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UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. — People are back in their homes after a gas leak forced an evacuation in Upper St. Clair on Wednesday.
The leak happened on Lesnett Street and the road was closed for hours between Wellington Drive and the McLaughlin Run roundabout.
On 11 News at 5 p.m., the construction mistake that sparked an evacuation.
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Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/gas-leak-forces-evacuation-upper-st-clair/SI7OMS3LJNDNPDJIUWNV3CSF7Y/ | 2023-06-21T20:28:24 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/gas-leak-forces-evacuation-upper-st-clair/SI7OMS3LJNDNPDJIUWNV3CSF7Y/ |
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man was stopped by TSA officers Wednesday morning when he tried to get through the security checkpoint at Pittsburgh International Airport with a loaded gun.
The TSA said the 9mm handgun was in the man’s carry-on bag and was loaded with eight bullets.
Airport police were alerted when the gun was spotted in the checkpoint x-ray machine and confiscated the weapon. The TSA said the man is also facing a stiff federal financial civil penalty.
“This past week has been one of the busiest travel periods of the year across the country,” said Karen Keys Turner, TSA Federal Security Director for the airport. “It was and is no time to be carrying guns and other prohibited items around in a carry-on bag. There is absolutely no excuse for bringing a firearm to an airport security checkpoint. Responsible gun owners know where their guns are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint. Travelers play an important part in ensuring a smooth checkpoint experience and it is the responsibility of the traveler to know the contents of their carry-on items before they get to the airport,” she added.
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Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/local-man-stopped-with-loaded-gun-pittsburgh-international-airport-checkpoint/OZGBVEYWWJAMZNGUTWWX5HXAEI/ | 2023-06-21T20:28:31 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/local-man-stopped-with-loaded-gun-pittsburgh-international-airport-checkpoint/OZGBVEYWWJAMZNGUTWWX5HXAEI/ |
ATLANTA — If you scroll down the feeds of social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, you might come across a couple of terms that ultimately end up in your Google search bars. This of course depends on how in touch you are with some slang terms used widely by young internet users.
In fact, for decades, slang has made its way into the conversations of many generations of people. The “off the chain” and “cool cat” references have taken on a new era.
Preply surveyed more than 600 parents of teens ages 13-18. The results showed nearly three in five parents say they've Googled a slang term after seeing or hearing their teens use it.
More than 50% of parents knew the definition of these terms:
Salty (70%) - "When you are upset over something little.”
Bougie (67%) - "Used to describe someone as high class, literally or figuratively."
Sus (65%) - "Giving the impression that something is questionable or dishonest; suspicious."
Bet (63%) - "An expression that means 'I agree', 'good news'."
Extra (62%) - "Being over the top, excessive, dramatic behavior."
Cap (67%) - "Another word for lying. It can be used like no cap or you can say stop capping."
Yeet (52%) - "To violently throw an object that you deem to be worthless, inferior or just plain garbage."
Admittedly, the terms above have been around a bit longer, becoming well-known words in the world of social media.
Other terms that made Preply’s most popular slang terms of 2023 include:
Bussin’ - "What you would say if something was really good."
Sheesh - "An expression when you’re impressed or amazed by something."
Rizz - "Charming”
IYKYK - "If You Know You Know."
Pushin’ P - "Means that you’re staying real and being positive."
Touch grass - "When someone is doing something weird, stupid, or pointless. It means they need to come back to reality. They need to get some fresh air and get back in touch with how the real world works."
The above terms are emerging among the youngest internet users and seeping into everyday life.
So how many of these terms did you know? According to Preply, only 2% of parents knew the meaning of all the slang terms on their list.
You can check out a full list of terms here. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/outreach/atl-culture/gen-z-millennial-slang-terms/85-b3bc1ffe-c31f-4208-b6f8-94884909f167 | 2023-06-21T20:34:28 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/outreach/atl-culture/gen-z-millennial-slang-terms/85-b3bc1ffe-c31f-4208-b6f8-94884909f167 |
MITCHELL — The following cases were among those heard Tuesday, June 20, during a circuit court session at the Davison County Public Safety Center, with Judge Chris Giles presiding:
- Randy Johnson, 36, of Sioux Falls, was sentenced to five years in prison for a probation violation. Johnson’s latest probation violation is one of several over the past few years. Davison County Deputy State’s Attorney Robert O’Keefe said Johnson continues to violate probation and deemed him not supervisable for probation. O’Keefe recommended a prison sentence. Despite Johnson’s attempts at asking for another chance at probation, Judge Giles imposed the maximum five-year sentence, citing repeated blown opportunities to abide by probation.
- Laura Baus, 51, of Mitchell, was granted a suspended imposition for grand theft in the amount between $5,000 and $100,000, a Class 4 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. According to prosecuting attorney O’Keefe, Baus spent well over $5,000 belonging to her disabled son without permission over a period of several years. During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Giles said Baus’ incident was “rather unusual” and deemed her as a good candidate for a suspended imposition in part based on the positive changes she’s made since the incident. As part of her sentencing, Baus was ordered to serve six years of probation and pay roughly $16,800 in restitution fees.
- Tyler Brockway, 27, of Osceola, Indiana, was sentenced to five years in prison with five years suspended for possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor offense. He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended for use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Brockway received credit for serving 61 days in jail. According to court documents, Brockway was a passenger of a vehicle that was pulled over along Interstate 90 for speeding. After detecting the smell of marijuana, officers executed a search and found fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana. His attorney, Reid Kiner, explained Brockway has a job waiting for him in Indiana.
- Skiler Seidel, 31, of Sturgis, pleaded guilty to abuse, cruelty to a minor under the age of 7, a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. Seidel’s charge stems from him picking up his child and “throwing him to the ground,” which caused the child to fall limp, according to an arrest affidavit. Seidel then pushed the child through a door and left the scene, the affidavit says. The alleged abuse was caught on camera, according to court documents. Seidel was later apprehended by authorities in Sturgis. Judge Giles ordered a pre-sentence investigation report be conducted on Seidel’s criminal history prior to his upcoming sentencing hearing.
- Jerome Sitting Crow, 28, of Rapid City, admitted to violating probation. He was serving probation for possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony. Sitting Crow was sentenced to serve two years of probation. He received credit for serving 18 days in jail.
- Mary Eichman, 58, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to grand theft in the amount between $1,000 and $2,500, a Class 6 felony. She is scheduled to face a jury trial in October unless she changes her plea prior to the trial date.
- Lady Shimaray Hooks, 29, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to abuse, cruelty to a minor under the age of 7, a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine. Hooks’ charge stems from her allegedly hitting a child in the face and spanking the child after the child refused to leave another residence, according to an affidavit. She is scheduled to face a jury trial in October unless she changes her plea prior to the trial date.
- David Richey, 53, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor offense. Richey was pulled over in a vehicle he was operating, which led to a search that uncovered meth, an affidavit alleges. Richey told officers he just purchased the vehicle when he was pulled over, court documents say.
- Clifton Red Feather, 51, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony, a Class 1 misdemeanor. According to prosecuting attorneys, Red Feather was present at a residence he knew meth was being used in and failed to report it to authorities. He was sentenced to 84 days in jail with 60 days suspended. Red Feather received credit for serving 24 days in jail.
- Bryon Fischer, 49, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary, a Class 2 felony. According to an affidavit, Fischer allegedly broke into an apartment while the owner was away and was found sleeping on the couch when authorities entered the apartment. In a separate case, Fischer is facing the following charges: grand theft in the amount between $2,500 and $5,000, a Class 5 felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, aggravated assault with intent to cause bodily injury, a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, aggravated eluding, a Class 6 felony, unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, reckless driving and failure to make a proper stop, each misdemeanor offenses. According to an arrest affidavit for, Fischer allegedly led officers on a vehicle pursuit on March 5 after taking an “unknown amount” of pills. During the pursuit that stretched from high-traffic Mitchell roads to Highway 38 on the east side of Mitchell, Fischer allegedly attempted to strike a Highway Patrol trooper’s vehicle, which caused the trooper to swerve toward a nearby ditch, the affidavit says. The pursuit came to an end when Fischer’s truck began experiencing mechanical problems along Highway 25. When Fischer brought the truck to a stop, officers managed to arrest him. According to the affidavit, Fischer began experiencing medical problems when officers took him into custody, prompting emergency transportation to Avera Queen of Peace hospital in Mitchell. He requested a bond modification on Tuesday to allow his release from jail, which prosecuting attorney O’Keefe urged against, dubbing Fischer as a “threat to the community.” Judge Giles reduced his cash bond slightly to $2,000 with conditions that include not entering the apartment complex he allegedly broke into. He is scheduled to face a jury trial in October unless he changes his plea prior to the trial date.
- Todd Hattum, 51, of Harrold, admitted to violating probation during Tuesday’s hearing. Hattum was serving probation for possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. The violation report indicated he tested positive for meth. Hattum was granted a furlough to enter an in-patient treatment program ahead of his Aug. 1 sentencing hearing.
- Zeraya Sellers, 19, of Mitchell, was granted a two-week continuance for an alleged probation violation. She’s serving probation for possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony.
- Brooke Kirk, 29, of Mitchell, was granted a two-week continuance for two counts of intentionally causing contact with bodily fluids, a Class 1 misdemeanor. She allegedly spit on correction officers at the Davison County jail, an affidavit says.
- Mayter Aquino-Vizcaino, 39, of Mitchell, was granted a continuance request that pushed her next hearing to July. She is facing reckless burning, a Class 4 felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. According to an affidavit, Aquino-Vizcaino was burning items in a room inside her residence where other tenants live. She told authorities she was burning “old history” when they arrived at her residence and detected smoke and burn odors.
- Jonathon Schroeder, 22, of Alexandria, pleaded guilty to a second-offense DUI charge and intentional damage to property amounting under $400, each misdemeanor offenses. He was sentenced to 115 days in jail with 100 days suspended. He received credit for serving 15 days in jail. For the property damage charge, Schroeder was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended. As part of his sentencing, he was placed on 24-7 alcohol screening, along with having his license revoked for one year. According to an affidavit, Schroeder allegedly used pliers to break into a Mitchell residence to steal a little under $400 worth of groceries. While he was initially charged with burglary, it was dismissed as part of a plea deal.
- Jewel Old Lodge, 31, of Winner, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance, each Class 5 felonies, possession of marijuana in the amount of 2 ounces or less, unauthorized ingestion of a control substance and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, each misdemeanor offenses. She is scheduled to face a jury trial in October unless she changes her plea prior to the trial date.
- Ian Austin, 27, of Mitchell, was granted a two-week continuance for an alleged probation violation. He was serving probation for possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony. Austin is seeking entry into the James Valley Drug Court program.
- Timothy Funk, 60, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 1 misdemeanor. He also denied violating probation. Funk was granted a PR bond on Tuesday after his attorney, Ashley Schartz, explained the Air Force veteran had employment.
- Nicholas Tischler, 35, of Mitchell, was denied a request for a bond reduction. Tischler is facing possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and open alcoholic container in a vehicle, each misdemeanor offenses. Davison County State’s Attorney Jim Miskimins indicated new charges could soon be pending against Tischler.
- Daniel Seiner, 37, of Mitchell, denied violating probation. He was serving probation for a third-degree burglary charge, a Class 5 felony. Seiner’s bond modification request was denied Tuesday.
- Karla Bridger, 58, of Mitchell, admitted to violating probation. She was serving probation for a third-offense DUI charge, a Class 6 felony. Bridger was sentenced to two years of probation. She received credit for serving 37 days in jail.
- Winenona Baily, 37, of Eldora, Iowa, was granted a personal recognizance bond on Tuesday. She is facing grand theft in the amount between $1,000 and $2,500, a Class 6 felony. According to an arrest affidavit, Baily allegedly stole a vehicle in Mitchell and was found by authorities in Hutchinson County, where she allegedly attempted to steal another vehicle. Baily is also facing charges in Hutchinson County.
- Garan Crader, 39, of Mitchell, admitted to violating probation. Crader has violated probation multiple times in the past two years. He was sentenced to serve a combined four years in prison for the latest probation violations, which stemmed from him obstructing law enforcement officers, admitting to possessing meth and failing to attend treatment appointments. In January 2022, Crader was sentenced to serve two years of probation after pleading guilty to aggravated assault against an officer, a Class 6 felony. The 2022 assault against an officer charge stemmed from a domestic incident that prompted officers to use a taser to apprehend Crader. Prosecuting attorney O’Keefe recommended a maximum prison sentence be imposed for Crader’s latest violations, calling him a “threat to the community.”
- Mynor Andrade, 33, of Mitchell, was appointed an attorney to represent him for an alleged probation violation. He’s serving probation for a third-offense Driving Under the Influence charge, which is a Class 6 felony that carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $4,000 fine. Andrade’s next hearing is scheduled for July 7.
- Jami Lewis, 43, was appointed an attorney to represent her for possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Lewis is also under the supervision of the South Dakota Department of Corrections.
- John Fredericks, 52, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, possession of marijuana in the amount between 2 ounces or less and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, each misdemeanor offenses. He’s also facing a probation violation charge, which he previously denied committing. He is scheduled to face a jury trial in October unless he changes his plea prior to the trial date.
- Kayla Charging Hawk, 38, of Mitchell, failed to appear in court Tuesday for possession of a controlled substance (meth), a Class 5 felony, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. A bench warrant has been issued for her arrest. An arrest affidavit alleges officers uncovered meth and syringes inside her residence during a search. | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/davison-county-felony-court-cases-for-june-20 | 2023-06-21T20:35:25 | 0 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/davison-county-felony-court-cases-for-june-20 |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Wichita Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing 67-year-old man.
Police say Stephen Bodine has some health issues.
He was last seen in the area of Central and Broadway.
Bodine may be wearing a red shirt and black shorts.
If you know where he is, call 911. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/67-year-old-wichita-man-is-missing/ | 2023-06-21T20:35:37 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/67-year-old-wichita-man-is-missing/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Kansas Department of Corrections is investigating the death of a 33-year-old inmate at Larned State Correctional Facility.
Cortez Timley died Wednesday morning. He was serving time for a Topeka first-degree murder in 2014, three counts related to drug possession and one misdemeanor count of interfering with the duties of a law enforcement officer from Shawnee County.
Timley still had 18 years of prison to serve.
The Department of Corrections says the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is also helping investigate Timley’s death. That is standard procedure when an inmate dies in a Kansas prison.
The Larned State Correctional Facility is an all-male facility. It used to be the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility, but the name was changed in April. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/larned-inmate-convicted-of-topeka-murder-dies/ | 2023-06-21T20:35:43 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/larned-inmate-convicted-of-topeka-murder-dies/ |
Corktown Health set to open LGBTQ+ health center in Hazel Park
Hazel Park — Corktown Health, a Detroit-based non-profit that provides HIV support services, is expanding into Oakland County with an LGBTQ+ focused health center that is scheduled to open by the end of 2024, President and CEO Anthony Williams said Wednesday.
The new health center, located on John R Road in Hazek Park, will be an additional health care access point and is part of Corktown Health's Driving Health Equity Campaign that aims to expand health access and services for the LGBTQ+ community. The center will provide wraparound services to the LGBTQ+ community, including primary care, dental care and food assistance, Williams said.
"While medical advancements have moved steadily forward, health care discrimination continues for people who identified as part of the LGBTQ community," said Patty Martin, chair of the Corktown Health Board of Directors. "We decided something needed to be done about these issues, and we just decided to build a clinic. Our goal was to help drive health equity in Detroit."
Corktown Health's flagship location in Detroit opened in 2017 and has since expanded to provide members of the LGBTQ+ community with everything from HIV medical care, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and PrEP for HIV prevention to behavioral health services, gender-affirming care and nutritional counseling. The center's programs reach over 4,000 people a year, roughly 30% of whom are living with HIV.
One patient, 25-year-old Jacob Martinez, was diagnosed with HIV last year and has been going to Corktown Health ever since.
"I really had nowhere else to go to," Martinez said at the Wednesday news conference. "If Corktown didn't have the resources to handle emergency situations, I may not be here today."
Corktown Health launched a fundraising campaign for the Driving Health Equity initiative aimed at raising $8 million over the next couple of years and already has collected $3.2 million.
"I'm proud to lead the community effort to ensure that we have the resources to both expand access to the services at our location in Detroit but also to bring those same services to LGBTQ+ residents in Oakland County," Martin said.
Corktown Health's involvement in Hazel Park and Oakland County predates the new health center. It previously hosted dental clinics for uninsured Hazel Park residents, according to City Manager Ed Klobucher.
The Oakland County Health Division has been working with and referring LGBTQ+ patients to Corktown Health for the past five years, Oakland County Deputy Executive Madiha Tariq said. Corktown Health has also been enrolled as a county Monkeypox and COVID-19 vaccine provider.
"Corktown Health became one of our top referral sites for LGBTQ communities for PrEP communities, as well as others who felt that they often experienced medical gaslighting and discrimination because of their identity," Tariq said. "This (new) space will not just provide medical care but also address social determinants of health."
Health care providers, such as nurse practitioners, can also train with specialized communities at the new center, Tariq added. Oakland County has allocated $2.5 million from the American Rescue Plan to help fund the Hazel Park health center.
The Albert Khan Associates architecture firm will work with Corktown Health to design the new clinic, which is set to open at the end of 2024. While Corktown Health focuses on addressing health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community, it is open to everyone, Williams said. The organization also has programs to help low-income residents and patients without health insurance.
hmackay@detroitnews.com
Twitter: hmackayDN | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/06/21/corktown-health-set-to-open-lgbtq-health-center-in-hazel-park/70342829007/ | 2023-06-21T20:36:20 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/06/21/corktown-health-set-to-open-lgbtq-health-center-in-hazel-park/70342829007/ |
A Garner man was injured Wednesday morning in a single vehicle motorcycle accident on Highway 122 just east of Lark Avenue.
According to a release from the Cerro Gordo Sheriff's Office, 62-year-old Mark Steenhard left the frontage road near North Iowa Golf and crossed over the westbound lane of the highway intending to make a left turn around 7 a.m.
While doing so, an eastbound vehicle started to change lanes, causing Steenhard to lose control and lay the motorcycle on its side.
He was taken to MercyOne North Iowa by Mason City Fire medics where he was treated for minor injuries.
PHOTOS: Newman Catholic, Clear Lake, Forest City baseball
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NewsVu: PHOTOS: Newman Catholic, Clear Lake, Forest City baseball | https://globegazette.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/motorcycle-crash-injuries/article_6e346c4e-1066-11ee-ade8-5ba51727b063.html | 2023-06-21T20:36:30 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/motorcycle-crash-injuries/article_6e346c4e-1066-11ee-ade8-5ba51727b063.html |
SHEFFIELD -- A man was shot and killed by a Franklin County Sheriff's deputy in Sheffield on Tuesday night after deputies responded to the scene of a domestic dispute.
Deputies were called at 9:42 p.m., to 1124 W. Gilman St. in Sheffield on a report of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, deputies encountered a male brandishing a handgun at a vehicle and at deputies. Deputies ordered the male to drop the gun. The male refused and a deputy shot him one time. Medical personnel responded to the scene but the male died at the scene. No officers were injured.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Patrol are investigating the incident. Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd confirmed the deputy is on leave pending investigation.
Dodd said when there is a shooting involving one of his deputies the Department of Criminal Investigation is called in to investigate. He also said MercyOne North Iowa's Air Med helicopter landed in the football field to transport the wounded man, but he was died before he could be airlifted.
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The name of the deceased will be released at a later time after notification of relatives.
Other agencies that assisted on the scene were Sheffield EMS, Franklin General Hospital Ambulance, the Sheffield Fire Department and the Hampton Police Department.
North Iowa neighbors: Obituaries for June 21
Read through the obituaries published today in Globe Gazette.
Laura M. Truesdell, 84, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, June 17, 2023, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Arrangements: Ward-V… | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/franklin-county-sheriff-deputy-shoots-kills-man-sheffield/article_1717ef18-104c-11ee-a2b6-db6000a25f03.html | 2023-06-21T20:36:36 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/franklin-county-sheriff-deputy-shoots-kills-man-sheffield/article_1717ef18-104c-11ee-a2b6-db6000a25f03.html |
A Charles City man who originally faced up to 45 years in prison after allegedly killing a man and injuring two others in a drunken collision last July has been sentenced to five years.
According to court records, 49-year-old Timothy James Hoy was sentenced for two class D felonies -- involuntary manslaughter and serious injury by vehicle -- in Cerro Gordo County District Court on Monday. In exchange for his guilty plea last month another charge of serious injury by vehicle and one charge of homicide by vehicle operating under the influence were dismissed.
The convictions each carry five-year sentences, but the sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
The charges stemmed from a July 25 incident in which Hoy allegedly drove his 2013 Nissan Altima across the center line near the intersection of Yarrow Avenue and 265th Street in Cerro Gordo County. The affidavit states Hoy struck a vehicle driven by 41-year-old Stephen John Miles of Mason City.
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Miles was killed and two others were injured in the crash. Hoy allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .179%, more than twice the legal limit.
The sentence also calls for restitution to the Miles estate of $150,000. Hoy's insurance has already paid $100,000 of the restitution, leaving Hoy responsible for the other $50,000.
Court records indicate Hoy does not have any prior felony convictions. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/manslaughter-death-collision-hoy/article_f3d4ba64-1068-11ee-b688-3f92206f65c0.html | 2023-06-21T20:36:42 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/manslaughter-death-collision-hoy/article_f3d4ba64-1068-11ee-b688-3f92206f65c0.html |
Hallmark 'Christmas Cam' approved by Harbor Springs City Council for second year
HARBOR SPRINGS — A little town on Little Traverse Bay may shine like the star on top of a Christmas tree as a featured feed on the Hallmark Christmas Camera.
Harbor Springs was previously included on the Hallmark Christmas Camera during the 2022 holiday season.
The Harbor Springs City Council approved a proposal from Hallmark during their June 19 meeting to allow the livestream again this year. The plan is to keep the camera in the same place — on the corner of Main Street and South Spring Street facing the Holy Childhood of Jesus Church, where the city's Christmas tree is placed every year.
City manager Victor Sinadinoski said the public was generally supportive of the idea, though a few people had concerns about being monitored.
"Just another reason to put our cute little town on the map," said Mayor Matthew Bugera.
The dates and hours have not been finalized, but Hallmark is expected to set up the camera after Thanksgiving and run it through the end of the year, with the camera live streaming from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
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The council also received short updates on fundraising goals and construction progress from Sinadinoski and council member John Cupps, who is a partial owner of Cupps Masonry, the company selected to upgrade the boardwalk.
Sinadinoski said the city received a $50,000 donation from the Offield Family Foundation to go towards the Ted Swarthout Skatepark, and another $50,000 donation from the Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation to go towards the boardwalk project.
Cupps said the boardwalk construction is progressing well, with an expectation for part of the boardwalk to be available and open to the public by July 4. He said he's not sure if the whole boardwalk will be open because not all of the hand railing is in yet. He said the hand railing will start going in on Tuesday, June 20.
"We know we'll have the upper part open, just not 100 percent sure right now if we'll have it all open, given inspections and final approvals on things," Cupps said. "We're shooting for it. We're going to be close. So we'll see how things shake out."
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com or on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/harbor-springs-approves-hallmark-christmas-cam-for-second-year/70337033007/ | 2023-06-21T20:44:09 | 1 | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/harbor-springs-approves-hallmark-christmas-cam-for-second-year/70337033007/ |
DALLAS — The United States Postal Service (USPS) is mourning the loss of one of its employees who passed away during their route in a North Texas neighborhood this week, the company confirms.
