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Check out these top stories and more in The Times and nwi.com.
Ohio teen transferred to adult court in school threats case: https://bit.ly/3N5RpcN
Bus from Hammond City Baptist School in Tuesday crashed on Dan Ryan; 6 students taken to hospital: https://bit.ly/43C7Hky
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Video provided in partnership with The Times, JEDtv and WJOB. Sponsored by Strack & Van Til. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/219-news-now-ohio-teen-transferred-to-adult-court-in-school-threats-case/article_3a4c18ee-0b81-11ee-b3a5-f3301201dc98.html | 2023-06-15T14:56:54 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/219-news-now-ohio-teen-transferred-to-adult-court-in-school-threats-case/article_3a4c18ee-0b81-11ee-b3a5-f3301201dc98.html |
Crown POINT — A small group of children sporting orange helmets cheered as the girl in the pink hoodie neared the top of the 40-foot wall.
"Good job!" one girl shouted up.
Shaped like the YMCA's iconic triangular Y logo, the outdoor rock climbing wall can seem a bit intimidating. However, Sarah Johnson said most of the tween and teen-aged campers "jump right in."
The climbing wall is the centerpiece of the Crossroad YMCA's new Triangle Hills Day Camp and Retreat Center. Located on the outskirts of Crown Point, the 144-acre property was formerly the Pheasant Valley Golf Course. The land is still filled with rolling hills, a web of golf cart trails and pockets of forest, only now there is also an archery range, a high ropes course and a 300-foot Slip and Slide.
The YMCA purchased the vacant 18-hole golf course in 2021. Johnson, who is the executive director of school-aged development for Crossroads, said the Y wanted to expand outdoor programming.
The Y operates "branch" summer camps at six locations across Lake County, however the camps primarily serve children 10 and under. The Y created Triangle Hills to expand their summer offerings to older kids; most of the Triangle Hills campers are between ages 10 and 14.
"We wanted to give older kids an opportunity to get away from the screen and build some friendships organically with kids they may not interact with normally,” Johnson explained. "There’s not a lot of activities like this in the area so everybody is building a whole new skillset while we’re out here."
Gesturing to the group of children climbing the high ropes course, Johnson said "some of the kids are super excited if they just get up the ladder because that’s the only time they’ve ever done a course like this."
Triangle Hills opened last summer, however features like the high ropes course, the climbing wall and the lodge, weren't completed until this summer. So far about 100 campers are registered; kids can participate in the entire nine week camp, or sign-up for shorter sessions.
In addition to all the climbing, campers learn about the natural world through STEM programming and arts and crafts, participate in different team-building activities and can even try their hand at fishing at the camp's pond which is stocked with tilapia, bluegills, largemouth bass and catfish.
One of the camp's primary focuses is helping children develop interpersonal skills. All of the camp counselors undergo team-building and facilitation trainings and many of the camp's games are designed to help campers work together.
Johnson said many campers were deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and all the social isolation that came with it.
“They have no problem being on a screen with people, but might struggle to have an actual conversation with somebody," Johnson explained. “Here, we’re trying to put them in positions where they can take some calculated risks and learn to trust people their age, which can be really difficult for that 10 and up crowd."
The COVID-19 pandemic also affected a lot of the younger children the YMCA serves.
“Some of those base skills that you learn in kindergarten — sharing, how to interact with each other — they didn’t get in the same way,” Johnson said. “It’s more difficult to learn to share over Zoom."
Navigating the camp's winding paths, Johnson pointed to various team-building activities. A series of ropes called "the spiderweb" is designed to have campers lift each other through, similarly, the "giant's finger" is where campers hoist each other up to lift a hula hoop up and over a wooden pole.
Children participating in the Y's branch camps will be able to visit Triangle Hills during field trips. Parents can also drop campers off at their home YMCA and the Y will bus them to Triangle Hills.
The Y's summer programs continue to attract more children every year. Each branch camp serves over 100 kids, Johnson said this summer some 1,500 children are registered for a Crossroads summer camp.
Crossroads spokesperson Jill Schaffenberger said the branch camps only have so much space to expand, however Triangle Hills has plenty of room to grow.
Johnson said the Y has talked about adding a pool, a zip line and a board walk area to the camp.
"This is my favorite corner up here," Johnson said as she drove the golf cart to a particularly wooded portion of the property.
A doe leapt over the path and disappeared into a thick growth of trees. Getting to see "this level of nature" is especially important for campers who come from the more urban parts of Lake County, Schaffenberger said.
“It gives them an experience that they've never had before,” Johnson said. “It opens up their minds to new opportunities."
PHOTOS: YMCA Triangle Hills Day Camp and Retreat Center
The Crossroad's YMCA Triangle Hills Day Camp and Retreat Center is open for the second time this summer. Many new features were added this fall and spring including a high ropes course and a 40-foot high rock climbing wall.
At Triangle Hills, campers can test their agility on the high ropes course, learn about nature by exploring the properties' many trails and develop interpersonal skills through various team-building activities. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/ymca-crown-point-summer-camp-crossroads/article_1d09fa76-0ad7-11ee-94f3-5f4108d17a99.html | 2023-06-15T14:57:00 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/ymca-crown-point-summer-camp-crossroads/article_1d09fa76-0ad7-11ee-94f3-5f4108d17a99.html |
Dupont Road between Limberlost Trail and Lima Road will have lane restrictions Friday, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A landscape maintenance 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/dupont-road-lane-restrictions/article_c4ea4172-0b79-11ee-a035-f74b4af541b0.html | 2023-06-15T14:59:45 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/dupont-road-lane-restrictions/article_c4ea4172-0b79-11ee-a035-f74b4af541b0.html |
Monroeville Road from Wayne Trace to Minnich Road closed Wednesday, according to the Allen County Highway Department.
A gas line crew began working in the area Wednesday and is expected to finish June 30.
For more information, call 260-449-7594.
Monroeville Road from Wayne Trace to Minnich Road closed Wednesday, according to the Allen County Highway Department.
A gas line crew began working in the area Wednesday and is expected to finish June 30.
For more information, call 260-449-7594. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/monroeville-road-closure/article_95dcc5de-0b7f-11ee-9731-4b6d534f518c.html | 2023-06-15T14:59:51 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/monroeville-road-closure/article_95dcc5de-0b7f-11ee-9731-4b6d534f518c.html |
Van Buren Street between Superior and Main streets will be closed Friday, according to the Fort Wayne Traffic Engineering Department.
A railroad track 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/van-buren-street-closure/article_cce200c6-0b7a-11ee-96f7-47f39da09054.html | 2023-06-15T14:59:58 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/van-buren-street-closure/article_cce200c6-0b7a-11ee-96f7-47f39da09054.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — On Saturday, June 17, you can celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day at the Washington County Juneteenth Celebration.
Featuring food, music, speakers and Black-owned business vendors, the Juneteenth Celebration is a great way to support the community and celebrate an important historical moment.
The event runs from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 943 Northeast Orenco Station Loop in Hillsboro.
KOIN 6 News’ Kohr Harlan visited early to get a preview of the different things that will be happening at the event.
Watch the full video in the player above for more. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/kohr-explores-celebrate-juneteenth-in-washington-county-this-saturday/ | 2023-06-15T15:03:41 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/kohr-explores-celebrate-juneteenth-in-washington-county-this-saturday/ |
OLD FORGE, Pa. — A house caught fire in Lackawanna County this morning and rescue crews had to wrangle a pig to get it out of the home.
The fire was on Sibley Avenue in Old Forge.
No humans were home. But a pig was.
The pig seemed to be doing okay. The house has smoke damage.
A fire marshal will look for the cause.
See news happening? Call our Newstip hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/pet-pig-rescued-from-house-fire-basement-smoke/523-e07ee357-47d5-415d-9611-7b29f9d7b0b6 | 2023-06-15T15:04:49 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/pet-pig-rescued-from-house-fire-basement-smoke/523-e07ee357-47d5-415d-9611-7b29f9d7b0b6 |
A female suspect has been taken into custody in a shooting in the district attorney's office in a rural central Pennsylvania county, state police said Wednesday.
Troopers were called at about 3 p.m. Wednesday to the Cameron County district attorney's office in Emporium, state police said.
Police said the victim is believed to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and the shooting “appears to be an isolated incident” although the circumstances are being investigated.
Police said a woman who left in a vehicle after the shooting was later taken into custody. No charges were immediately announced.
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Copyright AP - Associated Press | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-woman-arrested-after-shooting-at-a-pa-county-district-attorneys-office/3585936/ | 2023-06-15T15:09:35 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-woman-arrested-after-shooting-at-a-pa-county-district-attorneys-office/3585936/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. — After more than three decades of taking cyclists around the state on a week-long ride, Cycle Oregon's flagship cycling ride, called the Classic, will ride off into the sunset after the organization's September ride.
"The Classic is the ultimate way to see a part of the state you would never get to. To smell the blackberries, to smell the vineyards, to experience the creeks of all of those wonderful, amazing geographical features that we have in Oregon that we never get to when we're going up and down the I-5 corridor," said Sarah Gates, the vice president on the board of directors for Cycle Oregon.
Gates said she has ridden in the Classic around 20 times.
"I've been to every corner of the state and at the speed of two wheels. It's just a magical time when I don't have to do anything else," Gates said.
The Classic is a 7-day ride covering hundreds of miles and climbing thousands of feet in elevation. Each year's ride is different from the last. The route each year takes place in a different part of the state, the scenery is different and the towns that the several thousand riders enter benefit from the temporary visitors.
"That's the beauty of the Classic, is to show off the beauty of Oregon. Most of the towns that all of our rides go through, not just the Classic. We're going into towns that double and triple the population," said Ryan Barrett, the marketing manager for Cycle Oregon.
On average, about 2,000 take part in each ride. At its height, that number was closer to 2,500 and registration filled up fast.
"If you didn't sign up for the Classic on the day we announced the route, you may not get in," Gates said.
As the years have gone on, they say it has become more expensive to produce and cyclists want different types of rides. Ridership has also fallen in recent years to closer to 1,500. This year, they hope to get around 1,300 to sign up, but say there are just over 800 registered.
"Ever since about the 25th (year), we've seen a change in rider preferences and there's a lot more competition for people's ride time. In addition to inflation, we're realizing our riders are looking for different kinds of rides," Gates said.
The final farewell will cover more than 350 miles with cyclists visiting five different towns in the Willamette valley and along the Oregon coast.
"It's going to be a celebration no matter how many show up. It's going to be an iconic ride going through an iconic area of Oregon. So really, no matter the numbers it's an individual experience," Barrett said.
Cycle Oregon said even though the Classic is ending, the organization is not. It will continue to create new routes that showcase the Beaver State with different rides giving cyclists a different experience.
The last Classic will start on Sept. 9 in Albany, traveling south and heading west through Alsea, the circling up towards Toledo and Cloverdale near the coast and heading east towards Carlton before heading south to end at the starting point, 7 days later, on the Sept. 16.
Registration costs $1,450 until Aug. 28 and if you register day of the ride, it's $1,500 with limited availability. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/cycle-oregon-ending-classic-bike-ride/283-8ed51fce-f3bf-44a1-b8da-98c3ba120726 | 2023-06-15T15:13:32 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/cycle-oregon-ending-classic-bike-ride/283-8ed51fce-f3bf-44a1-b8da-98c3ba120726 |
ATLANTA — Gospel singer Jekalyn Carr is preparing to let you know it is your winning season. June 23rd and 24th she will be hosting her two-day "You Will Win" conference right here in Atlanta.
Carr is excited about bringing the conference to the Peach State.
She talks about her expectations, what she hopes attendees take from the conference and new music.
The conference's website describes the event as one for "conscientious entrepreneurs and serves as a tool to empower people to break molds, shatter social & economic barriers, and to win in every aspect of their lives."
For tickets head over to www.youwillwin.org. Packages start at $129 for the two-day conference and night services.
Guest speakers will include actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery and YouTube family sensation The Pantons Squad, as well as several other notable names.
It will be held at the Georgia International Convention Center. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/jekalynn-carr-you-will-win-conference-atlanta/85-a92bcc15-12a5-452a-b6df-8bebc2617a71 | 2023-06-15T15:17:14 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/jekalynn-carr-you-will-win-conference-atlanta/85-a92bcc15-12a5-452a-b6df-8bebc2617a71 |
ATLANTA — MARTA will officially break ground Thursday morning on the Summerhill bus rapid transit (BRT) line.
The transit agency has favored BRT for several recent expansion developments as a quicker and cheaper way of delivering new transportation lines.
Plans are in place for further BRT routes along Campbellton Road and through the Clifton Corridor, which would connect the Lindbergh heavy rail station and Decatur through the busy Emory and CDC areas.
The idea for BRT is fairly simple - it functions like a rail line, with dedicated lanes and station platforms. The Summerhill BRT station map can be found here.
MARTA has generally argued BRT provides a quicker path to project completion, and at far less cost, than light rail systems while largely replicating most of the advantages of light rail.
During debate last year over the Campbellton Road project, MARTA CEO and General Manager Collie Greenwood described BRT as a "gold standard" system that comes "complete with stations, platform-level entry at both doors, and dedicated lanes, very much like a rail system, but at a lower cost and with a faster construction completion time."
The five-mile Summerhill route will service from Downtown along Hank Aaron Drive to the southside BeltLine, with stops at Carver, Peoplestown, Ormond Street, Summerhill, Convocation Center and Capitol Gateway before lopping through Downtown. The BRT line will have heavy rail connectivity at the Five Points, Georgia State and Garnett stations.
"The high-capacity transit line will have new electric buses and operate in 85 percent dedicated lanes with transit signal priority. Fourteen BRT stations along the route will feature off-board fare collection so you can pay before you board, real-time service information, and level boarding, along with other amenities consistent with rail stations," a MARTA release stated.
The Summerhill BRT line is the first of the More MARTA projects that transit leaders have been facing pressure to make progress on.
According to a release, the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the corner of Hank Aaron Drive and Georgia Avenue.
“We are excited to celebrate this milestone in the More MARTA Atlanta Program and get started building the region’s first BRT line in this vital city corridor,” Greenwood said in a statement. “This line will provide an efficient connection between historic city neighborhoods, job centers, Georgia State, and our rail system, and will be the benchmark for future BRT lines in metro Atlanta.” | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/marta-groundbreaking-summerhill-bus-rapid-transit-brt/85-70715f37-49f0-40ae-b4de-b105d2ad34d3 | 2023-06-15T15:17:20 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/marta-groundbreaking-summerhill-bus-rapid-transit-brt/85-70715f37-49f0-40ae-b4de-b105d2ad34d3 |
BLOOMINGTON — Summertime is about here.
Some will hit the pools to escape the heat. Others set up music stands, meet with tutors and stoke the flames of passion for music that burns from within.
I recently checked in with three instructional studios in the Twin Cities, and each agreed the demand for private music lessons is heating up.
Marita Brake, who teaches guitar, ukulele and voice for The Music Education Center at The Music Shoppe at 1540 E. College Ave. in Normal, agreed that part of their summer spike comes from parents who want to help their kids get out of the house.
But the other part of that demand, she said, is from children not having regular music lessons or band classes over the summer break.
“They still need that keeping them solid on their instrument during the summer,” Brake said.
Jonathon Breen, president of The Music Shoppe, said another big draw for parents seeking private instruction for their children is to supplement K-12 school courses.
“The challenge with the school lessons is that there’s not a lot of one-one-on instructions there for beginners,” he said.
Breen said having a dedicated instructor who’s a specialist on your instrument can be a lovely thing, and will help students progress a lot faster.
Brake said their instructors sometimes connect with a student’s orchestra or band director so they know what they want them to do.
“We don’t want to get in their way, but we want to help,” she said.
She and Breen added they have adults who return to music, too. Ages of their students range from 3 to 84.
While middle and high school bands are a big part of music education, she said people also pick up instruments not performed in those groups.
The majority of their studio’s lessons are for guitar, she said, with six teachers on deck at the Shoppe’s studio for that instrument.
On the sales floor of The Music Shoppe, you’ll find a more welcoming atmosphere than the one portrayed in Mike Myers' 1992 hit film “Wayne’s World.”
Breen said they don’t have a “no 'Stairway to Heaven' rule.” You can pick those riffs all you want.
If you chat with the Shoppe’s sales staff, he said everyone has their favorite — and least favorite — guitar licks. However, they might just roll their eyes when one is repeated over and over again.
Swift on strings
Noah Renken-Kapatos, a Bloomington musician who’s been featured in several of my past columns, invited me for a tour last week of the Hip Cat Music School at 417 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington.
He said it was Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” that inspired him to learn guitar as a child, and he began lessons at 14. To play that song, he said he first needed to learn to play notes, and then chords.
“Along the way, I learned how to play a dozen other songs,” Renken-Kapatos said. “I learned how to write my own songs, and then my goal shifted from learning that one song to writing my own.”
Now at 24 years old, Renken-Kapatos is offering lessons in guitar, music production and music composition at Hip Cat. He’s working toward a creative technologies degree at Illinois State University and expects to graduate in December.
His sessions can look quite different. He said he has a father and daughter he teaches together on group lessons, and it’s real sweet. He also has younger students who are very into Taylor Swift.
Brake said young girls or women make up the biggest market for new guitar purchases, and he credited Taylor Swift for that.
Renken-Kapatos said he has one music production student who wants to learn how to record audiobooks. He said they're learning how to record their voice in a pleasing way that one can listen to it for hours, and that’s hard.
He said production sessions use digital audio workshop software, like Garage Band, which is free. He’s also used Logic Pro in his own professional work, he said, but that’s a paid program.
Renken-Kapatos said there are universal tools in many DAW programs, such as equalizing, compression and reverb. He also uses recording as a tool for composition, by playing along to a part he’s already recorded on a guitar.
Instead of sticking to a preferred textbook, Renken-Kapatos said he tells students to bring a notebook with them. He said he’ll write the notes so students can take his experience back home.
After a month of lessons, Renken-Kapatos said a student could theoretically play a song or two if they practice 10 minutes every day.
When he went to his first guitar lesson at Kidder Music School (which is no longer operating in Bloomington), he said he didn’t know the value of his lessons.
“'YouTube University' is awesome, but it’s not a suitable replacement for private instructions,” he said.
All together now
Gilford Moore, who owns Hip Cat and cares for several pet cats at home with his wife, said he opened his music school in September 2020, in the thick of the pandemic. He previously taught for both The Music Shoppe and Kidder.
He said guitar has always been hot, but piano lessons have the most demand. He noted voice lessons are very popular, too, because there are so many local theater productions in town.
“There’s a lot of musicals and young kids that want to be in them,” Moore said.
He said he considers his business as just one part of a larger, organic teaching entity in the Twin Cities, weighing all the music stores with studios, private residential sessions, and courses at public schools and higher education institutions. His school has 30 instructors teaching over 400 students.
Moore said he’s impressed with music programs at Illinois State University. He said most of his school’s instructors studied music education or performance there, and he’s pleased with their maturity levels.
“I know what I was like at their age,” he said, adding that students appreciate learning from someone closer to their age.
As of the end of this month, there will be nine teachers on staff at Carl's Pro Band in Bloomington. Co-owner Travis Thacker, son of founding owner Carl Thacker, said their studio lessons are geared toward wind instruments, with trumpet and saxophone taking the highest enrollment numbers.
Thacker said music enriches almost everyone's life, and learning an instrument intensifies that.
The Music Shoppe has 30 teachers, Brake said, also noting eight have master's degrees and two have doctoral degrees. Others are degreed, have decades of experience playing in bands, or have taught several generations of students.
When schools went remote during the pandemic, Breen said the concept of wind instrument lessons in a small room was put to rest. Then, he said the Shoppe dealt with technological challenges of virtual lessons, like unstable internet connections and poor microphone quality.
Breen said you can’t play together digitally, and you can’t shift a student’s elbow through a screen. He said several instructors adapted well, but virtual lessons didn’t work for many — and that meant the Shoppe took a hit.
Although Breen declined to provide specific numbers on enrollment at the Music Shoppe, he said they've rebounded since the start of the pandemic. In many cases, he said people turned to music during lockdown, causing a tremendous demand for music.
“What we found during COVID is that there was a tremendous amount of demand for music,” said Breen. He said people were either picking up an instrument they had played once upon a time, or were diving deeper into one they had always dabbled in.
Brake said students often start on one instrument, hear other instruments being played in passing at the studios, and then want to learn a second instrument. Breen said it’s common for 4- to 6-year-olds to start on piano first.
“Oftentimes, the progress is much faster because they already know the basics,” he said of those working on a secondary instrument. “Now, it’s a concept of mechanics.”
Renken-Kapatos said music is all one language, and what you learn on one instrument will translate in part to another.
Every compulsory Air Guitar World Championship song since 1996
Every year at the Air Guitar World Championships, competitors must all play the same "compulsory song," a sort of baseline performance for all judges to compare. As the 2017 Air Guitar World Championships kick off Aug. 23 in Oulu, Finland, here's a look back at every compulsory song since 1996. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/twin-cities-interest-in-private-music-lessons-popping-off-from-pop-rock-bands/article_883b709c-0ae4-11ee-acd6-dfa8ec6c5216.html | 2023-06-15T15:18:14 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/twin-cities-interest-in-private-music-lessons-popping-off-from-pop-rock-bands/article_883b709c-0ae4-11ee-acd6-dfa8ec6c5216.html |
DULUTH — Smoke from Canadian wildfires should not be a major problem for runners for the 47th Grandma’s Marathon series of events in Duluth on Friday and Saturday.
Forecasters say some smoke may still linger in the air over the weekend, but that most of it should stay higher in the atmosphere.
“There will still be smoke aloft most likely, but the near-surface smoke should be much better than what we saw’’ on Wednesday, said Bryan Howell, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Duluth.
The William A. Irvin 5K begins at 6 p.m. Friday in Canal Park. On Saturday, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon starts at 5:50 a.m. on Scenic Highway 61, between Two Harbors and Duluth, and Grandma's Marathon begins at 7:35 a.m. just south of Two Harbors, also on Scenic Highway 61.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency forecasts a “moderate" air quality index for Saturday for Duluth, which means air quality is acceptable and should not pose breathing issues for most people.
