the same search methods today.
Granton Park in the Highlands will be closed to the public today while the search is conducted, according to BVPD.
Police are asking that residents check their property and any security cameras for possible sightings of Macabee.
If you see him, police say to call the Bella Vista Police Department at 479-855-3771 as a large number of officers and search and rescue personnel will be in the area.
5NEWS will update this article with information as it becomes available.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/police-bella-vista-man-with-dementia-parkinsons-disease-reported-missing/527-cea7c563-8ba7-4b5c-9ff7-0acf1b876323 | 2023-06-08T16:00:38 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/police-bella-vista-man-with-dementia-parkinsons-disease-reported-missing/527-cea7c563-8ba7-4b5c-9ff7-0acf1b876323 |
October 19, 1946 – June 1, 2023
A Celebration of Life will be held for Christopher J. Common, 76, of North Bend, on Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Coos History Museum, 1210 N. Front Street in Coos Bay.
On the morning of June 1, 2023 Christopher James Common passed away at the age of 76. Chris was born to James and Shirley Common in San Diego, California in 1946. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1969 from San Diego State University. He then served four years in the United States Coast Guard. During this time he married his wife of 52 years, Gail Common. Together they raised three children, Michael, Jeffery and Sarah. Chris worked as a tug captain for over 42 years for Coos Bay Towboat. He also traveled and worked on tugs all over the world. He was a volunteer firefighter for the North Bend Fire Department for over 20 years.
Chris enjoyed white water rafting, camping, playing the guitar and spending time with his family and friends. Over the past 20 years, he wrote and published five books.
Chris is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter, Sarah; sister, Sherilyn; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Chris was preceded in death by his father, James; mother, Shirley; brother, Sidney; and his son, Jeffery.
Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/christopher-james-common/article_4c1179b6-060e-11ee-9dbd-ffb0d304c2df.html | 2023-06-08T16:02:19 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/christopher-james-common/article_4c1179b6-060e-11ee-9dbd-ffb0d304c2df.html |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Japanese birthday cake Oreos? BBQ Steak Cheetos? Dippin’ Dots cereal?
These are the types of rare snacks that can be found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The trend has continued to gain notoriety, once available only to the stars, can now be purchased by the average consumer!
Now not every snack has to be a wacky concoction of sorts either, trying something new like imported snacks from different countries will also fall on this list as well. From British imports to candy from parts of India, there are so many opportunities to try something new.
Let your tastebuds travel without leaving the comfort of your car or home, and try something that you’ve never had before. Rare and imported snacks don’t always last, so if you don’t get them now they can easily disappear from the market.
So where should you buy these imported or rare snacks in the DFW area? We got you covered.
Buy your snacks online
Buy your snacks in person
Imported Snacks
Wooden Spoon Scandinavian Shop | https://cw33.com/news/local/rare-and-imported-snacks-are-taking-over-dfw-how-to-get-in-on-the-trend/ | 2023-06-08T16:02:26 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/rare-and-imported-snacks-are-taking-over-dfw-how-to-get-in-on-the-trend/ |
MIDLAND, Texas — A new statue has been unveiled in the Tall City.
The statue is of a little girl holding some balloons while trying to keep them from blowing away in these strong West Texas winds. The statue can be seen at the intersection of Midkiff and Front Street.
It is a project of Keep Midland Beautiful, and it was created entirely with recycled materials. There are some finishing touches on the sculpture that still needs to be done and there will be an official ceremony for the statue in the next couple of weeks.
More information about why it was created and who created the statue will be announced very soon according to the Keep Midland Beautiful Facebook page. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/keep-midland-beautiful-unveils-new-statue/513-42ff436b-e177-4c65-b984-8b3d3b9ee37c | 2023-06-08T16:02:33 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/keep-midland-beautiful-unveils-new-statue/513-42ff436b-e177-4c65-b984-8b3d3b9ee37c |
TOM GREEN COUNTY, Texas — A 42-year-old San Angelo man was arrested for possession of child pornography Wednesday after Tom Green County Sheriff's Office deputies served at search warrant at his home.
According to the TGCSO, the department's Criminal Investigations and Patrol divisions executed a search warrant at a home on Southridge Drive in San Angelo.
A Crimes Against Children investigation resulted in Chad Hamilton George, 42, being found in possession of hundreds of videos and images of very young children engaging in sexual conduct.
Evidence of the crime was seized during the search warrant and George was arrested for five warrants of possession of child pornography, each of which is classified as a third-degree felony.
The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office said it will continue to act on information received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/san-angelo-man-arrested-on-five-warrants-for-possession-of-child-pornography/504-241fa164-4e55-4c58-af9d-872fc962ad1e | 2023-06-08T16:04:59 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/san-angelo-man-arrested-on-five-warrants-for-possession-of-child-pornography/504-241fa164-4e55-4c58-af9d-872fc962ad1e |
ABERDEEN, Md. — A 15-year-old boy is being charged as an adult after allegedly shooting a woman in Aberdeen Wednesday morning.
On June 7, around 8:35 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 100 block of Hanover Street.
Upon arrival, officers found a 19-year-old female lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to the lower right abdomen.
After the shooting, police arrested the suspect, who fled on foot to the unit block of Valley Bottom Road.
Police say the suspect was a 15-year-old boy.
Investigators determined the suspect attempted to shoot a second female at the Hanover Street location. She was left unharmed.
The victims of this incident were related to the suspect according to police.
The 19-year-old was taken to a trauma center in Baltimore, where she is listed in critical condition.
The Harford County State's Attorney determined the 15-year-old will be charged with multiple counts of attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and several weapons charges. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/15-year-old-charged-as-adult-after-allegedly-shooting-relative-in-aberdeen | 2023-06-08T16:13:41 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/15-year-old-charged-as-adult-after-allegedly-shooting-relative-in-aberdeen |
BALTIMORE — Due to the poor air quality throughout the region, the Maryland Zoo will be closing at noon today, June 8.
Visitors are encouraged to check the website for reopening information.
Maryland is in a code red, meaning the air is unhealthy for the general population. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/maryland-zoo-closing-at-noon-due-to-poor-air-quality | 2023-06-08T16:13:47 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/maryland-zoo-closing-at-noon-due-to-poor-air-quality |
The representative of murder victim Hae Min Lee is asking the Maryland Supreme Court to hear the appeal of a man once convicted of her murder.
Young Lee, Hae Min Lee's brother, filed a cross-petition for Writ of Certiorari in the Maryland Supreme Court Thursday morning.
RELATED: Adnan Syed’s murder conviction on hold for now, as Maryland Supreme Court considers appeal
"While the Appellate Court's decision in Lee v. State, et al.., remedies serious procedural deficiencies in the vacatur process in this case, it falls short in one critical respect: it leaves no one to speak on the Lee family's behalf," the petition states.
In the first footnote of the 224-page cross-petition document, lawyers for Young Lee write that "although Mr. Lee disagrees with Mr. Syed on which questions this appeal presents, he agrees that this case involves important legal issues warranting review."
Syed was released last fall after a vacatur hearing where a judge decided to vacate his murder conviction.
RELATED: Timeline: Adnan Syed's 23-year journey to freedom
The Baltimore City State's Attorney at the time, Marylin Mosby, who had also supported vacating the conviction, dropped charges a couple weeks later.
Young Lee argued to the Appellate Court that his rights as a victim representative were violated during the vacatur hearing, saying he wasn't given proper notice.
The Appellate Court ruled a new hearing had to be held, reinstating Syed's conviction, but delayed the ruling taking effect. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/young-lee-requests-md-supreme-court-to-take-up-adnan-syed-appeal | 2023-06-08T16:13:53 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/young-lee-requests-md-supreme-court-to-take-up-adnan-syed-appeal |
Worthy: no 'immediate danger,' Detroit gas station clerk, 40, charged with first degree murder
Detroit — A gas station clerk was arraigned Thursday in connection with the fatal shooting of Detroit man after a dispute over beef jerky Monday in southwest Detroit, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced.
Moad Mohamed Al-Gaham, 40, of Detroit was arraigned in the 36th District Court in Detroit on charges of first-degree premeditated murder and felony firearm, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said during a press conference Thursday.
The incident took place just after 3 a.m. Monday in the 4410 block of Vernor Highway near Clark Avenue. Al-Gaham allegedly shot unarmed Anthony McNary, 25, of Detroit after McNary took a beef jerky product and placed it in his pocket without paying, the prosecutor said, which resulted in a "heated exchange of words."
Al-Gaham then, officials allege, rifled through McNary's pockets, returning the item to the shelf, then kicked McNary out of the store and locked the doors, preventing McNary from re-entering.
Worthy said Al-Gaham shot the victim through the door.
"In a short period of time after that, we further allege that (Al-Gaham) did the following: he produced a handgun, he aimed it, he held it in the direct line of (McNary's) forehead and then fatally shot him from inside the gas station," Worthy said. "Mr. Al-Gaham was not — in any way — in any immediate danger."
It's the second time in recent weeks that police officials have closed down a gas station where a homicide occurred because it had been operating without a license, Detroit Police Chief James White said during a briefing outside the shuttered business on Monday.
"Here we are less than one month after the locked door incident at a Detroit gas station on West McNichols. This simply cannot continue to happen," Worthy said in a news release.
During the press conference, Worthy said the store operating without a license was an issue beyond her lane, and the matter was up to the city and state agencies like LARA, the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
The gun used in the shooting, the chief said, was unlicensed, and that police would be investigating how it was acquired and whether it was used in other crimes.
Employees at the station declined to comment Monday. After they were told to go home, Investigator John Doneghy from the city's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department affixed a sticker to the station's front window informing customers that the business had been closed because it had been operating without a license.
The prosecutor said her office is working on how to advise gas station owners on matters with similar circumstances, but would not detail the approach.
"I would never condone theft of any kind, but again, there has to be some guidelines, I think, going forward," Worthy said.
jaimery@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @wordsbyjakkar | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/08/detroit-gas-station-clerk-40-charged-with-first-degree-murder-of-25-year-old-detroit-man/70301034007/ | 2023-06-08T16:14:32 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/08/detroit-gas-station-clerk-40-charged-with-first-degree-murder-of-25-year-old-detroit-man/70301034007/ |
Jury finds Highland Park man not guilty in murder of girlfriend's brother
A Highland Park man was found not guilty in the murder of his girlfriend's brother after a jury trial in Wayne County.
Derek Everett was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of Anthony McCormick, 34, in December 2020.
The stabbing took place at about 10:40 p.m. Dec. 17, 2020, in the 300 block of Eason, Highland Park police said.
Everett, his girlfriend and McCormick were drinking together when the two men began to argue over Everett's alleged treatment of his girlfriend, according to police. Police said Everett grabbed a knife and warned that he would kill McCormick. They fought, McCormick was killed and Everett fled, police said.
Everett's attorney, Antonio Tuddles, did not respond for comment.
kberg@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/06/08/jury-finds-highland-park-not-guilty-in-murder-of-girlfriends-brother/70299354007/ | 2023-06-08T16:14:38 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/06/08/jury-finds-highland-park-not-guilty-in-murder-of-girlfriends-brother/70299354007/ |
State lawmakers and others are proposing major changes to Ohio’s medical marijuana program, ranging from restructuring how the program is managed to legalizing full recreational adult use.
An Ohio House bill with some bipartisan support would allow for the cultivation, purchase and possession of cannabis by Ohioans over the age of 21 and allows for the expungement of conviction records for previous cultivation and possession offenses.
House Bill 168, introduced by state Reps. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, and Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson, would also implement a 10% sales tax on adult-use cannabis products if passed.
“It’s time for Ohio to act on this before we fall too much further behind our neighbors,” said Weinstein. “Adult-use is good for our economy, good for our justice system, and the right thing to do.”
Expanded eligibility
Senate Bill 9, introduced by state Sens. Stephen Huffman, R-Tipp City, and Kirk Schuring, R-Canton, would expand the state’s medical marijuana program by adding to the list of treatments for medical conditions and adding more permissible forms of medical marijuana.
Huffman is a physician. The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program does not list him as a doctor who is certified to recommend marijuana.
The proposal would also create a 13-member oversight commission that would oversee the Division of Marijuana Control within the Department of Commerce to oversee Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Program.
Citizen initiative
The Coalition to Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol is collecting petition signatures to get a measure on November’s ballot. The proposal was submitted through an initiated statute, so it is not an amendment to Ohio’s constitution.
The coalition needs to get 124,000 signatures from at least half of Ohio’s 88 counties by July 5 to proceed.
Tom Haren, spokesperson of the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, said an adult-use recreational program, if legalized, should not eliminate the medical marijuana program: instead, they should work side by side.
His coalition’s proposal includes language that would allow an adult-use program to fall under the same system that oversees the state’s medical marijuana programming.
Oversight change
Other proposals could see some state agencies taking a step back from overseeing the medical marijuana program.
The state’s proposed budget, passed by the Ohio House and working its way through the Ohio Senate, would create the Division of Medical Marijuana Control within the commerce department. Oversight of the state’s medical marijuana programming would be passed onto this new division.
The Board of Pharmacy regulates medical marijuana dispensaries and the patient registry, and the Department of Commerce regulates cultivators, processors, and testing laboratories, according to a spokesperson of the commerce department.
“The proposal in the budget consolidates the (Medical Marijuana Control Program) under one agency, Commerce. What is proposed in the budget would simply allow for the necessary technical statutory language to achieve a clean consolidation of the program and no medical marijuana policy matters are included in the budget,” spokesperson Jennifer Jarrell said.
Marijuana and youth
Prevention and recovery professionals urge caution with current proposals before the Ohio House and Senate.
Montgomery County Prevention Coalition manager Colleen Oakes testified against an earlier version of Senate Bill 9, but said she is hopeful about proposed changes to the language.
The coalition’s core does not lie in prohibition. In fact, some of her board members are registered patients in the state’s medical marijuana program.
“We also recognize that medical marijuana does have benefits for some individuals,” she said. “But we’re trying to protect our youth and our most vulnerable populations.”
Oakes wants to see provisions against social media advertising of medical marijuana remain in any changes that come to Ohio medical cannabis control.
A 2017 U.S. Centers for Disease Control study found exposure to advertisements related to marijuana were associated with higher odds of current marijuana use among adolescents.
“To them, the more that they see people use it, it seems more normal to them,” Oakes said. “They’re not thinking about the harm that it can cause to them or their negative associations with a substance, and then they’re more likely to use.”
She said regulations that limit marijuana advertisements to adolescents, and educational campaigns on harmfulness of illicit marijuana use, are needed.
The prevention coalition leader also disapproves of provisions that would add opioid use disorder to the list of qualifying conditions and pivot medical marijuana program oversight solely to the Ohio Department of Commerce. She’d be happier seeing the program fall under the pharmacy board.
“We really are urging our lawmakers to follow the science on this,” she said. “If we’re calling it a medical marijuana program, we need to treat it like medicine and follow research.”
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/efforts-under-way-to-expand-overhaul-ohio-medical-marijuana-program/OND72BPSVVFOXPDPAFERLHWU54/ | 2023-06-08T16:14:45 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/efforts-under-way-to-expand-overhaul-ohio-medical-marijuana-program/OND72BPSVVFOXPDPAFERLHWU54/ |
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The Congressional Steel Caucus held its annual hearing on the state of the steel industry Wednesday and touted its initiatives to help steelworkers, while saying more needed to be done.
United States Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, the vice chairman of the bipartisan committee, testified the steel sector contributes to economic vitality and the strength of the country's manufacturing base.
"I am proud to represent Indiana’s First Congressional District, which as you are well aware is home to an incredible steel workforce and steel production capabilities," he said. "As the grandson of a card-carrying member of the United Steelworkers, who spent 50 years in the steel mills in East Chicago, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as vice chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus, and to join everyone in this room in supporting and advocating for the long-term success and vitality of the domestic steel industry."
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Congress has worked to protect domestic steel mills and steelworker jobs, such as by supporting supply chain improvements and new technologies, he said.
"In my first term of Congress, I was proud to be able to support several laws that aim to strengthen our economy and make historic investments in our nation’s economic and transportation infrastructure," Mrvan said. "For example, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is continuing to deliver necessary investments in our roads, bridges, rail and ports, and as these funds are dispersed, we will continue to conduct oversight of and promote the maximum benefit of the expanded Buy America requirements."
The federal government needs to continue to protect the domestic steel industry from steel dumping, such as by preserving tariffs, Mrvan argued.
"Finally, I appreciate the collaboration of Chairman Crawford and other members of the caucus on recent communications to support the full and fair enforcement of our trade laws, including letters advocating for the continuation of Section 232 steel tariffs, addressing the recent surge of Mexican steel imports, and supporting additional funds for the work of the International Trade Commission and the International Trade Administration," he said. "We know that American workers can compete with anyone in the world when given a level playing field, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues to enhance our trade remedy abilities."
Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President and CEO Lourenco Goncalves testified that steel dumping has been hurting the electric steel industry. He urged Congress to protect domestic production of the metal that's used in electric vehicle engines, power transformers and electricity distribution.
Cleveland-Cliffs is now making more electrical steels than it can sell at fair market prices, Goncalves said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/congressional-steel-caucus-holds-hearing-on-state-of-steel-industry-calls-for-level-playing-field/article_f0c06300-055a-11ee-afc2-0fdccdbcac66.html | 2023-06-08T16:26:02 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/congressional-steel-caucus-holds-hearing-on-state-of-steel-industry-calls-for-level-playing-field/article_f0c06300-055a-11ee-afc2-0fdccdbcac66.html |
A proposal to allocate $100 million in federal funds to pay for adult mental health programs easily passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Wednesday, a plan built on the recommendations of a state commission charged with issuing suggestions for coordinated care.
The bill passed 173-30 and was sent to the Senate. A spokesman for Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said that he supports the legislation.
The American Rescue Plan Act money would bolster the behavioral health industry's workforce, improve the criminal justice and public safety systems and expand access to support.
“It is a little strange to talk about $100 million as a number that is both large and small, but that’s actually what we’re looking at here. This money will have a deeply personal impact on people across the commonwealth,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, a Lehigh County Democrat. “That being said, if we are talking about unmet mental health needs, this money is truly just a drop in the bucket."
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The measure stems from the effort that began last session when the Legislature created the Behavioral Health Commission on Adult Mental Health. The 24 members — from the behavioral health field, state agencies and a variety of communities — were told to determine how to divvy up federal funds designated for such uses.
The largest chunk of funds, $34 million, would go toward workforce development and retention in the behavioral health field, which would include training, paid internships, loan repayment and tuition assistance.
About $32 million would address criminal justice and public safety programs through grants administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Sponsors said it would help reduce recidivism.
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Additional funds would pay for supporting suicide prevention programs, integrating behavioral health with physical health in primary care practices, developing peer-led mental health and substance use services and developing grants for technology and training for telehealth providers.
Other bills eyeing mental health also are in the pipeline, including legislation to support children's mental health in schools, ongoing funding for the suicide prevention hotline 988, plus funding for counties' services.
A top priority for counties is securing more state aid for the safety-net mental health services that they administer. They say there aren’t enough beds or counselors for people who need help after demand spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A spokesman for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania said it supports the legislation, even though the money is not helping fund the county-run services. For those services, counties are seeking an additional $150 million — an almost 60% increase — while Shapiro’s budget proposal included just $20 million more. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-house-oks-100-million-for-adult-mental-health-services/3581163/ | 2023-06-08T16:31:12 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-house-oks-100-million-for-adult-mental-health-services/3581163/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Do you like bikes? What about counting them? The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has a volunteer opportunity for you.
PBOT is looking for people to help with the annual bike count that is happening at over 300 locations this summer. The count, which started this week, allows PBOT to collect even more bicycle-specific data, and make changes and investments based on that information.
