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14 veterans honored at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
24 PHOTOS | https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/arizona/2023/06/28/photos-veterans-honored-national-memorial-cemetery/12181125002/ | 2023-06-28T23:47:45 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/arizona/2023/06/28/photos-veterans-honored-national-memorial-cemetery/12181125002/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A woman said she was violently attacked when she got out of her car to exchange information following a fender bender in Orange County.
Takisha Allen said she was rear-ended by a work truck around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. When she got out of her car, she said the man who hit her started beating her, breaking several of her teeth.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
“He was just like belligerent, like going crazy, racial slurs,” she said. “And he told me like he’ll kill me.”
When the man drove away leaving her bloody and bruised, she said she was able to make out the name of the company on his truck.
So far, he has not been arrested.
Channel 9 tracked down the company and they said the man investigators say they’re trying to find was working on the road until we showed up and told them about the allegations of the verbal and physical attack.
Read: 6 teens charged for theft of car involved in Orange County fatal crash
Orange County deputies said they are investigating the case and it’s too early to determine exactly what charges the man will face.
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/woman-says-she-was-violently-attacked-by-man-following-fender-bender-orange-county/4YQM2AK535EXVEYCCS2XF4XJZ4/ | 2023-06-28T23:47:49 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/woman-says-she-was-violently-attacked-by-man-following-fender-bender-orange-county/4YQM2AK535EXVEYCCS2XF4XJZ4/ |
Unclaimed cremains of 14 veterans interred at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
An intimate crowd of volunteers and members of the public helped lay 14 unclaimed veterans to rest on Wednesday morning at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.
Through the efforts of the Missing in America Project, a nonprofit 501c3 aimed at locating, identifying and interring unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans, the urns of 14 soldiers, mostly Vietnam War vets, from the Grand Canyon state were finally given a proper burial.
"This is one of the most important things you could ever do," Clyde "Tex" Taylor, U.S. Army veteran and Missing in America Project national vice president, told The Arizona Republic. "Every veteran signed a blank check up to, and including, our lives. One thing we were promised was a dignified and honorable military burial. Sitting on the shelf, they're not receiving it. All we are doing is fulfilling that obligation."
According to Missing in America Project's website, the problem is endemic across the country, as the cremains of unidentified veterans sit atop hospital and funeral home shelves, waiting to be claimed.
Arizona Missing in America Project Chaplain Cary Cartter said during his speech on Wednesday that there were still more than 80,000 military personnel missing in action from each conflict stretching back to World War II.
More than 6,300 veteran cremains have been identified by the Missing in America Project, according to the site, with about 5,980 successfully being interred.
That number grew Wednesday as those honored were taken from a Phoenix funeral home and brought to their final resting place with help from Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory in Mesa as well as the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders, an organization invited by the Missing in America Project to assist in escorting the urns, standing the flag line and diverting any potential protesters.
"We're very proud to be able to participate with the MIAP program; it means a lot," Arizona Patriot Guard Rider Associate State Capt. Tim Gentry said. "Arizona's a very important program; they do many, many of these, and we're very proud to participate with them."
Even under the hot Arizona sun, volunteers, members of the public and honor guard officials stood tall to take in the service and honor the unclaimed through prayer, song, a reading of their names and a traditional honor ceremony featuring taps and flag folding.
"If not for those of you in attendance, their service would've been forgotten, which would've been breaking the promise to those who served in the armed forces," Cartter said following his opening prayer. "While each man or woman if asked would deny they were a hero, each and every veteran is just that. A hero. They may not have served on a battle line, but they served."
At the conclusion of the service, the 14 veterans were placed inside a columbarium, finally at ease.
"They fought for our country, and they deserve this honor," said onlooker Lisa Noles at the ceremony's end. "This is my first one, and it won't be my last one."
Below is a list of those honored Wednesday. Those who recognize one of the veterans as a family member are able to reach out to the Missing in America Project via their website at miap.us.
