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Americans drove an estimated 13% fewer miles in 2020, likely due to stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, yet the country experienced an astounding 24% jump in the rate of road-related deaths over the year before, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). The jump represents the largest year-over-year increase calculated by the NSC in 96 years, which representatives say highlights the dire need for the U.S. to prioritize road safety.
CoPilot analyzed preliminary data from the National Safety Council, released on March 4, 2020, to determine the 10 states with the most motor vehicle deaths in 2020. States are ranked according to the number of deaths per 100,000 people, and ties are broken by the state total number of motor vehicle deaths in 2020. Population estimates were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, released on July 1, 2020.
There were 42,060 total motor vehicle deaths in 2020 across the United States, an 8% increase since 2019. Only nine states saw a decrease in the number of fatalities between 2019 and 2020: New Mexico, Wyoming, North Dakota, Maine, Delaware, Nebraska, Idaho, Alaska, and Hawaii.
In a statement, NSC president and CEO Lorraine M. Martin remarked, “It is tragic that in the U.S., we took cars off the roads and didn't reap any safety benefits.” In an interview with NPR, Martin surmised that less traffic led drivers to engage in risky behaviors such driving without a seatbelt on, speeding, or driving while impaired or distracted. Full analysis of the causes behind the major increase in road-related deaths by various organizations are ongoing.
Besides the obvious cost of human life, roadway accidents cost an estimated $474 billion in 2020. NSC, along with more than 1,500 fellow organizations, in January 2021 sent a letter to the Biden administration calling for a commitment to zero roadway fatalities by 2050. NSC’s Road to Zero Coalition suggests this goal could be met by taking actions such as banning all cell phone use, lowering speed limits, reinstating or passing motorcycle helmet laws, and adopting bicyclist and pedestrian safety programs in communities across the country. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/1-hurt-charged-with-dui-after-veterans-parkway-crash-in-bloomington/article_dcf344b8-106e-11ee-b303-83d4725e1858.html | 2023-06-21T22:47:46 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/1-hurt-charged-with-dui-after-veterans-parkway-crash-in-bloomington/article_dcf344b8-106e-11ee-b303-83d4725e1858.html |
PLEASANTVILLE — The local Board of Education voted last week to appoint Patricia King to fill its open seat.
The appointment of King, a longtime resident, comes as the school district undergoes a significant change in leadership and seeks to move beyond past controversies.
King said before her appointment at the June 13 meeting that she had been a resident of the city for 47 years and is a “product of public schools.” She said her three daughters attended Pleasantville Public Schools and that she was a believer in the value of public education. King said she was an active parent, acting as a parent liaison for the Head Start program in the city.
“Education is key, is vital, is important,” King said. “It’s been critical, and I know it’s important for children to have a good education.”
Before its vote for King, the board held public interviews for the vacancy.
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During her interview, King said she was interested in supporting pre-K programs and balancing the needs of taxpayers, students and the broader city population.
She added she was eager to learn about the inner dynamics of school-district governance.
“A school board is supposed to connect with the community and ensure that they are working actively … so our school system can be the best,” King said. “I’ve been an observer, but I want to know just what happens on the inside.”
An agreement between two Atlantic County school districts that has been at the center of a c…
The other candidate to interview was former Board of Education member Augustus Harmon, who lost his reelection bid in November. He noted his experience on the board, including what he said were his contributions toward building the current Pleasantville High School building. He said he wanted to continue to focus on making other facility improvements, address resident concerns about traffic safety at school drop-off points and improve attendance rates. Asked about his availability, Harmon said he had one of the best attendance records at school board meetings and individual committee meetings in 2022.
Later in the June 13 meeting, board President Doris Rowell chastised unnamed members for what she said were their poor attendance records.
Harmon, who turns 87 this month, is an Army veteran and became the first Black member of Pleasantville City Council in 1970, and also worked as an aid to late U.S. Rep. William Hughes. He has served on various public bodies over the past 53 years and was elected to the Pleasantville school board again in 2021 to fill an unexpired term. He is still the vice president of the Board of Education for the Atlantic County Special Services and Atlantic County Vocational school districts, which govern, among other schools, the Atlantic County Institute of Technology.
The school board vote to choose King was 6-0, with two board members not present.
King is to replace Yadira Falcon, who resigned from the Board of Education in May. The resignation of Falcon followed allegations that she did not live in the school district, setting off a controversy about the board’s legitimacy that lingered for four months.
Falcon has maintained her claims of having lived in the city, denying allegations challenging her residency. She said her resignation was due to a hostile atmosphere that permeated board politics. In an earlier interview with The Press of Atlantic City, Falcon described the workings of the board as “a nonstop war between all of us.”
Residents have often expressed their discontent about discord at the board. They have also claimed the board is not being sufficiently transparent and is driven by internal, political considerations. King said she wanted to find ways to have the board regain public trust.
“I want to play an important role and perhaps join to change things so the community can have more confidence in the board,” King said. “When you do become a member of the board, you shouldn’t bring, I think, an ulterior motive or another purpose other than to serve.”
PLEASANTVILLE — A period of uncertainty that has stretched over two years is coming to an en…
The appointment of King coincided with the hiring of Marilyn Martinez, the chief schools officer for the Camden City School District, as Pleasantville’s new superintendent. Martinez said she was eager to work with community members and center their ideas for helping students. She succeeds Karin Farkas, who had been serving as acting superintendent for about 20 months, and Natakie Chestnut-Lee, whose suspension in 2021 sparked a controversy over the politicization of the school board and whose contract expires at the end of this month. Chestnut-Lee has pursued legal action against the board for what she says is retaliation for inquiries into its alleged misdoings.
King did not vote on the appointment of Martinez and was not sworn in at the June 13 meeting. The meeting ended abruptly, without a formal adjournment, after Rowell suddenly motioned to solicit resumes for a new board solicitor. Although board officials indicated the motion carried at the meeting, preliminary minutes recorded the motion as having failed.
A special school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Pleasantville High School. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/pleasantville-board-of-education-seat/article_5bbd67f6-1060-11ee-8824-df272a2cde9f.html | 2023-06-21T22:51:18 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/pleasantville-board-of-education-seat/article_5bbd67f6-1060-11ee-8824-df272a2cde9f.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The alleged shooter at a church funeral on Friday has been charged on suspicion of aggravated assault, among other charges.
According to court documents, on Wednesday, 18-year-old Demetrius Carter was charged on suspicion of:
- Two counts of aggravated assault; use of a deadly weapon
- Two counts of aggravated endangering a child; reckless situation to a child younger than 18
- One count of criminal damage to property; without consent
According to the Wichita Police Department (WPD), Carter attempted to go to the funeral Friday but was turned away by family.
Police say witnesses told them Carter produced a handgun and shot at the crowd of people by the front of the church, prompting shots to be returned at him.
Carter received a gunshot wound to his right forearm. He was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Carter is scheduled to be back in court on July 6. He is being held on a $5 million bond. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/alleged-church-funeral-shooter-charged-on-suspicion-of-aggravated-assault/ | 2023-06-21T22:51:47 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/alleged-church-funeral-shooter-charged-on-suspicion-of-aggravated-assault/ |
This article has been updated with the correct day of the week.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Emergency services are on the scene of a possible drowning at an apartment complex near the campus of Wichita State University.
Sedgwick County Dispatch confirms one person is unresponsive. The call came in around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
This is a developing story.
KSN has a crew on the scene and will update this story as more information comes available. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/one-unresponsive-in-possible-drowning-near-wsu-campus/ | 2023-06-21T22:51:53 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/one-unresponsive-in-possible-drowning-near-wsu-campus/ |
About 3,200 Duke Energy customers in Guilford County were without power Wednesday afternoon, according to the company.
About 2,500 of those outages were in a southwest section of the county bounded roughly by Interstate 74 to the south, Squire Davis and Sandy Ridge roads to the north and west, and N.C. 68 to the east, according to Duke’s outage map.
Customers in that area could be in the dark for hours tonight, according to the company, which estimated power would be restored at 1 a.m. Thursday.
The outage, first reported at 2:45 p.m., “was caused by equipment going offline,” Duke said.
Another 600 customers in the northeast corner of the county lost electricity a little after 3 p.m. Wednesday when falling trees or limbs damaged equipment, the company reported.
That outage was in the area of Huffine Mill and Turner Smith roads. Duke estimated that those customers would have power restored at about 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.
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Smaller, scattered outages also were reported in other sections of the county.
About 6,000 Duke customers across the Carolinas were without power as of late Wednesday afternoon. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/thousands-without-power-guilford-county-duke-energy-outage-off/article_5621111e-1077-11ee-aa93-4f45bd2cc728.html | 2023-06-21T22:53:33 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/thousands-without-power-guilford-county-duke-energy-outage-off/article_5621111e-1077-11ee-aa93-4f45bd2cc728.html |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Underprivileged children in Johnson City were given hundreds of shoes and backpacks Wednesday.
Children at Coalition for Kids received 250 pairs of shoes and had their feet washed by volunteers. The children in the program had their feet sized to make sure their pair fit.
“Our kids don’t just go get new shoes,” said Coalition for Kids Executive Director Randy Hensley. “It’s a pretty big deal. 84 percent of my families earn less than $20,000 annually. So in my world, that’s why we’re free. That’s why we are a free after-school program and summer program.”
The event was made possible by a partnership between Samaritan’s Feet, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Petro’s and Food City.
The backpacks given to the children contained socks, hygiene kits and an encouraging message. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/coalition-for-kids-receives-250-pairs-of-shoes-as-volunteers-wash-childrens-feet/ | 2023-06-21T22:53:40 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/coalition-for-kids-receives-250-pairs-of-shoes-as-volunteers-wash-childrens-feet/ |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)- Greene County Makers, a non-profit organization in downtown Greeneville, provides a space for people in the community to create whatever they put their minds to.
On Saturday, June 24, the organization will host the Summer Solstice Soiree, it will consist of live music, food, drinks and an art auction featuring the works of local artists. Stephanie Demarchi, Director of Operations for Greene County Makers, said the fundraiser is to help remodel and revamp the rest of their building space.
“We only have access to 4,000 square feet of space,” said Demarchi. “We have 50,000 square feet, but we can’t use any of it because it’s old, it’s dilapidated, and there’s no windows in most of our buildings.”
Greene County Makers gives artists a creative outlet by offering a wide variety of classes such as painting, sewing, photography and even computer labs. With the expansion of the Makers facility, they can offer more classes for people to enjoy.
“We’ll also be putting in a large classroom and conference center so that we can do more things,” said Demarchi. “Instead of only doing classes that hold 20 or 28 people, we can do classes that hold 40 to 45 people, which will be a huge advantage for some of our classes because we have to work with a little tiny space.”
Sheila Bible is a Maker at the facility who teaches different arts and crafts classes to the community.
“I find joy in it, just sharing the knowledge, but also getting to meet people, all kinds of people from all over the county, even outside the county,” said Bible.
Bible said the expansion will open more opportunities for the organization and the community.
“I’m excited because as we grow, the next phase will be more the electronics, but hopefully the next phase will be more textiles,” said Bible. “If we can do that, we’ll have more sewing machines, quilters, embroidery machines, weaving machines and looms.”
The Summer Solstice Soiree will be June 24 from 5-10 p.m. at the Greene County Makers facility. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/greene-county-makers-hosting-weekend-fundraiser/ | 2023-06-21T22:53:46 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/greene-county-makers-hosting-weekend-fundraiser/ |
According to the calendar, the summer season technically starts on Wednesday. However, the recent temperatures have said other otherwise.
Ask anybody, and the Texas summer pretty much started weeks ago.
“This heat is ridiculous,” said Delores Burns, who is spending more time at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center to cool off with other seniors. “It makes you weak. When I’m out here at a certain time it makes me feel real, real weak.”
Cooling centers across North Texas are starting to open up and get busy, as this long stretch of dangerous heat continues.
“It’s been 90 degrees or 100 degrees and it’s just really too hot to be really doing anything,” Burns said.
Starting next week, the West Dallas location and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center near Fair Park will turn into the city's official "Beat the Heat" cooling centers. Reliant Energy is also partnering with the city to give out free portable AC units and evaporative coolers to families in need. Quantities are limited to only one unit per household.
Reliant also provides financial assistance to customers facing hardship to help pay their electricity bill through the CARE program.
People are already at recreation centers and libraries across North Texas to cool off and get access to free ice-cold water.
“It’s huge having a place where you don’t have to pay an admission fee,” said Ashley Hutto, manager of the West Dallas Multipurpose Center manager. “It’s critically important folks have a place to get out of this heat and humidity, especially our folks who are unsheltered or may not have working AC.”
The center is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on most weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
The kid's summer camp at the MLK, Jr. Community Center has also been mindful of when to do outdoor activities.
“It is definitely pretty hot this summer, we try to let the kids play outside as much as we can but when they start getting hot. You know when the kids start getting hot and sweaty, they’re really hot, too. We’re trying to keep them inside as much as we can,” said camp staffer Ajani Jamison. “You just got to have a lot of cool water because when you’re outside in that heat, you’re losing a lot of water when you’re sweating.”
Meantime, Dallas County Sheriff's Office has a courtesy patrol working nonstop to support people having car trouble in this heat. The number to call for dispatch is 214-320-4444.
"That's all we focus on is helping. Flat tires, jump starts, people that run out of gas, anything on the freeway that deals with cars breaking down,” said Coda Mosley with Courtesy Patrol.
The crews drive upwards of 200 to 300 miles per shift ice water in tow, looking for stranded motorists.
"It's pretty important because some people come out here and they have no lifeline whatsoever. I pulled up on several people before and they were like, my phone died or my phone is not on, I had no one to call,” Mosley said.
Their most dangerous calls are those who run out of gas and are unprepared.
"So that's why we make sure we do our best when we get a call, we get to you as fast as possible because every minute you're out there you're getting hotter and hotter. And if you don't have water or anything, it could be very dangerous,” said Mosley.
Words of advice this summer – don’t underestimate it.
“I’ve been staying in Texas all my life,” said Burns, who is turning 71. “Just stay in, be cool and hydrate. It’s too hot.”
The Salvation Army of North Texas has also launched its heat relief efforts to keep people cool by opening cooling stations in five counties and planning to distribute box fans and water at select locations. Click here for a list of locations.
The United Way of Tarrant County also launched its second annual Beat the Heat campaign on Wednesday to collect 100 air conditioning units in honor of the organization’s 100-year anniversary. Click here for details. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/cooling-centers-courtesy-patrol-services-helping-people-during-dangerous-north-texas-heat/3281928/ | 2023-06-21T22:54:27 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/cooling-centers-courtesy-patrol-services-helping-people-during-dangerous-north-texas-heat/3281928/ |
An Arlington man was arrested on Tuesday for shining a laser pointer at a Fort Worth PD helicopter that was helping Arlington PD locate a stolen vehicle.
While the helicopter was assisting Arlington PD, the pilot reported that someone was shining a laser at him, according to Arlington police.
The pilot was able to direct officers to the area the laser was coming from. Arlington officers found 48-year-old Gregory Bills in that location and learned that a laser pointer was in his possession after speaking with him.
He was arrested and booked into the Arlington City Jail on one count of interfering with public duties and illuminating aircraft with a laser pointer impairing operator. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-in-arlington-after-shining-a-laser-pointer-at-a-helicopter/3281728/ | 2023-06-21T22:54:40 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-in-arlington-after-shining-a-laser-pointer-at-a-helicopter/3281728/ |
North Richland Hills has named a new police chief.
Mike Young will be sworn in on July 10 at a city council meeting.
Young has 38 years of service with the North Richland Hills Police Department.
He was promoted to the role after serving as assistant police chief for the past 10 years and as the interim police chief following the retirement of Jimmy Perdue in May.
City Manager Mark Hindman announced his promotion.
“Chief Young is prepared to continue the exceptional leadership needed to serve our organization and community at the highest level,” Hindman said. “He will ensure the progress from the past two decades continues and will oversee the development of our staff so that we are even better prepared for the future.” | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/north-richland-hills-names-new-police-chief/3281828/ | 2023-06-21T22:54:47 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/north-richland-hills-names-new-police-chief/3281828/ |
Texas A&M Fort Worth began construction on its first building on Wednesday.
The university will be an urban research campus, built on private and public collaboration.
The $150 million, eight-story Law and Education building will be home to the Texas A&M School of Law and other academic offerings.
Two additional campus buildings will also be constructed, a collaboration from the city of Fort Worth and Tarrant County with the Texas A&M System.
The second building will be the Research & Innovation building, and the third the Gateway Building -- which will hold offices, classrooms, meeting spaces, and a conference center.
Lockheed Martin, a Fortune 500 company, plans to discuss joint efforts on fronts of developing education courses and research programs, officials announced Wednesday.
The collaboration also includes the possibility of Lockheed researchers working in conjunction with staff and students at the campus. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-am-fort-worth-breaks-ground-with-150-million-dollar-law-education-building/3281876/ | 2023-06-21T22:54:59 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-am-fort-worth-breaks-ground-with-150-million-dollar-law-education-building/3281876/ |
The five Freestone County Commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to send a letter to the state asking the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to not use eminent domain to prevent Fairfield Lake State Park from being developed into a luxury gated community with multi-million dollar homes.
Dallas-based developer Todd Interests bought a 5,000-acre swath of land in Freestone County that includes the now-closed Fairfield Lake State Park, Fairfield Lake and surrounding land for more than $100 million. The firm closed on its contract June 1 with privately owned energy company Vistra, which previously let the state of Texas lease the land that included the park at no cost for nearly 50 years.
Wednesday’s meeting was the first time the county commissioners publicly discussed the land war over the state park since at least September when Todd Interests entered its contract negotiations with Vistra, according to a review of the commissioners’ meeting agendas by The Dallas Morning News.
Click here to read more from our partners at The Dallas Morning News. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/freestone-county-leaders-speak-out-against-texas-plan-to-use-eminent-domain-on-fairfield-lake-land/3281927/ | 2023-06-21T22:55:05 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/freestone-county-leaders-speak-out-against-texas-plan-to-use-eminent-domain-on-fairfield-lake-land/3281927/ |
DALLAS — Filmmaker Jean Luc Godard had a famous quote, "When you photograph a face, you photograph the soul behind it."
That's the mission of the Heart Gallery of North Texas presented by Gladney Center for Adoption.
This special project uses professional portraits displayed in the community to connect families to foster children in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Right now, you can find Heart Gallery displays all across North Texas, including at Stonebriar in Frisco, The Parks at Arlington, Town East Mall in Dallas and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. The hope is that you can see the soul of these children and be moved to either adopt them or help to support this project financially.
Heart Gallery of North Texas says, "Each photo in the gallery captures a child's spirit, bringing to life their wonderful personalities in ways that words cannot. They say, 'See me. I deserve a loving and caring family.'"
Many of displays are of children who have been featured in WFAA's Wednesday’s Child reports. Teens like 16-year-old Jaydan, who has been in foster care for 10 years.
WFAA met up with Jaydan for the second time this past March, and he spoke about what he would tell his forever family when they find one another.
"If I get this family, then one day I get to go back and say these people gave me something a lot of people weren't going to give me and tell them I can't thank them enough for it,” he said.
Also, a special recognition to the Governor's Commission for Women. They support the Heart Gallery in cities across Texas to ensure that communities are doing everything possible to help these children find their forever families.
If you have any questions about this cause, please visit HeartGalleryNorthTexas.org.
If you would like to read more Wednesday's Child stories and find out more about adoption, click here. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/outreach/wednesdays-child/heart-gallery-north-texas-gladney-center-adoption-child-protective-services/287-4c0aea81-240c-4252-a3f4-0be474cd4791 | 2023-06-21T23:00:00 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/outreach/wednesdays-child/heart-gallery-north-texas-gladney-center-adoption-child-protective-services/287-4c0aea81-240c-4252-a3f4-0be474cd4791 |
FORT WORTH, Texas — A Tarrant County strip club with a reputation for violence will lose its business permit, a special board decided Wednesday.
Officials targeted Temptations Cabaret for closure after one person died and three people were hurt during a May shootout in the parking lot.
The Tarrant County Sheriff's Office arrested 57 people at the club between 2020 and 2022, it said.
In the same timeframe, more people called 911 from Temptations Cabaret than from the other ten bars or nightclubs in unincorporated Tarrant County combined.
"We don't stand for activity like that," county commissioner Manny Ramirez said. "If it's a public safety hazard to our citizens, we're going to stand up and do something about it."
But the fully nude strip club, which has been closed since May, won't lose its business permit because of the violence it's hosted.
Tarrant County's sexually oriented business board on Wednesday allowed the county to revoke Temptations' right to operate on grounds that the facility is too close to nearby homes.
Under an ordinance set in the 1990s, strip clubs cannot do business within 1,000 feet of a Tarrant County residence. A grandfather clause previously exempted Temptations Cabaret from that rule.
But the club failed to renew its permit on time, as recently as 2022. The tardiness forced its operators to apply for a permit as a new business, voiding the grandfather clause.
The Tarrant County Administrator's office permitted Temptations' operations anyway, despite its proximity to nearby homes.
"Our due diligence was incomplete," retiring administrator G.K. Maenius said Wednesday. "My office made a mistake."
Maenius said nearby residents' complaints about the facility hadn't escalated to his office.
After the shootings, his office "re-examined" the club's paperwork and moved to revoke the operation's license.
The sexually oriented business board, which hadn't met for years, upheld the decision.
County commissioners appointed one member each to the previously vacant panel. Officials swore in the committee minutes before Wednesday's hearing.
"Before this, we didn't pay that much attention," Ramirez said. "Now, it's on our radar."
Ramirez, a retired Fort Worth police officer who still serves as a reservist, said he remembers responding to calls at Temptations Cabaret a decade ago. He is not on a crusade against sexually oriented businesses, he said.
"All of these business owners should be on notice and understand that you better play by the rules," Ramirez said. "You better not cause a public safety hazard to our citizens. Otherwise, we will be looking to shut you down."
Because Temptations Cabaret does not have a liquor license, it must remain closed without its sexually oriented business permit.
Attorneys for the club's owner said they could appeal the board's decision in district court, but hadn't yet decided whether they would.
The Tarrant County District Attorney said he will still pursue a separate public nuisance lawsuit against the club, despite its closure.
Temptations Cabaret's owner has not responded to WFAA's request for comment. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county-texas-temptations-cabaret-lose-permit-strip-club-crime/287-73f2777d-edf8-40a8-9e9e-4fc8ac8a98eb | 2023-06-21T23:00:06 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county-texas-temptations-cabaret-lose-permit-strip-club-crime/287-73f2777d-edf8-40a8-9e9e-4fc8ac8a98eb |
House panel adopts measure seeking Pentagon plan for replacing Selfridge fighter jets
Washington ― A key House panel on Wednesday adopted a measure that would temporarily freeze planned retirements of aging aircraft at Air National Guard bases around the country, including the A-10 squadron at Macomb County's Selfridge base.
The House Armed Services Committee adopted the legislation by voice vote as an amendment by Nebraska Republican Rep. Don Bacon to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The full House will consider the broader legislation later this year.
Bacon's amendment is based on his legislation with Michigan Reps. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, and John James, R-Farmington Hills, and others that would pause retirements until after the U.S. Air Force produces a 10-year plan for replacing legacy airframes like the A-10, one for one, with next-generation aircraft at the 25 Air National Guard bases around the country.
