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Hartville to crack down on property code violations downtown
Hartville Village Council
Monday meeting
KEY ACTION: Zoning Inspector Ray Bednarczyk announced his department will begin enforcement of a village property maintenance code ordinance at properties in the downtown district.
DISCUSSION: Bednarcyk said letters will be distributed this month to all the affected property owners informing them of a 2016 ordinance, which gives them 15 days to make repairs to their property before being fined. Bednarcyk said this process should resolve such issues more quickly than the village’s nuisance property process. “This may be the only way to make these people make repairs to what they have falling apart,” Bednarcyk said. Councilman Tim Hayden noted, however, that some property owners could still decide that paying a fine is preferable to making the repairs, depending on the cost of the repairs.
OTHER ACTIONS
- Approved a speed limit change to 35 mph on Woodland Street SW.
- Amended the annual appropriations budget for current expenses including a $13,100 increase for a BAC testing machine in the Police Department. In his report to council, Police Chief Kevin Moore explained the state is making changes to its rules related to BAC testing over the next two years that will render the Hartville Police Department’s BAC testing machine obsolete.
- Authorized Moore to offer to hire two police officer candidates, including vacation time accrued by the officers at their previous agencies. Councilwoman Bev Green made a motion to table the legislation until the vacation clause could be reviewed by the safety committee due to the approximately $4,000 cost of the vacation time. The motion to table did not pass and Green and Councilman Steve Reisch voted no on the original legislation.
UP NEXT: Meets for its next regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. June 26 at Hartville Village Hall, 202 W. Maple St., and online at www.facebook.com/VillageofHartville.
— Brian Lisik | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/hartville-lake/2023/06/14/hartville-to-crack-down-on-property-code-violations-downtown/70321423007/ | 2023-06-14T22:41:51 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/hartville-lake/2023/06/14/hartville-to-crack-down-on-property-code-violations-downtown/70321423007/ |
‘Madden Cruiser I’ on display at Hall of Fame Village in Canton
CANTON – The most famous bus in the history of the NFL — the “Madden Cruiser I” — is now on display at the Hall of Fame Village.
The bus, which carried former Oakland Raiders coach, broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden to NFL games, is available for fans to tour for free at the Play-Action Plaza, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. Madden passed away in December 2021 at age 85.
He had converted a Greyhound bus into the Madden Cruiser in 1987, soon after he began his career in broadcasting because he didn't enjoy traveling by plane. He decided to donate the original Madden Cruiser to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
“We’ve kept the original ‘Madden Cruiser’ for all these years, and when it came for us to decide what we were going to do with it in perpetuity, the only place which made sense was the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Madden said at the time. "We asked to donate it and they accepted and we are happy that it will be there forever."
After his death, it went on display in Las Vegas, where the Raiders relocated, and then returned to Canton where it was held in storage.
The interior has been restored to its original condition, featuring technology that was considered state-of-the-art in the late 1980s, the Hall of Fame said.
The bus includes:
- Two color televisions (one in the rear, one in the front)
- Telephone and intercommunications system
- Citizen’s band radio
- Two laser disc players
- Built-in vacuum cleaner
- Stereo system
- Videotape player
There also are multiple beds toward the front of the bus, a private room with a queen-sized bed in the rear for Madden, a full bathroom and a complete kitchenette with a microwave oven. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/06/14/madden-cruiser-i-on-display-at-hall-of-fame-village-in-canton-john-madden/70322823007/ | 2023-06-14T22:41:57 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/06/14/madden-cruiser-i-on-display-at-hall-of-fame-village-in-canton-john-madden/70322823007/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Clean-up is only just beginning in a Brevard County neighborhood where an EF-1 tornado touched down a week ago.
The tornado damaged dozens of homes in the South Patrick Shores neighborhood.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
On many streets, residents are still picking up debris and coordinating repairs to damaged roofs, awnings, fences and more.
Leanne Barefoot said she’s been cleaning up 14 to 15 hours a day since the tornado touched down last week.
Read: Tornado-related debris collection starting in Brevard County
Brevard County officials said 85 homes were impacted by the storm.
On Wednesday, the county began its storm debris collection starting with tree limbs, bushes, and other vegetative debris. Fencing and construction debris come next.
Learn more about cleanup efforts in the video above.
SEE: Tornado damages homes in Brevard County
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/clean-up-underway-after-tornado-damages-dozens-homes-brevard-county/SUCQ2E6GJFBGTNEN2ZUHPJB7YI/ | 2023-06-14T22:45:31 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/clean-up-underway-after-tornado-damages-dozens-homes-brevard-county/SUCQ2E6GJFBGTNEN2ZUHPJB7YI/ |
MIAMI, Fla. — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez filed paperwork Wednesday to launch his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, jumping into the crowded race just a day after GOP front-runner Donald Trump appeared in court on federal charges in Suarez’s city.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The 45-year-old mayor, the only Hispanic candidate in the race, declared his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. He had teased an announcement, noting that he would be making a “big speech” Thursday at the Reagan Library in California.
Before Trump arrived at the courthouse Tuesday, Suarez toured the media encampment wearing a T-shirt with a police logo, as his city’s police force had jurisdiction over the downtown area.
“If I do decide to run,” he told CNN, “it’s starting a new chapter, a new conversation of a new kind of leader who maybe looks a little different, speaks a little different, had a little bit of a different experience, but can inspire people.”
READ: Trump indictment: Miami has hosted several high-profile federal cases
Suarez, the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is the son of Miami’s first Cuban-born mayor. He has gained national attention in recent years for his efforts to lure companies to Miami, with an eye toward turning the city into a crypto hub and the next Silicon Valley.
Suarez, who is vying to become the first sitting mayor elected president, joins a GOP primary fight that includes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Despite having a candidate field in the double digits, the race is largely seen as a two-person contest between Trump and DeSantis.
But the other competitors are hoping for an opening, which Trump has provided with his myriad legal vulnerabilities — none more serious than his federal indictment on charges of mishandling sensitive documents and refusing to give them back. He pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Miami federal court to 37 felony counts.
READ: Former President Trump was indicted in federal case. Now what?
Suarez has said he didn’t support Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 presidential elections, instead writing in the names of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and then-Vice President Pence. In 2018, Suarez publicly condemned Trump after reports came out that he had questioned why the United States would accept more immigrants from Haiti and “shithole countries” in Africa.
But times have changed, with Trump advisers now praising Suarez’s work and helping him promote what he calls “the Miami success story.” Trump’s former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway has even floated Suarez’s name as a possible vice presidential pick.
Suarez, who is married with two young children, is a corporate and real estate attorney who previously served as a city of Miami commissioner. He has also positioned himself as someone who can help the party further connect with Hispanics. In recent months, he has made visits to early GOP voting states as he weighed a possible 2024 campaign.
READ: Trump indictment: Supporters, protestors gather outside federal Miami courthouse
He is more moderate than DeSantis and Trump, but has threaded the needle carefully on cultural issues that have become popular among GOP politicians.
Suarez has been critical of DeSantis, dismissing some of the state laws he has signed on immigration as “headline grabbers” lacking in substance. He has said immigration is an issue that “screams for a national solution” at a time when many Republicans back hard-line policies.
The two-term mayor previously expressed support for a Florida law championed by DeSantis and dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” that bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, but he has not specified whether he supported the expansion of the policy to all grades. Like other Republicans, Suarez has criticized DeSantis’ feud with Disney over the same law, saying it looks like a “personal vendetta.”
SEE: Sketches depict moments inside the courtroom during Trump’s arraignment
Further ingratiating himself with the Trump team, Suarez has echoed Trump’s attacks on DeSantis’ demeanor, saying the governor doesn’t make eye contact and struggles with personal relationships with other politicians.
In 2020, the mayor made a play to attract tech companies to Florida after the state relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions. He met with Big Tech players and investors such as PayPal founder Peter Thiel and tech magnate Marcelo Claure, began appearing on national television and was profiled by magazines.
Suarez, who has said he takes his salary in Bitcoin, has also hosted Bitcoin conferences and started heavily promoting a cryptocurrency project named Miami Coin, created by a group called City Coins.
Read: Trump supporters take buses from Orlando to Miami to rally at federal courthouse
But the hype dissipated as virus restrictions eased elsewhere, eliminating Miami’s advantage on the COVID-19 front. Suarez’s vision also hit roadblocks with the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX, which was set to move its U.S. headquarters to Miami’s financial district before its founder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas last December.
The only cryptocurrency exchange that traded Miami Coin suspended its trading, citing liquidity problems, not living up to its promise to generate enough money to eliminate city taxes.
Miami also ranks among the worst big U.S. cities for income inequality and has one of the least affordable housing markets.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-crowded-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trumps-indictment/ODVEY2HSJJBBZAC2ZQEPT2WRAE/ | 2023-06-14T22:45:47 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/miami-mayor-francis-suarez-enters-crowded-gop-presidential-race-days-after-trumps-indictment/ODVEY2HSJJBBZAC2ZQEPT2WRAE/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Some scammers are now using artificial intelligence to target victims for money! These schemes have members of Congress exploring how this technology can affect your rights.
They’re also hearing directly from AI scam victims like Jennifer DeStefano from Arizona.
“She goes ‘Mom I messed up’ crying and sobbing,” said DeStefano.
She said that was the start of a terrifying phone call she received from an unknown number in January. DeStefano said her older daughter, Bri, was traveling for a skiing trip so she picked up the call in case it was an emergency but instead, she said the call was something she couldn’t have imagined.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
“She goes ‘Mom these really bad men have me - help me, help me!’ then she fades off in the background pleading for my help,” said DeStefano. “Then all of a sudden, I hear a man say, ‘lay down and put your head back’ and at that point, I started to get very concerned that something severely was wrong.”
She thought her daughter, Bri, was being kidnapped with the man on the line threatening to hurt the teen if she didn’t send money.
“He proceeds to tell me if I reach out to anybody, call anybody, he’s going to pump her stomach with drugs and have his way with her and drop her in Mexico and I’ll never see my daughter again,” said DeStefano.
But this wasn’t happening at all. It was a deep fake of her daughter’s voice. Experts warn this is one of the newest scams using AI.
Read: Senators request information about artificial intelligence scams targeting older Americans
“I was like no, no I talked to my daughter. It was her. It was the way she cries. There’s no way it wasn’t just her voice,” she said.
In this case, the family found Bri safely without giving the scammer thousands of dollars. But DeStefano said she can’t shake how real the voice sounded.
“The sound of your voice is like a fingerprint, right? It’s what bonds a mother and a baby,” she said. “As soon as the baby is born, the baby knows the sound of their mother’s voice, it’s familiar to them and the mother knows the sound of her cry that’s why she knows it’s her child who fell across the room.”
Now she’s sharing her story on Capitol Hill and urging Congress to take action.
Read: Florida universities consider using artificial intelligence in courses
“If we don’t put regulation in, if we don’t put consequences in all we’re doing is enabling this and my fear is how far does it have to go,” she said.
Lawmakers from both parties are weighing the risks and benefits of Artificial Intelligence.
“AI capabilities are growing rapidly and in ways even its creators cannot predict, and already, it’s changing our lives. American families are now threatened by AI-enabled scams, made far more sophisticated through this technology than traditional spam email or sham telemarking calls,” said Senator Jon Ossoff, (D) Georgia.
Some Democrats believe future regulation must be consistent with both national security and human rights.
Read: New Beatles song features artificial intelligence track using John Lennon’s voice
While some GOP leaders believe AI development should continue, they’re also urging companies to be cautious as the technology is deployed.
“We do need to think carefully about how we deploy AI technologies in the absence of a national privacy law which we still do not have a federal online consumer privacy protection,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn, (R) Tennessee. “We also need to be careful how we identify and how we stop unauthorized utilization of AI whether to surveil or to scam unsuspecting people.’
Imposter scams can also be costly. The Federal Trade Commission reports Americans lost $2.6 billion from those scams last year alone.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/mother-tells-congress-about-ai-voice-cloning-scam-during-faked-kidnapping-scheme/6FHMWPDC6JDCXNHXNHQRSFPYZY/ | 2023-06-14T22:45:54 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/mother-tells-congress-about-ai-voice-cloning-scam-during-faked-kidnapping-scheme/6FHMWPDC6JDCXNHXNHQRSFPYZY/ |
SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — One person was taken into custody after an exchange of gunfire a busy Sumter County truck stop Wednesday morning.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Deputies responded to the Spirit Truck Stop on County Road 470 E in Lake Panasoffkee just before noon for reports of shots fired.
The sheriff’s office released surveillance video of the incident showing the primary aggressor, identified as 28-year-old Dequan Scott, pulling into the parking lot and firing a gun at a car sitting at one of the pumps.
READ: Deputies: High-risk sex offender arrested for attempted rape at Orange County hotel
Deputies say multiple people from the target vehicle then appear to return fire towards Scott’s car, striking one of his tires as he fled the parking lot.
According to the sheriff’s office, Scott continued to the Planned Pethood approximately a half-mile away from the truck stop and was blocked in by deputies there to prevent a pursuit.
See a map of the area below:
READ: Volusia County sheriff issues ‘loser alert’ over hate group’s plan for Juneteenth
Scott was taken to the hospital to be treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm sustained during the exchange of gunfire at the truck stop.
According to the sheriff’s office, before Wednesday’s shooting, Scott had multiple felony warrants out for his arrest from an incident in Royal the previous night in which he was involved in another running gunfight near the Wildwood Community Center.
READ: Woman in her 20s shot, killed in Pine Hills, deputies say
Investigators recovered 26 spent rounds from the scene of that incident. They’re still working to determine whether the targets of the shooting at the truck stop were the same people involved in the overnight shooting incident in Royal.
Scott was booked into the Sumter County Jail Wednesday on warrants for charges that include possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, grand theft of a motor vehicle, and multiple drug-related offenses.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone with information on the case, or who may know the identify of the other driver involved in the shooting at the truck stop to contact them at (352) 793-2621. Information can also be relayed anonymously through Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/suspect-taken-into-custody-after-shootout-sumter-county-truck-stop/THWLLB7FPVHX3L2SAEGLVFYYVQ/ | 2023-06-14T22:46:00 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/suspect-taken-into-custody-after-shootout-sumter-county-truck-stop/THWLLB7FPVHX3L2SAEGLVFYYVQ/ |
WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — The owner of a Winter Garden horse farm says new development could force the farm to change how they operate.
Last week, the city approved the development of 24 new homes by the farm off of Tilden Road, not far from State Road 429.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Anne Bingler, the owner of Crown Pointe Equestrian, said nearby developments have caused noise and distractions to the horses.
“These animals become our friends,” Bingler said. “And we try to figure out which ones can adapt to such a close proximity of noise and distraction, and which ones can’t, and the ones that can’t are probably going to be the first ones that we have to sell.”
Read: Questions raised after antisemitic flyers thrown in Winter Garden leads to traffic violation
The developers have to put in a sound wall, but Bingler said that’s not enough.
Back in 2019, a development was built on the west side of the farm, which reined in some of her training.
Read: Winter Garden Farmers Market celebrates its 15th anniversary with birthday bash
With the thought of taking a financial loss, Bingler and her husband Paul are searching for other ways to save their business and the property they’ve worked hard to build.
“It becomes easier to sell than it is to keep fighting,” she said. “We have the strength to keep fighting. I don’t know how long.”
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/winter-garden-horse-farm-says-development-is-squeezing-them-out-business/6KFOHQGWTJG4LLDJWAC7AW6WB4/ | 2023-06-14T22:46:06 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/winter-garden-horse-farm-says-development-is-squeezing-them-out-business/6KFOHQGWTJG4LLDJWAC7AW6WB4/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As a mother of two young girls, Melissa Lester knows firsthand about the struggle of keeping up with childcare costs.
“I often say this that when they’re older and they ask where their college fund is, I’m going to have to say, I’m sorry it went to your childcare costs,” said Lester.
The Ohio mother testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday about her experience.
“Even with two working parents, making ends meet is a real struggle for us,” said Lester. “Today with two little ones, childcare costs us $2,504 a month. Our family childcare costs more than a one-year tuition at The Ohio State University and the cost just keeps rising.”
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Lester provided her testimony as the Senate committee debated a proposal to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Congress temporarily expanded the CTC in 2021, which gave many families between $3,000 to $3,600 per child, which was up from $2,000 per child.
“The child tax credit expansion was a glimmer of hope,” said Lester. “It helped moms like me feel like maybe, just maybe it’s possible for things to get better.”
The CTC expansion expired at the end of 2021.
“They ended when prices began to skyrocket,” said Lester.
Read: Congress works to tackle “childcare crisis”
The Democrat-backed bill dubbed the Working Families Tax Relief Act would make the American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the CTC and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) permanent.
“Our plan would put more money back in the pockets of working families and help parents afford all the extra expenses that come with raising children,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a sponsor of the Senate bill.
Supporters of the bill pointed to data showing the 2021 CTC expansion helped reduce childhood poverty in the U.S.
“According to researchers at Columbia University, expanding the child tax credit lifted 3.7 million American kids out of poverty,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). “Child hunger fell by nearly a quarter.’”
But the measure is facing pushback from Republicans who argue a tax credit without conditions would lead to fewer people working.
“Recent polling from May shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans support work requirements for recipients of government benefits,” said Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID). “Unconditional direct transfer policies simply do not achieve their aim of actually reducing poverty and dependency, even if they are called a tax credit.”
“A child allowance has been oversold,” said Dr. Bruce Meyer with the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. “We are in danger of discouraging work… And we risk encouraging the formation of family units that cannot support their children.”
That argument led to heated frustration from the supporters of the bill.
Read: Southern Baptists kick out churches with female pastors, including Saddleback megachurch
“That’s not reality,” said Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO), a sponsor of the Senate bill. “The reality is a world where parents are scraping by every single month.”
Lester, meanwhile, is hoping lawmakers consider her story and take action to help more families soon.
“We need more family-friendly policies that truly impact all families,” said Lester.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/working-mom-calls-more-family-friendly-policies-amid-child-tax-credit-debate/ZZNRAE3XERDFNM7CFMBENJ7IT4/ | 2023-06-14T22:46:12 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/working-mom-calls-more-family-friendly-policies-amid-child-tax-credit-debate/ZZNRAE3XERDFNM7CFMBENJ7IT4/ |
The Clear Lake School District Board of Education at its Tuesday meeting approved a 1.5% increase in salary and benefits package for Superintendent Doug Gee, bringing his salary to $230,392.
The board conducted a yearly performance review and unanimously approved the renewal of the three-year contract, which is typical for school administrators. Gee was hired by the district in 2016.
According to the Iowa Legislative Services Agency, the average Iowa superintendent's salary in 2022 was $167,047.
Alexander Schmidt is an Education/General Assignment Reporter for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at alexander.schmidt@globegazette.com or at 641-421-0527. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/education/doug-gee-raise-superintendent-clear-lake/article_84402522-0aef-11ee-adb1-7717e70d33a3.html | 2023-06-14T22:47:39 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/education/doug-gee-raise-superintendent-clear-lake/article_84402522-0aef-11ee-adb1-7717e70d33a3.html |
HOLLAND, Texas — Come celebrate a versatile cash crop at the 49th Annual Holland Corn Festival from Thursday, June 15 through Saturday, June 17.
During two days of the festival, visitors can expect to hear great music from bands such as Treaty Oak Revival and the Backroads Band.
Saturday will feature the most activities and it will all start with a 5k run. The run will be followed by a wonderful parade and of course a cornhole tournament.
From there, everyone will have the opportunity to participate in all things corn. Visitors can compete in corn eating, shucking, bobbing, seed spitting and corn cob throwing all in a matter of hours.
To cap off the day full of corn festivities, attendees will get to enjoy a concert featuring West Travis and Braxton Keith.
Two day passes to this festival are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate, general admission tickets to see Treaty Oak Revival and Braxton Keith are $15. Children aged 12 and under get in free when accompanied by an adult.
To view more information on the schedule of events and tickets, visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/celebrate-a-great-cash-crop-at-the-49-annual-holland-corn-festival/500-1684d495-8f96-4983-be86-65783e5a48b3 | 2023-06-14T22:48:18 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/celebrate-a-great-cash-crop-at-the-49-annual-holland-corn-festival/500-1684d495-8f96-4983-be86-65783e5a48b3 |
TEMPLE, Texas — One person is dead after a house fire in Temple on June 14, according to the City of Temple.
The City stated Temple Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a fire in the 600 block of Banbury Drive in the Wyndham Hills Subdivision around 12:19 p.m.
Fire and Rescue crews reportedly located the individual inside the home, which they say was full of smoke.
The City said firefighters were able to extinguish a small fire on some pieces of furniture in the home, but they said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim.
According to the City of Temple, the fire is currently being investigated by the Temple Police Department and Temple Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477.
More from 6 News: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/one-dead-temple-house-fire/500-405dc71e-ef66-4f9b-b2f3-6c8a06f0178f | 2023-06-14T22:48:24 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/one-dead-temple-house-fire/500-405dc71e-ef66-4f9b-b2f3-6c8a06f0178f |
SEATTLE — Upcoming Seattle Police Department "Micro-Community Policing Plan" dialogues will give residents an opportunity to weigh in on the results of the recently released 2022 Seattle Public Safety Survey Results and communicate with officers about ways to improve feelings of public safety within their neighborhoods.
"Community perceptions matter when it comes to public safety and quality of life issues around public safety and so it gives an opportunity to understand how one neighborhood and one precinct might be very different from another neighborhood in that very precinct," said Jackie Helfgott, head of the research team and director of the Crime and Justice Research Center at Seattle University.
Dialogues will be held in Seattle's east precinct on June 26, north precinct on July 3, south precinct on July 10, southwest precinct on July 17, and west precinct on July 24. To sign up for a dialogue, click here.
The Public Safety Survey examines perceptions of public safety in neighborhoods across Seattle – both top concerns and general feelings around public safety.
"We also measure public safety-related quality of life elements such as police legitimacy, the degree to which people trust the police," Helfgott said. "We measure social cohesion, the degree to which people trust and rely on their neighbors. We measure informal social control, the degree to which people get involved in public safety, joining block watch or coming to one of the dialogues, and we measure fear of crime and we measure social disorganization, people's perceptions of lower-level misdemeanor-type activity."
The study aims to examine the public safety health of a neighborhood by looking at their rankings on those scales and their top concerns. Along with gathering information about micro-communities, the dialogues are meant to create ongoing community policing relationships.
In addition to the precinct-by-precinct events, partners are hosting Before the Badge sessions, where community members can meet with police recruits and help shape their understanding of the communities they'll be serving. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/seattle-community-policing-dialogues/281-fbf77a92-5b8a-41cb-bf4d-b9924c6d93fb | 2023-06-14T22:49:57 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/seattle-community-policing-dialogues/281-fbf77a92-5b8a-41cb-bf4d-b9924c6d93fb |
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People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/donahue-withdrawals-from-lee-county-district-1-supervisor-race/article_690e828c-0afc-11ee-9aaa-4fa5b48acbe8.html | 2023-06-14T22:51:11 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/donahue-withdrawals-from-lee-county-district-1-supervisor-race/article_690e828c-0afc-11ee-9aaa-4fa5b48acbe8.html |
IRONDALE, Ala. (WIAT) — The Irondale Police Department will be holding its third annual ‘First Responders Cornhole Tournament’ this weekend to support children in need.
The event will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, at the Irondale Civic Center (formerly Zamora Temple) at 3521 Ratliff Road. The tournament will be complete with games, cash prizes, a silent auction, food trucks and Heidi’s Kids’ first lemonade stand of the year.
Cornhole teams can register here, or on the day of the event, for $50. There will be two divisions in the tournament: open and first responders.