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Still, runners may notice some smoke smell, especially early in the day.
“The lowest air quality (Saturday) will likely be during the morning hours before a lake breeze develops around midday or early afternoon and helps clear things out along the shore,’’ Howell noted.
The National Weather Service in Duluth forecasts mostly sunny skies with easterly winds through Saturday. Temperatures will drop into the upper 40s for the earliest racers Saturday and will climb into the 70s by afternoon.
Winds will be easterly at 5-10 mph off Lake Superior, which may help push runners a little as they move mostly west toward downtown Duluth. There is no rain in the forecast until a 20% chance for Saturday night.
Smoke was thick in Duluth on Wednesday morning then moved southwest across the state during the day, choking out the Twin Cities and producing some of the worst air pollution indexes since records have been kept.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on Thursday was reporting good air quality or only slight air quality issues for Northeastern Minnesota, with thick smoke still an issue in southern parts of the state, including the Twin Cities and south to Rochester, where air quality was still considered unhealthy for anyone outside.
An air quality advisory remained in effect for the southern half of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin on Thursday. But as of Thursday morning, no advisories were in effect for northern Minnesota. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/smoke-expected-to-moderate-in-time-for-grandmas-marathon-events | 2023-06-15T15:22:14 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/smoke-expected-to-moderate-in-time-for-grandmas-marathon-events |
GRAND BLANC, Mich. (WJRT) - Residents have a new option to work out in downtown Grand Blanc.
City leaders cut the ribbon on a new outdoor Fitness Court at Dennis S. Smith Park on Wednesday. The park is located along High Street between the Grand Blanc City police and fire stations.
The wellness center allows users to leverage their own body weight to get a complete workout. Fitness Courts can be used by individuals or groups for cardiovascular and strength workouts.
It's adaptable for all fitness levels and even has an app that can be downloaded on smartphones.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer another unique recreation facility in the city," said Grand Blanc City Manager Wendy Jean-Buhrer. "The new Fitness Court is an excellent destination point for residents who are looking for a free, physical fitness center in the heart of Grand Blanc."
The Community Foundation of Greater Flint and the Grand Blanc Community Fund helped make the project possible.
Grand Blanc Township is planning to install a similar Fitness Court at Bicentennial Park this summer. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/outdoor-fitness-park-opens-in-downtown-grand-blanc/article_74ca15ea-0b89-11ee-ad18-8b07f8d14272.html | 2023-06-15T15:26:29 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/outdoor-fitness-park-opens-in-downtown-grand-blanc/article_74ca15ea-0b89-11ee-ad18-8b07f8d14272.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — A recent audit of the Austin Fire Department (AFD) found the department is spending millions of dollars on overtime. The City of Austin asked AFD what can be done to reduce those costs. In response, the fire chief released a proposed roadmap for reducing overtime.
For the 2023 fiscal year, AFD was required to not go over a $9.6 million overtime budget. But according to a memo sent by Fire Chief Joel Baker to City leaders, the department is on track to surpass that budget by over $2 million.
"I think that's the first step, being transparent with our budget and letting the community know ... [to] respond to the taxpayers and city council as well," Baker said.
In the memo sent to the Austin City Council this week, Baker made three requests to help reduce overtime.
The first is to increase the department's overtime budget by $2 million.
"The Austin Fire Department is constantly growing," Baker said. "We have added ... at least five new stations since I've been here. We have two more that's being built ... So, we need to increase our overtime to grow with the fire department."
The second request is for $700,000 to fund nine full-time firefighters and additional equipment for when firefighters are out on paid time off.
The third request is $850,000 for eight full-time firefighters and equipment on 2-person squads to cover special assignments and increased call load in specific neighborhoods.
The addition of more full-time firefighters will help with emergency staffing needs and reduce overtime expenses, according to Baker.
"We are doing our best to make sure that we still deliver the high level of service that the city needs and a high level service the city and tax payers expect from us," Baker said.
The chief said AFD has had to reduce spending in other areas to meet the overtime budget. The department has stopped certain training and has put off buying uniforms and other equipment.
None of these are critical needs right now, but if the purchases keep being put off, that could impact the firefighters' workflow and could eventually impact response times.
As of now, AFD is operating like normal and firefighters are getting services to everyone who needs them. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-fire-millions-overtime-department-reduce/269-d04b7a5f-e455-4702-bf65-9352086977f4 | 2023-06-15T15:27:48 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-fire-millions-overtime-department-reduce/269-d04b7a5f-e455-4702-bf65-9352086977f4 |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
A rezoning request related to Walt Disney World’s plans to build an affordable housing community has surfaced in Orange County, suggesting the project — scheduled to open in 2026 — is ramping up.
READ: I-Drive leaders, Orange County reach agreement on design for $30 mil pedestrian bridge
Walt Disney Imagineering, the think tank/creative of The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS), is the applicant for a June 13 request to rezone 114 acres to planned development to make way for the apartment community, which is expected to have about 1,400 housing units.
The move follows Disney’s announcement in November that Camden, NJ-based The Michaels Organization will be the developer for the project on its behalf, as well as its April announcement of a construction timeline and increase from 1,300 units to 1,400.
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/disney-makes-new-move-related-350m-affordable-housing-community-horizon-west/FEUMXU5CENE2DP5UONOEQ3BD4Y/ | 2023-06-15T15:32:27 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/disney-makes-new-move-related-350m-affordable-housing-community-horizon-west/FEUMXU5CENE2DP5UONOEQ3BD4Y/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell is scheduled to provide an update on a “case of recent community interest” on Thursday.
Her office said the news conference will be at 1 p.m. You can stream it live here.
>>> STREAM THE NEWS CONFERENCE LIVE AT 1 P.M. <<<
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Worrell’s office did not provide any other information about which case the update is regarding other than that it has “garnered recent media interest in the community.”
Stay tuned to Channel 9 Eyewitness News for updates.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-1-pm-orange-osceola-state-attorney-discuss-case-recent-community-interest/U4E76K7NDZHIND4SBF6ZP2J6YI/ | 2023-06-15T15:32:34 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-1-pm-orange-osceola-state-attorney-discuss-case-recent-community-interest/U4E76K7NDZHIND4SBF6ZP2J6YI/ |
WINTER PARK, Fla. — Winter Park is asking for input on its plans to make the city “smarter.”
The city will host an open house community meeting on Thursday for people to talk to representatives about the new ways the city can become “smarter” through the use of new technologies and data analysis.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The meeting will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Winter Park Country Club located at 761 Old England Ave.
If you can’t attend, you can also submit feedback online here.
Read: ‘All good things come to an end’: Linda’s Winter Park Diner to close this summer
Click here for more information about the city’s four “smart city” pillars.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-today-winter-park-asks-input-smart-city-initiatives/JW7O22MZBZEKNKY4F2UO6AZ6LQ/ | 2023-06-15T15:32:40 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-today-winter-park-asks-input-smart-city-initiatives/JW7O22MZBZEKNKY4F2UO6AZ6LQ/ |
TAMPA BAY, Fla. — You have less than a month left to ride one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s 10 roller coasters.
The theme park announced this week that guests have until July 9 to ride SandSerpent, the park’s family-friendly, 5-story-tall roller coaster.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The ride will close permanently on July 9 to make room for a “exciting new addition.”
Theme park officials said annual pass members looking to get their final rides in will get exclusive early morning access to ride SandSerpent from June 30 through July 4.
Read: Man jumps into alligator enclosure at Busch Gardens in Tampa
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/last-chance-busch-gardens-announces-closing-date-family-friendly-roller-coaster/6VA6QNXXEJDEBJD6S3OKXOG5AQ/ | 2023-06-15T15:32:46 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/last-chance-busch-gardens-announces-closing-date-family-friendly-roller-coaster/6VA6QNXXEJDEBJD6S3OKXOG5AQ/ |
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — One person was injured in a shooting in New Smyrna Beach Thursday morning, according to the police department.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
It happened on South Dixie Freeway near Lytle Ave.
See a a map of the area below:
The person shot was taken to the hospital. Police haven’t commented on the severity of their injuries.
The police department hasn’t released any other information on the circumstances leading up to the shooting, but said they already have a suspect in custody.
READ: Florida set to execute man convicted of 1984 murders, rapes while children slept nearby
Traffic on South Dixie Freeway was diverted from the area during the police department’s investigation. Lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides of Dixie Freeway have since reopened.
This story is developing. Please stay with WFTV as more information comes into our newsroom.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-1-injured-suspect-custody-after-shooting-new-smyrna-beach/5BN3DNQCPRFABFCMHUYUE5P6Z4/ | 2023-06-15T15:32:52 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-1-injured-suspect-custody-after-shooting-new-smyrna-beach/5BN3DNQCPRFABFCMHUYUE5P6Z4/ |
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People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/lee-county-district-5-supervisor-candidate-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-assault/article_4b1c6db4-0b8a-11ee-9d94-bfa9f0a05b51.html | 2023-06-15T15:38:05 | 1 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/lee-county-district-5-supervisor-candidate-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-assault/article_4b1c6db4-0b8a-11ee-9d94-bfa9f0a05b51.html |
Salem Pride comes to downtown this weekend
A commemorative march, yoga, drag performances, live music and a dance party are planned to celebrate diversity and inclusion at Salem Downtown Pride Saturday.
The event, hosted by individual organizers with support from Capital Pride and the Salem Main Street Association, is returning this year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kick-off and after-parties will also be held at various businesses, including Southside Speakeasy, Taproot, Archive and Fork Forty.
The march will start at Court Street in front of the Capitol. The ensuing festivities will take place on State Street between Liberty Road and Commercial Street.
The schedule includes:
Friday: A kick-off party at Southside Speakeasy, 3529 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE.
Saturday:
- 10 a.m. commemorative march
- 11 a.m Pride yoga
- Noon kickoff
- 12:30 p.m. drag with Lylac and friends
- 1:15 p.m. music by Flying Nimbus
- 1:45 p.m. open stage drag
- 2:30 p.m. audience participation
- 3 p.m. DJ dance party
- 3:30 p.m. ISCWE drag performance
- 4:15 p.m. music by Hannah Wood
- 5 p.m. drag with Lylac and friends
- 6 p.m. DJ dance party
- After parties: 6:30 p.m. Comedy show at Taproot Louge & Cafe, 356 State St.; 6:30 p.m. Vendors at Archive Coffee & Bar, 102 Liberty St. NE #120; 9 p.m. Dance Party at Fork Forty Food Hall, 440 State St.
More information can be found online at facebook.com/events/1927138104333348 and salemcapitalpride.org.
Salem Capital Pride, a non-profit based out of the city, was created to uplift and support the voices of the LGBTQ+ community. The group hosts monthly hikes, potlucks, a kickball league, tabletop games and Pride in the Park, an annual pride event in August at Riverfront Park. Last year's event drew about 7,000 people.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter at @wmwoodworth | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/salem-pride-comes-to-downtown-this-weekend/70323032007/ | 2023-06-15T15:43:32 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/salem-pride-comes-to-downtown-this-weekend/70323032007/ |
State police seize guns, body armor, $82K in Detroit raid
Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News
State police seized drugs, guns, body armor and $82,000 in cash after a traffic stop this week that led to a raid on a house in Detroit, officials said.
Police said they executed a search warrant at the home on Tuesday and found two handguns — one of which was reported stolen — an AR rifle with a missing serial number missing and an AK-47 pistol. They also found body armor, ammunition, and the money. The location of the home wasn't disclosed.
Troopers arrested a suspect who was taken to the Detroit Detention Center to await charges.
Before the raid, a trooper had conducted a traffic stop and confiscated a large amount of cocaine, fentanyl, oxycodone and suboxone, they said.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/15/state-police-seize-guns-body-armor-82k-in-detroit-raid/70324902007/ | 2023-06-15T15:53:17 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/15/state-police-seize-guns-body-armor-82k-in-detroit-raid/70324902007/ |
UM's accreditation body investigating claims of grade fraud
The body that grants accreditation to the University of Michigan is planning to "further review" allegations of grade falsification following complaints submitted by the unionized graduate student instructors, who are on strike.
The Higher Learning Commission last week sent a letter to the UM Graduate Employees' Organization, indicating that it will further review complaints submitted by GEO to the commission on May 30 regarding grades that were submitted and "falsified" while union members were on strike.
In May, GEO members said that the UM registrar was pressuring their colleagues to deliver final grades in classes in which striking graduate student instructors were the sole instructor. GEO said that the grades were "falsified," a charge that UM denied.
The union submitted 20 pieces of evidence to the HLC that included emails, statements and letters about the issue.
"Upon initial review of your complaint, HLC determined that the matter regarding University of Michigan raises potential concerns regarding the institution's compliance with the Criteria for Accreditation," wrote Robert Rucker, the HLC's manager of compliance and complex evaluations.
"Due to these potential concerns, HLC will conduct a further review of the institutionbased on your complaint."
Rucker wrote that the union's complaint will be forwarded to UM and it will have 30 days to respond to the concerns in writing and provide supporting evidence. The HLC will review UM's response to determine what action, if any, is needed.
UM spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said that the university is aware of the complaint received by the HLC and would respond within 30 days.
"While we are confident the university has acted ethically and well within legal bounds on all matters brought forth, we look forward to fully engaging with the Higher Learning Commission's review and continuing a valued relationship that has extended for more than a century with this accreditor," Fitzgerald said.
GEO provided the Higher Learning Commission's letter to the Detroit News, and planned to host a press briefing on Thursday ahead of a UM Regents meeting.
Amir Fleischmann, the GEO's contract committee chair, said that UM is "unable to function" without graduate student employees and that is why they had to. The HLC's further review of the complaint, "tells the university that this a bridge too far."
"When some grades are falsified, the legitimacy of all grades is brought into question," said Fleischmann.
The HLC review of the grade allegations comes after GEO held a press conference before the May regents' meeting, and Board Chair Paul Brown said the regents demanded a full investigation.
UM last month petitioned the Michigan Employment Relations Commission for a neutral party to start a fact finding process and issue a nonbinding recommendation to reach a contract.
About 2,300 graduate student instructors and staff assistants have been on strike at UM since March 29, the longest since the union formed in 1974. Its last contract expired May 1. They have been in negotiations for a new contract since Nov. 17.
kkozlowski@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/15/higher-learning-commission-um-accreditation-grade-fraud-allegation-geo-strike/70322026007/ | 2023-06-15T15:53:24 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/15/higher-learning-commission-um-accreditation-grade-fraud-allegation-geo-strike/70322026007/ |
Michigan State Police cracking down on speeding, reckless driving next week
Michigan State Police are ramping up efforts to slow down speeding on freeways this summer starting this week.
“Speeding continues to be a critical issue in Michigan that leads to many needless crashes, serious injuries and fatalities on our roadways,” Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, said in a statement.
Speed enforcement efforts by state and county police agencies will be conducted beginning Saturday through June 25, according to a release from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety.
“We are in the busy, warm-weather travel season with many families driving to their favorite destinations to enjoy the summer break. Unfortunately, there will be some drivers on the road who put everyone at risk by speeding and driving recklessly, making crashes more likely. These vital speed-enforcement periods help lessen the impact of those dangerous, impatient drivers," Bower said.
According to state police, Michigan traffic crashes rose 15% from 2020 to 2021, from 245,432 to 282,640. Speed-related fatalities, meanwhile, went up nearly 19 percent in 2021.
MSP said local roads are notoriously more dangerous than the highways with 87 percent of all Michigan speeding-related traffic fatalities happen on non-interstate roadways.
Younger drivers, meanwhile, account for a significant percentage of speed-related crashes, with those 15-20 accounting for 10.2% of speed-related crashes in 2021, according to a study from the University of Michigan. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/15/michigan-state-police-step-up-enforcement-to-cut-down-on-speeding/70325134007/ | 2023-06-15T15:53:30 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/15/michigan-state-police-step-up-enforcement-to-cut-down-on-speeding/70325134007/ |
Holly Hotel rebuild is slow going, but helped by $40,000 grant
Wednesday marks one year since flames, smoke and water damaged buildings in the quaint downtown area of Holly, including the Holly Hotel restaurant.
Owners George and Chrissy Kutlenios were hoping to reopen their historic property by this time, but several factors led them to extend their timeline to this fall.
While they've faced challenges, the owners received a blessing this month thanks to American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Their Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program distributed $1 million to 25 historic and culturally significant restaurants that operate in historic buildings or neighborhoods. The only recipient from Michigan, the Holly Hotel will get a $40,000 piece of that pie.
George Kutlenios credits the community for helping them get the funds.
"We have an amazing following, 70,000 people on our mailing list and people have been staying in touch with us this entire process." He said one of their followers told him about the grant and social media took it from there. Kutlenios said several of their supporters wrote to the National Trust for Historic Preservation asking them to consider the Holly Hotel for the gift.
The June 21, 2022, fire at the former inn — which is known for hosting tea services, weddings and comedy shows and for its ghost sightings — wasn't the first or even the second time the Holly Hotel caught fire. George Kutlenios said he purchased the building in 1978 after the second fire, which happened exactly 65 years to the date of the first fire in 1913.
More:Some historic restaurants hit by fire in 2022 make progress
"On the day of the (2022) fire, we kinda looked at the damage ... and our time timetable, in my mind, was going to be about a year," he said. "I bought it in '78 when it burned and it was 85% destroyed and that took us almost two years. And this fire wasn't as devastating, so I thought one year would be a good window. But it was the first time I ever had any insurance claim, and that's a long, laborious process ... fraught with a billion conference calls and inspections."
Kutlenios says that even though the fire only damaged about a third of the building, the water affected everything.
"They poured a million gallons of water on the building to save it, so we had to gut everything ... right down to the studs," he said, pointing to a few other issues that they've dealt with over the last 12 months.
"Death by a thousand cuts," he said, adding that they have managed to rebuild the west wall, the roof and have cleaned and dried everything from inside.
More:Holly Hotel-set rom-com viewings to raise funds to help repair hotel, Detroit museum
"Our new timeline (for opening) is looking like more toward the end of this year," he said. Unlike the rebuild in the 1970s, this time will allow for the Holly Hotel to reach the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including an elevator and other features making it completely accessible. They will also make improvements to the kitchen and common spaces to make the historic property more functional as restaurant.
"It's just been weird," Kutlenios said of the past year. "COVID was a curveball, but we had a plan and we were doing take-outs and we were chugging along. After the COVID crisis ended, at least for restaurants, we were having this amazing year. People just wanted to get back out and support restaurants. We were having the best year ever up until the day of the fire."
The weirdest thing for him is not being at the restaurant where he's worked for more than 40 years, especially on big landmark days like the Christmas season and Mother's Day.
"It's gone from 100 miles an hour to zero," he said. "But the process of this restoration has kept us busy."
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @melodybaetens | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/06/15/holly-hotel-rebuild-is-slow-going-but-helped-by-40000-grant/70324848007/ | 2023-06-15T15:53:36 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/06/15/holly-hotel-rebuild-is-slow-going-but-helped-by-40000-grant/70324848007/ |
Detroit man charged with murder in strangling, stabbing, burning of girlfriend
Kara Berg
The Detroit News
A Detroit man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the strangling and stabbing death of his girlfriend, prosecutors said.
Detroit police were sent to a home in the 20340 block of Berg Road just before 11:23 p.m. June 9, where they found 48-year-old Stacy Smith dead in her bedroom, according to a press release from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
Police and prosecutors believe Smith's boyfriend, Cortez Xavier Coleman, 42, fatally strangled her, stabbed her in the chest with a knife and burned her right leg before fleeing the scene, according to the press release.
Coleman was arrested June 12 by Detroit police.
He is expected to be arraigned Thursday morning in 36th District Court.
kberg@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/06/15/detroit-man-charged-with-murder-in-strangling-stabbing-of-girlfriend/70325027007/ | 2023-06-15T15:53:42 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/06/15/detroit-man-charged-with-murder-in-strangling-stabbing-of-girlfriend/70325027007/ |
Every morning, NBC 5 Today is dedicated to delivering you positive local stories of people doing good, giving back and making a real change in our community. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/dallas-isd-summer-meals-program-kicks-off-for-kids-18-and-under/3278215/ | 2023-06-15T15:59:01 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/dallas-isd-summer-meals-program-kicks-off-for-kids-18-and-under/3278215/ |
HALIFAX COUNTY, Va. – The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office needs your help searching for a 71-year-old man with an extensive medical history and early-onset dementia.
Paul Douglas Poole was last seen leaving his home on Virgie Cole Road on Wednesday at about 1 a.m. and is said to be riding a 2015 Red Honda Goldwing Trike with Virginia registration 308Q.
Poole mentioned that he was on the way to meet his bike club in Lynchburg, Virginia. But later that day, at about 2 p.m., he got in touch with a family member and asked for directions, saying that he believed he was in the town of Bedford, which was confirmed through the Life 360 tracking app.
Poole’s phone has gone dead and authorities are no longer able to track his location.
Authorities described Poole as a 6-foot-tall man who weighs 178 pounds.
If anyone has seen Poole or his motorcycle, please contact the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office at 434-476-3339.
The sheriff’s office has warned the public to use caution when approaching Poole given that he may be in possession of a firearm. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/halifax-county-authorities-searching-for-missing-71-year-old-man-with-dementia/ | 2023-06-15T16:01:51 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/halifax-county-authorities-searching-for-missing-71-year-old-man-with-dementia/ |
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. – The Smith Mountain Lake Association is offering a new resource to keep visitors informed on the harmful algal bloom affecting parts of the lake.
This comes after the Virginia Department of Health issued a Harmful Algal Bloom Swimming Advisory on June 6 for the entire Blackwater arm of Smith Mountain Lake.
VDH advises that swimming on the Blackwater arm could expose both people and pets to a potentially harmful algal bloom.
The new resource center features questions and answers, links to VDH and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality websites, actions residents can take to protect the water, and news reports.
The website is kept up-to-date with information received from VDH, DEQ, and the SML Water Quality Program.
According to the new resource center website, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality began sampling the water on June 13, to determine when the swimming advisory can be lifted.