"When we take this data, we really use it to look at where we are seeing higher numbers of people cycling. Sometimes it shifts around the city," said Hannah Schafer, a spokesperson for PBOT.
"There are areas that maybe didn’t have a clear bike route, but we are seeing more and more people biking in those areas. That says to us, ]Oh, we need to identify, perhaps, some investments to create more separation and safety and call out that they are more people biking in this area,'" she said.
PBOT has found that bike use has been declining since 2015, with the number of people biking in the city dropping by 46% over the past six years. Now they will determine if the trend is continuing. Since 2014, the city's built more than 120 miles of new bikeways.
New to the bike count this year, PBOT will count electric scooters, skateboarders, and one-wheelers. A new micromobility tally has been added to the bottom of the count form to count these users. Volunteers will also count electric bikes and make note of whether a rider is wearing a helmet.
"Last year, we didn't do that in the count, so maybe it's just looking for them has made me aware of how many there are," said volunteer Gayle Marechal. "But I really think there are more e-bikes out there."
Marechal and his wife spent a couple of hours on Wednesday counting bikes on the corner on Northeast 53rd Avenue and Hoyt Street.
"A lot of people stop and ask. Here the traffic is kind of fast, but where it's a little slower people often stop and ask us," he said. "Then pedestrians ask too. They want to know what we're marking down on the sheets."
The count runs this wee through the end of September. Click here to sign up or to learn more. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-bureau-of-transportation-bicycle-count/283-11555af3-2e4f-4bdc-a8c1-604687f18779 | 2023-06-08T16:41:43 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-bureau-of-transportation-bicycle-count/283-11555af3-2e4f-4bdc-a8c1-604687f18779 |
Paris solar farm solar array posts stand south of First Street at 172nd Avenue and west of the We Energies substation in this photo taken as d…
Kenosha County Board supervisors want the state to change the way massive solar energy systems are reviewed in an attempt to close a “loophole” that currently allows companies to bypass formal local government approval.
The board voted 20-1 Tuesday night in favor of a resolution that asks that the state Legislature revise the current law, which places the approval of such systems in the hands of the Public Service Commission when considering solar field projects that generate 100 megawatts or more. Supervisor Brian Bashaw cast the dissenting vote. Supervisors Laura Belsky and John O’Day were not present, but their absences were excused.
Supervisor Erin Decker, who authored the resolution, said the change in the law is necessary to prevent wholesale energy plants from circumventing the review of local governments, including the county and towns.
The Town of Paris is the home to the Paris Solar Energy Center LLC, a subsidiary of Chicago-based power generation company Invenergy, with a footprint that uses 1,400 acres of a total 5,350 acres of farmland in the town about 1.5 miles west of I-94, bordering Highway KR on the north, Highway 45 on the west and partly adjacent to Highway 142 (Burlington Road) on the south. The 200-megawatt system is one of the largest in the state and will generate enough electricity to power 60,000 homes annually when it finally comes online late next year if there are no more delays, town officials said earlier this spring.
“All of us are probably aware of the solar fields that went into the Town of Paris. Based on the size of that solar field, the municipalities had no control over anything of the solar fields,” Decker said. “What this does is this asks the state legislature to change the law to give local control (back to municipalities) for these large solar farms."
It also asks the Legislature to remove a “loophole” in the law, Decker said.
“Currently, there’s restrictions that a utility company has to follow when they build solar fields. But, if an outside company builds the solar fields, they do not have to follow those same restrictions. So they will come in, build a solar field and … sell the lease to the power companies. The Town of Paris had no input, couldn’t stop it, couldn’t request anything,” Decker said.
Supervisor Terry Rose wondered whether the requested change to the state law would stop such a project if local municipalities turned it down.
“Yes,” said Decker. The change would return local control to municipalities, if approved by the state, she said.
The county’s resolution is patterned after that of Columbia County, which currently has a project proposed by High Noon Solar Energy LLC, an affiliate of Invenergy LLC. High Noon is currently seeking approval from the Public Service Commission to construct a 300-megawatt, alternating current facility with a 165-megawatt battery energy storage system. The project is planned on 4,327 acres, which if approved, would begin construction next year. That system would then go online by the end of 2025.
Kenosha County currently does have local control over projects that are under the 100-megawatt threshold. In February, applying an solar energy ordinance for so-called boutique solar projects, the board gave its blessing to its first such solar energy facility, the Salix Solar Project, which is being developed in the Town of Wheatland by the Madison-based OneEnergy Renewables.
The smaller 7.5-megawatt system will be built on 34 acres spanning two parcels just north of highways 50 and 83 near the Fox River and south of Highway K. The project is expected to begin construction this summer with operations to start in early December.
How off-grid solar could fill energy access gaps around the world
How off-grid solar could fill energy access gaps around the world
What is off-grid solar?
A key component to U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
The off-grid solar industry is multi-layered and fast-growing
Investments in related technology and companies continue to increase year-over-year
Increases in global access to electricity have begun to slow, despite keeping pace with population growth
Coupled with emerging water and cooling tech, off-grid solar can power essential activities
Many climate-vulnerable populations can gain access to clean electricity through it
The adaptability of off-grid solar makes it usable in urban and weak-grid markets
Recognition of its potential impact has spurred governments to embrace public funding
Personal off-grid and grid-tied solar can help in all energy markets
Paris solar farm solar array posts stand south of First Street at 172nd Avenue and west of the We Energies substation in this photo taken as dusk begins to approach on March 15. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/government-politics/board-wants-state-to-close-loophole-that-allows-massive-solar-projects-to-bypass-local-governments/article_355850cc-05d8-11ee-9041-13791415ba75.html | 2023-06-08T16:44:33 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/government-politics/board-wants-state-to-close-loophole-that-allows-massive-solar-projects-to-bypass-local-governments/article_355850cc-05d8-11ee-9041-13791415ba75.html |
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The woman accused of shooting and killing her 35-year-old neighbor purchased a gun a year prior “for protection after an altercation” with the victim, an arrest affidavit released Thursday shows.
Susan Lorincz, 58, was arrested Tuesday on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault in the death of Ajike Owens, 35. Owens was shot Friday, moments after going to the apartment of Lorincz, who had yelled at Owens’ children as they played in a nearby lot, according to authorities.
According to the arrest affidavit, Lorincz told investigators that the gun she owned was purchased a year ago after an altercation with Owens. She also said she had several interactions with the victimin the past and “while they were not friendly, there was never any threats of violence against her” by the victim, the affidavit shows.
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Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said during a news conference on Monday that deputies responded over 10 times since January 2021 for a “neighborhood feud” between Owens and Lorincz, who would complain about the children trespassing on her property, though the area was a common area.
Lorincz was angry at children in the neighborhood who were playing in a field close to her apartment, the affidavit said. One of the victim’s children told deputies he left an electronic tablet in the field and went to retrieve it when he saw Lorincz holding it. She threw the tablet and a pair of roller skates at the boy, according to the affidavit. She also used an umbrella to swing toward the child, deputies said.
The affidavit shows Owens went to the suspect’s home to confront her about harming the child and was banging on the door with her son beside her when Lorincz fired at her through the door from her kitchen.
When investigators asked Lorincz what she was aiming at, she said she was fearful of her life and thinking, “Go away, get out of this situation, just go away already,” according to the affidavit. She claimed she fired the gun because she felt she was in “mortal danger.” Multiple witnesses told deputies they did not hear Lorincz respond to Owens when she was at her door.
The affidavit shows deputies interviewed some children who were playing in the field before the shooting and were told Lorincz came outside at one point to record them while “giving the kids the middle finger.”
A neighbor of Lorincz’s said the 58-year-old would often be upset by “kids being kids” and playing outside near her home, the affidavit said.
Several people told investigators Lorincz used racial slurs and harassed the children often. One neighbor said they no longer let their child play in the field because of Lorincz. Deputies asked Lorincz during an interview about the allegations and she admitted to “having used the n-word toward children out of anger in the past,” according to the affidavit.
Lorincz appeared in court Thursday morning for the first time and is being held on no-bond status.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/florida-woman-bought-gun-used-to-shoot-kill-neighbor-after-altercation-year-prior-affidavit-shows/ | 2023-06-08T16:45:32 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/florida-woman-bought-gun-used-to-shoot-kill-neighbor-after-altercation-year-prior-affidavit-shows/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is launching into summer with some out-of-this-world deals for Florida residents.
If you buy a one-day ticket to the tourist attraction, you get a second day free through Aug. 31, according to the space center website.
The tickets must be purchased by Aug. 30 and used by Aug. 31 to be redeemed.
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The deal offers $75 two-day tickets for adults and $65 two-day tickets for children ages 3-11.
You must show proof of Florida residency upon arrival at the center. You can purchase tickets online here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-launching-summer-deals-for-florida-residents/ | 2023-06-08T16:45:38 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/kennedy-space-center-visitor-complex-launching-summer-deals-for-florida-residents/ |
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday announced its search for a woman missing out of Ocklawaha and considered endangered.
Ashley Johnson, 18, was last seen leaving her parents’ home along SE 114th street around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said. She’s described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 120 pounds and having red/auburn hair, a news release shows. Johnson was wearing a red tank top and black shorts when she was last seen, according to the release.
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Johnson reportedly performed an act of self harm and ran before law enforcement arrived, the release shows. Law enforcement and Johnson’s family are concerned for her safety due to her actions and mental state, as well as her need for medical attention.
Anyone with knowledge of Johnson’s whereabouts is urged to call 911.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/marion-county-deputies-search-for-endangered-woman-missing-out-of-ocklawaha/ | 2023-06-08T16:45:44 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/marion-county-deputies-search-for-endangered-woman-missing-out-of-ocklawaha/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 has always made it a priority to GET RESULTS for you, our viewers and readers.
When it comes to traffic safety and community engagement, we’re taking Trooper Steve on the road to do just that.
“Not everyone takes traffic safety as seriously as I do, but News 6 does and we’re going to go mobile with it,” he said.
Steven Montiero has 17 years combined experience in federal and civilian law enforcement. He still works as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol, which is why we call him “Trooper Steve.”
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He’s been bringing you traffic safety reports on News 6 Mornings since 2017. Now, he’s taking his traffic reports from the studio to the streets.
With the help of Gibson Truck World, Trooper Steve will be “On Patrol” with Results 1, a pickup truck loaded with audio and video tech capabilities.
“Every single morning at 8:30, ‘Trooper Steve On Patrol’ takes place, where we’re going to be out in those areas where people have questions, concerns or they just want to see what it looks like on the roadways... is there a problem there, and can we find solutions?” he said.
Trooper Steve will continue promoting traffic safety awareness while Getting Results on four wheels for Central Florida drivers.
The truck was gutted by News 6 Engineers to install special equipment.
“This vehicle will be equipped with everything that it needs to bring every livestreaming opportunity to our viewers,” he said. “360 coverage on our cameras. We’re going to have forward-facing cameras, rear-facing cameras and cameras inside the truck... It’s going to be like you’re sitting right here in the passenger’s seat with me wherever I go, whether it’s a traffic crash, construction site or crime scene.”
Trooper Steve will also be making appearances with Results 1 at pop-up community events and conducting interviews with community leaders.
“This is cutting edge, I believe, when it comes to local news really embedding themselves in the community,” he said. “Being able to come on the news, on a platform that reaches thousands of people every day, that may be my smart comment here or this little safety tip there (which) can prevent someone from being in a crash. For me, that’s what keeps me going every day at four in the morning.”
Results 1 will be hitting the streets for “Trooper Steve on Patrol” starting in June.
“Let me know where the problems are so I can dispatch Results 1,” he said.
Click HERE to request Trooper Steve’s visit at a community event or a location where you’ve experienced traffic issues.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/news-6-traffic-safety-expert-trooper-steve-on-patrol-to-get-results-for-central-florida-traffic/ | 2023-06-08T16:45:50 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/news-6-traffic-safety-expert-trooper-steve-on-patrol-to-get-results-for-central-florida-traffic/ |
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – An Orlando man arrested Tuesday is accused of traveling to Lake Mary to meet a minor for sex, as it was really an undercover law enforcement officer who he had been speaking with and attempting to lure online, according to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office.
Jerome Udit, 38, made first contact with the undercover officer on April 21 as the LEO assumed the persona of a 14-year-old girl. Following some exchanges of explicit and specific dialogue, Udit reached back out on Tuesday with more of the messages, agreeing to meet the fictional girl at a Lake Mary address.
Detectives were watching as Udit left his vehicle and entered a building at the address, exiting to meet waiting law enforcement, an arrest report states. He was arrested around 5:20 p.m.
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Udit faces charges of traveling to meet a person believed to be a child in order to engage in sex (847.0135 4a) and the prohibited use of a computer to lure a child for sex (847.0135 3a), according to the report.
No other details have been shared.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/orlando-man-arrested-after-traveling-to-lake-mary-for-sex-with-minor-deputies-say/ | 2023-06-08T16:45:56 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/orlando-man-arrested-after-traveling-to-lake-mary-for-sex-with-minor-deputies-say/ |
LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — The smoke is all anyone seems to be talking about, impacting many of our daily lives.
3 a.m. for Ryan Funk usually means making a delivery to the News Station to restock the items in our lunchroom and chatting with morning team members.
For the past two days, those conversations have all surrounded the same topic.
"It just seems like you're in a different world. Joe said it best: 'It's like a solar eclipse.'"
But already, on his morning run to our station, it's feeling better.
"A lot better compared to yesterday. On top of the hill in Mountain Top, off (Interstate) 81 south, you couldn't even see the mountain; that's how thick it was. People were driving with their four-ways on. It was just nuts," Funk said.
While Funk still had to make his way around the area for work, a lot of other plans got canceled.
We asked you to share how the smoke has impacted your daily life. Everything from small tasks like hanging the clothes out on the line to big events like high school graduations were disrupted.
Wyoming Valley West postponed its graduation ceremony to Thursday night.
A field trip to Dorney Park didn't happen on Wednesday, and employees called it quits working on the golf course at noon.
For some, the only reason to go out was to buy fans or air filters to keep the smoke outside.
Gay's True Value in Tunkhannock has been busy.
"Definitely affects your air conditioners and your window fans if you have them open because they're just going to suck in the outside air and just cause more problems for you, making things dirty and for your breathing," Dan Gay explained.
The good news is that the worst of it seems to be behind us.
For more information on the air quality in your area, click HERE.
Check the latest Stormtracker 16 forecast HERE.
Information from the state DEP about air quality is posted HERE. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/starting-another-smoky-day-smoke-canadian-wildfires-workers/523-038668a2-c2fe-4ba8-9e24-f01b597ac6df | 2023-06-08T16:48:22 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/starting-another-smoky-day-smoke-canadian-wildfires-workers/523-038668a2-c2fe-4ba8-9e24-f01b597ac6df |
Barr Street between Main and Berry streets will have lane restrictions, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A communications crew will be working in the area and should finish the same day.
For more information, call 260-427-6155 or visit www.trecthefort.org. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/barr-street-lane-restrictions/article_5fbb54e4-0601-11ee-8726-fb3e7b5457c7.html | 2023-06-08T16:50:24 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/barr-street-lane-restrictions/article_5fbb54e4-0601-11ee-8726-fb3e7b5457c7.html |
Laverne Avenue between State Boulevard and Forest Avenue will be closed, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A utility crew will be working in the area and should finish the same day.
For more information, call 260-427-6155 or visit www.trecthefort.org.
Please be advised that beginning Monday June 12, 2023 will be closed to through traffic between
This closure is needed for utility work.
O’Neal Excavating will be performing the work and weather permitting is anticipating it will be completed Friday June 16, 2023.
O’Neal crews will be responsible for the placement and maintenance of all construction signs and barricades in the work zone.
For further information or for problems that may develop contact the Right of Way Department at 427-6155 or visit www.trecthefort.org for additional information. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/laverne-avenue-closure/article_4e5ea032-0603-11ee-bfad-d7f52a95aac3.html | 2023-06-08T16:50:31 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/laverne-avenue-closure/article_4e5ea032-0603-11ee-bfad-d7f52a95aac3.html |
NORTHFIELD — Eight girls from Pleasantville Middle School took a field trip last week to see the new “Little Mermaid” movie at the Tilton Square Theatre.
The trip was organized by YOUnite, a local group dedicated to setting positive examples for young girls and promoting female empowerment.
Aminah Salahuddin, 13, and Essence Williams, 12, said they were glad to be able to attend the event with a supportive community. They said the field trip was an important part of a broader program of building comradery with their fellow classmates.
“I’m glad I chose to be here with these wonderful ladies,” Williams said. “With girls hanging out, everybody’s having fun, everybody gets to know each other, just having a good time.”
Organizers gave the group the VIP treatment. They were taken to the theater in a limo outfitted with pink and purple ribbons and balloons. The girls were given snacks, as well as gift bags and commemorative T-shirts, on which the “Y” in YOUnite was made to look like a mermaid fin. A red carpet was rolled out for the girls as they approached the theater doors for a matinée showing.
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Jumaanah Salaam of YOUnite said the organization hosted an assembly for sixth- to eighth-grade girls at Pleasantville Middle School to talk about the group, which she described as a “women’s empowerment networking company.” She said she intended to provide inspiration for young girls in her community.
“It was important for us to have this trip today, because I’m from Pleasantville, it’s my hometown, I’m a native,” Salaam said. “I feel like we don’t have too much representation with girl groups and giving back, so I’m very big on giving back to my community.”
At the assembly, there was a raffle selecting girls for the field trip. Students discussing the trip expressed their excitement before the movie.
ATLANTIC CITY — With the past several years bringing health inequities to the forefront, the…
“It’s just really exciting. I’m really grateful that I got this opportunity,” said Emely Martinez-Ruiz, 12. “It was really unexpected.”
Victoria Feliciano, 12, said she also did not expect the assembly to turn into an opportunity to bond with her classmates, have fun and learn about empowerment.
“Two girls just came to speak. I didn’t expect them to have a whole raffle,” Feliciano said. “And surprise, I won.”
I’Nylah Hendricks, 12, said that events such as the field trip highlighted the fun of these activities while promoting the potential of young women such as herself.
“I’m very excited, and I’m happy that they picked me out of all people,” Hendricks said. “It was mainly about girls who want to have fun and want to have an opportunity to do things.”
Hendricks said she was inspired by the movie's casting of Halle Bailey, a Black singer and actor, as the titular mermaid, Ariel. Bailey assumes what had been portrayed as a white role in the original 1989 animated feature. The Pleasantville Middle School field trip to see “The Little Mermaid” added to an opening haul over Memorial Day weekend that saw the movie gross $95.5 million at the domestic box office, according to The Associated Press.
“I’m very happy because there’s not really Black actresses that perform in a white person’s role, so I feel very excited about that,” Hendricks said.
YOUnite was founded in 2017 by Salaam and Kamirah Hamlett Brown, who met at college in New York. The organization seeks to transplant some of the economic and networking possibilities available in major cities such as New York to women with fewer opportunities in Atlantic County. Although, like all organizations, YOUnite struggled to continue in-person events after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the group remains committed to organizing networking and empowerment events with schools and community groups. Other projects include “Paint Your Passion,” in which young girls receive mentorship during art lessons; visits to local colleges; and larger networking events.
PLEASANTVILLE — Citing hostile internal conditions, a member of the school board is leaving …
Hamlett Brown said the movie selection underscored the role of YOUnite.
“We bridge the gap between women of different religions, occupations,” Hamlett Brown said. “And we also love to give back to young girls because, you know, it starts at a young age. So we try to be that person that these young ladies can look up to and be mentors for them.”
“It’s all about giving back and being a great representation for girls to look up to us,” Salaam said. “I think it’s really super important so young girls can look up to us and say, ‘Oh, these young girls did it and now they’re setting the tone and doing great things and giving back as well.”
