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From children's books to memoirs, one person's story is another's plight.
“When people begin banning books and poetry, they’re doing so out of fear,” said Yasmin Angoe, a mystery and thriller author whose work has earned accolades from Amazon Best Book lists to the Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color. Her trilogy follows the Ghanaian Nena Knight and has earned critical acclaim.
Angoe was among Virginia's most popular and prolific authors interviewed by the Richmond Times-Dispatch after the Hanover School Board earlier this month moved to ban 19 books from school libraries, and as book-banning has been debated nationally for the past couple of years.
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Angoe, a Virginia native and author, and also a finalist of the Library of Virginia's 20th Annual People’s Choice Awards, believes schools and libraries should not be allowed to ban books.
As a lifelong writer and reader, having always attended schools and libraries, she said there were not as many books and characters who looked or lived as she did.
“Now that there is an influx of diverse literature that speaks directly to and for marginalized communities, to silence those voices is a travesty and a direct attack on one's personal right to knowledge,” Angoe stated.
Richmond resident Meg Medina is a New York Times best-selling author for picture books, as well as middle grade and young adult fictions, believes it’s a mistake to put obstacles between kids and books.
“Parents are entitled to be in conversations with their kids, but it’s different to make decisions for everyone’s families,” said Medina, a national ambassador for young people’s literature and a Newbery Medal winner.
“Parents are entitled to be in conversations with their kids, but it’s different to make decisions for everyone’s families,” Medina said, adding that books offer a powerful space for conversations, thinking and sharing ideas.
Shauna Robinson is another Library of Virginia's People’s Choice Awards finalist and Virginia resident. She writes contemporary fiction featured in more than a dozen of features in "must read" lists. She believes book banning is “incredibly harmful,” adding that it limits the diversity of perspectives readers can access and learn from.
“Banning these books sends the damaging and untrue message that these marginalized voices don't matter,” Robinson stated. “Diverse voices and stories shape our world, and schools and libraries need to carry books that reflect that.”
Author and Richmond resident Rachel Beanland wrote 2023's "The House Is On Fire," following the lives of four characters impacted by the Richmond Theater fire of 1811. The book was selected as an Indie Next pick by the American Booksellers Association and deemed "most anticipated" by a number of outlets, like The Washington Post, Good Morning America, E! News and more. Beanland believes that books can bring the country together and is against the practice of books banning.
“Reading books builds empathy,” Beanland said.
Some titles banned by the Hanover board earlier this month include: Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye,” one of the most banned in the country; “This Book is Gay” a guidebook for young people discovering their identity; John Green’s young adult novel “Looking for Alaska” that explores themes of grief, hope and relationships.
Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves (804) 649-6123
gdecamargogoncalves@timesdispatch.com
@decamgabriela on Twitter | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/book-banning-virginia-hanover/article_eb2bb488-0c5a-11ee-8148-77580395b7fc.html | 2023-06-17T00:29:16 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/book-banning-virginia-hanover/article_eb2bb488-0c5a-11ee-8148-77580395b7fc.html |
Restore Therapeutic Foster Care co-founders Kebrah and Christian Jefferson have been foster and adoptive parents during the course of their eight-year marriage. Now, they're helping other foster families.
“As foster parents, we saw some things that we would like to see happen in the industry, how kids are cared for and how parents are supported.” Christian Jefferson said. “We can connect with parents and walk them through the process.”
Restore TFC opened in August as a licensed child-placing agency through the Virginia Department of Social Services. The organization serves foster youth from birth through age 17 in Hanover, Richmond and Henrico, working to build relationships between children, foster parents and biological parents.
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Kebrah Jefferson, 39, was a licensed social worker before starting Restore TFC. She has helped abused and neglected children, as well as runaway teens and those dealing with substance abuse issues.
“The challenges come out a lot of different ways when a child has been traumatized,” Kebrah said. “Behaviors are all over the place…yeah, a three-year-old has tantrums, but not 20 tantrums a day. That is not a normal behavior. We’re working with parents on how they accommodate a child and help them progress, despite what they’ve experienced.”
Christian Jefferson, 37, had a real estate and business background and also did missionary work before finding his calling working with foster youth.
There are roughly 5,400 children in the foster care system in Virginia. Restore TFC partners with local courts, social services and nonprofits to ensure children find safe places to live.
“The goal is always for the child to return to their home,” said Christian. “All the things we’re doing are trying to help them get back to that goal. If (the courts) determine that it’s not a possibility, then we try to find them another long-term placement like adoption.”
Andre Morman, 20, was fostered by the Jeffersons at 14. He lived with a different foster family prior to the Jeffersons, but described his experience as “terrible.” Morman was eventually placed into a better situation with Kebrah and Christian.
“When I got to the Jeffersons, it was exactly what you want in a foster family,” he said. “At a young age, I wasn’t able to see that, but as I got older and matured more, I was able to see that it was the perfect fit for me.”
After 10 months, Morman opted against adoption and joined a group home. He remained in contact with the Jeffersons however, and returned to them at age 17 after disliking his stay at the group home. Morman, who was accepted to multiple colleges and holds interests in basketball and real estate, credits the Jeffersons for being consistent and pushing him to be the best person he can be.
“They’re very genuine, they’re very open-hearted and they’re coming from a place of knowing that they need to be one step ahead to be there for the kids and not for themselves,” Morman said. “And for them to have now started a foster care agency, it’s tremendous.”
The Jeffersons adopted sons Justus and Joseph when they were two and three years old. They came into care from different families after suffering through physical abuse and medical neglect respectively. Both are now eight and both are thriving as they head into the third grade.
“It’s just amazing the progress they’ve made,” Kebrah said. “Being in a home that has structure and nurturing, we’ve just seen them really catch up, because they were barely talking at two and three.”
The couple’s experience as foster parents has allowed them to guide others who are interested in fostering children.
Sarah List, of Cincinnati, was in Richmond when she and her husband Garrett applied to be foster parents. When they got the call for a placement, they only had a couple days to prepare, so they reached out to a community group that held gatherings at the Jeffersons’ home.
The Lists were bringing in a teenage boy, but needed support during the summer while they worked full time. The Jeffersons, already armed with experience raising a teenager, hosted the Lists’ foster son during that period.
In total, the Lists had their foster child for a year. Sarah List said the placement was a success, as their foster son was able to return to his original home after that year instead of moving to another foster home or a group home.
“Kebrah and Christian were very pivotal, specifically with the respite care and then also support during that placement,” she said. “I don’t think we could have done the placement without them, because you think that you can do it on your own, but you realize you need that community of support surrounding you.”
Adrianne and Jonathan Bishop, of Richmond, are completing their final steps to become certified foster parents. The Jeffersons provided them information, links to additional services and emotional support throughout the process.
“They’re so enthusiastic about it,” said Adrianne Bishop. “I love learning from them because I can tell they’re excited about what they’re doing.”
“I like how they approach foster care in regards to how we should care for (the children), treat them with respect, understand them…just provide a safe space for them to flourish and to grow as human beings,” Jonathan Bishop said. “They definitely got us excited to do foster care for sure.”
At the Restore TFC office in Mechanicsville, a wall of fame displays photos of several celebrities --including Eddie Murphy, Willie Nelson and Simone Biles-- who passed through the foster care system at different points in their lives. While most foster youth do not become famous, the Jeffersons want to help them find their sense of self and not set the bar so low.
“The goal is usually like ‘don’t go to jail, stay in school, don’t do drugs,’ but there’s so much more they can do," Christian said. “I do think kids need to learn how to drive, have an opportunity to go to college, join a soccer team, things like that,” Kebrah added.
As the Jeffersons were building their own family, they rejected the notion of biological children being the primary, default choice. For them, they did not view fostering or adoption as secondary options or plan-Bs.
“We were like, these are three options: biological, foster and adopt, and just whatever happens, happens,” Christian said. “This is a good way to make an impact in your community; if you’re going to do something that’s going to make a lasting difference, take care of a kid that needs you.” | https://richmond.com/news/local/making-a-difference-restore-tfc/article_a495abfa-070a-11ee-bea8-6fe5f150aa02.html | 2023-06-17T00:29:22 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/making-a-difference-restore-tfc/article_a495abfa-070a-11ee-bea8-6fe5f150aa02.html |
BOISE — State budget writers asked questions about transparency, legality and risk during a meeting with University of Idaho leaders about its proposal to acquire the University of Phoenix on Friday at the state Capitol.
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, said they felt it was appropriate to have a public discussion and get some questions answered about the deal because their committee is responsible for allocating funds.
Committee members, like the broader public, were largely in the dark about negotiations because of strict non-disclosure agreements put on those involved, which weren’t loosened until the day May 17 — the day before the State Board of Education voted to allow UI to take a step forward in the transaction.
Horman said she understands reasons UI is pursuing the deal, including an expected enrollment cliff of traditional students because of declining national population growth but said the financial risks aren't known to her without access to financial information.
"I can appreciate that certain aspects of a contract are legal to discuss in executive session," Horman said, "what I have yet to appreciate is these strict non-disclosure agreements with anyone who seems to have this knowledge but is forbidden from disclosing, and so that raises some red flags for me, frankly.”
She questioned the legality of a public entity doing business under such strict NDAs that "limits the public's ability to explicitly see those proprietary fiscal details of this transaction." Grow also asked if it was “good public policy” without public hearings or legislator input.
UI President C. Scott Green said in his business experience, NDAs are a useful tool and needed to protect the sellers and, in this case, it provided UI more access to the University of Phoenix’s financial information.
He said the work and financial information was reported to the State Board of Education, which also serves as the university’s board of regents, which is the constitutional oversight entity for UI.
“I fully recognize the way this deal transaction was conducted was not ideal and it probably was not my preference,” Green responded, but added it was necessary for the transaction.
He said legal counsel ensured things were done properly, and the state board held executive sessions to discuss negotiations under the exemption provided for in Idaho’s public meeting laws for preliminary contract negotiations.
"We've been through all the legal hurdles on this," Green said.
State Board of Education member David Hill told the committee that as one of the three education board members who were privy to negotiations and part of the NDA, he felt they had done their due diligence in asking about the constitutionality of the proposal and dealings as well as what the risks involved were.
Several lawmakers asked questions regarding how the university and state might be put at financial risk, especially in regards to paying off the debt assumed to pay for the acquisition.
UI’s proposal involves creating a new not-for-profit entity that would use bonds to finance the net price of purchase of $350 million. The for-profit university would become a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization after the acquisition was made. Revenues from the University of Phoenix would be used to pay off the debt.
Green has said no state-allocated funds would be used for either the transaction or paying off the bonds.
He added that the online university has been in business for more than 50 years, it’s an $800-million-a-year business and is clearing $150 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
In response to a question about the nonprofit and University of Phoenix’s employees, Green said they would not be considered state employees; both institutions would continue to operate separately.
Horman also asked if Green could provide a complete timeline of negotiations after the meeting, which the president agreed to do.
“The transparency piece of this is very important to me,” Horman said.
The transaction can’t move forward until it is approved by the accreditors of both institutions. University of Phoenix’s accreditor is expected to take it up at its November meeting. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/budget-writers-question-legality-transparency-of-uis-proposed-acquisition-of-university-of-phoenix/article_e16cf62a-0c8f-11ee-9da1-fb753b9d84fd.html | 2023-06-17T00:39:49 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/budget-writers-question-legality-transparency-of-uis-proposed-acquisition-of-university-of-phoenix/article_e16cf62a-0c8f-11ee-9da1-fb753b9d84fd.html |
Originally published June 14 on KTVB.COM.
A Treasure Valley staple is celebrating a big milestone this month. For 70 years, the Parma Motor-Vu Drive-In has been bringing some of the biggest films to the community.
Originally published June 14 on KTVB.COM.
A Treasure Valley staple is celebrating a big milestone this month. For 70 years, the Parma Motor-Vu Drive-In has been bringing some of the biggest films to the community.
Throughout the years, however, ownership has remained in the same family, passed down through the generations.
"A lot of people mention, 'Oh I came down as a kid and now we're bringing out grandchildren,'" Susan Haaheim, the current owner of the drive-in, said. "Now they get to experience it."
Haaheim's grandparents were the very first owners and built many of the facilities from the ground up.
"My grandfather was quite the builder. He built the snack bar and lived on the property, then put a house on the other side eventually," Haaheim said. "The screen was one of the first major things to go up. It didn't have the wings at the time, it was straight up because the cinemascope didn't exist."
Her grandparents didn't just build the drive-in, they ran many of the jobs there too.
"Him and my grandmother Gladis, they were the integral parts," Haaheim said. "She was the projectionist and ran the concessions."
Although they have been in business for 70 years, Haaheim said it wasn't always easy running the facility.
"My parents had some really tough times, and my grandparents did too, when the industry wasn't sustaining, but they just kept plugging away," Haaheim said.
Haaheim credits the community of Parma and the surrounding areas in the Treasure Valley for why they were able to stay afloat. It's also thanks to the community that they have been able to keep up with the evolution in technology and improve the quality of their movies with new projectors.
"We still have the original projectors, but none of this is in operation anymore," Haaheim said. "Now it's this big thing called the lamp house; it's a computer server. The movies come as a hard drive not much bigger than a VHS film."
Although the drive-in theater has had several changes over the years, the one attraction that has remained unchanged is the popcorn.
"The popcorn machine has been here since the beginning," Haaheim said. "It pops the best popcorn in the valley. My mom took over in 1976, they left and came back to the area. She was the original popcorn girl."
And 70 years later, the popcorn queen is still bringing joy to Parma.
To mark the occasion, the drive-in is celebrating those who have helped them reach this exciting milestone.
"I remember the 50th and it was a big deal; I remember the 60th and that was an even bigger deal," Haaheim said. "The 70th is pretty remarkable, I think. We don't plan on going anywhere. You'll be seeing us for the 80th and 90th."
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/parma-motor-vu-drive-in-theater-marks-70-year-milestone/article_8ce2a566-0ba2-11ee-ac80-7f4da56f7554.html | 2023-06-17T00:39:55 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/parma-motor-vu-drive-in-theater-marks-70-year-milestone/article_8ce2a566-0ba2-11ee-ac80-7f4da56f7554.html |
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — He's 118 pounds, eager to learn, and loves a treat or two. That may sound like the description of an average middle-schooler, but no, this big puppy is only one year old. In this week's 16 To The Rescue, we meet Simba, a gentle dog ready for his forever home.
"He just likes to be loved, like we all do. He just wants that love," said David Phillips, a volunteer with the SPCA of Luzerne County.
One look into gentle giant Simba's sweet eyes, and you could see it's true; he's got a whole lot of love to give, 118 pounds of it.
This cane corso/rottweiler mix at the SPCA of Luzerne County is looking for his forever home and is charming the camera to get there. He loves kisses, pets, and hugs. He can be a bit timid and jumpy at first, but that didn't last long once he got comfortable.
Simba loves nothing more than to lean into you, steal your heart, and receive all your petting.
Rescue workers say it can be difficult sometimes to adopt larger breeds and want to feature Simba because even though he may seem intimidating through a cage, he's just a big sweetheart.
Phillips admires Simba saying, "He's come a long way in the time he's been here. He's getting used to his new environment, but hopefully, this isn't the ultimate environment for him."
Simba was rescued from a home that had too many animals and missed out on a lot of puppy training because of it. He had never even seen a leash before coming to the shelter, and though volunteers say he could still use some practice, he picked up on the skill right away.
Simba passed what rescue workers call their "cat test" and could go to a home with a feline sibling.
Phillips says Simba comes out of his shell even more when he's with another dog his size he could play with. No small children in Simba's future home, though teens would be fine.
Adopting Simba would mean an opportunity to train a dog who is still just learning how to be a dog.
"He doesn't know any of his commands yet; he's still learning. Everything's new to him. Somebody to mold and shape him the way they want a dog to be," says Phillips.
In the short time Phillips has been working with Simba, he can't believe how strongly he was able to bond with people considering his start in life. Rescue workers know he will be a loyal companion to the family who chooses to nurture his shy personality and help him grow more confident. Just be prepared for a kiss or two. Big breed, big heart, and Simba is ready to use his to love you.
If you're interested in adopting this big baby into your family, you can find his adoption information by clicking here.
See more pets and animal stories on WNEP’s YouTube playlist. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/16-to-the-rescue-simba-spca-luzerne-county-cane-corso-rotweiller-dog-adoption/523-48283276-4d8f-421d-a132-69c37ae746aa | 2023-06-17T00:40:05 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/16-to-the-rescue-simba-spca-luzerne-county-cane-corso-rotweiller-dog-adoption/523-48283276-4d8f-421d-a132-69c37ae746aa |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Juneteenth has only been recognized as a federal holiday in the United States for the past two years.
On June 19, the country honors slaves who were emancipated in Galveston in the mid-late 1800s.
Now in 2023, Juneteenth events are celebrated across the country, including in San Angelo.
One West Texas organization, the Blackshear Heights Family, is hosting a three-day long celebration of culture with music, food vendors and more to honor this momentous date.
"Juneteenth is a big holiday in Texas, you know, it's starting to get bigger worldwide, United States-wide but mostly in Texas it's a really big deal," Blackshear Heights Family member Darryl Kelly said. "So every year, you know, we try to make it bigger and better."
Kelly has helped organize the event in recent years, which includes a parade, food vendors and a basketball tournament, as well.
The celebration begins June 16 with a block party followed by a 9 a.m. parade and day of activities June 17.
On Juneteenth itself, families can enjoy a Father's Day pancake brunch from 10 a.m.-noon.
For Kelly, his main focus is simple: showing up for the children.
"It's good to see kids out here having a good time," he said. "You know, some kids, this might be the only time they get to have a good time, eat good and all that, so it's pretty much rewarding."
Growing up, Kelly remembers going to the park with family and friends for Juneteenth celebrations.
As an adult, this is a tradition he wants to pass on to future generations, including his children.
He also believes in the importance of education and community when it comes to this newly established holiday.
"So I think it's important now people understand that it's not just a Black holiday, you know, it's not just a holiday for Black people, it's a holiday for everybody 'cuz freedom is very important," Kelly said.
The festivities will be held at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park, 2121 Martin Luther King Drive.
Go to blackshearheightsfam for more information. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/juneteenth-celebration-of-culture-includes-three-days-of-events-in-san-angelo/504-e14ce5fc-9470-44c0-878c-486973d654f8 | 2023-06-17T00:41:54 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/juneteenth-celebration-of-culture-includes-three-days-of-events-in-san-angelo/504-e14ce5fc-9470-44c0-878c-486973d654f8 |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/local/special-olympics-powerlifter-prepares-to-take-home-gold-represent-nj/3587202/ | 2023-06-17T00:53:04 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/local/special-olympics-powerlifter-prepares-to-take-home-gold-represent-nj/3587202/ |
BOISE, Idaho — The Simplot Soccer Complex in Boise, is getting lots of action on the pitch from Friday to Tuesday, June 20, because the 2023 US Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup has come to town.
Hundreds of teams from all across the west are in the City of Trees to compete at the Presidents Cup, which Boise hasn't hosted since 2013.
This event will feature 13U to 19U boys and girls who will compete for a regional title and a spot at the 2023 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup, which will take place in July 7-11 in Wichita, Kansas.
While the regional tournament is important to the players, their families and teams, it also has a big impact on its host city each year.
Lucas Gebhardt, Sports Sales Manager for Visit Boise, told KTVB the economic impact of having so many people from out of town brings in a considerable amount of money to the area.
"All those teams are going to bring in players, coaches, parents, siblings, grandparents – anyone who's going to come in and travel for a big youth soccer regional tournament like this – is all going to be coming into Boise right here at Simplot," said Gebhardt. "So, we're thinking that this tournament just in itself is gonna bring in somewhere up to about $8 million or so in total economic impact."
Gebhardt also mentioned the 2023 Far West Regional Championships from June 23-29 will be at Simplot and will bring another large economic impact. Visit Boise estimates a total of $10 million in total economic impact and $20 million total for both weekends.
For more information on the 2023 US Youth Soccer Far West Presidents Cup in Boise, click here.
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Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/us-youth-soccer-far-west-presidents-cup-boise-economic-impact-competition/277-c9f5db95-ec5d-4f77-93df-fc0f0520b95b | 2023-06-17T00:53:51 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/us-youth-soccer-far-west-presidents-cup-boise-economic-impact-competition/277-c9f5db95-ec5d-4f77-93df-fc0f0520b95b |
The city of Casper and Natrona County Board of County Commissioners passed resolutions declaring a disaster and emergency after Thursday's "unprecedented" flood swamped basements, tore through roads and marooned cars, city and county officials announced.
The Casper City Council called a last-minute emergency meeting Friday afternoon because all locally available resources "to mitigate and alleviate the effects of this disaster have been insufficient to meet the needs of the situation," the resolution states.
Mayor Bruce Knell said he received multiple calls from Casper residents Thursday night asking the city to make the emergency declaration because they’d suffered significant property damage.
“According to the constituents that reached out to me last night, if there's a disaster resolution in place, their insurance will help them cover their losses,” Knell said during an impromptu City Council meeting to consider the resolution. “It will also possibly provide some funding for various entities including the city for the strain on our services.”
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Minutes later, the Natrona County Board of Commissioners followed suit and called its own emergency disaster declaration meeting.
Casper police temporarily closed some streets in downtown Casper after cars became stranded in a flash flood Thursday. Multiple intersections were temporarily impassible, and a park on the city's east side flooded.
Natrona County Emergency Management is communicating with community members to learn more about the severity and impact, said spokesperson Kiera Grogan.
Property owners who experienced damage from flooding are asked to document it with photographs and share it with the county, the statement said.
The fastest and preferred method is through the Citizen Self Reporting Tool, which can be found at http://report-wy-natrona.orioncentral.com. A report can also be emailed to Natrona County Emergency Management directly at ncema@natronacounty-wy.gov with a short description of the impacts.
This information will be shared with the state to determine next steps, the statement said.
"Please know, while there may be a request to the state, there are no definitive guarantees that funding or other support will be appropriated or dispersed," the statement said.
Other local communities may join the city and county's effort, said City Manager Carter Napier.
“Without this interest of the governing bodies, we really wouldn't have much leg to stand on in terms of trying to provide relief both to citizens and businesses as well as government agencies,” Napier said during the city council meeting.
In addition, Casper's golf course, outdoor swimming pools and sports leagues were forced to close Friday due to the storm.
All outdoor pools were expected to reopen Saturday, when the weather is supposed to be warmer and sunnier, city of Casper spokeswoman Rachel Bouzis said in a statement.
Only walkers will be able to access the Casper Municipal Golf Course at least through Sunday, the statement said. Staff will access conditions early next week to determine when the course is ready for golf carts again.
The city is also working with the Casper SPUDS and Casper Legion Baseball to access field viability for games this weekend, and the Casper SPUDS Friday night game is canceled, the statement said.
“It’s obviously been a tough summer for outdoor recreation, and we apologize for the numerous cancellations we’ve had to make,” recreation manager Phil Moya said in the statement. “While we wait for rain to pass and fields to dry out, CNFR at the Ford Wyoming Center is a great indoor show."
This story has been updated. | https://trib.com/news/local/government-politics/flooding-forces-closures-sparks-emergency-meetings-in-casper/article_99cd5526-0c85-11ee-b0bf-fff62632e510.html | 2023-06-17T00:55:49 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/government-politics/flooding-forces-closures-sparks-emergency-meetings-in-casper/article_99cd5526-0c85-11ee-b0bf-fff62632e510.html |
6K Energy breaks ground in Jackson, 'first-of-its-kind' in sustainable battery production
6K Energy broke ground on Tuesday afternoon with Gov. Bill Lee in attendance, after announcing its decision on April 18 to build the "first-of-its-kind" sustainable battery material manufacturing plant in Jackson.
The $250 million investment into the state-of-the-art facility will create approximately 230 jobs and will be located on James Lawrence Road near McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport.
Lithium-ion battery materials are currently not produced domestically, 6K leaders say, making its production methods more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. The company boasts its effort to create more jobs domestically in the field of creating sustainable batteries in the U.S. market.
More:Why 6K Energy chose Jackson to build first-of-its-kind battery plant
More:6K Energy battery plant to bring 230 jobs, $200 million investment to Jackson
6K CEO Aaron Bent explained that the facility will "revolutionize" decades-old technology as it produces materials that will support rapidly growing sectors of industry like electric vehicle manufacturing.
A few auto giants, focusing on electric car production, will neighbor the future 6K plant, including the BlueOval City Ford Motors plant in Haywood County in West Tennessee and General Motors in Spring Hill in southern Middle Tennessee.
"It will be the only plant in the world that can produce at a cost substantially lower than China," Bent said.
The importance behind this technology, according to Bent, is the ability to create stable, economically-viable longevity in the industry of renewable energy. Born out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Plasma, Science and Fusion Center, the complexity and intellectual property protection of the technology has been over a decade in the making, according to 6K President Sam Trinch.
"It's taken a while to get this technology to the level that it can produce battery materials because that's a very challenging process," Trinch said. "It's already being used in additive manufacturing at our sister division, 6K Additive out of Pittsburg, so from the battery side we have very good confidence that when we hit the ground running with our processes, they're going to work. When we make the claims about environment benefits and cost, we have a really strong base of information because the technology is already being deployed."
The advanced plasma cathode system that 6K uses maintains a low environmental impact, according to the company, by means of:
- 90% reduction in water use
- 70% reduction of CO2 GHG emissions
- 70% reduction of energy use
- Zero solid waste
- Zero liquid waste
Bent added that the U.S. will need 40 more ultra-fast, ultra-clean production plants like 6K by 2030 to support its domestic need alone.
Lee noted that the one-billion-dollar investment in Tennessee College of Applied Technology facilities earlier this year, in conjunction with 6K's scholarship and internship opportunities for local students, is a reflection of the state's prioritization of workforce development.
"We've come to realize the state with the workers is going to win in competitive situations like this all the time," Lee said. "Companies are looking to invest in the United States, looking to invest in states, and part of that decision making is 'what states have a commitment to workforce development?'"
Trinch said that he expects the facility to be up and running by the third quarter of 2024.
"Another reason why we chose Tennessee was because of the site readiness," Trinch said. "We'll continue to expand at capacity and add more resources as we go." | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/battery-producer-6k-energy-breaks-ground-alongside-gov-lee-in-jackson/70326297007/ | 2023-06-17T00:57:35 | 0 | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/battery-producer-6k-energy-breaks-ground-alongside-gov-lee-in-jackson/70326297007/ |
OCALA, Fla. — Ocala Fire Rescue saved a minor after a tree crashed into a home Friday morning.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
According to a news release, fire crews responded to the home on Southeast Eighth Street around 3 a.m.
Firefighters received a call about a person trapped in a house.