In a statement, USPS said the employee was working a route in the Lakewood area of Dallas when he died.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time. Our carriers deliver the mail throughout the year during varying temperatures and climatic conditions. This includes during the summer months when the temperatures rise throughout the country,” USPS said.
At this time, the letter carrier’s name has not yet been released to the public. His cause of death has also not yet been confirmed. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 | 2023-06-21T20:48:26 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 |
LONDON, ARKANSAS, Ark. — Police are investigating after a crash on I-40 East in London left three people dead and three others injured on Monday.
According to a report from Arkansas State Police, 28-year-old Taylor Brannin was driving a vehicle headed eastbound on I-40 around the 75-mile marker when she swerved from the left lane towards the right, and then off the right side of the road.
The vehicle then collided with a tree head-on. The crash left Brannin, and two minor passengers deceased, and three other minors were injured.
Reports state that the weather conditions were clear and that the roadways were dry.
The injured victims have been taken to the St. Mary's Regional Health & Arkansas Children's Hospital where their conditions remain unknown. The deceased victims have been taken to the Pope County Coroner's Office.
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/three-dead-three-injured-accident-i-40/91-9e0d68c3-3015-4abd-b63c-7deeba7896c8 | 2023-06-21T20:48:32 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/three-dead-three-injured-accident-i-40/91-9e0d68c3-3015-4abd-b63c-7deeba7896c8 |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
A large property that is part of one of the region’s most anticipated mixed-use projects has sold for an eye-catching price.
Read: Want to grab a cheap bite to eat? Check out these bargains
Orange County records show an entity related to Orlando-based Cadence Partners LLC paid $47 million for the 104-acre parcel on June 16 for the land to Kelly Park VB Development LLC, a subsidiary of Vero Beach-based Evans Properties, which is the master developer of the 250-acre Wyld Oaks mixed-use project in Apopka’s Kelly Park area.
However, Joseph Beninati, the development coordinator for Evans Properties, told Orlando Business Journal that 16 acres of the 104-acre parcel will be retained by the master developer once the plat is subdivided — meaning Cadence Partners’ actual acquisition is 88 acres.
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/big-dollar-sale-closes-land-apopkas-red-hot-kelly-park-area/OAK47R4OLVE23IXHB7DYRDE7TQ/ | 2023-06-21T20:57:38 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/big-dollar-sale-closes-land-apopkas-red-hot-kelly-park-area/OAK47R4OLVE23IXHB7DYRDE7TQ/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
Velocity Esports, an arcade, esports and restaurant concept, plans to add a downtown Orlando location.
It has signed a 14,788-square-foot lease at 434 N. Orange Ave. in the ground level of the under-construction 16-story multi-use building Society Orlando.
Carey Jaffee and Justin McMahon of JLL represented Velocity Esports in the lease transaction, while Cabot L. Jaffee III of CBRE represented the building’s owner, Property Markets Group.
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/downtown-orlando-get-new-entertainment-concept/RC65YBTFFFF5ZLG7TSZGJEUKR4/ | 2023-06-21T20:57:44 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/downtown-orlando-get-new-entertainment-concept/RC65YBTFFFF5ZLG7TSZGJEUKR4/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Head Start is looking to fill more than two dozen teaching and classroom aide roles before the start of the next school year.
To help do so, the program is hosting a job fair on Friday at the Youth and Family Learning Center, located at 1826 E. Michigan St. The job fair will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Orange County Head Start is an early-childhood education program for low-income families. Each year, the county says more than 1,500 children enroll in Orange County’s 22 Head Start centers.
Officials said they are looking to fill more than 40 positions. Many of the positions may be eligible for a $1,000 sign-on incentive.
Read: Looking for work? Amway Center hosting summer hiring events
You can click here for a list of open positions.
👋 @OrangeCoFL #HeadStart is hiring nurturing individuals committed to meeting the needs of children & families for 40+ positions! Apply, interview & receive offers at the Job Fair on Fri., 6/23, 9am-2pm, at The Youth & Family Learning Ctr. Job details: https://t.co/EocVCHVouZ pic.twitter.com/DGAhhoEzxN
— Orange County Parks and Recreation (@OrangeCoParksFL) June 21, 2023
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-friday-orange-county-head-start-hosting-job-fair/PIP2MT3XLRCIRI3FAV3S63YNGY/ | 2023-06-21T20:57:51 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/happening-friday-orange-county-head-start-hosting-job-fair/PIP2MT3XLRCIRI3FAV3S63YNGY/ |
OCALA, Fla. — The residents inside an Ocala home were evacuated after a 30-foot wide ground depression opened within feet of their house.
Firefighters said the home is located near S.E. 28th Place and S.E. 5th Terrace.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
They said the hole was less than 5 feet from the duplex.
Officials said the building department and the state warning point were notified.
SEE: Storms flood streets in Ocala
No injuries were reported.
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/residents-evacuated-after-30-foot-hole-opens-up-front-ocala-home/QXTZ63RWFFGSXATAEPGQ6BE7KM/ | 2023-06-21T20:57:57 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/residents-evacuated-after-30-foot-hole-opens-up-front-ocala-home/QXTZ63RWFFGSXATAEPGQ6BE7KM/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
Lake-Sumter State College got a funding boost from the state for its new workforce education hub project.
Read: Want to grab a cheap bite to eat? Check out these bargains
The Leesburg-based college in the recently signed state budget got $17.5 million toward a Workforce Development Center. The proposed 50,000-square-foot facility will include updated classroom space for current and future workforce education programs at the college.
College spokesman Kevin Yurasek told Orlando Business Journal the exact location for the building has not been finalized. The college as part of the design process will consider the replacement of older buildings at its Leesburg campus with the new facility.
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/what-this-local-college-will-build-next/SVQEHGG2VZHPDMWPD4Q3UXX7YM/ | 2023-06-21T20:58:04 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/what-this-local-college-will-build-next/SVQEHGG2VZHPDMWPD4Q3UXX7YM/ |
PLANO, Texas — A retired Plano police officer who spent 29 years with the department had to have both of his legs amputated this week due to a medical complication.
The Plano Police Department said it is asking the public to keep Larry Frazier and his family in their thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
According to police, Frazier retired from the force in 2009 and then went on to join Plano ISD as a security specialist. He retired from the district back in March of this year.
The department did not go into detail about the medical complication that led to the amputation.
"Throughout his 43 years of public service, Larry touched many lives and made many friends," the department said. "Larry gave his all to the City of Plano because of his love for service and this community."
After his stay in the hospital, Frazier is expected to spend time at a rehabilitation facility, according to an online fundraising campaign set up by family.
The fundraiser will help the family with costs for medical equipment and home renovations that need to be done due to Frazier's life-changing surgery.
"Larry has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and well-wishes he's received over this past month, and he is thankful for everyone who has been a part of his life," the police department said. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/29-year-plano-police-officer-larry-frazier-loses-both-legs-medical-complication/287-6b45bceb-711b-4142-8786-81919d13c3de | 2023-06-21T20:58:42 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/29-year-plano-police-officer-larry-frazier-loses-both-legs-medical-complication/287-6b45bceb-711b-4142-8786-81919d13c3de |
Attorneys are preparing to give opening statements this afternoon for the man accused of a fatal 2022 shooting.
Issac Martin is charged with murder, criminal recklessness and faces a sentencing enhancement for using a gun during the commission of the alleged offenses. He faces up to more than 80 years in prison if found guilty.
The 30-year-old defendant was arrested in October, accused of shooting and killing Dequavius Devonte Tyler last June. Nearly 20 shell casings were found at the scene of the shooting, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Fort Wayne Detective Aaron Johnson.
Police spoke to witnesses who said Martin and Tyler were fighting leading up to the shooting, court documents say.
The trial is expected to end Friday. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jury-selected-for-2022-murder-trial-opening-statements-scheduled-for-afternoon/article_d39478e4-1058-11ee-a8ff-db3000903674.html | 2023-06-21T21:00:22 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jury-selected-for-2022-murder-trial-opening-statements-scheduled-for-afternoon/article_d39478e4-1058-11ee-a8ff-db3000903674.html |
A man wanted in Fort Wayne for a capital murder charge in Alabama has been apprehended, according to the U.S. Marshals Service website.
Joshua Smiley, 26, is a suspect in a 2021 shooting death in Mobile, Alabama. Police said Smiley was also wanted on a federal drug charge based in Fort Wayne.
The federal agency first said in April it was searching for Smiley and offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. About a week ago, the U.S. Marshals Service moved Smiley to its list of the 15 most-wanted fugitives and increased the reward for information up to $25,000.
Smiley has been apprehended as of today, according to the agency’s website. No further information was immediately available. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/man-wanted-in-fort-wayne-for-capital-murder-charge-in-alabama-apprehended/article_46ca465c-1065-11ee-9fbd-73fef659a40f.html | 2023-06-21T21:00:23 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/man-wanted-in-fort-wayne-for-capital-murder-charge-in-alabama-apprehended/article_46ca465c-1065-11ee-9fbd-73fef659a40f.html |
BOISE, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
The man who was violently assaulted at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution and later died has been identified by the Ada County Coroner's Office.
Junior Garcia, 26, died Sunday evening of blunt force head trauma, the coroner's report said. His manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Garcia was attacked by two other residents on Wednesday, June 14, the Idaho Department of Correction said, and later died at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise.
A Department of Correction spokesperson confirmed that Garcia was the man who was assaulted, and added that the names of the other residents involved will be released if criminal charges are filed.
The 535-bed correctional facility is located south of Boise and east of Kuna in Ada County.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/coroners-office-identifies-man-who-died-after-idaho-maximum-security-institution-assault/277-41879f27-2f11-48f6-bbbc-a24863b55d9e | 2023-06-21T21:03:47 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/coroners-office-identifies-man-who-died-after-idaho-maximum-security-institution-assault/277-41879f27-2f11-48f6-bbbc-a24863b55d9e |
Actor Marcus Martin who plays Genie in Aladdin now showing at the Morrison Center stops by the Idaho Today studio to talk about his role.
Learn more here: https://www.morrisoncenter.com/events
Actor Marcus Martin who plays Genie in Aladdin now showing at the Morrison Center stops by the Idaho Today studio to talk about his role.
Learn more here: https://www.morrisoncenter.com/events | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-artist-spotlight-aladdin-at-the-morrison-center/277-c7f89794-2a30-4b8a-a7e1-ace9990b8f1a | 2023-06-21T21:03:53 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-artist-spotlight-aladdin-at-the-morrison-center/277-c7f89794-2a30-4b8a-a7e1-ace9990b8f1a |
Learn more about Reed's Dairy here: https://reedsdairy.com/
Idaho Today: Flavorful Kitchen - Reed's Dairy
Reed's Dairy has been voted the #1 in Idaho for ice cream for the 3rd year in a row
Learn more about Reed's Dairy here: https://reedsdairy.com/ | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-flavorful-kitchen-reeds-dairy/277-20821e59-5c7b-45ee-9723-2a50c83b74df | 2023-06-21T21:04:00 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-flavorful-kitchen-reeds-dairy/277-20821e59-5c7b-45ee-9723-2a50c83b74df |
Idaho Today Idaho Today: Life in Balance - Heart Failure Learn about what symptoms to look for and how to avoid heart failure More Videos Next up in 5 Example video title will go here for this video Sponsored by Saint Alphonsus. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-life-in-balance-heart-failure/277-ecd4c1c1-0f63-4fb4-91e4-03e2f6f4995c | 2023-06-21T21:04:06 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-life-in-balance-heart-failure/277-ecd4c1c1-0f63-4fb4-91e4-03e2f6f4995c |
Sponsored by Sheridan's Home & Patio.
Mellisa Paul stops by the new Sheridan's Home & Patio Meridian location, learn more here: https://www.sheridansmarket.com/pages/sheridans-meridian-idaho
Sponsored by Sheridan's Home & Patio.
Mellisa Paul stops by the new Sheridan's Home & Patio Meridian location, learn more here: https://www.sheridansmarket.com/pages/sheridans-meridian-idaho | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-sheridans-home-patio/277-290831d2-a839-4971-8bb1-a8b93325caba | 2023-06-21T21:04:12 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-today/idaho-today-sheridans-home-patio/277-290831d2-a839-4971-8bb1-a8b93325caba |
SINCLAIR — Some of them had been waiting more than a decade, but a slate of TransWest Express company leaders and federal and state officials smiled Tuesday afternoon as their shovels hit the Earth to usher in a new phase of the TransWest Express Transmission Project, a high-voltage power line that will carry renewable energy from southern Wyoming to California, Arizona and Nevada.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, as well Gov. Mark Gordon and other Wyoming, Utah and Nevada state officials, attended the project’s groundbreaking south of Sinclair where the northern terminal for TransWest’s 3,000-megawatt, 732-mile transmission line will sit once the Denver-based developer finishes construction.
The groundbreaking caps a decade-and-a-half long permitting process that required the cooperation of a handful of states and numerous federal and local agencies. The more than 100 people in attendance were jovial, sharing handshakes, hugs and relief amid a clear day and blustery Wyoming wind.
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“It literally took the support and contributions of hundreds of people at all levels of federal, state and local government,” said Roxane Perruso, the COO and executive vice president of TransWest Express. “… And it feels fantastic to be moving from planning and permitting to putting steel in the ground.”
The Bureau of Land Management issued the final approval for the project in April, ending a permitting process that begin in 2008 and has spanned the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. The lengthy approval was due in part to the magnitude of project, which Transwest Express President and CEO Bill Miller described as the first major transmission infrastructure project in decades.
“You just don’t see projects of this scope and scale done anywhere,” Miller said in an interview with the Star-Tribune.
The transmission line will run from Sinclair east of Rawlins through Colorado and Utah to Nevada, where it can link up with other electricity infrastructure to serve customers in California and Arizona. Roughly two-thirds of the transmission line will sit on federal lands, though it will also run across private, state and county lands. The project required the sign off from the BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, Western Area Power Administration and Forest Service, as well as approvals from a range of other state and county agencies.
Granholm and Haaland praised the project and its mission to deliver wind energy from Carbon County’s nearby Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project – which will be the largest wind farm in the country once it’s completed – to more populous areas in the Southwest. They described it as an all-around win for the environment, Wyoming and the country, while highlighting the Biden administration’s clean energy goals.
“We know that clean energy transmission lines and renewable energy projects on public lands will help communities across the country to be part of the climate solution while creating good paying jobs,” Haaland said. “Under President Biden’s leadership, this administration is taking an all hands on deck approach toward ambitious clean energy goals that will support families, boost local economies and help address economic injustice.”
But it was Gov. Mark Gordon who shared the strongest remarks about the project’s importance for addressing climate change.
“We know that we don’t have time to waste. We have to move with diligence forward to make sure that we address the issue of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with alacrity, with diligence and with dedication,” Gordon said. “And today, when we’re gathered here, we see the first steps that we’re taking to make sure that we take the action that’s absolutely necessary to keep us from climate peril.”
In an interview with the Star-Tribune, Gordon said that Wyoming is an energy state, regardless of its source, with the state also investing in nuclear power and carbon capture technology to meet the carbon negative goal that Gordon’s administration has outlined. “Our plan is really centered around: How can we power the nation?” he said.
When it’s completed and goes online in 2027, TransWest’s new transmission line will mark a significant addition to the Western electric grid, connecting Wyoming wind energy directly to southern California for the first time and opening up a new market for Wyoming wind, Kara Choquette, a spokesperson for TransWest Express, said. California aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, a goal the new transmission line will help the state to meet.
Since gaining the final nod from the BLM in April, TransWest has looked to move quickly. In June, the company announced that it had chosen a joint venture between Barnard Construction Company Inc. and Wilson Construction Co. to build the transmission line. TransWest Express already has agreements with Siemens Energy, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the International Union of Operating Engineers for supplies, labor and workforce development for the project. Construction on the estimated $3 billion transmission line is set to begin this fall.
The timeline for the project will largely parallel that of the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project outside of Sinclair and Rawlins. The Power Company of Wyoming, which like TransWest Express is a subsidiary of the Anschutz Corporation, is finishing clearing land and building roads to install hundreds of wind turbines at the site between 2025 and 2028.
Though the permitting process was lengthy, a fact that Granholm acknowledged and said the Biden administration was working to correct, Miller said the groundbreaking “vindicated” TransWest’s efforts. “You just stay the course,” he said.
While those who spoke at the event alluded to Wyoming’s potential as a hub for renewable energy production, they also referenced the contributions the state’s energy industry has long made.
“I want to thank Wyoming for having powered this nation for the past 100 years,” Granholm said. “And thank Wyoming for powering this nation for the next 100 years.”
She added: “There’s an old proverb that says, ‘When the winds of change blow, some put up walls, some put up windmills.’” | https://trib.com/news/local/business/development/more-than-a-decade-in-the-making-transwest-transmission-project-breaks-ground/article_868f9c16-0fab-11ee-a119-730f2d8e2c59.html | 2023-06-21T21:06:30 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/business/development/more-than-a-decade-in-the-making-transwest-transmission-project-breaks-ground/article_868f9c16-0fab-11ee-a119-730f2d8e2c59.html |
Wrapping up months of planning and discussion, the city of Casper on Tuesday passed its roughly $198 million budget for fiscal year 2024.
That evening, city officials told councilors budgeted expenses for 2024 are expected to be about 4% larger than its budget for fiscal year 2023.
Some of that’s driven by things like inflation and increased energy costs, which are expected to increase operational expenses.
Another part of the picture is increased transfers between funds. When the city’s just shuffling around money that it already has, it still has to budget the transfers as revenues and expenses.
Take, for example, the litany of capital projects Casper has lined up for next year. Those projects will be paid for by money the city has on-hand, but it still needs to funnel the money into different funds to prepare to spend it.
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The city has noted in previous presentations to the council that much of the money for the impending capital construction projects is financed by grants — federal pandemic relief, for example, is paying for about $12 million worth of the projects.
State and local governments received an extraordinary amount of assistance from the federal government to help carry them through the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. That’s allowed the city of Casper to finance an unusually high number of projects. (The city’s purchase of the Casper Business Center for $8 million in 2022, for example, was paid for with money from the American Rescue Plan Act.)
On Tuesday, councilors also highlighted the roughly $3.7 million going toward street maintenance and repair in the upcoming year.
“We have increased our funding for streets,” Steve Cathey, who represents Ward 1, said during the meeting. “That is part of that extra capital funds that are going in this budget year.”
That evening, Casper City Council greenlit its third amendment to the 2023 budget, which brought total expenditures closer to what’s planned for 2024.
The amendment represents an additional $23 million of expenses. Again, most of that — $16.6 million — comes from transfers between funds.
When transfers and revenue are taken into consideration, the net impact of the amendment is a loss of roughly $5.7 million, according a June 14 memo presented to the council.
Among those expenses was an additional $470,000 earmarked for prisoner care.
The city ordinarily spends at least $1 million on prisoner care a year, but a greater number of arrests in 2023 has driven that number up considerable.
Including that extra $470,000, the department expects to spend almost $2 million on incarceration costs over the 2023 fiscal year, Casper Police Department Chief Keith McPheeters told councils during a June 13 work session. | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/city-of-casper-adopts-budget-for-fiscal-year-2024/article_a0267292-1057-11ee-9c6a-f77cfeac33a7.html | 2023-06-21T21:06:36 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/city-of-casper-adopts-budget-for-fiscal-year-2024/article_a0267292-1057-11ee-9c6a-f77cfeac33a7.html |
The free, two-day music festival takes over Uptown Normal this weekend, bumping to many styles of nearly 50 artists. The lineup includes several musicians and bands previously interviewed in this column, and it's been splendid following them all.
Headlining Friday is the funky, cosmic circus party of Sun Stereo, which boasts Beatlesque vocals and astronomically high-tempo jams. They thoroughly dazzled the Summer Camp Music Festival Campfire Stage in Chillicothe late last month. If you didn’t catch that show, don’t miss out when they blast off at 9 p.m. Friday from the North Street Stage.
Two teaching rock stars of the Twin Cities will be stealing Saturday’s top billing show with their Champaign-crafted college band. Poster Children returns for its first concert here since 2018, and includes two Illinois State University Creative Technologies professors, guitarist Rick Valentin and bassist Rose Marshack. The creators of quirky 1990s indie rock tracks like “If You See Kay” take the North Street Stage at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Marshack told me this week Poster Children is so excited to play. And, they don’t play in the same town very often, because they want to make every performance very special.
She exclaimed: “Playing Make Music Normal is thrilling because it is such an inclusive, participatory event!”
Bloomington rap artist V8 Vast Change will also be throwing down smooth bars at 9:45 p.m. Saturday on the Uptown Circle stage. Dominique Stevenson was one of the first artists I interviewed for this column April last year, and his show bookings and new material continues to impress me.
Last month, V8 Vast Change pitched in hard for cypher track “I Wanna Know You,” where Brutha Rick and Javier Zachi matched him up against six other artists for a music video filmed outside the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts. Stevenson said he sat on Rick’s invite for a while, as he’s cautious about joining in projects with so many performers. However, he said he decided he couldn’t pass it up, and enjoyed shooting the video and holding a friendly competition on who could write the best verses.
Stevenson said every year, he looks forward to Make Music Normal. His first time there was in 2018, he said, after Marcos Mendez (also performing Saturday) tipped him off about the event.
"This festival will always have my support," he said, "and heart no matter how big I get."
Urbana-Champaign power-pop group Modern Drugs were rained out of two shows last year at Connie Link Amphitheater following my August column that featured the five-piece group.
But the rock doctors are back in for a 6:45 p.m. Saturday set on the Broadway Stage. Guitarist Ryan Groff told me Wednesday he’s 100% excited for a show with no rain forecast this weekend. He expects the big festival will activate to its full potential.
It will be their first show in town since they joined Junior Varsity at nightshop July last year, so make sure to get a good dose of tracks like “Under Attack” before this dispensary of rock runs out of stock.
One more top-notch rock band, which was featured in this column last month, is also making it to Make Music Normal. Harlem Hayfield is playing the North Street stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. This Decatur hard rock group hits hard with track “Sick Style,” so don’t be a sheep and sleep on their set.
Hard rock, high repute
Drew Cagle has got a Reputation to uphold. And, he makes no apologies in keeping that real.
He termed Drew Cagle & The Reputation as an unapologetically high-energy, national touring hard rock band. Next stop is 3:45 p.m. Saturday on the fest’s Beaufort Street Stage.
The 22-year-old Champaign vocalist with guitar and piano training is on a mission to produce authentically original material. Cagle said in order to make people feel the same way he felt hearing his favorite bands, he has to make music that hasn’t ever been made before.
The frontman said as a lead vocalist, his top inspirations come from Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, and Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil, a likeness he hears a lot from fans.
Although he mostly shows off his vocal chords on stage, Cagle also at times takes his hand to rhythm guitar. The Reputation released an eight-track debut album Halloween 2021 titled “Haunted.” Playing fourth on that record is “Haunted By Your Love,” layering serene vocal harmonies over solidly-themed acoustic guitar riffs.
Cagle said “Haunted” is a concept album about living with past regrets and the thoughts that accompany them. He added the record is a series of stories told with an underlying theme in each song, which continues the overall message as you progress through each song.
“Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” is another fresh rock anthem released by The Reputation, as well as “South Side of San Francisco.” When songwriting, Cagle said he’s a fan of alliteration, and as a writer, I’m right there with him.
His most recent local shows were at the Corn Crib Stadium, opening Oct. 15 last year for Lita Ford, and then July 10 for Puddle of Mudd at that same venue.