All proceeds will go to Heidi’s Kids, a 501c3 organization dedicated to helping kids in need.
The Irondale Police Department announced that it will be partnering with the City of Irondale, The Mountain Brook Police Department, The Trussville Police Department and the Irondale Fire Department for the event. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/first-responders-announce-cornhole-tournament-to-help-children-in-need/ | 2023-06-14T22:51:22 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/first-responders-announce-cornhole-tournament-to-help-children-in-need/ |
6 Detroit groups chosen as ShotStoppers to reduce gun violence
Detroit ― Mayor Mike Duggan on Wednesday announced six community-based organizations have been selected through a competitive bid process to conduct community violence intervention through a new program dubbed ShotStoppers, which financially rewards neighborhood groups for reducing violence.
That number of groups is more than the three to five the city originally intended to include in the ShotStoppers initiative, which is not to be confused with ShotSpotter, Detroit's ariel gunfire detection system implemented as a police initiative across the city. Both programs are designed to help reduce gun violence in Detroit.
Of 25 city organizations that submitted proposals, Duggan said six were strong enough that he is asking Detroit City Council to expand the original scope of the $10 million community violence intervention (CVI) initiative.
Each selected group is responsible for reducing homicides and shootings in a 3.5 to 4.5 square mile area, called a CVI Zone, using their own violence prevention strategy. Applicants proposed a specific approach based on their experience, expertise and knowledge of the local community.
Of the six chosen groups, Force Detroit, Detroit 300, Detroit People's Community and New Era Community Connection will be serving the city's west side while Wayne Metro/Denby Neighborhood Alliance/Camp Restore and Detroit Friends and Family will be serving the east side.
Some groups requested more programming while others requested relocation budgets for families with issues, Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison said.
Each contractor will receive a quarterly base budget of $175,000 to execute their prevention strategy. In any quarter the contractor’s violence reduction efforts are 10% more successful than the city as a whole, they will receive an additional $87,500 in prevention funding and in any quarter they outperform the rest of the city by 20%, they will receive an additional $175,000, the city said.
The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, pandemic relief funds. Contracts will go before City Council Tuesday and if approved, the groups can begin working July 1.
"We sat down with the activists here in the neighborhoods and try something different," Duggan said. "Instead of your normal government where we tell you what the plan is and pay you to do it, we are supporting their plan. We've taken the highest violence areas in the city and have people who said 'I know this area and I can make a difference.' We are overspending the budget and we needed to so hopefully council will support it."
Duggan announced the ShotStoppers initiative during his tenth State of the City address in March.
The community groups will have one month to ramp up their programs before the City begins measuring their performance on August 1.
"Every quarter they do better, they get more money to spend their plans further. It is so variable... Those who are doing well will expand and those who aren't can adopt strategies from successful ones," Duggan said. "Each one of them is deeply plugged in and they know what's driving the anger and the shootings. If there is anyone that can change course, it's these six groups."
City Council President Mary Sheffield said she is proud to see an innovation that addresses underlying social issues, the first she's seen in the last nine years.
"We've come a long way but we have more work to do to end the senseless violence we continue to see," Sheffield said. "We have to address the social issues that breed gun violence. We are not allowing governments to do this now, but community members with street credibility that know the unique needs of these areas... We have to use all the tools in our toolbox. This includes police, and technologies they need and today, we are investing in our people, a tool that has been underutilized."
Applications opened in March. Each organization proposed a specific strategy and tactics that they would employ. This includes street outreach, violence interruption, connecting at-risk individuals with wrap-around services, and addressing community conditions that contribute to violence. Applicants had to demonstrate a detailed feasible strategy to reduce violence in their zone and prior experience and organization capacity to implement it effectively.
Eric Ford, of Detroit 300, said when his mother was murdered when he was 17 years old, he promised her "I couldn't save you but I promise to save others from this violence."
Denby Neighborhood Alliance organizer Sandra Turner-Handy said representing this task in 48205, the most crime-ridden ZIP code of the city, carries a weight to notable success.
"We have been called the Blood, the Red Zone, everything you can think of but now we can make an impact throughout the city and focus on safety," Turner-Handy said. "Our babies are going to grow up in a city that they know cares about them. We are going to change the narrative. When people talk about Detroit, they are going to talk about the world-class city we truly are."
Detroit Police Chief James White said in large part, policing is a reaction, but this is a positive test of interrupting the normalcy of senseless violence. He added that the majority of 911 emergency calls stem from anger that erupts into a shootout. The analyst will be reviewing year-over-year statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to determine success rates.
"We have no excuse. We have funding, a supportive mayor, city council, and a community ready to do the work. We have the opportunity to be great," White said.
srahal@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @SarahRahal_ | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/14/detroit-gun-violence-prevention-neighborhood-intervention-shotstoppers-shotspotter-gunfire-detection/70322279007/ | 2023-06-14T22:52:50 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/14/detroit-gun-violence-prevention-neighborhood-intervention-shotstoppers-shotspotter-gunfire-detection/70322279007/ |
DPSCD approves $1.1B school budget with hundreds of staff changes, money for buildings
Detroit — School officials approved a $1.135 billion budget for the new school year that includes about 280 personnel changes and $235 million to fully fund $700 million in facility projects.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District's board of education approved the budget Tuesday, balancing its revenues and expenses without federal COVID funds for the 2023-24 school year while implementing a massive personnel restructuring plan that has forced some employees to move into new positions or accept severance.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said the budget was approved even though the district cannot say yet how many people will be laid off until the end of the month.
"That is when the contract and fiscal year ends for most employees. With that said, there will be no school culture facilitators or paraprofessionals 'laid off,'" Vitti said. "Each employee in those two groups accepted another role or accepted a severance pay. We have roughly 20 employees outside of those two employee groups that have still not accepted another position or a severance. We expect that number to decline by the end of the month."
In May, Vitti called for eliminating 333 positions across Michigan's largest school district but giving 200 of those impacted employees the option to move into alternative jobs — some that pay better than current positions. Not all of the 333 targeted positions were staffed.
Layoff notices were sent to three groups of employees — kindergarten paraeducators, school culture facilitators and college transition advisers — that included options for alternative jobs in the district. Some central office staff and some principals and assistant principals received letters saying their current jobs are being eliminated but that anyone with a teaching certification can move into alternative positions.
Vitti said there will be few layoffs for hourly employees because school culture facilitators and kindergarten paraprofessionals have taken different positions for next year.
The budget maintains current class sizes, expands the number of academic interventionists, maintains or expands student wellness through mental health supports at schools, keeps attendance agents for larger schools and district-based support for smaller schools and maintains course recovery efforts at high schools to ensure students graduate in four years, according to the district's budget documents.
It also provides salary increases for all staffers districtwide and increases the hourly rates and the number of work hours for cafeteria workers in order to fully staff school lunchrooms.
Some say budget cuts are 'ill-timed'
Board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo was the only member to vote no on the budget. She told The News on Wednesday the district cannot cut its way to solvency and that more can be done to recruit new and former students.
"Our budget is a moral compass that should lead us to increased and improved academic achievement," Gay-Dagnogo said. "You can't cut your way to solvency. We haven't done enough to recruit our students back."
Both the academic and finance committees had reviewed and approved the budget — which was $88 million less than last year's — and the board already approved Vitti's personnel restructuring plan at a prior meeting.
Lakia Wilson, president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, said on Wednesday that the cuts are "ill-timed and premature," even though no teachers were laid off.
"The cuts that have been made in some our ancillary staff, to us we can't make sense of it, because our children need more services — if anything — especially as we move forward from COVID and try to make up from the learning loss," Wilson said.
Wilson said DPSCD is in a great place financially and getting better.
"We know there will be an exodus. We have retirees moving on. That always helps the budget," Wilson said.
The budget creates a $4.2 million surplus to address emergencies, shifts in enrollment or other unexpected spending in the district of 106 schools. Some buildings are slated for closure and phase-out in coming years.
DPSCD's K-12 student enrollment is projected to remain at 48,200 students. The district is projecting a 335-student increase in preschool with an additional 20 new classrooms next school year. Overall district enrollment is about 2,000 less than pre-pandemic levels, officials said.
The district will bring a budget amendment in the fall which will reflect final funding levels by the state — which approves its own budget on Oct. 1 — and fall count day enrollment, which is taken in October.
The district experienced growth in its 2021 and 2022 budgets due in part to the infusion of federal COVID funds, which will total $1.2 billion over four years and must be spent by September 2024.
Vitti said the district faces challenges such as inflation driving up the costs of materials, salaries increasing across the region and an aging workforce requiring higher salaries to retain staff.
The district was released from state oversight in 2020 by the Detroit Financial Review Commission, which had direct, day-to-day financial and operational oversight of the school system after a $617 million state bailout in 2016.
New financial forecasts show the district's legacy debts will be retired in 2026, about 10 years after it went through the state-financed restructuring — one year earlier than expected under the bailout legislation.
jchambers@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/14/detroit-school-board-approves-1-billion-budget-personnel-changes-facility-projects-federal-covid-fun/70319256007/ | 2023-06-14T22:52:56 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/14/detroit-school-board-approves-1-billion-budget-personnel-changes-facility-projects-federal-covid-fun/70319256007/ |
66-year-old charged in child sexually abusive material case
A 66-year-old man has been charged in connection with child sexually abusive material, the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.
Michael Cunningham of Shelby Township was arrested June 2, representatives said in a statement.
Investigators allegedly linked his address to a tip the Macomb Area Computer Enforcement unit with the Sheriff's Office received from the Department of Homeland Security about child pornography being downloaded online, according to the release.
Detectives executed a search warrant at Cunningham's home, seizing electronic evidence including laptops, hard drives and thumb drives, officials said.
"Initial reviews revealed child pornography; however, further forensic review yielded over 1,000 images and videos of child sexually abusive material," according to the release.
Cunningham was arraigned June 5 through 41-A District Court on three counts of child sexually abusive material – aggravated possession and three counts of using computers to commit a crime, records show.
An attorney listed as representing him did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
Bond was set at $50,000, and Cunningham posted bond.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 20. Another hearing follows at 3 p.m. June 27. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/14/66-year-old-charged-in-child-sexually-abusive-material-case/70323100007/ | 2023-06-14T22:53:02 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/14/66-year-old-charged-in-child-sexually-abusive-material-case/70323100007/ |
Writer Robert Burke Warren, who edited the book on Johnny Cash, will appear in Miller Friday night.
The author of “Cash on Cash: Interviews and Encounters with Johnny Cash" will read from his book and perform Johnny Cash songs at 7 p.m. Friday at the 616 Sound Stage at 616 S. Lake St. in Gary's Miller Beach neighborhood.
He's a novelist, musician, educator and journalist who lives in New York's Catskills Mountains region and whose work has appeared in publications like Vulture, Salon, Paste and The Rumpus.
The Chicago Review Press published his book, which tells Cash's story in his own words. The Man in Black was one of the best-selling musicians of all time, selling more than 90 million records.
He also was prolific, releasing 96 albums and more than 1,500 songs like "Folsom Prison Blues, "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "Man in Black" and "A Boy Named Sue."
People are also reading…
"A comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash interviews and feature stories, some widely published and others never previously transcribed, culled from the 1950s through the early days of the new millennium, Cash on Cash charts a singular evolution," The Chicago Review Press said in a press release. "From hardscrabble Arkansas poor boy to rockabilly roustabout; international fame to drug addiction and disgrace; born again Christian to gimlet-eyed chronicler of spiritual darkness; TV and movie star to Nashville reject; redemption to loss and back again, several times."
Warren will sign copies of the book after weaving stories and songs from different points in his career into an hour-long performance.
The Rome News–Tribune praised his book for offering "unprecedented insight into one of the most significant American cultural figures of the 20th century."
"As an interviewee, Cash was an exemplary communicator to an astonishingly broad spectrum of people: always open and articulate, part friend, part spiritual authority, part flawed hero," The Rome News–Tribune said in a review. "Throughout a decades-long career, as Cash took risks, embracing new technologies, formats and attitudes, he cleaved to a simple, core message of unvarnished truth."
The program is being presented by The Nelson Algren Museum of Miller Beach. Museum director Sue Rutsen said it's "not to be missed."
"Hear Robert Burke Warren sing Johnny Cash, share his stories, and bring 'The Man in Black' to life," she said.
Drinks are available at the Thumbs Up tavern next door.
Tickets are $20 at the door.
For more information, visit nelsonalgrenmuseumofmillerbeach.com, call 773-914-2574 or email suerutsen@gmail.com.
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
Major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital 'a victory for East Chicago'
EAST CHICAGO — A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago.
The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment.
"Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community."
East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city.
"They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city."
When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care.
"This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago."
St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities.
"St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease."
The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project.
It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries.
"Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services.
St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said.
"During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources.
"We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology.
"Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us."
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
Major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital 'a victory for East Chicago'
EAST CHICAGO — A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago.
The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment.
"Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community."
East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city.
"They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city."
When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care.
"This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago."
St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities.
"St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease."
The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project.
It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries.
"Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services.
St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said.
"During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources.
"We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology.
"Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us."
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
Major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital 'a victory for East Chicago'
EAST CHICAGO — A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago.
The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment.
"Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community."
East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city.
"They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city."
When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care.
"This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago."
St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities.
"St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease."
The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project.
It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries.
"Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services.
St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said.
"During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources.
"We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology.
"Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us."
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
Major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital 'a victory for East Chicago'
EAST CHICAGO — A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago.
The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment.
"Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community."
East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city.
"They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city."
When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care.
"This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago."
St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities.
"St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease."
The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project.
It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries.
"Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services.
St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said.
"During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources.
"We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology.
"Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us."
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
Major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital 'a victory for East Chicago'
EAST CHICAGO — A major investment in life-saving cardiac care at St. Catherine Hospital is being hailed as a victory for East Chicago.
The long-standing hospital in the Indiana Harbor neighborhood landed a $1.5 million federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration to improve health care access for people who are medically vulnerable or underinsured.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan helped line up the money and helped announce the investment.
"Today is a victory for the residents of East Chicago because it's access to health care," he said. "I was born at St. Catherine Hospital. My grandparents were taken here. My mom and dad were cared for here. My sister was a candy striper here and went on to become a nurse practitioner for Northwestern. This was and still is an anchor for the community."
East Chicago leaders were concerned about the hospital's future after Franciscan Health decided to close the similarly aged former St. Margaret Hospital in neighboring Hammond, Northwest Indiana's most populous city.
"They wanted to make sure the safety-net hospital continued," he said. "What today is about is assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in new technology that gives them access to care equal to anywhere around the world. This is an investment in East Chicago itself, and it allows the residents to understand they have access to quality care here in the city."
When Mrvan was North Township trustee, he often heard complaints from residents that they didn't have access to care.
"This is a safety-net hospital. That means it takes care of the most vulnerable populations," he said. "This technology is the gold standard for Northwest Indiana. It's the same technology you would have in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago. The hospital is working to provide world-class health care. As a congressman, I will listen to your concerns and try to provide access to health care, the best technology and the best for East Chicago."
St. Catherine CEO Leo Correa said the hospital continues to provide advanced technology to East Chicago and surrounding communities.
"St. Catherine Hospital is committed to ensuring that our community has state-of-the-art cardiac care close to home," Correa said. "It's a well-known fact that in the 1960s, St. Catherine Hospital became the choice facility in the Chicagoland area for the treatment of heart disease, performing the first open-heart surgery in Northwest Indiana. And today, we continue to invest in cardiac care and treating heart disease."
The hospital will install an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, an image-guided therapy system that provides high-quality images with low doses of X-rays. Philips Healthcare is installing the new technology in its cath lab, which is undergoing a multiphase modernization project.
It will allow for precision diagnosis and treatment for patients. The new technology can capture uncommon angiography views, provide real-time 3-D impressions for complex vascular interventions and better visualize stent and balloon placement in coronary arteries.
"Our patients and clinicians benefit from the fast procedure times, reduced radiation exposure and superior image quality of this new technology," said Mary Miller, director of Cardiovascular Services.
St. Catherine Hospital has long placed an emphasis on cardiac care while serving the community for nearly a century, Correa said.
"During that time, we built a reputation for providing unparalleled cardiac care," he said. "That did not happen by chance. That's the result of an intentional investment in top health care providers and resources.
"We have fortified a culture of excellence in cardiac care by continuing to invest in skilled specialists and technologies to diagnose and treat heart disease. St. Catherine, along with our fellow hospitals in Community Healthcare System, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, operates one of the largest and most advanced cardiovascular programs in Northwest Indiana. Our hospitals are certified chest-pain centers that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission or the American College of Cardiology.
"Every day, highly skilled cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologic and cardiac support staff walk through our doors and use their expertise to treat patients who put their trust in us." | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/johnny-cash-author-appearing-in-miller-beach/article_d81d0aca-0a7c-11ee-b6c6-0b2da2b7fa89.html | 2023-06-14T22:53:35 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/johnny-cash-author-appearing-in-miller-beach/article_d81d0aca-0a7c-11ee-b6c6-0b2da2b7fa89.html |
DALLAS — Texas' power grid manager this week dramatically changed its operations to ensure backup electricity is available faster during emergencies.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) launched its Contingency Reserve Service (ECRS) Saturday. It's the first time ERCOT has added a tool of this kind to its operations in 20 years.
"I like to think of these things sort of like lines of defense," Stoic Energy consultant Doug Lewin said. "This adds an additional tool that is highly dispatchable, flexible and fast-acting."
When power plants suddenly stop producing electricity, Texas' power grid automatically draws on reserve power to immediately stabilize operations. This emergency electricity is only available for up to 15 minutes, though.
Larger reserve generators that can run for four hours take up to 30 minutes to ramp up. Previously, this delay meant emergency electricity could deplete before backup plants began producing ample energy to rescue the grid from an extreme emergency.
But ERCOT's new ancillary service system will ensure some backup generators can come online in just ten minutes and run for at least two hours. The faster response should make the grid more reliable during tight conditions.
"A lot of different things can happen and you really need that fairly rapid response," said Lewin, who also hosts the Texas Power Podcast and writes the Texas Energy and Power Newsletter.
Early indications are that ECRS will keep on retainer about 2.5 gigawatts of electricity capacity, enough to power about 500,000 homes on a hot summer day in Texas.
The new system also creates a framework that should allow more battery storage operators to contribute to the reserve power market. The ECRS reserve capacity could grow as battery storage operations launch in Texas, Lewin said.
"ECRS is most likely going to be a lot of battery storage," Lewin added. "Storage is really, really, really well-suited for ancillary services. It has that fast response, it's extremely reliable, dispatchable, and flexible - all the things a grid operator wants."
It does not appear that the ECRS change added a significant amount of reserve power capacity to Texas's energy grid. For now, the move primarily allows ERCOT to tap existing supplies faster.
In internal presentations, ERCOT acknowledged the new system will help compensate for inaccurate demand forecasts and unplanned outages at fuel-fired plants.
It's possible ERCOT will tap the reserve for the first time this weekend, when grid conditions are expected to tighten as Texans run their air conditioning. The council's forecasters expect solar panels to gather enough energy to operate the grid without issue, though. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ercot-will-tap-reserve-power-faster-under-system-texas/287-7479ce9e-c133-4450-8b76-5b94a5861054 | 2023-06-14T22:54:33 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/ercot-will-tap-reserve-power-faster-under-system-texas/287-7479ce9e-c133-4450-8b76-5b94a5861054 |
HOUSTON — Texas’ highest criminal court ruled Wednesday that the securities fraud case against now-suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s should remain in Houston, settling a key issue in the 8-year-old case as Paxton faces an impeachment trial in the Texas Senate this summer.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, made up of nine Republicans and no Democrats, overturned lower-court decisions that said Paxton’s trial had been improperly moved from Collin County, where he lives, to Harris County. They said the trial judge had lost jurisdiction over the matter.
"The standards we use to judge will inevitably be applied against us. Thus, even the noblest of goals, no matter how righteous, cannot justify improper means, Judge Bert Richardson wrote for the majority. "Today we fulfill our duty by upholding our Constitution’s rule of law and affirming the wisdom of its framers."
However, the Texas Constitution and state law protected the judge’s authority over the case, the court ruled.
“We’re gratified but not surprised that the Court recognized that this defendant must stand trial before a Harris County jury and a judge who will follow the law,” prosecutor Brian Wice said.
Paxton’s defense attorney for his impeachment trial -- but not the Collin County case -- said they're not fazed by the decision.
“Today’s decision doesn’t matter. This case is a loser and that’s why the so-called prosecutors have continued to delay this case for almost a decade now," Attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. "This case has been before the Court of Criminal Appeals for nearly two years and the timing of today’s decision was no coincidence, specifically timed and designed to create maximum negative press and political damage to the attorney general and targeted to hurt him with the Senate.”
In 2015, a Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on two counts of securities fraud, a first-degree felony with a punishment of up to 99 years in prison, and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators, a third-degree felony with a maximum 10 years in prison.
The securities fraud charges related to Paxton’s efforts in 2011 to solicit investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney-based tech company was paying him to promote its stock.
Paxton has said he did nothing wrong and dismissed the charges as motivated by his political rivals.
Prosecutors were able to remove the case from Collin County in 2017, arguing that they could not get a fair trial in a county that Paxton had represented during his 10 years in the Texas House and two years in the state Senate.
Paxton’s lawyers, arguing that the judge who ordered the case to Harris County had lost jurisdiction over the case, succeeded in sending the case back to Collin County in 2020, leading to appeals from prosecutors that resulted in Wednesday’s ruling.
Paxton was suspended from acting as attorney general when the Texas House voted to impeach him late last month.
This is a developing story.
This story comes from The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-trial/285-fa483b24-75af-4b2e-91c9-89a27fd4463f | 2023-06-14T22:54:39 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-trial/285-fa483b24-75af-4b2e-91c9-89a27fd4463f |
RICHARDSON, Texas — Video of a cement tanker engulfed in flames near U.S. 75 in Richardson showed the vehicle explode.
The cement tanker was near the intersection of East Collins Boulevard and North Glennville Road. The Richardson Fire Department told WFAA the boom on a cement tanker hit a power line, which caused it to catch fire.
As the tanker was set ablaze, chopper video showed it explode. Here is aerial footage of the explosion:
Richardson fire said the downed power line caused outages in the area, and Oncor was notified and responding to affected customers. Oncor told WFAA approximately 1,200 customers were affected and there was no official estimated restoration time available. Oncor officials said crews were working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.
The downed power line shut down all traffic at East Collins Boulevard and North Glennville Road. Richardson FD said crews needed to wait for the power line to be shut off before starting to put out the fire.
There were no injuries as a result of the fire, Richardson officials said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
More Texas headlines: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/truck-fire-explosion-richardson-texas/287-f252d9ea-7903-47e8-9850-7f075bd9f665 | 2023-06-14T22:54:46 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/truck-fire-explosion-richardson-texas/287-f252d9ea-7903-47e8-9850-7f075bd9f665 |
The U.S. Marshals Service has added a former Fort Wayne man who is wanted for capital murder in Alabama to its list of the 15 most-wanted fugitives.
Joshua Smiley, 26, is wanted as a suspect in a 2021 shooting death in Mobile, Alabama. He was added to the list because of "the heinous nature of his crimes," U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis said in a news release.
Smiley is also wanted for a bond violation on a federal drug charge in Fort Wayne. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to Smiley's arrest.
Investigators said Smiley, who is suspected of being armed and dangerous, might be in Mobile, Fort Wayne or Indianapolis, the news release said. He has black hair, brown eyes, is 6 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs about 170 and has tattoos on both arms.