Read: Marion deputies locate three missing kids, mom is still wanted by authorities
Engine 2 and Rescue 2 crews found the minor was stuck under the tree, which had fallen through the roof while the family slept.
Crews stabilized the roof to avoid further damage and used a chainsaw to cut the tree and reach the pinned minor.
SEE: Truck falls into sinkhole in Titusville
After the patient was free, they were taken to Shands Hospital.
Ocala Fire Rescue said there were no other reported injuries.
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-firefighters-rescue-trapped-minor-after-tree-crashes-into-home/DO3OHLVMRZAVBDP7SZAZMYLCOM/ | 2023-06-17T01:04:32 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/ocala-firefighters-rescue-trapped-minor-after-tree-crashes-into-home/DO3OHLVMRZAVBDP7SZAZMYLCOM/ |
A brush fire Friday afternoon briefly closed Interstate 10 in both directions east of Tucson.
The brush fire was at milepost 291, about 11 miles west of Benson, which is about 50 miles east of Tucson.
The interstate reopened before 4:30 p.m., the Arizona Department of Transportation said in a news release late Friday afternoon.
Earlier Friday, an unrelated wildfire north of Sonoita closed Arizona 83, officials said.
Real-time highway conditions are available at az511.gov, ADOT’s traveller information site. Motorists also can call 511. | https://tucson.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/i-10-east-of-tucson-re-opened-after-brush-fire/article_0ac026e4-0c9c-11ee-80ae-db2c6673a23d.html | 2023-06-17T01:05:12 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/i-10-east-of-tucson-re-opened-after-brush-fire/article_0ac026e4-0c9c-11ee-80ae-db2c6673a23d.html |
Two men have been arrested in connection with a shooting that killed one man and wounded another, Tucson police say
Officers found a vehicle they say was linked to the June 6 shooting death of Tyrell Havier, 28. They talked to Ricardo Joseph Vavages, 39, the occupant inside the car, an agency news release said.
After processing the vehicle for evidence, police said Vavages and Brennen Virgil Moristo, 26, were connected to the fatal shooting of Havier, the news release said.
Off-duty officers downtown on June 8 found Moristo. He and Vavages were arrested on suspicion of first degree murder, aggravated robbery and robbery, police said.
Havier was found shot near North 15th Avenue and West Grant Road on June 6. He died at the hospital. A second man arrived separately to the hospital with a gunshot wound from the same incident, police said. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
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Detectives believe an unidentified woman was with Moristo and Vavages near the time of the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME, the tipster hotline.
Jamie Donnelly covers courts for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-police-arrest-men-in-homicide/article_415205bc-0c9f-11ee-9a81-27283ecbec4f.html | 2023-06-17T01:05:18 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-police-arrest-men-in-homicide/article_415205bc-0c9f-11ee-9a81-27283ecbec4f.html |
PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed four bills Friday designed to target "drag'' shows and performers.
"Intolerance has no place in Arizona despite the Legislature's frequent attempts to pass legislation that says otherwise,'' the Democratic governor said in a single veto message on all four.
She said the four bills "are attempts to criminalize free expression and ostracize the LGBTQIA+ community both implicitly and explicitly, creating statutory language that could be weaponized by those who choose hate over acceptance.''
"I have made it abundantly clear that I am committed to building an Arizona for everyone and will not support any legislation that attempts to marginalize our fellow Arizonans,'' Hobbs said.
Only one of the measures specifically mentions "drag shows.'' Senate Bill 1026, sponsored by Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, would have barred the use of public money or state-funded institutions for a "drag show targeting minors.''
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It defined that as any adult performers dressing in clothing and makeup of the opposite sex to exaggerate "gender signifiers and roles'' and engage in singing, dancing or a monologue or skit to entertain a target audience under 18.
Its breadth bothered Sen. Priya Sundareshan, a Tucson Democrat.
"This could include all sorts of beloved childhood movies and productions like 'Mulan' and 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' any other popular show that includes people dressing in clothing of the opposite gender,'' she said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, said it would preclude her from dressing up as Thomas Jefferson to read the Bill of Rights to a group of children at a school or municipal event.
Three other measures took different approaches in what proponents said where efforts to protect children from "sexually explicit performances.''
Sen. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, sponsor of two of the measures, insisted he was not trying to limit what is available to adults. He stripped the words "drag shows'' from his bills in an effort to show he was not targeting transgender individuals.
But there already are laws keeping children out of adult-oriented businesses. And supporters made it clear that, with or without those words, the measures were aimed at those performing in drag.
"We all know what we're talking about here,'' said Senate President Warren Petersen, a Gilbert Republican. "We're talking about men wearing bikinis, dancing weird, sexually, strangely in front of children. I imagine everyone's seen the videos.''
Some videos available on social media show performances by men in drag with children in the audience.
"Folks, if you've seen it, you know this stuff is gross, it's disgusting, it's perverse,'' Petersen said. "And that's what we're talking about here.''
Sen. Anna Hernandez, a Phoenix Democrat, argued against expanding existing laws that already govern not just who can view an adult-oriented performance but also protect minors from exposure to nudity and sex acts. These bills included an expanded definition that could make criminals out of people performing activities that are now legal, even with children present, she said.
She said it would have been one thing had the proponents sought to regulate obscene performances and access by minors. That would be a better and clearer test, Hernandez said, because courts have defined that to be materials that are not only "patently offensive'' but that, when taken as a whole, lack any serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
"The worry is that the language of this bill will be perverted in order to continue to be applied to drag shows because drag shows often focus on over-the-top humor, sometimes sexual in nature, and it may be offensive to some individuals that hear it,'' she said.
Tucson Republican Sen. Justine Wadsack, author of one of the bills and a supporter of all four, had a different take.
"We have absolute evidence that these drag performers are targeting to perform in front of children,'' Wadsack said during debate on the measures. What they are doing itself is evidence of that targeting, she said.
"Why, why do grown men want to dress up as women and read to young children?'' she asked. "Why not just dress in jeans and a T-shirt and read to the children?''
What it is all about, Wadsack said, is "sexually grooming our children.''
One of the measures sponsored by Kern had nothing to do with children. SB 1030 would have required counties to adopt specific zoning ordinances for businesses that conduct "sexually explicit performances.''
"My intent of this bill is to regulate sexually explicit drag shows,'' but other drag shows could remain, he said.
"As we all know, drag shows have been around as long as human beings have been around,'' Kern said during debate. "Although I've never been to one, I have watched the movie 'Tootsie' and 'Mrs. Doubtfire.' And I've enjoyed them.''
He said he wants to protect children from what his bill would define as sexually explicit drag shows.
"Why a parent would even want to bring a child to one of these shows is beyond me,'' he said.
Only thing is, his SB 1030 makes no mention of minors.
Instead, its provisions would regulate the location of any sexually explicit performances, specifically including anything with an "intention to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires or appeal to the prurient interest.''
Sundareshan called that particularly vague, saying what can arouse varies from person to person.
Kern's SB 1028 took a different approach, seeking to bar "sexually explicit performances'' on public property or anywhere the person knows or has reason to know it could be viewed by a minor. It used the same definition of that phrase as the other measure about intent to arouse.
SB 1698, sponsored by Wadsack, also focused on minors. It sought to create a new felony of "unlawful exposure to an adult oriented performance.''
As originally written, the measure specifically included drag shows. But Wadsack agreed to remove that wording, instead making it a crime to bring a child into an adult-oriented business.
Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, said that made the bill "much better.'' But she said what remained still had "some pretty serious implications."
A felony violation "would apply to a parent or anyone else who brigs a minor to any adult-oriented business,'' Marsh said. The same penalty would apply to the performer, who would have to figure out if there was someone under 18 in the audience.
Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, said he sees a bigger problem in the legislation, whether any of the bills use the words "drag shows'' or not. The intent is clear, he said.
"These attacks on drag performances and the trans community are a slippery slope toward authoritarian rule,'' he said. "It should concern everyone when anyone becomes the punching bag of an ideology.''
Mendez said efforts like this won't make transgender people disappear. "This community will not back down from these kinds of attacks,'' he said.
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-governor-vetoes-4-bills-targeting-drag-shows-performers/article_9b83335a-0c70-11ee-93d2-fb6c7097f634.html | 2023-06-17T01:05:24 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-governor-vetoes-4-bills-targeting-drag-shows-performers/article_9b83335a-0c70-11ee-93d2-fb6c7097f634.html |
One day after they proved themselves to be the best in New Jersey, Fabian Gonzalez of Southern Regional High School and Sophia Curtis of Ocean City excelled on the national stage.
Gonzalez won the discus at the New Balance National Championships at the University of Pennsyalvania’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia with a throw of 193 feet, 5 inches. Gonzalez won the discus at Thursday’s Meet of Champions with a throw of 193-7.
His winning throw Friday came on the second of his six attempts. Benjamin Shue of Bergen Catholic threw 189-9 to finish second.
Yesterday NJSIAA Meet of Champion in Discus...today Fabian wins @newbalance National Champion in Discus, 195'3 . #HSLive #RamPride🐏🥇🫅🖤💛🇺🇲@TAPStaffordLBI @BiggySandPaper @ACPressMcGarry @APPSportsDesk @njmilesplit @SR_Running @GoStanford pic.twitter.com/rjxgyh5oAq
— Chuck Donohue Jr. (@DonohueJr) June 16, 2023
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Meanwhile, Curtis earned All-American status when she finished sixth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1 minute, 1.67 seconds. Michelle Smith of Montverde Academy in Florida won in 58.28 seconds.
The meet, which continues Saturday and Sunday, features athletes from all over the country but primarily the East Coast.
The top-six finishers in each championship event earn All-American status.
OC girls brought their A game to Nationals! 😤💪🇺🇸 Sophia Curtis-400H, 6th & ALL AMERICAN🎖️Callie Duff- T-5th, 5’0.25, Freshman HJ Maeve Smith-11:04.59 full 2MilePentathlon tmw for @CornellTFXC commit Elaina Styer@njmilesplit @HSSportsNJ @coreyannan360 @SJTrack @lambo2126 pic.twitter.com/vQFBWHzsEh
— Ocean City Girls Track & Field (@oceancityTFXC) June 17, 2023 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/fabian-gonzalez-sophia-curtis-excel-at-national-track-meet/article_342fcfa8-0ca5-11ee-83a9-1363b9f88d9e.html | 2023-06-17T01:10:42 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/fabian-gonzalez-sophia-curtis-excel-at-national-track-meet/article_342fcfa8-0ca5-11ee-83a9-1363b9f88d9e.html |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the number of medical marijuana cardholders continues to climb.
Currently, 93,862 Arkansans have a medical marijuana ID card.
"This isn't just something the hippies smoke to get high," Interventional Pain Consultants Physician Dr. Brian Nicols said. "It is medication."
An increase in active cardholders is leading to a rise in business at dispensaries, including the Natural Leaf Dispensary in Sherwood.
"It's really come up about 1,000 patients a month," Natural Leaf Dispensary Co-Owner Brian Renk said.
Rink said the most significant factors are affordability, quality and more patient knowledge about obtaining a card.
Nichol said the increase in cardholders isn't a surprise as there's a handful of health reasons behind why people choose medicinal cannabis.
"Chronic pain is one of them," Nichol said. "But the one I'm seeing more than anything is post-traumatic stress disorder."
ADH data also shows that 32.9% of patients with medical marijuana cards used it to help treat PTSD in 2022. In addition, 30.3% used it for intractable pain and 11.6% for severe arthritis.
"People are starting to wake up to the fact that the pharmaceuticals aren't necessarily good for you," Nicol said. "As far as side effects and possible toxicity, risks for addiction can happen."
Renk believes the transition from prescription pills to medicinal cannabis is safer.
"A lot of our patients have been coming in with OxyContin and oxycodone prescriptions," Renk said. "They've completely gotten off of those."
Pulaski, Benton and Washington counties have the highest number of approved patients with medical marijuana cards.
The complete reports are available here. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-medical-marijuana/91-c6086e21-cd32-4607-a996-0d23777e30af | 2023-06-17T01:10:46 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-medical-marijuana/91-c6086e21-cd32-4607-a996-0d23777e30af |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Organizations across Arkansas are continuously working to fight the ongoing homelessness problem. While recent numbers show progress, experts said there's still work to be done.
Matthew Desalvo with Central Arkansas Team Care for the Homeless (CATCH) and Salvation Army said this year agencies identified 773 people in four counties experiencing homelessness on Jan. 26 in the annual "Point-in-Time" count.
The 773 people are the lowest on record in the last 10 years.
"It's just a number on one night in the winter," Desalvo said. "Obviously, there are some areas that you don't cover. So according to HUD, it is the actual number of people experiencing homelessness that night that you're able to identify, count and talk to."
Crews are typically set up in about 15 different sites across Pulaski, Prairie, Saline and Lonoke counties.
Last year, volunteers counted 974 people.
"In a nutshell, things are getting better because there's a ton of coordination, and not as many silos anymore," Desalvo said. "We have so much need like you can't expect a handful of nonprofits to solve homelessness."
To keep it simple, Desalvo said it's going to take a whole community to help.
"We need more money, we need more resources," Desalvo said. "We need more lawmakers who are making laws and policies that will help this population get a leg up through the work that we're doing."
In Jefferson County, an area not included in CATCH's "Point-in-Time" count, the Salvation Army is seeing an increase in people staying at its shelter.
"We've seen 211 people in our shelter this year," Pine Bluff Salvation Army Lt. Rachel Perdieu said. "Compared to last year, there were 239 for the whole year. So, we're tracking a little bit higher than last year."
Perdieu said she first noticed the increase when inflation rose.
"It is alarming for us to see the increase in need and not a huge increase in funding," Perdieu said. "We're having to stretch things a little farther than normal."
Desalvo hopes to get more volunteers before next year's "Point-in-Time" count to help formulate a more accurate number.
"You can't expect organizations, some of them operating on a shoestring budget, to have everything you need to solve homelessness," Desalvo said. "It takes everybody." | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/homelessness-reaches-low/91-184fd10b-3bd3-4da8-86e4-6981fa4cdc44 | 2023-06-17T01:10:52 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/homelessness-reaches-low/91-184fd10b-3bd3-4da8-86e4-6981fa4cdc44 |
How McNary students pulled off a memorable senior prank 50 years ago
Students love them. Administrators tolerate them. They are senior pranks, a memorable rite of passage for many a high school graduating class.
Some push these shenanigans beyond suspension-threatening limits, such as the North Carolina students who recently put cement in toilets and left a school with thousands of dollars in damage.
But most are fun and harmless, and some outrageously creative, such as the Delaware students who were just in the news for staging a sleepover at their principal’s house and videotaping her reaction.
Closer to home, the McNary High School Class of 1973 reminds us how it left its mark 50 years ago, stacking 73 tires on the campus flagpole.
In the process, these seniors thwarted vandalism to the school, cajoled permission from school administrators, and enlisted cleanup help from the Keizer Fire Department. At least, that's how they remember it.
The details faded after graduation as many went on to college, served in the military, took jobs and raised families. Some never ventured far. Others returned after retirement.
Memories of their steel-belted masterpiece resurfaced when they began planning their upcoming 50th reunion in July.
Tires needed from multiple sources
No one remembers whose idea it was the night of May 23, 1973, the week leading up to graduation. Everyone agrees it took a lot of tires and muscle to pull it off.
Ironically, some tires came from the school, salvaged by Don Darland and stored in his backyard until he and his classmates found a use for them. Others came from a tire retreading shop in Brooks.
Funny side note there, the gatherers took from the wrong pile, and the shop was eager to have them returned, which eventually happened.
Several athletes were involved, supplying the muscle, including from the football, boys track and boys gymnastics teams. Yes, McNary once had a gymnastics team. Without one of those gymnasts, the prank may have stalled.
Late-night phone call to principal
There were obstacles, the 30-foot-tall flagpole an obvious one. More difficult to overcome was a rival group of seniors armed with cans of spray paint. And then, a Marion County Sheriff's deputy showed up, informing the tire brigade they would need permission from the school administration to continue with their plans.
A couple guys drove to senior class president David Cassidy's house and called vice principal Bruce Barker, who they knew liked them. Barker gave his blessing, but that wasn't enough for the deputy.
They returned to Cassidy's house and called principal Richard Wilson. It was around midnight.
Convincing Wilson took some bargaining. He emphatically said no until Cassidy explained if they went home and did not get to stack tires on the flag pole, he was worried another group on campus was planning to deface the building with spray paint.
The principal relented as long as they promised to prevent any vandalism to the school and vowed to remove the tires in a couple of days. Classmate Bob Sanford negotiated another side deal, making arrangements with the Keizer Fire Department to help remove the tires. His uncle was the fire chief.
An 'A' for lesson in engineering
These seniors didn't just use their brawn but their brains to devise a plan. They focused on using the pole's built-in pulley system for raising the flag.
First, they made an innertube sling to hoist one of their classmates, David Porter, to the top. No one knew how strong the cables and ropes were. They were oblivious to any risks.
Porter doesn't remember how he got picked to do the heavy lifting. Cassidy and Darland know why: He was a gymnast, strong and agile, and most importantly, skinny.
Classmates on the ground raised the tires to Porter, each weighing about 25 pounds. One by one, he unhooked the tire, hugged the pole, and slid it over his body and down. Classmate Randy Foreman also was near the top, helping lift the tires over his head.
"I was in great shape back then," Porter said, "but they got heavier as the night went on."
Spotlight shines as word spreads
Stacking the tires, many spray-painted with white letters, took four to five hours.
"We told everybody this is the deal, nothing on the building," Cassidy said. "Put your name on a tire or whatever you want."
Keeping track of how many were on the pole was challenging, with the group losing count a few times. They used leftover tires to create a "73" on the ground.
Word spread among the law enforcement community about what was going down that cold and drizzly night, and several officers stopped by to see for themselves, including Oregon State Police troopers.
"It must have went out on the radio," Darland said. "They shined their lights up for us. They were rooting for us."
Other spectators gathered, too, including some younger students. Darland remembers Barker and Wilson even dropping by.
"Mr. Wilson thought it was great because the school got some positive publicity," Cassidy said.
Prank goes viral, the old-fashioned way
The Capital Journal published a photograph of the completed work the next day on the front page of its May 24, 1973 edition.
Gerry Lewin, a young cameraman for the afternoon local paper, took the photo after students and teachers began arriving on campus that morning.
Lewin didn't have to travel far to capture the image. He lived in Keizer, kitty-corner from the school. Although it was just one of thousands of photos taken during his 35-year career, he remembers it well.
"My reaction to that flagpole stunt was utter amazement," said Lewin, who still lives in the area.
The photo went viral, 1970s-style. The image was picked up by The Associated Press and published in other newspapers across the country.
None of the students milling about the flagpole in the photo were involved in the prank.
They were all home sleeping.
Capi Lynn is the Statesman Journal's news columnist. Send comments, questions and tips to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6710. Follow her work on Twitter @CapiLynn and Facebook @CapiLynnSJ. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/how-mcnary-high-school-students-pulled-off-a-memorable-senior-prank-50-years-ago-1973/70315550007/ | 2023-06-17T01:12:08 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/how-mcnary-high-school-students-pulled-off-a-memorable-senior-prank-50-years-ago-1973/70315550007/ |
PacifiCorp asks permission to pass wildfire liability costs to customers
The request to the Oregon Public Utility Commission would allow the utility to add any costs related to the 2020 wildfires to customer rates.
PacifiCorp has asked state regulators to let it potentially pass the cost of damages it owes for wildfires in 2020 onto its customers.
In a filing Thursday with the Oregon Public Utility Commission, PacifiCorp asked the regulatory body to allow the utility to defer any costs related to wildfire liability through June 2024. That would give the company the option to add those costs to customer rates in the future.
Earlier this week, a Multnomah County jury found PacifiCorp owes around $90 million in damages related to four wildfires after its Oregon business, Pacific Power, had a hand in causing or worsening those fires on Labor Day weekend 2020.
“The deferred accounting application enables (PacifiCorp) to preserve its ability to seek (wildfire cost) recovery in the future in the event the outcome could potentially impact the financial stability of the Company, which would result in higher costs to customers,” attorneys for PacifiCorp wrote regulators.
Customers pay the costs of prudent, reasonable utility operations,” said Bob Jenks, the CUB executive director. “The court found that Pacific Power was reckless and grossly negligent, and included punitive damages meant to punish the company, not customers. Customers should not pay a dime of these costs.”
The state Public Utility Commission, which approves rates and regulates utilities in Oregon, would need to approve PacifiCorp’s request before it can defer the wildfire liability costs. Citizens’ Utility Board said Friday that it intends to fight that approval.
The organization also noted that Pacific Power customers already experienced a rate increase this year for costs related to wildfire mitigation. Given PacifiCorp’s plans to spend more money in coming years on similar efforts, it’s likely customers will already see their bills rise before any costs related to the 2020 Labor Day fire litigation are added. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2023/06/16/pacificorp-asks-permission-to-pass-oregon-wildfire-liability-costs-customers/70331887007/ | 2023-06-17T01:12:14 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/oregon/2023/06/16/pacificorp-asks-permission-to-pass-oregon-wildfire-liability-costs-customers/70331887007/ |
A 6-week-old airlifted to a Lubbock hospital following a two-vehicle crash with a drunk driver Monday night has died, according to the City of Odessa.
The infant, identified as Eliana Garcia by the City of Odessa, was in the back seat of a vehicle stopped at a red light when 36-year-old Daisy Cordero rear-ended the vehicle. The accident happened at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Grandview Avenue at about 11:17 p.m., according to a previous Odessa Police Department report.
Eliana suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to Lubbock. Her mother, identified as Nallely Mendoza, 19, and a 1-year-old boy were transported to Medical Center Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries.
Cordero has been charged with intoxication assault causing serious bodily injuries, a third-degree felony; unlawful carrying of a weapon, Class A misdemeanor; accident involving serious bodily injuries, a third-degree felony and bribery.
OPD has not provided an update if her charges will be upgraded. "This is still an ongoing investigation and we must bear that in mind. Again, let's continue to hold this family up in prayer," the city posted on their Facebook post.
Mendoza has created a GoFundMe : https://bit.ly/3JFLkTB | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/city-odessa-infant-airlifted-lubbock-following-18156331.php | 2023-06-17T01:12:51 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/city-odessa-infant-airlifted-lubbock-following-18156331.php |
The Texas Department of Transportation reported that frontage roads along I-20 will be closed Monday and Tuesday.
“The eastbound right main lane between Jasmine Drive and Midkiff Road will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. to relocate safety barriers,” TxDOT reported. “The north frontage road between Warehouse Road and Midland Drive will be closed nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations. Obey warning signs and watch for slow moving vehicles in these construction work zones. “ | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-department-transportation-i-20-frontage-18156964.php | 2023-06-17T01:12:57 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-department-transportation-i-20-frontage-18156964.php |
Unemployment took a seasonal jump in May, boosted by the end of the school year and the resulting end of some contract jobs at Texas schools.
The Texas Workforce Commission said Friday those seasonal trends sent the Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) – which includes Midland and Martin counties – unemployment rate to 2.6% from 2.3% in April. Still, the rate is below the 2.8% reported last May. Midland continues to report the state’s lowest unemployment, ahead of Amarillo and College Station-Bryan at 3.2% each and Lubbock and Odessa with 3.4% each.
“That will probably be (Midland’s) trademark for a while,” Willie Taylor, chief executive officer of the commission’s Workforce Solutions Permian Basin office, told the Reporter-Telegram in a telephone interview.
Though Midland and Odessa joined other Texas MSAs in seeing a seasonal increase in unemployment, Taylor said the region is on target to returning to pre-pandemic levels. The region is a job seeker’s market, he said, which is serving as a magnet to attract new residents.
“Now hiring” signs continue to go up throughout the region and there isn’t enough population to fill the openings, he said.
Taylor pointed to efforts to fill jobs, specifically a partnership between his office and the Midland Development Corp. to fund a state grant to train truck drivers.
“If you look around the state, that’s on everyone’s list,” Taylor said. They are especially in demand in this energy industry-dominated region, he added.
Board members tell him not only do they need workers with commercial drivers’ licenses but there are openings for electricians, educators and more.
The good news is, he said, there is strong enrollment in the area’s training programs and a number of companies are taking advantage of skill development grants to upskill or reskill their workers.
“We have a strong economy, and it shows in the labor market,” he said.
Midland’s labor force took a seasonal dip, to 113,648 from 114,071 in April but is still 5,800 above the 107,854 counted last May and still near record highs, according to Taylor. The number of employed Midlanders also took a dip, to 110,652 from 111,434 in April but more than 5,800 more than the 104,804 at work last May. The number of unemployed Midlanders jumped by about 300 to 2,996 from 2,637 in April and is just slightly ahead of the 3,050 unemployed a year ago.
Midland added 400 jobs from April to May for a total nonfarm job count of 119,600. The Mining, Logging and Construction sector led with 400 new jobs and the Leisure and Hospitality sector added 100 jobs. The Government sector lost 100 jobs while all other sectors were unchanged.
For the 12 months from May 2022 to May 2023, Midland added 8,600 jobs for a job growth rate of 7.7%. The area’s dominant Mining, Logging and Construction sector led with 4,900 new jobs. Trade, Transportation and Utilities was next with 900 new jobs, followed by the Professional and Business Services sector with 600 new jobs. The Manufacturing sector and Leisure and Hospitality sector each added 500 jobs over the year. The Other Services sector saw 400 new jobs. The Financial Activities sector and Private Education and Health Services sector each added 300 jobs during the year.
Statewide, the unemployment rate rose to 4.1%, but the state reported records in both civilian labor force and number of employed. For the first time in state history, the seasonally adjusted civilian labor force crossed the 15 million threshold, rising by 49,000 in May. The number of employed also set a record high of 14.4 million. Texas added 51,000 positions – more than any other state – for 27 consecutive months of growth. Texas has added 529,800 jobs since May 2022.
While Midland reported the lowest unemployment, the highest was seen in Beaumont-Port Arthur at 6.3%.