Cagle said performing at the Puddle of Mudd show was a dream come true, and one of his favorite concerts.
“Normal welcomed us with open arms… we spent the rest of the night at the merch table (with fans),” he said.
Cagle said he’s excited to perform in Normal again, and his band is banked up on a bunch of unreleased music concertgoers could hear Saturday. He aims to release a new single, or maybe a full album in late 2023 or early 2024.
Festival attendees may park for free at the College Avenue Parking deck, or other surface lots in Uptown Normal. More information can be found on the Town of Normal’s website at normalil.gov/1653/Parking
Photos: Making music around Normal
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Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
From left, bassist Rose Marshack and guitarist Rick Valentin perform as part of indie rock band Poster Children in July 2017 at The Bottom Lounge in Chicago.
Members of Harlem Hayfield pose in this April photo shot in Albany, New York. From left are guitarist and backup vocalist Brandon Pilger, drummer and backup vocalist Graham Wene, lead vocalist Mikey Schoneman, keyboardist and backup vocalist Hugh Sullivan, guitarist Chris Lourash, and bassist and backup vocalist Keenan Wilcott.
Urbana-Champaign crafted power pop band Modern Drugs poses for a group photo in January 2022 at Perennial Sound Studio. From left in front are Mallory Simonds, Jim Standerfer and Cara Maurizi; from left in back are Alan Honeycutt and Ryan Groff.
A previous version of this caption misspelled drummer Jim Standerfer's name. This version has been corrected. | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/5-must-see-central-illinois-musicians-at-make-music-normal/article_87f6a550-1063-11ee-8583-975d730791ca.html | 2023-06-21T21:07:41 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/5-must-see-central-illinois-musicians-at-make-music-normal/article_87f6a550-1063-11ee-8583-975d730791ca.html |
BLOOMINGTON — The City of Bloomington is planning a full lineup of activities to celebrate the Fourth of July.
First, on Saturday, July 1, and Sunday, July 2, the annual "Celebrate America" concert will take place at 7 p.m. each night at the Miller Park Bandstand. The free one-hour show, sponsored by The Pantagraph and Holiday Spectacular, will feature a variety of patriotic classics.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation has partnered with Midstate Cruisers for a Classic Car Cruise Celebration from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 4.
The family-friendly event is free and features over 80 vehicles on display at Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington.
The band Jim & Tommy will perform on the bandstand during the event. There will be a food vendor on site, and places for picnics and barbecues.
Morris Avenue between Butchers Lane, Tanner Street and Miller Park Road will be closed starting at 1 p.m. and will reopen around 11 p.m. Road closure signs will be placed at the corner of Wood Street, Morris Avenue and Six Points Road.
The entrance to Park Hill Cemetery and the entrance to Miller Park at Summit Street and West Miller Street will not be affected. Attendees will be able to enter and exit the park by Wood Street.
The Parks and Recreation Department will also provide extended hours and special events for the holiday, but their office will be closed.
Activities include the following:
- Holiday Pool will be open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. with a "Happy Birthday America" event from noon-4 p.m. (11 a.m.-noon is for passholders only).
- 5th annual Red, White & Blue Golf Tournament at 8 a.m. at the Den at Fox Creek Golf Course
- The zoo will be open from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and concessions will be open until 7 p.m.
- Mini golf and paddle boats will be available from 9 a.m. to noon, and the spray ground will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.. The playground will be available all day.
- Fourth of July fireworks will begin at dusk, approximately 9:15 p.m.
Visit BloomingtonParks.org or call 309-434-2260 for more information. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/bloomington-plans-fourth-of-july-activities/article_e9f783d8-0fae-11ee-94da-23ddd7d25013.html | 2023-06-21T21:08:00 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/bloomington-plans-fourth-of-july-activities/article_e9f783d8-0fae-11ee-94da-23ddd7d25013.html |
BLOOMINGTON — A Normal man was charged Wednesday with possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Sean E. Stalter-Williams, 18, was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a Class 2 felony, and three counts of obstructing a peace officer, Class A misdemeanors.
Prosecutors allege that on June 3, between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m., a Bloomington man reported his black Pontiac had been stolen, and that he may have left the keys inside. On June 4 and 5, prosecutors allege that Stalter-Williams was seen on security footage and observed by Normal Police to be driving the stolen vehicle.
The vehicle was towed on June 6 from the 900 block of W. Grove Street.
On June 19, Bloomington and Normal Police Departments executed a search warrant at Stalter-Williams’ residence, 1402 E. College Avenue.
When police knocked on the door, Stalter-Williams jumped out of the second floor window, and ran through the roadway. Bloomington police pursued on foot, and found Stalter-Williams in the backyard of a residence where he was arrested.
Stalter-Williams’ bond is set at $75,000 with 10% to apply, meaning he would have to post $7,500 plus fees to be released from the McLean County Detention Facility.
His arraignment is set for July 7 at 9 a.m. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/normal-man-charged-with-possession-of-a-stolen/article_04904e4c-1071-11ee-aff9-0fdb36917ca9.html | 2023-06-21T21:08:06 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/normal-man-charged-with-possession-of-a-stolen/article_04904e4c-1071-11ee-aff9-0fdb36917ca9.html |
EAST PEORIA — The Tazewell County Health Department will host the 7th annual Bumps2Babies resource event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 8.
The event will be held at the Fondulac Park District building at 201 Veterans Drive in East Peoria.
The health department will offer free diapers and other baby items at the event, including prizes. The Bumps2Babies event is open to all expecting parents and families with a baby up to 1 year old.
Topics will include the benefits of a health pregnancy, effects of smoking on pregnancy, nutrition, car seat safety, breastfeeding education and more.
All participants will be entered in a drawing for a prize. The event is free and funded by the the Illinois Department of Human Resources.
Call 309-929-0233 for more information.
Baby names that rose in popularity the most in 2021
Baby names that rose in popularity the most in 2021
Finding out you're going to become a parent is a revelation full of joy and anxiety. Deciding on a name is the first of many important decisions that could impact a child's life. Names can influence gender, racial, and socioeconomic bias . Names can also play a huge role in developing a sense of self.
Today, more parents are choosing names that spark a feeling of individuality versus a name that blends in. Names with nontraditional spellings and pronunciations are also on the rise .
Stacker ranked the top 50 baby names that rose in popularity in 2021, using data from the Social Security Administration . Names were sorted by subtracting the name's 2021 rank from its 2020 rank. In the event of a tie, the 2021 rank was used (rank indicates where the name fell on the list of popular baby names).
Many of the names that rose in popularity are considered gender-neutral . The Social Security Administration considers sex and gender binary variables, and ranks were given to female and male names based on Social Security card applications.
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#50. Rome (male)
- 2021 rank: 785
- 2020 rank: 969
- Change: 184
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#49. Noah (female)
- 2021 rank: 692
- 2020 rank: 877
- Change: 185
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#48. Jenesis (female)
- 2021 rank: 745
- 2020 rank: 930
- Change: 185
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#47. Zyon (male)
- 2021 rank: 938
- 2020 rank: 1124
- Change: 186
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#45. Soraya (female)
- 2021 rank: 987
- 2020 rank: 1180
- Change: 193
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#44. Azriel (male)
- 2021 rank: 921
- 2020 rank: 1118
- Change: 197
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#43. Koen (male)
- 2021 rank: 993
- 2020 rank: 1191
- Change: 198
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#42. Palmer (male)
- 2021 rank: 990
- 2020 rank: 1188
- Change: 198
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#40. Halo (female)
- 2021 rank: 738
- 2020 rank: 939
- Change: 201
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#39. Nyra (female)
- 2021 rank: 844
- 2020 rank: 1046
- Change: 202
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#38. Clover (female)
- 2021 rank: 866
- 2020 rank: 1069
- Change: 203
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#37. Zyair (male)
- 2021 rank: 765
- 2020 rank: 968
- Change: 203
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#35. Onyx (male)
- 2021 rank: 406
- 2020 rank: 613
- Change: 207
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#33. Bridger (male)
- 2021 rank: 721
- 2020 rank: 929
- Change: 208
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#34. Navy (female)
- 2021 rank: 452
- 2020 rank: 660
- Change: 208
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#32. Cillian (male)
- 2021 rank: 743
- 2020 rank: 958
- Change: 215
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#30. Kylian (male)
- 2021 rank: 779
- 2020 rank: 1001
- Change: 222
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#29. Jaylani (female)
- 2021 rank: 795
- 2020 rank: 1023
- Change: 228
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#28. Taytum (female)
- 2021 rank: 948
- 2020 rank: 1178
- Change: 230
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#27. Elia (female)
- 2021 rank: 878
- 2020 rank: 1108
- Change: 230
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#25. Elio (male)
- 2021 rank: 842
- 2020 rank: 1082
- Change: 240
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#24. Wylder (male)
- 2021 rank: 976
- 2020 rank: 1219
- Change: 243
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#23. Freyja (female)
- 2021 rank: 709
- 2020 rank: 952
- Change: 243
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#22. Gian (male)
- 2021 rank: 960
- 2020 rank: 1208
- Change: 248
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#20. Jiraiya (male)
- 2021 rank: 828
- 2020 rank: 1079
- Change: 251
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#19. Oakleigh (female)
- 2021 rank: 609
- 2020 rank: 861
- Change: 252
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#18. Ocean (female)
- 2021 rank: 877
- 2020 rank: 1130
- Change: 253
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#17. Arleth (female)
- 2021 rank: 957
- 2020 rank: 1216
- Change: 259
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#13. Flora (female)
- 2021 rank: 647
- 2020 rank: 925
- Change: 278
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#12. Evander (male)
- 2021 rank: 767
- 2020 rank: 1046
- Change: 279
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#11. Emberlynn (female)
- 2021 rank: 961
- 2020 rank: 1245
- Change: 284
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#10. Vida (female)
- 2021 rank: 992
- 2020 rank: 1277
- Change: 285
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#8. Loyal (male)
- 2021 rank: 753
- 2020 rank: 1053
- Change: 300
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#7. Angelique (female)
- 2021 rank: 876
- 2020 rank: 1182
- Change: 306
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#6. Ozzy (male)
- 2021 rank: 712
- 2020 rank: 1048
- Change: 336
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#5. Colter (male)
- 2021 rank: 627
- 2020 rank: 971
- Change: 344
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#3. Raya (female)
- 2021 rank: 494
- 2020 rank: 935
- Change: 441
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#2. Eliam (male)
- 2021 rank: 736
- 2020 rank: 1178
- Change: 442
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#3. Raya (female)
- 2021 rank: 494
- 2020 rank: 935
- Change: 441
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#2. Eliam (male)
- 2021 rank: 736
- 2020 rank: 1178
- Change: 442
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Contact Olivia Jacobs at 309-820-3352. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @olivia___jacobs
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/free-diapers-offered-at-tazewell-county-bumps2babies-event/article_22dbcd12-104a-11ee-ae97-6f86ec948f44.html | 2023-06-21T21:08:12 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/free-diapers-offered-at-tazewell-county-bumps2babies-event/article_22dbcd12-104a-11ee-ae97-6f86ec948f44.html |
BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington man is facing burglary and trespassing charges after authorities said he broke into a neighbor's home.
Philip R. McCullum is charged with one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony, and one count of criminal trespass to a residence, a Class 4 felony.
Assistant State’s Attorney Aaron Fredrick said that according to police, McCullum broke into a residence on June 19 on the 1500 block of W. Forrest Street with the intent to steal money. He was later arrested after police found him at his home.
Although the state requested a $100,000 bond, Judge Amy McFarland set bond at $20,000, meaning McCullum would need to post $2,000 to be released. McCullum also was ordered to have no contact with the residents of the home he entered.
An arraignment hearing was scheduled for July 7 at 9 a.m. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bloomington-man-charged-with-residential-burglary/article_e64ae1b8-0fad-11ee-93b3-6b064b1196f2.html | 2023-06-21T21:08:18 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bloomington-man-charged-with-residential-burglary/article_e64ae1b8-0fad-11ee-93b3-6b064b1196f2.html |
Tuesday’s Republican primary elections will shift some faces on the Hanover County Board.
Mechanicsville District’s long-serving supervisor and current Chairman W. Canova Peterson will end an 11-year stint on the board.
Peterson was defeated in the primary by newcomer Ryan Hudson, a registered nurse and real estate agent.
Peterson told The Times-Dispatch the morning after the election that he wished Hudson well, and hoped for good things to continue in the county.
“I had no clue how [the vote] was going to come out. At this point it was up to the people. We know that primaries don’t get the turnout that they should have but I don’t know that that would have made a difference one way or the other," he said.
He said his time on the board has created a positive impact on the county. Peterson was elected as the board chair in 2013 and 2019.
Hudson took the nomination with 55.78% of the vote to Peterson’s 44.22%. Provisional votes are still left to be tallied.
The Virginia Department of Elections reports voter turnout at just fewer than 12%, with 5,788 cast across Hanover County.
“The citizens of our district want to go a different direction,” Hudson said. “And they want to have an understanding and play a role in the direction that we’re headed. And I think it speaks to the fact that they did not feel that had representation that was looking out for the community as a whole.”
Hudson has been critical of implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion policies in schools. He also has targeted books that he referred to as oversexualized and pornographic.
“We need to allow the teachers to teach the children, not teaching to a test," Hudson said. "They teach what a lot of these left-wing organizations say that they need to because of their slowly indoctrinating themselves whether they realize it or not."
At a debate hosted by the Hanover Republican Women’s Club on March 31, he called it a “drip campaign from the left."
Hanover schools has been a battleground with parents and residents arguing over the books available in libraries. Last week the school board voted to remove 19 books from shelves after finishing a policy rewrite giving it the authority to remove any book with a majority vote.
While Hanover supervisors don’t have a direct say in the schools’ business, they do approve the budget and appoint school board members.
At the May Republican debate, Hudson told the crowd he was in favor of keeping the school board as an appointed position. He said that he would push to have a more transparent appointment process with more public input.
Hudson was one of seven candidates to nominate themselves for the Mechanicsville School Board seat in 2022.
Hudson also advocated for a changeup in the public libraries. He wants to remove Hanover from the Pamunky Regional Library Board, which governs the public libraries in Hanover and three other nearby counties.
He takes issue with the creation of a “young adults” section in the local libraries, where he says over-sexualized books that should be for adults are being incorrectly marked for consumption by teenagers.
He emphasized that “to his knowledge” there are no books that need to be removed from public libraries. Rumors have circulated political circles in the county about a group that wants to remove books from the libraries. Hudson said that at the moment he just wants to have them relabeled.
Hudson said he first familiarized himself with Hanover a young age when his parents worked a small business in the village of Mechanicsville in the early 1990s. He and his wife built a house in the area in 2008, in anticipation of building a family. They now have two kids in the school system.
He has a stake in three small local businesses, in addition to his past work as a nurse for VCU Health Center and current work as a realtor.
He also stressed economic development on his campaign trail, pushing for more development along the Route 360 that runs through the heart of Mechanicsville’s business district.
“That village of Mechanicsville it needs attention it needs revitalization and we want to have better connectivity and walkability,” Hudson said.
He said he was in favor of using state grants that are available for economic development to revitalize the corridor, and that he would be like to have an incentive program to start small businesses in Hanover.
Hudson will face an Independent Joshua R. Parramore in November.
***
In Beaverdam, another county incumbent appears to have lost his seat.
Incumbent Supervisor J. Robert Monolo trails Jeff Stoneman with just provisional votes left to count. Stoneman leads the current tally with 44.80%, with 1,070 votes and 1,030 votes respectively.
Stoneman is a small business owner and ordained Baptist deacon for Beaverdam Baptist Church. He previously lost to Monolo in last year’s 2022 special election with 42.53% of the vote to Monolo’s 49.97%.
“I pledge to continue spreading our positive message across the district this summer and fall heading into Nov. 7. Together, we will protect parental rights, ensure responsible development and above all else preserve Hanover’s rural character.”
A look at Tuesday's Election Day in photos across Richmond region | https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/hanover-board-chair-peterson-loses-to-hudson/article_b0211564-1064-11ee-91a9-d72c7463d141.html | 2023-06-21T21:11:06 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/hanover-board-chair-peterson-loses-to-hudson/article_b0211564-1064-11ee-91a9-d72c7463d141.html |
GRAY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The next president and chief executive officer of the Hands On! Discovery Center in Gray was named Wednesday.
Dale McCreedy, Ph.D. has been chosen by the center’s board of directors as the next Hands On! leader. She will start in the role in July, according to a release from the center.
McCreedy was selected after a nationwide search that lasted almost a year. The release states she has an “extensive background in science centers and community-based partnerships.”
Prior to coming to Hands On!, McCreedy worked at the Discovery Center at Murfree Spring in Murfreesboro for seven years and oversaw audience and community engagement. Before moving to the Volunteer State, McCreedy spearheaded curriculum and programs at the Franklin Institute in Pennsylvania.
“I am thrilled to be joining Hands On! Discovery Center at this exciting time,” McCreedy said in the release. “The staff is fantastic, the museum is poised for growth, and the time is right to leverage the rich resources of the museum and dig site with opportunities to work closely with Hands On!’s very supportive community in reaching our fullest potential.” | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/hands-on-discovery-center-announces-next-president-ceo/ | 2023-06-21T21:11:52 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/hands-on-discovery-center-announces-next-president-ceo/ |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – The Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved Fiscal Year 2024 budget on its second and final reading Tuesday night.
The budget does not include a property tax increase for city residents, but it does feature increases to the rates for water and sewer services. A release from the city states that water rates will increase by 4.5% and sewer rates by 7.5%.
Kingsport officials stated in the release that the increases in water and sewer rates stemmed from issues like inflation, aging infrastructure and federal regulations.
The $240 million budget goes into effect July 1 and will remain through June 30, 2024.
According to Kingsport leadership, the budget will provide funding for a School Resource Officer in every school within the city’s district. It also features increased funding to assist in litter pickup and economic development efforts throughout the Model City.
Within the approved budget is $3.8 million earmarked for street resurfacing projects and $21 million for the repairs and renovations at the Van Huss Dome at Dobyns-Bennett High School. An expansion at the city’s justice center is also set to receive funding in the amount of $13.4 million, and the Kingsport Library is budgeted to receive $4.4 million for renovations.
As of Wednesday, the Kingsport General Fund stood at $95 million with a “rainy day fund” that is expected to exceed $23 million by the time the new budget goes into effect. The general fund is the city’s source of capital for operations. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/kingsport-bma-approves-budget-free-of-tax-hike/ | 2023-06-21T21:11:58 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/kingsport-bma-approves-budget-free-of-tax-hike/ |
MARGATE — The Red Bull Foam Wreckers soft-top surf competition is scheduled for Saturday.
Billing itself as the "anti-surf-contest surf contest," the event permits only soft boards, and anyone can win. The event will feature local surf legend Ben Gravy as the event's emcee.
Before each heat, a contestants will spin the "Wheel of Shred" to determine which Catch Surf soft-board they will use. They'll paddle out with six to 10 of their closest new friends, all on soft-boards, and try to become the most "unique" soft-boarder for the next 15 minutes.
Prizes will go toward the most creative, sportive moves on the day.
The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and will be held on the Granville beach in Margate. Registration costs $25. To sign up, go to participate.redbull.com/en/events/red-bull-foam-wreckers-nj/2023. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/red-bull-foam-wreckers-soft-board-surf-contest-to-be-held-in-margate/article_c15aedfe-106f-11ee-ad05-5f4d2f2a5cc7.html | 2023-06-21T21:12:15 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/red-bull-foam-wreckers-soft-board-surf-contest-to-be-held-in-margate/article_c15aedfe-106f-11ee-ad05-5f4d2f2a5cc7.html |
GREENSBORO — A mural of local performer Brenda The Drag Queen was recently vandalized, according to The Bearded Goat, the downtown bar where the mural is located.
"This is what hate looks like and it won’t be tolerated here!!" the bar said in a Facebook post Tuesday.
"No matter what we will always continue to support our LGBTQ community and provide a safe space!!"
The mural by artist Jenna Rice is visible from the street and appears on one of the walls enclosing the bar's beer garden. It depicts Brenda, who sometimes performs at the bar, in a rainbow tank top with rainbow stripes in the background.
The person responsible for the vandalism drew horns on Brenda and wrote, "I eat kids" and "Save the kids."
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The bar also posted a screenshot of an Instagram message to Brenda, which includes a picture of a person standing in front of the mural giving a rude gesture and the message, "I just covered your mural. It's ugly. Die."
India Banks, one of the bartenders at The Bearded Goat, said the person who sent the message that he has now been banned from The Bearded Goat, and from what she's hearing online, some other area bars as well. Banks said that the bar also contacted police to let them know about the defacement of their property.
"It's not OK, period," she said.
Both The Bearded Goat and Brenda The Drag Queen are fixtures in Greensboro. The Bearded Goat is a self-described "classy, artistic dive bar" on Lewis Street, part of downtown's south end.
Brenda is known for comedy-infused drag performances at “Drag Queen Bingo,” among other events and locales in the city and across the state, and for appearing on the television show My Big Fat Fabulous Life.
Recently, Brenda has been involved with speaking out against legislation in the NC General Assembly, including a bill introduced by House Republicans to ban drag performances in public places or in the presence of anyone under 18, even if it’s a private show.
“This constant attack by people at the highest offices on the LGBTQ community has emboldened people,” Brenda said as quoted in a earlier News & Record article. “But if I stop, they win.” | https://greensboro.com/news/local/the-bearded-goat-greensboro-drag-queen-mural-vandalized-brenda-the-drag-queen/article_1bf932b2-1060-11ee-93c0-4f20db63c7b5.html | 2023-06-21T21:14:47 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/the-bearded-goat-greensboro-drag-queen-mural-vandalized-brenda-the-drag-queen/article_1bf932b2-1060-11ee-93c0-4f20db63c7b5.html |
GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A 51-year-old man died after police say he was walking in the middle of Energy Drive and got hit by a vehicle Monday night.
The Genesee Township Police Department says the victim, who was not identified, was walking in the 5000 block of Energy Drive around 11:10 p.m. when a northbound vehicle hit him.
The 51-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene. Police say the 58-year-old Mt. Morris Township man who was driving the vehicle did not report any injuries and remained on the scene to cooperate with investigators.
Genesee Township police were awaiting toxicology testing before closing the investigation. Reports will be forwarded to the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office to decide whether any criminal charges are filed. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/51-year-old-hit-and-killed-in-genesee-township-while-walking-in-road/article_fbee5862-1064-11ee-bddc-0785c221061c.html | 2023-06-21T21:17:21 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/51-year-old-hit-and-killed-in-genesee-township-while-walking-in-road/article_fbee5862-1064-11ee-bddc-0785c221061c.html |
BURTON, Mich. (WJRT) - The Burton City Council plans to meet in a special session Thursday after the city's police command staff passed a no confidence vote against Police Chief Brian Ross.
The Burton Command Officers Group union issued a statement Monday, saying it made the vote of no confidence based on a variety of issues that cause them concern with Ross's leadership of the Burton Police Department.
The police command officers alleged "numerous instances of questionable decision making" by Ross, including:
- Changes Ross made to the field training program for new officers.
- A sexually harassing comment Ross allegedly made to an officer and his work on the subsequent investigation.
- Concerning comments made to other police departments in the area.
- A significant drop in morale among officers, which they blame on Ross.
Ross issued a statement on Wednesday defending his changes to field training, his actions in the sexual harassment investigation and various changes he's made since Mayor Duane Haskins appointed him police chief.