Hamlett Brown, who is from Atlantic City, said it was important to connect these students with local female role models. She said the representation in the movie helped to communicate the message that they had boundless potential where the sky — or sea, in this case — was the limit.
“Seeing 'The Little Mermaid' as a young girl, we never thought that we would ever see a young girl that kind of looks like us on the screen, so this will be awesome to share that moment with other young girls that we met at the middle school,” Hamlett Brown said. “So that’s what it’s all about.” | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/education/pleasantville-middle-school-girls-go-on-field-trip-to-see-the-little-mermaid/article_b37752b0-05dc-11ee-8742-3b566c90e207.html | 2023-06-08T16:50:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/education/pleasantville-middle-school-girls-go-on-field-trip-to-see-the-little-mermaid/article_b37752b0-05dc-11ee-8742-3b566c90e207.html |
UMC of Indiana Conference expected to tackle disaffiliation of congregations
MUNCIE, Ind. − The size and nature of United Methodist Churches of Indiana may rely on what happens on the Ball State University campus this week.
About 1,200 of Hoosier Methodists are attending the annual conference hosted at BSU. The conference is expected to consider more disaffiliations of the UMC by traditional local congregations that differ with a progressive course charted by top church leadership that often involve a debate about LGBTQ rights.
Disaffiliation talks on heels of 2022 decisions
In November 2022, 105 congregations in Indiana left the UMC, the IndyStar reported, including some congregations in Muncie, Yorktown, Cammack, Gaston, Selma, Redkey and Winchester. A UMC congregation in Linton also left last year.
Dozens more Indiana congregations are expected to leave the United Methodist Church in Indiana this year, said John Lomperis, who has been a United Methodist General Conference delegate and supporter of traditional church doctrine. He is the United Methodist director at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, based in Washington, D.C.
The split in the third-largest denomination in the United States arose concerning issues such as the acceptance of gay clergy and sanctioning of same-sex marriage. Lomperis said in a message to The Star Press the changes in the UMC stem from theologically liberal views among church leadership about the authority of scripture.
Lomperis said 144 Indiana congregation have left the UMC in recent years.
Bricks and mortar also at issue in church battle
Departing from the church involves the fate of much real estate, which is owned not by local congregations but by the UMC. Exit fees charged congregations have been a stumbling block for some churches, keeping them from leaving and going their own way.
Lomperis said the disaffiliation is being provided for this year through a provision called "Paragraph 2553," which permits departures with a deadline of 2023. Overseeing Indiana UMC congregations is Bishop Julius Trimble, and a big question, Lomperis said, will be whether Trimble will call another conference yet this year to allow even more disaffiliations.
Some of the departing congregations are remaining with Methodism and joining the Global Methodist Church, which is traditionally conservative and was launched in 2022 by people who had left the UMC.
The decision to allow disaffiliations from the UMC could come as early as Thursday night. While there was no formal agenda presented to The Star Press, a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. could involve votes to disaffiliate.
During November 2022, the IndyStar reported, a special session was attended by 600 participants, with a majority of who voted to allow the congregations to leave. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/more-hoosier-congregations-likely-leaving-unc-at-muncie-conference/70299304007/ | 2023-06-08T16:52:12 | 1 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/more-hoosier-congregations-likely-leaving-unc-at-muncie-conference/70299304007/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Southwest Airlines will resume daily flights to Las Vegas from Wichita starting November 5, 2023.
The flight from Wichita to Las Vegas will depart at 12:35 p.m., arriving in Las Vegas at 1:25 p.m. On the return leg, the flight will leave Las Vegas at 12:05 p.m. and arrive in Wichita at 4:25 p.m. The routes will remain effective until January 7, 2024.
Due to aircraft delivery delays, Southwest will temporarily reduce their service to Denver from three daily to twice daily flights. The St. Louis route will continue to be served twice daily.
The Phoenix route will have daily flights during peak travel days in November and December. Currently, the airline has flights on Saturdays and Sundays to Phoenix. Southwest says it remains committed to restoring its network to pre-pandemic levels and hopes to restore daily Phoenix flights next year in Wichita.
You can book trips through Southwest by clicking here. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/southwest-airlines-will-resume-daily-flights-to-las-vegas-from-wichita/ | 2023-06-08T16:56:59 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/southwest-airlines-will-resume-daily-flights-to-las-vegas-from-wichita/ |
LOCAL
Polk County announces temporary closure of two trails at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland
The Ledger
Two trails have been temporarily closed at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland.
The Marsh Rabbit Run Trail and a portion of the Alligator Alley Trail are closed until further notice, Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division announced Wednesday. The closures are necessary for the safety of visitors and resident wildlife, the county said in a news release.
Trail closures are common at the property during the late spring and summer, when alligators are most active during the mating and nesting seasons. Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,267-acre site owned by Polk County and Southwest Florida Water Management District on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/trails/70297116007/ | 2023-06-08T17:01:57 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/trails/70297116007/ |
AdventHealth is building a Winter Haven ER on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. Next: a hospital
WINTER HAVEN — AdventHealth held the official groundbreaking ceremonies for its new Winter Haven emergency room on Wednesday morning.
The health care provider acquired 42 acres off the northwest corner of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and Cypress Gardens Road last year. It plans to construct a new hospital and emergency room with medical facilities in stages at 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
"We are very excited to be taking this first step to further expand our footprint of emergency care services here in Winter Haven," Tim Clark, president and CEO of AdventHealth Polk Market, said in a statement. "The community has told us there is a need for convenient world-class, whole-person care here in the southeast area of Winter Haven and AdventHealth is proud to provide those services."
The company will build a nearly 20,000-square-foot, free-standing emergency department with 24 exam rooms in the first phase of construction. The emergency department will have resuscitation, bariatric, obstetrics and isolation rooms in addition to 20 private patient rooms. Two of these spaces will be designed to be pediatric-friendly. AdventHealth plans to build two triage rooms off the lobby to help patients get into treatment quickly.
The emergency department will offer laboratory services, including X-rays, CT scans and ultrasounds. There will be a helicopter pad setup behind the emergency department.
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AdventHealth's new facility was designed by architectural firm HuntonBrady, and construction will be overseen by Alabama-based Robins & Morton, which has offices in Orlando and Tampa. Construction is estimated to be completed by summer 2024.
A second phase of construction will see the buildout of a 192-bed hospital with medical office buildings that will connect to the emergency department.
Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler said AdventHealth's new emergency room and hospital will help support the city's rapid growth by providing high-quality medical services.
"All you've got to do is drive down Cypress Gardens Boulevard and you will see over 1,500 units that are under construction," he said in a statement. "Winter Haven is in a massive growth spurt right now and this time couldn't be better for AdventHealth and Winter Haven to come in here and service the people who are moving in."
AdventHealth's new site will tie into its existing Winter Haven network with physician offices, a Central Care location and build upon its relationship with the Bond Clinic.
The site is less than 2.5 miles and a five-minute drive from the Legoland Florida Resort, for which AdventHealth is the official medical partner.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/adventhealth-building-an-er-on-cypress-gardens-blvd-hospital-to-come/70298907007/ | 2023-06-08T17:02:03 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/adventhealth-building-an-er-on-cypress-gardens-blvd-hospital-to-come/70298907007/ |
Polk County Commission nixes LGBTQ Pride proclamation. Approaches vary in local cities
Three members of the Polk County Commission have scuttled a five-year tradition of expressing support for LGBTQ residents.
Commissioner Neil Combee forcefully led the rejection of a proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month at Tuesday’s regular meeting. The item was listed on the consent agenda, a slate of items the board typically approves unanimously and without discussion.
At Combee’s request, the commission moved the proposed proclamation to the regular agenda, and he quickly made it clear he opposed any statement of solidarity with residents in the categories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or nonbinary.
“The truth of the matter is this issue seems to get more divisive by the day, certainly by the week and by the month, but almost daily, it gets more divisive,” Combee said.
He said the commission should “get out of the business of proclaiming lifestyle and talking about sexual orientation.”
Two other commissioners, Bill Braswell and Rick Wilson, concurred with Combee.
“It's gone too far,” Braswell said. “It's at the point of being silly.”
He added: “I've heard from a lot of my constituents in the last 24 or 48 hours. I don't know of any of them that were for it.”
Pride in the ParkStill on schedule in Lakeland as Legislature passes bill restricting drag shows
Statewide protest of legislationLGBTQ students demonstrate outside Lakeland High School
Environmental landsPolk commissioners snap back at critics, defend appointments to conservation advisory panel
Though the other two commissioners expressed no objections to the proclamation, the item died without any motion to adopt it.
And with that, Polk County officially changed a position it first adopted in 2018 and has confirmed each year since, except for 2020, when proclamations were suspended during the disruptions of COVID-19.
Tuesday’s reversal by the County Commission symbolized the uneven status of official support in Polk County for the LGBTQ community during June, the period designated as Pride Month.
Polk Pride, a nonprofit organization, submitted requests for symbolic proclamations to the county, 15 cities and the Polk County School Board. As of Wednesday, nine entities had either issued proclamations or scheduled them, while seven cities and the county had denied the requests.
Those approving proclamations: Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lakeland, Mulberry, Winter Haven and Polk County Public Schools.
The ones rejecting requests: Auburndale, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Lake Hamilton, Lake Wales, Polk City and Polk County.
“Honestly, I'm glad that as many proclamations as we've requested, that we received the majority of them from local governments,” said Scott Guira, founder and president of Polk Pride. “It's disappointing that there are some officials within our local governments that don't believe that including everybody in our community is important. That's why we're here to continue to change that.”
Mixed responses in Polk
Polk Pride, formed in 2015, stages a series of events each June, the most prominent of which is Pride in the Park, a gathering in Lakeland’s Munn Park billed as suitable for all families.
The past two decades have seen a dramatic rise in visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ people in the United States, a period marked by the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide and the widespread embrace of Pride Month in corporate branding and messages. Over the past year or two, though, criticism has grown louder, at least partly in reaction to the push for transgender rights.
Fox News, a prominent conservative news outlet, has regularly reported on the backlash against LGBTQ pride expressions, including statements by “Sesame Street” and the U.S. Navy, a pride event at an elementary school and promotions by Target and other retailers.
In Polk County, Winter Haven was the first city this year to issue a proclamation, doing so at its May 22 City Commission meeting. The city has released such statements each year since 2016, Guira said.
City Manager T. Michael Stavres read the proclamation, which was signed by Mayor Brad Dantzler. The statement said that members of LGBTQ+ communities “still face ongoing discrimination based on their innate status, resulting in immeasurably human tragedy, loss of life, community isolation and abuse.”
The proclamation was offered in “recognition and praise of those in our community who constantly fight the battle for equal treatment for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, color, creed, ethnic origin or religion.”
Guira attended the meeting, wearing a black polo shirt bearing the “Polk Pride” logo with a rainbow swirl.
“I just want to thank you all very much for consistently offering this proclamation every year,” Guira said at the meeting. “Especially at a time right now when there’s so much question about how we’re going to treat each other equally and kindly and fairly, I really appreciate the commission standing up and standing firm that they are going to continue to embrace everybody in the community.”
Lakeland issued a proclamation Monday at its City Commission meeting, along with recognition of Juneteenth, Airbag Recall Repair Month and World Vitiligo Month, which draws attention to a disease that causes loss of skin color in patches. Though the city has offered LGBTQ Pride proclamations since 2015, the matter became contentious last year when Lakeland Christian School reportedly pressured Mayor Bill Mutz to leave its board of directors over his allowing the proclamations to occur.
Cities reverse course
Among the cities rejecting Polk Pride’s request for proclamations, at least two — Auburndale and Lake Wales — have provided such statements in the past.
That practice ended last year in Lake Wales, following the election of Jack Hilligoss as mayor. Hilligoss, a pastor of an evangelical church, ordered a proclamation removed from the agenda of a City Commission meeting after the city clerk had added it. That break from tradition provoked a stream of criticism at meetings, with some citizens accusing Hilligoss of imposing his religious views on the entire city.
Guira, a Lakeland resident, submitted a request on behalf of Polk Pride by email to the city on April 13 and followed up two weeks later. Tammy James, a Lake Wales resident, made a separate request on May 9.
Hilligoss responded to both by email, explaining why he would not approve a proclamation. The mayor listed Lake Wales’ criteria for proclamations, adopted by the City Commission last year.
The city issues proclamations for public campaigns to raise awareness “of issues pertinent to the physical safety and well-being” of citizens and to honor public service by residents, acts of heroism by civil servants, to recognize honors or achievement of citizens and to acknowledge “the history and achievements of various ethnic groups which are a part of the Lake Wales community.”
“‘LGBTQ Pride Month’ meets none of the criteria for a city proclamation stated above,” Hilligoss wrote.
He added that the city does not offer proclamations for “matters of political or social controversy, ideological or religious beliefs, or individual convictions” or anything suggesting an official position on a matter under consideration “or a political, religious, or social issue.
Hilligoss wrote that a Pride Month proclamation “promotes and imposes an ideology upon all Lake Wales citizens in the name of their City Government. That is an inappropriate action for any Municipal Government to take.”
Over the past year or so, Lake Wales has issued proclamations for Black History Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Public Works Week, Florida Water Professionals Month, Responsible Fatherhood Month and to honor the Ancient Order of Hibernians, among other causes. Hilligoss has denied requests for proclamations to honor a local pastor and his wife and for Equal Pay Day.
Auburndale had offered LGBTQ Pride proclamations the past two years but denied the request from Polk Pride this year, Guira said. Auburndale Mayor Dorothea Taylor Bogert declined to explain why she did so.
“It’s a decision I made to not sign the proclamation under the authority I’m given under the city charter,” she said.
Guira noted that Frostproof, which denied his request for an LGBTQ Pride proclamation, voted to proclaim “Donald J. Trump Week” in February 2021. Frostproof Mayor Jon Albert did not respond to a request for comment made through the city staff.
Commissioner: I'm protecting grandkids
Polk County’s criteria for proclamations, last amended in April 2022, says the statements should recognize a period “that holds local, statewide or national significance or serves an educational purpose for a significant number of Polk County residents.” If a request meets the criteria, the communications department adds it to the consent agenda, and it is reviewed by the county attorney’s office and then goes to the county manager’s office, said Mianne Nelson, a county spokesperson.
County commissioners consider the requests with staff in agenda review sessions held the Friday before a regular meeting.
Combee said Tuesday that he had raised objections to the LGBTQ+ Pride proclamation during the agenda session, which is not livestreamed or recorded for video, as board meetings are. No members of the public spoke on the issue at Tuesday’s meeting.
Combee said the proclamation was “headed to a place that I don't want to go, and I think many others don't want to go.” He mentioned a recent cover photo of the digital edition of Glamour UK featuring Logan Brown, a pregnant transgender man.
“I want to protect as many people as I can from that,” Combee said. “I want to protect my grandkids. I'm thinking there will come a day, if I don't, they will look back and say, ‘What was Granddaddy thinking?’ ”
Combee mocked the LGBTQ+ acronym, sometimes expanded to LGBTQIA, for “intersex” and “asexual” or “allies.”
“When you look at — it's actually kind of shortened on the agenda — I was trying to understand this in the last week, but you got the ‘LBGTQQIP2SAA-plus,’ ” Combee said. “And I don't know what all that means; I have no idea. So for me to celebrate or proclaim something to be good or OK, or embrace it, when I have no idea what it all means, I'm just not interested in doing it.”
Braswell and Wilson supported Combee’s opposition. Wilson suggested that approving the proclamation would detract from the consideration of more significant issues, such as flooding problems mentioned during Tuesday’s public comments.
“If we don't agree with everything that is out there, then we get bad consequences and people talk about us, how bad we are,” Wilson said. “And we say, ‘OK, we're just going to slide this under the table.' … But I'm going along with Neil on this. I've had about enough of this. I don't think it's our place to be doing whatever to promote this.”
Commissioner Martha Santiago said she had no problem with leaving the proclamation on the consent agenda to be approved.
“I have constituents that I must respect, whether I agree with them or not, but I must respect what they feel,” she said. “And I think all of us have been affected one way or the other with something like this.”
Commissioner George Lindsey said he had no objection to the proclamation, reading a portion of it aloud.
“There's nothing offensive about that to me,” Lindsey said. “So, we make it as divisive as we choose to make it divisive, or we can make it as homogeneous as we need to.”
No commissioner made a motion to approve issuing a proclamation, and the matter ended there. Combee suggested a change in the process of approving proclamations, requiring each one to be sponsored by a commissioner. Lindsey said the commission could discuss that at a future meeting.
Guira expressed disappointment, saying that Polk County had granted each request for a proclamation since 2017.
“As if refusing the proclamation was not enough, the disrespectful comments made by Commissioners Combee, Braswell and Wilson prove this decision was based solely on personal biases against and limited understanding of their LGBTQ+ constituents,” Guira said in a text message.
No special months needed?
Citizens Defending Freedom, a conservative political group based in Polk County, has expressed opposition to the practice of municipal proclamations supporting LGBTQ pride. Hilligoss is affiliated with the organization.
James Judge, a national spokesman for CDF, said cities should not single out any group for special recognition.
“Can you imagine if we had a heterosexual Christian Pride Month, what people would think, and what would be said on the other side?” Judge said. “We’re not asking to receive special favor. We just want to be treated equally. And that means also being respectful that our beliefs and values are not aligned with the pride movement.”
Judge said the United States was founded on Judeo-Christian values and that the majority of Americans identify themselves as Christians. He said the foundational texts of Christianity, Judaism and Islam all describe homosexuality sinful.
The U.S. Constitution forbids the establishment of an official state religion. And many Christians support LGBTQ rights and consider non-traditional sexuality and gender expression compatible with their faith.
Judge said anyone who opposes declarations of LGBTQ pride risks being branded as hateful.
“That’s the go-to (description) for anybody who speaks out about this,” he said. “You're labeled a bigot or a homophobe. It’s always a resort to name-calling. I'm not bigoted or hateful because I don't think that we should all be forced to celebrate this month. I think that we shouldn't have a special month for anyone.”
Kerri McCoy, vice president of Polk Pride and the leader of PFLAG of Polk County and Lakeland Youth Alliance, a support group for LGBTQ youngsters, offered a different perspective on the denials of proclamation requests.
“I think it's unfortunate because — believe it or not — LGBT people live in every community,” she said. “So I think it's sad when a city doesn't want to recognize a month for LGBTQ people. It's just one way of letting people know that they're wanted and accepted here. Or the opposite, if they're not going to do or say anything for pride.”
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/polk-commission-nixes-pride-proclamation/70272449007/ | 2023-06-08T17:02:09 | 0 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/polk-commission-nixes-pride-proclamation/70272449007/ |
The current situation in New York City looks a bit like "Blade Runner 2049."
With weather systems expected to barely budge, the smoky blanket billowing from wildfires in Quebec and Nova Scotia and sending plumes of fine particulate matter down to the NYC area and far beyond (stretching from the midwest to northern Europe).
That means at least another day of a dystopian-style detour that’s chased players from ballfields, actors from Broadway stages, delayed thousands of flights and sparked a resurgence in mask wearing and remote work — all while raising concerns about the health effects of prolonged exposure to such bad air.
The images from the city are almost Mars-like at times, especially in the evening. Take a look from New York City at the video below to see the orange glow that so many have been talking about.
Get Tri-state area news and weather forecasts to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York newsletters. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/look-live-wildfire-smoke-still-blanketing-nyc-hampering-visibility/4405759/ | 2023-06-08T17:10:46 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/look-live-wildfire-smoke-still-blanketing-nyc-hampering-visibility/4405759/ |
3-year-old boy's foot was severed in a lawnmower accident in Lewes Wednesday
Shannon Marvel McNaught
Delaware News Journal
A 3-year-old boy's foot was severed in a lawnmower accident in Lewes Wednesday.