Those with information on Smiley's whereabouts are asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED2 or by using the YSMS Tips App. Informants' anonymity is guaranteed, the news release said.
Smiley has been wanted in Allen County since Sept. 8, 2021, when Allen Superior Court Magistrate Samuel Keirns issued a no-bond warrant for his arrest. The warrant stemmed from a petition to revoke Smiley's probation on a charge for assisting a criminal.
A plea agreement allowed Smiley, who was charged with murder in connection to the 2018 shooting death of Javon Burnett, to plead guilty to a lesser charge. In exchange for his testimony against Tyrion McNair, the man convicted of killing Burnett, Smiley was sentenced to five years in prison.
Only three years of the sentence were ordered to be executed. Because of time served and good time credit, Smiley was out by September 2021.
Before the 2018 murder, Smiley was a suspect in the 2015 shooting death of 17-year-old Alonna Allison. Allison was struck by a stray bullet Aug. 29, 2015, when rival gang members opened fire on each other.
A year after Allison's death, Smiley was one of three then-19-year-olds, including Darrion Bright and Javaris Travier, arrested and charged in connection to Allison's death. Charges were later dropped.
Former Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards said in a press conference that the charges weren't dropped because the men were not guilty, but because three witness who had come forward backed out.
No charges have been filed in Allison's murder since then. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/courts/former-fort-wayne-man-added-to-u-s-marshals-most-wanted-list/article_4ea8878a-0ae3-11ee-8a26-a7b4b4ca295e.html | 2023-06-14T23:03:47 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/courts/former-fort-wayne-man-added-to-u-s-marshals-most-wanted-list/article_4ea8878a-0ae3-11ee-8a26-a7b4b4ca295e.html |
Nucor Corp. said today it would build a new utility structures manufacturing facility in Crawfordsville, investing $115 million and creating up to 200 new jobs by the end of 2027.
The new facility will be located adjacent to the Nucor Steel Indiana sheet steel mill, which has been operating since 1989, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. said in a statement.
The facility will be able to provide engineered utility structures necessary to support U.S. electrification initiatives, such as grid hardening, renewable energy projects and building a nationwide network of EV charging stations. the statement said.
“Today is truly yet another exciting day for Nucor, Indiana and our state’s growing energy ecosystem,” Gov. Eric J. Holcomb said in a statement. “Nucor has been a great company partner to our state for decades, and this new Towers & Structures operation is a true testament to the company’s commitment to the Montgomery County region and to our Hoosier pro-growth business climate and skilled workforce.”
Construction is expected to begin in late 2023 or early 2024, with production expected to start by mid-2025.
Nucor’s Towers & Structures business unit was formed in 2022 after it acquired Summit Utility Structures LLC, a producer of steel utility structures.
In December, the company announced plans to build two new utility structure manufacturing facilities for a combined $270 million. In February, it announced plans for its first facility in Decatur, Alabama.
Nucor is also investing $290 million in its Indiana sheet steel mill to expand and modernize its operations.
Nucor employs more than 31,000 in North America, including more than 2,500 in Indiana. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana/nucor-to-invest-115-million-in-new-crawfordsville-facility/article_40eba4ea-0af4-11ee-827b-dfc36dee8211.html | 2023-06-14T23:03:53 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana/nucor-to-invest-115-million-in-new-crawfordsville-facility/article_40eba4ea-0af4-11ee-827b-dfc36dee8211.html |
Coventry Meadows Assisted Living & Healthcare is hosting two meet and greet sessions June 20 with congressional candidate Jon Kenworthy.
The public is invited to the sessions, a Wednesday news release said. They are:
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Coventry Meadows Assisted Living, 7833 W. Jefferson Blvd.
• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Coventry Meadows Health Care, 7843 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Kenworthy served as a Calvary Scout in the Army and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom twice. He has worked for senators Dan Coats and Mike Braun in Washington D.C. He has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, studied at the U.S. Army War College, and has multiple policy fellowships.
The Republican primary field includes former Congressman Marlin Stutzman; former Allen Circuit Court Judge Wendy Davis; state Sen. Andy Zay, R-Huntington; Warsaw maintenance technician and veteran Mike Felker; and Auburn lawyer Chandler Likes.
On the Democratic side, Phil Goss, a businessman and former State Department employee who lives in Allen County, has also launched a campaign for the seat. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/local-politics/coventry-meadows-hosts-meet-greet-with-3rd-district-congressional-candidate/article_e6053570-0af6-11ee-9768-2bd805f72a38.html | 2023-06-14T23:03:59 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/local-politics/coventry-meadows-hosts-meet-greet-with-3rd-district-congressional-candidate/article_e6053570-0af6-11ee-9768-2bd805f72a38.html |
The Fort Wayne Urban League is joining a campaign to get banned book titles in the hands of readers – for free.
The nonprofit on Wednesday announced it will distribute the first 100 books from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday during the Juneteeth Macknificent Freedom Fest at McMillen Park.
Schools across the country banned nearly 1,650 individual books in the last school year, most of them because they include themes about race and sexuality, the Urban League said in a news release.
Toni Morrison’s novel "The Bluest Eye," which explores “the devastating effects of racism and self-hatred on young black girls in America,” is among the titles deemed to be too dangerous for children to read, the news release said. Others titles include Ibran X. Kendi’s "Antiracist Baby," a guide to discussing racism with young children, and "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry," which earned author Mildred D. Taylor the Newberry Medal presented for the most distinguished contributions to American Literature for children.
"Access to truthful history, diverse books and critical ideas for students and educators are crucial to the nation’s history as a multicultural democracy," the news release said. "The so-called 'War on Wokeness' threatens to eradicate decades of progress toward racial justice, by warping our view of the nation’s past, and thwart our future progress toward an equitable, multicultural society."
Eleven individual donors so far helped fund the first 140 books that will be distributed locally in the "Freedom to Learn" campaign, local Urban League President and CEO Aisha R. Arrington said through email Wednesday. Those first books are valued at $1,000 or an average $7.14 per book, she said.
The Fort Wayne Urban League, which is joining the National Urban League in this campaign, hopes for more donations via a PayPal to meet a goal of giving away at least 500 books. The league's website is www.fwurbanleague.org
After Saturday, books will also be available 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Urban League office, 2135 S. Hanna St., as inventory allows.
Books will also be provided to Urban League STEM Camp participants July 10-20; during tutoring sessions with youth and during reading hours to be determined. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/local-urban-league-to-help-distribute-banned-books-for-free/article_37119c86-0af9-11ee-82e3-5bf7d169cdf3.html | 2023-06-14T23:04:06 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/local-urban-league-to-help-distribute-banned-books-for-free/article_37119c86-0af9-11ee-82e3-5bf7d169cdf3.html |
BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) have formally established a trade agreement with Japan.
In a news release, the ISDA stated that Japan is one of Idaho's top and most reliable trading partners and is the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports.
The U.S. delegation for the five-day agricultural trade mission in Japan included a total of 11 state departments of agriculture and 40 agribusinesses. The meeting was organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by USDA Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor.
The Idaho representatives met with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries where they focused on promoting market access for U.S. fresh potatoes - citing that access to the Japan market for U.S. potatoes could result in an additional $150 million per year in exports, according to the National Potato Council.
"It is important that we continue to apply pressure on the Japanese government," said IPC Vice President of Legal and Government Affairs Sam Eaton.
The Idaho representatives in attendance were ISDA Director Chanel Tewalt, IPC Chairman Bryan Wada, IPC's Sam Eaton and ISDA trade specialist Chelsea Conlon.
"I am very encouraged by the discussions we had in Japan, and especially pleased to have been able to leverage the scale and depth of this mission to advocate for Idaho's producers," said Tewalt.
"Japan has long been one of Idaho's strongest trading partners. Throughout our trip, we heard a common message: Japan is a mature market, but it is full of opportunity."
Wada said that the trip to Japan was a success and that trade relations and market access for U.S. table-stock potatoes with the country show improvement.
"With our high-quality product and international brand recognition, I believe Idaho potatoes are positioned to do particularly well in the Japanese market," said Wada.
The release said that the Idaho delegation's itinerary also included a meet with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service officials to discuss the status of market access negotiations in those departments.
"We also have broad support from our partners at the National Potato Council and Potatoes USA as well as the entire Idaho Congressional Delegation," said Eatton. "We are fresh off our recent success in Mexico and the potato industry needs to carry that momentum into our efforts with Japan," said Eaton.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-delegates-establish-trade-agreement-japan-potatoes/277-2034234a-efc5-4f61-9441-b9ecb6ea2128 | 2023-06-14T23:05:09 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-delegates-establish-trade-agreement-japan-potatoes/277-2034234a-efc5-4f61-9441-b9ecb6ea2128 |
Juneteenth events planned for Gastonia
Gastonia will have a multi-day celebration in honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
Saturday, June 17
On Saturday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a health and wellness fair at the Highland Health Center.
"There's so many health disparities and issues the black and indigenous communities experience," said organizer Tasha White. "We want to make sure that health and wellness is a part of our communities, a solid part."
At the fair, Kintegra Health will offer mammograms. The Gaston County Health Department will have public health information, and there will be a variety of other healthcare vendors. There will also be a free lunch, a DJ, self-care stations, cooking demos, children's activities, health seminars, line dancing, health screenings, and more.
From 1 until 5 p.m., inside the Erwin Center, there will be a youth barber shop wrap session, a conversation between youth and police, as well as other adults. People from the community will talk to youth about making good connections and understanding that the choices people make are important both to their own legacy and to the community, White said.
Meanwhile, at the Erwin Center ball field, there will be a festival that will include a live DJ, performances and other speakers.
The festival will also include a variety of vendors who are part of the Buy Black Pop-up Market.
At 5:30 p.m., the African American Museum of History and Culture on Firestone Street will honor Charlotte McClee, a formerly enslaved woman who was Gastonia's first midwife.
Sunday, June 18
On Sunday, June 18 at 4 p.m., the EbonyFest parade will take place in downtown Gastonia, beginning at the intersection of South Street and Broad Street and ending at the intersection of Main Street and South Street. From 5 until 9 p.m., there will be a festival on the Rotary Centennial Pavilion, which will include African dance and drum performances and a variety of other acts.
Monday, June 19
On Monday, June 19, from 6 until 9 p.m., the EbonyFest Juneteenth Festival will continue at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion. There will be fireworks at dusk. | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/juneteenth-events-planned-for-gastonia/70298247007/ | 2023-06-14T23:07:28 | 1 | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/juneteenth-events-planned-for-gastonia/70298247007/ |
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s 2024-25 operating budget is one step closer to completion after the Senate Finance Committee approved its $85.8 billion proposal by a party line vote. A full floor vote is expected Thursday.
The passed version largely mirrors the original proposal from last week. The Senate’s budget still provides universal school vouchers, income tax cuts with a greater impact on wealthy Ohioans, social media regulations focused on children, an extended sales tax holiday, increased mental health funding and a $1 billion one-time strategic investment fund that diverts most House-approved local projects to 2025.
However, a long series of amendments did see the Senate Finance Committee fold in unpopular legislation to regulate state college campuses; increase August special election funding from $15 million to $16 million; add video platforms to the Parental Notification Act; lower the minimum age to be a police officer from 21 to 18; allow charter schools to charge tuition above the voucher amount for students under 200% of the federal poverty level; and reverse the Senate’s hard-line stance against state tax incentives for housing, among other things.
Affordable housing
One of the Senate’s biggest revisions was to restore the new state housing tax credits proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine after having previously nixed them, a move that drew confusion from from affordable housing providers and industry advocates at the time.
“What we’re trying to do is recognize that there’s a need to keep people in their homes, there’s a need to provide for more single family housing, and in certain respects there’s need to provide multi-family (housing),” explained Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls. “This budget now provides for the availability for all three of those to develop in Ohio.”
On the whole, Wednesday’s amendments and the bill itself were opposed by the committee’s Democrats, who argued that the budget didn’t adequately address the needs for child care, infant mortality or SNAP benefits and raised concerns about the outsized relief income tax cuts will provide to wealthier Ohioans, the additional costs associated with universal school vouchers, and the inclusion of contentious legislation like Senate Bill 83 — a bill to regulate state colleges that has seen overwhelming disapproval from education stakeholders.
Childcare
The budget does not address concerns from advocates and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce about the Senate’s scaled-back funding approach to child care after both the House and the Senate each shaved off hundreds of millions of dollars from DeWine’s transformative proposal back in February.
At present, DeWine’s $150 million childcare scholarship program was abandoned by both chambers; his effort to increase access to subsidized childcare at a cost of over $200 million was almost entirely slashed by the Senate; and the House’s $30 million allocation to increase childcare capacity at existing childcare centers was cut in half.
While the Senate budget does broadly increase funding for child care programs in comparison to the current operating budget, industry advocate Lynanne Gutierrez of Groundwork Ohio said those marginal increases don’t keep up with higher costs. She characterized the Senate’s stance as a missed opportunity.
“The governor’s proposal was thoughtful and timely to help the childcare industry in the state survive the moment that we’re in — post pandemic with increased cost and increased need as we see jobs going unfilled,” Gutierrez said. “The Senate’s proposal completely walked backwards on that.”
Dolan told reporters that the Senate opted not to substantially increase access to child care while existing centers were struggling with capacity.
“It is having enough spots that is the problem right now that we have to address,” said Dolan, who noted that the Senate approved $15 million for that purpose — though the Senate’s proposal halves what the House approved.
Folded-in legislation
Senate Finance Democrats iterated their concerns with using the budget as a vehicle to pass legislation that hasn’t yet run due course in the Statehouse. Democrats cited Senate Bills 1, 21, 117 as “problematic,” but Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, gave special attention to the budget’s inclusion of the overwhelmingly unpopular SB83.
The bill would block state professors from going on strike and prohibit mandatory diversity equity and inclusion programming, mandate “intellectual diversity” on college campuses and prohibit state universities from taking stances on any controversial belief or policies.
“(SB83 is) bad for education, bad for Ohio. It’s a threat to free thought, free speech, (and) free enterprise,” said Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, who called the bill’s anti-strike provision “the worst attack on collective bargaining and unions that this chamber has seen” in over a decade.
Senate Finance Chair Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, said it was rolled into the budget to show that the legislation is a priority to his chamber. “I think it demonstrates the importance it (has) for the Senate to make sure that we hold the universities accountable,” Dolan said. A hearing hasn’t been held on SB83 in the House since May 14.
What’s next
Once the budget is passed by the Senate, the House will vote on whether it concurs on the changes. Disagreement is expected, which would move the budget to a conference committee where select Senators and Representatives will deliberate and decide a final proposal to be sent to DeWine, who has veto power over specific provisions.
“We look forward to a thorough discussion with the House and the administration on if there’s any other places to go,” Dolan said.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/senate-budget-passes-committee-full-floor-vote-tomorrow/VHTKVO4E6RDQFLK46TY2HCUPCA/ | 2023-06-14T23:07:30 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/senate-budget-passes-committee-full-floor-vote-tomorrow/VHTKVO4E6RDQFLK46TY2HCUPCA/ |
LOCAL
Road closed in Gastonia after garbage truck spill
Kara Fohner
The Gaston Gazette
Part of U.S. 321 in Gastonia will be closed for much of the day because a garbage truck spilled debris all over the road, the Gastonia Police Department said.
A driver from Foss Transport was driving on U.S. 321 at around 8:20 a.m. when the load on the truck started to shift, overturning and causing the driver to lose control, police spokesman Rick Goodale said. The truck struck a utility pole and the load spilled all over the road. Nobody was injured.
The driver was charged with driving too fast for the road conditions.
Police expect the road between Jackson Street and West 12th Avenue to be closed at least 5 p.m., if not longer, Goodale said.
Traffic is being diverted through a nearby neighborhood. | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/road-closed-in-gastonia-after-garbage-truck-spill/70321020007/ | 2023-06-14T23:07:34 | 1 | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/road-closed-in-gastonia-after-garbage-truck-spill/70321020007/ |
BANGOR -- Whoopie pies always have, and always will be a Maine dessert staple.
The annual Whoopies for Whiskers event brought the treats, but more importantly, benefited a good cause too.
The third annual fundraiser took place at the Pet Smart in Bangor.
Run by 10 year old Don Veneziano with the help of his family, all of the proceeds go towards the Bangor Humane Society.
Selling the homemade whoopie pies at two dollars and offering lemonade at fifty cents, Don is very grateful that he is able to contribute to the Bangor Humane Society.
"Everything you do for them will count," he said. "Doesn't matter how you do it, doesn't matter where you do it, doesn't matter who you are, it will help them and the animals."
With a total of 500 dollars raised, Whoopies for Whiskers will hopefully be a tradition that carries on for years to come. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/10-year-old-raises-500-for-bangor-humane-society-by-selling-homemade-whoopie-pies/article_58839c7c-0af7-11ee-bf60-dbf97142f4d2.html | 2023-06-14T23:09:57 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/10-year-old-raises-500-for-bangor-humane-society-by-selling-homemade-whoopie-pies/article_58839c7c-0af7-11ee-bf60-dbf97142f4d2.html |
BELFAST -- Police are investigating an alleged stabbing and robbery in Belfast Monday morning.
Belfast police responded to the Waldo County Hospital emergency room for a report of a male victim with stab wounds Tuesday morning.
The victim reportedly told officers that he was robbed at knifepoint and then stabbed multiple times near a wooded trail and encampment west of Route One, before the suspects fled on foot.
"We want to capture the people that have done this. I think it's a horrific crime, and certainly they should be held accountable," said Belfast Police Department Chief Robert Cormier.
Police say the victim described his assailants as a white male in his twenties, roughly 5-foot-five with long brown hair, and a female in her early twenties with a thin build and reddish-colored hair.
Belfast police ask anyone with information about the case to contact them at (207) 338-2040.
Chief Cormier says the incident is a reminder to stay safe on Maine's trails and avoid hiking alone.
"If you're out hiking and you notice something that doesn't look right, and it doesn't feel right, the best thing to do is to try to get to a place of safety and call us. We'd rather come out and have it be nothing than have someone get hurt," said Cormier.
The victim was later taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland for further treatment, his condition is not known at this time.
The incident remains under investigation. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/belfast-police-investigating-alleged-stabbing-and-robbery-incident/article_7da8f010-0afc-11ee-96e9-67ac411177d6.html | 2023-06-14T23:10:03 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/belfast-police-investigating-alleged-stabbing-and-robbery-incident/article_7da8f010-0afc-11ee-96e9-67ac411177d6.html |
HERMON -- In honor of Flag Day, American Legion Post 200 held an annual ceremony to retire flags at the Armed Forces Memorial in Hermon.
The tradition of retiring flags dates back generations where Veterans will take damaged and unused flags and properly retire them.
Surrounded by local first responders, Veterans, and American Legion members, this ceremony gives each flags story and history a quiet ending.
According to Hermon American Legion Post 200 Commander Dalton Hodgins, "Everybody's looking at the way we are treating these flags. It gives you memories of past wars, of past reasons why we fly the flag and it lets us feel like we've given closure."
After the ceremony ends the ashes are buried in various locations, but never in a place that will be disturbed by outside sources. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/hermon-american-legion-holds-flag-retiring-ceremony/article_b1707592-0af9-11ee-b9a9-73b7b39e95d5.html | 2023-06-14T23:10:10 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/hermon-american-legion-holds-flag-retiring-ceremony/article_b1707592-0af9-11ee-b9a9-73b7b39e95d5.html |
AUGUSTA -- "Recovery cannot wait."
Recovery advocates and statewide recovery centers called on legislators in supporting a bill they say would keep these centers open.
"Even though we just opened the hills recovery center a few weeks ago, we only have funding to keep the doors open for two years," said Kari Taylor, Director of Oxford Hills Recovery Center.
According to the National Library of Medicine, recovery centers start out funded by either the State or the Federal Government. Afterwards, they receive funding either through donations or fundraisers.
L.D. 1714 is sponsored by Representative Ambureen Rana of Bangor. It would would require 12% of sales and excise tax paid monthly by the cannabis industry to go to recovery centers.
"More funding means more outreach. It means more programs. It means we are able to reach people in those rural areas where there are not a lot of resources," said Representative Rana.
There are 19 recovery centers across Maine. P.I.R. 2 Peer Recovery Center is one of four centers that have a contract with the state worth $50,000.
The organization's CEO Ginger Collins says the funding is simply not enough.
"We're basically able to pay our mortgage and our electric. From there, we have very little to spend," said Collins.
Others like The Larry Labonte Recovery Center have to make tough decisions in order to stay afloat.
"We might want to order in t-shirts just to be able to do events, and the money is just not there to do it. I'd love for us to have more hours open and everything else but it's just not feasible. The budget's not there. The money is not there," said Seth Fournier, Recovery Coach for The Larry Labonte Recovery Center.
Representative Rana says L.D.1714 is expected to be voted on by the House and Senate within the next few weeks. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/recovery-advocates-support-l-d-1714/article_bd2b8f92-0afa-11ee-bb7a-871d3d89c45f.html | 2023-06-14T23:10:16 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/recovery-advocates-support-l-d-1714/article_bd2b8f92-0afa-11ee-bb7a-871d3d89c45f.html |
SCRANTON, Pa. — A former manager at the Harvard Medical School morgue, his wife and three other people have been indicted in the theft and sale of human body parts, federal prosecutors in Pennsylvania announced Wednesday.
Cedric Lodge, 55, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, stole dissected portions of cadavers that were donated to the school in the scheme that stretched from 2018 to early 2023, according to court documents. The body parts were taken without the school's knowledge or permission, authorities said, adding that the school has cooperated with the investigation.
Lodge sometimes took the body parts — which included heads, brains, skin and bones — back to his home where he lived with his wife, Denise, 63, and some remains were sent to buyers through the mail, authorities said. Lodge also allegedly allowed buyers to come to the morgue to pick what remains they wanted to buy.
Bodies donated to Harvard Medical School are used for education, teaching or research purposes. Once they are no longer needed, the cadavers are usually cremated and the ashes are returned to the donor’s family or buried in a cemetery.
In a message posted on the school's website entitled “An abhorrent betrayal,” deans George Daley and Edward Hundert called the matter “morally reprehensible.” They said Lodge was fired May 6.
“We are appalled to learn that something so disturbing could happen on our campus — a community dedicated to healing and serving others,” the deans wrote. “The reported incidents are a betrayal of HMS and, most importantly, each of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies to HMS through the Anatomical Gift Program to advance medical education and research.”
The indictment charges the Lodges and three others — Katrina Maclean, 44, of Salem, Massachusetts; Joshua Taylor, 46, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania; and Mathew Lampi, 52, of East Bethel, Minnesota — with conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods. It was not known Wednesday if any of the defendants had a lawyer who could comment on their behalf.
According to prosecutors, the defendants were part of a nationwide network of people who bought and sold remains stolen from the school and an Arkansas mortuary. The Lodges allegedly sold remains to Maclean, Taylor, and others in arrangements made through telephone calls and social media websites.
Taylor sometimes transported stolen remains back to Pennsylvania, authorities said, while other times the Lodges would mail remains to him and others. Maclean and Taylor resold the stolen remains for profit, authorities said.
Denise and Cedric Lodge both made their initial court appearances Wednesday in federal court in Concord, New Hampshire, and were each released on personal recognizance bail. They declined comment as they left the courthouse.
Two other people have been charged in the case.
Jeremy Pauley, age 41, of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, allegedly bought some remains from Candace Chapman Scott, of Little Rock, Arkansas, who allegedly stole them from a mortuary where she worked. Authorities have said Scott stole body parts from cadavers she was supposed to have cremated, noting many of the bodies had been donated to and used for research and educational purposes by a medical school in Arkansas.