"When I was appointed as Chief of Police, there was a need to change the culture of the department," Ross wrote. "While most of the officers took the changes well, some officers resisted."
Ross pointed to several difficult personnel matters, such as demoting a sergeant, seeking criminal charges against two officers and launching an investigation that led two other resignations.
The Burton City Council scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall on Center Road to discuss the allegations and concerns about Ross' leadership.
The agenda notes that part of the meeting may take place in closed session at the advice of legal counsel. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/burton-city-council-meeting-to-discuss-police-chief-allegations/article_ec279644-106b-11ee-ae0a-8ba9c9f8b9f5.html | 2023-06-21T21:17:27 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/burton-city-council-meeting-to-discuss-police-chief-allegations/article_ec279644-106b-11ee-ae0a-8ba9c9f8b9f5.html |
Hate crime law in the United States is a difficult patchwork to navigate. The legal definition of a hate crime and the groups the law protects still varies by state. Even in its most expansive definition, the nature of the law requires proof of malicious or prejudiced intent, a difficult standard for law enforcement and courts to meet.
In 2009, Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded the federal hate crime definition and gave the federal government authority to collect statewide data and prosecute hate crimes when local governments do not. As this growing body of data suggests, hate crime is most definitely on the rise. Despite federal reform, many victims and communities remain at the mercy of their state and local government statutes.
The Human Rights Campaign reports that, in 2021, nearly 1 in 5 hate crimes were motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, and that year has been the deadliest on record for transgender and nonbinary people. Hate crime exists in a political context: The stark increase in violence in this community is inextricably connected to larger national debates over gender identity and expression. In the year 2021 alone, more than 250 bills the Human Rights Campaign identifies as anti-LGBTQ+ were introduced in state legislatures. The topics most commonly included gender-affirming care for minors, inclusion or exclusion of topics of gender in K-12 schools, and restricting bathroom and locker room use on the basis of biological sex.
LGBTQ+ advocates point out a clear connection between legislation that targets their community and the rates of intimidation and violence they face. According to the Trevor Project, anti-LGBTQ+ policies and debates contributed to a spectrum of harm for LGBTQ+ youth, including online harassment, feelings of unsafety, bullying, and physical assault.
And what other factors form the backdrop of increasing prejudice and violence against LGBTQ+ Americans?
Stacker investigated which states had the most hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, using the FBI's 2021 Hate Crime Statistics. States are ranked by the number of anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes in 2021. States with an equal number of total hate crimes are ranked by the percentage of police departments that reported data that year. Please note that some crimes involve multiple-bias motivations, so the sum of all hate crimes may equal a different number than the total hate crimes.
Please note: Data collection for these crimes is difficult. The FBI has collected hate crime data since 1991 to provide an overall yearly snapshot, but this picture remains incomplete. Many communities targeted by prejudiced violence do not feel safe around police or trust the police to prosecute their offenders, and survey data from victims report a much higher number of hate crimes than reported by police. Furthermore, police departments are not mandated to report hate crime data to the FBI—and many don't. Even comparing data year to year can be difficult because each year represents a different sample of police departments that choose to report. It's safe to assume the hate crime victims face is much higher than reported on FBI statistics.
Read on to understand how legislation, criminal statutes, and other factors impact the violence that LGBTQ+ people face from state to state. Note that the following states were excluded from our list because less than half of police departments in the state reported data: Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Illinois. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/chicago-woman-wanted-after-stealing-over-1-000-of-perfume-police-say/article_319371ee-105d-11ee-b075-f77950f8dc2b.html | 2023-06-21T21:23:41 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/chicago-woman-wanted-after-stealing-over-1-000-of-perfume-police-say/article_319371ee-105d-11ee-b075-f77950f8dc2b.html |
Palm Coast lists spending plan for nearly $55 million from state
The money will pay for westward expansion, road improvements and flood prevention.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin at the City Council meeting Tuesday thanked legislators, city employees and others for the $54.55 million in state money the city received to help pay for various projects.
“These state appropriations represent a significant milestone for our city, for your city,” Alfin said during the meeting. “They will enable us to address critical infrastructure requirements, begin expansion into the western boundaries of the city, protect our citizens with increased flood protection, enhanced public safety and strengthen our community bonds."
Alfin thanked Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, and Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, and Gov. Ron DeSantis. He asked city employees at the meeting to stand for a round of applause.
Here is a breakdown of how the city plans to use the money:
Westward expansion at Matanzas Woods Parkway
The city received $25 million for building roads, bridges and utilities at the Palm Coast city boundaries west of the railroad tracks, specifically at Matanzas Woods Parkway. The city stated in a press release the expansion will unlock “access to a vast expanse of previously inaccessible land,” creating new economic opportunities for Palm Coast and Flagler County.
Palm Coast transportation improvements
Another $23.3 million will pay for road improvements citywide, including $18.3 million for Phase II of the Old Kings Road North Widening Project to widen the road from two to four lanes.
Palm Coast gets state money:Palm Coast's growth aspirations boosted by expected $54 million in state budget projects
Traffic safety initiatives along Belle Terre Parkway
The city will use $4.5 million to pay for traffic and safety improvements along Belle Terre Parkway from Royal Palms Parkway to Whiteview Parkway. And $500,000 of the money will pay for a traffic study of the Old Kings Road south corridor.
Dog put down:Palm Coast woman euthanizes dog following fatal attack; city investigates its response
New Palm Coast fire station
The city will spend $5 million on the construction of a new fire station in the Seminole Woods area to address the growth on the city’s south side. The city is pitching in an additional $1 million from fire impact fees.
Flood protection upgrades
Another $1.25 million will be used to replace an important but aging flood-control structure south of Belle Terre and Whiteview parkways with a new state-of-the-art weir that meets upgraded specifications. | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/flagler/2023/06/21/palm-coast-to-use-55m-in-state-money-for-traffic-safety-fire-station-road-widening-and-more/70341808007/ | 2023-06-21T21:25:33 | 1 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/flagler/2023/06/21/palm-coast-to-use-55m-in-state-money-for-traffic-safety-fire-station-road-widening-and-more/70341808007/ |
LOCAL
Free teacher development sessions and K-12 mini academies
The Oak Ridger
Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) are offering various free teacher development sessions and K-12 mini academies in June and July.
Registration is required. To register for any of the sessions listed below, visit https://orau.org/k12/educator/programs/index.html.
- Wishes Granted: Finding Grants for Your Classroom. Monday, June 26, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Virtual session designed for kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers who have ever wondered how to write a grant.
- Vectors: Concepts and Technologies to Improve Comprehension by Appealing to Vectors’ Geometrical Nature. Tuesday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual session designed for sixth- through 12th-grade physics, math and physical science teachers.
- Math and Movement. Wednesday, June 28, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is an in-person session on ORAU’s main campus, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge, designed for kindergarten through second-grade teachers. Math & Movement stations use kinesthetic strategies to enhance learning specifically connected to the Common Core math standards.
- Vectors: Concepts and Technologies to Improve Comprehension by Appealing to Vectors’ Geometrical Nature. Thursday, June 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hybrid session designed for sixth- through 12th-grade physics, math and physical science teachers. Teachers attending in person will meet in the classroom on ORAU’s main campus, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge.
- Math and Movement. Friday June 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In-person session on ORAU’s main campus, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge, designed for third- through fifth-grade teachers.
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) mini-academies are designed to enrich STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
Mini-academies offered:
- Math and Movement for rising first- through third-graders will be held on Wednesday, June 28, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the classroom at ORAU, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. Register at https://orausurvey.orau.org/n/MathandMovementDay1.aspx.
- Math and Movement for rising fourth- through sixth-graders will be held on Friday, June 30, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the classroom at ORAU, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. Register at https://orausurvey.orau.org/n/MathandMovementDay2.aspx.
- Kindercoding Class. July 6, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ORAU Classroom, 100 ORAU Way in Oak Ridge. Daylong introduction to the basics of coding for rising first- through third-graders. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at https://orausurvey.orau.org/n/KinderCoding.aspx. | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/orau-and-orise-offer-free-teacher-professional-development-sessions-and-k-12-mini-academies-in-june/70339164007/ | 2023-06-21T21:26:34 | 1 | https://www.oakridger.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/orau-and-orise-offer-free-teacher-professional-development-sessions-and-k-12-mini-academies-in-june/70339164007/ |
LOCAL
Justice for Jayland Walker bus trip from Akron to Washington, D.C., leaves Monday
The Repository
A Justice for Jayland Walker march and rally will be held at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
Freedom BLOC has organized a bus trip from Akron.
Transportation and hotel lodging will be provided for a fee. The bus will depart at noon Monday from the First Congregational Church parking lot, 355 S. Union St. in Akron. It will return at 11 p.m. Tuesday. The registration deadline is Friday.
For more information and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/2wkyu46k. For questions, call the Freedom BLOC at 330-992-4041. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/justice-for-jayland-walker-bus-trip-to-washington-d-c-on-monday/70341944007/ | 2023-06-21T21:26:46 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/justice-for-jayland-walker-bus-trip-to-washington-d-c-on-monday/70341944007/ |
Lawrence Township trustees agree to put five levies on the Nov. 7 ballot
- The tax requests will be on the Nov. 7 ballot.
Lawrence Township trustees
Tuesday meeting
KEY ACTION: Agreed to put five levies on the Nov. 7 ballot.
DISCUSSION: Voters will decide the fate of two road, two fire, and one police levy, all of which are replacement levies except one.
Trustees are once again asking voters to approve a new 1.65-mill road levy that would raise $416,859 a year. This levy, if approved, will replace a levy that is no longer being collected. Voters have turned down three road levies since 2022. Another road levy is a 1-mill replacement levy. Based on current township property value, it will raise $252,641 a year.
Two replacement fire levies are also on the ballot, one for a 0.5 of a mill, raising $126,320, and another for 1 mill, raising $252,641 annually. A replacement 1.5-mill police levy would raise $378,961 a year. All the levies are for five years. Trustees plan to hold informational meetings before the November election to explain how the money will be used.
OTHER ACTION:
- Agreed to seek bids for construction of an addition to the township park pavilion. The addition will include a kitchen and restrooms. There will be seven individual bid packages for the project which will be paid for by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Interested bidders may go to the township’s website to access the bid packages or may call the township administration offices to have a bid package emailed to them. Bids will be due July 14 with the trustees holding a work session prior to the July 17 regular meeting to review them. Drawings of the addition will be available at the township administration offices for anyone to review. In related business, trustees agreed to set aside up to $1,000 of ARPA funds to pay for any required permits.
- Heard that a Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. June 27 to hear a request for a front yard setback variance for an addition to a home at 7499 Arthur Ave.
UP NEXT: Will meet at 5:30 p.m. July 3 at the township administration building. Trustees’ meetings may be viewed in real time by clicking on a link on the township’s website.
Joan Porter | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/lawrence-township-trustees-put-five-levies-on-nov-7-ballot/70341844007/ | 2023-06-21T21:26:52 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/lawrence-township-trustees-put-five-levies-on-nov-7-ballot/70341844007/ |
Woman, 85, dies after two-vehicle crash in Alliance
ALLIANCE − An 85-year-old woman from the Beloit area in Mahoning County was killed in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night, according to the Stark County Coroner's Office.
Virginia Graham died from from her injuries from the collision at East State Street and South Seneca Avenue, said Harry Campbell, the coroner's office's chief investigator.
An Alliance police supervisor said Graham was driving east on East State Street shortly before 9:50 p.m. Another driver going south on Seneca ran a red light and collided with her vehicle. The male driver was injured and transported to a hospital. The stretch of State Street at Seneca was closed for about four hours.
The police supervisor said traffic police officers are investigating what happened. They had not yet completed an incident report. And as far as he was aware, police had not yet made any arrests or filed any charges. He said he did not have any other details.
Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. Twitter: @rwangREP. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2023/06/21/beloit-woman-85-killed-in-late-night-alliance-crash/70341949007/ | 2023-06-21T21:26:58 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2023/06/21/beloit-woman-85-killed-in-late-night-alliance-crash/70341949007/ |
Jackson school board takes first step in asking voters to renew levy
- The Jackson Local school board has asked the county auditor to calculate three different levy options for the November election ballot.
- The district's current 3.4-mill levy generates $6.15 million a year in revenue. It will expire at the end of 2024.
- Jackson High School Principal Matt Ziders also presented a committee's recommendation that would eliminate weighted grading for students in grades 7-12.
JACKSON TWP. − The Jackson Local school board took the first step in asking voters to renew an existing 3.4-mill operations levy set to expire next year.
The board approved a resolution Tuesday to ask the county auditor to calculate the amount of revenue that would be generated by three different options: A five-year emergency levy renewal, a 10-year emergency levy or a five-year substitute levy, which is similar to a renewal levy but can capture new revenue when homes and commercial buildings are built in the district. None of the proposed options would result in new taxes for residents.
Once the auditor returns the results and millage for the three options, the board will select one to present to voters on the Nov. 7 ballot.
The current 3.4-mill levy generates $6.15 million a year in revenue. It will expire at the end of 2024. It was first passed in 2009, renewed in 2014 and renewed again in 2019.
If the proposed levy passes in November, it would take effect in early 2025.
Should Jackson eliminate its weighted grading system?
The school board also heard a presentation from Jackson High School Principal Matt Ziders on a recommendation that would eliminate weighted grading for students in grades 7-12.
Ziders said a committee that included eight Jackson families, six administrators from the middle and high schools, five Advanced Placement and College Credit Program teachers and three high school counselors reviewed the school's existing grading system, which gives more points for work completed in harder courses.
He said the committee’s recommendation is based on many factors, including that a weighted grading system inflates the GPA of students and it encourages students to take courses that would bump up their GPA versus courses that align with their future goals. The board will vote on the recommendation in a future meeting. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/jackson/2023/06/21/jackson-local-school-board-considers-tax-levy-weighted-grading-scale/70341660007/ | 2023-06-21T21:27:04 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/jackson/2023/06/21/jackson-local-school-board-considers-tax-levy-weighted-grading-scale/70341660007/ |
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio Police are searching for a missing woman last seen on June 14 on the northwest side.
Police say Kathleen Marie Perreira was last seen on the 5300 block of NW Loop 410.
Perreira was last seen wearing a PJ pink flower shirt and blue jeans, according to SAPD.
She is described as 5' 01'' and weighs 120 pounds, brown eyes with gray and black hair.
Officials say she is right-handed and straight mid-length hair styled into a ponytail.
If you know the whereabouts of this woman please contact the San Antonio Missing Person's Unit at (210) 207-7660. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/missing-person-woman-san-antonio/273-900889b9-7a20-4d7f-a0ff-14372aa48c24 | 2023-06-21T21:29:11 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/missing-person-woman-san-antonio/273-900889b9-7a20-4d7f-a0ff-14372aa48c24 |
SAN ANTONIO — Officials are searching for a missing teen boy who was last seen Sunday along the 4000 block of Broadway.
Aiden Montgomery, 13, was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt with possibly a white shirt underneath, black sweatpants, shorts under sweatpants and black shoes, SAPD says. He also has a black birthmark on his neck.
Montgomery is described as being 5-foot-9 and weighing165 pounds, with brown eyes and blonde hair.
Anyone with information on Aiden's whereabouts is urged to contact the San Antonio Missing Person's Unit at (210) 207-7660.
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>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/public-safety/missing-teen-san-antonio/273-80642258-6db6-4797-bb3b-4dbef9d7d889 | 2023-06-21T21:29:17 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/missing-teen-san-antonio/273-80642258-6db6-4797-bb3b-4dbef9d7d889 |
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio police are searching for a missing elderly man who disappeared sometime Wednesday near downtown.
Police say Ramon Ybarra, whose age wasn't specified by authorities, was last seen along the 100 block of Dallas Street.
Ybarra was last seen wearing a black shirt, khaki pants and a blue baseball cap. He is described as being right-handed and faded tattoos on his arms, along with two missing front teeth.
Anyone with information as to Ybarra's whereabouts are urged to call the San Antonio Police Department's Missing Person's Unit at (210) 207-7660.
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>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/sapd-searches-for-a-missing-elderly-last-seen-near-downtown/273-ac81ef1f-6c7e-4607-bbf9-1129873c1bd7 | 2023-06-21T21:29:23 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/sapd-searches-for-a-missing-elderly-last-seen-near-downtown/273-ac81ef1f-6c7e-4607-bbf9-1129873c1bd7 |
HERKIMER, NY -- A student from Herkimer has taken home the 2023 Nike Outdoor Nations Girls Pole Vault Emerging Elite Championship.
Melia Couchman of Herkimer Central School District cleared 12 feet, 2.5 inches, bringing her the win. This marked her personal outdoor best and second-best mark of her sports career.
The Nike Outdoor Nations were June 15 through 18 at the University of Oregon.
In addition to adding this award to a list of school accomplishments, Couchman also won the 2023 state championship in girls pole vault at the start of this month. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/herkimer-athlete-wins-nike-outdoor-nationals-in-pole-vault/article_eac67e2a-1069-11ee-918f-33eb22b9e547.html | 2023-06-21T21:32:34 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/herkimer-athlete-wins-nike-outdoor-nationals-in-pole-vault/article_eac67e2a-1069-11ee-918f-33eb22b9e547.html |
Gainesville resident who created 'Bambooville' on UF campus dies at 76
The Gainesville artist known for his "Bambooville" creation on the University of Florida campus and various bamboo sculptures around town died June 13 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
He was 76.
Jon C. Anderson, who was often referred to as the "Bamboo Guy," entered the local spotlight in late 2012 after University of Florida officials had his "Bambooville" art project, which was tucked away in a campus conservation area, destroyed.
Anderson had spent more than a year turning part of the Bartram-Carr Woods off Newell Drive into his bamboo heaven. The colorful hanging bamboo in the woods put smiles on the faces of students and staff members who walked along the conservation area's trails. People would often stop to enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the three dining areas he created in the space.
The creation also included a nod to the former science teacher's love of frogs. One section of bamboo included the names of the 20 frog species found in Alachua County.
The project, however, was dismantled after being discovered by a UF grounds crew. UF officials said they threw much of the art away after not being able to locate Anderson. They also noted that he did not go through the proper channels of having the project approved.
Becoming an artist
A native of Brooklyn who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Anderson began his artistic journey after being forced to give up running ultra-marathons following a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2002.
But Anderson never considered himself an artist.
"I'm a one-trick pony," the Vietnam War veteran told the Sun in 2015. "I only know how to make bamboo hanging from bamboo."
In February 2013, Anderson went before the Lakes, Vegetation and Landscaping Committee, which regulates the use of natural areas at UF, to discuss putting up his art on campus.
He was told that the main issue with the location of his bamboo art was that it was on land designated for conservation. He eventually pulled his request after deciding it wasn't receiving real consideration.
With the approval of a nearby campus greenhouse manager, he began construction of his second "Bambooville" anyway — putting in 10 to 12 hours per week — but it was again discovered by UF officials in 2014. This time, Anderson was given three days to take it down.
His friend Ken Dodd, a retired research zoologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, whom he met while volunteering at the Florida Museum, helped him remove the project.
"With Jon and his Parkinson's disease, and my bad legs and back, it was quite an adventure," Dodd said of taking down the bamboo art.
"He was a very interesting person," Dodd said of Anderson. "I never met anybody so obsessed with bamboo and frogs."
Anderson's passion for herpetology could be seen in his frequent late-night outings to various ponds around town looking for frogs. Dodd said he would sometimes bring the frogs to him in order to identify them.
His love of frogs was so deep that he pushed — unsuccessfully — to have the state of Florida recognize the barking tree frog as the state's official amphibian.
"Jon was knowledgeable about frogs and bamboo, beyond what you might expect from an amateur naturalist," Dodd wrote in an email to The Sun. "I knew him as an artist and enthusiastic naturalist, despite the incredible hardships imposed by Parkinson's. I will miss him." | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/creator-of-bambooville-on-uf-campus-dies-at-76/70337691007/ | 2023-06-21T21:33:16 | 1 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/creator-of-bambooville-on-uf-campus-dies-at-76/70337691007/ |
UF Health 'breaks ground' on new east Gainesville care center in unusual fashion
Community leaders broke ground Wednesday on a new University of Florida Health Urgent Care Center in possibly the most unorthodox way.
No shovels were pressed into the dirt, no hardhats and no posing for pictures. It wasn't even at the planned east Gainesville location.
It was an invite only-event stream held over Zoom.
Gainesville, Alachua County and UF Health officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the highly anticipated 9,000-square-foot urgent care facility early Wednesday morning. The $5.7 million center, which is set to open mid-2024, will provide much needed emergency services for population that has some of the worst health outcomes in the county.
“At UF Health, we often talk about our role in transforming people's lives for the better," said UF Health President David Nelson. "Today, this really commemorates the opportunity to take a step forward, in our belief, for the residents of east Gainesville, through the construction of this really important urgent care center. Along with our friends and colleagues from the city of Gainesville and Alachua County, UF Health is clearly devoted to working together to expand health care services in our community.”
More:UF Health Cancer Center now one of state's leaders in cancer treatment, research
More:UF Health unveils Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit, aims to bring care to stroke victims
Why Zoom?
UF officials moved the much-anticipated ceremony to an online meeting earlier in the week, citing concerns over weather. The morning of the event showed relatively clear skies.
The university also hosted another event on campus to celebrate completion of its new $26.8 million public safety building, a ceremony that started outside with raising a flag.
"This is my first event like this that's virtually," said Nelson, seeming to acknowledge the odd nature of the ceremony. "I did bring a shovel just ... so we can put a shovel on the ground, or the virtual ground."
Some suspect the move was to avoid any more public criticism of the planned facility, much like what happened during a February town hall that had dozens of people expressing concerns about the development.
Gainesville community activist Chanae Jackson said Wednesday the urgent care facility doesn’t properly address the community’s health care needs, despite claims made by planners and physicians. East Gainesville needs primary care facilities and doctors, she added.
“We need a continuum of services, and that's what should have been in east Gainesville," she said. "It doesn't benefit any of us to go to urgent care if we still can't get to a doctor. On this side of town, we don't have doctors, we don't have labs, we don't have radiology, any of the things that you would need in order to have appropriate preventative medicine and actual health care.”
Jackson went on to say that she believes the event was moved online to avoid a crowd of upset residents.
“The people that live in the east Gainesville community know what the community needs. We are the experts,” Jackson said. “Why is it that we keep being ignored?”
Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, however, who was in attendance, said he doesn’t believe there is any truth to the idea that the event was made virtual for any reason other than the weather.
Community need and growth
The facility will be partially funded by Gainesville and Alachua County government, each providing $2.25 million from federal COVID-19 relief funds.
The center will feature eight examination rooms, two procedure rooms, an X-ray area and a community room. While it may not be the most state-of-the-art facility with a host of doctors and primary care physicians, community leaders acknowledged the facility is just the beginning.
“This is a start. It's a good start, but it's only a start,” said Dr. Marvin Dewar, chief executive officer and chief medical officer of UF Health Physicians. “At the same time, we are making this good start, we're going to continue the dialogue with the community on what the next steps are and what services we should continue to add.”
Officials said they believe the facility will spur other development in the underserved area. And unlike other parts of town, UF Health Shands Hospital is just a few minutes away from the eastside location.