Bacon warned Wednesday that cutting National Guard squadrons would mean losing the military's most experienced pilots and maintainers in the Air Force. He said the Air Force's fighter fleet has been reduced 60% since 1987 and is on track to shrink another 397 aircraft by the end of fiscal year 2029.
"This is not about individual airframes, units or states. It's about preserving America's tactical air power, it's talking about the National Guard," Bacon told his colleagues. "We're going to shut down or remove two and a half aircraft for every new aircraft we put in the force. This decline, combined with chronic under resourcing within the Air Force, is getting critically too low for us to defend against China, Russia and in the Middle East."
Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, previously served as a wing commander at Ramstein Air Base and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.
The measure faced opposition from the panel's top Democrat, Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, among others who said the amendment would slow the Pentagon's effort's to modernize.
Smith said he opposes restricting the ability of the military to discontinue programs in an effort to modernize, lamenting how members of Congress tend to block those efforts to protect local interests. He ticked off a list of platforms as examples.
"We had this fight over the A-10. For years, we've had the fight over some cruisers that were past their useful life. We've had the fight over the B1, the F-22," Smith said.
"Every time the Air Force or DOD goes to discontinue an existing program, it impacts somebody, and they don't want to see it happen and those little pieces add up to a lot of money that then makes it difficult to have the money to modernize."
The debate comes amid a bipartisan effort by Michigan's congressional delegation and state leaders to secure another fighter mission to eventually replace Selfridge's A-10s, which are expected to be retired in the next decade, if not sooner.
The A-10 mission is the backbone of the Harrison Township base, which marks its 106th anniversary this year and supports an estimated 5,000 jobs in the community, according to state figures.
The push to retire A-10s is part of an Air Force effort to reduce the top line number of fighter aircraft across the service, with leaders this year proposing to divest, for example, an additional 42 A-10s in its fiscal 2024 budget.
Last year, lawmakers let the Pentagon to divest 21 A-10s based in Indiana while blocking divestment of the oldest and least capable F-22s.
mburke@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/21/house-panel-adopts-measure-seeking-pentagon-plan-for-replacing-selfridge-fighter-jets/70344427007/ | 2023-06-21T23:00:22 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/06/21/house-panel-adopts-measure-seeking-pentagon-plan-for-replacing-selfridge-fighter-jets/70344427007/ |
ABILENE, Texas — An Abilene structure fire resulted in an estimated $10,000 in damages.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. June 21, the Abilene Fire Department responded to a call at the 500 block of East South 11 Street where an empty backyard barn had caught fire.
AFD was able to put out the fire quickly. The AFD said it caused by a lawnmower on the overhang of the barn. The fire department was able to put out the fire within minutes.
No injuries were reported. The AFD said the fire was ruled as accidental. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/abilene-structure-fire-results-in-estimated-10000-in-damages/504-5dfb6852-a318-407e-8f54-4cb9cbd15ec5 | 2023-06-21T23:00:40 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/abilene-structure-fire-results-in-estimated-10000-in-damages/504-5dfb6852-a318-407e-8f54-4cb9cbd15ec5 |
MACON, Ga. — This summer, the Chick-Fil-A cows have a mission for you to "Help Tha Hurd,".... should you choose to accept it.
The company is launching a new digital game called 'Code Moo,' where fans can help the cows in their mission to sabotage Circus Burger, their burger-flipping nemesis.
New missions will be released each week, and you can visit playCodeMoo.com to see the cows in action.
You can set up an account to play for food rewards each week to turn some of your online wins into real-world treats from Chick-Fil-A!
A release for the game says that players will even be entered to have the chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a year, a trip for two to the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship and more.
"The Chick-fil-A Cows have been a beloved part of the brand for nearly three decades and carry a contagious spirit everywhere they go, reminding our guests to laugh and appreciate the little things around them," said Joe Saracino, senior vice president of the brand, advertising and media. "We're excited to have the Cows back — so much so that we're letting them take charge this summer. It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy the fun they're cooking up for all our guests."
The company says that in addition to the game, fans can watch a short film about the cows, buy cow-themed merch, and much more.
The 'Chick-fil-A Cow Collection' drops on June 26 at shop.chick-fil-a.com and features several cow-printed items for fans to wear all summer.
They will have beach towels, visors, a paddleball game, and more. The merch ranges from $12-$55 and is available for a limited time.
The franchise will also launch its first board game this summer, called "Cow Party™."
It will be sold online at shop.chick-fil-a.com, and you can find it in person in participating restaurants, along with new plush cows and cow keychains.
So if you are a fan of Chick-Fil-A, keep your eyes peeled this summer for many new releases. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/chick-fil-a-launches-game-for-free-food/93-966e359a-fb70-41c3-90df-9d8837ed0de3 | 2023-06-21T23:00:46 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/chick-fil-a-launches-game-for-free-food/93-966e359a-fb70-41c3-90df-9d8837ed0de3 |
CHRISTOVAL, Texas — West Texas has seen its fair share of severe weather over the last month. Rain, hail and more specifically wind, have wreaked havoc most recently in Christoval.
"With up to 100 miles an hour winds, the result of it has been tremendous. One of the largest oaks that we have here in the City Park was literally twisted and broke in half," City Park Director Sylvia Pate said.
The park had debris of tree branches, stumps, dirt and trash throughout the grounds, but rather than keep it that way, locals went out early Wednesday morning to clean up what was left.
Homeowners in Christoval also felt the impact of the recent wind storms.
Nancy Davis has been living in the area for more than 30 years, but this was the first time in her life she says she felt the need to take cover.
"I have lived in that home for over 30 years right on the corner. It is a 102-year-old home, and I have never felt the urge to get in the closet. It (the wind) brought chills to me. I jumped up and got in the closet right quick," Davis said.
You can rebuild homes and the City Park in the eyes of both Davis and Pate, but what is irreplaceable in their eyes are the trees that are no longer intact.
"It (seeing the trees dismantled) is like a death," Davis said.
"That is what makes us so sad, is that we are not going to see these big trees replaced in our lifetime," Pate said.
You can volunteer to help clean up Christoval's Park by contacting Sylvia Pate at 214-533-5556 or donate funds by visiting CityParkCTX.com. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/christoval-residents-recover-from-damage-of-recent-wind-storms/504-92cb8b43-7a1d-4bb3-b9fc-197e4537ca20 | 2023-06-21T23:00:52 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/christoval-residents-recover-from-damage-of-recent-wind-storms/504-92cb8b43-7a1d-4bb3-b9fc-197e4537ca20 |
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — One Corpus Christi resident walked away with more than just groceries at the Walmart on Staples Street when they purchased a winning Mega Millions ticket.
The prize money came to $1 million for a drawing that happened on May 9, states a release from the Texas Lottery Commission.
The winning numbers drawn were 4-37-46-48-51, but not the Mega Ball number (19).
Drawings for that game take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:12 p.m. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/corpus-christi-resident-wins-1m-mega-millions-prize-from-walmart-on-staples-street/503-9be6902d-253f-44ea-8fc7-3ba588434a61 | 2023-06-21T23:00:58 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/corpus-christi-resident-wins-1m-mega-millions-prize-from-walmart-on-staples-street/503-9be6902d-253f-44ea-8fc7-3ba588434a61 |
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — The Ector County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday afternoon that a child died after drowning in an above-ground pool on Tuesday.
According to ECSO, deputies responded to an ambulance call at approximately 7:21 p.m.
Upon arrival, they found that CPR was in progress on a 2-year-old boy who was found unresponsive in an above-ground pool.
The child was taken to Medical Center Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
This is all the information we currently have on the situation. We will update this story as more details are released. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/ecso-2-year-old-child-drowns-in-above-ground-pool/513-9f87829a-64dc-45ed-ba68-e584e872a5c7 | 2023-06-21T23:01:04 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/ecso-2-year-old-child-drowns-in-above-ground-pool/513-9f87829a-64dc-45ed-ba68-e584e872a5c7 |
SAN ANGELO, Texas — From wide landscapes with ranches and cattle to a quaint downtown filled with shops and restaurants, San Angelo offers artistic inspiration in a variety of ways.
From 5:30-8:30 p.m. June 23, artwork inspired largely by West Texas will be on display at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts Oakes Street galleries, 427 S. Oakes St. and 417 S. Oakes St., during a Block Party celebration.
The event will include art, music and refreshments in honor of the 10th anniversary of EnPleinAirTEXAS, a localized museum fundraiser featuring 30-35 painters from across the United States.
"We started ours with the vision of it being one of the best in the country," event founder and coach Barbara Rallo said.
Roughly translated, PleinAir refers to the French term for painting in the outdoors, where artists spend hours working on pieces based on their surroundings downtown, by the river, etc.
Rallo was inspired by one of these events in Maryland and she decided to bring it to Texas a few years later.
Now in 2023, she believes San Angelo's showcase is one of the top five in the U.S.
"I think this year was our biggest year as far as applications," Rallo said. "We had artists from 30 states and three countries apply to get in."
The selected artists are chosen by a juror and then winning pieces are awarded by a judge.
This year's event is set for Oct. 20-28 where artists will have the chance to live with ranchers then paint at the International Water Lily Garden and across from Concho Avenue near the North Concho River.
Artists can draw inspiration from the city, the river, animals, plants, people and more for a chance to be awarded a monetary prize.
"When they're painting in town, then you can go up and watch them and watch it happen before your eyes," Rallo said.
Rallo hopes EnPleinAirTEXAS helps keep West Texas' present and past alive.
"For San Angelo, it is documenting our history, moments in our history, the beautiful land out here in West Texas," she said. "It's just a wonderful thing for our city."
Go to EnPleinAirTEXAS to learn more about the event. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/enpleinairtexas-block-party-celebrates-10-years-of-live-art-in-san-angelo/504-b5f4bb4c-ce3b-44eb-a64d-925a1f206fa8 | 2023-06-21T23:01:11 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/enpleinairtexas-block-party-celebrates-10-years-of-live-art-in-san-angelo/504-b5f4bb4c-ce3b-44eb-a64d-925a1f206fa8 |
DALLAS — The United States Postal Service (USPS) is mourning the loss of one of its employees who passed away during their route in a Dallas neighborhood on Tuesday, the company confirms.
In a statement, USPS said, “The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of life suffered yesterday involving a Lakewood Post Office Letter Carrier. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time."
His name was Eugene Gates, Jr., according to Kimetra Lewis, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 132. Gates joined USPS in November 1987.
"He was at the point where he could retire," she said.
His coworkers describe him as the first carrier out the door each day. They said he was a go-getter and loved by his peers.
Lewis said, "My heart goes out to them. From what everybody told me, Eugene was a great letter carrier. He enjoyed what he did, and I would just remind them of that."
While his cause of death has not been confirmed, Lewis said this is a reminder for all letter carriers to take care of themselves, especially in the summer heat.
"You're constantly, all day long exposed to the sun. And yesterday was a different type of heat. You almost couldn't breathe," she said.
Lewis said some of Gates' co-workers were frustrated and angry. Their shift start-time was changed from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. over the last few months, which meant they couldn't get a head start to beat the heat. After pleas from employees and the National Association of Letter Carriers following Gates' death, USPS management quickly changed the shift time to begin at 7:30 again.
"I just want all letter carriers to think of their safety first," said Lewis.
When asked about heat safety, USPS stated, "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. The safety of our employees is a top priority, and the Postal Service has implemented a national Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) for all employees. In connection with the HIPP, the Postal Service provides mandatory heat-related and other safety training and instruction to all employees and assures they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely.”
At this time, it is unknown if heat was a contributing factor to Gates' death, but NALC is pushing for heat safety for their members.
Gates is survived by his wife and children. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 | 2023-06-21T23:01:17 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 |
MITCHELL — Rachel Ziegeldorf wasn’t even expecting to enter her colored pencil drawing in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition for South Dakota.
But a last-minute decision at the competition entry deadline resulted in the junior-to-be at Mitchell High School receiving a second-place finish for her piece, titled “Blotsma,” which will now be hung in the Washington, D.C. office of Rep. Dusty Johnson for the next year.
“This is all kind of new to me,” Ziegeldorf told the Mitchell Republic recently. “But it’s been pretty good so far.”
Her submitted piece, a lifelike depiction of a flower in a vase set against a window, came out of an assignment in her class with Alyson Palmer, an art teacher at Mitchell High School. The piece had already been sent off to another contest, where it won first place, when it arrived back at the school the day of the deadline for the 2023 South Dakota Congressional Art Contest.
Another art teacher, Marica Shannon, thought highly of the work and suggested to Ziegeldorf that since the artwork had arrived back to them with just enough time to enter the piece again that they quickly fill out paperwork to enter the drawing.
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“She said we had until midnight to get the paperwork filled out,” Ziegeldorf said. “So we filled out the paperwork and waited.”
They hadn’t really considered entering the Congressional Art Competition previously because they were unsure if they would get the piece back from the previous competition in time to have it entered. But their scrambling paid off, with Ziegeldorf earning second place in the competition. The contest is sponsored in conjunction with the South Dakota Arts Council and was first held in 1982, providing members of Congress a chance to recognize talent from their home districts.
She created the piece after getting permission to draw an alternate subject for her still-life assignment in class. The drawing took her about seven to 10 hours to complete, she said.
“I did a colored pencil drawing because that is what we were supposed to do for class,” Ziegeldorf said. “But I figured I wanted to do something different, so I went searching for different things, and I really liked a picture I found. I liked the delicate flowers against the harsh industrial window.”
Since she completed the drawing, it has spent a great deal of time with contest judges or in the mail, she said. The time she spent creating it was likely the most amount of time she has spent with her creation, she said.
“It feels really weird. After I finished it I handed it in as an assignment, and I haven’t really seen that much of it since. It’s been all over the place,” Ziegeldorf said.
Ziegeldorf said her class with Palmer was the first art class she had ever taken in high school, but art and being creative has long been an interest for her, along with the study of engineering. She has already spent part of this summer attending events like space camp in Alabama and a rocket science physics camp in Rapid City. Engineering is one area she would like to explore in terms of a future career, but she is also open to studying art in some form, assuming she can find a school with programs for both.
“I do want to pursue art, but I also want to pursue engineering. They’re very different things, and it’s hard to find schools that offer both,” Ziegeldorf said. “I do think it’s something I’d like to continue down the road.”
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Shannon said the quality of the work is what motivated her to encourage Ziegeldorf to enter the contest.
“(I was struck) by how realistically she was able to show the flowers. That was just amazing. When (Palmer) showed it to me, she also had a photograph that Ziegeldorf had for the drawing, and it was hard to tell which was which,” Shannon said. “Her realism stood out and her use of the medium was amazing. I said we’ve got to send this in this competition.”
Johnson said in a statement that the work by Ziegeldorf, as well as first-place finisher Charlee Kolb from Sioux Falls, is a testament to the talent of South Dakota students.
“Once again, we had an outstanding pool of student submissions showing the incredible talent of our young artists in South Dakota,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to have these pieces of art displayed here in Congress. Congratulations to Charlee and Rachel!”
Ziegeldorf, 16, still has a couple years of high school left, and she plans to continue to explore her interests in arts and sciences. In her spare time, she enjoys drawing and painting in a small shed that she and her dad built as a creative retreat.
But after having completed her first high school art class, she feels that one doesn’t need a special room to dabble in art or be creative. Art was something she liked to do in her spare time, and she had only entered a handful of pieces for competition at the South Dakota State Fair in the past. Now, after entering a classroom assignment in a contest on a whim, she has earned praise from a sitting U.S. congressman.
But the bottom line for her is that art is fun. She knows this, and she believes other students can find the fun in being creative just like she did. They just need to give it a try.
“Art is something you can do at any skill level just to have fun,” Ziegeldorf said. “Whether you think you’re good or bad at it, it’s still a fun process.” | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/last-second-entry-results-in-success-for-mitchells-ziegeldorf-in-congressional-art-competition | 2023-06-21T23:03:48 | 1 | https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/local/last-second-entry-results-in-success-for-mitchells-ziegeldorf-in-congressional-art-competition |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-say-incident-of-teens-trying-to-set-off-fireworks-in-store-was-nothing-sinister-and-nothing-planned/3589999/ | 2023-06-21T23:04:32 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-say-incident-of-teens-trying-to-set-off-fireworks-in-store-was-nothing-sinister-and-nothing-planned/3589999/ |
Teenage girl drowns in Colorado River after inflatable raft capsizes
A 14-year-old girl drowned on Tuesday night after falling from an inflatable raft that was being pulled on the Colorado River. Officers were dispatched to the area at about 7:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post from the Bullhead City Police Department.
Bullhead City police officials said witnesses reported seeing the victim riding on an inflatable raft that was being towed by motorized watercraft. Witnesses also reported seeing the teen being tossed off the tube and the raft capsizing.
Emergency crews responded to the Riverside Casino boat dock located on the Nevada side of the Colorado River. Here the teen was rescued from the water, as she was pinned underneath the capsized raft and the piling of the Laughlin Bridge.
The teenage girl from California was pulled out from the water and rushed to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City. According to officials, CPR was immediately performed on the victim, but she was later pronounced dead.
Officials believe that impairment or negligent operation were not factors in the accident. Moreover, the victim was wearing a life vest during the incident and the operator of the water vehicle was experienced.
The incident is under further investigation by the Bullhead City Police Department. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/21/teenage-girl-drowns-after-inflatable-raft-capsizes-in-colorado-river/70343674007/ | 2023-06-21T23:07:03 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/06/21/teenage-girl-drowns-after-inflatable-raft-capsizes-in-colorado-river/70343674007/ |
Body found in bonfire pile near Apache Junction identified as missing Tempe man
Associated Press
A body found in a bonfire pile near Apache Junction has been identified as an 18-year-old Tempe man who had been reported missing and the death is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said Wednesday.
Maricopa County sheriff's officials said Parker League's death was "malicious" but didn't immediately release any details.
They also wouldn't confirm whether the body was burned inside the bonfire pit or describe the condition of the remains.
League was reported missing by Tempe police and the body was found June 13 in a remote desert area northeast of Apache Junction in the Tonto National Forest. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2023/06/21/body-found-in-bonfire-pile-near-apache-junction-identified-as-missing-tempe-man/70344429007/ | 2023-06-21T23:07:04 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2023/06/21/body-found-in-bonfire-pile-near-apache-junction-identified-as-missing-tempe-man/70344429007/ |
ST. PAUL — An appeals court will again consider a challenge to an air permit for the proposed NorthMet copper-nickel mine.
In an opinion Wednesday, the Minnesota Supreme Court said the Court of Appeals improperly denied an appeal by a coalition of environmental groups because they served their petition to company officials, not company attorneys, within a 30-day window.
The Court of Appeals must now consider the appeal of an air permit for NewRange Copper Nickel, the joint venture between PolyMet and Teck formed earlier this year to see the advance Northmet copper-nickel mine and processing facility near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt.
The air permit, first approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 2018, has been appealed before. In July 2021, the Court of Appeals sent the permit back to the MPCA for "further consideration and additional findings." On Dec. 20, 2021, the MPCA stood by its decision to grant the permit, opening the door for another appeal.
The coalition of environmental groups sought to appeal the permit again, but the Court of Appeals rejected their attempt, siding with PolyMet, which had argued its attorneys were served the petition on Jan. 20, 2022, 31 days after the MPCA's decision — one day outside the 30-day window for appeal allowable by law.
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But on Wednesday, the Supreme Court reversed the lower court's decision.
The opinion, written by Associate Justice Gordon Moore, said PolyMet's chief executive officer and registered agent were served the petition via certified mail on Jan. 19, 2022 — a day earlier than the company's attorneys — and that sufficed.
"This service — along with the other steps appellants took — was effective to invoke appellate jurisdiction and was timely under section 14.63’s 30-day service deadline," Moore wrote. "We therefore conclude that the court of appeals erred by dismissing the appeal."
Environmental groups applauded the Supreme Court's decision.
“PolyMet has, yet again, failed to limit Minnesota’s review of its flawed proposal — this time on narrow procedural grounds," JT Haines, Northeast Minnesota program director at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, or MCEA, said in a news release. "We applaud this decision from the Supreme Court and look forward to a full review at the Court of Appeals."
MCEA, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Sierra Club petitioned the court to review the MPCA's air permit decision.
Bruce Richardson, a spokesperson for NewRange, said Wednesday's decision "does not affect the validity of NewRange’s air permit or say anything about the environment. The air permit remains valid and protects Minnesota’s air quality."
"The court’s decision is based solely on required appeal procedures in litigation. The case now returns to the court of appeals where NewRange and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will defend the agency’s thorough review of the project’s air emissions and the decision-making process in issuing the permit," Richardson said.
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The MPCA did not respond to the News Tribune's request for comment.
Environmental groups have long argued against the air permit, citing a technical report released by PolyMet in March 2018 — 10 days after the air permit's public comment period ended — which outlined the company's plans to recover 118,000 tons of ore per day instead of 32,000 tons per day — the amount listed by the company in permit applications. Increasing the size of the operation would undoubtedly mean air emissions would exceed the 250 tons of regulated pollutants per year allowed in the permit, opponents said, accusing the company and agency of engaging in "sham permitting."
While the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in February 2021 that the MPCA did not need to investigate the claims of sham permitting, it did send the permit back to the lower court to review whether PolyMet's report for a potential larger mine "undermined" the MPCA's conclusion and whether the company had withheld key information from regulators.
The MPCA in December 2021 said PolyMet hadn't, stood by its permit and reiterated that if PolyMet wanted a bigger mine, it would have to go through the permitting process to do so.
The NorthMet project still faces a number of lawsuits. And earlier this month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers revoked a key federal discharge permit after determining it "does not ensure compliance with water quality requirements of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa." The company can still reapply for the permit. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/minnesota-supreme-court-reinstates-environmental-groups-challenge-of-northmet-air-permit | 2023-06-21T23:09:12 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/minnesota-supreme-court-reinstates-environmental-groups-challenge-of-northmet-air-permit |
A federal appeals court has temporarily agreed to keep part of New Jersey’s handgun carry law in effect as court proceedings play out.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted the state attorney general’s request to keep part of the law that bars people from carrying handguns in “sensitive places” in effect. It also denied Attorney General Matt Platkin’s request in part, leaving in place a lower court’s order that put an insurance mandate on hold.
The decision means handguns cannot be carried in places such as zoos, public parks, public libraries and museums, bars, and health care facilities. The law bars handguns from being carried in those places as well as schools and child care facilities. The lower court’s May injunction did not specify those locations, and the appeals court also didn’t remove the prohibition in those places.
The appeals court, though, rebuffed the state’s effort to undo the lower court’s injunction against an insurance mandate for firearms carriers that was scheduled to take effect in July.
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The 2022 law stemmed directly from the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision that struck down a New York state law requiring people to show proper cause to get a carry license. The ruling affected states with similar laws, including New Jersey, where carry applicants had to show justifiable need to get a permit.
In a statement, Platkin said the decision was gratifying and called it a win. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said he was thrilled.
“This decision will make New Jersey a safer state for all of us,” Murphy said in a statement.
News
In a statement to its members, the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs, an affiliate of the National Rifle Association, said that its members should “take care” to stay informed, since developments affecting the law continue to unfold. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/court-temporarily-allows-part-of-new-jerseys-handgun-carry-law-to-remain-in-effect/4441625/ | 2023-06-21T23:12:52 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/court-temporarily-allows-part-of-new-jerseys-handgun-carry-law-to-remain-in-effect/4441625/ |
AUSTIN, Texas — Leaders at Austin Water are working to improve how the agency handles emergencies.