The boy was sitting on the lap of his father who was driving a riding lawnmower at a home on Buttonwood Drive, according to Delaware State Police spokesman Leonard DeMalto.
The boy jumped off the lawnmower and his foot became lodged underneath it, DeMalto said.
He was flown to Nemours Children's Hospital in Wilmington for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
More:There may have been 3 shooters in Laurel teen's slaying, and a second retaliatory shooting
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/boys-foot-severed-lawnmower-accident-lewes-delaware/70302145007/ | 2023-06-08T17:20:04 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/boys-foot-severed-lawnmower-accident-lewes-delaware/70302145007/ |
Waterloo City Councilor Johnathan Grieder speaks during his re-election campaign announcement on Tuesday at SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
Attendees listen as Waterloo City Councilmember Johnathan Grieder speaks during his re-election campaign announcement on Tuesday at SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
Attendees clap as Waterloo City Councilmember Johnathan Grieder speaks during his re-election campaign announcement on Tuesday at SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
WATERLOO — After four years of sitting in the Ward 2 City Council seat, Jonathan Grieder is running for an at-large position.
He announced his campaign to a group of supporters at SingleSpeed Brewery on Tuesday evening.
“We need solid leadership that’s consistently going to represent all of Waterloo at the at-large seat,” he said. “So that’s why I’m running.”
The at-large seat that is up for grabs is currently held by Dave Boesen. The other at-large position is filled by Rob Nichols, whose term ends in December 2025.
Greider expressed pride in the work he’s done during his first term. He listed some of his accomplishments as making diaper changing stations required in new or renovated businesses; reforms with the Waterloo Police Department, such as improving morale and staffing levels; helping fire stations to not be “browned out”; crafting an ordinance to make Waterloo a carbon-free community; leading an ordinance to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth; and helping create a task force to reduce gun violence in the city.
If elected, he wants to continue working on these issues but laid out some new areas of interest, as well. One of those included equitably investing in all neighborhoods in the city. He said in the past, Waterloo has been divided in more ways than one.
“Certain decisions made decades ago still filter down to the quality of life and job opportunities and educational attainment of too many of our residents in Waterloo,” he said. “We need to do something about that because no matter where you live, you should absolutely be able to seize every opportunity that’s available.”
He also aims to work on ensuring there are affordable homes in the community and creating interest in young people staying or moving to the city, noting the population drop recorded in the 2020 Census.
He said that young people, such as Millenials and Gen-Z age groups, want to come to Waterloo but better opportunities in other cities pull them elsewhere. He wants to figure out the answer on how to encourage those people to come back and stay.
“These folks … are looking for different things than a white picket fence in the suburbs,” he said. “They’re looking for affordable housing near things that are attractions to them.”
More additions have been added to the city, he said, such as the new Arena Football League team, the Lost Island Themepark, and potential changes to public transportation routes.
As for his current place on the council, he believes that residents know where he stands on issues.
“I think I bring a drive,” he said. “There are challenges that face our city and I have gone and looked at these issues, done my research and … it’s been a team effort. When I see something that is challenging folks in Waterloo, I put in 110% everyday.”
Grieder, 33, has lived in Waterloo since 2017. He teaches social studies at West High School and has a wife and two daughters.
The election takes place on Nov. 7. The other council spot on the ballot besides Ward 2 and one at-large seat is Ward 5, currently represented by Belinda Creighton-Smith. Mayor Quentin Hart’s fourth term also ends this year. No other re-election campaigns have been announced.
The 2024 presidential field, in the order they've announced
Attendees listen as Waterloo City Councilmember Johnathan Grieder speaks during his re-election campaign announcement on Tuesday at SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
Attendees clap as Waterloo City Councilmember Johnathan Grieder speaks during his re-election campaign announcement on Tuesday at SingleSpeed Brewing Co. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/grieder-seeking-waterloo-council-at-large-seat/article_188a4efa-03d5-11ee-9f81-33f7961f98dd.html | 2023-06-08T17:22:15 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/grieder-seeking-waterloo-council-at-large-seat/article_188a4efa-03d5-11ee-9f81-33f7961f98dd.html |
WATERLOO — Firefighters rescued one man from the Cedar River, and another man made it to shore on his own after their boat capsized near the Sixth Street Bridge on Thursday.
This story will be updated.
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Jeff Reinitz
Police and Courts Reporter
I started with The Courier in 1999 and cover criminal justice and public safety.
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Don't have an account? Sign Up Today | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/two-rescued-from-cedar-river-in-waterloo/article_137f6262-0617-11ee-8793-43ca4317c64e.html | 2023-06-08T17:22:21 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/two-rescued-from-cedar-river-in-waterloo/article_137f6262-0617-11ee-8793-43ca4317c64e.html |
HERSHEY, Pa. — State Police are searching for a missing man in Derry Township, Dauphin County.
Federico Pimentel, 72, was last seen around 4 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Wexford Road in Hershey, according to Derry Township Police.
He may be at special risk of harm or injury and may be in a confused state, according to police.
Pimentel is 5'5" and weighs 165 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to immediately contact Derry Township Police at (717) 534-2202. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/missing-man-derry-township-dauphin-county/521-78018558-3134-4264-8b17-7b31ebbdcef8 | 2023-06-08T17:23:34 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/missing-man-derry-township-dauphin-county/521-78018558-3134-4264-8b17-7b31ebbdcef8 |
Wednesday, a VCU police vehicle drives past Altria Theater where a shooting at Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony occurred the night before.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
Saturday
Dust off your wand and head to the Altria Theater as the Richmond Symphony makes the classic wizardly score of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” come to life in two live performances alongside showings of the film on the big screen. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., 6 N. Laurel St., tickets start at $52.50. (804) 592-3368 or www.etix.com.
On Tuesday, 18-year-old graduating student Shawn Jackson and his step-father Renzo Smith, 36, were shot and killed outside the Altria Theater. Five others were wounded in the shooting following the Huguenot High School graduation at the theater.
A day set aside for pomp and circumstance ended with two dead, a woman mourning her husband …
ASM Global, the company that manages the Altria Theater, released the following statement, “As members of the Richmond community, we are deeply saddened by (the) shooting. Along with the family and friends of the victims, we share their pain in mourning this senseless loss of life. We hope for the swift recovery of those wounded in this attack."
But ASM Global did not address whether any future performances would be cancelled at the theater.
The “Harry Potter” concert is organized by CineConcerts, a producer of live music experiences accompanied by full-length movie screenings, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
The Richmond Symphony has been hired to perform for the concert and is unable to provide a statement, according to a spokesperson.
Six Richmond Public School graduations were planned at the Altria Theater this week, but were moved and rescheduled to other high schools in the wake of the fatal shooting.
Calls and emails to CineConcerts and Warner Bros. Consumer Products were not returned as of press time.
The Altria Theater has a capacity for 3,565 visitors. The “Harry Potter” concert is a family-friendly event that typically draws a robust crowd.
Dust off your wand and head to the Altria Theater as the Richmond Symphony makes the classic wizardly score of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” come to life in two live performances alongside showings of the film on the big screen. 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., 6 N. Laurel St., tickets start at $52.50. (804) 592-3368 or www.etix.com. | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/weekend-performances-still-planned-at-altria-theater-in-wake-of-shooting/article_133e13e4-0616-11ee-ade4-578ad25b50e3.html | 2023-06-08T17:23:34 | 1 | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/weekend-performances-still-planned-at-altria-theater-in-wake-of-shooting/article_133e13e4-0616-11ee-ade4-578ad25b50e3.html |
Richmond International Airport is busy and likely to be busier after the start last month of new routes to four major markets, as well as seasonal service to four other cities.
But even before these new routes, passenger traffic jumped more than 21% for the calendar year to date, through April, airport data shows.
The 696,685 passengers who got off planes in Richmond and 690,221 who boarded flights here more than doubled airport traffic from the pandemic-depressed levels of 2021.
April’s traffic - 393,355 passengers - set a record for the month and was the second best ever for the 96-year-old airport.
"Richmond International Airport has been on a strong recovery trajectory for more than a year," said Perry J. Miller, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission, which oversees the airport.
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"Earlier this spring, we broke through into record passenger territory. The Airport is in growth mode to accommodate the aviation needs of the community it serves,” he added.
The airport is looking to be even busier in the months ahead with new services to Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Las Vegas, which started last month, while flights to Phoenix started in February.
In addition, seasonal service to the New York-Islip airport, on Long Island, east of the city, as well as Jacksonville, Fla, Providence, R.I. and Cincinnati also started last month.
So far, planes are more crowded – that 21% increase in passenger traffic has those individuals flying on only 3% more airline fights, which totaled 16,430 through April.
The much smaller air taxi business saw a 24% increase, to 4,622 flights while general aviation traffic – small, private planes - jumped by 42% to 11,016 flights.
The airport’s freight business is also booming this year, up more than 36% through April to 37.2 million pounds. Mail volume is down, however, dropping 60% to 68,308 pounds.
In its just approved operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 the commission assumed more business than last year, with revenue from parking, landing and other fees, concessions and rents up 12% to just under $61.8 million.
The airport handles about 150 flights a day. They go to 30 different destinations, including New York's big three airports, Chicago's two airports, San Francisco, Houston and the major airport hubs at Atlanta, Detroit, Dallas and Nashville.
It underwent a major expansion of its facilities in 2007. | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/richmond-airport-traffic-up-sharply/article_9a674db8-0607-11ee-95f3-bb3b3a36c702.html | 2023-06-08T17:23:41 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/richmond-airport-traffic-up-sharply/article_9a674db8-0607-11ee-95f3-bb3b3a36c702.html |
TEXAS, USA — Texas Parks and Wildlife wants to see where you go to beat the heat of a Texas summer. There are literally thousands of lakes, rivers, beaches and other waterways that folks flock to when the thermometer is on the rise.
Where do you and your family go stay cool?
Share a photo of your favorite watering hole and you could win a state park pass, an H-E-B gift card and more.
Just enter here for your chance to win or tag your pictures on social media #TexasStateParks and #TexasParks100. (Your social media account privacy settings may affect entries.)
- Photos must be taken at a Texas State Park or Natural Area.
- Must be uploaded to the “Texas State Parks Photo Contest” contest page, or tagged in Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TexasStateParks and #TexasParks100, between January 1, 2023 and November 27, 2023 (11:59 PM CST). Note that an individual’s social media account privacy settings may affect entries.
- Make sure to let them know if you want your photo to have a courtesy
- You can enter more than one photo
There are more events planned almost every weekend all summer long.
Click here to see more ways to celebrate 100 years of state parks in Texas.
So head outdoors and see what the Lone Star State has to offer you! What are you waiting for?
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/keepin-it-cool-show-off-your-coolest-ways-to-beat-the-texas-heat-in-photo-contest-river-lake-beach-summer-park/273-024fdf58-0c9a-43e1-9b77-d1fabddf36b9 | 2023-06-08T17:23:59 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/keepin-it-cool-show-off-your-coolest-ways-to-beat-the-texas-heat-in-photo-contest-river-lake-beach-summer-park/273-024fdf58-0c9a-43e1-9b77-d1fabddf36b9 |
SAN ANTONIO — The official start of summer doesn't kick off until June 21, but the 90-degree heat has taken hold of San Antonio right on schedule! In fact, even warmer weather is on the horizon.
Chances of showers and storms remain in the forecast for Thursday but by this weekend big weather changes hold tight through next week.
In preparation of summer-like heat, San Antonians want to have sunscreen and check those AC filters as we could hit our first 100-degree day by next week. Until then temperatures will rise from the mid-90s on Saturday to possibly 100 degrees on Wednesday next week. This weekend also brings dangerous heat index levels of 100 to 106 degrees.
Especially during the afternoons when temperatures are most high residents should be extremely cautious when outdoors.
Here's some advice on how to stay prepared during the heat:
- Take frequent breaks if you work outdoors.
- Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
- Check on family and friends who do not have AC.
- Check on your animals.
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
Bexar County provides help about what to look for in heat-related illnesses:
- Heat exhaustion - Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or fainting.
- Heat stroke - Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees). Red, hot or dry skin with no sweat, rapid or strong pulse, confusion or unconsciousness.
This heat is brought by a new weather pattern that moves into the Alamo City this weekend keeping a lid on clouds and storm development for the rest of the week. Chances of shower development could change but currently remain low. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-weather/273-c41f2782-c073-4f8e-8717-91a545589804 | 2023-06-08T17:24:05 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-weather/273-c41f2782-c073-4f8e-8717-91a545589804 |
Caddo School board member challenged on residency by Caddo DA
A Caddo Parish School Board member is being challenged on her physical address in a lawsuit filed by Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart.
Stewart filed a suit June 2 against Barbara Smith Iverson for having permanent residency in Bossier Parish. The suit claims Iverson lives in Lone Oak Oasis apartments on Benton Road in Bossier City. Her qualifying form states 4119 Greenwood Rd., Shreveport.
Iverson's qualifying address is in District 7, where she serves as a school board member. This address is zoned as a light industrial property, prohibiting it from being used as residential. The suit stated that before Iverson qualified for office this property was deemed I-1 zoning and was used in the past as a real estate office and daycare.
An investigator from the Shreveport property standards division stated on May 11 that the property at 4119 Greenwood Rd. was vacant and was in a state of disrepair with a hole in the roof, boarded windows and rotten wood.
The suit claims that under La. R. S. 17:52 E, Iverson should be vacated from her seat as Caddo Parish School Board member for District 7.
The Petition to Declare Vacancy of Office states:
"Petitioner avers Barbara Smith Iverson does not possess the residence and domicile qualifications required by La. R.S. 17:52 E (2) and the District 7 seat/office of the Caddo Parish School Board should be declared vacant in accordance with the law."
Iverson received this petition June 6, and has 21 days to file an answer or other legal pleadings.
More:Live blog- Bossier City Council to discuss increasing construction fund
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/caddo-school-board-member-challenged-on-residency-by-caddo-da/70298675007/ | 2023-06-08T17:24:44 | 1 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/caddo-school-board-member-challenged-on-residency-by-caddo-da/70298675007/ |
Passenger trains could be moving through Shreveport in the next couple of years
Shreveport hosted a press conference Wednesday with officials from Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) to discuss a new mode of transportation for Northwest Louisiana travelers.
"It's something that will benefit all of us tremendously," Mayor Tom Arceneaux said.
Amtrak has applied for a federal planning fund to connect New York City, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia, with Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, via communities in central Mississippi, north Louisiana and east Texas by extending the long-distance Amtrak Crescent train from Meridian, Mississippi.
In an effort to receive those federal funds an I-20 Corridor Council was formed to re-establish passenger rail service along the Interstate 20 Corridor. This particular route has not traveled through Shreveport since 1968 and is expected to bring $70 million in economic impact.
SPAR is asking the public to stay out of the Duck Pond
The grant request for the I-20 extension is for more than $14 million. "This will allow us to take the first step to the service that we're talking about... to extend service from Meridian over to the Fort Worth market," Todd Stennis, director of Government Affairs for Amtrak, said.
During the news conference, officials were unable to give an exact timeline on when this extension would be completed. "It's premature to say when at this hour," Stennis said. "What matters right now is that we get this planning grant."
"Five to seven years... second term," Arceneaux said.
From bedroom size to LGBTQ foster parents: Here are 4 questions about Louisiana DCFS
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/passenger-trains-could-be-moving-through-shreveport-in-the-next-couple-of-years/70300017007/ | 2023-06-08T17:24:50 | 1 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/passenger-trains-could-be-moving-through-shreveport-in-the-next-couple-of-years/70300017007/ |
GREENSBORO — Police say they took one person into custody and that no one was injured in a reported "active-shooter" call at 11:41 a.m. today at the Spectrum Corporate Office on Regional Road.
Officers are still trying to determine whether any shots were fired, according to police department spokeswoman Josie Cambareri. When the closest officers arrived, they saw one person outside the office who immediately raised their hands and surrendered without incident, she said.
There was a window with damage, but it was not immediately known what caused that damage or when it happened.
Police have not released any information about the suspect in custody at this time.
— This is a developing story. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/greensboro-active-shooter-suspect-spectrum-arrest-regional-road/article_5f2e9d94-0618-11ee-aab1-937aa2756412.html | 2023-06-08T17:27:48 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/greensboro-active-shooter-suspect-spectrum-arrest-regional-road/article_5f2e9d94-0618-11ee-aab1-937aa2756412.html |
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) — Have a daughter itching to improve their softball skills this summer? Good news for you because one of Alabama softball’s all-time greatest players is hosting a camp at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex this month.
Montana Fouts, a four-time All-American and Olympic Gold Medalist, will hold two four-hour sessions from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 24 and 25.
Fouts will be joined by Ally Shipman, Ashley Prange, Bailey Dowling, Jenna Johnson and Lauren Esman as coaches for the camp.
You can register here and it covers both days of the camp. There are still more than 300 spots available. You will need to fill out a registration form ahead of your booking for the camp. Make sure to include your T-shirt size.
For more information on the camp, visit https://www.montanafoutscamp.com/book-a-camp. FAQs can be found at https://www.montanafoutscamp.com/faq. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/former-alabama-softball-pitcher-montana-fouts-hosting-camp-in-gulf-shores-heres-how-to-sign-up/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:37 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/former-alabama-softball-pitcher-montana-fouts-hosting-camp-in-gulf-shores-heres-how-to-sign-up/ |
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Migraine headaches might have a particular impact on the local community. According to Dr. Mossadiq Jaffri, a neurologist at the Montgomery, Alabama VA Medical Center, military veterans can be more impacted by migraine due to factors including stress, anxiety, PTSD and depression.
According to a 2008 study which researched the impact of migraine on soldiers deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom, 19% of soldiers experienced migraine and an additional 17% had possible migraine. The CDC reported 12.3% of all participants to the 2018 National Health Interview survey had severe headaches or migraine in the three months before responding.
“Veterans have a unique population. … we do know the patient with anxiety and depression have more headaches and the patient with migraines have more mood disorders, so there is a bidirectional relationship,” Jaffri said.
Medical News Today reports a 2021 meta-analysis found depression impacted 23% of active-duty military members. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs also estimated in 2008 that as much as 33% of veterans visiting their clinics showed symptoms of depression.
Jaffri also explained factors like diet, hydration and sleep habits play a role in migraine. The neurologist said taking care to keep track of these can reduce migraine risk by 50 to 60%.
The American Migraine Foundation states one of the best prevention techniques for avoiding migraine is a diet which is “as wholesome, fresh and unprocessed as possible.” They report food triggers for migraine include alcohol, chocolate, caffeine and nitrates, amongst others. A 2021 study found dehydration can worsen primary headache disorders, such as migraine.
According to the Will Erwin Headache Research Foundation, too much sleep has the potential to cause migraine, but poor sleep quality and a lack of REM sleep can also increase risk.
Kaden Schmittner, who was in Fort Moore’s Armor Officer Basic Leadership Course (ABOLC) program throughout the beginning of 2023, said he had no history of migraine before training began.
“Specifically, when I’m out in field environments that just disrupt my day-to-day tasks out there, they [migraines] kind of just knock me down,” said Schmittner, who was hospitalized at Martin Army Community Hospital earlier this year due to migraine.
He explained hospital staff told him his condition could have been impacted by his sleep, hydration and diet. Schmittner said he was also informed the hospital sees many people who have consumed Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) experiencing migraine.
Schmittner told WRBL his condition was treated with IV fluids, the anti-inflammatory drug Toradol, prescription Tylenol and over-the-counter Excedrin.