Midland Unemployment
January 2023 2.7%
January 2022 3.9%
February 2023 3.0%
February 2022 3.6%
March 2023 2.6%
March 2022 3.1%
April 2023 2.3%
April 2022 2.8%
May 2023 2.6%
May 2022 2.8%
Preliminary numbers for May with April numbers in parentheses:
Midland 2.6 (2.3)
Amarillo 3.2 (2.8)
College Station-Bryan 3.2 (2.9)
Lubbock 3.4 (3.0)
Odessa 3.4 (3.1)
Abilene 3.5 (3.1)
Austin-Round Rock 3.5 (3.1)
San Angelo 3.6 (3.2)
Waco 3.7 (3.5)
Dallas-Plano-Irving 3.8 (3.4)
Fort Worth-Arlington 3.8 (3.4)
San Antonio-New Braunfels 3.8 (3.4)
Texarkana 3.8 (3.6)
Tyler 3.8 (3.4)
Sherman-Denison 3.9 (3.5)
Wichita Falls 3.9 (3.5)
Victoria 4.2 (3.8)
Laredo 4.3 (3.8)
Longview 4.3 (3.8)
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land 4.4 (3.9)
Corpus Christi 4.5 (4.2)
El Paso 4.5 (4.1)
Killeen-Temple 4.6 (4.1)
Brownsville-Harlingen 5.7 (5.2)
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission 6.2 (5.6)
Beaumont-Port Arthur 6.3 (5.6)
Source: Texas Workforce Commission | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-workforce-commission-midland-s-18156584.php | 2023-06-17T01:13:03 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/texas-workforce-commission-midland-s-18156584.php |
SEATTLE — A Seattle police officer was traveling at 74 miles per hour just before his police cruise struck and killed 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula in an intersection in January, according to a case investigation report.
The officer, who has not been charged with a crime, was responding to an emergency call and was in a 25 mph zone at the time of the collision. Kandula had the right of way and was struck by the cruiser at approximately 63 mph, according to the report.
The report found that speed was the cause of the collision, as the speed at which the officer was traveling did "not allow [Kandula] or him sufficient time to detect, address and avoid a hazard that presented itself," the report states.
On the night of Jan. 26, officers responded to the scene at Dexter Avenue North and Thomas Street around 8 p.m. Kandula was crossing from east to west in the crosswalk when she was hit.
Officers provided CPR to her until Seattle Fire Department medics arrived and took her to Harborview Medical Center, where she later died.
The officer was responding to a "priority one" call at the request of the Seattle Fire Department, according to SPD. According to the report, the officer was responding to a report of a drug overdose.
According to the report, the officer did not have his siren activated continuously. Instead, the officer "chirped" his siren at the intersection. He did have his emergency lights on, according to a previous statement from the police department.
At the time of the collision, Kandula was wearing a black jacket, black pants and white shoes. She may have had Apple AirPods in both ears, according to the report. Investigators were unable to determine what mode the AirPods were in - if they were worn at the time of the collision. She was about 18 feet into the crosswalk when she was hit, according to the report.
As the officer approached the point where the collision happened, it "appeared he attempted to avoid the collision by steering and braking," according to the report. However the report goes on to say steering input "was slight and rapid," and ultimately didn't change the path of the vehicle. Braking was done prior to the collision but was not enough to avoid the collision due to the speed.
A drug recognition expert responded to the scene and found no impairment in the officer. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/report-seattle-officer-pedestrian-crash/281-c8832aee-15df-4119-9d90-dbae15b44b1f | 2023-06-17T01:27:12 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/report-seattle-officer-pedestrian-crash/281-c8832aee-15df-4119-9d90-dbae15b44b1f |
TUMWATER, Wash. — Bearly 20 years after the Olympia Brewery produced its last drop, Tumwater city leaders are toasting the federal government.
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the city a $500,000 grant to assess potential environmental cleanup concerns on the property.
”This will make a huge difference,” said Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan.
After nearly 100 years, mostly producing beer sold across the country, the Olympia Brewery shut down June 20, 2003.
Multiple developers have purchased the property with plans to redevelop the area, but the property has remained vacant.
Fires and vandalism have destroyed some of the buildings, and most of the window across the 100-acre commercial property.
“For much of our community it’s heartbreaking to see what’s happened now,” said Tumwater City Administrator John Doan.
Doan and other city officials said the lack of an environmental assessment, and the potential cleanup costs, has made the property too risky for some investors.
“This is what prevents so much investment, so much energy from coming to this, because nobody knows what the risks are,” said Tumwater’s Economic Development Manager Austin Ramirez.
“No one is going to invest in this site until there’s certainty and predictability on this site,” said Ramirez.
He said the initial assessment could identify areas that need to be cleaned up, something that could be paid for by future federal grants.
“It really is huge,” said Ramirez, who wrote the grant application, “It really is the first step towards solving all the other issues.”
Seven local jurisdictions in Washington state received the grants from the Environmental Protection Agency under the federal infrastructure package.
In addition to Tumwater, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Grays Harbor Council of Governments, Kelso, the ports of Bremerton and Whitman County, and the Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium also received grant funding for environmental site assessments. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tumwater-grant-former-olympia-brewery/281-77daaace-770c-47ca-8fb1-9029db63304b | 2023-06-17T01:27:14 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tumwater-grant-former-olympia-brewery/281-77daaace-770c-47ca-8fb1-9029db63304b |
DALLAS — Editor's note: This article was originally published here in the Dallas Business Journal.
The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday to acquire a nearly 300-acre park property in southern Dallas.
Located north of Cedar Ridge Preserve, Big Cedar Wilderness features over 50,000 trees and a variety of cliffs, hills, creeks and tributaries. The property is estimated to be worth over $17 million and was privately held by Liberty Bankers Insurance Group President Brad Philips and his company.
Philips donated the park to Trust for Public Land (TPL), and the property will be preserved as a natural area and public park.
"Today, we took another major step toward achieving our goal of becoming the city with the best park system in Texas," Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said in a prepared statement. "Big Cedar Wilderness is a critical amenity, and our commitment to preserving and enhancing it will ensure more Dallas residents have the opportunity to enjoy this exceptional green haven."
TPL worked with Phillips, the City of Dallas and other community stakeholders for the past 14 months to secure the space. TPL will now partner with Dallas' Park and Recreation Department to enhance existing amenities and ease access to the space once the acquisition is complete this summer.
Preserving the park property will add 282 acres of land to the nature corridor in southern Dallas that includes Cedar Hill State Park, Cedar Ridge Preserve and the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center.
"One of the most special aspects of Big Cedar Wilderness are the passionate and dedicated people who have cherished this greenspace for decades," TPL Texas state director Robert Kent said. "We look forward to working with these stakeholders and community members to help make Big Cedar Wilderness an even better place to engage with nature, improve health and to connect with each other." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-city-council-acquires-300-acre-big-cedar-wilderness-new-park/287-ed57b30d-68b0-4a09-bc45-62ef64570419 | 2023-06-17T01:28:20 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-city-council-acquires-300-acre-big-cedar-wilderness-new-park/287-ed57b30d-68b0-4a09-bc45-62ef64570419 |
PERRYTON, Texas — Families all across Perryton are in need after a tornado leveled the Texas Panhandle town Thursday night.
The tornado caused widespread damage and killed three people, while injuring more than 100 others.
Damage included multiple businesses in the downtown area, as well as a trailer park, homes and vehicles.
With all of that damage, people have come from across the state to help the town recover.
But many families will also need help recovering financially for some time to come, as they've lost everything, including their homes and vehicles.
To help with the recovery, numerous verified GoFundMes have been set up for anyone to donate money to the Perryton families affected by the tornado.
GoFundMe has also set up a centralized hub for families in Texas and the Midwest affected by tornadoes, which you can visit by clicking here.
Perryton-specific GoFundMes set up after the tornado include the following:
Another way to help those affected is by donating to GoFundMe's 2023 Tornado Relief Fund by clicking here. Funds raised here will go directly to those impacted and seeking help through fundraisers, as well as to nonprofit organizations providing relief on the ground.
Thursday was the second day in a row that powerful storms struck the U.S. On Wednesday, strong winds toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway from the eastern part of Texas to Georgia. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/how-you-can-help-perryton-survivors-tornado-devastated-panhandle-town-thursday/287-83a56562-86aa-4cec-a44e-712d2a9d27ef | 2023-06-17T01:28:22 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/how-you-can-help-perryton-survivors-tornado-devastated-panhandle-town-thursday/287-83a56562-86aa-4cec-a44e-712d2a9d27ef |
PITTSBURGH — Juneteenth events are being held across our area this weekend.
11 News has compiled a list of places hosting local events. If you have an event you’d like to add to the list, email the information to desk@wpxi.com.
Pittsburgh
Saturday, June 17 at Point State Park:
- The Jazz Ambassadors of The US Army Field Band, 2 p.m.
- SAMMIE, 5 p.m.
- KeKe Wyatt, 6:30 p.m.
- Carl Thomas & Band, 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 18 at Point State Park:
- Sammie Deleon Afro-Cuban Band, 3 p.m.
- Soul 4 Real, 6:30 p.m.
- Erica Campbell, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 19 at Point State Park:
- The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 3 p.m.
- Phyllis Hyman Tribute Band, 5 p.m.
- RUFF ENDZ, 6:30 p.m.
- The Ohio Players, 8 p.m.
- Juneteenth Fireworks, 9:35 p.m.
Sunday, June 18 at Pittsburgh Glass Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Glass Center will host a free day of demonstrations and artist lectures
- Neon and plasma demonstrations will be led by artist Percy Echols
- Event is free to the public, and donations are welcome. All proceeds will benefit the center’s BIPOC scholarship fund.
Juneteenth Block Party on Saturday, June 17 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Fineview Park Shelter
- Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh
- Music, food trucks, Kona ice, games, caricature artist will be featured
- RSVPs are required, click here to RSVP
Allegheny County
Saturday, June 17 at Sewickley Community Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Kid’s activities, local vendors and artists, food, merchandise and music
- Panel discussion regarding the importance of community followed by a welcome at noon
- Triumph Church Choir performs from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Bounce house for kids is open from 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Poets Speak, Livefromthecity, Bryon Nash Trio
- Vendors available from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m.
Washington County
Saturday, June 17 in Washington from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Parade to LeMoyne Center will kick-off events at 10:30 a.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, 17 E Walnut St, the public is invited to participate
- Live music, food, vendors, games, prizes and activities for the whole family will follow at the LeMoyne Center from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Event will close with gospel hour featuring performances by Bridgeville Male Ensemble Gospel Choir, Mt. Olive Baptist Churches Mime Troupe Without Walls, and a mime performance by Truly Praise Ministry
Westmoreland County
Unity in the Community celebrations will be held throughout the county on different dates, including:
- Saturday, June 17 in Jeannette from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 501 Clay Street
- Sunday, June 18 at St. Clair Park in Greensburg from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, June 19 at Fireman’s Park in Arnold from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 21 at 1700 Washington Street in Greensburg from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, June 24 at St Clair Park in Greensburg from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Many organizations and leaders will participate in the above events. Food will be available, as well as health screenings, entertainment and resource tables.
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MARSHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A woman in Marshall Township woke up early Thursday morning to a man stabbing and punching her.
Police said the man drove all the way from Delaware to the woman’s home, broke in, and attacked her.
Allen Foote is accused of breaking into a family’s home in marshall township and beating a woman up.
Only Channel 11 was there as officers were called to the neighborhood along Clematis Drive around 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
The Northern Regional police chief told us how Foote broke in.
“He tried to break the glass at the front door and was unsuccessful went around to the back of the house had a glass cutter and forced his way into the house,” said Chief John Sicilia.
Sicilia said Foote cut a glass window on the first floor and went up to the woman’s bedroom.
“She was then woken up with the suspect attacking her in her bed,” Sicilia said.
Police said Foote punched the victim and stabbed her twice in the chest and back. They believe she was also pepper sprayed during the attack.
The victim’s stepdad called 911 and officers got there quickly.
“Our officers were able to isolate the suspect to a bedroom window, he slammed the bedroom door closed and immediately dove out of the third-story window,” Sicilia said.
Foote was seriously hurt from jumping out the third-floor window and was taken to the hospital. The victim was treated for her injuries and released.
The chief says Foote had a relationship with the victim for several years, but the victim says they haven’t talked in the last year.
Police don’t know the motivation behind the crime, but the chief says Foote has a violent criminal history.
“He was basically stalking an ex-girlfriend, drove here, we didn’t know what his intentions were, to kill her to kidnap her or sexually assault her
The suspect is being treated at a hospital where police are monitoring him. Once he’s released – he will be arraigned – questioned by police and taken to jail.
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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coconino County needs more volunteers and is hoping to add more diversity to its ranks.
A CASA is a community volunteer matched through the program with a child in foster care. As that child moves through the foster care system with the hope of finding permanent placement — either through reunification or adoption, the CASA is there to support them inside and outside of court proceesings.
Every CASA assembles a report for the judge to review that can offer more insight into a situation.
“CASA volunteers are just regular community members who have a heart for kids, have a heart for kids in the system,” explained Natalie Bryant, the CASA recruitment and training coordinator.
Alongside attorneys and Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworkers, CASAs advocate for the children they’re matched with and assemble a report for the judge in that child’s case to review.
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“When cases have a CASA on it, not only does the judge get a court report from DCS, they get the court report from the CASA, too. The CASA, because they only have usually one child or a couple of children, they are able to spend so much more time with that one child -- whereas DCS, their caseload is overwhelming,” said Nicole Snow, a CASA coordinator and handler of Franklin, one of two new courthouse dogs at Coconino County Juvenile Court.
She’s worked as a child and family therapist, and often specifically served youth in foster care in that capacity. She said, in general, the presence of one caring adult in a child’s life can make a tremendous difference.
Snow said oftentimes kids enter the foster care system and lose their traditional adult support systems. They might move schools and lose contact with teachers or coaches, and they often are dislocated from family.
“CASA aims to create those supports for them,” Snow said. “I think kids connect sometimes with the fact that they’re not paid to be with them. It’s purely out of their heart. They’re volunteering. Kids sense that. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful relationships develop between CASAs and the youth that they work with.”
There are currently 52 Coconino County-based children who have the support of a CASA volunteer. The organization needs 104 more volunteers in this area to meet the needs of every child in the system.
“We just need someone with an advocate’s heart who is willing to walk with these kids no matter what,” Bryant said.
Bryant was between jobs and had time to dedicate to volunteer advocacy work when she was encouraged to look into work as a CASA. After 30 hours of training, a polygraph and a background check, she got her first assignment in December.
“I love kids, I love connecting with people, and I love the opportunity to be a safe harbor in a really unsafe world and they’re in a really unsafe place right now, probably in one of the hardest times of their life. To be just a safe person, a safe harbor in the middle of a storm is really meaningful to me,” Bryant said.
She recalled having the child she worked with call her multiple times on Mother’s Day, just to seek support.
“It was truly such an honor to get to advocate for her,” Bryant said. “I developed such a deep affection for her. I want to see her thrive and it’s hard as a CASA to be so close to so much suffering. It’s also so rewarding to get to love someone in those darkest hours of their lives.”
Acting as a safe harbor is challenging work, and Snow said that’s one of the reasons why Coconino County always needs more CASA volunteers.
”We’re always trying to figure out how to retain CASAs, because this is really hard heart work. These CASAs come from all different backgrounds. Sometimes this is the first time they’re seeing trauma at this level,” Snow said. “That’s why I think 30% of our kids have a CASA. We would love 100%. I don’t think we’ve ever gotten there.”
Franklin is a new potential support for CASAs. While the burly English Labrador is a soothing presence for kids on court appearance days, he can also be a therapeutic outlet for adult volunteers.
On a practical level, becoming a CASA is a commitment. On top of training, and the emotional work a CASA will volunteer for about 10 to 12 hours a month, spending time with the child they’re assigned and working on their case.
Often, she added, CASAs want to spend more than the requisite amount of time with the kids they support — which is encouraged.
Roughly 30% of kids with CASAs from Coconino County are placed in foster or group homes in Phoenix. According to Snow, that’s because there aren’t enough foster families in Flagstaff.
“That’s one of the things. We need volunteers who are willing to drive, because Coconino County doesn’t have the placement opportunities, especially for older kids. So, a lot of them are based in Phoenix and they still need that support. They still need someone to have their back, but those people need to be willing to drive,” Bryant said.
Minority populations, Snow said, are over-represented in the foster care system. A significant portion of the children who need CASAs in Coconino County are members of tribal nations.
Bryant said the organization is actively trying to recruit more Native American CASAs in hopes that children will have the chance to connect with adults who better understand their experience.
“One of our goals as an organization is to have a more diverse pool of volunteers. What we would ideally want is to make sure our pool of volunteers matches our community demographics and makeup so that people can be represented in the system and within CASA,” Bryant said. “[These] children need someone to have their back. If that person can look like them or knows what it’s like or had similar experiences in the world, even better. If that’s not possible, kids that have a CASA are so much more likely to be placed in a permanent home and are so much more likely to do better in school. They’re half as likely to return to the foster care system than other kids.”
LGBTQ+ youth are not asked to self-identify, so there’s no data on their numbers in Coconino County.
In places that do keep track, Bryant said, the data shows LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to be moved from home to home.
“I think LGBTQ+ people don’t always feel that there are safe spaces for them," Snow said. "We want them to always know that, hey, we’re one of those safe spaces. If you want to volunteer and you have a heart for kids, we’ve got a match for you."
She conceded that the court and the justice system, in general, can seem adversarial or unsafe for some people. But, Coconino County Juvenile Court, she said, has worked hard to be trauma-informed, and aspires to be a place where people can find welcome, shelter, and a successful path forward. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/casa-of-coconino-county-seeks-diverse-volunteers-to-support-foster-children-in-need/article_b2cf45b0-0c4f-11ee-8248-eb24a48f61ca.html | 2023-06-17T01:45:06 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/casa-of-coconino-county-seeks-diverse-volunteers-to-support-foster-children-in-need/article_b2cf45b0-0c4f-11ee-8248-eb24a48f61ca.html |
A man was attacked and killed by an adult male black bear Friday morning near the home he was building in the Groom Creek area south of Prescott, according to a press release.
Steven Jackson, 66, was sitting in a chair on his property when the bear attacked, apparently unprovoked. Neighbors reportedly tried to scare the bear away and stop the attack but were unsuccessful.
The bear was eventually shot and killed by another neighbor at the spot where the bear was attacking and in the process of consuming the man. Officers from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) who responded to 911 calls found the man dead when they arrived.
AZGFD officers said the bear was a large adult male black bear. Black bears are the only bear species found in Arizona. The carcass will be examined and tested for disease by the department’s veterinarian and wildlife health specialist, Anne Justice-Allen.
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“Our hearts go out to Mr. Jackson’s family over today’s tragic incident,” said Todd Geiler of Prescott, a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. “This was an especially aggressive, unprovoked attack that reminds us that wildlife can be unpredictable. On behalf of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, and the entire staff of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, we offer our sincere condolences during this difficult time.”
There have been 15 bear attacks on people in the state since 1990. This is the second fatal bear attack in Arizona since then, which is as far back as the department’s database tracks. The first fatality occurred in 2011 in Pinetop.
The incident remains under investigation.
Bear sightings in areas with human activity should be reported to AZGFD’s 24/7 dispatch center at 623-236-7201. In an emergency, call 911. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/man-killed-by-black-bear-friday-morning-south-of-prescott/article_1ff741c0-0ca4-11ee-bfba-db6910a806d3.html | 2023-06-17T01:45:12 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/man-killed-by-black-bear-friday-morning-south-of-prescott/article_1ff741c0-0ca4-11ee-bfba-db6910a806d3.html |
Recent building permits issued by the city of Idaho Falls show several multimillion-dollar projects are planned, but they also reflect a changing economy.
High construction costs and interest rates also mean some of the proposed projects could be delayed or scrapped entirely, according to one local expert.
A building permit for Elevate Academy, a school for at-risk kids at 1873 N. Walton Avenue, tops the recent list of expensive commercial construction permits issued recently at $7.4 million. A remodel for an Idaho National Laboratory-affiliated building at 650 MK Simpson Blvd. puts construction costs at $6.8 million.
Brent Wilson, a brokerage services specialist with TOK Commercial Real Estate in Idaho Falls, said the multimillion price tags are common in a post-COVID world.
Wilson said interest rates, supply chain issues and inflation created "a perfect storm" for construction costs. It is twice as expensive to build for tenants than it was five to 10 years ago, Wilson said.
It currently costs $240 per square foot to build new property. In 2015, that price was $120.
Throughout the pandemic, China shut down manufacturing. A 2019 article on LinkedIn said the American construction industry is heavily reliant on China for products ranging from aluminum and steel to HVAC components, fiberglass and electrical equipment.
"When the largest manufacturing country in the world shuts down, it has global implications," Wilson said.
Interest rates increased 10 different times since March 2022, according to Wilson. All these factors contribute to skyrocketing construction costs. Even though building permits were issued, Wilson is skeptical about the completion of some of the multimillion dollar projects proposed in the area.
Riviera Park, a commercial and residential construction park recently annexed by Ammon, was one area Wilson raised concerns about.
It is a 75-acre plot that will include 558 housing units, restaurants, office space, a grocery store and much more. Wilson said an essential part of Riviera Park will be a strip mall. In order to receive a bank loan for that construction, the strip mall will need tenants.
"Building for tenants is just brutal right now," Wilson said.
With high costs for construction, the rent for tenants in Riviera Park will be nearly unattainable, according to Wilson. Because of this, Wilson foresees Riviera Park and other construction projects stalling out. Riviera Park is projected to be completed by 2028, a timeline that Wilson thinks is unrealistic.
However, construction in Idaho Falls is not all doom and gloom.
"If we have this conversation a year from now, the outlook would be much more rosy," Wilson said.
With China opening up manufacturing about six months ago, the supply chain is returning to normal. Interest hikes are slowing. And Wilson thinks Idaho Falls is prepared for a possible future recession.
"We're (Idaho Falls) growing like crazy. Industrial commercial (projects) want to establish footprints here. The demand is there," Wilson said.
He said that Idaho Falls has a stable employment scene, mentioning jobs with the INL or in the agricultural field.
These factors make the city prepared for a potential recession, and growth will continue to happen in the area, Wilson said.
"I expect construction costs to return back to normal, but not back to 2015 numbers," Wilson said. "Everything is starting to move in the right direction."
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Marine veteran Paul Pettyjohn, of Idaho Falls, received a refreshed home exterior this week thanks to Zions Bank’s annual Paint-a-Thon.
Pettyjohn’s home was one of 36 in the region to get a fresh coat of paint and landscaping help during the 31st annual event. More than 40 volunteers, including local bank employees and their family members, worked on Pettyjohn’s home, a bank news release said.
Pettyjohn has “deep ties to the community,” the release said. “With three children and one more on the way, this project was helpful to his growing family.”
Homeowners are selected with the assistance of nominations from the public, state housing agencies, community organizations and local churches, the release said.
In addition to painting, Zions employees provide yard cleanup, pruning, mowing, planting and minor repairs as needed by homeowners, the release said. Zions Bank covers the cost for supplies. Paint was donated by Darion Harris, owner of RAD Painting.
Since launching the Paint-a-Thon in Utah in 1991, the project has benefitted 1,287 homes throughout Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Not counting the dollar value of volunteer hours through the years, the bank has donated more than $1.44 million toward beautifying homes in the three states, the release said.
“As Zions Bank marks its 150th anniversary in 2023, this project is at the heart of who we are as a company and is part of our ongoing commitment to create value in the communities we serve,” said Zions employee and Paint-a-Thon team captain Courtney Cook in the release.
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Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/zions-bank-employees-rally-to-help-idaho-falls-veteran/article_5ba918b8-0c74-11ee-8159-df13e6582655.html | 2023-06-17T01:47:42 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/zions-bank-employees-rally-to-help-idaho-falls-veteran/article_5ba918b8-0c74-11ee-8159-df13e6582655.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Ankeny Alley in downtown Portland received a facelift this week. Red roses now line the walkway, as business owners encourage Portland residents to return downtown.
This summer, Ankeny Alley owners are holding six events in hopes of drawing people down. The first event, happening this weekend, encourages people to learn the history of Ankeny Alley by visiting stores in the area.
Business owners hope artwork is just the first step to getting more people to come downtown.
"It's just hard to walk through these spaces,” Bae’s Fried Chicken employee Erica Litzner said. “And there's just so much darkness."
This week, Litzner and her son Elliott decided to help change the perception of Ankeny Alley by painting roses.
"It just started to feel like there could be some kind of brightness," Litzner said.
Litzner recognizes artwork won’t fix the problems of downtown Portland. But she said it could help.
"We can't slap a coat of paint on a housing epidemic but we can certainly make it pretty for all of us, even the people who sleep here," Litzner said.
She believes rose artwork can have a larger impact than coloring pathways.
"Offering some kind of beauty can be a first step to feeling something beautiful."
She thinks all Portlanders can agree that it’s worth it to make the places where people shop, work and sleep a little bit brighter.
"I actually just saw somebody walking by here a little bit ago pushing shopping carts and I profiled them as unhoused,” Litzner said. “And they seemed stoked. You know, they live here too." | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/business-owners-and-volunteers-painted-roses-along-ankeny-alley-to-encourage-people-to-shop-downtown/283-f0d824a6-8a5d-46c1-ab59-2bae251e38d7 | 2023-06-17T01:54:32 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/business-owners-and-volunteers-painted-roses-along-ankeny-alley-to-encourage-people-to-shop-downtown/283-f0d824a6-8a5d-46c1-ab59-2bae251e38d7 |
SEATTLE — We are learning more about Eina Kwon, the Belltown restaurant owner remembered for her lovely demeanor.
Kwon was shot and killed in an unprovoked attack this weekend, and a friend who organized this Gofundme said her 2-year-old son will now have to grow up without his mom.
As Kwon's husband makes funeral arrangements for her and their baby girl who tragically died too, KING 5 has been attempting to arrange interviews with city leaders, but they have not yet opened themselves up to media questioning.
Instead of a press conference, Seattle Police Department's Chief Adrian Diaz released a video he produced by his department for Youtube.
“We are doing everything we can to make this community safe," Diaz said. "Putting our officers in the right places, where we believe the shootings might be occurring. We wanna prevent and intervene, but we also wanna focus on enforcement.”
Meantime, Mayor Bruce Harrell told KING 5 he was busy traveling Thursday, so his office instead referred us to a statement, reading in part, "[We] must remain relentless in our efforts to take guns off our street, increase law enforcement and behavioral health resources, advance community-based solutions to gun violence, and hold those who cause harm accountable for their actions.”
Andrew Lewis, the city councilmember representing District 7 where the crime occurred, provided a statement which said in part, "It’s clear we must be doing more to keep our community safe. That’s why I supported full funding for Chief Adrian Diaz’s police hiring plan.”
Michael Hoyle, who owns the retail shop next door to the Kwons' restaurant, told KING 5 he was friends with the victims.
“I know lip service when I see it," Hoyle said. "I know action when I see it. "Small business is suffering... to be frankly honest, I’m angry. I want action.”
Instead of throwing up his hands, he’s rolling up his sleeves. Hoyle said he set up a meeting with a city council member for next week to share his ideas for a safer downtown by building a network of safety kiosks.
“You can go up to this screen and report a crime, or drug dealing, or something that’s happening in your neighborhood, and nobody has to know but they will send the right department," Hoyle said.
Hoyle is calling on public service positions to increase to meet the demand these may bring.