- Pvt. Darold Dennis Allen (U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam)
- Pvt. Manuel Benitez (U.S. Army, Vietnam)
- FN David Delucantonio (U.S. Coast Guard, Vietnam)
- Pvt. Carey Lewis Fowler (U.S. Marine Corps)
- Pvt. Thomas Phillip Hebert (U.S. Marine Corps, Korea)
- Sgt. Ronald Wayne Hobbs (U.S. Army, Vietnam)
- Pfc. Michael Rogers Johnson (U.S. Navy)
- Pvt. Wayne Lee Lawrence (U.S. Army)
- Pvt. David Lee Miller (U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam)
- Pvt. Edgar A. Morrison (U.S. Army, Vietnam)
- SR George Clayton Ogden (U.S. Navy, Vietnam)
- Sgt. George Henry Pitelka Jr. (U.S. Air Force, Vietnam)
- Pvt. John William Snell (U.S. Army)
- Spc. 5 Eugene Arnold Weber Jr. (U.S. Army, Vietnam) | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/28/unclaimed-cremains-of-14-veterans-interred-at-arizona-cemetery/70362465007/ | 2023-06-28T23:47:51 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/06/28/unclaimed-cremains-of-14-veterans-interred-at-arizona-cemetery/70362465007/ |
Outdoor workers struggle as Wisconsin shatters record for worst air quality since at least 1999
Sequetia Smith, a sanitation worker with the City of Milwaukee, said Wednesday she'd been trying to push on through headaches, sinus pain and congestion for a couple of days.
The combination of her allergies and the worst air quality since at least 1999 has taken its toll.
“I was wondering why my head has been giving me a hard time,” Smith said. “It’s been slowing me down, prolonging my days.”
Milwaukee has endured some of the worst air quality in the world this week.
The United States has used the Air Quality Index to measure air pollution since 1999. It is broken into six colored categories on a 0-500 scale, and when it gets above 100, air quality becomes unhealthy for certain groups. Milwaukee has has had numbers in the 200s — reaching as high as 278 — meaning "very unhealthy" this week. Between Milwaukee and Madison, numbers have been in the 300s, meaning "hazardous."
The Wisconsin record for a daily AQI average had been 165; on Tuesday, Milwaukee's average was 225, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources confirmed the state average was the worst since the index was initiated.
"The numbers we saw yesterday were pretty astonishing," Steve Vavrus, a Wisconsin state climatologist, said Wednesday. Vavrus said it's very difficult to compare air quality measured before AQI was adopted so it's hard to say just how long it's been since Wisconsin has seen air this bad.
On the streets, Smith said a supervisor provided her with a mask, but she still felt “uncomfortable, unsafe and unsure” of the working conditions.
“I’ve been trying to soldier through it,” she said.
By Wednesday afternoon, the Air Quality Index was improving, but health officials still recommended limiting or eliminating outdoor activity, particularly for people who are older or have respiratory illnesses.
Stationed at the outdoor valet station of the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel in the Third Ward, Max Bird also complained of headaches and brain fogginess as a result of the haze.
Bird, a valet associate for Parking Management Company, said he was going to start wearing a mask – at the suggestion of his mother. But he said his concerns are bigger than just this week. With climate change, extreme weather events have become more common, and Bird said he hopes people will finally get the message to act on climate change.
“It’s just going to keep happening unless someone does something about it,” he added. “It should be a wake up call.”
Impact ranges from outdoor jobs to children's activities
Across southeastern Wisconsin, outdoor work and activities have been impacted by the haze.
All outdoor programs within the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County, such as day camps and sports leagues, moved indoors as of noon Tuesday, said executive director Katy Groh.
"While we're not unfamiliar with inclement weather and all those situations, this air quality situation has certainly been unprecedented, but it's really treated as we would with inclement weather," said Groh.
No programs have been canceled so far, but they're not going to resume outdoor activities until the air index quality indicates that it's safe for all groups, keeping both kids and employees' safety in mind.
"While it seems it might be a bit of an inconvenience for some, you know, safety of our kids in our program is our number one priority," Groh said.