"This development will eliminate a health care desert," Shands Vice President of Facilities Brad Pollitt said in a news release. "It also has the potential to close a job desert, a housing desert and a food desert. There’s a lot of things this collective development will do as it grows out over the next decade.” | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/uf-health-breaks-virtual-ground-on-new-east-gainesville-care-center/70343240007/ | 2023-06-21T21:33:22 | 1 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/uf-health-breaks-virtual-ground-on-new-east-gainesville-care-center/70343240007/ |
UF opens new $26M public safety facility to serve as community hub
It has taken nearly a century but the University of Florida finally has itself a sparkling new, state-of-the-art public safety facility for the campus' first responders.
UF officials held the grand opening for the $26.8-million, three-story building Wednesday, replacing a crumbling 93-year-old facility that some referred to as a "gingerbread house" where people have fallen through the wooden floor.
Prior to its construction, the UF Police Department staff were spread throughout five buildings. Now, the department is centrally located in two adjacent buildings that allow UFPD officers to quickly access necessary resources, such as security footage and card-reader access points.
“The location makes us accessible,” UFPD Capt. Latrell Simmons said. “We’re hoping that as we continue to highlight the resources that we offer here at the University of Florida Police Department, that everyone will come in and engage with us.”
But it's not just UFPD that will enjoy the new digs.
The 51,000-square-foot facility is large enough to also house the Department of Emergency Management, including the Emergency Operations Center and UF Physical Security’s Global Security Operations Center.
“It’s not only a police department, but it’s named the Public Safety Building for a reason,” said Linda Stump-Kurnick, UF's assistant vice president of public and environmental safety. “It’s a safe environment for those people who work at the university to come and help us keep the business of the university going.”
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About the new building
Wednesday's event began with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a dedication and prayer for those who will serve and work in the new facility located on the corner of Newell Drive and Museum Road.
Alumni, former and current UFPD employees and other guests took a public tour shortly after.
They saw the new communications center and large meeting space, which student organizations can also use and have safety training sessions.
Officials said electronic technology feeds from around campus are integrated into the facility and allow for enhanced, real-time monitoring for campus safety.
The first floor is the Community Services Division and consists of a large lobby area, community room, roll call room, an area for gear, such as body cameras and multiple offices. The sally port, which holds UFPD’s rescue vehicle named “R-1” is also on the bottom floor.
The second floor features the Criminal Investigation Division, which has offices for internal affairs and business services, a command staff conference room, locker room, gymnasium and interview and interrogation rooms. Special rooms with large windows and welcoming furniture are set up for interviewing victims, with a goal to make them more comfortable.
Mental health professionals are also on-site to assist when needed.
Glass panels can be seen throughout the building, which Stump-Kurnick said represents UFPD's commitment to transparency.
The Department of Emergency Management is housed on the third floor, which is also where dispatch and the Emergency Operations Center are located. A large video wall made up of multiple screens shows much of campus in real time.
An emergency operations center, emergency management conference room and both internship and decompression spaces are all on this floor. There are also showers for any personnel who may stay overnight during emergencies.
Tribute to history
The former wood-constructed safety building was designed by Florida architect Rudolph Weaver and built in 1928. Its artistic and unique architectural style at the time, Tudor Revival, set the building apart from others at UF built in the popular collegiate gothic style.
It housed the original WRUF Radio Station and, according to a UF news release, had been listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1989. The building also served as the UFPD headquarters since 1957.
“It is a relatively small building that is not easily repurposed to any programmatic need of the university and is in a location where the new public safety building is desired," said Carlos Dougnac, UF's assistant vice president for planning design and construction.
UF received permission to demolish the building from the Florida Division of Historical Resources and the UF Preservation of Historical Buildings and Sites Committee. Restoration and repurposing of the original building wouldn't have met the university’s need for additional space.
Despite the old building’s demolition in March 2021, plans were put in place to repurpose materials from the original structure to honor its history.
Bricks from the prior structure were turned into low-seat walls within and around the building, and a local tree was used to create a conference room table for the new facility.
The facility was designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture and constructed by Ajax Building Company. | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/university-of-florida-opens-for-new-26m-public-safety-facility/70342806007/ | 2023-06-21T21:33:28 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/university-of-florida-opens-for-new-26m-public-safety-facility/70342806007/ |
CALIFORNIA, USA — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
California voters may soon vote on whether they support using state money to fund programs that improve the health, education or economic well-being of specific racial, ethnic and sexual or gender groups.
“Didn’t we already vote this down in 2020?” a voter may rightfully ask, referring to the failed campaign of Proposition 16, which sought to undo California’s voter-approved 1996 ban on using race, sex, national origin and ethnicity as a factor in public university admissions and other state programs.
The latest effort, known as Assembly Constitutional Amendment 7, wouldn’t fully overturn Proposition 209, which created the country’s first ban on affirmative action 27 years ago. Instead, it would allow state agencies to send the governor a waiver request to avoid Proposition 209’s restrictions, as long as the exception is based on scholarly research.
The aim is to have the constitutional amendment appear as a proposition on the November 2024 ballot, when voters will decide the country’s next president. To get there, the measure needs to clear each chamber in the state Legislature by a two-thirds vote.
So far the measure has passed two committees in the state Assembly and awaits a hearing in a third.
Beyond those basic details, though, there’s little agreement over what impact the measure would have on California. Would it bring back racial preferences in admissions? Unclear. Will it permit new race-based programs that clear federal law and court precedent? Another unknown.
The point of the measure
As with the 2020 ballot measure, the current effort is meant to compensate for the myriad effects historical prejudice has had on specific groups of people, such as housing discrimination or police profiling. It’s a concept known as equity: making up for past racial injustices by using race as a factor in programs that can help undo those injustices.
The measure is an “acknowledgment that Prop. 209 was a failed experiment,” said Assemblymember Corey Jackson, a Democrat from Perris who’s the author of the amendment.
He wants state law relaxed so that lawmakers and state agencies can directly support Black and other marginalized state residents — such as by deploying public funds to address the much higher death rates of Black women giving birth or the lower life expectancy rates of Black and Native American people — while still working within some of the confines of Proposition 209.
The amendment’s focus on identity groups is “making sure that there are interventions that are specifically made for them to help solve the problems that are unique to them,” Jackson said.
The emphasis on using academic evidence is an attempt to persuade voters that state programs using race as a factor wouldn’t be subjective but would have to meet a high research bar to waive Proposition 209, Jackson said.
That data is also relevant in other ways. Frequently, the groups with poorer life outcomes have small populations. For example, Black and Native American residents combined make up less than a tenth of the state’s population. That means broader programs meant to help low-income Californians may still miss the specific needs of relatively small communities, including in higher education.
Using research-backed approaches to fund state programs is a way to ensure those smaller groups also get help, Jackson said.
That equity framework, however, is at odds with what backers of Proposition 209 sought — equality.
“If passed, this amendment will significantly weaken California’s constitutional principle of equal treatment for all,” wrote Wenyuan Wu, executive director of Californians for Equal Rights Foundation, in a letter to lawmakers.
She told CalMatters she expects state Democrats to prevail in placing the measure on the ballot, but her group will fight it — and has the experience. Wu and other foundation officials played key roles in successfully campaigning against Proposition 16.
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The foundation she leads recently sued various city and state agencies for using race and sex as a factor in eligibility for public social programs.
Would this measure bring back affirmative action to California?
Unlike Proposition 16, this latest constitutional amendment effort to change Proposition 209 wouldn’t permit the state’s public universities to use race as a factor in admissions, Jackson said.
Wu doesn’t believe him.
His measure would “bring back racial preferences, as long as racial preferences can be used to improve outcomes,” she said. That’s basically undoing Proposition 209 without saying so, her group argues.
For now, the state’s private universities can consider race in admissions, but federal education watchers expect that to change as soon as tomorrow. Most predict that the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down affirmative action nationally sometime in June, undoing a court precedent first established in 1978 in a case that concerned the University of California — auguring the system’s central role in setting the national debate around racial preferences.
Should the measure reach voters, convincing them to amend Proposition 209 will be a tall order. California’s liberal voting block wasn’t persuaded that the state needed to use race as a factor to solve its biggest problems. Even in progressive Los Angeles County, while a majority of every major racial and ethnic group backed Joe Biden, a Democrat, for president in 2020, most county Asian and white voters voted no on Proposition 16, according to The New York Times.
Gary Orfield, a professor at UCLA who focuses on civil rights in law and education, said Jackson’s measure could create a new legal terrain for the state’s many cultural groups to push for changes in state programs.
“Who knows how the state Supreme Court would interpret language like this or what kinds of issues would be invented that would require interpretation,” Orfield said, who added he’d probably vote for the measure if it appeared on the ballot.
However, it’s hard to predict what those issues or interpretations would look like because the measure’s language and scope are so broad.
So broad, in fact, that like Wu, he thinks the language could permit California public colleges to use race as a factor in admissions — though, again, that permission would be overruled if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action as expected.
Of course, a future court could overturn a ban on affirmative action — the U.S. Supreme Court has a long history of overruling precedent. So in an era in which affirmative action were legal nationally, Jackson’s measure is, in Orfield’s view, “ambiguous” enough that a state agency could point to studies showing that race-based affirmative action does lead to educational gains for students of color.
There’s ample evidence affirmative action has research-backed support: Last year more than 1,200 academics who study race and education signed legal briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold race-based admissions.
But the role of research in Jackson’s measure could be clearer, Orfield said, especially because the governor would have final say on which programs get Proposition 209 waivers. “Who would decide what research was good and what research wasn’t so good,” he asked, a point Wu echoed.
Plus, which programs get waivers will likely depend on the governor’s political leanings — and even deep-blue states elect Republicans.
Will Jackson’s proposed amendment work legally?
Jackson’s proposal isn’t likely to reach that goal of overcoming past racial and ethnic injustices, said Thomas Saenz, president and general counsel of Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, a decades-old organization that NBC News in 2016 described as “the law firm of the Latino community.”
Saenz told CalMatters that he doesn’t see how the amendment could make a difference in California.
If the purpose of the measure is to support race-neutral programs that still benefit certain racial and ethnic groups disproportionately, state and federal law already allow that. Common examples are spending more money on students who are low income, previously in the foster care system or are learning English as a second language.
But if the measure wants to permit state decision-making based on race, such as hiring more academic tutors specifically for a racial group that has the lowest graduation rates at a public college, that likely wouldn’t fly federally.
Saenz, who was a co-chairperson of the campaign in favor of Proposition 16, said that under current federal law and court precedent “something that specifically excludes everyone else based on race probably can’t meet the ‘narrow tailoring’ requirements” in place that tell government agencies to use race as minimally as possible.
Instead, state lawmakers would have to include far more specific race-neutral eligibility criteria to target underrepresented identity groups, which is time-consuming, difficult and, in his view, insufficient.
“If you want to eliminate racial discrimination, you have to use race, and that’s what’s been prohibited by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Saenz said, except in college admissions, which likely won’t be the case by the end of June.
Jackson understands those federal arguments, but as a state lawmaker, his focus is on state laws, he said. Though the current makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court is ideologically skeptical of racial preferences, that could change.
Until then, Jackson wants California’s laws on racial preferences to at least match federal rules — so if they change, California’s laws will shift in tandem.
Even if the highest court in the land “is not in our favor, that doesn’t mean that we should not push back against it,” Jackson said. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/california-voters-vote-on-whether-to-bring-back-affirmative-action-but-in-limited-form/103-ca1e7605-11ad-4e96-96d6-19de88edb77a | 2023-06-21T21:34:26 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/california-voters-vote-on-whether-to-bring-back-affirmative-action-but-in-limited-form/103-ca1e7605-11ad-4e96-96d6-19de88edb77a |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
Grizzled farmworkers are the hot new commodity as community colleges try to reverse a years-long enrollment decline.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the “golden age” of higher education — where more and more adults were attending college every year — came to a halt, and California’s community college enrollment plummeted to a 30-year low.
The state community college system lost hundreds of thousands of students, but it was those 50 years and older who left at the highest rates compared to other age groups.
From Siskiyou County, on the border with Oregon, to the Inland Empire, college leaders told CalMatters how older, low-income adults often had to work “essential” jobs or to step back into the workforce to support their families. Because of their age, they faced an increased risk of COVID-19. Many were less comfortable using Zoom or they lacked an adequate internet connection for online classes. As a result, these older students left their college ambitions to the wayside during the pandemic.
Now they are also trying to reel older students back in with new programs and concerted outreach efforts. While some colleges have managed to buck the downward trends, others have found themselves competing for the same students.
Enrolling farmworkers
During the pandemic, the College of the Sisikyous saw one of the biggest enrollment declines across all age groups.
With roughly 2,500 fewer students total in 2021-22 compared to the 2018-19 academic year, the College of the Siskiyous could lose about $2.3 million dollars — just over 10% of its total funding.
Compared to other age groups, students over 50 years old left at the highest rates. And it’s a problem that’s been happening for years, even before the pandemic: COVID-19 was just “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” said Samantha Worthington, who oversees adult education at the college.
Instead, the college’s enrollment issues began as a result of competition from other schools.
Similar to many California community colleges, which have looked to out-of-state residents and even international students, administrators at the College of the Siskiyous started to look beyond the county line about seven years ago, especially for older students.
The college partnered with an organization called the Farmworker Institute on Education and Leadership Development to offer classes to farmworkers who live hundreds of miles south in places such as Monterey and Kern counties. Often, these students study to improve their English, to learn new career skills, or work towards a degree.
In the 2017-18 academic year, the College of the Siskiyous enrolled 827 farmworkers over the age of 50 in the program.
This year, the College of the Siskiyous has 11 such students over 50 years old.
Along with consistently low wages, these farmworkers had high rates of COVID-19 infection and few worker protections that ultimately pushed them away from classes, Worthington said.
Community college enrollment decline and competition
The decline in students is also because other colleges — faced with their own declining enrollment numbers — saw an opportunity to target the same students.
In 2021, Bakersfield College launched a partnership with the same nonprofit organization to target local farmworkers and declined to sign the collaborative contract it had previously made with the College of the Siskiyous.
In the course of a few years, Bakersfield College launched a flurry of new initiatives, all aimed at boosting enrollment for older students. Administrators opened new teaching centers in South Bakersfield and in the rural town of Wasco. They created a new program to educate people experiencing homelessness and another one, in partnership with the local school district, to teach parents about child development.
From the 2018-19 academic year to 2021-22, the most recent year with verified enrollment data, Bakersfield saw an increase of more than 41% in students over the age of 50, the largest increase of all the state’s 116 community colleges.
Bakersfield College is also a leader in enrolling high school students. In fact, the new California Community College Chancellor Dr. Sonya Christian — a former Bakersfield College president — has said she wants to enroll every 9th grader in a college course, something she first piloted in Kern County.
Now, College of the Siskiyous has turned its attention from farmworkers to prisoners, joining the many colleges who seek to enroll more incarcerated students. The college is also preparing for budget cuts. For example, Fields said the college is canceling classes with only five or six students.
Popularity of noncredit courses
The key to recruiting and retaining older students lies in the way which classes are taught, but most colleges aren’t making the necessary changes, said Kathy Booth, a project director at the education research group WestEd.
To lure older students to school, community colleges need to offer flexible and engaging courses that have clear and specific career outcomes. “The most frequent award that’s given out is a general studies associate’s degree,” she said. “There are very few employers that are asking for associate’s degrees outside of a few technical fields, so that sort of general education is less valuable to a working adult.”
Instead, adults over the age of 50 often want to take noncredit courses, which do not count toward degrees. Noncredit courses are short, free and typically vocational, covering topics such as HVAC repair.
But across the state, colleges struggled to move many of the most popular noncredit courses, such as those in automotive repair, healthcare, and early childhood development, to an online format.
In the 2021-22 academic year, Mt. San Antonio College had about 34,000 students taking noncredit classes, the largest volume of students in the state. Like most colleges, Mt. San Antonio saw a drop in the number of students over 50 who enrolled since the start of the pandemic.
Madelyn Arballo, the vice president of continuing education, is not worried, though. “The first year of the pandemic was really bad, but the second year, we rebounded,” she said. Arballo expects that the college has already reached pre-pandemic levels once the final numbers are tallied for the recent spring semester.
Moving quickly
Arballo attributed some of Mt. San Antonio’s success to her department putting together new classes and certificates quickly, such as a course on COVID-19 contact tracing that it offered for just a few months. Of the 103 students who enrolled in contact tracing courses in the 2021-22 academic year, 41% were over the age of 46, she wrote to CalMatters.
Instead of telling prospective students why they should go to college, she tries to tell students what they could earn or do after college: Contact tracers, for instance, were making $25 an hour at the time the class was running.
Even though these adult students often start out taking one or two quick, noncredit classes, they may end up working towards an associate’s degree, or even transferring to a four-year university, once they realize the earning potential of a bachelor’s degree, said Arballo.
Marcelo Baca, 62, started taking noncredit courses last year in an effort to get his GED, but he isn’t stopping there. He plans to graduate with an associate’s degree in business and then transfer to California State University Fullerton to ultimately become a financial advisor.
It’s not his first attempt at a degree. He immigrated from Argentina in 1989 to attend community college in Orange County, but he couldn’t afford it and dropped out. He became undocumented and despite living in the state for decades, he was ineligible for financial aid. When he was finally in a position to restart school, he said he was diagnosed with colon cancer, and later, sent to the ICU for complications due to COVID-19.
Now he’s finally pursuing his dream, even if his children beat him to it.
“I may be super old, but I don’t care.” | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/group-of-students-fled-community-college-in-record-numbers-during-the-pandemic-can-these-schools-lure-them-back/103-c0fb2dd5-bf39-4df7-8380-7c28d5f8cb9e | 2023-06-21T21:34:32 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/group-of-students-fled-community-college-in-record-numbers-during-the-pandemic-can-these-schools-lure-them-back/103-c0fb2dd5-bf39-4df7-8380-7c28d5f8cb9e |
CALIFORNIA, USA — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
Come March, California voters will get the chance to weigh in on sweeping changes proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to the state’s mental health funding system — including a $4.68 billion bond measure to add treatment beds — but critics say the proposal pits children’s mental health services against the state’s ballooning homelessness crisis.
Newsom announced his intent in March to divert nearly one-third of the state’s Mental Health Services Act money — roughly $1 billion — to housing homeless individuals with severe mental illness or drug addiction.
“We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation,” Newsom said at the time.
The announcement was met with praise from legislative leaders and alarm by children’s mental health advocates who fear cuts to their services. Today Newsom’s office released long-awaited details.
Key changes to the Act include:
- Allocating 30% of the state’s Mental Health Services Act budget to housing those with severe mental illness or substance use disorders. Half of that money would be reserved for chronically homeless people;
- Directing 35% of the money to full-service partnerships, which provide 24/7 wraparound services like case management, clinical treatment and social supports;
- Earmarking 15% of money for early intervention programs and 5% for prevention programs. Eliminating the 5% innovation fund, which has historically been used to jumpstart programs for communities of color and LGBTQ folks;
- Making people with substance use disorders eligible for services;
- Adding 10,000 treatment beds if the bond measure passes;
- Adding $36 million to shore up workforce development.
About one-third of the county mental health infrastructure in the state is supported by the Mental Health Services Act, which was approved by voters in 2004 as a ballot initiative that levied a 1% tax on the state’s millionaires. Substantial changes to the act, like the ones proposed, are subject to further voter approval. Last year the tax generated about $3.8 billion.
Democratic legislators Sen. Susan Talamantes-Eggman, from Stockton, and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, from Thousand Oaks, authored the bills detailing the proposed changes.
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said updates to the act are long overdue. Steinberg co-authored the original measure when he was an Assemblymember.
“I am 1,000% behind this modernization,” Steinberg said during today’s news conference.
The original intent of the act was to prioritize services for people “whose lives are most at risk,” Steinberg said, criticizing counties that currently “do their best to use nearly $4 billion annually on people who need help, but without any clear state and societal priorities driving their investments.”
When Newsom announced his proposal in March, county behavioral health leaders countered that this money is the only funding source that gives them broad flexibility to focus on local priorities and any changes will result in program cuts. The money is “braided into the fabric of all things in our safety net,” said Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association, at the time.
Children’s mental health advocates also said the new proposal details fail to address their earlier concerns about cuts to youth services, which include local at-risk youth centers, LGBTQ+ programs, school-based suicide prevention programs, and infant and early childhood mental health consultations.
“They don’t seem to have done any analysis on what they’re giving up to have this $1 billion for housing,” said Lishaun Francis, senior director of behavioral health at Children Now. “It’s an interesting time to make a change that seemingly shifts resources away from young people.”
Mental health among youth worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, with one survey showing 63% of middle and high school students reported having had an emotional meltdown, 43% reported panic or anxiety attacks, and 19% described suicidal thoughts between April 2020 and March 2021.
In 2021, Newsom and the Legislature allocated $4.4 billion to a Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, but people who provide services to young folks say that was a one-time investment — it doesn’t replace ongoing money they currently get from the Mental Health Services Act.
But Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said the proposed changes cannot be considered alone. In addition to the one-time $4.4 billion investment, the state has added money outside of the Mental Health Services Act to mental health and substance use prevention programs, which includes youth programs.
“Compared to 20 years ago, not only do we have a number of new programs, we have a number of new opportunities to bring funding to those programs,” Ghaly said. “It is our belief that even though we are today really helping focus on some of the Californians with the most severe conditions, we also are in a much different better place to promote and support the prevention programs.”
The measure creates an early intervention program that earmarks funds to reduce suicide, incarceration and school failure as well as establishing early-psychosis interventions. Steinberg said it invests the same amount of prevention funds as the current Mental Health Services Act in a “more focused and targeted way.”
But children’s mental health advocates say that’s not what they were asking for. The current funding system carves out money specifically for prevention and early intervention programs among youth. This version creates a “catch-all” fund that isn’t set aside for young people, said Adrienne Shilton, senior policy advocate for the California Alliance of Children and Family Services.
“In the current structure, there’s a requirement that 51% of prevention and early intervention funds are spent on children and youth. We’ve lost all of that,” Shilton said.
Addressing homelessness has been a key priority for Newsom, who made it part of his 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Since that time homelessness has increased in California by nearly 32%, with about 170,000 people living on the streets.
A new report from the UCSF Benioff Center paints a bleak picture of California’s homeless population, with two-thirds of those surveyed reporting mental illness and one-third reporting substance use. The report, which offers new insights into the state’s most visible crisis, states that loss of income was the No. 1 cause of homelessness, not mental illness or addiction.
Francis said it will be difficult come March to convince voters that funding for youth should not be sacrificed to address homelessness. She believes the state has enough resources to address both problems.
“We want to support our unhoused population but we don’t want to do that at the expense of our youth. The legislature needs to figure out how to do both, but this isn’t it,” Francis said.
WATCH ALSO | Why California has a large unhoused population | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/newsom-proposing-boost-mental-health-funding-why-childrens-advocates-worried/103-04fc3373-42f3-4808-9390-9fcad15afb51 | 2023-06-21T21:34:38 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/calmatters/newsom-proposing-boost-mental-health-funding-why-childrens-advocates-worried/103-04fc3373-42f3-4808-9390-9fcad15afb51 |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Just in time for the summer solstice and the return of warm weather, Portland Parks and Recreation has opened its outdoor pools to the public.
From Wednesday, June 21, to Sunday, August 27, Portlanders can take a dip in the seven outdoor pools spread across the city.
Drop-in admission is free for swimmers up to 2 years old, $3.75 for swimmers between the ages of 3 and 17, $4.75 for those between 18 and 59, and $4.50 for seniors over 60.
There are also seasonal passes that range from $69 to $142.
PP&R will provide free swimming options for all age groups through the Summer Free for All series, made possible by the Parks Local Option Levy. This levy has also supported the department in its efforts to hire more lifeguards.