"We create a new department," Hoyle said. "This is the smartest city in the world – I don’t care – all the tech businesses are here. Why don’t we have the solutions?”
Hoyle hopes the funding can come from the city's budget through the mayor's Downtown Activation Plan.
If successful in his proposal, Hoyle is considering dedicating the network of kiosks to his dearly departed friend Kwon.
“She was an amazing woman," Hoyle said.
Formal charges will likely be filed on Friday against the alleged shooter in this crime, a 30-year-old man. He waived his right to appear in court Wednesday where a judge found probable cause to hold him for first-degree murder. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/how-city-leaders-respond-belltown-shooting/281-b235cb0d-51f9-4a5a-947d-b1e50fbaba9e | 2023-06-17T01:54:38 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/how-city-leaders-respond-belltown-shooting/281-b235cb0d-51f9-4a5a-947d-b1e50fbaba9e |
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho House Democratic Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) and Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) returned to the Gem State from Washington D.C. after meeting with the Biden Administration and fellow Democrats from Republican-controlled states.
The meeting - with 47 other state lawmakers - compared and contrasted state abortion laws.
"Idaho is in fact the worst. People are not imagining it," Rubel said. "Many of the laws that get run through Idaho have already been run through Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Missouri, you name it. So, it makes a lot of sense for all of us. We're facing similar challenges to get together and see how it's playing out, and if anybody has any great ideas on how to battle back."
The United States Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of federally protected access to abortion through the Dobbs decision on June 24, 2022. That returned the authority to regulate abortion back to the states; Idaho is one of 14 states that now bans most abortions.
"It dawned on us that we actually, in Idaho are the worst – the worst of the states across the country – as far as limitations and just really restrictive laws. We have total abortion bans, where some other folks have at least up to 12 weeks," Wintrow said. "We know that these policies that are being passed are wildly unpopular all over the country, and they'll have consequences."
However, the laws hold up legally. The Idaho Supreme Court upheld the state's near-total abortion ban in January 2023. The law does provide exceptions for an abortion including a rape granted the victim provides a police report, incest, or to "... prevent the death of the pregnant woman."
In a summary, the highest court in the state expressed, "if the people of Idaho are dissatisfied with these new laws, they can elect new legislators."
It's a sentiment echoed by House Majority Leader Rep. Megan Blanksma (R-Hammett). Blanksma sponsored the original abortion law previously known as House Bill 1385 through the 2020 legislative session. Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law, but it was only enforceable after the Dobbs decision struck down Roe v. Wade two years later.
"Democrats are asserting that they may represent a certain component of Idaho, but they're not representative of your average Idahoan, and I think that's false for them to assert that," Blanksma said in a phone call with KTVB. "I would note the last few cycles in the state legislature, we have picked up seats from democrats."
KTVB previously reported healthcare workers leaving the state of Idaho in response to restrictive abortion laws that can leave doctors who violate the law in criminal and civil legal trouble. Bonner General Health in Sandpoint announced in March they will no longer provide labor and delivery services. Part of the decision stems from Idaho's legal and political climate, according to a statement from the hospital.
The Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Healthcare (ICSRH) also voiced concerned over Idaho's abortion laws citing, "prevent the death of the pregnant woman" is too vague of language.
"They want clarity on what the law says, and so we're really focused on trying to provide as much clarity as we can," Blanksma said. "That's what their concern is, the ambiguity. They want to make sure that they have as much clarity as possible, and I think we're we continue to try to provide that."
Blanksma sponsored House Bill 374 nearing the end of the 2023 legislative session that has since been signed into law, too. The law eliminated the affirmative defense clause; a doctor who performs an abortion is now innocent until proven guilty. The law also added explicit exceptions including ectopic and molar pregnancies, and it entitles a rape victim to a copy of their police report within 72 hours of filing that same report.
However, ICSRH organizing member Dr. Lauren Miller told KTVB the bill did nothing to clarify the ambiguous language regarding the life of the mother.
"How close to death you need to be before you can intervene? How close to death before you can act? We shouldn't just be talking about preventing death. That is not what we do as healthcare providers," Miller said. "We maintain the health of our patients. Sometimes, unfortunately, termination of pregnancy is part of that conversation. It is the way to maintain a woman's health."
Idaho is the only state that does not have a Maternal Mortality Committee (MMC), according to Wintrow and Rubel. The committee is supposed to review and analyze cases in the state of women who die from their pregnancy.
"When you just look issue after issue, even in the reddest states, our policies are demonstrably the worst," Rubel said.
Idaho did previously have a MMC; however, the program ended this year, Blanksma said. Statehouse leadership is working on a plan to bring back the program with clear outcomes and expectations.
"They've been operating for three years, but there hasn't been an actual work product on how to improve the situation, and it's great to have the data, right? But if you're not producing the work product to make the situation better, I don't see that as a productive use of time," Blanksma said. " This year, we are working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to figure out how we can do that within the department."
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Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/idaho-democrats-say-state-has-worst-abortion-laws-after-white-house-visit-lawmakers-republican-controlled-states/277-9cccb937-4b88-490f-af68-10cd9faef131 | 2023-06-17T01:54:44 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/idaho-democrats-say-state-has-worst-abortion-laws-after-white-house-visit-lawmakers-republican-controlled-states/277-9cccb937-4b88-490f-af68-10cd9faef131 |
SEATTLE — A man involved in a 2020 mass shooting in downtown Seattle was sentenced Friday.
William Tolliver was involved in a shootout that left one person dead and injured seven others in Seattle on Jan. 22, 2020.
Tolliver was sentenced to 48 months for second-degree manslaughter and 16 months for third-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. He will serve his term concurrently. Tolliver must also serve 18 months in community custody.
A judge also imposed a $500 victim penalty assessment and restitution that will be determined at a later time. Tolliver must also register as a firearm offender.
Tolliver pleaded guilty to amended charges on June 2.
"Mr. Tolliver was initially charged with murder," the King County Prosecutor's Office wrote in a statement. "In any case, there is never a guarantee of what will happen at a trial. This guilty plea considers the evidence and provides some measure of accountability."
The shooting along Third Avenue and Pine Street occurred after a Facebook post was made in which a friend of Tolliver’s was named and insulted.
Three gunmen opened fire, shooting at least 24 rounds in six seconds.
Bystanders on the busy street were hit, including a nine-year-old boy shot in the femur and 50-year-old Tanya Jackson who was killed. Doctors repaired the boy's leg and he is still recovering.
One of the other alleged gunmen, Marquise Tolbert, was found not guilty of murder and first-degree assault back in September.
The third suspected gunman, Jamel Linonell Jackson, was sentenced to 16 months on Aug. 19, 2021.
All three men had criminal records. Tolliver and Tolbert had a combined 65 arrests. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/man-2020-seattle-mass-shooting-downtown-sentenced/281-188506cb-2489-49af-91ac-0086cf1e85b4 | 2023-06-17T01:54:50 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/man-2020-seattle-mass-shooting-downtown-sentenced/281-188506cb-2489-49af-91ac-0086cf1e85b4 |
SEATTLE — Seattle officers are not allowed to make graffiti-related arrests after a United States District Court judge ruled on Tuesday, siding with four plaintiffs in a lawsuit.
Judge Marsha J. Pechman granted a preliminary injunction to temporarily block enforcement of a section in Seattle's municipal code that deals with graffiti.
Derek Tucson, Robin Snyder, Monsieree de Castro and Erik Moya-Delgado filed a lawsuit in January 2021 after the group was arrested for using sidewalk chalk to write political messages, including some critical of the Seattle Police Department (SPD).
The judge wrote that Tucson wrote "peaceful protest" in charcoal, while the other messages from the other plaintiffs were not identified. SPD officers arrested all four for violating Seattle Municipal Code 12A.08.020. “Property destruction” under the old ordinance was punishable by imprisonment of up to 364 days and a fine of up to $5,000.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that Seattle's ordinance was selectively enforced against them because of the views they expressed. The lawsuit alleged the arrests violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The arrests chilled the group's right to engage in further political speech, according to the lawsuit. The plaintiffs believed the ordinance was also "impermissibly vague" and "criminalizes innocent conduct without due process," violating their Fourteenth Amendment rights.
After the lawsuit was filed, the city of Seattle amended the ordinance to take effect on May 13. The new ordinance said that a person is guilty of property destruction if they intentionally damaged property or writes, paints or draws on property owned by another person.
Although the injunction originally blocked all parts of the ordinance, Pechman issued an order Thursday clarifying that the injunction would only apply to the part which pertains to writing, painting or drawing inscriptions.
The Seattle City Attorney's Office said Thursday it would immediately resume charging cases of property destruction.
Pechman wrote that the plaintiffs met four factors to support the injunction, including that they were likely to prove that the graffiti ordinance violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments by being vague and overbroad, have shown irreparable harm by the loss of First Amendment freedoms, the balance of equities favors the plaintiffs and it's in the public interest.
"While Defendants have an interest in protecting against property damage or visual blight, the ordinance is presently so broad as to make any child’s sidewalk art a criminal act," Pechman wrote.
The Seattle Police Department responded on Wednesday to the judges ruling.
"We understand and share the concerns that are being relayed to us by our community, businesses and residents alike," the department said. "We know, as evidenced by the thousands of calls for service we receive each year reporting acts of vandalism and other forms of property damage that property damage is, in fact, a crime that is of significance to community members. SPD is working closely with the Mayor’s Office and City Attorney’s Office to assess next steps with the Court."
People who work near the University District said graffiti is a big problem for Seattle neighborhoods and businesses.
"You're always going after it, trying to clean it off, wipe it down, get rid of it, because it's just going to pile up," said Sikey Vlahos, one of the owners of Voula's Offshore Café near the University District.
Vlahos said graffiti is a constant issue for his café and other businesses in his neighborhood. When he heard that the graffiti law was no longer being enforced, he was concerned.
"If you are graffitiing my building or anybody's building for that matter, and you are damaging the building, you should be responsible," said Vlahos of why enforcement is needed.
Vlahos hopes that the wording of the law can be looked at and that graffiti crimes can be enforced once again.
"We are ruining the image of our city for allowing this to stay up," said Vlahos of the graffiti in Seattle. "And now with this situation, not being able to prosecute them, to pursue, it's gone to the wild west."
The U District Partnership is a neighborhood organization that helps keeps the University District neighborhood vibrant. On a busy month, their crews will clean up around 1,600 graffiti tags.
Don Blakeney with the U District Partnership said that even when the graffiti law was being enforced, they have taken it into their own hands to take down graffiti in the neighborhood.
"It'd be nice if the city had some sort of a superhero team that would come in and investigate who had done what and then go after folks, you know, but they never really have had that capacity," Blakeney said.
The Downtown Seattle Association said in the first five months of the year their Metropolitan Improvement District Downtown Ambassadors have removed more than 20,000 graffiti tags and stickers. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/seattle-officers-cant-make-graffiti-related-arrests/281-a4e4702b-6b76-40ce-95c8-eec6e199f4be | 2023-06-17T01:54:56 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/seattle-officers-cant-make-graffiti-related-arrests/281-a4e4702b-6b76-40ce-95c8-eec6e199f4be |
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Metro West Ambulance is no longer protesting Washington County's plan to switch ambulance providers, clearing the way for the county to sign a new contract with EMS company American Medical Response.
If county commissioners approve a franchise agreement with AMR at their June 27 meeting, AMR will start providing ambulance services in the county on August 1.
Washington County announced its intent to switch from MWA to AMR in February but MWA protested the decision, with Metro West CEO Shawn Baird questioning the accuracy of details in AMR's proposal to the county.
That protest has been resolved, although both sides shared different views about how the dispute ended with KGW.
"Our response to Metro West Ambulance covered their concerns," said Adrienne Donner, Washington County's EMS program supervisor, in a statement to KGW. "They accepted the response and dropped the protest."
A MWA spokesperson painted a different story.
"Washington County denied Metro West Ambulance’s protest regarding the RFP for 9-1-1 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service," said Jesse Lee, a spokesperson for the company. "Metro West has been working with the county and stakeholders during this transition."
Neither side offered additional clarity on the discussions and resolution between the county and Hillsboro-based Metro West Ambulance.
Washington County has long planned an EMS upgrade, with the county's plans including a tiered ambulance response system, test programs to reduce ambulance wait times at hospitals, and data sharing to measure the quality of emergency care.
"We are bringing in clinical performance measures, so it's not solely about how fast an ambulance can get to a patient, but how well they respond to a patient," said Donner in a presentation to commissioners on June 13.
However, Washington County is looking to contract with AMR at a time when the company is under scrutiny for its lagging performance in Multnomah County.
AMR's response times have fallen off and ambulances are arriving later and later, below Multnomah County standards.
On more than 6,300 emergency 911 calls since January, dispatchers in Multnomah County have been unable to immediately assign an ambulance crew to respond because no AMR ambulances were available.
AMR has blamed a shortage of paramedics, but says that won't be a problem in Washington County.
An AMR representative told commissioners Tuesday that the company has hired 40 paramedics and 65 EMTs to work in Washington County, with a goal of staffing 50 paramedics and 76 EMTs for full service.
"We have been adding 5 paramedics and 5 EMTs each week and are confident that we will be fully staffed by August 1st," said AMR Vice President Randy Lauer in a letter to commissioners.
Lauer said about two-thirds of Metro West ambulance employees had committed to switch from MWA to AMR as the company has given preference to MWA employees, who have a history of working in the county.
Still, AMR's issues in Multnomah County were raised at the commission's work session, with Donner responding that there are key differences between the two areas.
"Multnomah County requires two paramedics in in each ambulance," she said. "We've always had one paramedic and then an EMT as the second [responder in an ambulance crew], and so that allows us greater capacity within the system."
KGW previously reported on Multnomah County's two-paramedic requirement and the varying perspectives on the role it plays in EMS response and staffing.
Multnomah County chair Jessica Vega Pederson told KGW that she thought about AMR’s expansion into Washington County when AMR proposed changing Multnomah County’s two-paramedic requirements.
“As they were proposing having a paramedic and an EMT as the base of operations, we really wanted to make sure that we weren't being driven by the need to just expand capacity to a new county, but really centering and holding true to those health outcomes and the type of service that we want people to have when they're in a really dire medical situation," she said.
Brad Anderson, Washington County deputy counsel, said officials have made it "abundantly clear" to AMR that the company needs to be "on the ground and running" on August 1 if commissioners approve the franchise agreement.
Anderson also said firefighter crews transport patients more often in Washington County than in Multnomah County, which can help when ambulance staffing is low.
"So you don't run into crazy situations like you've seen in the news where fire is just sitting there," he said. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/washington-county-switch-ambulance-amr-metro-west-drops-appeal/283-edd8c448-5591-480b-9973-2bf86c6cc067 | 2023-06-17T01:55:03 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/washington-county-switch-ambulance-amr-metro-west-drops-appeal/283-edd8c448-5591-480b-9973-2bf86c6cc067 |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – One man is dead and two others are injured following a crash in Orange County on Friday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said a sedan was driving north on Rio Grande Avenue toward 41st Street, though for an unknown reason, the driver — a 57-year-old Orlando man — lost control of the car.
As a result, he drove into the southbound lane of Rio Grande Avenue, striking an oncoming SUV head-on, troopers added.
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In a crash report, FHP stated that the driver of the SUV and both people in the sedan were taken to the hospital, where the sedan driver later died.
This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information has been provided.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/1-dead-2-seriously-injured-in-orange-county-crash/ | 2023-06-17T01:56:16 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/1-dead-2-seriously-injured-in-orange-county-crash/ |
SAN ANTONIO — To the all-seeing eye of the home surveillance camera, it looks like a sudden dust storm, as white powdery shrapnel fills the backyard in a blink.
Meanwhile, inside the home, a festive birthday celebration for their teenaged daughter had just finished up when a gunman started spraying the Ray Bon Drive area with gunfire on June 9.
San Antonio Police said before the gunman took his own life, he had fired more than 100 shots.
The family nearby said more than 20 of those slugs hit their home, barely missing them.
Mom of three, Tammy, said she and her kids are still shocked over the attack.
Reviewing the surveillance video, Tammy said "See all that white stuff? That's where the bullets are hitting our house. That's from my brick on the side of the house."
Tammy said many of the bricks lost chunks and she's thankful for the protection. Her son's bedroom window remains shattered, with five separate bullet holes.
She said the boy was sitting just inside the window playing a video game at the time and one of the bullets whizzed just over his head.
A week later, at least one slug remains flattened in the window frame. Tammy said she collected several more slugs from around her home and she's holding them for police in case they're interested in collecting the evidence of a seemingly senseless attack.
The name of the 62-year-old man has not yet been released. The Medical Examiner's office said they are still trying to locate his next of kin. With no information about his background, fearful neighbors continue to speculate about what could have possibly gone wrong at the Cottage Creek apartments.
Little has been published about the man found dead in the apartment after police filled it with gas to gain entry.
The Medical Examiner said that murder victim died from multiple gunshot wounds. He was 61-year-old Gregory Visman.
Neighbors in the complex called him a quiet fellow who caused no trouble as he moved about the area with the aid of a large walking stick.
Tammy said when the attack began, she pulled her three kids into an interior hallway and they all huddled on the floor while her husband went for a gun and tried to figure out what was happening.
With windows shattering, Tammy said she called 911 twice, while checking her kids for injuries.
"I told the dispatcher we're under fire! We're still under fire! And she goes 'Wait. What? They're shooting at you? There's bullets hitting your house?' and I said yes ma'am," Tammy said.
She added "It just missed my son's head! I would have been burying them both on my daughter's birthday."
Tammy said while they whispered quiet prayers for deliverance, more and more San Antonio Police officers flooded into the area, but nothing stopped the attack.
Afraid to look outside, Tammy said they had no choice but to crawl to the farthest reach of the house when glass shrapnel from breaking windows started flying into the hallway.
"We crawled to my daughter's room and I prayed 'please God just keep my family safe,'" Tammy said.
As minutes turned to hours, Tammy said the situation got even more scary when they heard someone on their roof. She said it took them some time to figure out a SWAT sniper had crawled up for a better vantage point in an effort to take out the gunman.
"I heard stomping on the roof and I was like 'Oh my God!' It was just nuts," Tammy said, adding that she feels the need to talk about the trauma to begin to let it go.
Tammy said "I have to talk about what's going on! This was not your normal situation! None of it was normal!"
Surveying the damage around the house, in addition to bricks and windows, there are bullet holes in the privacy fence, a storage shed and fascia boards around the roofline.
Tammy said she was relieved to hear from a police department representative Friday, who told her about a program that might help pay for some of the damages.
Tammy said she looks forward to learning more about the gunman and what may have led to such a tragic outcome. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/family-gunman-bullets-drive-by-camera/273-10291af4-834c-45e8-a7f3-4a7cbd3e50b8 | 2023-06-17T01:56:38 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/family-gunman-bullets-drive-by-camera/273-10291af4-834c-45e8-a7f3-4a7cbd3e50b8 |
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police have released photos of three suspects potentially involved in an early-morning assault on the near-east side.
An unidentified victim was leaving a St. Paul Square venue just before 2 a.m. on June 8 when he was "attacked and assaulted," according to a San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) Facebook post that includes images of the suspects. They're believed to have fled the area in a black Ford Mustang.
SAPD says the victim "suffered several fractures to his jaw" and underwent "multiple surgeries" as a result of the attack. Police have not released information on a potential motive.
If you have any information about the suspects, you're urged to contact SAPD at (210)207-7635.
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Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/san-antonio-assault-suspects-sapd-police-st-paul-square-texas/273-3de1f5a4-d7b2-4f36-a289-8c0ec52582ae | 2023-06-17T01:56:44 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/san-antonio-assault-suspects-sapd-police-st-paul-square-texas/273-3de1f5a4-d7b2-4f36-a289-8c0ec52582ae |
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio authorities are once again warning residents of a trend involving scammers who contact residents over the phone in an attempt to steal their money.
These scammers are calling residents with "spoof" city numbers that make it appear as though police or municipal officials are trying to contact them, according to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), and claiming residents are being investigated.
"Scammers are also known to ask for a payment by sending money to their account in order to resolve this 'fake' investigation," SAPD said in a Facebook post.
Police, however, will never ask for payment over the phone.
The Texas attorney general's office provides tips on how to identify phone scams, among them:
- If the caller claims you've been specially selected.
- If the caller uses high-pressure tactics or "limited-time" offers.
- If they're reluctant to answer your questions.
- If they request that you confirm your personal information, like your Social Security Numbers.
- If they attempt to make threats if you don't comply.
- If the call starts with a robocall.
Phone scams can be reported to the Texas attorney general's office here, or to SAPD by calling the department's non-emergency number at (210) 207-7273 if a police report has to be filed.
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE:
---
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/texas-san-antonio-phone-scammers-scam-crime-how-to-spot-money/273-9d2a3ea3-cf36-4c24-979e-d66daff3d43d | 2023-06-17T01:56:51 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/texas-san-antonio-phone-scammers-scam-crime-how-to-spot-money/273-9d2a3ea3-cf36-4c24-979e-d66daff3d43d |
SAN ANTONIO — Has it felt hotter outside this week in the Alamo City? It should.
For the past few days San Antonio has been knocking on the door of recording its first 100-degree afternoon of 2023, buoyed along by high humidity levels. On Friday afternoon, with Father's Day weekend looming, it finally happened.
If it felt even hotter than 101, however, there's a reason for that. The high humidity levels that have stuck around all week brought Friday's heat index, or "feels-like temperature," to a whopping 115 degrees.
2022's first 100-degree day arrived about six weeks earlier than 2023, but from 2019 to 2021 San Antonio went further into the calendar before triple-digit-temps made their presence known, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Since 2000, July 1 has been the average date for San Antonio to see its first 100-degree day. In that time, the earliest we've hit 100 is April 18 (2006) and the latest we've hit 100 is 2021 (Sept. 6).
It took 167 days for the Alamo City to hit 100 in 2023. See the below chart for how that compares to previous years.
An Excessive Heat Warning remains in place for San Antonio until 8 p.m. Sunday. Here's what to remember:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE:
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Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers' homes. We're proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5's Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-100-degrees-summer-heat-dates-texas/273-2032009a-2519-4329-b41b-5c99b4a5a275 | 2023-06-17T01:57:21 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-100-degrees-summer-heat-dates-texas/273-2032009a-2519-4329-b41b-5c99b4a5a275 |
STATEWIDE -- Maine's House of Representatives passed a bill to authorize Harm Reduction Health Centers in Maine.
The bill (LD-1364) passed with a 77-66 bipartisan vote and could lead the way for Maine to join only a handful of states to have Harm Reduction Health Centers.
These will not cost Maine taxpayers because it will be funded by private donations and grants, and will only be built in communities after they are approved in a public town meeting.
According to the bills co-sponsor Rep. Laurie Osher (D - Orono), "What would be best for them to help them get into recovery and this bill is that step."
According to the bills sponsor Rep. Grayson Lookner (D - Portland), "Harm Reduction Health Centers save lives. This is a future. Everything we've been doing up until now hasn't worked so it's time to try a new approach and this is the right approach for Maine."
Harm Reduction Centers offer sterile injections for individuals who are suffering drug addiction.
They also offer support specialists, mental health counselors, and information about recovery options.
However, opponents of the bill believe there are better ways of leading people on the road to recovery, then giving them more drugs.
According to Senator Joe Baldacci (D - Penobscot), "There's no control of what's gonna happen off-site. One of the biggest concerns is the effect it has on the general community. So Bangor has done it's share, we have three clinics for opioid treatment. Three clinics serving probably over fifteen hundred people, and we've done our share. I think bringing more of that to Bangor is not a plus for our community."
According to Rep. Michael Lemelin (R - Chelsea), "Remember, that just offering recovery is not enough and treatment's still not enough. When we release them we have to make sure they have jobs, we have to make sure they have a good place to live where they're not going back into the same environment."
The bill now moves to the senate, and could be voted on as soon as next week.
Speaking on what next week might look like, Senator Baldacci said, "I think there's a bi-partisan concern against doing this next step. I don't know how it will go in the Senate, but I think it will most likely not be the majority report that came out of the House." | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/house-of-reps-pass-bill-to-bring-harm-reduction-centers-to-maine/article_f370f780-0ca4-11ee-af19-57eb76b68920.html | 2023-06-17T01:58:51 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/house-of-reps-pass-bill-to-bring-harm-reduction-centers-to-maine/article_f370f780-0ca4-11ee-af19-57eb76b68920.html |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Happy Juneteenth!
Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day which marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to order freedom for the enslaved people of the state. This all happened two months after the Confederacy had surrendered in the Civil War.
Some of the celebrations in Northern California not only provide opportunities for the community to learn the history of slavery in America but celebrate Black culture, businesses and food.
Check out some of these Juneteenth events!
Bring the whole family to celebrate this federal holiday and uplift the community with black-owned food and dessert trucks, community resources, a splash park and playground, and the River City Raiders Football Team running activities for the kids!
- 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. June 16
- Located at Bridgeway Lakes Community Park (3650 Southport Pkwy., West Sacramento)
- Organized by the Yolo County Children's Alliance
- More information about this event HERE.
Celebrate the theme "The Story of the Mosaic" as members of the community share stories, music and art as traditional griot storytellers have done through the years to connect the voices of our past and present. There will also be live entertainment featured throughout the day, browse vendors and booths, and enjoy available refreshments!
- 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. June 16
- Located at Johnson-Springview Park (5480 5th St., Rocklin)
- Organized by See My Child
- More information about this event HERE.
This special Juneteenth concert will feature two stages of performances by Sacramento’s best Gospel artists.
- 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. June 16
- Located at William Land Park (1701 Sutterville Rd., Sacramento)
- Organized by Sacramento Juneteenth Inc.
- More information about this event HERE.
Come gather and celebrate with the community at this Juneteenth event featuring food, music and education. There will be a Juneteenth Marketplace with local businesses, organizations and nonprofits as well as a gospel stage, a community awards ceremony and local bands and community performers.
- 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 17
- Located at Weber Point Events Center (221 North Center St., Stockton)
- Organized by Stockton Juneteenth
- More information about this event HERE.
This family friendly event is open to all and honors the emancipation, profound legacy, history and culture of the African American community. There will be various vendors to shop from, music, food and drinks, speakers and performers, guided nature hikes, arts and crafts, biking and lakeside beach access, kayaks and more!
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 17
- Located at Historic Black Miners Bar, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (9698 Greenback Ln., Folsom)
- Organized by Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma
- More information about this event HERE.
This celebration will feature over 80 food, retail and community resource vendors, a golf tournament, live entertainment, parade (of course!), talent show, an education arts pavilion, Black comic illustrators, black history, art exhibitions and so much more!
- 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. June 17
- Located at William Land Park (1701 Sutterville Rd., Sacramento)
- Organized by Sacramento Juneteenth Inc.
