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Richmond International Airport is busy and likely to be busier after starting new routes to four major markets last month, 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 started last month to four destinations: the New York-Islip airport on Long Island, east of the city; Jacksonville, Florida; Providence, Rhode Island; and Cincinnati.
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.
Richmond's airport underwent a major expansion of its facilities in 2007. | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/richmond-international-airport/article_9a674db8-0607-11ee-95f3-bb3b3a36c702.html | 2023-06-08T21:23:24 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/richmond-international-airport/article_9a674db8-0607-11ee-95f3-bb3b3a36c702.html |
Pellissippi State to ORNL: Officials ink path for students to go to work at lab
Two of three new classes will be taught by lab's scientists; students don't have to earn bachelor's degree
A partnership between Pellissippi State Community College and Oak Ridge National Laboratory is expected to bring new career options to students and a stronger workforce to the lab.
Representatives from the college and ORNL signed on May 31 a Memorandum of Understanding for the new Chemical Radiation Technology pathway, an option within Pellissippi State’s multidisciplinary Associate of Applied Science in General Technology degree.
Three new classes - two taught by experienced ORNL scientists - have been added to the college’s existing curricula, and students who take them will be prepared to enter the workforce at ORNL and other national labs even without first completing a bachelor’s degree. In addition, they’ll visit the ORNL campus during their studies and will be well-positioned for internships and other opportunities, according to an ORNL news release.
Pellissippi State President L. Anthony Wise Jr. called the new pathway “a great example of the work that we want to do” by partnering with organizations that have significant impact in the region. He said around 80% of Pellissippi State students stay in the area after graduation.
“We’ve got a curriculum for students to follow,” Wise said. “We’ve got opportunities for students to get to the lab, to see what work is like at the lab, to understand what it’s like to be a professional at the lab, and to dream about what it would be like to be a person who worked there.”
Kane Barker, dean of Natural and Behavioral Sciences at the college, said the new pathway was active within a year of the college meeting with the ORNL team, led by Clarice Phelps, a nuclear chemist in the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate. Normally, it takes two years to institute such an option, he said, but students already can register for fall 2023 classes.
“Now that we’ve blazed this path, others can follow,” Barker said.
He said the new pathway includes elements of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and applied chemistry, among other disciplines.
“We’re really combining everything a student needs to become a graduate and an employee,” he said.
Those employees will be crucial to ORNL’s success as it continues to increase and improve production of isotopes for medicine, industry, national security and scientific research, said Jeff Smith, interim lab director. For example, ORNL now produces multiple radioisotopes for cancer treatment clinical trials, and it’s the only place in the world some rare isotopes are produced.
“We have capabilities and assets that are unlike anyplace else in the United States,” Smith said, “and we have activity underway already that’s starting to build momentum.”
The new pathway will let local students take advantage of that, making a career at ORNL - and making a difference. He noted that Phelps was part of a team involved in discovering a new element on the periodic table: Element 117, named Tennessine.
“That’s the kind of opportunity that people who come to work for ORNL get,” Smith said. “They get a chance to do something that, in many cases, really makes an impact on the world.”
For more information on the Chemical Radiation Technology pathway, contact Dean Kane Barker at kmbarker1@pstcc.edu or 865-694-6695. | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/pellissippi-state-to-ornl-students-can-go-to-work-at-lab-under-pact/70291012007/ | 2023-06-08T21:30:15 | 0 | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/07/pellissippi-state-to-ornl-students-can-go-to-work-at-lab-under-pact/70291012007/ |
LOCAL
Democratic Women host picnic June 10 at Norris Commons
Kay Brookshire
Special to The Oak Ridger
The Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club will host a picnic for families, friends and members from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 10 at the pavilion near Norris Commons, in front of Norris Middle School, 5 Norris Square.
Those attending are invited to bring picnic side dishes or desserts. The club will provide hot dogs, condiments and drinks.
For more information, email Democratic Women’s Club President Ann Mostoller at amostoller@msw-law.com. | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/anderson-county-democratic-women-picnic-june-10-at-norris-tennessee/70290219007/ | 2023-06-08T21:30:21 | 1 | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/anderson-county-democratic-women-picnic-june-10-at-norris-tennessee/70290219007/ |
GREENSBORO — Western Guilford High School graduating senior Supreme Robinson has a few feathers in his cap from his 12th grade year.
Like being named homecoming king by his classmates, serving on the superintendent's council at the recommendation of his principal, and landing a $20 an-hour job as a package handler with FedEx through a school internship program.
Out of all of it, Robinson said he sees his graduation as the biggest accomplishment.
"It was hard to get here — a lot of obstacles," he said.
Earlier in high school, Robinson had gotten in trouble frequently, he said. But Robinson said after he lost a friend he realized, "life is very serious and it can be taken away from you at any time."
Another thing he realized as he grew up, he said, was that "people are always going to have something to say, and it's not worth fighting over ... a lot of this stuff, it's not worth even entertaining," he said. "Once I learned that, it made school a lot easier."
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During senior year, Robinson interviewed for, and got, an internship working as a package handler with FedEx, where Western Guilford staff say they hear he is making a good impression.
"I think he has the ability to connect with just about anybody," said Jeff Silverthorne, the Global Supply Management teacher.
The opportunity with FedEx came up through Robinson's participation in Western Guilford High School's Signature Career Academy of Transportation, Distribution & Global Logistics. Robinson is among the first class of graduates from the academy, which started in 2019.
At FedEx, Robinson has been enjoying his work, including figuring out how to best stack packages to fill the large metal rectangular containers that FedEx uses for its air shipments, to ensure that everything can fit. He's seeing and applying first-hand some of the knowledge he gained about in the career academy.
"It's fun; it's very interesting," he said of his job. "You learn something new every day."
This fall, he'll be studying supply-chain logistics at GTCC while continuing to work at FedEx, where he's looking to work his way up.
"You've just got be consistent," he said, "And show that you want to be there." | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/fedex-logistics-supply-chain-supreme-robinson-guilford-county-schools-western-guilford-high-school-signature-career-academy/article_60f40d6e-060c-11ee-8292-ffe3e8d1e5bd.html | 2023-06-08T21:30:58 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/fedex-logistics-supply-chain-supreme-robinson-guilford-county-schools-western-guilford-high-school-signature-career-academy/article_60f40d6e-060c-11ee-8292-ffe3e8d1e5bd.html |
BLOOMINGTON — A 30-year-old convicted felon from Cook County was sentenced Thursday in McLean County to four years in prison for firearm possession.
Tony Jenkins received his sentence before Judge Amy McFarland, who accepted his guilty plea on unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (Class 2 felony).
At the time of Jenkins' booking, his last known residency was in Las Vegas, but it is unclear whether he was from there at the time of the incident.
The Pantagraph previously reported that Jenkins and Anthony T. Kolks, 27, were found with more than 30 pounds of marijuana during a June 19, 2020, traffic stop by the McLean County Sheriff's Department on Interstate 55 near Funks Grove.
Jenkins
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jenkins was the passenger in the vehicle at the time of the arrest, and a search during the booking process revealed a loaded .45 caliber Glock handgun.
As part of his plea agreement, charges for manufacturing and delivery of marijuana between 2,000 to 5,000 grams and possession of marijuana of less than 2,000 grams were dismissed.
Kolks was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of more than 5,000 grams of cannabis.
Jenkins was sentenced to four years in prison in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for seven days served, and one year of mandatory supervised release.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Ashley Scarborough. Defense attorney Stephanie Wong represented Jenkins.
Updated mug shots from The Pantagraph
Bryant Lewis
Bryant Lewis, 28, of Bloomington, is charged with home invasion causing injury, a Class X felony. His next appearance is Dec. 30.
Connor Wood
Derek Roesch
Derek Roesch of Saybrook was charged Thursday, Nov. 10 in McLean County Law and Justice Center with several counts, including:
-Two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, Class 2 felonies
-One count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon while on parole, Class 2 felony
-Two counts of unlawful possession of firearm ammunition by a felon, class 2 felonies
-One count of unlawful possession of firearm ammunition by a felon while on parole, class 2 felony
-Unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver (greater than 2000 grams but less than 5000 grams), a class 1 felony
-Unlawful possession of cannabis (greater than 2000 grams but less than 5000 grams), a class 2 felony
-Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, psylocibin less than 15 grams, a class 4 felony
-Unlawful possession of methamphetamine, less than five grams, a class 3 felony.
-Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, a class A misdemeanor
Justin M. Mata
Justin M. Mata, 28, no address given, is charged with possession of less than five grams of meth with intent to deliver, a Class 2 felony, and possession of less than five grams of meth, a Class 3 felony. He was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond and his next appearance is Dec. 30.
Connor Wood
Marcus D. Wesley
Marcus D. Wesley, 36, is charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle (Class 4 felony), unlawful possession of cannabis (Class 3 felony) and unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver (Class 2 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Phillip Tinch
Phillip Tinch of Normal was charged Thursday, Nov. 10 at the McLean County Law and Justice Center with several felonies including:
- Five counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, more than one but less than 15 grams of a substance containing cocaine, a Class 1 felony.
-One count of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, less than one gram of a substance containing cocaine, a Class 2 felony.
Trisha L. Hanke
Trisha L. Hanke, 36, is charged with theft of over $10,000 (Class 2 felony). Court documents indicate she knowingly took $14,000 belonging to a Love's Travel Stop, in LeRoy, where she was employed.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
William B. Givens
William B. Givens, 49, no address given, is charged with unlawful possession of five to 15 grams of meth with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony, possession of less than five grams of meth with intent to deliver, a Class 2 felony, possession of five to 15 grams of meth, a Class 2 felony, and possession of less than five grams of meth, a Class 3 felony. His next appearance is Dec. 30.
Connor Wood
David L. Oliver
David L. Oliver, 51, of Bloomington, is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault.
Kenneth E. Funk
Kenneth E. Funk, 27, is charged with residential burglary (Class 1 felony) involving an apartment in Lexington on Dec. 31, 2022.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jordan R. King
Charges have been filed against Jordan R. King, 34, for violation of the Illinois Violent Offender Against Youth Act.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Holly M. Isaacson
Isaacson
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Kenneth L. Minton
Kenneth L. Minton, 51, is charged with aggravated home repair fraud (Class 2 felony) and theft (Class 3 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Tony L. Jackson
Tony L. Jackson, 50, is charged for violation of the Illinois Violent Offender Against Youth Act (Class 2 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Britley L. Hilger
Britley L. Hilger, 32, is charged with aggravated battery (Class 2 felony) after she supposedly punched a McLean County Detention Facility officer in the chest.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jasmine L. Smith
Jasmine L. Smith, 31, is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol (Class 2 felony) and five counts of endangering the life or health of a child (Class A misdemeanors).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jackie S. Claypool
Jackie S. Claypool, 46, appeared for a Friday bond court hearing for two new cases which charged her for one count of burglary (Class 2 felony), four counts of forgery (Class 3) and one count of deceptive practices (Class 4 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Noah R. Demuth
Noah R. Demuth, 22, of Evanston, is charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, a Class 2 felony, aggravated battery in a public way, a Class 3 felony, mob action, a Class 4 felony, and obstructing a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor. His next court date is Feb. 17.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Brandon L. Parsano
Brandon L. Parsano, 39, is charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, a Class 2 felony. His next appearance is Feb. 17 for an arraignment.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Alexander N. Williams
Alexander N. Williams, 24, was charged Feb. 2 with the following:
3 counts of unlawful delivery of cannabis between 30 and 500 grams - Class 3 felonies. 2 counts of armed violence - Class X felonies. 1 count of unlawful possession of cannabis between 2,000 and 5,000 grams with the intent to sell - a Class 1 felony. 1 count of unlawful possession of cannabis between 500 and 2,000 grams with the intent to sell - a Class 2 felony. 3 counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon - Class 3 felonies. 1 count of unlawful possession of firearm ammunition by a felon - a Class 3 felony 3 counts of violating the Illinois FOID act - Class 3 felonies.
PROVIDED BY MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Carlos Sanchez-Solozarzano
Carlos H. Sanchez-Solozarzano, 22, was charged with 1 count of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony.
PROVIDED BY MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jaylin S. Bones
Jaylin S. Bones was charged with four counts of first-degree murder stemming from a homicide in Bloomington last year. A McLean County grand jury also returned a bill of indictment charging him with attempted first degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm (Class X felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jordan R. King
Jordan R. King, 34, was charged with violating the Illinois Violent Offender Against Youth Act (Class 2 felony) a second time in under a month.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Dominique M. Banks
Dominique M. Banks, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated battery involving strangulation (Class 2 felony). The incident happened in October 2022 and involved one victim.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Austin T. Daugherty
Austin T. Daugherty, 29, was charged with burglary (Class 2 felony) after he entered an Avis Car Rental, 3201 Cira Drive, in Bloomington, without permission and with the intent to commit theft.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Sandra M. Lewis
Sandra M. Lewis, 77, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance containing MDMB-4E-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid, with the intent to deliver (Class X felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Samantha E. Morris
Samantha E. Morris, 40, is charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer (Class 2 felony) after supposedly spitting on a Colfax police officer.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Nolan C. Love
Nolan C. Love, 46, appeared in court Friday for a bond review hearing after being charged with aggravated domestic battery involving strangulation (Class 2 felony) on Feb. 26.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Nikkita L. Sandefur
Nikkita L. Sandefur, 36, is charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (Class 2 felony) containing cocaine.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Katlin M.B. Wilson
Katlin M.B. Wilson, 32, is charged with aggravated identity theft (Class 2 felony) after being accused of fraudulently obtaining money exceeding $300 but not exceeding $10,000 from a 60 year old man.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Eli C. Garozzo
Eli C. Garozzo, 20, is charged with two counts of home invasion, a Class X felony, two counts of attempted armed robbery, a Class 1 felony, and two counts of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony. His bond was set at $200,000 as a 10% bond, meaning he must pay $20,000 plus fees to be released. His next appearance is an arraignment on April 13.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Tysean T. Townsend
Tysean T. Townsend, 35, is charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony), three counts of child abduction, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and obstructing justice (Class 4 felonies).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Curtis J. Byrd
Curtis J. Byrd, 31, is charged with two counts of burglary (Class 2 felony), two counts of fraud and two counts of financial institution fraud (Class 3 felonies).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Noral K. Nelson
Noral K. Nelson, 31, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm (Class 4 felony) after he was arrested in connection to a shooting along the 1500 block of S. Main Street.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Charles J. Tankson
Charles J. Tankson, 23, was charged with burglary (Class 2 felony), theft and two counts of unlawful use of a debit card (Class 3 felonies).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Davis, Micah S
Davis was charged with 3 counts of arson, Class 2 felonies, and 3 counts of criminal damage to property, Class 4 felonies.
His next court date is May 5 at 9 a.m.
PROVIDED BY THE MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Livingston, Joshua D.
Livingston was charged with 2 counts of possessing stolen vehicles, Class 2 felonies, possession of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony, and criminal damage to government property, a Class 4 felony.
His next court date is May 5 at 9 a.m.
PROVIDED BY THE MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Kevin L. Ewen
Kevin L. Ewen, 42, appeared in a Thursday bond court hearing and was charged with aggravated battery (Class 2 felony), obstructing a peace officer (Class 4 felony) and two counts of resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Emmanuel K. Mpay
Emmanuel K. Mpay, 23, appeared in a Thursday bond court hearing following a grand jury indictment for two counts of criminal sexual assault (Class 1 felonies).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Ahmad S. Manns
Ahmad S. Manns, 19, appeared in a Friday bond court hearing and was charged with cannabis trafficking (Class X felony), unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver (Class 1 felony) and unlawful possession of cannabis (Class 2 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Dylan R Mann
Dylan R Mann, 31, appeared Friday in bond court following four grand jury indictments for two separate cases relating to aggravated assault and battery.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Tony L. Jackson
Tony L. Jackson, 50, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle (Class 2 felony), domestic battery, violation of an order of protection and driving while license revoked or suspended (Class 4 felonies).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
William R. Linden
William R. Linden, 79, was released Tuesday on felony burglary charges for trying to pass a forged check at Busey Bank.
Zadek U. Moen
Zadek U. Moen, 20, is facing six felony drug charges after being arrested by the Illinois State Police on Thursday.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Zachary T. Willis
Zachary T. Willis, 27, is charged with aggravated domestic battery by strangulation (Class 2 felony) and domestic battery subsequent offense (Class 4 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Cecily M. Sexton
Cecily M. Sexton, 39, was charged with two counts of burglary, a Class 2 felony; one count of forgery, a Class 3 felony; financial institution fraud, a Class 3 felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Tonisha A. Jackson
Tonisha A. Jackson, 27, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
James A. McConnaughay
James A. McConnaughay, 53, appeared in a Friday bond court hearing before Judge Amy McFarland. McConnaughay is charged with unlawful possession of 5-15 grams of methamphetamine (Class 2 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Jessica M. Longberry
Jessica M. Longberry, 38, appeared in a Friday bond court hearing before Judge Amy McFarland. Longberry is charged with burglary (Class 2 felony) and forgery (Class 3 felony).
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Barry D. Guyton
Barry D. Guyton, 26, was charged with two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (Class 2 felonies) two counts of unlawful possession of 15-100 of cocaine with the intent to deliver with one being a Class X felony and the other being a Class 1 felony.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Keon E. Spiller
Keon E. Spiller, 22, appeared in a Friday bond court hearing before Judge Amy McFarland and was charged with attempted escape after his jury trial reached a verdict.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Melina Aguilar
Melina Aguilar, 32, was charged with harassment of witnesses (Class 2 felonies) after asking a witness to lie on the record.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Carlos D. Cregan
Carlos D. Cregan, 35, was charged with harassment of witnesses (Class 2 felonies) after asking a witness to lie on the record.
MCLEAN COUNTY JAIL
Contact Mateusz Janik at (309) 820-3234. Follow Mateusz on Twitter:@mjanik99
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PHOENIX — Arizona's governor has stopped the state from prohibiting transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that do not match their sex as assigned at birth.
In a short veto message Thursday, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs called the legislation "yet another discriminatory act against LGBTQ+ youth passed by the majority at the state Legislature.''
Hobbs, who earlier nixed legislation forbidding teachers from using a student's preferred pronoun, warned the Republicans who control the House and Senate not to send her similar measures.
"I will veto every bill that aims to attack and harm children,'' she wrote.
Hobbs vetoed four other measures Thursday, bringing her total so far this legislative session to 110.
Other rejected legislation includes:
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- Requiring Pima and Maricopa counties to provide at least one polling location in each legislative district that allows voters with early ballots to come in and have them tabulated on site. Hobbs said the requirement "presents significant logistical and cost challenges for election administrators that are left unresolved by this bill."
- Barring any election officer or appointee from being a member of any political action committee. She called it a solution in search of a problem that may not even exist.
- Increasing the amount of money individuals can divert from income taxes owed to the state to instead fund scholarships for students to attend private and parochial schools. Hobbs said such credits reduced state income tax collections more than $271.8 million last year, a move that "diverts much needed funding from our public schools.''
- Requiring the Elections Procedures Manual, now prepared by the secretary of state with approval of the governor and attorney general, to be approved by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. She called the measure another example of "legislative meddling with Arizona elections.''
'Reasonable accommodation'
The measure on restrooms and locker rooms at public schools was the most controversial.
It would have required schools to provide a "reasonable accommodation'' to a student who is unwilling or unable to use a facility that matches their sex assigned at birth.
The accommodation could have included a single-occupancy room, a room for faculty or staff, or allowing students to use a restroom or locker room for the opposite sex when no one of that sex was present.
The legislation would also have applied to sleeping facilities during any overnight school trips.
It defined "sex'' as "determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of the person's birth'' as evidenced by a document that reflects the individual's birth certificate.
The measure also would have allowed anyone who encountered someone of the opposite sex in a multi-occupancy restroom or changing facility to file suit and recover claims for all psychological, emotional and physical harm suffered.
Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, called the legislation a matter of common sense.
"Modesty is a basic universal and historic human instinct,'' he said during debate on the measure. "It goes back to Adam and Eve hiding behind the bush after the apple was eaten.''
"A school rule or a state law or a court decision cannot change that natural instinct of modesty,'' he said. "And I think we have to respect that.''
'Open-minded' young people
Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, said such legislation would further isolate transgender students and cause harm.
"They are at immediate risk for all kinds of things, particularly suicide,'' she said.
Marsh said there is another solution. She said if some students do not feel comfortable using a facility with a transgender individual, perhaps they should be the ones who have to use those "reasonable accommodations'' rather than singling out the transgender students.
Kavanagh called that unworkable. "That would be an unbelievable burden upon our schools and take valuable funding away,'' he said.
"Quite frankly, I don't know what the percentage of transgender students are,'' Kavanagh said. "But I suspect it's well under 1%,'' meaning schools would have to provide special accommodations for the other 99%.
Marsh wasn't convinced.
"Well, 99% of the kids aren't going to be offended or have a problem sharing a bathroom because our young people are remarkably open-minded,'' she said.
Kavanagh said the legislation was about more than about bathrooms with separate stalls.
"There's something terribly wrong with making a 15-year-old high school freshman coed stand naked in the school shower next to a naked 16-year-old biological male who may identify as female,'' he said.
Marsh said that problem is easily resolved if schools are required to install shower curtains. Curtains make sense, regardless of who is using the shower, she said.
Previous attempts
This isn't Kavanagh's first effort to define such issues in Arizona law.
A decade ago he proposed making it a crime for someone to use a restroom, shower or locker room that did not match the person's gender. That measure covered not just schools but any public facilities. Violators could have gone to jail for up to six months.
It ran into several practical issues, including whether some people might be forced to carry around a birth certificate.
Kavanagh then revamped the measure to instead give business owners immunity from civil and criminal prosecution if they turn away someone from a restroom based on the belief of the owner or manager that person should not be using the facility. That variant proved no more successful.
The senator called his new measure a compromise. "It's trying to give something for everybody but respecting modesty,'' Kavanagh said.
In a prepared statement following the veto, he said Democratic lawmakers and Hobbs "are catering to an extremist culture by pushing 'gender neutrality' as a means to win political points from their liberal base while stealing dignity away from women and girls in the process.''
