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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Under the law, Arkansas will ban all abortions except to save the life of the pregnant woman.
There is no exception for rape or incest. Protesters are calling the Arkansas “trigger law” decision rash and unacceptable.
“We’ve known each for 20-something years,” said Bentonville protest attendee Sheree Miller laughing, standing next to her friend Mary Middleton.
Miller and Middleton were two out of the dozens protesting in Bentonville.
“These young women, I applaud them,” Miller said.
Protests expanded beyond Bentonville, there was also a protest in Fayetteville.
“They’ve taken us back 50 years,” said Fayetteville protest attendee Jennifer Cole. “They’ve taken away human rights and it’s not okay.”
Dozens gathered outside the Washington County Courthouse.
“It’s going to end safe abortions, Cole said. “It’s going to end safe healthy choices.”
“It’s insane, it’s not right,” Miller said.
Miller says she fought for Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago.
“I can’t believe now that I’m here again, protesting for something that has been historical for so many years,” Miller said.
With the decision up to the states. She’s asking Arkansas to do more.
“They have done nothing about a woman who’s been raped about women from incest.”
Asking why men don’t have to bear the weight
“Men, why not a vasectomy,” Miller asked. “They haven’t dealt with any of the man’s responsibility. Only the woman’s right.”
According to the fliers that were posted, protesters at the Bentonville protest plan to meet every night until at least Friday, July 1.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/peaceful-protest-reproductive-rights-bentonville/527-af71cd7e-9f27-4463-8d11-cee4b75de755 | 2022-06-28T06:47:09 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/peaceful-protest-reproductive-rights-bentonville/527-af71cd7e-9f27-4463-8d11-cee4b75de755 |
SAN ANTONIO — Forty-six people were found dead of heat-related injuries inside a semitruck in far southwest San Antonio on Monday evening, and federal authorities have opened an investigation.
San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said 16 others were taken to local hospitals. Of those, 12 are adults and four are "pediatric" patients.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said three people were taken into custody, but at this time it's unknown whether they're "absolutely connected to this or not."
“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis. Tonight we’re dealing with a horrific human tragedy," San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
The nationalities and ages of the victims haven't been confirmed. If the incident is confirmed as having started as a smuggling attempt, it would be the deadliest such event in U.S. history.
Hood said those transported to hospitals appeared to be suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion, adding there were "no signs of water" or working air conditioning in the truck.
“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there," the fire chief added. "None of these people were able to extricate themselves out of the truck, so they were still in there awaiting help when we arrived. Too weak in state to actually get out and help themselves."
McManus, meanwhile, said he expected the effort to ensure everyone in the vehicle was accounted for to stretch into the hours and days ahead.
"We had our K-9s out here going through the woods and we may I have to do that again tomorrow in the light of day," he said.
A heavy law enforcement presence made up of more than 20 emergency vehicles was deployed to the area of Quintana Road and Cassin Drive around 6 p.m., converging at the semitruck. At least 60 firefighters responded, as well as 10 medical units.
Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio told KENS 5 it received five patients, all with critical injuries. At least three others were taken to a Methodist Healthcare facility in the Alamo City, and Texas Vista Medical Center was caring for a 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
Nirenberg said that while migrants and asylum-seekers from other nations tend to pass through San Antonio en route to their next destinations, Monday night's discovery was "a far different situation than what we see."
"It's tragic," he said. "Our focus right now is to try to bring aid to them as best we can."
Congressman Joaquin Castro said Monday night he has been in contact with the secretary of Homeland Security, adding the agency is "working to alert their families, find everyone responsible for this crime and investigate exactly what happened."
Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities, was at the scene and told KENS 5's Henry Ramos, "We know that a lot of people have been taken to the hospitals."
"We're just trying to collect as much information as possible and see how we can help the people who survived," Fernandez said. "I'm not really sure those people are going to need a place to sleep tonight, or what is going to happen. We're just trying to find out as much information as we can help them."
He said his organization will be ready to help provide food or clothes, "whatever they need," to the survivors.
"Right now," he added, "we're just waiting for the police to let us know exactly what we can do."
Homeland Security officials said in a statement that "details will be released as they are available." | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 | 2022-06-28T06:47:15 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 |
SAN ANTONIO — Officials said 46 people have been found dead and 16 others were taken to hospitals with heat-related illnesses after a tractor-trailer rig containing suspected migrants was found Monday on a remote back road in southwest San Antonio.
The deaths were the latest in what has become a global series of mass deaths occurring during human trafficking attempts. Big rigs emerged as a popular smuggling method in the early 1990s amid a surge in U.S. border enforcement in San Diego and El Paso, Texas, which were then the busiest corridors for illegal crossings.
Below is a look at the deadliest smuggling incidents. If that is what the latest event in San Antonio is confirmed to be, it would become the worst in U.S. history.
— June 27, 2022: 46 suspected immigrants were found dead in a sweltering trailer on a remote back road in southwestern San Antonio.
— July 23, 2017: Eight immigrants were found dead in a sweltering trailer at a San Antonio Walmart parking lot. Two others died later in hospitals. The driver was sentenced to life in prison.
— Feb. 20, 2017: 13 African migrants suffocated inside a shipping container while being transported between two towns in Libya. A total of 69 migrants, most from Mali, were packed into the container, according to the local Red Crescent branch.
— Aug. 27, 2015: Austrian police discovered an abandoned truck containing the bodies of 71 migrants, including eight children, from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The truck, found along a highway, had crossed into Austria from Hungary.
— April 4, 2009: 35 Afghan migrants suffocated inside a shipping container in southwestern Pakistan. Authorities said that more than 100 people were packed inside the container.
— April 9, 2008: 54 Burmese migrants suffocated in the back of an airtight refrigerated truck in Ranong, Thailand.
— May 14, 2003: 19 migrants died inside a sweltering tractor-trailer while they traveled from South Texas to Houston.
— June 18, 2000: 58 Chinese immigrants were found dead inside a truck in the English port town of Dover. The Dutch truck had transported the immigrants across the English Channel from Belgium. Two people survived. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-semitruck-migrants-deaths-texas/273-b935dd49-b18f-4ba4-ba9b-256a5be64589 | 2022-06-28T07:05:00 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-semitruck-migrants-deaths-texas/273-b935dd49-b18f-4ba4-ba9b-256a5be64589 |
PARADISE, Calif. — Actress and California-native Jamie Lee Curtis is developing a movie adaptation connected to the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County.
It's based off Lizzie Johnson's 2021 book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire," according to a report from Deadline. Johnson is currently a writer at the Washington Post, but was also a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle while covering the Camp Fire in California. She lived part-time in Paradise while writing the book.
"It’s an honor to be able to continue sharing the story of Paradise and its people. And this time with @jamieleecurtis," Johnson said on Twitter.
The book chronicles first-hand accounts of Paradise, California residents during the 2018 Camp Fire that engulfed the town. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/report-jamie-lee-curtis-adapting-camp-fire-film/103-5ca29bbd-81ee-40a9-991c-ccc8399e453d | 2022-06-28T07:05:06 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/report-jamie-lee-curtis-adapting-camp-fire-film/103-5ca29bbd-81ee-40a9-991c-ccc8399e453d |
July 23, 1934 - June 21, 2022
CROWN POINT - Anna Bessie Lilovich, 87, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Anna "Ann" was born to immigrant parents Joseph and Bessie (nee Chalupecky) Dedek on July 23, 1934 in Antigo, Wisconsin. She spent her childhood in Galien, Michigan, where she and her family worked together on their 70-acre farm. As a teen, Ann won 4-H blue ribbons and grand champion for geese, garden vegetables, and canning. She was crowned Miss Galien and Miss Dairy Queen in community pageants, and participated in the Miss Blossomtime Pageant in Southwest Michigan. Ann graduated from Galien High School in 1953 and earned a scholarship to college for dress design. On January 16, 1954, Ann married George E. Lilovich in Chicago, Illinois, and they were blessed with five children. They raised their family in LaPorte, Indiana on their own farm, while building a family business that all five of their children and many of their grandchildren would join. Ann and George enjoyed 61 years of marriage, and spent their later years traveling the world and doting on their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ann is remembered by all who knew her as a sweet and caring woman who gave the best hugs. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She enjoyed designing clothes and costumes, traveling, shopping, crossword puzzles, telling stories, sharing photos, and spending time with her family. Ann adored her "grandbabies", and often quoted her own mother saying, "I have fourteen grandchildren, so I'm rich".
Ann is remembered by her three siblings: Lydia (Cliff) Srnec, Joseph (Eleanor) Dedek, and Stanley (Vlasta) Dedek; five children: John (Mamie) Lilovich, Steven (Carrie) Lilovich, Susan Lilovich, David (Susanna) Lilovich, and Joseph (Christine) Lilovich; fourteen grandchildren: Jason, Arthur, Nicholas (Sruti), Nyssa (Clayton), Rebecca (Donald), Jacob (Rebecca), Trevor (Jessica), Jessica, Alayna, Niko, Sasha, Daven, Gabriella, and Stephanie; and eight great-grandchildren: Zachary, Olivia, Eden, Karina, Luka, Charles, Cecilia, and Wyatt.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Bessie; and her husband, George.
Friends may gather with the family at Geisen Funeral Home, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. A memorial service will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to follow at Eli's Golden Apple, 101 E. 107th Ave, in Crown Point. The family asks that any charitable donations be made to the George and Ann Lilovich Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks may be made out to "Purdue Foundation" and mailed to care of Scott Hinkle at Hall of Civil Eng., 550 Stadium Dr., West Lafayette, IN, 47907. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/anna-bessie-lilovich/article_85d4b064-c2ec-59b2-bc17-45667cc52bf2.html | 2022-06-28T07:08:29 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/anna-bessie-lilovich/article_85d4b064-c2ec-59b2-bc17-45667cc52bf2.html |
HAMMOND - Nelda Meza (Nee Medrano), formerly of Hammond, passed away on June 15, 2022 while residing in Corpus Christi, TX. She was 65 years old.
She is survived by her dear mother, Virginia Medrano; loved brothers and sisters; her beloved husband of nearly 45 years, Arnulfo "Chino"; her loving sons: Isacc and Alejandro "Fili"; her five cherished grandchildren; countless nieces; nephews; and extended family; and many friends.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 29, 2022 from 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M., and again on Thursday, June 30, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at 10:00 A.M. All services at Rendina Funeral Home (5100 Cleveland Street, Gary, In, 46408. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. Visit www.mycalumetpark.com for full obituary or to offer online condolences. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nelda-meza-nee-medrano/article_c83720a6-6abb-5456-9877-67350eed9176.html | 2022-06-28T07:08:35 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nelda-meza-nee-medrano/article_c83720a6-6abb-5456-9877-67350eed9176.html |
July 22, 1946 - June 25, 2022
Terryl Ann Hirsh (nee Schroeder) born July 22, 1946 passed peacefully (wrapped in cashmere) on June 25, 2022 surrounded by loved ones.
She is survived by her loving husband, soulmate and best friend, Peter Hirsh; as well as daughter, Shelly (Scott) Shahbaz; son, Steven (fiance Christine Gibbs) Hirsh; Lisa Summers, and Ira (Janet) Hirsh. She is also survived by her brother, David Schroeder; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nephews, all of whom she adored.
Terryl lived a living and full life. She had a fabulous and long career with her husband Peter. Her path in life was filled with much adventure and much love. Terryl was a force in all she did and brought joy and happiness to all.
Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all she has touched.
A celebration of life will take place at a future date.
Visit Terryl's online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/terryl-ann-hirsh-nee-schroeder/article_42ce61e1-879b-53d2-a66e-54fd41b1e96d.html | 2022-06-28T07:08:41 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/terryl-ann-hirsh-nee-schroeder/article_42ce61e1-879b-53d2-a66e-54fd41b1e96d.html |
Sept. 15, 1932 - June 22, 2022
WHITING - Vincent W. Daniels, 89, formerly of Whiting, IN passed away on June 22, 2022.
Vincent is survived by his loving wife; three daughters; and his five grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Church in Danville, IN.
He will be interred at Calvary Cemetery in Portage at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Vincent spent the majority of his career as a guidance counselor, principal, educator and coach for the Whiting Public Schools. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/vincent-w-daniels/article_6be25e12-7cb2-583f-8b6a-9222f60787b9.html | 2022-06-28T07:08:47 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/vincent-w-daniels/article_6be25e12-7cb2-583f-8b6a-9222f60787b9.html |
The Fort Wayne City Council is expected to discuss and take action today on creating four grant programs to help small businesses, nonprofit organizations and the tourism industry hurt by the pandemic.
The city has pitched using more than $5 million of its $50.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 relief funds on grants for local organizations, the grant opportunity summary said.
The proposal would create grant programs to support four types of organizations – small businesses, non-profit (non-healthcare) agencies, public health groups and tourism-related industry.
“As part of the overall recovery plan, which recommends funding a variety of projects designed to assist the most impacted members of our community, we would like to establish four individual subgrant programs in order to disburse funds into our community in an impactful, responsible and compliant manner,” said Megan Butler, grant administrator, in a letter to council members.
The plan includes the following allocations:
• $1.5 million for small business support for operational support outside of payroll, such as rent, insurance, supplies or advertising;
• $1.5 million for non-profit (non-healthcare) support for services that are eligible uses for American Rescue Plan Act funding, such as housing security, food assistance programs, youth programming and job training;
• $1.35 million for public health organization support, such as clinics, vaccines, childcare, disease prevention programs, substance abuse programs and mental health support;
• $1 million for tourism-related industry support, such as tourism offices, festivals, theaters, performing arts organizations, museums and cultural attractions.
Grant applications will be reviewed by the American Rescue Plan Act committee, which consists of city employees and community members.
The committee will look for applications that fulfill a need that isn’t fully addressed, mitigate some of the impact COVID-19 had on the organization’s budget, and address negative impacts from the pandemic or disparities in public health outcomes or education, the summary said. The committee will also consider the overall strength of applicants.
If the members approve the program, the city would launch the applications and host informational webinars and meetings in July. The city would close applications in August, the summary said.
The city would be expected to introduce the committee’s recommendations for grant awards and award payments to recipients in October. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/city-pitches-grant-program-for-non-profits-small-businesses/article_21b4206a-f660-11ec-8557-27ae7d6e14dd.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:08 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/city-pitches-grant-program-for-non-profits-small-businesses/article_21b4206a-f660-11ec-8557-27ae7d6e14dd.html |
Fort Wayne/Allen County
Motorcycle club honored with mural
A mural highlighting Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club’s contributions to the community and celebrating the history of Fort Wayne’s 122nd Fighter Wing will be dedicated during a ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at 135 W. Main St.
Local artist Mitchell Egly designed the 2,000-square-foot mural to commemorate the Fighter Wing and the memorialized aircraft at Heritage Park. Located near Fort Wayne International Airport, Heritage Park showcases aircraft flown by the Indiana Air National Guard since 1947. In 2019, Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club raised funds to restore the planes at the park.
The mural project is a partnership of Art This Way, a program of Downtown Fort Wayne, and Warrior Breed Motorcycle Club, which is a nonprofit, veteran-based, traditional motorcycle club focusing on veteran issues.
Drones to need forms for 2 events
The Fort Wayne Police Department Air Support Unit is reminding drone pilots and hobbyists that the upcoming July 4 fireworks and Three Rivers Festival fall under the city drone ordinance.
Both events require that drone forms on the city’s website be completed for drone operations in the aerial district. Call the Fort Wayne Police Department Air Support Unit at 427-2385 or go to www.fwpd.org/drone-ordinance for questions.
Kosciusko
YWCA given grants for abuse shelters
The YWCA of Northeast Indiana and Kosciusko County Shelter for Abuse have received grants from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.
The agency last week awarded $500,000 in grants to 26 non-profits to provide emergency shelter and services to victims of domestic violence and their dependents. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Social Services Block Grant program.
The YWCA of Northeast Indiana received $32,200 and Kosciusko County Shelter for Abuse doing business as Beaman Home received $17,400.
– The Journal Gazette | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/metro-briefs/article_348355e0-f628-11ec-ba4b-0bbe0ae7167c.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:14 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/metro-briefs/article_348355e0-f628-11ec-ba4b-0bbe0ae7167c.html |
A Fort Wayne woman is charged with having a controlled substance in her blood when she was involved in a vehicle crash that killed a 67-year-old motorcyclist.
Veronica L. Holloway, 39, was charged last week with having a controlled substance or metabolite in her system, causing death.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Allen Superior Court, Holloway had THC, a chemical in marijuana, in her blood when she collided with a motorcycle April 19, 2021 at Indiana 14 and South Noyer Road.
Lawrence James Moran Jr. was riding the motorcycle when a vehicle pulled into his path at the intersection, police said.
Moran died at a hospital from blunt force injuries due to the crash.
The coroner’s office ruled Moran’s death an accident.
Man found guilty of drug, gun charges
A 37-year-old Fort Wayne man was found guilty of drug-related charges after a five-day jury trial, the U.S. District Court said Monday.
Steven J. Hecke was found guilty of two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
U.S. District Court Judge Holly A. Brady presided over the trial, U.S. Attorney Clifford D. Johnson said in a news release.
Hecke’s sentencing will be scheduled by separate order of the court.
Any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the District Court judge. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/woman-accused-of-having-drug-in-her-system-during-fatal-crash/article_471ead54-f64f-11ec-8a88-bf068e88360d.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:20 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/woman-accused-of-having-drug-in-her-system-during-fatal-crash/article_471ead54-f64f-11ec-8a88-bf068e88360d.html |
The Fort Wayne City Council will likely decide today whether to ask city attorneys to recommend how much Red River Waste Solutions should be fined for poor service before the trash hauler’s final check is cut.
Councilman Russ Jehl, R-2nd, on Friday submitted the proposed resolution for introduction. The resolution is intended to maximize fines from Red River as the Texas company wraps up service in Fort Wayne on Thursday.
Council members will vote on the resolution’s introduction today. The council would likely discuss and take action on the proposal at the next meeting if the introduction is approved as submitted.
GFL Environmental USA this week officially takes over as the city’s trash and recycling hauler Friday. Jehl said his timing on proposing the resolution was intentional.
“It is just the right time for ensuring justice for the ratepayer,” Jehl said Monday, “and at the same time, it’s being introduced right at the tail end of the contract intentionally because I didn’t want – in any way shape or form – to disrupt the ending of the service, no matter how poor that service was.”
Residents and officials have reported service issues with Red River since the company took over as the city’s trash and recycling hauler in 2018. Red River filed Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy in October, which has protected the company.
Through a transition agreement, Fort Wayne is required to pay an additional $1.9 million for Red River to continue providing service until the end of June. Tim Haffner, city corporation attorney, said in March that Red River is being paid in arrears, which means after the services are provided each month, to ensure service continues.
The bulk of the extra compensation – $1.3 million – will be due once Red River crews stop providing service later this week. Jehl has asked the city’s solid waste department to put considerable thought into how they assess Red River’s final fine.
As part of the resolution, solid waste officials would be required to present council members with several pieces of information before writing Red River’s final check, including how many times Red River picked up garbage or recycling on time in June, how many times it did not and how many times another agency picked up garbage or recycling.
The resolution would also require the city’s attorneys to recommend on how much Red River should be fined for June’s services, including a maximum fine amount and the explanation for differences between the highest possible fine and its suggestion.
The solid waste department would also have to present how much refunds for ratepayers would be if the maximum fine were levied and split equally, as well as how much the department recommends refunding.
The resolution would require the solid waste department to present the required findings to council members no later than Aug. 2.
“It will require the solid waste department recommend to the City Council what it intends to do with the fine, which I hope will set the stage for a refund for the long-suffering ratepayer,” Jehl said.
The resolution would not require officials to use the fine money to refund customers, but Jehl said that is what he hopes will happen.
“Frankly, the long-suffering ratepayer deserves the funds,” Jehl said. “They deserve the funds way more than Red River, and they deserve the funds more than solid waste department.”
If the fine is half of the final payment to Red River, the $650,000 would give each ratepayer a one-time reduction of about two-thirds of their monthly bill.
John Perlich, mayoral spokesman, said the resolution isn’t a binding document that requires action from Mayor Tom Henry’s administration. He said the city does not plan on giving solid waste customers refunds or bill credits.
“The money that the city has withheld from Red River through the life of that contract is best suited to stay in the Solid Waste Fund,” Perlich said in a statement. “This keeps the fund operational and gives us the ability to continue to provide solid waste services to the community and work to keep rates as low as possible.”
Jehl said the resolution is the last chance for “some semblance of justice” before Red River is officially out of Fort Wayne.
“I don’t think there’s any way Red River can say that they came anywhere close to picking up half the garbage and recycling on time this year,” Jehl said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/red-rivers-final-payment-up-for-discussion/article_4a7d0492-f658-11ec-b9e0-1f9b65ceba83.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:26 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/red-rivers-final-payment-up-for-discussion/article_4a7d0492-f658-11ec-b9e0-1f9b65ceba83.html |
Fort Wayne Community Schools’ board voted unanimously to ratify a four-year collective bargaining agreement between FWCS and Teamsters Local 414 representing bus drivers.
Drivers’ wages will increase by 4% this year, consistent with teachers’ compensation. And the parties agreed to shorten the length of time needed for a driver to advance on the wage scale.
The board also unanimously approved an amendment to the three-year contract with Sodexo Services of Indiana. The agreement increases hourly rates for custodial staff for the upcoming school year.
The contract increase for the custodians totals nearly $11.6 million for the 2022-23 academic year. A provision in the contract allows for increases for inflation.
Both the bus driver and custodial job areas are facing shortages of candidates, said Darren Hess, facilities director, and David Amen, general counsel.
“I think this will make us competitive” with other employers, Amen said. That includes employers new to the area, such as Amazon, which had advertised $15 an hour, he said.
Bus drivers’ starting wage will be $20 an hour for one year, up from about $18, Amen said. Custodians staring salaries will go from $12.25 to $15 an hour, with daytime custodians going from about $13 to $17 hourly, Hess said.
Renee Sloan, general manager of the schools’ custodian contractor Sodexo, said the district has had just 31 custodial applicants since January. Fifty-four positions are now open.
“We have just not been able to attract candidates, or they are not the candidates we want to attract,” she said. “We hope this (wage increase) will make the difference.”
FWCS was able to get through the last year with fewer custodians because of hybrid school schedules that had students attending school on some days but being schooled from home on others. But that won’t continue in the upcoming school year, Hess said.
The schools also has been using 36 students in a program that allows them to take custodial jobs, Sloan said.
Twelve of those students were graduating seniors, she said, so new applicants are needed. Students will now be eligible to apply at age 16 instead of 17, she said.
FWCS plans job fairs July 6 and July 21 to search for candidates.
Renee Dawson, newly hired transportation director, stressed FWCS is changing the policy about bus transportation and overhauling routing.
Parents will need to specify whether their students will require bus transportation during the morning or afternoon bus runs or both, she said.
“No one will be automatically assigned a bus,” Dawson said. Parents must sign up for their students to ride a bus online or during registration this fall.
The district also is investing in 10 smaller vehicles that do no require that drivers have a Commercial Drivers License and investigating how best to encourage prospective drivers, Dawson said.
The board also unanimously passed a policy for public comments at board meetings to comply with a new state law.
Those who wish to comment on an agenda item will need to sign up by 10 minutes before the meeting and state what they will address. The comments will be heard at the beginning of the meeting, before the meeting is called to order.
Those who wish to address general topics will follow the same sign-in procedure, but will speak at the end of the meeting, after it has adjourned.
The state required the policy be in place by July 1. The board’s next meeting is July 25. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/fwcs-board-approves-bus-driver-custodian-wage-hikes/article_0590072e-f673-11ec-aa7f-7327dceca63c.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:33 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/fwcs-board-approves-bus-driver-custodian-wage-hikes/article_0590072e-f673-11ec-aa7f-7327dceca63c.html |
Totem pole from the Hundred Acre Wood Jun 28, 2022 3 hrs ago Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email A tree trunk carved with characters Piglet, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh decorates a lawn Monday on Rose Ann Parkway in Aboite Township. Mike Durbin | The Journal Gazette Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Totem pole from the Hundred Acre Wood Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Most Popular Missionary Church president removed Caleb Swanigan dies; former Homestead, Purdue basketball star Police apprehend stabbing suspect, second victim dies New BBQ restaurant will fill former ACME location Local hockey player, son of former Komet, faces cancer treatments Stocks Market Data by TradingView | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/totem-pole-from-the-hundred-acre-wood/article_2fffe53a-f67b-11ec-82a1-2355701e6a31.html | 2022-06-28T07:41:39 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/totem-pole-from-the-hundred-acre-wood/article_2fffe53a-f67b-11ec-82a1-2355701e6a31.html |
Riley Lauffman, 19, of Twin Falls died June 24, 2022. Services are pending and will be announced by Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
Jan S. Browne, 67, of Twin Falls died June 25, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
Donald Labrum, 73, of Twin Falls died June 25, 2022, at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls surrounded by his loving family. Services and arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
John Richard Anderson, 79, of Elko, Nevada, died June 26, 2022, at St. Luke’s Magic Valley Regional Medical Center in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
Roberta M. Bridge, 94, of Twin Falls died June 26, 2022, at the Canyons Retirement Center in Twin Falls. Services are pending and will be announced by Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.
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Frank Rienstra, 92, of Shoshone died Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Lincoln County Care Center in Shoshone. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service—Gooding Chapel.
Twilla Mae Orchard Hawks, 98, of Gooding died Sunday, June 26, 2022, at DeSano Place Assisted Living in Gooding. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service—Gooding Chapel.
Michael Magnelli, 67, of Gooding died Saturday, June 25, 2022, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service—Gooding Chapel.
Hal Leland Rogers, 91, of Wendell died Sunday, June 26, 2022, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service—Wendell Chapel.
Rheta Dee Christensen, 87, of Oakley died Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Parke View Care and Rehabilitation Center in Burley. Services are pending and will be announced by Morrison Funeral Home, 188 South Hwy 24 in Rupert. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_82d826aa-f644-11ec-a6fe-b7969a1fa791.html | 2022-06-28T07:58:23 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_82d826aa-f644-11ec-a6fe-b7969a1fa791.html |
Two Shasta County supervisor races headed for November runoffs
Two Shasta County supervisor races are headed for runoffs in November.
The final results from the June 7 primary were released Monday afternoon and it had little impact on District 1, where Erin Resner's lead over her opponent, Kevin Crye, essentially remained unchanged, setting the stage for a runoff.
Resner had 48.4% of the vote to 42.65% for Crye. The percentages are under 50% plus 1 vote threshold for either candidate to win the race outright.
In District 5, Baron Browning had 43.67% of the vote. That isn’t enough to avoid a runoff with second-place vote-getter Chris Kelstrom, who had 36.47% of the vote.
Countywide, 52,093 votes were counted for the June 7 primary, which reflected a 46.36% voter turnout.
Shasta County Election Results 2022 | Record Searchlight
"As a reminder, we continue to audit the election and expect to certify these results by the end of the week. We thank you all for your understanding as we continue to complete the canvass of the vote for this election," the Shasta County elections office said in a news release.
The races for district attorney, sheriff, clerk and school superintendent were not close.
District attorney: Incumbent Stephanie Bridgett had 55.67% of the vote. Challenger Erik Jensen had 44.33% of the vote.
County sheriff: Incumbent Michael Johnson had 62.24% of the vote. Candidate John Greene had 37.76% as of Monday.
Superintendent of schools: Incumbent Judy Flores had 57.09% of the vote. Challenger Bryan Caples had 42.91% of the vote.