The utility company has been under fire the past few years for issuing three city-wide boil water notices since 2018. Last year, after human error led to a delayed response to a water quality issue at the Ullrich Water Treatment Plant, customers were left without drinking water for days.
To find out what went wrong, the City Council approved an external audit of Austin Water.
"This external review is to not only to make sure we can deliver the safe drinking water but to rebuild trust in Austin Water,” said Councilwoman Alison Alter.
One of the recommended ways to rebuild that trust and improve communication was to hold more emergency training drills. On Wednesday, Austin Water took that advice.
Austin Water teamed up with Austin Fire, Travis County ESD #9 and Travis County STAR Flight to practice their responses to emergency scenarios.
"It allows our teams the opportunity to test their skills, work together, test our communication protocols and really learn,” said Shay Ralls Roalson, the Director of Austin Water.
Wednesday's emergency scenario was a mock wildfire at the source of Austin’s Water. The Austin Fire Department and Westlake Fire Department worked together with their drone to respond to the emergency.
"It really helps out a lot for us all to work together on something like this,” said Matt Mcelearney of the Austin Fire Department
Austin Water leaders say working together gives them a chance to see which areas they are strong in and where they need improvement.
"It's really important that as we drill that experience, that we actually work together with those teams so that we can work out our communication protocols and make sure that in a real emergency, we would be able to work together,” Ralls Roalson said.
The company will complete a full review of the drill in the coming days or weeks and will change protocols accordingly. Austin Water also said they plan to do more of these drills to continue strengthening their emergency preparation system. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-water-practices-emergency-responses/269-acc1ba50-39b4-45f1-8392-b731b5dc6cf1 | 2023-06-21T23:12:57 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-water-practices-emergency-responses/269-acc1ba50-39b4-45f1-8392-b731b5dc6cf1 |
A man has died following a stabbing attack on the south side of Washington Square Park, police announced.
The busy Manhattan park closed Wednesday afternoon as first responders rushed to aid a victim stabbed in the chest. Police say the man was in his 30s.
Within hours of the 4:30 p.m. incident, the NYPD said the man had succumbed to his injuries.
Police are reportedly looking for two male suspects wanted in connection with the stabbing, but no descriptions were immediately provided.
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This story is developing.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/man-stabbed-to-death-in-manhattans-washington-square-park-nypd/4442194/ | 2023-06-21T23:12:58 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/man-stabbed-to-death-in-manhattans-washington-square-park-nypd/4442194/ |
The New York Yankees are welcoming the entire LGBTQIA+ community, their friends, family, and allies to celebrate their first ever Pride Night at Yankees Stadium.
The Yankees’ support of New York’s Legacy of Pride will be highlighted during an on-field ceremony before the start of the Yankees-Mariners game Wednesday night.
Created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising in 2019, the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative will be taking the stage and awarding five student leaders across the five boroughs with $10,000 each.
Students receiving this honor have demonstrated academic excellence, a dedication to equality, and significant support for the LGBTQ+ community. The intention of the scholarship is to provide resources for the winners goals both within their career, and educationally.
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A portion from every ticket sold for the event will benefit NYC Pride initiatives and buyers will receive a free Pride-themed Yankees hat, a free regular-sized hot dog, and their first drink free. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-yankees-host-first-ever-pride-night-at-wednesdays-game/4441695/ | 2023-06-21T23:13:05 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/new-york-yankees-host-first-ever-pride-night-at-wednesdays-game/4441695/ |
On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to extend New York City's state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension comes one day after the previous state of emergency expired on June 19. This is happening in the backdrop of both the federal and state COVID-19 emergency declarations having been ended earlier this year.
In a press release, the mayor's office lists the city's unemployment rate, 5.4% compared to the national average of 3.7%, as one of the leading reasons for this state of emergency.
Additionally, his office notes that the city’s office occupancy rate is approximately 48% of the pre-pandemic rate, and the city’s subway ridership is at 70% of pre-pandemic levels -- revealing that multiple sectors are still reeling from the affects of COVID.
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The order also announced an extension to the Open Restaurants and Open Storefronts program, allowing restaurants to use sidewalk space to seat customers. The Open Restaurants program was seen as being successful in saving 1000s of jobs and supporting food establishments during the pandemic.
The city council is currently considering legislation that would establish a permanent Open Restaurants program.
Read the full Emergency Executive Order here. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-mayor-extends-covid-19-emergency-declaration-via-executive-order/4441606/ | 2023-06-21T23:13:11 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-mayor-extends-covid-19-emergency-declaration-via-executive-order/4441606/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Thousands of families and friends gather for this celebration of life which is now making its way to Dallas.
People from all over the world come together to experience the Water Lantern Festival. The celebration is held in multiple locations including internationally reminding festival goers of the value of life and the importance of cherishing loved ones.
“Water Lantern Festival is filled with fun, happiness, hope, and great memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. This is a family-friendly event that can be shared by everyone. Friends, families, neighbors, and lots of people that you haven’t met can come together to create a peaceful, memorable experience,” as mentioned on the festival’s website.
The event will be held on Saturday, June 24th and tickets are still on sale! You can purchase your tickets online on the website. Each ticket will come with a wristband entry, LED candle, conversation cards and more. | https://cw33.com/news/local/a-breathtaking-event-the-water-lantern-festival-returns-to-dallas/ | 2023-06-21T23:14:15 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/a-breathtaking-event-the-water-lantern-festival-returns-to-dallas/ |
July 5, 1942 - January 3, 2023
Fred M. Mast, 80, of Coos Bay, Oregon, passed away on January 3, 2023. Fred had been unwell in recent years due to a complications from a stroke.
Fred was born July 5, 1942 in Coquille, Oregon to Harry Mast and Priscilla (Miller) Mast. He was the great-great-great grandson of George Abernethy, Oregon's first provisional governor.
Fred lived his entire life in Coos County. He grew up in Dora, Oregon. He attended Dora’s one-room schoolhouse and Myrtle Point Union High School. Fred belonged to the Junior Grange and Future Farmers of America.
In 1960, Fred married Peggy Leifeste and had two children, Paula and Carl. They divorced in 1977. Fred met his future wife, Susan on a blind date. They married in 1990. Fred and Susan were married for 32 years.
Fred worked for Roseburg Lumber Company for over 40 years. He retired from the North Bend chip site.
Over the course of his life, Fred enjoyed bowling, and golfing. Fred also loved cars and could identify makes and models from the 1940’s through the 1970’s. Fred was known for his fast driving especially when he would take visitors up to Dora and Sitkum.
Fred was known to be a hard worker and provider for his family. He was a true and loyal friend especially to Duane and Jerri Barzee. Fred was devastated when his lifelong friend, Duane passed away in 2006.
Fred is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Paula Mast Jeppesen and husband, Jim of Portland, Oregon; sons, Carl Mast of Roseburg, Oregon, John Brown and wife, Jeanine of Coos Bay and grandson, Kyle Brown of Eugene.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 5, 2023, 2:00 pm at Pioneer Faith Church, 180 N Baxter St., Coquille, Oregon. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/fred-m-mast/article_558f8914-1069-11ee-b373-d314bf2777ec.html | 2023-06-21T23:15:46 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/fred-m-mast/article_558f8914-1069-11ee-b373-d314bf2777ec.html |
Legendary DFW broadcaster Norm Hitzges is retiring.
A pioneer in sports talk radio, he’ll sign off from KTCK 1310 The Ticket on Friday.
“I’m going to miss the people,” Hitzges told NBC 5. “You become addicted to this job and you want to get up every day and go there. Something fuels you, the comradery, the laughter. It’s different every day.”
With his trademark enthusiasm, Hitzges has analyzed the highs and lows of DFW sports for 48 years.
The Texas Radio Hall of Fame broadcaster launched the first all-sports morning drive talk show on KLIF in the 1980s before joining The Ticket in 2000.
“I think The Ticket was very happy that I arrived because they could do all sort of shtick and pocking fun and the battle of who has the better ‘Fake Norm’ on the air. I love all of that. I consider that an honor,” Hitzges said.
At 78 years old, much has changed since Hitzges started on-air.
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“It use to be when you were coming on the air you were telling people about the game they probably hadn’t seen. Now when you come on the air everybody’s already seen the game and analyzed the game that you’re going to talk about and you’ve got to try and find some more insight,” Hitzges said.
He ranks covering the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl runs in the 1990s as the most fun.
“This town still runs on Cowboys gasoline and the people love it when they’re doing well,” Hitzges said.
Other memorable moments among many include interviews with Dallas Cowboys Coach Tom Landry and broadcaster Howard Cosell.
In addition to the career honors, he’s most proud of his charity work. His annual Norm-a-thons have raised $9 million for Austin Street Center to help the homeless.
“We don’t think of the word ‘dignity' with homeless people and that’s what Austin Street tried to give back – their dignity,” Hitzges said.
Hitzges has been open about past health battles including bladder cancer, but insists it is not the reason he’s retiring.
He wants more time to travel the world with his wife Mary. The pair plan to launch a podcast in September.
“I’m going to devour sports. The only thing I won’t be able to do is talk about it anymore, but I will be able to do a lot of other things.”
And he'll still be imparting wisdom to those who will listen.
“Work hard even when you’re just starting out the one thing you can promise someone is ‘I can work hard’ and I hope that’s the basis of what’s happened here. I hope that the audience says that’s a guy who worked hard." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/legendary-broadcaster-norm-hitzges-reflects-on-50-year-career/3281991/ | 2023-06-21T23:16:10 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/legendary-broadcaster-norm-hitzges-reflects-on-50-year-career/3281991/ |
The results are in from a Dallas resident service satisfaction survey and they have city leaders concerned.
About two-thirds of residents rated their neighborhood as a good or excellent place to live. But only 28% said they are pleased with the overall direction the city is taking. That’s down from 53% in a 2014 survey. The number has been steadily falling in four past surveys.
“It’s a pretty shocking decrease,” City Council Member Cara Mendelsohn said. “This trends over time. You just can’t help but have it jump out at you.
Dallas City Council Members Wednesday received a shorter 28-page briefing on the larger 180-page report. Click here to read the briefing and click here to read the full report. Both are at the bottom of this article.
There are differences of opinion between city leaders and survey respondents on what the priorities should be.
Jacob Rosario lives beside one of the many potholes on his street in Oak Cliff. His street has an "F" pavement quality rating, one of many in Dallas.
“It's like straight driving off-road. It's like, 'boom, boom.' It just goes up and down man. Every time you drive here, it’s like another road bump in the road,” he said.
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Rosario said he strongly agrees with the community survey in which 59% of respondents ranked infrastructure, like streets and sidewalks, as the number one resident priority.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson did not include that in his top three priorities for his next four years in office in his inaugural address Tuesday.
“If Dallas residents don't feel secure, our city's other objectives are guaranteed to fail,” Johnson said.
The number two priority in the resident survey was police. The survey also found satisfaction with Dallas police service has fallen over the past five years.
“Constituents are going to have to start reporting online and I'm getting too many calls about slow response, no response,” Council Member Carolyn King Arnold said.
Only 24% of residents in the survey said they get good value for their tax money. That is down from 45% in 2016.
“This is a mandate to change how we are spending our dollars and what we are spending them on,” Mendelsohn said.
Other members found positive points in the survey, including 61% of respondents saying city employees provided good customer service.
“I just want to say thank you to our city staff who are leaving this kind of impression with our citizens,” Council Member Gay Donnell Willis said.
Dallas was ahead of other cities in many ratings, even though there was a decline compared with past Dallas surveys.
“We need be thinking about how we want to address some of these, budget versus bond,” Johnson said.
Right now the city is preparing a new budget that could help improve police funding, and a 2024 public improvement bond referendum that could help fix more streets.
“You go to some suburbs it's like very nice, it's all the same level,” Rosario said. “They could definitely fix up the roads.”
But Johnson also includes better parks and property tax rate reduction in his top three priorities.
Doing all of it will be very tough, which is how big city Dallas wound up in this survey spot.
The community survey was conducted by the ETC Institute, which does them for many large cities.
More than 1,400 Dallas residents from all city council districts participated in the survey. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mixed-grades-in-dallas-resident-service-satisfaction-survey/3282032/ | 2023-06-21T23:16:17 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mixed-grades-in-dallas-resident-service-satisfaction-survey/3282032/ |
Innovation Design Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA) in Dallas ISD is closed for the summer, but students from the school's Plus Alliance club were putting together a club billboard.
"I think we're gonna leave it up for the summer," Plus Alliance faculty sponsor Cristal Pesina said. "Being a GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) sponsor is only part of what I do here at IDEA, but I think it's the most important thing that I do here at IDEA."
The school's gay-straight alliance, called Plus Alliance, is a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies to find community.
"It was just like a new world was opened up for me," IDEA '23 graduate Will Milam said. "I'm still trying to figure it out," rising junior Rylie Newson said.
"I see a little bit of myself in each and every one of them," Pesina said.
Pesina was a student at Molina High School in Dallas 10 years ago. The school had a gay-straight alliance, but she was not a member.
"I knew that I was part of the community, but I wasn't comfortable coming out," Pesina said. "I was afraid that my family wouldn't accept me, that some of my community wouldn't accept me...now I'm proud to be out!"
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When Pesina got a faculty support staff position at IDEA, she helped start Plus Alliance to help students like she once was.
"Cause a big fear that I had whenever I was younger and just kinda like growing into myself, like realizing things about myself, was like, I didn't know any adults that were like me," Milam said. "It was scary."
The student-led Plus Alliance club had 13 members this past school year.
"I feel like people are entitled to the right to love whoever they want; no matter the gender, or race, or nationality," Newson said.
"The positive relationships they get to build on day to day basis outshine some of the negative that they see coming from the world," Pesina said. "There's a great big world who will accept them. Who will love them." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/pride-isnt-just-a-month-its-every-day-at-dallas-isd-school/3281970/ | 2023-06-21T23:16:29 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/pride-isnt-just-a-month-its-every-day-at-dallas-isd-school/3281970/ |
...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.
* WHERE...Portions of southeast Alabama, Florida and Georgia,
including the following areas, in southeast Alabama, Coffee, Dale,
Geneva, Henry and Houston. In Florida, Calhoun, Central Walton,
Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, Coastal Franklin, Coastal Gulf,
Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor, Coastal Wakulla, Gadsden,
Holmes, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, Inland Franklin, Inland Gulf,
Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, Inland Wakulla, Jackson,
Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, North Walton, South Walton and
Washington. In Georgia, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun,
Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Irwin,
Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph,
Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth.
* WHEN...Through Friday evening.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.
&&
This coming week I will be traveling to San Francisco to visit my sister. She has lived there for almost 40 years. I have been there several times, but it has been a while since I last visited. I decided I needed to go back to sightsee the new improved homeless encampments.
No, actually I am taking the Hurricane Boy and his former Princess sister to see the Redwoods and all that San Fran has to offer. San Francisco actually has one stand of Redwoods basically right outside the city. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/t-gamble-this-boy-wont-leave-his-heart-in-san-francisco/article_c54cb6c6-0fbc-11ee-bb87-23d416c2217e.html | 2023-06-21T23:16:41 | 1 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/t-gamble-this-boy-wont-leave-his-heart-in-san-francisco/article_c54cb6c6-0fbc-11ee-bb87-23d416c2217e.html |
A small LaPorte County community is accused in a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday of unlawfully limiting access to essential town information and unjustly removing members from the town's private Facebook group .
The Indiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sued Kingsford Heights and its town council on behalf of two residents, Michael Easley and Emily Galloway, who claim their Facebook comments regarding town council members led to their removal from the group.
The lawsuit alleges the private Facebook group runs afoul of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because important town information, such as proposed ordinances and other matters of relevance to the community, only are posted to the group and not accessible by other means, such as the town website .
It’s the first day of summer, and experts say most of the US is in for a scorching season. Some records are breaking already.
"In order to become a member of the Facebook group, not only must an individual have a Facebook account but they must also request and receive permission to become a member from the members of the town council who administer the Facebook group," the lawsuit says.
"Although the town council purports to allow any resident of the town to become a member of its private Facebook group, in actuality even residents of the town may be denied membership in the group or, even if initially granted membership, may subsequently be removed from the group by the town council."
Records show the Facebook group, established April 5, 2020, has just 232 members in a town whose population the 2020 U.S. Census tallied at 1,335 people.
Easley and Galloway were removed from the Facebook group earlier this year after posting comments on Facebook about the actions of town council members — a type of viewpoint discrimination barred by the First Amendment, the ACLU said.
Riding Shotgun with Merrillville Police Officer Amanda Earley
"The First Amendment protects people, who regardless of their views, attempt to hold the government accountable through expression," said Gavin Rose, Indiana ACLU senior attorney. "Kingsford Heights’ practice of silencing citizens on Facebook who are critical of the council’s actions is unconstitutional."
Dennis Francis, president of the five-member town council, declined to comment on the pending litigation.
Kingsford Heights is located adjacent to U.S. Highway 6/35 about 25 miles east of Valparaiso and 11 miles south of LaPorte.
Gallery: Indiana historical markers in the Region
First Physician
First Physician
Location: 2985 W. 73rd Place, Merrillville
Erected by Woman's Auxiliary, Lake County Medical Society
Henry D. Palmer, M.D. (1809-1877) located at this site in 1836. First physician in Lake County, he was also counselor to the pioneers for 40 years and member of the underground railroad aiding escaped slaves.
Great Sauk (Sac) Trail
Great Sauk (Sac) Trail
Location: Van Buren Street at West 73rd Avenue (Old U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway) on traffic median east of Calumet Cemetery and west of Broadway, Merrillville
Erected by Indiana Sesquicentennial Commission, 1966
Part of a transcontinental trail used by prehistoric peoples of North America, it passed through modern Detroit, Rock Island and Davenport in the Midwest. The trail was important into the 19th century.
St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston
St. John's Lutheran Church Tolleston
Location: 2235 W. 10th Avenue at Taft Avenue, southeast corner, Gary
St. John's Church, the oldest surviving institution in Gary and north of the Little Calumet River, began with the work of the Rev. Henry Wunder in the early 1860's. He regularly came from Chicago by horse and buggy. Baptism records date from 1863; the first church was built on this site in 1868 or 1869; 1870 is celebrated as date of organization. The church served German immigrants to Tolleston (named for George Tolle who came in 1856). Tolleston was annexed to Gary in 1910.
Dutch in the Calumet Region
Dutch in the Calumet Region
Location: 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland
Erected 1992 Indiana Historical Bureau and Lamprecht Florist & Greenhouse, established 1923
Dutch immigrants after 1850 began moving to this area because of its similarities to their homeland. They helped to locate ditches to drain water from the extensive marshes, leaving rich land to expand successful horticultural activities.
St. John Township School, District #2
St. John Township School, District #2
Location: 1515 Joliet Street (Old U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway), east of St. John Road at the St. John Township Community Center, Schererville
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau and Committee to Save Township School #2
Built, 1853, approximately one half mile south; closed, 1907; moved to this site and restored for educational and community uses, 1993-1994. One of twelve St. John Township schools; structure typical of early one-room school buildings in Indiana.
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
Location: Southeast corner U.S. 30 (Joliet Street) and Janice Drive, Schererville
Erected 1996 Indiana Historical Bureau, Northwest Indiana Lincoln Highway Association, Dyer and Schererville Historical Societies, Sand Ridge Bank, Welsh, Inc.
United States' first transcontinental highway, constructed 1913-1928, from New York City to San Francisco. Dedicated to the memory of Abraham Lincoln. Conceived by Carl G. Fisher to encourage building "good roads." Sponsored by Lincoln Highway Association and supported by automotive industries.
The Lincoln Highway/The Ideal Section
"Ideal Section" - 1.5 miles - of Lincoln Highway, completed 1923, designed and built as a model for road construction. Funded by county, state, and U.S. Rubber Co. Features included 100 foot right-of-way, 40 foot paved width, 10 inch steel-reinforced concrete, underground drainage, lighted, landscaped, bridge, and pedestrian pathways.
Froebel School - side 1
Froebel School - side 1
Location: 15th Avenue and Madison Street, Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Froebel Alumni Park Committee, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company
Froebel opened here, 1912, as many European immigrants and southern blacks moved to Gary for jobs in steel mills. An experiment in progressive education, it served students of diverse backgrounds and the local community. Despite early status as integrated school, black students were excluded from many extracurricular activities and facilities into 1940s. Closed 1977.
Continued
Froebel School
Froebel School
Location: 15th Avenue and Madison Street, Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Froebel Alumni Park Committee, and Northern Indiana Public Service Company
After WWII, Froebel made national headlines when hundreds of white students walked out protesting "integration experiment" there. "Hate strikes" lasted several weeks in 1945 and reflected growing racial tension in North. In 1946, Gary school board adopted desegregation policy, but discrimination continued. Indiana state law desegregating public schools passed 1949.
Stewart Settlement House
Stewart Settlement House
Location: 1501 E. Massachusetts St., Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Landmarks, and Christ United Methodist Church
Stewart House was organized during depression of 1921 to provide social services for Gary’s black community. A vital neighborhood center for unemployed WWI veterans and southern blacks who migrated for jobs in steel mills, it helped thousands adjust to urban life. Services included lodging and meals, as well as legal, medical, and employment advice. Moved here, 1925.
Stewart Settlement House
Stewart Settlement House
Location: 1501 E. Massachusetts St., Gary
Installed 2014 Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Landmarks, and Christ United Methodist Church
U.S. Steel, with an interest in regulating its workers, helped fund the settlement house, designed by architect W.W. Cooke. The Methodist Episcopal Church and Gary’s blacks also donated funds. Rev. Frank Delaney guided its development as superintendent, 1920-1939, and made it a source of pride for blacks. During Great Depression, it aided hundreds daily. Closed 1970s.
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Location: 1927 Madison St., Gary
Installed 2019 Indiana Historical Bureau, KHEF, Inc., Atty. Junifer Hall, Atty. Jacqueline Hall, and Law Office of Deacon-Atty. John Henry Hall
Rep. Katie Hall (1938-2012)
Democratic leader Katie Hall was born in rural Mississippi and moved to Indiana in 1960. She taught in Gary before serving in the Indiana General Assembly, 1974-82. Hall became the first African American U.S. Representative from Indiana, serving 1982-85. During her tenure, she authored and sponsored the bill that made Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a federal holiday.
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
Location: 1927 Madison St., Gary
Installed 2019 Indiana Historical Bureau, KHEF, Inc., Atty. Junifer Hall, Atty. Jacqueline Hall, and Law Office of Deacon-Atty. John Henry Hall
Origin of Dr. MLK Day Law
The struggle to make Dr. King’s birthday a federal holiday began soon after the civil rights leader’s death in 1968. Growing interest, publicity, and advocacy helped Representative Hall secure passage of a bill in 1983. President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law that November, designating every third Monday in January as the holiday. Celebration began in 1986.
Bailly Homestead
Bailly Homestead
Location: Bailly Cemetery, U.S. 12
Marker no longer standing.
Home of Joseph Bailly, a French Canadian, who established a fur trading post here on the Detroit-Chicago road in 1822. It became a center of trade, culture and religion. The family cemetery is on the land near by.