- More information about this event HERE.
This free community block party features a full lineup of local artists and musicians taking center stage, art and entertainment, a shopping area to walk around and support local black-owned vendors, street and food vendors, a kids zone, Gospel choirs and praise teams, a domino and spade tournament and more!
- 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. June 17
- Located at Esther's Park (3408 3rd Ave., Sacramento)
- Organized by St. Hope and the University of Pacific
- More information about this event HERE.
A free community celebration that revisits our unique California journey from slavery to freedom and highlights the journey to Juneteenth. There will be music, local organizations and resources, and good company!
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. June 19
- Located at California State Capitol - West Steps (1000 L St., Sacramento)
- Organized by the California Black Agriculture Working Group
- More information about this event HERE.
Celebrate Black American tradition at this event where there will be fellowship and positive vibes, food, and great music.There will also be a spades and dominos tables going, the double Dutch ropes, and will close the night with the electric slide!
Reflect and rejoice on this historic holiday while networking and being together to celebrate. There will be food, keynote speakers, history, food and more.
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. June 19
- Located at MIX Downtown (1525 L St., Sacramento)
- Organized by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- More information about this event HERE. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/celebrate-juneteenth-2023-northern-california/103-98a7169f-2988-4e43-8de1-cbfcb38e2e08 | 2023-06-17T02:01:55 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/celebrate-juneteenth-2023-northern-california/103-98a7169f-2988-4e43-8de1-cbfcb38e2e08 |
MIDLAND, Texas — After being involved in a crash involving a truck and an all-terrain vehicle Sunday night, two young girls are on their way to recovery.
The crash happened between the intersection of Barber Street and Elm Avenue. The girls' father was taking them on an ATV ride after getting home from watching "The Little Mermaid."
Rosalva Reyes, the mother and wife of those involved, then got news from neighbors that nobody wants to hear — her husband and kids were in an accident.
“My husband said that he couldn’t hear traffic coming," Reyes said. "So when he pulled out, the truck, from my neighbors, they said, that he accelerated the gas and t-boned them, he hit them as they were coming out.”
Police eventually responded to the scene and ambulances got everyone to Midland Memorial Hospital.
But it soon became evident that more help was going to be needed, which is when the girls were airlifted to UMC Children's Hospital in Lubbock.
“Those doctors, as soon as they walked into that trauma room, they got all of these doctors and they did everything," Reyes said. "They calmed them down, they talked to them, it was like, a whole team of maybe about 30 people all around in those rooms."
While Reyes' husband is doing alright, both daughters needed further treatment. The oldest, a 10-year-old, is already starting to feel better.
"My 10-year-old, she’s already at home with her dad and with her stepmom," Reyes said. "She is safe with just a minor fracture on her arm and a minor fracture on her skull.”
The younger one, an 8-year-old, needed more attention. But doctors and nurses were able to get her feeling better thanks to immediate attention and treatment.
“My other daughter, she is here in the hospital, but she's walking and she's talking," Reyes said. "She has a couple of cuts here and there, but the main thing she has is just a broken arm, but she's about to be discharged either today or tomorrow."
The entire family is thankful for the staff at the children's hospital for their swift action and help with the family. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/2-young-people-recovering-after-midland-atv-crash/513-07f34b16-12b1-4e4c-99a9-dfdd5808554e | 2023-06-17T02:02:56 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/2-young-people-recovering-after-midland-atv-crash/513-07f34b16-12b1-4e4c-99a9-dfdd5808554e |
ODESSA, Texas — Eliana was only 6 weeks old, her brother only 1, when they were in a car with their mother that was hit by Daisy Cordero, a drunk driver.
"Because a woman made a mistake in her life and she chose to get behind the wheel while drinking," said Robert Pasquale, the father of Eliana's mother, Nallely Mendoza.
Eliana was airlifted to a Lubbock hospital after the accident, but sadly passed away.
In a Facebook post, Nallely wrote the following:
"My baby’s gone & she’s never coming back because of someone else’s decision."
Meanwhile, Pasquale spoke directly to Cordero in a Facebook video.
"Daisy, if you see this, I wish you well on your path to recovery, whenever you decide to pursue that," said Pasquale. "I hope you see what you have done to our family, that you ask God for forgiveness and that you do what you need to do so that you never do this to somebody else ever again."
Pasquale wants the community to focus on the dangers of drunk driving.
"We as a community need to work together more to reduce drunk driving," said Pasquale. "We will never change it. Another family is going to go through this tomorrow or next week, it's not going to stop, I get that, but we can start working together to try and create the awareness that needs to be done."
Pasquale also wants to thank the community for being so supportive of their family during this difficult time. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/family-infant-who-died-in-crash-involving-drunk-driver-speaks/513-ee689aec-5b3b-4ba1-ad31-b062c78122d2 | 2023-06-17T02:03:02 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/family-infant-who-died-in-crash-involving-drunk-driver-speaks/513-ee689aec-5b3b-4ba1-ad31-b062c78122d2 |
MIDLAND, Texas — Today was graduation day for Skillpoint Alliance Permian Basin’s first HVAC technician class, and those involved couldn’t be any happier.
“I feel great," said Adrian Garcia, one of the course participants. "I want to get into a company already and start to work. My goal is to get my contractor’s license, and I feel like more people should get into this trade, because there’s a lot of demand. It’s good pay.”
The program is a free five-week course that covers basic construction training and level one HVAC technician training.
Skillpoint Alliance is able to offer the course for free thanks to funding from the the Permian Basin Strategic Partnership.
The organization's goal is to help with labor shortages in the Permian Basin by providing the average person easier access to skilled trades training.
“For the community, what we're doing is we're providing positions and upward mobility for the skilled trade sector,” said Blair Flanagan, the Permian Basin site director for Skillpoint Alliance.
They also want to show people that after high school there are still career opportunities besides college.
“A lot of people have gone onto the path where they think that college is the only option for them once they graduate from high school, and that's just not the case," said Flanagan. "And so we're providing this program to people who otherwise wouldn't have an opportunity to do something like this.”
If you'd like to learn more about the program, visit Skillpoint Alliance's website by clicking or tapping here. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/skillpoint-alliance-permian-basin-graduation-ceremony-hvac-class/513-1d27ce32-2d70-4ea8-b8ee-35a5c8bfa110 | 2023-06-17T02:03:09 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/skillpoint-alliance-permian-basin-graduation-ceremony-hvac-class/513-1d27ce32-2d70-4ea8-b8ee-35a5c8bfa110 |
Ceremony marks naming of Lakeland post office building for Marine who died in Afghanistan
LAKELAND — Four of his former military colleagues have named their first-born sons for U.S. Marine Cpl. Ronald R. Payne Jr.
The late Payne’s father, Ronnie Payne, proudly revealed that detail Friday afternoon as he stood outside the Lakeland Southside U.S. Post Office facility. One of the four namesakes, Payne said, was in attendance.
They and others gathered for the official dedication of the postal facility for Ronald Payne, 19 years after he died at age 23 in a firefight near Tawara, Afghanistan. At the end of the solemn ceremony, U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Lakeland, and Robert Gaskin, a customer relations manager for the U.S. Postal Service, lifted the covering from a black plaque that will be posted at the facility saying that it is named in Payne’s honor.
“This is a very small token,” Franklin said in his brief address to an audience of more than 100. “It doesn't in any way really honor the full value of the sacrifice that he made. But it's my sincere hope that when people come to this Post Office and they look at this plaque, it'll make them pause and think for a minute first, maybe, 'Who was Ron Payne?' Or maybe young boys and girls will look at that and ask their parents, and people will want to know the story.”
President Joe Biden signed a bill in December sponsored by Franklin directing that the building at 6000 S. Florida Ave. be named for Payne. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, sponsored the Senate version.
Payne graduated in 1999 from Mulberry High School, where the 6-foot-7 student played on the football and basketball teams. Gregory Robinson Sr., a retired Navy officer who gave the invocation, referred to Payne as “a gentle giant.”
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Payne enlisted in the Marine Corps following the 9/11 attacks and was deployed in 2003 to Iraq with the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance battalion. His unit earned a Presidential Citation for their performance in a 12-hour battle with members of Iraq’s Republican Guard, Ronnie Payne said Friday.
While home from that tour, Ron Payne spoke to his parents about his future. He knew that his battalion would soon deploy to Afghanistan.
“Ron could have taken embassy duty, recruiter duty or taught the scouts out of a school in California,” said Payne, who himself spent six years in the Marine Corps. “But Ron said, ‘I'm going back into combat, Dad. I can't see these younger Marines going without any experienced combat leadership.’ That's the kind of man Ron was.”
U.S. Marine Col. John Kinitz, who traveled from North Carolina to attend Friday’s ceremony, served as Payne’s commander in Afghanistan. Kinitz said that non-commissioned officers, such as Payne, are “the backbone of the Corps.”
“Ron truly exemplified what it meant to be a Marine NCO every day,” Kinitz said. “His personal example inspired so many that I've heard from, from this community, as I've gotten to know the Payne family over the years, to go forward and serve this nation.”
Kinitz said that Payne focused his attention on younger and less experienced Marines, always making sure they were prepared for assignments. He said Payne often brought fellow Marines home to visit with his family over long weekends.
Kinitz recalled May 7, 2004, the final time Payne joined his battalion on a mission. He said Payne listened intensely as Kinitz and a platoon sergeant outlined the planned patrol and then took time to advise some of the newer members of the unit.
The elder Payne described what happened when a firefight ensued with Taliban warriors. He said Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, who was leading the mission, was severely wounded by fire from a Taliban fighter at close range, and Payne fired to kill the Taliban member.
Payne then recognized that enemy troops on a ridgeline were trying to finish off Thompson.
“So Ron exposed his position and started laying down cover fire to divert their attention,” Ronnie Payne said. “During the diversion, the staff sergeant was able to call for cover, but Ron was hit during an exchange and died a few minutes into the fight.”
Payne received a posthumous Bronze Star with Valor, Franklin’s office said.
The elder Payne recalled that his son spoke at their Mulberry church before his deployment to Afghanistan. He talked of fellow Marines who had died in Iraq.
“He was standing behind the pulpit, and he said, ‘Everyone over there gave something, but there are some people who gave everything, and those are the heroes,'" Ronnie Payne said. "'Every day, when you wake up, just think of the cost of freedom because it's paid in blood.’ And almost a year to the day later, our son’s casket would be in front of the pulpit that he spoke from.”
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Payne faltered on those final words, his previous composure finally giving way to emotion.
Family members seated at the front of a covering included Payne’s mother, Kathy Seymour; his stepmother, Aileen Payne; his brother and one of his sisters; and nieces and nephews. Florida Rep. Jennifer Canady, Polk County Commissioner Neil Combee and former Lakeland City Commissioner Don Selvage were also in attendance.
Ronnie Payne said that Ron’s sister, Rachel, had opened a center in honor of her late brother. Rachel counsels veterans with PTSD, her father said.
Franklin, a retired Navy pilot, recalled enlisting in 1982, a time of peace. He said the situation was much different for Payne, who signed up during overseas military actions.
“You always hear the story of those who run into the fire,” Franklin said. “Cpl. Payne was truly one of those who ran into the fire.”
Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/lakeland-post-office-named-for-payne-marine-killed-in-afghanistan/70329103007/ | 2023-06-17T02:05:14 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/lakeland-post-office-named-for-payne-marine-killed-in-afghanistan/70329103007/ |
New Jersey man dies, three injured in fatal Worcester County crash
Maryland State Police are investigating an early morning fatal crash in Worcester County that claimed the life of a 34-year-old man.
The deceased is identified as Alexander Prince, 34, of New Jersey. Prince was operating a white Nissan Rogue at the time of the crash on June 16. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical service personnel. There were three passengers in the vehicle, all of whom were transported from the scene.
The injured are identified as Vanessa Piquant, 33, and her two children, ages 6 and 8, of New York. All three were transported by ambulance to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury.
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Shortly after 12:30 a.m. Friday morning, Maryland State Police from the Berlin Barrack responded to a single vehicle crash on Route 113 at Betheden Church Road in Pocomoke. The preliminary investigation indicates Prince was traveling southbound on Route 113 when, for reasons unknown at this time, the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree.
Deputies from the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office responded to provide assistance. Personnel from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration were also on scene to assist with traffic.
The crash remains under investigation.
More on a state police rescueState police rescue Wicomico County fallen hiker | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/new-jersey-man-dies-three-injured-in-fatal-worcester-county-crash/70329960007/ | 2023-06-17T02:06:01 | 0 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/new-jersey-man-dies-three-injured-in-fatal-worcester-county-crash/70329960007/ |
3 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers unite in 1 show at Brown County Music Center
Three is not a crowd, as these Rock & Roll Hall of Famers unite in one show. The Drifters, The Platters and The Cornell Gunter Coasters, with Early Clover as lead singer, come to the Brown County Music Center June 24.
In 1989, 62 singers auditioned for the lead in The Cornell Gunter Coasters. One made the cut. Early Clover, born and raised in Georgia and eventually ending up in Las Vegas, won the prestigious role. His affect that day may have clinched it.
How Early Clover snagged the lead, in 1989
"I didn't go all the way out to impress them," he said over the phone. (He will, however, go all out to impress Indiana audiences, he said.) "A lot of the other (auditionees) did a lot of stuff they didn't have to do." If you're not careful, you can overact."
Clover started performing as a little boy and organized his first band at age 16. Later, he opened for greats including The Temptations and The Marvellettes. He also worked on songwriting with James Brown.
A trio of competitors traveling together
Today, Clover still is crooning to crowds. With three big-name groups, all of whom, let's be honest, are competitors, does the closely-knit touring ever become troublesome?
"Not anymore," he said. "We talk it out. No one jumps the gun." Clover studied seven different denominations before he became an ordained minister. Among others, he still attends his family's Baptist church. His ministry has helped him coexist in little spaces with other big-name performers.
"Nine out of 10 times, we don't know what we sound like to the other person. That's why we sometimes get unexpected reactions."
He has even rehearsed what and how to say something, so as not to sound critical.
"For everything, there is a solution. When you travel together you find ways to get along. Otherwise, there is no good ending."
"Yakety Yak" (1958) is the song Clover chose to audition with in 1989, when asked to sing a Coasters number. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had written it for the Coasters. Impressed, the panel then requested a cover: Clover sang "Dock of the Bay." They liked it so much they kept it in the act.
The Platters, an American singing group, began work in 1952 and make up one of the most famous groups of emerging rock and roll. "My Prayer" (1954) and "The Great Pretender" (1955) are two of their numerous hits. The Drifters, an American R & B and doo-wop singing group, are known for, among other songs, 1962s "Save the Last Dance for Me."
Early Clover does more than sing
In addition to singing, Clover writes and arranges. Find an example, "I Wanna Take a Chance with You," on YouTube.
Clover's book "From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of Early Clover" — for adult or mature young readers —describes the first part of his zestful career. He plans to write a second autobiography, detailing what came later.
God receives credit, Clover said, for pointing him toward the stage. "I'm a minister to the people, with my voice."
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Another way he ministers to people is through his work with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, Special Angels Inc. out of Los Angeles (children with special needs), and Las Vegas' WestCare, devoted to women and children.
"We reach out to younger people, so that they can get an understanding of life. Try to keep them off drugs and out of violence."
Weird family coincidence
Surprisingly, Clover learned that he and Cornell Gunter were cousins. They hadn't known, either during Clover's audition or during their years of performing together. Gunter was killed in a mistaken-identity incident before he ever discovered his familial relationship to Clover.
If you go
WHAT: The Drifters, The Platters and The Cornell Gunter Coasters: three Rock & Roll Hall of Fame acts in one showWHEN: 7:30 p.m. June 24WHERE: Brown County Music Center, 200 Maple Leaf Blvd., NashvilleTICKETS: $24-$75 and up, available online at browncountymusiccenter.com/ | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2023/06/16/rock-roll-hall-of-famers-unite-at-brown-county-music-center/70317852007/ | 2023-06-17T02:06:52 | 1 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2023/06/16/rock-roll-hall-of-famers-unite-at-brown-county-music-center/70317852007/ |
This Father's Day, Terry Moore is throwing Kitchen the skink a birthday party.
Instead of a Father’s Day celebration, Terry Moore had a special request this year: that his family throw a 30th birthday party for his pet lizard.
Though he can’t blow out candles or croon along as his family serenades him, the lizard will be honored by family and friends this weekend. At 30, the blue-tongued skink has beaten the life expectancy for his species — by a decade.
From the tip of his bright-blue tongue to the end of his scaly tail, the skink, named Kitchen, is about 14 inches long. His appearance is youthful, that of a much younger lizard.
Martin Medicus, Bloomington resident and Spencer native, recalled his introduction to Kitchen in 1995. He was a boy, only 4 years old, when his family attended a reptile expo in Indianapolis. Medicus’ mother, a lifelong owner of exotic pets, came with a mission: she wanted a chameleon.
When the family arrived home that night, they brought not only a chameleon but also a reptile that looked more like a snake than a lizard.
The chameleon died years ago. Kitchen the skink has lived three decades.
He captured the heart of Medicus’ father, Terry Moore, at the reptile expo. Moore, a man who’s not much for pets, asked a breeder that day if he had any “personable” reptiles.
“I’ve got just the thing for you,” the breeder said, and pulled the skink from its enclosure.
Moore was hesitant. But he bonded with the creature almost immediately. It settled into his arms, seeking warmth. His body trailed along Moore’s forearm, his head resting on an outstretched palm. Moore was sold.
“None of us knew at the time that this was going to become a family-heirloom kind of pet,” Medicus said.
Why — how — could Kitchen have charmed a man who tolerated little more than cats?
Well, he’s round and long, with stumpy legs made for burrowing, not running. His gold-scaled body is ringed with brown stripes. Medicus said the skink’s eyes are human-like in shape and color.
“There’s just something about the way he looks at you,” he said. “It feels really kindred.”
When Kitchen is scared, he inhales sharply, almost hissing. Then, mouth open wide, his tongue unfurls. It’s a tactic used by his species to ward off predators.
Kitchen doesn’t bark or purr; he doesn’t bound across the backyard or respond to his name. But he has a distinct personality. The skink loves bathtime, when the family holds him gently under warm water. He enjoys lying in the grass, basking in the sun.
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“A lizard doesn’t say ‘ahhh’ or ‘thank you,’ but you know he’s happy when he closes his eyes,” Medicus said. With eyes shut, Kitchen is vulnerable. He feels safe, surrendering to comfort without fearing a predator’s approach.
Though neither Medicus nor his father still lives there, the skink remains at Medicus' mother’s Spencer home, residing between the kitchen and dining room. Home is a 3.5-by-2 foot terrarium with heating lamps where he spends his days burrowing under wood chips.
Kitchen eats baby food from Kroger, insects and tiny, frozen mice. He’ll keep growing as long as he lives.
Compared to other blue-tongued skinks, he’s short a few inches. When the family adopted Kitchen in 1995, they discovered the end of his tail had been bitten off by another reptile when he was just a baby.
In lizard years, Kitchen is now elderly. He has belonged to the family nearly as long as Medicus, who’s 32, has been alive.
Moore’s Father’s Day wish will be granted. While the humans eat cake, Kitchen may swallow a few earthworms, lying in the sun, enjoying his day.
“That’s what this is ultimately about,” Medicus said. “This 30-year journey.” | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/blue-tongued-skink-turns-30-family-throws-lizard-party/70324963007/ | 2023-06-17T02:06:58 | 1 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/blue-tongued-skink-turns-30-family-throws-lizard-party/70324963007/ |
It's Your Business: Granfalloon was artful collaboration of Indiana University, city
If you’re walking on downtown Kirkwood Avenue in the next week or so, chances are you’ll find pieces of robot-shaped confetti peppering the streets and trees — these are ephemera of The Flaming Lips’s mesmerizing headlining performance at this year’s Granfalloon Festival.
Presented by the Indiana University Arts and Humanities Council and inspired by legendary Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Granfallon’s full week of artistic events culminated last Saturday with a string of activities that spanned the length of Kirkwood Avenue from Washington to Indiana streets. The Handmade Market featured work for sale by local and regional artists; Girls Rock Bloomington celebrated our talented next generation of artists who performed music, poetry and skits. The Hudsucker Posse performed a circus act featuring physics-defying fire dancers, and crowds were invited to experience IU Eskenazi School of Art and Design Professor Dorian Bybee’s "FLTING” installation in Peoples Park meant to provoke the historical Black Market that once sat in that location.
Granfallon’s mainstage featured concerts by the up-and-coming group MICHELLE, and to top it all off, The Flaming Lips. The crowd, which spanned all the way down to Lincoln, was buzzing as the Lips played their classics and a fantastic cover of Madonna’s “Borderline.” Giant pink robots were inflated on stage, there were strobing lights, there were balls tossed into the audience for play; and of course, there was plenty of confetti. The sound and visuals of the performance lit up Kirkwood Avenue and its crowd with an inspiring energy.
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Granfalloon was a true embodiment of successful public art — it brought together local and national artists to produce a suite of activities and experiences that inspired a sense of joy that everyone in the audience shared (not to mention the extra dollars it brought businesses in the area). It created a strong sense of connection among our community.
It also demonstrated how strong the connection between Indiana University and the city of Bloomington can be. While IU’s Arts and Humanities Council brought the vision for the Kirkwood Street celebration, the city provided much of the infrastructure to support the day’s safe and smooth realization. It was a true town-gown collaboration that powered the event — the Arts and Humanities team worked with Bloomington’s fire, police and public works departments to designate appropriate street closures and identify the proper thoroughfares to keep open and accessible in the case that emergency vehicles were needed during the festival. They also worked with parking and fire to place barricades along Kirkwood to keep festival attendees safe from vehicular traffic. They worked with the city’s Public Works Department to produce an adequate plan for waste and traffic flow. City staff worked to keep things smooth throughout the event, and I'm pretty sure they enjoyed a few blasts of confetti, too.
The collaborative lift that pulled off this year's Granfalloon and the joy and delight it brought our community was a heavy one. I’ll never forget my first meeting about bringing the festival to Kirkwood. I stood on the corner of Kirkwood and Washington with representatives of IU, public works, and Economic and Sustainable Development and thought, how the heck are we going to pull this off?
Since that meeting, I have been overwhelmed by the city of Bloomington staff's ability to take a vision that sounds impossible and make it real. This year's Granfalloon success is a demonstration of what amazing and inspiring outcomes we can pull off when we work together and complement each others’ wild visions with prowess and know-how to protect and sustain a community. Together, we have made this inspired and inspiring community. And that itself is a piece of art.
Holly Warren is assistant director for the arts for Bloomington's Department of Economic and Sustainable Development. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/indiana-university-bloomington-succeed-with-granfalloon-events/70322056007/ | 2023-06-17T02:07:04 | 0 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/indiana-university-bloomington-succeed-with-granfalloon-events/70322056007/ |
RENSSELAER — A Crown Point man who was arrested in May on a probation violation related to operating a puppy mill in Lake and Jasper counties was charged June 9 with 43 counts of animal-related offenses, according to court records.
Stevce Rajcinoski, 42, was hit with 41 counts of felony cruelty to an animal, one misdemeanor count of practicing veterinary medicine without a license and one misdemeanor count of failing to register as a commercial dog breeder.
He entered a not-guilty plea Thursday to Jasper County Superior Court Judge Russell Bailey, online court records show.
Riding Shotgun with Merrillville Police Officer Amanda Earley
Court documents reveal that Rajcinoski began his puppy-mill operation one month after he pleaded guilty to torturing and mutilating a vertebrae animal in June 2020 and started probation. In 2021, he bought a barn on County Road 650 North in Rensselaer, where he centralized the operation.
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Detectives at the Lake County Sheriff's Department began to investigate a possible crime in May after receiving a tip that Rajcinoski had made frequent purchases of dog food, chicken feed, lamb milk replacers, canine vaccines, scalpels, dose-droppers, kennel-cough medicine, penicillin and other items from Tractor Supply locations in St. John and DeMotte. Receipts date back to fall 2021.
Since October 2022, he bought more than 2,200 pounds of dog food and 2,500 pounds of chicken feed, according to court documents.
Officials were granted a warrant and searched Rajcinoski's home May 25. While searching through his belongings, they came across registration for numerous dogs from the American Kennel Club dated 2020 to 2023. He was promptly taken into custody while other investigators traveled to the property in Rensselaer.
Upon arriving at the barn, an investigator noticed that the structure had no windows and multiple air conditioning units. Kennel fences and dog-related items were on the lawn. The faint noise of barking led investigators inside the building, where they found more than 30 dogs in cages, only some with bowls of water, according to court documents. A rotten smell permeated the interior. Three dead puppies were found under the barn stairwell, wrapped in surgical paper. One was found outside near a retention pond.
Veterinary professionals who examined the dogs said many of them had scars on their stomachs, indicating cesarean sections . One had bits of thread still lodged in her skin. Veterinary supplies were found in cabinets. No records of any veterinary procedures or visits were found.
The dogs were taken to the Lake County Animal Control and Adoption, where they reside. None are available for adoption.
Rajcinoski's probation was revoked in August, when an officer who completed a home visit discovered that he had five dogs there, violating the conditions of his probation that allowed him to have two. While he was ordered to appear in court, multiple continuance motions were filed, indicating that one or both parties are requesting the hearing at another date.
Another anonymous tip was sent six months ago, informing investigators of Rajcinoski's breach of his probation. During an investigation at his Crown Point residence, officials were informed that the dogs had been moved to Jasper County.
Rajcinoski is expected back in court in September. A trial has not been scheduled.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
Matthew Roggenkamp
Age : 22
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305148
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Ruben Vega III
Age : 36
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305181
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jordan Picotte
Age : 29
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305144
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Rakeem Pippins
Age : 27
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305141
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Other
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Victor Odgen
Age : 26
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305151
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Matthew Moses
Age : 48
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305154
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Other
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Thomas Murray
Age : 34
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305164
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Kurt Gonzalez II
Age : 32
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305146
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Anthony Green
Age : 41
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305160
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Cedar Lake Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Robert Hollis
Age : 67
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305169
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Johnny Jones
Age : 50
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305170
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: STRANGULATION; DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
2305170
Kenny Flagg Jr.
Age : 19
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305179
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Howard Geib Jr.
Age : 52
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305165
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT; UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE; POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Keith Cales
Age : 41
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305153
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Daniel Dillman
Age : 26
Residence: Lowell, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305175
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Robert Allison
Age : 48
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305142
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: HOMICIDE - VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lavonya Banks
Age : 44
Residence: Harvey, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305163
Arrest Date: May 31, 2023
Arresting Agency: Other
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jacob Pritt
Age : 35
Residence: Hebron, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305296
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: HEALTH- POSSESS HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Joshua Pritt
Age : 40
Residence: Hebron, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305295
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Danny Serrano Jr.