County clerk and registrar of voters: Incumbent Cathy Darling Allen had 68.36% of the vote. Challenger Bog Holsinger had 31.64% of the vote.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/two-shasta-county-supervisor-races-headed-november-runoffs/7750955001/ | 2022-06-28T08:13:04 | 1 | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/two-shasta-county-supervisor-races-headed-november-runoffs/7750955001/ |
The parking lot of Dayton Women’s Med Center in Kettering was busier than usual Monday as patients inside tried to understand their options now that abortions are banned in Ohio after the detection of a fetal heartbeat — about six weeks into pregnancy.
“Patients are very upset, crying and desperate,” said a representative from Women’s Med, one of the few remaining abortion providers in Ohio. “There is a lot of confusion.”
“Today we saw a patient in Dayton who has cancer. Her doctors told her she would have to terminate before she received chemotherapy treatment. She will have to travel to Indiana. A mom brought her daughter in and doesn’t own a car. She will have to rent one to get her daughter to her appointment in Indianapolis later this week.”
There were 2,770 induced abortions performed in Montgomery County in 2020, the most recent data available from the Ohio Department of Health. This amounted to 13.4% of the procedures in the state. Statewide, 61.8 percent of the 20,605 induced abortions reported in 2020 were less than nine weeks along.
Women’s Med estimates about one of every 15 of its patients are less than six weeks pregnant. Many women don’t even know they are pregnant that early.
Women’s Med can still screen patients at its Dayton office and then refer them to the Women’s Med facility in Indianapolis for surgery as long as they are less than 13.6 weeks pregnant. Ohio patients can’t be given medication abortion in Indiana, only surgical termination, according to the clinic.
Patients more than 13.6 weeks are being referred to providers in Pittsburgh, Michigan and Illinois.
“We are still treating patients under six weeks with no fetal heartbeat at Dayton Women’s Med,” the representative said. “We will continue this system as long as it is legal however, since the Indiana legislature is having an emergency session on July 6. They will most likely pass an abortion ban at that time.”
As Ohio and other states pass increasingly restrictive laws, options for women decrease and the remaining providers can’t accommodate everyone, the Women’s Med representative said.
“We hear many providers are already fully booked for three or four weeks. That means someone who is 19 weeks in her pregnancy will not be able to get an abortion at all, even if she is carrying a dead fetus, even if she needs to terminate in order to get chemotherapy, even if she was raped,” the representative said.
The representative from Women’s Med asked not to be named for security reasons.
The Heartbeat Bill went into effect last week after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and a court granted a motion from the Ohio Attorney General to lift an injunction on its going into law. Ohio Republicans may reconvene this summer to pass more restrictive anti-abortion legislation.
At a visit to Greene County for the groundbreaking of Great Council State Park on Monday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine — a staunch abortion opponent — said he “didn’t want to speculate” about what’s next for Ohio’s abortion laws.
DeWine said the state legislature must “look at this and decide what else they want to do.”
“Let’s let the process work, let’s let people have their say,” he said.
Like the Heartbeat Bill, the leading bill under consideration in the Ohio General Assembly does not contain exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
Asked at his local visit Monday if rape survivors who became pregnant would be forced to birth their rapist’s offspring, DeWine said “We’re going to continue to debate this issue, and that is certainly one of the issues that will continue to be debated.”
A complete ban on abortions in Ohio would likely put Women’s Med out of business, the medical practice representative said.
This would be welcome news to Vivian Skovgard. The abortion opponent stood on the sidewalk in front of Women’s Med Monday attempting to divert people to the pregnancy crisis center across the street that provides resources to encourage women to not get an abortion.
“If this place closes it doesn’t mean that we close down,” Skovgard said. “We need to do everything we can to help that mother, dad, whoever to save that baby’s life and also make it so that mother doesn’t have to live with that, that she took the life of her child.” | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/tears-confusion-at-abortion-provider-after-heartbeat-bill-becomes-law/U6OK5WPVGJDPVMB776ZNQPMGYI/ | 2022-06-28T08:23:53 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/tears-confusion-at-abortion-provider-after-heartbeat-bill-becomes-law/U6OK5WPVGJDPVMB776ZNQPMGYI/ |
Idaho Sen. Jim Risch made a surprise trip to Ukraine over the weekend, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, visited the cities of Kyiv, Irpin and Hostomel, viewed destruction and battle sites, and heard first-hand accounts of Russian atrocities.
Russian missiles hit Kyiv on Sunday morning, CNN reported, killing one and wounding at least six as they struck a residential apartment block and a kindergarten. Risch was on a train from Lviv to Kyiv at the time. “Our train stopped and we were held up not knowing what reason,” he said in a telephone interview from Brussels late Monday.
“We didn’t know until we got to Kyiv that the attack had taken place. They launched over a dozen missiles — the Ukrainians got all but three of them,” said Risch, who is the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and made the trip in his official capacity.
“But I’ll tell you, that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Ukrainians for having a normal Sunday afternoon,” he marveled. In Kyiv, a city of 2 million, “People were going to church, pushing children in buggies on sidewalks, going to parks and amusement parks, the restaurants were all full. … You’d never know that there was a war going on.”
Risch said his meeting with Zelenskyy that afternoon was at “their version of the White House, heavily fortified. We had a really good meeting for about an hour and a half,” and covered both classified and non-classified topics.
“I’m no stranger to him,” Risch said. “I’ve talked to him before, but never before in person. He knew who I was and where I was on the issue.”
Video snippets of the meeting that Zelenskyy posted on Instagram showed Zelenskyy, in a black T-shirt, welcoming Risch into an ornate office with a warm handshake, and the two meeting around a table with several staffers for intense discussions.
“You’ve got good help in D.C.,” Risch tells Zelenskyy in the video, as the Ukrainian president nods and says “Yeah.” Risch says, “Oksana is everywhere,” an apparent reference to Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova.
The video then skips ahead to Risch saying, “I came here because I wanted to hear what you have to say.”
“You can hear about all this stuff in Washington,” Risch told the Idaho Press. “There is no substitute for being on the ground and talking to the people where it happened and (who) are affected by this.”
Risch said he helped craft the recently approved $40 billion military and humanitarian aid package for Ukraine that passed May 20. “It isn’t nearly spent yet,” he said. “That’s going to go a long ways yet.” He said he didn’t know if more would be needed. “We are where we are right now, overseeing what’s being spent and that it’s being spent carefully,” he said, “making sure the Ukrainians are using it to win the war.”
The Hill, the Washington, D.C. newspaper that covers Congress, reported that Zelenskyy said in a Monday statement that the two discussed the situation on the frontline of the war against Russia, deepening bilateral defense cooperation, strengthening sanctions and to “finally recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism.”
Risch said the Foreign Relations Committee passed a resolution “that names Russia and recognizes Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism,” a designation that he said has significant consequences. “It hasn’t passed the Senate yet, but it just came out of the Foreign Relations Committee. We’ll be pushing to get that passed in the Senate and on to the House as soon as Congress takes up again.”
Oleksii Kuleba, the head of Kyiv regional military administration, tweeted photos with Risch on Monday, and wrote, “He saw with his own eyes the consequences of the crimes of the Russian army. I am grateful to international partners for their strong support.” Kuleba also identified Risch as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; he’s actually the ranking member and former chairman.
Risch said he made the trip with three staff members, one of whom is fluent in Ukrainian. He said he meets frequently with Ukrainian officials and has been in close touch with the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States. “Almost always, the last thing I hear out the door is, ‘When are you coming to Ukraine?’” he said.
It was Risch’s first major official overseas trip since 2016; he was the only senator on the trip. He also went to Poland, where he met with officials and visited the 82nd Airborne’s post that’s handling distribution of assistance to Ukraine.
He was supposed to take a train from Poland to Lviv, but the train was canceled, “so we had to drive.” Around midnight, he arrived at the Ukrainian border, where he described “two lines, one of trucks, one of cars. … They were miles long. And each of those vehicles was waiting three days to get into Ukraine.”
At the border, the delegation shifted from its U.S. military escorts to Ukrainian security escorts. “We had Marine help on this one,” Risch said, “but they don’t go into Ukraine. It’s the policy the administration has of not putting military on the ground in Ukraine. Therefore, we had to arrange with the Ukrainians for security there.”
“Some of them were light armed, some of them were heavily armed, and we had a number of vehicles,” he said.
Risch said he’s been to other war zones, including in Iran, Afghanistan, Israel and Mozambique, but it was the first time he’s been to one where people were rebuilding even as the war continues. “Virtually every bridge we took … we crossed bridges that had been rebuilt since the invasion on Feb. 24,” he said. “The Ukrainians themselves blew up the bridges, because they wanted to stop the Russians from advancing. They’ve done an amazing amount of work.”
Irpin took “very significant damage,” he said, with about 70% of its buildings destroyed. “They were very proud of the fact that as soon as they pushed the Russians back, they had electricity and water back up and running in a matter of days.”
“Ukraine can win this war, but only if we help get it what it needs, before it needs it,” he said in a statement. “I was taken aback by the atrocities I saw firsthand in Irpin and Hostomel, and we cannot stand by and watch these happen again. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure the Biden Administration uses the authorities Congress has given to provide President Zelenskyy and Ukrainian defense forces exactly what they need to end this conflict. Ukraine must win this fight.”
Risch is the top minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and chaired the panel before Republicans narrowly lost control of the Senate to Democrats; the current chair is Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey.
Risch said, “I thought it would be appropriate to get on the ground in Ukraine. So we had been talking about this for some time. We picked dates about a month ago.”
After his meeting with Zelenskyy, he visited the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and met with officials there, then took the train back to Lviv, an overnight trip. Arriving early in the morning, he traveled to the border with Ukrainian security, walked across the border, “and again, U.S. security took over that point,” he said. Risch then traveled from Poland to Brussels, where he’ll give a speech to the German Marshall Fund’s Brussels Forum on Tuesday, then return to Washington.
“We have undertaken supporting Ukraine,” Risch said. “We’re Americans, we support any freedom-loving people, any people who want a democracy, any people who want to throw off the shackles of communism and authoritarianism. This was started by Ronald Reagan. He spent eight years bringing down the Iron Curtain.”
“Now it’s apparent that Putin wants to put the old USSR back together again,” Risch said, citing Russia’s invasion and capture of two regions of Georgia in 2008 and of the Crimea in 2014. In now trying to take over Ukraine, Risch said, “He made a horrible mistake in many respects,” not anticipating both the fierce resistance of the Ukrainian people and the backing of the United States. “Ronald Reagan’s legacy is not going to be abandoned,” Risch said. “We are going to stand up for people like the Ukrainians who want a democratic form of government.” | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/risch-makes-surprise-trip-to-ukraine-meets-with-zelenskyy-in-kyiv/article_81285363-8862-5071-a681-1aeec366622d.html | 2022-06-28T08:37:45 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/risch-makes-surprise-trip-to-ukraine-meets-with-zelenskyy-in-kyiv/article_81285363-8862-5071-a681-1aeec366622d.html |
Sheetz lowering some gas prices through the July 4 holiday weekend
Looking for a bargain?
For the July 4th holiday, Sheetz is dropping prices on two types of gas to help drivers save money at the pump.
Effective immediately, the convenience store chain is charging $3.99 a gallon for Unleaded 88 and $3.49 a gallon for E85, according to a company news release. It is a limited-time offer available through July 4.
Unleaded 88 can be used in vehicles for model years 2001 or newer as well as light-duty trucks, SUVs and flex fuel vehicles, the company said in the release. E85 is designed specifically for flexible fuel vehicles, and drivers should check their owners manual to see if they can use it.
Cindy Smales of Jonestown was fueling up in Palmyra Monday afternoon after learning of the price break. “I first stopped in Hershey to fill up my car and then went and grabbed my daughter’s car and came here,” she said.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, recommends that drivers check their owners manuals before filling up with the gasoline.
Most cars will be just fine with up to 15 percent ethanol included in the fuel, and if it's OK, go for it, he said.
The price of gasoline has been dropping in recent weeks, according to AAA.
Learn more:With rising gas prices, here's how drivers in Pennsylvania can save some money
Check this out:How do I get a Real ID in PA? Here's what you need to know
Monday, the average price in Pennsylvania was $4.95 a gallon. That's down from the high of $5.07 on June 12.
"Fear is not a good reason to move a market like the one for oil, but it is a powerful motivator,” Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, said in a news release. “The cost of oil accounts for nearly $3 for every $4.89 at the gas pump. Consumers should find more relief when fueling up if oil prices drop further.”
Reporter Dan Larlham contributed to this report. | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/sheetz-lowers-some-gas-prices-in-pennsylvania-for-july-4th-holiday/65364124007/ | 2022-06-28T08:44:35 | 0 | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/sheetz-lowers-some-gas-prices-in-pennsylvania-for-july-4th-holiday/65364124007/ |
Sunland Park care center battles city over use of buildings
New Mexico Family Services settled a lawsuit with the city in 2016, but both sides allege violations of agreement
- New Mexico Family Services is a private business providing a range of community services.
- NMFS settled a lawsuit against the city in 2016 over lease terms for two buildings.
- On June 15, a district court judge ruled in the city's favor, telling NMFS to leave and pay back rent.
SUNLAND PARK — Lourdes Torres stood in front of a cinderblock office building with a replica electric guitar adorning its front, and declared victory in her latest skirmish with the city Monday morning.
For several years the building has been the home of NM Family Services, a community care center providing a range of services. Earlier this month, a court ordered them to leave and pay back rent to the city, but Torres said she has filed an appeal of the judge's writ seeking a temporary restraining order, averting eviction for now.
According to state records, NM Family Services, LLC was founded in 2014. It leased two city-owned locations on McNutt Road where it provided community services including meal service, as well as medical and behavioral health services through licensed contractors.
Besides the "guitar building" on McNutt Road, NMFS leased the Senior Citizen Center next to City Hall, where Torres said meals are served.
In 2016, Torres sued the city for breach of contract, claiming the city's maintenance of the buildings prevented the business from obtaining required state licenses for its operations. She also alleged in court that Isabel Santos, who was a city council member at the time, actively interfered with NMFS' efforts to establish its services for senior citizens.
The case was settled after it was moved to federal court in 2016; but four years later, Torres sued the city again, alleging violations of its $200,000 settlement that involved poor maintenance of the buildings and alleged bad faith by the city.
Torres claims the city's actions were intended to prevent her from obtaining required licenses and funding.
The city said NMFS made unauthorized modifications to a bathroom and built a partition for an office. The city said the partition did not meet construction standards, and it sought to restore the bathroom to its original design, claiming the project was part of an effort to establish a non-approved child day care center.
In 2019, the New Mexico Child, Youth and Families Department issued a cease-and-desist letter to NMFS for providing day care services for an estimated 18 children without a license. Court records show that Torres refused to sign the letter, and she told the Las Cruces Sun-News the letter arose from a false complaint.
More:Drive-thru weed? Sunland Park loosens rules on cannabis shops
City council members Alberto Jaramillo and Jeffrey Cox declined to speak about the matter, as it is currently in litigation. Mayor Javier Perea, City Manager Michael Martinez and the city's Community Services Department did not respond to queries Monday.
Torres says the city has maliciously denied business licenses to her business and used that as a basis for kicking NMFS out. The city maintains in legal filings that NMFS has not had an active business license since 2018.
"They're sabotaging my opportunity to extend my lease," she said Monday.
Under amended lease agreements, NMFS rented each property for $100 a year, with an option to renew annually for three years at a fair market rate when the leases expired in 2021, provided NMFS met certain conditions including maintenance of a senior community center.
The city claims in court filings that NMFS did not fulfill its obligations. It stated that NMFS failed to operate the senior center and instead provided unlicensed child care services and made unauthorized modifications at both buildings while operating without a city business license.
In January, Torres requested the city renew each lease for five years at the same $100 annual rent. In court, the city filed a copy of a Feb. 17 memo denying the request and asking NMFS to leave upon the expiration of the current leases. This was followed by three-day notices in April and May for each property.
The city asked Third Judicial District Judge Manuel Arrieta for summary judgment to evict NMFS. On June 15, he granted their motion, ruling that NMFS had violated its lease and dismissing a claim by Torres that the city had agreed to exchange rent for in-kind services. He ordered NMFS to vacate both buildings and pay the city $92,706.69 in back rent.
Torres insisted Monday that her settlement agreement with the city allowed for an open-ended lease arrangement and in-kind services in lieu of rent, and vowed to press her case in court.
Last Friday, she said she received notice that the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office would come Monday morning to evict her. A few patients and staff demonstrated with signs in front of City Hall on behalf of NMFS in response to the news.
After filing an appeal and a temporary restraining order request to stop enforcement, Torres said patients scheduled to receive psychiatric services Monday were rescheduled to spare them a potentially stressful scene. However, no sheriff's deputy was present at the building Monday morning.
More:Southwest Counseling Center seeks to turn the page on New Mexico's 2013 behavioral health crisis
"I'm just so tired of it," Torres said of the long-running dispute with the city; yet holding on to the location was worthwhile, she said, for continuity of services and access to public transportation.
Without a business license, she said NMFS is not eligible for Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements and that her business has been absorbing the costs of service. Asked how the business has survived under the circumstances, she said, "There is a greater god up there" and declined to offer further details about the center's funding.
Torres said NMFS serves about 10,000 clients.
In 2020, she told the Las Cruces City Council NMFS takes referrals from numerous providers and maintains offices in Las Cruces and Alamogordo as well as Sunland Park. She addressed the council during a work session to discuss a possible collaboration with the city to prepare and distribute meals locally and host cooking classes.
On Monday the Las Cruces Quality of Life Department said it is currently working with another vendor.
Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonWrites on Twitter. | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/nm-family-services-sunland-park-care-center-battles-city-over-use-of-buildings/65364058007/ | 2022-06-28T09:06:20 | 1 | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/nm-family-services-sunland-park-care-center-battles-city-over-use-of-buildings/65364058007/ |
New York City's public pools are set to reopen on Tuesday, even though one crucial element is in short supply: lifeguards.
All 51 of the outdoor pools throughout the five boroughs will be open for the rest of the summer, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. There are only 626 lifeguards ready to go, the city said, less than half of the goal of 1,400 lifeguards.
When asked about the severe shortage, Mayor Eric Adams said Monday that it is a nationwide problem, and that the city has "a couple of creative ideas" to address the issue.
"We've got to do more, but this is a real shortage," the mayor said.
But a union that represents lifeguards said that the solution does not need to be creative — it all comes down to money.
"As we have proposed for months, the administration must raise wages to recruit and retain these professionals, such as the state and other municipalities have already done. You cannot afford to cut corner when water safety is at stake," said DC 37, the city's largest public employee union.
City Hall countered that, saying that a fair wage is already being offered. They said that training and lifeguard accreditation were disrupted in the pandemic. But Adams said that won't stop swimming lessons this summer.
"Our public pools are considered to be the French Riviera for those communities that have to stay home, so we want to open as many as possible," he said.
The city said that operations of the pools will be adjusted based on lifeguard headcounts, saying that pools can only be opened if there is adequate coverage. Some of the larger pools may have limited capacity, a parks official said, as has happened in the past — and some could be closed entirely on certain days in a worst-case scenario.
There were no plans to keep any pools permanently closed due to staffing restraints, an official said. However, the city had already canceled lap swimming programs, as well as free swimming lessons that long been an important resource, especially in low-income communities.
The outdoor pool openings come a month after a tragic start to the city's beach season, with multiple drownings in the Rockaways. In the tri-state, there have been more than a dozen drownings overall since the start of the summer season.
On June 10, Ryan Wong and Daniel Persaud were with a group of friends when the two fell into the water and were swept away. The two were pulled into the rough currents, which a nearby sign warns of along with sudden drop-offs, and their bodies were later found in the water. Those who frequent the beach say that not many people swim there, and it's more popular with fishermen and kite surfers.
A week later, two swimmers drowned in separate incidents at Rockaway Beach. A 16-year-old girl was pulled from the water by civilians near Beach 108th Street at the popular Queens swimming spot, according to police. Around that same time, a young man was taken from the water near Beach 98th Street, police said. Both were pronounced dead at the hospital.
The incidents were part of a frightening and alarming trend of deadly drownings throughout the tri-state area in this early part of summer, which have served as jolting and tragic reminder of potential summer dangers — made that much more alarming by the national lifeguard shortage.
At least half of the drownings reported since June 6 across New York and New Jersey have involved victims aged 20 or younger. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-pools-set-to-open-for-summer-season-despite-lifeguard-shortage/3752218/ | 2022-06-28T09:13:31 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-pools-set-to-open-for-summer-season-despite-lifeguard-shortage/3752218/ |
Police are searching searching for a cold-hearted thief who was seen on camera stealing a popular breed of puppy from a 75-year-old man on a Queens sidewalk in broad daylight.
The video shows Alonso Gil's uncle out front of the family's home in South Ozone Park in the middle of the day, along with two dogs. One was a 10-month-old micro-bully, an extremely popular breed, named Off White — a designer dog named after a designer brand.
"It's weird to say because I know people look at it like, "oh, it's a dog." But it's like a person to us, he's very much like a baby in the house," said Gil. " he is very sweet, very friendly, a little shy sometimes too. So he has his own personality and everything."
As Gil's uncle was outside with the dogs, a man on a scooter drove by and quickly was acting friendly, asking questions about Off White and if he could pet and hold the pup. After a few minutes, the owner turns to take the puppy inside — that's when the scooter driver made his move.
"The starts petting the dog, pulling him up. Picks up the dog and starts revving his scooter to go," Gil said. "My uncle tried to jump in front of the scooter to stop the guy, but he just like swerved around him and took off on the sidewalk down the block."
The incident has shaken the community, as Off White had quickly captured the hearts of the family and everyone in the neighborhood.
"I'm really concerned. I get emotional every time I see that the dog is gone," said neighbor Felix Nunez, who live across the street and has a similar dog, Remy. "If somebody take my dog, it's gonna be hard for me. I would get emotional."
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The Gil family said they just want their puppy back.
"I understand at this point you might be afraid of getting in trouble or getting someone in trouble, but the dog can be dropped off at a park where there's people around. He can be dropped off at a police station, nobody has to see anything," said Gil.
The family is putting up their own cash reward, saying they just want their pet back, no questions asked. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/video-shows-scooter-driver-steal-puppy-from-queens-sidewalk-in-broad-daylight/3752181/ | 2022-06-28T09:13:37 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/video-shows-scooter-driver-steal-puppy-from-queens-sidewalk-in-broad-daylight/3752181/ |
ROANOKE CO., Va. – You can expect delays Tuesday morning on I-81 in Roanoke County after a tractor trailer crash.
It happened at mile marker 142.6 before you get to the Interstate 581 exit.
All north lanes are closed.
Just before 4 a.m., traffic backups were approximately two miles. All northbound traffic is being detoured onto VA-419 (Electric Road), then onto Alt US-11 North/US-460 East (E Main Street), then onto VA-117 (Peters Creek Road), then onto I-581.
WSLS 10 has a crew headed to the scene to talk with Virginia State Police.
This is a breaking news story. We will have developments all morning on Virginia Today from 5-7 a.m. and update WSLS.com. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/28/interstate-81-crash-causing-delays-in-roanoke-county/ | 2022-06-28T09:19:14 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/28/interstate-81-crash-causing-delays-in-roanoke-county/ |
Mike Ritz to step down as executive director of Leadership Rhode Island
Mike Ritz, the executive director of Leadership Rhode Island, has many strong suits.
Perhaps reading a calendar, though, isn't one of them.
In November 2009, the organization's board coaxed him to head the organization.
"The agreement was I would do this for one year," he said Monday. "The intention was never to stay here."
Now, more than 12 years later, Ritz is stepping down as executive director to take a job in Washington, D.C.
On July 25, he will join the Gallup organization, coordinating its effort to bring strength-based practices into the federal workplace. Ritz has backed a similar initiative as part of Leadership Rhode Island, using a Gallup assessment to help workers find their strengths and employers to use those strengths. Gallup believes that workers who use their strengths perform better and create a more harmonious workplace.
Ritz's last day as head of Leadership RI will be July 22.
When he begins his Washington job, current deputy director Michelle Carr will take over as executive director. It's a job for which the organization has been grooming her for several years, Ritz said.
"She's the right leader for this moment," Ritz said, noting that Carr, a Cuban-American, has a strong background in diversity, equity and inclusion. "We also have the strongest team we've ever had here."
Mexico City, Army intelligence, Cable Car Cinema were stops along the way for Ritz
Ritz followed a rather circuitous route to the helm of one of the most trusted organizations in Rhode Island.
But a key juncture was wanting to see "Cremaster 3," a Matthew Barney film described as part-zombie movie, part-gangster flick, that was playing at the Cable Car Cinema, which closed its doors in 2018.
After finishing high school in Georgia in 1991, the then 19-year-old Indiana native moved to Mexico City to run his father's language school. That led to selling timeshares in Cancun before joining the Army in 1995.
In the service, he used his language-school experience and became trained as an Arabic and Spanish interrogator.
$3-million gift:RI Philharmonic will get help to expand music education for students of color
When he left the Army in 1999, he founded his own company, Team Delta, teaching survival, evasion, resistance and escape skills to law enforcement officers, diplomats or anyone who wanted to learn what prisoners-of-war might go through.
For Ritz, the Team Delta work was on-again, off-again as he pursued other opportunities, including coordinating medical care in the United States for members of the military of the United Arab Emirates, work that came to an end with the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
But, by then, the work had brought Ritz to Boston, where he and then-girlfriend Elaine Collins wanted to see "Cremaster 3," which was playing at the Cable Car. While in Providence, Collins scanned a real estate ad and realized they could buy a Victorian in Providence for the price of a townhouse in Boston.
From the archives:Providence's Cable Car Cinema to close after 42 years
And so he and Collins moved to Providence, and Ritz pursued several jobs with non-profits, which led him to taking a leadership course at Leadership Rhode Island. Then he joined the organization's board, from which he agreed to a one-year stint as executive director 12 year ago.
"The wind calls, and I ride it," he said Monday. "It's very strange for me to do something for 12 years."
But Ritz, who also is on the board of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England, isn't quite saddling up the way he used to.
"I'm not moving. I'm staying in Rhode Island and in Providence," he said, adding that he will have an apartment in Washington, but will commute back and forth.
"I love this state, and I'm very invested here." | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/executive-director-leadership-rhode-island-new-job-gallup-organization/7748342001/ | 2022-06-28T09:30:30 | 0 | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/executive-director-leadership-rhode-island-new-job-gallup-organization/7748342001/ |
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District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez warned attendees of a forum addressing crime on the North Side that some people would get angry.
He had cause for anger himself. Pelaez said his own home was targeted recently in a string of break-ins, and appliances were stolen. The same thing happened to 11 other houses.
Such a crime “was unheard of 20 years ago here,” Pelaez said.
For the most part, the session was tame as police Chief William McManus and District Attorney Joe Gonzales led the session with Pelaez and District 9 Councilman John Courage.
More than 100 people gathered in Congregation Agudas Achim for the discussion, which featured a program called Mentimeter that allowed people to use their digital devices to chime in on questions submitted by Pelaez.
The first was a question of what words attendees associate with crime. Their answers included “scary,” “escalating,” and the biggest one, “fear.”
Crimes of concern among attendees last week seemed to be break-ins, or burglaries. The session was an impromptu lesson in how the criminal justice system works in San Antonio, as McManus walked people through the primary goals of police: to arrest people who commit crimes and to deter crime by speaking to area residents and at schools.
McManus said the types of crimes police see are split into two categories: violent crime and quality-of-life crimes.
“Most people are not affected by violent crime,” he said. “If someone is killed or there’s a shooting, you don’t really worry. You’re worried about the order- and maintenance-type crimes.” Maintenance crimes include panhandling at intersections and auto break-ins.
The chief said that people who commit petty crimes like class C misdemeanors are often back on the street no matter how many times they are cited.