“VDH guidance states that two sampling events, at least 10 days apart, must show levels of cyanobacteria and toxins below advisory levels before the Swimming Advisory can be lifted. Six locations, five in the Blackwater and one in Gills Creek will be tested for cyanobacteria levels and toxins in addition to the regularly scheduled sampling DEQ conducts monthly on the lake. A return to the initial three locations that were the basis for the Swimming Advisory may occur if resources allow, according to VDH and DEQ. Results of the June 13 sampling event should be available by the end of the week,” the website reads.
For more information, visit the resource center online here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/smith-mountain-lake-association-announces-harmful-algal-bloom-resource-center/ | 2023-06-15T16:01:57 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/smith-mountain-lake-association-announces-harmful-algal-bloom-resource-center/ |
VALPARAISO — The Porter County Board of Commissioners plans to structure lease terms for the historic sheriff’s residence to avoid County Council scrutiny of any new lease.
Under state law, the commissioners can lease the 1860 building for under $25,000 a year for up to three years without the council’s approval.
Getting the main floor of the landmark structure ready for the new tenant, if any, would cost $120,000, about 60% more than the three-year lease would generate.
“It’s a beautiful building,” Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center, said. “I just hate to see that structure not being used and not being revitalized in any way.”
“The alternative here is to do our original Memorial Opera House plan,” Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, said.
That plan included a connection between the 1893 Memorial Opera House and the 1860 sheriff’s residence to add accessible restrooms and a larger gathering space.
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An addition that would just add accessible restrooms would cost $2 million, Regnitz said.
The council asked Blaney to urge the commissioners to consider the original expansion plan. “I don’t think the council is dead-set against the expansion,” she said.
Blaney also asked whether the Memorial Opera House employees would be allowed to use the second floor of the adjacent sheriff’s residence.
“It’s not finished. We had to renovate it first,” Regnitz said. “I don’t see the sheriff’s residence and the MOH connected,” she added.
Instead, she’s offering office space in the courthouse for three members of the opera house staff to use during renovations of the opera house, pegged at up to $5 million.
Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, said the cost of the expansion, which he believes would be $9 million, is the only reason he opposes the plan.
Other buildings are a bigger priority, he said, although the opera house does require extensive exterior and interior renovations.
“We have a lot of things we need to work with the council on, and I believe this is important to them,” Blaney said.
“We’ve discussed this issue for the last four years ad nauseam,” Biggs said.
In related business, the commissioners on Tuesday also voted to pay Schmidt Associates an additional $100,000 for the firm’s plans for the opera house renovation minus the connector.
“If we change direction here, it’s going to cost us $100,000. But if we don’t change direction, it’s going to cost us millions,” Biggs said.
Scott Cherry, of Skillman Construction, is planning two separate bid packages — one for the urgent exterior work and another for HVAC and other systems — at the commissioners’ direction. The second phase would be scheduled around planned events at the venue.
Valparaiso resident Dawn Miller, who has been a vocal opponent of the opera house expansion, told the commissioners she has changed her mind based on what she heard at Tuesday’s meeting. “My opinion has changed. Do the build-out,” she said.
“There’s a big difference between $5 million and $9.5 million,” Biggs said. The council previously appropriated $5 million for the opera house project but changed its mind when the commissioners effectively nixed the expansion plan this year.
The Memorial Opera House Foundation offered to help pay for the expansion project, chipping in $2 million, but didn’t want to contribute after the expansion was off the table.
The foundation also wanted five years to raise that $2 million, Biggs said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/commissioners-plan-to-circumvent-council-scrutiny/article_e332e99c-0ad7-11ee-846d-ffdde1a7fcf6.html | 2023-06-15T16:02:31 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/commissioners-plan-to-circumvent-council-scrutiny/article_e332e99c-0ad7-11ee-846d-ffdde1a7fcf6.html |
BALTIMORE — The Maryland Cannabis Administration has temporarily shutdown Cookies dispensary in Federal Hill.
Notice of the suspension came less than a week after Cookies held their grand opening on May 27.
The suspension lists a slew of violations, stemming from an unannounced inspection one day prior to opening.
Inspectors specifically describe one particular violation that was discovered circulating on social media.
"The video appeared to show large plumes of medical cannabis smoke being blown from a large gun apparatus into the mouths of persons outside the dispensary," the suspension notice states. "The gun contained a sticker with a Cookies logo on it."
Public consumption of cannabis is still prohibited by state law, although beginning July 1 adults 21 and over will be able to legally buy from licensed dispensaries.
The age requirement was another thing that got the attention of inspectors, as Cookies allegedly advertised online in a way the commission said "targets or is attractive to minors, including a cartoon character."
Cookies is also accused of refusing to provide inspectors with material needed for their investigation including surveillance footage, despite being asked multiple times.
"This failure to maintain video surveillance footage constitutes an operational failure risking diversion and endangering the public’s health because if Respondent’s statements are true, it is impossible to accurately identify who was coming and going in the dispensary and if any product was diverted," inspectors wrote.
The company now has 30 days from the date of suspension to request a hearing. They could face a $10,000 fine per violation.
To read the full suspension notice, click here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/cookies-dispensary-in-federal-hill-shut-down-by-state-cannabis-administration | 2023-06-15T16:03:52 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/cookies-dispensary-in-federal-hill-shut-down-by-state-cannabis-administration |
New tell-all memoir: Alex Murdaugh read true crime books in his holding cell during trial
The Colleton County jury reached the conclusion of its civic duty, and the world was anxiously waiting to hear a decision in the late afternoon hours of Friday, March 3, 2023.
Accused family annihilator and fraudster Alex Murdaugh, who had appeared confident, almost smug as the jury was being charged earlier in the day, looked much less confident when the 12 men and women re-entered the room so quickly ― after just three hours of deliberations.
In front of a mostly full courtroom, Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill took her time reading the verdicts as if she were trying to build suspense, calling out each indictment number and case number, numeral by numeral.
But the verdicts were all the same ― guilty. Murdaugh looked straight ahead as the verdict was read, then stiffened at the first "guilty," before turning and rocking a little on his feet, and he was found guilty on all counts in the murders of his wife and son.
Hill, in only her first term as elected Clerk of Court, had a front-row seat for one of the most sensational crime sagas and criminal trials in South Carolina legal history. Many agree she handled her role with elegance and Southern grace, as she welcomed visitors from around the world to her hometown and her courtroom.
Now, Hill, a descendant of a Colleton bootlegger who was once allegedly connected to Alex's grandfather, Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., has written a tell-all, yet touchingly heartwarming and almost spiritual, memoir. The book takes the reader behind the scenes to learn the never-before-revealed secrets of the Murdaugh murder trial.
Rebecca Hill pens murder trial true account: Behind the Doors of Justice
Hill's book, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, will be released Aug. 1. The book is co-written with Neil R. Gordon, with exclusive, never-before-seen photos by his wife, photographer Melissa Brinson Gordon, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes courthouse images.
This non-fiction account is a result of a chance encounter with new friends, Hill says. The Colleton Clerk of Court met Melissa Gordon in the courthouse square in the final days of the Murdaugh murder trial. Gordon and a friend were in Walterboro to document the S.C. Lowcountry murder trial that had gripped the entire country.
This chance meeting ― and a request to take a "selfie" with Hill ― led to friendship and a mutual desire to capture in words and photos what went on “Behind the Doors of Justice," Hill said on her Facebook page.
Neil Gordon said that he and Melissa were "obsessed" with the murder trial, and after meeting Hill, wanted to work together to document the experience.
"Becky and I met and hit it off," added Gordon. "I’m a news guy and she’s poetic with a novelist’s touch. It was a God-thing, and in about eight weeks, we wrote 42,000 words together from her perspective."
"Becky's insight and day-to-day involvement with every single thing going on behind the scenes was just too much good stuff not to share with anyone interested," added Gordon.
"I love the Toni Morrison quote that says, 'If there's a book you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must write it.'," Hill said. "And that's exactly what I did."
What you will find behind the cover of Behind the Doors of Justice
Here is a glimpse of the insights and exclusive stories you will learn more about in the pages of the new book by Hill and Gordon.
- Learn more about Hill's personal journey, first to become Colleton County Clerk of Court, then culminating with her reading of four guilty verdicts to Alex Murdaugh in front of millions of viewers.
- Follow Hill on her chilling visit to the crime scene at Moselle, where she looked the jurors in the eye at the moment “Alec’s” life would change forever.
- During a flight to New York for a joint appearance on the NBC Today Show, several jurors described how their site visit to Moselle was the turning point in the trial. They all reviewed the crime scene for time, distance and perspective. Once finished, they locked eyes without having to say a word, and most knew, then and there, Murdaugh was guilty.
- Feel the eerie beauty of the 1,770 acre Moselle property and dog kennels ― in prose and exclusive photos.
- Learn about Judge Clifton Newman’s grace under fire as he endured three personal tragedies just before sitting on the bench for the trial, and go behind closed doors to learn about his discussions of possibly stepping down from the bench.
- Learn what it was like having the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Court TV and 50 other media outlets descend on the “Mayberry- like” town of Walterboro, S.C.
- After the trial unfolded, Hill learned the true story of how Alex Murdaugh's then solicitor granddaddy, and her granddaddy, were involved in an illegal business almost 70 years ago.
- Learn more about Alex Murdaugh, such as how he liked to read true crime books while in the holding cell during courtroom or lunch breaks.
Hampton County Guardian Editor Michael DeWitt, the Greenville News and USA TODAY Network will continue to follow the ongoing criminal and civil cases surrounding the Murdaugh crime saga. Follow DeWitt on Twitter at @mmdewittjr and support his local and national journalism with a digital subscription. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/06/15/rebecca-hill-behind-the-doors-of-justice-true-crime-readers-alex-murdaugh-murder-trial/70317854007/ | 2023-06-15T16:05:26 | 1 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/06/15/rebecca-hill-behind-the-doors-of-justice-true-crime-readers-alex-murdaugh-murder-trial/70317854007/ |
Shreveport woman found guilty of killing her boyfriend
A Shreveport woman has been found guilty of stabbing her boyfriend in 2020 and not reporting his death more than eight hours after the incident.
Kimberly Johnson, 43, was found guilty by a Caddo Parish jury on June 13.
Jurors learned during the trial that on Sept. 3, 2020, Johnson and the victim, Lemel Taylor, 43, returned to his home on Southern Avenue. The following morning, Taylor was found stabbed to death on the living room sofa and Johnson called 911 stating that Taylor was not breathing.
Shreveport Fire Department was called to the scene and upon arrival determined that rigor mortis had set in on Taylor. The coroner determined Taylor had been dead for more than eight hours when 911 was called.
According to the initial reports, Johnson claimed to not know what had happened but later admitted to stabbing Taylor after he threatened her.
Physical evidence at the scene contradicted her story of a struggle and Johnson admitted to disposing of the murder weapon in a sewer drain, she took police to the drain and the knife was recovered.
Johnson faces a mandatory life prison sentence without the possibility of probation. She faces up to 40 years of hard labor for obstruction.
More:Shreveport man arrested after barricading himself in his vehicle
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/shreveport-woman-found-guilty-of-killing-her-boyfriend/70323670007/ | 2023-06-15T16:07:15 | 1 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/shreveport-woman-found-guilty-of-killing-her-boyfriend/70323670007/ |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The driver of a pickup truck that crashed and rolled into a ditch near the intersection of West 14th Street and North Bryant Boulevard had warrants, San Angelo Police Officer J Welch said Thursday.
"What we had was an actual police chase involving a silver Dodge 2500," Welch said. "We were chasing the guy...he was wanted. He was running down eastbound on 14th and he turned the wrong way, so he went northbound in the southbound lanes."
When the pickup truck driver saw SAPD officers in his path, he tried tried to turn around, but hit the curb, which blew his tire out, Welch said.
The driver then tried to go southbound around the officers and the tire blowout caused him to lose control.
"He ended up flipping on the right side in the median. He was the only one in the vehicle," Welch said.
There were no police officers or civilians injured in the crash.
Welch said charges are pending against the driver, who officers had in custody at the scene of the crash.
More information will be released by the SAPD after the crash investigation. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/sapd-police-chase-ends-in-rollover-at-bryant-and-14th/504-6643e224-1e3b-46e6-b11a-43d17979e083 | 2023-06-15T16:08:07 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/sapd-police-chase-ends-in-rollover-at-bryant-and-14th/504-6643e224-1e3b-46e6-b11a-43d17979e083 |
CEDAR FALLS — The University of Northern Iowa is addressing the increasing needs in Iowa for health professionals with a new School of Health and Human Sciences, approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.
Following the announcement of a new nursing major, this reorganization of health-focused programs will make UNI a more desirable destination for students seeking a career in one of the nation’s most in-demand fields.
“More and more prospective students are expressing their desire to pursue a degree focused on health care,” said UNI President Mark Nook. “While UNI has long offered a robust variety of options in health, we strongly believe that by organizing our existing degree programs with new offerings such as nursing, we will be better positioned to meet the future needs of our students, as well as the workforce, particularly in the state of Iowa.”
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Under the direction of Dean Brenda Bass, the new school will house UNI’s nursing program, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, along with longstanding UNI programs such as athletic training, kinesiology, gerontology, public health, family services, counseling and social work.
This reimagination of UNI’s health programming was completed after exhaustive research led by Provost José Herrera, Associate Provost Patrick Pease, Dean Bass and faculty across campus over the past several years.
The school will serve as a central hub for health programs and academic advising, collaborating closely with departments that house other pre-professional pathways for future doctors, dentists, physical therapists, pharmacists, veterinarians, occupational therapists, optometrists and more.
Over the next 10 years, the health care sector is projected to add 2 million new jobs with an additional 2 million openings each year due to retirements, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Alongside the growing health care sector, there is an increased need for mental health services across the country. The job outlook for careers focused on substance abuse, behavioral disorders and mental health counselors are projected to grow 22% over the next 10 years.
By housing programs focused on both physical and mental health, the school will help ensure students receive a well-rounded education in integrated care.
“Students will graduate with a better understanding of wellness across the lifespan, as it relates to the whole person, both body and mind,” said Bass.
Health care and social assistance remain one of Iowa’s largest industry sectors, with an average employment of 219,321 jobs reported in Iowa Workforce Development’s 2022 Q3 report. The industry has continued to grow steadily, adding 20,528 jobs over the last decade.
Learn more about the School of Health & Human Sciences at csbs.uni.edu/health. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/university-of-northern-iowa-school-of-health-and-human-sciences-approved/article_eda54f9a-0afb-11ee-98f1-2b33cb4c53f8.html | 2023-06-15T16:09:39 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/university-of-northern-iowa-school-of-health-and-human-sciences-approved/article_eda54f9a-0afb-11ee-98f1-2b33cb4c53f8.html |
PITTSBURGH — Seven men are facing charges following a large fight on the Rivers Casino gaming floor.
State police say two separate groups walked into the bus lobby restroom around 10:30 p.m. June 9 and had a physical altercation that continued onto the gaming floor. They believe the groups had previous animosity toward each other, according to a report.
Kaheem Sturdivant, 22, of Pittsburgh; Latrell Childs, 21, of Swissvale; Terrell Childs, 22, of Swissvale; Devon Allison, 23, of Monroeville; Lance Chatman, 24, of Pittsburgh; Kyshem Woods, 21, of Munhall; and Jaison England, 21, of Pittsburgh, are facing charges and have been banned from the casino.
State police say during the fight, which was captured on security surveillance, the men “displayed a clear and obvious disregard for public safety as they violently and erratically punched and kicked one another,” according to state police.
At one point, they knocked an elderly couple out of their chairs and fell on top of the couple, the report states.
A bathroom stall door was ripped off and faucets and fixtures were damaged in the bathroom, according to state police.
State troopers, Pittsburgh police and casino security broke up the fight. A trooper was injured while trying to take one of the men into custody, according to the report. The extent of his injuries was not released.
Charges are pending, according to state police.
Jack Horner for Rivers Casino Pittsburgh sent Channel 11 the following statement:
“Security was on the scene within seconds, and the matter was quickly resolved. The individuals involved have received lifetime bans.”
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/7-men-facing-charges-banned-rivers-casino-after-large-fight-gaming-floor/ZB7VKX5T2BAYTCQFY4KBLKN7ZI/ | 2023-06-15T16:10:15 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/7-men-facing-charges-banned-rivers-casino-after-large-fight-gaming-floor/ZB7VKX5T2BAYTCQFY4KBLKN7ZI/ |
The teen wanted for shooting and critically injuring a male Friday in Pittsburgh’s Bedford Dwellings has been taken into custody.
Damon Peters, 19, was apprehended overnight in the Hill District by the Pittsburgh Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and the U.S. Marshals Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force.
Officers responded to the area of Chauncey Drive for a ShotSpotter alert for 16 rounds, then another five rounds on Webster Avenue around 1 a.m.
After arriving at the scene, officers were approached by an Uber driver, who said they were picking up a male who was shot inside their vehicle. Another witness then drove the victim to UPMC Mercy Hospital in the Uber driver’s vehicle.
According to the complaint, the male had just gotten into the back of the vehicle when Peters, who had been hiding behind a concrete wall, came out and fired, shooting the victim in the neck multiple times.
He then fled. Peters was identified by fingerprints, according to court documents.
Peters is charged with criminal attempt homicide, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, carrying a firearm without a license, and persons not to possess a firearm and criminal mischief.
He is being held in the Allegheny County Jail.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/teen-custody-shooting-that-critically-injured-1-pittsburgh-last-week/QCFBRUPSOJDEDEBNZXDIGE5WY4/ | 2023-06-15T16:10:21 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/teen-custody-shooting-that-critically-injured-1-pittsburgh-last-week/QCFBRUPSOJDEDEBNZXDIGE5WY4/ |
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These products help you to stay cool in the summer heat
Summer is a week away, which means more outdoor activities in the sun. You likely have sunscreen, a sun hat and other forms of sun protection to bear the heat, but you may not have considered heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion occurs when the body has lost a significant amount of water and salt from excessive sweating.
People prone to heat exhaustion are older adults, those with high blood pressure and those working in hot environments. Fortunately, this heat-related illness is preventable with the right precautions.
Shop this article: Sukeen Four-pack Cooling Towel, Mission Cooling Hoodie Towel, Sweetfull Portable Neck Fan.
How to prevent heat exhaustion
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated. Water helps you sweat and maintain a normal body temperature.
- Wear loosefitting, lightweight clothing. Overdressing or wearing tightfitting clothing doesn’t allow your body to cool properly.
- Use sunburn protection. When you’re sunburned, your body has difficulty staying cool. Apply sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.
- Review your medications. Certain medications may cause heat-related problems affecting your body’s response to hot temperatures.
- Get acclimated. Spend time conditioning your body to the heat. When you aren’t used to hot weather, it makes you more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
- Avoid strenuous activity in the hottest parts of the day. If you cannot make adjustments, drink enough fluids and rest often in a cool area.
- Be cautious if you are more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Limit the time you spend in the heat and act quickly if you notice you’re overheating.
Best heat exhaustion prevention products
Sukeen Four-pack Cooling Towel
This four-pack of cooling towels provides instant cooling relief in the heat. The towels are reusable and are made of hyper-evaporative mesh. They stay chilled for up to three hours. They come in waterproof plastic pouches with carabiner clips you can attach to your handbag or backpack.
The hoodie towel is made of 100% polyester and includes a snap closure to secure it. You’ll simply wet, wring and snap it to get its cooling effects. It lasts up to two hours after activation. It has chemical-free cooling and an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50.
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It has 360-degree air vents increasing the cooling effect by 30%. It doesn’t contain fan blades, so it’s safe for children or pets. The neck fan has a built-in rechargeable battery lasting four to nine hours. It has a quiet operation that’s less than 45 decibels (dB).
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Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier
Replenish your hydration levels with this electrolyte powder. One pack contains 16 packets that hydrate you two times faster than water. It is non-GMO and gluten-, soy- and dairy-free. Add one packet to at least 16 ounces of water for instant hydration.
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These cooling patches are made of hydrogel to prevent heat exhaustion, ease drowsiness and relieve pain. These skin-friendly patches can be cut into any size to fit your forehead or other body parts.
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Total Hydration Daylyte Electrolyte Drops
These unflavored electrolytes increase energy and promote hydration. They are sugar-free and don’t contain calories. They don’t include gluten, sweeteners, yeast, starch, wheat, soy or dairy products. The electrolyte drops are created in the United States within quality-controlled facilities.
This portable fan also acts as a power bank and flashlight. It is battery-operated, lasting 14 to 21 hours. It comes in a pocket-size design that fits into a tote bag or backpack. It has a three-stage transformable that conceals the blades or changes into a handheld or desktop fan.
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Keep this water bottle handy to stay hydrated. It is made of insulated stainless steel holding 24 ounces of water. It has a patented FreeSip spout letting you sip through its built-in straw or tilt it back to drink. It is bisphenol A- and phthalate-free with a dishwasher-safe lid.
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The vest has six insulated pockets on the chest and back that stay cool for six to eight hours. It is adjustable, fitting sizes XS up to 5XL. It can double as an ice pack and is machine-washable.
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ThermaFreeze Blue Ice Wraptor Bandanna
The bandanna fastens to your forehead or neck for cooling relief. It has a lightweight, flexible design that’ll keep you comfortable for extended periods. It works with cryo-sheet ice packs that can be cut to fit the bandanna.
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- Protect your skin from the sun with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen.
- Use Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Lotion to soothe sunburns.
- The Sport-Brella Super-Brella can keep you out of direct sunlight.
- Keep your little ones cool in the summer heat with the Amacool Battery-Operated Stroller Fan.
- Get UV protection and nice, glowy skin with EltaMD UV Glow Tinted Sunscreen for Dewy Skin.
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Taneia Surles writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/10-must-haves-to-prevent-heat-exhaustion-this-summer/ | 2023-06-15T16:15:35 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/10-must-haves-to-prevent-heat-exhaustion-this-summer/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — On Thursday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced its new initiative with Advance Auto Parts in the hopes to lessen the number of traffic citations.