Iron Brigade
Iron Brigade
Location: Eastbound U.S. 20 at southeast corner of Ind. 49 overpass, Chesterton
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau, Porter Co. Tour. Com., Indpls. Civil War Rnd. Tbl., Porter Cmp. 116, Dept. of Ind., Sons of Un. Vets. of Civil War
Composed of infantry regiments from Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan, the Iron Brigade fought with Army of the Potomac during the Civil War (1861-1865). Received name for valor at battle of South Mountain, Maryland (1862). Sustained combat fatalities among the highest in the Union armies.
Willow Creek Confrontation
Willow Creek Confrontation
Location: Southeast corner of Woodland Park, 2100 Willow Creek Road, Portage
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau
As railroad lines expanded through U.S., conflict occurred between competing lines. Michigan Central Railroad, with track in Porter County since 1851, briefly defied state militia and court orders (1874) to allow Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to cross its track. Crossing was built at Willow Creek Station.
Ogden ski jump.jpg
Ogden Dunes Ski Jump
Location: Kratz Field, 82 Hillcrest Road at Boat Club Road, Ogden Dunes
Erected 1997 Indiana Historical Bureau and Historical Society of Ogden Dunes.
Steel and wood ski jump with adjustable height and length was built here for Ogden Dunes Ski Club, incorporated in 1927 to promote winter sports. Five annual events with international competitors were held 1928-1932, with 7, 000 to 20, 000 spectators. Reputed to be the largest artificial ski jump at the time. Dismantled after 1932 event.
Teale 1.jpg
Edwin Way Teale
Location: 285 E. U.S. Highway 20, Chesterton
Installed: 2009 Indiana Historical Bureau and Musette Lewry Trust
Born 1899 in Illinois, Teale became an influential naturalist, author, and photographer[ who won 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his book Wandering Through Winter. Teale wrote that boyhood summers and holidays spent near here at his grandparents’ farm inspired his interest in nature. Teale moved to New York City; employed by Popular Science Monthly 1928-1941.
Teale 2.jpg
Edwin Way Teale
Location: 285 E. U.S. Highway 20, Chesterton
Installed: 2009 Indiana Historical Bureau and Musette Lewry Trust
Teale published his first critically acclaimed book, Grassroot Jungles, in 1937. In 1943, he published Dune Boy, recollections of time spent exploring the dunes and woodlands in this area. During his life, he wrote, edited, and contributed to over 30 books, which educated Americans about nature’s importance and beauty. He died in Connecticut in 1980.
Steel 1.jpg
Legacy of Steel/Burns Harbor Steel Plant
Location: Burns Harbor Town Hall, 1240 N. Boo Rd., Burns Harbor
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau, ArcelorMittal, and the Town of Burns Harbor
In the early 1900s, steel plants were developed on southern Lake Michigan to improve access to growing Midwest markets. After purchasing 3,300 acres in Porter County, Bethlehem Steel built and began its Burns Harbor operations in 1964. The plant’s development spurred local conservation efforts leading to the creation of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1966.
Steel 2.jpg
Legacy of Steel/Burns Harbor Steel Plant
Location: Burns Harbor Town Hall, 1240 N. Boo Rd., Burns Harbor
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau, ArcelorMittal, and the Town of Burns Harbor
The Burns Harbor plant was key to building the Port of Indiana and incorporation of the Town of Burns Harbor in 1967. Designed as a fully integrated plant, it relies on the port for transporting raw materials. Since 1969, Burns Harbor remains the newest integrated U.S. steel facility. Global steelmaker ArcelorMittal gained ownership of the Burns Harbor plant in 2007.
Civil War camps.jpg
Civil War Camps
Location: Ind. 2 W and Colfax Avenue, La Porte
Erected by the Indiana Civil War Centennial Commission, 1963
Two Civil War training camps: Colfax and Jackson, were located near La Porte. The 9th and 29th Indiana Volunteer Infantry regiments were organized and trained here.
Old lighthouse.jpg
Old Lighthouse
Location: Old Lighthouse Museum in Washington Park, Michigan City
Marker no longer standing. Replaced by local marker.
Built on the water’s edge, 1858, by the United States Government. One of the first lights on the Great Lakes. Harriet E. Colfax was the tender from 1853-1903. Remodelled 1904, electrified 1933, discontinued 1960.
Railroad.jpg
Chicago-New York Electric Air Line Railroad
Location: CR 250 and Ind. 39, south LaPorte
Erected 1995 Indiana Historical Bureau.
Proposed in 1905 as a 742 mile, straight-line, high speed route, without crossings; estimated ten hours travel time at a cost of ten dollars. Just under twenty miles, between LaPorte and Chesterton, were constructed, 1906-1911.
Camp Anderson.jpg
Camp Anderson
Location: 2404 E. Michigan Boulevard at Carroll Street, Michigan City
Erected 1996 Indiana Historical Bureau and McDonald's Restaurant
One of three Civil War training camps in La Porte County. Site is one fourth mile west. Named for Colonel Edward Anderson. Used 1863-1864 to train Indiana Union volunteers of the 127th, 128th, and 129th regiments.
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Indiana Territory Boundary Line
Location: 213 Pine Lake Avenue, LaPorte
Erected 1999 Indiana Historical Bureau, the Hinton Family, and L Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Northwest Territory formed 1787; Indiana Territory formed 1800. Admission of Ohio 1803 and formation of Michigan Territory 1805 established Indiana Territory's northern boundary at southern tip of Lake Michigan. When Indiana became state in 1816, Congress moved boundary ten miles north giving Indiana part of Lake Michigan.
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Indiana Territory Boundary Line
Location: 213 Pine Lake Avenue, LaPorte
Erected 1999 Indiana Historical Bureau, the Hinton Family, and L Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Northern boundary of Indiana Territory established at southern tip of Lake Michigan when Michigan Territory formed in 1805.
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LaPorte County Courthouse
Location: 813 Lincolnway and Michigan Avenue, southeast corner of LaPorte County Courthouse lawn
Installed: 2001 Indiana Historical Bureau, LaPorte County Board of Commissioners, and LaPorte County Historical Society
County formed by Indiana General Assembly and LaPorte selected county seat 1832. Three courthouses built on this site: first 1833, second 1847-1848. Present courthouse constructed 1892-1894 of Lake Superior Red Sandstone; designed by Brentwood S. Tolan of Fort Wayne in Richardsonian Romanesque Style. Incorporates cornerstone from 1848 courthouse.
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LaPorte County Courthouse
Location: 813 Lincolnway & Michigan Avenue, SE corner of La Porte County Courthouse lawn, LaPorte
Installed: 2001 Indiana Historical Bureau, La Porte County Board of Commissioners, and La Porte County Historical Society, Inc.
Features include open-arched central tower, stained glass window transoms, wood paneling, and gilded friezes. Goddess of Justice stained glass graces courtroom. Tower has 272-piece glass skylight; gargoyles decorate exterior. Included in Downtown La Porte Historic District, listed in National Register of Historic Places 1983.
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LaPorte's Carnegie Library
Location: LaPorte County Public Library, SW corner of 904 Indiana Avenue/US 35 & Maple Avenue
Installed: 2002 Indiana Historical Bureau and Friends of the LaPorte County Public Library
La Porte's first public library was established 1896. La Porte City School Board was awarded $27, 500 Carnegie grant 1916; by 1919 local support had been secured to meet grant requirements. Architect Wilson B. Parker designed the Neo-Classical style structure. Library opened in 1920 with 30, 000 volumes.
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LaPorte's Carnegie Library
Location: LaPorte County Public Library, SW corner of 904 Indiana Avenue/US 35 & Maple Avenue
Installed: 2002 Indiana Historical Bureau and Friends of the LaPorte County Public Library
Renovation and expansion designed by architect William Koster; building dedicated 1991. Original 1920 section retained. Library has played a major role in community's development. One of 1, 679 libraries built in U.S. with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Indiana built more Carnegie libraries than any other state.
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The Rumely Companies
Location: NW corner of Madison Street & Lincolnway, La Porte
Installed: 2003 Indiana Historical Bureau and Rumely Historic Recognition Committee
Meinrad Rumely (1823-1904), a German immigrant, founded a blacksmith shop here 1853, which grew into a dominant company through reorganizations and acquisitions. Rumely companies in La Porte benefited from available rail transportation plus German and later Polish immigrant laborers. Products included a wide variety of agricultural machines.
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The Rumely Companies
Location: NW corner of Madison Street & Lincolnway, La Porte
Installed: 2003 Indiana Historical Bureau and Rumely Historic Recognition Committee
Rumely's prizewinning thresher later became one of the earliest powered by steam. Thousands of OilPull tractors sold worldwide 1910-1930. Rumely companies were at the forefront of mechanization of American and world agriculture and had significant impact on La Porte. Allis-Chalmers acquired the firm 1931 and closed La Porte plant 1983.
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The Lincoln Funeral Train
Location: 100 E. Michigan Blvd. (U.S. 12), Michigan City
Installed 2010 Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Assassinated President Abraham Lincoln's funeral was April 19, 1865 at the White House. The funeral train left for Springfield, Illinois April 21 directed by military; stops en route allowed the public to pay homage. From Indianapolis, train passed mourners lighted by bonfires and torches along the way; arrived in Michigan City by 8:35 a.m., May 1.
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The Lincoln Funeral Train
Location: 100 E. Michigan Blvd. (U.S. 12), Michigan City
Installed 2010 Indiana Historical Bureau and Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission
Residents decorated depot north of here with memorial arches adorned with roses, evergreens, flags, and images of Lincoln. Train stopped to switch engines and to allow dignitaries from Illinois and Indiana to board. Sixteen women entered funeral car to place flowers on casket. Train left for Chicago on Michigan Central Railroad; track was lined with mourners.
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LaPorte University/Indiana Medical College
Location: Lincoln Elementary School, SE corner of Clay St. and Harrison St., LaPorte
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau and the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte
LaPorte University was established in the early 1840s to include law, literary, and medical departments. The medical department, later Indiana Medical College, began classes by 1842. Its distinguished faculty attracted students from across the U.S. Notable attendees included Dr. William W. Mayo, whose practice evolved into Mayo Clinic, and Dr. William H. Wishard.
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LaPorte University/Indiana Medical College
Location: Lincoln Elementary School, southeast corner of Clay Street and Harrison Street, LaPorte
Installed 2018 Indiana Historical Bureau and the Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte
Before the university’s founding, Indiana offered few opportunities for professional medical training. The medical college trained skilled doctors in the Midwest, preparing them for the region’s medical needs in surgery, anatomy, theory, and obstetrics. Classes ceased circa 1850; it consolidated with Indiana Central Medical College (1849-1852) in Indianapolis, 1851.
Source: Indiana Historical Bureau, www.in.gov/history/
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Gary Roosevelt High School
730 W. 25th Ave., Gary
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc., and Indiana Landmarks
As Gary grew in the early 1900s, African American students were segregated within white schools or overcrowded into small, separate schools. To compensate, officials transferred some Black students to Emerson High School in 1927. After over 600 white students walked out in protest, the school board reinforced segregation by building a new school for the Black community.
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Gary Roosevelt High School
730 W. 25th Ave., Gary
Installed 2020 Indiana Historical Bureau, Lady Panthers & Supporters '63, Roosevelt Adult Booster Club, National Gary Theodore Roosevelt Alumni Assoc., Inc., and Indiana Landmarks
Theodore Roosevelt High School was dedicated in 1931 as an all-Black K-12 school. While many community members opposed segregation, they took pride in Roosevelt, and strove to make it equal to Gary’s white schools. It employed highly educated Black teachers, pushed students to excel in academics and sports despite discrimination, and produced many distinguished alumni.
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OCALA, Fla. – Formal charges have not yet been filed against a woman accused of shooting and killing an Ocala mother of four on June 2.
A spokesperson for State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office said they expect formal criminal charges against Susan Lorincz in the Ajike Owens case will be filed “in the near future.”
Owens’ family said they still want to see upgraded charges against Lorincz, who remains in custody in Marion County on manslaughter charges.
The victim’s mother told News 6 that charge is not good enough, as she continues to grieve.
“They say time heals all things. I don’t know when that day is going to come, if ever,” Pamela Dias said.
Each day brings new tears for Pamela Dias. She said she’s still broken and confused about Owens.
“I cry myself to sleep at night thinking that I’m never going to talk to my daughter again. I’m never going to see her,” Dias said.
Deputies said the shooting happened when Owens’ neighbor, Lorincz, shot her through her closed front door. They say Owens went to confront Lorincz after an altercation involving Owens’ kids playing near her home, in an area Lorincz has in the past claimed was part of her home.
[WATCH PREVIOUS COVERAGE]
“(The children ages) 3, 7, 9 and 12 lost their mother. They don’t know how to process their emotions, so they display it in different ways,” Dias said.
Lorincz was arrested four days later after protests in Ocala and people calling for justice.
“It’s not OK to simply shoot, especially through a locked door where no one poses any threat to you,” Dias said.
Their plea for justice is coming as the family’s lawyers said the clock is ticking for Gladson to file formal charges.
Family attorney Anthony Thomas said they’re calling for an upgraded charge from manslaughter to murder.
“The state attorney has until June 30 to bring those formal charges,” Thomas said.
They also maintain this case was never a case of self-defense or stand-your-ground.
“In her arrest affidavit, she admitted to having prior unfriendly incidents between she and AJ. She also said that these things weren’t at a level where she felt she was threatened or anything,” Thomas said.
“Do the right thing, let justice prevail and that will be formally filing charges for murder two,” Dias said.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/charges-to-be-filed-against-suspect-in-ocala-mothers-killing-in-the-near-future-prosecutors-say/ | 2023-06-21T23:17:16 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/21/charges-to-be-filed-against-suspect-in-ocala-mothers-killing-in-the-near-future-prosecutors-say/ |
HOBBS, N.M. —
After about four months of remodeling work for new amenities and security upgrades, the Hobbs Municipal Court building at 301 N. Turner St. is set to reopen two months ahead of schedule.
For the duration of the project, court operations were held in a temporary location on Dalmont Street.
The municipal court will be closed from July 5-7 to allow staff to relocate. During that time, citizens will not be penalized or charged late fees for not showing.
Starting on July 10, the court will operate out of the N. Turner Street location during regular hours, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.
The press release announcing the reopening included the following statement from Court Administrator Shannon Carter-Arguello:
“Many hours and staff input were put into the remodeling plan, and we are so grateful to the contractors and General Services Department for updating the Hobbs Municipal Court to better serve and protect the citizens of Hobbs. It was important in the plans for the facility to increase not only its functionality and efficiency but also its security, and we are proud to debut the finished project. Thank you to City leadership for the support and to the public for their patience during this time. We hope to see you soon at the new facility – but for all the right reasons!”
All phone numbers and email addresses of the Hobbs Municipal Court staff and offices will stay the same. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/hobbs-municipal-court-on-turner-street-to-reopen/513-d1d5086e-b97e-412d-9ef7-3ef8e31919c4 | 2023-06-21T23:17:26 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/hobbs-municipal-court-on-turner-street-to-reopen/513-d1d5086e-b97e-412d-9ef7-3ef8e31919c4 |
HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas — It's a story we've been following for more than a month. A local non-profit, once again, asking for help after multiple break-ins.
Our Promise has been building a house in Hot Springs for cancer patients to stay at while they are getting treatment.
That site has now been targeted by thieves seven times in the last few months.
"Things were moving great. We took about 10 years to make sure we wouldn't go in debt building this house," said Stacey Pierce, Our Promise Executive Director.
Now, that has all stopped.
Thieves have stripped the property of copper multiple times, and the project manager said they have replaced the building's wiring twice.
"Every time they rob us they find a different way to get in the building," said Benny Arego, the project manager.
The destruction has resulted in $60,000 - 70,000 in damages.
A security camera was able to up video of a man walking around the property at night that could be responsible for the theft.
Construction was expected to be done by August, but now they hope it will be finished by October.
To help prevent any more destruction they've hired private security to watch over the construction site.
"I hate to just keep asking for money but that's what it's going to take to get this project done," Pierce explained.
When we reached out to Hot Springs Police Department, they said that they have been investigating the break-ins.
If you wish to help, Our Promise has set up a GoFundMe to help with the expenses that have accumulated from the copper thefts. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/hot-springs-construction-our-house/91-c4d95c3b-5651-48fb-abff-df1dec7fbab9 | 2023-06-21T23:21:13 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/hot-springs-construction-our-house/91-c4d95c3b-5651-48fb-abff-df1dec7fbab9 |
STOCKTON, Calif. — The California Garlic Festival will return to San Joaquin County for the first weekend in August.
Festival organizers announced it will be in Stockton August 5 and August 6.
When Northern California thinks about garlic, Gilroy is usually the city that comes to mind, but after the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association said it was ending the traditional festival last year, another group stepped in.
Now, it's a different festival with a different name headed by the Noceti Group, which also operates the San Joaquin Asparagus Festival.
The sequel to last year's festival carries a variety of exhibits, arts, crafts, a car show, monster trucks and more. It also includes a photography contest and even some local produce for purchase.
Of course, it wouldn't be the garlic festival without a wide array of garlic-themed dishes. The festival will have a garlic noodles, wings, sausage, popcorn, grilled cheese, catfish, shrimp, hot sauce, spread and much more on-hand.
If that's not enough, try Cali Garlic Alley. It'll be the spot to grab your garlic fries; garlic maple brown sugar ice cream; garlic, mushroom and onion bread bowl; and garlic pesto pasta.
The California Garlic Festival is slated for the San Joaquin Fairground at 1658 South Airport Way in Stockton. Admission is $15 for anyone 18-64 and $10 for children six to 17. Seniors, military members with ID and children under five get in for free. Parking will run you $10.
For more information, click HERE. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/garlic-festival-san-joaquin-county/103-307373b6-1313-4979-887b-527581e1b427 | 2023-06-21T23:24:21 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/garlic-festival-san-joaquin-county/103-307373b6-1313-4979-887b-527581e1b427 |
SAN ANTONIO — Millions of Americans have called 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline since launching last July, but advocates in Texas say there’s still much work to be done to improve mental health resources.
Since rolling out almost a year ago, 988 has fielded more than 2 million calls and over 1 million chat messages nationwide, according to data from Vibrant Emotional Heath. That’s a 45% increase compared to the same time the year before.
Julia Hewitt, a suicide attempt survivor, serves as the chair of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – South Texas chapter. The organization provides a variety of assistance to people in 42 counties.
Hewitt and fellow AFSP members took to Austin on Capitol Day in April, advocating for bolstered support of 988 and mental health funding.
In May, the federal government announced an additional $200 million to strengthen 988 operations across the country.
“The reason why we do what we do is because we ourselves have some type of connection to a loss or a lived experience,” Hewitt said. “It’s (the funding) everything from training the counselors that are assisting those in crisis to having the telephony and the infrastructure in place to help with the correct routing of the calls.”
NAMI of Greater San Antonio is among the organizations 988 callers are referred to for additional assistance.
The non-profit offers several programs centered around providing healing for those touched by mental health struggles.
“NAMI educates, advocates and provides support for families and individuals who are impacted by mental illness,” said NAMI of Greater San Antonio's Executive Director Doug Beach.
Those who call 988 from Bexar County are often routed to a call center in Austin. Beach believes having a call center in the San Antonio area is essential for helping people in crisis since the trained counselors taking the calls would likely have greater knowledge on the types of local resources available in the community.
“We definitely need a 988 call center here in Bexar County. I know we’re trying to work on that for funding, but we’re not there yet," Beach said.
Hewitt is also pushing for funds to go toward a localized 988 call center. The AFSP - South Texas team is on track to meet with lawmakers in Washington D.C. next week to amplify awareness about mental health and ways to improve the 988 lifeline.
"It's great that there's availability, but it would be awesome to have really local support, somebody that understands maybe some uniqueness to San Antonio or other areas." | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/988-call-center-san-antonio/273-fe2d162c-1bba-457b-bd16-d5be71f95e7c | 2023-06-21T23:25:19 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/988-call-center-san-antonio/273-fe2d162c-1bba-457b-bd16-d5be71f95e7c |
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas — Craving a Fredericksburg peach to stay cool? Well, it might be hard to find one to eat this summer.
Peach farmers in the Texas Hill Country are operating in what's called a small peach season.
Despite the shortage, Jenschke Orchards is still selling peaches in limited quantities each morning.
"The best chance to get peaches is first thing in the morning when we open. People are getting her 30 minutes early in hopes to get their peaches. Some people walk away empty handed," said Lindsey Jenschke, retail manager.
Jenschke said the reason for the short supply is two-fold.
"Peaches in a new season, they come on new wood growth, which you get from the previous season. Last year, we had a record-breaking drought so not a lot of wood growth this year so that would be problem number one," she said. "Problem number two is we had a very warm winter so we didn't get enough of the chill hours for these later varieties so that's why we are seeing the drop."
Das Peach Haus' supply was also affected.
"We had a good crop at the beginning of the season but we just didn't get enough cool hours for these later varietals. Going forward, our crop is looking around 20 to 30 percent," said Dietz Fischer, farm manager with Fischer & Wieser.
Fischer expects his peach supply to pick up in mid to late July. For now, he's making sure the trees stay hydrated in the summer heat.
"When it comes to the peaches themselves, they do pretty well," he said.
Like Jenschke, he is relying on other products to satisfy customers and their peach cravings. Both shops sell an assortment of jams, sauces and peach wine.
"We are just telling everyone to bear with us, we'll get through this year. Hopefully, this will be what we call a recovery year and the peaches will heal, and next year will be better," said Jenschke.
For those looking to find peaches, Jenschke recommends people visit the Hill Country Fruit Council's website. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/peach-fredericksburg-hill-country/273-09a4d809-e72b-4496-a8f1-372f849fda2e | 2023-06-21T23:25:26 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/peach-fredericksburg-hill-country/273-09a4d809-e72b-4496-a8f1-372f849fda2e |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — For the first time in five years, the USAF Thunderbirds will be soaring through the skies over Central Arkansas on October 21 and 22.
The largest aviation event in the Natural State, Thunder Over the Rock, will feature two daytime Thunderbird performances that will display the pride, precision, and professionalism that the U.S. Air Force represents.
“This year we're excited to have the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headline the show as we say, ‘thank you’ to our outstanding communities for their continued support,” said Col. Denny Davies, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander. “Mark your calendars and come join us for the air show we have longed to bring you these past five years!”
The Air Force's premier demonstration team of six pilots will be flying the F-16C Fighting Falcon while performing fascinating formations that include loops, rolls, sharp turns, and inverted flight.
During the last Thunder Over the Rock event in 2018, there were over 200,000 people in attendance from every corner of the state. This year they will have even more aerial action in store for attendees.
There will also be performances by the F-35 Demo Team, the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue Parachute Jump Team, the F-35 Demo Team, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. The Aftershock Jet Truck, C‐130 capability demonstrations, World War II aircraft, and a STEM Fest, will also be there and so much more.
For a complete list of performances, please click here. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/thunder-over-the-rock-returns-central-arkansas/91-4e4f082a-ef36-4d8f-9230-d03065deb9e1 | 2023-06-21T23:33:47 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/thunder-over-the-rock-returns-central-arkansas/91-4e4f082a-ef36-4d8f-9230-d03065deb9e1 |
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh police chief is sharing his side of the story after a local activist was arrested at the Juneteenth parade over the weekend.