According to Jaffri, using over-the-counter drugs can be risky for migraine treatment. He said, “Unfortunately, the awful truth is that those medicines can make your migraines worse.”
The neurologist recommended seeking out a physician or health care provider to receive more effective treatment, estimating only 20% of migraine sufferers are getting professional help.
“It’s important to recognize migraines, these are treatable and we [medical professionals] can improve your quality of life. Headaches are not normal,” said the neurologist.
Jaffri explained symptoms of migraine include a headache of moderate-to-severe intensity which is typically one-sided, in the front of the head or on the temple. Migraine sufferers may also have light sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, sleepiness and low-back pain, all impairing a person’s ability to function.
He also mentioned younger people and women tend to be more commonly impacted by migraine than the general population.
Fort Moore currently has a population of over 120,000 active-duty military members according to the U.S. Army. The 2022 census reported Columbus hosted over 20,000 veterans between 2017 and 2021. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/migraine-month-ala-neurologist-explains-migraine-in-soldiers/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:43 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/migraine-month-ala-neurologist-explains-migraine-in-soldiers/ |
Man arrested on suspicion of killing former gang member in Phoenix
A man was arrested Monday in Phoenix after police say he killed a former gang member to "become a member of the organization," court documents say.
Timothy Bernal Jr., 25, was arrested on June 5 after Phoenix police conducted a lengthy investigation into a missing persons case that turned into a homicide investigation.
The missing person, who was not identified by police, was confirmed to be a former member of the Arizona New Mexican Mafia, "a violent Arizona Department of Corrections security threat group prison gang," court documents state. The family of the victim told police that he was in bad standing with the gang, meaning the only way out of the gang was death, court records say.
According to court documents, the victim was last seen on May 2 leaving their apartment near 15th Avenue and Fillmore Street with Bernal and Bernal's girlfriend in her car.
In an interview with investigators, Bernal's girlfriend said the two picked up the victim, who Bernal had known for three weeks, and drove to several locations within the Valley during the day until Bernal said he wanted to go home.
While driving, Bernal pulled the car into a neighborhood near 16th Street and Broadway Road, saying he was looking for someone that owed him money, court documents state. Bernal then told his girlfriend to switch spots with him, moving from the driver's seat to the passenger's, with the victim sitting in the backseat.
Phoenix-area homicides in June 2023:Mesa man charged in wife's shooting death
Bernal shot the victim "with a Draco rifle numerous times without warning," documents say.
Bernal's girlfriend stated that he killed the victim due to his "bad standing with the AZ New EME" and that Bernal wanted to become a member.
Bernal then returned to the driver's seat and drove to Seventh and Pima streets, where he and his girlfriend got out of the car and walked away. Bernal's girlfriend told police the victim was dead as they left the vehicle, court documents state.
A few hours later, Bernal called an "associate" to whom he had sold fentanyl pills, according to court documents, and asked for help saying his car had broken down. The man, along with his niece and another person, picked up Bernal and his girlfriend. When arriving at the car, they saw that the man in the backseat was dead.
The car was then covered with a tarp and left there. Court documents state that the man and his niece then had the vehicle towed to Bernal's home.
In a May 24 interview with investigators, the man said that while the group was at Bernal's house, Bernal came out holding a gun and told him to "get rid of the car and the victim, or he would get rid of him," court documents state. This was a topic Bernal's girlfriend referenced to investigators, telling them that she felt the man "was in fear Bernal would hurt his niece."
According to court documents, the man and his niece took the car to the Gila River Indian Community and left the body in the desert and left the car at a family's home.
Arrests and further investigation
In an unrelated incident, Bernal was arrested on May 6, just four days after the shooting. Police found him with a Draco rifle in his possession — later found to be the same weapon used in the May 2 incident — and about 500 fentanyl pills and ballistic vests, according to court documents.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, this arrest stemmed from charges relating to an aggravated DUI, multiple drug possession charges, unlawful flight from law enforcement and a probation violation.
On May 18, Bernal was released on supervised release, the Sheriff's Office told The Arizona Republic.
That same day, Bernal's vehicle, which had yet to be tied to him, was found by police. Inside, detectives found large amounts of blood and 11 bullet strikes, as well as sunglasses later found to be the victim's.
At 6 a.m. on May 28 investigators with multiple police departments started a search in the Gila River Indian Community desert area for the victim's body.
Three searches were conducted but a body wasn't found. However, the search produced a torn belt, cell phone box, $5 bill, towel with bodily fluid on it and silver Kenneth Cole watch found by a resident. According to court documents, the victim's cousin told investigators that the watch found was the same one the victim had on when he went missing.
On June 5 following the investigation, Bernal was arrested at his home on suspicion of first-degree murder, assisting a criminal street gang and a weapons misconduct violation.
In a post-Miranda interview, Bernal told investigators that he knew who the victim was and that they had met through a third party and had "committed criminal activity" with them, court documents state.
Bernal said he had been with the victim on the day of the homicide, but he dropped him off at his house and did not kill him.
An interview with Bernal's brother during his arrest revealed that on the night of the murder, Bernal had called him asking for a ride. When he arrived, Bernal was carrying a bag with the rifle inside and told him that he had "done something wrong" and wanted to flee to Mexico, but the brother refused to help him, according to court documents.
Bernal told police he would sign a 20-year plea agreement for the listed charges. It was unclear, however, if such a plea deal was reached. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/06/08/former-gang-member-killed-phoenix/70298712007/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:47 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/06/08/former-gang-member-killed-phoenix/70298712007/ |
'We're not going to stop shouting her name': Family, friends mourn 20-year-old mother killed in Glendale
Family and friends mourned and remembered 20-year-old Jordin "Miranda" Castillo on Wednesday evening after authorities say her ex-boyfriend broke into her Glendale apartment and fatally shot her over the weekend.
Approximately 75 people gathered near South Mountain Park where they lit candles and wrote messages on balloons in marker. Various members of Castillo's family thanked the crowd for joining them in solidarity as they lamented her death.
Katina Castillo, Jordin's mother, urged people to seek help and resources should they face a domestic violence situation like her daughter did.
"She didn't die for no reason," Katina said as she fought through tears. "She died to give awareness for anybody that's going through domestic violence or in a relationship that you think you can't get out of. Get out. Leave. Call somebody."
Katina said Jordin did everything for her 2-year-old daughter, who ultimately survived the deadly incident.
Mercedes Castillo, Katina's sister and Jordin's aunt, demanded justice for her niece's killing.
"Jordin was an amazing young lady whose life was taken from her," Mercedes said. "She had a whole future ahead of her and I want everyone to remember her name. And we're not going to stop shouting her name until we get justice because this monster needs to pay for what he did to my niece — my sister's baby — to all of our friends and family."
Rueben Xavier Rocha, 22, turned himself in to police on Monday following the shooting. Police identified him as Jordin Castillo's ex-boyfriend.
On Sunday, just after 2:30 p.m., calls came to Glendale police regarding “some type of altercation” at an apartment complex near Northern and 51st avenues. Officers found three women with gunshot wounds, including Castillo, who later died at a hospital.
Officers later learned that Rocha came to the apartment after messages were exchanged dressed in all black, with a facemask and a hoodie pulled over his head, Glendale police said.
More details emerge:911 call made by Castillo prior to shooting
Rocha entered Castillo's third-floor apartment by breaking a glass door on the balcony and fired multiple rounds at three of the six occupants inside, striking all three and ultimately killing Castillo before fleeing, according to police. Among the occupants was Castillo's 2-year-old daughter, police said.
One of the victims, a 20-year-old who is in stable condition according to Glendale police, told investigators that she had heard glass breaking when she saw Rocha, identifying him immediately despite the ski mask and hoodie over his head. She also identified him in a photo lineup, documents say.
The other victim, a 19-year-old female, was in critical but stable condition and unable to speak, according to court documents.
A GoFundMe was set up to help cover funeral expenses and support Castillo's daughter while another was set up to support a woman — whom family members described as Castillo's best friend — who intervened during the shooting.
Resources for Arizonans experiencing domestic violence
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Phoenix.gov/DomesticViolence
- Chrysalis: 602-944-4999, noabuse.org.
- Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence: 602-279-2980.
- In Arizona, people can call the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, 602-279-2900 or 1-800-782-6400 or visit its website, acesdv.org/helpline.
- The Phoenix police website, www.phoenix.gov/domesticviolence, has a list of places people can contact in Maricopa County.
Republic reporter Kye Graves contributed to this article. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2023/06/08/family-and-friends-mourn-20-year-old-mother-police-say-was-killed-by-ex-boyfriend/70300147007/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:49 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2023/06/08/family-and-friends-mourn-20-year-old-mother-police-say-was-killed-by-ex-boyfriend/70300147007/ |
Child in critical condition after being struck by Phoenix police SUV
A child was hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by a Phoenix police SUV on Wednesday evening.
Just before 6:00 p.m., a patrol officer and a police assistant were patrolling near 11th Avenue and Yuma Street when they saw a child running into the roadway from the front yard of a house, according to police.
The officer driving the SUV struck the child, then stopped to provide medical care. Phoenix firefighters also responded to the scene and took the child to the hospital with critical injuries, police said.
The officer who was driving was also taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, police said.
Phoenix police said speed was not believed to be a factor in the crash and that officers were not responding to a call for service at the time.
The incident was under investigation by detectives with the Phoenix Police Vehicles Crimes Unit. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/08/child-in-critical-condition-after-being-stuck-by-phoenix-police-suv/70301691007/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:50 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/08/child-in-critical-condition-after-being-stuck-by-phoenix-police-suv/70301691007/ |
Phoenix firefighter, 3 others attacked by Scottsdale bee swarm
Three people and a Phoenix firefighter were being treated for an anaphylactic reaction Wednesday evening after being stung by bees.
According to Scottsdale Fire Department, crews were on scene at the San Portales at Silverstone apartments near north Scottsdale and east Pinnacle Peak roads after receiving reports of residents being stung with a beehive on the property. Upon arrival, they found an active swarm of bees attacking three bystanders.
Crews donned protective gear and were able to assist the victims, leading them to a safe area.
While doing so, a Phoenix firefighter was stung and later transported to a local hospital where he was in stable condition and eventually released, Scottsdale Fire spokesperson Capt. Dave Folio said.
It's unclear how many times the firefighter was stung.
Two of the victims were also transported to the hospital — in stable condition as well. The third victim refused transportation, according to Folio.
A local pest control company arrived at the scene to help handle the beehive, located inside an arch at the front entrance of the apartment complex.
No other information had been released.
Scottsdale Fire recommends for anyone that who finds themselves in the middle of a swarm attack to:
- Get away from bees as quickly as you can.
- Protect your face and eyes as much as possible.
- Go to a safe, enclosed space like a house, car, or truck, where bees from outside can’t get inside with you.
Additionally, victims should seek immediate medical attention if:
- Allergic to bee stings
- Stung many times
- Difficulty breathing | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2023/06/08/phoenix-firefighter-attacked-bee-swarm-scottsdale/70301816007/ | 2023-06-08T17:29:50 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale/2023/06/08/phoenix-firefighter-attacked-bee-swarm-scottsdale/70301816007/ |
Canton Chamber hires Jeff Dafler as new president and CEO
- The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce has hired Jeff Dafler as its new president and CEO.
- He will replace Dennis Saunier who is retiring at the end of the year.
- Dafler now serves as vice president of economic development and public policy at the chamber.
CANTON − Jeff Dafler will succeed Dennis Saunier as the president and chief executive officer of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The Board of Directors announced its selection Thursday. Saunier will retire at the end of this year after 42 years at the chamber.
"Jeff brings extensive experience spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors to this role and has demonstrated that he has the vision and strategic focus to take the chamber to the next level and deliver on the mission of leading our region in economic growth and community development," board Chairman Ralph Lee said in a prepared statement.
Dafler serves as the chamber vice president of economic development and public policy. He began his career as a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State between 1991 and 2000 and held diplomatic posts in Australia, Poland, Italy and Washington, D.C.
Dafler then left a public relations position at NCR Corp. in Dayton to join the Timken Co. in 2005. He served in communication and public policy roles there before starting his own consulting business in 2018.
He joined the chamber in November 2020 and was president of the Downtown Canton Landbank from 2021 to 2022 in addition to his vice president role.
“I am grateful for the trust and confidence the chamber board has placed in me to lead this incredible organization as we deepen our commitment to member success, economic growth and community vitality,” Dafler said in a prepared statement. “Our professional team is second to none, and I look forward to working with them, our volunteer corps, board of directors and members as we collaborate with other leaders across our region to find new and innovative ways to strengthen our communities and accelerate growth.”
His first day as chamber president and CEO will be Jan. 1.
Saunier congratulated Dafler on his appointment and said he has "full confidence" in his abilities.
"His expertise and passion for this community have been evident throughout his time here, and I have no doubt that he will lead the Chamber to great success in our many areas,” he said in a prepared statement. “Jeff's deep understanding of the issues and opportunities that exist from center city through the region is unmatched, and his worldview, extensive business knowledge and organizational experience will undoubtedly propel the chamber to new heights."
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/06/08/canton-chamber-hires-jeff-dafler-as-new-president-and-ceo-to-succeed-dennis-saunier/70302728007/ | 2023-06-08T17:34:14 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/06/08/canton-chamber-hires-jeff-dafler-as-new-president-and-ceo-to-succeed-dennis-saunier/70302728007/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Thursday that would increase gun regulations nationwide.
Newsom said it would keep the 2nd Amendment in place. The proposal includes increasing the age to purchase a gun to 21 years old and universal background checks among others.
“Our ability to make a more perfect union is literally written into the Constitution,” Newsom said in a statement. “So today, I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to do just that. The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support – while leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.”
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are rare with only 17 since the Bill of Rights.
There are two ways constitutional amendments can be proposed. Either with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and House of Representatives or by two-thirds of state legislatures passing by a constitutional convention.
Three-fourths of states would then need to ratify the proposed amendment for it to become part of the Constitution.
An amendment has never been passed by a constitutional convention, according to the National Archives.
Here's what Newsom is proposing.
- Raising the federal minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21
- Mandating universal background checks
- Instituting a reasonable waiting period for all gun purchases
- Barring civilian purchase of assault weapons
The proposal affirms Congress, states, and local governments can enact additional gun regulations.
Watch more on ABC10 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/california-newsom-28th-amendment-gun-regulation/103-fdc830ba-b41b-4a90-b04b-230870bc8f2f | 2023-06-08T17:35:08 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/california-newsom-28th-amendment-gun-regulation/103-fdc830ba-b41b-4a90-b04b-230870bc8f2f |
WOODLAND, Calif. — A woman died after driving the wrong way and crashing on Interstate 5 in Woodland Thursday.
According to California Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 1:30 a.m. on northbound I-5. The driver hit a concrete and metal bridge rail. She was not wearing a seatbelt and was declared dead at the scene, according to CHP. The woman was described as a 40-year-old and she was the only one in the car.
CHP is investigating the crash. Drugs or alcohol have not been ruled out as a factor in the crash.
Watch more on ABC10 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/woodland/woodland-crash-i-5-wrong-way-driver/103-f9a5587b-dcf9-4f5b-85bc-6872f66817b3 | 2023-06-08T17:35:15 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/woodland/woodland-crash-i-5-wrong-way-driver/103-f9a5587b-dcf9-4f5b-85bc-6872f66817b3 |
Break out your platform heels, tie-dye shirts and bell bottoms, and hustle to the TADA Theatre this summer for a night of groovy disco.
Opening June 15 and running through July 2, “8 Track: The Sound of the ’70s” will be performed at TADA Theatre, 701 P St. The 90-minute show has two acts of funk, soul, country rock and disco to make you boogie all night long.
The cast consists of four members from Lincoln and Omaha who will weave on and off stage in a mixture of group numbers and solos.
“We collaborate well with one another and we’re able to help each other out and kind of play off of each other, which is always one of my favorite things of collaboration,” said Daniel Ikpeama, one of the performers.
Almost 50 tunes will be performed with music from various artists including The Emotions, The Carpenters, Labelle, Barry Manilow and Marvin Gaye.
“It’s all a series of songs that take place in the ’70s,” director Bob Rook said. “It shows the hardships and the triumphant part of what happened in the ’70s.”
One hardship was sung originally by Tony Orlando and Dawn in “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.” Rook said the song is poignant in the context of the Vietnam War and the treatment veterans were given.
“I remember my parents going out and tying a yellow ribbon around a tree,” Rook said.
It’s stories like this that Rook hopes to show through the performance.
“Some of the songs segue right into the next song, so I like telling mini-stories within the songs so the actors don’t come out and just sing them,” Rook said.
For Ikpeama, one of his favorite songs to perform is “Taking it to the Streets” by the Doobie Brothers. Although he will be performing in the background for the song, he still enjoys the high-energy rock music.
“It’s just so fun,” Ikpeama said. “We get moving and we’re dancing all in there.”
Before this show, Ikpeama was only familiar with the upbeat and popular songs. Nevertheless, he’s come to love even the ballads as the cast interprets stories from the originals.
“We’re breathing life into them using our own styles to kind of make them our own and make them a unique experience,” Ikpeama said.
You can’t have a ’70s show without disco. The audience will be dancing in their seats to a disco tribute with Van McCoy’s “The Hustle,” the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” and the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”
And Ikpeama said you can’t have a disco show without a white suit and platform heels. The Bee Gees-inspired costume is one of Ikpeama’s favorites, but he said he loves all of their numerous costume changes.
“They’re so full of energy themselves,” Ikpeama said. “Just the costumes being able to bring in the ’70s vibe is just really, really fun.”
There’s a total of 11 performances to see how dedicated you are to the ’70s and bring out your inner dancing queen in a theater filled with peace, love and flower power.
“I’ve been telling everybody they need to come out of the heat and into the cool and groovy TADA Theatre,” Rook said.
Donna Summer: The life story you may not know
Donna Summer: The life story you may not know
1948: Born in Boston
1948: Large loving family
1958 : Debut performance
1960s: High school musicals
1967: Off to perform in Germany
1972: Marries first husband
1974: Signs contract
1976: Suicide attempt
1976-1984: Top hit parade
1978: Number 1 trio
1980s: Inspired by hardworking people
1980: Marries fellow creative Bruce Sudano
1980s: Transitions to R&B
1981-1982 Gives birth to two more daughters
1983: Appears on MTV
Late 1980s: Popularity wanes
1989: Paints the town with art
1990s: Scandal erupts
1992: Gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1990s: Joins cast of ‘Family Matters’
Early 2000s: Tops charts in 21st century
2003: Writes autobiography
Performs for President Obama
2012: Dies of lung cancer
2013: Posthumously inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
“8 Track: The Sound of the ’70s” will be performed by Trey (from left), Brittney Thompson, Daniel Ikpeama and Olivia Cano at TADA Theatre, 701 P St., beginning June 15 through July 2. | https://journalstar.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/groovy-performance-opens-summer-series-at-tada-theatre/article_ad5aaad6-0239-11ee-bae5-fbbd0f78ad6d.html | 2023-06-08T17:35:18 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/life-entertainment/local/art-theater/groovy-performance-opens-summer-series-at-tada-theatre/article_ad5aaad6-0239-11ee-bae5-fbbd0f78ad6d.html |
A 33-year-old Lincoln man called police early Thursday morning and reported he was being chased by a group of five people near 24th and M streets, according to authorities.
What Conley Webb III did not mention is that he first confronted the group over noise they were making before pulling a knife on a 19-year-old woman, Lincoln Police Capt. Todd Kocian said.
The group told police that they were gathered near a car in the area shortly after 2 a.m. Thursday when Webb, complaining that the group was being too loud, produced a pocket knife and stabbed one of the car's tires before turning his attention to the 19-year-old, Kocian said.