“The Parks Local Option Levy has allowed PP&R to ramp up staffing to once again offer a variety of recreation programs,” Culture & Livability Commissioner Dan Ryan said. “That includes swim activities at all City pools and the popular Summer Free For All. I’m delighted to see the Levy continue to provide such a wonderful quality of life for Portlanders.”
The outdoor pools will host a free swim session each week.
Here’s more on where you can find the pools, and when admission is free.
- Creston Pool – free on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Peninsula Pool – free swim on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Montavilla Pool – free swim on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Grant Pool – free swim on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Sellwood Pool – free swim on Wednesdays 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Ida B. Wells Pool – free swim on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Pier Pool – free swim on Thursdays from 1:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In addition, families can register for swim lessons that run through late August — but spots are filling up quickly. City officials advise residents to sign up for waitlists if the lessons are full, because PP&R plans on adding more spots as they hire more staff.
Portland’s indoor pools will be open throughout the summer as well. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-opens-outdoor-pools-to-public-on-first-official-day-of-summer/ | 2023-06-21T21:34:40 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-opens-outdoor-pools-to-public-on-first-official-day-of-summer/ |
CALIFORNIA, USA — This story was originally published by CalMatters.
Amping up their concerns as a deadline looms, key California legislators today escalated their pushback on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to streamline the Delta water tunnel and other infrastructure projects.
The stalemate could become a critical lever while lawmakers haggle with Newsom over the 2023-2024 budget leading up to his June 27 deadline for approving the spending plan.
A bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers from the Assembly and the Senate signed on to a letter today urging Newsom and legislative leaders to stall Newsom’s package of infrastructure bills “for as long as the Delta Conveyance Project remains a part of the proposal.”
The legislators said Newsom’s proposals — which would overhaul permitting and litigation for expansive projects like the controversial tunnel plan to replumb the Delta and send more water south — could cause environmental harm.
“Rather than taking up a few blocks like a stadium, the tunnel would span multiple counties and impose water and air quality concerns throughout the region. If the project is litigated under (the California Environmental Quality Act), the process should not be rushed,” said the letter, spearheaded by Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, a Democrat from Stockton and a member of the Delta Caucus.
In mid-May, Newsom unveiled an executive order and package of wide-ranging proposals to streamline state approval of major infrastructure projects, such as bridges, reservoirs, semiconductor plants and the Delta tunnel. Some of his proposals aim to keep transportation, energy and water projects from stalling under legal challenges related to the California Environmental Quality Act and make the state more appealing for federal funding.
The fight pits Newsom against lawmakers who say they feel “jammed” by Newsom’s use of the budget process to fasttrack the bills. Environmental groups and salmon fishermen are squaring off against building and labor groups. And Delta counties are once again waging a decades-long battle against a massive water project that would reshape their region.
The Newsom administration says the changes are urgent because California needs to more rapidly build water and energy projects to prepare for climate change.
“The proposals that the governor brings forward we don’t bring forward lightly into the budget process, but because we have to take action now,” California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot said at a joint hearing of the Assembly Judiciary and Natural Resources committees in early June. “We need to be in a dead sprint implementing what we call our water supply strategy for a hotter, drier future.”
Newsom’s Deputy Communications Director Alex Stack said the package “ensures California would still have the same nation-leading environmental protections while also cutting unnecessary red tape that has stalled key climate projects for years.”
The final budget is not contingent on Newsom’s infrastructure proposals, and they could be enacted after it’s signed. But experts suspect they will be used as a political lever while negotiations hashing out the budget continue through the end of this month.
Introduced as budget trailer bills less than a month before the Legislature’s June 15 budget deadline, Newsom’s proposals bypass the typical legislative policy committee lineup and give lawmakers and the public less opportunity for deliberation or amendments.
“It feels disrespectful to the process, to all the work that we’ve done … to have something come at this late date and want to be rushed through that has had such an impact on my district, and the state and the 4 million people who reside in that area,” Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, a Democrat from Stockton, said in a committee hearing this month.
Assembly consultants warned in a report that this approach “significantly limits transparency and public input” and “increases the potential for creating unintended consequences.”
“They (Newsom officials) want to rewrite more than a century of California law in a backroom deal,” Doug Obegi, a senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told CalMatters.
During informational hearings held in early June, lawmakers noted that this is not the first time that the Newsom administration has brought policy proposals into the budget process. “It is starting to feel like we are being jammed by design,” Sen. Monique Limón, a Democrat from Santa Barbara, said at the Senate Natural Resources and Water hearing.
‘Overly onerous’ regulations or ‘railroading’ projects in?
Water providers, business interests and several labor unions have voiced support for Newsom’s policy package.
“Major infrastructure projects are too often bogged down in overly onerous regulatory processes and a siloed approach to permitting approvals, which increases overall costs and delays critical projects,” the Association of California Water Agencies, Mojave Water Agency, and the Almond Alliance all wrote in individual letters.
Much of the opposition stressed the impact on the tunnel project, including a coalition of the five counties ringing the Delta — Sacramento, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa and Yolo.
“The Legislature is being asked to railroad over the objections of 4 million people and the 25 county supervisors that represent them and are trying to protect their homes and communities,” said Karen Lange on behalf of the Delta Counties Coalition at an informational hearing of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife. “In the case of the tunnel, every county and city that is affected by it opposes it.”
Stockton community organizations, salmon fishers and environmental groups said Newsom’s plan would remove guardrails and hamper litigation against the Delta tunnel and other projects.
One Newsom proposal, for instance, would exclude certain internal communications such as emails from the administrative record prepared for litigation if they didn’t ultimately reach the final decision-making body.
Assembly analysts warned that this “allows the agency to pick and choose what documents to include in the record.” Though these records could be available under a separate California Public Records Act request, this too can lead to lawsuits and delays and “could prove very costly to public agencies.”
In today’s letter, legislators criticized parts of the package that would set a time limit for lawsuits challenging the tunnel and other projects and reduce protections against killing certain wildlife species, such as sandhill cranes that winter in the Delta.
Crowfoot told CalMatters that the proposals were not developed specifically to push through the tunnel project.
“I haven’t been part of any internal conversation on fully protected species and our need to modernize it that discuss the Sandhill crane or its relationship to the project,” he said. “The intent is not to short circuit any environmental review or public input, but it is to ultimately get to an answer around whether this project can be supported and move forward.”
Decades in the making yet still decades from completion, the proposed tunnel has been called both a water grab and a critical update to water supplies for 27 million people, mostly in Southern California, and 750,000 acres of farmland. State officials say it would protect a vital water artery from earthquakes, sea level rise and extreme swings from wet to dry, while local communities and environmental groups say it would upend the way of life and sensitive ecosystems of the Delta.
The estimated price tag, last updated in 2020, is around $16 billion, which would eventually be paid back by water agencies receiving its supplies. Last year, a draft state environmental report warned that the tunnel project would harm endangered and threatened species, convert 2,300 acres of farmland, and disrupt cultural and historic sites.
Asked why the administration included such a fiercely contested issue in the infrastructure package as part of the budget process, Crowfoot said in an interview, “We simply can’t kick the can down the road on this question because it generates disagreements and controversy.”
WATCH ALSO | Water Wasted: Evaluating Delta Tunnels construction | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/lawmakers-wage-delta-water-war-with-newsom/103-b86ba763-bd5e-484c-9871-9653fd79cc84 | 2023-06-21T21:34:44 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/lawmakers-wage-delta-water-war-with-newsom/103-b86ba763-bd5e-484c-9871-9653fd79cc84 |
LINCOLN, Calif. — The Lincoln Police Department is investigating after a man followed an elderly woman into her garage and robbed her.
According to a news release, it happened around 11 p.m. Tuesday on the 600 block of Blossom Lane.
Police say the victim, a 92-year-old woman, pulled into her garage and was trying to get out of her car when an unknown man also came into her garage. He allegedly opened her passenger side door, grabbed her purse and grocery bag, and ran off without talking to her.
The suspect was described as a man between the age of 30-40, around 5’6 to 5’8” tall, and he was wearing a dark blue hoodie. He was last seen running north on Dogwood Loop.
Police searched for the suspect but could not find him.
Anyone with information about the robbery can call the Lincoln Police Department Investigations Unit at 916-645-4040.
MORE FROM PLACER COUNTY: Placer County Board of Supervisors holds a special meeting on Project 8 Winery | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-robs-elderly-lincoln-woman-in-her-garage/103-332f647a-baa5-4c6b-9f9b-94145ca334c1 | 2023-06-21T21:34:50 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-robs-elderly-lincoln-woman-in-her-garage/103-332f647a-baa5-4c6b-9f9b-94145ca334c1 |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The long-awaited return of the Sacramento Sunday Certified Farmers' Market to its original location is finally happening more than two years after it temporarily relocated.
It’s now scheduled to move back to its location at the 8th and W St parking lots under the freeway on Sunday, July 9.
The market will continue to be held in the parking lot of the old Sears building at Arden Fair until Sunday, July 2.
“We have waited to reopen under the shelter of that overpass for the space to be ready and safe enough to accommodate us,” the market wrote on Facebook.
The market originally moved from its home of four decades to its temporary Arden Fair location in March 2021.
It was previously scheduled to return to its original location under the freeway around the holidays in 2021, but the ‘Fix50’ project was still underway and the city needed to relocate people staying at its Safe Ground camping and parking sites in the area.
WATCH ALSO: Why California has a large unhoused population | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-sunday-certified-farmers-market-moving-back-to-original-location/103-49f7c923-7cdd-46d8-b3ec-01c3148a80eb | 2023-06-21T21:34:56 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-sunday-certified-farmers-market-moving-back-to-original-location/103-49f7c923-7cdd-46d8-b3ec-01c3148a80eb |
Fighting climate change with nudism: What to know about the World Naked Bike Ride in Milwaukee
Wanna fight climate change this weekend? Bike naked.
On Saturday, Milwaukeeans will witness the third annual World Naked Bike Ride. Here’s the naked truth:
Why are people biking naked and what is the World Naked Bike Ride?
The first recorded naked bike ride was in 2001 in Zaragoza, Spain. Two years later, Conrad Schmidt conceived the World Naked Bike Ride to protest oil dependence and celebrate the human body.
The popularity of the event rose quickly with 28 bike rides across the globe in 2004 and 74 in 2010.
With an informal slogan of “less gas, more ass,” organizers hope that the shock factor of laying it all bare helps drive home the negative effects of climate change and fossil fuels. The event also demonstrates the importance of pedestrian visibility and the need for safe biking and pedestrian pathways in urban spaces.
The event is intended to help people to shed their inhibitions and celebrate their bodies. Every inch. Participants do not have to be naked and only have to take off as much clothing as they’re comfortable with.
While the event has layers, the people won’t.
Where is the naked bike ride?
Don’t want to be greeted by folks in their birthday suits on their route?
Organizers traditionally keep this part of the event private until a few days before the race, but the route was uploaded to the event’s website today.
Bikers will start at Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall where they will be greeted by five bands, 20 vendors, food trucks and body painters. Riders will then head east on Burnham Avenue making their way onto Water and Brady streets, looping through Veterans Park before returning to the beer hall.
Thankfully, the race won’t bring a whole new meaning to the crack of dawn as the it is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
How many people will participate in the naked ride?
Since the inaugural ride in 2021, organizers estimate roughly 200 Milwaukeeans have risen to the occasion and and participated. Event organizer John Kankowski told the Journal Sentinel he hopes to break Madison’s record of 197 participants from last week’s revealing ride.
According to Kankowski, people are coming in from Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa and Pennsylvania.
Portland has the largest bike race with an estimated 10,000 participants.
What if I don’t have a bike?
You don’t have to be a bare bicyclist! You can be a threadbare tandemer, an unclothed unicyclist, a stripped skateboarder or a revealed runner.
Or, you can just rent a bike—just no cars.
Is this free? How do I register?
Yes, it’s free — liberating one may even say.
While organizers understand it might be a little difficult to keep cash or card on your person during the event, they appreciate any donations.
Is riding a bike naked legal?
The ride is technically a first amendment protest, so it is legal as long as riders do not participate in any lewd or "untoward" behavior. According to Kankowski, police treat the bike ride as a protest so bikers are “on their own.” There will be a follow car with medical support if needed.
Alcohol and inappropriate behavior are banned at the events so that everyone can feel comfortable while biking through Milwaukee with the wind at their backs. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/21/what-to-know-about-world-naked-bike-ride-in-milwaukee/70343579007/ | 2023-06-21T21:36:15 | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/21/what-to-know-about-world-naked-bike-ride-in-milwaukee/70343579007/ |
BELLEVUE, Wash. — The Bellevue School District (BSD) is warning parents after two teens suffered a possible fentanyl overdose Tuesday from a vaporizer, according to Bellevue Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis.
In a screenshot of a message sent to middle and high school families in BSD posted on Twitter by Nieuwenhuis, the district was informed of an incident in which two high school students are believed to have suffered accidental fentanyl overdoses. The release said, "They are believed to have used vape pens which either contained or were laced with fentanyl."
Bellevue police officers say they responded to an apartment complex on Northeast 16th Street and were able to revive a 17- and 18-year-old, although one sustained life-threatening injuries.
“Fentanyl is a national and regional threat to public safety and Bellevue is not immune from the danger it presents," said Bellevue Police Captain Joe Nault. "We’re seeing fentanyl appear in more and more instances where people are either knowingly participating in already high-risk behavior, such as drug use, or unwittingly, such as the consumption of other substances laced with fentanyl."
A similar situation nearly played out in Stanwood back in April, when a mother took vape cartridges her son had bought from other students and at least one tested positive for traces of heroin.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bellevue/bellevue-teens-hospitalized-suspected-fentanyl-overdose/281-a76f6f36-5bd5-4603-af55-2974823578b5 | 2023-06-21T21:37:37 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/bellevue/bellevue-teens-hospitalized-suspected-fentanyl-overdose/281-a76f6f36-5bd5-4603-af55-2974823578b5 |
QUINCY, Wash — The suspect accused of killing two people and injuring two others at a music festival at the Gorge Ampitheatre last weekend was allegedly having a hallucination prior to the deadly shooting, according to court documents.
Officials said James M. Kelly, 26, is expected to appear in Grant County Superior Court on Wednesday to face charges of first-degree murder, first-degree assault and first-degree assault domestic violence.
The two people killed during the shooting near the Gorge Amphitheatre on June 17 were identified as Josilyn Ruiz, 26, and Brandy Escamilla, 29, of Seattle.
Around 8:20 p.m. on June 17, dispatchers received a 911 call reporting shots fired inside a campground near the Gorge, where an electronic dance music festival was being held.
According to court documents, Kelly was attending the Beyond Wonderland music festival with his girlfriend when he had a dose of "shrooms" and started having hallucinations. Kelly started to think the world was ending. His girlfriend told authorities that Kelly said, "This is the end" and went to grab a gun from his car, according to court documents.
During the hallucination, court documents indicated Kelly fired multiple shots at Ruiz and Escamilla, who were walking in the area of the campground. The two women died at the scene.
Two other people were wounded in the shooting, including Kelly's girlfriend, a 20-year-old Mill Creek resident, and a 31-year-old from Eugene, Oregon. A private security officer responding to the report was struck by a bullet that deflected off her eyeglasses, according to the sheriff. She suffered bruising and lacerations due to the impact but was not seriously hurt.
Kelly's girlfriend called the police after the shots were fired and alerted authorities that he had a gun. She had two gunshot wounds to her lower body and needed treatment at the Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake.
Investigators said the suspect fired shots at a Grant County aerial vehicle while it was airborne before he was found in an agricultural field near the campground. He was taken into custody.
Kelly is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to officials. The 26-year-old man remains in Grant County Jail after being hospitalized for a gunshot wound, according to Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete.
The attorney of one of the victims' families believes Ruiz and her fiancée had no relationship with the shooter.
"They did not know the suspect," said Kevin Boyle of Panish Shea Boyle Ravipudi LLP.
Boyle told KING 5 that it is possible that the two young women were killed while they were trying to help another victim.
"And that Josilyn and her fiancée Brandy stepped in to help the victim of the domestic violence," Boyle said. "And then shots started ringing out."
The victims were nurses. Ruiz graduated from nursing school in 2018. Ruiz's sister-in-law said on a GoFundMe page that Ruiz had a contagious laugh and loved dancing, singing, and attending music festivals.
"The Ruiz family love Josilyn, and they're devastated," Boyle said. "As an attorney, I'm looking into, 'Why did this happen?'" | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/gorge-shooting-suspect-charged/281-6d180301-9f0c-4aab-9413-207ea2d1dcb8 | 2023-06-21T21:37:43 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/gorge-shooting-suspect-charged/281-6d180301-9f0c-4aab-9413-207ea2d1dcb8 |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)– This week, 1,500 people from 30 Tri-Cities companies got out of their offices and into the community as part of United Way’s 31st annual Week of Caring.
United Way chapters across the country celebrate a Day of Action on June 22, but in Northeast Tennessee, the event extends to a week.
“That’s just a testament to the volunteer spirit that we have here,” said Becca Stuphen, Senior Director of Community Impact with United Way of Greater Kingsport.
The week aims to connect teams of volunteers from area companies to services projects at local non-profits, said Stuphen.
This “matchmaking” is something local non-profits appreciate.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the United Way,” said Edward Breese, Community Relations Manager with Second Harvest Foodbank of Northeast Tennessee. “One of the biggest things they help with is volunteerism.”
Wednesday volunteers from Eastman Credit Union helped pack over 1,000 family food boxes at Second Harvest as part of the annual tradition.
“This is a week we look forward to every single year,” said volunteer Jeremiah Lounds.
Not only does the week provide a chance for co-workers to bond while giving back, Stuphen said it also helps people get interested in volunteerism.
“I like to think of this week as an opportunity for folks to maybe dip their toes in the water to volunteer because that first opportunity can be of daunting,” said Stuphen. “But if you can do it with your coworkers and your peers, then catch the bug of volunteering and keep that a part of your normal life.”
The Week of Caring runs through Saturday, June 24.
For more information about how to get involved outside of the Week of Caring, visit volunteer-united.org. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/1500-volunteer-in-united-way-week-of-caring/ | 2023-06-21T21:41:05 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/1500-volunteer-in-united-way-week-of-caring/ |
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — As planned, the “launch CEO” of a regional development organization has bowed out 14 months after NETNHub formed with the support of some major Northeast Tennessee employers.
The Hub’s board is now seeking a permanent executive director to replace former Kingsport Mayor Dennis Phillips in a process Chairman Jerry Caldwell said will be “thorough and efficient” but will not be drawn out.
“We anticipate making an announcement soon,” said Caldwell, who is General Manager of Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). BMS, Ballad Health, Bank of Tennessee, Eastman Chemical Corp. and East Tennessee State University are the original five private-sector funders of the Hub.
Phillips helped oversee the Hub’s formation and its efforts to get local governments and existing economic development groups singing off the same sheet of music – something Caldwell stressed from the beginning.
“We have something really special here, and we need to make sure that we protect jobs and protect the livelihood of folks that live in this region, and that’s what this is about,” Caldwell said when the Hub officially launched in April 2022.
In an interview with News Channel 11 Wednesday, Kingsport Mayor Pat Shull praised Phillips’s leadership in the Hub’s early stages.
“I think probably our business people would compare it to a startup,” Shull said. “You know, startups don’t immediately become profitable, but I think we’ve made some progress.”
Shull said as a mentor to him, Phillips helped convince Shull of regionalism’s importance several years ago.
“He really convinced me, he’s the guy and he had no stake at that time in it,” Shull said of Phillips. I was just given an opinion from a guy who was older and wiser, and I’ve been sold on regionalism. We need that kind of scale to get our message out to the bigger world.”
Caldwell told News Channel 11 Wednesday the Hub’s work is a long-term effort that he knew would take time to develop, but that what board member Will Barrett called a “finish line and a starting point” more than a year ago is making progress.
“We are ready for the next phase,” Caldwell said. “We started with some key players, which was an important step in the process, and now we need to expand that and bring some others in. And, you know, the regional effort is not something that there’s a finish line. It’s always going to change and evolve over the years as we grow and we develop.”
Phillips, who is in his 70s, had some success in bringing public-sector representatives together. NeTREP, which provides economic development services for Washington, Carter and Unicoi counties and like the Hub is a private-public partnership, officially disbanded in early 2023 and merged into the Hub.
NETWORKS-Sullivan Partnership, which conducts economic development in Sullivan and Hawkins counties hasn’t followed suit, but its board is considering it.
“The real need is how do we convene folks, how do we collaborate with folks, and we’re seeing some real success with that,” Caldwell said. “It’s taking some time and taking some hard conversations at times to make sure that we’re all on the same page, but that’s okay. That helps us get to the spot that we need to be.”
Kingsport’s board of mayor and aldermen, which is one of NETWORKS’s major partners, voted unanimously in March to support NETWORKS partnering with the Hub.
“We’re looking for a new director … that makes sure that they are kind of a consensus builder, that they’ve got the leadership qualities to make people in our area understand how this can work to everybody’s advantage,” Shull said.
He added that while he is elected to represent Kingsport, “I’m here to represent Kingsport’s interests, but I think Kingsport’s best interests lie in regional cooperation. I sincerely believe that.”
Caldwell said the Hub is and always will be focused on adding resources to the area, not supplanting existing ones. Its private-sector funders have committed more than a million dollars a year in new money for at least three years to the effort.
He said the Hub continues to want to help improve regionwide assets including workforce education, tourism, infrastructure and air service. It has made a $50,000 commitment and recruited other donors for a grant to help Tri-Cities Regional Airport as it attempts to add passenger service options including a direct flight to Chicago.
The Hub also hopes to recruit even more widely for stakeholders and funders, including at the small and mid-sized business levels.
“For us to be working together and be getting the positive attention that we need on the state level and the national level, we need to have a lot of conversations (and) we need to make sure there are a lot of folks in the room with those,” Caldwell said.
“So this person (the new director) will need to be a great communicator and collaborator as we move this thing forward.”
The position description and a link to apply — the job description says the Hub is seeking a “well-known, highly trusted consensus builder” — is at netnhub.com. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/netnhub-seeks-new-director-phillips-steps-down/ | 2023-06-21T21:41:11 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/netnhub-seeks-new-director-phillips-steps-down/ |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Greeneville residents and visitors have a new downtown draft destination thanks to Rock City Tap and Lounge.
The business, located at 109 N. College Street, opened earlier this year after the opening of a food trailer on-site and features regional beverages.
“We have tried to keep our breweries regional,” co-owner Emilee Dore said. “So pretty much if a brewery is in a state that touches Tennessee, it’s in the market for us.”
Rock City lives in a renovated garage that offers indoor and outdoor gathering space. Dore said the focus of the venture has always been on socialization.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me that every time they come in, they don’t know anybody else that’s in here,” Dore said. “And that’s really cool for them because anywhere else they go in Greeneville, they know everybody.”
When visiting the bar, craft brewery fans will see some familiar favorites. Asheville, Kingsport and Johnson City are all represented alongside other guest pours. Dore was surprised by the reception she’s seen, in a good way.
“I would say for sure that there was more of a need than we realized,” Dore said. “The idea behind the atmosphere and the vibe that you get at Rock City was a place that we wanted to hang out at but almost felt like home.”