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-governor-vetoes-bill-on-transgender-students-bathroom-use/article_1369ab02-0617-11ee-bc00-037d76eb5079.html | 2023-06-08T21:32:19 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-governor-vetoes-bill-on-transgender-students-bathroom-use/article_1369ab02-0617-11ee-bc00-037d76eb5079.html |
alert top story Take our Tucson monsoon quiz! Jesse Tellez Jun 8, 2023 1 hr ago Arizona Daily Star Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Jesse Tellez Test your knowledge of monsoon trivia as summer approaches: Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Photos: 2022 monsoon around Tucson Pedestrians wade through a flooded 2nd Street just east of Park Avenue when an unexpected monsoon storm dumped inches of rain in the midtown area, Tucson, Ariz., Sept. 28, 2022. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star A boy uses his backpack to shield himself from the monsoon storm in downtown Tucson, Ariz. on September 28, 2022. Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star A rainbow appears over the historic Pima County Courthouse following a rainstorm in downtown Tucson, Ariz. on Sept. 13, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star George Lucero, right, holds an umbrella while talking and watching a rainstorm with David DeBergalis at Babad Do'ag scenic overlook on the Catalina Highway on Sept. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Tucson Fire Department Ladder 16 helped a victim safely out of the Alamo Wash just south of 22nd Street around 8 p.m Thursday, Aug. 25. Tucson Fire Department Tucson Electric Power workers watch while a utility pole snapped during a monsoon storm is slowly raised along South Kolb Rd, between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd. On Thursday. North bound traffic is closed along South Kolb Rd. between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd. while the work progresses. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A Tucson Electric Power crane slowly raises a damaged power pole along South Kolb Rd, between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd., on Thursday. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A utility pole snapped during a monsoon storm rests on a home along South Kolb Rd, between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd. on Aug. 25, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star South bound traffic pass Tucson Electric Power while TEP works along South Kolb Rd, between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd., to repair multiple power poles in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 25, 2022. The poles were damaged due to a monsoon storm. Work is expected through the week. North bound traffic is closed along South Kolb Rd. between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Tucson Electric Power employees work on a newly installed power pole while other TEP employees work along South Kolb Rd, between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd., to repair multiple power poles in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 25, 2022. The poles were damaged due to a monsoon storm. Work is expected through the week. North bound traffic is closed along South Kolb Rd. between East Golf Links Rd. and East Escalante Rd. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Tucson Fire Department personnel perform a swift water rescue for a man trapped by flood waters under the Blacklidge Drive bridge at Walnut Avenue, Tucson, Ariz., August 24, 2022. The man refused treatment at the scene. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Lightning hits behind Tumamoc Hill just after sunset as a several monsoon storms move through Tucson, Ariz., August 23, 2022. The storms produced localized flooding from heavy rains, especially in the southern portions of the area. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Lightning strikes just west of Tumamoc Hill from a cell that built up just to the south of Tucson, Ariz., August 23, 2022. Several cells formed around the valley just before sunset, dropping rain and causing some localized flooding. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A large lightning strike silhouettes Tumamoc Hill, part of a series of monsoon storms that built up over the valley and Tucson, Ariz., August 23, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Two bolts of lightning strike near Sentinel Peak and southern Tucson, Ariz., August 23, 2022. Several storms brewed up around the area, producing heavy rain Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A bolt of lightning hits to the west of Tumamoc Hill during sun set, one several monsoon storms that dropped rain as well throughout Tucson, Ariz., August 23, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A couple walks in the rain at El Presidio Plaza as a monsoon storm travels across downtown Tucson August 19, 2022. Rain is expected throughout the weekend. Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star A waving motorcyclist ridings along North Soldier Trail while water from the Agua Caliente Wash flows over Soldier Trail in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A kayaker finishes riding the water inside the Rillito River near North Campbell Ave. and East River Rd. in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A motorist drives along North Soldier Trail while water from the Agua Caliente Wash flows over Soldier Trail in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A kayaker travels down the Rillito River near North Campbell Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star Cyclists ride along the Rillito River Park Trail while storm water flows inside the Rillito River under North Campbell Ave. in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A family looks at the running water inside the Rillito River while walking along the Rillito River Park Trail near North Craycroft Rd. and East River Rd. in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A dog swims inside the Rillito River near North Campbell Ave. and East River Rd. in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 21, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett Arizona Daily Star A semi-shrouded lightning bolt illuminates a shaft of rain dropping on the north-central part of town as a monsoon cell begins growing over Tucson, Ariz., August 17, 2022. Rain, at times heavy, and lightning fell over most of the valley during the early evening and into the night. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A car zooms through the foot-deep water flooding the intersection of Glenn Street and Tucson Boulevard, the after effect of a monsoon storm that expanded over Tucson, Ariz., August 17, 2022. The storm dropped rain over much of the valley starting shortly before sunset and into the night. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Lightning strikes the Santa Catalina Mountains near Pima Canyon during a monsoon storm on Aug. 10, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Lightning strikes the Santa Catalina Mountains near Pima Canyon during a monsoon storm on Aug. 10, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Monsoon storm moving Marana across slowly obscures the view of Picacho Peak 20 miles to the northwest on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star The clouds open and rain pours from a monsoon storm moving across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star A monsoon storm moves across Marana and into the Tortolita Mountains on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Power lines down on Linda Vista Drive between N. Bald Eagle Ave. and W. Waterbuck Drive after a powerful monsoon storm moved across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Power lines down on Linda Vista Drive between N. Bald Eagle Ave. and W. Waterbuck Drive after a powerful monsoon storm moved across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Lightning strikes the ground while a monsoon storm passes over the Rincon Mountains on the east side of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Visitors watch a monsoon storm as it passes over the Rincon Mountains on the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A monsoon storm passes over the Rincon Mountains on the east side of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A large bolt hits the southern end of the Rincon Mountain foothills, near Colossal Cave Road and Mary Ann Cleveland Way, part of a monsoon storm that spread rain, wind and hours of lightning in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star The last of the day's light hits monsoon storm clouds while lighting strikes in the Rincon Mountain foothills in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Lightning strikes in the southern Rincon Mountain foothills, the second night in row a monsoon storm moved in from the east and through Vail, Ariz., Aug. 7, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star The day's dying light catches the high monsoon storm clouds while lighting strikes in the Rincon Mountain foothills in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A bolt of lightning hits the southern slopes of the Rincon Mountains shortly after sunset, part of a monsoon storm as it rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Steady light rain was preceded by gusty winds as well as the light show. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Twin bolts hit the southern slopes of the Rincon Mountains as a monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2022. High winds and rain also flowed through the area into the night. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A large bolt touches down in the foothills of the southern Rincon Mountains, one of hundreds of lightning strikes generated from just before sunset until far into the night by a monsoon storm over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Shortly after sunset, a monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. The storm brought gusty winds, rain and hours of lightning as it headed northeast and into the Santa Cruz valley. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2022, dropping rain as well as lightning in the Rincon Mountains and foothills. Lightning was hitting throughout the area for several hours. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A large bolt hits in the lower reaches of the Rincon Mountain foothills as the monsoon storm makes its way into Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Three bolts in the vanguard of a monsoon storm strike the Rincon Mountains as it heads northwest and over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Two bolts of cloud-to-ground lightning fall from into the Rincon Mountain foothills from monsoon storm rolling west and into Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Multiple ground strikes as well as cloud-to-cloud lighting flashes around a home on a ridge southeast of Tucson, Ariz., Aug. 3, 2022. The storm was mostly east of the Rincon Mountains until midnight. Another band was moving to the west just south of the city. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Lightning and a column of rain from a late night monsoon storm rolls over the area southeast of Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2022. Frequent cloud-to-cloud as well as ground strikes were over the Vail area for much of the evening into the early morning hours. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Rain and lightning from a late night monsoon storm rolls over homes on a ridge southeast of Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A woman walks with her umbrella as a sprinkle of rain falls in downtown Tucson on Aug. 3, 2022. Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star A woman walks along Sixth Avenue as a sprinkle of rain falls in downtown Tucson on Aug. 3, 2022. Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star Pima County Wastewater Reclamation crew members clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Residents watch as crew members work to clear out rocks, dirt and mud off Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A Pima County Wastewater Reclamation crew member, right, reacts as water spills out of a tube while crew members work to clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star While crews work to clean up the damage from Sunday evenings monsoon storm, a Havasu Road and Columbus Blvd. sign lies on the side of road farther southeast then the Havasu Rd and Columbus Blvd. corner inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A residents car is stuck in a pile of mud along East Havasu Rd inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Resident Maria Perri shovels some dirt along East Havasu Rd. in front go her home inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. "It was a raging river down here," said Perri. Some residents hung out in her drive way to get away from the flooding, added Perri. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Workers from Pima County Wastewater Reclamation clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road and Columbus Blvd. in the Catalina Foothills on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Boulders and debris block Havasu Road at Columbus Blvd as seen on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash that swamped a handful of homes on in the Catalina Foothills on Sunday night. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star A mud-splattered wheelchair at an adult care home on Havasu Road in the Catalina Foothills on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. Rural Metro firefighters evacuated the residents after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Havasu Road east of Columbus Blvd. in the Catalina Foothills on Sunday night. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star A street sign fell victim to floodwaters on Havasu Road east of Columbus Blvd as seen on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Sunday night. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star A cyclist rides along The Loop at Grant Road next to the Santa Cruz River swollen with runoff from midtown Tucson storm on July 26, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Monsoon clouds rise above the desert floor southeast of Tucson, behind Tumamoc Hill on July 26, 2022. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star A monsoon storm begins dropping rain as it grows to the southeast of Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022. The cell was one of several that formed over the area, dumping rain on the plain for much of the afternoon. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A US Border Patrol truck heads east on State Route 82 as a monsoon storm boils up to the south just outside Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star The statue, Tribute to Ranching, stands under a growing monsoon cloud outside the Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association grounds, Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022. The cell was one of several that dumped rain on the area throughout the afternoon. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Onlookers get video and photos while watching the debris filled leading edge of water fill the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Heavy monsoon rains over the past few days has water flowing in some of the area washes and low lying areas. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Birdie the Golf Dog takes a cooling break in the water beginning to fill the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Paul Delligatti lines up his shot while recording video of the leading edge of floodwaters in the Tanque Verde Wash flow across Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Dustin Ovayvar, left, and his family, were among the handful that waited to catch the arrival of the leading edge of the waters heading down the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Tom Woodrow and his mother Diane wade through the northern channel after getting cut off watching the water fill the southern branch of the leading edge of flood water in the Tanque Verde Wash flow over Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Tucson Fire Department personnel pull a man out of the floodwaters of the Arroyo Chico rushing through a construction channel near 9th Avenue just north of 6th Street during a monsoon storm that dumped inches of rain on parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. The man was eventually carried to a nearby ambulance. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A driver has second thoughts about driving into the flooded Arroyo Chico in midtown during a monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. The driver eventually turned around. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A driver takes his SUV into the running waters of the Arroyo Chico in midtown during a monsoon storm, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A Jeep blasts at high speed into the flooded Arroyo Chico after a monsoon storm dumped inches of rain on parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A woman and her curious dog get a closer look at the flood waters of Arroyo Chico running over Plummer Avenue during a monsoon storm that dumped inches of rain over parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star A driver takes a jeep through the high waters of Arroyo Chico running over Plummer Avenue during a monsoon storm through the area, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Krishna Ghimire and Sumod Bastakoti take a selfie of themselves with storm clouds approaching from Sentinel Peak Park on July 26, 2022. Shekib Rahmani / Arizona Daily Star A lightning bolt hits in the valley as an afternoon monsoon storm rolls over east central Tucson, Ariz., July 22, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star The setting sun lights up the patchy monsoon clouds overhead as Omar Rojas Jr. works on pitching out of the stretch with his dad, Omar Sr., on the diamond at David G. Herrera and Ramon Quiroz Park, Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2022. The two Omars were working out while daughter/sister Julissa practiced nearby with her softball team. Monsoon 2022 may finally bring the rain, with precipitation forecast this weekend and throughout the coming week. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Mammatus clouds roll over the evening skies west of the Tucson Mountains during a little light monsoon activity around Tucson, Ariz., July 15, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star With a monsoon cell dropping a bit of rain to the west, fans find seats in the grandstands long the strip during Street Rally night at the Tucson Dragway Tucson, Ariz., June 11, 2022. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Sarah Travis and her son John Donnelly, on shovel duty, and his friend Kai Squire, take advantage of the Department of Transportation and Mobility's sandbag filling site in the east parking lot of Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, Ariz., June 17, 2022. The trio were helping a neighbor in need get ready for the coming rains. This is the seventh year DTM is providing bags and sand for residents to make sandbags to deal with monsoon flooding. Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star Pima County crews expanded the Chuck Huckelberry Loop along the Canyon del Oro Wash north of Magee Road on June 7 and cleared out brush in the channel and performed flood control measures to prevent water from monsoon rains flooding the path. Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star A vehicle travels down North Houghton Rd. while a small storm passes over the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Ariz. on June 27, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Two vehicles drive through a series of puddles on East Speedway after a rain storm passed through the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on June 27, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A crew with Hunter Contracting Co. work on a pathway surrounding a new storm basin while monsoon clouds build to the south of Cherry Avenue Park in Tucson, Ariz. on June 29, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star A rainbow fragment above Pima Canyon and the Santa Catalina Mountains on June 27. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Monsoon clouds over the Tohono O'Odham Nation loom behind the towers on Tumamoc Hill on June 28. Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star Olga Martinez, far left, and her daughter Raquel Diaz watch a monsoon storm pass over the Santa Catalina Mountains from "A" Mountain in Tucson, Ariz. on July 24, 2022. Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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Swooping hawk encounters across Tucson prompt warning Since May 22, there have been four reported encounters involving the birds of prey across the metro Tucson area, the Arizona Game and Fish Dep…
Flood district buys up pricey homes in Foothills neighborhood For Star subscribers: “This was an opportunity to remove people from harm’s way,” an official says, describing part of the preparation for mon…
Land a hot commodity in Tucson as new home prices approach $500K For Star subscribers: As existing homeowners hold onto their properties, demand is high for new builds in the Tucson area. However, affordabil…
Ride through Sabino Canyon under the moonlight with shuttle night tours The Sabino Canyon Crawler is offering weekly night tours of Sabino Canyon in Tucson, Arizona, every Saturday through October 2023. The 7.4-mil…
New eats! 15 new restaurants that opened in Tucson this spring This spring, Tucson is lucky to be getting a few kinds of new restaurants we haven't seen before: Bolivian street food, Moroccan-inspired sand… | https://tucson.com/news/local/take-our-tucson-monsoon-quiz/article_1355fed2-062f-11ee-a87e-93e869f38ed7.html | 2023-06-08T21:32:25 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/take-our-tucson-monsoon-quiz/article_1355fed2-062f-11ee-a87e-93e869f38ed7.html |
A 38-year-old Pleasant Prairie man is facing criminal charges for his alleged sexual conduct with children.
Justin W. Edmonds was charged in Kenosha County Circuit Court with repeated sexual assault of the same child (at least three violations of first or second-degree sexual assault) and attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16, both Class C felonies.
Edmonds was charged late last month but made his initial appearance at Intake Court this week. Court Commissioner Loren Keating imposed a $50,000 cash bond that Edmonds posted Tuesday, according to court records.
A preliminary hearing is set for June 21.
Criminal complaint
In October 2021, the Kenosha Police Department received a report of a minor who said Edmonds had inappropriately touched them, according to the criminal complaint.
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In spring 2022, two forensic interviews were conducted with the minor who reportedly said Edmonds touched them inappropriately and gave them a green liquid that made them sleepy. The minor reportedly said they did not know what happened after Edmonds allegedly gave them the liquid.
At the time the minor also reportedly described how Edmonds terrorized them and caused them to suffer extreme anxiety.
The minor met with a Kenosha Police detective in August 2022 and described how Edmonds had been inappropriately touching them for the last five or six years, according to the complaint.
In February 2023, a detective met with an adult who reported another minor who may have been assaulted by Edmonds in 2021. In March 2023, that minor, according to the complaint, spoke with a forensic interviewer and said Edmonds also touched them inappropriately. This minor also reportedly described how Edmonds once prepared them a drink that this minor believed made them fall asleep before being assaulted. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/crime-courts/pleasant-prairie-man-facing-charges-for-alleged-sexual-conduct-with-children/article_b500877c-0632-11ee-9f16-db926f973568.html | 2023-06-08T21:40:50 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/crime-courts/pleasant-prairie-man-facing-charges-for-alleged-sexual-conduct-with-children/article_b500877c-0632-11ee-9f16-db926f973568.html |
Two Kenosha siblings are in area hospitals following an argument that reportedly escalated to a stabbing Thursday morning.
Kenosha Police responded to a call in the 5000 block of 26th Avenue Thursday morning for a double stabbing. According to Kenosha Police Sgt. Jeffrey Galley, two adult siblings were arguing when one pulled out a pocket knife. The other sibling managed to get hold of the knife, and both siblings stabbed each other.
Both siblings were taken to hospitals following the incident, with one facing serious injuries.
Galley said criminal charges will likely be referred, but the incident is still under investigation. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/siblings-stab-each-other-both-in-hospital-after-argument-escalates-thursday-morning/article_cffbf4e8-061a-11ee-b6d3-a3f887fc9843.html | 2023-06-08T21:40:56 | 0 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/siblings-stab-each-other-both-in-hospital-after-argument-escalates-thursday-morning/article_cffbf4e8-061a-11ee-b6d3-a3f887fc9843.html |
A Linwood man involved in a health care fraud scheme the federal government says swindled state benefits plans out of about $50 million was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison.
Nicholas Tedesco, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for plotting with this brother, Matthew Tedesco, to help advance a conspiracy to receive kickbacks from compound prescription medications, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release.
Nicholas Tedesco will also be subject to three years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
In pleading guilty, Tedesco agreed to relinquish $782,767 and pay $2.04 million in restitution.
According to court records and testimony, Nicholas Tedesco worked under his brother as a sub-recruiter under William Hickman, of Northfield, to solicit compound libido creams and vitamins. The medications would be prescribed by physicians including Drs. John Gaffney and Brian Sokalsky.
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CAMDEN — A local doctor who approved compound prescriptions made through a health care fraud…
The medications would be made at Central Rexall Drugs in Hammond, Louisana, and shipped to their recipients. The conspirators would then be reimbursed "thousands of dollars," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
Authorities say the scheme, which transpired between July 2014 and April 2016, used recruiters, subordinates known as “sub-recruiters” and at least two out-of-state pharmacies that conspired to cheat New Jersey health insurance plans.
The conspirators capitalized on the fact that New Jersey’s State Health Benefits Program and School Employees Health Benefits Program both generously reimbursed pharmacies for these medications. Prosecutors say the ring collected the reimbursements, using some of the profit to pay kickbacks to doctors and employees who’d submitted the prescriptions, according to court documents.
Prosecutors say Nicholas Tedesco defrauded the plans of more than $2 million.
Matthew Tedesco pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme Aug. 17, 2017, and is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 26. Nicholas Tedesco’s co-defendant, Christopher Broccoli, pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme July 28, 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced July 26.
Gaffney and Sokalsky pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 16 and Aug. 22, respectively.
Who's been charged in the prescription fraud case?
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones, 25, of Willingboro, who worked as a medical assistant for Goldis, pleaded not guilty in October 2019 after being charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Andrew Gerstel
Andrew Gerstel, of Galloway Township, is a pharmaceutical representative. As part of his plea agreement, Gerstel must forfeit $184,389 in criminal proceeds he received for his role in the scheme and pay restitution of at least $483,946. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Ashley Lyons-Valenti
Advanced practice nurse Ashley Lyons-Valenti, 63, of Swedesboro, Gloucester County, allegedly persuaded her workers and subordinates at her medical office to receive prescription medications from the Pennsylvania pharmacy that they did not need, often without giving them a medical examination or recording the prescriptions in their medical records, officials said. Lyons-Valenti wrote prescriptions for which insurance paid over $1.25 million and she received over $90,000 in kickbacks.
Brian Pugh
Brian Pugh, of Absecon, co-owner of Tony’s Baltimore Grill and owner of BP Med 1 LLC., was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and with individual acts of health care fraud and wire fraud.
Brian Sokalsky
Dr. Brian Sokalsky, 42, of Margate, was charged with individual acts of health care and wire fraud. Officials allege that Sokalsky had an arrangement with Matthew Tedesco, of Northfield, who is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Tedesco would send patients to his practice, and Sokalsky would prescribe medications from a Louisiana pharmacy, which has only been identified as “Compounding Pharmacy 1” in court records.
Christopher Broccoli
Christopher Broccoli, of West Deptford, Gloucester County, a Camden firefighter, was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and with individual acts of health care fraud and wire fraud
Christopher Casseri
Christopher Casseri, 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a former executive at Central Rexall Drugs Inc., has been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and a second conspiracy to commit identity theft by using individuals’ personal identifying information without their consent.
Christopher Kyle Johnston
Christopher Kyle Johnston, 41, of Mandeville, Louisiana, a former executive at Central Rexall Drugs Inc., has been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and a second conspiracy to commit identity theft by using individuals’ personal identifying information without their consent.
Corey Sutor
Corey Sutor, of Egg Harbor Township, a Ventnor firefighter, admitted to receiving about $150,000 for his role in the scheme. He joined the Ventnor Fire Department in 2008.
Daniel Oswari
Dr. Daniel Oswari, 48, of Bordentown, who operated a practice in Trenton, pleaded not guilty in October 2019 after being charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Dr. Frank Alario
Dr. Frank Alario, 63, of Delray Beach, Florida, is charged with defrauding the New Jersey state health benefits programs and other insurers out of more than $2.5 million and unlawfully obtained and disclosed individually identifiable patient health information, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, as well as individual acts of health care fraud and wire fraud, according to the release. They also are charged with a second conspiracy to wrongfully obtain and disclose patients’ individually identifiable health information.
Edward Sutor
Edward Sutor, of Linwood, a Ventnor firefighter, admitted to receiving about $335,552 for his role in the scheme. Edward Sutor stated with the department in 2013.
George Gavras
George Gavras, of Moorestown, a Burlington County pharmaceutical representative, pleaded guilty to separate charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Gavras admitted to defrauding plans of more than $679,000 and must forfeit more than $204,000.
Hayley Taff
Hayley Taff, 37, CEO of Louisiana-based Central Rexall Drugs, pleaded guilty in August to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.
Taff faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. As part of the plea agreement, Taff must pay restitution of $51,670,251 and forfeiture of $1,553,616. Sentencing for is scheduled for Dec. 1.
James Wildman
James Wildman, of Marmora, an Ocean City school maintenance worker, admitted serving as a recruiter in the conspiracy, persuading individuals, especially those on the state health benefits plan, to obtain medically unnecessary compounded prescriptions in exchange for money. Wildman said he received $657,040 for his role in the scheme.
He was sentenced to 46 months in prison during a hearing in October.
Jason Chacker
Jason Chacker, 36, of Feasterville, Pennsylvania, a physician’s assistant who practiced in Mercer County, pleaded guilty in October 2019 before Judge Robert Kugler to conspiracy to commit health care fraud in the scheme involving compounded medications.
John Gaffney
John Gaffney, of Linwood, a Margate doctor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health-benefits fraud. According to court documents, Gaffney signed more than 200 unnecessary prescriptions for teachers, police and firefighters covered under the NJ Direct insurance plan.
John Sher
John Sher, 37, of Margate, a Margate firefighter, charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and with individual acts of health care fraud and wire fraud. Originally barred from meeting with his brothers without a lawyer or parent present, the bail condition was lifted by Judge Robert Kugler on March 27. The Shers' fourth brother, Dennis, was considered a potential witness to the alleged fraud.
Judd Holt
Judd Holt, of Marlton, a Burlington County pharmaceutical representative, pleaded guilty to separate charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Holt defrauded health-insurance plans of more than $769,000 and must forfeit more than $95,000.
Keith Ritson
Keith Ritson, 40, of the Bayville section of Berkeley Township, Ocean County, is charged with defrauding the New Jersey state health benefits programs and other insurers out of more than $2.5 million and unlawfully obtained and disclosed individually identifiable patient health information, conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, as well as individual acts of health care fraud and wire fraud, according to the release. They also are charged with a second conspiracy to wrongfully obtain and disclose patients’ individually identifiable health information.
Kristie Masucci
Kristie Masucci, of the Cedar Run section of Stafford Township, a former pharmaceutical representative from Ocean County was sentenced in August 20, 2019, to 24 months in prison, three years probation and faces restitution of more than $1.8 million.
Masucci served as a recruiter from January 2015 through February 2016, persuading individuals in Atlantic County and elsewhere with state benefits to obtain medically unnecessary compounded medications from an out-of-state pharmacy. She admitted to receiving $388,608 for her role in the conspiracy.
Mark Bruno
Mark Bruno, 45, a pharmaceutical sales representative from Northfield, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert B. Kugler to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and obstruction of justice on Dec. 17, 2019.
Bruno worked for a company that marketed compounded medications and received a percentage of the insurance payments. Bruno admitted that he received $68,872 from the company and caused $524,935 in losses.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20 in Camden.
Matthew Tedesco
Matthew Tedesco, of Northfield, a pharmaceutical sales representative, was the first to plead guilty to health care fraud charges in this case in August 2017. Tedesco also recruited patients to request expensive, unneeded drugs, without having seen a doctor, according to his plea.
Michael Goldis
Dr. Michael Goldis, 63, of Mount Laurel, who operated a practice in Stratford, pleaded not guilty in October 2019 after being charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Michael J. Sher
Michael Sher, of Northfield, retired unexpectedly from the Margate Fire Department in May 2018. Sher became the first Margate municipal employee to sign a plea agreement in this case.
Michael Neopolitan
Michael Neopolitan, of Willow Grove, a pharmaceutical sales representative, has admitted to defrauding New Jersey state health benefits programs and other insurers out of millions of dollars by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions.
Michael Pepper
Michael Pepper, of Northfield, a retired Atlantic City firefighter, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health-benefits fraud. As part of the plea agreement, Pepper will forfeit $113,627 and pay restitution of $719,481.
Michael Pilate
Michael Pilate, of Williamstown, and a Pleasantville High School guidance counselor, was described in court as a mid-level conspirator who received $500 from a co-conspirator per prescription he filled, according to court testimony. He also recruited other people and paid them each $500 per prescription, according to court testimony. As part of Pilate’s plea agreement, he must forfeit $392,684 and pay restitution of $3.49 million — the amount of fraud resulting from his participation in the scheme.
Nicholas Tedesco
Nicholas Tedesco, of Linwood, is a retail director for a local candy company. Tedesco admitted defrauding state benefits programs and other insurers out of more than $2 million by submitting fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said.
Richard Erick McAllister
Richard “Erick” McAllister, of Ocean City, teaches English at Pleasantville High School. He must forfeit $456,806 and pay restitution of at least $3.4 million for his role in the scheme, according to his plea agreement.
He was sentenced to 37 months in prison during a hearing in October.
Richard Zappala
Richard Zappala, of Northfield, a pharmaceutical sales representative, admitted to fraud totaling $4.3 million, which he must pay back. According to court documents, Zappala acted as a recruiter in the scheme, getting individuals to obtain expensive and medically unnecessary compounded medications from an out-of-state pharmacy from January 2015 through April 2016.
Robert Bessey
Robert Bessey, of Philadelphia, a gym floor installer, agreed to forfeit $485,540 and pay restitution of at least $2.7 million.
Robert Madonna
Robert Madonna, formerly of Atlantic County, currently of Florida, was one of the owners of a company formed to market prescription compounded medications, according to New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal. From May 2015 through February 2016, Madonna and others associated with the company persuaded individuals in New Jersey to obtain expensive and medically unnecessary compounded medications, Grewal said.
Sara Hickman
Sara Hickman, of Norhtfield, created Boardwalk Medical LLC which received roughly $26 million in kickbacks for its role, some of which it distributed to others in the enterprise for their services as recruiters.
During his plea agreement, William Hickman said he had asked his wife to create Boardwalk Medical LLC in 2013 to conceal the medical sales for other companies from his employer, and never told his wife what he was doing was illegal. He said he would use his wife’s email to conduct business in her name to conceal his involvement.
Shawn Sypherd
Shawn Sypherd, of Upper Township, a middle school teacher, admitted to conspiracy to commit fraud of the State Health Benefits Plan. Sypherd’s actions resulted in more than $2.4 million in fraudulent reimbursements from the State Health Benefits Plan. He received more than $354,264 for his role as a recruiter, according to court documents.
Steve Urbanski
Steve Urbanski, a pharmacological broker, served as a recruiter in the conspiracy. As part of the plea agreement, Urbanski will forfeit more than $113,668 and pay restitution of $752,291.
Steven Monaco
Laboratory sales representative Steven Monaco, 37, of Sewell, who founded and operated SMJ Consultants LLC, pleaded not guilty in October 2019 after being charged in a 33-count indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
Tara LaMonaca
Tara LaMonaca, of Linwood, a pharmaceutical representative, faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. LaMonaca must forfeit the $89,855 she received for her role in the scheme.
Thomas Hodnett
Thomas Hodnett, of Voorhees, a pharmaceutical sales representative, served as recruiter in the conspiracy. Hodnett agreed to forfeit more than $269,966 and pay restitution of $1.5 million.
Thomas Schallus
Thomas Schallus, a Ventnor police officer, was allegedly recruited by Pugh.
Thomas Sher
Thomas Sher, of Northfield, at left. He and his brother, John Sher, 37, of Margate, not shown, both Margate firefighters, were allegedly recruited by their brother Michael Sher, another Margate firefighter. Michael Sher pleaded guilty in the case earlier. Originally barred from meeting with his brothers without a lawyer or parent present, the bail condition was lifted by Judge Robert Kugler on March 27.
Timothy Frazier
Timothy Frazier, of Galloway Township, a commercial construction estimator, submitted fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions.
Trent Brockmeier
Trent Brockmeier, 58, of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, a former executive at Central Rexall Drugs Inc., has been charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and a second conspiracy to commit identity theft by using individuals’ personal identifying information without their consent.
Vincent Tornari
Vincent Tornari, 46, of Linwood, is charged with individual acts of health care and wire fraud after he allegedly hired Mark Bruno to find patients who would agree to receive medications in exchange for cash payments, according to officials. Bruno pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud for his participation in the scheme. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
William Hickman
William Hickman, of Northfield, a pharmaceutical sales representative, was one of the alleged local ringleaders, who recruited a network of people to submit fraudulent claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions.
He pleaded guilty June 16 to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering charges. As part of his plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Hickman faces up to 30 years in prison without parole. He also agrees to a full restitution of at least $53 million, as well as forfeiture of property, including $26 million. Hickman also agreed to forfeit specific property obtained with criminal proceeds, including five investment accounts and four real estate parcels.
Sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 6.
William Hunter
William Hunter, an industrial equipment salesman from Sewell, must forfeit about $245,020 and pay restitution of at least $1.32 million, according to his plea agreement. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/linwood-fraud-compounding-scheme/article_9191275e-063e-11ee-8df8-ff5fe67a4c32.html | 2023-06-08T21:46:26 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/linwood-fraud-compounding-scheme/article_9191275e-063e-11ee-8df8-ff5fe67a4c32.html |
Chiara Noja will make her tour debut Friday at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Then in two weeks, she will attend her school's prom.
The 17-year-old, who was born in Germany, lived in England and now resides in Dubai, is pumped for both.
Noja is one of the more intriguing golfers as the $1.75 million, 54-hole Classic begins Friday on the Bay Course at Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in Galloway Township. She will tee off on the 10th hole at 2:36 p.m. Friday.
Noja met the media at Seaview on Thursday morning and seemed mature beyond her years.
“It's tough finding a good balance between school (and golf). That's not always the easiest,” she said. “At the end of the day I'm doing what I love. I'm playing golf out there. I guess that doesn't change with age.”
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The week of the prom will be one of her few breaks from golf this summer.
"I actually do enjoy being in school and being a regular person out there." she said, "and then coming back to golf and you just feel a lot more refreshed."
Noja continues the ShopRite tradition of having a high-profile amateur or young professional play the Classic on a sponsor’s exemption. Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson and defending champion Brooke Henderson are among the players who played ShopRite on a sponsor’s exemption in the tournament’s 35-year history.
“Obviously a lot to live up to,” Noja said. “I think it's an amazing opportunity for me just like career-wise, but as a learning experience for me.”
The 6-foot Noja, who averages 292 yards off the tee, has the talent to live up to expectations. She’s already wowed the European women’s golf world. She turned professional in 2022, when she was 15. Noja won her first LET event in November when she defeated Charley Hull in a playoff at the Aramco Team Series (an individual event despite its name) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Noja finished second at the Belgian Ladies Open last month.
“I'm really excited and I think I've had a good season so far,” she said, “and hopefully (I can) bring that good golf into the rest of this week.”
How does the Bay Course fit her game?
“It's really beautiful, and I'm looking forward to getting out there,” she said. “It's very strategic at times. You're not taking as many drivers as you usually would, but it's a good course and I think it's going to be scorable throughout the week.”