RELATED >>> Pittsburgh activist facing charges after shoving officer, yelling at Mayor Gainey during parade
Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto was seen in a video Saturday assisting officers as they took Parker into custody.
Parker has denied any wrongdoing but Scirotto says he saw Parker cross the line.
RELATED >>> Local activist arrested at parade shares his side of story, witness recalls details from the arrest
Parker claims he didn’t shove anyone and he says the chief ordered his arrest, even as he claims Mayor Gainey told people to ignore him.
Earle: He says you ordered his arrest. Did you order his arrest?
Scirotto: I did not order it. When he made ... it was very natural, when he made contact with the officer, the officer responded. When he elbowed the officer in the chest the officer responded and I assisted in taking him into custody.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh activist arrested at Juneteenth parade says video will prove his innocence
Parker, a frequent protester and critic of Mayor Gainey, claims he was rolling on his cell phone the entire time and he says the video will prove his innocence.
He’s declined to release it, saying he’s saving it for court
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PITTSBURGH — Wednesday was day two of the trial for the woman accused of killing her estranged husband and wrapping his body in plastic.
The court heard from the defense, which is claiming the woman, Janet Winbush, was acting in self-defense.
It’s a much different story than what we heard yesterday.
RELATED >>> Woman charged with killing husband, leaving body wrapped in plastic outside Pittsburgh home
If you ask Winbush’s defense team — she was acting in self-defense when she stabbed her estranged husband, Deric Davis, in 2020.
In court, her defense attorney called a psychologist who testified Winbush was in “fear for her life” when police say she killed her husband and hid his body in garbage bags for weeks.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Trial starts for woman accused of killing estranged husband, wrapping his body in plastic
The doctor testified Winbush was a victim of “battered woman syndrome” after she claimed the two of them would often physically hurt one another.
But — according to Davis’ family — he would never hurt a woman, and Winbush’s claims of self-defense are all lies.
Closing arguments will be Thursday morning, then the judge will decide the verdict.
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UNIONTOWN, Pa. — Pastor Adam Lawson tells Channel 11 News the community has been frustrated over recent violence across Uniontown.
“It’s hard to sum up in one word,” Lawson said. “I think one of the words I used last night was deterioration. And it’s rapid.”
Lawson is the pastor of Fresh Fire Church. He said when heard about the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Anthony Jones just blocks away from his church earlier this month, he was stunned.
Police say 14-year-old Antonyo Owens is the boy who pulled the trigger.
“When a 14-year-old picks up a gun and thinks that’s the solution and doesn’t realize the repercussion of that, there’s something we have to do as a community,” Lawson said.
That shooting forced a plan into action Lawson initially wanted to start last year.
He held a meeting last night at his church, where he said he brought together more than 100 community members, 30 city leaders, and state representatives.
“I really felt like, especially as a church, as a pastor, I’m not responsible just for my congregation, I’m a pastor to this city,” Lawson said. “I’m responsible for what happened. What could I have done differently? What could we do that’s more? That was really the reason, I thought, ‘we need to call all of our leaders in our community and say, ‘together we have to do more, and what is that?’’”
He said through this coalition, churches, organizations, and those who live in the city can pull their resources together and hold leaders accountable for change. They plan to hold meetings regularly.
Lawson told Channel 11′s Andrew Havranek he’s optimistic.
“I’m more hopeful than I was three weeks ago,” Lawson said. “I’m more hopeful even than I was a week ago.”
The next meeting for that coalition will be at his church next week.
If you’re interested in participating, you can head to the church’s website, https://www.freshfirechurch.net/home
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VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office has released the identity of a man who died in a house fire earlier this month.
Officials say Tacoma man Richard O’Neill Sr., 74, died in the fire that took place on Lower River Road in Vancouver on June 8.
An additional two people were brought to the hospital with serious injuries, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
The house itself was a “total loss,” CCSO said.
Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops. | https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/officials-identify-man-that-died-in-vancouver-house-fire/ | 2023-06-21T23:35:07 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/officials-identify-man-that-died-in-vancouver-house-fire/ |
ELLSWORTH -- For the last three years, the Franklin Street Parklet in Ellsworth has been a place for locals, tourists, and everyone in between to sit down and relax.
But there has been recent discussion about the barricade that surrounds the parklet.
Those who frequent the city of Ellsworth have probably spent time at the Franklin Street Parklet, located right in the middle of the downtown hub.
"It's definitely wonderful to be able to offer greenspace and a free space for people to sit and enjoy Main Street," said Sarah Bowden, the owner of Sugar Mags Central that sits directly on the corner of the parklet. "It's something that's kind of a little bit different in our town and I'm excited to kind of see it grow and see what it can become."
However, locals and visitors say the barrier that surrounds the parklet and its big road closed sign have become quite the eyesore.
There have been talks within the city to make it look better and more appealing, but city leaders say the number one concern at the moment is safety.
According to Ellsworth's Public Works Director Lisa Sekulich, "One thing that I think we all agree on is that it will maintain the safety for those, the motoring public, the people using the crosswalk that's there as well as those using the parklet itself. Where it's a temporary thing right now, whatever we do it's have to be a temporary and removable measure so that come Spring we can install it and come Fall it can be removed."
Aside from the barriers, there have also been talks about making the parklet a permanent fixture in Ellsworth.
According to Ellsworth's Economic Development Director Janna Richards, "There would definitely need to be a lot of logistics sorted out if it were to become a permanent space, but it's definitely something that's still being considered and talked about."
The addition of more umbrellas, picnic tables, and porta-potties has also been discussed.
For now, the parklet remains a safe place to sit down and enjoy the city.
According to Sarah Bowden, "I think to any small community that is trying to engage in both making sure our locals are still happy year 'round and still don't feel like they've lost their community, but still making it so that we can all enjoy the people that are coming to visit and show them the awesome treasures of our state." | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/as-the-franklin-street-parklet-grows-so-does-the-barrier-that-surrounds-it/article_36a9fed8-107f-11ee-af2e-bff66ff6a573.html | 2023-06-21T23:38:37 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/as-the-franklin-street-parklet-grows-so-does-the-barrier-that-surrounds-it/article_36a9fed8-107f-11ee-af2e-bff66ff6a573.html |
HOLLY, Mich. (WJRT) - A year ago today, a fire devastated downtown Holly.
The historic Holly Hotel and several other buildings in Battle Alley were heavily damaged. It's still not clear what caused the fire that took more than 100 firefighters from 17 different departments to put out.
Many businesses are now back up and running a year after the fire, but those hit hardest are still a long way away from recovery.
"It's kinda bittersweet," said Kate Ritter, a manager at the Holly Hotel. "Sad, you know. We were hoping to get more done at this point so just to see it still sitting here is difficult."
The Holly Hotel is a staple of the downtown area. Owners hoped to be back up and running this month, but that has been pushed back to December.
"Not too much has changed," said Ritter. "As you look around, you can kinda tell. We were expecting to open today, June 21st, a year after the fire. There's been some delays with the property line, so we have to wait for permits to come in for that."
The Holly Hotel isn't the only one still recovering from the fire. Andy's Place bar and grill is just beginning a rebuild of its own.
Downtown Development Director Nick Klempp says it's been hard for nearby businesses to survive without these icons.
"The businesses felt an impact by not having two of our largest restaurants, the hotel and Andy's Place not being open," said Klempp. "That makes an impact in the downtown."
But the community has had these businesses' backs throughout the process.
"The support that we have is amazing around here," said Ritter. "Holly is such a small town and everyone is willing. People were down here the first couple of days handing out water and asking what they can do to help or giving their condolences, and they're still very active on our Facebook page."
There's a lot of focus on the Holly Hotel and Andy's Place because they are such a big part of downtown Holly, but Klempp stressed that outside of the three businesses hit hardest by the fire the other eight have bounced back and reopened for business. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/businesses-continue-to-rebuild-1-year-after-the-downtown-holly-fire/article_a033b382-1087-11ee-a325-4b1c85530482.html | 2023-06-21T23:38:43 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/businesses-continue-to-rebuild-1-year-after-the-downtown-holly-fire/article_a033b382-1087-11ee-a325-4b1c85530482.html |
AUGUSTA -- "What we have here is something that is built together, that is crafted by Mainers. That's tailored for all of us to take care of all of us."
Maine is one step closer to having a paid family medical leave program after the Senate voted in favor of the proposal Wednesday.
"I'm feeling really, really good. This is the first time this vote has happened in the Senate, it was a strong vote. Even though it was across party lines, we had 22 democrats speaking clear for it and it just feels like the cumulation of decades worth of work and I'm just so thrilled," said Senator Mattie Daughtry, the bill's sponsor.
Should this pass, L.D. 1964 would provide employees to take up to 12 weeks of family or medical leave every year.
During that time, the weekly benefit amount an individual can receive covers 90% of their average weekly wage.
"Mainers should have access to something like this," said Senator Daughtry.
Despite passing, some legislators voiced their concerns surrounding the bill.
"If there was really an effort by the majority in the legislature to be bi-partisan, some of these things would've been addressed," said Senator Matthew Pouliot of Augusta.
"I believe the wage replacement formula is too high at the beginning of a program like this," said Senator Richard Bennett of Oxford.
Others emphasized the significance of this bill to Maine families.
"This is a vote for the investment of people, the investment in a growing workforce, and investment in families," said Senator Joe Baldacci of Bangor.
"I swear to this day that my bond with my daughter is so strong because of those initial 12 weeks," said Senator Jim Libby of Standish.
Senator Daughtry says a win is a win.
"No matter what the final tally was, the piece of legislation was built from multiple voices. It is not entirely my dream bill and that's what a compromise is. There's things I lost out on that we had to make amendments and have to find a piece of negotiation to compromise where we're at but that's what makes a really good bill," said Senator Daughtry.
Now passing the Senate, the bill is in the hands of the House, who will be voting on this as early as tomorrow. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-senate-votes-in-favor-of-paid-family-and-medical-leave-bill/article_f2fbc9ec-1087-11ee-9220-4f8582c7f5fe.html | 2023-06-21T23:38:43 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-senate-votes-in-favor-of-paid-family-and-medical-leave-bill/article_f2fbc9ec-1087-11ee-9220-4f8582c7f5fe.html |
AUBURN, Mich. (WJRT) - The Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the city's 52nd annual Cornfest has been canceled.
According to a press release from Fahey Schultz Burzych Rhodes Law Firm representing the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Auburn had to cancel the event after the group AIM failed to submit the necessary paperwork to the city for the event. AIM failed to address the City's concerns about safety, security, parking and property ownership.
The release says that the Auburn Chamber is disappointed at AIMs mismanagement.
In a statement from the chamber they said:
"The City’s concerns regarding permitting stem from a large event that AIM held on property owned jointly by the Chamber and Auburn Jaycees last year, July 29, 2022. The over 8,000 attendees caused significant safety, security, and parking issues. Further complicating approval, ownership over the property where Cornfest is held has been further complicated by a group of individuals attempting to steal the Chamber of Commerce’s interest in the property upon which Cornfest is held. Ryan Rousseau—a local DJ—filed a deed that he fraudulently signed as a President Pro-Tem of the Chamber of Commerce. The action shocked the Chamber because it did not authorize Mr. Rousseau’s action and Mr. Rousseau was without authority to transfer Chamber property. These matters have been referred to law enforcement. The deed indicates the Auburn Jaycees paid $1.00 for the parcel. The Chamber’s legal counsel has written to the President of the local chapter of Jaycees, Amanda Kernstock, as well as the Michigan Jaycees, the Jaycees have not responded with any indication that they intend to help resolve the ownership issue and transfer."
"Despite no satisfactory response from the Jaycees, locally or at the state level, to void the transfer and return the rightful property to the Chamber. The fraudulent transfer creates numerous questions about insurance, liability and oversight that must be addressed to ensure the community’s safety."
"The Chamber is working diligently with law enforcement and legal counsel to clear up the ownership issue, but it will not be resolved in time to save this year’s event. The Chamber will endeavor to bring the event back to the community next year better-than-ever." | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/city-of-auburn-cancels-this-years-cornfest/article_71c21f4c-107e-11ee-a22b-5fc8ecf2531e.html | 2023-06-21T23:38:49 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/city-of-auburn-cancels-this-years-cornfest/article_71c21f4c-107e-11ee-a22b-5fc8ecf2531e.html |
BAR HARBOR -- A number of volunteers put on their best hiking boots and hauled a mountain of dirt Wednesday, as part of an ongoing effort to rejuvenate Maine's summits and the ecosystems that thrive on them.
"Every day's a great day to be a ranger, but days like today really remind you the power of place and why we do this job," said Amanda Pollock, public affairs officer for Acadia National Park.
The "Save our Summits Hike-A-Thon" is a collaboration between the National Park Service, the Schoodic Institute, and Friends of Acadia to rehabilitate mountain ecosystems that have been trampled and destroyed over the years.
"Think about the feet that have been up here -- the Wabanaki before us and now the visitors of today. That footprint has unintended consequences -- look at the bare rock," said Friends of Acadia President Eric Stiles.
Volunteers chose the amount of soil they wanted to carry, from five pounds to 15 -- or as much as they could fit in their backpacks.
"I was inspired to do something nice for the national park," said volunteer Megan Huff.
Some volunteers who hit the trail explained why they decided to put in the work.
"It was a great restoration effort and it's going to contribute to the beautification of the parks a lot," said volunteer Ethan Lewis.
Organizers say they decided to put on the event after unsuccessful past attempts to restore mountain summits, opting to hike the soil in to encourage community involvement.
"Roping off areas doesn't work, we needed to bring soil to the summits and that's really what we're doing here today is getting soil to these remote summits. If we bring the soil, the plants will just come. They'll colonize the soil we bring up to this summit on their own," said Chris Nadeau, climate adaptation scientist for the Schoodic Institute.
Organizers say that events like these help to plan for Maine's future.
"We need everybody to help us in order to preserve these incredible places for the next generation," said Pollock. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/volunteers-hike-to-restore-mountain-summits-at-acadia-national-park/article_983af108-107e-11ee-80e7-0f0ea77d814c.html | 2023-06-21T23:38:49 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/volunteers-hike-to-restore-mountain-summits-at-acadia-national-park/article_983af108-107e-11ee-80e7-0f0ea77d814c.html |
HANOVER, Md. — One reality company is making sure the houses they sell are in good neighborhoods by giving back to the communities themselves.
Northrop Realty kicked off their CARES Campaign on Wednesday, packing food and welcome home kits with things like home essentials, cleaning products, toiletries, and snacks for the people who need them.
Northrop says it's the least they could do for the community they work in.
"We are lucky that we benefit and our clients are part of the community so this is our chance to give back to them," said CAO of Northrop Realty Jay Riley.
Northrop teamed up with United Way of Central Maryland to distribute kits. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/northrop-realty-kicks-off-cares-campaign-with-welcome-home-kits | 2023-06-21T23:39:23 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/northrop-realty-kicks-off-cares-campaign-with-welcome-home-kits |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — Baltimore County officers continue to investigate anti-Semitic incidents in Cockeysville and Parkville.
Since January, the Baltimore County Police Department has taken reports regarding literature left in neighborhoods.
In some cases, the propaganda had an anti-Semitic tone.
As detectives investigate this national trend, they are asking anyone with information to contact 410-307-2020. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-investigating-anti-semitic-literature-in-cockeysville-and-parkville | 2023-06-21T23:39:29 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-investigating-anti-semitic-literature-in-cockeysville-and-parkville |
BALTIMORE — On Wednesday, city leaders cut the ribbon to the new Solo Gibbs Park playground in the Sharp-Leadenhall community.
This is the second playground ribbon cutting under the city's Rec Rollout series.
The playground is located on West Hamburg Street.
"This upgraded play station features, playground equipment, including a new carousel spinner, a swing, and climbers,"
The project cost $285,000.
The mayor says the original playground was built in 1979, so the renovation was long overdue. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/ribbon-cutting-held-for-solo-gibbs-playground-in-sharp-leadenhall-community | 2023-06-21T23:39:35 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/ribbon-cutting-held-for-solo-gibbs-playground-in-sharp-leadenhall-community |
JACKSON — The water flowing from faucets in Mississippi's capital is safe to drink, city officials said in federal court Wednesday.
U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate ordered Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and Ted Henifin, whom Wingate appointed in November to manage the city's beleaguered water system, to appear in court because of comments Lumumba made at a June 14 news conference. Wingate was worried the mayor "may have misinformed the public" about whether Jackson's water was safe to drink, court records show.
"Not only must we address the water woes, we have to worry about instilling confidence that the water is safe to drink," Wingate said in court Wednesday.
Jackson has struggled with water problems for decades. Most of the city lost running water for several days in August and September after heavy rainfall exacerbated problems at the city's main water treatment plant.
At the June 14 news conference, Lumumba announced a new initiative to distribute free water filters, focusing on pregnant women and families with young children. In court Wednesday, Wingate said he became concerned at a meeting with Henifin after the news conference in which Henifin took issue with some of the mayor's comments. Specifically, Henifin said, the promotion of water filters might have implied that Jackson's water wasn't safe to drink without them.
"There is no health risk drinking the water that I'm aware of," Henifin said. "We really need to be careful with messaging about the water."
Henifin added that he believed all of Lumumba's comments were factual, but they might have lacked the context necessary for reassuring residents about the water's quality. Instilling confidence in Jackson's water will be harder than rebuilding the infrastructure to deliver it, Henifin said.
Lumumba stood by his comments. He pointed to guidelines on the Mississippi Department of Health's website that say any child age 5 or younger and any pregnant woman should use filtered water or bottled water for drinking and cooking. He also cited his statement at the news conference that it hadn't been "demonstrated that (Jackson's) water is dangerous."
"I'm trying to figure out how I'm both factually correct and reckless at the same time," Lumumba said. "Chokwe Lumumba believes our water is safe."
Both Lumumba and Henifin said the state health department sends precautionary notices to Jackson residents about water quality. The notices, which are required until the city makes certain infrastructure improvements, make it harder to rebuild trust in the water system, Lumumba and Henifin said.
On Oct. 31, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that testing had shown Jackson water is safe to drink.
Wingate said he was concerned an "unsophisticated" public might have misunderstood the mayor and come to believe that Jackson water wasn't safe.
Lumumba and Henifin both said repeatedly that Jackson's water complies with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Wingate also peppered Henifin with questions about the city's struggling sewer system. Wingate said he plans to put the sewer system under Henifin's control as well.
On a tour of Jackson with Henifin in March, Wingate said he observed raw sewage bubbling up from the ground, including near a facility housing senior citizens.
Henifin said the city's sewage line repair trucks were unavailable because the city had yet to pay a repair shop for servicing the vehicles, Wingate said.
Wingate said he offered to pay the bill himself.
"I'll just pay the cost and live off peanut butter and jelly sandwiches," Wingate said.
Henifin told him there were over 250 spots throughout the city where raw sewage was bubbling up through the ground.
"I don't have enough peanut butter and jelly for that," Wingate said.
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From Venezuela to the US border, 2 women share their journey
Donald Trump claims 'election interference' following court hearing | https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/arizona/2023/06/21/arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-phoenix-mayor-kate-gallego-talk-green-energy-jobs-arizona/12144202002/ | 2023-06-21T23:41:57 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/arizona/2023/06/21/arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-phoenix-mayor-kate-gallego-talk-green-energy-jobs-arizona/12144202002/ |
The Allen County Department of Health and Walgreens will provide free, confidential HIV testing Tuesday, which is National HIV Testing Day.
People will be able to get tested for HIV from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Walgreens at 110 E. Creighton Ave., which is just south of downtown Fort Wayne. No appointments are needed.
The rapid tests, which require a drop of blood from a finger-stick, show results in one minute, a news release from the Allen County Department of Health said.
Kathy Thornson, director of HIV/STD prevention at the health department, said in a statement that everyone should know their status for the virus.
“Sexually transmitted diseases can be present without symptoms,” Thornson said. “Testing is easy, and it’s an important first step to maintaining a healthy life and reducing the spread of disease.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV testing as part of routine health care screenings, but many people never get tested, the news release said.
Walgreens, Greater than AIDS, local health departments and HIV/AIDS service organizations have partnered in an ongoing effort to broaden the reach of testing and information in nontraditional settings, the news release said.
People can also get tested for HIV by making an appointment at the Allen County Department of Health annex, 4813 New Haven Ave. For more information, people can call 260-449-7504.
People can find other testing locations online by going to https://gettested.cdc.gov/ | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/allen-county-department-of-health-walgreens-to-provide-free-hiv-testing-opportunity/article_aa1a12c8-1074-11ee-a881-738d77e2d8bd.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:04 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/allen-county-department-of-health-walgreens-to-provide-free-hiv-testing-opportunity/article_aa1a12c8-1074-11ee-a881-738d77e2d8bd.html |
A Fort Wayne man is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison after he was sentenced on drug charges on Wednesday.
Steven Hecke, 47, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Holly Brady after he was previously found guilty during a five-day trial about a year ago.
The jury found Hecke guilty on all counts, which included distributing methamphetamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession firearms as a convicted felon, the news release said.
Hecke was sentenced to life plus 25 years. The sentence was enhanced because he was previously convicted of a serious drug felony and armed drug trafficking in a 2007 federal case.
U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson said the evidence showed that Hecke was a cartel-connected drug trafficker who sold massive amounts of illegal drugs in northern Indiana and elsewhere.
“This prosecution shows that my office will spare no effort to bring drug dealers to justice,” Johnson said in a statement. “Let Mr. Hecke’s life sentence plus 25 years warn those engaged in illegal drug trafficking that when justice is served, the consequences are rightfully harsh.”
Hecke was distributing “massive” quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in both powder and pill form, along with other drugs, according to court documents. Agents and officers pursued charges after several controlled purchases of methamphetamine from the defendant.
Hecke was arrested when he returned to his Fort Wayne home with a drug shipment from Chicago in January 2020. The shipment contained about 19 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
At Hecke’s residence and at a separate stash house, officers recovered more methamphetamine, fentanyl powder and pills, other drugs, ammunition and high-capacity magazines, body armor and nine firearms. The investigation showed that Hecke had received multiple prior drug shipments and was working closely with the Sinaloa Cartel by supplying them with vehicles, ATVs, generators, firearms, and other merchandise.
“Hecke demonstrated a significant potential for violence and danger to the community in several ways: by protecting his drug houses with multiple firearms, making threats of violence against others to collect drug debts and to protect his drug operation, and invoking cartel members as intimidation and as a means of enforcing his threats,” the news release said.
Alfred Cooke, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Merrillville office, said Hecke’s case is the type that the agency is focused on disrupting and dismantling because of dangerous drug cartel connections.
“Through his violent, drug related crimes, Mr. Hecke caused great harm and damage to northern Indiana, but thanks to a collaborative law enforcement effort, he is no longer a threat to Hoosiers,” Cooke said in a statement. “DEA will continue to strive for a safer and healthier northern Indiana and America.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-sentenced-to-life-plus-25-years-for-drug-charges/article_c066d8d0-1084-11ee-b857-03332e376af8.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:10 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-sentenced-to-life-plus-25-years-for-drug-charges/article_c066d8d0-1084-11ee-b857-03332e376af8.html |
A mother Wednesday told the jury charged with determining the guilt or innocence of the man accused of killing her son that she has only four children now.