Hours have fluctuated throughout Rock City’s first few weeks, and Dore encouraged those considering a visit to check the tap house’s Facebook page for the most recent hours. A new menu of summer-focused brews is also in the works, Dore said, and is expected to feature sours, ciders and lighter beers for the next few months. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/rock-city-tap-and-lounge-brings-brews-to-greeneville/ | 2023-06-21T21:41:17 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/rock-city-tap-and-lounge-brings-brews-to-greeneville/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dozens of animal shelter facilities across Florida are partnering with Petco this weekend for a massive adoption event, and all adoption fees are waived.
Petco Love, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to pet adoption, is hosting the Mega Adoption event Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 51 shelters throughout Florida.
Adoption fees will be waived at participating shelters, but also at mega rescue events in Jacksonville, Plant City and Fort Pierce.
The Mega Adoption event for Central Florida will take place at the Strawberry Festival grounds on West Oak Avenue in Plant City, Friday from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. until noon.
Participating Central Florida shelters include:
If you can’t make it out to Plant City, you can visit the shelter locations where adoption fees will also be waived.
Other shelters in the area will not be at the mega events, but will also be waiving adoption fees.
Contact each shelter to find adoptable pets, locations and hours of operation.
All adoptable pets are spayed or neutered, and all adoptions will include vaccinations and offers from Petco. The goal is to find homes for 5,000 pets throughout Florida this weekend.
For more information or to see other participating shelters, head to the Mega Adopt Florida website.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/central-florida-animal-shelters-to-hold-mega-adoption-event/ | 2023-06-21T21:45:48 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/central-florida-animal-shelters-to-hold-mega-adoption-event/ |
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A car smashed through the front of a Florida gas station on Tuesday, pinning a person against a wall inside the store, according to a news release.
Hillsborough County deputies said a Kia Forte driven by Anthony Katosh, 37, crashed through the front doors of the Travel Centers of America at 11706 Tampa Gateway Blvd. in Seffner around 12:24 a.m.
According to the release, at the time of the crash, a person was entering the gas station and was hit by the car. Deputies said the victim was pinned between the driver’s side door and a metal structure.
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The footage of the car smashing through this business and straight into a victim is jarring, to say the least,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “It is an absolute miracle that the person pinned by the car did not sustain more serious injuries, and we’re glad to hear he will be ok.”
⚠️SHOCKING VIDEO⚠️
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) June 21, 2023
A driver faces charges for driving through a gas station and pinning a victim walking into the store.
"The footage of the car smashing through this business and straight into a victim is jarring, to say the least," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "It is an… pic.twitter.com/ftG50TmIav
Deputies arrived at the scene and began to provide aid along with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.
Both the driver and the victim were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the release.
Detectives said the crash was not accidental and charged Katosh with Criminal Mischief $1,000 or more.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/crazy-video-car-slams-into-florida-gas-station-driver-faces-charge/ | 2023-06-21T21:45:54 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/crazy-video-car-slams-into-florida-gas-station-driver-faces-charge/ |
Dr. Amber Orman likes to practice what she calls “true healthcare.”
“We are treating, preventing and reversing chronic disease with the way that you’re living rather than relying wholly on pills and procedures and tests and things like this,” Orman said.
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She is a radiation oncologist and also a practitioner of lifestyle medicine “which is using food and movement, the way that you feel stress the way that you sleep, your relationships and your use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, to really change your life in a positive way,” according to Orman.
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Orman takes that practice into the HEAL Program at AdventHealth. HEAL stands for Healthy Eating Active Lifestyle. Orman started the program with Dr. Nathalie McKenzie, a gynecologic oncologist.
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“This has been something that has been percolating for me for quite a few years and before I joined Advent, I was actually going to launch a similar program at Moffitt Cancer Center where I came from,” Orman said. “My life took a turn and I married somebody who happened to live in Orlando and then I found AdventHealth.”
The HEAL program shows cancer patients ways they can change their lifestyles to improve their overall health and help them recover from their diagnosis.
Part of the core of the HEAL program is encouraging patients to consume a diet that is at least majority plant-based.
“When you look at all of the data together, a plant-based diet, a plant predominant diet — that doesn’t have to be 100% vegan, or whatever term you want to use — but simply a diet that is mostly plants the healthiest way to eat. I can say that with complete confidence,” Orman said.
Part of the reason for encouraging a plant-dominant diet is that plants provide something that animal products cannot, fiber.
“Fiber is only in plants,” she said. “So when we’re eating fiber, that is what our gut microbiome needs to be happy.”
Orman explained that your gut microbiome is “a population of bacteria in your gut, that is absolutely central to many processes in your body.”
“So when this population of organisms in your gut is happy because they’ve been eating a lot of fiber, the global level of inflammation in your body is lower, and your immune system is functioning in a better way,” the doctor said. “When our immune system is functioning in a better way, it can pick off little cancer cells that are floating around in our body from time to time — because that is the case, we always have a cancer cell or two roaming around that our body is designed to take those out so that it doesn’t land in breast tissue or the pancreas and grow to become a tumor that we find and diagnose and treat.”
In addition to fiber, plants also provide phytonutrients.
“Phytonutrients, again, are substances only in plants,” Orman said. “One subset of a phytonutrient is an antioxidant. And they’re anti-inflammatory — they’re just very good for our body. They run around kind of repairing damage and preventing damage.”
On Florida Foodie, Orman shares more about HEAL and the improvements she has seen in her patients as a result of the program. She also shares more about the benefits of a plant-dominant diet for overall health and what changes people can make to begin improving their nutrition.
Please follow our Florida Foodie hosts on social media. You can find Candace Campos on Twitter and Facebook. Lisa Bell is also on Facebook and Twitter and you can check out her children’s book, “Norman the Watchful Gnome.”
Florida Foodie is a bi-weekly podcast from WKMG and Graham Media that takes a closer look at what we eat, how we eat it and the impact that has on us here in Florida and for everyone, everywhere. Find new episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/orlando-oncologist-shares-how-a-plant-based-diet-can-help-cancer-patients/ | 2023-06-21T21:46:00 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/orlando-oncologist-shares-how-a-plant-based-diet-can-help-cancer-patients/ |
Calling all Red Raiders -- the State Fair of Texas announced that they will host a special Centennial Exhibit that focuses on Texas Tech University's first 100 years.
The exhibit will be open from Sep. 23 through Oct. 22. It will showcase the university's history, traditions, significant athletic achievements, influential people, and the heritage of its unique Spanish Renaissance architecture.
"We are thrilled to be part of one of the most iconic events in all of Texas," said Blayne Beal, director of centennial coordination for Texas Tech. "We look forward to sharing our unique centennial story and our unrivaled traditions with the millions of visitors who gather at Fair Park from every part of the great state of Texas and around the country."
The exhibit will be on display in the Hall of State. The State Fair of Texas will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and is free with admission to the fair. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/state-fair-of-texas-to-host-texas-tech-exhibition/3281745/ | 2023-06-21T21:47:56 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/state-fair-of-texas-to-host-texas-tech-exhibition/3281745/ |
HAMPDEN -- After facing the struggles of the statewide lifeguard shortages, the Lura E. Hoit Memorial Pool is offering lifeguard certification training through the American Red Cross this upcoming month. The course will provide two-year certifications and both CPR and first-aid training.
"There is a huge lifeguard shortage going on, I have never had so much difficulty filling spots," said Director of Lura E. Hoit, Darcey Peakall.
Maine state parks and pools have been facing a massive lifeguard shortage. According to the Lifeguard Coordinator for Maine State Parks, Sean Vaillancourt, they are searching for solutions to this issue.
"You see a lot of Maine state parks that just don't have life guards that are swim at your own risk. That doesn't mean we don't have trained staff available and ready to respond to emergencies but everything is going to be swim at your own risk if there are no lifeguards," said Vaillancourt.
The lack of lifeguards is an issue that pools all over the state are dealing with. It leaves the managers of these pools scrambling to make sure they can keep their facilities safe.
Lura Hoit's director says the requirements are not as extreme as one may think.
"I think it's intimidating, some people think you have to be a competitive swimmer but you don't you just need the skills to be able to swim and the confidence to go under the water and we can train you for most of that stuff," said Peakall.
The training is provided by on staff certified instructors. Part of the training is online and in person, and there is a prerequisite at the pool where you will be expected to perform skills such as swimming 300 yards and treading water for 60 seconds before moving forward with the training.
"We need to be able to perform the proper CPR or first-aid that is required for that and have the experience in being able to pull people out and not everyone can do that," said Peakall.
The cost of the certifications are often expensive; however, through the Susan Abraham Memorial Scholarship they are offering a full reimbursement to those who stay on with them for six months.
"I really like doing the swimming lessons. If people know how to swim they're safe, if they swim via life guard they're more safe," said Bernard McDonald, full-time supervisor and certified lifeguard instructor at Lura E Hoit.
McDonald got his certification in 2016 and says these issues have been going on since before the pandemic.
"There's a lot of pools in the area and of course state parks, national parks all need lifeguards so I'm hoping offering the training will help."
Part of the lack of lifeguards may be due to generational factors. Peakall says many of their staff are younger so they often move on after graduating from high school or college.
For their upcoming training course they are encouraging people of all ages to get certified.
"Anytime you have more involvement from people in the adult range you're starting to look at people that could be mentors, people that have experience that could be shared and that's a wonderful thing," said McDonald.
The training dates will be July 9, 16 and 25. For more information, anybody interested should go online at Hampdenme.myrec.com or call their front desk with any questions. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/local-pool-battles-lifeguard-shortages-with-certification-training/article_446a597a-1078-11ee-b10c-ab5434e16302.html | 2023-06-21T21:58:32 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/local-pool-battles-lifeguard-shortages-with-certification-training/article_446a597a-1078-11ee-b10c-ab5434e16302.html |
ORONO -- After months of deliberation, the municipal review committee is about to lock down a partner to oversee the Hampden mixed waste processing facility.
M.R.C.'s president, Karen Fussell, says by the end of this month, Innovative Resource Recovery will be in charge of 90% of the facilities and operations.
I.R.R.'s CEO says the organization is ready to get to work and determined to provide the service community members deserve.
"As a veteran in the mixed waste space, I recognize there have been projects that have not always lived up to expectations. Our goal here is not to be one of those. That's why we've taken our time so far doing our diligence and plan to continue doing our diligence moving forward," says James Condela, the CEO of Innovative Resource Recovery.
As part of their diligence, Innovative will be taking things slow with getting the Hampden facility to full operations.
By the end of 2023 and through 2024, the facility will go through a trial period to ensure everything is up to snuff.
In regards to what that trial period will look like, Fussell says, "Communities here and there will be asked to send waste to the facility so they can run tests and do demo loads and things like that."
M.R.C. predicts full operations to begin by 2025. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/the-search-for-a-partner-for-the-hampden-mixed-waste-facility-seems-to-be-near/article_39f83b5e-1075-11ee-8abf-9b9f7fc4f841.html | 2023-06-21T21:58:38 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/the-search-for-a-partner-for-the-hampden-mixed-waste-facility-seems-to-be-near/article_39f83b5e-1075-11ee-8abf-9b9f7fc4f841.html |
PITTSBURGH — The City of Pittsburgh announced that it’ll be easier for kids to swim for free this summer.
In past years, a membership tag was needed for children to access the pools for free, but this year that tag is being waived.
All Pittsburgh children 15 and under will be granted free entry to CitiParks swimming pools.
“It’s all about the children and giving them opportunities for a safe, fun summer,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Whatever we can do to make our youth thrive allows our great City to continue to be a safe, welcoming, and thriving place for all.”
“We love being able to offer free swimming to Pittsburgh youth. And now, without needing a Recreation Center Membership, families can head straight to the pools and enjoy their summer,” noted CitiParks Director, Kathryn Vargas.
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NEW EAGLE, Pa. — One person was taken to the hospital after a car crashed into a house in New Eagle.
Washington County 911 confirms police, fire and EMS units were called to the 200 block of Main Street for the crash at 4 p.m.
No one was inside the house at the time of the crash. The severity of the person’s injuries is not known at this time.
Monongahela police are investigating.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates on Channel 11 News through 6:30 p.m.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/emergency-crews-respond-after-car-crashes-into-house-new-eagle/NWUVPIJFUJGAHEOYWS7ZELNCTQ/ | 2023-06-21T22:03:10 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/emergency-crews-respond-after-car-crashes-into-house-new-eagle/NWUVPIJFUJGAHEOYWS7ZELNCTQ/ |
ETNA, Pa. — A local family is speaking out after the car and truck were stolen on the same night.
Police believe this is part of a much bigger crime spree.
Our Jillian Hartmann spoke with the father outside his home in Etna.
On 11 News at 6 p.m., how the family tracked down the cars by themselves.
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PITTSBURGH — A local group is working to pick up where the school day left off with a free breakfast and lunch to make sure no child goes without a meal.
“It’s always a hot meal,” said Dr. Hart, the Board Chairman of, Iota Phi Foundation.
The group is offering free breakfast and lunch to any student under the age of 18, no questions asked.
“We are doing waffles, eggs, and sausage, and on Tuesday [we had] baked ziti,” Hart said.
In Pittsburgh, one in five residents lives with food insecurity. For the past two years, federal aid provided free meals to all Pennsylvania public school students all year round.
Unfortunately, lawmakers were unable to extend that program this summer, so the meals stopped on the last day of school.
“We see that as our obligation, the Iota Phi Foundation and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, to fill in the gaps wherever we can,” Hart explained.
Located in the city’s Manchester neighborhood, the Iota Phi Foundation, through the support of the Department of Education, not only provides daily chef-prepared meals, it offers a safe place to be a kid.
“We got basketball, board games, ping pong tables,” Hart said.
And youth mentors, like 24-year-old Islam Abdul-Rabb, who says he volunteers because he can remember being on the other end receiving.
“I grew up kind of rough and I used food banks and things of that nature and summer programs and things like that, so the reason why I do it is just I love to give back,” Abdul-Rabb said.
“It’s just a bunch of good people coming together and trying to help our young people have a great summer,” Hart said.
The free breakfast and lunch program will run the entire summer until August 4.
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Raytheon’s Tucson operation was awarded a $1.15 billion contract for production of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and related work for the Air Force, Navy and 18 foreign allies — including Ukraine.
The work will be performed in Tucson, where Raytheon is the largest employer with about 13,000 workers at several factory sites, and the contract is expected to be complete by January 2027, according to a Defense Department contract notice.
About 40% or nearly $450 million of the contract value is for unclassified foreign military sales to Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
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The latest production contract includes an unspecified number of missiles, missile telemetry systems, spare parts and production engineering support.
First fielded in 1991 and significantly upgraded over the years, the radar- and GPS-guided AIM-120 AMRAAM is one of the most widely deployed air-combat missiles in the world, in use by 40 nations.
From Kosovo to Ukraine
The supersonic, all-weather air-combat weapon has a reported effective range of 35 to 80 miles, depending on the version. It has been test-fired more than 5,000 times and credited with air-combat “kills” in conflicts over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India and Syria.
The AMRAAM also is used with some ground-based air defense systems.
In its effort to repel Russia, Ukraine launches AMRAAMs from the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), which was jointly developed by Raytheon and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence.
The U.S. delivered two NASAMS batteries to Ukraine late last year and in December, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a contract worth up to $1.2 billion to deliver six additional batteries.
Last September, Raytheon was awarded a three-year, $972 million contract to upgrade AMRAAMs with new hardware and software for the U.S. Air Force and Navy and 19 allied countries.
The latest version of the AMRAAM costs about $950,000, and the Air Force and Navy are seeking to buy a total of 831 of the missiles in the Pentagon’s pending fiscal 2024 budget request.
Multi-year buy debate
The AMRAAM is one of 15 munitions programs Congress approved for multi-year contracting in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act, a policy document that generally prescribes appropriations.
Seen as a way to save money and stabilize the defense industrial base, multi-year contracting has been allowed in the past mainly for big platforms like planes and ships.
By allowing defense contractors to optimize production plans and buy materials ahead, multi-year contracts can save 5% to 15%, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said in a report issued in 2020.
The Pentagon has proposed multi-year buys for the AMRAAM and other critical munitions — also including Raytheon's Standard Missile-6 interceptor and the Raytheon-Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile — as part of a pilot procurement program.
But last week, the Republican majority on a defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee voted to disallow authority for some multi-year munitions procurement programs, including AMRAAM.
That drew fire from Democrats, who said the decision flew in the face of a recent report on countering threats from China, which recommended multi-year contracting as a way to boost munitions production and stockpiles.
Contact senior reporter David Wichner at dwichner@tucson.com or 520-573-4181. On Twitter: @dwichner. On Facebook: Facebook.com/DailyStarBiz | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucson-raytheon-defense-missile-ukraine/article_3b663e76-1054-11ee-bc65-5ff233905c9e.html | 2023-06-21T22:07:17 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucson-raytheon-defense-missile-ukraine/article_3b663e76-1054-11ee-bc65-5ff233905c9e.html |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — E-scooters and e-bikes are becoming a popular way to get around, but their batteries are drawing concern in Baltimore County as they are starting fires.
It's in much of what we use every day, lithium-ion batteries, from phones, laptops and toys to even the way we get around.
But when these batteries fail or overheat, they can explode and release gases, starting a fire that can take seconds to spread.
"It could be a defect already inside of it, could be you dropped it or punctured it, it could be if you've tampered with it. There's a lot of different reasons,” said Lt. Caroline Rudacille with the Baltimore County Fire Department.
An issue she says they're seeing is an increase of is e-scooter and e-bikes catching fire. The lithium-ion batteries power these machines but when improperly charged they can become dangerous.
"The key thing is that you're charging these in safe places, not inside your house, not around doors anything like that where it would block progress if one of these were to catch fire,” said Lt. Rudacille.
Wednesday, Baltimore County Firefighters got special training because as technology using lithium-ion batteries rapidly increases, these firefighters must keep up on how to respond if one catches fire.
“Training to identify what a compromised battery looks like and get it out of there and not leave any cells behind, if left behind they can start secondary fires,” said Rudacille.
This year alone there have been five fires from lithium-ion batteries in Baltimore County according to Lt. Travis Francis. Just two weeks ago, two scooters caught fire in Reisterstown.
"We had a residential dwelling catch fire and in that home it was found that there were two e-scooters plugged into the same outlet in the garage,” said Lt. Francis.
When the batteries on these e-scooters and e-bikes do catch fire, it can get tricky because they can't be extinguished with water. Bureau Chief Tim Rostkowski said they use a suppressant to put it out and how long it takes depends on the size of the battery.
"Basically, what this product does is if the battery were to catch on fire it kind of melts down and it's an encapsulating agent so it basically sucks to the battery and suffocates the battery so that it cannot continue to burn,” said Bureau Chief Rostkowski.
If an e-scooter or e-bike catches fire in your home, fire officials say to get out as soon as possible and call 9-1-1. Don't worry about putting the fire out on your own. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-co-firefighters-see-increase-of-battery-fires-on-e-bikes-and-scooters | 2023-06-21T22:09:53 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/baltimore-co-firefighters-see-increase-of-battery-fires-on-e-bikes-and-scooters |
BALTIMORE — In the last decade, Maryland has seen more and more reported data breaches.
“10 years or so ago we were getting 20 or 30 a month. That sort of ebbs and flows each month but the most we got was in 2021 when we got 172 which comes out to about 40 a week," Jeff Karberg, director of the identity theft program.
Karberg says part of that increase is attributed to more types of stolen data needing to be reported like health information.
Johns Hopkins was recently the target of a cyberattack and agencies like the department of health and department of labor have also fallen victim.
RELATED:Johns Hopkins impacted by widespread cyberattack, personal information may be affected
“Some of this is unfortunate because it doesn’t matter how personally careful you are with our data if some institution is compromised," said Karberg.
Some of the most concerning information that gets stolen like social security numbers, birthdays and names can be used to commit financial crimes.
“The information that can later be abused through some form of financial identity fraud and that generally takes one of two shapes. Existing account fraud where they take advantage of accounts you’ve already created or where they go out and apply for new lines of credit, new loans, new accounts," said Karberg.
Every time there’s a breach anyone known to be impacted is supposed to get a letter letting them know they’re impacted.
This can include a chance for free credit monitoring but there’s another step you can take before any information is taken – a credit freeze.
“What it does fundamentally is make sure every account made under your name has to go through you," said Karberg.
Credit freezes can be done through a number of credit services and can easily be lifted if you need to use your credit. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/data-breaches-are-on-the-rise-putting-more-marylanders-at-risk | 2023-06-21T22:09:59 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/data-breaches-are-on-the-rise-putting-more-marylanders-at-risk |
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Bismarck and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation this week to focus on rural education and support for tribal schools.
Cardona will visit Cannon Ball Elementary School on Thursday to see how the school is providing mental health resources for students and the community. He also will tour the Boys and Girls Club of Standing Rock in McLaughlin, South Dakota, to see how the program is connecting tribal communities with additional resources such as broadband access.
On Friday, Cardona will visit Bismarck State College, where he will hold a roundtable discussion with educators about career and technical education programs. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/education/us-secretary-of-education-miguel-cardona-to-visit-north-dakota/article_9c756fe4-107b-11ee-8857-67d51a417180.html | 2023-06-21T22:11:32 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/education/us-secretary-of-education-miguel-cardona-to-visit-north-dakota/article_9c756fe4-107b-11ee-8857-67d51a417180.html |
BRUCE, Miss. (WTVA) — More cameras are coming to Bruce.
The city is going to install four red light cameras and license plate readers.
The city is using the cameras for surveillance.
Assistant Police Chief Thomas Bosa said the cameras will not be used for traffic violations. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/bruce-to-install-more-surveillance-cameras/article_e929a1c8-1078-11ee-afea-438ab474b233.html | 2023-06-21T22:11:49 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/bruce-to-install-more-surveillance-cameras/article_e929a1c8-1078-11ee-afea-438ab474b233.html |
OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) — A woman will spend seven years in prison for the 2020 death of an infant in Oxford.
Amy Rogers, 25, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on June 16, District Attorney Ben Creekmore confirmed.
Oxford Police arrested Rogers in late 2020 following the death of Brynlee Hastings who was under Rogers’ care at Mother Goose Daycare.
According to court documents, the child was placed on her stomach and left unattended.
Hastings suffocated and later died at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/former-oxford-daycare-worker-to-spend-seven-years-in-prison-for-2020-infant-death/article_83ffc79a-1065-11ee-878d-6ff2a4cd3960.html | 2023-06-21T22:11:49 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/former-oxford-daycare-worker-to-spend-seven-years-in-prison-for-2020-infant-death/article_83ffc79a-1065-11ee-878d-6ff2a4cd3960.html |
JIM THORPE, Pa. — Refrigerators sit empty and kegs remain closed here at Wine & More on 1st in Lehighton.
Owner Tina Henninger fights back tears as shares the news that her tasting room is closing.
She says visitors are being turned away from Lehighton after officials in Jim Thorpe started blocking drivers from making a left turn out of the Carbon County parking lot on Route 209.
"As long as they have a traffic blockade up where 80 percent of our traffic can get down it doesn't matter how good we are, how much we work, how much we try we're losing everything," Henninger said.
Just down 1st Street sits Jokers are Wild Game Cafe.
Bob Schaeffer is the owner here.
He says since the barriers started getting put up on weekends and holidays in late 2021, he's noticed his business has started to go away.
"I'm personally about $30,000 less in sales since the redirection has come about/ it's going to be four traffic cones, four traffic barriers that kind of bring us down and it's a scary situation. It's hard to work through," said Schaeffer.
Lehighton business owners say these are the barriers that are causing them to lose thousands of dollars and deter people away from visiting them. They're put up on the weekends and holidays here along 209, blocking drivers from making a left-hand turn both in and out of the county parking lot. But borough officials say they put up for safety.