First practise round ✔️ Soon ready for my @LPGA debut @ShopRiteLPGA - Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/knLyeeoqz4
— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) June 6, 2023
Noja first picked up a golf club when she was 3 years old.
“I don't think I was exactly grinding it out on the range at that age,” she said with a laugh. “I was probably more focused on building tents and riding the buggy.”
She moved to England when she was 7 and as a teenager became one of the country's top-ranked amateur players.
“When I moved to England I found more joy in it, I think,” she said. “I like practiced more. I understood golf better. That's when I got into it.”
As a golf prodigy, Noja needed to play year-round. Her family eventually moved to Dubai in 2020.
“A couple places game up,” she said. “We were thinking Florida, we were thinking Dubai. My parents got a work opportunity there and then we never really looked back. It's been amazing for me and I think it's been a massive factor to the way my career has gone so far.”
Noja says she won’t take any expectations to the tee with her Friday.”
“Golf is a sport where you get your butt kicked a lot,” she said, “so controlling the things you can or the only things I can really focus on, so that's what I'm going to be doing.
“If my mindset is good, and I put in the concentration and effort … If I go through my processes the way I need to, then that's all I can really control.” | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/chiara-noja-ready-for-the-prom-and-the-shoprite-lpga-classic/article_9dd01df0-0624-11ee-8f0a-77a5ef6fa404.html | 2023-06-08T21:46:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/chiara-noja-ready-for-the-prom-and-the-shoprite-lpga-classic/article_9dd01df0-0624-11ee-8f0a-77a5ef6fa404.html |
Bryan Kohberger enters the courtroom for his arraignment hearing in Latah County District Court, Monday, May 22, in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students in November 2022.
Bryan Kohberger, the man charged with fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students last year, doesn't want cameras in the courtroom because of numerous social media posts made about him that over-analyze his body language, new court filings say.
Kohberger is going to trial on Oct. 2 of this year, permitted it doesn't get pushed back, for the killings of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves at a home in Moscow - and so far, a judge has allowed a pool camera and a photographer in every hearing.
But a brief filed on June 6 said Kohberger and his attorneys want more-limited camera use in the courtroom.
The brief says the audio and visual coverage of the case has "become material for news outlets and social media accounts to espouse their unfounded opinions" and each video attempts to analyze Kohberger's body language. Many TikTok and YouTube videos about Kohberger have received thousands or millions of views.
The brief states videos have described him using phrases like "cold iciness" and "filled with darkness and hate," comparing him to Lee Harvey Oswald in a story from the New York Post and calling him a "demon."
Kohberger's attorneys say that under the Sixth Amendment, he has a right to a fair trial, and more access to viewing Kohberger in hearings could unfairly prejudice the trial.
"When cameras are present in the courtroom, the defendant becomes subject to minute scrutiny as his or her every movement can be replayed and analyzed," the brief says.
The defense cites the barring of cameras in the Lori Vallow trial as an example of this, as the court said in her case that cameras were presenting an unfair focus on the defendant.
"The presence of cameras allows for the potential that the courtroom will devolve from a place for the victim, society and the accused to receive justice to a mere spectacle," the brief said.
In a brief filed June 6, the state argues, "the decision of whether to allow video or photographic coverage of the proceedings in this case is left to the sound discretion of the Court."
Attorneys are expected to argue their positions on cameras in the courtroom Friday - there are two hearings in regard to the gag order, which keeps people involved in the case from speaking about it to media.
The first hearing on behalf of the Goncalves family attorney will take place at 10:30 a.m., and the second hearing on behalf of media outlets wanting the order vacated will take place at 1:30 p.m. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/kohberger-objects-to-cameras-in-the-courtroom-citing-social-media-prejudice/article_20b81298-062c-11ee-b01c-2f4eca9c6807.html | 2023-06-08T21:48:15 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/kohberger-objects-to-cameras-in-the-courtroom-citing-social-media-prejudice/article_20b81298-062c-11ee-b01c-2f4eca9c6807.html |
Originally published June 7 by Idaho Reports.
Revenues for the state general fund came in $17.3 million ahead of the forecasted estimate for the month, a $7 million increase from the April report, according to the Legislative Services Office.
Originally published June 7 by Idaho Reports.
Revenues for the state general fund came in $17.3 million ahead of the forecasted estimate for the month, a $7 million increase from the April report, according to the Legislative Services Office.
That increase, bringing the general fund to about $5.218 billion, comes despite a drop in estimated individual income tax revenue.
Corporate income tax collections are $57.3 million more than the revised forecast from the Division of Financial Management, while individual income taxes are $15.5 million below the revised forecast. Sales tax collections are also lower than estimated, coming in at $17.9 million below the forecast, and product taxes at $1.5 million below the forecast. Another $5 million came in below the revised forecast.
After appropriation, the state still has about $416 million in a cash balance. DFM reports that the general fund has $678.8 million still to collect in the final month of the fiscal year to hit its full estimated revenue. Idaho will close the books on the fiscal year on July 1.
In fiscal year 2022, the state had a historic surplus of more than $1.4 billion and the prior fiscal year’s surplus also exceeded $1 billion.
“The Legislature approved several tax relief bills over the past few years including an income tax top-rate reduction from 6.5% to 6.0% between the two fiscal years,” according to the Legislative Services Budget Monitor. “As a result, the General Fund year-to-date revenue collections are $368.4 million less when compared to this time last year.”
The Legislature further consolidated the income tax rate to a flat 5.8% during the 2022 special session with House Bill 1.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/may-revenues-for-idaho-17-3-million-ahead-of-projections/article_f738803e-0639-11ee-8a96-c33700766879.html | 2023-06-08T21:48:21 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/may-revenues-for-idaho-17-3-million-ahead-of-projections/article_f738803e-0639-11ee-8a96-c33700766879.html |
43 Wisconsin congregations are set to leave United Methodist Church over LGBTQ issues
Forty-three Wisconsin churches could see their wishes come true Friday to leave the United Methodist Church, the latest local development in a denomination-wide schism.
More than 4,000 congregations have disaffiliated, or broken away, from the United Methodist Church since 2019 over disagreements on LGBTQ rights and other theological and church policy issues. Congregations are leaving for the more traditionalist, or conservative, new Global Methodist Church, arguing the United Methodist Church has become too progressive.
Around the country, regional governing bodies called annual conferences have voted to grant congregations who want to leave the permission to break away. As many as a few hundred in each region have departed. In Wisconsin, only one congregation disaffiliated so far, in 2021.
Last year the Wisconsin conference set a 17-step process for more congregations to disaffiliate, and 43 congregations voted among their own members to leave the United Methodist Church. It all comes to a head Friday when conference delegates meet in Green Bay to vote on approving those requests.
More:With a historic number of churches leaving, why 2022 was so dramatic for United Methodists
What is the United Methodist Church?
Often referred to as UMC, it is one of the country's largest mainline Protestant denominations, with about 5.7 million members and 30,000 churches in the U.S. It is splintering in part over disagreements on LGBTQ issues such as conducting same-sex marriages and ordaining gay clergy.
There were 445 United Methodist Church congregations in Wisconsin with about 50,000 members in 2021, according to church data.
Why are churches disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church?
LGBTQ rights are a key driving factor for congregations asking to leave the United Methodist Church, although both sides say the debate goes deeper, with disagreements on how the Bible and Methodist doctrine are interpreted at the heart of it.
Current UMC leaders aren't following church doctrine on gender and sexuality, said the Rev. Mao Her, the pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Greenfield. She is also the president of the Wisconsin chapter of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, the advocacy organization that helped launched the new traditionalist Global Methodist Church, which disaffiliated churches are joining.
"We still believe in traditional marriage. We still believe that the practice of homosexuality is a sin, according to the scripture, and that is stated in our book of doctrines," Her said, referring to the UMC's "Book of Discipline."
"If we can't trust our leaders, our bishop, to uphold the Book of Discipline, we believe that then, they can do whatever they want," Her said. "We want to have integrity in the scripture."
Her's Greenfield church is among the 43 in Wisconsin who voted to disaffiliate. Of the 25 members of the Greenfield church who voted, 20 cast a ballot in favor of leaving the denomination.
Debate over LGBTQ rights intensified in 2016 after some United Methodist clergy came out as LGBTQ and the first lesbian bishop, Karen Oliveto, was elected.
The church allowed congregations to break away starting in 2019, but each regional conference created its own process for leaving.
How many churches in Wisconsin have voted to disaffiliate, or leave?
Forty-three congregations in Wisconsin voted to disaffiliate, including five in southeast Wisconsin. Delegates will meet Friday to vote on approving those requests to disaffiliate. The measures are expected to pass.
But, according to Her, more congregations could petition to leave before the end of 2023, the deadline the church has set for disaffiliating.
The Wisconsin conference could decide on allowing those additional requests at the weekend meeting.
More:Splinter explainer: Why church property plays major role in split of United Methodist Church
Where will disaffiliated congregations go?
If they are allowed to leave, most of the congregations quitting the United Methodist Church in Wisconsin will turn to its new, conservative alternative, the Global Methodist Church, Her said.
The Global Methodist Church's doctrine says that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.
A handful of other Wisconsin churches may go the independent route, Her said.
How many churches have left the United Methodist Church around the U.S.?
More than 4,000 congregations have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church since 2019. The greatest number of churches that have left are in southern states, according to data compiled by The Tennessean.
In Alabama, for example, over 500 congregations have left. In Texas, more than 600 have left.
In the Midwest, Iowa has seen 84 congregations disaffiliate. In Michigan, 68 have left.
Which Wisconsin churches have voted to disaffiliate?
Southeast district:
- Cambridge: Willerup UMC in Cambridge
- Greenfield: Christ UMC in Greenfield
- Racine: Faithbridge UMC in Racine
- Union Grove UMC in Union Grove
- Waterford: Community UMC in Waterford
Southwest district:
- Arthur UMC in Livingston
- Baraboo: Emanuel UMC in Baraboo
- Belmont UMC in Belmont
- Benton UMC in Benton
- Blackhawk: Bethlehem UMC in Sauk City
- Bloomington UMC in Bloomington
- Boscobel UMC in Boscobel
- Gays Mills UMC in Gays Mills
- Juda: Zion UMC in Juda
- Liberty Pole UMC in Viroqua
- Madison: Asbury UMC in Madison
- Mount Hope UMC in Mount Hope
- Mt. Zion UMC in Boscobel
- New Hope UMC in DeSoto
- North Clayton UMC in Soldiers Grove
- Retreat UMC in DeSoto
- Rewey UMC in Rewey
- Soldiers Grove UMC in Soldiers Grove
- Wauzeka: St. Paul’s UMC in Wauzeka
- Whig UMC in Platteville
- Wisconsin Dells-Delton UMC in Wisconsin Dells
North central district:
- Borth UMC in Poy Sippi
- Marshfield: Zion UMC in Marshfield
- Mauston UMC in Mauston
- Poy Sippi UMC in Poy Sippi
- Spencer UMC in Spencer
- Stoddard UMC in Stoddard
- Wonewoc UMC in Wonewoc
Northeast district:
- Argonne UMC in Crandon
- Eden: Tabor UMC in Eden
- Eldorado: Salem,
- Forest Junction: Zion UMC in Forest Junction
- Greenville: Faith UMC in Greenville
- Lomira: Trinity UMC in Lomira
- Neenah: Faith UMC in Neenah
- Oakfield UMC in Oakfield
- Sheboygan: Fountain Park in Sheboygan
- Waukau/Eureka in Waukau
Liam Adams of the Tennessean contributed to this report. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/43-wisconsin-churches-ask-to-disaffiliate-from-united-methodist-church/70297279007/ | 2023-06-08T21:48:22 | 0 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/43-wisconsin-churches-ask-to-disaffiliate-from-united-methodist-church/70297279007/ |
With New York City ranking at the top of the list of the world's major cities with the poorest air quality Tuesday and Wednesday, according to IQAir, city and state officials said they would be giving out free masks throughout the five boroughs.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state would be handing out a million N95 masks at MTA stations, the Port Authority and other state sites. Masks were going to be made available at:
• Grand Central Terminal (Manhattan)
• Penn Station (Manhattan)
• Fulton Center (Manhattan)
• Jamaica Station (Queens)
• Main Concourse of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, South Wing (Manhattan)
• Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park (Harlem)
• Roberto Clemente State Park (Bronx)
The FDNY will be handing out masks throughout the five boroughs as well. The N95 masks would be available at:
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Manhattan:
-100 Duane Street
-207 West 77th Street
Bronx:
-720 Melrose Avenue
-2417 Webster Avenue
Brooklyn:
-172 Tillary Street
-885 Howard Avenue
Staten Island:
-1850 Clove Road | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/where-to-get-free-n95-masks-in-nyc/4406231/ | 2023-06-08T21:49:10 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/where-to-get-free-n95-masks-in-nyc/4406231/ |
A day after a glowing orange smoke enveloped New York City, there was great concern that the smoky conditions would wreak havoc on air travel plans.
Hundreds of flights to and from LaGuardia Airport in New York and nearby Newark Liberty International Airport were delayed Thursday due to the heavy smoke. The Federal Aviation Administration had briefly paused traffic altogether into LaGuardia during the day.
A look on the runways at LaGuardia showed smoke lingering, and that smoke led to delays. While the delays were not overly lengthy — During the afternoon, Newark and LaGuardia had delays of less than an hour — the quantity of delays was still there, as hundreds of flights had been delayed at LaGuardia alone.
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But why would smoke levels have such a drastic impact on air travel, but things like fog or precipitation don't seem to trigger as many disturbances. The FAA explained why.
"When aircraft need to land during periods of poor visibility they rely on advanced navigation systems both on board the aircraft and on the ground. These systems work well through water droplets but can be less effective through solid particles such as smoke and ash," the FAA said in a tweet.
The agency also explained the additional safety precautions air traffic controllers take in smoky conditions.
"This includes greater distances between arriving and departing aircraft as well as limiting types of aircraft that may land because of their navigational equipment," the FAA said on Twitter.
Are you or anyone you know flying today? Check here to see what flights have been delayed at NYC area airports. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/why-smoke-is-more-likely-to-cause-heavy-air-travel-delays-than-fog-or-precipitation/4405942/ | 2023-06-08T21:49:12 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/why-smoke-is-more-likely-to-cause-heavy-air-travel-delays-than-fog-or-precipitation/4405942/ |
Itchy eyes, a scratchy throat and a cough probably come as no surprise when the air is thick with wildfire smoke. But poor air quality can contribute to less expected symptoms, too.
It is not uncommon for people to also experience chest pain, headaches and dizziness, according to Dr. Gregory Wu, a critical care medicine physician at Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York.
“We do encourage folks, if they’re having chest pain or chest tightness, that they should be seeking care,” Wu said. “And similarly, if folks are having headaches or dizziness, that’s another good reason to seek care, or at least get indoors.”
Persistent headaches should prompt medical attention, he added, especially if someone is not normally prone to headaches or the headache feels worse than usual.
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Read the full story at NBCNews.com here. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/wrinkles-and-sleep-troubles-are-among-the-odd-symptoms-linked-to-poor-air-quality/4406643/ | 2023-06-08T21:49:18 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/wrinkles-and-sleep-troubles-are-among-the-odd-symptoms-linked-to-poor-air-quality/4406643/ |
Driver shot at after accident at Detroit gas station, police say
Detroit police are seeking tips to find a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting last weekend on the city's west side that stemmed from an accidental crash.
Surveillance footage investigators released captured a blue Dodge Durango colliding with a black Chevrolet Camaro around 11:30 p.m. Sunday in the parking lot of a gas station in the 2900 block of West Warren.
The pair in the Chevy exited and "exchanged words" with the Dodge driver before one of the men returned to their car, retrieved a long gun and pointed it at the victim, police said in a statement.
"The victim fled the location only to be followed by the suspects, and in the area of Grand River and Oakman, one of the suspects fired shots, striking the victim," according to the release.
Police did not release a description of the suspects. The Chevy they were in is believed to have damage on the passenger side from the accident.
The Dodge driver, identified as a 54-year-old man, was treated at the scene for a graze wound.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department’s Second Precinct at (313) 596-5240. Crime Stoppers of Michigan accepts anonymous tips at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/08/driver-shot-at-after-accident-at-detroit-gas-station-police-say/70303891007/ | 2023-06-08T21:50:04 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/08/driver-shot-at-after-accident-at-detroit-gas-station-police-say/70303891007/ |
Man accused of firing shots outside Warren high school arrested
Warren police have arrested a suspect in connection with gunfire Monday outside Michigan Collegiate High School.
The incident was reported around 2:39 p.m., four minutes after classes ended at the school in the 31000 block of Ryan, according to the police department.
Surveillance cameras and witness accounts showed that a suspect, later identified as a 22-year-old man from Detroit, fired multiple shots in the air, investigators said in a statement.
"The investigation reveals that the shooter, a non-student, was accompanied by several other non-students in retaliation for an earlier fight," according to the release. "An associate of the shooter was suspended from school earlier in the day after a separate fight. At dismissal, an altercation occurred between two groups in front of the School near the buses."
The suspect pulled a semiautomatic handgun and opened fire before fleeing the scene, police said.
There were no reported injuries.
"Brazen acts like this are completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated," Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said. "Students have a right to feel safe at school. That sense of safety was needlessly shattered by this reckless act. Any act of violence on school grounds will always be aggressively pursued by the Warren Police Department. The Warren Police Department will continue to act as a partner to our educational institutions to provide guidance and resources to prevent such acts from occurring in the future."
After detectives identified the suspect, the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office authorized a four-count warrant that included felony and misdemeanor charges, police said.
Members of the Warren Police Department’s Special Operations Unit found and arrested the suspect at his job in Farmington around 4 p.m. Thursday. They also seized the firearm believed to have been used at the school.
"I commend the great work performed by our detectives and special operations members in bringing this case to a quick and safe resolution," Dwyer said.
The man is not expected to be named until his arraignment scheduled for Friday at 37th District Court. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/08/man-accused-of-firing-shots-outside-warren-high-school-arrested/70303984007/ | 2023-06-08T21:50:10 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/08/man-accused-of-firing-shots-outside-warren-high-school-arrested/70303984007/ |
Michigan hospital leaders plan campaign to recruit, retain more workers
Michigan hospital leaders said Thursday they plan to launch a new campaign aimed at keeping existing employees and recruiting new ones because of an ongoing labor shortage.
The campaign, which is financed by the Michigan Health and Hospital Association and is expected to start Monday, is focused on retaining, retraining and attracting people to the state health care workforce. Michigan has lost about 1,700 hospital beds due to a lack of staffing over the last couple of years, and there are around 27,000 open health care jobs, MHA officials said.
"We're a very people-dependent industry," said Shannon Striebich, chair-elect of the MHA Board of Trustees. "The delivery of health care is incredibly local and without people ... there's tremendous concern about our ability to continue to provide access."
The advertisements featured in the campaign will highlight the advantages of working in both clinical and non-clinical health care settings, including pay, benefits and the ability to make a difference in patients' lives.
MHA CEO Brian Peters said the health care industry, Michigan's largest job provider, needs more workers because Michigan's population continues to age. Michigan is tied for the 13th oldest state by median age, according to 2020 Census Bureau statistics.
As the state's population gets older, young people are not moving in at the same rate, exacerbating the existing talent gap, MHA officials said. Older adults also tend to require more health care services.
The Michigan labor market forecast through 2030 indicates that 37 of the top 50 high-demand and highly paid occupations will require some type of four-year degree and 14 are directly tied to the health care sector, said Daniel Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of Public Universities. But the state is ranked 37th in terms of educational attainment and college enrollment has dropped in the state. Universities may have to turn to out-of-state students, international students and adults who have attended some college but have no degree, Hurley said.
"This focus on building out talent pipeline in hospitals and beyond is really important," Hurley said.
MHA officials said there are plenty of different jobs to choose from in the health care industry, from nurses to imaging technicians to surgeons.
"There's also a tremendous opportunity for individuals that may want to work in health care, but perhaps not at the bedside and not clinically," Striebich said. "We have a tremendous need for folks that are accounting professionals, other finance professionals, planners, writers, marketing experts."
Opportunities for young people to explore careers in hospitals and shadow health care professionals are key to recruiting new workers, said Amy Brown, chief nursing officer at Sparrow Health System.
"I started as a patient care technician and it gave me a really a lot of great experience so that when I was in my nursing career, I was able to draw on the experience," Brown said.
Sparrow is working with the Michigan Health and Hospital Association to launch another campaign focused on getting young people, as early as junior high school, hands-on experience in hospital and health care settings, Brown said. Trinity Health has a similar High School to Healthcare program, said Striebich, who also is senior vice president of operations at Trinity Health Michigan.
"This is an industry that when young people come in and see what it's like and even just watch teams of people work together, it can be a real motivator," Striebich said.
Young nurses reported plans to leave the industry at higher rates than any other age group, though, according to a recent survey study of over 10,000 nurses in Michigan. Over a third of the total nurses surveyed planned to leave their job in the next year, citing inadequate staffing and resources as the most significant factors associated with their planned departures. Issues like exhaustion and burnout, which predate the COVID-19 pandemic but were exacerbated by it as well, have plagued nurses in Michigan and across the country.
Nurse staffing legislation that would require hospitals to follow state-mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios was introduced in Lansing in May. Peters said the MHA strongly opposes such a nurse staffing ratio mandate because it is a "one size fits all" approach to staffing that limits innovation and could force hospitals to break the law or close service lines.
"Every one of our hospitals and health systems throughout the state ... has a leadership team that is highly trained and is in the best position to understand what are the unique aspects of the patient population," Peters said. "They can look at what are the appropriate ratios, day to day, unit to unit."
Michigan's hospitals are instead offering nurses maximum scheduling flexibility, transportation to and from work, child care support and increased pay to better retain employees and attract more workers, MHA spokeswoman Ruthanne Sudderth said in a statement.
"The MHA worked in the last year and half to secure roughly $300 million for hospitals to retain, recruit and train employees, including nurses," Sudderth said. "Those dollars went directly through hospitals and into the pockets of nurses and other healthcare workers in the forms of retention or sign-on bonuses, and increased pay, as well as remodeled care and employment opportunities."
hmackay@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/08/michigan-hospital-leaders-plans-campaign-recruit-retain-more-workers/70301473007/ | 2023-06-08T21:50:16 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/08/michigan-hospital-leaders-plans-campaign-recruit-retain-more-workers/70301473007/ |
A jury convicted a Fort Wayne man today of attempted murder, along with four other felonies connected to a 2022 stabbing.
Allen Superior Court Judge Fran Gull sent jurors out about 11:15 a.m. to contemplate whether 42-year-old Brandon K. Williams was guilty. Jurors came back shortly before 3 p.m. and convicted him of all five of his charges: attempted murder, aggravated battery, two counts of domestic battery and strangulation.
Williams now faces more than 70 years at his sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 4.
Police arrested Williams after responding to calls regarding a domestic disturbance at a northwest Fort Wayne apartment in July. When they arrived, they found a bloodied and swollen victim on the floor next to Williams, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Fort Wayne Officer Christopher McBride.
Over the course of the trial, the jury was shown police body and car camera footage of police responding to the incident. Footage of police entering the apartment appear to show Williams standing up from a kneeling position next to the victim as police hold him at gunpoint.
It goes on to show the victim, visibly pregnant with a swollen and bloody face, begging officers for help and telling them she was going to die. She told officers she was choked and stabbed 40 times.
"He tried to choke me to death," the victim could be heard saying in the video. "I can't hardly breathe."
Showing a photo of Williams' hands in handcuffs, apparently covered in blood, Allen County Deputy Prosecutor Tasha Lee said Williams was "literally caught red-handed."
Public defender Marcia Linsky, William's attorney, told jurors the prosecutors wanted them to make a decision based off of emotion and not the facts presented.
Linsky said the victim was listed in non-life-threatening condition shortly after arriving at the hospital and that investigators don't have any medical evidence that confirms Williams was the father of the victim's child, which makes it difficult to prove a case for domestic battery.
Linsky also told jurors that just because the victim said Williams was trying to kill her, they did not know whether that was truly what was going on in his mind, focusing on a key element of the crime of attempted murder – intent. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-found-guilty-of-attempted-murder-in-2022-stabbing/article_e17c70b6-0611-11ee-9398-7b3c28757d7f.html | 2023-06-08T21:52:00 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-found-guilty-of-attempted-murder-in-2022-stabbing/article_e17c70b6-0611-11ee-9398-7b3c28757d7f.html |
Southwest Allen County Schools bus drivers would have their wages calculated differently under a new pay structure administrators are pitching.
The proposed hourly rate wage schedule is simpler than the existing route-based system, which includes mileage and longevity in pay calculations, administrators told the board Tuesday.
SACS would offer a starting hourly rate of $21. Officials described it as competitive because it is equal to or greater than the starting hourly rate offered by surrounding districts.
"Everyone will understand this," said Mark Snyder, business director. "It was anything but that previously."
LuAnn Erickson, human resources director, agreed. She said it's been difficult to say how much SACS pays its bus drivers because wages have depended on multiple factors.
The proposed switch generally shouldn't decrease drivers' pay, said Mike Martin, transportation director. He noted there are a few exceptions, but those drivers are expected to work fewer hours, so it's a fair trade off.
"We have really tried to be fair to folks and attractive as a district by comparing to what other districts are doing as well," Snyder said. "We feel that this does that."
The item was presented for discussion Tuesday. The board next meets at 7 p.m. June 20 in the transportation conference room, 4810 Homestead Road.
Assuming the changes get board approval, SACS plans to promote the competitive hourly rate. A focus this summer is getting more drivers, Erickson said.
A widespread bus driver shortage has posed challenges for schools nationwide. Route cancellations were common this year at SACS, which will launch a new transportation system in August.
School start times will be adjusted to accommodate the new busing structure, which will serve schools in three groups instead of two. Homestead High School and Woodside Middle School will make up the first tier; Summit Middle School and Covington and Whispering Meadows elementary schools will make up the second tier; and the remaining elementary schools will make up the third tier.
This system replaces SACS' longstanding practice of operating with two sets of similar school schedules – one for the secondary buildings and another for the elementaries.
Officials have said the change is expected to improve driver availability and increase bus route efficiency and reliability, among other benefits. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/southwest-allen-county-schools-pitches-new-pay-structure-for-bus-drivers/article_5d5846c8-0622-11ee-b759-f7a5e98e1df8.html | 2023-06-08T21:52:02 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/southwest-allen-county-schools-pitches-new-pay-structure-for-bus-drivers/article_5d5846c8-0622-11ee-b759-f7a5e98e1df8.html |
HOWARD, S.D. – A pair of key roadways in the Mitchell region will have road work projects get started on Monday, June 12.
Near Howard, work will begin Monday to widen the road at the State Highway 34 and State Highway 25 intersection west of Howard. The project will add east and westbound turn lanes at the Highway 34 and Highway 25 intersection, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
The intersection will remain open during project construction. Traffic will be reduced to one lane, controlled by flaggers and a pilot car.
This intersection work is part of a construction project to add turn lanes to state highways in eastern South Dakota this summer near the communities of Mitchell, Howard, Humboldt, and Hartford.
The prime contractor for this $5 million project is Prairie States Trucking of Sioux Falls The overall completion date for the turn lane project is Friday, Nov. 17.
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Railroad crossing to be replaced near Tripp
Near Tripp, replacement work is tentatively scheduled to begin on the railroad crossing on U.S. Highway 18 on Monday.
The concrete railroad crossing will be completely replaced, and new asphalt will be placed at each approach. The replacement work is anticipated to take two to three days.
During the replacement project, traffic will be detoured around the work site. The signed detour route for the traveling public includes 411th Avenue west of the railroad tracks, north to 284th Street, and west to State Highway 37.