Kimberly Cutler used to have five children before her son, 27-year-old Dequavius Tyler, was gunned down last June. Prosecutors said they believe Issac Martin is the man who fired the shots that killed Tyler.
Martin, 30, is charged with murder, criminal recklessness and a sentencing enhancement for using a gun. He faces up to more than 80 years in prison if found guilty.
Martin was charged in October and soon after requested an early trial that began Wednesday. The jury is expected to make a decision Friday.
His charges stem from June 12, 2022, when police received multiple calls for shots fired in the 5000 block of Oliver Street shortly after 5 a.m. That’s where they found Tyler, who died within hours of the shooting. He suffered from multiple gunshot wounds and was surrounded by about 20 shell casings, according to court documents.
Police found Martin not long after, and he was arrested and charged with resisting law enforcement after a car chase.
Officers listened to phone calls between Martin and a woman, who was later charged with assisting a criminal, while he was in jail. They discussed what sounded to investigators like the pair were trying to find and conceal a gun used in the shooting, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Fort Wayne Detective Aaron Johnson.
The woman, who was given a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against Martin, told police that he told her where to find the gun and she later gave it to someone to dispose of, said Tesa Helge, chief counsel of the Aleen County Prosecutor’s Office. The suspected murder weapon hasn’t been recovered.
Helge told jurors during opening statements that a “silly” fist fight was the starting point for the early morning shooting. Helge said she and co-counsel Allen County Deputy Prosecutor Tasha Lee will use testimony and crime scene evidence to convince the jurors that Martin killed Tyler.
Jamie Egolf and Tyree Barfield, Martin’s defense attorneys, agreed the shooting was set off by a fight and ended in what Elgolf described as a “absolute nightmare,” but they disagreed with the prosecution on the circumstances. Egolf said Tyler walked away from the fight and returned with a gun, which was later found near him as he died.
“Evidence will show you Dequavius Tyler brought a gun to a fist fight,” Egolf said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jury-hears-from-mother-of-victim-in-murder-trial/article_d39478e4-1058-11ee-a8ff-db3000903674.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:16 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jury-hears-from-mother-of-victim-in-murder-trial/article_d39478e4-1058-11ee-a8ff-db3000903674.html |
Former Vice President Mike Pence told more than 50 people at the Allen County Republican Headquarters today what he thinks makes him stand out as a 2024 candidate for president.
“I believe the Republican Party needs new leadership, and I think the country needs new leadership,” Pence said.
If elected president, Pence is going to take Hoosier values back to the White House, he said. He touted his history and experience as a champion of true conservative values – from Congressional Representative of the 2nd District from 2001 to 2013 to Indiana governor from 2013 to 2017 to his four years as vice-president under President Donald Trump.
Pence spoke about why he is running for president and what he hopes to bring to the office. He traveled to Fort Wayne for dinner with friends. He contacted Allen County Republican Chair Steve Shine about visiting the headquarters at 135 S. Main St. during his trip.
“I cannot come to Allen County without the opportunity to thank everybody for all their support,” he said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/mike-pence-stops-in-fort-wayne-to-meet-with-local-republicans/article_2fe279a2-107c-11ee-93d7-338dedfeb1cd.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:22 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/mike-pence-stops-in-fort-wayne-to-meet-with-local-republicans/article_2fe279a2-107c-11ee-93d7-338dedfeb1cd.html |
Fort Wayne Trails has hired a new development director as the nonprofit continues fundraising to further extend paths for outdoor enthusiasts.
William C. Andreas, a Columbia City native, is part of a team of three full-time and two part-time employees.
Fort Wayne Trails Executive Director Megan McClellan said Wednesday that Andreas replaces someone who left the organization to become a grant writer for another local nonprofit.
Andreas, currently completing his doctorate of not-for-profit management at Liberty University, has a history of leadership.
He was executive director of the Parkview Whitley Foundation, vice president of Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indiana, and director of development of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam in Charleston, West Virginia.
“The board, staff and I are excited to have William join the team. His energy and new ideas are sure to increase donations and strengthen our partnerships,” McClellan said in a statement.
The city of Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Trails have identified four priority corridor trail sections, one in each quadrant of Fort Wayne. Separately, the projects are only about six miles long, but once completed, will connect more than 27 miles of trail corridors “and make some of the most important connections our trail network has seen,” the Fort Wayne Trails website says.
The city is contributing nearly $8 million toward the four projects and recently received a nearly $2.7 million grant from the Next Level Trails program through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
To close the funding gap, Fort Wayne Trails has been trying to raise an additional $1 million in donations.
As of March, nearly $659,280 had been raised from community members and foundations, according to the website. McCllellan said Wednesday that number was at $659,606.08.
“The sooner the money is raised, the sooner construction can begin,” she said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/new-development-director-joins-fort-wayne-trails/article_b8ec4788-107b-11ee-8e8a-436eab45c656.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:29 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/new-development-director-joins-fort-wayne-trails/article_b8ec4788-107b-11ee-8e8a-436eab45c656.html |
Fort Wayne/Allen County
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For the sixth year, NIPSCO is accepting applications for a grant to support local nonprofit organizations and first responders who provide public safety education and training across northern Indiana.
Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 are available. Applications are being accepted now through Aug. 4; grant awards will be announced the week of Aug. 21.
Last year, several projects were initiated with the grants. They included Cass County Emergency Management Agency conducting a public safety training program for volunteer instructors to increase capacity of individual departments offering their own trainings. And in Steuben Township, the Volunteer Fire Department purchased materials to enhance its Fire Prevention Education program.
Organizations with a mission to support public safety education and training are invited to submit a grant request through NIPSCO’s online request site at NIPSCO.com/SafetyGrant.
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Wedneday’s first day of summer marked the opening of teds Snack+Bar, the restaurant facility at Promenade Park.
Owner of teds Beerhall Brian Hench, manager of teds Snack+Bar Jacob Franklin and Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation officials invited the public to tour the newly remodeled space in the park venue at 202 W. Superior St., along the river.
Regular business hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.
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Aerial treatments to slow the spread of spongy moth, formerly called gypsy moth, have been completed, the state said Wednesday.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ divisions of Forestry and Entomology & Plant Pathology completed the work Tuesday.
Spongy moth is considered one of North America’s most devastating invasive forest pests and has caused thousands of acres of defoliation across the eastern U.S. Treatments for this destructive pest were conducted in Fulton, Kosciusko, LaPorte, and Marshall counties, a Wednesday news release said.
The treatments used a mating-disruption process that consists of using an organic product made with food-grade materials that does not affect people, animals, plants, or any insects other than spongy moth. The droplets have pheromone that disrupts the insect’s mating cycle.
The DNR said it would return to northern and, if needed, sections of central or southern Indiana next spring and summer to continue the battle to slow the spread of this insect. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/nipsco-seeks-grant-applications-for-public-safety-education-and-responder-trainin/article_65febafc-1061-11ee-ac27-6765cfe5a05c.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:35 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/nipsco-seeks-grant-applications-for-public-safety-education-and-responder-trainin/article_65febafc-1061-11ee-ac27-6765cfe5a05c.html |
An Illinois truck driver died Wednesday in a two-truck crash on the Indiana Toll Road in LaGrange County, state police said.
State police were called to the westbound 120.5-mile marker near the Howe exit about 7 a.m. and found one semi had crashed into the rear end of another, state police at Fort Wayne said in a statement.
According to the preliminary police investigation, a truck driven by Jawad Ahmed, 51, of New York was traveling west in the right lane well below the minimum speed limit.
A truck driven by Luka Cuk, 29, of Illinois was also traveling west in the right lane and took evasive action to avoid the collision, state police said, but struck the rear of Ahmed's semi.
Cuk, who was initially trapped inside the wreckage, was pronounced dead at the scene. Ahmed was taken to Parkview LaGrange Hospital in LaGrange with non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway was shut down for more than three hours during the police investigation and cleanup. The crash remains under investigation. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/1-dead-1-hurt-in-morning-toll-road-crash/article_2ffc9e36-1077-11ee-8c0b-83c40e4fec29.html | 2023-06-21T23:42:38 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/1-dead-1-hurt-in-morning-toll-road-crash/article_2ffc9e36-1077-11ee-8c0b-83c40e4fec29.html |
The Vintage Motor Car Club of America's annual Swap Meet and Car Show showcased hundreds of antique cars — including a 1909 Ford Model T (left) and 1928 Ford Model A Tudor (center).
The Vintage Motor Car Club of America’s East Idaho chapter held its 44th annual Swap Meet and Car Show over Father’s Day weekend at Tautphaus Park.
“Everybody likes the street cars and motorcycles and things that move,” said Joy Eagle, the club’s secretary and treasurer.
More than 200 vintage cars were on display at the event — ranging from a 1909 Model T to a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air sport sedan.
The show is free for people to both show and see the cars, Eagle said.
“I’m a Model A fan, but you know, everybody has their own kind,” said Dawn Schwartzenberger, an organizer of the event. “I like the Thunderbirds. I like the Mustangs — it depends on what year you were raised.”
Eagle’s husband, Rich, has built and restored a 1920 Model T Speedster and a 1909 Model T.
For the 1909 Model T rebuild, Rich Eagle started with one part, a brass handle.
“The next year we were on tour with the car. … He assembled the parts. He built the (wood) body,” Joy Eagle said. “You’ll see that. All the people, you know, they do work themselves, and they figure out how to do it."
She said that the process does not need to break people's budgets.
"People always go, well, is it a super expensive hobby?" Joy Eagle said. "They always think it will be, (but) he paints in the backyard. He builds parts he doesn’t have. You know, you can do it economically.”
Vendors came from Montana, Wyoming, Utah and across the Pacific Northwest for the event. They showcased wares ranging from automobile parts to die cast collectible cars.
“All the vendors have different things,” Schwartzenberger said. “They have ’50s stuff, ’70s stuff, Dodge stuff, Studebaker stuff, Model T stuff (and) Model A stuff.”
The club has been organized in eastern Idaho for about 60 years. Anybody is welcome to join. Cars need to be 25 years or older to be considered vintage.
The club meets the first Thursday of every month (except December) at the Idaho Falls Activity Center on 1575 N. Skyline Drive from 7 to 9 p.m. The organization has 55 members, most of whom are couples.
"Like any other hobby, we are aging up and out," Joy Eagle said. "We are getting more younger members, but we got to start reaching that next generation. There isn't a time that we go out in the 1909, that some young kid in a rice burner goes, 'All right!!' and waving all over the place."
She said the next generation of car enthusiasts are fixing up their own '70s and '80s cars.
"We're trying to figure out that next step of figuring out how to take kids that already like to do cars into the older cars, because it is history," she said.
Club members go on car trips together and participate in other car shows throughout the year.
Twice a year, in the spring and fall, club members clean up Market Lake as a service project to give back to the community.
The car show also included a raffle to fund scholarships at College of Eastern Idaho and Idaho State University in automotive and diesel mechanics.
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Tell us your personal accounts and the history behind articles. | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/hot-rods-and-model-ts-vintage-car-show-returns-to-tautphaus/article_f1c49b92-107f-11ee-acaf-c7a161010ed0.html | 2023-06-21T23:49:57 | 0 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/hot-rods-and-model-ts-vintage-car-show-returns-to-tautphaus/article_f1c49b92-107f-11ee-acaf-c7a161010ed0.html |
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Cape May County will hold a virtual public information session on Ørsted's offshore wind projects from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, county Commissioner Director Leonard C. Desiderio and special counsel to Cape May County Michael J. Donohue will host the session.
County officials say the session will cover the potential negative impacts of Ørsted's Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 offshore wind farms, which are in varying stages of permitting and development off the coast.
Ocean Wind 1 plans to construct close to 100 turbines roughly 15 miles out to sea.
The county has dedicated a great deal of time and resources to fighting plans for offshore wind, saying it will affect residents and visitors' ocean views, harm the local commercial fishing industry and connecting it to dozens of marine mammal deaths that took place this past winter into spring.
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CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — The Cape May County Board of Commissioners this week approved hiring …
Federal officials say there is no connection between work being done offshore in preparation for wind projects and the marine mammal deaths.
Nevertheless, the county has recently retained several lawyers to fight different aspects of the battle against offshore wind. Little information has been released about how much those efforts will cost. A county spokesperson has said the county will be “billed as needed."
Donohue has been leading the county’s efforts connected to offshore wind since 2020. He’s a former Superior Court judge and the leader of the county’s Republican organization.
The session can be viewed at capewindinfo.com. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-may-county-to-hold-info-session-on-offshore-wind-projects/article_e330eada-106c-11ee-bbeb-3b0b0a22b69a.html | 2023-06-21T23:52:38 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-may-county-to-hold-info-session-on-offshore-wind-projects/article_e330eada-106c-11ee-bbeb-3b0b0a22b69a.html |
Two local officials on Wednesday announced their intentions for the upcoming election.
In Boise, City Councilmember Patrick Bageant decided to step down at the end of his term, after welcoming a daughter in May, according to a news release.
Two local officials on Wednesday announced their intentions for the upcoming election.
In Boise, City Councilmember Patrick Bageant decided to step down at the end of his term, after welcoming a daughter in May, according to a news release.
“This has been a difficult, even painful decision for us to make,” Bageant said in reference to himself and his wife, who is an active-duty officer in the Army. “But for the next couple years my family is first."
Bageant highlighted the zoning code rewrite, Micron’s investment in a Boise plant and Boise’s water renewal projects as “important landmarks of the last four years.”
Bageant has served since he was elected in 2019.
In Meridian, City Councilmember Brad Hoaglun said he will run for reelection in District 2.
“One thing I learned from my time on city council is that you not only have to deal with issues that are immediately in front of you, but you also have to prepare long-term. Planning is very important for the mayor and city council, and I look forward to talking with voters about Meridian’s future as I campaign in the coming months,” Hoaglun said in a news release.
Hoaglun said big issues for him include providing city services while keeping property taxes in check, as well as affordable housing and road expansions.
Hoaglun will be running against fellow Meridian City Councilmember Liz Strader.
He was first appointed to the council in 2008 and won re-election in 2009. He was re-elected in 2019 after not running in 2013.
If Bageant had run for Boise City Council, he would have run in District 6, facing off against current city councilmember Jimmy Hallyburton. In May, Bageant donated $1,000 to Hallyburton's campaign.
He has also donated to campaigns of Councilmember Luci Willits, Councilmember Colin Nash and Mayor Lauren McLean this year.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-meridian-city-councilmembers-announce-election-intentions/article_39bca7c8-1076-11ee-8338-e7ade1ed1754.html | 2023-06-21T23:56:35 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-meridian-city-councilmembers-announce-election-intentions/article_39bca7c8-1076-11ee-8338-e7ade1ed1754.html |
BOISE — After 18 years representing the Boise Bench, Rep. Sue Chew will retire from the Legislature at the end of her term. She is the longest-serving Democrat in the Idaho Legislature.
Chew is in her eighth term as a District 17 representative and said she felt ready to step down when the right person was ready to step up to run for her seat; that person, she decided, is Natalie MacLachlan. Chew announced her retirement and her endorsement of MacLachlan at an event at Cassia Park on Wednesday afternoon.
“I think that for quite a while I’d been looking to try and give an opportunity for someone that we need that has a lot of energy and passion, that cares, and for Natalie to want to come back home to District 17 and (is) ready to go right now, I think it’s perfect timing,” Chew said.
She said if she didn’t feel the right person was ready to step in, she would’ve stayed for another term.
Chew said she met MacLachlan through work with the Idaho Education Association and her political involvement; in 2022, MacLachlan ran unsuccessfully against long-time incumbent District 22 Rep. John Vander Woude, R-Nampa.
MacLachlan said she’d been looking to upgrade her home and moved into a new residence in District 17 this spring. She said when it became known she was moving districts, she was encouraged to talk to Chew.
“When Sue found out it was (District) 17, we figured we better have a conversation and she said she was eager to retire knowing she had a person she could endorse that would be a hard worker and share her values,” MacLachlan said.
Chew said she and MacLachlan share priorities such as access to health care and strong support for education. MacLachlan is a middle school teacher in the West Ada School District.
Chew was joined at her announcement by fellow District 17 Rep. John Gannon and House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise.
“She has taught me so much,” Rubel said of Chew on Wednesday. “She has been such a fearless voice both inside and outside of the Legislature.”
Chew is a licensed pharmacist with a bachelor’s degree in biology of natural resources and a doctorate in pharmacy. During her tenure she’s been recognized with the Women Making History Award in 2003, the Cultural Service Award in 2006, Outstanding Legislative Advocacy Achievement Award in 2013, Idaho Democratic Party Legislator of the Year in 2014, Idaho Health Care Champion in 2019, and other awards.
The minority leader highlighted Chew’s votes that helped advance bills that provided dental coverage of Idaho’s Medicaid or created the state’s health care exchange.
Rubel also echoed Chew’s endorsement of MacLachlan as Chew’s replacement.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to rise to this challenge and to try to fill these shoes,” Rubel said.
Chew will serve the remainder of her current term and MacLachlan will run for her seat in the November 2024 election. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/longtime-boise-bench-legislator-announces-retirement-endorses-replacement/article_36762dbe-1085-11ee-ae4d-83bbd9563923.html | 2023-06-21T23:56:41 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/longtime-boise-bench-legislator-announces-retirement-endorses-replacement/article_36762dbe-1085-11ee-ae4d-83bbd9563923.html |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The arts community continues to expand in Orange County.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The county commission just approved more than $1 million to upgrade arts and cultural facilities in the area.
READ: New exhibit honoring Jewish athletes who pioneered modern soccer coming to Holocaust Center
While the four projects receiving the latest funding area are in Orlando, and the director of the arts and culture facilities said he knows most of the arts are centered in Orlando, they want to serve all communities.
The county commission recently approved more than $1.5 million to go toward upgrading culture facilities, funding that comes from tourist development tax dollars.
See more in the video above.
READ: To be, or not to be: Orlando Shakes searching for new managing director
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/15m-approved-upgrade-arts-cultural-facilities-orange-county/35IAOOTOM5HU3I7EAOLCCZFLZM/ | 2023-06-22T00:00:40 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/15m-approved-upgrade-arts-cultural-facilities-orange-county/35IAOOTOM5HU3I7EAOLCCZFLZM/ |
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — A coastal county that has been battered time and time again is getting millions of dollars in help, and millions more dollars are going to Flagler County for a major dune restoration project.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The funding, combined with state money granted to the county are Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, gives the area more than $40 million to work with.
Waves from recent storms created even more erosion issues. The county is planning to start a major dredging project, but people who live here worry it won’t be enough.
READ: 30-foot hole opens up in front of Ocala home, residents evacuated
Flagler County finally started to place sand on its beaches in January after spending years to secure the funding. However, much of it was taken right back to the ocean where a round of storms came through in the spring.
“We had three 100-year flood events in the past six years,” Beverly Beach resident and town clerk Jim Ardell said.
The dredging project will start just north of Flagler Beach and extend nearly 12 miles to the St. John’s County line.
READ: Happening today: Marion County to distribute sandbags to help with flooding issues
County officials estimate while they have $40 to work with, it’s estimated millions more is still needed.
The dredging project will start in 2025. It will take that long for the county to secure the proper permits and funding.
READ: Cloud surfing: Wave-live clouds spotted in Space Coast skies
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/flagler-county-receive-millions-funds-dune-restoration-project/KYDPWYJQGFEKFPSTHFHHHJEFXY/ | 2023-06-22T00:00:46 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/flagler-county-receive-millions-funds-dune-restoration-project/KYDPWYJQGFEKFPSTHFHHHJEFXY/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. — A local group is coming together to help Central Florida’s immigrant community better understand and prepare for Florida’s new immigration law.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Governor Ron DeSantis called Senate Bill 1718 the strongest anti-illegal immigrant legislation in the country.
When the bill passed, many undocumented people spoke out about their fears and how they would face uncertainty.
The non-profit Mi Familia Vota is helping cross the language barrier for those who need it and trying to vote for policies against initiatives like the bill.
Read: Immigrants, supporters skip work to protest Florida immigration law
Yesica Ramirez said that by working with the farmworker’s association and being an immigrant herself, she believes the impacts of SB 1718 will be terrible for some people.
Ramirez said that even though the law does not take effect until July 1, people are already scared, nervous and anxious.
Puerto Rican businesses and leaders are teaming up to help those who are undocumented.
Read: New Florida immigration law may hurt state’s construction industry
Mi Familia Vota’s goal is to mobilize the Puerto Rican vote in the area and clear up misinformation from the recent bill.
“They have a reason to be fearful, but they are also saying a lot of things that aren’t based on fact,” said Suhan Rosario of Mi Familia Vota.
SB 1718 cracks down on businesses that hire undocumented workers and requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask about a person’s immigration status.
Read: Central Florida immigrant community members say they fear impact of new immigration law
“I read somewhere that the government can go into your bank account and take your money -- that’s not how it works,” Rosario said.
There’s also confusion over who gets hit with a felony for driving with an undocumented person, but you are only penalized if you drive them into the state as a human smuggling charge.
Ramirez said another common misconception is that undocumented people won’t be able to call the police for a crime without risking deportation.
Read: Organizations gather in Sanford to rally against immigration legislation in Florida
The groups hope to fight the law by clarifying and fighting from the voting booth.
“We are present,” Rosario said. “And we’re not leaving our fellow Latinos behind.”
The group had its first meeting this week and will begin reaching out to lawmakers next month to see how they can get them involved.
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/local-puerto-rican-organization-helps-undocumented-people-ahead-new-immigration-law/IRTH7K5LFZHW5LV7NODDND64F4/ | 2023-06-22T00:00:52 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/local-puerto-rican-organization-helps-undocumented-people-ahead-new-immigration-law/IRTH7K5LFZHW5LV7NODDND64F4/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Experts say many people are grappling with a trifecta of debt burdens. This includes higher outstanding balances, record-high interest rates and more people in credit card debt overall.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
A new nationwide CreditCards.com report ranks which states have the highest and lowest credit card debt balances. It shows Mississippi has the highest credit card debt burden and Massachusetts has the lowest.
Researchers factored in average monthly and annual income levels for each state. They also determined how long it may take to pay off debt if you spent about five percent of your monthly income for those expenses. In some states, it would take about a year to pay off debt, while in others you may be paying back debt for almost two years.
WATCH: Here are the ways consumers can keep track of credit card rewards
Financial analysts say this is important to know because carrying credit card debt month-to-month is more expensive now than ever. That’s because interest rates are at an all-time high of more than 20% some new cards.
According to the report, you may be paying hundreds, even thousands of dollars more because of additional interest fees.
“Your credit card rate is probably three, four or five times higher than you’re paying on a mortgage or car loan or student loan, Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at CreditCards.com. “So, it’s really important to come up with a good plan.”
Rossman recommends consolidating your debt onto a balance transfer card to help bring down these expenses.
Read: FTC claims Orlando business bilked consumers out of tens of millions of dollars
“Cards, like the Wells Fargo Reflect, the Citi Simplicity and the Bank Americard have these offers where you where you move your existing high-cost debt and they’ll give you a 0% promotional rate for up to 21 months,” he said. “So, if you’re disciplined about paying that back, that could save you a ton of money in interest.”
If you don’t have a good credit score, experts say some nonprofit credit counseling agencies can help negotiate lower rates.
Click here for more information.