"If something, a major event would happen, emergency, some kind of crisis we don't know how we'd get into that area if we couldn't keep traffic following somehow and this seems to have done that," said Greg Strubinger, Jim Thorpe Borough Council President.
He said it was never the borough's intent to hurt neighboring businesses.
He tells us both boroughs tried to come up with an idea to add a sign to the 903 bridge to reroute people back through the Lehighton area, but there was a disagreement on how the sign should be worded.
Business owners tell us at the end of the day it's hurting their bottom line.
"I'm not sure what needs to happen for our elected officials to wake up and realize how much this is hurting not just one area but the whole surrounding county," Henninger said.
"It's simple. if it was like this before why can't it be like that now?" said Schaeffer.
Lehighton businesses say if nothing gets resolved they will file a lawsuit.
While Jim Thorpe officials say they don't plan on taking the barricades down anytime soon. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/barriers-in-jim-thorpe-hurting-business-in-lehighton/523-fabcac7d-07e3-46b9-bb8f-6eba9f7cbeb4 | 2023-06-21T22:11:56 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/barriers-in-jim-thorpe-hurting-business-in-lehighton/523-fabcac7d-07e3-46b9-bb8f-6eba9f7cbeb4 |
LANSFORD, Pa. — This is behind the scenes of a new upcoming movie; ‘Twelve to Midnight.’
The set may look recognizable to folks familiar with Carbon County.
The Number Nine Coal Mine & Museum in Lansford is now part of a mystery thriller plot.
Director Mark Savage says the area's anthracite coal history is a main feature in this movie.
“This region has such a rich history, but it's a history that I don't think everybody outside Pennsylvania is aware of,” he said.
“The mining industry, the railroad and coal industry and things like that, all those things are now gone so we now have to rely on tourist dollars. And with tourism, what a better way to bring in tourism other than to create a movie at all these great locations,” mentioned producer and Scranton filmmaker, Robert Savakinus.
Going across Schuylkill and Carbon counties all week, the production team relied on the knowledge of local residents to capture picture-perfect places on film.
“But you want to try to get as many local people as possible to come and be part of the crews. That's what this is, I think this crew here, it's probably like 60 or 70 percent local people,” Savage added.
Instead of learning through textbooks, the movie production staff hopes that viewers can learn about the rich coal mine history here, through the lens of entertainment.
“Just what these miners that you think about went through decades ago in these mines and they didn't have the technology we have now it's just kind of fascinating how they were able to produce so much,” explained Jeff Miller, Writer & Producer of ‘Twelve to Midnight.’.
“I've never really experienced or learned in school too much about what this region has to offer and especially the history of it. Of what built this country,” actor Evan Strand said.
The crew plans to finish filming by the end of the week to put our region's coal mines on the big screen in 2024. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/coal-mine-museum-transformed-into-movie-set/523-300bc3db-5276-4a48-aeef-922a56977580 | 2023-06-21T22:12:02 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/coal-mine-museum-transformed-into-movie-set/523-300bc3db-5276-4a48-aeef-922a56977580 |
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — For the Gray family, Barney Farms Park in South Wilkes-Barre brings back cherished memories of their eight-year-old son Nathan. He passed away in January of last year.
At the age of two, he was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer.
"We live a couple blocks away, so this was his place to go, especially during Covid when everything was closed we would come down to the park," said Nathan's mom, Patricia Gray.
His mom Patricia Gray shared Nathan's journey on social media.
To honor his young life, the City of Wilkes-Barre helped to install new playground equipment at Barney Farms Park.
The space will soon be dedicated with a new name, "Nathan Gray Memorial Playground."
"It's bittersweet, it's wonderful, it's beautiful, they did such an amazing job, I just wish he was here to see it," said Gray.
Nathan's mom tells Newswatch 16, all of the new playground equipment was requested by Nathan before his passing. Specifically in his favorite color, orange.
"He wanted the workout stuff because he was of course a little tough guy who was big into sports, and at the same time was a little guy and wanted the puppy rockets. The city actually had them designed for Nathan."
The Gray family has now turned their lives orange to always honor Nathan's memory.
"Ever since he was a baby, orange was everything to him and then when we found out he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, it's also the color ribbon for kidney cancer so it stuck. Everything is orange," said Gray.
A dedication ceremony is set for Friday at 3 p.m. at Barney Farms Park in South Wilkes-Barre. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/dedication-set-for-new-playground-in-wilkes-barre/523-2f1e4878-e2be-410f-ac8a-630eb22f2659 | 2023-06-21T22:12:08 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/dedication-set-for-new-playground-in-wilkes-barre/523-2f1e4878-e2be-410f-ac8a-630eb22f2659 |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A video posted to Facebook over the weekend shows a black bear cub running through the Timberland apartment complex in the heart of Williamsport.
Newswatch 16 sat down with Emily Carrollo, a black bear specialist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. She says it's not uncommon for young bears to venture into populated areas this time of the year.
"Towards the end of May bears start to be kicked out of their family groups with their mothers," said Carrollo. "So, what you see is young bears on the landscape looking for new home ranges of their own."
There have been a few incidents this year of bears wandering in urban parts of Lycoming County. Last month the Game Commission had to remove a bear from Hughesville.
"Sometimes these young bears encounter things we don't necessarily want them to get into, like being found in a tree in the middle of the city with no way out, dumpster diving behind a restaurant or up on people's porches," Carrollo said.
In addition to calling the Game Commission, here is what you should and shouldn't do if you happen to spot a black bear in your neighborhood...
"What you should do is always give the bear as much space as possible and what you shouldn't do is approach a bear and get closer," she stated.
After the bear was tranquilized in Williamsport, Game Commission officers used this opportunity to teach onlooking community members about the animal.
"In these scenarios, our law enforcement has the ability to educate people on how to live with black bears, why they are so important to have on the landscape, and why they are culturally important to the Pennsylvania public," Carrollo added.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission says the bear in Williamsport was released back into the wild. More information on black bears can be found here. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/black-bear-captured-in-billtown/523-839d7d2e-323e-402e-8ddf-ec55bcf7b298 | 2023-06-21T22:12:14 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/black-bear-captured-in-billtown/523-839d7d2e-323e-402e-8ddf-ec55bcf7b298 |
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Championship banners line the walls at Strike Zone in Sunbury. The Shikellamy High School girls' bowling team has had a successful few years, but this one is the icing on the cake. The team finished second in the National High School Girls Bowling Championship.
"It's still the best finish in school history so I couldn't be more proud of them," Mark Derr said.
The team was undefeated this season, winning both the regional and state championships.
"It was very exciting for us. This was my first year going to nationals with my team and everything. It was very new to me, a little chaotic. We all enjoyed it," Kennedy Rudy said.
"Especially because of the great season we already had and to walk away with second at a national championship is pretty exciting," Emma Fetterman said.
In addition to the second-place finish, Shikellamy Senior Emma Fetterman has something else to celebrate. She WON the singles competition, making her the National High School Girls Bowling Champion.
"It was my last shot and I wanted to make the best out of it and we did," Fetterman said.
Like all of her teammates, Emma has been bowling since she was a young child. She won the title with a score of 258.
"It's really exciting. It's the biggest event of the year for high school so it's really exciting to win that. Were you nervous? A little bit going into it but once I started bowling I kind of forgot about the nerves and I went back to what I know how to do," Fetterman said.
The girls say they grew up bowling together and their tight bond helped them do so well this season. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/shikellamy-hs-girls-strike-big/523-c5ce309f-51f1-4c41-8476-c56a62ca971f | 2023-06-21T22:12:20 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/shikellamy-hs-girls-strike-big/523-c5ce309f-51f1-4c41-8476-c56a62ca971f |
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The City of Cape Coral is hosting an “Under The Sea” event for kids between ages 3 and 7 on Friday, June 23.
The event is at Four Freedoms Park, 4818 Tarpon Court in Cape Coral, just south of Cape Coral Parkway.
“Under The Sea” at Four Freedoms Park will include games, activities and dinner for the kids in attendance. It runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The cost is $20 per child, with registration required in advance. Sign up your family with this online link, or by calling 239-574-0804. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/06/21/cape-coral-hosting-under-the-sea-event-for-kids/ | 2023-06-21T22:12:26 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2023/06/21/cape-coral-hosting-under-the-sea-event-for-kids/ |
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — At least one waterspout was spotted in Southwest Florida today. One woman got a view of it from a rented boat while out on the water.
Emilie Carter and her family are on vacation from Kentucky. They were planning for a day on the water and ended up bracing for their lives.
“We saw a storm coming in and something was kinda forming like it was coming down,” said Carter.
Carter and her family were boating from North Captiva when they got stuck out on the water.
“We went back into the canal and anchored down and that is when we actually start to see it form into like a funnel maybe and it was like halfway down and we thought we were good but the wind started to pick up a little bit and it started to actually form,” said Carter.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- Caught on camera: Waterspout picks up kayak in Cape Coral
- Waterspouts spotted off Fort Myers Beach and Captiva
Carter said this wasn’t what her family was expecting on the water today but they are glad to be ok. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/06/21/boaters-spot-waterspout-near-lee-county-barrier-islands/ | 2023-06-21T22:12:32 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/06/21/boaters-spot-waterspout-near-lee-county-barrier-islands/ |
LOCAL
News in 90: Delta IV Heavy launch, Royal Caribbean Utopia and Titusville pharmacist
Rob Landers
Florida Today
Support local journalism. Unlock unlimited digital access to floridatoday.com
Looking for the stories included on today's News in 90 Seconds? Click the links below:
ULA scrubbed first Delta IV Heavy launch attempt, now targeting early Thursday morning
Giant cruise ship Utopia of the Seas coming to Port Canaveral, where sister ship already sails
Titusville pharmacist arrested; pharmacy raided by federal agents
Rob Landers is a veteran multimedia journalist for the USA Today Network of Florida. Contact Landers at 321-242-3627 or rlanders@gannett.com. Instagram: @ByRobLanders Youtube: @florida_today | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/brevard-ula-delta-heavy-royal-caribbean-utopia-titusville-pharmacist/70342593007/ | 2023-06-21T22:12:43 | 0 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/brevard-ula-delta-heavy-royal-caribbean-utopia-titusville-pharmacist/70342593007/ |
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A 13-year-old boy placed a calm and collected call to 911 to report that he’d been bit by an alligator on Tuesday.
“I just got bit by a gator,” he told the operator.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The boy said he’d been swimming in Howell Creek before 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Tuskawilla neighborhood of Winter Springs. He said was walking along the banks when the gator bit him on his hip.
“I’m OK though,” he said. “I can walk and I can stand. I’m fine. It just, it just stings a little bit, but I’m good.”
Read: 10-foot gator bites off man’s arm after he goes into pond behind Florida bar
The boy told 911 operators that after it happened he ran to a nearby house on Mt. Laurel Drive for help. On Wednesday, trappers were out in the neighborhood looking for that gator, which they believe is at least 9 feet long.
Trapper Jerry Flynn said so far their efforts to trap the gator have been unsuccessful. But Flynn said the creek has plenty of gators since it feeds into Lake Jesup.
Read: Gator bites off part of man’s leg near Titusville
“We don’t quit. We’re gonna trap this thing and get him out of here and get these waterways safe again,” Flynn said.
The boy was transported to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, and he is expected to make a full recovery.
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/boy-13-bit-by-alligator-seminole-county-calls-911-it-just-stings-little-bit/WZ45FOTBSFEOFBQV6PP424FRFQ/ | 2023-06-21T22:29:06 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/boy-13-bit-by-alligator-seminole-county-calls-911-it-just-stings-little-bit/WZ45FOTBSFEOFBQV6PP424FRFQ/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Brightline has wrapped up construction on its service connecting Central Florida to South Florida.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
This is a significant milestone for the company, and they are now one step closer to launching the service.
Brightline has laid all the tracks necessary for the expansion.
Mayors representing Brightline station cities along its 235-mile route celebrated the accomplishment Wednesday with a roundtable conversation on transportation and economic impact in Florida.
Read: Brightline completes construction of high-speed rails connecting Orlando to South Florida
“I’m excited about what the connectivity between Orlando and Miami really means for our community,” said Orange County Major Jerry Demings.
When Brightline first broke ground in 2019, the company faced some challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain shortages.
Company President Patrick Goddard said he couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved.
Read: Lake Nona, airport property values expected to skyrocket after Brightline launch
“To be able to say that construction is complete means we are one step closer to running trains,” Goddard said.
Brightline’s construction generated over 10,000 jobs and more than $6.4 billion in economic impact. The launch of the service is expected to create even more jobs and boost the economy.
The new service will also provide a much-needed alternative to driving between Miami and Orlando. Brightline said it could make the trip in three hours.
Read: Brightline unveils new train station at Orlando International Airport
“It’s a faster, safer, more efficient way to travel,” Goddard said. “And it’s also better for the environment to travel.”
While construction is complete, testing will continue.
Once testing is complete, Brightline will begin offering passenger service between Miami and Orlando later this summer.
Travelers can buy trip tickets as soon as September and find more information here.
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/brightline-completes-construction-tracks-connecting-orlando-south-florida/GTQI3VMPZFFUVDSMTQAA7YCRTU/ | 2023-06-21T22:29:12 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/brightline-completes-construction-tracks-connecting-orlando-south-florida/GTQI3VMPZFFUVDSMTQAA7YCRTU/ |
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — When an Osceola County man lost his wife six months ago, she left him with a broken heart and a job: to feed the two-dozen feral cats that have hung around their home for decades.
“She lived for these cats,” the man, who asked us not to use his name, said.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
For months, he has been keeping true to his wife’s wishes, feeding the cats twice a day, paying $500 a month to keep them fed.
He said he’s afraid if he stops feeding them, they’ll die.
But now, at 87, the day-to-day is taking a toll.
Read: Boy, 13, bit by alligator in Seminole County calls 911: ‘It just stings a little bit’
“I can’t do this much longer,” he said. “I don’t mind doing it. It gives me a purpose, and I enjoy them munching, but when have to sell this house, I have to tell these people you are going to wind up with a bunch of cats.”
The problem he said is an ordinance passed back in 2018 that has feral cats trapped, neutered and returned under a community cats grant. It’s a model used around the country to keep the cats from being euthanized.
Read: 30-foot hole opens up in front of Ocala home, residents evacuated
Instead, it stops them from breeding and filling up the shelters by allowing them to live in the community. But he said it’s not working.
“Don’t just fix them and send them out,” he said. “That only attracts more cats, and the problem lies with people like us, the people who are compassionate.”
Read: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Underwater noises detected again as search continues
Osceola County Animal Services Kim Staton said she is aware of the large number of cats that come to the home every day, and that a team will come out and assess the situation soon, and likely start by trapping the cats and fixing them.
Some, she said, they will try to adopt out. Others can be part of a program that sends them to farms to keep down the rodent problem, and some will go back to the area.
Read: Cloud surfing: Wave-live clouds spotted in Space Coast skies
But in some cases, she said, it’s possible some they may have to be put down.
But the man said he worries there may be no other option because no one else should have to take this problem on.
“That is insanity,” he said. “Why would anyone commit themselves to the responsibility like this?”
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/man-87-pays-500-month-carry-feeding-2-dozen-feral-cats-after-wifes-death/6ZLBGQKHAJCHJBZSYJHJBMGEAE/ | 2023-06-21T22:29:18 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-87-pays-500-month-carry-feeding-2-dozen-feral-cats-after-wifes-death/6ZLBGQKHAJCHJBZSYJHJBMGEAE/ |
FAIRFIELD, Ala. (WIAT) — An AI art exhibition will be held at Fairfield’s Stephen Smith Fine Art Gallery Wednesday evening.
The opening reception for “SINGULARITY: AI Art Exhibition & Continuing Discussion” will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and free for the public to attend.
Featured in this exhibition are the works of early innovators of AI art including Marcus Fetch, Eugene Qahhaar II and King Tall T. In addition to works produced by these traditional artists, the exhibition will feature AI art created by poets, comedians, cartoonists and writers.
Examples of AI music, poetry and film will be showcased and patrons will be provided tools to make AI art of their own.
Throughout the summer, Stephen Smith Fine Art will feature various events and discussions surrounding the topics of Artificial Intelligence and AI art.
This exhibition is part of a continuing discussion funded by the MISA Collaborative of Miles College and Samford University. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/ai-art-exhibition-to-be-held-at-fairfields-stephen-smith-fine-art-gallery/ | 2023-06-21T22:29:36 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/ai-art-exhibition-to-be-held-at-fairfields-stephen-smith-fine-art-gallery/ |
DORAVILLE, Ga. — It was a rainy Wednesday morning at Honeysuckle Park in Doraville but that didn't stop dozens of children from playing soccer at the park's field.
Eleven-year-old Raul Soto was one of those soccer players. He says if he did not have this summer camp - which is ending next week - he'd likely be home on his phone all day.
"I'm going to miss it and it's going to be boring - my summer - because I like coming here every day," he said.
This one-month-long soccer camp is an initiative by non-profits Latino Community Fund Georgia (LCF Georgia) and Ser Familia, along with Atlanta-based Soccer in the Streets.
For two years, the nonprofits have been planning this camp, which helps boys and girls ages 5 to 14, develop their skills, while also providing a free health clinic for parents at the same time.
Pedro Viloria is LCF Georgia's Health and Wellbeing Manager.
"It can prevent kids who otherwise would be loitering, staying at home, have nothing to do, to have an activity," he said. "Not just any activity, but an activity that builds a healthy habit."
The health clinics offer everything from blood pressure readings to education, as well as a chance to ask healthcare professionals questions in Spanish.
"A lot of the community members that we had here today, their blood pressure was taken for the very first time, their glucose levels were taken for the very first time," Viloria explained. "A lot of them don’t have primary doctors."
DeKalb County helped fund this program and now the organizations are looking for support and extra funding to expand it next year, for more children, like 9-year-old Jonathan Tzep.
"I used to play soccer at a different stadium. This one is better because it's more fun and productive," he said. "We're doing passing, controlling the ball, shooting, we usually do matches."
While currently, the program is full, the health clinics are open and free for anybody.
Viloria says if you are interested, they will be posting information on LCF Georgia's social media. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/doraville/gwinnett-soccer-camp-health-screenings/85-28169ada-926e-4f7b-9184-5cf0faf66150 | 2023-06-21T22:32:17 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/doraville/gwinnett-soccer-camp-health-screenings/85-28169ada-926e-4f7b-9184-5cf0faf66150 |
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — The man accused of shooting a beloved Lawrenceville attorney in the head and setting his office on fire has pleaded guilty and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
A grand jury indicted Allen Tayeh on a list of charges including murder, arson and trying to hide a body in February. Tayeh entered a guilty plea Wednesday and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive five years.
The grand jury determined Tayeh brutally murdered Douglas Lewis in December 2022. Records show that Tayeh owed Lewis $30,000 after his divorce.
The Lawrenceville Police Department and Gwinnett County Fire Department were called to Lewis' law office around 5:45 p.m. on December 7, 2022. Lewis' body was burned from the fire. A medical examiner determined he died before the fire was set, revealing that Lewis was shot multiple times in the head - one was almost immediately fatal.
Tayeh was found walking away not far from the scene. Prosecutors said his eyebrows and hair were singed and his hands, legs and face had burns. He was also carrying a revolver and shell casings, with his truck parked in the driveway next to Lewis' truck. Prosecutors added that Tayeh's keys were found near Lewis' body in the law office after the fire was extinguished.
Lewis, a divorce lawyer, was representing Tayeh's now ex-wife. Tayeh was ordered to pay his former partner's attorney fees and never paid Lewis. The judge assigned to the divorce had issued notice to return to court for contempt of court hearings because of the outstanding fees, prosecutors said. Tayeh was due in court on December 14, 2022 to answer to a judge -- but seemingly took matters into his own hands a few days beforehand.
Lewis practiced law for 30 years and was a beloved member of the community.
He was described by a close friend as a family man who rarely let a day pass without telling his wife and kids he was proud of them. His friend and former partner, Jesse Kent, also writes that Lewis was "the standard that all lawyers - including me - aspired to be." He said that his absence in the field would be felt, and it would "never be the same without him."
Lewis' colleague Attorney Phil McCurdyy also shared kind words.
"Doug was a consummate gentleman," McCurdy said. "I've never heard him raise his voice, I never saw him lose his temper. I never saw him treat anyone except with respect -- I don't know anyone who didn't respect him as a colleague, as a professional, and as a human being." | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mynews/lawrenceville/allen-tayeh-convicted-in-doug-lewis-death-gwinnett-county/85-539da9e7-e41e-4f2a-b14e-b5b4be76b1e2 | 2023-06-21T22:32:23 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/mynews/lawrenceville/allen-tayeh-convicted-in-doug-lewis-death-gwinnett-county/85-539da9e7-e41e-4f2a-b14e-b5b4be76b1e2 |
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Police in Clayton County are on the scene of a shooting on Flint River Road in Riverdale.
At this time, there is very little additional information.
Officers first posted about the shooting on Twitter shortly after 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. A photo officers shared on social media shows that the scene is near a Quik Stop.
While the area around the shooting is currently tapped off, police said they plan on reopening roadways shortly.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/shooting-river-road-clayton-county/85-bdc979eb-a1f2-470c-bcf7-fa048e10c21b | 2023-06-21T22:32:29 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/shooting-river-road-clayton-county/85-bdc979eb-a1f2-470c-bcf7-fa048e10c21b |
Oregon Humane Society waives adoption fees for adult cats this weekend
Oregon Humane Society is waiving adoption fees on adult cats age one year or older from Friday, June 23, through Sunday, June 25, at its locations in Salem and Portland. The goal of the limited-time offer is to make room at the facilities for kittens.
Adoptions are done by walk-in only in Salem. OHS is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. All adoptions include up-to-date vaccines, spay or neuter, microchip and a free health examination certificate to be applied at participating veterinarians.
Why the free offer?
The OHS Salem location has dozens of adult cats currently available for adoption. With a busy kitten season underway, it is looking to find a home for its adult cats so it can properly care for a heavy influx of kittens statewide.
“Adult cats make wonderful companions,” Eleena Fikhman, OHS director of adoptions, said. “We are hoping our community will consider adopting a cat this weekend so we can open up space to help as many kittens in need as possible.”
According to the organization, more than 100 kittens are scheduled to arrive at OHS' Portland Campus, in addition to the 317 already housed at the location. There are "more than 100 kittens under care" at OHS Salem, according to the organization.
How to help in other ways
For those unable to adopt a pet, the OHS suggests sponsoring a pet, making a tribute gift, or purchasing an item from the organization's Amazon wish list.
Charles Gearing can be reached at cgearing@gannett.com. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/oregon-humane-society-portland-salem-free-adoption-fee-adult-cats/70340358007/ | 2023-06-21T22:36:32 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/oregon-humane-society-portland-salem-free-adoption-fee-adult-cats/70340358007/ |
Performers all over Salem, Keizer make music on the year's longest day
Abigail Dollins
Salem Statesman Journal
Free, live outdoor performances serenaded people all over Salem and Keizer Wednesday, the longest day of the year, as part of Make Music Day Salem.
The annual event featured a variety of music from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is part of a global celebration of music-making in more than 1,000 cities worldwide.
Locally, more than 160 musicians gave about 250 performances at about 60 venues. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/performers-all-over-salem-keizer-make-music-on-the-years-longest-day/70344177007/ | 2023-06-21T22:36:38 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/performers-all-over-salem-keizer-make-music-on-the-years-longest-day/70344177007/ |
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