The partnership unveiled a fresh program that will supply JSCO officers with gift cards to give to motorists who are having vehicle troubles. The goal is that when a deputy stops a motorist with an equipment issue – such as a bad headlight or taillight – deputies can give then an Advance gift card instead of a ticket or citation. Motorists can then use the gift card to buy the correct parts to rectify the issue.
“We’re excited to partner with a national brand such as Advance Auto Parts to provide financial relief to citizens in Jefferson County,” Sheriff Mark Pettway said in a press release. “This partnership goes hand in hand with my commitment to Bridge the Gap Between Law Enforcement and the Community. It shows what can happen when we partner with businesses to work together and make Jefferson County a safer place for all who call it home.”
At the ceremony on Thursday, which commemorated the opening of the newest Jefferson County store, team members from Advance Auto Parts presented JSCO with $1,000 in Advance gift cards. Each gift card amounted to $10.
“Our store team in Pinson is thrilled to be partnering with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on this unique program,” said Tony Dalessandro, Advance’s vice president of operations, in a press release. “In order for maximum roadway safety to be achieved, it is crucial that all equipment on one’s vehicle is working properly. The distribution of these gift cards will allow a motorist to visit their local Advance where our team of automotive experts will assist them in finding the right replacement part.” | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/drivers-in-jefferson-county-can-now-receive-gift-cards-to-aid-in-repairs/ | 2023-06-15T16:15:41 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/drivers-in-jefferson-county-can-now-receive-gift-cards-to-aid-in-repairs/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Calling all beer connoisseurs, live music fanatics and bacon lovers: The Bacon Beer Bash is back in Brevard County on June 17.
Intracoastal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in Melbourne, is hosting the highly anticipated, eighth annual Bacon Beer Bash.
The event will feature live music, vendors and food trucks, but most importantly, guests will have the opportunity to try an array of bacon-flavored brews.
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Bacon Beer Bash will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., with live music and food trucks throughout the day. Vendors like Paisley Vegan Kitchen and The Pop Parlour arrive at 2 p.m.
To learn more about the event or to view a list of vendors and bands attending, click here.
Check out the Florida Foodie podcast. You can find every episode in the media player below: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/15/bacon-beer-bash-returns-to-brevard-county/ | 2023-06-15T16:24:43 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/15/bacon-beer-bash-returns-to-brevard-county/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell is set to hold a news briefing on a case of community interest Thursday afternoon.
The news conference will be held at 1 p.m. at the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office training room.
No other details about the case being discussed have been provided at this time.
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This comes over a month after Worrell hosted a gun violence prevention summit with local public safety leaders and policymakers in the wake of a string of Pine Hills shootings in February that left 9-year-old T’yonna Major, 24-year-old Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons and 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin dead.
The briefing also comes as Worrell says she has been targeted and involved in public feuds with local sheriff’s offices and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis regarding criminal prosecutions and the release of records.
News 6 will stream the news briefing live in the media player above.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/15/orange-osceola-state-attorney-monique-worrell-to-host-briefing-on-case-of-community-interest/ | 2023-06-15T16:24:49 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/15/orange-osceola-state-attorney-monique-worrell-to-host-briefing-on-case-of-community-interest/ |
Viewers watching TV don’t see all the work that goes into filming what might appear to be a simple scene, but Richmond’s Dr. Joe Niamtu and his wife, April, saw firsthand the enormous effort it took to film just four scenes when they rented their home out to “Swagger” for a single day of filming last September.
Niamtu, a cosmetic facial surgeon, has rented out his home on the James River to two productions previously, but “Swagger” brought the biggest crew yet. The production team began setup work three days before the filming day and then spent two days after tearing down what had been set up.
A location manager thought the home and its setting along the river could be used as a location for some scenes.
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“When (executive producer) Reggie [Rock Bythewood] came out and saw the house and he walked through it, what they originally wanted to use the house for, they changed it completely to a different scenario that worked better for him for the (show),” Niamtu says.
“It’s really great to have standing sets on the stages,” Bythewood says, noting “Swagger” had sets built on stages at the former Virginia ABC central office and warehouse on Hermitage Road near The Diamond. “But there’s also nothing like going out there. Sometimes you can smell it when it’s a real home, a real house.”
At one point, the plan was to film as many as eight scenes at the Niamtus’ home, including one at a firepit overlooking the James River. But the production shot only four scenes before running out of time; the riverside patio scene was one that got cut.
A contract forbids the Niamtus from saying what “Swagger” paid to rent their home. The production offered to put them up in a hotel, but they declined, opting to stay in another part of the house with their children.
“We’ve known people that had their house used for a movie and a lot of stuff got beat up and broken,” Niamtu says. “That was not the case here.”
He described the first-day arrival of at least 100 production crew members and multiple 18-wheeler trucks full of equipment as akin to “the Normandy landing.” The Niamtus’ furniture was taken out of the house, the production’s furniture was brought in.
“Everything revolves around lighting – their lighting and natural lighting,” Niamtu says.
“They had to put scaffolding up to black out some rooms, fade out some rooms,” April Niamtu says. “They put film on all the windows, took the scaffolding down so it didn’t show in the scenes. And then when the filming was over, they had to bring the scaffolding back and put it back up to take all the film down. It was just such an amazing orchestration.”
The Niamtus’ living room was used for a scene of an impromptu, intense school board meeting in the home of the Cedar Cove prep school chairwoman (Vinessa Shaw). April Niamtu got to be an extra, playing a school board member in that scene, which is featured briefly in the trailer for the new season.
The Niamtus’ dining room was used as a dining room in a family’s home where the parents of the basketball players come together to have a meeting of the minds.
“Out of 14 hours (of filming), they literally have minutes of usable footage when it comes down to it, which they said is pretty typical,” Niamtu says. “It was interesting just to watch how Hollywood works: They have stand-ins for the actors. So they’re filming a scene at our kitchen table, which is going to be a boardroom scene. The stand-ins all come and sit down, 10 to 12 people, and take their places. And they do the lighting and the miking and everything so the stars don’t have to do any of that.”
The Niamtus praised the production team for its kindness. Niamtu grabbed a photo of himself with Ice Cube and showed it to “Swagger” star O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube’s son.
“The actors were just so open and kind and respectful,” April Niamtu says. “The crew were just as nice and respectful. They did not leave a scratch on our wood floor, a scratch on our walls. They came in and then left our house as it was.”
Rob Owen is a former Times-Dispatch staff writer. He can be reached at RobOwenTV@gmail.com or on Facebook and Twitter as @RobOwenTV. | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/movies-tv/swagger-apple-tv-richmond-virginia-va-kevin-durant/article_1feb1612-038e-11ee-b1f7-9fbb5b3857b6.html | 2023-06-15T16:24:52 | 0 | https://richmond.com/life-entertainment/local/movies-tv/swagger-apple-tv-richmond-virginia-va-kevin-durant/article_1feb1612-038e-11ee-b1f7-9fbb5b3857b6.html |
YORK, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on Thursday issued a reminder that the Market Street Bridge, which carries Route 462 across Mill Creek in Springettsbury and Spring Garden townships in York County will be closed this weekend so work crews can apply an epoxy overlay to the bridge deck and pave bridge approaches.
The work is scheduled to last from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday, weather permitting, PennDOT said.
A detour will be in place while the work is conducted, according to PennDOT.
Motorists traveling west on Market Street from the east side of the closure should head north on North Hills Road, west on Route 30, and south on North Sherman Street.
Motorists traveling east on Market Street from the west side of the closure should either head north on North Sherman Street, east on Route 30 and south on North Hills Road (if originating west of Sherman Street on the one-way section of Market Street), or north on Harrison Street, west on Philadelphia Street, north on North Sherman Street, east on Route 30 and south on North Hills Road (if originating between Sherman Street and Belmont Street).
This work is part of a project that consists of the replacement of the bridge, approach work, guide rail updates, drainage work, ramp re-alignment, signal upgrades and other miscellaneous construction.
Clearwater Construction Inc., of Mercer, Pennsylvania, is the prime contractor on this $6,379,000 project. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/market-street-bridge-closure-penndot-reminder-york/521-f56396e7-1947-416a-bab3-e93987442f14 | 2023-06-15T16:25:11 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/market-street-bridge-closure-penndot-reminder-york/521-f56396e7-1947-416a-bab3-e93987442f14 |
YORK, Pa. — York City Police on Thursday announced additional regulations to the city's handicap parking policy.
The regulations went into effect in March of this year, the department said. The regulations state that approved residential handicap parking spaces will be assigned to the city resident who applied and paid for the space, the police department said.
Any vehicles parked in an assigned residential handicap space that do not match the vehicle assignment—even if it has a handicapped placard—are subject to being ticketed, according to police.
Handicap parking violations incur a fine of $150, police said.
Here is the city's residential handicapped parking space policy, which is also available on the city's website:
Handicap Parking
Applications for Residential Parking for People with Disabilities and Disabled Veterans can be submitted to the York City Parking Bureau. Initial review will be completed upon receipt of the completed application and required documents. Final review of submitted applications will be conducted by the Traffic Safety Committee during their meeting on the third Wednesday of each month.
Effective March 2023, approved residential handicap parking spaces will be assigned to the applicant. Any vehicles parked in an assigned residential handicap space that do not match the vehicle assignment are subject to being ticketed. Handicap Parking violations incur a fee of $150.00.
Please submit your completed application, copy of handicap placard and physician’s statement to the York City Parking Bureau, (Attention) Residential Parking for People with Disabilities, 101 S. George St, York, Pa. 17401.
Additionally, applicants must include a photocopy of the following:
- Vehicle Registration
- Applicant’s or Designated Driver’s Pennsylvania Drivers License
- Person with Disabilities or Disabled Veterans Identification Card
You will be notified in writing as to whether your application has been approved or denied. Questions related to this application may be directed to York City Parking at 717-849-2321 or parking@yorkcity.org.
For a residential handicap parking space application, go here. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/york-police-reminder-city-residential-handicapped-parking-space-policy/521-e4365d92-df9f-4845-b8a3-de75d6af76b8 | 2023-06-15T16:25:17 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/york-police-reminder-city-residential-handicapped-parking-space-policy/521-e4365d92-df9f-4845-b8a3-de75d6af76b8 |
Brockton nurse searches for answers in cold case disappearance of her mother
BROCKTON — It's been over a decade since Maria Cutts was last seen, and the pain hasn't gotten any easier.
The Brockton mother of four leaves a family behind searching for answers.
"Where did Maria go?" and "Where has she been?"
Not one person, including the police, have the answer.
Cutts was reported missing on June 6, 2011, to the Brockton Police Department, according to documents.
Olivia Cutts, 26, the second oldest daughter, was only 14 when her mother went missing, and many thoughts plague her mind.
"I don't know if not knowing what happened is better than knowing," Cutts said.
The newly graduated nurse is still trying to cope with not having her mother by her side for the majority of her life — especially major life accomplishments.
Maria wasn't there for the birth of Olivia's son, Henry, her graduation from Massasoit Community College, her pinning ceremony or her first day at work as a visiting nurse.
"I've lived longer than I've known my mother," Olivia said.
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Happy childhood memories
But the memories of her childhood are still deeply embedded in her heartstrings.
Olivia remembers her mother as an eccentric woman filled with life who loved to decorate and had a big, goofy personality.
"Oh, my mom was so creative she would play with us for hours, make jokes, and she was a Leo like me and was just so funny. My mom never yelled at us. She was always a vibe," Olivia said.
She spent much of her time cleaning the house, decorating, cooking and making their home as comfy as possible.
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Mental illness and the mystery of Maria's disappearance
And then, one day, it all changed.
Maria started experiencing mental health issues and stopped taking her medication, making caring for her four children difficult, Olivia said.
The children were put under the supervision of Maria's mother, Ruth, who still cares for her younger siblings.
While in the grandmother's care, the children would see their mother often for visits until she stopped showing up.
Maria was last seen in Burlingame, California, On July 11, 2011, after being released from a local hospital.
No one has seen or heard from Maria since.
The missing person record is active and listed in the Department of Justice Missing Persons System.
"The feeling I carry with me daily is something you cannot describe. Sometimes it's unreal, and it's weird. I will be 27, and I've lived this long without her. As a 14 year old, I had to put on a brave face to keep everything together for my younger siblings. I had to navigate a regular teenage life while the worst thing that's ever happened to me was going on," Olivia said.
Some days Olivia closes her eyes and imagines the world to be "perfect," and her mother walks right through the front door as if nothing happened.
"I used to be so angry at her that I had to understand it was her illness, and as a kid, you don't understand that. My mom was so intelligent I remember people saying she could've been a doctor, but her mental illness prevented her from reaching her goals," Olivia said.
Here's what Olivia would like to say to her mother
If Olivia could talk to her mom right now, she would brag about all the great things she's been up to since her sabbatical.
"I would tell her everything I worked so hard for, including buying my car, traveling to several countries, finishing college with the help of FAM For Change, becoming a mother and a nurse," Olivia said.
These steps were some of the hardest things to do alone, but Olivia made it through with the support and help of her older sister Anita and grandmother every step of the way.
"I had no choice. I knew if I wanted to be someone great one day, and I knew I needed to do that for myself. All my failures and successes are my own, and that's when life started to look up for me," Olivia said.
"Every day I miss my mother and hope one day we will be reunited again," Olivia said.
If you know anything about Maria Cutts' whereabouts
If you have information on the missing persons case of Maria Cutts, please call the Brockton Police Department at 508-941-0200 or the Burlingame, California, Police Department at 650-777-4100.
Enterprise staff reporter Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached by email at stciela@gannett.com. | https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/brockton-ma-massachusetts-maria-cutts-missing-person-california-mental-health/70300878007/ | 2023-06-15T16:28:07 | 1 | https://www.enterprisenews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/brockton-ma-massachusetts-maria-cutts-missing-person-california-mental-health/70300878007/ |
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) — No one suffered major injuries during a drive-by shooting Monday afternoon in Columbus.
The shooting happened around 3:00 on Moss Street.
Jaylin Hodges told police he was stopped by a train and a second vehicle pulled up beside his vehicle and began firing.
The victim claimed he tried to reverse his vehicle but ended up crashing into a ditch. His girlfriend was with him.
One bullet grazed his side and another bullet traveled through his shoe, but they suffered no serious injuries.
Investigators found more than two dozen empty shell cases.
Columbus Police Capt. Rick Jones said officers briefly detained Hodges because he dropped a gun on the ground after getting out of his car. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/man-and-girlfriend-lucky-to-be-alive-after-drive-by-shooting-in-columbus/article_b1ebe772-0afe-11ee-99e1-eb3999d9f050.html | 2023-06-15T16:28:27 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/man-and-girlfriend-lucky-to-be-alive-after-drive-by-shooting-in-columbus/article_b1ebe772-0afe-11ee-99e1-eb3999d9f050.html |
Delaware Supreme Court hears arguments over Biden's Senate papers at UD
DOVER — The state Supreme Court is mulling whether the University of Delaware was justified in denying requests from Judicial Watch and the Daily Caller News Foundation for records related to the school's receipt of President Joe Biden's senatorial papers.
The justices heard arguments for the second time Wednesday in a long-running legal battle over the records, which have been the subject of multiple FOIA requests. That battle is playing out amid increased scrutiny of the handling of government documents by elected officials, including this week's indictment of former President Donald Trump for allegedly mishandling and retaining classified documents at his Florida estate.
Meanwhile, the discovery of documents with classified markings at Biden's Delaware home and at his former Washington office is the subject of an investigation by a special counsel. The FBI searched the University of Delaware earlier this year for classified documents as part of its investigation into the potential mishandling of government records by Biden.
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Biden donated his senatorial papers to his alma mater in 2012, when he was vice president of the United States. The donation includes more than 1,850 boxes of archived papers and 415 gigabytes of electronic records from his 36 years in the Senate. The donation is subject to a gift agreement that prohibits the records from being made publicly available until two years after Biden "retires from public life."
"This is a colossally important gift of significant public interest," said Willam Green Jr., an attorney representing Judicial Watch and the Daily Caller News Foundation.
In April 2020, Judicial Watch and the Daily Caller foundation submitted requests under Delaware's Freedom of Information Act for the gift agreement and records of all communications between the university and Biden's representatives related to the papers.
The university denied the requests, stating that the records sought were not considered public records under Delaware's FOIA because they don't involve the expenditure of state funds by the school, which is privately governed but receives more than $100 million annually in state taxpayer money. The denial was upheld by the office of Delaware's Democratic attorney general and by a Superior Court judge.
The Delaware Supreme Court overturned the judge's decision in December 2021 and sent the case back to Superior Court, ruling that the university had not met its burden of proof to justify the denial. The Supreme Court noted that factual assertions by the university were not made under oath and did not describe efforts to identify any responsive documents.
"Unless it is clear on the face of the request that the demanded records are not subject to FOIA, the public body must search for responsive records," the justices said. "A description of the search and the outcome of the search must be reflected through statements made under oath, such as statements in an affidavit, in order for the public body to satisfy its burden of proof."
Despite that ruling, the university apparently did not search for any responsive records. Instead, it submitted a sworn affidavit from a university lawyer who said she was told in January 2020 that no state funds had been used in connection with the Biden papers. She was also told that state funds are not used for the school's email system, over which any relevant communications might have been made.
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With the affidavit, the Superior Court judge concluded that the school "performed an adequate search for responsive documents."
In fact, however, the university submitted no evidence of any search. The affidavit, meanwhile, was based on conversations that took place four months before Judicial Watch and Daily Caller News Foundation even filed their FOIA requests — and almost two years before the Supreme Court ruling.
"The university performed no search related to the requests," Green argued Wednesday. "It reviewed no documents apart from the gift agreement, but rather relied on previous inquiries of university staff. "
Given the lack of a document search, Justice Abigail LeGrow asked university attorney William Manning how the university's actions were consistent with the court's prior ruling.
Manning argued that if the school determined that there was no expenditures of state funds, it was not obligated to conduct a document search. The university, he argued, must demonstrate only how it came to that conclusion. Manning also said it was reasonable for the university to base its conclusion on internal conversations that occurred before the FOIA requests were submitted.
"I think university officials are entitled to make a judgment whether information gained four months earlier was reliable, and they did," he said.
The court is expected to rule within 90 days. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/delaware-supreme-court-bidens-senate-papers/70324752007/ | 2023-06-15T16:35:56 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/delaware-supreme-court-bidens-senate-papers/70324752007/ |
Johnson City, Tenn. (WJHL) Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands continues to help veterans make memories by taking them to Washington D.C. to see monuments created to honor them and share memories with other veterans.
The group is always looking for resources and financial support. Several fundraisers are coming up in the area to support them as they prepare for the next trip on September 22.
For more information on Honor Flight of the Appalachian Highlands and how to support the group, click here. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/honor-flight-of-the-appalachian-highlands-continues-to-fly-high-for-veterans/ | 2023-06-15T16:37:28 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/honor-flight-of-the-appalachian-highlands-continues-to-fly-high-for-veterans/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A German-headquartered plastics company that supplies Washington County Industrial Park’s ebm-papst will bring at least three dozen jobs to Johnson City, most of them by the first half of 2024.
“When we found out that they (ebm) were expanding and are expanding again, to be moving close to one of our main customers is an exciting opportunity,” PVS Plastics Technology Corp. CEO Rich Tursic told News Channel 11.
PVS, founded in Niedernhall, Germany in 1976, has operated in Huber Heights, Ohio since 1976. The group is currently expanding to its maximum capacity on its footprint there, Tursic said, and its business in the U.S. is growing.
PVS’s “core competencies” are in producing rotors and stators (the stationary part of a rotary system like an electric motor). The company has a relatively new “two shot” production line that allows it to produce a product with two types or colors of plastic.
“Because of this ability we’re having many inquiries coming our way,” Tursic said.
PVS is converting space at what was ebm-papst’s initial location on Wesinpar Drive as the German maker of cooling equipment built a new facility in the industrial park. Tursic said they’re investing $6 to $7 million on equipment in the short term.
Johnson City has approved a Payment in lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreement that will see PVS pay zero on their personal property (equipment) for the first seven years as long as the company meets job targets. Those jobs would have to pay at least $27.08 an hour and be full-time or partial taxes would have to be paid, as they would if the job number targets aren’t reached.
PVS will pay full taxes on its 54,000-square-foot facility on Wesinpar Drive.
In addition to a workforce with a number of people experienced in plastics work, Tursic said the tax break — and incentives from a utility (either TVA or BrightRidge) and the state of Tennessee — made Johnson City an attractive option for the growing company.
“There was a competitive bid and we were looking at other states,” he said. “We got some nice economic incentives … and everyone we worked with was very helpful.”
He said the company believes it will be able to attract talent and quickly grow outside its main relationship with PVS.
“We have inquiries already and we’re very hopeful that some projects will come on board very quickly.”
Equipment will begin arriving at the Johnson City site later this month and Tursic expects workers to begin running test parts as early as September. Full production could begin before the end of the year. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/plastics-maker-bringing-dozens-of-jobs-to-johnson-city/ | 2023-06-15T16:37:34 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/plastics-maker-bringing-dozens-of-jobs-to-johnson-city/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-95-rebuild-trucks-carrying-backfill-arriving-to-start-rebuilding-bridge/3586396/ | 2023-06-15T16:40:50 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-95-rebuild-trucks-carrying-backfill-arriving-to-start-rebuilding-bridge/3586396/ |
As demolition of the damaged lanes along I-95 is being completed— after the collapse of a section of the bridge on Sunday — trucks of locally sourced backfill are arriving to fill the existing hole.
A livestream has been set up by Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro so everyone can see every step of the process to rebuilding the collapsed I-95 bridge.
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State troopers are escorting four trucks filled with the backfill materials from Delaware County to the collapse site so crews can get right to work when the demolition is done. Officials estimate that 100 truck loads will be needed to fill the hole that's about 100 feet wide. State troopers are expected to be driving back and forth all day.
Rebuilding the road completely will take time so first Gov. Shapiro announced that instead crews will fill the gap by piling many tons of recycled glass aggregate from a Delaware County company into the underpass area, bringing it up to surface level and then paving it over so that three lanes of traffic can reopen each way.