Webb cut the girl's neck and shoulder area amid the altercation, Kocian said, though the mark left behind was "superficial" and did not require medical attention.
Then the 33-year-old began to walk away from the area, prompting the chase he described to police in his 911 call, Kocian said.
Police responded and arrested Webb on suspicion of second-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. He was taken to the Lancaster County jail.
Investigators seized a small pocket knife allegedly used in the altercation.
A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Andrew Wegley joined the Journal Star as breaking news reporter after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2021. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-confronted-group-over-noise-complaint-pulled-knife-police-allege/article_42fc5dde-060c-11ee-832d-2391d3ca5e09.html | 2023-06-08T17:35:19 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-confronted-group-over-noise-complaint-pulled-knife-police-allege/article_42fc5dde-060c-11ee-832d-2391d3ca5e09.html |
Will smoke from Canadian wildfires reach Florida? How to check air quality in Brevard County
More than 100 million Americans have felt the impact of poor or hazardous air quality as smoke from Canadian wildfires drifts into the United States.
Alerts have been issued from New England to the Southeast, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
But will the smoke come as far south as Brevard County?
➤ Interactive map: Check air quality in Brevard County
Here's what we know so far.
Will smoke from Canadian wildfires reach Brevard County?
Trace amounts of smoke may make for hazy skies, especially visible at sunrise and sunset, according to John Pendergrast, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Melbourne.
Residents shouldn't even be able to detect a smell of smoke — at least not from the Canadian wildfires.
The haze should make for some good sunrise and sunset photos over the next few days, but Florida isn't close enough to expect hazardous or unhealthy air quality, Pendergrast said.
The National Weather Service Miami tweeted a map showing the smoke plume moving into the Atlantic.
Florida air quality:Will the Canadian wildfire smoke affect air quality in Florida? Here’s what experts say
How is the air quality in Brevard County? How can you check local conditions?
Can't see the map?
How is the air quality in the Northeast?
New York City's air quality was the worst among the world's major cities for a time Tuesday morning, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring website.
As of Wednesday afternoon, IQAir said New York City's pollution was fourth-worst in the world, behind New Delhi, India; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Toronto.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the city's air quality index on Wednesday climbed up to 484 out of a scale of 500, more than double the level that was reached Tuesday night. The city's air quality health advisory has been extended through Thursday night.
Canada wildfire smoke updates:At least 100 million Americans affected by air quality alerts
How hazardous is the air in the Northeast?
Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning vegetation, building materials, and other materials, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to stay safe as air quality drops:Wildfires in Canada are impacting US air quality. Here's how to protect yourself.
Breathing in the smoke can cause:
- Coughing
- Trouble breathing normally
- Stinging eyes
- Scratchy throat
- Runny nose
- Irritated sinuses
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Asthma attack
- Tiredness
- Fast heartbeat
How far has the smoke drifted?
The poor air quality on Wednesday even made it as far south as Atlanta, where the National Weather Service said: "particularly sensitive groups may be affected in north Georgia."
EPA spokesperson Shayla R. Powell, said "more than 100 million people are affected by air quality alerts today, ranging from Code Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) and above. This area includes much of the Northeast U.S., extending to Philadelphia to Chicago to the west and Atlanta to the south.
"We expect that air quality in this area is predominantly impacted by the Canadian wildfires, although more localized pollution emissions and meteorology may also play a factor," Powell said.
Where is the smoke coming from?
In Canada, an estimated 414 fires are burning, 239 of them out of control, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Canada has recorded about 2,214 wildfires so far this year, according to Canadian officials.
It's the worst wildfire season the country has ever seen, according to Canadian Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair.
More than 8 million acres have burned, including about 500,000 acres in Quebec.
In British Columbia, officials say lighting causes about 60% of fires while human activity accounts for 40%.
How long will the poor air quality last in the Northeast?
The National Weather Service said the wind trajectory that allowed smoke and hazy conditions to be seen in the New York City area could continue for the next few days.
What are air quality alerts?
Air quality alerts are indicators the air is unsafe to breathe for certain people. Alerts are triggered by a number of factors, including the detection of fine-particle pollution, which can irritate the lungs.
Wildfire smoke blankets eastern US:Graphics show how smoke from Canadian wildfires is turning US skies hazy – and hazardous
Contributors: Doyle Rice; Terry Collins; Thao Nguyen and Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY; The Associated Press | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2023/06/08/brevard-county-air-quality-map-check-conditions-melbourne-titusville-cocoa/70301300007/ | 2023-06-08T17:37:57 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2023/06/08/brevard-county-air-quality-map-check-conditions-melbourne-titusville-cocoa/70301300007/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Johnson City Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pass an ordinance that increases property taxes Thursday morning after explaining that rising costs are putting a strain on the city.
In a live-streamed meeting on Thursday, commissioners discussed Ordinance #4848-23 which would set a Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) property tax of $1.98 per every $100 valuation of property within Washington County, $1.80 per $100 in Carter County and $1.80 per $100 in Sullivan County.
Compared to last year’s rates, the new Washington County rate would be a $0.25 (14.5%) increase. Carter and Sullivan County rates would also increase by $0.25 (13.8%).
“We just don’t have the buying power that we once had,” Dustin Thompson, budget director for the city, said in a presentation to the commission. “Last time we did a property tax adjustment compared to now, our buying power has decreased by at least 15%.”
According to slides presented to the commission, an investment of $1 million in 2015 would be enough to resurface roughly 3.71 lane miles of road throughout the city. In 2023, that same total reportedly covers 3.16 line miles.
Commissioner and former mayor Joe Wise agreed with Thompson’s assessment.
“When the mayor and I were first elected in 2016, the cost of a police cruiser was $12,000 [more] than it is today,” Wise said. “Fire trucks cost more, garbage trucks cost more, lane miles cost more. And citizens have a reasonable expectation that we’re going to continue to keep pace on the projects and the priorities that have been identified.”
Mayor Todd Fowler agreed with the measure after expressing reservations.
“I do not like raising taxes at all,” Fowler said. “But sometimes that’s the only thing you can do.”
The budget received unanimous approval on its first reading as well on June 1. The commission will vote on the ordinance after a third and final reading at its next scheduled meeting on June 15. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-commission-passes-tax-increase-on-second-reading-details-cost-increases-throughout-the-city/ | 2023-06-08T17:41:14 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-commission-passes-tax-increase-on-second-reading-details-cost-increases-throughout-the-city/ |
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – After a fire led to the destruction of the Southern Craft BBQ location on Watauga Lake, state and local police are investigating what led to the blaze.
According to officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley requested assistance from the state agency for an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Crews were previously dispatched to the location on Aug. 8, 2022 after a fire broke out inside of an exterior wall. In a statement to News Channel 11 provided the next day, business owners said that incident was caused by faulty wiring which had since been removed.
Carter County Sheriff’s Office representatives confirmed the investigation in a statement on Thursday and said the cause of the fire had not yet been determined.
This is a developing story. Details will be updated as they become available. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tbi-aiding-in-investigation-of-southern-craft-bbq-fire/ | 2023-06-08T17:41:20 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tbi-aiding-in-investigation-of-southern-craft-bbq-fire/ |
ARKANSAS, USA — Entergy Arkansas has been working with the City of Little Rock to add energy-efficient LED street lighting and illuminate dark areas in an effort to “Build Back Stronger” after the March 31 tornado.
As the restoration process and debris cleanup continues, crews have begun making improvements as they rebuild.
Residents in the Walnut Valley community and other areas hardest hit by the tornado will be seeing brand-new poles and lights in their neighborhoods soon.
The new LED streetlights will provide enhanced lighting for residents by shining brighter, lasting longer, and being more energy efficient.
Crews are scheduling work by neighborhood, with a goal of having all lights replaced by early August.
New lights were ordered and debris was cleared before the work to replace the streetlights could begin. Entergy Arkansas has been coordinating with city officials about the progress.
“We currently have around 300 lighting poles to install and more than 600 streetlights we are replacing,” said Chris Cook, manager for customer service at Entergy Arkansas. “The last several months have been a dark time for our customers who suffered damages from the tornado and we hope these new installations will help make things a little brighter for them.”
Replacement poles and streetlights have already been installed along North Shackelford, and regional crews are working on completing these installations throughout damaged neighborhoods in the area.
Residents who have been displaced by the tornado should contact Entergy Arkansas as repairs are made and homes are rebuilt.
Once service to the home has been reestablished, private lighting repairs and replacements will be made.
“Power must be safely restored to homes in the area before any new poles or lights can be installed,” Cook said. “Customers with Entergy Arkansas lights installed on their private property that have not been repaired should contact us to let us know there is an outage we may not be aware of.”
Customers who have questions or concerns regarding outdoor lighting or the restoration efforts on their street should call 1-800-ENTERGY and speak to a customer service representative. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/outreach/entergy-arkansas-new-streetlights-tornado-restoration/91-9f4135ad-b4e8-4e8c-89b6-5a0ee70595ae | 2023-06-08T17:41:41 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/outreach/entergy-arkansas-new-streetlights-tornado-restoration/91-9f4135ad-b4e8-4e8c-89b6-5a0ee70595ae |
Bismarck Parks and Recreation is planning to open a second outdoor pool in the coming weeks.
Officials late last month announced that only one of the three outdoor pools would open this summer due to a shortage of lifeguards, a national trend. Hillside Aquatic Complex opened this past Monday, but the pools at Elks Aquatic Center and Paul H. Wachter Aquatic Complex remained closed.
Parks and Rec on Thursday said it plans to open Elks Aquatic Center within the next two weeks. The opening date and schedule will be posted next week. The website is at bisparks.org/.
The splash pad at Elks Aquatic Center is already open. Hours are 12-7 p.m. daily. There is no charge.
Hillside Aquatic Complex hours are 12-4 p.m. and 4:30-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, along with a lap swim session from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. From Friday through Sunday, the pool is open from 12-7 p.m.
People are also reading…
The indoor pools at BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center are open for regular summer hours. The free splash pad at New Generations Park has daily hours of 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Parks and Rec employs about 70 lifeguards during a regular summer. Late last month it had hired only about 30.
"We’ve hired 14 lifeguards in the last few weeks, but final numbers depend on everyone passing lifeguard certification class," Facilities and Program Director Mike Wald said. "The total number of lifeguards needed to operate our pools safely depends on how many hours each of our lifeguards is available to work each week."
Parks and Rec still has openings for part-time lifeguards and swim instructors. Lifeguards must be 15 or older, while water safety instructors must be at least 16. Application materials are available at bisparks.org/jobs.
People interested in training to become a lifeguard or water safety instructor can call Jahna at the BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center at 701-751-4270 for more information. Free certification will be provided to new lifeguards who work for Parks and Rec. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/bismarck-parks-and-rec-to-open-2nd-outdoor-pool-lifeguards-still-needed/article_bffa2ab4-0616-11ee-a42e-4f5cf1673475.html | 2023-06-08T17:45:39 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/bismarck-parks-and-rec-to-open-2nd-outdoor-pool-lifeguards-still-needed/article_bffa2ab4-0616-11ee-a42e-4f5cf1673475.html |
The Mandan City Commission this week approved changes to liquor license rules.
The Tuesday vote was unanimous. No one spoke during a period of public comment.
A new Class H license will allow for the selling of alcohol at catered events. Licensees can operate a cash bar at up to 20 catered events per license year with an off-premises alcohol liability insurance policy, as long as gross sales of alcoholic beverages are not greater than 40% of the total gross sales of food and alcoholic beverages.
Updates to the Class DY license allow for distilleries from all over the state to provide samples and to sell spirits by the glass or enclosed containers at certain events in Mandan by obtaining a special event permit. Class DY licensees also will be able to obtain a retail alcohol license allowing the on-premises sale of alcoholic beverages at a restaurant owned by a domestic distillery and located on property contiguous to the distillery.
People are also reading…
The city began looking at changing its alcohol ordinances in December after groups asked about catering events in Mandan and a distillery asked about dispensing samples. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/mandan/mandan-approves-changes-to-liquor-regulations/article_4600df3a-0613-11ee-94d0-b7eaad96c49e.html | 2023-06-08T17:45:45 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/mandan/mandan-approves-changes-to-liquor-regulations/article_4600df3a-0613-11ee-94d0-b7eaad96c49e.html |
BOONE COUNTY, Ind. — A man is dead after divers discovered his body in a Boone County Pond Wednesday afternoon.
Police said they responded to a report of a vehicle in the water near U.S. 52 and County Road 700 North around 2 p.m.
Divers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources found the man’s body inside a submerged vehicle.
Investigators have not released the man’s name pending notification of family members. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/man-found-dead-in-boone-county-pond-indiana/531-61c08d71-b30f-4b58-8d10-02b35a2571d0 | 2023-06-08T17:46:15 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/man-found-dead-in-boone-county-pond-indiana/531-61c08d71-b30f-4b58-8d10-02b35a2571d0 |
BALTIMORE — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is extending its run in Baltimore following a successful tournament run in 2023.
Mayor Brandon Scott, Visit Baltimore and the State of Maryland came together to make this announcement.
The most recent tournament run took place from Feb. 21-26 at the newly renovated CFG Bank Arena.
“We are proud that the CIAA Tournament will call Baltimore home for the next three years. The tournament belongs in Charm City,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “In order for this to be Maryland’s decade, it needs to be Baltimore’s time. Each year, this tournament is our opportunity to showcase what our state has to offer, bring people to Maryland, and drive economic growth.”
The 2023 tournament had about 38,450 fans in attendance during the 22 basketball games.
What is now the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association began as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which was founded 111 years ago.
RELATED: The CIAA: 'Where athletics began for HBCUs'
It is a collection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that has stood the test of time.
Known as the oldest Black athletic conference, the event brought in a total of $29.6 million to Baltimore in 2023. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/ciaa-announces-extension-of-basketball-tournament-in-baltimore-through-2026 | 2023-06-08T17:48:05 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/ciaa-announces-extension-of-basketball-tournament-in-baltimore-through-2026 |
WOODLAWN, Md. — A shooting last Thursday night left a man dead in a parking lot on Security Boulevard.
Baltimore County Police identified the victim as 54-year-old Frank Eubanks Jr.
Court records show Eubanks with an extensive criminal history.
Back in March 2001 he was sentenced to 20-years behind bars after being convicted of drug kingpin charges.
According to Maryland's Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Eubanks served 14-years of that sentence before being granted statutory release.
So what exactly is statutory release and how does it work? Here's how a department spokesperson described it.
"The law requires that we release certain folks prior to the end of their sentences for what’s called mandatory supervision release. It’s based on credits earned in prison. So many folks don’t do 100% of their time behind bars; they complete their terms under Parole and Probation supervision."
Eubanks would find himself in legal trouble again in December of 2018, this time for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
He received a five-year prison term without the possibility of parole, which would have put his release date sometime in mid-December of this year.
Yet again Eubanks was given statutory release, just shy of two-and-a-half years into his sentence.
This means at the time of his death, Eubanks was still on supervised release.
So far police haven't revealed any information on potential suspects or motive. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/man-released-early-from-jail-shot-and-killed-in-woodlawn | 2023-06-08T17:48:11 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/man-released-early-from-jail-shot-and-killed-in-woodlawn |
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (WJRT) - A retired Michigan State Police trooper from Grand Blanc is set to receive an award for traffic safety.
Michael Harris is being recognized by the Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission for his role in bringing the Drug Recognition Expert program to Michigan.
Police trained as drug recognition experts can provide roadside tests on motorists to determine whether they are under the influence of a controlled substance.
Harris will receive the Richard H. Austin Long-Term Service Award on June 14 at the commission's award celebration. The ceremony will take place at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids during the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning's 26th annual Traffic Safety Summit.
Harris recently retired from the Office of Highway Safety Planning after nearly 18 years with the division and 42 years overall with the Michigan State Police.
Harris served at various posts before retiring as a detective sergeant at the Third District Headquarters. He was credited for bringing drug recognition expert program to Michigan, the 47th state to develop the program.
Harris brought in instructors from out of state to run the first drug recognition expert school in the state. Now the state runs its own drug recognition schools with in-state instructors.
The Richard H. Austin Long-Term Service Award is named for the longest-serving secretary of state in Michigan's history. Austin earned a national reputation as an outstanding and effective advocate for traffic safety. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/retired-michigan-state-police-trooper-honored-for-drug-recognition-program/article_db910ea8-060e-11ee-9a64-57d7147cb192.html | 2023-06-08T17:50:42 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/retired-michigan-state-police-trooper-honored-for-drug-recognition-program/article_db910ea8-060e-11ee-9a64-57d7147cb192.html |
Big Brothers Big Sisters expands to Vernon
Big Brothers Big Sisters-Wichita County has formed a partnership with Vernon Independent School District to provide students on the Vernon Middle School campus a chance to partner with a mentor who will provide meaningful support.
Big Brothers Big Sisters will begin recruiting volunteers from the Vernon community over the summer in order to have the program ready for the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
“Our biggest need is male volunteers. Boys tend to wait the longest for a mentor; some up to a year or more,” said Alexis McDonald, Engagement Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters- Wichita County.
“Our school-based program is our traditional mentoring program. The student is matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister who will come to their school and eat lunch with them, play a card game, answer questions about an upcoming math test, or just have a conversation about aspirations and how they can be achieved," McDonald said.
People interested in volunteering may contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 940-767-2447 or visit the website at https://bbbstx.org/wichita-county/. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/big-brothers-big-sisters-expands-to-vernon/70301892007/ | 2023-06-08T17:51:01 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/big-brothers-big-sisters-expands-to-vernon/70301892007/ |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – Kingsport Area Transit Service (KATS) is offering free rides through its bus routes next week.
To celebrate National “Dump the Pump” Day, KATS will allow free rides from June 12-16. The national initiative is meant to encourage the use of public transportation.
“Using public transportation is not only a great way to save money on fuel, but it also reduces the daily wear and tear on your vehicle,” said Transit Director Chris Campbell in a release. “Next week is the perfect time to re-think the way you travel on a daily basis.”
To learn more about KATS and its services, visit its website. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/kats-offering-free-rides-june-12-16/ | 2023-06-08T17:51:06 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/kats-offering-free-rides-june-12-16/ |
TAZEWELL COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) – A man from Tazewell County won more than $800,000 from an online Virginia Lottery game.
A release from the lottery states that George Cole won the jackpot from the online game, The Lamp. The $886,819 jackpot was the largest online prize the Virginia Lottery had seen since starting online play in 2020.
Cole, of North Tazewell, told lottery officials that he does not have any immediate plans for the money aside from paying bills.
The release states that Virginia Lottery profits benefit K-12 education in the state. Last fiscal year, Tazewell County received almost $5.6 million in lottery funds. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tazewell-co-man-wins-886k-in-virginia-lottery-game/ | 2023-06-08T17:51:12 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tazewell-co-man-wins-886k-in-virginia-lottery-game/ |
BOISE, Idaho — Hispanics and Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the Gem State with more than 239,407 but there are still major gaps when it comes to health.
Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affair’s Community Resource Development Specialist, J.J. Saldaña said, "Health and education continue to be the biggest issues when it comes to Idaho's Hispanic population."
Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs (ICHA) and Idaho State University (ISP) worked together to collect data for the Idaho Hispanic Health Report. One of their biggest findings was the increase in obesity in Hispanic adults.
“We are also seeing that - we tend to be overweight than our counterparts, that also leads to diabetes,” Saldaña said.
The report shows 74.6 percent of Idaho’s Hispanic adults are overweight or obese compared to 67.5 percent of non-Hispanic adults. ICHA’s Community Resource Development Specialist, J.J. Saldana says it stems further from just the foods they eat.