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/new-analysis-highlights-impact-record-high-credit-card-interest-rates-debt-burdens/TVHMUIR4RZBRDABWVECNIPJ5UA/ | 2023-06-22T00:00:58 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/new-analysis-highlights-impact-record-high-credit-card-interest-rates-debt-burdens/TVHMUIR4RZBRDABWVECNIPJ5UA/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Proposal to add street lights, toughen prosecutions for gun crimes and hold more public meetings are among the dozens of proposals Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force members sent commissioners with a single, unanimous vote Wednesday.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The task force was reconvened after a years-long hiatus following the Pine Hills mass shooting, which claimed the lives of three people, including a nine year old and a TV reporter in February.
READ: 30-foot hole opens up in front of Ocala home, residents evacuated
“Now seeing that they’re actually taking note of it and saying, ‘Hey, let’s move forward with this. Let’s put these programs in place. Let’s change the city.’ I’m real hopeful for the future,” longtime community activist and Task Force Member Miles Mulrain said.
However, none of the proposals touched gun access, which was the most requested action by community members in a survey released in May. That’s because the state pre-empts the county, and Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature has spent the past year rolling back gun safety measures.
The proposals that did make it through weren’t groundbreaking, and many of them weren’t new. However, task force members hope the county will fund some of the projects more than it did in past years.
READ: Man, 87, pays $500 a month to carry on feeding 2 dozen feral cats after wife’s death
“That is part of an ongoing discussion,” Mayor Jerry Demings said. “Going forward, yes, some organizations want more money, but the question is -- if they’ve already engaged -- have they used the money in the most appropriate way?”
County staff members expect the proposals to be discussed in July or August.
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/safety-task-force-members-send-dozens-proposals-orange-county-commissioners/7UO44SKWPFBP7J6444PLY3ALOQ/ | 2023-06-22T00:01:04 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/safety-task-force-members-send-dozens-proposals-orange-county-commissioners/7UO44SKWPFBP7J6444PLY3ALOQ/ |
HONESDALE, Pa. — The sounds of summer fill the air. Kids splashing and jumping into the Honesdale Borough Pool.
The kids say they look forward to spending their days here.
Violet Bogar of Forest City says, "Sometimes we think we get bored of it but we still love it."
"You're allowed to do front flips underneath the water. That's the best part," Avrianna O'Malley of Honesdale tells Newswatch 16.
Most of these kids are part of the Wayne County YMCA Day Camp.
Joshua Hoch is the Camp Director and says the partnership between the Y and Honesdale Borough gives these kids a proper summertime activity.
"We're here every day. We try to stay cool in the water. sometimes we're at the river but most of the time we try to stay here at the pool and the kids love it," says Hoch.
Last year, Honesdale borough officials had concerns about whether they would have enough lifeguards to cover all shifts, so they raised the hourly wage for lifeguards and gave a sign-on bonus.
"A lot of our guards did a really great job of recruiting so we have about 8 or 9 guards this year and still have some people calling and asking if we have positions available, which we do," says Honesdale Borough Pool Manager, Dana Pratt.
Pool manager Dana Pratt says having enough lifeguards has allowed them to provide the community with a consistent schedule for when the pool is open. They've also brought back swimming lessons in the morning--something that hasn't been done in several years.
"We've been able to open longer hours this summer which compared to last year we had shorter hours. Every year we're able to provide more and more to the community."
The Honesdale Borough Pool is open daily and is free for borough residents. There is also a Community Day planned for this Saturday at the pool, weather permitting. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/first-day-of-summer-swimming-in-honesdale/523-f2f0660c-3035-4fc9-b606-95de9f016470 | 2023-06-22T00:01:13 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/first-day-of-summer-swimming-in-honesdale/523-f2f0660c-3035-4fc9-b606-95de9f016470 |
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — 63-year-old Timothy Senior was installed as the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg in a traditional mass Wednesday afternoon at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the capital city.
Senior comes to Central PA from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where he served as auxiliary bishop.
Bishop Senior was welcomed by the man he was replacing; retiring Bishop Ronald Gainer.
"We thank God, who unceasingly keeps his enduring promise to provide shepherds for the church shepherds after his own heart," said Most Rev. Ronald Gainer.
In his first homily to his new diocese, Bishop Senior thanked the priests and deacons for their service to the church. Telling those in the congregation that he has much to learn from them.
And he certainly did not shy away from the controversies that have enveloped the catholic church in recent years.
"And though these have been difficult years for those who serve in the church, and in some ways for all Catholics, it is imperative that we also call to mind the painful experience of those who are survivors of sexual abuse. I stand ready to do my part," said Senior.
Here in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, the Harrisburg Diocese serves Roman Catholics in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union, and Snyder Counties. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/new-bishop-installed-in-harrisburg/523-040f065c-c38f-4b3c-bbe0-24f271608e00 | 2023-06-22T00:01:19 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/new-bishop-installed-in-harrisburg/523-040f065c-c38f-4b3c-bbe0-24f271608e00 |
Wyoming is aging at a faster rate than the U.S., a new analysis shows, raising questions about how the state’s health and elderly care systems will accommodate the growing number of older Wyomingites.
The aging of baby boomers is largely responsible for the growth in Wyoming’s 65 and over population, according to the June analysis by the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. Younger workers have left the state while Wyoming’s fertility rate has dropped. Both also contributed to the state outpacing the rest of the country with its aging population, said Wenlin Liu, the chief economist for the Department of Administration and Information’s Economic Analysis Division.
From 2010 to 2020, Wyoming’s 65 and older population grew by more than 45%, while the state’s median age increased by nearly two years. From 2020 to 2021 alone, the state’s 65 and over population grew at a rate more than 10 times the general population, according to another analysis published by the Department of Administration and Information in July of last year.
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At the same time that baby boomers aged, the state’s lost residents between the ages of 18 to 44, due in large part to the slowing of the energy industry in the latter half of the decade. Wyoming’s 45 to 64-year-old population declined by almost 10% over the decade, according recently released U.S. Census Bureau data showed.
While the issue of aging baby boomers is a national conundrum, Wyoming has a significant gap between the baby boomers and the next generation, Generation X, Liu said. Wyoming has one of the highest proportions of a baby boomers in the country and one of the lowest of Generation X, the July 2022 analysis concluded.
“Wyoming doesn’t have enough population to immediately replace these baby boomers [who] are retiring right now,” Liu said.
The trend of an aging Wyoming will continue through the next several years as baby boomers grow older. Until 2030, Wyoming’s 65 and over population will continue to increase, Liu said.
“Right now, the proportion of 65 and over in Wyoming is about 17.7% and it’s going to be over 20% by 2030,” he said. “That means by then 1 out of 5 people will be 65 and over.”
By 2030, Wyoming will have some 135,000 elderly people.
Rising costs
Wyoming’s aging population is a growing worry for the state’s health and elderly care systems, including those who operate the state’s nursing and long-term care homes. It’s also a significant concern for AARP Wyoming, which advocates for the state’s seniors.
Wyoming’s aging population is not new, but discussion of the subject has been muted in part because it’s difficult to acknowledge the consequences and challenges of growing older, said Tom Lacock, AARP Wyoming’s associate state director for state advocacy and communications.
To Lacock, the demographic trend that’s equally important to the growing number of elderly people is the migration of younger people out of the state. Fewer young people means fewer family caregivers, an essential support for the elderly and aging. Earlier this year AARP Wyoming and the national organization released a report estimating the state has roughly 58,000 family caregivers that contribute $910 million in unpaid care each year.
“The family caregiver is really sort of that hidden hero, the person who's taking care of a loved one, not getting paid for it and also keeping them out of the state's general fund system in terms of health care costs,” Lacock said.
As baby boomers grow older, the state and Wyoming communities will have to contend with two basic challenges. The first is ensuring that they meet the care needs of another roughly 30,000 people, everything from transportation and medical care to help preparing meals, a not insignificant task given Wyoming’s rural geography and the post-pandemic workforce challenges that already exist. Lacock puts the second succinctly:
“There's going to be a big spend.”
Simply put, more elderly means more costs for both the state and the federal government. Medicaid is the joint state-federal public insurance program that covers nursing homes and long-term care. Projections from the Wyoming Department of Health estimate that by 2030 annual costs for Medicaid long-term care alone will increase by more than $50 million in Wyoming, with annual costs totaling nearly $190 million, according to June presentation at the Laramie County Aging Issues Summit.
Wyoming has a number of other social programs to support the elderly, including meal delivery and home services, some of which are largely funded by the state. In previous years, economic downturn has forced the state to make wide cuts, putting some programs for seniors like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, on the chopping block. Others like state block grants for senior centers and the Wyoming Home Services Program run by the Department of Health are also often among those eyed for cuts, Lacock said.
Yet, those same programs that the Legislature has debated funding are also what keep costs down, a problem that will only be magnified as Wyoming’s aging population grows and requires more money. The majority of funding in-home services, for example, comes from the state’s general fund.
“What you're trying to do is you're trying to slow people to descend into that nursing home level of care need,” Lacock said.
The roughly $3.8 million annual budget for at-home services may seem inconsequential, but the cost of a nursing home care for one person is about $2,750 more per month than at-home care, a gap that’s forecasted to only widen over the next decade and a half, according to the Department of Health.
As the Wyomingites grow older, the state and its communities will have to come up with creative ways to both fund senior programs and ensure that the elderly get the services they need, Lacock said.
“We're getting older, we're getting sicker, there's a lot more people,” he said. “It's going to have a lot higher cost to the state, so we have to figure out what we can do about it.”
Strained systems and looming questions
For Wyoming’s health and long-term care systems, Wyoming’s aging will bring one immediate change.
A growing elderly population will mean that public insurance programs increasingly reimburse medical facilities for care, a significant development since public health insurance like Medicare typically pays less than private insurance.
Amid rising costs, funding is a concern for long-term facilities and nursing homes, said Eric Boley, the president of the Wyoming Hospital Association and Leading Age Wyoming, a coalition of long-term care and assisted living providers. Medicaid reimbursement rates have either been frozen or declined over the last decade and Wyoming hospitals that operate nursing homes have largely been subsidizing them to keep them afloat, though additional state funding will kick in in July easing the burden for now.
But one worry rises above the rest for Boley and the state’s long-term care facilities – the work force.
“The major concern is our aging population is outpacing the workforce,” Boley said. “There are concerns about how we're going to have enough staff to take care of them.”
Like much of Wyoming’s health care system, the state’s assisted living facilities and nursing homes are struggling to find the staff they need to meet the demand. Fewer and fewer people are interested in what can sometimes be the difficult task of caring for the old for relatively low pay. At present, long-term care facilities could accommodate more elderly Wyomingites – the beds are open – but they can’t find the people that they need to cover them all, a problem that could be worsened by proposed federal rules that would lower the staffing ratios facilities must meet to operate, Boley said.
“It's tough work,” he said. “We're seeing folks that could potentially become certified nursing assistants and then move on to become nurses entering other industries because the work’s not as taxing and as hard.”
While Boley, Gov. Mark Gordon’s Health Task Force and the state have been working on ways to bolster the long-term care work force they have found few clear solutions. Some initiatives like developing new nurse training programs are in progress but they will not immediately bridge the gap in workers that long-term care facilities need as Wyoming grows older.
“The pressures and the problems that we're seeing in healthcare, it's spread all the way across the country,” Boley said. “But when we talk especially about long-term care and aging populations, it's going to be worse in our state just because our population is going to be older than many.”
Boley thinks that the state needs to consider bringing in foreign workers on visas to meet the demand that Wyoming’s aging population is already bringing and will bring. Wraparound services to keep older people healthy and in their homes longer will also be key, Boley said.
It’s a view that Lacock and the state’s aging adults also share. A 2020 AARP Wyoming survey revealed that roughly 80% of Wyomingites 45 and older want to age in their homes as long as they can, Lacock said.
“Our hope is continued efforts to serve people through home services,” he said.
As Wyoming weighs how to support a growing number of its residents, one thing is clear.
“We've never seen a silver tsunami like this,” Lacock said. | https://trib.com/news/local/business/health-care/wyoming-s-aging-population-brings-care-concerns/article_46599cc2-0a1b-11ee-9bd0-9f7396984575.html | 2023-06-22T00:01:50 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/business/health-care/wyoming-s-aging-population-brings-care-concerns/article_46599cc2-0a1b-11ee-9bd0-9f7396984575.html |
After three failed attempts to hire health officer, Shasta County lowers standards for job
What’s a county to do when three attempts to hire a health officer fail?
If you’re Shasta, you lower the standards for the job.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to revise the job qualifications for its health officer, which has been vacant more than a year after supervisors in a controversial move fired former Health Officer Dr. Karen Ramstrom.
In a report to supervisors, Support Services Director Monica Fugitt wrote, “This action, if approved, would revise the classification specification to clarify minimum requirements of the position, in an effort to broaden the applicant pool.”
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California’s minimum requirements for a health officer state the applicant must be a medical school graduate who is eligible for a medical license in California.
The health officer still must be a physician, Shasta County Public Health Director Robin Schurig told the Record Searchlight.
But previously, other qualifications ― like five years’ experience as a doctor and completion of a master’s degree in public health or two years’ experience as a public health officer ― were required, she said.
“Now the minimum qualification says you have to be a licensed physician and that’s all,” Schurig said.
Several speakers at Tuesday’s meeting urged the county not to lower the standards for the position.
“I do think given the nature of the position that it does require a physician in good standing, whether it’s an internal medicine physician, as I am, or a family physician … with a master’s in public health. I think that’s the most appropriate need and most appropriate person to serve in this position,” Dr. Nena Perry told supervisors.
Supervisor Mary Rickert cast the lone dissenting vote while reaffirming her support of Ramstrom. Rickert and former Supervisor Joe Chimenti voted not to fire Ramstrom in early May 2022. Voting to dismiss her were Patrick Jones, Tim Garman and former Supervisor Les Baugh.
“Shasta County has a lot of health problems. We have the highest suicide rate in the state; that’s just an abysmal statistic. We have highest rates of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) in Shasta County in 70 years. Fentanyl is a huge problem. We need someone that’s qualified, and I would beg this board to reconsider offering the position to Dr. Karen Ramstrom. I really do believe that she needs to come back,” Rickert said.
Shasta County’s suicide rate is more than two times higher than the state average, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Some who addressed the board Tuesday said the decision to fire Ramstrom reverberated across the state and country.
“It’s not happening here because what’s occurring on this dais. No one wants to work for you,” Susanne Baremore said of the failed attempts to fill the health officer position.
Ramstrom's support of mask mandates, vaccination requirements and other safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic was criticized by some county residents, who were vocal in their criticism at supervisors’ meetings.
She wasn’t the only county health officer in California to face backlash over coronavirus issues. The health officer in Orange County, Dr. Nichole Quick, resigned in June 2020 after receiving threats at public meetings and on social media, the Associated Press reported.
Orange County has since hired Quick’s successor, Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong.
Shasta County thought it had found Ramstrom’s replacement last August, but the preferred candidate declined the job offer after a panel of community officials interviewed him.
In February, county officials were set to interview a finalist. But the person pulled out of the interview after taking a similar position in another state.
Then last week, supervisors rescinded the offer to the top candidate after a background check on the individual came back, Supervisors Garman and Rickert have said.
Coordinated effort to combat homelessness gets testy
In April, supervisors endorsed a letter of support for At Home, which was developed by the California State Association of Counties, or CSAC.
At Home's aim is to get cities and counties to work together to tailor their own ways to address homelessness.
Locally, that means Shasta County working with the cities of Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake.
On Tuesday, the board was asked to appoint two supervisors to the At Home steering committee, which would also include representatives from Redding, Anderson and Shasta Lake.
Supervisor Garman is Shasta County’s CSAC representative and is enthusiastic about the plan.
Supervisor Crye? Not so much.
Crye has made it clear that he thinks government should have a limited role fighting homelessness, and that churches and private citizens should take a more prominent role. On Tuesday, Crye said the At Home program has been overhyped and he has concerns that the people involved won’t be held accountable.
So, Garman was upset when the board voted 3-2 to appoint Crye and Jones to the At Home committee. Garman and Rickert voted no.
Garman said he did not think Crye was fully vested in the At Home program.
“This program will be successful with all parties involved. I want somebody to go in there, and it doesn’t have to be me, (who) will be on that ad hoc and are going to go in there and really make this thing work,” Garman said.
Crye countered that he wants to bring accountability to the group and said the work to get people off the streets shouldn’t take years and years to do.
“I want quick movement. I don’t want talk about it, and so that’s why I’m extremely vested in this,” Crye said.
David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. He’s part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 1-530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/shasta-county-lowers-standards-for-health-officer-job/70344244007/ | 2023-06-22T00:05:16 | 1 | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2023/06/21/shasta-county-lowers-standards-for-health-officer-job/70344244007/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — NBA Hall-of-Famer Dominque Wilkins was at Protective Stadium Wednesday afternoon to discuss his addition to the club ownership group.
Wilkins primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks and earned accolades such as nine-time NBA All Star, All-NBA First Team, NBA Scoring Champion and two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion.
His addition to the Legion brings great excitement to the community. He said that Birmingham is a place where a community can rally around a growing team, and he hopes his addition will bring even more fans to Protective Stadium.
“For me, it’s hoping that you can bring everyone together as one. It’s about people in general, it’s not about black, it’s not about white, it’s about people. And so, to have an African-American owner, hopefully we get a lot more African-American fans to embrace soccer, because at the end of the day, it’s about the community that believe in a product,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins is ready to help steer this club towards a cup championship as part owner. He hopes to re-invent himself and broaden his scope as more than just one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA, but making sure winning ways come to the Magic City.
“More importantly, do some type of investing here in Birmingham. I said I want to be known as something other than just an Atlanta Hawk and so this was a perfect opportunity to be engaged with a young franchise that’s coming up. Not just a young franchise, but they are winning some games and ultimately, that’s what it’s all about,” said Wilkins.
When it was announced that Wilkins would be joining the Legion, it was posted all over social media and he even made an appearance on First Take to discuss the ownership.
“I thought I would get some pretty heavy responses, but it was like an explosion of responses… A lot of the time when you get responses, someone is going to look at it a little sideways and have something to say, but the people have really embraced this and it’s blew me away. I’m very excited from the different responses I’ve gotten since yesterday and up to last night, I didn’t get to bed until like one o’ clock in the morning, reading comments,” said Wilkins. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/nba-legend-dominique-wilkins-joins-birmingham-legion-fc-ownership-group/ | 2023-06-22T00:09:41 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/nba-legend-dominique-wilkins-joins-birmingham-legion-fc-ownership-group/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montgomery-county-residents-frustrated-with-major-trash-pickup-delays/3590053/ | 2023-06-22T00:10:18 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montgomery-county-residents-frustrated-with-major-trash-pickup-delays/3590053/ |
ATLANTA — Those opposed to the building of Atlanta's new public safety training center are feeling more optimistic in halting construction after the city clerk's office approved their referendum petition Wednesday.
Protesters now hope to take their concerns to voters. A revised referendum petition was submitted Tuesday, after the clerk's office initially denied the request because it left off a place for a witness to sign the petition.
The clerk's office released a statement, stating in part:
This approval as to form does not reflect any judgment or agreement by anyone at the City as to the lawfulness or substantive validity of the petition itself.
Those behind the petition efforts, which were announced earlier this month, expect to receive it by 2 p.m. Thursday. Paul Glaze, an organizer with Cop City Vote Coalition, said more than 3,000 volunteers have signed up to canvass the city and collect signatures, after weeks of protests inside and outside Atlanta City Hall.
Protesters said they had until mid-August to get the necessary signatures in order to put a referendum on the November ballot this year. Only Atlanta residents who voted in the 2021 election are eligible to sign the petition.
Glaze said it would take just more than 70,000 signatures, or 15% of Atlanta's registered voters, to be able to put the referendum on the ballot. There were concerns of delays potentially pushing back the referendum push to the presidential primary election next spring.
"The mayor says the people of Atlanta want Cop City, that this is a thing the people want, and if that's true, no one should be afraid of a vote," Glaze said. "We are committed to this and we believe in this."
Glaze said in spite of construction set to pick up on the site in DeKalb County this summer, protesters would try everything in their power to stop it. He brought up possibly filing an injunction on construction while they gather signatures.
A week of action is planned to kick off this weekend, which could intensify protests of the $90 million public safety training center, largely funded by the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Foundation.
The status of a lawsuit filed against the City of Atlanta for its alleged stonewalling of the petition process remains unclear at this point. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens's office declined to comment on the referendum petition and the process. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/city-clerk-approves-petition-referendum-atlantas-public-safety-training-center/85-340dddd1-c446-40cb-ba2d-d0f8bcfb2ede | 2023-06-22T00:21:22 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/city-clerk-approves-petition-referendum-atlantas-public-safety-training-center/85-340dddd1-c446-40cb-ba2d-d0f8bcfb2ede |
VILLA RICA, Ga. — Villa Rica Police Department is facing intense backlash after hosting a handgun class over the weekend with the public taking aim at the agency's use of the target.
The department shared photos of its Saturday training on social media.
"We wanted to share a few photos with everyone. Even though the weather was hot, everyone seemed to have a good time. Check out our Facebook page for more photos," the department posted along with a few photos from the training.
The pictures have since been removed from the department's post. An 11Alive viewer shared them in which the photos show people lining up to practice firing at a target that depicts a Black man in a beanie pointing a gun. At least half a dozen targets were printed, according to photos.
It appeared the gun range practice was accompanied by instruction in a classroom.
Villa Rica PD gets backlash over handgun training target
People did not share kind words on the Facebook post, calling the target problematic and accusing the department's training of being racist. Others called the target harmful and nerve-wracking for a department that is meant to serve the community.
The Carroll County NAACP issued a statement on the matter, calling it a controversial target that needed to be addressed.
"This 'target' is extremely offensive to many Villa Rica and Carroll County residents. These types of targets have been used by other police departments within the U.S. and have been deemed racially inappropriate and unacceptable," the NAACP statement read.
Now the NAACP is demanding an apology from the department and an immediate meeting with the chief, Villa Rica mayor, city manager and City Councilwoman Shirley Marchman.
Since removing the photos, the police department issued a statement in a social media post explaining that the choice of target used is part of a package "which included target images of people from various ethnic groups."
"It was never our intention to be insensitive, inflammatory, or offensive to anyone. However, we respect the honest opinions of our fellow citizens and apologize for any offense we may have caused," the statement read in part.
Villa Rica Police also invited people to join a future citizens firearms class and "share in a positive experience" alongside officers.
"The Villa Rica Police Department strives to be conscious of how our relationship with our community members has a direct impact on our effectiveness within the community we serve," the department said in the statement. "This includes our stance on being equitable to all people regardless of their human diversity factors." | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/villa-rica-handgun-class-backlash/85-817ed89a-ece9-494e-ba3a-84ec020bd972 | 2023-06-22T00:21:28 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/villa-rica-handgun-class-backlash/85-817ed89a-ece9-494e-ba3a-84ec020bd972 |
'Baby Ava,' survivor of 2011 Ocean City car crash, dies at age 13
Ava Marie DelRicco, 13, of Ocean View, Delaware, and known publicly as "Baby Ava" after the December 2011 car crash that nearly killed her, has died.
"We lost the most precious little girl today. She was our angel and so sweet. She passed in her sleep," Lisa DelRicco said in a Friday, June 16 Facebook post.