Pauley allegedly sold many of the stolen remains to other people, including individuals, including Lampi. Pauley and Lampi bought and sold from each other over an extended period of time and exchanged more than $100,000 in online payments, authorities said.
Scott and Pauley have both pleaded not guilty. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/harvard-medical-school-morgue-manager-4-others-indicted-theft-sale-human-remains/521-aceef095-c347-4733-8d72-0f08e895458a | 2023-06-14T23:11:22 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/harvard-medical-school-morgue-manager-4-others-indicted-theft-sale-human-remains/521-aceef095-c347-4733-8d72-0f08e895458a |
DALLASTOWN, Pa. — Videos began to surface this week on social media showing a line of dots floating in the night sky over South Central Pennsylvania. Several FOX43 viewers sent pictures and video asking us about the string of lights.
Despite some online speculation, the lights are not an unidentified flying object (UFO).
“I guess if you want to be pedantic about it, if you look up and you don’t know what it is, it’s a UFO. But is it an alien? No, it’s not an alien. I wish it was, but it’s not,” said Rob Furey, professor of integrative sciences at Harrisburg University.
The lights, which appear as dots in a straight or sometimes curved line, are SpaceX Starlink satellites. The satellites provide internet access to 54 countries, most notably to Ukraine after the Russian invasion in February 2022 destroyed much of Ukraine’s telecommunications infrastructure.
Starlink satellites orbit closer to Earth than traditional geosynchronous satellites. Because the Starlink satellites are closer, they cover less area relative to traditional satellites, so more are needed in order to offer uninterrupted service.
SpaceX has more than 4,000 Starlink satellites currently in orbit, with plans to reach 30,000 satellites.
Because of the large number of satellites needed, Starlink launches up to 50 satellites at a time. The mass launch creates a straight- or curved-line appearance in the sky. The line is visible for a few months until the satellites spread out and reach their final altitude.
“They are initially deployed at about 150 miles up and then they climb up to almost 350 miles, then they’re turned on,” Furey said.
Starlink satellites stand out because of their unique satellite trains, but the sky is full of other visible objects in orbit, such as the International Space Station (ISS) and the James Webb Telescope.
You can use an online Starlink tracker to find when you might see a Starlink satellite train in your area.
New launches are held several times a month in both California and Florida. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/starlink-satellite-train/521-0a2f7d25-51de-4254-9efe-dc01a5a6ee1a | 2023-06-14T23:11:28 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/starlink-satellite-train/521-0a2f7d25-51de-4254-9efe-dc01a5a6ee1a |
BOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. – A member of the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors is fighting for votes and fighting against criminal charges.
It’s over an alleged incident involving a critic who held a sign the board member felt was inappropriate.
“This whole thing is politically motivated,” Botetourt County Board of Supervisor Billy Martin said after a confrontation involving a citizen, Danny Goad.
Martin said the altercation got out of hand.
Goad held a sign criticizing Martin last Wednesday along a highly traveled road in Cloverdale that reads, “Martin allows Porn for Children in Libraries.”
Martin says the sign is politically motivated to get him out of office, and he is seeking re-election for the board.
“I’ve been avoiding any kind of confrontation, and I had been avoiding it for some time, but when I saw this, it was over the top,” Martin said.
“This is not political, Billy Martin allows porn in libraries,” Danny Goad, a Botetourt County resident said.
Martin’s a Sunday School teacher and has been charged with assault and battery, after confronting Goad.
“I was just thinking, ‘If some of these parents saw this, what would be on their minds?’ They probably won’t come back to church, I’ve got sense enough not to assault, not to hit him or batter him,” Martin said.
Goad feels Botetourt County Board of Supervisors can do more to remove the book titled, “The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families.”
“I know many emails have been sent, they should have seen all the materials because it’s all been sent to them, they have had many opportunities and still they refuse to do anything,” Goad said.
However, Martin disagrees.
“We don’t have the authority to start and taking books out,” Martin said.
Martin said, to have a book reviewed, the person needs to request a meeting with the library board.
While Martin awaits time in court in July, he wishes he would have done things differently.
“I probably shouldn’t have approached him like I did to get the sign,” Martin said. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/botetourt-county-board-of-supervisor-speaks-out-after-altercation-with-citizen/ | 2023-06-14T23:12:03 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/botetourt-county-board-of-supervisor-speaks-out-after-altercation-with-citizen/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – This article is part of “Solutionaries,” our continuing commitment to solutions journalism, highlighting the creative people in communities working to make the world a better place, one solution at a time. Find out what you can do to help and subscribe to our Solutionaries channel on youtube.
Common complaints about Interstate 81 range from truck traffic to crashes and safety. But there’s a multi-billion dollar plan that will make it better for everyone.
Ivan Loya drives Interstate 81 for work and calls it “pretty intense,” saying sometimes he doesn’t feel safe.
“We definitely need, I don’t know, more lanes or something,” said Loya.
Taylor Blackwell drives Interstate 81 every day and says the road construction is the worst part of the interstate.
“Safety-wise on this Interstate is, I guess, ridiculous. When it comes to road construction, it puts a damper on traffic,” said Blackwell, who drives a tow truck for Collins Towing and Recovery.
But we need the current construction. Interstate 81 hasn’t had significant improvements since it was built in the 50s. Since then, we’ve seen increased traffic, vehicle sizes and more trucks hauling freight. In 2018, VDOT started the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan to make it more reliable and safer.
We took your questions and complaints about Interstate 81 to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). 10 News previously asked what your issues with Interstate 81 were, and you said the trucks, speeding and enforcement and a need for more lanes.
Dave Covington works for the Virginia Department of Transportation and says the top complaint he hears is safety, “I think a lot of people are scared to drive on I-81. I know people personally that refuse to drive on I-81.”
Covington oversees the entire I-81 construction project; that’s $2.7 billion dollars.
“We are not making improvements to the entirety of the Interstate. The cost of that is very significant, probably on the order of magnitude of more than $20 billion. So we have gone to great lengths to try to maximize the efficiency of what we’re doing with the investment that we do have,” said Covington, who admits it’s really just a drop in the bucket.
“I think the smart thing is that we did look at data. We used data to develop the solutions. The reason that is smart is that we can leverage every dollar to look at the most problematic areas and address those areas, rather than just randomly going out and replacing bridges or widening specific sections. So, we looked at crash data; we look at congestion data so that we know that we’re making a good investment with taxpayer dollars,” said Covington.
Part of the solution is widening 99 miles of interstate from two lanes to three lanes, including all of 81 from Christiansburg to Troutville.
“For corridor widening projects, it really makes sense to have a third lane for additional capacity. People can spread out a little bit more. Drivers feel more comfortable because they’ve got a little more space, and they’re not jammed up to the car in front of them or beside them. We also will have full-width shoulders, so that if people have an emergency, they can exit the roadway in a safe way,” said Covington.
But they’ve found ways to cut costs by doing work in the median.
“It saves money because right-of-way is extremely expensive. It also reduces our environmental footprint. We want to keep our projects as compact as possible so that we’re really getting the best return on investment,” said Covington.
Two things make I-81 unique: the mountains and curves and the huge number of trucks.
Below is a breakdown of I-81 statistics from VDOT:
- I-81 carries the highest percentage of truck traffic of any interstate in the Commonwealth of Virginia, so they are accounting for that in the construction design.
- There are more than 2,000 crashes every year. One in four (26 percent) involve heavy trucks, the highest percentage for any interstate in Virginia.
- Some crashes are deadly. 141 people died on Interstate 81 over the last five years.
“We do tend to see crashes that maybe wouldn’t have happened elsewhere, and that’s what we’re trying to alleviate. Because it is difficult, it is heartbreaking when there are fatalities,” said Covington. “This investment is really driven to drive down the number of crashes that we’re seeing.”
Here’s a look at deaths along Interstate 81 for the five-year period of Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2022:
“Ultimately, what we’re looking at is a more reliable interstate, and that involves both safety and congestion. If we can solve those two problems, we make the interstate more reliable. That way, if somebody is leaving for work in the morning, they have a good confidence that they’re going to make it to work on time,” said Covington. “When we do have a crash, it can be really bad. You can have vehicles sitting in a stop condition for hours on end. That’s what we want to prevent.”
VDOT added 30 digital message board and more than 50 cameras to see crashes and respond quicker, along with smart signals on roads that run parallel to I-81 to let traffic through if everyone starts getting off I-81 because of a crash.
“We can have 10, 12, 15-mile backups if there are severe crashes and that’s what we’re trying to prevent. We’re enhancing the safety, reducing the congestion, improving our alternative routes,” said Covington. “We don’t want the traffic backing up on the interstate. That creates a safety problem in and of itself. Simply because stopped traffic on the interstates is never, never a good thing.”
With a third lane and a full-width shoulder that some of I-81 doesn’t have right now, a lot of times VDOT will be able to keep the interstate open while cleaning up the crash, saving you time on your commute.
The towing and recovery incentive program shows positive preliminary data on being able to clear truck crashes quicker too. Covington said they can see crashes faster because of the additional cameras and the time it takes to clear a crash has dropped.
“We’re incentivizing the towing industry to mobilize more quickly, to have the right training, to have the equipment that they need on-site when they visit that incident site. So they’re able to clear it more quickly,” said Covington. “Truck drivers are also counting on the interstate to be safe and reliable. It’s their livelihood; it’s their job, and they’re doing the best they can.”
Covington says the data shows the comprehensive I-81 improvement plan will work, “We have very similar type projects on Interstate systems such as I-64, especially between Richmond and Hampton Roads, and I-95 between Northern Virginia and Richmond and they’ve seen very positive results.”
VDOT also realizes there are limitations with a project like this. One of the problems is I-81 covers 325 miles across Virginia.
“We focused on the top 20% of problematic areas, specifically with regard to crashes and congestion and identified those areas for improvement,” said Covington.
Of the 64 capital improvement projects in the $2.7 billion plan, half are finished. Most were ramp projects. Around 2025, you’re going to see a lot of construction zones. Covington said they are trying to spread construction out so you’re not going through a 20-30 mile work zone, but there are situations where that’s not possible.
What you should expect now are the larger scale projects of widening projects and truck climbing lanes. VDOT hopes to have those finished by 2030 or 2032 with some delays because of COVID.
They’ll start the planning phase for the next round of projects and possibly some engineering work before 2030. There are still $2-3 billion worth of improvements that need to be made after this round. Covington said the highest priority project to move into the program next is southbound widening from exit 137 to 128.
VDOT also told us why you won’t see guardrails in some areas: “Median cable guardrail is most effective in locations where crossover movements could occur - those that are flat and narrow between opposing directions of travel. Much of the median on I-81 presents elevation differences between northbound and southbound lanes or has steep slopes. VDOT has installed cable barrier on I-81 in Augusta and Rockingham counties, as well as on I-581 near Roanoke where these conditions are not present.”
You can find updates on the I-81 project here.
This article is part of “Solutionaries,” our continuing commitment to solutions journalism, highlighting the creative people in communities working to make the world a better place, one solution at a time. Find out what you can do to help and subscribe to our Solutionaries channel on youtube. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/interstate-81-improvements-set-to-make-the-road-safer-less-congested/ | 2023-06-14T23:12:07 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/interstate-81-improvements-set-to-make-the-road-safer-less-congested/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – City leaders held a ribbon-cutting for the new Third Street Station in Downtown Roanoke.
New features include every bus having its own bay, making it easier for people to find the bus.
Also, there’s data that shows if the buses are running early or late.
Leaders say it will be a hub for people looking to catch Greyhound, Valley Metro, and Smart Way buses.
“Downtown is the hub for our city and to have our transit center in the hub of the city is really important, City Council recognized that, and our funding partners recognized that,” Roanoke Vice Mayor Joe Cobb said.
Leaders say it costs $14 million to build the new facility, which is now currently operating. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/roanoke-leaders-celebrate-new-third-street-station-opening/ | 2023-06-14T23:12:14 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/roanoke-leaders-celebrate-new-third-street-station-opening/ |
Members of Congress are trying to add more flights to Reagan National Airport, but Senator Tim Kaine said it’s not a good idea.
Kaine said this is a recurring conversation and it’s important to keep the same rules and regulations at airports in D.C.
“The FAA has pointed out that Reagan National is a busy, busy airport – it’s just been expanded with a new terminal. They point out very plainly look you let more flights into Reagan National – you’re going to increase congestion and delay time,” Kaine said.
The Federal Aviation Administrations Reauthorization Bill is being voted on this week. Read more about the existing bill here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/sen-tim-kaine-pushes-to-keep-washington-dc-airports-the-same/ | 2023-06-14T23:12:28 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/sen-tim-kaine-pushes-to-keep-washington-dc-airports-the-same/ |
Major construction is coming to the town of Bedford.
A new business-class hotel from a well-known brand is planned near the National D-Day memorial, the Welcome Center, and Route 460.
Town Council signed an agreement with the developer Tuesday night in hopes of bringing more people to the area.
“I look forward to you breaking ground and for people to come and to have a place to stay as they tour our county and our town,” Mayor Tim Back said. “I look forward to the boost that it’s going to provide our other businesses in town, restaurants, and shops.”
The hotel will include at least 85 rooms and a 100-person meeting space. It is expected to open in the summer of 2025. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/town-of-bedford-approves-new-business-class-hotel/ | 2023-06-14T23:12:34 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/14/town-of-bedford-approves-new-business-class-hotel/ |
TOWSON, Md. — Today, access to internet is just as essential as having electricity or water.
Yet thousands of Marylanders still don't have Wi-Fi at home.
But there is help available.
The Affordable Connectivity Program provides eligible households up to $30 a month to pay for internet, and up to $100 off a new laptop or computer.
The problem, nobody seems to know it exists.
"There are over 780,000 households in Maryland that are eligible for the for the ACP, but only over 200 Maryland households have taken advantage of the savings, which means there are still over 500,000 households that are missing out," Lieutenant-Governor Aruna Miler said.
On Wednesday, members of the Biden administration and nonprofit Civic Nation promoted the program and taught people how to reach out to their communities.
On top of the federal help, the Moore-Miller administration pledged an additional $15 a month to each eligible household. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/affordable-connectivity-program-looks-to-give-internet-access-to-all-in-maryland | 2023-06-14T23:13:23 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/affordable-connectivity-program-looks-to-give-internet-access-to-all-in-maryland |
Canadian police arrest man on charge of threatening Sheriff Mike Chitwood
Authorities have arrested a fourth man accused of threatening the life of Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood.
Calgary police arrested Tony Stromberg, of Calgary, Alberta, on Sunday. Police said he "made repeated threats over Twitter, via email, and in phone calls to Sheriff’s Office employees."
"Stromberg used the name 'Condor Calabasas' in his emails, which included threats to murder the sheriff and his family members," according to sheriff's office spokesman Andrew Gant. "In a follow-up email in March, Stromberg wrote that he had made an 'obviously much more credible threat' but was disappointed that 'not one police car let alone FBI car has pulled up to my house.'"
Other threats:Who are the 3 out-of-state men accused of threatening Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood?
He has been charged with uttering threats to cause death. He is expected to face charges in Canada instead of being extradited to Volusia County.
Chitwood and his family have faced threats as he continues to speak out against hate groups and antisemitic messaging being spread in Volusia County.
Tyler Meyer, of San Diego; Richard Golden, of Monmouth Junction, New Jersey; and Cristhian Zapata, of Ansonia, Connecticut, have all been charged with making a written threat to kill or do bodily injury after posting about Chitwood online.
Members of a neo-Nazi group sought a permit to protest Chitwood in April at Ormond Beach City Hall but were denied.
This is a developing story. Check back for details. | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2023/06/14/canadian-man-arrested-for-threatening-mike-chitwood/70323652007/ | 2023-06-14T23:13:29 | 0 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2023/06/14/canadian-man-arrested-for-threatening-mike-chitwood/70323652007/ |
BALTIMORE — The budget for the city has finally been approved by the city council. This comes after ongoing budget hearings over the past few weeks.
RELATED: Public safety budget hearings cause debate among city leaders
For the first time in 125 years, city council members were able to cut from the mayors proposed budget for the city and reallocate those funds. city council president Nick Mosby said it’s something people in the community voted for through the charter amendment that gave the city council the authority to reallocate those funds.
“We reallocate to some of the priorities that we felt we put it in three buckets, one public safety, two youth and education, and three you know providing better environments, working environments for our workers, particularly our laborers,” council president Mosby said .
These were just three of the areas that were part of the deciding factor when reallocating $10 million of the initial funds from Mayor Brandon Scott’s proposed budget for the city.
“So this is new for everybody, it’s new for the administration, it’s new for the council. So we wanted to take a very pragmatic approach, and methodical approach to ensure that we were as fiscally responsible as possible,” Mosby said.
Which included identifying meaningful ways of cutting the funds and going after priorities the council identified through the budget process. After school programs for kids through park and recs was one area in need of more funding.
“Another one is to ensure that young folks in the city have access to vocational training and expanding programs an opportunity there. Obviously, we want to provide the best possible outcomes for our young folks,” Mosby said.
Another area was improving fire apparatus like safety gear, and equipment for our firefighters, which was not in the initial funds being distributed from ARAP. Mosby said they also approved to enhance working conditions for DPW’s sanitation workers.
“During the pandemic many of these employees were deemed as essential, but yet the working conditions are completely unacceptable. So we wanted to make sure that we diverted a significant amount of money towards those facilities so our laborers, folks that are in back of trash trucks, when they get back, they can take a shower and have a quality bathroom to clean up in before they go home,” Mosby said.
It’s something former DPW worker and current city council member Anthony Glover of District 13 said is in the best interest of those workers.
“I think just from a morale perspective, me working in the city of Baltimore in that position for 16 years, I know that there was no bathroom’s, locker rooms, the morale of employees was just down,” Glover said.
Another important area, expanding the city’s watch system.
“Looking at it just from an empirical data perspective, cameras work, particularly residential cameras, for some of the complaints that we get, so ensuring that we tuned up that rebate program. Also, from the city watch perspective, ensuring that we have the infrastructure that’s in place to provide the best possible outcomes for public safety, and apprehending certain suspects.
Lastly, its thanks to almost 1,800 vacant positions in the city that those funds were available to pass what city council leaders are calling a balanced budget. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-city-council-passes-record-breaking-city-budget-the-first-in-125-years | 2023-06-14T23:13:29 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-city-council-passes-record-breaking-city-budget-the-first-in-125-years |
BALTIMORE — Guinness Baltimore Blonde beer is leaving Maryland.
According to a Diageo spokesperson, "the supplier that best met the business case and production timeline was FX Matt Brewing Company in New York."
Despite moving to New York, the name of the beer will still be Baltimore Blonde.
The Guinness Open Gate Brewery will remain open to brew other beers. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/guinness-baltimore-blonde-beer-to-be-brewed-in-new-york | 2023-06-14T23:13:35 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/guinness-baltimore-blonde-beer-to-be-brewed-in-new-york |
BALTIMORE — A new study is finding what works to keep teachers in the Baltimore City School System. It releases information from months of research by the nonprofit Fund For Educational Excellence.
The report is called "Should I stay or should I go? Retaining the teachers Baltimore City Students Need." It addresses how teachers feel about their jobs, both the good and the bad.
"Things that are keeping them in the profession that make them feel rewarded being teachers and then other things that are making them, in certain instances, make them question whether or not they want to continue to be teachers,” said Kwane Wyatt, Fund For Educational Excellence Program Director.
Over 200 current Baltimore City Public School teachers were interviewed along with nine recently separated teachers. Questions were asked about their working conditions, experiences in and out of the classroom, difficulties they face along with what they love about teaching.
The study found seven themes which include impacts from the pandemic, what teachers value, rely on, and how they're treated. The results point out two main themes.
"The management style of their principals varies from school to school in a wide way. And then also, just the workload, teachers really complained a lot about the things that are put on their plate outside of the lesson planning, outside of what they do in the classroom,” said Wyatt.
One city teacher agreed stating the job can be demanding.
"The workload is always daunting because this is not a job where you're working with inanimate objects, you're working with lives, you're working with children and they come with so much,” said Jared Perry, a teacher at Booker T. Washington Middle School.
He says resources are key and the solution starts at the top, "It's that top down affect, support the teachers, support the principal so they can support the teachers and then we'll understand more about how to fix this and address these things.”
The study also provided four recommendations focused on staff management practices, improved culture, a pipeline for certified teachers and decreasing the workload.
"Something we see as a way to combat that is having someone at the district who can serve as a clearing house for requests, thinking through deadlines, does this make sense, is this a good time to ask teachers to do this, “said Ruth Farfel, Fund For Educational Excellence Manager of Analysis and Engagement.
While Baltimore City Schools started with 1,000 vacancies for the next school year, officials say they are rapidly filling them.
Teachers have until July 15 to decide whether they will commit to another contract year or not.
The full report can be found here https://ffee.org/wp-content/uploads/T-Retention_Final_Digital.pdf | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/report-released-by-nonprofit-outlines-how-to-retain-baltimore-teachers | 2023-06-14T23:13:41 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/report-released-by-nonprofit-outlines-how-to-retain-baltimore-teachers |
TAMPA, Fla. — It's not just the palm trees, technology is flourishing in Tampa. The number of tech-sector businesses in the region has increased by 27% over the past five years and is projected to grow, according to the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council.
"Tampa Bay is now, I would say, the tech capital of Florida,” Dr. Sudeep Sarkar, Professor and Chair of USF Computer Science and Engineering Department at University of South Florida, said.
We're not just talking big corporations, it’s at places like Embarc Collective, a downtown Tampa startup hub, where the next big things are being born. Like Maya AI.
"She's an artificially intelligent robot that we taught to learn on her own, to correct herself on her own and to learn from human operators, to read the internet in very fast ways,” co-founder Sean Ramphal said.
Ramphal and his two brothers, Sat and Shivam, all based in Tampa, have worked on developing the technology over the past several years, one of many startups the group of entrepreneurs have put their minds toward.
When prompted, Maya (a software) can answer questions based on speech or by being prompted with text. It can also build data sets, reports, and wide-ranging outputs.
"We're all mission focused, and we really want to see Maya out there benefiting the world,” Ramphal added.
Ramphal says there are common misconceptions and fears when it comes to AI, but he believes Maya and the emerging technology, as a whole, could help scientists and researchers comb through information quickly, helping solve challenging questions at inhuman speed.
"If we come together and we view this thing as like the new spoon or the new thing, that's the standard of human existence," Ramphal added. "It might give us the ability to explore more of our human potential."
While they continue working on growing their company, they say Tampa has proven to be a great place to do it.
“If you have a bright idea in Tampa, you're going to get encouraged, you're gonna get inspired just by going outside and looking at how other people are out there carrying themselves," he said. "You have no choice but to want to mirror and shadowbox success.” | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/ai-startup-tampa/67-573a1bfb-7d1a-4015-afc0-cfb3bbadf43d | 2023-06-14T23:19:38 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/ai-startup-tampa/67-573a1bfb-7d1a-4015-afc0-cfb3bbadf43d |
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Although it’s been dry recently, the Tampa Bay area has entered it's rainy season, and that means there’s a chance you’ll start seeing a lot more mosquitoes out there soon too.
In Pinellas County, mosquito control workers and the health department teamed up for an awareness campaign, letting people know this could be another rough year when it comes to fending off the flying pests.
The best defense against mosquitoes, they say, is each of us getting rid of standing water where the insects breed.
“When you are getting rid of that breeding habitat – the water that every mosquito needs to complete their life cycle – you are going to help control them before they ever become an adult,” Alissa Berro with Pinellas Mosquito Control said. “And the adult is the problem, right? So, the adult is the one that bite you and can transmit disease and is a nuisance.”