"I think a lot of people here in Idaho in the Hispanic community have hard-working jobs, so when they get off work that is our down time that is time to relax, so we are not going to the gym as much as our counterparts are,” Saldaña said.
Children are not left behind when it comes to this data. The report shows Hispanic high school students are less likely to join a sports team, limiting their options.
“Cost is a big deal. You have to pay for uniforms, physicals, pay for this. It's also an acceptance thing. A lot of students don't feel they would be accepted in certain sports. It can be a tricky thing,” Saldaña said.
Accessing Health Care is also an issue in Idaho’s Hispanic community. Saldana says Hispanics are less likely to have health insurance because of the cost and because some agricultural or hospitality jobs don’t offer health insurance. The report shows 25.5 percent of Hispanic adults and 10.5 percent of children are uninsured.
"We had conversations with families that told us 'We dropped our insurance because we had to pay the power bill this month or the insurance.' I think having more accessible insurance is going to play a huge key,” Saldaña said.
Limited access to healthcare providers is another disparity.
"We do need to do a lot better. For the smaller rural areas, they have to travel to get any kind of health care,” Saldaña said.
In 2020, Idaho saw 16,402 total deaths statewide. Of that number, 733 were Hispanic. The report shows 19.2 percent of those Hispanic deaths were caused by COVID-19, making it the leading cause of death for that community.
“There was a lot of misinformation. We did not do a good job getting the word out to that community. By the time we tried getting the info out, it was too late,” Saldaña said.
On Wednesday, ICHA hosted its first Hispanic/American Indian Healthcare Conference in Twin Falls to talk about these issues with health agencies.
“They are here, and they want to know how they can do a better job. They have said 'Help us, we want to do better. How can we do better outreach?' That's a really great opportunity for us to have right now,” Saldaña said.
Another part of the report detailed that many Hispanic and Latinos rely on relatives and community members to help heal using a traditional system also known as curanderismo, which is a holistic approach.
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/new-data-reveals-obesity-and-accessing-health-hardships-in-idahos-hispanic-community/277-acbf79f1-174c-4b74-a794-e285b7007fdc | 2023-06-08T17:52:58 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/new-data-reveals-obesity-and-accessing-health-hardships-in-idahos-hispanic-community/277-acbf79f1-174c-4b74-a794-e285b7007fdc |
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NORMAL — Fusion Brew, 503 S. Main St. in Normal, is this week's pick for Eats of the Week.
The espresso bar and bubble tea shop opened on Dec. 5, 2005. The business is owned and managed by father-daughter duo Virgil and Sarah Hovar of Bloomington.
The coffee shop initially started on the corner of Kingsley Street before moving to the Main Street location in 2011, the owners said. The building was originally split into two units and one unit was home to a barber shop and the other was a knitting and sewing shop. When the Hovars purchased the building, they took over both.
"I think the most unique thing about us is we are serious about both bubble tea and coffee. And I think we get a lot of people that maybe don't feel like they can go into other coffee shops because they don't really know like, the language or they're not cool enough," Sarah Hovar said. "We see an exceptionally broad array of customers, which I think does set us apart."
Virgil Hovar worked for Hewlett Packard for nearly 33 years before becoming a coffee shop owner. After a trip to California in 1999, he fell in love with bubble tea and began to search for it everywhere he traveled, from Champaign to St. Louis to Canada.
He was given advice from a bubble tea shop owner in Columbia, Missouri, where his son attended college. Sarah Hovar stayed there and trained with the shop owner. Then, Sarah and Virgil eventually brought their knowledge of bubble tea to Normal, which was something new to the area.
"The breadth of what we offer here is kind of unusual. We have a large selection of bubble tea, and we treat it as a primary part of our business," Virgil Hovar said. "We consciously made the effort to make our coffee drinks more prominent on the menu, and it's been really successful for us and gives us a nice breadth of product here."
Popular menu items include fusion milk tea, honey lavender latte, lavender milk tea, lavender craft soda and pumpkin milk tea. The lavender and pumpkin drinks are monthly seasonal drink offerings, which are often adapted to both coffee and bubble tea.
The shop also occasionally advertises specials in local magazines every quarter.
Sarah Hovar said the business attracts a diverse array of customers.
"So much of our business shifts because over the summer breaks," she said. "People come out who stayed away during the school year, and we get regulars year-round because of the different phases of life we have attended."
She said she loves hearing customers' stories about what the shop means to them.
"There's something different about having a space like this," she said. "My favorite thing is the first week of classes and you see freshmen come in and they're clearly looking for someplace to feel like they're at home, and I think that's really powerful."
They've seen customers become engaged, get married and enter new phases of life. Over the years, she said, they have realized that their business has become an important and friendly space for the community.
The Hovars said they plan to make grab-and-go drinks more of their main focus, offering more sealed drinks for easy travel and convenience for those in a hurry. They also said they are looking to provide additional staff training and speed up on the coffee side of the business to keep up with trends.
The Hovars said they would consider expansion if the right location and opportunity arose. In the meantime, they want to return their seating to how it was before the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing more of their space.
"I just love serving our customers," Virgil Hovar said. "And that's been the most rewarding thing is just the friendships we've created with our customers and staff, and the people you see come in and they really enjoy the drinks that we have here.
"I marvel when I meet people when I'm out and (they) say they love Fusion Brew," he said. "We didn't necessarily set out to do that; we just wanted to offer something to the community that was unique and that we loved." | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/business/fusion-brew-offers-coffee-bubble-tea-and-a-place-to-feel-at-home/article_4e8cfd2e-03e2-11ee-8470-231f42ede7bd.html | 2023-06-08T18:03:27 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/business/fusion-brew-offers-coffee-bubble-tea-and-a-place-to-feel-at-home/article_4e8cfd2e-03e2-11ee-8470-231f42ede7bd.html |
WILLIAMS, Ariz. — A freight train carrying cars and vans has derailed east of Williams, west of Garland Prairie Road, according to Coconino County Emergency Management.
The train derailed late Wednesday night on the BNSF tracks near Williams and clean-up is underway.
"BNSF Railway can confirm that at approximately 11:20 pm on June 7th, approximately 20 automobile cars derailed in Williams, AZ (35 miles west of Flagstaff, AZ)," a spokesperson for the freight railroad company told 12News. "No injuries or hazmat involved. Cause is under investigation."
Department of Transportation authorities are dispatching an inspector to the scene but do not have any further information.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it won't be investigating the derailment.
12News viewer Samantha Haley sent us a picture from the ground of the tossed cars. See more photos and video below:
This is a developing story. Stay tuned with 12News for the latest details.
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Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/train-derailment-williams/75-7fcc2c1a-ee1e-4f3f-996b-d00d7bd1e3e9 | 2023-06-08T18:08:49 | 1 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/train-derailment-williams/75-7fcc2c1a-ee1e-4f3f-996b-d00d7bd1e3e9 |
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — An emotional video shows the moment a Hillsborough County sergeant and a group of good Samaritans pulled a mother and her five kids from their overturned minivan.
Just after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the mom was turning left onto Interstate 75 southbound when her car was t-boned across the southbound lanes of U.S. 301, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
Sergeant Donnie Rizer took charge as soon as he arrived, directing the good Samaritans to hold the car on its side while he crawled through the sunroof to check on the family.
All the children were pulled to safety except for one, who was trapped by her seatbelt.
Rizer maintained his composure and ensured the little girl she would be ok as he reached in to free her.
"It's ok, baby. I'll get ya," he repeated as he helped her crawl out of the car.
The sergeant was commended for not only risking his own safety but taking extra steps to comfort the family throughout those scary moments. He even recovered a pacifier from the car for one of the kids.
"Sergeant Donnie Rizer's response was nothing short of extraordinary. His bravery, composure, and genuine care for all involved are commendable," Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
According to the sheriff's office, the children were ranging in age from infant to 9 years old. They were all taken to the hospital, along with their mother, to treat mostly "seatbelt burn" and bruising.
"Let's salute Sgt. Rizer for his exceptional bravery and selflessness. His actions inspire us all," the sheriff's office wrote. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/video-hillsborough-sergeant-rescues-5-kids-mom-minivan-rollover-crash/67-fd0fb74e-f486-4191-b4be-866da671e4ad | 2023-06-08T18:10:52 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/video-hillsborough-sergeant-rescues-5-kids-mom-minivan-rollover-crash/67-fd0fb74e-f486-4191-b4be-866da671e4ad |
What experts say people with breathing issues should do while wildfire smoke haze lingers
People who are older or who have respiratory problems should limit their time outdoors, keep windows closed and even consider using air purifiers while smoke from Canadian wildfires lingers over southeast Michigan's skies, which could make breathing issues worse, experts said Thursday.
An air quality alert for most of southeast Michigan is in effect all day Thursday and through noon Friday. Those impacted by air pollution should take some steps to minimize their symptoms and its harmful effects, experts said.
Ayman Soubani, a pulmonologist with the Detroit Medical Center, said Thursday that many people with respiratory issues have difficulty this time of year because of allergens and pollens in the air, along with the heat. The air pollution from the wildfires only adds to those problems, he said.
Common symptoms they may be experiencing are running nose, stuffy nose, irritation of the throat, and watery eyes, the doctor said.
People who have asthma or COPD may feel worse and experience shortness of breath, cough and wheezing, according to Soubani. He added that the air pollution is likely hitting the elderly, the disabled, and young children hard.
The doctor said when the air quality is poor he and other physicians recommend people who are vulnerable stay indoors as much as possible and keep windows and doors closed. Every person is different, but as a general rule, people with breathing issues should not spend any longer than two or three hours outdoors during air quality alert periods, he said.
Another of his recommendations: keep medications for breathing issues close.
"People with respiratory conditions should also make sure they have their inhalers nearby and use them as prescribed by their medical providers," Soubani said. "They should also have a rescue inhaler on hand if they develop acute symptoms."
He said they should tell their doctor as soon as possible if they experience any worsening symptoms.
On Thursday, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy declared Thursday and until noon Friday "Action Days!" for southeastern and southern Michigan counties. The declaration means pollutants in the air around the area are in the "Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups" range.
Near Metro Detroit, the Action Day! alert covers Bay, Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
Sara Adar, associate professor and chair of epidemiology at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, added the smog is likely affecting pregnant women and people with heart or lung disease.
She recommends using air purifiers and air conditioning systems to help with symptoms. "Air conditioning can be helpful to keep the indoor air clean," she said in a statement.
Christina Floyd, the city of Detroit's acting Chief Public Health Officer, added those people should also refrain from any outdoor strenuous activity. She said wildfire smoke can make anyone sick.
Like Soubani, she urges people who experience signs of illness from air pollution to call a medical provider.
Adar said people who have to spend a lot of time outdoors, an N95 respirator can help reduce their exposure to irritants.
Soubani said some of his patients have told him they've had a cough or some difficulty breathing over the last week.
"However, we've not seen an increase in visits to the doctor or hospitalizations," he said.
Once the weather changes and the smoke from the wildfires moves away, those who have been suffering should being to feel better after two or three days, especially if rain comes along to clean the particulates out of the air, Soubani said.
Metro Detroit's weekend weather forecast calls for a chance of rain on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/08/breathing-issues-stay-indoors-air-quality-alerts-experts-say-what-do/70301793007/ | 2023-06-08T18:11:53 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/08/breathing-issues-stay-indoors-air-quality-alerts-experts-say-what-do/70301793007/ |
OCALA, Fla. – The woman accused of shooting and killing an Ocala mother after a confrontation with the victim’s children appeared before a judge Thursday and is being held without bond.
Susan Lorincz, 58, is accused of manslaughter in the death of Ajike Owens, 35, on June 2.
Here’s what we know so far about Lorincz and the circumstances leading up to the fatal shooting, based on the sheriff’s office arrest affidavit, court and sheriff’s office records and her first appearance statements.
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Who is Susan Lorincz?
Lorincz has lived in Marion County for 15 years. Records show she had lived in the apartment complex where the shooting took place since at least 2020.
In her first appearance in court, Lorincz told the judge she had an insurance license, had just left a job with United Health Care and was applying for disability.
Records show she does not have a criminal history in Florida prior to the shooting.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE]
Interaction with neighbors
The arrest affidavit from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office shows Lorincz had frequent issues with the children in the neighborhood, not just the children of Ajike Owens.
Neighbors told deputies that Lorincz often insulted children, using racial slurs, for playing in a field near her apartment that she believed to be hers, even though the neighbors said it was a common area for everyone’s use. Children said it was the largest field to play in at the complex.
Neighbors told deputies that in addition to racial slurs, Lorincz would record video of the children on her phone, holding up the middle finger while she did it. One neighbor told deputies that she would no longer allow her children to play outside because of Lorincz’s behavior.
At a news conference with Owens’ family and attorney Ben Crump on Wednesday, another neighbor said people in the complex had complained about Lorincz but were told nothing could be done about her.
Deputies said Lorincz admitted to using racial slurs and other derogatory words toward children in the past.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE]
Several run-ins between Owens, Lorincz
The affidavit and other records show Lorincz had several run-ins with Owens regarding her children playing in the common area over the past year. Calls to the sheriff’s office show Lorincz complained about children trespassing on her property, but it was always determined they had really just been in the common area.
Owens confronted Lorincz about her treatment of the children. In a February 2022 incident, deputies were called out because Lorincz said Owens pulled a metal “no trespassing” sign out of the ground and threw it at her, striking her leg. Owens said she threw the sign down, not at Lorincz.
According to the affidavit, Lorincz told deputies that the children had threatened to kill her and that on the night of the shooting, Owens, while banging on Lorincz’s door, said she was going to kill her.
Witnesses told deputies they never heard Owens say that, but Lorincz maintained she believed that was what Owens was saying.
Lorincz bought the gun a year ago
Lorincz first told deputies that she bought the gun used in the shooting, a Remington .380, a year ago for protection after an incident with Owens. However, according to the affidavit, Lorincz later told deputies that while she and Owens were not friendly, the mother of four had never threatened violence against her.
The affidavit showed Lorincz kept the Remington in a gun case in a trash can in her room, along with another gun.
Researched Stand Your Ground laws
The sheriff’s office delayed arresting Lorincz because of her claims of shooting because she felt in “mortal danger,” which is in line with Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws.
However, when Lorincz told deputies in the second interview that Owens’ actions were not “reasonable or prudent,” deputies asked why Lorincz used those specific words.
That’s when Lorincz admitted to researching self-defense laws as recently as the day of the interview, and “possibly” researching stand-your-ground laws in the past.
Deputies also said Lorincz’s timeline of events contradicted the timeline of calls to 911.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/what-to-know-about-susan-lorincz-suspect-in-shooting-of-ocala-mother-ajike-owens/ | 2023-06-08T18:17:21 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/what-to-know-about-susan-lorincz-suspect-in-shooting-of-ocala-mother-ajike-owens/ |
MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A single mother who “lived for her four children,” a team mom for her children’s football/cheerleading teams and a devoted friend are some ways Ajike Owens’ family described the 35-year-old woman who was shot and killed by her neighbor in Ocala.
Susan Lorincz, 58, was arrested on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault in the death of Owens, who sheriff’s officials say she went to Lorincz to talk to her about her interactions with her children.
Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, said during a news conference that while she gave birth to her, she was not her only mother.
“I shared her with so many people because that’s how special she was. Special. Heart of gold, heart of gold. You may look at her and say she didn’t have much, she had it all. She had love. She had compassion. She had four beautiful children. She raised them to be respectful but most of all, spiritual,” she said.
Dias described her daughter as “full of life” and as having so much love for her children, who range in ages 3 to 12.
“She loved them with all her being. To know her is to know that her kids were everything,” she said.
Owens’ younger brother, Otis Dias, said while growing up he knew she would be a great mother one day.
“She made sure that I was fed, treated correctly by anybody who disrespected me, stuck up for me,” he said during a news conference. “... I do want to keep the children, my niece and my nephews, in everybody’s prayers.”
Owens’ longtime best friend and godmother to her children said “to know her is to love her.”
“Ajike adored her children. She lived and breathed for them, day in and day out. She made sacrifices as a single mom to be there for them in each and every stages of their lives. She would never want to miss a football game, a practice, cheerleading, she was there. They were her world, they were her everything,” she said.
Her family also said there wasn’t “anything that she wouldn’t do for those near and dear to her heart. She often would give to other single mothers that were in similar situations that she’d been in.
A GoFundMe was set up by the family for funeral expenses, education expenses for Owens’ four children and other living expenses. You can donate in the link below.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/who-is-ajike-owens-mother-of-4-fatally-shot-by-neighbor-in-florida-had-heart-of-gold/ | 2023-06-08T18:17:27 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/08/who-is-ajike-owens-mother-of-4-fatally-shot-by-neighbor-in-florida-had-heart-of-gold/ |
Gov. Brad Little announced Tuesday he would create a roundtable of legislators, law enforcement, and others to discuss how Idaho can help fight fentanyl trafficking in border states and better protect Idahoans.
Little made the announcement in Coeur d'Alene, where he also highlighted his recent trip to the Texas-Mexico border, according to a press release.
On May 24, Little traveled to Texas for a briefing conducted by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Military Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Texas border czar. He and nine other governors received a border security briefing and went on a helicopter border flyover.
The cost of the trip was covered by the Republican Governors Association, and the flight and helicopter tour were covered by the Texas Department of Public Safety, said Madison Hardy, press secretary for the governor's office.
In May, Little also announced he would send Idaho State Police troopers to Texas to train with the state's Department of Public Safety. Two groups of six ISP troopers deployed for two weeks to assist and train with Texas DPS, a press release said.
The first group is from the Domestic Highway Enforcement Team, and is focused on drug concealment and interdiction techniques, the release said. The second group is comprised of SWAT troopers who are focused on human tracking and searching skills. The SWAT group was scheduled to assist local border law enforcement efforts with Texas' Elite Brush Teams.
The Idaho teams will train local officers on what they learned when they return. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-governor-announces-new-fentanyl-roundtable-highlights-trip-to-texas-border/article_0ab0fd26-0577-11ee-9a7c-6fda078adb94.html | 2023-06-08T18:19:20 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-governor-announces-new-fentanyl-roundtable-highlights-trip-to-texas-border/article_0ab0fd26-0577-11ee-9a7c-6fda078adb94.html |
MITCHELL — The Mitchell Area Crime Stoppers are seeking information on vandalism at Hitchcock Park that involved the damage of a piano.
On June 1, between the hours of 4:30 and 5:10 p.m., an unknown person(s) pushed a piano off the music shelter stage at Hitchcock Park. The piano was damaged and is not repairable.
Those with information about this incident or suspicious activity in the area are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 605-996-1700. Callers do not have to identify themselves, and a cash reward is available for information that leads to the arrest of the subject or subjects involved.
A minimum of $250 is paid for rewards on all "Crime of the Weeks" solved through Crime Stoppers. Mitchell Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. offers this reward. Rewards will not be paid if crime tips, leading to an arrest, are not made directly to Mitchell Area Crime Stoppers, Inc. by telephone or by web tip.
To submit a mobile tip, please download the free “P3Tips” app from the Google Play store or Apple Store. If you do not wish to download the app, you may still submit a mobile tip from any web-enabled device by going to www.p3tips.com . | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/crime-stoppers-seeking-information-on-hitchcock-park-piano-damage | 2023-06-08T18:19:22 | 1 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/crime-stoppers-seeking-information-on-hitchcock-park-piano-damage |
Originally published June 2 by Idaho Reports.
As of May 31, the Idaho court system had no record of any person being charged under the state’s new criminal abortion statute, according to a data request from Idaho Reports.
The law, Idaho Code 18-622, went into effect last August following the overturning of landmark case Roe v Wade. In 2020, the Idaho Legislature passed the bill that would criminalize any physician who conducted an abortion in Idaho, with rare exceptions for reported rape, incest and to save the life of the mother. The felony charge would be punishable by two to five years in prison.