Age : 40
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305282
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Michael Valdez
Age : 46
Residence: Dyer, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305319
Arrest Date: June 4, 2023
Arresting Agency: Dyer Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Mary Powers
Age : 36
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305289
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; THEFT - PROPERTY - SHOPLIFTING - < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Bryan Oparka
Age : 49
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305308
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Crown Point Police Department
Offense Description: FRAUD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Vishad Patel
Age : 34
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305305
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Latrice McNeil
Age : 36
Residence: Chicago Heights, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305301
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Highland Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SHOPLIFTING - < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Edwin Negron
Age : 50
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305285
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Oscar Martinez Ocampo
Age : 33
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305290
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Devonte Gipson
Age : 30
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305283
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Bryne Manns
Age : 34
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305287
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Edgar Martinez
Age : 33
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305315
Arrest Date: June 4, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Martin Cruz Jr.
Age : 53
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305304
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Bianca Dominguez
Age : 33
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305311
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Munster Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Anthony Combs Jr.
Age : 36
Residence: Lafayette, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305297
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cachun Combs Jr.
Age : 45
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305288
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: WEAPON - POSSESSION - FIREARM - BY A FELON
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dameka Ali
Age : 32
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305299
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Alms
Age : 28
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305316
Arrest Date: June 4, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jesse Argandona
Age : 21
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305314
Arrest Date: June 4, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Ryan Vaughn
Age : 29
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305221
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Allan Triplett
Age : 34
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305217
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: FAMILY OFFENSE- INVASION OF PRIVACY; BURGLARY - PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL ENTRY - BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
David Roper
Age : 22
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305193
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCS
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Louwon Scott
Age : 22
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305218
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lamont Murdaugh
Age : 23
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305228
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY; BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Delvin Perkins
Age : 28
Residence: South Holland, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305223
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Timothy Pettis
Age : 28
Residence: Kentland, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305211
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: St. John Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESS LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Matthew Midkiff
Age : 39
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305190
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; POSSESS LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Christopher Lanman
Age : 21
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305196
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Merrillville Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Christopher Hedges
Age : 44
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305197
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Misti Harbison
Age : 39
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305188
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Kenneth Babiarz
Age : 23
Residence: Chicago Heights, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305201
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Munster Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Shawntina Beatty
Age : 30
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305191
Arrest Date: June 1, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Timothy Brown
Age : 45
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305214
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Marcos Gutierrez
Age : 39
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305219
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Shannon Alelunas
Age : 44
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305225
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Gabriel Washington
Age : 39
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305271
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: FAMILY OFFENSE- NEGLECT OF DEPENDANT/CHILD VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Keorra Wilson
Age : 24
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305270
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: FRAUD - DECEPTION - IDENTITY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jesus Salas Jr.
Age : 42
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305235
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Clarence Sistrunk
Age : 33
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305257
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: BURGLARY - PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL ENTRY - BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Richard Vinet Jr.
Age : 46
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305249
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: N/A
Offense Description: FAIL TO COMPLY A FINAL ORDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Sadat Wade
Age : 47
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305261
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCC
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lavell Nylon
Age : 19
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305231
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Whiting Police Department
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
David Pitts
Age : 48
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305245
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Robert Moore
Age : 29
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305259
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: FALSE REPORTING - REPORT, CRIME, OR COMPLAINT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Asia Munford-Winters
Age : 28
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305266
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
George Lowe Jr.
Age : 60
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305274
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Michael Malkowski
Age : 37
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305233
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Raul Mendoza
Age : 50
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305267
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Carlos Larrea
Age : 25
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305263
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCC
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jessica Hegwood
Age : 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305272
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: FAMILY OFFENSE- NEGLECT OF DEPENDANT/CHILD VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jerome Kusbel
Age : 68
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305269
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Llewain Hardin
Age : 41
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305265
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Keith Gardenhire
Age : 46
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305246
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Yancey Gray
Age : 54
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305247
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT - PROPERTY - SHOPLIFTING - < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lorenzo Crooks
Age : 50
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305277
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Marko Duric
Age : 36
Residence: Park Ridge, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305281
Arrest Date: June 3, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Carlos Castillo
Age : 26
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2304984
Arrest Date: May 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Brandon Cramer
Age : 39
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305264
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT DEFENDANT USES A VEHICLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Brayan Benavides Acevedo
Age : 22
Residence: Berwyn, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305258
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Erica Brooks
Age : 37
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305232
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Daniel Castaneda Jr.
Age : 33
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305239
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cordaryl Bell
Age : 35
Residence: Sauk Village, IL
Booking Number(s): 2305250
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Barnes
Age : 75
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2305237
Arrest Date: June 2, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff's Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
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Get local news delivered to your inbox! | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/court-documents-puppy-mill-suspect-began-operation-a-month-after-starting-probation-for-animal-cruelty/article_aca8f97c-0b1b-11ee-98bd-47f2172dcfc8.html | 2023-06-17T02:07:33 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/court-documents-puppy-mill-suspect-began-operation-a-month-after-starting-probation-for-animal-cruelty/article_aca8f97c-0b1b-11ee-98bd-47f2172dcfc8.html |
VALPARAISO — The Porter County Stormwater Management Board has begun a discussion on fee revenue and why it isn’t enough to fix everything.
“We’re running out of money here. You know it, and I know it. The fee we’re collecting here is not keeping up with demand,” said Jim Biggs, president of both the Board of Commissioners and the Stormwater Management Board.
Since its inception in 2016, the stormwater management fee, assessed on property tax bills for property in unincorporated Porter County, has been used to deal with some urgent problems, especially in South Haven, which has seen more than $14 million put toward rebuilding infrastructure that is more than 60 years old.
About 300 tons of debris was removed from 13,600 linear feet of storm sewer there. That’s about 45 pounds per foot, County Engineer Michael Novotney explained.
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“We should never let our infrastructure get to that point,” he said.
Even as the county addressed failing infrastructure in the state’s largest unincorporated community, $10 million was spent on projects elsewhere.
This week, the board agreed to address a sinkhole on Vlasta Court in the Moraine Manor subdivision just south of County Road 700 North. The subdivision was built in the early 2000s.
The developer used plastic pipe, but there’s a two-inch gap between pipe joints, Stormwater Program Manager Chelsey Gordon said. “We would use concrete today for 36-inch pipe,” she said. With plastic pipe, it’s important to make sure the backfill is done properly.
About two-thirds of the stormwater fee revenue goes back into projects. The rest is spent on the department that is trying to deal with legacy problems and preventing new ones. That includes inspecting work done on drainage infrastructure to make sure it’s installed properly and meets county standards.
“We are running pretty damn lean,” Novotney said. “There’s still and forever will be a whole lot of work we need to do.”
At Moraine Manor, “it’s an urgent or exigent situation for sure,” Novotney said.
The homeowners association is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure, but it’s unrealistic to expect the HOA to come up with the money needed to solve this problem. Instead, the county agreed to accept $10,000 cash from the HOA. Stormwater fees collected in the subdivision in the next 20 years will pay half the cost of the project, Novotney said.
Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center, asked if the county would see more of these situations arise. The short answer is yes.
Prior to the stormwater board’s creation, the county drainage board let the developer decide who would be responsible for future problems. Sometimes the developer retained responsibility, but often it was quickly transferred to a homeowners association, County Surveyor Kevin Breitzke explained.
Moraine Manor’s situation shows why the stormwater fee is needed. If it’s a $1 million project, six affected property owners can’t afford it.
“It’s a failed construct to have the responsibility with the individual property owners or the HOA,” Novotney said.
A drainage board typically assesses affected property owners for drainage infrastructure maintenance. That might be easier when its maintaining ditches, but the situation is more complicated in Porter County.
“The public has an urbanized mindset,” Breitzke said. “They don’t want to see water flowing in front of their houses.” As with telephone lines and electric, “everyone wanted to go underground. Keep it out of sight and out of mind.”
Complicating the situation is getting rights to access the drainage infrastructure.
“If we don’t have the easement, we don’t do the work,” Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South, said. The county is working to bring private streams into the county system. “They do the same thing. They perform the same function,” Novotney said.
Work isn’t done unless the property owners convey easements and pay stormwater fees directly to the county instead of to a conservancy district, County Attorney Scott McClure said.
“They are affecting downstream and upstream,” he said. “It’s one giant system, ultimately going to either the river or the lake.” Porter County is in both the Lake Michigan and Kankakee River watersheds.
“This is a very big, expensive problem to not solve, but to get ahold of,” Biggs said. He asked if there’s a smarter way to finance the work.
“If you ignore it, it’s only going to get worse,” Novotney said.
The board plans to continue the discussion in July. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/porter-county-debates-stormwater-fee-results/article_c89ee9ae-0c77-11ee-9253-771914d8cddb.html | 2023-06-17T02:07:39 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/porter-county-debates-stormwater-fee-results/article_c89ee9ae-0c77-11ee-9253-771914d8cddb.html |
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Chesterfield County police are investigating a fatal vehicle crash that occurred on Genito Road at Stigall Way on Friday afternoon.
Police said a 2005 Ford Focus was traveling on Genito Road when it was struck by a 2022 Dodge 2500 pickup truck at about 2:51 p.m.
The driver of the sedan was transported to an area hospital, where she died as a result of her injuries. Identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Police continue their investigation into this crash.
Anyone with information should contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or through the P3 app.
04-08-1966: Officers handle incident at 1507 Grove Avenue.
12-19-1953 (cutline): The salary--c'est si bon--Patrolmen W.S. Williams and Mrs. May Carpini show their approval of paychecks, the first reflecting the pay increases of 15 per cent granted city policemen and firefighters. Some 900 city employees yesterday gor the checks, which carried increases from 5 to 15 per cent.
02-16-1969 (cutline): Two Richmond Police Bureau detectives are trying to find who owns several hundred dollars' worth of property recovered last Monday from a house in Chesterfield County. Detective R.E. Ferrekk checks one of the rifles included in the assortment. Also among the items are two television sets, a portable bar, a portable typewriter, a derringer pistol, a Polaroid camera and flash attachment and several knives. Anyone who believes he can identify any of the items as his property should get in touch with Ferrell or Detetive C.S. Rutherford at police headquarters, 501 N. Ninth St.
05-27-1967 (cutline): Fifteen members of the Richmond Police Bureau were graduated from the 22nd session of the city's basic police school yesterday in special exercises in the Virginia War Memorial on South Belvidere Street. Patrolman Harold A. Wright, class president, and Rowland C. Halstead, special agent in charge of the Richmond FBI office, both stressed police-community teamwork as the key to better law enforcement during their commencement remarks. The next session of the school will begin this fall.
10-26-1959 (cutline): O. Johnson, C.R. Leonard and V.T. Moore are all college men enrolled in an eight-week basic course at the City Police Bureau's training school.
02-14-1966 (cutline): Acting Police Sgt. James D. Hill checks through old arrest warrants while Officer J.D. Jennings books a prisoner at the City Lockup.
03-16-1969 (cultine): Det. E. W. Mozingo fires test bullet in to cotton wadding to check marks. Each gun leaves "fingerprint" on bullets which helps to identify weapon.
11-14-1966 (cutline): James Woody puts on his special drunk act for recruit Hal Flood during a training session at Bryan Park. Flood at left helps Woody out of car, then copes with tumble and directs his 'suspect' toward a patrol car.
11-14-1966 (cutline): James Woody puts on his special drunk act for recruit Hal Flood during a training session at Bryan Park. Flood at left helps Woody out of car, then copes with tumble and directs his 'suspect' toward a patrol car.
11-02-1947 (cutline): New badges for the Richmond police have arrived and are being distributed to the men on the force. Above are shown the old (top) and the new on the officers' uniforms in relation to the gold buttons on the left breast of the jacket. Plainclothes police and detectives carry the badges in their pockets or wear them pinned to easily accessible places under their uniforms.
04-06-1969 (cutline): Louis Dequatro, storekeeper in the Richmond Police Bureau's property room, had his hands full Friday as he assembled the 155 different items due to be auctioned off Wednesday during the city's annual sale of unclaimed property. The public sale gets under way at 10 a.m. in the Mosque ballroom. Among the items being sold are a donkey garden statue, two watches worth about $150 apiece, about 40 other items of jewelry, a 16-millimeter sound projector, several tires, some television sets and a tap recorder.
07-24-1953 (cutline): Policewoman May Carpini was under a hastily devised tent today. It was a protective sort of tent, though, no sideshow affair. Mrs. Carpini, radio dispatcher at police headquarters, was housed under canvas while painters went about the task of brightening up the radio room. Listeners reported her voice still came through loud and clear on police radio receiving units.
Interested in a print of any of these photos? Click here.
04-08-1966: Officers handle incident at 1507 Grove Avenue.
Staff photo
12-19-1953 (cutline): The salary--c'est si bon--Patrolmen W.S. Williams and Mrs. May Carpini show their approval of paychecks, the first reflecting the pay increases of 15 per cent granted city policemen and firefighters. Some 900 city employees yesterday gor the checks, which carried increases from 5 to 15 per cent.
Staff photo
02-16-1969 (cutline): Two Richmond Police Bureau detectives are trying to find who owns several hundred dollars' worth of property recovered last Monday from a house in Chesterfield County. Detective R.E. Ferrekk checks one of the rifles included in the assortment. Also among the items are two television sets, a portable bar, a portable typewriter, a derringer pistol, a Polaroid camera and flash attachment and several knives. Anyone who believes he can identify any of the items as his property should get in touch with Ferrell or Detetive C.S. Rutherford at police headquarters, 501 N. Ninth St.
Staff photo
05-27-1967 (cutline): Fifteen members of the Richmond Police Bureau were graduated from the 22nd session of the city's basic police school yesterday in special exercises in the Virginia War Memorial on South Belvidere Street. Patrolman Harold A. Wright, class president, and Rowland C. Halstead, special agent in charge of the Richmond FBI office, both stressed police-community teamwork as the key to better law enforcement during their commencement remarks. The next session of the school will begin this fall.
Carl Lynn
03-01-1963 (cutline): S/Sgt. John D. Krimm briefs rookie policemen. Patrolmen Miles M. Jones (center) Harold R. Madsen.
Staff photo
10-26-1959 (cutline): O. Johnson, C.R. Leonard and V.T. Moore are all college men enrolled in an eight-week basic course at the City Police Bureau's training school.
Staff photo
02-14-1966 (cutline): Acting Police Sgt. James D. Hill checks through old arrest warrants while Officer J.D. Jennings books a prisoner at the City Lockup.
Staff photo
04-04-1966 (cutline): Officers J.W. Harris Jr., J. W. Vann, C. Stokes and H.L. Coleman view items they recovered in a north side break-in and arrest.
Staff photo
03-16-1969 (cutline): Sgt. A. S. Csaky (left), Det. Mozingo use photo method. Oblique lighting can bring out footprint on sweater.
Staff photo
03-16-1969 (cultine): Det. E. W. Mozingo fires test bullet in to cotton wadding to check marks. Each gun leaves "fingerprint" on bullets which helps to identify weapon.
Staff photo
11-14-1966 (cutline): James Woody puts on his special drunk act for recruit Hal Flood during a training session at Bryan Park. Flood at left helps Woody out of car, then copes with tumble and directs his 'suspect' toward a patrol car.
Staff photo
11-14-1966 (cutline): James Woody puts on his special drunk act for recruit Hal Flood during a training session at Bryan Park. Flood at left helps Woody out of car, then copes with tumble and directs his 'suspect' toward a patrol car.
Staff photo
05-12-1964 (cutline): This is South Richmond police station at 14th and Stockton Sts. Detective J.A. Windsor leaves building to begin duty tour.
Staff photo
11-02-1947 (cutline): New badges for the Richmond police have arrived and are being distributed to the men on the force. Above are shown the old (top) and the new on the officers' uniforms in relation to the gold buttons on the left breast of the jacket. Plainclothes police and detectives carry the badges in their pockets or wear them pinned to easily accessible places under their uniforms.
Staff photo
04-06-1969 (cutline): Louis Dequatro, storekeeper in the Richmond Police Bureau's property room, had his hands full Friday as he assembled the 155 different items due to be auctioned off Wednesday during the city's annual sale of unclaimed property. The public sale gets under way at 10 a.m. in the Mosque ballroom. Among the items being sold are a donkey garden statue, two watches worth about $150 apiece, about 40 other items of jewelry, a 16-millimeter sound projector, several tires, some television sets and a tap recorder.
Staff photo
07-24-1953 (cutline): Policewoman May Carpini was under a hastily devised tent today. It was a protective sort of tent, though, no sideshow affair. Mrs. Carpini, radio dispatcher at police headquarters, was housed under canvas while painters went about the task of brightening up the radio room. Listeners reported her voice still came through loud and clear on police radio receiving units.
Staff photo
10-11-1959 (cutline): Police service division's new crime investigation unit. Captain F.S. Duling (in uniform), Lieutenant W.A. Evans look it over. | https://richmond.com/news/local/fatal-chesterfield-crash/article_91d87632-0c9b-11ee-8e2d-7bbdfd313eb9.html | 2023-06-17T02:13:37 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/fatal-chesterfield-crash/article_91d87632-0c9b-11ee-8e2d-7bbdfd313eb9.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/lightning-wind-and-hail-strike-our-area/3587640/ | 2023-06-17T02:16:03 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/lightning-wind-and-hail-strike-our-area/3587640/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-recovering-after-trench-collapse-in-northern-liberties/3587639/ | 2023-06-17T02:16:09 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-recovering-after-trench-collapse-in-northern-liberties/3587639/ |
Missing Philadelphia teenager found safe and sound after missing for 11 days.
Shalaya Porter, 18, was last seen on June 5 near her grandmother's home on the 4600 block of Fairmount Avenue.
On Friday, June 16, police said they found her alive and safe.
Family members told NBC10 Porter left her phone on her bed and didn’t show up for her high school graduation on Friday, June 9. The family said it was highly unusual for Porter to go missing and she had a great attendance record at her school.
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They also said she is headed to Morgan State University in the fall to study architecture, design and fashion.
"Shalaya would have never missed her graduation," Porter's aunt, Felicia Hill, told NBC10. "Shalaya would have never missed the opportunity to go to college. Shalaya would have never left her mom."
At this time there is no criminal investigation into her disappearance, police said. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/missing-philly-teen-found-alive-after-missing-for-11-days-police-say/3587723/ | 2023-06-17T02:16:15 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/missing-philly-teen-found-alive-after-missing-for-11-days-police-say/3587723/ |
DULUTH — A man died after jumping from a downtown parking ramp late Friday afternoon, the Duluth Police Department said.
The agency's Crisis Negotiations Team had spent several hours working to build a rapport with the 34-year-old after he made suicidal comments on the ledge of the Holiday Inn & Suites ramp on the 200 block of West Superior Street, according to the department. The area also had been closed to traffic throughout the afternoon while officers attempted a safe resolution.
Police said the man was taken to a local hospital and quickly pronounced dead from injuries related to the fall.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/man-dies-at-downtown-duluth-parking-ramp | 2023-06-17T02:24:52 | 1 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/man-dies-at-downtown-duluth-parking-ramp |
ATLANTA — The Atlanta History Center is working to help people piece their past together.
Tucked away in Buckhead are 33 acres of gardens, exhibits and historic memorabilia that people can peruse throughout the year. The lesser-known fact is though the center works to preserve history, it also researches it.
"We have a unique body of resources, and one of them being genealogy," Kristian Weatherspoon, the vice president of digital storytelling of the history center said.
An interest in genealogy has seen a resurgence through DNA tests like 23andMe and AncestryDNA - which often help people on their journey to creating their family tree. However, for African Americans, it isn't always that simple.
American history left a hole.
"The path to tracing that really specific genealogy is difficult," Witherspoon said, explaining that the institution of slavery consistently uprooted family bonds. "But it is so important for African American communities."
That's why those Juneteenth weekend, the history center wants to help people fill the gaps and learn how they became rooted in the U.S.
It inspired their theme: planted.
"We think about just the amazing and the incredible resiliency of African Americans in this country," Witherspoon said. "We've planted ourselves here and it's certainly been a journey - but it's so integral to the American story."
For many African Americans who have been in the U.S. for generations, barriers to studying one's genealogy lie in the lack of documentation, such as birth certificates, birth announcements, death certificates and the forced movement of those who were enslaved. Preserving one's family history during enslavement was essentially an impossible task, but the Atlanta History Center assures people that not all history is lost.
"There are not as robust materials as you think about records," Witherspoon said about family histories. "It really is just important that there is space made for African Americans to really learn how to do this process."
While commemorating Juneteenth and celebrating freedom, the history center will offer workshops Sunday, June 18, to help people seek further liberation and preserve their family history.
Workshops Sunday will touch on preservation, where visitors can listen to Atlanta History Center staff or hear from its genealogist. Collections and archives staff will share really specific processes and tips and ticks around preserving family heirlooms. Question and answer portions of the workshops will also be incorporated into the workshops, according to event organizers.
"We want to use this public programming day of Juneteenth as an opportunity to raise awareness about us having that resource but to also provide really specific help for families to do this because it truly is important," Witherspoon said.
Handouts and printed materials will be distributed in hopes people are encouraged to go on their own journey in tracing their history. People will also learn how they can make an appointment with the Kenan Research Center.
Though genealogy will be the partial focus of the Atlanta History Center's Juneteenth event, organizers emphasized there will be plenty of activities to help celebrate the holiday as well. There's a packed list of activities available on its website. People are encouraged to register here. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-history-center-geneology-resources/85-6848e3b8-2b97-4b58-ac31-6e84f6407820 | 2023-06-17T02:26:21 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-history-center-geneology-resources/85-6848e3b8-2b97-4b58-ac31-6e84f6407820 |
LOCAL
5 major roads are closed in Caddo Parish following Friday morning storm
Makenzie Boucher
Shreveport Times
Following Friday morning's severe thunderstorm five major roads have been closed in Caddo Parish.
Friday afternoon Caddo Parish released the names of the five road closures.
Road Closures in Caddo Parish
- Blanchard-Furrh Road
- North Lakeshore Drive
- LA Highway 169 at Crouch Dam Road
- Greenwood Springridge Road at Jackie Ray Lane
- Keithville-Keatchie Road
According to the National Weather Service, the storm began about 1:30 a.m. June 16, and ended a little after 2 a.m. With that storm came strong straight-line winds that measured up to 80 miles per hour.
With these high winds, the Shreveport-Bossier experienced a large number of trees and powerlines down. Right now, 146,982 Louisiana residents are without power, according to Southwestern Electric Power Co.
LIVE BLOG: Shreveport, Bossier storm damage updates, power outages and more
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/5-major-roads-are-closed-in-caddo-parish-following-friday-morning-storm/70331974007/ | 2023-06-17T02:32:08 | 1 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/5-major-roads-are-closed-in-caddo-parish-following-friday-morning-storm/70331974007/ |
Where are the cooling stations in Caddo Parish following Friday morning's storm
Early Friday morning northwest Louisiana was hit by a storm that had winds up to 80 miles per hour.
With these high winds, the Shreveport-Bossier area experienced a large number of trees and powerlines down. Right now, over 140,000 northwest Louisiana residents are without power, according to Southwestern Electric Power Co.
Following the storm, the Shreveport-Bossier area was placed under a heat advisory with temperatures getting between 105-110 degrees. During a press conference Friday afternoon, Mayor Tom Arceneaux advised citizens to be mindful of the heat advisory while the power is out.
Caddo Parish has staged cooling centers across Caddo Parish to assist citizens who need to be cooled off. Here are the current locations:
- The Highland Center, 520 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA (10am-6pm),
- Morning Star Baptist Church Life Center, 5340 Jewella Ave, Shreveport, LA (8am-8pm)
- Galilee Family Life Center, 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport, LA (8am-8pm)
More:LIVE BLOG: Shreveport, Bossier storm damage updates, power outages and more
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/cooling-stations-in-caddo-parish-following-friday-mornings-storm/70332146007/ | 2023-06-17T02:32:10 | 0 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/cooling-stations-in-caddo-parish-following-friday-mornings-storm/70332146007/ |
LOCAL
What water systems have been impacted by Friday mornings storm
Makenzie Boucher
Shreveport Times
On Friday morning winds up to 80 miles per hour hit northwest Louisiana.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm began about 1:30 a.m. Friday, June 16, and ended a little after 2 a.m. With that storm came strong straight-line winds that measured up to 80 miles per hour.
Friday afternoon, Caddo Parish reported that four water systems have been disrupted due to this storm.
Four water systems impacted
- Big Oaks Water System
- Barron Ridge Water System
- Simpson Water System
- Linda Lane Water System
According to Caddo Parish there is one boil advisory in place for the Deepwoods Water System in south Shreveport.
More:What's closed after the storms in Shreveport, Bossier City
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/what-water-systems-have-been-impacted-by-friday-mornings-storm/70332027007/ | 2023-06-17T02:32:12 | 0 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/what-water-systems-have-been-impacted-by-friday-mornings-storm/70332027007/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that happened on Thursday afternoon near the intersection of Rio Grande Avenue and 41st Street in Orange County,
Troopers said a Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound on Rio Grande Avenue heading toward 41st Street.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Meanwhile, a Toyota Rav4 was traveling southbound on Rio Grande Avenue heading toward 41st Street.
According to a news release, for unknown reasons, the driver of the Corolla lost control and traveled into the southbound lane and crashed head-on into the Rav4.
Read: Warning: Vehicles being stolen from valet services, Orange County deputies say
The 57-year-old male and 63-year-old female passenger of the Corolla, as well as the 57-year-old male driver of the Rav4, were all transported to the hospital.
The male driver of the Corolla was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Read: Homeless camps on river islands in Volusia County pose issues for residents
Both the passenger of the Corolla and the driver of the Rav4 remain in the hospital with serious injuries.
This crash remains under investigation.
Read: Ocala firefighters rescue trapped minor after tree crashes into home
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/1-dead-2-people-seriously-injured-fatal-orange-county-crash-troopers-say/JIQAHAFZZZBIBJ5CST42V6JTUI/ | 2023-06-17T02:35:55 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/1-dead-2-people-seriously-injured-fatal-orange-county-crash-troopers-say/JIQAHAFZZZBIBJ5CST42V6JTUI/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — People across Central Florida have ended a night out without a way home after their cars were stolen after trusting them to a valet.
Deputies said the thefts have happened five times since the end of May, from Icon Park to Winter Park.
In total six cars were stolen, according to a police report.
Orange County deputies said they have charged two suspects so far and have not ruled out that there could be more out there
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
According to deputies, Joshua Gonzalez and Yamilette Torres-Gomez have been linked to the thefts of at least two luxury cars in the Orlando area.