The project will be completed by BNSF Railroad and the South Dakota Department of Transportation crews. | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/road-construction-projects-to-begin-near-howard-tripp-on-june-12 | 2023-06-08T21:53:18 | 0 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/road-construction-projects-to-begin-near-howard-tripp-on-june-12 |
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro expected to speak at UF
Famous conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro is expected to speak at the University of Florida this fall, though it's not final yet.
The UF Student Government Senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee presented its summer and fall 2023 semester budget for student organizations to student senators for review June 5, according to James Tyger, the director of campus engagement.
Included in the budget was $10,500 for conservative campus group UF Young Americans for Freedom to host an event titled “Ben Shapiro at UF.”
More:UF crowd drowns out white nationalist speaker
More:D'Souza: Protect access to differing ideas
Shapiro is a longtime conservative political commentator within right-wing internet spaces. He is the creator of The Daily Wire, a conservative media network that platforms other controversial commentators like Candace Owens and Matt Walsh. Shapiro often summarizes his views with his signature catch phrase and book title “facts don’t care about your feelings,” and aligns himself with what he calls "libertarian ideas."
Young Americans for Freedom is working with the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to schedule the event, Tyger said. Still, no official contract with a date has been signed. The group has brought other controversial conservative speakers to campus, including Donald Trump Jr. and Dinesh D’Souza.
Shapiro spoke to a packed-in crowd of nearly 1,000 people at UF in a similar event in 2017. His appearance was met with support from some, and vehement protests from others, as a large group of students gathered to protest his presence on campus.
Other controversial conservative figures have been met with opposition during speaking events on UF’s campus.
In 2017, white nationalist Richard Spencer came to campus for an unpaid speaking role, and was drowned out with protests from around 2,500 people before ending his appearance early.
The speaking fees and arrangements at the university often spark controversy. In 2023, UF’s Accent Speakers Bureau paid Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank fame $115,000 to speak. In 2022, the group agreed to pay TikTok star Josh Richards $60,000 for his appearance.
In 2017, Shapiro was paid $20,000 for his appearance held by YAF and the speakers’ bureau. The upcoming appearance by Shapiro is not an Accent event, and is not paid for by the Accent Speakers Bureau.
UF Student Government Budget and Appropriations chairman Blake Cox said the group’s budgetary codes dictate that student organizations’ requests for funding are heard in a completely unbiased manner. As such, this event, which does abide by code, was approved.
“The committee, myself included,” Cox said, “treated this request like any other event request from any other student organization.” | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/conservative-commentator-ben-shapiro-expected-to-speak-at-uf/70293942007/ | 2023-06-08T21:56:28 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/conservative-commentator-ben-shapiro-expected-to-speak-at-uf/70293942007/ |
MACON, Miss. (WTVA) — Macon recently approved a citywide ban on fireworks.
Anyone caught with fireworks in the city faces up to $500 in fines.
Assistant Police Chief Eddie Hill said the ban was put in place because the sound of fireworks exploding could be mistaken for gunfire.
He said, "My advice to whoever wants to shoot fireworks [is] to either go outside of [the] city limits and shoot them or attend the event that's going to be at the Noxubee County Civic Center that's on Highway 45."
The event he mentioned is being hosted by NFL player and Macon native Jeffery Simmons on July 1. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/fireworks-ban-in-place-inside-macon-city-limits/article_7792b22e-0642-11ee-8b33-a33d2411742f.html | 2023-06-08T21:58:51 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/fireworks-ban-in-place-inside-macon-city-limits/article_7792b22e-0642-11ee-8b33-a33d2411742f.html |
OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) — Ole Miss will demolish an old residence hall to make way for more dorms.
The university said it’ll demolish Kincannon Hall later this summer and plans to build three new residence halls on the site.
Kincannon Hall has been vacant since 2015.
The new residence halls will have 990 beds, according to the university. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/ole-miss-to-demolish-old-residence-hall/article_d336617e-0634-11ee-ac12-e7d485cd45bd.html | 2023-06-08T21:58:57 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/ole-miss-to-demolish-old-residence-hall/article_d336617e-0634-11ee-ac12-e7d485cd45bd.html |
BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) — Three police officers in Booneville have been suspended with pay pending an internal investigation, Mayor Chris Lindley confirmed Thursday.
The city would not identify the officers and the mayor said he’s limited at this time on what he can publicly say about the investigation.
The mayor confirmed the officers’ suspension has something to do with a homeless man named Johnnie Lee Lambert but would not give any more details.
Lambert was booked into the jail on June 3. He faces several charges: resisting arrest, having improper equipment, simple assault and failure to comply with law enforcement.
He was due to appear in court on Thursday but the hearing did not take place.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/three-police-officers-suspended-in-booneville/article_266a78d2-0638-11ee-8aa4-1bf9bcce1951.html | 2023-06-08T21:59:03 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/three-police-officers-suspended-in-booneville/article_266a78d2-0638-11ee-8aa4-1bf9bcce1951.html |
PITTSBURGH — Thursday will be a Code Orange Air Quality Alert day as air quality is once again expected to be unhealthy for sensitive groups due to smoke and haze from Canadian wildfires.
Young children, seniors, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should limit outdoor activities today.
The current forecast continues to bring smoke into the area through at least Friday, so check the Severe Weather Team 11 forecast before you head out to get the latest on potentially dangerous conditions.
Air Quality Alert: Level Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups). Surface smoke forecast showing an increase in smoke again tonight and Friday (orange and red). Live coverage and tracking now on Channel 11 Morning News.
— Scott Harbaugh (@WPXIScott) June 8, 2023
Weekend Forecast: https://t.co/3lNA1g4kFS pic.twitter.com/AI1Dk362K7
We could use some rain, and we may see scattered showers and a few isolated storms both Thursday and Friday. It won’t be the soaking rain we need, but even some spotty showers will help. The best chance of rain returns late Sunday. Another slow-moving system will keep unsettled weather in the area through Monday with periods of rain and few isolated storms likely.
Rain will help to reduce the impacts from wildfire smoke and the very dry conditions.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/code-orange-air-quality-alert-day-due-smoke-haze-canadian-wildfires/NFZCGDVHWVEQNHP6XLJKA2DLS4/ | 2023-06-08T22:00:00 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/code-orange-air-quality-alert-day-due-smoke-haze-canadian-wildfires/NFZCGDVHWVEQNHP6XLJKA2DLS4/ |
Two massive cooling towers were imploded Thursday morning at a former coal-fired power in Greene County.
The towers were at First Energy’s old Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station al. Three other stacks were demolished in March.
The site along the Monongahela River is being cleared for future economic development.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/cooling-towers-imploded-former-power-plant-greene-county/MRA6X3ALINFBVGK6LXPROXHA5Q/ | 2023-06-08T22:00:06 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/cooling-towers-imploded-former-power-plant-greene-county/MRA6X3ALINFBVGK6LXPROXHA5Q/ |
A state House committee approved a resolution Wednesday urging federal officials and agencies to not consider cannabis a controlled substance anymore.
Right now, it’s listed in the same category as drugs such as heroin and meth.
House Resolution 420 just passed in the committee 12 to 9.
Supporters say it will improve public health, raise tax revenue and reduce the amount of money spent on criminal justice.
It now moves to the full House for a vote.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pa-bill-would-urge-federal-government-not-consider-cannabis-controlled-substance-anymore/YMEEASJ4JNBE7CNRIEQHHRZIIE/ | 2023-06-08T22:00:13 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pa-bill-would-urge-federal-government-not-consider-cannabis-controlled-substance-anymore/YMEEASJ4JNBE7CNRIEQHHRZIIE/ |
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that the requirement for proof of social security number to obtain a Real ID will expand to include additional documents.
PennDOT is now accepting the following documents as proof of Social Security Number:
- A Social Security Card;
- A W-2 form;
- A SSA-1099 form;
- A non-SSA-1099 form; or
- A pay stub with the applicant’s name and full Social Security Number on it.
“Governor Shapiro has made it clear that the Commonwealth should help people succeed, not get in the way. Under his direction, PennDOT is working to make our services more streamlined and effective for the people of Pennsylvania,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Obtaining a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID card is optional in Pennsylvania, but we want the process to be as convenient as possible while still following federal regulations. We have confirmed that accepting these additional documents does not compromise the security or integrity of the REAL ID program.”
PennDOT says the name on the proof must still be the current legal name of the applicant. If the name on the proof does not match the current legal name on their documents, the customer must update their name on the documents and provide an updated proof of Social Security Number in order to apply for a REAL ID.
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 after a 9/11 Commission recommendation and sets a baseline for security standards that are required on all state-issued identification cards. Some of the standards include anti-counterfeiting technology and documentation review to make sure the person who is applying for the ID is who they say they are.
Once the REAL ID becomes official in 2025, every person 18 years old and older will need a REAL-ID compliant license or ID card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or another Transportation Security Administration-acceptable form of identification.
For more information on Real IDs and how to obtain one, click here.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/penndot-expands-acceptable-documents-streamline-real-id-process/UMH5OIHWPNBUVJ4EBW4XDP3UQM/ | 2023-06-08T22:00:19 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/penndot-expands-acceptable-documents-streamline-real-id-process/UMH5OIHWPNBUVJ4EBW4XDP3UQM/ |
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — 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.”
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.
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.
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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvanians who own electric vehicles may soon be required to pay an annual fee.
It would help the state pay for road improvements.
On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that would charge electric car owners an annual fee of $290.
Supporters said it makes sure electric vehicle owners are contributing to road repairs since they don’t pay taxes on gas.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration. If approved, it would be one of the highest electric vehicle fees in the country.
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PITTSBURGH — Day Seven of the trial against Robert Bowers, the man accused of shooting and killing 11 worshippers at a Squirrel Hill synagogue, continues today with more witnesses taking the stand.
In addition to SWAT officers, the forensic pathologists who performed autopsies on the victims testified in court Tuesday.
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING TRIAL: FULL COVERAGE ⇒
Warning: the details coming out of this trial are difficult to hear and may be upsetting to some.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health effects from the trial, go to 1027healingpartnership.org to find help resources. As always, call 911 to report threats.
- Phone: 412-697-3534
- Email: info@1027HealingPartnership.org
- Web: 1027healingpartnership.org
We have a team of reporters inside the courthouse and have live updates below throughout the day.
UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Retired Allegheny County SWAT Team member testifies
Justin LaPaglia, a SWAT Operator and sniper, is called to the stand.
LaPaglia said when he arrived on scene, the SWAT van was not there yet. His helmet and body armor were in the van, but he went in anyway, without that gear.
“The priority of life is we need to get in there,” LaPaglia said. “There are innocent victims in there and we have to render aid.”
He said he went through the doors with bullet holes in them, knowing that was the last place officers had contact with the shooter.
“I anticipated going in and hearing crying and hearing things that would drive me to people in help. But there was no noise whatsoever,” LaPaglia said. “There was no one in the area who was going to need help. There were a lot of rounds fired so I expected there to be a decent amount of people injured.”
LaPaglia said he located two survivors in the basement.
“They were pale and unresponsive. They looked like they were in shock, I was surprised they were able to follow my direction,” he said.
UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: Retired Allegheny County SWAT Team member testifies
Michael O’Keefe, who is now retired but previously worked for the Allegheny County Police Department, is called to the stand.
O’Keefe was on the County SWAT team and responded to the synagogue scene.
“I went towards the gunfire because that was my duty,” he said. “It was upstairs from me, I was in a foyer area. In my immediate area there were several deceased people, spent shell casings and an odor of gun powder.”
He encountered Officer Matson after he was shot.
“He appeared to have some gunshot wounds. He appeared like he was in shock to me,” O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe testified that Bowers crawled out to surrender.
“He said the invaders were coming. The Jews were killing our children and he had to take action,” O’Keefe recalled.
He said Bowers had run out of ammunition and he was shot, prompting him to surrender.
O’Keefe said Bowers seemed sarcastic. Medics reportedly asked Bowers if something hurt, to which he replied, “not as bad as being shot.”
UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: Pittsburgh paramedic testifies
Shawn Eigenbrod, a paramedic for the City of Pittsburgh, is called to the stand.
Eigenbrod is a member of the first Tactical SWAT team in 2011. They train with the SWAT team once per month.
He treated Officers Matson and Burke, and also treated Bowers.
“He was laying on the ground in the middle of the room on a rug. Two other medics were already in the room starting treatment,” Eigenbrod said. “He was awake looking at us being pretty cooperative, answered any questions.”
Eigenbrod was one of four people who carried Bowers out of the building. He said that Bowers had a wound on his left elbow that rubbed against a wall.
Eigenbrod testified that Bowers complained about his wound rubbing against the wall.
UPDATE 2 p.m.: Laboratory director for Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office testifies
Witness No. 2 on Wednesday is Mandy Tinkey, the laboratory director for the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s office.
Tinkey has worked for the office for 20 years.
She was dispatched to the scene that day. The initial call was from Allegheny County Polie for an officer-involved shooting.
The standard procedure is for one Medical Examiner to respond.
Eight firearms were transferred to the ME’s office from the FBI.
UPDATE 1:03 p.m.: Dammann returns to the stand
Dammann continues her testimony.
Numerous photos of evidence are presented, including responding officers’ weapons and Bower’s guns.
Photos are shown of Bowers’ vehicle and items that were removed from it.
Bowers’ wallet is examined. The prosecution asks about identification in the wallet.
“There is an Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office license to carry a firearm in the name of Robert Bowers,” Damman says.
UPDATE 9:57 a.m.: Retired FBI Special Agent Andrea Dammann testifies
Retired FBI Special Agent Andrea Dammann started with the FBI in January 1989.
She was trained to investigate crime scenes as part of the Evidence Response Team or “ERT.” It’s a time-consuming process and she underwent ongoing training over her 30-year career to keep up.
She was a senior leader of the ERT for Pittsburgh when the shooting took place. On that day, Dammann received a call at 10:38 a.m. that there was a shooting at a synagogue in the area. She put the other members of the ERT on standby and was looking for extra units to respond as well from Quantico.
She started heading to the South Side and was told to head to the crime scene and arrived there around 11:25 a.m.
A binder of documents of FBI processing of the scene is entered as evidence.
When Dammann got on scene, she spoke with the city police chief about securing the crime scene and it was turned over to her.
She controlled the scene from 12:25 p.m. on Oct. 27 until 7:05 p.m. on Nov. 5.
The FBI did laser scans, photo logs and various things from that scene in those nine days, Dammann says.
Teams from Virginia, Baltimore and Seattle were brought in and there was assistance from the Allegheny County crime lab. The medical examiner had the ultimate authority over the bodies.
Each room was given a letter to help describe the spaces, Dammann says.
A Hyundai Sonata was the first thing she saw when she arrived on the day of the shooting. It was opened up and cleared to make sure there was no more danger.
“There were holes in the plate glass windows along the building and shell casings on the pavement,” Dammann says.
Photos are shown in court of what Dammann says she saw outside during the preliminary walkthrough.
She says she then entered at the big entrance and saw the main sanctuary.
Dammann says she walked in and saw the magazine on the ground, then she walked down steps and observed four additional victims. She went to the lower level and saw victims in the kitchen and another in the entrance way of the storage area.
Up the stairs in the classrooms, she saw where the gunfight had occurred and the defendant was treated, she says.
Initially, two people did hand-drawn sketches to supplement the evidence collection, Dammann says.
The sketches as well as diagrams of the rooms are presented in court.
There is a set of photos from when FBI arrived and another set when FBI work was complete on Nov. 5.
Where the victims were found in the building is discussed in court.
Dammann says that a team was assisting with appropriate methods to follow Jewish burial customs.
In addition, SWAT team members needed weapons that weren’t damaged to be processed and quickly returned to them.
A morning recess is called.
UPDATE 9:02 a.m.: Court is in session
Court is in session. The first witness is Andrea Dammann, a retired Special Agent for the FBI and supervisor of the Evidence Response Team.
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PITTSBURGH — The weather pattern pushing the smoke from the Canadian wildfires into our area is slated to continue until Friday for most of the state. Experts say smoke particles can prompt headaches, irritated eyes and a scratchy throat. Everyone should limit strenuous outdoor activities - especially the most vulnerable.
Photos: Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets northeastern U.S.
🔴It's a code RED day for poor air quality in PA🔴
— Jeff Jumper PEMA (@JeffJumperWX) June 7, 2023
🔥Smoke from Canadian wildfires arrived yesterday and well see more of it today.
✅Best advice is to limit time outside today & avoid strenuous activity.
Check on those that normally have breathing issues.@PEMAHQ #PAWX pic.twitter.com/zHt7nLjln8
Wednesday, the views from Mount Washington were hazy ones. Smoke and haze in the air is coming from ongoing wildfires in eastern Canada. It’s prompted Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection to declare a Code Red Air Quality Alert.
How to protect yourself, your house, pets from wildfire smoke →
According to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, poor air quality can cause:
- Asthma attacks
- Eye & sinus irritation
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pains
- Irritated throat
- Increased coughing.
They recommend limiting time outdoors and avoiding strenuous activity. Keep an eye on people with breathing issues.
Photos: Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets northeastern U.S.
“I think it’s kind of crazy that it can travel that far,” said Liam Kruck.
Wednesday, New York City had the worst air quality in the entire world.
Victoria Mangadaeve lives in New York City and left at 5 a.m. Wednesday to drive to Pittsburgh where she’s visiting friends.
“It was very, pretty smokey. Hard to breathe and it was like a red sun in the sky, pretty scary,” Mangadaeve said.
She says the conditions got better as she crossed the Pennsylvania border Wednesday, but Thursday, we’re slated to have worse conditions in our area.
“It’s surprising to me. I thought the fires only happened in California or whatnot,” said Hunter McGinn.
On the North Shore, fans lined up outside of State AE for the All Time Low concert. Most people were aware of the air quality alert, but didn’t seem too concerned, at least for now.
“There is a haze I’m not really worried about the air quality at this moment but god only knows what’s gonna happen,” said Sarah Marino.
The DEP is encouraging people to limit their time outdoors and to keep pets and other animals indoors as well.
My team and I have been monitoring this situation over the past 24 hours. Smoke is affecting the entire Commonwealth.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) June 7, 2023
Children, older people, and people with asthma or a respiratory illness should avoid going outdoors today as much as possible, and we should all avoid strenuous… https://t.co/HsZriBxB4g
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NORTH STRABANE TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Inside Southwood Psychiatric Hospital in North Strabane, Washington County is where police say staff member Tamika Jones pushed a young patient to the ground before allegedly kicking the boy in the head.
The alleged incident happened in April, according to the police report, but charges were just filed against Jones this week.
District Attorney Jason Walsh says the physical encounter was all caught on surveillance video.
“There is video evidence that is, in my opinion, horrific, in regard to the way this child was struck by this individual,” Walsh said. “The defendant basically kicks this child in the head. It’s a horrific event.”
After learning of this incident, community members were shocked.
“I don’t even know how you end up getting into that situation to kick a kid in the head,” said Riley Hendrickson. “You should not have any job around children, obviously.”
According to the criminal complaint, the incident was reported to Hospital Director Kacey Kramer, who watched the video and suspended Jones that day.
The police report states that Jones told officers she was stepping in to help a coworker who was assaulted by the young patient.
But that coworker told investigators, “There was no apparent reason for doing such actions to the juvenile.”
Jones is now charged with felony aggravated assault and felony child endangerment, among other charges.
“It’s absolutely horrible. That’s why the charges reflect the severity of the crime,” explained Walsh.
Jones was arraigned Tuesday and released.
She’s due back in court on July 18.
11 News reached out to Southwood about this incident and Jones’ employment status, but so far, we have not heard back.
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Franciscan Health Network in St. John added a new family medicine nurse practitioner.
Tawanda LeFlore is now accepting new patients in St. John.
She earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Governors State University and her master of science in nursing from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
LeFlore specializes in patient education, preventative care, wellness care and managing both acute and chronic conditions. Her clinical interests include pursuing comprehensive and holistic approaches to healthcare.
She's now practicing at Franciscan Health's St. John Health Center at 10860 Maple Lane in St. John. She will see new patients both virtually and in person at the Tri-Town medical office. To make an appointment, call 219-365-7000.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Pierogi stand, Brown Skin Coffee and Alpha Family Resale opening; Ixxa and Dan's Pierogies updating
Open
Open
Closed
Renovated
New mural
Opening
Opening
Coming soon
Coming soon
Expanded
Expanded
219 News Now 5/19/23
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Unbeatable Eatables, DRIPBaR Crown Point, Taco Depot and Flashback Antiques open; Da Burger House closes | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/franciscan-physician-network-adds-new-nurse-practitioner/article_8aba6f30-05ad-11ee-9c72-cb41bba8f7e0.html | 2023-06-08T22:10:30 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/franciscan-physician-network-adds-new-nurse-practitioner/article_8aba6f30-05ad-11ee-9c72-cb41bba8f7e0.html |
CROWN POINT — Understaffed Lake County public safety services are preparing to shift money in their budgets to cover larger than expected employee overtime expenses.
The Lake County Council is set to approve the transfers Tuesday after department leaders explained the situation — a familiar one to many Region employers — during the council's Thursday study session.
At the Lake County Jail, Warden Todd Wasmer said he's 56 correctional officers short of the 222 authorized for the facility that's capable of housing about 1,040 inmates but generally locks up about 800 a night.
He's asking the council to move $850,000 from the jail's protective services line item to overtime ($800,000) and furniture and fixtures ($50,000), so he can pay the officers taking on extra work in the absence of additional colleagues and replace some needed equipment.
"With the amount of overtime that we're paying to cover all of our mandatory posts, we need that moved down from what we would pay staff to the overtime," Wasmer said.
The 56 open posts at the jail actually are an increase compared to last year when the jail was about 47 correctional officers short of full strength.
Wasmer said council action to hike starting pay to $50,000 a year, with generous county benefits, has attracted more applicants, but many turn out to be "not viable candidates" and maybe or three or four get hired of every 100 people expressing interest in the job.
"It's just a rough process," he said. "It's a nationwide issue that no one can seem to find the answers for."
Councilman Ted Bilski, D-Hobart, said he believes the impact of the jail staffing shortage could be minimized, and less overtime required, if the sheriff and prosecutor would work together to get nonviolent inmates awaiting trial put on electronic monitoring instead of just sitting in the jail.
"If we could take 100 people out of jail that are nonviolent and put them on the bracelets, that's a step, I think, in the right direction," Bilski said.
Other council members expressed interest in implementing electronic or biometric timekeeping devices at the jail to ensure correctional officers are working all the regular and overtime hours they're currently reporting on paper time sheets.
The overtime funding transfer is smaller at the Lake County 911 center. But the ask is similar — shifting $475,000 designated for regular employees to pay overtime to staffers doing extra work stemming from about 20 vacant posts at the 24-hour emergency response facility.
Director Mark Swiderski told the county council his department also is actively recruiting new workers wherever it can, including high schools, since 911 telecommunicators only have to be 18 years old instead of 21 like corrections and police officers.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/lake-county-shifting-funds-to-cover-public-safety-overtime-expenses/article_a3a89072-0624-11ee-a94e-63a7776009e7.html | 2023-06-08T22:10:34 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/lake-county-shifting-funds-to-cover-public-safety-overtime-expenses/article_a3a89072-0624-11ee-a94e-63a7776009e7.html |
A Michigan City man who pleaded guilty last year to felony escape believes he's entitled to a shorter prison term because his breaking out of a sheriff's "paddy wagon" helped expose a weakness in law enforcement transportation security.
Master Porter, 24, was sentenced to three years in prison for escaping from a sheriff's department transport vehicle following his March 27, 2022, arrest in LaPorte County, according to court records.
Records show Porter was found by deputies walking near U.S. 20 after a witness called 911 to report they saw Porter repeatedly striking a woman in the head inside a vehicle parked at a Gallops gas station.
Porter initially fled when approached by sheriff's officers but eventually was detained in a nearby garage following a short chase, according to court records.
Records show officers then discovered Porter had several outstanding warrants and he was placed under arrest but again attempted to run away as he was being walked to a patrol vehicle.
Porter subsequently was placed in the sheriff's "paddy wagon" for transport to the LaPorte County Jail. But, along the way, Porter repeatedly kicked the vehicle's back door until it broke open and he escaped, according to court records.
Records show Porter was recaptured a few hours later.
Porter argued in a filing at the Indiana Court of Appeals that his three-year sentence for escape, the advisory sentence for a Level 5 felony, was excessive given his efforts to improve the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department.
Riding Shotgun with Merrillville Police Officer Amanda Earley
"No one was harmed. The offense did not involve any weapons or threats. Instead, the officers discovered the security of their 'paddy wagon' was defective and susceptible to escape by merely repetitive kicking. Mr. Porter, fortunately, is not a dangerous individual, and, ultimately, an important lesson was learned by all," Porter said.
The three-judge appellate panel was unpersuaded.
It said Porter's prison term, negotiated as part of a plea deal, was not inappropriate given the nature of his offense and his extensive criminal record.
Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region
First Physician
First Physician
Location: 2985 W. 73rd Place, Merrillville
Erected by Woman's Auxiliary, Lake County Medical Society
Henry D. Palmer, M.D. (1809-1877) located at this site in 1836. First physician in Lake County, he was also counselor to the pioneers for 40 years and member of the underground railroad aiding escaped slaves.
Great Sauk (Sac) Trail
Great Sauk (Sac) Trail
Location: Van Buren Street at West 73rd Avenue (Old U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway) on traffic median east of Calumet Cemetery and west of Broadway, Merrillville
Erected by Indiana Sesquicentennial Commission, 1966
Part of a transcontinental trail used by prehistoric peoples of North America, it passed through modern Detroit, Rock Island and Davenport in the Midwest. The trail was important into the 19th century.
St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston
St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston
Location: 2235 W. 10th Avenue at Taft Avenue, southeast corner, Gary
St. John's Church, the oldest surviving institution in Gary and north of the Little Calumet River, began with the work of the Rev. Henry Wunder in the early 1860's. He regularly came from Chicago by horse and buggy. Baptism records date from 1863; the first church was built on this site in 1868 or 1869; 1870 is celebrated as date of organization. The church served German immigrants to Tolleston (named for George Tolle who came in 1856). Tolleston was annexed to Gary in 1910.
Dutch in the Calumet Region
Dutch in the Calumet Region
Location: 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland
Erected 1992 Indiana Historical Bureau and Lamprecht Florist & Greenhouse, established 1923
Dutch immigrants after 1850 began moving to this area because of its similarities to their homeland. They helped to locate ditches to drain water from the extensive marshes, leaving rich land to expand successful horticultural activities.
St. John Township School, District #2
St. John Township School, District #2
Location: 1515 Joliet Street (Old U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway), east of St. John Road at the St. John Township Community Center, Schererville
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau and Committee to Save Township School #2
Built, 1853, approximately one half mile south; closed, 1907; moved to this site and restored for educational and community uses, 1993-1994. One of twelve St. John Township schools; structure typical of early one-room school buildings in Indiana.
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
Location: Southeast corner U.S. 30 (Joliet Street) and Janice Drive, Schererville
Erected 1996 Indiana Historical Bureau, Northwest Indiana Lincoln Highway Association, Dyer and Schererville Historical Societies, Sand Ridge Bank, Welsh, Inc.
United States' first transcontinental highway, constructed 1913-1928, from New York City to San Francisco. Dedicated to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. Conceived by Carl G. Fisher to encourage building "good roads." Sponsored by Lincoln Highway Association and supported by automotive industries.