A similar situation occurs with violent crimes as well.
McManus said two suspects whom police identified in a recent drive-by shooting at a barbecue that killed two happened to be arrested on unrelated charges, but they had bonded out.
“That’s the kind of stuff that frustrates the police department,” McManus said. “We arrest guys two or three days after the offense, and they’re back out on the street.”
Some attendees shook their heads at Thursday evening’s forum when McManus mentioned that leading a high-risk lifestyle, including drug use or prostitution, puts people at risk of violent crimes.
McManus said an outside agency is reviewing staffing at SAPD to help reduce response times. The chief said he hopes to improve their non-emergency response time, which varies wildly from 17 minutes to two hours.
Gonzales gave people a walk-through of how his office operates. He said his office relies on area law enforcement to file cases with his office so he can prosecute them.
He touched on some of the problems facing the office, such as an exodus of talented prosecutors and a backlog of cases that was exacerbated by the inability to form grand juries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year, his office reviews 60,000 cases. He said his office is focusing on violent crimes, many of which now have heavier case files with more information for prosecutors to review, such as security camera footage, witness statements and other evidence.
“Crime scenes can be a lot more brutal today than when I was a prosecutor,” Gonzales said.
Courage encouraged people to join a Citizen on Patrol group to help be the eyes and ears of police.
“Criminals see that,” Courage said, noting that criminals often don’t care unless they see the group is active.
While all four officials said there are limits to what they can do in certain cases regarding quality-of-life crimes, they urged constituents to reach out to their respective council members’ offices for help.
Pelaez ended the meeting with a call to action for people to discourage panhandling by not rolling down their windows, and instead to donate to local nonprofits and organizations that are working to aid the homeless, such as the Salvation Army, Goodwill or the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter.
“Remember that feeling of your heart breaking a little bit, take that home, and do something,” Pelaez said. “But please, for God’s sake, do not roll your window down. Be compassionate in a more mindful way.”
jbeltran@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-North-Side-crime-17269358.php | 2022-06-28T09:35:39 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-North-Side-crime-17269358.php |
DALLAS — The company proposing a $30-billion project to build a high-speed bullet train that will shorten the commute from Dallas to Houston by two and a half hours received a win on Monday, but it may come at a cost to landowners.
On Monday, the Texas State Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision in favor of Texas Central's project that'll run through Central Texas and said the organization was entitled to private land of the planned trail connecting the two major cities on the basis of "eminent domain."
"Eminent domain" is a Fifth Amendment right from the Bill of Rights that says the government can seize privately-owned property, but as long as they pay for it.
In the High Speed Rail Alliance's article, Texas Central can pay fair-market rates to acquire the land needed to construct the 240-mile railway, which would turn a four-hour drive into a 90-minute train ride.
The commute from Dallas to Houston is one of the fastest growing super commute in the country. Part of that commute is a stretch of Interstate 45 was ranked the nation's most dangerous road in America, according to our sister station KHOU.
Texas Central celebrated this Supreme Court decision, in a quote from our sister station in Dallas, WFAA, saying, "We are appreciative to the Texas Supreme Court for their time and consideration of this important issue as we continue work on this innovative high-speed passenger train rail." | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/texas-bullet-train-scores-major-win-for-the-30-billion-dollar-project/500-8ea319e0-769e-4cee-8740-3fb84a727717 | 2022-06-28T09:55:45 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/texas-bullet-train-scores-major-win-for-the-30-billion-dollar-project/500-8ea319e0-769e-4cee-8740-3fb84a727717 |
LEWISTON, Maine — People are allowed back inside the Longley School in Lewiston Tuesday, one week after vandals trashed the place.
Lewiston police said they broke into the school last Tuesday and caused serious damage to equipment, classrooms, and hallways. They used surveillance video to identify the students responsible.
Four kids, ranging from 10 to 14 years old, were all charged with burglary and aggravated criminal mischief after allegedly causing more than $100,000 in damage.
School leaders met Monday night to discuss the situation, including potential changes to ensure security in the future. One school committee member voiced concern that the school does not have a security system to notify police of a break-in.
Superintendent Jake Langlais said school staff and custodians worked extra hours over the last week to clean up the mess and document the damage for insurance purposes.
Even though the school year is over, the building was supposed to be used for adult education and summer programs. Adult education classes will be able to start back up again this week, Langlais said.
But there are still remnants of the damage, including spray paint on walls that has to be cleaned or painted over.
Langlais told school committee members Monday that while the incident has been devastating for the community, a lot of people have stepped up and offered to help.
"The support has been amazing. We're going to continue to work forward and make sure things are ready, not just for school in the fall but for programming that's coming right up, for community use in some of those spaces, and executing the insurance components and see how we can better the space," Langlais said.
Langlais and other school leaders said they hope to find an opportunity for the kids involved to give back to the community. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/people-allowed-back-into-lewiston-school-one-week-after-it-was-vandalized-maine/97-3da52309-8c02-4dc7-8633-d93f39d9d0f0 | 2022-06-28T09:57:53 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/people-allowed-back-into-lewiston-school-one-week-after-it-was-vandalized-maine/97-3da52309-8c02-4dc7-8633-d93f39d9d0f0 |
AUSTIN, Texas — CapMetro appointed a new chief administrator of transit police in a board meeting on Monday.
Eric Robins will officially begin serving in the position on Aug. 1. The Texan native has 30 years of law enforcement experience, including his time as chief of police in Sugar Land, Texas.
Robins has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown and a master's degree in the same field from Sam Houston State University.
CapMetro established transit police with a 2021 resolution, and the agency hopes to make it a sworn police department through Texas Commission on Law Enforcement requirements by 2024.
The Monday meeting also saw the appointment of William M. Harriss as a new CapMetro Board of Directors member.
“There’s so much to look forward to at CapMetro,” said Jeff Travillion, chair of the CapMetro Board of Directors, in a statement. “Both Matt Harriss and Eric Robins have stellar reputations and will bring great experience to the agency. I’m happy to welcome Matt to the Board, as I know he’ll bring thoughtful insight to help CapMetro continue serving our community in the most equitable manner possible. As for Eric, he’s been in law enforcement for a long time, and he has a passion for working with and building trust with community members.”
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/capmetro-new-chief-administrator-transit-police/269-95fd708b-a06c-4a88-80ad-90e304f9a1ae | 2022-06-28T10:20:22 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/capmetro-new-chief-administrator-transit-police/269-95fd708b-a06c-4a88-80ad-90e304f9a1ae |
MANOR, Texas — Two people were injured on Monday after a home under construction collapsed in a Manor neighborhood.
Austin-Travis County EMS first reported the incident around 6:20 p.m. at 14500 Shooter McGavin Drive in the Stonewater community.
One of the patients involved was trapped, but they have since been recovered. Both were transported to the hospital with potentially serious but expected to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Travis County ESD #12 also responded.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/home-collapse-manor-shooter-mcgavin-drive/269-fede79ff-7471-4f19-8109-15d941cef923 | 2022-06-28T10:20:28 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/home-collapse-manor-shooter-mcgavin-drive/269-fede79ff-7471-4f19-8109-15d941cef923 |
AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: The video above is about a similar discussion on parks allowing alcohol from last year.
The Austin Parks and Recreation board will ask the city council for guidance on alcohol sales in parks during a meeting Monday evening.
According to a recommendation, the board wants Austin City Council to give the Parks and Recreation Department direction on alcohol sales through an updated city code. Currently, vendors want conditional use permits that would authorize permanent alcohol sales, but the Parks and Recreation Department has no counsel "on the proper restrictions or considerations for permanent alcohol sales on public park property."
The recommendation goes on to say that alcohol sales could be dangerous when located near children's areas or bodies of water. It also says more Parks and Recreation and Austin Police Department staff may be necessary if alcohol sales are allowed.
In May, the Parks and Recreation Department discussed allowing alcohol consumption and sales with conditional use permits in certain areas of Republic Square.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/parks-recreation-board-discuss-alcohol-sales-parks/269-0a420f33-fce7-4a25-bf12-d5ca66355080 | 2022-06-28T10:20:34 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/parks-recreation-board-discuss-alcohol-sales-parks/269-0a420f33-fce7-4a25-bf12-d5ca66355080 |
SAN ANTONIO — Forty-six people were found dead of heat-related injuries inside a semitruck in far southwest San Antonio on Monday evening, and federal authorities have opened an investigation.
San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said 16 others were taken to local hospitals. Of those, 12 are adults and four are "pediatric" patients.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said three people were taken into custody, but at this time it's unknown whether they're "absolutely connected to this or not."
“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis. Tonight we’re dealing with a horrific human tragedy," San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
The nationalities and ages of the victims haven't been confirmed. If the incident is confirmed as having started as a smuggling attempt, it would be the deadliest such event in U.S. history.
Hood said those transported to hospitals appeared to be suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion, adding there were "no signs of water" or working air conditioning in the truck.
“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there," the fire chief added. "None of these people were able to extricate themselves out of the truck, so they were still in there awaiting help when we arrived. Too weak in state to actually get out and help themselves."
McManus, meanwhile, said he expected the effort to ensure everyone in the vehicle was accounted for to stretch into the hours and days ahead.
"We had our K-9s out here going through the woods and we may I have to do that again tomorrow in the light of day," he said.
A heavy law enforcement presence made up of more than 20 emergency vehicles was deployed to the area of Quintana Road and Cassin Drive around 6 p.m., converging at the semitruck. At least 60 firefighters responded, as well as 10 medical units.
Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio told KENS 5 it received five patients, all with critical injuries. At least three others were taken to a Methodist Healthcare facility in the Alamo City, and Texas Vista Medical Center was caring for a 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
Nirenberg said that while migrants and asylum-seekers from other nations tend to pass through San Antonio en route to their next destinations, Monday night's discovery was "a far different situation than what we see."
"It's tragic," he said. "Our focus right now is to try to bring aid to them as best we can."
Congressman Joaquin Castro said Monday night he has been in contact with the secretary of Homeland Security, adding the agency is "working to alert their families, find everyone responsible for this crime and investigate exactly what happened."
Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities, was at the scene and told KENS 5's Henry Ramos, "We know that a lot of people have been taken to the hospitals."
"We're just trying to collect as much information as possible and see how we can help the people who survived," Fernandez said. "I'm not really sure those people are going to need a place to sleep tonight, or what is going to happen. We're just trying to find out as much information as we can help them."
He said his organization will be ready to help provide food or clothes, "whatever they need," to the survivors.
"Right now," he added, "we're just waiting for the police to let us know exactly what we can do."
Homeland Security officials said in a statement that "details will be released as they are available." | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 | 2022-06-28T10:20:40 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 |
TEXAS, USA — Texas abortion providers are making a last-ditch effort to temporarily resume procedures by challenging a pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban that has not been enforced for nearly a half-century, but that some abortion opponents argue could be enforced after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion.
The providers filed a lawsuit on Monday, and a Harris County judge will hear arguments on Tuesday for implementing a temporary restraining order to block enforcement of the old ban, which criminalized both performing abortions and assisting anyone who performs abortions in Texas.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, some Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists have argued that old state statutes banning abortion may have instantly gone back into effect following the Supreme Court’s announcement that it would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Texas abortion clinics stopped all procedures, and abortion funds ceased operating in the state after the Supreme Court ruled Friday to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that affirmed abortions as a constitutional right for nearly five decades. Some doctors had to halt procedures moments before they were set to perform them because of concerns that old state abortion laws that had been blocked by Roe could now once again be criminally enforced.
“We will fight to maintain access for as long as we can,” Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights — one of the plaintiffs challenging pre-Roe restrictions — said in a statement. “Every day, every hour that abortion remains legal in Texas is a chance for more people to get the care they need. The clinics we represent want to help as many patients as they can, down to the last minute.”
Last year, Texas passed a “trigger law” to ban abortions if the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade. The law will go into effect 30 days after the court issues a judgment repealing Roe.
Though the court issued its opinion signaling its intention to overturn Roe on Friday, it’s unclear when the formal judgment will come. Paxton said the judgment could take a month. He said his office will announce the effective date for the trigger law as soon as possible.
However, laws predating Roe v. Wade in Texas that ban abortion are still on the books — leading some to argue they’re valid again and that there’s no need to wait for the trigger law to seek criminal penalties for performing abortions in the state. Paxton noted this on Friday, saying “some prosecutors may choose to immediately pursue criminal prosecutions.”
But a 2004 case in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found that by passing abortion laws — such as regulations on the availability of abortions for minors and the practices of abortion clinics — the Texas Legislature repealed its old bans and replaced them with regulations that implied those statutes were no longer in effect. And because the Supreme Court has yet to issue its formal judgment, it’s unclear whether the pre-Roe statutes can be enforced until that happens.
Lawyers for anti-abortion groups argued that the 2004 case, McCorvey v. Hill, was wrongly decided.
“The final interpreter and the ultimate authoritative interpreter of state law is a state court, not some federal court, not even the U.S. Supreme Court,” said Paul Linton, special counsel for Texas Alliance for Life. “State prosecutors are not bound by that [2004] decision.”
The Texas District & County Attorneys Association on Friday wrote in an interim legislative update that the legal ambiguity could make prosecuting abortion cases difficult.
“How these existing laws interact … is anyone’s guess,” the association’s update read, “because the new ‘trigger law’ did not amend or repeal these existing crimes.”
The pre-Roe laws include more detailed provisions than Texas’ trigger ban, including the potential to charge anyone who “furnishes the means” for someone to obtain an abortion. The threat of criminal charges has been enough to chill both abortion procedures as well as funding for Texans to travel and obtain abortions outside the state.
“It’s going to be very difficult for anyone to take on the threat of criminal prosecution in order to test these theories because the harm inflicted by the criminal justice system is immediate,” said Elizabeth Myers, an attorney who represents abortion funds.
Some abortion providers have already said they will resume procedures if a court gives them the protection to do so before Texas’ trigger ban takes effect.
“If these laws are blocked, I plan to provide abortions for as long as I legally can,” Dr. Alan Braid, abortion provider and owner of Alamo Women’s Reproductive Services, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said in a statement Monday. “I started my medical career before Roe v. Wade and never imagined our country would go back to criminalizing doctors and preventing us from helping women.”
There are now several state laws passed over various years that ban or severely limit abortion. It’s unclear how these laws may compound or overlap.
Even before the high court’s decision, the number of abortions in the Lone Star state was halved due to its controversial abortion ban that occurs at about six weeks of gestation. The law was one of the nation’s most restrictive laws in force before the Supreme Court’s decision.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-abortion-groups-file-last-ditch-suit-to-hold-off-ban/287-671de157-d8c0-45d9-b637-536dc16357f8 | 2022-06-28T10:20:47 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-abortion-groups-file-last-ditch-suit-to-hold-off-ban/287-671de157-d8c0-45d9-b637-536dc16357f8 |
MENDON, Mo. — Three people have died and dozens of people were injured when a train struck a dump truck in Mendon, Missouri, emergency officials said.
In a press conference, Corporal Justin Dunn with the Missouri State Highway Patrol said one person inside the dump truck and two people on the train were killed. The superintendent with Chariton County Ambulance Service told CNN that at least 50 people were injured.
Dunn said seven of the eight train cars derailed when the train hit the dump truck at the Porche Prarie Avenue crossing at around 12:40 Monday afternoon.
MSHP Lieutenant Eric Brown said the crossing was an uncontrolled crossing over a gravel road, meaning there were no lights or crossing arms. He said uncontrolled crossings are common in rural areas. Brown said investigators did not know if the truck was stuck on the tracks or if it was moving.
In a statement, Amtrak said the train was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago. Amtrak said there were approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members on the train, Dunn said there were 207 passengers and crewmembers on the train.
Three passengers were being taken from the scene to University Hospital in Columbia, hospital spokesman Eric Maze said. He did not have information on their conditions.
The Missouri Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement units were at the scene to help and Amtrak said it has deployed resources to the site.
Passengers included 16 youths and eight adults from two Boy Scout troops who were traveling home to Appleton, Wisconsin, after a backcountry excursion at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. No one in the group was seriously injured, said Scott Armstrong, director of national media relations for the Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts administered first aid to several injured passengers, including the driver of the dump truck, Armstrong said.
High school students from Pleasant Ridge High School in Easton, Kansas, who were headed to a Future Business Leaders of America conference in Chicago, were also aboard, Superintendent Tim Beying told The Kansas City Star.
It was the second Amtrak collision in as many days. Three people were killed Sunday afternoon when an Amtrak commuter train smashed into a car ín Northern California, authorities said.
Aerial footage of the crash showed the train off the tracks with multiple train cars tipped onto their sides. First responders were on the scene standing on top of the toppled train cars.
In an interview with CNN, passenger Robert Nightingale said every car other than the engine car tipped onto its side when the train hit the truck. He said he and other passengers had to climb out of the overturned cars after the crash and sat on top of the cars until first responders arrived.
He said the passengers were then taken to an area school where some were being treated by EMS workers.
Mendon, Missouri, is a town of about 160 people about 85 miles northwest of Columbia in Chariton County, Missouri.
The statement from Amtrak is as follows:
"On June 27 at 12:42 p.m. CT, Southwest Chief Train 4, traveling eastbound on BNSF track from Los Angeles to Chicago, derailed 8 cars and 2 locomotives after striking a truck that was obstructing a public crossing near Mendon, Missouri. There were approximately 243 passengers and 12 crew members onboard with early reports of injuries. Local authorities are currently assisting customers. Our Incident Response Team has been activated, and we are deploying emergency personnel to the scene to help support our passengers, our employees and their families with their needs. Individuals with questions about their friends and family who were traveling aboard this train should call 800-523-9101. Additional details will be provided as available."
This is a breaking news story that will be updated when more information becomes available.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/amtrak-train-dump-truck-northern-missouri-injuries/63-b308eb71-2f88-4343-a224-797fc53a64a9 | 2022-06-28T10:25:47 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/amtrak-train-dump-truck-northern-missouri-injuries/63-b308eb71-2f88-4343-a224-797fc53a64a9 |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man last seen in North Austin on Tuesday, May 12.
Police said 35-year-old Troy Martel was last seen leaving his home in the 10100 block of Middle Fiskville Road on foot around 8 p.m. There are concerns for his welfare due to medical conditions.
On May 17, Martel solicited help from a stranger at a parking lot of Sears Outlet in Spring, APD said. Harris County deputies checked the area and did not locate Martel.
Martel has family in Houston, but they have not heard from him.
He is described as a Black man, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, 210 pounds, bald with brown eyes.
Anyone with any information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-missing-man-troy-martel/269-95ad9e6c-a182-480f-a6ad-950e146ffa86 | 2022-06-28T10:25:53 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-missing-man-troy-martel/269-95ad9e6c-a182-480f-a6ad-950e146ffa86 |
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Queer Asians, Austin Latinx Pride and QWELL Community Foundation celebrated queer and transgender people of color (QTPOC) at the free Colors of Pride Festival.
Kicking off their first year, from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, the event was hosted inside the Branch Park Pavilion in the Mueller District.
Greater Austin has the nation’s third-largest LGBTQIA+ population per capita, half of whom are people of color. Colors of Pride is free for the public to attend and features music, food, games and more.
Attendees could also hear community conversations guided by leaders from throughout Austin.
"The fact that they do this specifically for trans-people, people of color and their allies is a great thing. We have never done anything like this before in Austin. There has been so much effort from so many people and so many organizations, it's an amazing thing," said Anna Nguyen the president of PFLAG Austin.
According to organizers, Austin’s Colors of Pride Festival is a party with a purpose: to build community.
“We envision a future in which every LGBTQIA+ resident has the social support and access to resources they need to live happily ever after, right here in the heart of Texas," stated Clayton Gibson, founder of QWELL Community Foundation.
Sponsored by Google, the event featured POC-owned businesses and performers including a mocktail bar by Sans Bar, West China Tea House, DJ Chorizo Funk, Theo Love, Mama Duke, outdoor games, a marketplace by Frida Friday and a free communal brunch from POC-owned restaurants.
"It's the same as saying you should have a place to worship, you have a safe place to work, you should have a safe place for your children to go, queer space is necessary. I like to think that all faith is queer faith because queer people are everywhere. So it would be really nice if year-round people just remember that we're always involved and just remember that our safety matters as much as their safety does," said Jeremy Teel, an organizer of Colors of Pride.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-pride/colors-of-pride-makes-debut-austin/269-117f6c3e-87b0-4c78-a977-e9852083a271 | 2022-06-28T10:25:59 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-pride/colors-of-pride-makes-debut-austin/269-117f6c3e-87b0-4c78-a977-e9852083a271 |
Illinois primary elections live updates: See the latest news from the polls in Peoria
Today, voters will cast their ballots for national, statewide and local candidates running in the 2022 Illinois primary election. The candidates who are nominated will move on to the general election, which will take place Nov. 8.
Where is my polling place in Peoria, Illinois?
Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Are you unsure of where your polling place is located? Here are a couple of websites to help you identify your polling place.
- State of Illinois polling place lookup
- Peoria County polling place lookup
- Tazewell County polling place map
Am I registered to vote in Illinois?
If you are unsure of whether you are registered to vote, you can check on the state of Illinois registration lookup.
More:What you need to know about Peoria-area races
What's on the Illinois primary ballot?
On the national level, republican voters will have an opportunity to select a nominee for the U.S. Senate. The nominee will run against Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates in the Nov. 8 general election. There are also primary races for the 16th District and 17th District of the U.S. Congress.
Voters will also be asked to select nominees for governor and the secretary of state. Races for the attorney general, comptroller and treasurer will also appear on the ballot. However, the democratic incumbents for each of these positions are running unopposed.
Illinois primary sample ballots
To find a sample ballot for Peoria County, click here. Those in Tazewell County can find sample ballots here.
What if I run into an issue on Election Day in Illinois?
You are encouraged to contact the election commission at 309-324-2300 or the state's attorney's office at 309-672-6900 if you notice an irregularity or potential election law violation.
If you want to let us know what you are experiencing at the polls, reach out by emailing news@pjstar.com. | https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/06/28/illinois-primary-elections-2022-get-live-updates-peoria/7559392001/ | 2022-06-28T10:26:00 | 0 | https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/06/28/illinois-primary-elections-2022-get-live-updates-peoria/7559392001/ |
MCKINNEY, Texas — Whole Woman’s Health said they were expecting the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade to come down Monday.
Instead, the landmark case was overturned last Friday.
So, appointments for abortion services scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at their McKinney and Fort Worth locations had to be canceled.
“We planned to see patients up until the very last day, possibly, of what would be services, and so we had patients scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday in our clinics had to be called and those appointments canceled for them,” Marva Sadler, Whole Woman’s Health Senior Director of Clinical Services, said.
The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade came around 9 a.m. Friday. So, there were a few abortions that were performed at Whole Woman’s Health clinics before the ruling came down, Silva said.
“If you were not in the operating room in the middle of a procedure or if you did not have a [Mifepristone] in your hand going down your throat, you were not able to be seen after that time,” Sadler said.
As of Friday, Whole Woman’s Health paused all abortion services in Texas.
“The fact that it happened and it happened so quickly and that we had to cease operations so swiftly was absolutely a surprise for almost all of our patients,” Sadler said.
Representatives with Planned Parenthood told WFAA it was a similar situation at their North Texas locations.
“They had been prepared to manage difficult, really difficult conversations with patients, including patients who were actually in the health center on Friday morning waiting to get their abortion procedure, and unfortunately had to be turned away on Friday while they were actually in the health center,” Planned Parenthood Texas Votes Executive Director Dyana Limon-Mercado said.
While Friday’s Supreme Court ruling did result in emotional conversations with patients over the past few days, North Texas physicians point out that the state’s Heartbeat Bill or SB8 has been in effect for a while.
“Our lives changed as women’s health care providers back in September,” Health Central Women’s Care OBGYN Dr. Jay Staub said. “We know what the law says and we know that if we give any advice to a patient, regardless of the situation, if it's found out about by someone who doesn't like what I have to say, a person who has no knowledge of the situation medically, but just is anti-abortion altogether can sue me and I don't have a defense under the current law. So, we have to be very cautious and careful about things we say to our patients and how we discuss difficult situations.”
Whole Woman's Health was among several Texas abortion providers that filed a lawsuit challenging the state's pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban which criminalized both performing abortions and assisting anyone who performs abortions. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-abortion-providers-cancel-appointments-after-roe-v-wade-overturned/287-cce39649-f384-4ddc-8d14-0c5c534724ee | 2022-06-28T10:26:05 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-abortion-providers-cancel-appointments-after-roe-v-wade-overturned/287-cce39649-f384-4ddc-8d14-0c5c534724ee |
AUSTIN, Texas — Members of the Texas Women’s Health Caucus, the House Democratic Caucus and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus held a press conference on Monday following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, a move that will ban abortion in Texas.
“I, and the rest of the Women’s Health Caucus, will be laser-focused on ensuring Texans the resources they need to survive forced parenthood,” said Rep. Donna Howard (D-Travis County).
Howard leads the Texas Women’s Health Caucus. She and her colleagues say the abortion law that will go into place in Texas only allows exceptions for women whose lives are threatened by their pregnancies. They hope to expand those exceptions when the Legislature meets again in January.
“Make an exception for rape and incest,” said Howard. “Don't force adolescent girls to carry full-term a pregnancy from someone who molested them in their own little teeny kid bodies. That is cruel.”
Texas is one of 13 states with trigger laws already in place, which means once a judgement is made by the court in the coming weeks, following the opinion from Friday, the Texas abortion ban will go into effect in 30 days.
“Under House Bill 1280, if a physician performs an abortion for any reason besides there being an extreme risk to the mother’s life, they risk being charged with a first-degree felony, facing life in prison,” said Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Dallas).
Some of these democratic leaders said that lawmakers on the federal level should have protected these rights by codifying abortion rights into federal law.
“Now, I will have to say we've had almost a half century, and too many of us probably took things for granted and always thought the courts would be there to back us up, as they have been many times. That's not the case now,” said Howard.
But since states are now in control, these Democratic lawmakers have a lot of goals once January rolls around and the legislative session starts. If they can’t get more abortion access for women in Texas, they say they want to focus on creating more resources and options for women.
These Democrats plan to work on expanding health care access and insurance for women and children, further sex education for teens and making contraception easier to access.
“I join my colleagues in doing, promising to do everything we can to mitigate the impact this decision, as well as trying to reverse it,” said Rep. Erin Zwiener (D-Hays County).
Democratic lawmakers who were at the press conference say despite challenges, they are set on finding ways to lessen the impacts of Roe v. Wade being overturned.
“Though many of us are grieving the assault of this on our autonomy and equality, we cannot and will not allow this to be the end,” said Howard. “We will continue our pursuit of reproductive justice and we will persist.”
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-democratic-lawmakers-abortion-ban/269-e794854c-4e1f-4d3d-8b43-1b340ca50a96 | 2022-06-28T10:26:12 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas-democratic-lawmakers-abortion-ban/269-e794854c-4e1f-4d3d-8b43-1b340ca50a96 |
BLOOMINGTON — Primary Election Day has finally arrived in Illinois, and as early voting wrapped up, election officials were deep in preparations for a busy Tuesday.
“It’s set-up day, kind of like D-Day,” McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said on Monday. “But so far so good.”
The polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m.
The Republican primary for governor is among the key races to watch across Illinois as the follow candidates vie for the chance to take on incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November:
- Darren Bailey of Xenia
- Richard C. Irvin of Aurora
- Gary Rabine of Bull Valley
- Paul Schimpf of Waterloo
- Max Solomon of Hazel Crest
- Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg
Additionally, the statewide races for Secretary of State pit state Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington against John C. Milhiser on the Republican ballot.