The report stated that on May 31 at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, a man waited until the valet walked away and then rummaged through the key box that houses the guest’s car keys.
A white Ford SUV was seen leaving the valet parking area, the report also stated.
Osceola and Orange County deputies said they tracked down the SUV to an apartment complex where Torres-Gomez and Gonzalez were found and arrested.
Read: Warning: Vehicles being stolen from valet services, Orange County deputies say
During a news conference on Friday, Orange County deputies said the case is not closed.
“We’ve been seeing an increase in theft from high-end vehicles from valet stands throughout different hotels and restaurants throughout Central Florida,” said Orange County Sheriff Lt. Paul Volkerson.
While deputies have only linked Torres-Gomez and Gonzalez to two thefts so far, this happened five times since the end of May, and six luxury cars have been taken from valet stands across Orlando.
“We experienced the theft of a Bentley, theft of a Rolls Royce, phantom theft of an Audi, a Ford Expedition, as well as a BMW,” Volkerson said. “Winter Park also experienced one theft that was a Mercedes wagon.”
Read: Homeless camps on river islands in Volusia County pose issues for residents
Only the Audi and the Ford have been found.
Channel 9 asked deputies if all the thefts are linked back to Torres-Gomez and Gonzalez or if they are looking for more suspects.
“As of right now, we can’t say 100 percent if they were involved in the other four,” Volkerson said. “We are looking at them as potential suspects. They do match the general description provided in other thefts.”
Read: Marion deputies locate three missing kids, mom is still wanted by authorities
Deputies don’t think the two were looking to take the cars for joy rides but may have wanted to bring them to a chop shop.
Deputies are also advising valet stands to make sure they lock their key boxes and have security in place.
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/deputies-warn-possible-theft-ring-targeting-high-end-cars-central-florida/X7TUV2F2SBA57FOKQ2QET6DD6Q/ | 2023-06-17T02:35:55 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/deputies-warn-possible-theft-ring-targeting-high-end-cars-central-florida/X7TUV2F2SBA57FOKQ2QET6DD6Q/ |
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A suspect in the August 2022 attempted robbery of a gaming establishment in Daytona was arrested on Thursday, deputies said.
Deputies said on Aug. 22. 2022, Green felt he was shortchanged on his winning at a gaming establishment, located at 1382 N. Nova Road and returned to the business waving a gun.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
After returning to the business, Green was challenged by a security guard and fired one round in his direction, deputies said. Green also knocked over a patron, however, no one was injured in the incident.
Volusia County deputies along with detectives with the East Volusia Narcotics Task Force, Eastside Crime Suppression Team, and the Daytona Beach Police officer arrested 32-year-old Reginold Green on an outstanding warrant in Daytona Beach.
Read: Marion deputies locate three missing kids, mom is still wanted by authorities
On Thursday, following his arrest, detectives found plastic bags of fentanyl and cocaine inside his car.
After he was taken into custody, Green became upset and began kicking the back door of a patrol vehicle, causing significant damage and leaving it unable to fully close.
Read: Warning: Vehicles being stolen from valet services, Orange County deputies say
Green was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail and is being charged with attempted robbery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, trafficking in fentanyl, two counts of possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, and criminal mischief.
Read: Homeless camps on river islands in Volusia County pose issues for residents
Green is being held on $278,500 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/suspect-2022-attempted-robbery-arrested-found-with-drugs-his-car-deputies-say/5OT44VBYWFBBHKS7WLXPHWONB4/ | 2023-06-17T02:35:56 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/suspect-2022-attempted-robbery-arrested-found-with-drugs-his-car-deputies-say/5OT44VBYWFBBHKS7WLXPHWONB4/ |
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho House Democratic Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel (D-Boise) and Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise) returned to the Gem State from Washington D.C. after meeting with the Biden Administration and fellow Democrats from Republican-controlled states.
The meeting - with 47 other state lawmakers - compared and contrasted state abortion laws.
"Idaho is in fact the worst. People are not imagining it," Rubel said. "Many of the laws that get run through Idaho have already been run through Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Missouri, you name it. So, it makes a lot of sense for all of us. We're facing similar challenges to get together and see how it's playing out, and if anybody has any great ideas on how to battle back."
The United States Supreme Court overturned nearly 50 years of federally protected access to abortion through the Dobbs decision on June 24, 2022. That returned the authority to regulate abortion back to the states; Idaho is one of 14 states that now bans most abortions.
"It dawned on us that we actually, in Idaho are the worst – the worst of the states across the country – as far as limitations and just really restrictive laws. We have total abortion bans, where some other folks have at least up to 12 weeks," Wintrow said. "We know that these policies that are being passed are wildly unpopular all over the country, and they'll have consequences."
However, the laws hold up legally. The Idaho Supreme Court upheld the state's near-total abortion ban in January 2023. The law does provide exceptions for an abortion including a rape granted the victim provides a police report, incest, or to "... prevent the death of the pregnant woman."
In a summary, the highest court in the state expressed, "if the people of Idaho are dissatisfied with these new laws, they can elect new legislators."
It's a sentiment echoed by House Majority Leader Rep. Megan Blanksma (R-Hammett). Blanksma sponsored the original abortion law previously known as House Bill 1385 through the 2020 legislative session. Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law, but it was only enforceable after the Dobbs decision struck down Roe v. Wade two years later.
"Democrats are asserting that they may represent a certain component of Idaho, but they're not representative of your average Idahoan, and I think that's false for them to assert that," Blanksma said in a phone call with KTVB. "I would note the last few cycles in the state legislature, we have picked up seats from democrats."
KTVB previously reported healthcare workers leaving the state of Idaho in response to restrictive abortion laws that can leave doctors who violate the law in criminal and civil legal trouble. Bonner General Health in Sandpoint announced in March they will no longer provide labor and delivery services. Part of the decision stems from Idaho's legal and political climate, according to a statement from the hospital.
The Idaho Coalition for Safe Reproductive Healthcare (ICSRH) also voiced concerned over Idaho's abortion laws citing, "prevent the death of the pregnant woman" is too vague of language.
"They want clarity on what the law says, and so we're really focused on trying to provide as much clarity as we can," Blanksma said. "That's what their concern is, the ambiguity. They want to make sure that they have as much clarity as possible, and I think we're we continue to try to provide that."
Blanksma sponsored House Bill 374 nearing the end of the 2023 legislative session that has since been signed into law, too. The law eliminated the affirmative defense clause; a doctor who performs an abortion is now innocent until proven guilty. The law also added explicit exceptions including ectopic and molar pregnancies, and it entitles a rape victim to a copy of their police report within 72 hours of filing that same report.
However, ICSRH organizing member Dr. Lauren Miller told KTVB the bill did nothing to clarify the ambiguous language regarding the life of the mother.
"How close to death you need to be before you can intervene? How close to death before you can act? We shouldn't just be talking about preventing death. That is not what we do as healthcare providers," Miller said. "We maintain the health of our patients. Sometimes, unfortunately, termination of pregnancy is part of that conversation. It is the way to maintain a woman's health."
Idaho is the only state that does not have a Maternal Mortality Committee (MMC), according to Wintrow and Rubel. The committee is supposed to review and analyze cases in the state of women who die from their pregnancy.
"When you just look issue after issue, even in the reddest states, our policies are demonstrably the worst," Rubel said.
Idaho did previously have a MMC; however, the program ended this year, Blanksma said. Statehouse leadership is working on a plan to bring back the program with clear outcomes and expectations.
"They've been operating for three years, but there hasn't been an actual work product on how to improve the situation, and it's great to have the data, right? But if you're not producing the work product to make the situation better, I don't see that as a productive use of time," Blanksma said. " This year, we are working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to figure out how we can do that within the department."
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Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/idaho-democrats-say-state-has-worst-abortion-laws-after-white-house-visit-lawmakers-republican-controlled-states/277-9cccb937-4b88-490f-af68-10cd9faef131 | 2023-06-17T02:36:29 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/idaho-democrats-say-state-has-worst-abortion-laws-after-white-house-visit-lawmakers-republican-controlled-states/277-9cccb937-4b88-490f-af68-10cd9faef131 |
BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
State budget writers asked questions about transparency, legality and risk during a meeting with University of Idaho leaders about its proposal to acquire the University of Phoenix on Friday at the state Capitol.
Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee Co-Chairs Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle, said they felt it was appropriate to have a public discussion and get some questions answered about the deal because their committee is responsible for allocating funds.
Committee members, like the broader public, were largely in the dark about negotiations because of strict non-disclosure agreements put on those involved, which weren’t loosened until the day May 17 — the day before the State Board of Education voted to allow UI to take a step forward in the transaction.
Horman said she understands reasons UI is pursuing the deal, including an expected enrollment cliff of traditional students because of declining national population growth but said the financial risks aren't known to her without access to financial information.
"I can appreciate that certain aspects of a contract are legal to discuss in executive session," Horman said, "what I have yet to appreciate is these strict non-disclosure agreements with anyone who seems to have this knowledge but is forbidden from disclosing, and so that raises some red flags for me, frankly.”
She questioned the legality of a public entity doing business under such strict NDAs that "limits the public's ability to explicitly see those proprietary fiscal details of this transaction." Grow also asked if it was “good public policy” without public hearings or legislator input.
UI President C. Scott Green said in his business experience, NDAs are a useful tool and needed to protect the sellers and, in this case, it provided UI more access to the University of Phoenix’s financial information.
He said the work and financial information was reported to the State Board of Education, which also serves as the university’s board of regents, which is the constitutional oversight entity for UI.
“I fully recognize the way this deal transaction was conducted was not ideal and it probably was not my preference,” Green responded, but added it was necessary for the transaction.
He said legal counsel ensured things were done properly, and the state board held executive sessions to discuss negotiations under the exemption provided for in Idaho’s public meeting laws for preliminary contract negotiations.
"We've been through all the legal hurdles on this," Green said.
State Board of Education member David Hill told the committee that as one of the three education board members who were privy to negotiations and part of the NDA, he felt they had done their due diligence in asking about the constitutionality of the proposal and dealings as well as what the risks involved were.
Several lawmakers asked questions regarding how the university and state might be put at financial risk, especially in regards to paying off the debt assumed to pay for the acquisition.
UI’s proposal involves creating a new not-for-profit entity that would use bonds to finance the net price of purchase of $350 million. The for-profit university would become a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization after the acquisition was made. Revenues from the University of Phoenix would be used to pay off the debt.
Green has said no state-allocated funds would be used for either the transaction or paying off the bonds.
He added that the online university has been in business for more than 50 years, it’s an $800-million-a-year business and is clearing $150 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
In response to a question about the nonprofit and University of Phoenix’s employees, Green said they would not be considered state employees; both institutions would continue to operate separately.
Horman also asked if Green could provide a complete timeline of negotiations after the meeting, which the president agreed to do.
“The transparency piece of this is very important to me,” Horman said.
The transaction can’t move forward until it is approved by the accreditors of both institutions. University of Phoenix’s accreditor is expected to take it up at its November meeting.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on Idaho Press.com.
Watch more Idaho politics:
See all of our latest political coverage in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/budget-writers-question-legality-transparency-university-of-idaho-proposed-acquisition-of-university-of-phoenix/277-e4a45ceb-1461-478a-91e5-b06eb735b11b | 2023-06-17T02:36:35 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/budget-writers-question-legality-transparency-university-of-idaho-proposed-acquisition-of-university-of-phoenix/277-e4a45ceb-1461-478a-91e5-b06eb735b11b |
LEWISTON, Maine — One of Maine's largest waste management companies is warning people about improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries causing fires.
The company said it battled 12 separate fires from these batteries in the last month, including one at its Lewiston facility in early June.
Steve Henderson, the recycling site's manager, was there when that fire broke out.
"It only takes one. They're just so dangerous and people don't realize it," Henderson said. "It's scary. The scariest part is we could have gone home and that could have caught on fire after we left the building. That's the scariest part. Because then you lose the building and I've got 32 people out of work."
Luckily, no one was hurt in that incident. Henderson said his team finds 10 to 20 of these lithium-ion batteries improperly disposed of every day. Each one is a chance to start a fire that could hurt his team.
"The last thing I want to do is have to go to someone's house and tell their wife or their kids that, look, your dad or your brother got hurt today."
According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, when lithium batteries fail to operate safely or are damaged, they may present a fire and/or explosion hazard.
The main concern for Henderson and his coworkers is physical impacts that can damage lithium batteries, such as dropping, crushing, and puncturing. He said, when people throw away the batteries in their trash or recycling bins, those risks increase.
From the moment it gets dumped into the garbage or recycling truck, to the "tip" floor where a front loader scoops, dumps, and pushes waste into a baler, a battery is likely to get knocked around a lot, causing it to swell and burst, starting a fire.
"It can create its own oxygen as it burns, so it can create its own fire essentially, so it can be very difficult to extinguish," South Portland Fire Department Lieutenant Chris Swenson said.
Swenson and Henderson said the batteries burn until the fuel inside expends itself. The flames can burn as hot as 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit, and Swenson said even tens of thousands of gallons of water cannot extinguish it.
"You can bury them, but it does not go out until the fuel that's inside that battery is expended," Henderson said. "This is what keeps me up at night."
Henderson showed NEWS CENTER Maine a large container of improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries.
Casella offers tips on how to properly recycle lithium-ion batteries, as does the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
They suggest visiting call2recycle.org or casella.com. Many big box stores, such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart have dedicated lithium-ion dropboxes. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/casella-recycling-crews-say-lithium-ion-batteries-causing-serious-fires-public-safety-fire-hazard/97-17c73963-a94a-4297-9c0b-5d1d8517553d | 2023-06-17T02:38:16 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/public-safety/casella-recycling-crews-say-lithium-ion-batteries-causing-serious-fires-public-safety-fire-hazard/97-17c73963-a94a-4297-9c0b-5d1d8517553d |
RAYMOND, Maine — Three people were injured in a rollover crash in front of Raymond Beach Friday night.
At approximately 7:33 p.m., Cumberland County Sheriff's Office deputies and local first responders were called to the area of Roosevelt Trail in front of Raymond Beach for a reported crash, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
An initial investigation revealed 44-year-old Karen Beaulieu of Biddeford was driving a 2020 Jeep Wrangler westbound on Route 302 when the vehicle crashed into the back of a 2011 Toyota Highlander, deputies said. The Highlander was reportedly driven by a 31-year-old Raymond woman headed westbound and attempting to make a left turn into the Raymond Beach parking lot.
The Wrangler flipped on its side during the crash, and police said the Highlander was pushed "several yards down Rte. 302."
Both drivers were reportedly able to remove themselves from their vehicles.
Both drivers and a passenger in the Highlander suffered injuries not considered life-threatening. The Raymond driver and passenger were brought to Bridgton Hospital, and Beaulieu was brought to Maine Medical Center.
The crash prompted the closure of Roosevelt Trail for about 1.5 hours, but has since reopened at approximately 9 p.m.
"The cause of the crash is still under investigation. It is believed speed, inattention and alcohol were factors in this crash," deputies said. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/three-injured-in-raymond-rollover-crash-maine-investigation-traffic-alert-roosevelt-trail-beach/97-ff4d8cdf-a784-4e4f-9afb-f9b10f946457 | 2023-06-17T02:38:22 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/three-injured-in-raymond-rollover-crash-maine-investigation-traffic-alert-roosevelt-trail-beach/97-ff4d8cdf-a784-4e4f-9afb-f9b10f946457 |
Gainesville commission talks housing, names interim city clerk
Gainesville city commissioners met for their usual meeting Thursday and discussed a host of topics that will impact local taxpayers.
Here’s what they did:
ARPA funds for housing projects
The city allocated $7.2 million in funds from the Biden administration's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to affordable housing projects.
The vote was 4-3, with commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, Desmond Duncan Walker and Ed Book in dissent.
The funding includes $850,000 for 17 residential units at Creekside Commons, and $6,350,000 for 203 residential units spread across Woodland Park, Oakview Apartments and Jessie’s Village.
More:Looming GRU bill to cost taxpayers nearly $3M in bond deal
More:City leaders grapple with budget, cut jobs, property tax hike
Interim clerk
Kristen Bryant will be Gainesville’s interim city clerk after being selected by the commission Thursday. Bryant was the agenda coordinator at the clerk’s office and began working with the office in 2019.
City Clerk Omichele Nattiel-Williams submitted a resignation letter in April indicating she will resign from her position effective June 30. Nattiel-Williams has held the position since 2018 and is Gainesville’s first Black clerk.
Commissioners discussed eliminating the charter position earlier in June and moving the responsibilities of the clerk’s office to the city manager's office in order to streamline operations. The commission ultimately decided to move forward with selecting an interim city clerk but will reassess the position later on.
Other applicants to the interim position included Zanorfa Lynch, the current deputy city clerk, and Chianti Powe, who works with the human resources department.
Search for new city auditor
Commissioners approved an estimated $30,000 search for the next city auditor.
Brecka Anderson has served as the interim city auditor since former auditor Ginger Bigbie resigned and left the position in January.
The city will use search firm Baker Tilly to help select the next auditor, a process which may last until October. | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/gainesville-commission-talks-housing-names-interim-city-clerk/70331099007/ | 2023-06-17T02:41:07 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/16/gainesville-commission-talks-housing-names-interim-city-clerk/70331099007/ |
Detroit woman accused of firing shots after hit-and-run charged
A 28-year-old woman from Detroit has been charged in connection with a 2022 hit-and-run crash, authorities announced Friday.
Anecia Monae Autrey was arraigned in the 36th District Court on charges including carrying concealed weapons, assault with a dangerous weapon and felony firearm.
Her bond was set at $15,000.
The charges stem from an incident reported the evening of Oct. 4.
Michigan State Police's Detroit Regional Communications Center were alerted to a hit-and-run in which a man said his car was rear-ended with minor damage on westbound Interstate 94 near the I-75 southbound ramp.
The other driver, identified as Autrey, fled the scene; the man followed her vehicle and snapped a photo of the license plate, state police reported.
He caught up enough to pull alongside the woman and started to yell to her to pull over when she pulled out a gun and fired once, striking the front passenger side door, according to MSP.
The man then fled the scene. No one was injured in the incident, police said.
The Wayne County Prosecutor authorized the charges against Autrey.
A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 23, followed by another hearing on June 29.
“This is just another example of someone using a illegal gun in order to settle a dispute,” said First Lt. Mike Shaw, public information officer for the MSP Second District. “We were lucky that no one was hurt in this incident. There is absolutely no reason to shoot at someone after something as minor as a traffic crash.”
In October 2019, Autrey was sentenced to three years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. She was released the same month as the I-94 incident, records show.
srahal@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/16/detroit-woman-accused-of-firing-shots-after-hit-and-run-charged/70332268007/ | 2023-06-17T02:42:08 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/16/detroit-woman-accused-of-firing-shots-after-hit-and-run-charged/70332268007/ |
PERRYTON, Texas — Families all across Perryton are in need after a tornado leveled the Texas Panhandle town Thursday night.
The tornado caused widespread damage and killed three people, while injuring more than 100 others.
Damage included multiple businesses in the downtown area, as well as a trailer park, homes and vehicles.
With all of that damage, people have come from across the state to help the town recover.
But many families will also need help recovering financially for some time to come, as they've lost everything, including their homes and vehicles.
To help with the recovery, numerous verified GoFundMes have been set up for anyone to donate money to the Perryton families affected by the tornado.
GoFundMe has also set up a centralized hub for families in Texas and the Midwest affected by tornadoes, which you can visit by clicking here.
Perryton-specific GoFundMes set up after the tornado include the following:
Another way to help those affected is by donating to GoFundMe's 2023 Tornado Relief Fund by clicking here. Funds raised here will go directly to those impacted and seeking help through fundraisers, as well as to nonprofit organizations providing relief on the ground.
Thursday was the second day in a row that powerful storms struck the U.S. On Wednesday, strong winds toppled trees, damaged buildings and blew cars off a highway from the eastern part of Texas to Georgia. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/how-you-can-help-perryton-survivors-tornado-devastated-panhandle-town-thursday/287-83a56562-86aa-4cec-a44e-712d2a9d27ef | 2023-06-17T02:42:42 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/how-you-can-help-perryton-survivors-tornado-devastated-panhandle-town-thursday/287-83a56562-86aa-4cec-a44e-712d2a9d27ef |
WISE, Va. (WJHL) — Officials with the Virginia-Kentucky District Fair in Wise said there were people lined up hours before the gates opened Friday afternoon.
Friday’s fair lineup featured two local favorites: Castlewood country music group 49 Winchester and baking champion Linda Skeens.
“We’re so excited, expecting record crowds tonight because of 49 Winchester,” fair committee member Joni Coleman said ahead of the concert.
“It’s been a bit of a different crowd this year,” Coleman said. “We usually open the gates at 4, 4:30. Today there were people lined up at 3 p.m.”
Skeens, who went viral last year after earning blue ribbons for all 25 entries into their fair’s competitions, returned to compete in this year’s fair.
“It’s been crazy, that’s the only word for it,” Skeens told News Channel 11.
Though Skeens returned to the fair to compete again, and to sign cookbooks for fans, she said she was happy to see familiar faces at her local fair.
“You make friends during the years when you enter fairs,” Skeens said. “At both fairs in Russell County, I’ve got some friends we’ve been entering fairs together for 20 years and we’re still friends. And we know if we beat each other we’re doing good.”
Despite the larger-than-normal crowd, the fair kept its local feel.
“This fair I have gone to since I was born,” Coleman said. “It’s small, it’s hometown, it’s great.”
Gates will open Saturday at 11 a.m. for the fair’s final day. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/large-crowd-attends-va-ky-district-fair-for-49-winchester-linda-skeens/ | 2023-06-17T02:58:34 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/large-crowd-attends-va-ky-district-fair-for-49-winchester-linda-skeens/ |
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. – Watch this story tonight on 10 News at 11
While Virginia has seen some of its most significant criminal justice reform in the past few years, some people think it’s not enough.
State lawmakers, policy advocates along with those impacted by the criminal justice system came together on Friday for a criminal justice town hall.
The discussion was titled “How Do We Keep Our Kids of Jail?’”
Organizers of the event included Justice Forward Virginia, Americans for Prosperity Virginia, and Social Action Linking Together (S.A.L.T.).
One of the first speakers was Jae De La Mora who is a survivor of domestic violence. She said throughout her case, she found many flaws with the system but one thing she wished for was more guidance.
“The criminal justice system is terrifying, absolutely terrifying. To not have anyone with you all the time that can effectively walk you through it every step of the process is just terrifying,” De La Mora said.
De La Mora was joined by other panelists including Virginia Senator John Edwards during the discussion.
Edwards has been a strong advocate in Richmond over the years for criminal justice reform. One area he pushed for this past legislative session was changing the age at which you’re tried as an adult.
“I’ve been trying to get the juvenile justice age up to 21. It used to be that until it got knocked down to 18. Every parent knows that a 19-year-old doesn’t have the judgment as an older person,” Edwards said.
Rob Poggenklass, Interim Director of Justice Forward Virginia, also believes there are still some areas to address in terms of more reform. However, after Friday’s discussion, he said it’s really about more resources to help those affected.
“If we’re going to find solutions, we’ve got to look outside the criminal justice system,” Poggenklass said. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/17/southwest-virginia-residents-discuss-concerns-over-states-criminal-justice-system/ | 2023-06-17T03:03:52 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/17/southwest-virginia-residents-discuss-concerns-over-states-criminal-justice-system/ |
SCRANTON, Pa. — Convicted on all 63 charges, Robert Bowers' day in court finally came, says Dan Cardonick, the CEO of Scranton's Jewish Community Center.
"It's been five years since this attack happened, and it's just another reminder of the persistent need for us to work to prevent these senseless acts of hate, antisemitism, and violence against the Jewish community worldwide," Cardonick said.
While Cardonick says nothing like the Tree of Life synagogue shooting has happened in Scranton, he says it did not stop the center from making community safety a priority.
"We formed a local Jewish community council which has a strong connection with the local law enforcement agencies, both at the city county, state, and federal level many of the Jewish institutions in our community. You'll notice a lot of enhancements and security improvements, particularly here at the JCC the addition of security bollards, we have enhanced surveillance. We are more vigilant," Cardonick explained.
The Jewish community in Scranton, according to Cardonick, is small but not unaware.
"We all look out for one another, as well as the greater community, and we are about the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, which is repairing the world," he said.
Cardonick says whatever sentence Bowers receives for his crime will act as a catalyst for the Jewish community to continue coming together.
Download the WNEP app to get breaking news alerts, weather, sports, and important stories at home or on the go.
Want to see what Newswatch 16's newscast was like in 1976? Head on over to WNEP's YouTube. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/jewish-community-reacts-to-robert-bowers-conviction-scrantons-jewish-community-center-dan-cardonick-wnep/523-dfbd7b9d-5ea5-4fab-84d0-0eff6f47a882 | 2023-06-17T03:03:56 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/jewish-community-reacts-to-robert-bowers-conviction-scrantons-jewish-community-center-dan-cardonick-wnep/523-dfbd7b9d-5ea5-4fab-84d0-0eff6f47a882 |
SCRANTON, Pa. — Folks in northeastern Pennsylvania stood in support of the transgender community in downtown Scranton.
NEPA Stands Up, along with other organizations, hosted a trans liberation march on Courthouse Square.
Dozens came out carrying trans and pride flags to advocate for rights and privileges they say have been taken away from the trans community in states across the nation.
"Lately, there have been a lot of bills being passed not in Pennsylvania, but in other states attacking the rights of Trans people, so we are just trying to bring awareness to that and prevent that from happening in Pennsylvania," said Alec Walker-Serrano, Chair of LGBTQ Committee.
Demonstrators say they want to make sure everyone has access to gender-affirming care and equal protection from discrimination in employment, health care, education, and sports.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/march-in-scranton-supports-trans-community-nepa-stands-up-wnep-lgbtq-committee-newswatch16/523-cbeb2c58-3af8-4fa5-b28d-0158b94e05a9 | 2023-06-17T03:04:02 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/march-in-scranton-supports-trans-community-nepa-stands-up-wnep-lgbtq-committee-newswatch16/523-cbeb2c58-3af8-4fa5-b28d-0158b94e05a9 |
BALTIMORE — The school year is wrapped up, but one fourth grader spent his last day of school saving another classmate’s life.
Jace Wiggins was quick to jump into action, so quick he saved his friend's life and he's only 9-years-old.
"I was kind of scared, but I just got behind her and did the Heimlich Maneuver,” said Wiggins.
Monday was the last day at Leith Walk Elementary School, which meant a class party. But what Wiggins didn't know was that the Heimlich Maneuver he learned at the age of seven, was about to be put to the test.
“We were just having fun in the music room listening to music. She went to go have a drink of water and next minute she was chewing on a cap and drinking water and it must have went down,” said Wiggins.