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
"Ideal Section" - 1.5 miles - of Lincoln Highway, completed 1923, designed and built as a model for road construction. Funded by county, state, and U.S. Rubber Co. Features included 100 foot right-of-way, 40 foot paved width, 10 inch steel-reinforced concrete, underground drainage, lighted, landscaped, bridge, and pedestrian pathways.
Froebel School - side 1
Froebel School - side 1
Location: 15th Avenue and Madison Street, Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Froebel Alumni Park Committee, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company
Froebel opened here, 1912, as many European immigrants and southern blacks moved to Gary for jobs in steel mills. An experiment in progressive education, it served students of diverse backgrounds and the local community. Despite early status as integrated school, black students were excluded from many extracurricular activities and facilities into 1940s. Closed 1977.
Continued
Froebel School
Froebel School
Location: 15th Avenue and Madison Street, Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Froebel Alumni Park Committee, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company
After WWII, Froebel made national headlines when hundreds of white students walked out protesting "integration experiment" there. "Hate strikes" lasted several weeks in 1945 and reflected growing racial tension in North. In 1946, Gary school board adopted desegregation policy, but discrimination continued. Indiana state law desegregating public schools passed 1949.
Stewart Settlement House
Stewart Settlement House
Location: 1501 E. Massachusetts St., Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Landmarks, and Christ United Methodist Church
Stewart House was organized during depression of 1921 to provide social services for Gary’s black community. A vital neighborhood center for unemployed WWI veterans and southern blacks who migrated for jobs in steel mills, it helped thousands adjust to urban life. Services included lodging and meals, as well as legal, medical, and employment advice. Moved here, 1925.
Stewart Settlement House
Stewart Settlement House
Location: 1501 E. Massachusetts St., Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Landmarks, and Christ United Methodist Church
U.S. Steel, with an interest in regulating its workers, helped fund the settlement house, designed by architect W.W. Cooke. The Methodist Episcopal Church and Gary’s blacks also donated funds. Rev. Frank Delaney guided its development as superintendent, 1920-1939, and made it a source of pride for blacks. During Great Depression, it aided hundreds daily. Closed 1970s.
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Location: 1927 Madison St., Gary
Installed 2019 Indiana Historical Bureau, KHEF, Inc., Atty. Junifer Hall, Atty. Jacqueline Hall, and Law Office of Deacon-Atty. John Henry Hall
Rep. Katie Hall (1938-2012)
Democratic leader Katie Hall was born in rural Mississippi and moved to Indiana in 1960. She taught in Gary before serving in the Indiana General Assembly, 1974-82. Hall became the first African American U.S. Representative from Indiana, serving 1982-85. During her tenure, she authored and sponsored the bill that made Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday.
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Location: 1927 Madison St., Gary
Installed 2019 Indiana Historical Bureau, KHEF, Inc., Atty. Junifer Hall, Atty. Jacqueline Hall, and Law Office of Deacon-Atty. John Henry Hall
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
The struggle to make Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday began soon after the civil rights leader’s death in 1968. Growing interest, publicity, and advocacy helped Representative Hall secure passage of a bill in 1983. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law that November, designating every third Monday in January as the holiday. Celebration began in 1986.
Bailly Homestead
Bailly Homestead
Location: Bailly Cemetery, U.S. 12
Marker no longer standing.
Home of Joseph Bailly, a French Canadian, who established a fur trading post here on the Detroit-Chicago road in 1822. It became a center of trade, culture and religion. The family cemetery is on the land near by.
Iron Brigade
Iron Brigade
Location: Eastbound U.S. 20 at southeast corner of Ind. 49 overpass, Chesterton
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau, Porter Co. Tour. Com., Indpls. Civil War Rnd. Tbl., Porter Cmp. 116, Dept. of Ind., Sons of Un. Vets. of Civil War
Composed of infantry regiments from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Iron Brigade fought with Army of the Potomac during the Civil War (1861-1865). Received name for valor at battle of South Mountain, Maryland (1862). Sustained combat fatalities among the highest in the Union armies.
Willow Creek Confrontation
Willow Creek Confrontation
Location: Southeast corner of Woodland Park, 2100 Willow Creek Road, Portage
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau
As railroad lines expanded through U.S., conflict occurred between competing lines. Michigan Central Railroad, with track in Porter County since 1851, briefly defied state militia and court orders (1874) to allow Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to cross its track. Crossing was built at Willow Creek Station.
Ogden ski jump.jpg
Ogden Dunes Ski Jump
Location: Kratz Field, 82 Hillcrest Road at Boat Club Road, Ogden Dunes
Erected 1997 Indiana Historical Bureau and Historical Society of Ogden Dunes.
Steel and wood ski jump with adjustable height and length was built here for Ogden Dunes Ski Club, incorporated in 1927 to promote winter sports. Five annual events with international competitors were held 1928-1932, with 7, 000 to 20, 000 spectators. Reputed to be the largest artificial ski jump at the time. Dismantled after 1932 event.
Teale 1.jpg
Edwin Way Teale
Location: 285 E. U.S. Highway 20, Chesterton
Installed: 2009 Indiana Historical Bureau and Musette Lewry Trust
Born 1899 in Illinois, Teale became an influential naturalist, author, and photographer[ who won 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his book Wandering Through Winter. Teale wrote that boyhood summers and holidays spent near here at his grandparents’ farm inspired his interest in nature. Teale moved to New York City; employed by Popular Science Monthly 1928-1941.
Teale 2.jpg
Edwin Way Teale
Location: 285 E. U.S. Highway 20, Chesterton
Installed: 2009 Indiana Historical Bureau and Musette Lewry Trust
Teale published his first critically acclaimed book, Grassroot Jungles, in 1937. In 1943, he published Dune Boy, recollections of time spent exploring the dunes and woodlands in this area. During his life, he wrote, edited, and contributed to over 30 books, which educated Americans about nature’s importance and beauty. He died in Connecticut in 1980.
Steel 1.jpg
Legacy of Steel/Burns Harbor Steel Plant
Location: Burns Harbor Town Hall, 1240 N. Boo Rd., Burns Harbor
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau, ArcelorMittal, and the Town of Burns Harbor
In the early 1900s, steel plants were developed on southern Lake Michigan to improve access to growing Midwest markets. After purchasing 3,300 acres in Porter County, Bethlehem Steel built and began its Burns Harbor operations in 1964. The plant’s development spurred local conservation efforts leading to the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1966.
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Legacy of Steel/Burns Harbor Steel Plant
Location: Burns Harbor Town Hall, 1240 N. Boo Rd., Burns Harbor
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau, ArcelorMittal, and the Town of Burns Harbor
The Burns Harbor plant was key to building the Port of Indiana and incorporation of the Town of Burns Harbor in 1967. Designed as a fully integrated plant, it relies on the port for transporting raw materials. Since 1969, Burns Harbor remains the newest integrated U.S. steel facility. Global steelmaker ArcelorMittal gained ownership of the Burns Harbor plant in 2007.
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Civil War Camps
Location: Ind. 2 W and Colfax Avenue, La Porte
Erected by the Indiana Civil War Centennial Commission, 1963
Two Civil War training camps: Colfax and Jackson, were located near La Porte. The 9th and 29th Indiana Volunteer Infantry regiments were organized and trained here.
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Old Lighthouse
Location: Old Lighthouse Museum in Washington Park, Michigan City
Marker no longer standing. Replaced by local marker.
Built on the water’s edge, 1858, by the United States Government. One of the first lights on the Great Lakes. Harriet E. Colfax was the tender from 1853-1903. Remodelled 1904, electrified 1933, discontinued 1960.
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Chicago-New York Electric Air Line Railroad
Location: CR 250 and Ind. 39, south LaPorte
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau.
Proposed in 1905 as a 742 mile, straight-line, high speed route, without crossings; estimated ten hours travel time at a cost of ten dollars. Just under twenty miles, between LaPorte and Chesterton, were constructed, 1906-1911.
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Camp Anderson
Location: 2404 E. Michigan Boulevard at Carroll Street, Michigan City
Erected 1996 Indiana Historical Bureau and McDonald's Restaurant
One of three Civil War training camps in La Porte County. Site is one fourth mile west. Named for Colonel Edward Anderson. Used 1863-1864 to train Indiana Union volunteers of the 127th, 128th, and 129th regiments.
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Indiana Territory Boundary Line
Location: 213 Pine Lake Avenue, LaPorte
Erected 1999 Indiana Historical Bureau, the Hinton Family, and L Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Northwest Territory formed 1787; Indiana Territory formed 1800. Admission of Ohio 1803 and formation of Michigan Territory 1805 established Indiana Territory's northern boundary at southern tip of Lake Michigan. When Indiana became state in 1816, Congress moved boundary ten miles north giving Indiana part of Lake Michigan.
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Indiana Territory Boundary Line
Location: 213 Pine Lake Avenue, LaPorte
Erected 1999 Indiana Historical Bureau, the Hinton Family, and L Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Northern boundary of Indiana Territory established at southern tip of Lake Michigan when Michigan Territory formed in 1805.
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LaPorte County Courthouse
Location: 813 Lincolnway and Michigan Avenue, southeast corner of LaPorte County Courthouse lawn
Installed: 2001 Indiana Historical Bureau, LaPorte County Board of Commissioners, and LaPorte County Historical Society
County formed by Indiana General Assembly and LaPorte selected county seat 1832. Three courthouses built on this site: first 1833, second 1847-1848. Present courthouse constructed 1892-1894 of Lake Superior Red Sandstone; designed by Brentwood S. Tolan of Fort Wayne in Richardsonian Romanesque Style. Incorporates cornerstone from 1848 courthouse.
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LaPorte County Courthouse
Location: 813 Lincolnway & Michigan Avenue, SE corner of La Porte County Courthouse lawn, LaPorte
Installed: 2001 Indiana Historical Bureau, La Porte County Board of Commissioners, and La Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Features include open-arched central tower, stained glass window transoms, wood paneling, and gilded friezes. Goddess of Justice stained glass graces courtroom. Tower has 272-piece glass skylight; gargoyles decorate exterior. Included in Downtown La Porte Historic District, listed in National Register of Historic Places 1983.
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LaPorte's Carnegie Library
Location: LaPorte County Public Library, SW corner of 904 Indiana Avenue/US 35 & Maple Avenue
Installed: 2002 Indiana Historical Bureau and Friends of the LaPorte County Public Library
La Porte's first public library was established 1896. La Porte City School Board was awarded $27, 500 Carnegie grant 1916; by 1919 local support had been secured to meet grant requirements. Architect Wilson B. Parker designed the Neo-Classical style structure. Library opened in 1920 with 30, 000 volumes.
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LaPorte's Carnegie Library
Location: LaPorte County Public Library, SW corner of 904 Indiana Avenue/US 35 & Maple Avenue
Installed: 2002 Indiana Historical Bureau and Friends of the LaPorte County Public Library
Renovation and expansion designed by architect William Koster; building dedicated 1991. Original 1920 section retained. Library has played a major role in community's development. One of 1, 679 libraries built in U.S. with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Indiana built more Carnegie libraries than any other state.
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The Rumely Companies
Location: NW corner of Madison Street & Lincolnway, La Porte
Installed: 2003 Indiana Historical Bureau and Rumely Historic Recognition Committee
Meinrad Rumely (1823-1904), a German immigrant, founded a blacksmith shop here 1853, which grew into a dominant company through reorganizations and acquisitions. Rumely companies in La Porte benefited from available rail transportation plus German and later Polish immigrant laborers. Products included a wide variety of agricultural machines.
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The Rumely Companies
Location: NW corner of Madison Street & Lincolnway, La Porte
Installed: 2003 Indiana Historical Bureau and Rumely Historic Recognition Committee
Rumely's prizewinning thresher later became one of the earliest powered by steam. Thousands of OilPull tractors sold worldwide 1910-1930. Rumely companies were at the forefront of mechanization of American and world agriculture and had significant impact on La Porte. Allis-Chalmers acquired the firm 1931 and closed La Porte plant 1983.
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The Lincoln Funeral Train
Location: 100 E. Michigan Blvd. (U.S. 12), Michigan City
Installed 2010 Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Assassinated President Abraham Lincoln's funeral was April 19, 1865 at the White House. The funeral train left for Springfield, Illinois April 21 directed by military; stops en route allowed the public to pay homage. From Indianapolis, train passed mourners lighted by bonfires and torches along the way; arrived in Michigan City by 8:35 a.m., May 1.
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The Lincoln Funeral Train
Location: 100 E. Michigan Blvd. (U.S. 12), Michigan City
Installed 2010 Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Residents decorated depot north of here with memorial arches adorned with roses, evergreens, flags, and images of Lincoln. Train stopped to switch engines and to allow dignitaries from Illinois and Indiana to board. Sixteen women entered funeral car to place flowers on casket. Train left for Chicago on Michigan Central Railroad; track was lined with mourners.
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LaPorte University/Indiana Medical College
Location: Lincoln Elementary School, SE corner of Clay St. and Harrison St., LaPorte
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau and the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte
LaPorte University was established in the early 1840s to include law, literary, and medical departments. The medical department, later Indiana Medical College, began classes by 1842. Its distinguished faculty attracted students from across the U.S. Notable attendees included Dr. William W. Mayo, whose practice evolved into Mayo Clinic, and Dr. William H. Wishard.
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LaPorte University/Indiana Medical College
Location: Lincoln Elementary School, southeast corner of Clay Street and Harrison Street, LaPorte
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau and the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte
Before the university’s founding, Indiana offered few opportunities for professional medical training. The medical college trained skilled doctors in the Midwest, preparing them for the region’s medical needs in surgery, anatomy, theory, and obstetrics. Classes ceased circa 1850; it consolidated with Indiana Central Medical College (1849-1852) in Indianapolis, 1851.
Source: Indiana Historical Bureau, www.in.gov/history/
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Gary Roosevelt High School
730 W. 25th Ave., Gary
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc., and Indiana Landmarks
As Gary grew in the early 1900s, African American students were segregated within white schools or overcrowded into small, separate schools. To compensate, officials transferred some Black students to Emerson High School in 1927. After over 600 white students walked out in protest, the school board reinforced segregation by building a new school for the Black community.
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Gary Roosevelt High School
730 W. 25th Ave., Gary
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc., and Indiana Landmarks
Theodore Roosevelt High School was dedicated in 1931 as an all-Black K-12 school. While many community members opposed segregation, they took pride in Roosevelt, and strove to make it equal to Gary’s white schools. It employed highly educated Black teachers, pushed students to excel in academics and sports despite discrimination, and produced many distinguished alumni.
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ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — One person was taken to the hospital after a car flipped over near an exit from Interstate 279 North.
A Channel 11 News crew near the scene saw the car flipped over on the exit towards Bellevue.
Photos taken at the scene show a car flipped onto its roof.
The severity of the person’s injuries is not known at this time.
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The driver of a box truck lost control on a steep incline this morning, crashing into the side of a Penn Township, Westmoreland County, house.
The crash happened around 9:19 a.m. at 280 Saunders Station Road.
Kelly Smith was inside the home at the time but was not hurt.
SEE PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE ⇒
She was at home after getting a call late last night.
“I got a call at 12:00 in the morning about my daughter going into labor,” Smith said.
It wasn’t time for the baby to come. Her daughter needed an emergency C-section.
“She’s three, four weeks early, and she had to be rushed to the hospital to get this taken care of today,” Smith said.
Smith made it from Maryland to her daughter’s house around 3 a.m.
Just a few hours later, on the day her granddaughter was born, things took a drastic turn, leaving her shaken up.
Literally.
“I’m sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee, I hear the house shaking and rumbling. Everything’s just shaking,” Smith said. “I go outside, and this huge truck has hit the backside of the house where the baby’s room is.”
A rented Enterprise truck smashed right into the side of the home.
It took out the electricity and left behind a gaping hole right in the area of the baby’s room.
It all needs to be repaired before anyone can live there.
Both grandmothers are thankful their kids -- and their new granddaughter -- weren’t home.
“It is a miracle they weren’t here,” Smith said.
“God had a plan, and it was for Rissa to have her baby today,” said Rob Baumgartel’s mom, Diane.
Now they say they’ll have a story to share with their granddaughter on many birthdays to come.
“‘Here babe! This is what you missed being born,”' Baumgartel said.
Family members are working with the insurance company to make sure all of this damage to the home and the baby’s room is repaired -- that way the new family of three can make it home safely from the hospital.
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PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Red for the entire commonwealth due to smoke from Canada’s wildfires.
Photos: Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets northeastern U.S.
🔴It's a code RED day for poor air quality in PA🔴
— Jeff Jumper PEMA (@JeffJumperWX) June 7, 2023
🔥Smoke from Canadian wildfires arrived yesterday and well see more of it today.
✅Best advice is to limit time outside today & avoid strenuous activity.
Check on those that normally have breathing issues.@PEMAHQ #PAWX pic.twitter.com/zHt7nLjln8
Due to smoke from the wildfires, the air quality is expected to be in or near the “unhealthy” range.
For today, northerly winds will bring more waves of wildfire smoke into the region. Canada’s wildfires are being fueled by dry conditions with breezy winds, which will increase the chances of periods of elevated concentrations of air pollutants.
How to protect yourself, your house, pets from wildfire smoke →
According to the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, poor air quality can cause:
- Asthma attacks
- Eye & sinus irritation
- Fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pains
- Irritated throat
- Increased coughing.
They recommend limiting time outdoors and avoiding strenuous activity. Keep an eye on people with breathing issues.
Photos: Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets northeastern U.S.
Similar conditions may continue Thursday, as the northerly flow of wind is expected to keep the smoke from the fires in the direction of Allegheny County.
Companies most significantly contributing to particulate pollution in the Mon Valley region must continue to temporarily reduce particulate emissions.
Residents can help in the reduction of pollutants in the area by reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use, avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials, and avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
Gov. Shapiro issued the following statement on Twitter:
“My team and I have been monitoring this situation over the past 24 hours. Smoke is affecting the entire Commonwealth.
“Children, older people, and people with asthma or a respiratory illness should avoid going outdoors today as much as possible, and we should all avoid strenuous outdoor activity.”
My team and I have been monitoring this situation over the past 24 hours. Smoke is affecting the entire Commonwealth.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) June 7, 2023
Children, older people, and people with asthma or a respiratory illness should avoid going outdoors today as much as possible, and we should all avoid strenuous… https://t.co/HsZriBxB4g
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The end of school means the start of summer, and for community centers like the West View Hub, it takes on an even greater purpose.
“When you have food insecurity, we found that children tend to have issues emotionally, socially, as well as academically,” said Scott Pavlot of the West View Hub.
Feeding children in need for free: that’s one of the missions of the West View Hub and other community centers like it, now known as Summer Youth Cafes, a partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
“At a time where it should be a lot of fun and having sun for the summer — it can really be a time of worry and a time of hunger whenever kids go to the fridge when they’re home for the summer and there’s nothing in there,” said Kelsey Gross, director of the child nutrition program for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
With Summer Youth Cafes officially opening up this week, any child 18 and under can get food, at no cost, by visiting one of the sites, which are offered at a variety of locations, including local parks, churches, schools and libraries.
“This year, we’re really pushing to make sure that families know where to access sites, especially in our rural communities, because many sites can now go back to serving grab-and-go meals,” Gross said.
So how do families know where to find meals and what time they’ll be distributed? The Food Bank makes it easy to find a location on the “Find Food” section of its website. Enter your zip code and the days and meals you’ll need help with, and a map pops up on your screen.
The food bank said with more federal money available to help rural communities, it’s important to spread the word about these sites, especially with higher costs at the grocery store.
“With the economy the way it is, you have families that are just struggling,” Pavlot said.
Butler County will not have Summer Youth Café locations this year, but there will be special distributions for families this summer. They plan to release details on Friday.
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PITTSBURGH — Former West Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon head coach Bob Palko has accepted a job at Penn State, according to Dorin Dickerson of 93.7TheFan.
There is no report of what kind of job Palko will take at Penn State, but he is accepting one with the program. Palko is one of the most successful coaches in WPIAL history, as he earned a 248-84 record as head coach in his 28 seasons as head coach of both West Allegheny and Mt. Lebanon.
He coached West Allegheny High School for 24 years from 1995-2018, winning eight WPIAL Titles, three PIAA titles and accruing a record of 217-70. Palko also won a state title with his son, Tyler Palko, who also played quarterback for Pitt and in the NFL, in 2001.
Read the full story from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh here.
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WASHINGTON — Even as inflation is cooling, the rental crisis is hitting communities from coast to coast.
The problem is only made worse by the growing demand and limited supply of affordable housing.
“There’s not a single state or Congressional district in the country with enough deeply affordable homes to meet demand,” said Kim Johnson, Policy Manager at the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC).
According to NLIHC, the U.S. has a shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental homes that extremely low-income people can access and afford.
On Wednesday, a group of House Democrats announced the creation of the first ever Congressional Renters Caucus aimed at addressing these needs.
“The average American renter is considered rent-burdened, meaning they pay over 30 percent of their income to rent,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Renters Caucus. “Legislatively, we’re exploring various measures to provide assistance for rent-burdened individuals, increase affordable housing options nationwide and combat discrimination against renters.”
Members say the purpose is to look at how the federal government can pass policies that help struggling renters.
“How can we use the resources that we have here to make sure we are not leaving holes through which families, renters, drop through to the bottom,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-C), a member of the Caucus.
Lawmakers from both parties agree there is a housing and rental crisis.
Democrats are calling for stronger renter protections and rental assistance efforts.
Republicans have been pushing for tax incentives and fewer government regulations to help create more housing supply.
“Zoning laws and regulatory barriers are often uncoordinated, unnecessary or overly cumbersome and can ultimately work against the goal of providing affordable housing by creating excessive development costs,” said Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) during a Senate hearing in March.
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WASHINGTON — More people are using payment apps like Venmo, Cash App and PayPal to send and receive money.
These kinds of services processed an estimated $893 billion in transactions last year alone, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
But now the agency warns more people are turning to these payment apps instead of traditional banks or credit unions. They believe this means more people may be relying on them for more than just transfers.
“Many people are even getting paid through digital payment apps that makes it such that people are storing more money than they probably ought to,” said Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Chopra said money stored in these apps may not have the same federal protections as traditional banks.
“Your money is safe up to $250,000 in the event that your bank or credit union fails. But when you put money in other places, you can’t be sure that’s the case,” he said. “Just so important that people realize that money sitting in these apps is not earning interest, and not secure in the same way that an insured bank account is.”
In light of recent bank failures, the agency is now urging people to transfer money from these apps into a secure bank account right away.
“At the end of the day, a consumer should feel confident that where they deposit their money is going to be safe,” said Chopra.
The Washington News Bureau also talked to the Financial Technology Association (FTA) which represents PayPal and other fintech companies.
In a written statement, the spokesperson said “Tens of millions of American consumers and small businesses rely on payment apps to better spend, manage, and send their money. These accounts are safe and transparent, with users receiving FDIC Insurance on their accounts depending on the products they use. FTA members provide clear and easy-to-understand terms in all their products and prioritize consumer protection every step of the way.”
Chopra said these payment companies are also regulated by the CFPB so the agency is taking some action as well.
“We have ordered them to provide information about their business practices, given the growth in popularity of these apps, we need to make sure that they’re safe,” said Chopra.
The agency says consumers can submit complaints about financial products and services by visiting the CFPB’s website or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).
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CLAIRTON, Pa. — A man is in custody after a person was shot in the knee in Clairton on Wednesday.
According to police, first responders were called to the 300 block of Bataan Avenue at 2:20 p.m.
Once on scene, they found an adult victim with a gunshot wound to the knee.
The victim is in stable condition.
The suspect’s name has not been released. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the County Police tip line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council approved $2.2 million for the first step into converting street lights to LED energy-efficient lights.
”Over 40% of city greenhouse gas emissions come from our street lights. By converting to more energy-efficient technology, we will be making progress on the city’s climate action goals, “ said Angie Martinez, assistant director of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI).
The $2.2 million figure only covers the study and design phase, Martinez says. The actual installation could be about $12 million.
Martinez said the funding will come from bond money and the American Rescue Plan Act.
As for which neighborhoods will be prioritized, that is something being considered in the planning stage.
”We do hope to factor in areas of the city that are underlit,” said Martinez.
City officials said the study and design phase is expected to take about a year. Converting the city’s lights to LEDs would take another two years.
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PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Public Schools will hold two hiring events to secure staffing for the 2023-24 school year.
The events will be held in the Administration Building’s courtyard on Saturday, June 10 for paraprofessionals in special education and early childhood and Thursday, June 22 for security, food services, custodial, nurses and clerical positions.
Both events will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Interested applicants should pre-register and arrive with their resume for on-the-spot interviews.
Anyone looking for a job can register for the events here.
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PITTSBURGH — Roansy Contreras’ day ended not long after it started.
The Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander was knocked out of the game in the top of first as the lowly Oakland Athletics scored seven times in the inning on their way to a 9-4 victory on Wednesday at PNC Park.
The Pirates (32-29) lost consecutive games to the Athletics (14-50), who are on pace to finish the season with a 35-127 record, after winning the opener of a three-game series.
Read the full recap from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh here.
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PITTSBURGH — Two men were convicted of murder on Wednesday in the shooting that killed a baby in Downtown Pittsburgh last year.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Arrest made in shooting of Baby De’Avry in Downtown Pittsburgh
Markez Anger and Londell Falconer Jr. were trying to target someone else when they drove by a car near PPG Place and shot into it on May 29, 2022.
Instead, they killed 18-month-old De’Avry Thomas.
The maximum sentence for first-degree murder in Pennsylvania is death or life in prison.
It’s not clear when Anger and Falconer will be sentenced.
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CHARLEROI, Pa. — People want answers before next week’s vote on dissolving the Charleroi Water Authority. They told Channel 11 they want to know how their service and rates will be impacted.
“I feel that people need to know exactly what is going on, council needs to hear us and hear the people in the community,” said Jeannine Motycki, who lives in Charleroi.
The authority has been providing water to the Mon Valley for almost a century, since 1934. That could be coming to an end soon.
Charleroi boro council members say they’re unable to reach a resolution to continue that service and will vote next week to take it over.
The news is upsetting to some taxpayers who protested outside the borough building on Wednesday night.
“My fear is that rates are going to be exorbitantly high like they have in other communities, ABC is a nonprofit and makes their own rates and low compared to many other places,” Motycki said.
“We want to make sure our water stays affordable, a lot of people in our community are elderly and on fixed incomes,” said Tracey Kash, who lives in Charleroi.
Channel 11 reached out to both ABC and Charleroi Borough council.
“The authority is willing to continue negotiating with the borough but not under the threat of dissolution. We provide water and sewage and do a really great job of providing the services and maintaining the infrastructure at reasonable rates,” ABC said.
The borough tells Channel 11 that ABC would stay in place, workers would keep their jobs, retirees would keep their benefits, and they would not be selling to another company, instead, they’d operate it themselves.
When asked about an increase in prices, they say rates would not increase initially, they’d have to hire an analyst who would help them come up with a rate but believe rates would only go up slightly.
Charleroi residents we spoke to said they fear this will run people out of town.
“Here we are, your gas and electric going up $60 bucks, gas going up $50-60 and now your water bill is going up. They can’t afford that! What’s going to happen in that case? What’s going to happen when people can’t afford to live here?” Motycki said.
The vote is scheduled for next Wednesday.
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A driver involved in a fatal three-vehicle crash in Butler Township Tuesday night is facing a list of charges, including homicide by vehicle and DUI.
Butler Township police say Julie Parison, 51, was driving south on Route 8 when she crashed a Ford Fusion into the back of a Chevrolet Trailblazer that was stopped at the red light at the intersection with Litman Road.
The impact pushed the Trailblazer into a Chevrolet Malibu that was stopped at a red light in the northbound lanes.