The Health Department is also concerned this year since another drought is upon the Tampa Bay area. Last year, it was the same thing, and they saw a surge in Dengue Fever in parts of the state.
They say it happens because birds and mosquitoes concentrate near limited water sources during drought periods. Mosquitoes bite the birds and then spread out into the community once it starts raining again. The insects then bite humans – spreading diseases like dengue fever, equine encephalitis, Zika and more.
“You want to make sure that your house is secure. That your windows and screens aren't torn or open. You want to cover your skin with long sleeves, shoes, and socks,” Stephen Marlin with the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County said. “And use a repellent with at least 30% DEET, or if you want something more natural – oil level lemon eucalyptus. “
Mosquito control workers are also keeping an eye on a species only recently flourishing in Florida - Culex lactator. So new here – it’s still unclear if it’s a threat to humans.
"And we may or may not know whether they can vector diseases here," Berro said.
Mosquito control workers warn against complacency. The rain, they say, is coning and the mosquitoes will follow. The health department says it will identify cases of disease as quickly as possible.
“Absolutely. As soon as we see something of concern, especially if it is locally acquired, we jump into action and partner with mosquito control and with local providers,” Marlin said.
It’s estimated there are about 90 different mosquito species in Florida. Of those, about 20 are considered a health threat because of their ability to transmit viruses to humans. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/florida-recent-drought-health-concerns-mosquitoes/67-bfb2276f-59ae-4a7d-b98f-c41c1af5ceb2 | 2023-06-14T23:19:44 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/florida-recent-drought-health-concerns-mosquitoes/67-bfb2276f-59ae-4a7d-b98f-c41c1af5ceb2 |
A Lincoln pair accused of felony child abuse in the March death of a 22-month-old boy have pleaded not guilty.
Joshua Tackett, 32, entered the plea at a hearing Wednesday morning.
The child's mother, 30-year-old Brittany Cook, did the same in writing, waiving her court appearance.
Neither have trial dates yet.
In court records, Lincoln police allege Cook repeatedly ignored signs of abuse on Rudy Requejo-Ybarra Jr.'s body up to March 12, the day she finally took him to a hospital, and that Tackett, Cook's boyfriend of two months, abused the boy physically, leaving him brain-dead.
The 22-month-old had bruises all over his body, as well as "pattern injuries" on his face and chest, which investigators later matched to the grill of a space heater that Cook had left running next to her son when she took a shower March 11, police said.
Rudy died March 17 at Children's Hospital in Omaha.
In court records, investigators said Cook told them she had noticed numerous bruises and injuries on his body since she began dating Tackett in January.
Prosecutors charged Tackett and Cook both with child abuse resulting in death, a felony punishable by 20 years to life in prison if convicted.
Tackett also faces two unrelated felony gun charges. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-pair-plead-not-guilty-to-child-abuse-resulting-in-march-death-of-toddler/article_c57c5892-0aec-11ee-b131-8fb2b18b690b.html | 2023-06-14T23:20:24 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-pair-plead-not-guilty-to-child-abuse-resulting-in-march-death-of-toddler/article_c57c5892-0aec-11ee-b131-8fb2b18b690b.html |
ATLANTIC CITY — A city man arrested Monday on an active warrant was found with more than 50 bags of heroin, police said.
Police sought Shawn Pettis, 38, for allegedly assaulting a woman Sunday.
Officers Salvatore Rando and Anthony Abrams saw Pettis walking near the Boardwalk and New York Avenue and arrested him, police said Wednesday in a news release.
After being arrested, Pettis was found with the heroin bags, police said.
The woman involved in the initial case was injured during the assault and treated at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, police said.
Pettis was charged with simple assault, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public space. He was sent to the Atlantic County jail. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlanticcity-wanted-drugs-arrest/article_e16101a2-0af1-11ee-8720-87abace74ce7.html | 2023-06-14T23:20:32 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlanticcity-wanted-drugs-arrest/article_e16101a2-0af1-11ee-8720-87abace74ce7.html |
CAPE MAY — While the city has not seen the crowds of teens that have plagued some other resort towns, City Council plans to consider an ordinance defining some violations as “disturbing the peace,” a method other communities have adopted to address juvenile issues.
Council introduced the ordinance in a unanimous vote June 7, with a public hearing and final vote planned for 3 p.m. July 3 at City Hall, 643 Washington St. At the recent meeting, members of council said police requested the change.
If approved, the ordinance would define several minor violations as a breach of the peace.
Other communities, including Ocean City, have enacted a similar ordinances, citing statewide changes that meant juveniles would receive no more than a warning, described as a curbside adjustment, for most minor infractions.
So far, Cape May has not seen the sort of problems with crowds of juveniles that have prompted responses in other communities, Mayor Zack Mullock said Wednesday, but he said it makes sense for the city to take action.
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“We just don’t want to be the only town that doesn’t make any changes,” he said.
Violations related to public consumption of alcohol or cannabis, noise and some of the rules of behavior on the beach, the Promenade and the Washington Street Mall will be considered a breach of the peace and could result in fines or community service, potentially for juveniles and their parents, according to a posted copy of the ordinance.
At the June meeting, Council member Lorraine Baldwin also discussed changing the city’s curfew for juveniles. It is currently 11 p.m. in the winter, midnight in the summer. She suggested it could be clearer if it were 11 p.m. year-round.
“I’m not sure that’s really an imposition on anybody,” said Council member Michael Yeager. “Eighteen years old and younger, an 11 o’clock curfew seems reasonable summer and wintertime, just to be consistent.”
No action was taken on that change, however. The city’s curfew does include exceptions for juveniles coming home from work or from activities organized by church groups or other community organizations. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/juvenile-enforcement-change-considered-for-cape-may/article_4c824d78-0afd-11ee-92b2-1fcb5edbb045.html | 2023-06-14T23:20:34 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/juvenile-enforcement-change-considered-for-cape-may/article_4c824d78-0afd-11ee-92b2-1fcb5edbb045.html |
STOCKTON, Calif. — Samuel Nunez, a prominent community leader and founder of the now defunct Stockton nonprofit Fathers and Families of San Joaquin, was found guilty of child molestation Wednesday.
The jury's finding ends a two-year case that began when Nunez was stopped by Manteca Police in May 2021. The investigation into Nunez's child sex crimes was launched the month before his arrest.
According to the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, the molestation occurred between 2001 to 2005 when the victim was eight to 12-years-old. Nunez admitted to all aggravating factors.
He is slated to appear in court again on July 28 for sentencing. Nunez, 38, faces a maximum sentence of 41 years in prison.
In 2006, Nunez founded the nonprofit Fathers and Families of San Joaquin which provided family counseling to people impacted by violence and guidance for at-risk youth. The organization ceased operations in 2021 in the wake of Nunez's arrest.
In 2020, he was featured in an HBO documentary highlighting the story of former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs.
“Deputy District Attorney Stroud presented a strong case based on facts and victim testimony, and a jury of the Defendant’s peers agreed of his guilt on charges brought against him," said San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Frietas in a statement. "Make no mistake, no matter who you know, or what connections you may have, no one is above the law."
Watch more Stockton stories from ABC10: The future coming to Stockton's Miracle Mile | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/community-leader-guilty-sex-abuse/103-85c6be9c-8dbb-4dfe-ad84-fdc42321ffd8 | 2023-06-14T23:20:39 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/community-leader-guilty-sex-abuse/103-85c6be9c-8dbb-4dfe-ad84-fdc42321ffd8 |
FOLSOM, Calif. — Folsom Lake with all its beaches, trails and open space is a Northern California gem, but as beautiful as it is, it can also be very dangerous.
There have been several deaths at Folsom Lake and many were the result of drowning.
As thousands gear up to prepare to head to the water to enjoy summer activities, Folsom Lake staff is warning of all the dangers.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) said many of the drowning deaths could have been prevented.
"In many cases death could have been prevented if the victim would have used better judgment and followed basic water safety rules," the California DPR said. "Use caution and care while in and on the water."
The California DPR has these extensive water safety rules and suggestions they urge visitors to keep in mind:
- Swim at designated beaches only, and if available, swim where a lifeguard is on duty
- Always wear a life jacket or other flotation device when working around water or participating in water activities
- Never swim alone
- Never mix water activities/recreation with the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs or other mind-altering substances
- Do not swim when overtired, overheated or immediately after eating
- Do not swim in unfamiliar areas which may harbor unknown dangerous currents, deep holes, debris or other hazards
- Do not overestimate your ability to swim
- Diving/jumping is illegal in a state park (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, 4656). Diving/jumping in unfamiliar water is extremely hazardous
- Respect the rights of others to enjoy the water - other boaters, swimmers, fishermen, etc.
Watch more from ABC10: Concern over debris in Folsom Lake | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-lake-water-safety-tips/103-e80c94a2-7d61-430f-9424-838db9f9c8a4 | 2023-06-14T23:20:45 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-lake-water-safety-tips/103-e80c94a2-7d61-430f-9424-838db9f9c8a4 |
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Three Sacramento city councilmembers broke away from the majority Tuesday night and voted to allocate $6 million created by police department job vacancies toward '24-hour' crisis response.
Despite their votes, the original fiscal year 2023-24 budget proposal passed 6-3. Dissenting council members say they wanted to change the city's approach to public safety response and homelessness.
"Our police department budget has increased significantly over the last six years, while our city continues to struggle struggle with crime," said District 5 Councilmember Caity Maple. "We spent an incredible amount of money responding to crime, but what would it look like if we invested significantly more preventing it?"
Maple joined Katie Valenzuela and Mai Vang in releasing a joint statement saying they wanted to reallocate about $6 million from police job vacancies toward the Department of Community Response.
According to the councilmembers, the reallocation would have allowed for "real-time 24-hour responses" to people who are in crisis.
Valenzuela says immediate police response to reports of violent crime is needed, but law enforcement shouldn't remain the main line of response to encampment-related calls.
"We want to prioritize public safety by getting real time response out for the calls that I hear often in my district — the calls that precede someone committing a crime," she said.
Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester told council her department was understaffed with 45 vacancies and about 25 of those positions are set to be eliminated from the department, creating the contentious $6 million figure.
The department is also pulling back officers who were contracted to work with local hospitals and transit agencies, according to Lester.
Vang says increasing the number of people responding to 311 calls at the Department of Community Response would allow for more officers and 911 dispatchers to focus on immediate danger calls.
"Our calls for service should also reflect our city budget," said Vang. "So if we're focused on customer service and homelessness is one of our top three calls for service for 311, I believe that our budget should align with this — and currently it doesn't."
Lisa Kaplan, one of the six city councilmembers who voted in favor of the current city and police budget, says data shows Sacramento's current crime prevention and law enforcement programs are working.
"My undergrad degree was about criminal justice and community investment. That information hasn't changed in 25 years since I've gone to college," said Kaplan. "Investing in our neighborhoods and in our poor matter, but I want to see data. I don't believe in making changes on the fly without the data presented."
ABC10 will have more on the vote on Late News Tonight at 11 p.m.
WATCH MORE: Sacramento Brazilian Culture Center express concern after being told to vacate their facility | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-officials-vote-against-police-to-fund-24-hour-homeless-response/103-d2e66b9e-c4c2-4e49-ae0f-98e0f6198b3e | 2023-06-14T23:20:51 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-officials-vote-against-police-to-fund-24-hour-homeless-response/103-d2e66b9e-c4c2-4e49-ae0f-98e0f6198b3e |
GAYLORD
Michigan State Police seeking information on damaged trailer found on I-75
Gaylord Herald Times
GAYLORD — Workers from the Michigan Department of Transportation found a damaged trailer and its contents in the median on southbound I-75 near mile marker 286 on June 5. It is a small aluminum utility trailer, approximately 3 feet x 5 feet and it appears the trailer had broken free from a vehicle while being towed.
The trailer was transporting an 8-cylinder motor that was most likely removed at a junkyard. There were no identifying numbers or a registration plate on the trailer. The Michigan State Police are attempting to return the trailer to the owner.
If you have any information, call the Gaylord Area Regional Dispatch at (989) 732-5141 or the Gaylord Post at (989) 732-2778. | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/gaylord/2023/06/14/michigan-state-police-seeking-information-on-damaged-trailer-found-on-i-75/70322597007/ | 2023-06-14T23:23:54 | 0 | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/gaylord/2023/06/14/michigan-state-police-seeking-information-on-damaged-trailer-found-on-i-75/70322597007/ |
HOUSTON — Texas’ highest criminal court ruled Wednesday that the securities fraud case against now-suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton’s should remain in Houston, settling a key issue in the 8-year-old case as Paxton faces an impeachment trial in the Texas Senate this summer.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, made up of nine Republicans and no Democrats, overturned lower-court decisions that said Paxton’s trial had been improperly moved from Collin County, where he lives, to Harris County. They said the trial judge had lost jurisdiction over the matter.
"The standards we use to judge will inevitably be applied against us. Thus, even the noblest of goals, no matter how righteous, cannot justify improper means, Judge Bert Richardson wrote for the majority. "Today we fulfill our duty by upholding our Constitution’s rule of law and affirming the wisdom of its framers."
However, the Texas Constitution and state law protected the judge’s authority over the case, the court ruled.
“We’re gratified but not surprised that the Court recognized that this defendant must stand trial before a Harris County jury and a judge who will follow the law,” prosecutor Brian Wice said.
Paxton’s defense attorney for his impeachment trial -- but not the Collin County case -- said they're not fazed by the decision.
“Today’s decision doesn’t matter. This case is a loser and that’s why the so-called prosecutors have continued to delay this case for almost a decade now," Attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement. "This case has been before the Court of Criminal Appeals for nearly two years and the timing of today’s decision was no coincidence, specifically timed and designed to create maximum negative press and political damage to the attorney general and targeted to hurt him with the Senate.”
In 2015, a Collin County grand jury indicted Paxton on two counts of securities fraud, a first-degree felony with a punishment of up to 99 years in prison, and one count of failing to register with state securities regulators, a third-degree felony with a maximum 10 years in prison.
The securities fraud charges related to Paxton’s efforts in 2011 to solicit investors in Servergy Inc. without disclosing that the McKinney-based tech company was paying him to promote its stock.
Paxton has said he did nothing wrong and dismissed the charges as motivated by his political rivals.
Prosecutors were able to remove the case from Collin County in 2017, arguing that they could not get a fair trial in a county that Paxton had represented during his 10 years in the Texas House and two years in the state Senate.
Paxton’s lawyers, arguing that the judge who ordered the case to Harris County had lost jurisdiction over the case, succeeded in sending the case back to Collin County in 2020, leading to appeals from prosecutors that resulted in Wednesday’s ruling.
Paxton was suspended from acting as attorney general when the Texas House voted to impeach him late last month.
This is a developing story.
This story comes from The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-trial/285-fa483b24-75af-4b2e-91c9-89a27fd4463f | 2023-06-14T23:23:59 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/ken-paxton-securities-fraud-trial/285-fa483b24-75af-4b2e-91c9-89a27fd4463f |
Gov. Greg Abbott is raising the prospect of vetoing large numbers of bills passed by the Legislature as he demands a House-Senate compromise on property tax relief.
Sunday is the deadline for Abbott to sign or veto bills from the regular session, which ended late last month without a resolution on property taxes. Lawmakers are about halfway through a 30-day special session in which they remain gridlocked on the issue.
Abbott has recently held back on signing legislation — Senate bills in particular — and on Tuesday, he vetoed Senate Bill 2035, saying it can be reconsidered once lawmakers reach a property tax deal.
“As we get closer and closer to this Sunday, all of these bills that have yet to be signed face the possibility — if not the probability — that they’re going to be vetoed,” Abbott told reporters Wednesday afternoon during a bill-signing ceremony at the Capitol. He later doubled down, saying he “can’t ensure that any bill that has not yet been signed is going to be signed.”
Abbott appeared to significantly raise the stakes as he tries to coax a property tax compromise out of the two chambers. Abbott initially backed the House’s approach to the issue in the special session, but he has since cooled off, instead calling for the two chambers to strike an agreement that can reach his desk.
The special session has been dragging on amid the traditional bill-signing period that follows every regular session. Abbott can sign or veto bills by Sunday — or do nothing and let them become law anyway.
Since last Monday, Abbott has signed only 10 Senate bills, compared with 450 House bills, according to legislative records. There are 240 Senate bills awaiting action by the governor, compared with 108 House bills. One of those House bills is the budget, which Abbott has said he will sign.
Abbott’s Tuesday veto of SB 2035, which deals with bond election restrictions, was notable because its author was Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, the Senate’s top expert on property taxes.
“Senate Bill 2035 has too many loopholes,” Abbott said in his veto proclamation. “This bill can be reconsidered at a future special session only after property tax relief is passed.”
Neither Bettencourt’s office, nor Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s office, immediately responded to requests for comment.
The two chambers have been at odds over the best way to deliver property tax relief since the beginning of the special session. Abbott called for lawmakers to exclusively focus on a method known as compression, or sending state funds to school districts to help lower their property tax rates. The House quickly obliged Abbott and left town, but the Senate has remained in session while insisting on also increasing the homestead exemption, or the chunk of a home’s appraised value that is exempt from property taxes.
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
>MORE TEXAS POLITICS NEWS: | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-gov-abbott-veto-legislature-property-tax-relief-bills-politics/273-163d2d5a-542c-45d6-a5ec-76aa45883e33 | 2023-06-14T23:24:05 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-gov-abbott-veto-legislature-property-tax-relief-bills-politics/273-163d2d5a-542c-45d6-a5ec-76aa45883e33 |
RICHARDSON, Texas — Video of a cement tanker engulfed in flames near U.S. 75 in Richardson showed the vehicle explode.
The cement tanker was near the intersection of East Collins Boulevard and North Glennville Road. The Richardson Fire Department told WFAA the boom on a cement tanker hit a power line, which caused it to catch fire.
As the tanker was set ablaze, chopper video showed it explode. Here is aerial footage of the explosion:
Richardson fire said the downed power line caused outages in the area, and Oncor was notified and responding to affected customers. Oncor told WFAA approximately 1,200 customers were affected and there was no official estimated restoration time available. Oncor officials said crews were working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.
The downed power line shut down all traffic at East Collins Boulevard and North Glennville Road. Richardson FD said crews needed to wait for the power line to be shut off before starting to put out the fire.
There were no injuries as a result of the fire, Richardson officials said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
More Texas headlines: | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/truck-fire-explosion-richardson-texas/287-f252d9ea-7903-47e8-9850-7f075bd9f665 | 2023-06-14T23:24:11 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/truck-fire-explosion-richardson-texas/287-f252d9ea-7903-47e8-9850-7f075bd9f665 |
Originally published June 13 on KTVB.COM.
Local artist Bobby Gaytan and his assistant Dana Wagner are painting the orange barriers blocking the Eighth Street crosswalks through Thursday in downtown Boise.
Originally published June 13 on KTVB.COM.
Local artist Bobby Gaytan and his assistant Dana Wagner are painting the orange barriers blocking the Eighth Street crosswalks through Thursday in downtown Boise.
The Downtown Boise Association organized the project, according to Gaytan. The orange barriers are designed to keep visually impaired people from wandering into the oncoming traffic, according to DBA Executive Director Jennifer Hensley.
In the future, the city of Boise is working to install "bumpy strips" along the widened crosswalks in place of the construction-type barriers. The same style of barriers can also be seen elsewhere through the city, specifically up and down multiple projects along the 11th Street rebuild.
"This is a really nice little street here. I don't think people want to confuse construction with art," Gaytan said. "So, downtown Boise could see something different other than construction right now with all the orange and flags and signs."
The city of Boise converted two downtown blocks along Eighth Street to "pedestrian only" through the COVID-19 pandemic to help stimulate business. The blocks run between West Bannock Street and West Main Street.
They city has not allowed vehicle traffic through the area since June 2020, according to Hensley.
Passing pedestrians stopped to ask Gaytan about the project Tuesday morning; some people noticed the change immediately.
"I think it's also really cool that it's a local Boise artist," Boise resident Randi Anderson said. "It’s cool to be able to look at that instead of a big orange atrocity."
Gaytan will finish all Eighth Street barriers - donning different designs - by Thursday at 10 a.m.
"It's welcoming. A lot of time people come to the city and see the art. If they can connect to the city, they feel comfortable and feel welcomed. I think that's a good way to look at it," Gaytan said.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-artist-paints-eighth-street-construction-barriers/article_f31f63e2-0afc-11ee-b780-b3784c640376.html | 2023-06-14T23:32:28 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-artist-paints-eighth-street-construction-barriers/article_f31f63e2-0afc-11ee-b780-b3784c640376.html |
Boise police are asking for witnesses to a murder in which a man intentionally hit two people with his vehicle, ultimately killing one. The incident occurred on June 2 on West Poplar Drive and North Cole Road.
While the primary murder suspect is in custody, Boise Police detectives are still seeking the driver or passengers of a dark-colored sedan that was seen traveling directly behind the suspect's vehicle when the victims were struck.
Investigators said the sedan was traveling west on Poplar Drive toward Cole Road at the time of the incident and believe the occupants may have witnessed the incident.
Upon arrival around 9:15 p.m. on June 2, police officers located the woman who was hit and attempted life-saving efforts before Ada County paramedics arrived. The woman, identified as 37-year-old Elizabeth Sorg of Boise by the Ada County Coroner's Office, died at a local hospital shortly after arriving.
Boise police located Nikichimus and his vehicle a short distance from the scene of the crime. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
Anyone who witnessed or has information about Nikichimus or the incident is asked to call police dispatch at 208-377-6790. They can also contact Crime Stoppers at 343-COPS (2677), 343COPS.com, or by leaving a tip on a mobile device by using the P3 Tips app. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-detectives-seek-witnesses-to-second-degree-murder/article_8c9d2a10-0b00-11ee-9e13-3baf0b51b47e.html | 2023-06-14T23:32:28 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-detectives-seek-witnesses-to-second-degree-murder/article_8c9d2a10-0b00-11ee-9e13-3baf0b51b47e.html |
Originally published June 13 on IdahoEdNews.org.
The West Ada school board approved a $328.6 million general budget for the 2023-2024 school year during its Monday regular meeting, a 7.5% increase from the year before.
Originally published June 13 on IdahoEdNews.org.
The West Ada school board approved a $328.6 million general budget for the 2023-2024 school year during its Monday regular meeting, a 7.5% increase from the year before.
While the budget is up $23 million, projected spending reflects an estimated $18 million funding loss since Idaho will move from enrollment-based to attendance-based funding. The district is expecting about 500 new students next year.
The district is still planning around the rejected 10-year, $500 million plant facilities levy proposal. School facilities will require temporary adjustments due to deterioration and overcrowding, especially at the elementary school level.
“With less funding because of the plant facilities levy that was not passed, we’re using the money we do have to readjust for classrooms going forward,” West Ada Director of Education Services Dave Reinhart told trustees.
The district’s facilities team plans to complete a few active projects funded by a 2017 plant facilities levy in the summer and fall — as opposed to fulfilling its grand 2023 levy plans.
A number of planned parking lot rehabilitations are now rescinded, and only Crossroads Middle School will receive upgrades to its asphalt. Meridian High gym will be the only aging roof replaced. Out of 32 elementary schools, only Mary McPherson and Meridian elementary schools will be refurbished. Centennial High will be able to continue its horticulture program with construction of a greenhouse.
West Ada also will continue to update technology in each classroom with the addition of audio and visual equipment across the district.
In order to alleviate overcrowding at its growing schools, the facilities team will be adding pre-owned portable classrooms to Star, Hillsdale and Pleasant View elementary schools.