Four Democrats are vying to succeed longtime incumbent Jesse White:
- Alexi Giannoulias of Chicago;
- David H. Moore of Chicago;
- Sidney Moore of Homewood;
- Anna M. Valencia of Chicago.
In McLean County, a judgeship vacancy in the 11th Judicial Circuit is on the table following the retirement of Judge Paul Lawrence in November 2021. McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp and Associate Judge Amy McFarland face off on the Republican ballot with no Democratic candidates filed for the primary.
Newly-drawn state and congressional districts have brought out a slew of candidates in Central Illinois.
Four Republican candidates are up for the 16th Congressional District of Illinois:
- Darin LaHood of Dunlap, who currently represents the 18th Congressional District;
- Walt Peters of Rockford;
- Michael Rebresh of Minooka;
- JoAnne Guillemette of Rockford.
Farther south, two incumbents — U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis of Taylorville and Mary Miller of Oakland — will go head-to-head on the Republican ballot for the new 15th Congressional District.
Two Republicans and two Democrats will appear on primary ballots for the 91st District of the Illinois House:
- Karla Bailey-Smith, D-Bloomington
- Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington
- James S. Fisher, R-Hudson
- Scott Preston, R-Normal
Three Republicans hope to win a seat for the 87th District of the Illinois House:
- Mary J. Burress of Pekin
- William E. Hauter of Morton
- Joe Alexander of Clinton
The 105th District of the Illinois House also has a slate of Republicans in the running:
- Kyle Ham of Bloomington
- Mike Kirkton of Gridley
- Dennis Tipsword, Jr. of Metamora
- Donald Ray Rients of Benson
Early voting
By early Monday afternoon, the McLean County County Clerk’s Office had collected approximately 1,334 early vote ballots and 720 vote-by-mail ballots, and the Bloomington Election Commission had collected approximately 1,845 early vote ballots and 776 vote-by-mail ballots, according to their respective websites.
Early voting, which has been open since May 19, has been “really slow, except for the last two or three days,” Michael said.
Voter turnout for primary and gubernatorial elections is typically lower than in presidential elections, and “the same is true for this one,” the County Clerk said.
“It certainly doesn’t indicate there will be a big turnout — could be wrong,” Michael said. “Everybody could show up tomorrow, but it seems like it will be 26% (like in 2018) or a little bit less. But that’s a pure guess.”
She also noted vote-by-mail has accounted for more ballots than previous primaries, with the expectation that those will increase with each election cycle as voters become more comfortable with voting that way.
When the polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday, the early votes and vote-by-mail ballots will be counted first for the McLean County Clerk’s Office, followed by the day-of ballots.
The Bloomington Election Commission could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mclean-county-readies-for-primary-election-day/article_cb29cf0c-f64a-11ec-a42b-23d3ff469c09.html | 2022-06-28T10:26:15 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mclean-county-readies-for-primary-election-day/article_cb29cf0c-f64a-11ec-a42b-23d3ff469c09.html |
MIDLAND, Texas — The last time Sylvia Nicole Smith's mother saw her 16-year-old daughter was Valentine's Day in 2000. She thought the teen had run away and reported her missing on February 18.
Now, 22 years later, the Midland mom finally knows what happened to Sylvia.
Human remains found in Midland County nearly nine years ago have now been positively identified as Sylvia following a lot of detective work by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Now, investigators want to know who killed her.
How they solved one mystery
Sylvia's partial remains were found in a remote area off South County Road near FM 1213, south of Midland, on August 1, 2013. They were discovered by workers surveying near an oilfield well site.
The Texas Rangers, DPS Aircraft and the Midland County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search of the area for other evidence but didn't find anything.
The remains were sent to the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification. DNA revealed the victim was a female between the ages of 14 and 21 who was likely the victim of a homicide. From there, the case went cold.
Then in 2020, the Rangers sent the remains to Parabon Nanolabs for advanced DNA analysis to determine what the victim looked like.
The results revealed the victim was of African-American descent, and identified eye color, hair color and skin tone. A genetic genealogist who examined the DNA assisted with a match which led to a distant relative.
Rangers interviewed numerous potential relatives over the next two years and finally identified the victim's mother, who still lived in the area. She confirmed her daughter had vanished 22 years ago.
Rangers collected DNA samples from Smith’s family that confirmed the remains found in 2013 were definitely Sylvia.
Trying to solve murder mystery
The Rangers are now conducting a homicide investigation into her death, and ask anyone with information into her disappearance or homicide to come forward with information.
To be eligible for cash rewards, tipsters must provide information to authorities by calling the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). All tips are anonymous.
Texas Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for any Ranger cold case listed on the website. For more information, visit the Texas Rangers’ Cold Case website.
Individuals can also submit information through the Cold Case website or by phone to the Missing Person Hotline at 1-800-346-3243.
MISSING PIECES: More Texas cold cases | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/dps-missing-teen-midland/285-c44b8f9b-688f-4350-a0fb-95bb261f69d3 | 2022-06-28T10:26:18 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/dps-missing-teen-midland/285-c44b8f9b-688f-4350-a0fb-95bb261f69d3 |
AUSTIN, Texas — During the next legislative session, Texas spirit makers want to see lawmakers make changes to help them grow their businesses.
According to a report from the Austin Business Journal (ABJ), among the changes industry leaders are seeking is the ability for Texas liquor producers to sell more of their products at their distilleries. Some spirit makers are also pushing for seven-day sales.
The ABJ reports that supporters say the changes would "provide a significant lift for distillery businesses and a hefty increase in state tax revenue."
Currently, Texas spirit makers can only sell two bottles per customer each month from their distilleries, and they can't sell any bottled products on Sundays. Additionally, liquor stores are closed on Sundays and grocery chains can't sell distilled spirits.
According to the ABJ, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) recently produced a new report based on 2020 data that showed the impact the state's distilled spirits industry has had, with roughly 190 companies generating nearly $2 billion in total economic output and supporting nearly 5,000 jobs.
The UTSA report also noted that out of the more than $968 million in mixed beverage taxes collected by the state and local governments in fiscal 2020, nearly $43 million of that was tied to locally made spirits.
The next session of the Texas Legislature begins in January 2023.
To learn more, read the ABJ's full report.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-distillers-want-allow-alcohol-sales-on-sundays/269-8a86da86-ad4d-4dae-9d81-1cba6f7d09aa | 2022-06-28T10:26:24 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-distillers-want-allow-alcohol-sales-on-sundays/269-8a86da86-ad4d-4dae-9d81-1cba6f7d09aa |
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Travis County District Attorney José Garza is responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and discussing what will happen in Travis County once the state's "trigger law" on abortion goes into effect.
The "trigger law" bans abortions in Texas 30 days after the Supreme Court makes an official judgment on Roe v. Wade. On Friday, the court gave an opinion overturning the historic case, thereby ending the constitutional right to abortion.
"Making abortion illegal will not end abortions; it will simply end safe abortions for too many," Garza said in a statement Friday. "Threatening women who seek abortion services and their medical providers with prosecution will only drive women to seek out dangerous alternatives and avoid necessary medical care, which will lead to higher rates of preventable maternal death."
Garza said protecting the community is "the number one responsibility and job of any district attorney." He also stated that he and his office will not prosecute abortion-related cases.
"Our communities are safer when women and families can make personal health care and reproductive decisions without the threat of interference from the state," Garza said at a press conference on Monday. "We will not force women into the shadows, especially when they need lifesaving medical care here in Travis County. We will not criminalize personal health care decisions. If you need medical assistance, I implore you to seek it."
"We have been incredibly clear over the last several weeks that we will not prosecute people who seek abortions or people who provide abortion services," Garza said later in the press conference. "The role of the prosecutor is to see that justice is done. That is the statutory role of the prosecutor. And that means that in every case, our duty is not to prosecute but to ensure a just outcome."
During the press conference, Erin Martinson, director of the special victims division of the DA's office, shared some statistics to illustrate the office's stance on the high court's decision.
"One in three women in our communities will experience intimate partner and sexual violence during their lifetime. Of those women, 5% will become pregnant after their attack. And the research shows that violence escalates in severity and frequency when a woman is pregnant," Martinson said. "The single most dangerous time for a victim of intimate partner violence is when she attempts to leave her abuser. And you can imagine violence during pregnancy has devastating effects on maternal health. And now, 100% of victims in Texas do not have access to safe abortions."
Later in the press conference, Martinson vowed that the DA's office will continue to fight for victims.
"To all the women listening and watching today, we see you. We know that you're feeling helpless and distraught. Rest assured, we will not prosecute you for making decisions about safety and for terminating from the pain of carrying a child conceived in rage," Martinson said. "We will continue to do everything we can to help you fight, to help you find safety, because you deserve to be treated with dignity. You deserve to be able to make decisions that are best for you and your body. And you deserve to live free from violence."
PEOPLE ARE ALSO WATCHING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/travis-county-district-attorney-seek-care-no-matter-what-law-says/269-4347eb6b-3e98-42da-b347-e959084ccc26 | 2022-06-28T10:26:30 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/travis-county-district-attorney-seek-care-no-matter-what-law-says/269-4347eb6b-3e98-42da-b347-e959084ccc26 |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/heart-attack-survivor-meets-team-who-saved-his-life-the-connection-2/3001851/ | 2022-06-28T10:37:41 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/heart-attack-survivor-meets-team-who-saved-his-life-the-connection-2/3001851/ |
CLIVE, Iowa — Two out of every 100 babies born in the United States in 2022 are conceived via in vitro fertilization, according to Dr. Donald Young with Mid-Iowa Fertility.
However, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, he said this process could be in jeopardy.
"That is a whole lot of babies that won't be born if this comes to pass and they aren't very, very careful with the wording of any laws," Young said.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure where people with uteruses who are struggling to get pregnant undergo between seven to ten days of injections to stimulate their ovaries so they mature more eggs.
Then, medical professionals retrieve the eggs out of the ovaries through an ultrasound-guided procedure. The eggs are then put into dishes and combined with sperm to create embryos. From there, the embryos are put in an incubator for five days.
After that time, parents can decide if they want to inject the eggs into the uterus or freeze them for a later date.
Young said the issue some people have with IVF is based on the belief that life starts at fertilization. With IVF using multiple eggs to ensure success, Young said this creates a blurry line of what is considered an abortion.
From a scientific standpoint, however, Young said the separation is very clear.
"From a scientific basis, that does not fit," Young said. "You can't say that it's a person at the time of fertilization from a science basis at all. It does not happen until implantation in the uterus in the womb."
Here in Iowa, a national organization called Resolve has a chapter that supports families going through IVF.
Representatives from the organization said when legislation is introduced to limit abortion access or threaten access to what they say is safe, effective family building options, they are prepared to fight for that care.
"We will not back down," the group said in a statement. "We will fight every bill, ballot initiative or regulation that threatens access to building a family."
Young said his appointments will surely be booked up as people from across the state are wondering what their options are.
"We've had numerous phone calls [the] last few days from patients who are wanting to get IVF done immediately because they're worried about Iowa putting in some sort of law," Young said. "Or [just calling with] questions about their embryos that they have frozen, that we have stored here or at an off-site facility. And what will happen with those embryos that they have?" | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/in-vitro-fertilization-iowa-roe-v-wade/524-7bdda222-7bcf-436a-8580-dcc48c6a2eab | 2022-06-28T10:39:05 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/in-vitro-fertilization-iowa-roe-v-wade/524-7bdda222-7bcf-436a-8580-dcc48c6a2eab |
SAN ANTONIO — Forty-six people were found dead of heat-related injuries inside a semitruck in far southwest San Antonio on Monday evening, and federal authorities have opened an investigation.
San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood said 16 others were taken to local hospitals. Of those, 12 are adults and four are "pediatric" patients.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said three people were taken into custody, but at this time it's unknown whether they're "absolutely connected to this or not."
“The plight of migrants seeking refuge is always a humanitarian crisis. Tonight we’re dealing with a horrific human tragedy," San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.
The nationalities and ages of the victims haven't been confirmed. If the incident is confirmed as having started as a smuggling attempt, it would be the deadliest such event in U.S. history.
Hood said those transported to hospitals appeared to be suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion, adding there were "no signs of water" or working air conditioning in the truck.
“We’re not supposed to open up a truck and see stacks of bodies in there," the fire chief added. "None of these people were able to extricate themselves out of the truck, so they were still in there awaiting help when we arrived. Too weak in state to actually get out and help themselves."
McManus, meanwhile, said he expected the effort to ensure everyone in the vehicle was accounted for to stretch into the hours and days ahead.
"We had our K-9s out here going through the woods and we may I have to do that again tomorrow in the light of day," he said.
A heavy law enforcement presence made up of more than 20 emergency vehicles was deployed to the area of Quintana Road and Cassin Drive around 6 p.m., converging at the semitruck. At least 60 firefighters responded, as well as 10 medical units.
Baptist Medical Center in downtown San Antonio told KENS 5 it received five patients, all with critical injuries. At least three others were taken to a Methodist Healthcare facility in the Alamo City, and Texas Vista Medical Center was caring for a 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman.
Nirenberg said that while migrants and asylum-seekers from other nations tend to pass through San Antonio en route to their next destinations, Monday night's discovery was "a far different situation than what we see."
"It's tragic," he said. "Our focus right now is to try to bring aid to them as best we can."
Congressman Joaquin Castro said Monday night he has been in contact with the secretary of Homeland Security, adding the agency is "working to alert their families, find everyone responsible for this crime and investigate exactly what happened."
Antonio Fernandez, CEO of Catholic Charities, was at the scene and told KENS 5's Henry Ramos, "We know that a lot of people have been taken to the hospitals."
"We're just trying to collect as much information as possible and see how we can help the people who survived," Fernandez said. "I'm not really sure those people are going to need a place to sleep tonight, or what is going to happen. We're just trying to find out as much information as we can help them."
He said his organization will be ready to help provide food or clothes, "whatever they need," to the survivors.
"Right now," he added, "we're just waiting for the police to let us know exactly what we can do."
Homeland Security officials said in a statement that "details will be released as they are available." | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 | 2022-06-28T10:39:11 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-monday-evening-south-side-law-enforcement-police/273-991af328-d8a2-4f82-a1ee-7d6e65123a17 |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/off-duty-corrections-officer-shoots-at-carjacker/3283593/ | 2022-06-28T10:40:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/off-duty-corrections-officer-shoots-at-carjacker/3283593/ |
An off-duty corrections officer shot at a robber during a carjacking in Philadelphia.
The incident played out just before 11 p.m. Monday along East Roosevelt Boulevard near Rising Sun Avenue, Philadelphia police said.
The 59-year-old corrections officer told responding officers that he had just left a friend's house and gotten into his white Toyota Avalon sedan, Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said.
"While in his vehicle he was approached by a male, point of gun, who pulled the 59-year-old victim out of his car, so he was carjacked," Small said.
As the carjacker got into the car, the off-duty corrections officer pulled his own gun and fired at least five shots, Small said.
The carjacker sped off north along Roosevelt Boulevard, Small said.
Within less than a half hour, police officers found the stolen car about a half mile away along Bingham Street in the Feltonville neighborhood, investigators said.
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"That vehicle was found with five bullet holes in it and a lot of fresh blood inside the driver's seat and some on the center console," Small said.
Police confirmed the bloody car belongs to the corrections officer.
Within minutes, a man in his 20s showed up at a Philadelphia hospital with at least two gunshot wounds to his arms, Small said. Investigators were trying to confirm if the injured man is the same one who carjacked the corrections officer.
The corrections officer wasn't hurt, police said.
The carjacking and shooting investigation continued Tuesday.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/off-duty-corrections-officer-shoots-carjacker/3283559/ | 2022-06-28T10:40:36 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/off-duty-corrections-officer-shoots-carjacker/3283559/ |
A Brooklyn man was indicted for sexually assaulting a woman twice in May, as well as raping a 13-year-old girl in 2021, according to the district attorney.
Miguel James was arraigned in Brooklyn Supreme Court on a slew of sexual crimes related to the three alleged incidents, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.
Around 2 a.m. on May 27, James offered the 52-year-old victim a ride home as she was walking home near St. Marks Avenue near East New York Avenue, according to the investigation. The victim declined, which led to James getting out of his black Acura, pushing the woman to the ground and forcing her to perform a sex act, the DA said.
James then got back in his car and left, but about 15 minutes later as the victim approached Howard Avenue, he spotted her again, the investigation found. The 42-year-old got out of his car and sexually assaulted her one more time, before stealing her cell phone, according to prosecutors.
The victim told a neighbor about the attack later that morning, and the neighbor called the police. She was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where she was treated for a broken wrist and other injuries, prosecutors said.
Following a police investigation, James was arrested on June 1. At that time, he was also charged with raping a 13-year-ld girl in his apartment on Sept. 8, 2021.
James was an acquaintance of the victim's friend. In both sexual attacks, the victims were said to be strangers to James, according to the DA's office.
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"This defendant is charged with three horrific and violent sexual offenses, including raping an innocent child and repeatedly sexually assaulting a stranger. We will vigorously prosecute this alleged serial sexual predator to keep the people of Brooklyn safe," Gonzalez said in a statement.
James was ordered held without bail, and is next scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 10. Attorney information for James not not immediately clear. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/brooklyn-man-indicted-for-sexually-assaulting-woman-twice-raping-13-year-old-da/3752241/ | 2022-06-28T10:43:49 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/brooklyn-man-indicted-for-sexually-assaulting-woman-twice-raping-13-year-old-da/3752241/ |
The family of a 15-year-old girl from the Bronx who never returned home after taking a test at her high school is desperately asking for help looking for their missing loved one.
Police are searching for Kyara Villa, and posted pictures of her in the Grand Concourse section on Monday.
Her family was in tears as they said Kyara was last seen around 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, June 23, as she was leaving the High school of Fashion Industries in Chelsea. Friends told the family that they last saw her on a No. 2 train.
Kyara's family believes she may be in danger because she has been gone for so long.
"Keke, please come home, we love you. Your mom is suffering, we're all suffering," said Xiomara Santiago, Kyara's aunt. "Please come home. If you have Keke, please do the right thing and let Kyara go."
Police are investigating the teen's disappearance. Kyara Villa is about five feet tall, 100 pounds, and was last seen wearing a beige sweatshirt, pink sweatpants, black Jordan sneakers and carrying a black backpack. Photos show her with black framed glasses as well. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/police-searching-for-bronx-teen-missing-since-leaving-manhattan-high-school/3752292/ | 2022-06-28T10:43:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/police-searching-for-bronx-teen-missing-since-leaving-manhattan-high-school/3752292/ |
31-year-old bicyclist from Orlando hit and killed in Auburndale early Sunday
AUBURNDALE — A 26-year-old driver hit and killed a bicyclist in Auburndale on Sunday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened just after 7 a.m. when an Auburndale man was driving south in a four-door sedan on State Road 559 and a 31-year-old Orlando man was also riding his bike headed the same direction.
The car hit the bicyclist just north of Sunset Lane. Officials said the bicyclist died at the scene of the crash.
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The Highway Patrol would not release the bicyclist's name because next of kin had not been contacted as of Monday. According to the FHP, the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/auburndale-bicycle-crash-sr-559-sunset-lane-kills-orlando-man/7746831001/ | 2022-06-28T10:59:48 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/auburndale-bicycle-crash-sr-559-sunset-lane-kills-orlando-man/7746831001/ |
There's so many horseshoe crabs invading Maryland, Delaware shores right now. Here's why
The prehistoric-looking horseshoe crabs native to the Delmarva Peninsula are on the move for their annual migration down the Atlantic coastline back to Maryland.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the peak of the horseshoe crab spawn depends on late spring and early summer high tides, culminating on or around each full and new moon in June.
"Dating back an estimated 350 million years, this yearly event along the Atlantic coast is thought to be the world’s oldest and largest wildlife migration," said the department in a release about the arthropods. "On average, one spawning female horseshoe crab will deposit 20,000 eggs into the sand. Horseshoe crab eggs are a natural part of the diet for migratory shorebirds preparing to return to their summer nesting grounds in northern Canada."
They also noted horseshoe crab larvae are an important food staple for juvenile Atlantic loggerhead turtles, as well as striped bass, American eel and flounder.
Biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources monitor the returning horseshoe crab population for ecological and scientific research purposes.
The horseshoe crab’s blue, copper-based blood is critical for biomedical research. The animals are collected by specially permitted fishing operations, have blood drawn in a biomedical facility, then are released back into the water.
Conservation efforts
For its part, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has enacted conservation efforts to not only sustain healthy crab numbers in state waters but bolstered the future of migratory shorebirds that eat their larvae for sustenance on their journey.
The bellicose look of their armor and tail belies their gentle nature as they do not bite or sting, yet the department stresses people should give them ample space as to not injure them.
More:Chesapeake Bay adult blue crab numbers hit record low, survey finds
More:Chesapeake Bay recreation area to balance tourism, what's right for environment, lawmakers say
"Shorebirds more than double their body weight during their brief stopover each spring along Delaware Bay, feasting on the abundant supply of horseshoe crab eggs from an increasing horseshoe crab population managed under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Adaptive Resource Management framework," Delaware's department said.
It further noted the framework is an ecosystem-based approach that uses the best-available science to manage the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population to ensure enough eggs to support the migratory red knot population during their annual spring stopover.
Under the management, the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population has steadily increased over the last decade to an estimated 31.3 million crabs, made up of 21.9 million males and 9.4 million females.
Delaware allows a limited harvest of 162,136 only male horseshoe crabs, representing less than 1% of the scientifically estimated total Delaware Bay horseshoe crab population, with the harvested crabs used as bait for Delaware’s commercial conch fishery.
Horseshoe crab harvest in the state is not allowed until June 8 after migrating shorebirds have left to avoid disturbing the birds during their stopover.
The coastline itself has been the subject of conservation efforts by the department through beach nourishment projects designed to better handle storms and support native species.
"Both the Delaware Bay and Atlantic beaches and dunes also provide crucial habitat for migrating shorebirds, including several threatened species, and other wildlife, such as spawning horseshoe crabs — which, under ordinary circumstances, means beach nourishment projects must be completed by April 15 or by March 1 at some beaches, with beach nourishment not permitted again until Oct. 1," it said in a statement following the recovery after the May nor’easter.
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More:What's behind Salisbury's legal agreement on water contamination testing?
The chance to witness the exodus to areas on the shore is possible under the supervision of the department. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/06/28/why-do-horseshoe-crabs-migrate-come-to-shore-maryland-delaware/65363277007/ | 2022-06-28T11:06:11 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/06/28/why-do-horseshoe-crabs-migrate-come-to-shore-maryland-delaware/65363277007/ |
ATLANTA — A 59-year-old woman was been charged with murder in connection to the death of a 15-month-old child, according to Athens-Clarke County Police.
Police said Pamala Graves was taking care of the child when the toddler was exposed to illegal drugs - specifically fentanyl, opiates and benzodiazepine - causing the child to die.
This all happened on Saturday when police received a call from Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta saying they were treating a child who had tested positive for exposure to drugs.
The GBI is currently investigating the case.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-charged-death-of-athens-child/85-c46f3641-3de0-48fd-ba50-ace604efa3b8 | 2022-06-28T11:27:07 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-charged-death-of-athens-child/85-c46f3641-3de0-48fd-ba50-ace604efa3b8 |
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — AtlantiCare presented 10 automated external defibrillators to the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education for each of the district’s 10 schools at its June 21 meeting.
Egg Harbor Township school nurses were on hand to accept the AEDs, which are, life-saving devices used to treat people who undergo cardiac arrest. Each AED costs $1,820.
Ronni Lerner, the AtlantiCare director of Community-Based Youth Services, spoke at the board meeting. She said that she appreciated the partnership of Egg Harbor Township School District in helping to promote youth health.
“Obviously AEDs can save a life and are an important part of school safety,” Lerner said. “We appreciate your partnership, look forward to working with you and again, we want to thank all of you for the job you do in health and wellness with your students, staff and faculty.”
Half of the cost for the AEDs is being covered by the AtlantiCare Healthy Schools Healthy Children program. The other half of the cost for AEDs is being covered by the Heart Heroes program at the AtlantiCare Heart and Vascular Institute.
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Karen Semet, the school district supervisor of nursing and health and physical education, thanked AtlantiCare for its support. She also took time to individually honor each of the district’s 14 school nurses for their resolve in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. She called each of the 14 nurses up to the front of the assembly room where they accepted the AEDs.
“I would like, without getting upset, to honor my 14 school nurse that have done a phenomenal job these last two years,” Semet said. “Perseverance, dedication, they are front-line workers. And we’ve picked each other up, day-in, day-out, weekends, holidays.”
Lerner noted that AtlantiCare also partners with the district on other public-health ventures. The two institutions ran a COVID-19 vaccination clinic together get more people in the community inoculated against the coronavirus.
“You really do go above and beyond and we appreciate the health and wellness you bring to all of your schools, so thank you,” Lerner said.
AtlantiCare presented 57 schools with $67,850 in grants, including the grants for the AEDs, this year. It has placed 300 AEDs have been put at police and fire departments, municipal buildings, recreation center, religious buildings and schools through the AtlantiCare Heart Heroes program, which began in 2002.
Contact Chris Doyle | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlanticare-egg-harbor-township-school-district-partner-to-bring-aeds-to-schools/article_432cab02-f5a4-11ec-81f7-a7722216c10e.html | 2022-06-28T11:33:47 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlanticare-egg-harbor-township-school-district-partner-to-bring-aeds-to-schools/article_432cab02-f5a4-11ec-81f7-a7722216c10e.html |
TUPELO • Lee County School District officials plan to redraw district lines after census data revealed significant population changes in its current districts.
The Lee County School Board will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Thursday at the school district office to discuss proposed changes to its voting map. District officials will present the maps along with census data during the meeting.
Those interested can find a copy of the proposed changes online or physically at the county office.
After the release of updated census data every decade, counties, municipalities and school districts must take stock of their shifting populations to ensure the districts are divided evenly. Any deviations of at least 10% over or under its ideal population make redistricting compulsory.
School board attorney Gary Carnathan said the school district had a deviation of 18%, according to census data, requiring the school board to redraw district lines before the next school board election. The changes will move some residents into different voting precincts or districts.
The board must complete and approve new district lines before the upcoming election when District 1 board member Hall Swann and District 2 board member Ronnie Bell are both up for re-election. Both were re-elected in 2016.
Board members serve six-year terms.
Oxford-based consulting firm Bridge & Watson, which is also handling the Lee County Board of Supervisors’ redistricting plans, is overseeing the redistricting project. Data provided by Bridge & Watson details the proposal for the new district lines.
Each district has an ideal population count of 7,623 voters. Census data has districts 1, 2 and 3 as overpopulated, while districts 4 and 5 are both under the ideal population.
If approved, the most significant changes to district lines will be seen in districts 1 and 5. District 1 has a current population of 8,140 people; Bridge & Watson’s plan cuts the population count to 7,771. District 5 has a current population of 6,757; the proposed plan adds 719 people to make up for the variance. Most of these additional residents will be pulled from District 3, along the outskirts of East Tupelo.
If approved, the proposed changes will cut the school district’s deviation in half to 7.6% and preserve the minority-majority district.
Superintendent Coke Magee said if there are no issues with the proposed changes, the school board will vote on the matter immediately after as a continuation of their previous board meeting.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/lee-county-school-board-to-redraw-district-lines/article_83ad859f-8328-53e0-8f98-e295a0bde449.html | 2022-06-28T11:35:24 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/lee-county-school-board-to-redraw-district-lines/article_83ad859f-8328-53e0-8f98-e295a0bde449.html |
Apparent code violation mistakes may result in lawsuit for city of Sarasota
Tom Frascone and his wife moved to Sarasota's Indian Beach neighborhood last year, in a house that they built on Bayshore Road.