On Wednesday, Gov. Shapiro joined union leaders at the site of the I-95 collapse to discuss an overall plan to rebuild the bridge and allow cars back on the road.
The backfill is a temporary solution to get cars back on the road quicker since the permanent rebuild of the bridge will likely take months to complete. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-95-reconstruction-watch-live-as-the-bridge-is-being-rebuilt/3586370/ | 2023-06-15T16:40:53 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/i-95-reconstruction-watch-live-as-the-bridge-is-being-rebuilt/3586370/ |
TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Addison Davis is expected to resign in the coming weeks.
Davis informed the school board and other leaders of his decision Thursday morning, the district said in a news release. He will officially step away from his position on July 14.
"We are grateful for his leadership over the past three years," the district said in its statement.
See Davis' resignation letter, in part:
“It is with a conflicted heart that I have elected to resign from my position as Superintendent of Schools in Hillsborough County Public Schools. Over the last 39 months, I have been blessed and honored to lead the 7th largest school district in the nation. During this time, this administration has worked collectively and collaboratively with the School Board to obtain historic improvements in every facet of our organization.
"Rest assured that this is one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever had to make. However, I have the opportunity to return to northeast Florida where my entire family resides and build the next chapter of my career.
"I am thankful for every employee in our organization as we have collectively made remarkable improvements in student performance and operational outcomes. Without a doubt, Hillsborough County is a great place to live, learn, raise a family, and receive an outstanding education. With great respect and admiration, I appreciate the opportunities provided to me and wish Hillsborough County Public Schools nothing but the best as they continue to 'Prepare Students for Life.'"
Davis' announcement to resign comes one day after the school district's deputy superintendent, Terrence Connor was named as Sarasota County Schools' new superintendent. Connor had been with the school district for as long as Davis.
Who exactly is being tapped to lead the Hillsborough schools district is still up in the air at this time.
Davis' departure comes amid divisive talks of boundary changes that could impact thousands of students. Just a couple of years ago, Hillsborough County was in danger of its finances being taken over by the state after budget woes.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis was one of several Florida superintendents who clashed with Gov. Ron DeSantis over mask mandates in schools.
You can read Davis' full resignation letter below or by clicking here: | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/hillsborough-schools-superintendent-to-resign/67-ce59cdbc-af5f-40f5-b5df-6f6d0a2f5689 | 2023-06-15T16:41:34 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/hillsborough-schools-superintendent-to-resign/67-ce59cdbc-af5f-40f5-b5df-6f6d0a2f5689 |
City leaders grapple with budget, cut jobs, property tax hike
Gainesville commissioners held a special meeting to discuss their upcoming budget, proposing to cut jobs, slash funding for homeless services and increased property taxes.
The cutbacks come at a time when city leaders are being forced to reconcile debt after being grilled by the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee in February about utility debt and oversight. The city announced a plan in April to reduce $315 million of Gainesville Regional Utilities’ debt over the next 10 years in response to growing calls from lawmakers and residents.
“This is hard. There's nothing easy about this process and staff has done an unbelievable job in working to get us to this point where we're almost balanced,” Mayor Harvey Ward said. “We're months from where we have to be done.”
More:Gainesville expected to cut funding for homeless services in half. What does it mean?
More:County manager proposes property tax reduction, employee pay bump for upcoming budget
The city began budget workshops with an estimated $18 million gap, City Manager Cynthia Curry said. Through planning, and prior to an additional bump voted for at the end of the meeting, the city managed to close that gap to $1.7 million.
A major revenue source that will make up for the loses will be increased property taxes, which is recommended to increase from 5.500 mills to 6.500 mills. Along with rising property values, the spike could add $14.9 million to the budget. A mill equals $1 for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value.
Lawmakers on the JLAC who don't live in the region, including committee chairman Republican state Rep. Mike Caruso, proposed in February that the city raise property taxes and slash services in order to increase debt payments for GRU. Prior to the city doing so, the Florida Legislature passed a bill to take away the city's control of GRU. The bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature.
Funding homeless services
Much of Wednesday’s conversation, however, was centered on funding — and defunding — Grace Marketplace, a homeless services nonprofit.
The proposal presented to the commission was to slash the funding for the Grace shelter by 50%, a $750,000 decrease for the group, as well as pull the funding entirely from Grace’s street outreach team, two measures which would mean an overall 62% decrease in Grace’s budget.
Grace Marketplace Executive Director Jon DeCarmine told the Gainesville Sun last week that the expected cuts may end up costing the city in the long run, as costs in other areas, like public safety, would increase.
“I understand that their backs are against the wall, but I think it's leading them to make some really short-sighted financial decisions,” DeCarmine said. “This is not just something they can cut the funding for without seeing consequences in other areas of the community.”
Commissioner Bryan Eastman echoed this sentiment, saying he feared this would set the city back to 10 years ago when more police and fire rescue resources were spent dealing with the homeless population.
“I worry we're going to take a fairly large step back and it's going to hurt our economic development and cost us a lot more money,” he said. “I would really like to find a way to take care of this in a more empathetic and humane way.”
Toward the end of the meeting, commissioners voted unanimously to allocate more money to the budget from grants to arts organizations, senior services and a $300,000 bump to Grace Marketplace.
Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut said earlier in the meeting she didn’t feel comfortable giving Grace any additional money when city employees are at risk of losing their jobs due to the budget cuts.
“I have difficulty providing any more funding than the $750,000. It is not a department of the city,” she said. “And we are cutting staff positions. People are losing their jobs.”
Chestnut referred to the plan presented Wednesday to cut nearly 100 staff positions in the city, including 20 from GRU. Of those jobs, roughly 75% are currently vacant.
The city is hopeful that some people will be able to switch positions rather than lose employment altogether. It has established a pipeline committee to help those losing their jobs find other ones through the city or in other areas.
“We're not adding positions to accommodate,” Curry said. “They are taking existing vacancies their skill sets and experience match, and we're being very diligent and very intentional about that.”
City leaders will meet more times over the summer and early fall before adopting a final budget in September. | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/gainesville-leaders-talk-layoffs-gru-property-tax-increases/70325533007/ | 2023-06-15T16:44:28 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/gainesville-leaders-talk-layoffs-gru-property-tax-increases/70325533007/ |
UF's Ben Sasse announces new provost in one of his first major promotions
The University of Florida has announced the new provost who will step in this fall following the resignation of Joseph Glover, marking one of the first major promotions under President Ben Sasse's tenure.
Glover said in January that he would resign from the position he has held for the past 15 years shortly after UF declared that Sasse would be the school's next president.
Sasse announced via news release Thursday that he will promote Scott Angle, who currently serves as senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Angle will take the interim role while a national search for a permanent provost continues.
“I’m thrilled that Dr. Angle will bring his leadership, experience, and passion for UF to the provost’s office for this interim role,” Sasse said in the release. “UF has a special role as both the state’s flagship and land-grant university, and few people see that more on a day-to-day basis than Scott."
In his current role, Angle works on teaching and research at the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). He leads roughly 2,300 employees across the state. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station are all under his purview.
More:UF President Ben Sasse announces departure of top official in first major shakeup
More:UF Provost Joe Glover to step down after 15 years of leadership
Angle's background
Angle first joined UF in 2020 after working as director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Angle has a bachelor's degree in agronomy and master's degree in soil science from the University of Maryland. He earned his doctorate from the University of Missouri, studying soil microbiology and went on to do a fellowship for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
He went on to work for his alma mater as a professor of soil science, where he later became the director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station and Maryland Cooperative Extension.
Following his time in Maryland, Angle served as dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia from 2005 to 2015. During his tenure, enrollment at the school grew by 30%, according to the UF release.
“I’m grateful for President Sasse’s leadership and the trust he’s placed in me to steward this important role for a time,” Angle said in the release. “As teachers and researchers, we’re in the business of advancing knowledge so that we can tackle big problems and advance human flourishing – we do this work so we can make our world a better place. I’m grateful to be part of this life-changing work and eager to help in this new role.”
The promotion of Angle is the first major move made by Sasse since his abrupt announcement of Charlie Lane's departure. The now-former senior vice president and chief operating officer had been with the university for nearly a decade and had been responsible for overseeing numerous university-wide functions, including information technology, human resources, audits, business and real estate. He was also the leader in bridging a relationship between the school and city of Gainesville.
Unlike Glover's expected resignation, Sasse hasn't said much about Lane leaving UF. The university claims Sasse has no records for conversations leading up to Lane's termination.
"I'm also grateful for Dr. Joe Glover's tireless work for UF over the last 15 years as provost," Sasse said in Thursday's release. "This university has been on a rocket ship trajectory and Joe has been a major part of that work, from faculty hires to UF’s AI initiative. I'm thankful for his service and his continued counsel.” | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/university-of-floridas-ben-sasse-names-new-interim-provost/70325238007/ | 2023-06-15T16:44:34 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/15/university-of-floridas-ben-sasse-names-new-interim-provost/70325238007/ |
This story has been updated to include comments from a joint statement from Bennett College President Suzanne Walsh and Guilford County Schools Superintendent Whitney Oakley.
GREENSBORO — Shuttered for the past school year, Guilford County Schools' only all-girls high school program could be officially closed by the Guilford County Board of Education in July.
Superintendent Whitney Oakley made her recommendation to close the Middle College at Bennett during the board's meeting Tuesday. The district is set to hold a public hearing at its next board meeting on June 22. A vote is expected at the board's meeting on July 18.
In a joint statement from the college and the district, Bennett College president Suzanne Walsh said both are committed to girls' education and opportunities for young women to experience college.
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"At this time, the Bennett College restructured semester as minimesters with a block schedule and hybrid model do not perfectly align with the structure and requirements of the school system," Walsh said. "We commend Guilford County Schools for their commitment to educating young women and look forward to future opportunities for partnership.”
In the joint statement, Oakley emphasized the district's gratitude for Bennett's investment in Guilford County Schools students over the years and its continued support of the district.
The all-girls high school launched in 2003 as the result of a partnership between Guilford County Schools and Bennett, a small, historically black women's college, located in Greensboro. In 2019-20, the school had 128 students.
As with all of Guilford County Schools Middle College programs, a big part of the idea was for high school students to be on the campus, take some of their classes directly from the college, experience campus academic life, and hopefully get excited to continue with college after graduating.
However, things started to unravel during the pandemic.
Ahead of the 2020-21 school year, Guilford County Schools hoped to have students back in class for in-person learning, at least part of the year, while Bennett College had plans to stay virtual all year. In response, Guilford County Schools chose to limit the program to then-rising juniors and seniors.
Rising 10th graders at the time were offered other options and rising ninth graders weren’t enrolled. That pattern continued in 2021-22, with Guilford County Schools again not bringing any new classes in, leaving seniors as the only remaining class for the 2021-22 school year.
District leaders said they did open applications up for new freshmen for the 2022-23 school year, but not enough applied to be able to restart the program that year.
In explaining the recommendation to officially close this summer, district leaders said Bennett's class schedule just doesn't fit well with the school district's schedule. For example, leaders said, Bennett holds some classes in the early evening, as opposed to district's daytime setup. And, district leaders said, Bennett operates on a hybrid model, with one day of face-to-face instruction and four days of remote instruction each week.
"We know that for the vast majority of our students, they need face-to-face instruction," Oakley said.
During the board's discussion, board member Khem Irby brought up the fact that Guilford County Schools now has a high school for boys, the N.C. A&T Four Middle College, but none for girls.
"We no longer have a balance," she said. "So I don't know what the plan is or the idea is around bringing that balance back."
Oakley told her the district's facilities master plan calls for eventually opening a single-gender leadership academy for grades 6-12, and so that issue could be revisited in years ahead. Male and female enrollment across all the middle colleges is roughly even, district leaders said. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/updated-guilford-superintendent-recommends-closure-of-shuttered-all-girls-high-school/article_a9b17cfc-0a27-11ee-8428-779f62689245.html | 2023-06-15T16:49:54 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/updated-guilford-superintendent-recommends-closure-of-shuttered-all-girls-high-school/article_a9b17cfc-0a27-11ee-8428-779f62689245.html |
FORT SMITH, Ark. — According to the Fort Smith Police Department, a woman was reported missing after she was last seen leaving Baptist Health on June 14.
Police say 68-year-old Mary Beth Armstrong from Wister, Okla., left Baptist Health at 11:16 p.m. on Wednesday and was reported missing by her family on Thursday morning.
Police describe her as very thin with long gray/black hair and was last seen wearing short light purple pajamas, and eyeglasses.
Anyone with information on Armstrong's whereabouts is asked to contact Fort Smith police at 479-709-5100 and to dial 911 for emergencies.
5NEWS will update this article with information as it becomes available.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/fort-smith-police-woman-last-seen-leaving-hospital/527-b56fae33-903f-4df6-bbc6-a949eca300a5 | 2023-06-15T16:53:46 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/fort-smith-police-woman-last-seen-leaving-hospital/527-b56fae33-903f-4df6-bbc6-a949eca300a5 |
5 HSE administrator jobs hang in balance amid latest school board criticism
The Hamilton Southeastern School Board delayed renewing the contracts of five administrators Wednesday, with several of those opposed to that decision suggesting it could put the district in a vulnerable position as it nears a proposed referendum.
"We're asking them to work on the referendum and we're not renewing our contracts today," board member Sarah Parks-Reese said. "I really think that sends the wrong message."
The five positions include the chief operations officer, chief financial officer, chief equity and inclusion officer and assistant superintendents. It's unclear when the board will meet again to discuss renewing the contracts, though they expire in June 2024.
Last year, four new members running on conservative platforms took majority control of the board. Controversy has swirled over decisions made this spring, including removing microaggressions from student handbooks and halting a contracted district wide mental health survey.
Contract renewals, which come up every year, were before the board Wednesday night, with 118 salaries listed for approval. One and two-year extensions combined represented about $20 million, which concerned Board President Dawn Lang.
The majority of the board wanted more time to review the contracts though, especially the five administrators who were delayed, Lang said. The board ultimately approved the other 113 but left out the five, which are all top positions in the district. Their salaries range from $100,000 to $150,000 a year.
Lang, Ben Orr, Juanita Albright and Tiffany Pascoe were against renewing the five contracts Wednesday night while Suzanne Thomas, Parks-Reese and Sarah Donsbach were in favor of renewing them with the wider bunch rather than delay.
Orr said he didn't understand why these contracts were being renewed midterm on a rolling basis, but said he's still learning about common practice in education as new board member.
"So essentially people always have two full years of guaranteed job," Orr said. "That's not something I'm accustomed to, to be totally honest, I'm still fairly uncomfortable with it."
Thomas said she didn't support singling out the administrators from the longer list of contract approvals. Her stance was met with loud cheers from the public at the meeting.
"I just can't be behind leaving a certain group out," Thomas said.
Some parents said they were worried about the future of HSE leadership. Surrounded by more than a dozen supporters in red to support educators, several parents cited board-initiated disruptions to the district and also brought up their support for the administrators whose roles were left up to expire next summer as of now.
“Since January, there have been a number of last minute decisions and curve balls thrown at district leadership,” Laura Kole, a mother of two HSE students, said. "The staff at HSE schools have found themselves working through a time of uncertainty."
Abby Taylor, president of the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association, said the incident caused “unnecessary anxiety” for teachers and staff amidst their summer vacations. Confusion had swirled on social media ahead of the meeting about what the board would do.
Taylor received about 100 emails and text messages from teachers throughout the district about how this decision could impact their classrooms, she said. There was some worry that principals also would have their contract renewals questions, though they were ultimately approved.
"In case you didn't know, many teachers work in HSE because of their excellent staff and the uncertainty of not having the administrator in their building causes teachers to be very uneasy and causes them to leave," Taylor said.
The administrators include:
- Jimmie Lake, chief operations officer
- Katy Dowling, chief financial officer
- Nataki Pettigrew, chief equity & inclusion officer
- Matt Kegley, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning
- Kim Lippe, assistant superintendent of staff and student services
Contact the reporter at rfradette@gannett.com. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/education/2023/06/15/hse-board-delays-5-administrators-contract-renewal-latest-criticized-move/70324084007/ | 2023-06-15T16:54:42 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/education/2023/06/15/hse-board-delays-5-administrators-contract-renewal-latest-criticized-move/70324084007/ |
EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. — El Dorado Hills Town Center canceled its Thursday summer concert after discovering problems with enforcing alcoholic beverage policies.
Chairman Kevin Nagle wrote in a Facebook post that Live on the Boulevard would be canceled after finding out they have not complied with Alcohol Beverage Control enforcement policies over the last few years.
The issues include consuming alcohol brought from home or purchased off-site in the amphitheater and open container violations, among others.
Nagle said they only learned about it after a tenant complained about activities. The tenant was not identified.
"Because of the complexity of the issues and risk associated with them, we are canceling the Thursday concert with the hope we remedy these matters quickly," Nagle wrote in a post on social media.
Nagle said the El Dorado Hills Town Center is evaluating solutions and will update the community on the next steps.
The concerts were scheduled for every Thursday from June 15 until September 8 at Steven Young Amphitheater, though it is unclear how the town center with proceed.
Watch more on ABC10: Where are the 100s? California’s unusual season, peak snowmelt and nearly full water storage | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/el-dorado-hills-town-center-cancels-concert/103-2954291a-3882-470d-90fa-cf4dab512364 | 2023-06-15T16:56:21 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/el-dorado-hills-town-center-cancels-concert/103-2954291a-3882-470d-90fa-cf4dab512364 |
PLACER COUNTY, Calif — The body of a man swept away by the North Fork American River on Mother's Day has been recovered, the Placer County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.
The man was identified as Eric Aguayo of American Canyon. He was found Saturday after the sheriff's office was called to Lake Clementine for reports of a dead body in the water.
The 20-year-old was swept away near Yankee Jims Bridge on May 14 and was found 15 miles downriver.
The Placer County Sheriff's Office and several other agencies have warned people not to go into rivers because they are colder and faster this year than in the past.
"Again, please let these incidents serve as an example and a reminder of why it is so important to stay OUT of the river," the sheriff's office wrote in a Facebook post.
River tragedies are "completely preventable," according to California State Parks, by following the recommendations below:
- Anyone near the river should be wearing a life jacket in case of an unexpected fall into the river. We provide life jackets at no charge in the Confluence area and at Upper Lake Clementine.
- Actively supervise children at all times. Keep them away from the water.
- Do not overestimate your swimming abilities. Cold water and swift currents can exhaust a person in seconds.
- Swimming across Clark’s Hole (North Fork upstream from the Foresthill Bridge) is extremely dangerous, unnecessary, and has been the location of recent drownings.
- By the time a person is in need of rescue, there is virtually nothing we can do to save that person.
- If you find yourself in the river, aggressively swim to the shore, do not swim against the current. This uses energy very quickly and no one can swim upstream in swift currents.
- Many people have drowned attempting to save others. Focus on preventing a rescue for you and your loved ones.
Watch more on ABC10: Teen who drowned in El Dorado County remembered as 'gentle giant' | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/eric-aguayo-american-river-mothers-day-placer/103-b7503ee4-260f-4d53-ab67-87d77d6ba302 | 2023-06-15T16:56:27 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/eric-aguayo-american-river-mothers-day-placer/103-b7503ee4-260f-4d53-ab67-87d77d6ba302 |
OAKDALE, Calif. — An Oakdale youth football coach is accused of child endangerment after he was caught on video allegedly encouraging two children to fight.
According to a news release from the Oakdale Police Department, the man was identified as 33-year-old Joshua Troxell, an Oakdale Stampede youth football coach.
Police say the investigation began after someone came to the police chief with a video circulating on social media. The video allegedly shows two boys fighting while Troxell is encouraging the fight in the background.
One of the children had minor injuries.
Police spoke with Troxell and he agreed to turn himself in on child endangerment charges.
“I'm extremely disturbed and disappointed by the video," said Police Chief Jerry Ramar. “This incident does not represent the community of Oakdale.”
WATCH ALSO: California couple has lived rent-free for years, despite being evicted from more than 8 homes | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/oakdale-youth-football-coach-accused-of-child-endangerment/103-b106cd09-1148-4789-9c19-6d779524c301 | 2023-06-15T16:56:34 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/oakdale-youth-football-coach-accused-of-child-endangerment/103-b106cd09-1148-4789-9c19-6d779524c301 |
TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Police Department has identified 79-year-old Margaret Evirs as the victim from the house fire that occurred on Wednesday, June 14.
The City stated Temple Fire and Rescue personnel responded to a fire in the 600 block of Banbury Drive in the Wyndham Hills Subdivision around 12:19 p.m.
Fire and Rescue crews reportedly located Evirs inside the home, which they say was full of smoke.
The City said firefighters were able to extinguish a small fire on some pieces of furniture in the home, but they said the Evirs was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the City of Temple, the fire is currently being investigated by the Temple Police Department and Temple Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Temple Police Department at 254-298-5500 or the Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/79-year-old-woman-identified-deadly-temple-house-fire/500-12e85fe3-e7a0-41c1-8733-12502b15d395 | 2023-06-15T16:57:41 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/79-year-old-woman-identified-deadly-temple-house-fire/500-12e85fe3-e7a0-41c1-8733-12502b15d395 |
KILLEEN, Texas — Killeen Animal Services recently received a very generous donation of dog food from 10-year-old Duane Shaw and his Lemonade Squeezos team.
The City of Killeen shared Shaw's big donation on its Facebook page stating, "This was a huge donation, and we could tell he did it from his heart. The stack of dog food was almost taller than he was!"
Shaw started his small business, Lemon Squeezos, to bring his families freshly-squeezed lemonade from their table to yours. He also wanted to use the business as way to give back to his community and other charities
With a donation this big, Shaw is doing just that.
To view more information on this donation, visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/young-man-and-his-lemonade-business-make-large-donation-killeen-animal-shelter/500-14b72d29-c45f-4337-9e3d-df6e1c290157 | 2023-06-15T16:57:47 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/young-man-and-his-lemonade-business-make-large-donation-killeen-animal-shelter/500-14b72d29-c45f-4337-9e3d-df6e1c290157 |
An agreement between two Atlantic County school districts that has been at the center of a controversy around school integration and fairness in education will stay in place.