The court system does not track how often civil litigation invokes specific laws, so Idaho Reports was unable to find data on whether the state’s civil cause of action on abortion has been used since its implementation.
Idaho did add exceptions to the law this year, clarifying some narrow medical exemptions that allow a physician to terminate a pregnancy. Those include “the removal of a dead unborn child,” “the removal of an ectopic or molar pregnancy,” or “the treatment of a woman who is no longer pregnant.” All of those exemptions are cases in which the pregnancy would never be viable.
Physicians have said that the exceptions are not enough to cover the variety of issues a pregnant woman could face in which her life could be jeopardized by the pregnancy and a termination may be necessary to save her.
In a May 26 episode of Idaho Reports, Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, still expressed concern about the abortion law.
“We’ve been the fastest-growing state, but I am really concerned about whether we will be able to maintain our status as an attractive destination and an attractive place for people to remain,” Rubel told Idaho Reports. “The state only had nine fetal-maternal medical specialists for those very high-risk pregnancies. We’ve lost four of them in the last six months because of our abortion laws.”
Rubel argued that if Idaho is going to value life, it needed to value women’s lives.
“Why would a doctor want to practice in a state where they face five years of prison for providing standard medical care, you know, and often saving women who are hemorrhaging, miscarrying?” she said. “Our laws are so overreaching right now that it’s a danger to women’s lives and it’s a danger to the availability of medicine in Idaho.”
In 2023 the Legislature also opted not to renew the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
Rep. Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, told Idaho Reports she does see possibilities for further changes to the law making it through the Republican Caucus.
“The reason I have some confidence is because I got to talk with (House State Affairs chairman) Brent Crane just earlier this week,” Yamamoto said during the May 26 panel. “And he is not giving up on having the discussions. I thought that what was promising was he was recognizing, he’s acknowledging that maybe we need to have more medical professionals in the room when we’re talking about those things, so the definitions of things are clearer and that the language is clear enough that … they feel confident. And if we have selected people who the medical community respects and can trusts. Then when they can sign off on that legislation, I think we have a much better chance in our caucus of moving it through.” | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/nearly-a-year-out-no-criminal-abortion-charges-filed-in-idaho/article_0c329910-03de-11ee-bf4a-b30913de5e74.html | 2023-06-08T18:19:27 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/nearly-a-year-out-no-criminal-abortion-charges-filed-in-idaho/article_0c329910-03de-11ee-bf4a-b30913de5e74.html |
Originally published June 7 on IdahoEdNews.org.
West Bonner School District trustees selected former state superintendent candidate Branden Durst to lead their schools on Wednesday night.
Durst and interim superintendent Susan Luckey interviewed with the trustees and participated in a community forum before trustees met in a special meeting to select Durst.
Members of the West Bonner community, located at the top of the Idaho panhandle, were vocal in their support for the candidates.
A website was created to oppose Durst’s hiring called “Don’t Do Durst.” It’s not clear who was behind its creation, but it was labeled a “smear campaign” by others on social media posts.
Priest Lake Elementary school teacher Whitney Urmann attended Wednesday’s community forum and spoke with EdNews late Wednesday evening.
“Both candidates answered questions very well. Branden knew all of the applicable terms. It kind of shocked our audience,” Urmann said. “He ended by saying he hopes trustees don’t hire (Luckey) because she’s prettier than me. The whole room got loud at that point, and they had to escort a couple of people out.”
Durst is a senior analyst of education policy research for the Idaho Freedom Foundation. He’s also a former Democratic Idaho legislator, who finished second in the three-person May 2022 Republican primary for state superintendent. State superintendent Debbie Critchfield won the primary and former state superintendent Sherri Ybarra finished third.
“There are two contrasting views of what our schools need. … There are those who believe we need to continue to double down on a system that isn’t working for a lot of parents. … And then you’ve got me, somebody who’s coming from the outside, who recognizes that, maybe we need to do things differently,” Durst said during the campaign last year.
The Freedom Foundation website says Durst holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees and an education specialist degree in executive educational leadership from Boise State University.
Luckey served as a West Bonner administrator for nearly 20 years. Before she became a vice principal and principal at Priest Lake Elementary School, she had been a kindergarten teacher there since 1984.
When superintendent Jackie Branum resigned abruptly in mid-March, Luckey was appointed as interim superintendent until June 30. This announcement was made on the district’s Facebook page on March 20.
“I realize that this sudden change in leadership can lead to concern regarding the future of our district,” Luckey wrote on Facebook. “If you have a question or concern, find out the facts: One of the things that can really hurt unity in a community is when the rumor mill gets started, and inaccurate and/or exaggerated information is spread throughout the community.”
Two months after Luckey’s appointment, West Bonner lost its May request for a two-year, $9.4 million supplemental levy. It received 48.4% support, shy of the simple majority needed. The district was hoping to replace a levy that expires on June 30, which represents 33% of its annual operating budget. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/trustees-select-branden-durst-to-lead-north-idaho-school-district/article_4d918d5a-061b-11ee-8fbe-3f9052b33269.html | 2023-06-08T18:19:33 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/trustees-select-branden-durst-to-lead-north-idaho-school-district/article_4d918d5a-061b-11ee-8fbe-3f9052b33269.html |
Average daily flows
Snake River at Jackson 292 cfs
Snake River at Palisades 14,061 cfs
Snake River at Heise 16,852 cfs
Snake River at Blackfoot 10,063 cfs
Snake River at American Falls 9,284 cfs
Snake River at Milner 0 cfs
Little Wood River near Carey 592 cfs
Jackson Lake is 71% full.
Palisades Reservoir is 91% full.
American Falls Reservoir is 93% full.
Upper Snake River system is at 88% of capacity.
As of June 8 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_cd72e044-0622-11ee-ae96-3b04c0e1e9f3.html | 2023-06-08T18:24:47 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_cd72e044-0622-11ee-ae96-3b04c0e1e9f3.html |
OZONA, Texas — The Ozona Stockman announced they will be ceasing operations and their final issue will be printed June 21.
Founded in 1892 as the Ozona Kicker, the Stockman enjoyed much success throughout the years.
The paper has won several awards in sweepstakes, general excellence, news and sports reporting, photography, advertising and special sections from the National Newspaper Association, Texas Press Association, South Texas Press Association and West Texas Press Association.
According to them, "the newspaper industry in general has been in a slow decline for the past 20 years for varying reasons, including internet access, competition for classified and advertising dollars online, and the growth of social media."
To read their full article on the Ozona Stockman website, click here.
They are also having an "Everything must go" sale, to learn more about that, click here. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/ozona-stockman-will-print-final-issue-june-21/513-df7368ea-409d-4886-ad7e-7b246d9779d3 | 2023-06-08T18:26:12 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/ozona-stockman-will-print-final-issue-june-21/513-df7368ea-409d-4886-ad7e-7b246d9779d3 |
PRESIDIO COUNTY, Texas — The Presidio County Sheriff's Office has posted an official Notice of Estray for horses that were found Sheriff Dominguez.
An advertisement of the impoundment of estray was posted in the Presidio International Newspaper. Copies of the Notice of Estray and Notice of Impoundment of Estray were also posted on the public notice board of the courthouse of the county.
The horse that has a gray color is a 6-year-old gelding, with a headsnip and a B brand on its thigh. The other horse, a buckskin color, is a 5-year-old gelding with not brands, marks or identifying characteristics.
If the owner of the horses is not identified by June 24, 2023, the horses will be sold at a public auction/sheriff's sale at 10:00 a.m. at 2119 Stockyard Road, Presidio, Texas.
For more information and pictures of the horses, people can visit the Presidio County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/presidio-county-sheriffs-office-post-notice-of-estray/513-f809e0ab-eed7-4b27-b2cc-762bceb9ce4f | 2023-06-08T18:26:19 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/presidio-county-sheriffs-office-post-notice-of-estray/513-f809e0ab-eed7-4b27-b2cc-762bceb9ce4f |
OZONA, Texas — The Ozona Stockman announced they will be ceasing operations and their final issue will be printed June 21st.
They are having a "Going out of business! Everything Must Go" sale.
All office supplies are 50% off. This excludes paper products. All sales are final and there will be no refunds or returns.
Everything is on sale: including desks, tables, chairs, shelves, printers, glass display cases, file cabinets and an antique industrial electric paper cutter.
To learn more about the Ozona Stockman, visit their website. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/the-ozona-stockman-having-everything-must-go-sale/513-ad8c47a1-fae7-4019-affc-d916b7a1f799 | 2023-06-08T18:26:20 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/the-ozona-stockman-having-everything-must-go-sale/513-ad8c47a1-fae7-4019-affc-d916b7a1f799 |
CROWN POINT — A 29-year-old Hammond man was taken into custody after firing a gun into the ground during a dispute with a women he knows, Crown Point police said.
Officers were called out around 2 a.m. Monday to the 400 block of Morningside Drive in response to reports of shots fired, the department said.
Riding Shotgun with Merrillville Police Officer Amanda Earley
They found a man and woman exiting a yard in the area, and the pair told officers they were just out walking and talking enjoying the nice night, police said.
Police said they determined that the man, identified as Isaac Dutton, had been drinking alcohol.
"The female subject advised while speaking with Dutton, they began arguing about their relationship," police said. "Dutton became angry and forcibly removed a gun from the female subject's holster and shot several rounds into the ground."
"(Mitchell) Taebel still maintains a delusion that he and the ARTIST will be married and, if elected President, that the ARTIST will be his First Lady," charges say.
"The female subject told police she was scared for her life and was trying to calm Dutton down while walking back to the car."
Dutton was taken into custody without incident and taken to Lake County Jail where faces a felony count of criminal recklessness and misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
April Wright
Age : 34
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304645
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Fallon Stone
Age : 37
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304663
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Munster Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Kecelyn Sydner
Age : 26
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304632
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Hilario Torres Jr.
Age : 48
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304638
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SHOPLIFTING - < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Shawn Washington
Age : 43
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304654
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OPERATING A VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING PRIVILEGES ARE SUSPENDED
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Steven Petrisko
Age : 61
Residence: Goodland, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304651
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Dyer Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Roosevelt Pickett Jr.
Age : 45
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304649
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: DEALING - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Andre Patterson
Age : 59
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304634
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SHOPLIFTING - $750 TO $50,000;
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Kenneth Mack Jr.
Age : 44
Residence: Grant Park, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304633
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SIMPLE - W/PRIOR CONVICTION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Rachel McKinney
Age : 38
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304642
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SIMPLE - W/PRIOR CONVICTION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Patrick Noonan
Age : 41
Residence: Winfield, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304655
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Winfield Police Deparatment
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Bradley Kelly
Age : 38
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304650
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Jason Howard
Age : 31
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304660
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Tena Johnson
Age : 43
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304629
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: FRAUD - INSTITUTION - BANK/FINANCIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Leslie Hawkins
Age : 35
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304625
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCS
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Chanel Copeland
Age : 27
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304628
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Tameera Dillon
Age : 22
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304627
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Elvee Evans III
Age : 24
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304641
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Totianna Gaston
Age : 23
Residence: Ford Heights, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304630
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Olivia Blakeley
Age : 29
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304636
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION - STALKING VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Steven Bogner
Age : 40
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304648
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Kristina Bohn
Age : 39
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304635
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Tammy Berry
Age : 64
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304626
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION - TRAFFICKING WITH AN INMATE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Christopher Arroyo
Age : 23
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304661
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SIMPLE - < $750; CONFINEMENT; RESISTING - INTERFERING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY; MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Melvin Pumphrey III
Age : 48
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304623
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Other
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dakota Robinson
Age : 20
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304631
Arrest Date: May 16, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/DEADLY WEAPON
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Michael Sullivan
Age : 43
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304684
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: New Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Shauntwain Johnson
Age : 46
Residence: Lansing, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304681
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Munster Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Karley Jensen
Age : 28
Residence: DeMotte, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304683
Arrest Date: May 18, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schneider Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - FIREARM - HANDGUN - W/NO PERMIT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cali Huerta
Age : 20
Residence: Oak Forest, IL
Booking Number(s): 2304680
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Cindy Irons
Age : 40
Residence: St. Petersburg, FL
Booking Number(s): 2304677
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: RIVERBOAT GAMBLING- CASINO GAMBLING VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jack Hampton
Age : 43
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304671
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCC
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
John Huber
Age : 41
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304678
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT - KIDNAPPING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Chauncey Hackett Jr.
Age : 32
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304673
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCC
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Antwon Butler
Age : 27
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304670
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: DEALING - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Aundra Butler
Age : 38
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304672
Arrest Date: May 17, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCC
Offense Description: Domestic Battery
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
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Get local news delivered to your inbox! | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/hammond-man-charged-with-shooting-gun-during-dispute-with-woman-crown-point-police-say/article_1c7862e8-0620-11ee-b820-4b89edc64e08.html | 2023-06-08T18:28:06 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/hammond-man-charged-with-shooting-gun-during-dispute-with-woman-crown-point-police-say/article_1c7862e8-0620-11ee-b820-4b89edc64e08.html |
BRIDGETON — A city man murdered over the weekend told police who shot him, according to an affidavit against his alleged killer.
Brock Hogans told police that William O. Ware IV, 25, arrived at Hogans' home in the second block of North Street and shot him once in the torso at 2:49 a.m. Sunday, the affidavit states.
Ware was arrested at police headquarters Monday afternoon and charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
He is being held at the Cumberland County jail.
Police found Hogans in the rear of the residence leaning against his car, the affidavit states.
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While being aided by police, Hogans initially told an officer that his girlfriend's brother shot him, the affidavit states. The girlfriend, whose name was redacted from the document, was interviewed by police about Hogans' claim, adding she was "frantic" and told police the shooting was "a random act of violence."
The girlfriend questioned Hogans' statement, telling a police officer, "Who said it was my brother?" the affidavit states.
Hogans was taken to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden , where he was pronounced dead. Before being flown there by helicopter, he was treated at Inspira Health Center Bridgeton, where he told an officer that "William Owens Ware" shot him, the affidavit states.
Police retrieved footage of the shooting from a nearby home, the affidavit states. In the video, two men exit a vehicle that arrived in the rear of Hogans' home before one fires at Hogans before getting in the car and leaving. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bridgeton-murder-victim-knew-alleged-killer-police-records-say/article_4b6263ae-0532-11ee-8f02-1b146ca2f752.html | 2023-06-08T18:30:34 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bridgeton-murder-victim-knew-alleged-killer-police-records-say/article_4b6263ae-0532-11ee-8f02-1b146ca2f752.html |
MAURICE RIVER TOWNSHIP — The lifeguard stand is headed for the beach in Lavallette this summer, but for the men who built it, it will be awhile before they can see it.
In a carpentry workshop on the grounds of Bayside State Prison, these incarcerated men couldn't help but think about their own beach memories as they worked on the painted-white, cedar, three-person Jersey Shore lifeguard stand.
"That's the first thing I say, where's the sand?" said Henry Hernandez, 38, who grew up going to Orchard Beach in the Bronx, on New York's Pelham Bay. "It's pretty cool."
Hernandez built fish ponds in Bergen County before he was sentenced to prison for an assault. He's appreciative of the skills he's learning in the state program known as DeptCor, and proud that his work will travel from the prison yard to its beautiful, and public, setting on the beach.
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His release date is April 26, 2024 (not that he's counting), so it'll be next summer, Hernandez says, before he can take his children, ages 20, 19, 16, 10 and 5, to show them his handiwork. The stand will be a positive testimonial to an otherwise regrettable life chapter.
"I'll tell the kids, yeah, I built this," he said, then added with a laugh, "They might not believe me."
Hernandez says he hasn't spent much time at the Jersey Shore, though he says other men at Bayside are hyping it all the time. He's more of a Florida, Bronx or man-made Jersey lake family trip guy.
Nearby, William Beam, 45, of Newark, says he is 28 years into a 50-year sentence for murder that granted parole eligibility at 30 years. He's headed for a halfway house soon, he says, and upon release, plans to go to Miami to work on deep sea fishing boats.
A Dennis Township man was arrested last week after authorities found child pornography on hi…
After his long journey in prison, beginning when he was a teenager, he's now in minimum security with a carpentry job building sheds and lifeguard stands.
"These things are important for the community and the people," Beam said. "We have two good teachers who put us on a successful path. There are a lot of things you learn that you take with you."
His own memories of the beach are mostly from Miami and other parts of Florida, he says, still vivid from decades ago. "Volleyball, fishing, crabbing, catching whiting," he said. "I did a lot of things. Deep sea fishing."
Over the last five years, the incarcerated men in the DeptCor Bureau of State Use Industries program have built about 25 lifeguard stands, now mostly in Cape May and the Wildwoods, plus benches for Ocean City, and about 200 of the colorful beach storage boxes rented out in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest.
They have also built some portable wooden walkways for Wildwood's expansive beaches.
The demand for the beach boxes grew to the point that they're now done at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, said Amy Z. Quinn, a spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections.
It's a welcome lift out of the daily routine of incarceration as they work to create something of value for the community and learn job skills from supervisor Craig Day and lead carpenter Mark Andres. The inmates eligible for the program are under minimum supervision.
The men get a $5 a day stipend.
A Pleasantville man pleaded guilty Tuesday to a firearms charge in exchange for a five-year …
Hernandez says the small stipend is fine, even as their work is ending up in wealthy beach towns (Lavallette has a median home sale price of $970,000).
"It's not about the pay," Hernandez said. "It's about the experience. It's a trade you pay for."
The finished products are sold to municipalities, with the lifeguard stands fetching about $1,200 each, or state agencies.
There are tens of thousands of unfilled manufacturing jobs in New Jersey, said Brian Gallagher, who oversees the DeptCor vocational programs, which also include a bakery, print shop, horticulture programs, a sign shop and a very busy shed building program aimed mostly for use by the Department of Transportation.
The agencies, schools or municipalities can choose from a catalog of items that are exempt from the usual bidding process.
Another carpenter on this day, Joseph Walters, 35, of Middlesex County, is serving a sentence on a theft charge stemming from "making the wrong decisions," he said. He hopes to be paroled in two months or max out early next year.
Walters says he has never heard of Lavallette; his own beach time was spent just south of there in Seaside Heights and the beaches on the Raritan Bay in Central Jersey such as Cliffwood and Laurence Harbor.
"I miss hanging out," he said, "having bonfires. I avoided trouble for awhile."
A Little Egg Harbor Township man will spend 15 years in prison for soliciting a 13-year-old …
He said he will consider going to see the lifeguard stand in its spot along the Atlantic Ocean in the Ocean County beach town.
"Who knows, maybe one day I'll be there," he said. "I probably won't even recognize it."
The men and their supervisors say they are proud of what they've built.
"Two years ago, a lifeguard stand was hit by lightning," said Day, the supervisor. "It was one of ours. It's on video. I think they just had to replace one board."
"I'm proud to say we built something," Hernandez said. "A shed is like building a little tiny home. Tiny homes are very popular."
Hernandez, the Bronx native, said the work on the lifeguard stands, and the conversations that has led to with other incarcerated men, has piqued his interest in exploring the Jersey Shore, a place he's never been outside of a few trips to Atlantic City.
"I hear a lot of people thinking about the shore down here," Hernandez said. "Everybody speaks about it here. I'm like, 'I'm going to have to go to the shore now.'" | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/in-a-prison-far-from-the-beach-these-men-are-building-lifeguard-stands/article_82fa1e7a-060d-11ee-90d0-d710e598e869.html | 2023-06-08T18:30:34 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/in-a-prison-far-from-the-beach-these-men-are-building-lifeguard-stands/article_82fa1e7a-060d-11ee-90d0-d710e598e869.html |
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