A few months after the Frascones moved in, their next-door neighbor, Greg Anderson, began construction on a new house.
Over the past six months, Frascone has battled the city of Sarasota over the construction of Anderson's house. What started out as a dispute over possible violations involving the height of the house and a front yard swimming pool has turned into a potential lawsuit, according to Frascone.
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After several decades of involvement in the building industry, Frascone said he noticed issues with the structure as soon as construction started. He says that upon completion, the house will cast a shadow on his home – a "daylight plane" city code violation – and the front-yard swimming pool is too close to the property line, failing to comply with setback rules.
When Frascone first contacted the city building department in January, he said he did not get much of a response.
“I tried reaching out to different people within the department, (and they) dismiss it, dismiss it, dismiss it,” Frascone said.
He met in person with what he called “mid-level” city officials, but said they failed to heed his warnings and allowed the builder to continue construction.
On June 8, Frascone's attorney sent a letter to the city requesting a “formal opinion from the building and zoning administrator," Lucia Panica, regarding the location of the swimming pool, according to City Attorney Robert Fournier.
Frascone also filed a public records request to get access to city officials’ emails regarding his complaints, and his findings were eye-opening.
According to emails dating back to Feb. 3, city officials acknowledged internally that the home being built was noncompliant with Sarasota rules, while still dismissing Frascone’s concerns publicly.
Larry Murphy, a building official for the city development services department, said in a Feb. 3 email to Panica that “the home does not meet setbacks as required” and “is clearly not in compliance with the set back/daylight plane.”
According to Frascone, city officials stated that the code violations were not confirmed until mid-April, which allowed time for the builder to receive a variance approval from the city on May 25 allowing the extra height.
In other February emails, Mary McNish – a senior zoning analyst for the development services department – said that the city did not initially categorize the house as being in violation of the zoning code due to a measurement error.
“Internally, they were all in agreement that these were all problems,” he said. “Externally, they were telling us nothing was wrong. So they pretty much straight up lied, lied to us, lied to anyone who would ask.”
City Manager Marlon Brown said he was unable to discuss something subject to a potential lawsuit, but Fournier said he understood Frascone’s concerns from a macro perspective.
“Under the best of circumstances, probably, when you're adjacent to a construction site, it's not the most pleasant experience that you have in your home,” Fournier said.
But Fournier subsequently emphasized that Panica is the only person who is legally authorized to decide whether the home adheres to zoning code.
Panica is, according to Fournier, obligated to provide a written response to Frascone’s June 8 letter about the location of the pool.
As for the potential lawsuit, Frascone said that multiple neighbors are willing to join, and the neighborhood association is offering support. He and his wife, though, are still “evaluating options." | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/06/28/city-sarasota-florida-may-face-lawsuit-over-code-violation-mistakes/7702748001/ | 2022-06-28T11:41:50 | 1 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/06/28/city-sarasota-florida-may-face-lawsuit-over-code-violation-mistakes/7702748001/ |
HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) — Another spot in Homewood is allowing guests to carry open containers. On Monday, the city council voted unanimously to open another entertainment district following a public hearing.
The district is now in effect and the city will be placing signage around to designate where you can carry that container. They are off limits at Patriot Park, as a decision to allow them there would need to be approved by the park board.
Hours of operation for the West Homewood Entertainment District include:
Mon. – Fri. : 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat. : Noon – 9 p.m.
Sun. : Noon – 5 p.m.
Some residents of Homewood are enjoying the new policy change for the area.
“I like coming out and trying things on our off days when we can,” Taylor Bines said. “I think it will be good for the business because they can walk around and enjoy their drink and also see what’s around you.”
Bines and Jaden Boyd were out sipping beer in Homewood’s Downtown Entertainment District on Monday. They said they moved here for school and that they use areas like this to get to know the community better.
“That’s kind of how we’ve gotten to know the area around us is by different events held in different communities and seeing what’s happening, what are people selling and meeting new people,” Boyd said.
Now that West Homewood is going to get a taste of an entertainment district after Monday night’s 10-0 council vote, some residents are also speaking on their disapproval of the decision.
“It’s just not a good fit. It doesn’t drive the right kind of development off the bat,” Chadwick Stogner said. “Maybe down the road, but right now it’s just not a good fit.”
Stogner has been opposed to an entertainment district from the beginning.
“We love our city. We want to trust our government and just be at peace and trust that they make decisions based on what’s best for the community,” Stogner said. “Where we’ve had that conversation and given them community input, we have been able to make it a better fit for the community.”
Stogner said he was part of setting up boundaries around Shades Valley Community Church and helping to modify hours of the district during committee meetings. Despite some opposition, Homewood’s Mayor, Patrick McClusky thinks this additional district will benefit the community.
“People will still have to be responsible but as you can see form other municipalities and from the one we have down here there have been zero issues, so I don’t foresee there being any issues,” Mayor McClusky said. “It’s going to be a benefit for everybody.”
Earlier this year council sought approval from the Alabama State Legislator to get a third entertainment district in Edgewood. Mayor McClusky said a council member will have to ask to have it taken before the state for consideration if the city is looking to develop it. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/homewood-city-council-approves-second-entertainment-district/ | 2022-06-28T11:55:25 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/homewood-city-council-approves-second-entertainment-district/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County School Board is set to vote Tuesday on the district’s next superintendent.
The board narrowed its search earlier this month to Dr. Maria Vazquez and Dr. Peter B. Licata, both of whom spoke last week to the public and board members.
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Vazquez is Orange County’s deputy superintendent and has been with the district for more than two decades.
Licata is the regional superintendent for Palm Beach schools and said his experience has prepared him for the role.
Vazquez and Licata, who beat out nine other candidates considered by the Florida School Boards Association, had public interviews on June 21 before attending a “meet & greet” event. Board members then conducted one-on-one interviews with each candidate to ask more in-depth questions.
Whoever is selected for the position will be leading the ninth largest school district in the U.S., with more than 200,000 students. The superintendent position comes with an annual salary of $295,000 to $350,000.
Current superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins is retiring in December after 10 years in the role. Jenkins’ profile on the OCPS website says she’s been serving the district for 30 years. She was a former deputy superintendent, as well as chief of staff, handling human resources and labor relations, among other duties.
The school board will begin voting around 5 p.m. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/28/orange-county-public-schools-to-vote-on-new-superintendent/ | 2022-06-28T12:07:09 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/28/orange-county-public-schools-to-vote-on-new-superintendent/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/two-men-shot-killed-during-south-philly-home-invasion/3283630/ | 2022-06-28T12:11:58 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/two-men-shot-killed-during-south-philly-home-invasion/3283630/ |
A middle-of-the-night carbon monoxide scare forced the evacuation of a Long Island camp early Tuesday, and three of 15 teenage girls who were removed from the facility were taken to the hospital for observation.
Great Neck fire officials said they responded to the camp on East Shore Road around 4:40 a.m. for a report of high carbon monoxide readings.
First responders found 15 girls in the building. Three were taken to North Shore Hospital as a precaution; their conditions were not immediately clear.
Officials said the home's heating system had malfunctioned and allowed carbon monoxide to back up.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/15-teen-girls-evacuated-from-long-island-camp-in-carbon-monoxide-scare/3752369/ | 2022-06-28T12:18:09 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/15-teen-girls-evacuated-from-long-island-camp-in-carbon-monoxide-scare/3752369/ |
Ghislaine Maxwell, the jet-setting socialite who once consorted with royals, presidents and billionaires, is set to be sentenced Tuesday for helping the wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.
The 11 a.m. sentencing in New York is the culmination of a prosecution that detailed how the power couple flaunted their riches and prominent connections to lure vulnerable girls as young as 14, and then exploit them.
Maxwell has been on suicide watch at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since Friday, according to court filings, though her attorney says she is not at risk of self harm.
Prosecutors said Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial, sexually abused children hundreds of times over more than a decade, and couldn’t have done so without the help of Maxwell, his longtime companion and onetime girlfriend.
“Maxwell’s conduct was shockingly predatory. She was a calculating, sophisticated, and dangerous criminal who preyed on vulnerable young girls and groomed them for sexual abuse,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
In December, a jury convicted Maxwell of sex trafficking, transporting a minor to participate in illegal sex acts and two conspiracy charges. Prosecutors say she deserves 30 to 55 years in prison.
Maxwell, 60, has denied abusing anyone. Her lawyers have asked U.S. District Judge Alison J. Nathan to impose a sentence of no more than five years.
“The witnesses at trial testified about Ms. Maxwell’s facilitation of Epstein’s abuse, but Epstein was always the central figure: Epstein was the mastermind, Epstein was the principal abuser, and Epstein orchestrated the crimes for his personal gratification,” they wrote in a court filing.
Epstein and Maxwell’s associations with some of the world’s most famous people were not a prominent part of the trial, but mentions of friends like Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and Britain's Prince Andrew showed how the pair exploited their connections to impress their prey.
Over the past 17 years, scores of women have accused Epstein of abusing them. Many described Maxwell as acting as a madam who recruited them to give massages to Epstein.
The trial, though, revolved around allegations from only a handful of those women.
Four testified that they were abused as teens in the 1990s and early 2000s at Epstein’s mansions in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.
Three were identified in court only by their first names or pseudonyms to protect their privacy: Jane, a television actress; Kate, an ex-model from the U.K.; and Carolyn, now a mom recovering from drug addiction. The fourth was Annie Farmer, who identified herself in court by her real name after speaking out publicly.
They described how Maxwell charmed them with conversation and gifts and promises that Epstein could use his wealth and connections to help fulfill their dreams.
Then, they testified, she led them to give massages to Epstein that turned sexual and played it off as normal.
Carolyn testified that she was one of several underprivileged teens who lived near Epstein’s Florida home in the early 2000s and took up an offer to massage him in exchange for $100 bills in what prosecutors described as “a pyramid of abuse.”
Maxwell made all the arrangements, Carolyn told the jury, even though she knew the girl was only 14 at the time.
The allegations against Epstein first surfaced publicly in 2005. He pleaded guilty to sex charges in Florida and served 13 months in jail, much of it in a work-release program as part of a deal criticized as lenient. Afterward, he was required to register as a sex offender.
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In the years that followed, many women sued Epstein over alleged abuse. One, Virginia Giuffre, claimed that Epstein and Maxwell had also pressured her into sexual trysts with other powerful men, including Prince Andrew. All of those men denied the allegations and Giuffre ultimately settled a lawsuit against Andrew out of court.
Federal prosecutors in New York revived the case against Epstein after stories by the Miami Herald in 2018 brought new attention to his crimes. He was arrested in 2019, but killed himself a month later.
Eleven months later after his death, Maxwell was arrested at a New Hampshire estate. A U.S., British and French citizen, she has remained in a federal jail in New York City since then as her lawyers repeatedly criticize her treatment, saying she was even unjustly placed under suicide watch days before sentencing. Prosecutors say the claims about the jail are exaggerated and that Maxwell has been treated better than other prisoners.
Her lawyers also fought to have her conviction tossed on the grounds of juror misconduct.
Days after the verdict, one juror gave media interviews in which he disclosed he had been sexually abused as a child — something he hadn't told the court during jury selection. Maxwell's lawyers said she deserved a new trial. A judge disagreed.
At least eight women have submitted letters to the judge, describing the sexual abuse they said they endured for having met Maxwell and Epstein. Four of them plan to make oral statements at sentencing, including two women — Annie Farmer and Kate — who testified at the trial.
In letters to the judge, six of Maxwell’s seven living siblings pleaded for leniency.
Anne Holve and Philip Maxwell, her eldest siblings, wrote that her relationship with Epstein began soon after the 1991 death of their father, the British newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell.
They said Robert Maxwell had subjected her daughter to “frequent rapid mood swings, huge rages and rejections.”
“This led her to becoming very vulnerable to abusive and powerful men who would be able to take advantage of her innate good nature,” they wrote.
Prosecutors called Maxwell's shifting of blame to Epstein “absurd and offensive.”
“Maxwell was an adult who made her own choices,” they wrote to the court. “She made the choice to sexually exploit numerous underage girls. She made the choice to conspire with Epstein for years, working as partners in crime and causing devastating harm to vulnerable victims. She should be held accountable for her disturbing role in an extensive child exploitation scheme.” | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ghislaine-maxwell-faces-nyc-sentencing-in-jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking-case/3752472/ | 2022-06-28T12:18:16 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ghislaine-maxwell-faces-nyc-sentencing-in-jeffrey-epstein-sex-trafficking-case/3752472/ |
The Allentown Parking Authority is working on a “complete overhaul” of its monthly parking rates and violation ticket fees.
The APA voted in May to increase monthly commercial permit rates to $100 a month and monthly residential rates to $75 a month beginning in November.
Currently, the 3,639 monthly permit holders pay a maximum of $80 a month to park in APA-owned lots, or $50 a month if they’re a downtown resident. But the parking authority is looking to eliminate the special residential rate and eventually begin charging all customers $120 monthly to park in its decks beginning in 2025.
The parking authority is raising rates to keep Allentown’s in line with other Pennsylvania cities that charge more on average, Deputy Director Jon Haney said. It’ll also help the authority withstand inflation and take on new projects, board chair Ted Zeller said.
Philadelphia charges a maximum of $350 and Pittsburgh charges $340 monthly in city decks. Even smaller Pennsylvania cities charge more than Allentown: Lancaster charges $100, Scranton charges $92 and Reading charges $95 at the most.
But Allentown’s rates are still higher than neighboring Lehigh Valley cities Easton and Bethlehem, which both charge $70 a month.
In a statement, Judy Borrelli, chief operating officer of City Center Investment Corp., the real estate company that owns more than 15 buildings in downtown Allentown, said the new rates will “affect us negatively” in some cases. City Center operates residential, commercial and office buildings downtown.
First Call
The parking authority also is looking to hike parking ticket rates, but needs City Council’s approval to do so.
Parking ticket rates, too, are well below many in surrounding municipalities according to an APA report. For example, the city charges $15 for many violations including parking in a loading zone or in front of a driveway, garage or crosswalk.
Other Pennsylvania municipalities including Reading, Lancaster, Easton, Bethlehem and York charge at least $20 or $25 for these standard violations and some charge up to $75, according to the report.
“We’ve got some ridiculous ticketing rates,” Zeller said.
The parking authority is looking to do a “complete overhaul” of its ticketing rates, but have not said how much those rates will increase. Haney said City Council needs to repeal several “antiquated” ordinances and codes before the city can implement new rates.
The parking authority manages 1,500 metered street parking spaces, 25 surface lots and seven parking garages downtown. For now, the authority is not looking to increase the cost of hourly parking, which is $1 per hour or $2 per hour near the PPL Center arena.
Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at 610-820-6681 and liweber@mcall.com. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-parking-authority-increase-rate-ticket-costs-20220628-dlfouxnimzhqdcfofskxrx5yai-story.html | 2022-06-28T12:21:02 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-nws-allentown-parking-authority-increase-rate-ticket-costs-20220628-dlfouxnimzhqdcfofskxrx5yai-story.html |
The trucks that serve the Lehigh Valley’s many warehouses have long upset residents who see them clogging area roads and listen to their rumbling passage. But those may be the least of the problems they cause.
As they travel along Interstate 78, Routes 22 and other major roads, large tractor-trailers also greatly contributed to diesel-fuel emissions, according to previous studies. Four residents also say such pollution poses threats to people’s health.
The residents want Lehigh and Northampton counties to fund and partake in a study measuring emissions coming from those trucks. They recently submitted proposals to spend about $50,000 in each county to monitor air quality.
The group wants to know how much pollution the trucks are causing, especially in areas where they idle at warehouses or travel on main arteries. Then it wants to use that information to guide warehouse development to help mitigate the problem.
Northampton County Council heard about the proposal June 15, and could act on it next month. Lehigh County commissioners are also weighing the project. The counties would pay for the project with money from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan coronavirus relief legislation.
Group member Andrea Wittchen, who runs a consulting firm iSpring Associates, said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitors air quality from two sites — one in east Allentown, the other in Freemansburg. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also operates two monitors in the Valley that measure ambient air quality and particulate matter, DEP spokesperson Colleen Connolly said.
But those sites, Wittchen said, are not near large amounts of truck traffic that emits pollutants such as tiny particulate matter. Exposure to the airborne particulates, which can enter people’s lungs and bloodstream, can lead to health problems, including worsening asthma, heart-related issues, strokes and more, according to the group.
The group — Wittchen; Breena Holland, a Lehigh University associate professor who is involved in the school’s environmental initiatives; Greg Zebrowski, former chair of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission; and attorney Charles Elliott — wants to have installed about 40 small air monitors around the two counties to monitor exhaust emissions. Data, which would be collected for approximately one year, would be analyzed by students and faculty at Lehigh, according to Wittchen.
Because the monitors would be connected to the internet, anyone with a computer or a smartphone would be able to track the readings as they come in, Wittchen said.
The study is modeled after work done by the Breathe Project in Pittsburgh, a clearinghouse for information on air quality in southwestern Pennsylvania that provides opportunities for residents to take action.
The citizens group and county officials hope the data will steer warehouse development, which is decided at the municipal level.
“We will have measurement that we can give to the municipalities,” said Rick Molchany, Lehigh County general services director.
First Call
He said Lehigh plans to join Northampton County in the pilot project once Northampton officials finalize a contract.
Northampton County Council is expected to learn more at its July 7 meeting. During a council committee meeting June 15, Wittchen noted there are other contributors, such as cement plants, to the particulate matter. However, nearly all those facilities, she said, fall under EPA or DEP monitoring.
“What we’re trying to do,” Wittchen told Northampton council, “is establish that the [tiny particulate matter] is probably dramatically closer to the highways that the diesel trucks are using.”
Wittchen, who is also president of the nonprofit Lehigh Valley Sustainability Network, said she has been frustrated with the community’s inaction regarding the link between warehouse growth and pollution.
“I’m getting older, Wittchen, who turns 69 Thursday, said at the Northampton council meeting. “I don’t have time to wait around. We need to get things fixed. We put a plan in place to get the ball rolling.”
Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-air-pollution-study-20220628-2ifumlhtmbhgpptkpvofpbpd4i-story.html | 2022-06-28T12:21:02 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-lehigh-valley-air-pollution-study-20220628-2ifumlhtmbhgpptkpvofpbpd4i-story.html |
ROANOKE Co., Va. – Update as of 8:23 a.m.
First responders have confirmed one person was injured in the wreck.
The condition of that injury hasn’t been released.
All lanes are back open.
Original Story:
State police say a crash on Interstate 81 northbound at the 140 mile marker has the road blocked.
The crash happened at 6:29 a.m. and involved multiple vehicles.
Police say choose other routes to avoid delays. This is before the Interstate 581 exit and there are backups.
This comes after a deadly Interstate 81 crash involving a VDOT contractor earlier Tuesday morning. You can read more about that here.
WSLS 10 has a crew headed to the scene to talk with Virginia State Police.
This is a breaking news story. We will have developments all morning on Virginia Today from 5-7 a.m. and update WSLS.com. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/28/multiple-vehicle-crash-shuts-down-i-81-northbound-in-roanoke-county/ | 2022-06-28T12:24:09 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/06/28/multiple-vehicle-crash-shuts-down-i-81-northbound-in-roanoke-county/ |
Fireworks for the Fourth: Here's when East Central Indiana skies will light up this holiday
Communities around East Central Indiana will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, among other activities. Here are scheduled times for local fireworks displays across the holiday weekend, weather permitting:
Friday, July 1
Eaton: The Eaton Church of God will have a fireworks display beginning around 9 p.m. Friday.
Saturday, July 2
Prairie Creek Reservoir: Fireworks Saturday night will close out a full day of events on Saturday for Ron Bonham Day. Activities at Prairie Creek's North Shore Campground will include live music, fishing, swimming, food vendors and a golf cart parade.
Hartford City: Hartford City's fireworks will be at dusk Saturday, concluding the city's day of Fourth of July festivities. Saturday will begin with a farmers market at 8 a.m. at Sigma Phi Gamma Park. Other events will include a cornhole tournament and car show at 10 a.m., Mark's Ark Animal Show at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., a "cops vs. kids" water balloon fight at 3 p.m. and BCS Blue Felt Jazz Group and Erie Jazz Band performing at 5:30 p.m.
Dunkirk: The Fourth of July Celebration at Dunkirk City Park 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday will conclude with fireworks at dark. In addition to a car show, for which check-in begins at 2 p.m. and judging at 4, the celebration will include a midday parade (lineup beginning at 11 a.m.), a flag-raising ceremony and free music and entertainment. Entry fee for the car show is $20, which will benefit the Dunkirk Historical Society.
Union City: Fireworks for Union City will begin at dusk Saturday at Harter Park.
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Monday, July 4
Muncie: Muncie will have its annual fireworks show over the levee by Muncie Central High School Monday night. Muncie's Independence Day celebration on Monday will include a car show beginning at 4 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot. America's Hometown Band will perform "Stars and Stripes Forever," a free concert of favorite patriotic tunes, at 7 p.m. Monday at Canan Commons.
Yorktown: Yorktown's fireworks display will be at Morrow's Meadow Monday night. Orchestra Indiana will perform a free outdoor "Patriotic Pops" concert at 8 p.m. Monday at Yorktown Civic Green. Activities earlier in the day will include the Four for the Fourth run/walk starting at 8 a.m. downtown, and a duct tape boat race starting at 2 p.m.
New Castle: New Castle's annual fireworks display at Memorial Park will begin at 10 p.m. Monday. Vendors and activities for kids will be offered starting at noon on Cardinal Field.
Portland: Fireworks at dusk Monday at the Jay County Fairgrounds will conclude Jay County's all-day Fourth of July celebration. Events during the day will include a 5K starting at 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds , food booths and games at the fairgrounds, and a parade downtown beginning at noon, according to the Jay County Visitors and Tourism Bureau website.
Winchester: Winchester's fireworks will be at Goodrich Park, after a free 7 p.m. concert by Grove Hill with Kenny Live at the amphitheater.
East Central Indiana communities can send information about fireworks displays and other public events for Independence Day to news@muncie.gannett.com. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/fireworks-fourth-heres-when-local-displays-scheduled/7482875001/ | 2022-06-28T12:40:55 | 0 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/fireworks-fourth-heres-when-local-displays-scheduled/7482875001/ |
A year ago, the average price of gas in Kenosha was just over $3, according to the American Automobile Association.
Today, the average price is nearly $4.80.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a family of four with a “thrifty” food plan will spend on average $932.20 a month as of May, a 35% increase from last year.
Tony Moore, founder and executive director of the nonprofit substance abuse counseling service Birds of a Feather, runs a group home for the central city area, in the Columbus neighborhood.
He said the squeeze of inflation in his neighborhood, which some local residents have described as a food desert, has been especially painful.
“I have seen tears and laughter,” Moore said. “I’ve seen people cry, because what are we going to do? And I see people laugh because what can we do?”
The rising prices are exacerbating an issue that goes further back than the pandemic itself.
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Since 2017, two large grocery stores have closed in the central city area, a Pick ‘n Save supermarket in the Uptown Brass neighborhood in 2017 and a Piggly Wiggly in Sun Plaza in 2018. And just last year, the Model Market, a century-old neighborhood grocery store just a few blocks from Moore’s group home, burned down, killing one.
USDA mapping data indicates much of the central city area is classified as low income and low access, meaning many residents in the city’s poorest neighborhoods live more than a half mile from the nearest supermarket.
Moore said bluntly that “many residents feel abandoned” as they struggle to make do.
“People are disheartened, but they have to survive,” Moore said. “You ask people for a loaf of bread or for change, or in a community you band together.”
Growing need
Food pantries and other support organizations have historically filled in the gap for some residents, acting almost like an “oasis” in the food desert, Moore said.
But both Moore and food pantry operators emphasize they aren’t an adequate replacement to grocery stores, and the strain of rising prices and growing need from the community have taken their toll.
One local food pantry, the Grace Welcome Center, has seen a 23% increase in the average number of families coming for food every week compared to last year.
Moore said that means people are going hungry.
“You can’t help everybody, but your heart wants to help everybody, and you run out,” Moore said.
Lack of stores
Both large-scale grocery stores that closed down pointed to low sales as the culprit. Wisconsin Grocers Association President Brandon Scholz said grocers typically struggle to make a profit in higher-poverty areas like inner-city Kenosha.
“To put it into the most basic language, you have to pay the bills,” Scholz said.
According to Scholz, large grocery stores, which have high upfront costs, are just not sustainable in food deserts.
“Everybody understands that they need a store,” Scholz said. “The question is, can you pay back the loan?”
Without nearby grocery stores, residents are forced to travel farther, and for those without their own vehicles, this can make a simple trip to get dinner a major hassle.
The food selection available within walking distance, typically gas stations or convenience stores, is more expensive and doesn’t feature the healthy food options communities need, Moore said.
“Certain foods help you sleep better, certain foods help you digest and think better,” Moore said. “People don’t know that growing up in a food desert, because they’re trying to survive on whatever it is that they can get.”
Moore worries about the mental health costs the worsening food insecurity will have on people in his community.
“People are thinking, ‘if I can’t put gas in my car to get my kids to ball practice or to get myself to work, what’s the sense of doing it?’” Moore said. “People, especially people who I counsel, they’re having a hard time with just having hope.”
Some positive developments could be coming for Uptown Kenosha, however.
Plans for the Uptown Lofts, a multi-million dollar housing development on 22nd Avenue, include space for a small grocery store.
Mayor John Antaramian has expressed excitement for the new development, which is part of efforts to rebuild the Uptown neighborhood after a fire and then destruction during the unrest of 2020 destroyed several businesses. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/abandoned-gas-and-grocery-inflation-hit-kenosha-food-deserts/article_d4f75334-f644-11ec-af98-776164b107d9.html | 2022-06-28T12:41:31 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/abandoned-gas-and-grocery-inflation-hit-kenosha-food-deserts/article_d4f75334-f644-11ec-af98-776164b107d9.html |
A Kenosha County sheriff’s sergeant has been recommended to serve as the county’s director of emergency management.
Sgt. Christopher Hannah’s recommendation for the position was announced Monday in a joint statement by County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Sheriff David Beth.Under executive order, Hannah will serve as the acting director of the office pending appointment by the County Board, according to the release.
Under an executive order signed Monday, Hannah is serving as acting director until his appointment is approved by the County Board.
Hannah succeeds Horace Staples, previously a lieutenant who was recently promoted to captain in charge of the county’s detentions operations. Previously, Hannah served as training sergeant and deputy director of emergency management.
“Emergency management plays a vital role in our county, particularly during times of crisis and great need,” Kerkman said. “With his experience, skill set and knowledge of the community, I am confident in Sgt. Hannah’s ability to serve adeptly in this role.”
A Kenosha native, Hannah earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point before beginning his law enforcement career with the Village of Oregon Police Department in 1999. He joined the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy in 2005, working all three shifts on patrol.
Hannah became the traffic court officer for the department in 2014, remaining in that position until his promotion to sergeant in May 2017. He has served in numerous roles in the Operations and Administrative Services divisions as a sergeant, including first- and third-shift patrol sergeant, sergeant of Support Services, sergeant of media/community relations and sergeant of training.
The director of emergency management is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing all emergency management and Homeland Security-related activities for the county.
“I am grateful for this new opportunity and look forward to continuing the valuable relationships the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Division of Emergency Management has with all its partners,” Hannah said.
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Horace Staples briefs the press during the multi-agency active shooter training drill Sunday. The simulation was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Capt. Horace Staples briefs the press during the multi-agency active shooter training drill Sunday, June 12, 2022. The simulation was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an “active shooter” simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Paramedics attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday, June 12, 2022. The training drill was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Paramedics attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an “active shooter” simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday. The training drill was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies confer in the parking area just outside the Bristol Renaissance Faire grounds before commencing active shooter drill training Sunday.
Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol participate in the “active shooter” training simulation, which took place on the grounds of the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol participate in the "active shooter" training simulation, which took place on the grounds of the Bristol Renaissance Faire on Sunday.
Active shooter drill at Bristol Renaissance Faire grounds June 12, 2022
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ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL - STAPLES
Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Horace Staples briefs the press during the multi-agency active shooter training drill Sunday. The simulation was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL - STAPLES
Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Capt. Horace Staples briefs the press during the multi-agency active shooter training drill Sunday, June 12, 2022. The simulation was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILL
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an “active shooter” simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Paramedics attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday, June 12, 2022. The training drill was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Paramedics attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an “active shooter” simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday. The training drill was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Rescue response teams attend to actors from the Bristol Renaissance Faire playing injured individuals in an "active shooter" simulation held at the grounds during the emergency preparedness full-scale exercise Sunday.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies confer in the parking area just outside the Bristol Renaissance Faire grounds before commencing active shooter drill training Sunday.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol participate in the “active shooter” training simulation, which took place on the grounds of the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
A Bristol Fire Department truck arrives at the scene of the active shooter training drill on Sunday staged at the Bristol Renaissance Faire grounds.
Terry Flores
ACTIVE SHOOTER - DRILL
Troopers with the Wisconsin State Patrol participate in the "active shooter" training simulation, which took place on the grounds of the Bristol Renaissance Faire on Sunday.
Initial reports indicated that a 5-year-old female child and a 22-year-old man were swimming after jumping into the water from a boat on the lake. The man went underwater and did not resurface.
The Geneva Lake Law Enforcement has released details of what happened, leading up to a man being airlifted after a boating accident on Tuesday, June 19.
Kenosha County Sheriff's Department Capt. Horace Staples briefs the press during the multi-agency active shooter training drill Sunday, June 12, 2022. The simulation was coordinated by Kenosha County Emergency Management. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/hannah-recommended-to-serve-as-kenosha-county-director-of-emergency-management/article_d8fe94da-f6a1-11ec-8c1d-ff7617fe4533.html | 2022-06-28T12:41:35 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/hannah-recommended-to-serve-as-kenosha-county-director-of-emergency-management/article_d8fe94da-f6a1-11ec-8c1d-ff7617fe4533.html |
Local high school productions are among the winners from the 2021-2022 Jerry Awards in Madison.
The annual awards recognize Wisconsin’s top high school productions and are designed to “encourage, recognize and honor excellence in high school musical theater.”
Educators and industry professionals review productions at more than 88 Wisconsin high schools for the awards, named for philanthropist and arts supporter W. Jerome Frautschi.
Local students and shows that were honored are:
Outstanding Musical: Harborside Academy’s production of the musical “Bright Star”
Award winners from the production team:
Kristen Singer: Direction, musical direction, scenic design and costume design
Andrew Waters: Choreography
Jessica Baker: Lighting design
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This is the first year Harborside has participated in the Jerry Awards.
“Bright Star” — on stage in April — tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s.
The show’s bluegrass/country music score was written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell and based on the pair’s 2013 album “Love Has Come for You.”
Director Singer said performing this musical gave the students “a new experience, not only with the storytelling, but also with the bluegrass music. We have a live ‘pit’ led by Alejandro Alumbreros, and they are exceptional. To hear instruments like the mandolin and the banjo underscoring the singers is such a special and unique experience in the theater.”
Outstanding Musical: Bradford High School’s production of the musical “The Bridges of Madison County”
Award winners from the production team:
Holly Stanfield: Direction
Andrew Waters: Choreography
Jodi Williams: Scenic design and lighting design
Christi Geidner: Costume design
Eric Mielke: Sound design
The Broadway musical — based on the novel and the film — was performed in January and February at Bradford.
The show centers on Francesca Johnson, an Italian woman who married an American soldier to flee war-ravaged Italy. She looks forward to a rare four days alone on her Iowa farm when her family heads to the 1965 State Fair. When a National Geographic photographer pulls into her driveway seeking directions, though, everything changes.
Outstanding Musical: Bradford High School’s production of the musical revue “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Award winners from the production team:
Holly Stanfield: Direction
Danny Dwaine Wells II: Choreography
Jodi Williams: Scenic design and lighting design
Christi Geidner: Costume design
The Broadway musical — a tribute to the music of Fats Waller — was performed March 31 through April 3 at Bradford.
The show, which debuted on Broadway in 1978, is set in the 1920s, “a time when Manhattan nightclubs such as the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom were the playgrounds of high society and Lenox Avenue dives were filled with piano players banging out the new beat known as swing.” The performers on stage present “an evening of rowdy, raunchy, and humorous songs” from the era.
Student award winners
Student performers in productions who won individual awards are:
Outstanding leading performer:
Samuel Arnold: “Bridges of Madison County” and “Bright Star”
Myles Lord: “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Carly Mikula: “Bright Star”
Jonathan Rasmussen: “Bright Star”
Jerrick Smith: “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Outstanding supporting performer:
Devon Henningfeld: “Bright Star”
Samantha Keckeisen: “Bridges of Madison County”
Jerrick Smith: “Bridges of Madison County”
Davan Smith: “Bright Star”
Noah Stone: “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Outstanding dance performer:
Devon Henningfeld: “Bright Star”
Spirit Award winners:
Eli Douglas: “Ain’t Misbehavin’”
Ben Johnson: “Bright Star”
Juan Navarro: “Bridges of Madison County”
Wilmot show
In addition to the KUSD show winners, the Wilmot High School production of “The Addams Family” was honored at the Jerry Awards.
The school’s spring musical was on stage in April at the school. The Broadway show was inspired by the 1960s sitcom about a ghoulish family.
The TV show — which lives on endlessly in reruns — was itself based on the Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons.
The Addams Family characters have proved so popular, they’ve also been on the big screen, in live action and animated form.
Jaime Ivan — the school’s choral music and theater director — chose this show “because I personally think it is super funny, and I knew the kids would absolutely love it.”
“Addams Family” honors are:
Owen Rosengarden: Outstanding leading performer
Ethan Ivan: Outstanding supporting performer
Maxwell Zimmerman: Spirit Award
Surprise honor
At the Jerry Awards show on June 12 in Madison, Bradford High School theater teacher Holly Stanfield was not only a winner for her direction of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “The Bridges of Madison County,” she was also inducted into the Jerry Awards Hall of Fame.
“It was a surprise,” Stanfield said of the honor. “It really was a total surprise and a lovely moment, especially because this was the first in-person awards show we could attend since before COVID.”
Former students — including Bradford graduate Ben Woods, who is heading into his final year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas studying theater — were on hand to honor Stanfield.
Awards are nothing new for the veteran theater teacher, who is an Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame member and has twice been a finalist for the Excellence in Theatre Education Tony Award. In 2021, she also shared the Stephen Schwartz Musical Theatre Teacher of the Year Award.
But whenever she’s honored for building a theater program with a national reputation for excellence, the first thing she does is mention the hard work of her colleagues and students.
“It’s an award for the whole department,” she said. “That’s the beauty of musical theater: We have to do this together or it doesn’t happen.”
Stanfield just returned from the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University, where the Bradford production of “Groundhog Day: The Musical” was a Main Stage selection, and is no doubt already planning for the next school year of theater productions. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/local-high-school-productions-win-jerry-awards/article_1468bdaa-f636-11ec-b14f-1bcfe77e3814.html | 2022-06-28T12:41:35 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/local-high-school-productions-win-jerry-awards/article_1468bdaa-f636-11ec-b14f-1bcfe77e3814.html |
It’s Paul Bunyan Day, honoring everyone’s favorite lumberjack. Chop a tree down in his honor! (We’re KIDDING about that part. Plant a tree instead.)
Play ball! The Kenosha Kingfish return to Simmons Field tonight, taking on the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. Tonight is “A League of their Own” Night, remembering the Kenosha Comets. 6:35 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to Kingfishbaseball.com, call 262-653-0900, or go to the ticket office at Simmons Field, 7817 Sheridan Road.
Twilight Jazz returns tonight to the Anderson Arts Center grounds, 6603 Third Ave., for another season of free outdoor performances on Kenosha’s lakefront. The John Crawford Band is performing. Grounds open at 6 p.m. for the concerts, which are 7 to 9 p.m. Concert-goers should bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. No seating is provided. Food and drinks are available for purchase. (No carry-ins of alcohol are allowed.) andersonartscenter.com or 262-925-8040.
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Kenosha’s historic Velodrome in Washington Park, 1901 Washington Road, hosts Tuesday Night Bike Racing. The races are 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays. Spectators can cheer on their favorite racers from “the hill.” Admission is free. kenoshavelodromeracing.com.
Prost! The Petrifying Springs Biergarten is now officially open for the season. The Biergarten is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. The Biergarten is located near the Highway JR entrance on the south end of Petrifying Springs Park, 5555 Seventh St., in Somers.
The Milwaukee County Zoo is offering a new attraction this summer: “Dragon Kingdom” is open through Sept. 5. Zoo visitors will “enter an enchanting mythical world to encounter more than 15 awesome animatronic creatures found in cultures throughout the world.” The dragons include an “ice” dragon from the Arctic, a Chinese dragon who brings good fortune and a dragon from Persian mythology, with a lion’s body — and rows of sharp teeth! The cost is $3 per person in addition to regular zoo admission. milwaukeezoo.org. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-tuesday-june-28/article_3524445e-f3db-11ec-be72-9ba78f0d905a.html | 2022-06-28T12:41:41 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-tuesday-june-28/article_3524445e-f3db-11ec-be72-9ba78f0d905a.html |
Fireworks, flags and cookouts get the top billing this time of year, but part of the story of the birth of this great nation is journalism.
History books capture some of the key moments — the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the battles of the Revolutionary War and the adoption of the Constitution and Bill of Rights — but they miss part of the story.
The American Revolution was fought by people motivated in large part by news. And newspaper and pamphlets — printed journalism — were the only mass media of that time.
So it’s fitting — as we celebrate a nation founded on the ideal of freedom — that we offer, with the generous support of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, free access to journalstar.com from June 28 through July 4.
UNL supports the community, which is stronger when its residents are informed, and local journalism, which provides information and a forum for discussion.
We’ve moved far beyond the written word, and your unlimited digital access will give you a chance to sample the depth and breadth of storytelling we offer. Videos, photo galleries, data and reader commenting allow community members to explore dimensions of stories we couldn’t tell even a decade ago.
We appreciate UNL supporting this effort to share our news, sports, opinions and features with all digitally. We appreciate serving a community that is engaged and informed and we are proud of our role in helping make that happen.
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Ava Thomas is president and publisher of the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald.
Abortions are still legal in Nebraska. But the latest ruling is expected to prompt a special session for the Legislature to consider banning abortions in the state.
Police were dispatched at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday to the 2000 block of Surfside Drive, where they found Tammy Ward's 2009 Toyota Corolla was involved in a single-vehicle crash, the department said.
A Lincoln Southeast soccer coach noticed the same teams were winning each season, so he decided to look at the data. What he found turned into a larger project to tackle inequities in youth sports access.
The red and black Spider-Man inspired sculpture that sparked controversy in 2019 when it was mistaken for devil horns lost its final battle after a tree fell on top of it during a storm last weekend.
Sunday's shooting marks the second this year at Seacrest Field, where a 17-year-old boy suffered a grazing gunshot wound in May. It's unclear if the cases are related, said the police, who offered few details on the latest shooting.
Mindy Rush-Chipman was a 17-year-old girl on her own, barely making ends meet and in an abusive relationship when she chose to get an abortion. That decision helped set her life on a different trajectory.
The 32-year-old man had forced his girlfriend to drive a vehicle from Elk Creek toward Lincoln, Sheriff Terry Wagner said, and the woman stopped the car near 120th Street and Nebraska 2 before fleeing on foot.
The Lancaster County Attorney's had sought review of a county court judge's decision to suppress the document in Benjamin Rieker's case, a rarely seen move.
In April and May, the city spent $278,030 on police overtime over the course of four, two-week pay periods, including one period when the payments totaled $85,419. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/letter-from-the-publisher-you-cant-spell-unlimited-access-without-unl/article_ebf98ef4-65c9-5834-a962-c2e0fb2c1028.html | 2022-06-28T12:43:03 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/letter-from-the-publisher-you-cant-spell-unlimited-access-without-unl/article_ebf98ef4-65c9-5834-a962-c2e0fb2c1028.html |
Zoo officials say it's too early to determine whether Lancaster is male or female — it can take several weeks for the sex of a pup to become noticeable — but an announcement will be made soon.
Giant anteaters are categorized as a vulnerable species by the International Union Conservation of Nature, and they have a high risk of extinction.
Because of that, Lincoln Children's Zoo CEO Evan Killeen said Lancaster's arrival was especially notable.
"With the continued decrease in population of giant anteaters, this birth is incredibly important for animal conservation efforts," he said. "We're so excited for everyone to meet Lancaster."
Killeen said Maisy, who is 3 years old, has been a great mother so far.
Maisy was pregnant for about six months. After birth, giant anteater pups will crawl on their mother's back, where they'll reside for up to a year, getting down periodically to explore.
Lancaster's birth was planned as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium's Species Survival Plan, which identifies potential breeding opportunities for endangered animal populations.
The public will be able to see Lancaster starting Tuesday at 10 a.m. The pup and mom will only be in their exhibit from 10 a.m. to noon each day. Because they will have indoor access, they may not always be visible.
Jenna Thompson is a news intern who has previous writing and editing experience with her college paper and several literary journals. She is a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln pursuing degrees in English and journalism.
Abortions are still legal in Nebraska. But the latest ruling is expected to prompt a special session for the Legislature to consider banning abortions in the state.
Police were dispatched at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday to the 2000 block of Surfside Drive, where they found Tammy Ward's 2009 Toyota Corolla was involved in a single-vehicle crash, the department said.
A Lincoln Southeast soccer coach noticed the same teams were winning each season, so he decided to look at the data. What he found turned into a larger project to tackle inequities in youth sports access.
The red and black Spider-Man inspired sculpture that sparked controversy in 2019 when it was mistaken for devil horns lost its final battle after a tree fell on top of it during a storm last weekend.
Sunday's shooting marks the second this year at Seacrest Field, where a 17-year-old boy suffered a grazing gunshot wound in May. It's unclear if the cases are related, said the police, who offered few details on the latest shooting.
Mindy Rush-Chipman was a 17-year-old girl on her own, barely making ends meet and in an abusive relationship when she chose to get an abortion. That decision helped set her life on a different trajectory.
The 32-year-old man had forced his girlfriend to drive a vehicle from Elk Creek toward Lincoln, Sheriff Terry Wagner said, and the woman stopped the car near 120th Street and Nebraska 2 before fleeing on foot.
The Lancaster County Attorney's had sought review of a county court judge's decision to suppress the document in Benjamin Rieker's case, a rarely seen move.
In April and May, the city spent $278,030 on police overtime over the course of four, two-week pay periods, including one period when the payments totaled $85,419. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/watch-now-lincoln-childrens-zoo-welcomes-anteater-pup/article_8e2c224d-2102-553d-8bfa-a18e6b24f5fe.html | 2022-06-28T12:43:09 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/watch-now-lincoln-childrens-zoo-welcomes-anteater-pup/article_8e2c224d-2102-553d-8bfa-a18e6b24f5fe.html |
100 years ago
June 28, 1922: The city of Bloomington's legal counsel said it has no authority under existing state law to purchase a plot of land in Park Hill cemetery for the graves of soldiers, despite a request by the Louis E. Davis post of the American Legion. Legion officials were told the city would grant the request if they found a legal means by which it could be done.
75 years ago
June 28, 1947: Leslie Burton of Normal saved his 9-year-old son, Duane, from drowning in water that was in a deep ditch dug for the new sewer in the 700 block of Sudduth Road. Burton was summoned from a nearby field where he had been working after the boy, in the company of his brother, had slipped into the water-filled ditch, it was reported.
50 years ago
June 28, 1972: McLean County's monstrous Photostat machine was dismantled in the office of County Recorder Mae Deane and its remains taken to the Bloomington city dump. The machine's demise was wrought by advancements in photocopying technology which permit copying to be done by a machine approximately one-tenth the size of the Photostat.
25 years ago
June 28, 1997: Bloomington police say "Operation Broken Crown" probably crippled a Latin King drug distribution ring responsible for moving large quantities of cocaine and an estimated 300 pounds of marijuana each week through the Twin Cities. The five-month investigation resulted in the arrests of about 20 alleged drug dealers, police said.
Compiled by Pantagraph staff | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-bloomington-unable-to-buy-cemetery-plot-for-soldiers-lawyer-says/article_174e6874-f610-11ec-b7de-d3a7d88374a7.html | 2022-06-28T12:50:09 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-bloomington-unable-to-buy-cemetery-plot-for-soldiers-lawyer-says/article_174e6874-f610-11ec-b7de-d3a7d88374a7.html |
Ohio’s second case of monkeypox is under investigation by Columbus Public Health, the agency confirmed.
The case involves a 48-year-old man, who is in isolation at this time. The risk to the general public is low, according to Columbus Public Health.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff announced the state’s first case two weeks ago.
“Monkeypox does not spread easily between people,” Vanderhoff said during media briefing. “This is a disease that requires very close, generally very intimate contact between people.”
Columbus Public Health noted in a press release it can also spread through contact with sheets, towels and other objects.
Monkeypox starts with flu-like symptoms and a fever followed by a rash or sores, according to the public health agency. Vanderhoff noted during a press briefing earlier this month some cases in the U.S. only involved a rash.
The viral infection can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed. Monkeypox typically lasts two to four weeks, according to Columbus Public Health.
Anyone who encounters a person with monkeypox should wear gloves and a mask.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information about monkeypox at https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/resources/print.html.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/second-case-of-monkeypox-in-ohio-reported/SYPMVAFY3NHNXFWLMC4VMNOQSA/ | 2022-06-28T12:58:44 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/second-case-of-monkeypox-in-ohio-reported/SYPMVAFY3NHNXFWLMC4VMNOQSA/ |
Fisk Fireworks’ final fête? Small community known for big spectacle struggles with funds
UTICA - Next year, Fourth of July may be a little quieter in Winnebago County.
Every year on July 3, the unincorporated community of Fisk, located about five miles southwest of Oshkosh, puts on a "Fire in the Sky" fireworks show to crowds of spectators from across the area, funded entirely by donations.
This year, the volunteers are significantly short of their goal, with only $355 of the $10,000 they need to put on the show, according to the Give Send Go listing as of noon, Friday.
The 2022 show is still on, but according to the Fisk Fireworks Facebook page, the first year the organizers have to pay out of pocket will be the last year of the show. Mike Christianson, one of the organizers, said donations are accepted through the end of July to reimburse the cost of the show.
"We raise it all on our own, and (the cost) just keeps going up," Christianson said.
The shooters and clean-up crew do the work for free, and the money instead covers the fireworks, insurance and port-a-potties, he said.
Every year, an additional goal is to fund a 16-inch shell, if the funds raised surpass the year's need. The largest shells the show uses are 10 inches, according to the Give Send Go listing.
The tradition started with Tommy Dodd, volunteer fireman and honorary Fisk mayor, working alongside a team consisting of mostly firemen from the Utica Fire Department. Christianson took over when Dodd developed glaucoma and couldn't shoot.
"The show's been here forever," Christianson said. "I've been shooting fireworks since I was about 18."
Community donations have funded the show ever since Dodd died in 2014.
New for this year is sponsorship opportunities: local businesses that donate will be displayed at the parking entrance.
This year's show starts at dusk July 3. Parking is available at the Utica Fire Department, with limited street parking available.
The fireworks shoot up behind town hall, and are lit by hand with a flare, rather than electronically.
"It's a little old fashioned, but we like it that way," Christianson said.
RELATED:Here's how Fond du Lac, Dodge county communities are celebrating Independence Day
RELATED:Assistant Chief Erick Gerritson promoted to Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue chief
Contact Daphne Lemke at dlemke@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @daphlemke. | https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/future-fisk-fireworks-fire-sky-risk-low-funding/7710947001/ | 2022-06-28T13:07:31 | 1 | https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/27/future-fisk-fireworks-fire-sky-risk-low-funding/7710947001/ |
The Reporter's award-winning journalists bring home five honors for work from 2021
FOND DU LAC - The Reporter has received five Wisconsin newspaper awards for its reporting on local business, political history, environmentally-conscious farming and a local teen who landed a patent for a new fishhook.
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Better Newspaper Contest awards were presented Friday during the foundation's annual banquet in Madison. The awards honor newspapers from across the state, divided into classes by readership size, in a variety of categories, including reporting, photography, advertising, design and more. Stories up for consideration at this year's awards were published between September 2020 and August 2021.
Daphne Lemke received a first-place award and a third-place award for her work, and Sharon Roznik received two first-place awards and one third-place award.
Roznik, who has since retired, won a top award for a deep-dive on the history of the Republican Party amid former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in February 2021. Western Fond du Lac County factors in to the history of the political party, as a small white school house in Ripon is widely considered the party's birthplace. Roznik won in the Localized National Story category.
"A wonderful perspective and commentary on our current political climate and how we can learn from the past," judges wrote. "The parallels drawn between the circumstances that brought about the formation of the party and climate it finds itself in today were very well composed."
Roznik also won first place in Environmental Reporting with a story focused on farming tactics undertaken in the opposite end of Fond du Lac County, along the east side of Lake Winnebago. The story discussed no-till farming methods, planting of cover crops and the use of low-disturbance manure injection, and she spoke with those behind the efforts.
Meanwhile, Roznik's third-place win was for a feature story on a Fond du Lac STEM senior who landed a patent for a fish hook design that doesn’t let worms get away.
Lemke's first-place award was is for business coverage, based on a selection of her reporting on Fond du Lac County's economy. The pieces highlighted were:
- One year later: Here are 9 Fond du Lac businesses that closed, and 5 that adapted, during the pandemic
- Fresh faces, convivial spaces: Fond du Lac’s young workers are key to the city’s vibrancy. How do we keep them?
- Readers urge culturally focused efforts to keep young workers in FDL."
"This was a very well done, expansive look at labor and wellness challenges for one community," judges wrote. "It did a great, original job explaining the impact of the pandemic but also challenges that existed before and were exacerbated by it. The author’s efforts in explaining why keeping young workers in the area is important was clear and effective. The articles were well sourced, tightly written and flowed nicely together despite being separate stories."
Lemke also took third place in the daily newspaper division's "Rookie Reporter of the Year" competition, for which reporters early in their careers are judged in only daily and nondaily categories, rather than by newspaper size.
Of her work, judges wrote: "While this is a rookie reporter nominee, the depth of stories she is handling is not rookie reporter stories. She has written stories which take a lot of research, finding about facts, and putting all that information into stories. The stories are not easy to write for general interest. A good reporter now and appears to be one who will continue her work."
In addition to her wins in Fond du Lac County, Lemke also won two awards for stories she wrote while working for one of The Reporter's sister newspapers, the Door County Advocate.
Her story "Amidst Door County's rich tourism industry, working families struggle to find suitable, affordable housing" received first place in Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting. Lemke also shared a second-place award in Business Coverage with fellow reporters Chris Clough and Isabel Koyama. Stories recognized as part of this award were:
- "Wisconsin Dells, Door County tourism is surging, but businesses are struggling to find employees" by Lemke and Koyama;
- "The Dorr Hotel in Sister Bay honors Door County’s Scandinavian heritage, aims for younger guests" by Lemke and Clough; and
- "Room tax, short-term rentals: Here's what could change for Door County tourists as economy, environment shifts" by Lemke.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin wins six statewide awards
In addition to the local awards collected by The Reporter, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin won six statewide awards, including three firsts. Here's more about those awards:
• Network staff, as a group, claimed first place in the Community Engagement Award Daily Division category for its school COVID-19 crowdsourcing. The judge wrote of the project: “This is a clear example of the good newspapers are capable of fighting for on behalf of their communities. The easy-to-navigate database, accompanied by an explanatory, detailed story on the situation, certainly gave parents and community members tools they were missing to make the best decisions for their health and safety. I have no doubt this project was successful in building community trust.”
• Reporters Natalie Brophy and Nusaiba Mizan won first place in the Ongoing/Extended Coverage category for their article series “Businesses say finding employees is their top headache. This series explores the trends behind Wisconsin’s workforce woes.” The judge wrote: “Such a timely series. Many have hear about the worker shortage, but this gives an easy-to-understand look into the intricacies of what is actually happening and what some of the proposed solutions might entail. Wonderful work.”
• Reporter Madeline Heim won first place in the Coronavirus Coverage category for her articles “As Wisconsin hospitals fill up with COVID patients, front-line workers sound the alarm” and “Contact tracers were supposed to be key players in fighting COVID-19. But as Wisconsin’s cases surge, they’re overwhelmed.” The judge wrote: “Madeline Heim takes a deep dive into pandemic coverage, providing readers of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin with in-depth coverage and personal stories of the public health emergency. The quality of her work, and obvious time and energy invested into her articles, shows. Congrats.”
• Reporter AnnMarie Hilton took third place in the Feature Story (Non-profile) category for her story “Everything you need to know about Wisconsin’s water towers: The good, the ‘evil,’ and the people who swim in your drinking water.” The judge wrote: “Through superb story-telling and fun anecdotes, this piece made waters towers — water towers! — one of the most interesting things in your town.”
• Reporters Jeff Bollier, Brophy and Mizan won third place in the Enterprise/Interpretive Reporting category for their series “Unaffordable: No place to call home.” The judge wrote of the series: “Ambitious project that used situations of a cast of characters as the vehicle to tell a story about the cost of housing. Those voices and their individual set of circumstances made the entire series of stories approachable and relatable. Nice concept, excellent execution.”
• Reporter Frank Vaisilas, a Report For America corps member who covers Indigenous affairs for the network, was awarded honorable mention in the Investigative Reporting category for his story “American Indians incarcerated at among highest rates in Wisconsin, as many as half the inmates in some jails.” The judge wrote: “Excellent piece which illustrates the difficulties experienced by an often under-represented group of people. Author demonstrates strong research and storytelling skills. Solid piece.”
The Reporter thanks its readers for their continued support, and aims to continue to serve Fond du Lac County and the surrounding communities with top-notch local journalism. To submit a tip for consideration or join the conversation, email news@fdlreporter.com.
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin staff contributed to this report.
Reach Taima Kern at tkern@gannett.com or 920-907-7819. | https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/reporter-wins-awards-wisconsin-newspaper-association-contest/7726912001/ | 2022-06-28T13:07:37 | 0 | https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/local/2022/06/28/reporter-wins-awards-wisconsin-newspaper-association-contest/7726912001/ |
The chief investigator in the criminal corruption case against Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness tried repeatedly under cross-examination Monday to deflect responsibility for false statements he made in a search warrant affidavit and which were later reiterated in an indictment.
The testimony by Frank Robinson involved allegations that McGuiness orchestrated a no-bid communications services contract for My Campaign Group, a firm she had used as a campaign consultant when running for lieutenant governor in 2016, then deliberately kept the contract payments under $5,000 to avoid having to get them approved by the Division of Accounting.
Robinson told a judge in a sworn affidavit in the fall of 2021 that payments to My Campaign Group were split in August 2020, and again in September 2020, to keep them under $5,000, the threshold at which payments by state agencies require approval from the Division of Accounting.