State acting Commissioner of Education Angelica Allen-McMillan decided this week to reject a motion to reconsider her decision to preserve the send-receive agreement between the Absecon School District and Pleasantville Public Schools.
Her decision deals a blow to Absecon, which filed the motion to reconsider and has been trying to sever its send-receive agreement with Pleasantville for years.
Absecon Superintendent Daniel Dooley addressed a letter to its district in which it acknowledged the “disappointing news” of Allen-McMillan’s decision.
“We feel that through our Motion, we gave the Acting Commissioner a chance to reverse her initial decision, which we viewed as flawed, but she declined to analyze the impact of Absecon leaving Pleasantville based upon current enrollment numbers and current realities,” Dooley said.
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The send-receive agreement has eighth-grade Absecon students graduating from Emma C. Attales Middle School attend Pleasantville High School for their secondary education.
PLEASANTVILLE — The local school bus union is speaking out for the need for higher wages in …
Absecon has tried to sever the agreement due to what it argues are the low quality of Pleasantville schools. It also notes that few Absecon students choose to attend Pleasantville, instead opting for alternatives such as the Atlantic County Institute of Technology or a private school such as Holy Spirit.
Racial justice activists in the area have argued that the severance of the send-receive agreement would work to further segregate Pleasantville schools, where the vast majority of the student body is Black or Hispanic.
Allen-McMillan first decided to reject Absecon’s request to sever the send-receive agreement over a year ago in May 2022.
Absecon said it filed its motion to reconsider shortly thereafter.
In his letter, Dooley vowed that Absecon would appeal Allen-McMillan’s decision to the the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division and anticipates oral arguments in late fall.
“We remain hopeful that an independent panel of judges will conduct a thorough analysis and come to the same conclusions we have reached,” Dooley said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/education/absecon-pleasantville-agreement/article_e05dd9ee-0b94-11ee-b8fc-4b0b9e37c86e.html | 2023-06-15T16:58:08 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/education/absecon-pleasantville-agreement/article_e05dd9ee-0b94-11ee-b8fc-4b0b9e37c86e.html |
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Midland’s Juneteenth celebration will include an event that spotlights mental health.
Ereka Howard and Virtue US Investments will present “Mental Health Matters” from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at “the White House” on 1702 E. Wall St.
The event is billed as a time of community, conversation and education on mental health and addiction. Howard.
“I’m excited to bring mental health to the community and to the city of Midland,” said Howard, the daughter of community leader Shirley Howard. “My goal is to raise awareness. ... I want to be the tool, the person who initiates it.”
Howard has masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is working toward a doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision. The 2005 graduate of Lee High School (now Legacy High School) said that growing up in Midland she didn’t hear a lot about mental health or issues related to mental health, especially in the minority community. She said over the years she has been exposed to different things that led her to believe “I have mental health issues, and if I am dealing with it, I am sure others are to.”
This is the second year for a mental health event as part of the Juneteenth celebrations in Midland. She described the conversation that will take place Saturday as “engaging” and “fun,” not depressing as many may consider the topic. Midland Mayor Lori Blong also is scheduled to be part of the program.
“(Those who suffer with mental health issues) are not alone,” said Howard, a product of Faith Temple COGIC in Midland. “There is help in the community. Resources will be provided as well (at the event).”
Howard is the author of the book, “Identity Crisis” and is working on a documentary. She lives in the Metroplex, where she is employed by the Salvation Army, works with the homeless population, those dealing with substance abuse and veterans. She also has her own business, is a public speaker and certified life coach.
Website: www.MsErekaHoward.com
Book link: https://square.link/u/ILWo8oP4.
Documentary: https://youtu.be/DHUxUo38_Yw | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/erika-howard-returns-midland-juneteenth-mental-18154149.php | 2023-06-15T17:02:05 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/erika-howard-returns-midland-juneteenth-mental-18154149.php |
Midland Park Mall will host a “Love for All” Pride Event on Friday in support of the LGBTQ+ community in West Texas.
Several local organizations will be there to provide information, spread awareness and show their support to community, including the Pride Center of West Texas, Out in West Texas, QA Wranglers, Midland Community Theatre and more!
“Be sure to check out our retailers who will be showcasing their Pride merchandise available through the month of June,” Midland Park Mall wrote in a news release.
The Pride event will take place from 2-4 p.m. in Center Court. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/midland-park-mall-promotes-pride-event-friday-18153928.php | 2023-06-15T17:02:11 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/midland-park-mall-promotes-pride-event-friday-18153928.php |
Two juveniles were airlifted to Lubbock earlier this week, following an accident involving an ATV on a public roadway in central Midland.
Midland police reminded the Reporter-Telegram that ATVs are not supposed to be on roadways in the city, including alleys.
“They can cross a roadway but not be driven down the street,” MPD officers stated in an interview.
Sgt. Brian Taylor and Officer Jayson Renforth told the Reporter-Telegram that the Texas Transportation Code provides more detail about ATVs – specifically Chapter 551A. ATVs are different than golf carts, according to the transportation code.
Police stated that in the case of the accident on Sunday that operation of an ATV on public roadway, time of day and visibility all contributed to what happened.
“The initial investigation revealed that a Ford F-350 pickup was traveling northbound on Barber Street, and a Yamaha ATV occupied by three people was traveling eastbound in the alley of the 300 block of Elm Avenue,” the Reporter-Telegram reported. “The ATV proceeded to cross Barber Street, resulting in a collision with the truck, according to MPD.”
The accident took place around 9:23 p.m., and MPD reported the accident is still under investigation.
Officials said this week that ATVs typically lack the required strategic equipment for a vehicle typically traveling on public roadways. Those include head lamps and turn signals.
Golf carts are governed by different rules – those found in Texas Transportation Code Chapter 551, subchapter F. Operation is authorized in certain areas like a “master planned community” and on a roadway which the posted speed limit is not more than 35 mph (during the daytime, not more than 5 miles from the location where the golf cart is usually parked and to and for transportation from a golf course).
MPD officials also stated that electric skateboards and scooters are restricted on city roadways and electric bikes follow the same rules as regular bicycles. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-state-law-puts-restrictions-atv-use-city-18154164.php | 2023-06-15T17:02:11 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-state-law-puts-restrictions-atv-use-city-18154164.php |
ORLANDO, Fla. — If you’re planning your summer vacation, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging people to be on the lookout for travel scams.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Moody said some of the most common scams include selling fake tickets to theme parks and fake vacation rental listings.
Watch: Disney makes new move related to $350M+ affordable housing community in Horizon West
Moody suggests you do your research before making payments before scams can leave you with nowhere to stay and rob you of hundreds of dollars.
“The money is taken. The money is gone. When they show up for vacation, or they show up for travel, there is no service. There is no home,” Moody said.
Read: Last chance: Busch Gardens announces closing date for family-friendly roller coaster
More information can be found here if you believe you are the victim of a travel scam in Florida.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-officials-raise-alert-over-fake-theme-park-tickets-bogus-vacation-rental-scams/CTFHVT2UEZGG3NYIB7SHFKKCWI/ | 2023-06-15T17:04:17 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/florida-officials-raise-alert-over-fake-theme-park-tickets-bogus-vacation-rental-scams/CTFHVT2UEZGG3NYIB7SHFKKCWI/ |
MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Family and friends gathered Wednesday night to remember an Ocala mother who was shot and killed earlier this month.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Organizers called it a “Night of Healing,” and another chance to pay tribute to the life of Ajike “AJ” Owens.
Owens was shot and killed by her neighbor on June 2, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
READ: ‘Justice for AJ’: Funeral held for mother of 4 shot, killed in Marion County
Investigators said Susan Lorincz, 58, tried to use Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law to claim self-defense after she fired a gun from inside her home through her front door.
The bullet struck and killed Owens, who was standing with her son on the other side of the closed door.
Owens had knocked on Lorincz’s door, looking to talk to her about the way she allegedly mistreated her children as they played outside Lorincz’s residence, investigators said.
At a press conference on June 7, Sheriff Billy Woods said that Lorincz’s actions were “not justifiable,” and announced that she had been charged with manslaughter.
At Wednesday’s prayer vigil for Owens, family and friends again made it clear that they wanted Lorincz’s charge to be upgraded.
“We have to come together as a community and as one and let everybody know, let the world know, that this is not okay,” one speaker said.
“We will not settle for a manslaughter charge. This was murder.”
On June 9, a judge set Lorincz’s bond at $154,000, but at last report, she remained jailed in Marion County.
READ: Judge sets bond for Marion County woman accused of killing neighbor at $154K
Owens was laid to rest on Monday in Ocala.
Stay with WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates on this case.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/ocala-vigil-pays-tribute-seeks-justice-aj-owens/NANG4VQKOFACHO4NSCMHLJHUAY/ | 2023-06-15T17:04:23 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/ocala-vigil-pays-tribute-seeks-justice-aj-owens/NANG4VQKOFACHO4NSCMHLJHUAY/ |
WINTER PARK, Fla. — Winter Park is challenging you to capture the city’s non-invasive plants and wildlife in its city parks and green spaces.
The city is hosting a photography contest starting Thursday, which happens to be National Nature Photography Day.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
To participate in the inaugural Nature Photography Contest, photos must be taken in public parks and spaces within Winter Park city boundaries.
The city said the goal is to promote the city’s natural beauty.
Read: Happening today: Winter Park asks for input on ‘smart city’ initiatives
You can click here for more information and to submit your photos.
Photography Contest 😍📸
— City of Winter Park (@WinterParkFla) June 15, 2023
Our Natural Resources & Sustainability Dept is looking for photos of non-invasive plants and wildlife in our city parks and greenspaces. Make plans outside this weekend and submit your photos.
entry form 👉 https://t.co/Mok0Feslp9 pic.twitter.com/h74LLn7kIK
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/picture-perfect-winter-park-hosting-nature-photography-contest/Y7LLHZGX3ZCQ7NYX27XWI6MIEY/ | 2023-06-15T17:04:29 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/picture-perfect-winter-park-hosting-nature-photography-contest/Y7LLHZGX3ZCQ7NYX27XWI6MIEY/ |
OCALA, Fla. — An armed robbery of a gas station in Ocala quickly ended with an arrest, according to the police department.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Ocala police officers were called to the Marathon gas station on E. Silver Springs Blvd. just before 3 a.m. Monday for reports of a robbery.
The clerk told police the robber came into the store and pretended to make a cash purchase for cigarettes, but pointed a gun at him as the cash register was opened.
READ: Police: 1 injured, suspect in custody after shooting in New Smyrna Beach
The clerk emptied the cash from the register into a bag for the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Travis Givens, who then ran from the store on foot. The clerk said Givens also demanded his personal cell phone and the store’s landline phone.
Police say the the clerk gave them a detailed description of Givens, down to the dark grey hooded sweatshirt he was wearing.
Mere “moments” after the robbery occurred, an Ocala police officer who was headed to the scene reportedly saw two people walking on NE 36th Ave. and noticed one of them was wearing a hooded sweatshirt matching the description given by the store clerk.
READ: Streetlights turned on in Sanford neighborhood after months of darkness
According to the police department, the officer approached the two people in her patrol vehicle, but the person matching the description of the robbery suspect immediately ran into a wooded area nearby.
An Ocala Police Department K-9 unit responded to the scene and began tracking givens, leading to the discovery of a plastic bag containing cash, a cellular phone, and a portable landline phone, as described by the gas station clerk after the armed robbery.
According to police, the K-9 track then led to a grey hooded sweatshirt with a small starter pistol tucked in the front pocket.
READ: Florida set to execute man convicted of 1984 murders, rapes while children slept nearby
As officers on scene continued to track Givens, Ocala Police Department dispatchers answered a call from a resident reporting that they saw a man jump over their fence before running into another set of woods. Police turned their to that area where they ultimately found Givens hiding in a bush.
Givens was booked into the Marion County jail Monday on charges that include armed robbery, grand theft, and aggravated assault with a weapon. He’s being held on no bond.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-central-florida-man-arrested-moments-after-robbing-ocala-gas-station/U7MCBFBIZRB3BOZEQ2G7PGZQIY/ | 2023-06-15T17:04:36 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/police-central-florida-man-arrested-moments-after-robbing-ocala-gas-station/U7MCBFBIZRB3BOZEQ2G7PGZQIY/ |
Creighton Avenue between Harrison Street and Broadway will have intermittent lane restrictions from Tuesday to July 5 during milling and paving work, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
For questions or to report problems, contact the city's street department at 311. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/creighton-avenue-section-restricted-for-2-weeks/article_e1af47a0-0b95-11ee-872c-2b02f1a69bd4.html | 2023-06-15T17:19:25 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/creighton-avenue-section-restricted-for-2-weeks/article_e1af47a0-0b95-11ee-872c-2b02f1a69bd4.html |
Liberty Mills Road will have intermittent lane restrictions between Middle Grove Road and Falls Drive from Monday to July 17 during power-line installation, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
For questions or to report problems, contact the city's right of way department at 427-6155. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/liberty-mills-road-portion-limited-for-month/article_64adfa20-0b96-11ee-8b4d-731a97c3b1c4.html | 2023-06-15T17:19:37 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/liberty-mills-road-portion-limited-for-month/article_64adfa20-0b96-11ee-8b4d-731a97c3b1c4.html |
Progress Road will close to through traffic for nearly five months between Value and Profit drives, beginning Monday, during a bridge project, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed Nov. 15, the city's traffic engineering department said in a statement.
A detour uses Lima Road, Production Road and Executive Boulevard, the statement said.
For questions or to report problems, contact the city's bridge department at 427-1172. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/progress-road-part-closing-during-bridge-project/article_a157eed2-0b9a-11ee-84e7-679f05fcbf1e.html | 2023-06-15T17:19:39 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/progress-road-part-closing-during-bridge-project/article_a157eed2-0b9a-11ee-84e7-679f05fcbf1e.html |
Southbound Wells Street between Franke Park Drive and Fernhill Avenue will be reopened to traffic by approximately noon Friday, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
The closure is part of an American Electric Power underground powerline project along Wells Street, Fernhill Avenue and Lima Road.
Future restrictions or closures may be needed to complete the project, the city's traffic engineering department said in a statement. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/southbound-wells-street-to-reopen/article_d99dfef0-0b93-11ee-a664-17f9c4d055f9.html | 2023-06-15T17:19:40 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/southbound-wells-street-to-reopen/article_d99dfef0-0b93-11ee-a664-17f9c4d055f9.html |
Witmer Road between Schwartz and Page roads has reopened about two weeks early, the Allen County Highway Department said today.
The closure during water-main installation had been expected to end June 30, the highway department said in a statement.
Witmer Road between Schwartz and Page roads has reopened about two weeks early, the Allen County Highway Department said today.
The closure during water-main installation had been expected to end June 30, the highway department said in a statement. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/witmer-road-closure-ends-early/article_bfc1d9e2-0b94-11ee-a045-57ca07ab5806.html | 2023-06-15T17:19:41 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/witmer-road-closure-ends-early/article_bfc1d9e2-0b94-11ee-a045-57ca07ab5806.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Starting as soon as Monday, people who drive between Wichita and Augusta may have to deal with single-lane, slower traffic on U.S. Highway 54, also known as Kellogg and U.S. Highway 400.
The Kansas Department of Transportation has hired crews to surface a 9-mile stretch of the highway from 159th Street East to the west side of Augusta.
The nearly $3.4 million project involves ultra-thin bonded asphalt surfacing, except for concrete pavement at Andover Road.
Depending on the weather, the project is expected to begin Monday, June 19, and last through the end of August.
KDOT says traffic will remain open in both directions, but drivers can expect single-lane closures and reduced speeds.
For updated information on this and other KDOT highway projects and road conditions across the state, go to KanDrive.org. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/kellogg-us-54-project-will-slow-travel-just-east-of-wichita-city-limits/ | 2023-06-15T17:21:13 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/kellogg-us-54-project-will-slow-travel-just-east-of-wichita-city-limits/ |
Supreme Court upholds Indian Child Welfare Act, affirming tribal sovereignty
In a 7-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a Texas federal court's decision that the Indian Child Welfare Act, a cornerstone of tribal sovereignty, was unconstitutional. The court also rejected a ruling that the act places undue burdens on states and that it was race-based.
Indian Country breathed a sigh of relief after months of anxiety fearing tribes would have to endure another wave of mass child removals and possibly the first substantial blow to tribal sovereignty.
"The thought we don't have jurisdiction over our children is unconscionable," said Fawn Sharp, president of the National Congress of American Indians, at a webinar on tribal sovereignty Wednesday.
“The Supreme Court just validated what Indian Country and tribal advocates have been saying for generations: the Indian Child Welfare Act is the gold standard of child welfare policy,” said Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii and chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “I applaud today’s decision, which upholds the constitutionality of this landmark law, respects Tribal sovereignty, and protects the best interests of Indian children.”
Leaders of the four tribes at the heart of the case, issued a statement: "Today, the Supreme Court once again ruled that ICWA, heralded as the gold standard in child welfare for over 40 years, is constitutional. Today’s decision is a major victory for Native tribes, children, and the future of our culture and heritage. It is also a broad affirmation of the rule of law, and of the basic constitutional principles surrounding relationships between Congress and tribal nations."
The leaders, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Morongo Band of Mission Indians Chairman Charles Martin, Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Hill and Quinault Indian Nation President Guy Capoeman, said they hope this case will "lay to rest the political attacks aimed at diminishing tribal sovereignty and creating instability throughout Indian law that have persisted for too long.”
What is the Indian Child Welfare Act?
The Indian Child Welfare Act, known as ICWA, was enacted in 1978 to address the near-wholesale removals of Native children from their homes, a process that sent most of them to non-Indian adoptive families. Up to 35% of all Native children had been removed from their homes and 85% of them were sent to non-Indian homes before ICWA became law, according to the National Indian Child Welfare Association, known as NICWA.
ICWA sets requirements applying to state child custody proceedings involving an Indian child who is a member of or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe. In recent years, some states such as California and North Carolina have enacted their own ICWA legislation to include children of non-federally recognized tribes and to ensure that they could continue to work with tribes in child custody cases.
The law has come to be recognized by child welfare experts as the "gold standard" in child welfare practice for its role in supporting children's rights to be connected to their families and tribal communities. It also promotes stronger efforts to keep families together and reunify children with their parents whenever possible. The law supports tribal cultures by keeping tribal children in their homelands and requires tribal engagement in child welfare processes.
Challenge to law leads to court case
Over the years, the law has come under fire from a variety of conservative groups and a national adoption advocacy organization. The Brackeen case sought to overturn ICWA as unconstitutional because it applies to Indian children and thus is race-based. A coalition of tribes, 26 states and several child welfare organizations joined the U. S. government to counter that assertion since the law is based on a child's tribal citizenship or eligibility to become a tribal citizen.
One of those supporters was former Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich. In 2022, his office joined the coalition to protect ICWA and persuade the Supreme court to uphold the law.
And as the Native American Rights Fund points out, federal Indian statutes have never been found to violate the Constitution or exceed Congress' authority to regulate relations with tribes.
In 2018, a federal district court in Texas held that ICWA violated the U.S. Constitution. That decision was overturned upon appeal by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Fifth Court of Appeals. In November 2019, the Fifth Circuit reheard the case before the entire panel, a process known as an en banc review.
In April 2021, the en banc panel issued a 325-page split decision. According to NARF, although the court upheld the authority of Congress to enact the law and that ICWA’s definition of “Indian child” did not operate on the basis of race, it also found certain sections of ICWA to be unconstitutional. Those include the clause prioritizing Native families and foster homes over non-Indian families and requirements on states that include recordkeeping, locating expert witnesses and expending "active efforts" to comply with the law.
The government appealed and the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in November 2022.
Challenge to the law:Supreme Court hears arguments in pivotal Indian Child Welfare Act case
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote Thursday's decision. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the decision.
The Goldwater Institute, a conservative organization that supports the overturn of ICWA, questioned the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the U.S., and it issued a statement in 2021 that seems to indicate the direction it and other conservative organizations regard tribes:
"The Fifth Circuit concluded that Congress can do virtually whatever it thinks will aid 'the survival of tribes' as institutions, regardless of the impact on the rights of individuals," the statement said. The institute wrote that it believes this gives Congress immense powers to ensure tribal survival: "Could Congress prohibit (or empower tribal governments to prohibit) women of Native ancestry from obtaining divorces? Or from marrying outside of the tribe? Or from surrendering their tribal membership? The court never says."
Victor Rocha, a citizen of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians and conference chairman for the Indian Gaming Association's annual conference said, "ICWA was enacted to keep people from stealing our children."
This is a breaking story.
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.
My articles are free to read, but your subscriptions support more such great reporting. Please consider subscribing today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/15/supreme-court-upholds-indian-child-welfare-act-affirms-rights/70314342007/ | 2023-06-15T17:23:46 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/15/supreme-court-upholds-indian-child-welfare-act-affirms-rights/70314342007/ |
Glendale voters can expect bond measures on ballot for road improvements, public safety
Glendale residents will have the opportunity to vote on bond measures this November.
The City Council referred two questions to the Nov. 7 special election ballot. The first question asks voters to invest $82 million in street and intersection improvements. This would cover things like local road construction, signage, congestion reduction and landscaping. According to Assistant City Manager Vicki Rios, projects include Bell Road, 67th Avenue, Bethany Home Road, 83rd Avenue, 75th Avenue, Camelback Road, Glendale Avenue, Northern Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
The second question asks for $78 million, which is intended to be invested in public safety facilities and modernization. This includes building and modernizing local police stations, fire stations and police/fire training facilities. Projects from this bond include building a new police department forensics laboratory, constructing a new fire station near Westgate Entertainment District, improving the city court building, relocating fire department support services and more.
Glendale transportation:These projects could be at risk in Proposition 400 debate
“These bonds are not expected to result in a tax rate increase,” she said.
“Based on the city’s financial practices, the city intends to pay off old bonds before issuing new bonds,” Rios explained.