The driver of the Trailblazer, a 53-year-old woman, was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital by medical helicopter. The passenger, Kevin McAttee, 61, of Saxonburg, was killed.
The driver of the Malibu, a 59-year-old man, was also injured. The extent of his injuries was not known.
In addition to homicide by vehicle and DUI, police say Parison will be charged with reckless driving, careless driving and speeding upon her release from a hospital. The extent of her injuries is not known.
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BOISE, Idaho — Now that school is out for the summer, many families are turning to local feeding programs for free meals. KTVB has compiled a list of some the school districts providing free meals and where you can go to get them.
The school district celebrated the start of the summer with a Summer Feeding Kick-Off Event on Thursday at Tully Park in Meridian. West Ada's program provides free meals for all children between the ages of 1 and 18. Adults can also purchase meals for $5.
A list of sites, dates and times is included below. Anyone looking for more information can call West Ada School Nutrition Services at 208-855-4575.
Chief Joseph School of the Arts (June 19-23)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Desert Sage Elementary School (June 5 - July 28)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Eagle Library (June 5 - July 28)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Frontier Elementary School (June 19-23)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hunter's Creek Park (June 5 - July 28)
- 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
McMillian Elementary School (June 12-16)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Meridian Elementary School (June 12-16)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Meridian High School (June 5-30)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Peregrine Elementary School (June 5-30)
- Breakfast: 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Silver Sage Elementary School (June 12-16)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Tully Park (June 5 - July 28)
- 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Ustick Elementary School (June 5 - July 28)
- 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
All children 1-18 can also receive free meals this summer at different locations throughout Boise, including schools and parks. All meals must be eaten on-site and no meals will be available on Monday, July 4.
Frank Church High School (June 6 - July 15)
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
West Junior High (June 6 - July 29)
- Breakfast: 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Grace Jordan Elementary (June 20 - July 22)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Whittier Elementary (June 20 - July 22)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Morley Nelson Elementary
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (June 20 - July 22)
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. (June 6 - Aug. 5)
Hawthorne Elementary (June 6 - Aug. 5)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Horizon Elementary (June 6 - Aug. 5)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The following city parks will offer lunch from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. between June 6 and Aug. 12, excluding June 20 and July 4:
- Cassia Park, Ivywild Park, Winstead Park and Sunset Park
Free meals will be available at 14 locations throughout Nampa this summer:
Central Elementary (June 6-23)
- Breakfast: 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Columbia High (June 5-30)
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
East Valley Middle (June 7-27)
- Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. - 8 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Endeavor Elementary (June 5-23)
- Breakfast: 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Gateway (June 5-30)
- Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Iowa Elementary (June 6-29)
- Breakfast: 8:40 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Lone Star Middle (June 7-27)
- Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Nampa High (June 7-30)
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Sherman Elementary (June 6-23)
- Breakfast: 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Skyview High (June 6-30)
- Breakfast: 7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Snake River Elementary (June 6-23)
- Breakfast: 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
South Middle (June 7-27)
- Breakfast: 7:10 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 10:40 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
Union High (June 5-30)
- Breakfast: 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
West Middle (June 7-27)
- Breakfast: 7:15 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12:15 p.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Free summer meals for those under 18 years old will be provided at nine different locations.
Caldwell High School (June 5-16)
- Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lincoln and Jefferson Middle (June 5 -16)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sacajawea and Van Buren (June 5-16)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Syringa Middle (June 5-16)
- Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lewis & Clark (June 5-16)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Washington (June 5-9)
- Breakfast: 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wilson (June 5-22)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Those under the age of 18 can enjoy free meals at two different locations in Kuna this summer, Monday - Friday. No service will be provided between July 3 and July 7.
Reed Elementary
- Breakfast: 8 a.m. - 8:35 a.m. (June 12-30)
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. (June 12 - July 28)
Ross Elementary
- Lunch: 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. (June 12 - July 28)
Emmett High School (June 2 - July 7)
- Breakfast: 9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
- Lunch: 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Black Canyon High School (June 5-23)
- Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
- Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
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See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/find-dates-locations-times-free-summer-meals-treasure-valley-children/277-fa840007-b535-48a8-8209-4b4b84c3f2d5 | 2023-06-08T22:20:37 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/find-dates-locations-times-free-summer-meals-treasure-valley-children/277-fa840007-b535-48a8-8209-4b4b84c3f2d5 |
IDAHO, USA — The 2023 Return of the Original Boise Valley People annual event is today through June 11. Tribal leaders and descendants from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Fort Hall, Idaho; Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Owyhee, Nevada.; Burns Paiute Tribe, Burns, Oregon; Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, McDermitt, Nevada, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon.
On the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes website it states that the annual event, that takes place at different locations, is an honoring of our "newe," meaning people in English.
On Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Boise City Hall, descendants of the original Boise Valley people from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Fort Hall, Idaho; Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Owyhee, Nevada.; Burns Paiute Tribe, Burns, Oregon.; Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, McDermitt, Nevada., and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Warm Springs, Oregon met with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and representatives of the Idaho National Guard for a welcoming event.
"The descendants from the respective tribes have always returned to Eagle Rock Park nearby Chief Eagle Eye Reserve, their spiritual gathering place, since their forcible removal by soldiers from the Boise Valley in 1869. The tribes initiated a formal gathering in 2011, known as "The Return of the Boise Valley People," ... "The ceremony will begin with a traditional prayer, flag song, honor song, and historical summary by tribal leaders. Remarks and a proclamation reading by Mayor McLean, Boise City Council, and Idaho National Guard's Brig. Gen. Michael Garshak will follow," a press release stated.
On Friday, people are welcome to the event at Eagle Rock Park, located at 2150 Old Penitentiary Road from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tribal members are honoring and celebrating the culture and history of the Indigenous people from the area.
People can get more information on the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes website.
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LEMHI COUNTY, Idaho — Use caution when traveling in areas burned in the 2022 Moose Fire, officials with the Salmon-Challis National Forest advise.
Hazards resulting from the fire that burned more than 203 square miles northwest of Salmon include the potential for falling trees and the potential for slides that could send mud, rock and other debris onto roadways.
"Weather conditions such as precipitation and wind can rapidly change conditions on the ground," according to a June 7 news release from the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
The Moose Fire burned along the Main Salmon River adjacent to the Salmon River Road. The route from North Fork to Panther Creek is an area of particular concern.
The forest service said a slide recently blocked the Salmon River Road down river of Pine Creek, and there is ongoing potential for rocks and other debris to slough down onto the road and into the river.
Visitors should be prepared for the Salmon River Road to be temporarily closed as crews work to clear slides.
Also, increased water flow could overwhelm culverts, causing water and debris to flow across the road, potentially damaging the road. The forest service addressed such an issue earlier this spring where Wallace Creek crosses Stormy Peak Road.
Visitors to the Salmon-Challis National Forest "must be prepared to stay longer than expected due to changing circumstances," the forest service warned. Items to consider when preparing for a visit include:
- Adequate food, water, clothing, sleeping bags and other provisions needed in the event of inclement weather.
- Chainsaw and fuel, a handsaw, and a shovel, in case trees or other debris block road access.
- Inform someone about where you are going and when you plan to be back in case an emergency arises.
- Bring communication devices that will work in the area where you plan to travel — a cell phone, satellite phone, or satellite emergency notification device.
Extra caution for travel is encouraged, especially at night and other periods of low visibility. Damaged road surfaces may not be marked, and can be extremely hard to identify in the dark.
Finally, visitors may encounter streams or rivers with black or brown water, most likely after a thunderstorm or other severe weather event. This coloration is due to fine sediment and debris that run off the hillsides and into the waterways.
For the latest on conditions, call the Public Lands Center in Salmon at 208-756-5100 or check with local ranger district offices.
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See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/wildfire/hazards-moose-fire-area-salmon-challis-national-forest-idaho-slide-salmon-river-road/277-bbe0b89e-7abc-4b86-b7f6-d2db9b8e9187 | 2023-06-08T22:20:49 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/wildfire/hazards-moose-fire-area-salmon-challis-national-forest-idaho-slide-salmon-river-road/277-bbe0b89e-7abc-4b86-b7f6-d2db9b8e9187 |
DULUTH — A group of concerned citizens announced Thursday that it has asked the Minnesota Court of Appeals to review a May 8 decision of the Duluth City Council to allow a controversial hotel project to proceed without requiring that the would-be developer prepare an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) in advance.
In dropping the requirement for an EAW, the council overturned a decision by the Duluth Planning Commission , which voted 6-2 on April 11 to order that Kinseth Hospitality Cos. complete the environmental assessment in advance of beginning work on a proposed 100-room, four-story hotel at the corner of Sundby Road and Page Street, across from a Kohl's store.
About 250 residents earlier signed a petition seeking additional review of the project, citing concerns about the impact it could have on wetlands and Miller Creek, a designated trout stream located nearby. The waterway is already considered to be in an ecologically "impaired" condition.
Kinseth representatives protested that the additional assessment was unnecessary, would add $50,000-$55,000 to the cost of the project and could delay the construction schedule by eight to 10 months.
Following the recommendations of city planning staff, the Duluth City Council unanimously reversed the Planning Commission's decision, setting the stage for the latest challenge, The appellants claim that the City Council overstepped its authority and should have deferred to the Planning Commission as the proper "Regulatory Governmental Unit" in deciding whether further review was warranted.
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Kinseth said it aims to operate an extended-stay hotel on the site under the Marriott flag. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/opponents-of-duluth-heights-hotel-continue-their-legal-challenge | 2023-06-08T22:25:46 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/opponents-of-duluth-heights-hotel-continue-their-legal-challenge |
BALTIMORE — If there's one industry you don't want to be short staffed , it's the one saving lives.
Amid a national staffing shortage in healthcare, one program hopes to boost the workforce.
Dwyer Workforce Development is opening a healthcare village in Sandtown in West Baltimore.
The nonprofit provides free healthcare training to undeserved communities.
The Sandtown Project starts with renovating the Ames Memorial United Methodist Church sanctuary.
It'll become a Dwyer Scholar Resource Center, with offices, conference rooms, and study spaces.
Dwyer is partnered with Resurrection Sandtown Project, launched in 2016 to address poverty, inadequate housing, and increased crime in the community. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/local-nonprofit-works-to-provide-healthcare-training-to-undeserved-communities | 2023-06-08T22:26:46 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/local-nonprofit-works-to-provide-healthcare-training-to-undeserved-communities |
COCKEYSVILLE, Md. — A collapsed roof, a wall just waiting to fall and a pile of charred lumber remain from what once was a key piece of Cockeysville’s Antique Row destroyed by the fire.
Charlene Randolph, an instructor, returned to see what was left of New Phoenix Pottery.
“It’s trash,” said Randolph, “We went in there for a minute and the ceiling fell down on my head and another student’s head, and I said, ‘Get out. Everybody out’. So it’s really unsafe to be in there and just a lot of work. People put their heart and soul in things we create here, and you just have to let it go.”
Some report first spotting the flames shooting up from the roof above a consignment shop, and tensions are running high.
“They noticed the fire or something started so they just ran out with their dogs and they called the owner, but they didn’t call 911,” said Eva Hamilton, a business partner at Central Tae Kwon Do, “So somebody else called 911.”
It took firefighters almost four hours to extinguish the flames, and now merchants who have struggled to stay in business in recent years are facing an even greater challenge.
“We’re all just kind of bonding together, picking ourselves up after COVID so this is a big slap,” said Deborah Crawford, the owner of House of Lashes, “16 businesses, not just two like the news was reporting, have been affected. It’s a tragedy.”
While there were no reported injuries from the fire, and it appears many, if not all of the businesses had some sort of insurance, victims say that doesn’t calculate their losses in real terms.
Aside from artwork, photos and other things that may be irreplaceable, time will now work against merchants trying to survive.
“Insurance basically said, ‘Nobody is here after hours. Board it up yourself. Figure out what you can do,’” said Crawford, “and they will not do anything until an investigation is completely and thorough, which can take a long time.” | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/more-than-a-dozen-businesses-done-in-by-cockeysville-fire | 2023-06-08T22:26:52 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/more-than-a-dozen-businesses-done-in-by-cockeysville-fire |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new partnership is boosting business in Baltimore.
Global corporation Oak View Group partnered with Baltimore-based tech company "Fearless" to launch the Fearless Impact Fund.
The fund helps Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, or BIPOC, businesses in the greater Baltimore area.
Fearless says their mission has always been to help people.
"We all see the amazing technology that powers your Tesla, the stock market, all those things. But it's not the same tech that often powers missions like education, like health care, like social justice. And so we built our business around that. At Fearless we call that building software with the soul," Said Delali Dzirasa, Founder of Fearless Tech.
Part of the partnership also includes renaming CFG Bank Arena's East Club "The Fearless Club."
Fearless hopes to use the 900 person space in their support of local BIPOC businesses.
Governor Moore also attended the announcement at Fearless headquarters and took the opportunity to make an announcement of his own.
"In a few moments, I will sign an executive order to create the new Maryland Economic Council. It is going to be the command center of our effort to build more pathways to work wages and wealth and build and build a more competitive economy," Moore said.
The council will track everything form inflation to supply chain issues. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/oak-view-group-announces-partnership-to-help-fund-bipoc-businesses-in-baltimore | 2023-06-08T22:26:58 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/oak-view-group-announces-partnership-to-help-fund-bipoc-businesses-in-baltimore |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Crown Laboratories celebrated the completion of its 60,000-square-foot expansion.
Crown Laboratories makes Blue Lizard sunscreen and other skincare products.
The company hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new building with local and state representatives in attendance. The expansion will give the company approximately 250,000 square feet of manufacturing and distribution space.
President and CEO Jeff Bedard said the expansion was in response to the company’s growth.
“We’ve gone from roughly 10 million units per year to close to 30 million this year, on our way to 60 million units and we needed this space to be able to accommodate that growth,” Bedard said.
Bedard also said the expansion helps grow the company’s reach in the community.
“We’ve got a footprint here that started as a small tree with a few roots and now we’ve got a hundred-foot oak tree with some pretty substantial roots in the ground,” said Bedard.
According to a media release, the company hopes to expand its workforce by more than 35 employees in their manufacturing, operations, and corporate departments. Those interested should visit www.crownlaboratories.com/careers/. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/crown-laboratories-celebrates-new-expansion/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:10 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/crown-laboratories-celebrates-new-expansion/ |
(WJHL) – The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) released a breakdown of 3rd grade TCAP retake performance for each school system in the state, and News Channel 11 has compiled the results of all the systems in its coverage area.
In TDOE reporting, the “Retake Participation Rate” column represents the percentage of students that were eligible for a TCAP retake that took the test again. That number includes students that missed the first test date, are exempt from testing requirements or have already passed an appeal.
Out of that percentage, the “% Proficient” column represents the percentage of students that scored “Proficient” on the TCAP on their second attempt and are good to advance to the 4th grade. “Proficient” includes scores that “Meet” or “Exceed” expectations.
Those that improved their scores from “Below” to “Approaching” are eligible for several pathways to make sure they advance.
The TDOE noted that the column spaces represented by “**” indicate that less than 1% of students who retook the TCAP fall into that category.
Students who did not score “Proficient” on their retake may still advance to 4th grade. If they scored in the “Approaching” category, students may either attend summer school, receive tutoring during the next school year or make another appeal. If they scored in the “Below” category after retaking the TCAP, students must attend summer school and receive tutoring in 4th grade.
A complete breakdown of retake scores throughout Tennessee is available online through the TDOE. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/how-did-local-school-systems-do-on-the-3rd-grade-tcap-retakes/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:16 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/how-did-local-school-systems-do-on-the-3rd-grade-tcap-retakes/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – A Johnson City Police officer is recovering after sustaining injuries following a shooting incident Wednesday night.
Officers responded to a home in the 100 block of Wilson Avenue after a report of suspicious activity. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), when officers arrived, a shot was fired in the direction of an officer with the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD).
The TBI did not indicate what injuries were sustained by the injured officer. The events leading up to a shot being fired are still unknown.
Troy Baxley is a nearby resident who said he saw several blue lights and officers along Wilson Avenue Wednesday night.
“The police officers had their assault gear on,” Baxley said. “I knew something major was going on.”
News Channel 11 reached out to the TBI Thursday afternoon to learn who shot in the officer’s direction and to inquire if any arrests had been made. The agency did not release any additional information about the investigation.
The unidentified officer who sustained injuries is now recovering, according to the TBI. Johnson City Mayor Todd Fowler said he was appreciative of the efforts of the JCPD and the officer who was injured.
“It is a tough job, putting your life on the line every day,” Fowler said. “I’m just very pleased that we have people that want to do that job and are dedicated to it.”
Fowler said it’s been a difficult week for Johnson City. He said he’s hopeful there will be a resolution to this ongoing situation.
“The last week has been really tough on a lot of people in Johnson City with the death at a gas station and that investigation,” Fowler said. “Thankfully, we found those people and hopefully the same thing will happen with what’s going on with this investigation.” | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/jcpd-officer-recovering-following-injuries-from-a-shooting/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:22 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/jcpd-officer-recovering-following-injuries-from-a-shooting/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A current employee said there was one major flaw at the Johnson City store where 23-year-old Tava Woodard was killed: the cashier trigger button.
The button is used to alert law enforcement of possible emergencies at the store.
Greg Matherly with Washington County’s 911 Dispatch told News Channel 11 that when pushed, such buttons typically send an alert to the alarm company to contact local law enforcement.
“The secondary emergency button was malfunctioned as well,” said Roadrunner Market employee Joseph Aguilar. “Unfortunately, it was not even hooked up.”
On June 2, the Roadrunner convenience store at the corner of North Broadway Street and East Myrtle Avenue in Johnson City was robbed, and the clerk, Tava Woodard, was killed.
Mark Sexton, Jr. and Mark Sexton III have both been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery and conspiracy to commit especially aggravated robbery.
Employees of the Roadrunner said they have been requesting that this issue be fixed for a while and that the button was fixed after Woodard’s death.
“The gentleman expressed that we were supposed to be testing it on a monthly basis,” said Aguilar. “No prior management that I have spoken with has had that information. No current management I’ve had has expressed that information.”
Former manager, Ashley Griffin, said she was also not aware of the monthly testing.
“I feel personally really bad about it because I never checked to make sure that they were working or anything,” said Griffin.
Employees say measures have been put in place by upper management to increase security in the building, including installing more surveillance. As of Monday, employees said they have started scheduling two people for their shifts.
“How long will this last? I don’t know,” said employee Kasey Blevins. “We’re hoping it lasts.”
“We never used the ‘buddy system’ prior to this,” said Aguilar. “I feel as though that would’ve helped, but I’m not sure that would’ve cured anything. I’m concerned that the events would’ve occurred in the same way, and there would’ve been two people instead of one.”
News Channel 11 has reached out to the convenience store owner, GPM Investments, multiple times over the past few days to learn about employee safety at their stores and to see if any changes have been made in operations since Woodard’s death.
GPM Investments has not responded to these requests. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-convenience-store-employees-share-safety-concerns-after-clerk-killed/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:28 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-convenience-store-employees-share-safety-concerns-after-clerk-killed/ |
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has crews on the scene of a sinkhole along Interstate 26.
According to TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi, the sinkhole was reported on I-26 West near mile marker 25 in Washington County. The location is just south of the University Parkway exit.
As of 5:15 p.m. Thursday, TDOT crews were on the scene to assess the sinkhole.
Nagi said in a tweet that the right lane of I-26 West would be closed soon. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tdot-crews-assessing-sinkhole-on-i-26-in-washington-county/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:34 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tdot-crews-assessing-sinkhole-on-i-26-in-washington-county/ |
Editor’s Note: The Tri-Cities is growing and News Channel 11 wants to keep you informed of new construction underway commercially and residentially. Our weekly series “Who’s Building That?” uses public documents, research, community connections and hard work to bring you information about who’s building or renovating what, where, and for what use. You’ll also get facts and figures about project costs and potential property tax revenue as well as trend data. Don’t drive by and wonder anymore!
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A psychiatric hospital that opened in 2018 is growing its occupancy by 33% with a project that is about to come out of the ground just off East Stone Drive.
Creekside Behavioral Health, a 72-bed facility that opened in October 2018, is adding 24 beds in a new unit that should be open by the end of the year.
Director of Business Development Jeff Williams told News Channel 11 the project is in response to the growing demand for inpatient behavioral health care across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Creekside offers partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient and chemical detox programs (both inpatient and outpatient) in addition to its acute inpatient program.
Williams said the facility has provided inpatient psychiatric and substance use disorder treatment to more than 9,000 people and treated more than 1,600 outpatients, who have logged more than 25,000 total visits.
The addition is being built directly off the existing building.
WHAT: 24-bed wing at psychiatric hospital totaling 9,125 square feet.
WHERE: 1025 Executive Park Blvd., Kingsport.
WHO: Creekside Behavioral Health.
WHEN: Target date for opening is December 2023.
YOUR TAX BENEFIT: Estimated additional property tax (Kingsport and Sullivan County combined) of about $100,000 a year. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whos-building-that/kingsport-psych-hospital-adding-24-beds/ | 2023-06-08T22:28:40 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whos-building-that/kingsport-psych-hospital-adding-24-beds/ |
MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A woman is facing homicide charges after a man’s body was found wrapped in plastic in McKeesport last month.
According to Allegheny County police, the victim’s body was found inside an apartment along Evans Avenue on May 1 at 9:05 p.m.
It was reported that a female fled the apartment by jumping from a balcony.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Police searching for woman after homicide in McKeesport
When police arrived on scene, they encountered the victim’s family. The victim, Donte Glover, 36, was reported missing on April 30.
Family members told police they came to the apartment to look for him.
Investigation showed that the apartment belonged to Lindsey Jackson, 37. Police identified her as the woman who jumped from the balcony.
The body was identified as Glover on May 2. His cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and was ruled a homicide.
Detectives charged Jackson with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Jackson turned herself in on Tuesday. She was placed in the Allegheny County Jail and denied bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 16.
Anyone with information is asked to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
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HANOVER TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pennsylvania state police are seeking information on a cold case out of Hanover Township, Washington County.
On June 19, 1996, the remains of James Louis Levy, 27, were discovered by a mountain biker while riding on a trail.
Police said Levy was buried in a shallow grave in the middle of the fire trail and was discovered when his body began to decompose and come to the surface.
An autopsy revealed that Levy died from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Levy was last seen alive in the Pittsburgh area around two weeks prior, according to police.
Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the PSP Pittsburgh Station at 724-787-2000 and speak to Trooper Kress or you can contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers if you have information on this crime, any serious crime, or wanted person, call the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107
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PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen remained three hits shy of 2,000 for his career when he went 0 for 2 with two walks Tuesday night in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 11-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics at PNC Park.
The veteran outfielder/designated hitter has four games left on this homestand to reach the milestone. The Pirates and Athletics close out their three-game series Wednesday afternoon then the New York Mets visit for a three-game series beginning Friday night.
No. 1: June 4, 2009
McCutchen was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to make his major-league debut in a matinee game against the New York Mets at PNC Park.
It took McCutchen just one plate appearance to notch his first hit. He grounded a single up the middle off Mike Pelfrey to lead off the bottom of the first inning.
The Pirates won the game 11-6 as McCutchen went 2 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored. Utility infielder Ramon Vazquez had a 4-for-4 day for the Pirates.
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium has welcomed its newest animal -- a pygmy hippopotamus!
Hadari, a one-year-old male, arrived at the zoo on May 23 from Alabama’s Montgomery Zoo.
He has been getting to learn his new home in the Jungle Odyssey area.
The zoo said Hadari loves interacting with keepers and visitors alike, and his favorite foods include green beans, cooked carrots, and oranges.
He is in the process of growing his tusks, so visitors will be able to watch the progress of their development.
It’s been a big year of new additions at the zoo, including two Western lowland gorillas and two Amur leopards.
Click here to read more from the Pittsburgh Zoo about Hadari and pygmy hippopotamuses.
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PITTSBURGH — The NFL has finalized the full preseason schedule for the 2023 season, including the three games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the league announced on Wednesday.
The Steelers will play two games on the road and one at Acrisure Stadium, as part of the rotation started with the move to a 17-game schedule in 2021.
The 2023 preseason will start for the Steelers on Friday, Aug. 11, when they will travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. That game will have a 7 p.m. kickoff time. The Steelers have not traveled to Tampa since 2018. Bucs advisor to the general manager Bruce Arians and assistant coaches Harold Goodwin, Larry Foote and Tom Moore are all former Steelers.
Read more from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh.
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PITTSBURGH — Day Six of the trial against Robert Bowers, the man accused of shooting and killing 11 worshippers at a Squirrel Hill synagogue, continued Tuesday with more witnesses taking the stand.
Law enforcement and medics who were among the first on the scene of the shooting, including SWAT Officer Michael Saldutte and tactical paramedic Eric Barazotto, testified Monday.
PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING TRIAL: FULL COVERAGE ⇒
Warning: the details coming out of this trial are difficult to hear and may be upsetting to some.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health effects from the trial, go to 1027healingpartnership.org to find help resources. As always, call 911 to report threats.
- Phone: 412-697-3534
- Email: info@1027HealingPartnership.org
- Web: 1027healingpartnership.org
We have a team of reporters inside the courthouse and have live updates below throughout the day.
UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: Pittsburgh SWAT officer John Persin testifies
John Persin, a Pittsburgh SWAT officer who also works with motorcycle patrol is now testifying.
Persin was at home when he was notified about the SWAT situation and he responded to the shooting. He made entry into the building.
“We began searching for the shooter. I was with a small unit of SWAT operators,” Persin recalled.
Persin remembers finding Andrea Wedner, Rose Mallinger’s daughter.
“She was crying, hysterical, she had a gunshot wound to her arm and was crying that her mother was dead,” Persin said. “She was under the body of her deceased mother.”
“Memories that kind of stick with me. They invade my thoughts every day, the violence, the smell,” said Persin.
Persin was assisting in the search for the suspect.
“We called looking for K9s or technology looking to help clear the building,” Persin said. “They weren’t available, so we decided to proceed without the extra help. We prioritize the lives of hostages over ourselves. We decided it was time for us to go.”
Persin said he could hear gunshots, which was the first exchange of gunfire police had with Bowers.
UPDATE 2:50 p.m.: Forensic pathologist Dr. Todd Luckasevic takes the stand
Dr. Todd Luckasevic, who worked for Allegheny County in 2018, is now testifying.
Luckasevic conducted autopsies on Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon and David Rosenthal. He said all three dies from rifle wounds.
Bernice Simon, 84, died from a single rifle wound to the trunk.
Sylvan Simon, 86, was shot a total of four times.
David Rosenthal, 54, was shot twice.
UPDATE 2:20 p.m.: Another forensic pathologist, Dr. Baiyng Xu, testifies
Witness No. 3 Tuesday is Dr. Baiyng Xu, who works as a forensic pathologist at the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Xu is an associate medical examiner and has been there for more than 15 years. He received his medical degree in 1982 in China.
He did autopsies for Rose Malinger, Richard Gottfried, Jerry Rabinowitz, and Joyce Fienberg. He said the cause of death for all four victims he examined are rifle wounds:
Joyce Fienberg, 75, was shot two times in her left arm, once in her abdomen and once in her left thigh.
Richard Gottfried, 65, was shot a total of seven times, including in the chest, pelvic area and wrist.
Rose Malinger, 97, was shot in the face and arm.
Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, was shot in the back of his head and in his torso.
Xu said all of four of them were in good health prior to the shooting.
UPDATE 11:05 a.m.: Forensic pathologist Dr. Ashton Ennis takes the stand
Dr. Ashton Ennis, who works as a forensic pathologist, is on the stand.