In fact, before swearing to the truth of those statements, Robinson and lawyers in the attorney general’s office had seen a Division of Accounting spreadsheet about two months earlier indicating that the contractor received only one payment each month, both above $5,000 and both approved by the Division of Accounting. Robinson also stated in the affidavit that the contract with My Campaign Group was the only no-bid contract of at least $45,000 entered into by McGuiness’ office in which all payments were made below the $5,000 reporting threshold.
Under cross-examination by defense attorney Steve Wood, Robinson admitted, as he had done at an earlier evidence suppression hearing, that those prior statements were false.
“I have to admit that our understanding at the time was not accurate,” Robinson said, adding that it “would have been good” to call the director of the Division of Accounting and seek clarification before making the assertions contained in the search warrant affidavit.
Wood suggested that the reason Robinson didn’t make that call was because he already had a theory that McGuiness was splitting payments in order to avoid scrutiny of the contract payments, and that the spreadsheet was ignored because it didn’t fit that theory.
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While admitting that the statements were false, Robinson said they were not “intentionally false.” He also tried to deflect responsibility by noting repeatedly that he was part of an “investigative team.”
That team consisted of Robinson — who has more than two decades of experience as a police officer and as chief special investigator for Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust — and attorneys associated with the division.
“I can’t speak to the thought process,” Robinson said when asked why statements were made in the search warrant affidavit that were contrary to what was contained in the accounting spreadsheet.
Under earlier questioning by prosecutor Mark Denney, Robinson denied that he intentionally misled the court in obtaining a search warrant. He said he had misread the spreadsheet, confusing “line splits” with payments, and that other members of the investigate team were operating under that same misunderstanding.
Robinson also testified that, after several employees in her office began talking to the attorney general’s office about concerns they had with her conduct, McGuiness in December 2020 asked state information technology officials whether anyone other than her had requested access to email accounts of anyone in the auditor’s office since January 2019.
Officials determined that, as an agency head, McGuiness would already be aware of email monitoring requests that were “not otherwise confidential,” and she would not be entitled to any information about confidential requests.
McGuiness, a Democrat elected in 2018, is responsible as state auditor for rooting out government fraud, waste and abuse. She is being tried on felony counts of theft and witness intimidation, and misdemeanor charges of official misconduct, conflict of interest and noncompliance with procurement laws. McGuiness is the first statewide elected official in Delaware to face criminal prosecution while in office.
Prosecutors allege, among other things, that the way McGuiness' office handled payments for My Campaign Group was a deliberate attempt to avoid regulatory scrutiny and amounts to illegal financial “structuring” of a contract.
Prosecutors also allege that McGuiness hired her daughter and her daughter’s best friend as temporary employees in 2020, even though other temporary employees had left because of the lack of available work amid the coronavirus pandemic. Authorities allege that in hiring her daughter and exercising control over taxpayer money with which she was paid, McGuiness engaged in theft of state money and conflict of interest.
Authorities also allege that when employees in her office became aware of McGuiness’ misconduct, she responded by trying to intimidate the whistleblowers, including monitoring their email accounts. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/chief-investigator-questioned-in-del-state-auditor-corruption-trial/3283308/ | 2022-06-28T13:08:36 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/chief-investigator-questioned-in-del-state-auditor-corruption-trial/3283308/ |
SAN ANTONIO — The discovery of at least 62 people believed to be migrants in a sweltering semitruck in southeast San Antonio Monday night – 46 of them found dead – has launched a federal investigation.
Leaders from across Texas are reacting to the news, many of them calling for action.
Speaking from the scene Monday night, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the incident "a horrific human tragedy."
"I would urge you all to think compassionately, and pray for the deceased, the ailing the families," Nirenberg added. "We hope that those responsible for putting these people in such inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Three people were arrested at the scene, but SAPD officials said it remained to be seen if they were definitively connected to what could have been a smuggling operation.
Governor Greg Abbott, whose Operation Lone Star mission of fortifying the border is stretching into its second summer, said the deaths resulted from President Joe Biden's "deadly open border policies."
Beto O'Rourke, Abbott's opponent in the 2022 gubernatorial race, called the news "devastation" while calling for making legal immigration more accessible.
Other Texas Republicans blasted their Democratic colleagues for what they said was inaction when it came to the border. Among them, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Tony Gonzalez.
"Deadliest border crisis in our nations history. You won’t hear one peep from Democrats. #TX23." -Rep. Gonzalez.
Gustavo García-Siller, head of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, called for unity and prayer in a statement posted online Monday night.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, who represents the area as part of District 20, used the news to call for an end to Title 42, the ongoing Trump-era protocol that allowed Texas authorities to more quickly expel emigrants while citing COVID-19.
A federal judge in May ruled for the policy to stay in place. On Monday night, Castro alleged it's helped provide "repeat business for human smugglers."
Other politicians, including State Sen. Jose Menendez and Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, lamented the news and called for accountability.
"I’m heartbroken at the estimated 46 lives lost, & 16 people including 4 children at hospitals tonight. Seeking asylum & chance at a better life shouldn’t lead to death. Texas has made it near impossible to seek asylum, leading to desperation & unthinkable tragedies like this one." -Sen. Menendez.
"This is an absolute tragedy. 47 are now dead after driving through the Laredo checkpoint. We must bring an end to these senseless deaths and hold those responsible accountable. Let us pray for the families of the deceased. May they Rest In Peace." -Rep. Cuellar.
On the federal level, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas pledged the government would "continue to take action to disrupt smuggling networks."
Meanwhile, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Domingo García, said both sides of the aisle need to come together for immigration reform. His full statement is below:
"The politics of President Trump and Governor Abbott to build the wall, deport them all, and Operation Lone Star have all been abysmal failures. Both Democrats and Republicans need to work together on a new bipartisan immigration bill. The reforms must allow us to bring in legal guest workers and open legal avenues for people to come in to help our economy.
"These steps will prevent these refugees and immigrants from being thrown into the hands of human smugglers and coyotes who are willing to risk the lives of others for a dollar, as well as American employers who want cheap labor that can be exploited. It's time for politicians in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reforms to address these issues and avoid other tragedies.
"It's also time for the politicians in Austin to stop using immigrants as political piñatas and start treating them as people in this humanitarian crisis, not a police enforcement issue."
--- | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/semitruck-migrant-deaths-san-antonio-texas/273-510c6ebc-f287-4d92-827b-1e5a00deecfa | 2022-06-28T13:17:11 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/semitruck-migrant-deaths-san-antonio-texas/273-510c6ebc-f287-4d92-827b-1e5a00deecfa |
DALLAS — The company proposing a $30-billion project to build a high-speed bullet train that will shorten the commute from Dallas to Houston by two and a half hours received a win on Monday, but it may come at a cost to landowners.
On Monday, the Texas State Supreme Court ruled in a 5-3 decision in favor of Texas Central's project that'll run through Central Texas and said the organization was entitled to private land of the planned trail connecting the two major cities on the basis of "eminent domain."
"Eminent domain" is a Fifth Amendment right from the Bill of Rights that says the government can seize privately-owned property, but as long as they pay for it.
In the High Speed Rail Alliance's article, Texas Central can pay fair-market rates to acquire the land needed to construct the 240-mile railway, which would turn a four-hour drive into a 90-minute train ride.
The commute from Dallas to Houston is one of the fastest growing super commute in the country. Part of that commute is a stretch of Interstate 45 was ranked the nation's most dangerous road in America, according to our sister station KHOU.
Texas Central celebrated this Supreme Court decision, in a quote from our sister station in Dallas, WFAA, saying, "We are appreciative to the Texas Supreme Court for their time and consideration of this important issue as we continue work on this innovative high-speed passenger train rail." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-bullet-train-scores-major-win-for-the-30-billion-dollar-project/500-8ea319e0-769e-4cee-8740-3fb84a727717 | 2022-06-28T13:17:17 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-bullet-train-scores-major-win-for-the-30-billion-dollar-project/500-8ea319e0-769e-4cee-8740-3fb84a727717 |
SAN ANTONIO — Officials said 46 people have been found dead and 16 others were taken to hospitals with heat-related illnesses after a tractor-trailer rig containing suspected migrants was found Monday on a remote back road in southwest San Antonio.
The deaths were the latest in what has become a global series of mass deaths occurring during human trafficking attempts. Big rigs emerged as a popular smuggling method in the early 1990s amid a surge in U.S. border enforcement in San Diego and El Paso, Texas, which were then the busiest corridors for illegal crossings.
Below is a look at the deadliest smuggling incidents. If that is what the latest event in San Antonio is confirmed to be, it would become the worst in U.S. history.
— June 27, 2022: 46 suspected immigrants were found dead in a sweltering trailer on a remote back road in southwestern San Antonio.
— July 23, 2017: Eight immigrants were found dead in a sweltering trailer at a San Antonio Walmart parking lot. Two others died later in hospitals. The driver was sentenced to life in prison.
— Feb. 20, 2017: 13 African migrants suffocated inside a shipping container while being transported between two towns in Libya. A total of 69 migrants, most from Mali, were packed into the container, according to the local Red Crescent branch.
— Aug. 27, 2015: Austrian police discovered an abandoned truck containing the bodies of 71 migrants, including eight children, from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. The truck, found along a highway, had crossed into Austria from Hungary.
— April 4, 2009: 35 Afghan migrants suffocated inside a shipping container in southwestern Pakistan. Authorities said that more than 100 people were packed inside the container.
— April 9, 2008: 54 Burmese migrants suffocated in the back of an airtight refrigerated truck in Ranong, Thailand.
— May 14, 2003: 19 migrants died inside a sweltering tractor-trailer while they traveled from South Texas to Houston.
— June 18, 2000: 58 Chinese immigrants were found dead inside a truck in the English port town of Dover. The Dutch truck had transported the immigrants across the English Channel from Belgium. Two people survived. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/san-antonio-semitruck-migrants-deaths-texas/273-b935dd49-b18f-4ba4-ba9b-256a5be64589 | 2022-06-28T13:17:24 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/san-antonio-semitruck-migrants-deaths-texas/273-b935dd49-b18f-4ba4-ba9b-256a5be64589 |
SAN ANTONIO — The discovery of at least 62 people believed to be migrants in a sweltering semitruck in southeast San Antonio Monday night – 46 of them found dead – has launched a federal investigation.
Leaders from across Texas are reacting to the news, many of them calling for action.
Speaking from the scene Monday night, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg called the incident "a horrific human tragedy."
"I would urge you all to think compassionately, and pray for the deceased, the ailing the families," Nirenberg added. "We hope that those responsible for putting these people in such inhumane conditions are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Three people were arrested at the scene, but SAPD officials said it remained to be seen if they were definitively connected to what could have been a smuggling operation.
Governor Greg Abbott, whose Operation Lone Star mission of fortifying the border is stretching into its second summer, said the deaths resulted from President Joe Biden's "deadly open border policies."
Beto O'Rourke, Abbott's opponent in the 2022 gubernatorial race, called the news "devastation" while calling for making legal immigration more accessible.
Other Texas Republicans blasted their Democratic colleagues for what they said was inaction when it came to the border. Among them, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Tony Gonzalez.
"Deadliest border crisis in our nations history. You won’t hear one peep from Democrats. #TX23." -Rep. Gonzalez.
Gustavo García-Siller, head of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, called for unity and prayer in a statement posted online Monday night.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, who represents the area as part of District 20, used the news to call for an end to Title 42, the ongoing Trump-era protocol that allowed Texas authorities to more quickly expel emigrants while citing COVID-19.
A federal judge in May ruled for the policy to stay in place. On Monday night, Castro alleged it's helped provide "repeat business for human smugglers."
Other politicians, including State Sen. Jose Menendez and Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, lamented the news and called for accountability.
"I’m heartbroken at the estimated 46 lives lost, & 16 people including 4 children at hospitals tonight. Seeking asylum & chance at a better life shouldn’t lead to death. Texas has made it near impossible to seek asylum, leading to desperation & unthinkable tragedies like this one." -Sen. Menendez.
"This is an absolute tragedy. 47 are now dead after driving through the Laredo checkpoint. We must bring an end to these senseless deaths and hold those responsible accountable. Let us pray for the families of the deceased. May they Rest In Peace." -Rep. Cuellar.
On the federal level, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas pledged the government would "continue to take action to disrupt smuggling networks."
Meanwhile, the national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, Domingo García, said both sides of the aisle need to come together for immigration reform. His full statement is below:
"The politics of President Trump and Governor Abbott to build the wall, deport them all, and Operation Lone Star have all been abysmal failures. Both Democrats and Republicans need to work together on a new bipartisan immigration bill. The reforms must allow us to bring in legal guest workers and open legal avenues for people to come in to help our economy.
"These steps will prevent these refugees and immigrants from being thrown into the hands of human smugglers and coyotes who are willing to risk the lives of others for a dollar, as well as American employers who want cheap labor that can be exploited. It's time for politicians in Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reforms to address these issues and avoid other tragedies.
"It's also time for the politicians in Austin to stop using immigrants as political piñatas and start treating them as people in this humanitarian crisis, not a police enforcement issue."
--- | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/semitruck-migrant-deaths-san-antonio-texas/273-510c6ebc-f287-4d92-827b-1e5a00deecfa | 2022-06-28T13:18:55 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/semitruck-migrant-deaths-san-antonio-texas/273-510c6ebc-f287-4d92-827b-1e5a00deecfa |
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — Middle Township recently introduced an ordinance creating a license requirement for short-term rentals, aimed at units booked through on-line services like VRBO or Airbnb.
The township is the latest community to try to address the booming market, and to limit potential disruptions in residential neighborhoods unused to rapid turnovers of residents or overcrowded parking.
The ordinance, set for a public hearing and final vote at 6 p.m. July 18 at Middle Township Hall, sets a fee of $250 per unit and creates a 3% tax which will go to the municipality. It also requires that a property manager or other responsible party be accessible 24 hours a day and says properties cannot be rented to those under 21.
Mayor Tim Donohue said he would have liked to keep government out of this, but said it becomes a public safety issue, with a need for regular inspections to make sure the units are safe, including having smoke detectors and sufficient exits. That will mean recovering the costs to the township, he said.
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“If we’re going to regulate, inspect it and have the fire bureau go, there has to be mechanisms for a license and a fee that’s justified,” Donohue said at a recent committee meeting, at which all three committee members supported the move.
The issue has come up in multiple communities, as more visitors turn to online services to rent a place to stay while on vacation, sidestepping real estate agents and other more traditional services. Recently, some neighbors have asked Upper Township to take action, citing a specific rental property on their street, but township administrator Gary DeMarzo argued that existing ordinances were enough to control problem properties.
The main concern cited at the meeting in Middle Township was parking, with a provision in the ordinance limiting parking on the street to one vehicle per rental unit.
“You walk a line. You want the people that own property to have the ability to make some income, but you also have the people who live around them and they want to be able to park on their street,” said Donohue. “How do we create some accountability in that and still allow people to make money and still allow that industry to thrive?”
Middle Township Business Administrator Kim Osmundsen said the township looked at what other communities did when setting the license costs, saying the township’s charge was about in the middle.
Resident Dan Lockwood, a former Middle Township mayor, had questions about the ordinance. He said he and his wife have investment properties, including long-term rentals and commercial properties, and have started to offer one property through an online service.
Lockwood said he does not mind paying taxes or a license fee, but said it should apply to all rental units.
“I’m particularly interested in the hyper-focus, why the targeting of short term rentals versus a broader business license or rental registration,” he said.
The ordinance applies to rental agreements of less than 90 days, created through a third-party system such as Airbnb and VRBO. Lockwood compared those businesses to ride sharing services like Uber or Lyft, in that the renters also face a review, not just the owners.
“If you have a bad tenant, they get banned,” Lockwood said.
Donohue said the township worked with Airbnb when preparing the ordinance.
“They were very cooperative,” he said. “They understand the premise. They want to be welcome in your town.”
Osmundsen said the township has had complaints from hotels and motels, arguing that it is unfair that short-term rentals arranged online avoid licenses and taxes, while there have already been concerns raised about the new ordinance.
“I’m sure there’s going to be a ton of headaches,” she said. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/middle-seeks-to-license-inspect-short-term-rentals/article_83392c98-f662-11ec-b405-2be1ec02f034.html | 2022-06-28T13:25:23 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/middle-seeks-to-license-inspect-short-term-rentals/article_83392c98-f662-11ec-b405-2be1ec02f034.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to homebound, isolated seniors, has expanded its services with PET PALS, or Pet Assistance in the Lives of Seniors.
Senior Services of Wichita, through a partnership with WAAL (Wichita Animal Action League), is now able to deliver pet food to at-risk seniors with pets. They are also able to offer financial assistance to aid in veterinary care.
“I don’t have kids, so [my dog], Peanut, is my baby. I was sharing half my meal with him, but now he’s eating dog food and losing weight,” said Meals on Wheels client Eddie.
According to the Senior Services website, “Eddie is a Meals on Wheels client who is very friendly and talkative. He has a bit of a speech impediment, but he loves to talk with his volunteers and Meals on Wheels staff members. Eddie is a little lonely and can talk a long time! He has a Chihuahua named Mr. Peanut, who is approximately 9-11 years old. Thanks to our partnership with WAAL, Mr. Peanut had his nails trimmed for the 1st time in his life. Eddie is very grateful for the monthly dog food deliveries as he was sharing his meals with Mr. Peanut. Since receiving the pet food, Mr. Peanut is no longer eating people food and has lost weight. Eddie has also noticed that Mr. Peanut is no longer scratching his skin, indicating he must have a type of allergy to ‘people food.'”
“Bella has been with me a long time. She gobbles up her food, and we love the visits!” said Cathy, a Meals on Wheels client.
According to the Senior Services website, “Meals on Wheels client Cathy & her beloved dog Bella both face issues that impact us all as we age. Bella has cataracts, so she is partially blind. Cathy’s pup is her best friend & follows her wherever she goes. They can be found on the front porch most afternoons, enjoying her quiet neighborhood. Bella has lost most her teeth, so she has really appreciated our PetPals delivery of wet food, which she gobbles right up. Cathy says Meals on Wheels is a “lifesaver” for her too. She very much appreciates her nutritious and delicious meals as much as Bella appreciates hers.”
Senior Services of Wichita is asking for help in keeping seniors, and their beloved companions nurtured and safe while living in their own homes. A $40 donation will help feed one senior and their pet for one week. To donate, click here. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/meals-on-wheels-expands-to-pet-pals/ | 2022-06-28T13:26:41 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/meals-on-wheels-expands-to-pet-pals/ |
SEDGWICK COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — On Monday, June 27, Sedgwick County released supplemental videos of Cedric Lofton while he was at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC).
According to Sedgwick County, on Jan. 21, they released 18 video segments of “the Sept. 24, 2021 incident involving Cedric Lofton.” In addition to those videos, they have identified footage from more cameras that contain secondary, partial and/or tertiary images of Lofton.
“The videos were recorded by six fixed-angle cameras at the Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) and provided overlapping views from different camera angles,” said Sedgwick County. “Since that time, Sedgwick County personnel have further reviewed footage from over 50 camera angles in our possession.”
“We believe these images and views of Cedric Lofton do not provide anything of a substantive nature or any deviations from video images already made public. However, it is imperative to Sedgwick County these videos be released in order to maintain transparency,” Sedgwick County said.
The video from five of the additional angles will be published in 12 segments on Sedgwick County Communications Youtube Channel.
“Based on the location of the cameras and review of the footage, we believe no outstanding camera angles would have provided improved views of what occurred in the JIAC lobby and holding room or the JIAC sally port. It is possible that a camera angle outside the JIAC resident waiting room door and a camera outside the east law enforcement sally port entrance captured images of Cedric Lofton,” said Sedgwick County. “However, these angles were not on the NVR, the recording device that digitally stores and retains video, seized and retained as physical evidence, and were not originally downloaded by Sedgwick County personnel.”
You can watch the videos on the Sedgwick County Communications Youtube Channel or by clicking the following links:
- Camera 133 1, 9 24 21, 0138 AM, Vehicle Sally Port Above Door view
- Camera 133 2, 9 24 21, 0317 AM, Vehicle Sally Port Above Door View continuation
- Camera 133 3, 9 24 21, 0456 AM, Vehicle Sally Port Above Door view continuation
- Camera 122 1 9 24 21, 0341 AM, JDF Booking Area redacted
- Camera 122 2, 9 24 21, 0522 AM JDF Booking Area continuation
- Camera 137 1, 9 24 21, 0320 AM, JIAC Resident Waiting Area
- Camera 137 2, 9 24 21, 0456 AM, JIAC Resident Waiting Area continuation
- Camera 140 1, 9 24 21, Vehicle Sally Port Exit view
- Camera 140 2, 9 24 21, Vehicle Sally Port Exit view continuation
- Camera 140 3, 9 24 21, Vehicle Port Sally Exit view continuation
- Camera 158 1 9 24 21, 0319 AM, JIAC Booking Desktop view
- Camera 158 2, 9 24 21, 0456 AM, JIAC Booking Desktop view continuation
To view Sedgwick County’s statement in full, click here. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/sedgwick-county-releases-supplemental-videos-of-cedric-lofton-at-jiac/ | 2022-06-28T13:26:43 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/sedgwick-county-releases-supplemental-videos-of-cedric-lofton-at-jiac/ |
BUTLER COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — Now that firework sales have begun, the community has started to stock up for the Fourth of July. Now the question on everyone’s mind is: Are fireworks only allowed to be shot off on July 4?
On Wednesday, June 15, the City of Andover released the dates and times allowed for their city on when it’s OK to shoot off fireworks this holiday:
Andover
On Monday, June 27, Butler County released the rest of its towns regulations:
Butler County
Benton
Douglass
El Dorado
Latham
Leon
Potwin
Rose Hill
Towanda
Whitewater
Be a good neighbor
The Andover Police Department has provided tips on how you can “Be a Good Neighbor this July 4th:”
- Communicate with your neighbors. If you plan on hosting a get-together, inform your neighbors and include when they can expect the party to end. If you are the one being kept awake by neighbors past a reasonable hour, try reaching out to them instead of immediately calling the police. “They may have lost track of time or be unaware of how much the noise is carrying. The soft approach is often the best approach.”
- Extend an invitation. If you are hosting a gathering, consider inviting your neighbors. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know your neighbors.
- Honor the noise curfew. Even though it is a holiday and many members of the community are able to stay home, there are still people who have to go to work and/or young children who need sleep. “Wrapping up parties and noise by the curfew will be greatly appreciated.”
- Clean up after yourself. If you shot off fireworks at your home, be sure to clean up all lit and unlit fireworks. They can be toxic to pets and animals and/or leave behind sharp fragments that can injure bare feet or puncture tires. “If your family attended a block party in the neighborhood or went to a neighbor’s home to celebrate, stay a few minutes afterward and help clean up.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/when-can-you-shoot-off-fireworks-in-butler-county/ | 2022-06-28T13:26:49 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/when-can-you-shoot-off-fireworks-in-butler-county/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Some say gas prices could keep falling, even with high demand for the Fourth of July.
“It’s possible,” said Jana Tidwell with AAA Public Affairs.
AAA tracks gas and oil prices.
“The upcoming Fourth of July weekend will reach travel volumes of close to pre-pandemic levels,” explained Tidwell. “Meaning, we will see the highest travel volume this year for the holiday that we’ve seen since 2019.”
AAA shows gas prices down over the last few weeks, but demand is on the rise.
“Supply and demand pushes gas prices higher,” said Tidwell. “Crude oil was another main contributing factor.”
And crude oil prices have fallen a few bucks a barrel recently.
Some experts explain if prices do not move higher over the Fourth of July, that could be a good omen for long-term lower prices.
“Prices are not expected to plunge, no,” said Tidwell. “This weekend will be interesting to watch.”
Tidwell says demand is skyrocketing leading up to the Fourth of July.
“Of Kansans who say they will travel for the 4th, 84% say they will take a road trip of at least 50 miles,” said Tidwell. “I wish we had a crystal ball, but what happens with prices over the holiday will be an indicator of where things will go with those prices.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/will-gas-prices-keep-falling-over-the-fourth/ | 2022-06-28T13:26:55 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/will-gas-prices-keep-falling-over-the-fourth/ |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
I wish that the six majority religious conservatives on the United States Supreme Court could have used a little more logic in its Dobbs v. Jackson opinion.
The majority implies that the Roe and Casey decisions did not satisfy “rational-basis review,” which refers to due process of the Fifth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment. In respect to the Fifth Amendment’s “nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation,” I can’t think of anything more a matter of private property for a woman’s body than a fetus, which is a part of her.
The decision of a woman, if taken over by the state as in the majority’s Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, means the decision about the fetus is commercial in nature. If the state-confiscated fetus is commerce, then by the Fifth Amendment, the state must compensate the woman. Some may disagree, but in the past the majority of the Supreme Court has split the Second Amendment’s, “A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State,” from “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
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In addition, the majority has allowed Mississippi to assert interest in “protecting the unborn.” By not allowing a payment for the fetus, then Mississippi is allowed by the majority to confiscate the woman’s body since the fetus can not exist without the woman.
The logic of the majority becomes really twisted in their words, “In deciding whether a right falls into either of these categories, the question is whether the right is ‘deeply rooted in (our) history and tradition’” Later the majority writes, “By the time the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted, three-quarters of the States had made abortion a crime at any stage of pregnancy.” There are obvious problems with this rationalization.
First, using the “deeply rooted in (our) history and tradition,” means that this 2022 majority would find slavery is a right and allowed in defiance of the Thirteenth Amendment. Slaves had been legally brought to this country for centuries. That is nearly 250 years of history and tradition that this majority believes should be upheld. So if this majority says that’s not true, then the Thirteenth Amendment’s “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude...shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction” would be upheld. I can’t think of a better example of involuntary servitude or slavery than forcing a woman to give birth against her will, even if this means the death of the fetus or the woman.
Another problem was brought up by those dissenting. As they pointed out on page 162 of Dobbs v. Jackson, “Those responsible for the original Constitution, including the Fourteenth Amendment, did not perceive women as equals, and did not recognize women’s rights. When the majority says that we must read our foundational charter as viewed at the time of ratification (except that we may also check it against the Dark Ages), it consigns women to second-class citizenship.” In Dobbs v Jackson, the majority deciding Dobbs don’t care for the majority of the population.
The hypocrisy doesn’t stop there. The majority says those who decided Roe and Casey “short-circuited the democratic process by closing it to the large number of Americans who disagreed with Roe.” This is ludicrous because Roe and Casey did not force women to have abortions, but allowed the procedure nationwide. The majority have now forced women to give birth against their will and short-circuited the “large number of Americans” who agree with Roe and Casey.
The Supreme Court failed its own wording, “the Court has been ‘reluctant’ to recognize rights that are not mentioned in the Constitution.” The majority writes that abortion is not mentioned as a right in the Constitution. Also not mentioned is the right of the “unborn.” There will be chaotic legal differences between states.
Matt Somers has a liberal arts degree with a major in creative writing and a split minor of philosophy and history from the University of Arizona, class of 1983. He lives in Tucson. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-scotus-majoritys-illogical-thinking/article_865419a4-f628-11ec-a234-6f8b0ced892b.html | 2022-06-28T13:38:11 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-scotus-majoritys-illogical-thinking/article_865419a4-f628-11ec-a234-6f8b0ced892b.html |
A few weather risks across Michigan, but a bright forecast for 4th of July
High winds north of Grand Haven will create hazardous swimming conditions for lakeshore areas of Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties from 11 a.m. until this evening, according to the National Weather Service.
People should stay out of Lake Michigan and avoid piers on beaches because of high waves and strong currents.
A small craft advisory is in place from Grand Haven to Manistee, as southern winds up to 20 knots and waves up to 5 feet can be expected through 8 p.m.
The forecast
Temperatures will reach 82 degrees in the Grand Rapids area today and wind will get as high as 22 mph. Thunderstorms are also expected to move into southwest lower Michigan later this evening.