West Ada will continue contracted projects from the 2017 levy. These include bathroom renovations at Meridian Elementary and at Meridian and Centennial highs, the postponed Owyhee High School stadium construction and an upgraded playground at Seven Oaks Elementary. Upgrades at Prospect and Chaparral are now canceled, as is the tennis court restoration at Lewis and Clark Middle School.
Here are funding highlights from the state:
Here are funding highlights from the federal government:
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/west-ada-approves-7-5-budget-increase-for-next-school-year/article_8ded0dae-0af6-11ee-8282-2f8e263dd926.html | 2023-06-14T23:32:29 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/west-ada-approves-7-5-budget-increase-for-next-school-year/article_8ded0dae-0af6-11ee-8282-2f8e263dd926.html |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A man from Alberta, Canada, is accused of being the latest person to send death threats to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood over his continued campaign against hate groups.
Tony Stromberg was arrested Sunday by the Calgary Police Service and will face charges in Canada. He will not be extradited to Volusia County.
The sheriff’s office said Stromberg was identified as someone who made repeated threats over Twitter, via email and in phone calls, threatening to murder the sheriff and his family. Deputies said he would use the name “Condor Calabasas” on his emails.
The sheriff’s office also said Stromberg had expressed disappointment in a March email that he had made an “obviously much more credible threat” and yet police and FBI had yet to pull up at his house.
This is the fourth person to be arrested and accused of making threats against Chitwood, who has been targeting hate groups and hate speech in the community and also online.
One man was extradited to Volusia County from New Jersey in March. Chitwood confronted him at the airport.
A second man was arrested in California, and a third was arrested in April in Connecticut.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/canadian-accused-of-threatening-volusia-sheriff-over-hate-crimes-campaign/ | 2023-06-14T23:38:29 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/canadian-accused-of-threatening-volusia-sheriff-over-hate-crimes-campaign/ |
OCALA, Fla. – A man was arrested after he robbed a gas station in Marion County on Monday, according to the Ocala Police Department.
Police said they received a report about an armed robbery at the Marathon gas station located at 3620 East Silver Springs Blvd. around 2:45 a.m.
According to a news release, the gas station’s clerk said that the suspect entered the store and pretended to buy cigarettes using cash. Once the cash register was open, the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Travis Givens, reached into his hoodie and revealed a gun wrapped in a plastic bag.
He then demanded that the clerk empty the cash register, police said. At the same time, Givens instructed the clerk to put his personal cell phone and store landline phone into a bag.
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Police said the man was able to get away with the money from the register which was emptied into a bag.
Soon after the robbery, a responding officer noticed two individuals walking north on NE 36th Ave., one of whom was wearing a gray hoodie matching the suspect description.
As the officer approached the individuals, the one wearing the hoodie ran into a wooded area at NE 14 Street and NE 33th Avenue. The other individual also did not obey orders and continued “walking out of sight.”'
Police said they established a perimeter around the wooded area and began tracking it with a K-9, which led to the discovery of an abandoned plastic bag containing cash, a cell phone and a portable landline phone.
Police said they located the gray hoodie near the wood line and inside of the pocket found a small starter pistol.
According to officers, they then received a call from a resident saying that a man jumped over their fence and fled toward a wooded area.
Officers said they were then able to locate 25-year-old Travis Givens hiding in a bush.
Police said that Givens surrendered and was taken into custody.
He faces an armed robbery charge.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/man-accused-of-robbing-ocala-gas-station/ | 2023-06-14T23:38:35 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/man-accused-of-robbing-ocala-gas-station/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)- Access ETSU has been providing support for young adults with intellectual disabilities for the past 4 years. The program allows young adults to expand career opportunities, find long-term employment, and acquire independent living after graduation.
Dawn Rowe, Director of Access ETSU, said they hope to create a smooth transition for students in the program that are entering the workforce.
“Some students require ongoing support to sustain employment,” said Rowe. “If they have an abrupt service disruption, then they’re not getting the support they need, which might mean that they lose hours on the job or they lose a job altogether.”
The $400,000 grant, provided by the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, will provide a smooth transition for students needing ongoing service within the community.
“There will be some collaborative service delivery to help students and their families build relationships with the next service provider,” said Rowe. “Those transitions will be smooth and seamless versus a gap, and then onboarding and having to restart the process again with a new system.”
When services provided to students in the program drop, it can create issues for families and students.
“Students actually kind of have a decrease in self-efficacy, a decrease in self-esteem, and it impacts their quality of life,” said Rowe.
The need for expanding the program and the grant money allow Access ETSU to bring on a new position: Community Integrative Coordinator. Melody Blevins, Access ETSU Project Manager, said the new position will make it easier to provide for students in need.
“Previously, we’ve worked together as a team with students and their families that are graduating, as well as community agencies,” said Blevins. “But this grant will allow us to have one person who’s dedicated specifically to that role, which will improve the outcomes of our graduates”
Dawn Rowe said that the mission is to make sure that students can achieve their goals and encourage long-term success through job coaching. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/access-etsu-expands-program-with-400000-grant/ | 2023-06-14T23:38:38 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/access-etsu-expands-program-with-400000-grant/ |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced a “zero-tolerance” special event zone in Daytona Beach ahead of an expected unpermitted event dubbed “Daytona Truck Meet 2023.”
In a release, deputies said that three people were responsible for promoting the meet on social media. All three have since been contacted about the “ramifications of a disruptive, unpermitted event,” deputies added.
The release shows that such an event could bring in 50 or more people, potentially straining public safety resources and interfering with local traffic.
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In response, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood designated a special event zone in Daytona Beach, which will do the following within the zone area:
- Double statutory fines for noncriminal traffic infractions
- Allow law enforcement to impound a vehicle for up to 72 hours for any noncriminal traffic infraction or criminal traffic violation
- Authorize law enforcement to enforce occupancy limits
- Provide for recovery of costs associated with enforcing the special event zone from the organizer/promoter of the special event
According to deputies, the special event zone will run along the A1A from Plaza Boulevard south to Dunlawton Avenue, including areas along the beach.
A map of the special event zone was provided by the sheriff’s office.
Signs marking the zone will be posted by Thursday morning, and enforcement is scheduled to begin Friday at 9 a.m., a designation form states. Deputies said the zone would continue to be enforced “as long as reasonably necessary,” though it will not continue after the special event dissipates.
No additional information about the Daytona Truck Meet was provided.
Similar unsanctioned events have been held in the past, costing Daytona Beach nearly $200,000 in 2021.
In 2022, state lawmakers passed a law that allows law enforcement to set up special event zones with the aim of stopping future special events like these.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/volusia-sheriff-sets-up-zero-tolerance-zone-ahead-of-possible-daytona-truck-meet/ | 2023-06-14T23:38:41 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/14/volusia-sheriff-sets-up-zero-tolerance-zone-ahead-of-possible-daytona-truck-meet/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Bear sightings are making the rounds on social media thanks to cell phone and doorbell cameras that make it easier than ever to record a wildlife encounter.
Jeremiah Francis, a Johnson City resident, caught video of the moment a black bear ran out of his yard. Francis told News Channel 11 in an email that he was outside with his dog when he heard his trash can moving. He stated that for him, these sightings aren’t normal.
For other members of the community, bear sightings are more common.
Brittany Collins, who lives in Erwin, says she is not surprised by any sightings.
“It’s definitely not abnormal to see them out here because it’s a yearly thing. We think it might be the same momma bear and just different cubs every year,” Collins said.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Matt Cameron says black bear sightings are normal this time of year, and especially in this area.
“If you live in East Tennessee, you live in bear country,” Cameron said.
Cameron says that the rise in sightings might be due to doorbell and security cameras.
“They’re getting seen by the public more often now as well because of Ring cameras on people’s doors,” Cameron said. “I don’t think there’s necessarily more sighting, I think people are just capturing the sightings more often now.”
Cameron says when encountering a black bear, it’s best not to engage them. He also says it’s a good idea to make noise. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bear-sightings-circulate-on-social-media-officials-say-sightings-are-normal/ | 2023-06-14T23:38:44 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bear-sightings-circulate-on-social-media-officials-say-sightings-are-normal/ |
DALLAS — Country music star Jelly Roll is going viral on TikTok after showing some love at a Whataburger drive-thru in Dallas.
According to the viral video, the musician asked a drive-thru worker how many employees were working and gave everyone $200 each, totaling more than $1,000 with the generous tip.
The TikTok video has garnered more than 300,000 views since it was posted.
A day later, a 17-second video posted to the same TikTok account showed the Whataburger employees celebrating in the kitchen after receiving Jelly Roll’s big tip.
You can watch both videos below:
More Texas headlines: | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/jelly-roll-dallas-whataburger-money-tiktok/287-1b308ac5-a150-4fd8-a088-0244d276339a | 2023-06-14T23:40:03 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/jelly-roll-dallas-whataburger-money-tiktok/287-1b308ac5-a150-4fd8-a088-0244d276339a |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is heading to Europe on her first overseas trade mission since taking office this year.
Sanders, a Republican, said she planned to meet with aerospace industry leaders at the Paris Air Show during the trip. She also planned to meet with American, British, French and German business executives to make the case for investing in Arkansas, Sanders said in a statement released Wednesday.
Sanders said Commerce Secretary Hugh McDonald and Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O'Neal will also go on the trade mission.
The governor's office said they planned to meet with executives from several companies, including Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne and Raytheon. Sanders' mission will also include meetings in Cologne, Germany, her office said.
Aerospace and defense is a major part of Arkansas' economy and makes up about 20% of the state's exports, according to the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported details of Sanders' trip on Wednesday. Her office said the state won't have a breakdown of the cost of the trip until after the governor returns.
“It’s time for the whole world to learn what Arkansans already know: there’s never been a better time to invest in the Natural State and call it home,” Sanders said in a statement.
Sanders, who served as former President Donald Trump's press secretary, was inaugurated in January as Arkansas's first woman governor.
= | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/sanders-overseas-trade-mission/91-1cf62651-f36f-4548-9a7a-57a12fd94003 | 2023-06-14T23:40:10 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/sanders-overseas-trade-mission/91-1cf62651-f36f-4548-9a7a-57a12fd94003 |
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As the US political climate has seen challenges against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville (UARK) is reallocating some resources and personnel away from its division of DEI.
UARK's Chancellor Charles Robinson shared the progress of the University's 150 Forward Strategic Planning Process through an email Tuesday. After a series of town halls, the University announced that it is realigning resources to meet its mission. Their first realignment will move existing resources and personnel in the Divison of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to multiple departments within the university.
Stephen Caldwell, the Chair of the Faculty Senate at the University of Arkansas says that they meet on the third Wednesday of every month to discuss possible legislation that could impact their institution.
"I have complete confidence in the chancellor's decision, and the faculty is behind it," Caldwell said.
Caldwell explained that there were discussions this spring about Florida and it's decision to ban state funding for DEI-related activity on college campuses. He reiterated that it could be a reality in Arkansas, as Secretary Jacob Oliva previously worked with Governor Ron Desantis, an experience that won Governor Sanders' nomination.
"Not only is the chancellor protecting the jobs of the people who work in those offices, but he's also ensuring that the work that they do is able to continue on campus," Caldwell said.
Cael Lossenegger is the student body president of the Associated Student Government at UARK and he says the chancellor personally called him to inform him about the decision, saying that "our chancellor places a pretty strong emphasis and prioritizes communicating with students in all that he does."
Lossenger said he was reassured and feels confident in the decision based on the chancellor's experience.
"He really reiterated his experiences working with that department. And that spreading these resources to different areas across campus will actually allow various departments to better meet the needs of the students that they're working with every day," Losenegger said.
Caldwell speculated that if Arkansas legislation followed the current trend for diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses, UARK could see a loss of funding and the firing of all staff within the division. He explained that this decision puts them one step ahead and that despite the political climate, it could support the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the campus.
"Even if that wasn't going to happen though, this is still probably a good idea," Caldwell said. "In ensuring that instead of just a singular entity on campus, the work of diversifying campuses makes sure that there's equity across all of the student body, and there's a sense of inclusion and belonging in all of our student body as well, as they can feel and access those systems in their departments."
The chancellor previously served as the vice chancellor of diversity at UARK, and with his experience spanning more than 20 years, he believes reallocating resources can accomplish better outcomes. Chancellor Robinson said specifics on this restructuring will be shared in the coming weeks.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/u-of-a-moves-staff-division-diversity-equity-inclusion/527-e57098bb-6cd9-4943-8c3a-302ff813f247 | 2023-06-14T23:40:16 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/u-of-a-moves-staff-division-diversity-equity-inclusion/527-e57098bb-6cd9-4943-8c3a-302ff813f247 |
Announcing PVDFest headliners, mayor says he is putting focus back on the arts
"It’s important to keep in mind that under the old footprint, there were winners and losers also. And there were many businesses for whom PVDFest was a very bad week for them," Smiley said.
The mayor's announcement of PVDFest's headliners is typically an event filled with fanfare, music and cheers.
Yet this year's briefing was peppered with questions over changes Mayor Brett Smiley has made to former Mayor Jorge Elorza's creation. That includes switching the location from the Downtown to the Providence River, ending block parties and curbing drinking.
"I’ll be clear – I made a decision to put the focus on this festival back on the art, back on the performances, back on the experiences that families and residents can have … and there are plenty of places for people to go get a drink," Smiley said, referencing a new rule banning open containers. "But the festival itself is not going to have open containers this year, and that was a decision that I made."
Attendees will, however, be able to grab some suds at The Guild's outdoor beer garden conveniently located in the festival area. Aside from that, revelers will need to go to a brick-and-mortar establishment to get anything that's more than zero proof. Expect the festival's usual round of food trucks to offer bites and refreshments.
Director of Art, Culture, and Tourism Joe Wilson, Jr. said the festival's focus should be "elevating and highlighting our creatives and bringing community together to celebrate all of that that makes Providence our beloved providence."
More:Frustration brews over sudden PVDFest changes curbing drinking, block parties
Smiley defends new PVDFest location, saying some businesses lost out last year
The location has also stirred questions, as businesses along the riverfront are expected to benefit while downtown spots may suffer.
"It’s important to keep in mind that under the old footprint, there were winners and losers also. And there were many businesses for whom PVDFest was a very bad week for them," Smiley said.
However, PVDFest's new dates – Sept. 8-10 – mean that it will coincide with a WaterFire lighting on Sept. 9, an intentional move on the city's part.
“The WaterFire installation is probably a two-minute walk from Washington Street," Smiley said. "There will be tens of thousands of people within minutes of your business, I would say to a business owner."
According to the mayor, this year's festival will be held later in the summer than previous years since the hospitality industry raised concerns that hotels and eateries see a lot of traffic in June – the month in which the festival was typically held – then face a post-Labor Day slump.
More:PVDFest is coming back. Here's what to know.
Here's who will perform at PVDFest
Mavis Staples, a Gospel Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, will headline the festival. The singer, now in her eighties, is known for civil rights anthems, performances for presidents, a close relationship with Martin Luther King, Jr. and time in The Staple Singers, will take the main stage on Sept. 9.
Here are the other acts that have been announced so far:
- Stay Silent PVD: This group of creatives focusing on New England's diasporic communities and hip-hop will offer three hours of DJ sets and live performances on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9.
- Flawless Real Talk: Rap and hip hop artist Flawless, a Rhode Islander who was featured on the Netflix reality competition "Rhythm + Flow," will perform on Sept. 9.
- Sidy Maiga: Maiga will return to PVDFest on Sept. 10 to showcase his eleventh annual Afrika Nyaga Drum and Dance Festival to celebrate African culture and recognize the diaspora.
Festival goers can also expect art installations throughout each day of the event from Pneuhaus, an art studio specializing in immersive sculptures.
Kathleen Pletcher, executive director of FirstWorks, an organization that partners with the city to put on the festival, said "there is more and more to come." The city is still inviting interested vendors, artists and performers to apply to become part of the festival through June 20. | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/pvdfest-who-is-headlining-performing-vendors-date-sept-8-9-10-focus-on-art/70321444007/ | 2023-06-14T23:42:59 | 1 | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/pvdfest-who-is-headlining-performing-vendors-date-sept-8-9-10-focus-on-art/70321444007/ |
ATLANTA — Mayor Andre Dickens has a goal of building or preserving 20,000 affordable housing units in the city by 2030 and he's turning to some of the city's most faithful partners to help achieve it.
Many Atlanta churches own hundreds of acres of undeveloped land and the Faith-based Development Initiative has forged a partnership with them to turn that land into properties that can provide homes that folks can afford.
It’s a big effort and is still in the planning phases.
“We have 15 faith partners who are in the process of developing their land for affordable housing. We have 43 faith institutions that have agreed to," said Josh Humphries, senior policy advisor to the mayor.
Humphries says there are well over 1,000 acres of land owned by faith-based organizations that will become affordable housing for Atlanta residents.
One of the institutions is the Interdenominational Theological Center which is in the heart of the Atlanta University Center.
The ITC plans to revamp existing housing units and build more on the land they own.
“They are in the process of planning out their 10-acre campus to do mixed-use with affordable housing and bring new student auditoriums and other facilities alongside affordable housing," Humphries said.
ITC President Matthew Williams says he’s pleased the faith community is jumping in to make an impact in this area.
“Not only ITC but the broader faith community is very aware of housing and addressing the needs of the so-called least of these is core to who were are," Williams said.
City officials said that funding for the developments will come from many sources. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-affordable-housing-faith-based-development-initiative/85-f111e997-6e6b-474c-b406-e36df6d1a16b | 2023-06-14T23:43:28 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-affordable-housing-faith-based-development-initiative/85-f111e997-6e6b-474c-b406-e36df6d1a16b |
ATLANTA — Atlanta Police are investigating after a man said he was running at his apartment complex and was forced into a truck against his will early Wednesday morning.
Authorities said they were dispatched around 7:40 a.m. to 400 Pharr Rd NE in response to a kidnapping call. When officers arrived, they met with a man who said around 2:30 a.m. -- he was running near Bill Kennedy Way SE, which is near Glenwood Park when he was approached by three men in a black pick-up truck. The man told officers he attempted to fight off the men but he was attacked and forced into the truck, APD said.
The man said shortly after he was able to escape from the truck and he flagged down a bystander for help and called 911. The man told Atlanta Police that he had his shoes, phone and wallet taken from him.
He also had multiple cuts to his face and head. The man was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, APD said.
Detectives are still investigating the incident.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-police-investigating-kidnapping-case-bill-kennedy-way-se/85-b92dc849-6e60-4dac-bdb1-613453ea0438 | 2023-06-14T23:43:34 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-police-investigating-kidnapping-case-bill-kennedy-way-se/85-b92dc849-6e60-4dac-bdb1-613453ea0438 |
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — A fire broke out at an apartment complex in Brookhaven early Wednesday morning, according to DeKalb County Fire. Thirty people were displaced by the blaze, the American Red Cross added.
Fortunately no one was injured, the fire department said.
The fire was reported just around 9 a.m. at 1750 Briarwood Road which is the address for the Reserve at Brookhaven apartments.
Officials with the American Red Cross said the number of people displaced by the blaze is expected to rise. They also provided affected residents with comfort kits, direct client assistance and recovery plans.
A resource center has been opened for displaced residents.
Anyone who has been impacted by the fire is encouraged to call the Red Cross at assistance, 1-800-733-2767.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/fire-briarwood-road-brookhaven-dekalb-county/85-2da05cb6-a69e-4942-bcd9-ea6b42885815 | 2023-06-14T23:43:41 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/fire-briarwood-road-brookhaven-dekalb-county/85-2da05cb6-a69e-4942-bcd9-ea6b42885815 |
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Gwinnett County Police are still on the search to find a 14-year-old who vanished three weeks ago. Ashley Bell never returned home from school on May 24.
Now, Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta is letting the community know that information about Bell's case can be submitted anonymously through its tip line.
Gwinnett Police believes the teen may be endangered.
"Persons do not have to give their name or any identifying information to be eligible for the reward of up to $2,000 for the arrest and indictment of the suspect," they said.
To share information, contact the tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeatl.org.
What we know so far about Ashley Bell's disappearance
- Bell was last seen around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24 at her school.
- After completing an exam, she was last seen walking toward the Parkview High School student parking lot.
- She hasn't had any recent activity on her social media and her cellphone is turned off.
- She has a perfect school attendance record. Gwinnett County Police described her disappearance as "outside of her normal behavior."
- Surveillance video shows she was last seen wearing a white shirt, brown tights, and white and brown shoes.
- The case was originally reported to the Gwinnett County School Police, but the investigation has been turned over to Gwinnett County Police. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/missing-in-georgia/crime-stoppers-missing-gwinnett-teen/85-9e46cda1-bd6d-4e19-bc50-78e72eeb2204 | 2023-06-14T23:43:47 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/missing-in-georgia/crime-stoppers-missing-gwinnett-teen/85-9e46cda1-bd6d-4e19-bc50-78e72eeb2204 |
ATLANTA — A major insurance company is trying to limit its risks in some parts of the country, making it a little more challenging for new customers to get a new policy -- including in Georgia.
Nationwide Insurance is the latest company to change the way it does business and says it had to because of the impact of inflation and different catastrophic weather events.
Starting Wednesday, Nationwide is asking for more documentation for new personal lines, before approving a policy quote in certain states, including Georgia.
CEO of Portal Insurance, Bradley Flowers, who is not affiliated with Nationwide, says that while this is unprecedented, it's not surprising.
"I've talked to some folks [at Nationwide] and they basically said that they're going to look at around a seven-day turnaround before they then turn insurance quotes around," he explained.
He said the longer timeline is on purpose.
"What they've effectively done, in my opinion, is they're limiting the new business they're writing without physically saying that because when you go to an insurance agent for a car insurance quote or home insurance quote, and they take seven days to turn it around," he said. "That's not conducive to getting a policy written in a certain amount of time."
He explained this is happening in the midst of a hard reinsurance market in which rates for insurance companies themselves - to protect their bottom line - are currently very high.
"The reinsurance is actually costing them more than it did the prior year," he said. "Therefore, the trickle-down effect of that is they need to go up on rates for consumers."
Flowers said in many states, the Department of Insurance has to approve the rate filing when an insurance carrier, like Nationwide, wants to make an across-the-board change.
"Most of the time, the rate increase that the insurer asked for, the state is not going to prove it," Flowers said. "What's going to happen is they're going to say, 'Hey, we're not, we're not going to write new business for a little while.'"
He said Nationwide might also be taking a closer look at renewals.
Flowers advised customers to speak with their agent and potentially hire an independent agent that can handle different carriers. However, customers should expect similar rates because he says most insurance companies are raising rates right now.
"In my opinion, Nationwide is a smart company. They're not going out of business," he said. "There's really smart people behind the scenes there. I think they're going to come out on the other side of this good."
A Nationwide agent who is based in Atlanta and wanted to remain anonymous tells 11Alive that if you're an existing customer buying or renting a new home, you'll also have to undergo these "strict binding requirements," but existing auto policies can still be changed.
The agent adds that while Nationwide did pay out its entire 2023 budget for storm damage by the end of May, a lot of the remaining payouts came from newer businesses that had been written.
"Nationwide has effectively paused writing new business by requiring extreme pre-binding requirements that are not typically required," the agent said. "Nationwide hopes this will help with profitability issues so they are in a much stronger position in 2024. In my professional opinion, most carriers will follow suit before the end of the year, especially as we head into hurricane season."
11Alive reached out to Nationwide, which said these changes vary by state and by product.