He currently works for a company in Pennsylvania, but still performs autopsies. He previously worked for Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office for five years and has built programs to educate students.
He is certified in forensic pathology, and broadly determines the manner and cause of death.
He’s been a forensic pathologist for about 11 years.
When he was at Allegheny County ME’s Office, he would perform autopsies and create reports. He’s performed thousands of autopsies. He has examined a variety of gunshot wounds on bodies from long-gun rifles, pistols, etc., including different lengths of range.
The prosecution offers Dr. Ennis as an expert in forensic pathology.
Ennis says the process of an autopsy begins in his office as he gets information from the scene investigators. This is vital information on what condition the body may come in.
Once they get to the body, they will examine it, then wash the body and examine it again.
They will also X-ray the body, will scan it from the head to the toes. This happens when the body is clothed so it’s before anyone examines the body.
After everything is examined in the body, they take out each organ and dissect those, and look for signs of disease or injury.
They document any clothing, marks on the body, outside and inside, and any personal artifacts, plus the manner and cause of death.
Not all autopsies are about crime or criminal investigations.
Ennis conducted autopsies as part of the investigation into Robert Bowers.
He did four of the autopsies.
He heard what had happened in the media. He says he texted one of the people he works with, asking where they wanted him. He was not on call, but knew the gravity of the work and that they would have a place for him that day.
Ennis says he was not the only one to do forensic pathologies. He believes there were two others that worked on the victims. They all worked at the same time.
“It’s much more complicated than a typical day at the office,” Ennis says.
It was much more work because he had four gunshot victims in a day.
“It made for a very busy day,” he says.
Gunshot cases are more complicated, typically.
Images and X-rays are entered as evidence in the courtroom.
Of the four victims Ennis did autopsies for, three had rifle wounds to the head; all of them were shot more than once.
- Cause of death for Cecil Rosenthal was rifle wounds to the head and torso, manner of death was homicide.
- Cause of death for Dan Stein was rifle wounds to the head, neck and extremities, manner of death was homicide.
- Cause of death for Irving Younger was rifle wounds to the head, torso and left thigh, manner of death was homicide.
- Cause of death for Melvin Wax was rifle wounds to the torso and extremities, manner of death was homicide.
UPDATE 9:50 a.m.: Pittsburgh SWAT Officer Miller recalls Officer Matson getting shot, taking Bowers into custody
Miller says you have to ascend five stairs to the next classroom.
“The door was closed, it opened inward,” he says. “It was dark.”
Miller was with officers Matson, Burke, Persin and Saldutte.
He would have been the last to approach the room, he says.
Miller says Matson entered, got a few steps in and got shot. Saldutte immediately returned fire and Miller started returning fire, too.
“Mr. Bowers shot first, without a doubt,” Miller says.
Miller says it was loud and when the gunfire erupted there was a bunch of smoke.
“Inside the room, there was a drop ceiling with particle board and that kicked up a lot of dust and debris,” he says. “You couldn’t see anything in the room. It was like shining your headlights in the fog. You just couldn’t see.”
Miller had to turn off his light and he could see the muzzle flash in front of him and directly to his left
“There was a black wall locker and the door had swung open and I could see the muzzle flash behind that locker door and it gave me a flash to aim,” he says.
Because he is left-handed, it was difficult to maneuver his rifle. “I didn’t want to get shot,” he says. “I didn’t want to die.”
He could feel Saldutte and Matson moving behind him. Saldutte kicked him, which he says was them trying to get out of the room.
“They would have been to the right of me because I moved into the left side on the other wall,” he says.
He was about one step into the room and one step to the left. The muzzle flash moved, and he paused and tried to figure out where Bowers was in the room, but he couldn’t see even if he flashed his white light into the room. Then the flash moved to the right. Saldutte stopped shooting and that’s when Miller felt the kick on his leg. “I believe he ran out of ammunition in his magazine,” Miller says. “I still had rounds.”
“I could just feel him trying to self-rescue, to get himself out of the room. I could feel him brushing up behind me,” Miller says.
When he felt the other officers were out of the room, Miller stopped firing and got out of the room as well. He went into the hallway and landing, and, at that point, there were numerous SWAT officers in the hall. “I had Officer Matson’s vest in my hands, trying to drag him down the hallway. He’s not light,” Miller says.
The first round had hit him in the knee, Miller says, and he immediately went to the ground.
“The fire was focused on him, so I knew he was in serious condition and had been shot multiple times. He fell immediately. The fire directed at him left no doubt in my mind he was seriously, seriously injured,” Miller said.
We started peeling off his armor and helmet to get an assessment of where he was injured. He had a bullet wound on the right side of his head, but he was still talking, which was surprising.
“I didn’t think someone could survive that wound,” Miller says.
He was screaming and they were all screaming at him to get up. Matson was saying to let him sit up, Miller says, and that’s how they got his helmet and armor off.
It took a lot of people to “daisy chain” him down the steps to get him to medical attention, Miller says. Each person took a piece of him, a leg and arm, to get him down to help. They got him to the second level, where the medics were.
Miller ran back up to the third floor to try to get into the fight, he says. Other SWAT officers had engaged the actor again.
Miller took up position behind Officer Timmons and waited. He says he didn’t fire in the second volley of gunfire. He says he heard yelling from the room, then communication between Bowers and Timmons. He says he was about eight feet from the room.
“He said he had to do it. ‘Jews are the children of Satan and they are murdering our children,’” Miller says that’s what he heard Bowers say when he was asked why he did it.
Bowers crawled out of the room head first. They could see his hands first, then you could see his whole body and there was concern he still had more weapons, Miller says.
Eventually, we could see a firearm on his back waist, a black semi-automatic pistol, Miller says. Miller told Timmons he had flex cuffs on him and he could handcuff Bowers. Miller saw the pistol and took it and put it on the floor of the hallway. Miller had blood from Officer Matison’s injuries on his hands. When he started taking control of Bowers, he also got Bowers’ blood on him. Another officer helped him handcuff Bowers because the blood was causing his hands to slip.
“He’s the man sitting at the defense table with the black sweater on,” Miller says when asked if the man they took into custody is in the courtroom.
They moved Bowers into a hallway and a classroom down the hallway. Then they searched him and took another gun off his ankle, a couple of magazines, He also had an ammo pouch, Miller says.
A radio communication from Miller is played in the courtroom.
“We have the actor, addition firearm in his left ankle pistol.”
He wanted them to know they took additional firearms off this person and he needed to be seen by medics, Miller says.
They couldn’t move him past where the shootout had happened. There was a fire escape in the room where they took Bowers and medics came up there to render aid to Bowers, Miller says.
Several photos are shown in court, including Miller’s view during the gunfight, the view looking to the stairway outside of the room where the shooting took place, Matson’s armor, helmet and rifle, and weapons taken from Bowers.
“For Officer Matson, he had no way of seeing that person in that area,” Miller says of the room where the firefight took place. “No way to see until that first shot fired.”
Miller did not immediately leave the scene.
“That’s what we do, that’s what we train for,” he says. “Those are my teammates.”
When the defense cross-examined Miller, they asked about Bowers yelling from the room, “I had to do it.”
They asked exactly what he said about Jews as he crawled from the room.
Upon redirect by the prosecution, Miller said Bowers was trying to get SWAT officers’ attention, then once he got to the threshold, it was more like a talking level, not screaming. Rather he was raising his voice when he was in the corner.
UPDATE 9:23 a.m.: Testimony begins
The trial has started for the day. Andrew Miller, a Pittsburgh SWAT officer, returns to the stand.
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UNIONTOWN, Pa. — A 38-year-old man from Uniontown is dead after a shooting before lunchtime on Clark Street.
After nearly five hours of investigating and keeping the area of Clark Street near Calvary United Methodist Church taped off, Pennsylvania State Police identified that man as Anthony Jones.
Vicki Steckley was one of the first people on the scene after hearing the gunshots.
“About 10:30 I heard ‘bam, bam, bam, bam’” Steckley said. “I think it was about 10 shots like, ‘boom, boom, boom, boom.””
She was going to go back to sleep but then heard a woman scream. So she ran to the scene to help. She said the shooter was no longer there.
“No, there was nobody here,” Steckley said. “Nobody was here.”
Another neighbor, Rich Bowlan, was riding up to the store in his wheelchair. He also only heard the shooting happen.
“I just heard a ‘bang, bang, bang, bang,’” Bowlan said. “I turned back to look, didn’t see anybody, and just kept on going.”
He said he hears gunshots in this area almost every day, so he didn’t think much of it at first.
“You hear gunfire going off, you hear fireworks going off. I just couldn’t tell,” Bowland said.
He and Steckley both said it’s frustrating and sad for this to happen in their neighborhood. They want to see the violence stop.
“Stop the violence, like come on now,” Steckley said. “This is too close to home. It could be one of us.”
State Police said they do have a person of interest in mind.
They also said the shooter and the victim knew each other but have not yet released any details about that person of interest.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Health has provided some tips to stay safe while smoke from Canadian wildfires is pushed into Pennsylvania communities.
Photos: Smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets northeastern U.S.
The Department of Environmental Protection declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for the entire state Wednesday.
Related >>> Code Red: Pennsylvania-wide alert issued for poor air quality from Canada wildfires
“Many of us really enjoy spending time outside, however, while the smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting our air quality, we need to consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them,” said Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of Health. “For the next day or two, I encourage people to limit time outside, especially if you are sensitive to poor air quality.”
All Pennsylvanians are encouraged to:
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
- Keep outdoor activities short.
- Consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.
Tips to help keep particle pollution lower indoors:
- Don’t use candles or smoke indoors.
- Keep windows and doors closed.
- If you have an air filter in your home, now is a good time to use it.
- Clean or replace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.
- If you don’t have one and want to make your own portable air cleaner designed to reduce particles indoors, the EPA offers DIY information.
Air quality can affect your health, especially people who may be at greater risk, including:
- People with heart disease
- People with lung disease, including asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Older adults
- Children and teenagers because their lungs are still developing, and they breathe more air relative to their size
- People who are pregnant
- People who work outdoors
If you experience symptoms like trouble breathing or dizziness, you should seek medical attention. If you know a family member or neighbor who has one of the above conditions, remember to check in on them.
Visit www.airnow.gov to find the latest air quality levels and recommendations for your location.
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Wednesday’s game between the New Jersey Jackals and the Washington Wild Things has been postponed due to air quality issues from Canada wildfires.
The Wild Things, based in Washington County, are a part of Frontier League Professional Baseball.
New Jersey’s Hinchliffe Stadium is owned by Paterson’s school system, which banned outdoor activities today due to the wildfires and air quality issues and warnings that exist across most of the eastern seaboard.
The game is scheduled to be made up tomorrow as part of a doubleheader, which is scheduled to start at 4:35 p.m.
Any updates regarding the start time or tomorrow’s games will be posted at washingtonwildthings.com.
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The nose of a brand new white van pointed toward the sky, bursting from the rear end of an upturned tan train car, one of many piled one over the other and crushed to resemble accordions — the aftermath of a 167-car freight train's derailment overnight.
Some neighbors in Williams heard a terrible crashing sound in the late hours as at least 23 rail cars careened off the tracks around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train appeared to be hauling vehicles as its cargo.
Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the derailment to assist BNSF PD and personnel, making sure that no one was injured. According to CCSO spokesperson Jon Paxton, there was no evidence of hazardous materials being spilled. BNSF has confirmed that no one was injured during the derailment.
On Thursday morning, a BNSF police officer was stationed by the nearest railroad crossing, keeping curious passers-by safely off of the tracks. Unable to comment on the incident himself, the police officer was one of many employees responding to the wreckage. Heavy equipment and cranes were being employed throughout the day Tuesday, working to remove the overturned cars.
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The Arizona Daily Sun has reached out to BNSF for an official comment, and will update this story with any response.
In the meantime, a steady stream of side-by-sides and off-road vehicles trickled down Pinetree Drive in Williams, where one home stands just a few feet away from one of the wrecked train cars.
Most of those people are neighbors, people like Jan Larson, who lives close to the tracks but a safe distance away from the derailment.
“I heard a lot of weird noises at night, but I’m a couple miles up the road,” she said, marveling at the wreckage and how close one of her neighbor’s homes came to being crushed by an overturned train car.
Further up Pinetree Drive, a Christian youth camp, the West Branch of the Bill Rice Ranch, is getting ready to receive campers later this year. They opened in 2014 and are used to hearing the train.
This morning, however, none of the staff noticed the derailment until they saw images on the news.
“Almost nobody noticed until we pointed it out,” said West Branch Camp Director Troy Carlson. He said campers often ask jokingly if the train is derailing when it’s particularly loud, but he never imagined he’d see wreckage right behind their property. Over Carlson’s shoulder, a number of overturned cars were in view. Farther up the tracks, a single orange BNSF engine still stood erect ahead of the trail of cars.
Carlson said he was glad there didn’t seem to be anything on fire or spilled. For now, it appears that the derailment didn’t damage any private property.
Gallery: BNSF train derails east of Williams, spilling 20+ cars
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Several cars of a BNSF freight train that was transporting a variety of new vehicles are damaged and off the rails Thursday morning after the …
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Several cars of a BNSF freight train that was transporting a variety of new vehicles are damaged and off the rails Thursday morning after the …
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Several cars of a BNSF freight train that was transporting a variety of new vehicles lay damaged and off the rails Thursday morning after the …
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Two BNSF freight train cars are off the track and on their sides Thursday morning after the train derailed near Williams late Wednesday evenin…
Train De-Rails Near Williams
A BNSF freight train car sits precariously on one side of its wheels Thursday morning after the train derailed near Williams late Wednesday ev…
A BNSF train with 20+ cars derailed overnight east of Williams.
Train De-Rails Near Williams
BNSF crews work to remove damaged freight train cars from the track after a train transporting new vehicles derailed near Williams late Wednes…
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Several cars of a BNSF freight train that was transporting a variety of new vehicles are damaged and off the rails Thursday morning after the …
Train De-Rails Near Williams
A BNSF freight train transporting a variety of new vehicles derailed east of Williams late Wednesday night.
Train De-Rails Near Williams
Cars of a BNSF freight train that derailed near Williams Wednesday evening sit on the track at its crossing with South Garland Prairie Road Th… | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/bnsf-cargo-train-derails-near-williams-at-least-23-cars-topple-off-the-tracks/article_25d24794-0636-11ee-8890-6fd28848ee98.html | 2023-06-08T22:31:46 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/bnsf-cargo-train-derails-near-williams-at-least-23-cars-topple-off-the-tracks/article_25d24794-0636-11ee-8890-6fd28848ee98.html |
Behind seven combined regular-season and tournament championships among its eight Big Sky Conference-sponsored women's programs, Northern Arizona University claimed the Big Sky Women's All-Sport Trophy for the third consecutive year and 11th time in school history.
The women's 11th All-Sport Trophy is the most in conference history. Northern Arizona snapped its tie with Weber State for the most in Big Sky history. In addition to earning the distinction for the third consecutive year, Northern Arizona has now claimed the Women's All-Sports Trophy for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
The All-Sports Trophy recognizes the top performing school in the conference. Points are awarded only in conference-sponsored sports.
Helping secure the All-Sports Trophy were the women's cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field teams, which all won Big Sky championships. Women's soccer brought home both the regular-season and tournament titles to round out a successful fall. Women's basketball secured a share of the title in its regular season and advanced to the Big Sky championship tournament title game. In the spring, women's tennis was perfect in the Big Sky standings to earn a regular-season title before losing the championship game of the conference tournament.
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Also factoring into the All-Sports Trophy standings was women's golf, which finished fourth at the Big Sky tourney. Volleyball finished ninth in the conference standings.
Northern Arizona posted a score of 8.6 to top the Women's All-Sports Trophy standings, outdistancing Montana State's runner-up score of 7.1. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-programs-combine-to-win-big-sky-all-sport-trophy/article_b098a270-0617-11ee-8aff-0f45b5790065.html | 2023-06-08T22:31:53 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-programs-combine-to-win-big-sky-all-sport-trophy/article_b098a270-0617-11ee-8aff-0f45b5790065.html |
ELLSWORTH -- Downeast Community Partners, a Community Action Agency serving residents from Ellworth to Calais, is looking to recruit new members for their Climate Corps program. This research based program will focus on the benefits of being energy efficient while teaching its recruits new ways to study the benefits of winterizing homes.
The agency received a grant through Volunteer Maine in September of 2022 in an effort to focus on performing more weatherization services in the community. Development Director for DCP Sharon Catus says their mission is to help Mainer's live more comfortably and affordably.
"They will take data that we've previously gathered from homes before weatherization and after weatherization and be able to quantify the impact," said Catus.
Catus says that weatherization is the number one defense for Mainers in fighting the rising heating costs.
"Weatherization doesn't just insulate you better, it s all about the air quality, so the air quality becomes so much better after a home has been weatherized."
Members will learn how to assess the energy envelope of a home and receive multiple certifications at the end of the 6 month program and is great for those with an unclear future.
"It's a great chance for say someone who just graduated from high school and haven't secured that summer job or they don't know what they're going to do with their future so they're looking for some type of career path. The energy efficiency field is burgeoning," said Catus.
The program starting in July will run to the end of the year, anyone interested can contact their Ellsworth location or email a resume to volunteering@dcpcap.org. More information can also be found on their website. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/downeast-community-partners-is-recruiting-for-climate-corps-program/article_4837d484-0640-11ee-9628-07fb3ba3e291.html | 2023-06-08T22:33:29 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/downeast-community-partners-is-recruiting-for-climate-corps-program/article_4837d484-0640-11ee-9628-07fb3ba3e291.html |
ORONO -- A public library is opening a new chapter with a unique book club.
In Orono, a small group of kids is pushing back against book censorship with the help of Lindsay Varnum, youth services librarian at Orono Public Library.
"Challenges and bans were starting to crop up around the country, so I thought that would be an interesting topic to explore with the kids," said Varnum.
The banned book club, open to kids in eighth through twelfth grade, meets once a month to read and discuss books that have been banned or challenged across the country and locally.
"We do talk about things that are happening in other districts in Maine just so they are aware it is happening in Maine, close to home. We talk about trends that are happening nationwide," said Varnum.
One Orono resident and long-time patron of the library says he hopes the program will help to refocus the conversation around banned books, from being a political statement to meeting the educational needs of kids.
"Unfortunately, it has become a partisan political issue. It should not be. And it often is not a moral issue, the only moral involved is the ability to accept and get along with others," said Bob Buntrock.
Varnum says it's important to provide kids with a variety of books, both to learn about people who are different from them, and to feel represented in the stories they read.
"A lot of the books that are being challenged and banned are books by authors of color or have main characters of color, or authors that are part of the LGBTQ community," said Varnum. "I think it's really important that those marginalized people have a voice, and I think it's important for kids who belong to those communities to see themselves in books."
Those interested in joining the club can email the library at library@orono.org. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/orono-public-library-offers-banned-book-club/article_190a70de-0638-11ee-a587-d79bdb1bf823.html | 2023-06-08T22:33:35 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/orono-public-library-offers-banned-book-club/article_190a70de-0638-11ee-a587-d79bdb1bf823.html |
AUGUSTA -- "We really just want them to let us save our friends."
Recovery and harm reduction advocates took to the third floor of the State House, urging legislators to vote in favor of allowing Overdose Prevention Centers in Maine.
"Saving lives is the most important thing that the State Legislature can do and by passing L.D. 1364, they'll help us save lives," said Courtney Gray-Allen, Organizing Director of Maine Recovery Advocacy Project
Supporters lined the halls, holding up signs and handing out purple carnations to legislators, resembling the amount of lives lost due to overdoses.
"Harm reduction health centers are the only life-saving intervention that has a 100% effective rate of keeping our friends, family and community members alive," said Gray-Allen.
"In the words of Dr. Seuss: unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to change," said Molly White, Program Manager for Church of Safe Injection
L.D. 1364 has been met with opposition, especially from Governor Mills who says "the establishment of such a center would be premature and a violation of federal law."
However, supporters will not go down without a fight.
If she wants to veto this, we're going to send a message today she doesn't have the power. We have the power and we're going to give it to the Maine people," said Lucas Lanigan, a Republican Senator from Sanford.
Senator Lookner says he's grateful to see so much support for the bill.
SUPER: SENATOR GRAYSON LOOKNER // (D) - PORTLAND
"It's really inspirational. This is their bill, I introduced it on their behalf, on the behalf of all my friends and people I've known over the years who've passed away from an opioid death. It's inspiring to see folks come out for it," said Senator Lookner. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/supporters-of-overdose-prevention-centers-gather-at-state-house/article_5593e01e-0645-11ee-b9cd-ab3e97d539c3.html | 2023-06-08T22:33:41 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/supporters-of-overdose-prevention-centers-gather-at-state-house/article_5593e01e-0645-11ee-b9cd-ab3e97d539c3.html |
A Mason City man already facing felony drug charges was arrested again Thursday morning and charged with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
According to court records, 45-year-old Dalles Benjamin Dodge was arrested at his residence around 9 a.m.
The affidavit states police found two baggies containing more than five grams of methamphetamine on Dodge's person.
A warrant for Dodge's arrest was issued April 19 after he was charged with three counts of delivery of methamphetamine and one count of possession of methamphetamine. Those affidavits state that Dodge sold drugs to an individual working with law enforcement.
Dodge is facing up to 55 years in prison if convicted on all charges. No court date has been set as of Thursday afternoon. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mason-city-man-faces-additional-drug-charge/article_1451ec56-062a-11ee-af00-efc6a2844126.html | 2023-06-08T22:35:29 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mason-city-man-faces-additional-drug-charge/article_1451ec56-062a-11ee-af00-efc6a2844126.html |
WAVERLY – Hundreds of dogs and their owners will participate in a dog show from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11.
The show will take place at the Bremer County Fairgrounds at 717 Fifth Ave. Southwest in Waverly.
Events include judging of various dog breeds in conformation, a junior showmanship event, the national owner-handled series, a puppy competition, eye clinics, Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog testing and a microchip clinic.
Admission to the show is $1 and parking is free.
Is it too hot to walk your dog? 5 safety tips for summer weather
How hot is too hot to walk my dog?
Summer can bring scorching temperatures that leave responsible dog owners wondering when it’s too hot to take their pup on a walk. Dogs tend to overheat more quickly than humans, so paying careful attention to the temperature and your dog’s body language is essential.
As a general rule, if the temperatures are over 90 degrees, you’ll likely want to wait until the cooler evening for a walk. You can also place the back of your hand on the sidewalk or pavement and hold it there for seven seconds. If that’s too hot for your hand, it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws.
How can I prevent my dog from overheating on walks?
Following a few simple safety tips can make long summer strolls just as fun for your dog as they are for you. Here’s what you need to know as the temperatures rise.
1. Timing is everything.
When the sun is at its peak, pavement can become scorching hot. It’s best to save walks for early mornings or late evenings when the temperature is cooler. Skip mid-day walks when the sun is blazing unless you can stroll in a wooded area where the ground gets plenty of shade.
2. Stay hydrated.
Just as it’s important for people to get plenty of water on hot days, it’s also important for dogs. When walking in the summer, grab a cold water bottle and a collapsible dog bowl. If you notice excessive panting or salivation, take a break and give your dog time to hydrate. Freezing low-sodium broth in an ice cube tray is also a great way to get your dog more fluids in the summer.
3. Stay in the shade.
Staying in shady wooded areas is ideal, but for city-dwellers, it’s best to cross to the shady side of the street. Plan your dog's walking routes in areas with more tree or building coverage to keep your dog’s paws cooler. As a bonus, it might help you avoid your next sunburn.
4. Protect their paws.
As mentioned before, if the sidewalk is too hot for the back of your hand, it’s also too hot for your dog’s paws. Stick to grassy areas, or get some breathable dog booties to protect their paws from hot pavement.
5. Watch for signs of overheating.
Dogs produce far less sweat than people, so they’ll need your help to stay cool in the summer.
Watch for common signs of your dog overheating which include:
Excessive panting
Difficulty breathing
Drooling
Weakness
Fatigue
Collapsing
If you notice any of these symptoms, get to a shady spot and offer your dog plenty of water. Wetting your dog’s paws, belly, and ears with cool water can also help bring down their body temperature. You can even store some dog ice cream in the freezer for a special treat when you get home.
Is it safe to walk my dog in the summer?
When walking your dog in the summer, it’s important to keep the warning signs of overheating in mind, especially with dog breeds that have short noses or thick coats. If you follow a few simple safety tips, your dog can enjoy the long summer days and all the extra evening walks that come with the season. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/waterloo-kennel-club-holding-dog-show-in-waverly/article_53e21bca-0576-11ee-8693-6fdd4e105e82.html | 2023-06-08T22:35:31 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/waterloo-kennel-club-holding-dog-show-in-waverly/article_53e21bca-0576-11ee-8693-6fdd4e105e82.html |
Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton awards grants
CANTON − The Board of Directors of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton has announced $1,160,581 in grants for the first and second quarters of 2023.
The following are the first- and second-quarter grants awarded:
Responsive efforts: Respond to specific or short-term community needs. Total: $677,486
- Access Health Stark County, to support the services of an on-site community health worker and related outreach activities in Canton City schools, $40,471
- Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, to support food for the Stark County Keith D. Monda Food Pantry and Stark County Home Delivery Program, $40,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Massillon, to support capital funding for construction of a new building, $100,000
- Canton for All People, to support the build-out of Southeast Community Wellness Center, $150,000
- CommQuest Services, to support parking lot and door lock repairs at the Fuline Center, $180,835
- Our Lady of Peace Elementary School, to support a summer program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, $44,110
- St. Anthony/All Saints Parish, to support the Building Bridges Hispanic ministry, over three years, $36,000
- Stark County District Library, to support the neighborhood component of its Summer Fun School program, over two years, $51,520
- Stark County Hunger Task Force, to support a new food pantry freezer, shopping carts for pantry clients, and a part-time driver/warehouse manager position, over 16 months, $34,550
Strategic Collaborations: Work alongside others to launch programs that build capacity and increase effectiveness in community services. The following were invited proposals to help build the capacity of local nonprofits. Total: $225,095
- Access Health Stark County, to support a four-part data process improvement plan, $14,750
- Aunt Susie’s Cancer Wellness Center, to support strategic planning and board development activities, $10,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio, to support strategic planning and leadership development activities, $5,200
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit Medina, and Stark Counties, to support consulting services to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness, and leadership coaching, $6,466
- Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health, to support leadership development services $11,000
- EN-RICH-MENT, to support the development and implementation of a volunteer management system $13,134
- Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, to support four staff members’ attendance to the Goodwill Industries International Executive Development and Senior Leaders programs $10,000
- Hartville Migrant Ministry, to support a new website, the development of an integrated fundraising plan, and Spanish classes for the new director of services, $9,684
- JRC, to support conscious discipline training for all frontline employees; diversity, equity, and inclusion training for all employees; and advanced grant-writing training for the chief development officer $6,400
- Our Lady of Peace Elementary School, to support attendance at the Conscious Discipline Advanced Institute; a three-day, off-site staff retreat for 30 staff members, and the principal’s virtual attendance at the National Catholic Education Association Conference, $12,000
- Pathway Caring for Children, to support training registration software enhancements and website upgrades, $13,200
- Pegasus Farm, to support leadership development, succession planning, and board development activities, $6,000
- Refuge of Hope Ministries, to support strategic planning, $7,500
- She Elevates, to support fund development training and assistance, $15,000
- St. John’s Villa, to support facility accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, $15,000
- We Are Troubled On Every Side (WATOES), to support one-time technology needs, $2,500
- YMCA of Central Stark County, to support leadership development, $8,750
- YMCA of Central Stark County, to support a learning component in its summer camps in the Canton City, Alliance City, and Plain Local school districts, $58,511
Foundation-Led Initiatives: Efforts to develop and hone programs focused on systemic change. Total: $258,000
- Early Childhood Resource Center, to support the SPARK program in Canton and Minerva $250,000
- Refuge of Hope Ministries, to support the cost of out-of-town bus tickets for people experiencing homelessness in Stark County who wish to relocate to another area, over two years $8,000
Established in 1996, the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. Based on the vision of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, the Foundation is committed to addressing the needs of the poor and underserved by understanding the root causes of poverty, nurturing the growth of healthy communities, emphasizing youth and family, and measuring the outcomes of these efforts.
The Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton reviews grants on a rolling basis. Information on the grant application process is available at www.scfcanton.org | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/sisters-of-charity-foundation-of-canton-awards-grants/70298349007/ | 2023-06-08T22:35:53 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/08/sisters-of-charity-foundation-of-canton-awards-grants/70298349007/ |
Lehman High transformation celebrated: City leaders, developers embrace Oxford Place
- The 62-unit complex was developed by a.m. Rodriguez Associates Inc. and its management affiliate CMS Housing in partnership with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp.
- The city of Canton provided a $1 million loan from Issue 13 tax revenue and $500,000 in federal funds.
- Residents and alumni praised the former school's renovation.
CANTON − City leaders and project stakeholders are celebrating the transformation of the former Lehman High School into Oxford Place senior apartments.
Canton Mayor Thomas Bernabei, who graduated in 1964 from Lehman High School, stood Tuesday in the former auditorium and recalled the building's "deteriorating times" when the city considered demolition. It had water leaks and had been vandalized.
"This exceeds my highest and best expectations," Bernabei said.
The mayor and Councilman John Mariol, D-7, thanked city residents for approving Issue 13, which increased Canton's income tax to 2.5% in 2018 and was the source of a $1 million loan for the $19.5 million project. The city also provided $500,000 in federal HOME program funds.
Mariol said he "never in a million years" would have thought the building could look as good as it does now. The vacant building was a blight on the neighborhood when he first took office in 2012, and he's seen more investment in surrounding properties since the complex opened.
"This, I believe, is going to be the start of a real transformation in the Lehman neighborhood," Mariol said.
Groundbreaking:Canton's Lehman School to make long-awaited transformation to senior housing
The 62-unit complex was developed by a.m. Rodriguez Associates Inc. and its management affiliate CMS Housing in partnership with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp. The first residents moved in late September 2022.
Victor Rodriguez, president of a.m. Rodriguez Associates, thanked the mayor and City Council for their support throughout the project.
"We're proud to be a part of this in Canton, and we're hoping to do another project on the football field, with some townhouses out there," he said.
Also in attendance were residents and members of the Lehman High School Alumni Association. Milt Hondrakis, president of the alumni association, said he was glad the building was again filled with people.
"They really did a fine job," he said. "We're so grateful for them saving our high school."
Barbara Fassnacht moved in October to Oxford Place because she wanted to be closer to her daughter, who attended the school. At age 88, she also wanted a safe place to live and said people there have been welcoming.
"They're all very nice and friendly," Fassnacht said.
Lifelong Canton resident Lily Williams also said the secure and clean environment was appealing. She moved in last October and "fell in love" with her spacious apartment.
"It's just a friendly, at-home atmosphere," she said.
Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.comOn Twitter: @kbyerREP | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/06/08/city-leaders-developers-celebrate-oxford-place/70292534007/ | 2023-06-08T22:35:53 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2023/06/08/city-leaders-developers-celebrate-oxford-place/70292534007/ |
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Lee County announced they are beginning to pick up any existing concrete debris piles left by private property owners and contractors on Estero Boulevard.
The county said CrowderGulf has begun the pickup process on Fort Myers Beach.
Inspectors are keeping an eye on the cleanliness of the streets and verifying their current conditions.
Lee County reminds residents that debris can no longer be pushed to the curb of Estero Boulevard for pickup. Any debris pushed to the side of the road is a code violation.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fort Myers Beach implements new rules for hurricane debris removal | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/06/08/lee-county-announces-concrete-debris-pickup-from-estero-boulevard-is-underway/ | 2023-06-08T22:39:52 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/06/08/lee-county-announces-concrete-debris-pickup-from-estero-boulevard-is-underway/ |
BUTLER TOWNSHIP. Pa. — One person was killed and another was injured in a crash in Butler Township Tuesday evening.
According to Butler County 911, the three-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Route 8 and Litman Road at 6:51 p.m.
One person died in the crash. Another person was taken to the hospital from the scene.
There’s currently no word on the injured person’s condition.
Part of Route 8 was closed due to the crash.
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ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — With a vote of 10 to four Tuesday, Allegheny County Council passed legislation to raise the minimum wage for county employees to $18 an hour in 2024, $19 the following year, and $20 in 2026.
“The basic principle is simple. We want to pay county employees a competitive minimum wage because we need to be fair to our employees in order to attract and retain qualified and motivated individuals,” said bill cosponsor Bethany Hallam.
Councilmember Hallam suggested raising hourly pay for all non-salaried full and part time employees will help the county fill some of its 1,400 vacant positions.
Several community members agreed.
“Our workers deserve it. They deserve our respect and they deserve a fair wage,” said Erica Brusselars.
“I think it’s only fair and it’s only right that county employees earn a livable wage,” added
Brian Englert.
Opponents, like Councilmember Sam DeMarco, question the Council’s authority to enact this pay increase.
“At this point in time, I can’t support this bill because I don’t believe, A. it’s within our purview, B. it complies with Pennsylvania law, and C. that it’s good financial sense,” DeMarco said.
Council President Patrick Catena adamantly disagreed.
“We have the ability to do so, period,” said Catena.
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has previously suggested he would veto a minimum wage increase.
But President Catena called out Fitzgerald Tuesday, saying he supported similar legislation back in 2001 when he was on County Council.
“It is my sincerest hope tonight that the chief executive sincerely remembers the day he sat in this very chair and supported living wages and realizes the importance of paying our own employees competitive and fair wages,” Catena said.
11 News reached out to the county executive was told he has no comment at this time.
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — What was once routine for Damar Hamlin, such as pulling on a helmet and heading out to practice, has become something the Buffalo Bills safety celebrated with a phone call to his parents.
That was the case last week, general manager Brandon Beane said on Tuesday, after Hamlin participated fully in practice for the first time in the six months since having a near-death experience during a game at Cincinnati.
“Just so proud of him and thrilled for where he’s at in his journey,” Beane said.
“He’s still got more milestones to hit. But to think back, we’re just at the beginning of June, and that was the beginning of January, and we were just hoping he’d live,” he added. “Now he’s not only got a normal life, but we’re talking about playing not just any football, but NFL football.”
The Bills practice on Tuesday was the first in which reporters were allowed to see Hamlin don his helmet and take part in various team drills. Beane said, Hamlin enjoyed his first full session on May 31, in a practice that was closed to reporters, after which the player called his parents in Pittsburgh.
Hamlin had previously been limited to taking part in individual drills and the stretching portions of practice since the Bills’ series of spring voluntary sessions opened on May 22. The 25-year-old has made it his objective to resume his football career after going into cardiac arrest and needing to be resuscitated on the field after making what appeared to be a routine tackle during a game against the Bengals on Jan. 2.
The frightening collapse led to the game being eventually canceled by the NFL, and had Hamlin spending 10 days recovering and being monitored in hospitals in Cincinnati and Buffalo. The third-year player was fully cleared to resume playing in April, and has spent much of the past two months working out at the team’s facility.
On Tuesday, Hamlin appeared upbeat by happily waving to the cameras pointed at him during pre-practice stretching drills.
Soon after, he served as a punt protector in several special team periods and then took the field with the defense, in which he made a touch tackle in what are non-contact sessions.
At one point, Hamlin fell to the field while attempting to make a play on the ball, and stayed down for a moment, while trainers tended to his right shoulder. Hamlin eventually resumed practicing.
“I’m good,” Hamlin told The Associated Press as he walked off the field.
“It’s an amazing story,” Beane said.
With Buffalo completing its spring practices with a three-day mandatory minicamp next week, the next step in Hamlin’s comeback won’t come until the Bills begin practicing in pads during full-contact sessions in training camp, which is set to open in late July.
“He’s worked really hard on the mental side of this. Physically, he’s all cleared. But this is a real deal from a mental standpoint after you’ve been to where he was,” Beane said. “We’ll continue to ramp him up with helmets on, but that’ll probably be the next big hurdle for him, tackling.”
He added Hamlin is working in consultation with team trainers in determining when to ramp up his practice routine.
“This is a two-way communication. This is not us saying, ‘You’ve got to do this,’” Beane said.
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A Butler man was jailed for allegedly threatening to burn down a district judge’s “place” and threatening his staff.
State police say Matthew Dec, 54, called District Judge Lewis Stoughton’s Butler Township office Tuesday and made the threats.
Charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, simple assault, harassment and reckless endangerment are pending.
Dec was taken into custody and placed in the Butler County Jail, according to state police.
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The hazy skies and pollution prompted health officials to declare a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Tuesday.
That means people in sensitive groups including the elder, young children or asthma sufferers should stay indoors.
“If you are going to be inside, it’s best to have your air conditioning going. I know it’s not necessarily a hot day, but it does condition the air,” said Dr. Brian Lamb of Allegheny Health Network
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland are all under the alert.
Health officials advise sensitive groups to stay indoors and if possible, filter the indoor air with an AC or air purifier, keep the windows and doors closed, update inhalers and medicines and wear glasses instead of contact lenses.
If the pollution burns your eyes or makes it difficult to breathe, Lamb said don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.
“Getting treatment fast is a lot better than waiting until your breathing is bad that you have to go to the hospital to get intense treatment,” says Lamb.
The hazy weather means cooler mornings. That’s something avid runner Alex Cline prefers. He checks his smartwatch each morning to find out the air quality in Pittsburgh.
“I mean it’s worrisome, but I am doing a short run today, And it’s an easy one, so it shouldn’t be too bad,” says Cline
If the drier weather patterns continue, health and environmental officials say we can expect more code orange alerts.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality Index (AQI) provides standardized color codes to forecast and report daily air quality.
Green signifies good air quality. Yellow means moderate air quality. Orange represents unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups of people. Red warns of unhealthy pollution levels for all.
The DEP says residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by:
- Reducing or eliminating fireplace and wood stove use;
- Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and
- Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.
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The first encounter with racism that Harmony Kennedy can remember came in elementary school. On a playground, a girl picked up a leaf and said she wanted to “clean the dirt” from Harmony’s skin.
In sixth grade, a boy dropped trash on the floor and told her to pick it up, “because you’re a slave.” She was stunned — no one had ever said anything like that to her before.
As protests for racial justice broke out in 2020, white students at her Tennessee high school kneeled in the hallways and chanted, “Black lives matter!” in mocking tones. As she saw the students receive light punishments, she grew increasingly frustrated.
So when Tennessee began passing legislation that could limit the discussion and teaching of Black history, gender identity and race in the classroom, to Harmony, it felt like a gut punch — as if the adults were signaling this kind of ignorant behavior was acceptable.
“When I heard they were removing African American history, banning LGBTQ, I almost started crying,” said Harmony, 16. “We’re not doing anything to anybody. Why do they care what we personally prefer, or what we look like?”
As conservative politicians and activists push for limits on discussions of race, gender and sexuality, some students say the measures targeting aspects of their identity have made them less welcome in American schools — the one place all kids are supposed to feel safe.
Some of the new restrictions have been championed by conservative state leaders and legislatures, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who say they are necessary to counter liberal influence in schools. Others have been pushed by local activists or school boards arguing teachers need more oversight to ensure classroom materials are appropriate.
Books have been pulled from libraries. Some schools have insisted on using the names transgender students had before they transitioned. And teachers wary of breaking new rules have shied from discussions related to race, gender and other politically sensitive topics, even as students say they desperately need to see their lived experiences reflected in the classroom.
Among them are a transgender student at a Pennsylvania school where teachers are directed to use students’ birth names, a bisexual student in Florida who sensed a withdrawal of adult support, and Harmony, a Black student outside Nashville alarmed by efforts to restrict lessons on Black history.
For these and other students of color and LGBTQ+ kids, it can feel like their very existence is being rejected.
___
‘NEUTRALITY’ POLICY MAKES SCHOOL FEEL LESS SAFE
In late 2020, during the pandemic school closures, Leo Burchell started using different pronouns, trying on new clothes and shorter hair. The changes felt right.
At school outside Philadelphia, Leo started telling teachers about using a different name and they/them pronouns, and the teachers were immediately accepting. A shift to using he/him pronouns followed.
“I changed my name to Leo, and for a while it was tough,” he said. “I told some of my friends. I told the people close to me, but I wasn’t ready to come out to everybody yet ... and I had the space to do that in my own time.”
To tell his parents, Leo shared a poem he had written about his transition. He worried it would be hard for them, as parents who had always identified as “girl parents” to three daughters. His mom, dad, older and twin sister were all supportive.
Then, over the last year, the Central Bucks School District’s board barred staff from using students’ chosen names or pronouns without parental permission.
The board passed what it called a “neutrality” policy that bars social and political advocacy in classrooms — a measure opponents have seen as targeting Pride flags and other symbols teachers use to signal support for LGBTQ+ students. Reviews of the appropriateness of books have mostly targeted LGBTQ+ literature.
Each step felt like chipping away at the spaces that made Leo feel safe enough to explore his gender identity.
Across the district, parents and students told the board stories of slurs, hate speech and sometimes violence directed toward transgender children. But other adults pressed forward in their effort to restrict inclusion. During one board meeting when a transgender student was speaking, rather than listening, a group of parents whispered to each other. One adult audibly asked: “Is that a girl?”
One man told the school board transgender people posed a risk of violence in bathrooms. Leo expected another adult in the room to interrupt what felt to him like hate speech. No one did.
So at the next board meeting, Leo spoke up. “Attacking students based on who they are or who they love is wrong,” he said. Leo has spoken regularly at meetings since.
Leo worries about what school will be like for younger transgender students.
“I don’t want my friends to be misgendered and deadnamed every single day just because they don’t want to come out to their parents,” Leo said. “It really just breaks my heart to know that some of my friends, you know, might not want to go to school anymore.”
___
NEW FLORIDA LAWS ‘TOOK THE AIR OUT OF ME’
Jack Fitzgerald, a high school student in Broward County, Florida, came out to friends by accident at first.
At a book club meeting, he blurted out: “I don’t really like romance books unless they’re gay.” He hadn’t told anyone he was bisexual, but it came out easily in a place where he felt comfortable and safe.
Later, he would come out to his mother while watching television.
“So, I am bi,” he told her.
“And why are you telling me this?” she said. A lifelong conservative, his mother told him she had long known about his sexuality. It was not a problem.
The confidence and relief he felt led Jack to start his school’s gender and sexuality alliance club. Last year, as a junior, he led a school walkout to protest a new law that banned instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for kindergarten to third grade. The law, part of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation pushed by DeSantis, was dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics and recently expanded to encompass all grades.
Jack was surprised by two things. Most students initially knew little about the bill. And once they learned about it, support for the walkout was overwhelming.
Teachers have been more cautious.
Jack remembers talking to his debate teacher about covering some controversial topics. “You have to realize, … teachers have families,” he told Jack, who took it as a comment on teachers worried about losing their jobs.
In another class, Jack recalls an environmental teacher told the class she could not answer a question during a discussion on climate change or she would be seen as “too woke.”
There also was a school board member, Debra Hixon, who won Jack’s admiration when she spoke last year at a town hall event for teens. Hixon, who became widely known after her husband was killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting, expressed support for LGBTQ+ students.
“I think I even told my mom. I was like, ‘Oh, we’ve got to vote for her next time because she seems so impassioned, and she genuinely came across like she cared,’” he said.
When Jack asked her in April how the school district would react to the new laws, Hixon said they were going to comply with the law.
The response shocked Jack. He thought back to how the district had stood up to the DeSantis administration over COVID-19 policies like mask mandates. When it came to protecting LGBTQ+ students, it seemed, there was no appetite for defiance.
“They didn’t even try to act like they were going to try, you know?” he said. “And it was so disappointing. It really took the air out of me.”
Hixon said she felt badly that Jack had the impression she was not defending LGBTQ+ students.
“We have a lot of new laws to navigate, and I am still processing what they mean for our district, so I don’t want to overstep and say something that is incorrect or inappropriate,” she said. “I am more guarded with my responses, but I promise I will continue to defend our students to ensure they feel safe and welcome in our schools.”
___
AFTER SPEAKING UP, SOME STUDENTS FACE BACKLASH
In Harmony’s freshman-year English class, a boy started playing with his mask and joked, “I can’t breathe, just like George Floyd,” Harmony recalled.
“I was really upset. And I called him out on it. And I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? Someone died,’” she said.
She told her teacher, who said she was sorry it happened but there was not much she could do. Nothing happened to the boy, Harmony said.
To be a Black student in this environment, and to see efforts to minimize the teaching of Black history, Harmony said, is a reminder of why it’s important that a full version of history is taught.
“If people are taking this out of schools, it’s making the ignorance go on, because they’re not understanding the pain and agony we have to go through,” she said.
The incident led Harmony to join the Forward Club, which works to promote cultural and racial inclusion at her predominantly white high school. The club’s members come from a diverse array of backgrounds — including the children of some adults who have disparaged the group.
At times, students who speak out against new policies have been targeted for harassment. In Williamson County, Tennessee, where Harmony goes to school, a political action committee accused another high school’s Black student union of promoting segregation. The PAC posted the time and place of the student group’s meeting on social media. Elsewhere, trans and nonbinary students who have spoken up about bullying have faced only more insults on social media.
For some, the hostility can be exhausting. Milana Kumar, a rising senior in Collierville, Tennessee, who is genderqueer, is comfortable with their identity among friends. But it’s not a conversation they bring up at school, where they said teachers and other students often do not respect chosen pronouns.
“I’ve never tried to navigate that, I think just as a response to save myself from a lot of hurt that would happen,” Milana said.
Recently, Tennessee passed a bill that would protect teachers from discipline or other consequences if they misgender their students. At the time, Milana was at the Capitol testifying on other legislation. She thought about how routine a day it was.
“Taking away a whole group of people’s right to be who they are, that’s just like, this is a typical day. I think I was more scared that that was a reality than I was sad about the bill itself.”
Attending predominantly white schools means Harmony has had to go out of her way to learn about Black culture and history — often outside of school. That has shaped where she wants to go next. She’d like to attend a historically Black college and pledge a Black sorority.
What Harmony wants, ultimately, is to be able to go to school like any other teenager and focus on learning. To go to a football game without hearing racial slurs. To stand up for herself without being seen as an aggressor.
Meantime, it’s something she’ll continue to speak up for.
“My sister is going to be an incoming freshman this year, and I want her to have a safe learning environment where she doesn’t have to really deal with all the ignorance and things,” she said. “I want her to be able to enjoy high school.”
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WASHINGTON — Millions of veterans around the country receive disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides coverage for veterans with certain service-connected conditions.
These eligible conditions include traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cancers caused by contact with toxic chemicals and many other illnesses.
On Tuesday, members of a House subcommittee heard testimony about the challenges with the VA’s electronic database to process benefits claims known as the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS) under the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).
“The system often crashes or requires rebooting, delaying claims processors from doing their required work,” said David Bump, National Representative for the National Veterans Affairs Council and the Second Vice President for VBA at Local 2157 in Portland, Oregon.
Lawmakers said employees have complained about the system errors forcing them to figure out work arounds.
“Claims examiners have repeatedly complained to us that VBA’s IT systems do not support the work that they do and frequently make their jobs even harder,” said Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH).
Another big complaint is veterans having trouble reaching a real person when the system goes wrong.
“We are concerned about the negative effect on veterans of replacing human processors with technology,” said Bump.
“What are the triggers or key words that are being utilized to make sure that this thing gets rapidly transferred to a real person to deal with our veterans and what kind of time does that take to get them over to a real person?” asked Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT).
“I do not have an answer on hand for that and so I will have to take that back,” responded Robert Orifici, Director of Benefits and Memorial Systems Portfolio at the Office of Information & Technology for the VA.
Despite the challenges, the VA defended its system and said the technology modernization is a work in progress.
“IT modernization is an ongoing investment that will continue to beyond the five years allowing VA to shift its focus from veterans requesting help to VA providing a service,” said Raymond Tellez, Acting Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Automated Benefits Delivery at VBA. “I am confident in the system now. I think the process that we have for deploying automated support tools has high quality.”
Witnesses said getting it right is essential for the millions of those who served in need of these benefits.
“These are not entitlements,” said Bump. “These are benefits that are earned and we need to make the system work better.”
Testimony said the VA is expected to see an increase in the backlog of benefits claims next year because of the passage of the PACT Act, which expanded benefits for veterans.
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CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Cranberry Township police say 33-year-old Grant Duss was stealing collectible Pokémon and baseball cards over a period of four weeks, stealing over $4,000 worth of goods from Target.
According to the affidavit, Duss stole from the Cranberry Target on nine different days. Some days, police say the Shaler Township man would steal from the store multiple times.
On one occasion, Duss stole five different times from the store on the same day. Police said he’d go to his car in between to change clothes, then he’d go back in to take more.
Police say Duss would use self-checkout and that he would “barcode switch,” meaning he placed the barcode of an item with lesser value over the barcode of an expensive item.
A Target employee helped identify and catch Duss, according to police.
“We are very lucky here in Cranberry because we have an on-site loss prevention person who I’m sure through inventory, discovered that these trading cards had been where it’s showing up short, and through video, they were able to determine that this was the actor,” Lt. Chuck Mascellino with the Cranberry Township police said.
Duss will be in court on June 30 for his preliminary hearing. Channel 11 did reached out to Target for comment, but did not hear back.
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PITTSBURGH — This was the baseball equivalent of a gimme putt but somehow the Pittsburgh Pirates had it lip out.
The Pirates not only had their best pitcher on the mound Tuesday night but were facing the team with the worst record in baseball and a pitcher who was 0-6 with a 9.82 ERA this season.
Yet the Pirates lost to the Oakland Athletics 11-2 at PNC Park, ending their six-game winning streak. The Athletics “improved” to 13-50 while breaking their 15-game losing streak and dropping the Pirates to 32-28.
Read the full recap from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers have given out new numbers to their newly-signed players, offensive tackle Jarrid Williams and running back Darius Hagans, the team revealed on their official roster page during Tuesday’s OTAs practice.
Williams will wear No. 64 while Hagans will wear No. 25. No. 25 was worn last by Cody Chrest, who the team released yesterday in part of their moves on the roster to get it to 90 overall. Meanwhile, Williams joined the roster and gave the team six tackles to work with at this point.
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HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives approved legislation Tuesday to require candidates for a state office to file their campaign finance reports electronically, instead of on paper.
The bill passed on party lines, 102-101, with Democrats in favor and Republicans against. The bill goes to the state Senate, which is considering its own version of similar legislation.
Many candidates and PACs already file reports electronically, sponsors said.
Paper filing is costly and inefficient, and moving to an entirely electronic model would reduce costs, sponsors said.
Critics of paper campaign finance filings say the documents must undergo a data-entry process to put the information online, creating the potential for inserting errors into the information and delays in making the information available to the public.
The measure removes the requirement of filing with the county board of elections. It would also allow for remaining campaign funds to be donated to nonprofits.
The state Department of State, which oversees election administration in Pennsylvania, would be responsible for maintaining a searchable site for filing, and any training associated with using the database for campaigns.
The measure would increase the late filing fees for missing deadlines to $20 per day for the first six days late and $100 per day for day seven and each day after. There would be a maximum penalty of $500.
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates (32-28) were completely blown out of the water Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics (13-50) in an embarrassing 11-2 loss.
Mitch Keller did not have his best stuff against the Athletics and walked an unusually high four batters.
Keller ended up lasting just 5.1 innings, and when it was all said and done, Keller got tagged with the loss and gave up five earned runs.
The Pirates’ offense was inept, as they could only manage two runs against a pitcher with an ERA in the eights and a bullpen that isn’t what you call great entering Tuesday night’s game.
The first pitch at PNC Park is scheduled for 12:35 p.m.
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ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is going to the hospital for abdominal surgery Wednesday to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed because of an inflammation and narrowing of the large intestine.
The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days.
The pope was undergoing what the Vatican said was a “laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis” to treat a “recurrent, painful and worsening” constriction of the intestine.
A laparotomy is open abdominal surgery. It can help a surgeon both diagnose and treat issues. The statement said Francis was suffering from a blocked laparocele, which is a hernia that formed over a previous scar.
“The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the statement said.
In July 2021, Francis spent 10 days at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine. He had suffered what the Vatican said was a severe inflammation and narrowing of the colon. In an interview with The Associated Press in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that had prompted the 2021 surgery, had returned.
Francis had come out of the 2021 surgery saying he could eat whatever he wanted, but he lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.
The fact that he is going back for surgery suggests he had little choice but to treat the intestinal issue, especially given the rigorous upcoming travel schedule this summer.
The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. He also suffers from sciatica nerve pain. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli for an acute case of bronchitis, during which he was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”
Francis initially went to the Gemelli on Tuesday for what the Vatican said were medical tests. It revealed no details at the time.
The 86-year-old had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.
Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican has recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.
In a sign that the trips were very much on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2-6. The itinerary confirms a typically busy schedule that includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.
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LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — A record-breaking flathead catfish was caught in Pennsylvania last month.
According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Michael Wherley, 46, of Franklin County, caught the fish on Sunday, May 14.
Wherley was fishing from a bass boat on the Susquehanna River near Lancaster County.
At around 10 a.m. that day, Wherley said fishing began to pick up, and three of the four rods they had in the water hooked fish.
“It was a little bit crazy, but we managed to start reeling them in,” said Wherley.
Wherley caught a flathead catfish that weighed 66.6 lbs, which exceeds the existing state record by more than 10 pounds.
Pennsylvania state fish records are judged by weight only and must exceed the previous record for at least 2 ounces.
“This is just incredible, and I’m really glad we were able to release the fish back into the river,” said Wherley. “My previous personal best flathead was 44 pounds last year. I know I’ve had bigger ones on the line, but they got off before I could get them on the boat. I’ll enjoy this record as long as it lasts, but I’m sure it will probably be broken in a year or two, if not sooner. I’m a hundred-percent certain there are even bigger fish out there.”
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WEXFORD, Pa. — Soergel Orchards in Wexford has canceled its annual Strawberry Festival.
The announcement was made on Monday afternoon.
“The flavor is still very good. The problem is…the quantity is minimal, and the size is not up to expectations and tradition,” said Eric Voll of Soergel Orchards.
Experts said it’s a perfect storm of sorts: a cool start to spring, which included May frost, followed by skyrocketing temperatures in June and a noticeable lack of rain.
“Today is going to be 16 days straight without measurable rain at Pittsburgh International. The last time we had a longer streak than that was 1997, so it has been bone dry,” said Meteorologist Adis Juklo. “We need a good soaking rain and more than just one day to make up for this.”
Soergel isn’t alone. Trax Farms announced it, too, would not offer Pick-Your-Own strawberries due to a lack of yield. Voll said there’s already a plan in place for next year’s crop, planting additional fields with a ‘trickle tape’ irrigation system. In the meantime, they’re hoping to save part of this strawberry season as well, telling customers to be on the lookout for an update.
“[Look for a message saying] there’s a three-hour window tomorrow that we’re opening up the fields, first come first serve,’ - but that remains to be seen,” Voll said.
Voll said if there are any Pick-Your-Own events, Soergel will email customers and post updates on social media and its website.
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