Southeast Michigan is starting the day clear and sunny, which will turn to partly cloudy in the afternoon, with high temperatures in the lower eighties. There is a high chance of rainfall and potentially thunderstorms this evening.
Holiday sunshine
Looking ahead, small chances of showers remain present through the end of the week. By the holiday weekend, though, the forecast calls for clear or mostly sunny skies Saturday-Monday with highs in the mid- to upper 80s across southern Michigan.
hmackay@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/high-winds-lead-hazardous-swimming-conditions-western-michigan/7754016001/ | 2022-06-28T13:39:08 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/high-winds-lead-hazardous-swimming-conditions-western-michigan/7754016001/ |
Kayaker who drowned in Three Rivers identified as N.C. man
Three Rivers — A kayaker who drowned Saturday has been identified as a North Carolina man, police said.
Officials released the man's name — Donovan Forsythe — on Monday.
"The Three Rivers Police Department would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the victim," they said in a statement.
They said the 26-year-old Princeton, North Carolina, man was reported as missing from his kayak early Saturday.
First-responders were called at about 5:45 a.m. to an area on the St. Joseph River at River Drive and Wood Street near a dam for a report that a person had fallen out of a kayak, authorities said. A caller said the person was bobbing in the water, went under and didn't resurface.
A bystander who was fishing in the area tried to help the kayaker, but couldn't find him in the churning water, police said.
Police searched the water until a dive team arrived and began a recovery operation.
Officials said a team with the Michigan State Police found the kayaker's body at about 7:14 p.m.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/kayaker-who-drowned-three-rivers-identified-n-c-man/7753819001/ | 2022-06-28T13:39:08 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/kayaker-who-drowned-three-rivers-identified-n-c-man/7753819001/ |
Michigan can't use one-judge grand jury to indict in Flint water case, high court rules
The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned the state's use of one-man grand juries to issue indictments in the Flint water criminal cases, a decision that is likely to delay or upend the second round of prosecutions linked to the city's water crisis.
In a unanimous decision, the high court found that a one-judge grand jury can be used to investigate, subpoena and issue arrest warrants but it cannot be used to indict an individual. The justices found that the Genesee County Circuit Court erred in denying a motion to dismiss former state health Director Nick Lyon's case.
More:Flint defendants prompt justices to question Michigan's use of one-man grand jury
The court also found that state health official Nancy Peeler and former Gov. Rick Snyder aide Richard Baird had a right to a preliminary examination following their indictments.
The justices remanded the three cases at issue back to Genesee County Circuit Court for reconsideration in light of the ruling.
Justice Richard Bernstein wrote in a concurrence that the court was "cognizant" of the effect the decision would have on Flint residents but said it was "paramount" to use proper procedure.
"The prosecution cannot cut corners — here, by not allowing defendants a preliminary examination as statutorily guaranteed — in order to prosecute defendants more efficiently," Bernstein said. "The criminal prosecutions provide historical context for this consequential moment in history, and future generations will look to the record as a critical and impartial answer in determining what happened in Flint."
The decision from the high court was issued in the case of former state Health and Human Services Department director Lyon, who was charged in January 2021 with nine counts of involuntary manslaughter through a Genesee County one-judge grand jury.
Michigan's one-judge grand jury has been used sparingly in most of state's 83 counties, with the exception of recent and targeted use by Wayne, Genesee and Kent counties for largely violent, organized crimes involving narcotics, homicide, gangs or non-fatal shootings.
The secretive process allows a prosecutor to bring witnesses and evidence privately to a judge, who sits as a single juror and eventually decides on whether to indict an individual.
Potential defendants and their lawyers usually are excluded from the grand jury process — eliminating their access to a traditional pretrial phase in which a prosecutor is required to present the evidence supporting the charges in a public preliminary examination before the case moves to circuit court for trial.
The process eliminates the prosecutor's task of deciding whether to bring charges, abolishes the normal evidentiary hearings prior to trial and keeps everything under absolute secrecy until the indictment is issued.
Several Flint defendants had argued the use of a one-judge grand juror violates the separation of powers by allowing a judge to both investigate and charge an individual.
The Flint charges overturned by the Supreme Court's decision include nine manslaughter charges against Lyon; two counts of willful neglect of duty against Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder; charges of perjury, misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and extortion against Snyder adviser Richard Baird; and a charge of perjury against Snyder chief of staff Jarrod Agen.
Additional charges included nine counts of manslaughter, misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty against former state chief medical executive Dr. Eden Wells; three counts of misconduct in office against Flint emergency manager Darnell Earley; four counts of misconduct in office against emergency manager Gerald Ambrose; two counts of willful neglect of duty against former Flint Public Works Director Howard Croft; and two counts of misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty against Nancy Peeler, the state's director of maternal, infant and early childhood home visits.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/michigan-cant-use-one-judge-grand-jury-indict-flint-water-case-justices-rule/7710896001/ | 2022-06-28T13:39:25 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/michigan-cant-use-one-judge-grand-jury-indict-flint-water-case-justices-rule/7710896001/ |
Police ID woman found dead at west Michigan motel
A person whose body was found last week with four unresponsive people in a west Michigan motel room has been identified as a Florida woman, officials said.
They said the woman was Brittney Nicole Moore, 32, of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Deputies with the Kent County Sheriff's Office were called June 20 to a motel in the 5400 Block of 28th St SE in Cascade Township about five people who were unconscious in one of the rooms.
Police suspected drug overdoses and administered Narcan to all five. They also performed CPR on two of the people. The 32-year-old Florida woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Medics took the other four to a hospital.
According to a preliminary investigation, some of the people involved in the incident were in Michigan on business. Detectives continue to investigate what led to the event and the final cause of death is pending a Kent County medical examiner's final report.
On Monday, officials said detectives continue to wait for a medical examiner's report on toxicology results and continue to evaluate evidence from the scene.
Anyone with information about the victims or the incident should call the Kent County Sheriff's Office at (616) 632-6125 or call Silent Observer at (616) 774-2345 to remain anonymous.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/police-id-woman-found-dead-west-michigan-motel/7753917001/ | 2022-06-28T13:39:31 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/06/28/police-id-woman-found-dead-west-michigan-motel/7753917001/ |
A woman is dead and six people are in police custody following a shooting in a parking lot in Burleson on Friday.
According to the Burleson Police Department, officers responded to multiple incident scenes in reference to a shooting in the 300 and 400 blocks of Wilshire Boulevard and the median of I-35 West on the evening of June 24.
Police said during the incident, an uninvolved female driver was struck by a bullet on Wilshire Boulevard.
The victim, identified as 64-year-old Kathryn Ann Bryan, succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
According to police, one other person was transported to an area hospital following the incident.
Police said on Sunday, June 26, officers made six arrests in connection with the shooting on Friday.
The suspects, none of whom live in Burleson, were taken into custody during the early morning hours on Saturday, June 25, police said.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Check back and refresh this page for the latest information. As details unfold, elements of this story may change. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/64-year-old-woman-dead-multiple-arrests-made-after-shooting-in-burleson-parking-lot/3002036/ | 2022-06-28T13:40:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/64-year-old-woman-dead-multiple-arrests-made-after-shooting-in-burleson-parking-lot/3002036/ |
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. – Leaders in Daytona Beach Shores will discuss a possible smoking ban on the beach during a meeting Tuesday.
The city has not yet drafted an ordinance, but the proposal would be allowed to move forward under a new state law signed by the governor last week.
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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 35 bills, including a law allowing local governments to ban smoking on beaches and in parks.
The city council agenda for Daytona Beach Shores reads, “discussion on passage of smoking bill and the effects on public areas in the city.”
The meeting begins at 6 p.m.
[SOUND OFF: Vote and leave your comment below] | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/28/no-smoking-on-the-beach-daytona-beach-shores-considers-ban/ | 2022-06-28T13:41:37 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/06/28/no-smoking-on-the-beach-daytona-beach-shores-considers-ban/ |
Child care reimbursement rates are increasing for providers caring for children of families who receive support with child care expenses through the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).
ODHS pays child care providers for child care provided to families receiving child care assistance through the Employment Related Day Care (ERDC) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs.
The new child care reimbursement rates are effective June 1, 2022 and increasing due to the passage of House Bill 4005 of the 2022 Legislative Session.
The average monthly reimbursement rates for full-time care are increasing by:
18% for family, friend and neighbor care
Between 6 and 20% for child care centers
Between 11 and 25% for licensed home-based care
“For many families the cost of child care can be a barrier to meeting their goals and entering and staying in the workforce,” said Claire Seguin, deputy director of the ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs. “These reimbursement rate increases will ensure families have equal access to quality child care.”
“As our child care system continues to struggle with staffing shortages and lack of child care supply, this is an important first step to ensure our child care providers are paid a fair wage,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “I appreciate the Legislature’s investment in our system and what this will mean for Oregon families who receive support for their child care expenses.”
Actual child care reimbursement rates vary depending on provider type, child age and what community the provider is in. A complete list of reimbursement rates can be found online at https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/ASSISTANCE/CHILD-CARE/Pages/Rates.aspx.
ERDC helps eligible families pay for work-related child care expenses, including registration and enrollment fees. ERDC is a subsidy program, which means some families, depending on their income, may be required to pay a copay.
TANF supports individuals engaged in the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program in attaining their goals by providing direct child care payments to providers as well as assistance with enrollment fees.
Oregonians can apply online for ERDC, TANF and other government supports online at One.Oregon.Gov or by phone at 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711.
Resources to help meet basic needs
Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211 for help finding local resources and supports, including child care in your community.
Visit www.211info.org for help finding local resources and supports, including child care in your community.
Oregon Department of Human Services Resources
The Oregon Department of Human Services, Self-Sufficiency Programs operates the Employment Related Day Care program. The Employment Related Day Care program helps working families pay for child care, including registration and enrollment fees. It also works with partners statewide, including the Early Learning Division, to help families find quality child care. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/oregon-increases-child-care-reimbursement-rates-for-providers/article_49fb9288-f598-11ec-a243-1f67cff8c231.html | 2022-06-28T13:42:00 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/oregon-increases-child-care-reimbursement-rates-for-providers/article_49fb9288-f598-11ec-a243-1f67cff8c231.html |
Canton grants ARPA funds to Greater Stark County Urban League
CANTON – The city will give up to $574,341 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Greater Stark County Urban League.
President and CEO Diane Robinson said the league will use the money to hire a project manager, which is a new role to oversee workforce development efforts, and an additional "navigator," someone who connects job candidates to community services to help them obtain employment.
The two new hires will be in addition to the league's three navigators currently paid through an Ohio Department of Job and Family Services grant. Robinson said navigators placed more than 95 people in jobs across Stark County within the past four months.
"We appreciate the opportunity to expand our workforce development program," she said.
City documents describe a two-year contract with about $187,000 distributed in the first year and about $187,000 to $386,800 distributed in the second year — with the second year's amount depending on program results and whether state funding continues.
City Council approved the grant at its meeting Monday.
Before council members voted at Monday's regular meeting to approve the grant, Councilman John Mariol II, D-7, said he learned more about the program and was impressed with what the league has done so far.
"I'm really, really excited to see what happens when this program's expanded," he said. "So this is going to be a really good thing for the city."
Other action
In other business, council:
- Approved various measures to allow the Hall of Fame Village Stadium LLC to use property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing. The mechanism allows the property owner to repay a low-interest loan through installments included with property taxes. Mayor Thomas Bernabei said the HOF requested the agreement to refinance about $35 million in qualifying energy-efficient improvements at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
- Amended a previous ordinance to complete the first PACE financing transaction for the DoubleTree by Hilton, which is owned by the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. No city money goes toward PACE financing, but Canton must be a pass-through entity for the transaction. A memo to City Council from Finance Director Mark Crouse stated that officials previously believed the city did not need to be involved.
- Established a city fund to receive settlement money that is expected to result from the OneOhio opioid settlement. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2022/06/28/canton-grants-arpa-funds-greater-stark-county-urban-league/7721837001/ | 2022-06-28T13:42:00 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2022/06/28/canton-grants-arpa-funds-greater-stark-county-urban-league/7721837001/ |
Federal appeals court denies Apache Stronghold's bid to stop a copper mine at Oak Flat
A federal court has denied a bid by the grassroots group Apache Stronghold to halt the construction of a giant copper mine at Oak Flat Campground, a project that would obliterate a site held to be sacred by many Apaches and other Southwestern tribal members.
In a 2-1 decision issued Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that the site, known also by its Apache name Chi’chil Bildagoteel, is "sacred ground," but said tribal religious beliefs as set out in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act or the First Amendment's protection of the freedom to practice religion were not sufficient to overturn the land swap.
The head of Apache Stronghold mourned the decision.
“Oak Flat is like Mount Sinai to us — our most sacred site where we connect with our Creator, our faith, our families, and our land,” said Wendsler Nosie, the former San Carlos Apache chairman. “It is a place of healing that has been sacred to us since long before Europeans arrived on this continent. My children, grandchildren, and the generations after them deserve to practice our traditions at Oak Flat.”
Apache Stronghold plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Oak Flat campground, located about 60 miles east of Phoenix on Tonto National Forest land, has been at the heart of a nearly 20-year-long struggle by Apache and other Southwestern Indigenous peoples to prevent the site from being given to a foreign mining company for a new copper mine.
The mine would be built and operated by Resolution Copper, owned by British-Australian mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP. Resolution offered other environmentally-sensitive parcels in exchange and said the project would bring about 3,700 jobs and $1 billion annually to Arizona’s economy.
A long, bumpy history
The mine would use a new mining method known as block cave mining, a systemic excavation process that would leave behind a crater about 1,000 feet deep and about 1.8 miles in diameter.
The subsidence would destroy Oak Flat, the riparian area that sustains the Emory oak and other species, and the underground water sources that created the site.
Apache Stronghold and other activists blocked needed legislation for 10 years, but the land swap was ultimately authorized by Congress in December 2014.
In January 2021, President Joe Biden halted the final part of the land swap process by directing the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw its final environmental impact statement and reinitiate consultation with the affected tribes. A Forest Service official held a meeting with Apache Stronghold and the San Carlos Apache Tribal Council in February.
Apache Stronghold filed suit that same month to halt the swap and the San Carlos Apache Tribe, a coalition of environmentalists and the Inter Tribal Association of Arizona followed with their own litigation. Those lawsuits are on hold awaiting the outcome of Apache Stronghold's suit.
The three-judge panel acknowledged that Apaches have "deep ties" to Oak Flat and that they recognized the mine may impact worship at the site. But neither federal laws meant to uphold Native American religious practices nor the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment would permit the group to halt the swap, the court ruled.
The court also said the exchange would not "substantially burden" Apache people's religious practice. and the judges referred to previous decisions, such as the Navajo Nation's lawsuit to prevent the use of partially-treated effluent to make snow on the San Francisco Peaks, which they said also did not impose a substantial burden on Native religious practices.
Sacred spaces: Indigenous peoples find legal, cultural barriers to protect sacred spaces off tribal lands
Justice Marsha Berzon dissented with the other panelists, writing that Oak Flat's location is irreplaceable to Apache religious practices.
"The Apaches perform ceremonies at Oak Flat because they believe the site to be “a ‘direct corridor’ to the Creator’s spirit,” she wrote.
Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, called the decision "absurd, illogical and incoherent," echoing the dissenting opinion.
"If anything violates the free exercise of religion, it is the complete destruction of a sacred site that ends religious practices forever,” said Goodrich, whose law firm represents Apache Stronghold. “This ruling not only is devastating to Apaches and other Native Americans but also threatens people of all faiths — and should not stand up on appeal.”
Nosie added that appealing to the Supreme Court would put the high court on record as to whether Native religious rights mean anything to them.
"A sacred site, Oak Flat, will be totally lost, but the court's view is that the government has no control or fault in this happening and that it will not affect the Apache religion." Nosie said. "It makes you aware that the U.S. Government's untold rule is: 'Because you are Indian and we control you and the land you live on, we can do as we wish even if it steps on your religion or sacred sites.'"
A question of the First Amendment
Resolution Copper said it respects the views of opponents, but cited the process that led to the latest ruling.
“Over the past 11 years, the U.S. Forest Service has shaped the Resolution Copper project through a rigorous, independent review under the National Environmental Policy Act, which has included extensive consultation with the numerous Native American Tribes that have ancestral ties to this land, local communities, civil society organizations and a dozen federal, state, and county agencies," the company said in a statement.
"There is significant local support for the project, however, we respect the views of groups who oppose it and will continue our efforts to understand, address and mitigate these concerns.”
Victoria Sutton, a law professor at Texas Tech University, wrote in a recent law review journal that bigger issues underlie how sacred sites continue to be threatened. In the paper, published in June by the University of California, Los Angeles' Indigenous Peoples Journal of Law, Culture & Resistance, Sutton wrote that federal judges don't understand American Indian law and thus do a poor job when Indian law cases come up.
In one example, Sutton said that U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett confused tribal courts with the Court of Indian Offenses, a special court that adjudicates cases on behalf of tribes that lack their own court systems, in her first Indian law case.
Also, she wrote, the concept of sacred spaces differs from European religious concepts. While Christians consider buildings like churches are sacred, Native peoples hold specific places on the land sacred.
"The First Amendment's (provision) for freedom to practice your religion has failed in every single case before a federal court when it involves land," said Sutton, an enrolled member of the Lumbee Indian Nation.
Using the First Amendment's Establishment Clause stops the federal government from protecting religious sites, Sutton said. "The balancing test" of the language protecting the free exercise of religious beliefs is also fatal to Native spiritual practice, because "no matter what the burden on Tribes’ freedom of religion, there has never been a burden too great to outweigh the government’s compelling state interest when it comes to sacred sites."
And, she said, the laws that purport to protect Native religions were largely found to be unconstitutional.
Sutton's proposed solutions: Develop a new interpretation of the First Amendment for Native nations' spiritual practices due to their unique status with the federal government, or quit using the First Amendment altogether as an argument to protect sacred sites, because the cultures and traditions required for continued tribal existence is not religion as Western thought defines it.
"When Native Americans lose their sacred sites, all of America loses its important traditions and culture," Sutton wrote. "These sites are a part of our country's history and should be protected."
Debra Krol reports on Indigenous communities at the confluence of climate, culture and commerce in Arizona and the Intermountain West. Reach Krol at debra.krol@azcentral.com. Follow her on Twitter at @debkrol.
Coverage of Indigenous issues at the intersection of climate, culture and commerce is supported by the Catena Foundation.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/28/9th-circuit-court-denies-appeal-stop-copper-mine-oak-flat/7750393001/ | 2022-06-28T13:42:02 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/28/9th-circuit-court-denies-appeal-stop-copper-mine-oak-flat/7750393001/ |
From undocumented immigrant to registered voter: Documentary narrates journey of Arizona activist
Masavi Perea-Montes de Oca waited decades for his right to vote — years of experiencing anguish, fear and trauma due to his undocumented status.
“Only an undocumented person knows what it feels like to walk down the street and see a migra (ICE) vehicle,” said Perea-Montes, originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. "In these last 20 years. I have witnessed many atrocities, such as seeing immigrants put on a truck after cashing their checks at exchange houses, or when they went to buy food at Latino supermarkets."
On April 1, 2022, he became a naturalized citizen. That same day, he registered to vote.
His testimony and the culmination of those two decades of living in Arizona as an undocumented person were exposed in a documentary titled "Mi Voto, Mi Comunidad," — meaning "My Vote, My Community" — during a press screening on Friday at The Garden in downtown Phoenix.
Produced by Mango Skies and directed by Pita Juarez, with cinematography by Matty Steinkamp, Chispa Arizona presented the film, along with a new campaign to get as many Latino citizens registered to vote.
“Becoming a citizen gives me peace of mind, but it also gives me a responsibility and a privilege, which is voting," Perea-Montes told La Voz.
A story shared by many immigrants
It's a story shared by millions of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. Yet for so many, obtaining a legal stay still does not grant them the right to vote.
Voting is a key instrument that can change the lives of many, Perea-Montes said.
“Many things that happen in the community are because people vote or don't vote. Voting can change the lives of many people for better or for worse, that is why it is important to exercise our right,” said Perea-Montes, who currently serves as the organizing director at Chispa Arizona, a local organization that works to civically empower Latino families and advocate for environmental justice.
Now that he is a citizen, Perea-Montes said his goal is to stay as civically active and educated on the politicians who are running for office, urging them to focus their efforts on passing immigration reform, stopping police brutality and pushing for environmental justice. He said he would not rule out running for political office in the future.
For Dulce Juarez, state co-director at Chispa Arizona, the story of Perea Montes is that of many immigrants living in this country.
“At Chispa Arizona we believe that environmental justice must have a democracy that reflects our values and principles. And that cannot be achieved if the people do not have access to vote and with that, elect politicians who represent us,” Juarez said.
Steinkamp, the producer of the film, said that years ago he had heard negative stories about the immigrant community, but when he met Perea-Montes he came to know an entirely different narrative — one that many immigrants like him share.
According to figures from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (USCIS), in the last decade, the country welcomed more than 7.3 million naturalized citizens.
“As a storyteller, I have a responsibility to give people the opportunity to tell their own stories," Steinkamp said. "Perea-Montes' story, apart from being good, is inspiring."
The virtual premiere of the documentary accessible to the public will be on Wednesday, June 29, from 6 to 7 p.m. Those interested in accessing the link to the film must register here.
'Voting and planting': A voter registration campaign
"Votando y plantando," which translates to "voting and planting" is the name of the voter registration campaign launched on Friday, in tandem with the media screening of Perea-Montes' documentary.
The campaign is led by "Dreamer" and activist Nicole Morales, civic engagement director at Chispa Arizona. She is also the person who helped Perea-Montes become a registered voter.
“Involving young people in their community is equivalent to planting small seeds, and in the future — by paying attention to it, watering it and giving it sunshine — our little plant will grow and make a change in the community,” said Morales.
As a DACA recipient, Morales cannot vote, but she said she feels enormous satisfaction registering people so that they can do so. To her, the people she helps register become that collective voice that represents her during elections.
“We know that when our people vote, they vote for their family, for their community," she said.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/28/film-narrates-arizona-activists-story-becoming-registered-voter/7696365001/ | 2022-06-28T13:42:04 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/06/28/film-narrates-arizona-activists-story-becoming-registered-voter/7696365001/ |
'We are not naïve enough to think that won't happen here': Chandler first responders host meeting on active shooter event
Maricela Salas says she doesn't go into a grocery store, school or movie theater without knowing where the exits are.
"Everywhere I go in public, I'm always... I am cautious, especially when I have my kids with me," said Salas. "My children's safety is my priority and I have children in school too, so that's always a concern now."
Events like the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, have reinforced her caution and compelled her to attend a community event hosted by Chandler Police and Fire departments on how to respond to an active shooter.
The event, held on June 25, drew a crowd of at least 100 people wanting to learn safety tips and how emergency services respond to active shooter situations.
Salas said the community event was a good reminder of what to do in the event that there is an active shooter in a public setting and feels comfortable passing along the information she learned to her children.
"One of my concerns was that we're going to have our kids calling and texting us to come pick them up," said Salas, describing how her kids would respond to an active shooter at their school. "That's not going to be able to happen, you're going to have to follow whatever the teacher is telling you to do. I felt guilty hearing that."
"I don't want them to feel like we're not doing anything but we have to leave it up to the authorities," said Salas. "Hearing this, it reminds us that we have to let them do their job."
Dan Greene, a training sergeant with Chandler Police Department, said that the Department hopes to send everyone home with the knowledge of what to do if a critical event involving an active shooter, or "active killer" as SWAT. likes to call it, were to happen in the community.
'We have to do something':Phoenix police launch 'Gun Crime Crackdown' to combat gun violence
"Unfortunately the topic is valuable and obviously very relevant, very current," said Greene. "This idea came to us several weeks ago, obviously shortly after the Uvalde incident. Unfortunately, what happens in Texas, happens all over the country. Here in Chandler, we are not naïve enough to think that won't happen here in our community."
The event kicked off with a video from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, detailing an active shooter situation at a bar. The video advises people to either run, hide, or fight in the case of an active shooter.
"It's Chandler-centric," said Greene. "It would be an error, a real serious error on our part to try to speak about events from across the country that we were not a part of. We want you to leave here feeling confident that your police department and fire department is fully prepared to take action under these events,"
Noah Dueker, a police officer who has been Chandler Police Department for fifteen years, described an active shooter as a "person who actively attempts to kill as many people as possible in a populated area."
"I liked that Chandler PD was here, Chandler Fire was here, the city council was here and anybody else that can provide insight like the SWAT teams," said Michael Thomas, who was at the event. "I think we should have more of these. Every city should have this."
Thomas works as a security guard at a Best Buy location at Chandler Fashion Center. He says he has been impacted by three shootings in the area.
"We want to make sure that the parents and our children are being protected," said Thomas.
A focal point of concern for community members is the lack of school resource officers (SROs) on elementary school campuses.
According to Chandler Police Department, there are 11 "certified police officers" that serve as SROs for the Chandler, Kyrene and Mesa Public School Districts.
Officers are assigned to high schools, junior high schools and middle schools but not elementary schools.
"The only things that make me frustrated with all departments is the funding," said Thomas, who believes more funding should be given to schools to hire SROs "and whatever needs to be done safety-wise to protect everybody, not just the children but teachers and everybody else."
Reach breaking news reporter Haleigh Kochanski at hkochanski@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @HaleighKochans.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2022/06/28/chandler-first-responders-host-meeting-active-shooter-event/7736598001/ | 2022-06-28T13:42:20 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2022/06/28/chandler-first-responders-host-meeting-active-shooter-event/7736598001/ |
Hanna Street between Dalman Avenue and Eckart Street will have lane restrictions Wednesday, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A City Utilities crew will be working in the area and should finish July 1.
For more information, call 260-427-2705 or visit www.trecthefort.org. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/hanna-street-lane-restrictions/article_c9af4a84-f6d7-11ec-9ee9-072f355c95d5.html | 2022-06-28T13:50:42 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/hanna-street-lane-restrictions/article_c9af4a84-f6d7-11ec-9ee9-072f355c95d5.html |
Parnell Avenue between California Road and North Clinton Street will have intermittent lane restrictions Wednesday, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A utility crew will be working in the area and should finish the same day.
For more information, call 260-427-6155 or visit www.trecthefort.org. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/parnell-avenue-lane-restrictions/article_8de00644-f6da-11ec-9e3c-1fb66b097fff.html | 2022-06-28T13:50:48 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/parnell-avenue-lane-restrictions/article_8de00644-f6da-11ec-9e3c-1fb66b097fff.html |
Rudisill Boulevard between Beaver and Indiana avenues will have lane restrictions Wednesday, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A gas line crew will be working in the area and should finish the same day.
For more information, call 260-427-6155 or visit www.trecthefort.org. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/rudisill-blvd-lane-restrictions/article_f60e68fc-f6dd-11ec-b3ef-1374188ec4cf.html | 2022-06-28T13:50:55 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/rudisill-blvd-lane-restrictions/article_f60e68fc-f6dd-11ec-b3ef-1374188ec4cf.html |
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — An early morning crash on I-20 left a Georgia man dead Monday.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Jonathan L. Lowe, 32, was fatally injured when the vehicle he was driving struck a concrete barrier and overturned. Lowe’s vehicle was then struck by another car and a tractor-trailer.
Lowe was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred around 4:45 a.m. near the 147 mile marker. No other injuries were reported.
Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are continuing to investigate the crash. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/georgia-man-dead-following-crash-in-st-clair-county/ | 2022-06-28T14:03:27 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/georgia-man-dead-following-crash-in-st-clair-county/ |
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