Georgia's Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire John King's office said it encourages Georgians to shop around when looking for insurance. It adds that its Consumer Services Team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer any questions. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/nationwide-insurance-business-in-georgia/85-83ba4eaa-80a7-42ce-81ba-dfde814d2b06 | 2023-06-14T23:43:53 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/nationwide-insurance-business-in-georgia/85-83ba4eaa-80a7-42ce-81ba-dfde814d2b06 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — For weeks, an orange and white RV has sat parked behind a gas station in Portland’s Central Eastside. It’s home to two young women and their three pets. Under the city’s new camping ordinance passed last week, they'll soon need to move the RV during the day — but it's not clear where it's supposed to go.
“They’re telling us to literally just disappear. There’s nowhere to disappear to,” said Zaina, one of the RV's residents.
The other resident, Velma Carter, said she and other homeless Portlanders weren’t aware that RVs were included in the city’s new camping ban, since most of the discussions in city council have been about around tents blocking sidewalks and storefronts.
“It’s my one-bedroom apartment that just happens to have wheels on it,” said Carter, who has lived in her RV for about a year.
The ordinance, which takes effect July 7, is one of the biggest moves the city has taken to address homelessness. It bans homeless camping on public property from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the intention of spurring people to move into shelter or affordable housing.
Since Carter and Zaina use the RV as a campsite, under the new ordinance they have to follow the city’s general parking rules between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. They must be lawfully parked — something that’s almost impossible for them to do, given the state of their RV.
“I can’t lawfully park this thing at all. Its VIN number doesn’t exist in the DMV database. I can’t register it since it’s an abandoned vehicle. It’s a ghost rig that’s been jimmy-rigged and parted together too much,” said Carter.
Now she'll need to move her makeshift rig during the day, which she said takes time away from getting back on her feet.
“That’s job-hunting time. How am I going to be job hunting with a house on my back?” she asked.
There are also places such as Northeast 33rd Drive where dozens of campers and RVs lined the street, each considered a campsite. Many of the vehicles don’t run and have been sitting there for years. It’s still unclear if and how they would be moved every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Instead of telling us we can’t do this, we can’t do that, tell us what we can do,” said Carter.
The city's answer: they can go into available shelters. A spokesperson for Mayor Ted Wheeler’s office said in a statement:
“If a person using a car or RV as a campsite has been offered alternative access to shelter or housing, and they decline to use those alternatives, then they are prohibited from camping anywhere in the city because they have an alternative place to go. If a person using a car or RV as a campsite does not have access to alternative shelter or housing because it is not available, then they meet the definition of ‘involuntarily homeless,’ and the person may camp if they follow the time, place, manner regulations implemented by the City.”
But homeless residents say that's easier said than done.
“I have tried shelters before in the past. I’ve gone through TPI, a lot of the shelters like right now with my animals it’s really difficult to do,” Zaina said.
Back in the Central Eastside, across the street from the RV sits Heyday Salon, where Brianna Seethoff works. The salon keeps its doors locked, she said, and staff often feel unsafe at work given the number of RVs, tents and drug use incidents happening outside their door. But she had mixed feelings about the ban.
“I’ve called 311 a bunch of times just to have it cleaned up…If we’re not going to implement services and mental health anything, I think it’s ridiculous,” Seethoff said of the camping ban. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/vehicles-included-portland-daytime-camping-ban/283-4e21f457-6ab3-4980-bcf8-fcc3c3b5a629 | 2023-06-14T23:50:57 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/vehicles-included-portland-daytime-camping-ban/283-4e21f457-6ab3-4980-bcf8-fcc3c3b5a629 |
Virginia Commonwealth University Health's failed plan to redevelop the Public Safety Building in downtown Richmond was the result of the health system prioritizing its mission over its finances, among a litany of other factors, a report released Wednesday stated.
The report paints a picture of health system leaders determined to move forward on a difficult project, making decisions without outside help and asking for approval from a board ill-prepared to evaluate the project's merits.
VCU president Michael Rao promised "immediate changes" following the report's suggestions, which include consulting third-party advisers and requiring more information before board approval.
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Earlier this year, VCU Health paid $73 million to exit a development deal in which it no longer wanted to participate. VCU Health had planned to be the primary tenant in a 17-story office building at North Ninth and East Clay streets. But a change in leadership, problems caused by COVID-19, a lack of financial analysis and insufficient due diligence led to the deal's failure, the report said.
Dr. Marlon Levy, interim CEO of VCU Health, said the health system needed to better scrutinize the financial implications of its decisions and improve "team-based decision making."
The decisions "were really driven by mission and values and perhaps not enough emphasis was placed on what are the financial implications of the decisions made," Levy said.
The 24-page report does not assign blame to any person or groups of people. Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder has put the responsibility at the feet of Rao, who oversees the university and its health system.
Rao said he has "tremendous regard for Governor Wilder as an icon that has encouraged so many of us to believe that we can make anything happen in this country."
To get to the root of what happened, VCU hired law firm Saul Ewing to investigate. The firm obtained emails from employees involved in the transaction, studied the contracts and interviewed the people involved.
On Wednesday, it presented a PowerPoint to a joint meeting of the university's board of visitors and the health system's board of directors recapping the plan's demise and issuing recommendations. The meeting lasted nearly four hours.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch already has reported some of the observations in the report, including how VCU Health chose a financing plan with a low monthly payment but a high exit fee and how the health system's new leaders disapproved of a deal formed by the previous administration.
After deal is signed, problems emerge
By the time the deal closed in July 2021, the project became impossible to build as designed within the budget, the report states. The ground under the Public Safety Building was too soft to build every parking spot, inflation affected cost projections and the pandemic weakened the demand for office space. Levy called it a "black swan event."
Despite these obstacles, VCU Health managed to open two other major buildings in the past two years: the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU and the Adult Outpatient Pavilion.
And the project's developer, Capital City Partners, said in a letter last year that the ground beneath the Public Safety Building was not detrimental to the completion of a meaningful project and that nearby buildings had similar site conditions.
Though there were concerns, VCU Health moved forward anyway. There was an institutional eagerness for the property, which continues today, and a "get it done" attitude, the report stated. VCU now wants to build a $415 million dental school on the plot. The health system saw the parcel as a "gateway" to the VCU Health campus and an important key to future expansion plans.
The health system's chief financial officer at the time, Melinda Hancock, was the de facto project manager. VCU Health lacked adequate in-house real estate expertise, the report stated, and VCU Health prioritized its mission, vision and values over financial terms.
The health system lacked any analysis as to whether it should continue with the project, and it conducted insufficient due diligence, the report stated. No site survey was performed, and there was little help from third-party advisers, who were called in late.
When Hancock left VCU Health for another health system, the CEO at the time, Dr. Art Kellermann, and other executives took over the project. Kellermann felt the deal was bad for VCU and led the health system toward exiting.
The report does not address the revised project — in early 2022, Capital City Partners suggested building a scaled-down research building in place of the tall office building. It remains unclear why this modified project was rejected.
Report's recommendations
The report issued a number of recommendations for VCU Health, including a call for the health system to improve its culture to encourage open, candid and respectful discussions. It is unclear what drove this recommendation. The law firm also suggested VCU Health establish project management teams with a clear manager and representatives from each department involved.
The firm called for VCU Health to require using third-party advisers to consult with the health system for high-risk and high-dollar transactions.
Though the report does not explicitly say so, it suggests VCU Health administrators presented little information to the board of directors, who approved the deal. The report suggests requiring management to provide more information to the board, including detailed information regarding the risks and benefits of deals and possible implications. The VCU Health System board of directors needs better education about the system's operations, finances and the board's own fiduciary responsibility, the report stated.
Conflicts of interest also played a role, according to the report, on the board of directors and at the operational level. It says the board should implement an ethics and conflict of interest policy and modify its structure to limit conflicts of interest. It is unclear where the conflicts of interest existed.
The report suggests the health system board lacked financial expertise and calls for a greater amount of financial knowledge among its members. Some board members are appointed by the governor, others come from the health system staff and others are members of the university's board of visitors.
Ultimately, the decision to leave the deal, which cost $73 million, was "the most fiscally prudent decision," said Michael Porter, a spokesperson for VCU. He noted that the payment came from reserve funds and that neither state revenues nor university funds were used. The majority of VCU Health's revenue comes from patient insurance plans.
There was no good option, Levy said. Backing out was the "least bad" of all options, he said.
Now, the health system will begin understanding the lessons learned and inculcating them into its culture, Levy said.
"This is far from the end of it." | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/health-care/virginia-commonwealth-university-health/article_7f6ddedc-0ae9-11ee-bf9f-439d2cef4a50.html | 2023-06-14T23:52:40 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/business/health-care/virginia-commonwealth-university-health/article_7f6ddedc-0ae9-11ee-bf9f-439d2cef4a50.html |
In a controversial move, the Hanover County School Board voted to update its library policy, which dictates what books are in school libraries.
Immediately after voting to approve that new policy, school board members voted unanimously to ban a list of 17 books that was first introduced by Hanover School Board member Steven Ikenberry, Cold Harbor District, in May.
The full list of banned books includes:
"Choke" — A 2001 novel by American author Chuck Palahniuk. The story focuses on Victor, a sex addict and con man.
"Flamer" — A semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Mike Curato. It is set in 1995, in a Boy Scouts summer camp, and tells the story of Aiden, who is bullied for his appearance and for acting in a manner considered stereotypical of gay men.
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"Red Hood" — A modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.
"Lucky" — A memoir that recounts the 1981 rape of a 19-year-old student at Syracuse University.
"Tricks" — A story about five deeply troubled teenagers, all from different areas, backgrounds and family situations, who end up falling into prostitution.
"Tilt" — A young adult novel about three teenagers, their families and love relationships. Explores ideas of teenage pregnancy, HIV, sex and LGBTQ themes.
"Sold" — Tells the story of a girl from Nepal named Lakshmi, who is sold into sexual slavery in India.
"This Book is Gay" — A young adult nonfiction book on sexuality and gender
"Infandous" — A queer romantic comedy
"Identical" — The third Ellen Hopkins novel on the list. It follows 16 year-old identical twins Kaeleigh and Reanne. It explores themes of incest, rape and drug and alcohol abuse.
"Haunted" — A second novel from Chuck Palahniuk on the list. The main story follows a group of 17 individuals. The characters agree to be locked in an abandoned theater after finding an invitation; scenes devolve into violence, suicide and death.
"A Court of Silver Flames" — A fantasy novel by Sarah J. Mass that follows two close female friends, Nesta and Cassian, who find solace in each other during a turbulent time of their lives.
"A Court of Mist and Fury" — A second Sarah J. Maas fantasy novel.
"Looking for Alaska" — A young adult fiction novel by John Green that touches on themes of meaning, grief, hope and youth-adult relationships.
"The Bluest Eye" — A Toni Morrison novel that is one of the most banned in the country. It tells the story of a young Black girl during the Great Depression, exploring themes of race relations.
"Water for Elephants" — A fiction novel that follows Jacob Jankowski, a young man whose parents pass away; he joins a second-rate circus, and takes care of animals during the Great Depression.
"All Boys Aren't Blue" — A series of personal essays that addresses Black queer boys, by prominent activist George M. Johnson. | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/full-list-of-the-17-books-banned-from-hanover-schools/article_8002070c-0ad4-11ee-9515-d77c8e1b95ca.html | 2023-06-14T23:52:46 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/full-list-of-the-17-books-banned-from-hanover-schools/article_8002070c-0ad4-11ee-9515-d77c8e1b95ca.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nonprofit-group-joins-in-search-for-missing-nj-girl-dulce-maria-alavez/3585921/ | 2023-06-14T23:53:24 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nonprofit-group-joins-in-search-for-missing-nj-girl-dulce-maria-alavez/3585921/ |
What to Know
- More than three years since her disappearance, the Florida-based nonprofit, Anti-Predator Project is joining the effort to find Dulce María Alavez, a girl who vanished from a park in Bridgeton, New Jersey, when she was 5-years-old in September of 2019.
- The group specializes in human and sex trafficking, cyber predators, forceful abductions and missing children cases.
- Anyone with information on Dulce’s whereabouts is asked to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678), the Bridgeton Police Department at 1-856-451-0033, or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324.Anonymous tips can also be submitted online to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.
A nonprofit private investigator group has joined the search for a missing New Jersey girl who mysteriously vanished from a park more than three years ago.
Dulce María Alavez, then 5 years old, disappeared from a park in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on September 16, 2019. Despite massive manhunts yielding no results, investigators say they believe the girl may still be alive.
Authorities believe Dulce was abducted as she played with her 3-year-old brother and her 8-year-old niece. Her mother, Noema Alavez Pérez, had been watching the kids from a car when the suspected kidnapper struck.
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Each child had an ice cream in hand as they ran toward the playground, Alavez Pérez told NBC10. About 10 minutes later, the mother saw the 3-year-old boy upset and crying, his ice cream on the ground and his sister nowhere to be found.
The boy pointed behind some buildings saying his sister went that way, Alavez Pérez said, adding that she initially thought the girl was playing hide-and-seek. However, Dulce never turned up despite massive multi-agency and community-led searches.
Investigators think Dulce may have been taken by a man who had been near the park on the day of her disappearance, and they believe he may have driven off in a red van. They described him as a light-skinned, possibly Hispanic man standing between 5-feet-6 and 5-feet-8 with a thin build and acne on his face.
The search for the girl has not ceased and has spanned from western states all the way to Mexico, where the FBI said Dulce’s father resides and has cooperated with authorities.
Now, more than three years since her disappearance, the Florida-based nonprofit, Anti-Predator Project is joining the effort to find her.
“We’re going to rebuild this case from day one, from the ground up and we’re going to look at it with fresh eyes from different angles and see if there’s something that maybe somebody missed,” Trent Steele, the founder of the organization, told NBC10.
Steele said the decade-old group specializes in human and sex trafficking, cyber predators, forceful abductions and missing children cases.
“We tend to get calls from people that don’t really have anywhere else to turn. They have looked everywhere else. They can’t get answers,” Steele said.
The FBI, Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Bridgeton Police Department have all been part of the search for Dulce. Steele told NBC10 his group hasn’t spoken to law enforcement about their involvement yet.
“That’s on our agenda to get done here in the next couple of weeks,” Steele said.
Steele said his group always proceeds with caution and without jeopardizing any investigation or outcome.
“Ask them, ‘Listen, is there something we can do to assist you? Is there a gap that you don’t have filled?’” Steele said.
Steele told NBC10 he wasn’t sure if cyber exports or technology will help solve the case.
“This is not a case where Dulce was behind a computer talking to strange men,” Steele said. “This is a little girl who went to the park to play. Chances are the answers are going to lie somewhere near that park. The answers are going to lie in the city or in that neighborhood.”
Steele also mentioned that just last month, his group helped find a woman who had been missing for a decade.
“We recently had a case where we were able to get a young lady home that had been missing for ten years from Mexico,” he said.
Steele added that the group’s members aren’t magicians and don’t make any promises. He also said his team is creative and searches for gaps in current investigations however.
“What we do promise is this. Our team is going to move heaven and earth and do everything we can to get you answers,” he said. “There’s no child on this planet that just disappears. No individual that just disappears. There’s always somebody who knows something.”
Bridgeton Police confirmed with NBC10 on Wednesday that they plan to meet with the Anti-Predator Project.
Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae also told NBC10, “we thank any effort to keep Dulce’s disappearance in the public conversation.”
Alavez Pérez, meanwhile, has not given up hope that she’ll find her daughter.
“There’s some days that they’re harder than other days but I try to be strong for Dulce and even my other kids,” she said.
She is also welcoming of anyone who is offering to help.
“It’s been way too long since I don’t know nothing about Dulce,” she said. “I want to know what happened to her. And I want her home and to me it makes me happy because they’re bringing more people to help in this case.”
Anyone with information on Dulce’s whereabouts is asked to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678), the Bridgeton Police Department at 1-856-451-0033, or the FBI at 1-800-225-5324. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nonprofit-group-joins-search-for-missing-nj-girl-dulce-maria-alavez/3585935/ | 2023-06-14T23:53:30 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/nonprofit-group-joins-search-for-missing-nj-girl-dulce-maria-alavez/3585935/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-public-pools-officially-open-for-the-summer/3585862/ | 2023-06-14T23:53:37 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-public-pools-officially-open-for-the-summer/3585862/ |
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) — The Sims Scott Senior Citizens Group served a home-cooked, Southern meal Wednesday morning to the Columbus Police Department.
The goal was to show their support and appreciation for the police officers who serve their community.
This comes amid a rash of recent shootings.
Columbus Police Chief Joseph Daughtry said senior citizens should feel safe where they live.
“When Chief Daughtry arrived in the community, he came to one of our meetings and he has embraced us and supported us,” the group’s president Pat Scott said. “He assured us that he would, you know, make safety a priority. That just gave us some confidence in the leadership.”
Fellow member Patricia Gore said something similar.
“A lot of time nobody takes the time to come and see about senior citizens. They are trying to control crime the best they can. We feel like this was a good thing to do for the community. We are all about community. Chief Daughtry always says community is what helps the town.” | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/senior-citizens-group-shows-appreciation-for-columbus-law-enforcement/article_4880136e-0afc-11ee-ae63-77bb2cad4815.html | 2023-06-14T23:59:50 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/senior-citizens-group-shows-appreciation-for-columbus-law-enforcement/article_4880136e-0afc-11ee-ae63-77bb2cad4815.html |
Hospitals across the nation continue to face a concerning shortage of certain cancer drugs.
An alarming report recently revealed that 90% of the largest cancer centers in the United States are seeing short supplies.
Several chemotherapy drugs are impacted, including carboplatin, which is used to treat a number of cancers.
According to CNBC, some hospitals have now been forced to ration the drugs by reducing doses to extend the supply, or by prioritizing patients based on how beneficial the treatment is expected to be.
Channel 11 contacted UPMC and AHN to see how local doctors are managing the situation.
An AHN spokesperson sent us the following statement:
“Allegheny Health Network’s Cancer Institute is working closely with the AHN Oncology Pharmacy team to remain informed of the potential impact of the shortage of certain cancer drugs on the health system. To minimize the impact of shortages on patients, AHN is employing many different solutions, including managing existing supply, seeking alternative sources for drugs in short supply, adjusting chemotherapy regimens for impacted patients, and working with healthcare providers, to mitigate these challenges. The Oncology Pharmacy team and its centralized distribution center are actively monitoring the daily supply situation to align best with patient needs. AHN remains in constant communication with all locations across its footprint and can move medication between locations as needed to meet the needs of patients.”
A spokesperson with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offered these comments:
“As one of the country’s leading cancer treatment networks, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is among the 90% of cancer centers nationwide experiencing severe shortages of some widely used cancer drugs. Our pharmacy teams are working tirelessly to obtain as much drug as possible. Our physicians are closely collaborating with each and every patient to prevent as many treatment interruptions or delays as possible. We urge everyone who is concerned about this important issue to contact their federal representatives to speed up the release of these chemotherapy drugs from foreign and domestic sources to put an end to this shortage.”
Right now, it’s unclear when supplies will increase. The shortage is, in part, the result of a manufacturing plant in India temporarily shutting down operations, after an FDA inspection found a “cascade of failure.”
According to CBNC, the FDA is currently considering whether to import chemotherapy drugs from other overseas manufacturers that are currently not approved for U.S. distribution.
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LIGONIER, Pa. — People in Ligonier tell Channel 11 they are fed up with dilapidated homes in the borough.
Stanley Brandon is one of those neighbors. He lives across the street from two homes on North Fairfield Street, which he calls an eyesore.
“This is nice here, but if you cross the street, it’s not so nice,” Brandon said.
He said he’s lived in his apartment for the last five years, and these homes have just been getting worse ever since.
“You’re supposed to keep your place reasonable, but they don’t even bother,” Brandon said. “They don’t even cut the grass, you know?”
Both of the homes in question on North Fairfield Street are vacant. Another neighbor, who didn’t want to be shown on camera but spoke to Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek said she worries about diseases from rodents.
She said some neighbors have seen stray cats, rats, and more.
“There are groundhogs in the neighborhood,” she said. “There are skunks in the neighborhood that I was thinking, who knows, they could be over there somewhere too, anywhere where they can burrow and hide.”
Ligonier Borough is working to fix these issues.
Councilman Matt Smith said it’s not something they’re used to dealing with, but they have sent letters to property owners. He said sometimes the letters get something done with the homes, but not always. They can’t just demolish them. They don’t own the properties, and it’s expensive.
In a statement, he said, “Ligonier borough hasn’t really had too many blighted properties that we’ve had a ton of trouble with in the past. Typically someone with the borough (code enforcement, mayor, etc) is able to talk to the owners and work something out to get the situation rectified. These properties on N. Fairfield in question have had letters sent to them notifying them of the issues previously. Sometimes something will get a temporary fix enough to avoid action against them. Since this situation is not something we face too often, we are still in the process of figuring out the next steps we need to take, and we are doing some more research to find out. The plan right now is for our Code Enforcement officer (Karl Horman) to send out a new batch of letters stating all of the issues to the registered owners. They will be given a certain amount of time for a response, and if there is no response or remedy, citations will be filed.”
In the meantime?
“Don’t get bit by the woodchuck,” Brandon said.
If you live in Ligonier and have a complaint about a dilapidated home, you can file that complaint with the borough.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/ligonier-residents-fed-up-with-dilapidated-homes/QUJIXTTG7BHTFHYXZ7WSDJKOMU/ | 2023-06-15T00:05:47 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/ligonier-residents-fed-up-with-dilapidated-homes/QUJIXTTG7BHTFHYXZ7WSDJKOMU/ |
SOUTH FAYETTE, Pa. — A local family may be out of luck when it comes to their summer vacation plans, and possibly out of thousands of dollars, all because it’s taken three months and counting for them to get their family’s passports.
“We should be super excited this week and it’s been just so stressful and ridiculous,” said Jayme Rapp, who lives in South Fayette.
Rapp and her family should be packing, and getting ready to celebrate her and her husband’s anniversary with their kids in punta cana.
It’s a trip they had planned since the beginning of March — when the Rapps first went to get their passports at the Bridgeville post office.
“Processing time was 10 to 13 weeks, and we had 14 weeks, so we thought we were fine,” Rapp said.
She got hers — but hasn’t received her kids’ passports — and they’re supposed to leave in two days.
“They may have cost us the trip. I don’t know who is more at fault, the passport agency or the post office. They definitely don’t work together,” Rapp said.
If the passports don’t come before Friday — they plan to reschedule their trip — and possibly lose thousands of dollars.
“Get your passport now. Now! Even if you have no plans on traveling. From now on, when I’m a year out from expiration, I will apply then,” Rapp said.
There is an option to get an expedited passport for urgent travel within 14 days, but you have to go in person to an agency.
For more information, click here.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/local-family-impacted-by-long-passport-application-processing-times/EEVS5PO7RRBLBG5ZU2J2H4FKXQ/ | 2023-06-15T00:05:53 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/local-family-impacted-by-long-passport-application-processing-times/EEVS5PO7RRBLBG5ZU2J2H4FKXQ/ |
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A New Castle mother is accused of driving her car into the Shenango River with her 11-year-old son in the back seat.
Police said they were called to the Columbus Interbelt for a car partially submerged in the river. Police said Charity Jackson was driving on Columbus Interbelt when she veered right, went over the curb, went down the hill, and drove into the river with her son.
Channel 11 asked the police chief if the mom did this on purpose.
“We don’t know if this was intentional or it was a result of being under the influence at this time,” said Chief Robert Salem.
Firefighters rescued both the mom and the child. They weren’t seriously hurt. Luckily, the car hit rocks which kept it from completely going into the water.
The chief said Jackson was under the influence of alcohol and nine drugs including cocaine and fentanyl.