He says it took three tries to get the cap out. "When she was gasping for air and she was trying to get out what she was saying, she was trying to say help but we couldn't understand it but I kind of heard it.”
The Heimlich Maneuver isn't the only thing Wiggins learned at a young age. His mom, Charlie Gilliam, is a certified instructor who also taught him CPR.
"Cardiac arrest is something that it doesn't have a face, it doesn't have an age limit so I think that it's very important and imperative to have everyone around you just know,” said Gilliam.
Wiggins said the hardest part about learning CPR for him was the chest compressions.
The school gave special recognition for his swift actions. And to no one’s surprise, his mom is quite proud. Gilliam said, “He called and then the school called and said your son saved someone's life and when he called I think that his adrenalin was rushing and I’m like what do you mean you did all of this and he said I just did it.”
Wiggins will continue the journey as he helps his mom this summer with classes that train youth on CPR and AED. It just goes to show, you're never too young to know how to save a life. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/9-year-old-saves-friends-life-by-performing-the-heimlich-maneuver | 2023-06-17T03:13:31 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/9-year-old-saves-friends-life-by-performing-the-heimlich-maneuver |
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — In his North Richland Hills home, former Tarrant County prosecutor Richard Alpert is surrounded by moving boxes.
After giving 30 years to the county, the 63-year-old Alpert is now retired and focused on the next chapter of his life: being a professor at Baylor University School of Law.
As he heads to Waco, Alpert leaves countless criminal convictions surrounding vehicular homicide in his rearview mirror, which was his focus in the decades he gave to the county.
And perhaps it's fate, or just blind coincidence, that the case Alpert is most known for is hitting its 10th anniversary as he leaves -- a case that garnered global attention.
The defendant: Ethan Couch.
"This case is one of the two most high-profile cases I've worked on," Alpert said.
"Obviously, I wasn't happy with the result. I wasn't happy with the imposed sentence. He still hasn't been held accountable in any serious way for that crime, so for me to talk about it, it's not my favorite case."
Ethan Couch is a name most North Texans should be familiar with.
Ten years ago on June 15, 2013, Couch killed four and injured at least nine others in a drunk-driving crash in Burleson.
Couch was 16 at the time, now 26, when he crashed his father's truck into a group of people helping 24-year-old Breanna Mitchell, who had broken down on the side of the road.
As a result, Mitchell, Hollie Boyles, her daughter Shelby Boyles and youth pastor Brian Jennings all died.
Sergio Molina, a passenger in Couch's truck, was paralyzed from the neck down.
Investigators said that Couch's blood alcohol level was .26 at the time of the crash -- three times the legal limit in Texas.
They also said security footage caught Couch stealing beer from an area Walmart and that he was hosting a party before the incident.
Alpert was assigned the case from the get-go and began prepping for a trial in juvenile court.
"I remember it happening the day before Father's Day," Alpert said. "I realized that the case would become a media target."
Alpert's realization wasn't misplaced.
A trial never happened, though, because Couch pleaded guilty to four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault.
But during sentencing, the media frenzy began.
Couch's attorneys argued that the teen suffered from "affluenza" and that Judge Jean Boyd should consider a lenient sentence.
"Affluenza" is a psychological illness affecting people by their privileged or wealthy upbringing.
In Couch's case, attorneys argued that he lacked a moral compass or didn't know right from wrong due to his family's wealth.
Couch's parents, Fred and Tonya, founded Cleburne Metal Works. The successful metal roofing company was established in 1986.
Alpert didn't think that Judge Boyd would entertain such a defense.
Couch chose Boyd, a juvenile judge, to decide his fate instead of a jury.
"When their psychiatric expert threw that word out, I literally leaned over and was like, 'did I just hear that right?' I'm pretty sure there might even have been a chuckle in the back of the courtroom because it was just absurd," Alpert said.
"It's an insult to people who have resources and money, and it's an insult to people that don't. It was a Hail Mary pass because they had nothing to lose."
Despite the Hail Mary legal play, Alpert and Tarrant County asked for 20 years of incarceration from Judge Boyd.
But on Dec. 10, 2013, the air was sucked out of the courtroom when Boyd gave Couch a much lighter sentence: 10 years probation.
"That would never have happened with a jury," Alpert said. "I got calls from judges all over the state that just wanted to take the time to tell me that they were shocked. That particular judge will be known by this sentence the same way Ethan will be known for killing those people."
Alpert said facing the victims' families after the sentencing was the most challenging part.
"I think there was just universal shock. I felt pain and disappointment for them. You never get used to that, either. I told them that this was a mistake -- and that I believed he would mess up while on probation. I promised I would be there when that happened, and I was," Alpert said.
Alpert's prediction rang true. On Dec. 2, 2015, Couch was filmed at a party around alcohol playing beer pong -- an apparent violation of his probation.
"There was a part of me that was thinking it wasn't going to happen this quickly, but yeah, it was an 'I told you so' moment," Alpert added.
The story went viral and by the time a probation officer tried to get to the bottom of the facts, Couch and his mother, Tonya, had disappeared.
The story gained global attention, with bounty hunters opining about where the two might go and international authorities working with the U.S. to track the pair down.
A little over two weeks after they went missing, both were captured near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Authorities tracked them down when they made a phone call to order pizza.
Couch and his mother were brought back to the states. Tonya was charged with money laundering and preventing the capture of a fugitive.
An adult court and a different judge ordered Couch to serve 720 days in jail for violating his probation -- 180 days for each victim.
Couch served his time in jail and was released in April 2018. His probation requirements at the time involved strict supervision.
An alcohol-monitoring patch, an ankle monitor, a camera-equipped ignition interlock device and a 9 p.m. curfew were part of the requirements.
In March 2019, Couch's ankle monitor was allowed to be removed, but he was back in jail in January 2020 when authorities said he tested positive for THC, or marijuana.
However, he was quickly released when the test was a "weak positive."
Couch will finish his probation on Dec. 10, 2023. WFAA reached out to his attorneys for comment but did not hear back.
WFAA also tried to contact Judge Boyd and went to her home but never heard from her. She has since retired.
Tonya Couch has been in and out of jail for bond violations over the years but has still not gone to trial on the charges connected to her fleeing to Mexico with Ethan.
She is appealing the constitutionality of the charges and is awaiting a ruling per the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office.
Every Father's Day, Alpert thinks of this case, and the lives lost.
As he begins a new career, he fears he'll hear Couch's name again.
"At the end of the day, has he learned anything? Has he changed his behavior? Even if he manages to stay out of trouble until the end of his probation, I have no confidence that we won't hear from him again." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/ethan-couch-affluenza-10-years-since-deadly-drunk-driving-crash/287-a8ea72a1-592e-49dd-a097-fd1bb80e237e | 2023-06-17T03:16:55 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/ethan-couch-affluenza-10-years-since-deadly-drunk-driving-crash/287-a8ea72a1-592e-49dd-a097-fd1bb80e237e |
DALLAS — DFW Airport is back to normal operations after a "technical error" forced the evacuation of Terminal E, the re-screening of passengers, and caused flight delays for thousands of passengers.
A spokesperson for the airport tells WFAA that around midday, during a systems upgrade at Terminal E, a pre-recorded message was played by mistake.
"Due to a technical error, a message was erroneously activated inside Terminal E asking passengers to leave the building," the airport media relations team announced on Twitter and in statements issued to WFAA. "There is no emergency. Airport staff made additional announcements notifying passengers of the false alarm. Thank you for your patience. We apologize for the inconvenience but safety and security is our first priority."
But by then, the damage was done. Terminal E was completely evacuated and passengers, who had already been through TSA and had been waiting for their flights, had to repeat the security screening process. At times, the lines snaked past ticket counters and baggage claim.
"Even when you see a long line during the holidays, or whatever could be happening, I've never seen it like this," said former WFAA health and wellness reporter Sonia Azad, who says she waited in the TSA line for more than an hour-and-a-half. "People keep arriving and they're like stunned right, they're like what is going on."
"When you have those doors open and people moving freely without TSA oversight you have to get everybody out, rescreen them, and then repopulate. And that's exactly what we did," said Heath Montgomery, VP Communications and Marketing at DFW International Airport.
By late afternoon, Terminal E had resumed near-normal operations with TSA wait times back to normal levels. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/technical-error-forces-evacuation-terminal-e-dfw-airport/287-2b1bddf8-da0d-4f33-95bc-4302cd638cfc | 2023-06-17T03:17:02 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/technical-error-forces-evacuation-terminal-e-dfw-airport/287-2b1bddf8-da0d-4f33-95bc-4302cd638cfc |
DALLAS — Vintage and modern aircraft will soar over Tyler and Cedar Creek Lake at the end of this month and the start of the next. And, as people gather to watch the aerobatic displays, organizers hope you will help them keep several important veterans organizations aloft as well.
The Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation presents the Rose City Airfest at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport in Tyler on June 30 and the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Airshow on July 1. The show over the reservoir, just off the shores of the Pinnacle Club, is free. Donations, however, help support CampV Tyler, Fisher House and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
And to help with that effort, a hero will also be making an appearance.
"Well I'm not a hero. I like to fly and that's all that counts," said Marine Col. Joe McPhail, whose long list of military accomplishments date back to World War II. He is the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 11 air medals and completed 240 combat missions and scored two air-to-air victories flying the Chance Vought Corsair and the Grumman Wildcat.
We met in front of a Wildcat at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison. The Colonel is now 101 years old.
"Yes sir, he said. "I'm nearly 102. On October the 10th I'll be 102."
'Well you've got better DNA than I do, I'll tell you that," I told him.
"Yep," he said as he laughed.
Unfortunately, McPhail said he had to give up flying a couple of decades ago. His aging knees can't squeeze into a Corsair cockpit anymore. But Randy Ball, in a Russian MIG, will be in the air. He is a jet aerobatic pilot and founder of the Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation and the Thunder Over Cedar Creek Lake Air Show.
"It's an honor beyond words," he said to have McPhail attending the air show events. "To get to meet these kind of guys and spend time with them, that's what's really cool."
But the coolest part of this, they will tell you, is that these air shows with vintage and modern aircraft help raise money for the veterans of today by funneling donations to CampV, Fisher House, and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
"We've been really blessed. We've donated almost $600,000 to military charities," said Ball.
This will also be the first vintage aircraft show here since the Wings Over Dallas mid air collision this past November.
"Everyone involved in that incident was a personal friend of mine," Randy Ball said. "Every one of them would want the show to go on, 100 percent. Because what we do is we bring history to life. It's the greatest generation from World War II that gave up everything for our freedom. And this is a living piece of history. How can you not go on with that kind of work?"
And if that isn't enough of a draw for you to consider donating to this cause, there is always the "celebrity" McPhail.
"Well, I'm really not a celebrity," he said. "But I appreciate them coming to see us fly." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/vintage-aircraft-101-year-old-marine-corps-hero-invite-you-next-east-texas-air-show/287-afb0f9f2-90a4-43a6-8bed-005a7d1a10eb | 2023-06-17T03:17:08 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/vintage-aircraft-101-year-old-marine-corps-hero-invite-you-next-east-texas-air-show/287-afb0f9f2-90a4-43a6-8bed-005a7d1a10eb |
PITTSBURGH — The Chicago Bears apparently have some buyer’s remorse when it comes to former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool
The Bears traded their second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft for Claypool in the middle of last season, and that pick became the No. 32 overall pick and the first pick in the second round after Chicago lost every single game the rest of the season.
That certainly tipped the scales of the trade in favor of Omar Khan, and what has happened since with Claypool hasn’t gone much better for Chicago. Claypool was injured down the stretch and ended up catching just 14 passes for 140 yards for the Bears.
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PITTSBURGH — When Cameron Lindsey called Pat Narduzzi Tuesday night, the first thing he heard was barking. Loud barking. It wasn’t Narduzzi himself, but it may as well have been once he heard the reason for Lindsey’s call.
As Lindsey was able to make his voice heard over Narduzzi’s dog, informing Narduzzi that he was committing to Pitt over Penn State, West Virginia and Cincinnati, Narduzzi felt that primal desire to howl, to voice his feelings of keeping Lindsey home in Pittsburgh.
If the excessive Pat Signal at 7:59 p.m. wasn’t enough of a giveaway, Narduzzi was excited. And Ryan Manalac was, too. It was all very cool for Lindsey to hear.
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MOUNT CARMEL, Pa — Three small-town Pennsylvania police officers collectively “kicked, punched, choked and otherwise used excessive force” in 22 arrests over a three-year period, according to a federal indictment unveiled Friday.
The U.S. attorney’s office accused Mount Carmel Borough Police Patrol Officer Kyle Schauer, 34, and two other former officers, former Lt. David Donkochik, 51, and Jonathan McHugh, 35, of violating civil rights in attacks between 2018 and 2021 that caused injuries. They were indicted Thursday.
McHugh’s lawyer said Friday that he was new to the case and unable to comment. The court-appointed lawyer listed for Donkochik said he was only on the case for his initial appearance. A message was left at the office of the lawyer listed as representing Schauer. A phone message seeking comment was also left for Mount Carmel’s current chief, Chris Buhay.
The indictment accuses the three men of trying to hide their alleged crimes by avoiding cameras and lying about the victims.
Grand jurors wrote that the three “falsely reported that arrestees acted in a manner requiring violence and then falsely charged arrestees with criminal offenses,” including aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Schauer is accused of pushing a man down a flight of stairs five years ago, injuring him. Donkochik was accused of using pepper spray against a man as well as punching, kicking and dragging him. McHugh, according to the indictment, punched a man in the face and “threw him against walls,” and slammed a woman’s head against a wall.
Mount Carmel is a town of about 6,000 people 110 miles (177 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, in what was once a thriving coal mining region.
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BOSTON — The son of a woman whose body was donated to Harvard Medical School for research purposes filed a class-action lawsuit on Friday on behalf of all families who believe their loved ones’ body parts were mishandled by the school’s former morgue manager.
The lawsuit filed in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston said the class could include the families of up to 400 donated cadavers. It alleges negligence, breach of duty and infliction of emotional distress.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 Pennsylvanians charged in alleged network of buying, selling human remains stolen from Harvard
Before Adele Mazzone died in February 2019, she arranged to donate her body to the medical school for research, according to the lawsuit. Her ashes were returned to her family in April 2021, but her son, John Bozek, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, thinks that his mother’s body was one of those desecrated at the morgue.
“Plaintiff brings this class action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated individuals whose family members donated and entrusted their deceased bodies into Harvard’s custody for medical research and academic study and whose cadavers were then mishandled, dissected, and/or sold by the HMS morgue manager,” the suit says.
A Harvard spokesperson said via email that the university had no comment on the lawsuit.
When someone loses a loved one, “sometimes the only thing they can latch onto, is that their loved ones’ remains are going to be used for an important scientific purpose,” Jeff Catalano, a partner at Keches Law Group, which is representing Bozek, said in a statement.
Harvard owed a duty of care to the families who entrusted the school with custody of their loved ones’ donated bodies, he said.
“Medical schools like Harvard have a duty to ensure donated remains are handled properly and with decency and to ensure they are used for their intended purpose of scientific study,” he said.
In a message posted on the school’s website Friday entitled “An abhorrent betrayal,” deans George Daley and Edward Hundert called the theft of body parts “morally reprehensible.”
“We are appalled to learn that something so disturbing could happen on our campus — a community dedicated to healing and serving others,” the deans wrote. “The reported incidents are a betrayal of HMS and, most importantly, each of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies to HMS through the Anatomical Gift Program to advance medical education and research.”
The former morgue manager, 55-year-old Cedric Lodge, his wife and three other people are facing federal criminal charges. Harvard said Lodge was fired May 6.
According to prosecutors, the defendants were part of a nationwide network of people who bought and sold remains stolen from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary.
Lodge sometimes took the body parts — which included heads, brains, skin and bones — back to his Goffstown, New Hampshire, home, and some remains were sent to buyers through the mail, according to the criminal case. Lodge also allegedly allowed buyers to come to the morgue to pick which remains they wanted to buy, authorities said.
No attorney was listed for Lodge in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and unspecified damages.
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PITTSBURGH — Most Pittsburgh Steelers fans know that head coach Mike Tomlin has not had a losing season in his first 16 years on the job as a National Football League head coach.
Many also know that his streak is the longest in NFL history. But where does it rank among head coaches of other major professional sports?
Greg Harvey of Stats Perform took a look and found the longest streaks of consecutive non-losing seasons to start a career in each of the four major North American professional sports leagues. His research revealed that Tomlin is tied for the sixth-best such streak of all time.
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Fort Worth is set to host Opal Lee’s annual Walk for Freedom, and the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” said she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
“I’m not going to sit in a rocker and wait for the Lord to call me. He’s going to have to catch me,” Lee said Friday.
The annual walk led by Lee is 2.5 miles long, representing the 2.5 years it took for news of the Emancipation Proclamation to reach enslaved people in Texas. Lee, 96, spent decades advocating for Juneteenth to become a federal holiday.
In 2021, Lee’s yearslong mission was complete.
“My grandparents, my mother…if they had something that was important, something they believed in…nothing stopped them. Come hell or high water. So, maybe I got a little bit of that DNA,” she said Friday. “I’m asking young people, make yourselves a committee of one to change somebody’s mind.”
Over the years, the walk in Fort Worth has grown larger. Lee said it has grown larger both in size and overall meaning.
“I think I’ve been talking to lots of people, and I hope they’ve heard what I said. That we have to work together to get rid of the disparities in our country, and we do have disparities. The joblessness. Homelessness. The health plans of health care some people can get and others can’t. Climate change,” she said. “It’s about freedom. Freedom for everybody. We don’t want people to think that Juneteenth is a Texas thing or a Black thing. It’s freedom.”
On Friday, Lee was the guest of honor at an event rededicating Fort Worth’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Heritage Trail marker. She was joined by longtime supporters of her movement, including Tarrant County Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Brooks.
“Freedom must be nurtured, guarded, and protected,” Brooks said, referring to the importance of Juneteenth.
Lee said she will continue to lead the walk in Fort Worth on June 19 every year for as long as she can.
“I want them to know the history – good, bad, and indifferent – and be sure it doesn’t happen again,” she said. “I want the people to realize that working together, different nationalities…different ethnic groups…that we can achieve so much. And quickly.”
The walk on Monday will start at the Evans Avenue Plaza. On-site registration begins at 9:30 a.m., while the walk is expected to begin around 10:45 a.m. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/opal-lee-grandmother-of-juneteenth-continues-to-march-at-96/3279755/ | 2023-06-17T03:21:38 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/opal-lee-grandmother-of-juneteenth-continues-to-march-at-96/3279755/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County deputies are asking the public for help with an investigation into a fatal shooting earlier this week.
Deputies said that on June 13 around 11:29 p.m., they responded to North Hastings Street and Balboa Drive after receiving reports about a pedestrian who may have been hit by a car.
However, upon arrival, deputies discovered a woman — identified as 32-year-old Dacia Andrews — who had been shot, investigators announced. Detectives said Andrews later died at the hospital.
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In a release, deputies said they learned that there had been multiple people hanging out in the area. A white truck, red minivan and dark-colored BMW or Mercedes had also been left at a nearby residence, the release shows.
Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-8477. Information leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/5k-reward-offered-for-info-on-fatal-orange-county-shooting/ | 2023-06-17T03:27:43 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/5k-reward-offered-for-info-on-fatal-orange-county-shooting/ |
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. – A waterspout formed in the Gulf of Mexico sprang up Friday afternoon in Clearwater Beach, ultimately hospitalizing two Kansas beachgoers, according to Clearwater Fire & Rescue Department.
Fire officials announced on social media that the waterspout popped up around 4 p.m., causing winds that blew several items along the beach flying into the air, including tents and beach chairs.
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The two beachgoers caught up in the strong winds — a 70-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man — were suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment, a social media post shows.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/waterspout-erupts-at-clearwater-beach-hospitalizes-beachgoers/ | 2023-06-17T03:27:49 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/17/waterspout-erupts-at-clearwater-beach-hospitalizes-beachgoers/ |
Manchester University today took a step toward cementing its effect in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana with a groundbreaking for a $20 million expansion.
University officials were joined by elected representatives and regional business leaders for a late-morning ceremony at Manchester’s campus, 10627 Diebold Road.
“This is an incredibly exciting day for everyone at Manchester University,” President Dave McFadden said in a statement. “This expansion and investment in our Fort Wayne health sciences hub is also an important development in helping health care providers meet the critical needs in the communities they serve, and it’s a reflection of our continued success in the health professions over the past 10-plus years.”
The $20 million investment is centered on a 32,000-square-foot addition at a building where the focus is health and science.
The North Manchester-based institution opened its 80,000-square-foot building on Diebold Road near Parkview Regional Medical Center in 2012. It was built for the university’s doctor of pharmacy program.
McFadden announced the expansion plan in December, calling it a strategic move.
Key aspects of the expansion will include the creation of an interprofessional clinic, which will provide students and faculty with hands-on opportunities and experience serving a high-need population in the region.
Other new additions include state-of-the-art physical therapy teaching labs, research and classroom spaces, nursing simulation and skills laboratory, and a variety of versatile collaboration areas for students.
The university will replace the existing façade to include a new entrance and two-story addition. There also will be a significant bump-out on the back of the second floor faculty and staff suite, and a new café and patio.
“Our expanded presence in Fort Wayne is designed for those who will practice well into the 21st century,” said a statement from W. Thomas Smith, dean of health sciences and pharmacy. “We are maximizing our space – and providing world-class resources to our world-class faculty – to accommodate today’s learners and tomorrow’s health care providers.”
It will also enhance Manchester’s nursing program, which recently earned full, five-year accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
This accreditation covers both its Fort Wayne-based Accelerated BSN Second Degree program and its traditional, four-year track for a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with two of those years in Fort Wayne.
The university previously announced plans to create a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Nutrigenomics in the upcoming year. Nutrigenomics is the scientific study of the interaction of nutrition and genes, especially with regard to the prevention or treatment of disease.
McFadden is scheduled to retire June 30. He will be succeeded by Stacy Young, an alumna, July 1. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/manchester-university-breaks-ground-on-20-million-expansion-in-fort-wayne/article_e043e05c-0c61-11ee-ab8d-c7b804eb1e80.html | 2023-06-17T03:36:12 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/manchester-university-breaks-ground-on-20-million-expansion-in-fort-wayne/article_e043e05c-0c61-11ee-ab8d-c7b804eb1e80.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/south-jersey-treatment-center-helping-those-who-struggle-with-addiction/3587654/ | 2023-06-17T03:47:49 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/south-jersey-treatment-center-helping-those-who-struggle-with-addiction/3587654/ |
The mother and father of 18-year-old Anthony Allegrini Jr., a teenager who was shot and killed by state police after he allegedly hit two troopers with his car on I-95 on Sunday, June 4, sat down for an interview for the first time.
His parents said they recently watched the video of the events that occurred leading up to their son being shot on the highway and say that their son wouldn't have done what police are accusing him of and called the incident “inhumane” and “catastrophic.”
Investigators said Allegrini Jr. of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, attended an unruly car meet early Sunday morning in which part of I-95 southbound was blocked off as a large crowd watched drivers drag race and do "burnouts" and "donuts" in the middle of the highway.
Police Captain Gerard McShea said two state troopers arrived to break up a gathering on I-95 southbound at mile marker 21 near Penn’s Landing when they saw four people get into a black Audi with Allegrini behind the wheel.
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The two troopers then drove their vehicle in front of Allegrini's car and got out on foot and told Allegrini to yield, which he failed to do and continued driving. He then hit the two troopers with his car, according to investigators.
"One trooper then discharged his service pistol through the front windshield and struck Allegrini who was seated in the driver's seat," said McShea.
Police dash camera video and cellphone video are a part of the evidence in the investigation into what took place on the highway and one video claims to show Allegrini Jr. on the ground, away from his car, still moving, but with no one rendering aid.
“Can’t believe how inhumane of an act and just how catastrophic that was to see and watch nothing happen. No help, no aid, no anything…just like it was a raccoon that got run over on the side of the road,” Anthony’s father, Anthony Allegrini Sr., said about his son being shot by police.
When police were asked about whether that was protocol for when a suspect is shot, to pull them from the car and not give them aid, McShea replied, “I can’t get into this specific incident.”
“We want the truth to come out,” Allegrini Sr. said. “He’s a kind soul that would have never done anything.”
“I want everyone to know he isn’t what they're portraying him to be,” Allegrini Jr.’s mother, Jennifer Allegrini, said. “He would not intentionally hurt anyone.”
The family’s attorney Enrique Latoison disputed the fact that Anthony was in any way involved in the car meet that blocked I-95.
"This was not somebody that was involved with doing donuts in the middle of Philadelphia," Latoison said. "He was not involved with blocking 95. He was a spectator in this event."
There have also been some disputes about where Anthony was when he was shot. Reagan Hocking, Anthony’s girlfriend, spoke with NBC10 and said that he was outside the vehicle when he was shot, not inside like investigators said.
State Police did not respond to Hocking's comments but investigators are standing by their statement that Allegrini was inside the car when he was shot.
When asked what their end goal is for speaking out, Anthony’s parents said that they don’t want this to happen to anyone else’s child.
“This can’t keep happening. There has to be a big change and maybe this is the start of something positive,” Anthony Sr. said. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/we-want-to-see-proof-parents-of-teen-who-was-killed-by-police-on-i-95-say-he-isnt-who-they-describe/3586663/ | 2023-06-17T03:47:55 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/we-want-to-see-proof-parents-of-teen-who-was-killed-by-police-on-i-95-say-he-isnt-who-they-describe/3586663/ |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Friday's severe storm brought strong winds and up to baseball-sized hail to parts of Perry, Yell, Garland and Saline counties.
Kelly Tucker, who lives off Fairplay Road on the border of Saline County, got home around 3 p.m. when he received a severe weather alert that hail was heading in his direction.
But hail wasn't his only problem.
"The amount of wind was what was amazing," Tucker said. "It flipped over one of the stalls for our donkey, and he was just out there getting pelted with it. It was so sad."
A tree fell in the roadway knocking out power to nearby homes.
Although no one was injured, Tucker said this is the second time his property was hit by hail in the last week. The EF-3 tornado in March also damaged his rental properties in Little Rock.
"We have enjoyed the storms as much as possible," Tucker said. "We would like to see some blue skies and nice weather for a few days."
Crews were able to restore power and clear the tree from Fairplay Road. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/damaging-hail-slams-arkansas/91-1aca3141-dbe8-49bb-bef4-bd3b1cbfc862 | 2023-06-17T03:53:57 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/damaging-hail-slams-arkansas/91-1aca3141-dbe8-49bb-bef4-bd3b1cbfc862 |
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