Ava brought such a bright light of sunshine to anyone that was around her, the DelRicco family said in the young girl's obituary posted by Melson Funeral Services. Ava had just finished seventh grade at Georgetown Middle School through Howard T. Ennis. She loved music and would move her legs to the beat of the music in her roller-walker. Also a beach girl, she loved being on the beach and spending time with her family.
Ava was merely an infant when she suffered life-threatening injuries in the 2011 car crash in Ocean City.
She and her mother, Annemarie DelRicco, were stopped at a red light at 142nd Street and Coastal Highway after running errands in the resort town when Andre James Kaczynski, high on PCP at the time and speeding northbound on Coastal Highway, slammed his pickup truck into the family's vehicle.
The impact was "explosive," crushing the rear of the vehicle and breaching the passenger area where Baby Ava was secured in her car seat, Delmarva Now previously reported. The collision caused Ava, only 18 months old at the time, to suffer two broken legs, a crushed foot and a traumatic brain injury. She required multiple brain surgeries that involved replacing a part of her skull and a shunt in her head.
The entire resort community embraced “Baby Ava” with vigils, fundraisers and prayers, her obituary said. Her strong, resilient personality allowed her to survive the accident, but the severe brain damage limited her quality of life. Her mother and father became her around-the-clock caregivers.
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, located at 38040 Muddy Neck Road in Ocean View. A visitation will also be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Thursday, June 22, at St. Luke Catholic Church, located at 9903 Coastal Highway in Ocean City, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro, Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Ava’s name to the Epilepsy Foundation by visiting www.epilepsy.com.
OBITUARY:Tony Russo, owner of popular Ocean City Boardwalk business Tony's Pizza, passes away
OBITUARY:'A bright light in this world': Salisbury mourns death of Sunshine the Clown, Sandy Johnson
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/06/20/baby-ava-survivor-of-2011-ocean-city-car-crash-dies-at-age-13/70337891007/ | 2023-06-22T00:23:19 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/06/20/baby-ava-survivor-of-2011-ocean-city-car-crash-dies-at-age-13/70337891007/ |
ATLANTIC CITY — Two people from New York City are accused of forcing a woman into prostitution, police said Wednesday.
Colin Sherwood and Jamy Mathis, both 44, were arrested Saturday and charged with human trafficking and promoting prostitution.
Officers Corey Treadway and Tahsin Hossain responded to a report of human trafficking at a motel in the 3000 block of Pacific Avenue at 10:09 a.m. Saturday, police said Wednesday in a news release. After talking to someone who reported they believed a woman was being forced into prostitution there, police contacted Sherwood and Mathis, the occupants of the motel room.
After speaking with the victim, police arrested Sherwood and Mathis.
Detectives James Barrett and Alberto Valles found that the victim was assaulted and threatened if she refused to participate. Text messages between Sherwood and Mathis showed their involvement with prostitution, police said.
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They are being held at the Atlantic County jail. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlantic-city-human-trafficking-prostitution/article_cfd4b96c-1080-11ee-a5ac-57ce267071a1.html | 2023-06-22T00:32:50 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlantic-city-human-trafficking-prostitution/article_cfd4b96c-1080-11ee-a5ac-57ce267071a1.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Police and emergency services are on the scene of a shooting in south Wichita that injured one person.
Sedgwick County Dispatch says that the call came in before 5:40 p.m. near the intersection of Broadway and 47th Street South.
Dispatch confirms one person is in critical condition.
This is a developing story.
KSN has a crew on the scene and will update this story as more information comes in. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/shooting-in-south-wichita-critically-injures-one-person/ | 2023-06-22T00:35:21 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/shooting-in-south-wichita-critically-injures-one-person/ |
Shaun Maxey, 66, of Jerome died Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary & Crematory, Jerome.
John Horott, 77, of Twin Falls died Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at a local hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls.
Scott O'Melia, 67, of Twin Falls died Thursday, June 15, 2023, at home. Arrangements are under the care of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/article_598311a6-1084-11ee-b9a0-ef4c2d7d67b3.html | 2023-06-22T00:38:42 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/article_598311a6-1084-11ee-b9a0-ef4c2d7d67b3.html |
Cutting the ribbon for a new cabin at Sitrin Campgrounds is a happy occasion, but the cabin really opens the door for many Veterans who aren’t always feeling happiness.
Jackie Warmuth is the Vice President of Clinical Development at Sitrin. She says the campgrounds are an eco-environment that serve as a therapeutic way of relieving stress.
"There’s a huge number of Veterans here locally in the Valley, in Utica, they are not easily interested to step up and say I’ve got problems."
US Marine Sergeant Vincent Dier says as a Veteran he hopes to take advantage of the campgrounds, and would encourage any Veteran having issues to seek out help.
"At the end of the day don’t think about it just do it. You know this place has a lot to offer. You know there’s no one that can bother you, so you know you just got to take that first step. Get in contact with Jackie."
Retired Air Force Tech Sergeant Nic Phelps can tell you first-hand how the atmosphere here can change you.
"Ground yourself. Take your shoes off, take your sock off, stand on the ground as we all used to do as kids running around. How happy were we then? That’s part of the thing. We’re outside running in the grass. Here we’ve got 140 acres to do it."
Sitrin will be holding a Military Retreat from July 21 through the 23rd. Dozens of Veterans and their families get together to enjoy the facilities, and have the opportunity to get in touch with others who may be experiencing the same issues. Jackie Warmuth says it's a good first step to recovery.
"Putting them first in an environment where they’re at ease to talk about what’s going on, and then they have to first be able to talk about it and admit it to be able to move forward and find solutions to the concerns or issues that they have."
This is one of 4 cabins Stirin is looking to add to the Campgrounds. Funding for a second cabin has been secured, and is expected to be put in place by the end of summer. If you or someone you know is in need of services, you can find contact information provided here:
For Veteran Services: 315 737-2435 or Jwarmuth@Sitrin.com
To donate contact Mark DePerno 315 797-8000 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/sitrin-campground-adds-cabin-for-veterans/article_8eb99b98-1074-11ee-ad06-677e3e0f22b6.html | 2023-06-22T00:39:46 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/sitrin-campground-adds-cabin-for-veterans/article_8eb99b98-1074-11ee-ad06-677e3e0f22b6.html |
DALLAS — The United States Postal Service (USPS) is mourning the loss of one of its employees who passed away during their route in a Dallas neighborhood on Tuesday, the company confirms.
In a statement, USPS said, “The Postal Service is deeply saddened by the loss of life suffered yesterday involving a Lakewood Post Office Letter Carrier. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this time."
His name was Eugene Gates, Jr., according to Kimetra Lewis, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 132. Gates joined USPS in November 1987.
"He was at the point where he could retire," she said.
His coworkers describe him as the first carrier out the door each day. They said he was a go-getter and loved by his peers.
Lewis said, "My heart goes out to them. From what everybody told me, Eugene was a great letter carrier. He enjoyed what he did, and I would just remind them of that."
While his cause of death has not been confirmed, Lewis said this is a reminder for all letter carriers to take care of themselves, especially in the summer heat.
"You're constantly, all day long exposed to the sun. And yesterday was a different type of heat. You almost couldn't breathe," she said.
Lewis said some of Gates' co-workers were frustrated and angry. Their shift start-time was changed from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. over the last few months, which meant they couldn't get a head start to beat the heat. After pleas from employees and the National Association of Letter Carriers following Gates' death, USPS management quickly changed the shift time to begin at 7:30 again.
"I just want all letter carriers to think of their safety first," said Lewis.
When asked about heat safety, USPS stated, "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. The safety of our employees is a top priority, and the Postal Service has implemented a national Heat Illness Prevention Program (HIPP) for all employees. In connection with the HIPP, the Postal Service provides mandatory heat-related and other safety training and instruction to all employees and assures they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely.”
At this time, it is unknown if heat was a contributing factor to Gates' death, but NALC is pushing for heat safety for their members.
Gates is survived by his wife and children. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 | 2023-06-22T00:40:03 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/lakewood-usps-worker-dies-heat-related-illness-dallas/287-d3bf9ef9-ce0e-4896-8366-efe66a482c12 |
ORLANDO, Fla. – An Orlando-based tour company is suing two of its previous employees after they reportedly took information to help steal clients once they left, according to court records released Tuesday.
In a complaint, the company — Orlando Tour — said it had been providing tour guide services for local theme parks to customers over the past nearly four years.
Within that time, Orlando Tour hired on two employees: Nicholas Deniz and Jada Irish, the company explained.
According to the complaint, the pair worked for the company up until May 2023, which is when they officially resigned from their positions and returned a company-owned computer.
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However, the complaint shows that Deniz and Irish deleted or attempted to delete information about clients and upcoming tours from the company’s computer, among other related files.
The two then started their own tour group service — dubbed “Lost Boys” — and 10 of Orlando Tours’ guides left the company to work for Lost Boys after being solicited by Deniz and Irish, the complaint states.
Court records say that Deniz told the owner of Orlando Tour that he was trying to take Orlando Tour’s clients and contractual relations for himself.
“In regard to future clients, I am finishing out services that I have started. I have built relationships with these families via countless conversations, planning emails back and forth and that is not something I have taken lightly. These people have entrusted their trip to the specifications that I have outlined for them and that is not something that I will walk away from and as such will take on ownership of their time at the theme parks.”
Nicholas Deniz, per complaint
Orlando Tour then said that the only way Deniz and Irish could have contacted Orlando Tour’s clients following the resignation was if they had already taken confidential business information about the clients, including client names, reservation information and credit card information.
According to the complaint, the pair also registered the name “The Orlando Tour Company” with the Florida Division of Corporations, which Orlando Tour said was meant to confuse customers about the pair’s associations with Orlando Tour.
As a result, Orlando Tour is seeking reimbursement for damages over $30,000.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/22/orlando-tour-group-sues-lost-boys-over-accusations-of-stolen-customers/ | 2023-06-22T00:48:35 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/22/orlando-tour-group-sues-lost-boys-over-accusations-of-stolen-customers/ |
DALLAS — Bonton Farms in southern Dallas is changing the landscape in the area.
The urban farm not only grows its own food, it has a market, coffee shot and restaurant.
The business is also providing jobs for people.
"Ironically, south of downtown is where 45% of the people who live in Dallas proper are, but only 5% of jobs are created,” said Mark Jones, Bonton Farms.
Jones is the chairman of the board for Bonton Farms. He said the area has been a desert for not just food and jobs but critical services.
So, Bonton Farms has partnered with AMR Arlington to train EMTs.
“We believe in not just growing food, but growing people.”
Bonton Farms will provide scholarships for training not just to create jobs but careers.
Tia Andrews will be in the first group of trainees.
"Wanting to be a person that helps those in dire need,” said Andrews.
She said several years ago an acquaintance was having a heart attack and she tried to help.
"I just kind of jumped right in there and started compressions,” said Andrews.
She said she wishes she’d had the proper training.
"He actually passed, but it was then I was like I need to be one of them,” said Andrews.
A few years later, Andrews said EMTs saved her life after a shooting.
"It was those paramedics that came in and saved me.”
The EMT training program begins in August 2023, Kier Smith is one of the trainers. He hopes that many people will take advantage of the opportunity so they can come back and help in their community.
"Just have a heart to help. If you have a heart to help and you don’t have a job this turns into a career,” said Smith.
The people who make it through the training will get a job working for AMR Arlington.
If you would like to apply you must be 18 years of age, have a high school degree or GED. Also, there will be a criminal background check.
On Thursday, June 29, there will be a information session at Bonton Farms Market Café -- located at 6907 Bexar Street in Dallas. It’s from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. You can also send an email to Smith at Kier.Smith@gmr.net. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/bonton-farms-offering-scholarships-to-help-people-become-emts/287-8ab3149d-0c35-4dea-aa91-75da679a7f3b | 2023-06-22T00:53:09 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/bonton-farms-offering-scholarships-to-help-people-become-emts/287-8ab3149d-0c35-4dea-aa91-75da679a7f3b |
DALLAS — The City of Dallas has released results from its 2023 Community Survey, showing more than half of residents surveyed are happy with the neighborhood they live in, while listing other priorities and concerns.
Of the 1,475 surveys completed with at least 100 responses from each city district, findings showed 66% of residents rated the neighborhood they lived in either an "excellent" or "good" place to live.
Survey results also showed residents overall top three priorities were infrastructure maintenance, police services and traffic management.
“Community feedback is an integral part of engaging residents and ensuring that the City of Dallas is effectively providing services to residents,” said Chief Financial Officer Jack Ireland in a statement. “In future years, the Community Survey will be conducted annually, and results will be incorporated into the budget development process, to further identify funding priorities.”
As far as problems, by far the biggest problem perceived into the city, according to the survey results, is homelessness, which 75% of those surveyed listed. Other problems include crime at 61%, drugs at 60%, infrastructure at 55% and aggressive solicitation and panhandling at 45%.
Despite that, about 72% of residents surveyed said they felt either "very safe" or "safe" during the day. About 9% of residents said they felt least safe in Dallas parks after dark.
Looking at quality of life ratings, "Dallas as a place to do business" ranked the highest with 76% of residents surveyed rating it as either good or excellent. However, 75% of residents surveyed said the quality of public schools in Dallas was either fair or poor.
As far as access, access to affordable housing ranked the lowest, with 83% of those surveyed rating the access either fair or poor. And access to affordable, quality child care wasn't far behind, with 82% of those surveyed rating it either fair or poor as well.
Air travel in Dallas rated the highest in the mobility section of the survey, with 79% of respondents rating it as excellent or good, while every other form of travel -- including rail, car, bus, bicycle and walking -- had more than half of the respondents rate them as either fair or poor.
As far as characteristics of the community, surveyed residents overwhelmingly think access to affordable, quality housing should be the top priority for the city, with 53% of respondents selecting it as one of their top three priorities.
In terms of city services, nearly 60% of those surveyed think the maintenance of infrastructure should be the top priority, with 82% of respondents rating the current maintenance of infrastructure as either fair or poor, with most rating it as poor.
Ratings of streets and infrastructure/mobility services were also mostly negative, with the highest ratings going to traffic signs and signal operations. Of surveyed residents, 53% rated them as either excellent or good. But street lighting, bike lanes, street cleaning and sidewalk maintenance were all rated poorly. The lowest rated was alley maintenance, 85% of respondents rated it as either fair or poor.
Services to low-income people, housing services programs and services to homeless people were also rated overwhelmingly negatively, with 69% of people rating services to homeless people as poor and only 3% rating it and housing services programs as excellent.
Click here to view the full survey. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/survey-dallas-residents-feedback-priorities-concerns/287-046a442b-591c-44e1-8ed9-8f0336f715d3 | 2023-06-22T00:53:15 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/survey-dallas-residents-feedback-priorities-concerns/287-046a442b-591c-44e1-8ed9-8f0336f715d3 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Byron Jenkins is the CEO of Arkansas Athlete Connection, which focuses on developing name, image and likeness for high school athletes.
"As athletes, they have a big platform," Jenkins said. "They're on the big stage. They're in the public eye."
He knows it all too well as a former athlete who played at Little Rock Central High School, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the University of Arkansas in the 1990s.
After spending time at both colleges, Jenkins decided it was time to help high school student-athletes transition to college sports.
"What I wanted to do was open up a facility in Arkansas where high school athletes could come in and learn how to build their brand," Jenkins said. "How to profit off their platform."
Jenkins and Arkansas Athlete Connection hosts 40 student-athletes across the state once a month. They speak with financial advisors, lawyers and agents about their professional experience.
"We just sit down and talk about building their brand," Jenkins said. "How to use your platform, social media, the financial responsibility."
With the world of sports everchanging, Jenkins said it's essential for high school athletes to know how to market themselves, especially since lawmakers passed Act 589 this past legislative session.
Act 589 allows high school athletes to enter into NIL agreements as soon as they're accepted into an Arkansas college or university.
Under the previous regulations, athletes could only benefit from their name, image and likeness if enrolled in an Arkansas school.
"Some of these high school athletes have NIL values of $500,000 to a million," Jenkins said. "I think those young people should be able to capitalize off that."
Jenkins said one way high schoolers can develop their NIL is by building a solid online presence.
"When you're competing for that Gatorade commercial, they're selecting from athletes nationwide," Jenkins said. "With Arkansas being a smaller market, it's really important that our athletes get that added exposure."
Anyone interested in applying for the academy can learn more here. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/high-school-name-image-likeness/91-4ce1027f-7b98-40f4-93bb-149d6ea5c261 | 2023-06-22T00:57:21 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/high-school-name-image-likeness/91-4ce1027f-7b98-40f4-93bb-149d6ea5c261 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — New regulations for short-term rentals are on the way after the Little Rock board of directors voted yes on a new ordinance on Tuesday night.
Going forward only 500 Airbnbs and Vrbos will be allowed in the city. Owners will also be required to pay a $500 annual fee for an inspection.
They could also lose their business license if there are three police complaints reported against their rental within a year.
“I usually stay at short-term rentals when I travel but I think there needs to be some regulation and I think this is a good starting point,” said Capi Peck at Tuesday’s board meeting.
Short-term rental owners like Mia Foreman also agreed that regulations are a good thing but not the ones that were voted on.
“The $500 for an annual inspection is excessive. That is not an equitable approach to small business owners like me,” said Foreman.
She explained that she was worried that this will hurt her business which she started to provide for her family.
“So we can have the income and supplement what I wasn't bringing home and be able to be present in providing the life care for my mother, which was the utmost importance at that time,” she described.
Other owners like Paul Dodds have already been taking action to make sure they can keep their short-term rentals up and running.
“If there's only 500 of them, I want to make sure that I can get in on it,” said Dodds.
He worries that these regulations could hurt the business entirely.
“After going through all this hassle to get a license, you can lose it in a heartbeat because someone complains,” he added. “A lot of people are going to go into business and a lot of people are going to lose their livelihoods.”
Members of the city board did say that even though they passed the ordinance, they'd be open to revisiting it and making amendments if needed. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/short-term-rentals-little-rock/91-3c55defe-8486-4136-99f9-82b04d5a868b | 2023-06-22T00:57:27 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/short-term-rentals-little-rock/91-3c55defe-8486-4136-99f9-82b04d5a868b |
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) — Authorities in Lowndes County have a person of interest in connection with the death of Summer Tennyson, 39.
Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said the individual was placed under arrest on unrelated charges.
He would not identify the individual but said the person currently doesn’t face charges in relation to Tennyson’s death. The sheriff said the two knew each other.
Deputies found the 39-year-old dead late Tuesday morning inside her bedroom on Grant Road, which is northeast of Caledonia.
Coroner Greg Merchant said she died from a single gunshot wound.
The sheriff said there were no signs of forced entry and no signs of attempted burglary.
He said this was an isolated incident and the public faces no danger. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/investigators-continue-to-seek-answers-after-woman-found-dead-near-caledonia/article_b6a58b38-1076-11ee-95bc-2bbcae58331f.html | 2023-06-22T01:01:32 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/investigators-continue-to-seek-answers-after-woman-found-dead-near-caledonia/article_b6a58b38-1076-11ee-95bc-2bbcae58331f.html |
LOUISVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) — One person was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon in Louisville.
Louisville Police Investigator Mike Perkins said the shooting happened around 2:00 p.m. on South Jones Avenue.
Perkins says the suspect was standing in his yard at 184 South Jones Avenue and the victim was standing in the street.
Some kind of argument broke out between the young men that led to gunfire.
Perkins says the suspect shot the victim who was later pronounced dead at the local hospital.
He says police will issued a statement on Thursday.
Louisville Mayor Will Hill issued the following statement to WTVA, "Senseless acts of gun violence continue to wreak havoc in our community. As a community, our heart breaks for all the families involved. We, as a city, react and respond in every time of need but we need our young people to be responsible and put down these guns."
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/one-person-dead-in-louisville-shooting/article_fde28af6-107f-11ee-a5be-b37d2d0c9685.html | 2023-06-22T01:01:38 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/one-person-dead-in-louisville-shooting/article_fde28af6-107f-11ee-a5be-b37d2d0c9685.html |
PONTOTOC, Miss. (WTVA) — The Pontotoc Farmers Market was recently recognized for its economic impact on the region.
The Pontotoc County Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Association received the “Outstanding Economic Impact - Small Project” award during the Mississippi Main Street Association’s annual awards luncheon on June 15.
"It was an absolute honor and I'm so proud of the hard work of our vendors, our volunteers and all of our community support,” Farmers Market Manager Julie McDowell said.
The market gives local farmers a place to sell their produce.
Main Street Director Beth Waldo said, "The Main Street brings structure to the work that we do. So to be recognized for the work that we've completed is rewarding."
Pontotoc County and five other programs were named to the Main Street Circle of Excellence. This was the award’s first year.
Waldo said a lot of time, money and energy have been put into the market's revitalization.
“So to see the fruits of the labor not only be recognized but also awarded is very gratifying."
This is part of WTVA’s new special “Main Street Mississippi.”
Reporter Avery Hilliard will highlight 10 communities recognized by the Mississippi Main Street Association during its annual awards luncheon on June 15. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/pontotoc-farmers-market-recognized-for-economic-impact/article_c0bb9b74-1050-11ee-9293-83082d47589b.html | 2023-06-22T01:01:44 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/pontotoc-farmers-market-recognized-for-economic-impact/article_c0bb9b74-1050-11ee-9293-83082d47589b.html |
CROWN POINT — A Griffith man faces multiple drunk-driving related charges after he crashed his motorcycle into a cinderblock barricade on a residential street, according to court records.
Brandon Pintler, 35, was charged on Tuesday with three counts of operating while intoxicated. The first count was charged as a level six felony and the other two counts were charged as misdemeanors, court records stated.
Charging documents describe how around midnight on Monday, Pintler allegedly drunkenly drove his Harley Davidson into a cinderblock barricade near a home on the intersection of Columbia Avenue and Indiana Street in Griffith.
A witness told police that Pintler asked her if he could pay her so she wouldn’t call 911 after the crash, according to the probable cause affidavit. Pintler also purportedly told the witness “I couldn’t have wrecked with better people,” and then asked to have breakfast with her.
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When officers arrived at the crash scene, they wrote in the affidavit that they observed a tire mark on the road leading up to the barricade and fresh scrape marks on the cinder blocks that comprised the barricade.
Pintler denied being involved in any crash when officers asked him about it and he said he was simply talking to the woman, the affidavit stated. Police said Pintler smelled of alcohol and his eyes appeared watery and bloodshot.
Pintler refused any of the officer’s field sobriety tests, but eventually did consent to a portable breath test, charging documents stated. Pintler’s blood alcohol content came back as .227, more than double the legal limit, charges stated.
After police transported Pintler to the Lake County Jail, he reportedly refused to exit the patrol vehicle. Once Pintler got out of the car, he laid on the ground and refused to stand up, officers wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
Police were eventually able to get Pintler into booking at the jail, but when he was inside Pintler was combative with jail staff and threatened suicide, according to charging documents.
Pintler’s first court appearance has not yet been set, according to court records. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/griffith-man-nabbed-for-drunken-motorcycle-wreck-police-say/article_1fe16be6-107f-11ee-aa64-ebbb14d74cd9.html | 2023-06-22T01:05:52 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/griffith-man-nabbed-for-drunken-motorcycle-wreck-police-say/article_1fe16be6-107f-11ee-aa64-ebbb14d74cd9.html |
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