According to the criminal complaint, Jackson admitted to officers she had two glasses of wine, but she denied intentionally driving the car into the river saying she was mentally tired and was going through a lot in life.
However, police said she never hit the brakes.
“We didn’t view any type of break marks trying to stop she went over the curb and into the river there were several witnesses who say they didn’t see any break lights,” said Salem.
According to police paperwork, Jackson faces several charges including DUI, endangering the welfare of children and reckless driving.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/new-castle-mother-accused-driving-car-into-river-with-son-backseat/NXIG343KNRA6BG7PUQDHK6ZWWM/ | 2023-06-15T00:05:59 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/new-castle-mother-accused-driving-car-into-river-with-son-backseat/NXIG343KNRA6BG7PUQDHK6ZWWM/ |
A familiar phishing scam is back and impacting local first responders.
Channel 11 has learned the issue is affecting multiple fire departments in multiple counties.
It starts with a text message that tells recipients the local department is selling t-shirts and includes a link to buy them.
“This seems to be targeting anybody with a cell phone,” Mt. Lebanon Assistant Fire Chief Sean Daniels said.
He’s been with the department for 20 years but tells Channel 11 the scam texts have cropped up in the last 3 to 4.
“It’s very frustrating. Our entire reason for being and why we can do what we do is trust of the community. Anything that jeopardizes that trust is very, very frustrating.”
It first hit Mt. Lebanon’s department in May, nearly a year from the last time it struck.
After a quick check, Channel 11 found multiple departments had sent out warnings on social media including Dormont, Bruin, Adams Township, Darlington Township, Coraopolis, Kennedy and Export.
“Many of our departments in surrounding communities rely on fundraisers - many volunteer departments,” Daniels said. “It’s something that we take very seriously.”
Channel 11 did reach out to state police. We’re told they are familiar with this scam.
Daniels is also urging recipients not to click the link and call local police.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/scam-affecting-local-fire-departments-resurfaces/BCD4QJA3JBBNFI65G7FX6I4KVI/ | 2023-06-15T00:06:06 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/scam-affecting-local-fire-departments-resurfaces/BCD4QJA3JBBNFI65G7FX6I4KVI/ |
WASHINGTON — As a mother of two young girls, Melissa Lester knows firsthand about the struggle of keeping up with childcare costs.
“I often say this that when they’re older and they ask where their college fund is, I’m going to have to say, I’m sorry it went to your childcare costs,” said Lester.
The Ohio mother testified before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday about her experience.
“Even with two working parents, making ends meet is a real struggle for us,” said Lester. “Today with two little ones, childcare costs us $2,504 a month. Our family childcare costs more than a one-year tuition at The Ohio State University and the cost just keeps rising.”
Lester provided her testimony as the Senate committee debated a proposal to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
Congress temporarily expanded the CTC in 2021, which gave many families between $3,000 to $3,600 per child, which was up from $2,000 per child.
“The child tax credit expansion was a glimmer of hope,” said Lester. “It helped moms like me feel like maybe, just maybe it’s possible for things to get better.”
The CTC expansion expired at the end of 2021.
“They ended when prices began to skyrocket,” said Lester.
The Democrat-backed bill dubbed the Working Families Tax Relief Act would make the American Rescue Plan’s expansion of the CTC and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) permanent.
“Our plan would put more money back in the pockets of working families and help parents afford all the extra expenses that come with raising children,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a sponsor of the Senate bill.
Supporters of the bill pointed to data showing the 2021 CTC expansion helped reduce childhood poverty in the U.S.
“According to researchers at Columbia University, expanding the child tax credit lifted 3.7 million American kids out of poverty,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “Child hunger fell by nearly a quarter.’”
But the measure is facing pushback from Republicans who argue a tax credit without conditions would lead to fewer people working.
“Recent polling from May shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans support work requirements for recipients of government benefits,” said Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Ind.). “Unconditional direct transfer policies simply do not achieve their aim of actually reducing poverty and dependency, even if they are called a tax credit.”
“A child allowance has been oversold,” said Dr. Bruce Meyer with the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. “We are in danger of discouraging work… And we risk encouraging the formation of family units that cannot support their children.”
That argument led to heated frustration from the supporters of the bill.
“That’s not reality,” said Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), a sponsor of the Senate bill. “The reality is a world where parents are scraping by every single month.”
Lester, meanwhile, is hoping lawmakers consider her story and take action to help more families soon.
“We need more family-friendly policies that truly impact all families,” said Lester.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – During its June 14 meeting, the Portland City Council unanimously approved the purchase of an existing 300-space parking lot located underneath the west end of Morrison Bridge Between Harvey Milk and Morrison Streets along Naito Parkway for $8 million.
The new city property will be purchased by Portland Parks & Recreation as an addition to Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Commissioner Dan Ryan introduced the ordinance during Wednesday’s meeting, calling the purchase a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.” The city currently plans to use the space “as is” without any major developments. However, in addition to serving as a public parking lot, Ryan said that the property may also be used as an additional event space.
“This property is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to add a large open area to waterfront Park,” Ryan said. “With the acquisition of the Morrison bridgehead, large trucks and equipment won’t take up as much valuable Waterfront Park lawn space during Downtown events. This acquisition also provides us with expanded space on the waterfront to host new and more events and activities.”
PP&R Property Business Development Manager Dylan Paul said that the property is an ideal addition for increasing event capacity and visitor parking at Waterfront Park. While the space will add more city-owned parking spaces to the Portland Waterfront, the location has already existed as a privately-owned public parking lot managed by the company Morrison Bridgehead LLC.
“Current Downtown park properties host or support over 450 annual events and issue over 6,000 recreational permits each year citywide,” Paul said. “With this property acquisition and several other efforts, we are looking to bring that number much higher in the coming years.”
Paul said that the paved parking lot will also help increase Waterfront Park’s event space during the winter and fall months when lawn conditions are soggy and less manageable.
“This new hardscape site represents the opportunity for the city to host year-round events at Waterfront Park,” Paul said. “These new winter [events] at this site could include markets, fairs, tented events and more when the grass of waterfront parks is not suitable for more intensive uses.”
The purchase of the property was approved as an emergency ordinance, which allowed the council to buy the property without additional community input. Because the property was valued at roughly $8.6 million by the Multnomah County assessor’s office, Paul said the purchase was rushed forward to lock in the best price for the city. With approval from the city council, the city will move forward with purchasing the property with funds from PP&R’s System Development Charges.
“Historically, when the city does property negotiations and purchase time is of the essence, oftentimes we’re putting in competitive offers and have several time restrictions,” Paul said. “Typically, we don’t like to wait when trying to close escrow, it makes us less competitive when trying to seek new properties to add to our portfolio.” | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-to-purchase-morrison-bridgehead-parking-lot-for-8-million/ | 2023-06-15T00:07:36 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-to-purchase-morrison-bridgehead-parking-lot-for-8-million/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Firefighters rescued two cats from a house fire in Aloha that left its residents displaced Wednesday morning, according to Tualatin Fire and Rescue.
Fire crews arrived at the residence on SW Brooklawn Place just before 11 a.m. and found the deck and backside of the two-story house on fire with flames spreading to the attic, TF&R said.
The residents of the home had been away when the fire started, but firefighters found two cats inside. Officials say “the cats were unharmed, though startled by all the commotion.”
Because the home lacked a fire sprinkler system, it suffered smoke and water damage – displacing residents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Stay with KOIN 6 as we receive more information. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/2-startled-cats-rescued-from-blazing-aloha-home/ | 2023-06-15T00:07:43 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/2-startled-cats-rescued-from-blazing-aloha-home/ |
DULUTH — The annual administrative shuffle at Duluth Public Schools means a new head of districtwide career and technical education and, in turn, a new principal at East High School.
Dannette Seboe, who helmed East for the past seven years, is set to become the district’s principal of college and career readiness and technical education, which is a new position. She’ll be replaced at East by Kelly Flohaug, who’s been an assistant principal at Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota, for the past nine years.
"I am incredibly honored to join the Duluth school district in supporting East High School and the broader community," Flohaug, a 2001 University of Minnesota Duluth graduate, is quoted as saying in a message sent to East families Wednesday afternoon. "I look forward to partnering with the many people invested in supporting all students and I can't wait to be a Greyhound!"
Flohaug did not immediately return a News Tribune request for comment Wednesday afternoon.
Seboe said her now-former job at East has included a lot of career and technical education work since district administration cut a position that coordinated it a few years ago.
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“They’re kind of bringing it back in a different way,” she told the News Tribune. “I’m still a principal in Duluth, just a different role.”
Seboe said she’s looking forward to dedicating more time to career and technical education, but that it wasn’t easy to leave East. In her new job, she said, she hopes to work more closely with Duluth-area colleges and businesses. That could mean internships — possibly paid internships — that are tied to a specific field, plus career planning that extends into middle school grades.
“It could be a really broad new job,” Seboe said, “and I’m excited to get rolling and do some really new and innovative things to support our students and schools.” | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/east-high-school-principal-to-leave-post-to-lead-districtwide-college-career-preparation | 2023-06-15T00:08:21 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/east-high-school-principal-to-leave-post-to-lead-districtwide-college-career-preparation |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — New, sustainable and affordable houses are going up in Titusville.
It’s part of the city of Birmingham’s efforts to provide more affordable homes for families.
The new homes are sustainable meaning they can help families be more energy efficient which can lead to a more affordable home over time.
Wednesday, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, a local non-profit, unveiled three new, sustainable homes being built in Goldwire Heights.
The development is part of Navigate’s community revitalization efforts in Birmingham’s Titusville neighborhood.
The homes are structural insulated panel homes, also known as “sip” homes. Navigate President and CEO Lisa McCarroll said these homes use alternative construction methods making them more energy efficient.
“So your floor, your exterior walls, your roof are going to be those panels. That’s where you get your energy efficiency, your performance over time, your green building. What that does for a family purchasing is: performance over time, cost over time is lowered because it doesn’t cost as much to heat and cool so it’s just better all the way around,” McCarroll said.
McCarroll said this building process is much faster. The home demos unveiled Wednesday were built in a day and a half. She said this method is also zero waste.
McCarroll said the homes will be up for sale at a reasonable price and will help families not only own a home but also save money over time. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/energy-efficient-homes-being-built-in-titusville-neighborhood/ | 2023-06-15T00:11:43 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/energy-efficient-homes-being-built-in-titusville-neighborhood/ |
PELL CITY, Ala. (WIAT) — Residents in Pell City are excited that a movie is being shot in their hometown, with many catching a glimpse of awarding winning actor and star of the film Matthew McConaughey.
Production of the film “The Rivals of Amziah King” took place inside Pell City Steak House Wednesday.
Pell City resident Lexie Womble was excited to see McConaughey and hoped her poster got the actor’s attention.
“I’m so excited that he is here in our town, like that’s crazy,” Womble said. “I love Matthew McConaughey. I want him to see me, I want him to stand out so he can say hey.”
Other residents say having a movie shot in Pell City is good for the city and put them on the map.
“You know Atlanta gets all [the stars] and to see it happen here, this is huge for Birmingham, for Pell City, for all of us in Alabama,” resident Kimberly McNeely said. “I always have to go to Atlanta if I want to get this type of excitement, so this is huge.”
“I want Pell City to grow and of course we are because of Honda, but just seeing a lot of people who are interested in this and seeing somebody of Matthew McConaughey caliber in Pell City is great,” resident Pat White said.
Production is expected to continue for several more weeks at locations across the Birmingham Metro area. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/residents-react-to-matthew-mcconaughey-filming-movie-in-pell-city/ | 2023-06-15T00:11:49 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/residents-react-to-matthew-mcconaughey-filming-movie-in-pell-city/ |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Tuesday, the Little Rock Board of Directors approved a change to the curfew in the city. That change will apply to city parks and entertainment districts.
Some of those districts, like the River Market, have been at the front of those discussions.
"It's not a problem for us necessarily, like in these four walls, but it's definitely an issue," Slade Wright, Assistant General Manager at Flying Saucer, said.
The curfew change is for juveniles, which Wright explained is a group he frequently sees in the River Market.
"Shootings happen with minors or involving minors, injuries and deaths involving minors," he said. "So it's definitely a positive step in that direction, it's a positive step for just changing the dynamic down here a little bit more."
Wright said that though the curfew change is a start, more needs to be done.
"It's a move in the right direction, but like we've discussed, it can't be the only thing we do, that's not enough," he added.
Other businesses are in support of the change.
Daniel Bryant owns two businesses in the River Market and he explained that the curfew is a great step in the right direction.
"We all sincerely appreciate the directors who, with their yes votes, chose to prioritize real people trying to protect their businesses over waiting longer to collect unspecified data or making sure LR is a “fun” city for unaccompanied minors loitering in our Entertainment District late at night," he said. "This decision isn’t only pro-business and pro safety, it is common sense policy needed to support and protect our livelihoods."
Others are less than enthused with the decision.
Willie Davis is the Director of the OK Program, which helps mentor kids. He said that the change is a step, but there could have been other choices made first.
"Bring proactive is not slamming them with a curfew, rather talk about ways or ideas for providing them with an area where they themselves can be entertained in their own entertainment district," Davis said in a statement.
Though there's no guarantee that this curfew change will make a difference, Wright explained that anything is an action that he's happy to see.
"Any movement towards anything down here, which hasn't really changed in several years, is positive," he said. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/juvenile-curfew-business-little-rock/91-55231b12-4ea6-4308-93cf-6a7e1cafe0c4 | 2023-06-15T00:13:57 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/juvenile-curfew-business-little-rock/91-55231b12-4ea6-4308-93cf-6a7e1cafe0c4 |
PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Pine Bluff Fire Department is educating teens this summer while creating memories.
The fire department is hosting its inaugural summer camp for 11 to 13-year-olds this week, and Lt. Larry Murray with PBFD said it's something he hopes the kids will remember for a lifetime.
"I'm teaching them about EMS, fire extinguishers... about fire attack," Murray said.
From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central, participants learn how to be a firefighter while picking up applicable career experience.
"I've explained to the guys the cost of everything and how heavy it gets," Murray said. "How cumbersome it is when they're out there fighting fires and are getting wet."
The hands-on camp is designed to give people like Austin Shorter, 13, a chance to hold and wear the heavy gear.
"Although it's a bit heavy on the shoulders," Shorter said. "You can run. You can walk."
At the beginning of the junior fire camp, Shorter said he never considered becoming a first responder, but is now rethinking his plans.
"I want to experience what it's like to be a firefighter," Shorter said. "See what they go through in their daily lives."
Aside from learning about emergency services, Murray emphasized the importance of giving the teens some exposure to life skills.
"It's just like a job," Murray said. "You're going to deal with different people at different times. This is the exact same thing."
Murray also wanted to show that the job is more than saving lives and that community involvement is essential.
"The fire department is more than just fighting a fire," Murray said. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/pine-bluff-teens-first-responders/91-540dc1bb-6da9-4f69-8e66-9d234ad73917 | 2023-06-15T00:14:03 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/pine-bluff-teens-first-responders/91-540dc1bb-6da9-4f69-8e66-9d234ad73917 |
An AMBER Alert issued Tuesday night for a 14-year-old girl reported missing in the Collin County city of Princeton has been canceled after she was found safe in Plano, police say.
In a news release Tuesday night, Princeton Police said officers responded Tuesday to a missing persons report for a 14-year-old girl. Police said they were told she left her Princeton home on her own and hadn't been seen since.
Police told NBC 5 on Wednesday that they have since learned the girl was not abducted. She was found at about 2:30 p.m. in the city of Plano, Princeton Police announced.
A 34-year-old man originally identified by law enforcement Tuesday as a suspect in the case has not been charged with a crime as of this writing. Police say the investigation into the case is ongoing but no further details were immediately available.
"We would like to thank the public for their help with all the tips and leads that were sent in, along with Plano Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dallas Division, for their help in locating [the girl]," Princeton Police said in a news release Wednesday.
Editor's note: The 14-year-old girl's name has been removed from this story due to her age. The name of the man named by police as a suspect has also been removed because he has not been charged with a crime.
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TEXAS STATEWIDE ALERT PROGRAMS
There are eight kinds of alerts that can be issued for missing or endangered people in Texas. They are listed below with links to a page with more information. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/amber-alert-discontinued-for-14-year-old-girl-in-princeton/3277053/ | 2023-06-15T00:17:45 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/amber-alert-discontinued-for-14-year-old-girl-in-princeton/3277053/ |
The Arlington ISD Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Stephen Wurtz as the district's interim superintendent Tuesday.
Wurtz's tenure begins Wednesday and will run through Aug. 31. He'll lead the district as the board continues its search for a permanent replacement for retiring superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos.
"We are pleased that Dr. Wurtz will serve in this role and we're confident he'll provide steady leadership during this transitional period," said Melody Fowler, board president of Arlington ISD. "He has a firm understanding of the district's strategic priorities, and we know he is committed to delivering superior educational opportunities to our students."
Wurtz assumes the role with 23 years of experience in education, 10 of those as the chief academic officer for the Arlington ISD.
"I'm honored to fill this role," said Wurtz. "My main focus will be maintaining a high-quality learning experience, ensuring smooth operations, and fostering a positive environment for students and staff."
The district named a lone finalist to replace Cavazos in early May, but during the mandatory 30-day waiting period the candidate opted to stay in her current position at the Gregory-Portland ISD. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/arlington-isd-appoints-an-interim-superintendent-for-the-summer/3277336/ | 2023-06-15T00:17:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/arlington-isd-appoints-an-interim-superintendent-for-the-summer/3277336/ |
Lubbock community to host celebrations throughout week for Juneteenth holiday
Several events will be hosted around Lubbock to help celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth throughout the week through music, fellowship and fun.
Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday on June 19, marks the emancipation of slaves after the Civil War.
Though former President Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn’t until two years later in Galveston that many individuals learned about their freedom.
Texas has marked Juneteenth as a state holiday since 1980, but it wasn’t until 2021 that President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, making it a federal holiday.
Here is the list of the events:
Thursday, June 15
Lubbock youth will be competing in the Mr. and Miss Juneteenth pageant at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Central Venue, 1219 Ave. J.
Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children aged 3 to 12 and tickets include dinner.
Tickets can only be purchased in advance through lubbockjuneteenthpageant@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 17
- Senior Breakfast — From 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. seniors age 62 and older can receive a free breakfast from My Brothers and Sisters Keepers at the Mae Simmons Adult Activity Center, 2004 Oak Ave.
- United Supermarkets Juneteenth Parade — Traveling from Avenue E down Broadway and into Mckenzie Park, the parade starts at 10 a.m. and is free to attend. If individuals would like a be part of the parade, the fee is $30 and can contact Lubbockjuneteenthparade@gmail.com.
- Freedom Fest — Following the parade until 4:30 p.m., eventgoers can participate in various activities, giveaways, vendors and food trucks.
Sunday, June 18
Down at Moonlight Musicals Amphitheatre, 413 E. Broadway, will be Gospel Fest. The 7 p.m. concert is free for everyone and will feature national gospel recording artist — Chester D. T. Baldwin as well as Lubbock Juneteenth Mass Choir.
Food vendors and children's activities will be available as well.
Monday, June 19
In Mackenzie Main City Park at 6 p.m. will be the Freedom Celebration with headliner Grammy Award-nominated artist — Don Diego.
Other activities will include live music, food vendors and children and teen activities with the night be concluded by the H-E-B Firework Show. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/lubbock-community-to-host-celebrations-throughout-week-for-juneteenth/70319051007/ | 2023-06-15T00:18:05 | 1 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/14/lubbock-community-to-host-celebrations-throughout-week-for-juneteenth/70319051007/ |
Most of the classrooms at Ascher Silberstein Elementary School in Dallas ISD have desks. The 'Critter Room' has tanks and cages.
"Who wants to hold this one?" Principal Erika 'Dr. Paz' Pasieczny asked holding a snake. "You're going to be very suavecito with him too, ok?"
The Critter Room came to be after Pasieczny noticed loose dogs running around the school campus.
"I thought that the best way to help the community would be to start helping the kids learn how to best care for their pets," Pasieczny said. "So it started with one pet, and then two pets, and before I knew it, I had a classroom full of pets!"
The pets include snakes, a chameleon, parakeets, guinea pigs, a hedgehog, a bearded dragon, and more.
"The bearded dragon, it just makes me happy being around him," 5th grader Aileen Salas said. "When he climbs up me, it just feels like a warm hug with no fur."
The school's 5th graders take care of the animals in the Critter Room.
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This month, the school added a large chicken coop with a variety of chickens that lay eggs daily. There are also raised garden beds for students to learn how to grow flowers and food. It's a rural oasis in a south Dallas urban school.
"It just makes well-rounded students," Pasieczny said. "A lot of times our students, they're learning curriculum, but they also need to learn practical application and these are skills they're going to take with them their entire life."
Pasieczny says the experience goes beyond traditional learning. It makes students excited to come to school.
"Kids that have emotional stress, or they're just really angry or frustrated...or have high anxiety," Pasieczny said. "The promise of coming and spending time with the animals really helps, so it's also for social and emotional learning." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-school-brings-nature-lessons-into-the-classroom/3277755/ | 2023-06-15T00:18:10 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-school-brings-nature-lessons-into-the-classroom/3277755/ |
Over one million people now live in Denton County.
The county population is growing quickly, with a 3.2% increase in the past year, reaching 1,006,492, according to data released by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). In comparison, Dallas County only saw a 0.7% increase and Tarrant County saw 1.4%, the top two most populated North Texas counties.
"We knew Denton County was close to surpassing this milestone," Denton County Judge Andy Eads said in a statement. "With an estimated 86 people moving into Denton County every day, an additional 13,700-plus can be added to that total."
Four towns within southern Denton County are among the fastest-growing cities in North Texas. The NCTCOG estimates Celina grew by 38.8%, Haslet grew by 31%, Argyle grew by 20.3% and Northlake grew by 18%.
This increased population growth has commissioners of Precinct 4, like Dianne Edmondson, working harder to keep up with the pace.
"We continuously have projects underway to address our fast-paced growth," Edmondson said in a statement. "We know our southwest portion of Denton County will grow rapidly over the next decade and we work continuously and collaboratively with our communities to be prepared for it."
Looking to the future, Denton County expects continued growth and considers it a part of its legacy.
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"What we do today to prepare for tomorrow will be among the most important things we can accomplish as a county," he said. "The groundwork we lay now will help our future population to flourish." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/denton-county-population-soars-past-one-million/3277555/ | 2023-06-15T00:18:16 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/denton-county-population-soars-past-one-million/3277555/ |
Bags of frozen fruit sold at Texas Walmart, Costco and HEB locations are being voluntarily recalled over potential Hepatitis A contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that Willamette Valley Fruit Co. was voluntarily recalling select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries that were grown in Mexico and sold under the Great Value and Rader Farm brands.
The specific products recalled were Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit, Great Value Antioxidant Blend, Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend and Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio.
The Great Value products were sold in Walmart stores from Jan. 24, 2023, to June 8, 2023. The Rader Farms products were sold in Costco Wholesale stores from Oct. 3, 2022, to June 8, 2023, and in HEB stores from July 18, 2022, to June 8, 2023.
Click here for the full list of Lot numbers and Best By dates of the select packages.
According to the FDA, Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure. Persons who may have consumed the affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately. For more information on Hepatitis A visit the FDA page.
To date, there have been no illnesses associated with this voluntary recall. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/frozen-fruit-sold-at-heb-costco-walmart-recalled-after-potential-hepatitis-a-contamination/3277489/ | 2023-06-15T00:18:22 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/frozen-fruit-sold-at-heb-costco-walmart-recalled-after-potential-hepatitis-a-contamination/3277489/ |
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