Though, the city will not start paying off the bonds until they are sold. Once sold, the bonds typically take 20-25 years to pay off.
In terms of whether or not the bond will be applied to primary or secondary taxes, Rios said that general obligation bonds are repaid through the city’s secondary property tax, whereas primary property tax is saved for governmental expenses.
“By law, the funds generated by the bonds can only be used for the projects described by the ballot questions,” she added.
Given the current state of interest rates, Rios talked about how bonds are a secure and responsible way to finance large capital projects. With that idea in mind, the council on May 23 adopted the resolution calling for the election.
While the council ultimately made the decision, members did take into consideration outside opinions.
“The council considered the input from staff across multiple city departments, the Citizens Bond Committee and community surveys regarding our resident’s priorities before calling for the election,” Rios said.
Though this election is about asking voters for the authority to issue bonds in the future, there are still a few things to keep in mind.
- Bonds are not immediately issued at the time of election.
- Bonds do not have to be issued all at once.
- If the bonds do not pass, the city will not be able to complete street and intersection improvements, nor will it be able to invest in public safety facilities.
This will be a vote-by-mail election starting on Oct. 11. Ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. Preliminary results may be available on Election Day, though final results could take several days.
Anyone wishing to file an argument for or against the ballot measures may submit a written statement that is no longer than 300 words. Each filed argument requires a $100 deposit. Arguments need to be mailed to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m. on Aug. 9.
For more information regarding the election, voter registration deadlines or how to file a ballot argument, visit the Glendale City Clerk’s webpage. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2023/06/15/glendale-bond-measures-november-2023/70321826007/ | 2023-06-15T17:23:49 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale/2023/06/15/glendale-bond-measures-november-2023/70321826007/ |
New Avondale budget prioritizes Old Town and new jobs. Here's what we know
Avondale's new budget includes several new positions.
Renee Weatherless, the director of finance and budget, presented the final budget to the city earlier this month after the Council first adopted the city’s tentative budget last month. The final budget is subject to change throughout the fiscal year.
The city’s total budget is $464,896,600. Of that, about $181.4 million will be going toward the city’s general fund. The city allocated $183 million for its general fund last year, despite only spending about $128 million.
The Avondale Police Department will receive a sizeable portion of $22.5 million, compared to last year’s $20.9 million. The department will also receive an additional $10 million as part of the general fund’s capital section. The city’s fire and medical department will receive about $23 million.
In total, the police department will be receiving almost $62 million across different funds, up from $47 million last year. Fire and medical will get about $33 million, compared to last year’s $21 million.
Avondale’s park and recreation department will get about $29 million for its construction of capital projects from the general fund, while fire and medical has an additional $8.6 million allocated. Overall, the park and recreation department will receive about $52 million, which is slightly less than last year’s allocation.
The city also still has money from the American Rescue Plan Fund Act, which was allocated by the federal government in 2021 as a part of Covid-19 relief funds. The city plans to split up just under $10 million to various departments including police, parks and recreation and IT.
The city also has about $117 million allocated towards its enterprise funds, which includes public works departments like water capital, sewer capital and solid waste, and water operations. The public works department will be receiving $113 million across multiple funds, compared to $97 million allocated last year, although the city only spent about $46 million.
The city will continue to move forward with plans to revitalize Old Town Avondale, allocating $14 million toward phase three of the project. The aquatic center will be one of the city’s most expensive singular projects next year, totaling about $23 million.
The budget includes 13.5 new positions, which includes seven public safety positions. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/06/15/new-avondale-budget-prioritizes-old-town-avondale-new-jobs-heres-what-we-know/70315389007/ | 2023-06-15T17:23:49 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley/2023/06/15/new-avondale-budget-prioritizes-old-town-avondale-new-jobs-heres-what-we-know/70315389007/ |
The biggest U.S. cities were ranked by public parks. Here's where Arizona cities landed
Arizona's most populous cities landed in the bottom third of this year’s nationwide analysis of public parks from the Trust for Public Land.
The nonprofit's annual ParkScore report ranks cities based on how many people in the community live within a 10-minute walk of a park, median park size and park acreage as a share of a city's total size, per capita investment in parks, the availability of common park amenities, like restrooms and splash pads, and how accessible parks are to low-income people and people of color.
Here’s where Arizona cities ranked out of the nation’s 100 most populous cities:
- Scottsdale: 61
- Chandler: 73
- Tuscon: 76
- Glendale: 81
- Phoenix: 85
- Mesa: 96
- Gilbert: 100
Phoenix entertainment district:City takes first step to create downtown entertainment area
Washington, D.C., was the highest-ranked city for the third consecutive year. The report applauded the nation's capital for its plentiful park space and equitable access for residents from various backgrounds and income levels.
According to the report, people in the top 25 ranked cities are 9% less likely to experience poor mental health and 21% less likely to be physically inactive. "These patterns hold even after controlling for race/ethnicity, income, age, and population density," according to the report.
Nearly all Arizona cities in the study have less park space in low-income areas. One of the largest disparities was in Phoenix, where residents in low-income neighborhoods have quick access to 26% less park space than in the average Phoenix neighborhood. Citywide, around half of Phoenix residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park, according to the report. The average of the seven Arizona cities in the report is 57%.
Glendale saw the most improvement among Arizona cities in this year's ranking, moving seven spots from 88th to 81st. The city also ranked the highest in the state for accessibility, with 74% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park.
John Kennedy, the assistant director of Glendale Parks and Recreation, said the city has recently reopened three community centers. They also plan to respond to a 2021 disparity report by targeting specific neighborhoods with additional programming through a mobile unit.
“Even if they don’t have an actual brick-and-mortar rec center, we’ll be bringing recreation to those areas,” Kennedy said.
David Khalaf, who was visiting Highline Park in South Phoenix on a Friday in early June, said he has visited many parks in the region. Working as a case aide for the state, he supervises parent-child visitation at parks around three times per week.
“I’ve been to parks literally everywhere,” Khalaf said.
Transportation tax:Metro Phoenix mayors blast Legislature, vow to go to voters
He says he has a fondness for parks with plenty of shade. But most of all, he said, he cares about the safety of the space.
The Trust for Public Land’s study concludes that a park is generally most successful when it’s easy to get to and welcoming for residents.
Khalaf said he appreciates parks with playgrounds accessible for people of all ages, as opposed to those with weight or height limits that stop parents from using the equipment.
With a bit more flexibility, he said, he could see more parents getting time with their kids on the playground. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/15/how-arizona-cities-fared-in-a-national-ranking-of-public-parks/70299121007/ | 2023-06-15T17:23:50 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/15/how-arizona-cities-fared-in-a-national-ranking-of-public-parks/70299121007/ |
'End the cycle': Phoenix considers specialty court for people experiencing homelessness
Phoenix wants to launch a specialty court for people experiencing homelessness who find themselves repeatedly entering the criminal justice system. But at least one City Council member is concerned the program will give a pass to bad behavior.
The program would pair those cited for minor crimes such as trespassing or shoplifting with services to bring the individual out of homelessness and, hopefully, reduce the chances of repeat offending. The services could provide shelter, address substance abuse and facilitate workforce training and job attainment.
The individual would have to agree to the services and "graduate" the program or risk going back to traditional municipal court. The court is modeled after Mesa's Community Court, launched in 2018.
Scott Hall, Phoenix's deputy director of the Office of Homelessness Solutions, told council members at the city's Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting June 14, "This program isn't about taking away accountability, it is about supporting people while they're in the process of being accountable to their actions and helping build life skills and confidence in a new way that is sustainable."
Phoenix Municipal Court Judge Don Taylor compared it to the city's three other specialty courts, the Veteran's Court, Behavioral Health Court and the Regional Homeless Court. Taylor described them as focused on problem-solving by addressing the unique needs of people typically caught in or in danger of being caught in cyclical law-breaking. He clarified Phoenix's new court would address unsheltered people not appropriate for the regional homeless court.
More:How Homeless Court helps clear up legal matters for people rebuilding their lives
Individuals charged with felonies or those cited for domestic violence, assault or altercations with a human victim would not qualify for the program, city officials told council members of the subcommittee June 14.
The city Prosecutor's Office would identify eligible individuals after they are cited and attend an initial court appearance or pre-trial conference. Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions would also identify people for the program who are already incarcerated and "have historically been underserved" to assist them with navigating homelessness services.
But Councilmember Jim Waring, who represents the city's northeastern-most District 1, expressed reservations about the program, saying certain behavior, such as defecating in public, should not qualify.
"The book should be thrown at you, and that's it. There should be no discussion. You reap what you sow, and you get what you deserve when you're acting like that," Waring said.
His comments came after Judge Taylor said a person cited for defecating in public would likely qualify for the program, but that Phoenix's Prosecutor's Office would be the gatekeeper.
"They're going to be looking at each of these cases on an individualized basis and determining whether this is an appropriate place for the person," Taylor said.
Waring responded, "I certainly hope your prosecutors would have more sense than to say, 'You know what, a little therapy and everything will be good in this case,' because clearly that's not true."
David Ward, director of the city's Public Defenders Office, pushed back.
"I think people think of (services) euphemistically. We're going to give them a pat on the head, a cookie and an apology. That's not what services look like," Ward said.
He referred to the city's Veteran's Court. "It's not a cake walk. They have to go in, they have to go to counseling. They have to play by the rules ... they have to earn everything they get," Ward said.
Waring also asked about a recent case in which an unhoused person pulled out a knife when city staff was conducting a clean-up at the state's largest homeless encampment, colloquially referred to as "The Zone." The city has been court-ordered to clean up the area between downtown and the state Capitol, where at one point between 800 and 1,000 people experiencing homelessness resided.
Ward said pulling a knife on somebody "is going to be a felony" that would be considered aggravated assault, thus not eligible for Phoenix Community Court.
But in the case Waring mentioned, however, the individual was not charged with a felony, but rather with trespassing and threatening injury. The charges were dismissed Phoenix Municipal Court.
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays stressed that crimes involving "a direct victim" would not qualify.
A green light for the program will cost the city $2.3 million per year and $45,000 in one-time startup costs. The funding would go toward:
- 11 new city employees to staff the program
- 10 contracted "navigators" to help the program participants
- A $150,000 rapid response fund
- Administrative costs and equipment
The rapid response fund would pay for "minor expenses" to help program participants excel through the program, such as application fees and housing deposits, Hall said.
Phoenix's efforts come as the city falls under intense scrutiny for its policing of The Zone. The U.S. Justice Department started investigating the department in 2022 over concerns of police using excessive force and discriminatory practices in responding to people with disabilities or experiencing homelessness. The city is also grappling with dueling lawsuits and court orders, one brought by businesses in and around The Zone demanding stricter enforcement, another by civil rights groups challenging the legality of Phoenix's policing there.
The city approved a $2 billion general fund budget in May for the upcoming fiscal year that runs July 1 through June 30.
"Too often, people have small financial barriers that can obstruct an individual's path to success," Hall said. At one point in the meeting, he grew emotional.
"This community court will empower individuals to see the different paths available to them that can inspire them to end the cycle of recidivism through the criminal justice system. This program will create hope and a true pathway for their goals in life," he said. "Too often those without resources, support and guidance cycle throughout our justice system simply because the right resources aren't in place."
Taylor said it was about improving outcomes.
"The whole idea is that the collaboration of the justice system partners ... (craft) some individualized plans for those people that really get at some of the root causes. That kind of collaboration, that kind of high touch really leads to better outcomes in individual cases," Taylor said.
The City Council Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee approved the specialty court at a public meeting June 14. It requires the approval of the full City Council before it can come to fruition. The City Council will vote on the court June 28. If approved, the court program will begin January 2024.
The subcommittee included Councilmembers Ann O'Brien, Jim Waring and Yassamin Ansari. Councilmember Kevin Robinson was absent.
Waring, who voted to advance the decision to the full City Council, said he would vote to support the court in hopes it streamlines getting people services.
"But I will be the first to complain if I hear that behavior like I've described is winding up in this court," Waring said.
Reporter Taylor Seely covers Phoenix City Hall for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com, by phone at 480-476-6116 or on Twitter @taylorseely95. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/15/end-the-cycle-phoenix-considers-specialty-court-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/70322753007/ | 2023-06-15T17:23:52 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/15/end-the-cycle-phoenix-considers-specialty-court-for-people-experiencing-homelessness/70322753007/ |
Phoenix police shares new use of force policy for public feedback
After six months, the Phoenix Police Department released more of its "Use of Force Policy" for public comment.
In January, the department released the first part of its draft policy for public feedback.
According to the department, there are 44 changes to the policy that include three new separate documents: “Force Response Options,” “Reporting,” and “Duty to Intervene.”
Citizens can provide feedback on the three newly released documents up until June 23.
The "Force Response Options" document details and defines the types of force police have available and the restrictions to deadly force. The document breaks down the legal standard for use of force as set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court, something past policies had not done to such detail.
The "Reporting and Administrative Review" document describes the reporting procedures, outlines the use of force levels and expands the types of reportable "Show of Force" incidents. The new 19-page document greatly expands on the previous sections in past policies.
The "Duty to Intervene" document added under it's own new provision, describes the responsibility of officers to intervene if another officer is acting unethically, which includes physically stopping the situation if needed. In the previous policy, the duty to intervene was reduced to one line, Now, the two-page document details the steps officers are expected to take.
The changes come after Interim Chief Michael Sullivan released a new proposal to minimizing crime rates and as the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the department.
Among other complaints, the DOJ clarified that it would be looking into reports of the Phoenix police’s use of excessive force.
The city has paid out more than 20 million dollars in settlements to suits brought up because of the use of excessive force related to injury and death, as reported by KJZZ.
In 2023 there have been 16 police shootings, more than the 13 in 2021 and more than there were this time last year. By the end of 2022, there were 24 total shootings.
After the public feedback term ends, department heads will amend the drafts. Once the drafts have been reviewed, Chief Sullivan will approve them, and the department will train officers in the new policy before letting it go into effect.
The department is looking to put the policy into practice early in 2024. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/15/phoenix-police-use-of-force-policy-feedback/70323996007/ | 2023-06-15T17:24:06 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/15/phoenix-police-use-of-force-policy-feedback/70323996007/ |
A Bismarck man suffered minor injuries when the SUV he was driving went into the Missouri River at the boat ramp near Keelboat Park on Wednesday night.
Atnyanty Aniwis, 28, got into the Ford Edge around 7:10 p.m. and apparently shifted into the wrong gear. Aniwis did not own the car, but knows the owner, according to police.
"A witness stated that the driver was on a bench, got into the car, and used reverse instead of drive, causing him to back over the embankment and go into the river," police Lt. Luke Gardiner said. "He was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries."
The Burleigh County Sheriff's Department Dive Rescue and Recovery Team attempted to locate the vehicle Wednesday night but called off the search until Thursday due to darkness.
No citation was immediately issued. The incident report will be forwarded to the city attorney for review, according to Gardiner. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/car-ends-up-in-missouri-river-driver-suffers-minor-injuries/article_c45793b6-0b94-11ee-a8fd-6335a611ee29.html | 2023-06-15T17:25:34 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/car-ends-up-in-missouri-river-driver-suffers-minor-injuries/article_c45793b6-0b94-11ee-a8fd-6335a611ee29.html |
SAN FRANCISCO — The union for thousands of West Coast dockworkers has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract, it was announced Wednesday, after more than a year of negotiations and several work disruptions that snarled shipping traffic at some of the largest ports.
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union reached the tentative deal for a new six-year contract with the Pacific Maritime Association, a trade group for cargo carriers and terminal operators. Its members include such global shipping giants as Maersk and Evergreen Marine.
The agreement will require ratification by PMA and union members and would affect 22,000 dockworkers at 29 ports from Washington state through California.
Details of the deal weren't disclosed.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement that recognizes the heroic efforts and personal sacrifices of the ILWU workforce in keeping our ports operating,” PMA President James McKenna and ILWU President Willie Adams said in a joint statement. “We are also pleased to turn our full attention back to the operation of the West Coast Ports.”
The dockworkers have been without a contract since July 1.
West Coast ports handle some 40% of U.S. imports and their smooth operation is so important that President Joe Biden even stepped in last year and met with both sides in Los Angeles.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 779,140 twenty-foot equivalent units last month, up 60% since February. The Port of Long Beach in May was the busiest month so far this year, signaling that volumes continue to increase.
Part of that influx are shipments tied to the upcoming holiday season that have already begun to arrive, increasing pressure to come to a new labor agreement.
“At mid-year we’re starting to see signs that cargo volume is on the upswing, with our busiest month since August of last year,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said this week. “We look forward to more positive signs in the months ahead.”
A lockout in 2002 and an eight-day strike in 2015 cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and forced the administrations of then-presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to intervene.
The ports weren't completely shut down this time but several short-term worker shortages in recent weeks disrupted or even closed some terminals in California and Washington.
“Although there have been a couple terminal closures at Los Angeles/Long Beach around holidays, disruptions don’t appear to be having a meaningful impact so far. The situation, however, at the smaller Port of Seattle has been more concerning, resulting in terminal closures and more meaningful delays in recent days,” Christian Wetherbee of Citi Investment Research said in a note to clients.
After the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold in 2020, cargo traffic to ports slumped drastically. But then it recovered. Soaring demand led to traffic jams at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the nation’s busiest port complex.
The union sought higher wages, arguing they deserved a greater share of record profits made by shippers and terminal operators during the pandemic.
“ILWU workers risked and lost their lives during the pandemic to ensure grocery store shelves were stocked, PPE (health safety gear) was made available, essential medical supplies were reaching our hospitals, and record volumes of consumer goods continued to reach the door steps of American consumers,” argued an ILWU statement on June 2.
In his statement, Biden congratulated the port workers, “who have served heroically through the pandemic and the countless challenges it brought, and will finally get the pay, benefits, and quality of life they deserve.”
Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su was sent to assist in the negotiations.
Biden said Su “used her deep experience and judgment to keep the parties talking.”
“The tentative agreement delivers important stability for workers, for employers and for our country’s supply chain,” Su said in a statement.
The tentative agreement was praised by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who said port work generates 1 in 15 jobs in the city.
“This is a win for the working people of our city,” she said. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/west-coast-dockworkers-shippers-tentative-contract-agreement/281-89ee2f17-ed1d-440f-80ae-83b501778001 | 2023-06-15T17:28:10 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/west-coast-dockworkers-shippers-tentative-contract-agreement/281-89ee2f17-ed1d-440f-80ae-83b501778001 |
A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 to 17 years in prison for taking a teenager from a homeless shelter in Kansas City and sex-trafficking her in Lincoln.
Marckiues Tinsley, a transient, pleaded no contest to attempted sex trafficking and felony child abuse as part of a plea agreement.
Lancaster County District Judge Kevin McManaman sentenced him last week.
In court records, Lincoln police said the investigation began in October 2021 after a motel clerk in northwest Lincoln made a report about an 18-year-old woman telling staff she was being forced to perform sex acts for money.
The teen told police Tinsley and Shakedria Wells approached her at a Kansas City homeless shelter where she had been living and brought her to Lincoln to pick up a paycheck.
When the check fell through, they took her to a parking lot and solicited money from men in exchange for sex acts with the teen, according to the affidavit. Then, they got a motel room in Lincoln, where Wells arranged for a 51-year-old man to have sex with the teen in exchange for money, drugs and alcohol.
Investigators later linked his phone number to a prostitution advertisement.
Wells pleaded no contest to child abuse and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors, for her role in the crime. She faces up to two years in jail at her sentencing next month. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/24-year-old-sentenced-for-trafficking-kansas-city-teen-out-of-lincoln-motel/article_d0bff856-0af8-11ee-8579-7b3064d3f5b7.html | 2023-06-15T17:28:10 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/24-year-old-sentenced-for-trafficking-kansas-city-teen-out-of-lincoln-motel/article_d0bff856-0af8-11ee-8579-7b3064d3f5b7.html |
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A Lincoln man is in jail after he set his neighbor's SUV on fire Tuesday night over an apparent parking dispute, police alleged in court filings.
Neighbors, witnesses and Lit Pah's own children told investigators that the 46-year-old was responsible for lighting the 2004 GMC Envoy on fire shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment building near 24th and J streets, Lincoln Police Officer Benjamin Palmer said in the probable cause statement for Pah's arrest.
Pah
Lancaster County jail
The car's owner, a 38-year-old man, told police that Pah had come to his door earlier in the evening and told him to move the GMC, but the 38-year-old said he didn't have to, Palmer said in the probable cause statement.
A 47-year-old woman who lives at a neighboring apartment building told police that after Pah argued with the 38-year-old, he sprayed the SUV with a fluid that turned out to be lighter fluid before setting the 2004 Envoy ablaze, Palmer said.
The fire, which had been extinguished by the time police arrived, caused around $1,500 in damage to the SUV, which is valued at around $4,500.
Authorities found two Bic lighters in Pah's pocket, one of which he turned over to fire inspectors before speaking to police, Palmer said.
Police arrested the 46-year-old and took him to the Lancaster County jail.
Prosecutors charged him Wednesday with third-degree arson, a felony.
Photos: Firefighters in action
Photos: Firefighters in Action
A firefighter backs off from the heat of the flames Sunday coming from the roof of Romantix, 921 O St. Fire crews responded to the adult novelty store blaze at about 9 a.m. and needed most of the afternoon to extinguish the flames. The building is described as a total loss, but no one was injured.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
A massive plume of fire erupts in front of Lincoln firefighters Nick Thill (left) and Mark Sullivan moments after Sullivan ventilated the roof with the blade of his chainsaw at a working fire at 1717 A Street in Lincoln on Wednesday evening, April 6, 2011.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
With a fire hose at the ready, Lincoln firefighters look over the underside of a pickup truck which rolled over at the intersection of 16th and L Streets Monday afternoon, April 11, 2011. The scanner call mentioned there was leaking gasoline. One person was taken away on a stretcher to an ambulance.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Marie Yost (left) and Nancy Harter (right) watch from the median on O Street as Lincoln firefighters pour water on the smouldering remains of the Lincoln Public Schools adminstration building on Tuesday morning, May 31, 2011. Harter, who worked in the building for 11 years, said a supervisor contacted staff at 6 a.m. to let them know of the fire.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Heavy smoke envelopes the house fire at 236 S. 27th Street as Lincoln firefighters apply water to the attic fire on Tuesday afternoon, August 16, 2011.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Lincoln Firefighter Nancy Engelbrecht (right) attempts to comfort Shari Elder as Elder watches smoke pour from the apartment building where she lives on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, at 27th and Randolph streets.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Protected against the 1600 degree temperatures emanating from the fire pit, Dorchester Vol. Fire Dept. firefighter Brant Pracheil tosses the Stars and Stripes into the flames on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, during a flag retirement ceremony at the Dorchester American Legion Post 264. A total of 1957 unserviceable flags from the communities of Dorchester, York, Fairmont, Lincoln, Wilber, Fairbury and Crete were retired from life during the ceremony.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
The Stars and Strips opens to the swirling wind from the ladder of Lincoln Fire & Rescue Truck 1 on Friday, March 31, 2017, during the bridge dedication ceremony for Staff Sgt. Patrick Hamburger at the Spirit of '76 Armory.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Surrounded by black smoke, a Lincoln Fire Department firefighter uses a pike pole to open the porch ceiling at the scene of a house fire on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at 1800 Euclid Avenue.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Matt Barnard, with Beatrice Rural Fire District, uses a torch to spread flames during a prescribed burn of 45 acres of the prairie at Homestead National Monument of America on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Lincoln Fire and Rescue teams help Alex Lekai and his mother, not pictured, evacuate from her south bottoms home on Thursday, May 7, 2015.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
Cuddling her grandson's dog Milo, homeowner Deborah Ganz is consoled by a neighbor as she watches her garage burn on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, in west Lincoln.
KRISTIN STREFF, Journal Star
Photos: Firefighters in Action
A Lincoln firefighter directs his hose on the roof of La Mexicana Market & Restaurant, 17th and P Streets, on Monday, April 13, 2015.
TED KIRK, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com . On Twitter @andrewwegley
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Family Service Lincoln wants to build a neighborhood center, 10 row-style duplexes and triplexes, a community garden and green space on a nearly vacant lot at 52nd and Holdrege streets, a proposal that encountered significant opposition from neighbors.
Despite that opposition the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved what’s known as 51 Commons, a community project proposed by Family Service Lincoln.
The nonprofit, which provides youth, housing and family support services, will run the neighborhood center, work with Community Crops to oversee the community garden and lease the row-style housing. The housing will be affordable units aimed at families and will accept Section 8 housing.
Several residents who live in the neighborhood raised concerns about flooding, parking and increased traffic, and said more residents than those at the meeting oppose the project.
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“My concern is mainly the water,” said Craig Hollers, who also said he’s worried the new homes will add pressure to the already-limited street parking. “My dad had the basement completely remodeled and I don’t want to see it flooded. ... Right now I don’t know how they can say the stormwater (sewer) is going to handle what’s here.”
Several Planning Commission members said they understood neighborhood concerns, but believe the project will provide much-needed services to the neighborhood.
“I know this has been pretty much vacant land for quite a while,” said Planning Commission member Tracy Corr. “You have a vested interest in it. ... When you see change it is scary, it’s hard. But I think this will be a positive change for the neighborhood.”
The Planning Commission’s approval of the special permit for what’s known as a community unit plan northwest of the 52nd and Holdrege intersection is final unless it is appealed to the City Council.
Accompanying changes to an ordinance dealing with neighborhood support services — needed for this project but that city officials would like to apply to such situations citywide — need City Council approval.
The changes would remove the requirements that such neighborhood support services be located near a park, school or church and in an existing building.
City Planner Steve Henrichsen said similar issues have arisen with other social service agencies that want to be a part of the neighborhoods they serve but have found those requirements create unnecessary barriers. The requests for neighborhood support services would still need Planning Commission approval.
Two Planning Commission members said they had concerns about the ordinance changes, but ultimately voted to recommend them. Corr said she didn’t think there’d been sufficient discussion with other neighborhood groups, and Gloria Eddins said she worried that removing those steps would mean certain core neighborhoods could see a proliferation of such services.
The land is in the floodplain and is one of the first projects in the city’s core neighborhoods that will need to comply with controversial new floodplain regulations passed in March.
Those regulations will mean the duplexes and triplexes will need to be raised an extra foot — so two feet instead of one — above the base floodplain elevation. Given the floodplain levels in that area, the duplexes and triplexes will have to be raised a total of 5 to 6 feet.
The residences will face 51st Street and the support center — which will include a gym, classroom, a maker space and office space — will be on the corner of 52nd and Holdrege streets. There will be surface parking on the lot for the community center patrons and apartment residents.
The center will be used to provide hands-on and STEAM activities and care for school-aged children on holidays and in the summer, said Family Service Executive Director Dennis Hoffman. He said he expects to serve about 50 families. Family Service operates after-school programs in several schools. The center also will be open to the neighborhood as a meeting space and as a community center.
The apartment residents can use the green space and community gardens and the gardens also would be available for neighborhood residents.
City Councilman James Michael Bowers, who represents northeast Lincoln, said as a social worker he hears two recurring themes: there are limited opportunities for children and a lack of resources in northeast Lincoln, which is often neglected by the city.
This project, he said, would address both of those issues, revitalize the neighborhood and instill a sense of pride and unity.
He said having Family Service — a longtime and well-respected nonprofit — managing the project will benefit the neighborhood because it will be much more responsive than an out-of-town developer.
“I firmly believe Family Service will be an exceptional neighbor,” Bowers said.
Planners noted that zoning would allow any developer to build 10 dwelling units on the property, though residents who spoke up repeatedly said they worried those additional homes would add to existing flooding issues in the neighborhood and sanitary sewer problems.
Michael Middendorf, an engineer with Lincoln Transportation and Utilities watershed division, said the storm sewer has the capacity to handle the additional runoff.
The project includes adding a basin on the lot that will briefly hold water and divert it through an underground pipe to a 52nd Street stormwater sewer, which is larger than the one on 51st Street, Henrichsen said. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/government-politics/nonprofit-planning-affordable-housing-community-center-and-gardens-in-northeast-lincoln/article_889a5062-0b0c-11ee-a7c7-43bbe0c42e3a.html | 2023-06-15T17:28:20 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/government-politics/nonprofit-planning-affordable-housing-community-center-and-gardens-in-northeast-lincoln/article_889a5062-0b0c-11ee-a7c7-43bbe0c42e3a.html |
Fighting wildfires with fire: What to know about prescribed burns in AZ's national forests
More, larger controlled fires are expected to take place in some of Arizona's national forests as part of an effort to keep severe large wildfires from happening.
Prescribed burns are part of an initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Land Management to maintain the health of fire-dependent ecosystems, which have a large presence in northern Arizona.
Every year before wildfire season starts, forestry agencies across the southwestern U.S. conduct prescribed burns to protect ecosystems from insect infestations, disease and drastic wildfires.
Most burns are done in confined areas from 500 and up to 2,000 acres, said Coconino National Forest spokesperson Brady Smith. However, four prescribed burn projects of over 4,000 acres were planned for 2023.
"This is kind of the direction that we're going on. When we have a chance to, we're going to seek to do burns that are that large in strategic areas," Smith said.
The project has been years in the works and is part of a Wildfire Crisis Strategy announced by the Forest Service last year. Target acres for prescribed burns for each national forest have increased as more catastrophic wildfires happen every year.
Prescribed burns in Arizona:Where are they burning?
What is the purpose of a prescribed burn?
Smith said wildfires are part of a natural process of ecosystems in northern Arizona to reduce forest fuels and clean up plants from plagues and diseases, but increasingly dry and warm weather conditions in the state can cause wildfires to grow beyond safe levels and become harmful to watersheds, wildlife habitat and put human lives at risk.
According to Coconino National Forest, prescribed burns build resilient landscapes that are less vulnerable to extreme wildfires as they simulate wildfires in a controlled environment under suitable weather conditions.
"What influences our decision with prescribed burns is how dry the forest is, how the wind is, and what the humidity levels are," Smith said. "When it gets really warm and dry, we won't conduct prescribed burns because it is just not safe to do so."
According to the forestry service, more benefits of prescribed burning include:
- Helps thinned forests recover faster and develop resistance to insect and disease attacks.
- Gets rid of dead wood, overcrowded trees and thick layers of pine needles that contribute to catastrophic wildfires including crown fires.
- Prepares the land for new growth and helps certain plants germinate.
- Plant seeds exposed by a fire facilitate contact with soil which is necessary for some species to naturally regenerate.
- Grazing wildlife such as elk and deer benefit from new growth as shrubs produce edible leaves when re-sprouting after a fire.
- Helps protect communities from severe wildfires by creating buffer zones and areas where an out-of-control wildfire might be stopped due to lack of forest fuels.
Can prescribed burns affect surrounding communities?
Smith said there's a lot of pre-planning that goes on before a prescribed burn takes place and the areas are carefully selected along with appropriate wind conditions that do not push heavy smoke into nearby neighborhoods, but Smith said sometimes predicted weather can change and affect residential areas that were not foreseen to be impacted.
"Prescribed burns are something we've always done and it's something we'll be doing a lot more of," Smith said. "It's a really important part of forest health, and people need to get used to smoke in northern Arizona when we're doing a prescribed burn. We don't have a choice anymore, we have to do this so that we restore the forest to a natural state."
Fire managers try to minimize smoke impact by working with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the forest service said. Affected communities can learn more at airnow.gov.
"We recognize that smoke impacts can affect residents and visitors in addition to our fire personnel. We will continue to coordinate closely with partners and communities to keep people informed about projects and potential smoke," the forest service said. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2023/06/15/prescribed-burns-in-arizona-what-to-know-about-the-forestry-project-fight-wildfires/70317278007/ | 2023-06-15T17:33:02 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-wildfires/2023/06/15/prescribed-burns-in-arizona-what-to-know-about-the-forestry-project-fight-wildfires/70317278007/ |
HENRICO, Va. – A toddler was taken to the VCU Medical Center after being hit by a cargo train in Henrico Wednesday night, according to Henrico Police.
Authorities say it happened at about 8 p.m. at the railroad crossing at Dill Avenue and Vawter Avenue off Mechanicsville Turnpike.
The child is believed to be in stable condition and police are working to locate the parents.
We’re told the train conductor tried to immediately stop the train and called for help.
The police department is now urging parents to talk with their children about the dangers of playing near train tracks.
“It’s illegal to actually trespass, but those with small children have conversations and hold their hands when you’re near these crossings because it’s a very dangerous situation,” said Henrico public information officer Matt Pecka.
No charges are pending at this time. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/toddler-sent-to-the-hospital-after-being-hit-by-cargo-train-in-henrico/ | 2023-06-15T17:33:41 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/toddler-sent-to-the-hospital-after-being-hit-by-cargo-train-in-henrico/ |
If you’re interested in finding results for the Virginia House of Delegates District 39 race, you can do so here.
In this election, Ron Jefferson (R) and William Davis (R) are vying for the Virginia House of Delegates District 39 seat.
This district covers Bedford County, Campbell County, Franklin County and Roanoke County.
You can find the results for the District 39 race below: | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/virginia-primary-election-results-for-district-39-on-june-20-2023/ | 2023-06-15T17:33:47 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/15/virginia-primary-election-results-for-district-39-on-june-20-2023/ |
OCEAN CITY, Md. — A large statue of Mary was stolen from an Ocean City Catholic church recently.
Police said they're looking for suspects in the theft, which is believed to have happened during the night of June 12. The heavy, 3-foot-tall statue was taken from St. Mary Star of the Sea, on Philadelphia Avenue at 17th Street.
The statue typically requires more than one person to move, said police. The church posted on Facebook about the theft.
It was in a memorial garden dedicated to the memory of the Rev. Msgr. Paul J. Schierse.
Anyone with information is asked to call Ofc. R Walker at Rwalker@oceancitymd.gov, or contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410-723-6610. Anonymous tips may be left by calling 410-520-5136 or submitting them via https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/police/crime-tips. Please reference CC# 2023-00-2068 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/mary-statue-stolen-from-ocean-city-church | 2023-06-15T17:35:36 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/mary-statue-stolen-from-ocean-city-church |
Augusta- Maine lawmakers say the printed version of the Maine constitution should include language about the state’s obligations to Native American tribes.
The Maine Legislature has voted in support of a proposal to restore language to the constitution that requires Maine to honor treaties.
Maine inherited the treaties when it became its own state more than 200 years ago.
The language still applies, but was removed from printed versions of the constitution later in the 19th century.
The proposal still needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the legislature and approval directly from voters in a statewide vote. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposal-to-put-obligations-to-native-american-tribes-in-maine-constitution/article_cd624a2a-0b9c-11ee-8782-5f2030a8ce3c.html | 2023-06-15T17:36:44 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/proposal-to-put-obligations-to-native-american-tribes-in-maine-constitution/article_cd624a2a-0b9c-11ee-8782-5f2030a8ce3c.html |
The Idaho Falls City Council adopted an ordinance on June 8 that “aligns” the city’s requirements on background checks for “day care facility owners and child care workers to the same standards set by the Idaho State Legislature in Idaho Code § 39-1113,” according to a city memorandum.
“In one of the last discussions that we had about this, it became clear, at least to our office, that what the Council wanted to see was an ordinance that strips out all disqualifications based on criminal behavior that are not what are required as a minimum by the state,” said City Attorney Randy Fife.
Prior to the June 8 meeting, Idaho Falls required a background check for child care employees with stricter qualifications than the state mandated.
“Right now, if you admit to the elements of a crime, that can be a disqualifying event,” Fife said. “If you have committed certain crimes that the state hasn’t required to be prohibitive of receiving a day care license, you can still not get your day care license in the city.”
The council was not unanimous in its deliberations.
Councilman Jim Francis said he supported leaving the code as it exists.
“Child care is something essential to many parents in this community, and there’s no way a parent can actually investigate the caregivers. There’s no way the parent can investigate the owners of it. It’s up to their representatives to provide that background licensing so the parents can, to the best of their ability and the best of our ability, trust in the day care center that’s taking care of their children. … I would reverse this. Instead of our matching the state, I would suggest the state matches us.”
But other council members supported moving to the state’s standards.
“I’m in favor of getting rid of this ordinance completely because it has cost organizations like I am involved with millions of dollars over the last few years,” said Councilman John Radford. “Our standard in the city of Idaho Falls is to not let anyone work in a child care center that doesn’t have a background check completed. The state of Idaho doesn’t require that, so we’re one of the few cities in the state that has made it very difficult to hire people.”
The city’s additional regulations require up to 10-20 hours of work each week from the city clerk’s office and the Idaho Falls Police Department to execute this ordinance, he said.
“That is hurting our child care options. It’s making it so we don’t have as many child care options,” Radford said. “ … The state has the obligation to protect children, and they do it really well.”
Council President Michelle Ziel-Dingman supported changing the ordinance. She said in the past eight years she has served on the city council, it has reviewed numerous appeals of denials for child care licenses based on Idaho Falls’ stricter requirements.
For example, applicants with a withheld judgment could be disqualified from working in child care under the city’s former regulations, Fife said, but not under state code.
The city previously “denied, suspended or revoked a license or certification where applicant, licensee, owner, operator, child care worker, resident, volunteer, on-site non-provider, spouse or significant other of an owner … had their parental rights restricted or terminated by a Child protection action …or Child custody termination action, … or had disseminat(ed) obscene material to minors (in the past ten years),” according to its prior code.
It also had disqualified individuals from receiving a child care license if within the past 10 years they had “been found guilty of, plead(ed) guilty to, received a withheld judgment, or admitted to the elements of any of the following enumerated crimes: transporting a minor in a motor vehicle while under the influence, violation of a civil protection order or no contact order. A misdemeanor controlled-substance related offense, misdemeanor domestic violence, misdemeanor assault or battery, stalking in the second degree, disturbing the peace or petit theft.”
Individuals who had been “committed as a voluntary or involuntary patient for mental health, drug, or alcohol treatment, within the past year from the date of application” were similarly denied a license, as were persons who had ”current active arrest warrants or a crime which, if convicted, would subject them to the(se) limitations,” the previous code stated.
However, the city council voted to remove these provisions as disqualifications for a license, while maintaining the state’s requirements to deny licenses for individuals who have been “found guilty of, plead guilty to, received a withheld judgment” for 31 felony offenses — ranging from sexual abuse of a child under 16 to murder to felony domestic violence.
Fourteen other crimes also disqualify applicants if they were committed within the past five years. They include aggravated assault, felony theft, insurance fraud and a felony controlled-substance offense.
Additionally, under state law, child care licenses can be revoked for “health or safety problems, … supply(ing) false of misleading information … on the application form, or refusing(ing) to authorize the police investigation required (by law).”
In Thursday’s meeting, the council voted unanimously to amend the ordinance to deny licenses “where a registered sex offender resides on the premises where day care services are provided.”
Francis proposed a second amendment to maintain the restrictions on a child care license for individuals who in the past three years had been convicted or pleaded guilty to “violation of (a) civil protection order, misdemeanor domestic violence, misdemeanor assault and battery and stalking in the second degree.”
“Those are all things that I think put children at risk, because you have someone who apparently has anger management problems,” he said. “… I’m very concerned about just matching the state, because our code is stricter. As I go through it, I’d rather go through it with just a scalpel and just take out a few things rather than wholeheartedly go to the state code.”
That amendment did not pass.
Ultimately, council members Thomas Hally, Lisa Burtenshaw, Jim Freeman, Ziel-Dingman and Radford voted to match the state’s requirements in the city’s child care ordinance. Francis voted against the measure. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/i-f-city-council-relaxes-ordinance-on-background-checks-for-child-care-employees/article_dc729166-0aff-11ee-99b8-a39041c6a503.html | 2023-06-15T17:37:05 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/i-f-city-council-relaxes-ordinance-on-background-checks-for-child-care-employees/article_dc729166-0aff-11ee-99b8-a39041c6a503.html |
REEVES COUNTY, Texas — Balmorhea State Park will be playing host to one of the many 100-year celebration events happening this year on June 17.
The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and entry to the park will be free. People can guarantee their entry into the park by reserving a free day pass ahead of the event. People are recommended to bring towels, chairs, binoculars, and dress for the weather. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/100-year-celebration-event-to-take-place-on-june-17-at-balmorhea-state-park/513-6dbedb51-7d95-4613-800b-53f150eeff82 | 2023-06-15T17:37:18 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/100-year-celebration-event-to-take-place-on-june-17-at-balmorhea-state-park/513-6dbedb51-7d95-4613-800b-53f150eeff82 |
ALPINE, Texas — The City of Alpine has decided to implement an emergency Drought Contingency Plan due to the current conditions in the area.
This is effective starting on June 15, 2023. The measures established by the city are voluntary at this time.
Some of these measures include customers watering their lawns on even or odds days based on their street addresses, reducing the use of water in public parks and facilities with the goal to reduce vegetation loss and to reduce water use from all commercial and industrial users to help save the water for human consumption.
Despite these measures being considered voluntary, this could change/become mandatory if the drought conditions get worse.
For more information, people can call the Interim Director of Utilities for the City of Alpine at 432-837-3281. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/city-of-alpine-establishes-drought-contingency-plan/513-e053fac4-0e2f-40d6-b1d3-e61fb30bc947 | 2023-06-15T17:37:19 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/city-of-alpine-establishes-drought-contingency-plan/513-e053fac4-0e2f-40d6-b1d3-e61fb30bc947 |
TEXAS, USA — Governor Abbott has signed the Anti-Fentanyl Bill into law.
The bill, co-authored by State Representative Brooks Landgraf, will create harsher penalties for fentanyl traffickers and dealers. House Bill 6 will help communities fight the fentanyl crisis in the State of Texas.
"House Bill 6, along with several other bills signed into law and the $5.1 billion we secured in the budget for border security, will better fund and arm our agencies, towns, and Texans in defending and securing our southern border,” Landgraf said. “It’s infuriating that the Biden administration continues to ignore the problem, but Texans— including young West Texans—are dying, so we are taking action on the state level. I’m proud to be part of the fight to keep Texans safe and secure the border.”
According to a press release from the State Representative Landgraf, fentanyl deaths in Texas have increased 89% from 2020 to 2021. However, since Operation Lone Star began in March 2021, more than 361 million doses of fentanyl across the state have been taken by Texas DPS. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/govenor-abbott-signs-anti-fentanyl-bill-into-law/513-ba4c6862-d76e-4847-92b3-c33aa38aae7a | 2023-06-15T17:37:20 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/govenor-abbott-signs-anti-fentanyl-bill-into-law/513-ba4c6862-d76e-4847-92b3-c33aa38aae7a |
MIDLAND, Texas — Midland Park Mall will be hosting a 'Love for All' Pride event on June 16.
There will be several organizations from West Texas there to provide information, spread awareness and show support to the LGBTQ+ community. Some of those organizations include the Pride Center of West Texas, Out in West Texas, QA Wranglers and Midland Community Theatre.
There will also be a photo opportunity at the Pride themed selfie station. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-park-mall-to-host-love-for-all-pride-event-on-june-16/513-c0d98dc6-719f-47d0-8ec0-b3a87e67a002 | 2023-06-15T17:37:21 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-park-mall-to-host-love-for-all-pride-event-on-june-16/513-c0d98dc6-719f-47d0-8ec0-b3a87e67a002 |
ODESSA, Texas — Odessa Parks and Recreation will be hosting its annual Father/Daughter Dance on June 17.
This is the eighth year of the event and it will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Odessa Marriott Ballroom. This year's theme for the dance is "Happily Ever After" and celebrates the bond between a father and daughter.
The event will be featuring food, a photobooth, music, and prizes. Tickets are currently available for $25 and can be found here. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-parks-recreation-to-host-annual-fatherdaughter-dance/513-bb297417-5941-47c0-885f-a04181391314 | 2023-06-15T17:37:27 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-parks-recreation-to-host-annual-fatherdaughter-dance/513-bb297417-5941-47c0-885f-a04181391314 |
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