Winghart Inc., a third-generation drywall and plaster company based in Mequon, hasn't had to modify operations due to poor air quality in more than 74 years, said owner Michael Winghart.
For the first time since the company began in 1949, they've brought their outdoor crews indoors the last two days.
"We are of the opinion that we will not subject our employees to any situation that we do not want to be in and, as such, all our skilled craftspeople were offered work indoors until the smog subsides," said Winghart.
President Dan Bukiewicz of the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council said the council encouraged workers to wear masks and get fresh air if possible. He added that the wildfire smoke has yet to affect any projects.
“It’s safety first,” Bukiewicz said.
Drew Ross, an employee of the food truck Roll MKE, said the smoggy air has made it increasingly difficult for her to breathe, especially in the tight truck all day.
“It takes a toll,” she said.
Why was the air quality in Wisconsin so bad this week?
While air quality advisories have been common in Wisconsin this spring and summer, the circumstances surrounding this one are much more rare and severe.
Ordinarily, air pollution is caused by either ozone pollution — common in car exhaust — or particulate matter solution — common during fires. What makes this event so dangerous is that both of those pollutants are present in abundance.
Jon Kahl, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said what we're seeing — and smelling — is a perfect storm of polluted air.
“I would say this is a very rare situation just because of all the elements that needed to fall in place for air to get this bad,” said Kahl. “We have wildfire smoke that is being blown by winds, we have high-pressure conditions which are conducive to the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere, we have wind directions that are in the right direction transporting smoke towards our area.”
Milwaukee's hazy skies should begin to clear late Wednesday and should be significantly clearer by Friday morning, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Air quality was already improving late Wednesday morning in Milwaukee as the parts of the city have been downgraded from the "very unhealthy" category to simply "unhealthy" as the Air Quality Index numbers are dropping below 200.
Taylor Patterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said that air quality remains unhealthy to very unhealthy this morning but it should begin to clear this afternoon and that winds on Friday should push out most of the remaining smoke.
“We're looking at Friday for when things will clear up again because we are gonna see a little bit of a pattern change and some more westerly winds which will help kind of clear things up and pull air from different areas,” said Patterson.
Hope Moses of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/28/outdoor-workers-struggle-as-air-quality-shatters-record-for-worst-since-at-least-1999/70366688007/ | 2023-06-28T23:48:01 | 0 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2023/06/28/outdoor-workers-struggle-as-air-quality-shatters-record-for-worst-since-at-least-1999/70366688007/ |
CONWAY, Ark. — Utility crews have been busy working to restore power across Central Arkansas.
Although traffic lights are working and open signs are lit up again, the storms on June 25 left many businesses in downtown Conway without power for several days, including Kassi's Cookies.
Elaine Fulford, manager of Kassi's Cookies, said their power returned Wednesday morning, which was sooner than expected, but they did take some losses.
“Late Thursday night is what we were told,” Fulford said. "It was like a sigh of relief for us because now we can officially have a plan.”
Kassi's Cookies lost some of its products due to the power outage.
“We had to start coming up with plans to get all of our refrigerated stuff moved," Fulford said. "Everything that would go into a freezer or fridge, we couldn't let it sit here... we did lose some of our product with the power being out.”
Fulford said it wasn't a lot, but any losses for a small business are never a good thing.
“Everybody knows what the price of groceries is," Fulford said. "We are buying the same items that you put in your house... every little we throw away really hurts us.”
But now that the power is back on, they can restock and catch up.
“We just had to backtrack the past couple of days and start again," Fulford said. "We will be cleaning and organizing our shelves throughout the week."
Fulford said they'd begin baking Wednesday night and again Thursday morning, hoping to have their shelves ready for customers.
“We're just going to work hard to be able to get that done,” Fulford said | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/conway-business-reopen-doors/91-627767d8-7588-4a3d-a9a8-b8923832b1e6 | 2023-06-28T23:48:13 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/conway-business-reopen-doors/91-627767d8-7588-4a3d-a9a8-b8923832b1e6 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sunday's severe weather left over 100,000 Arkansans in the dark.
And while people tried to stay cool during the power outages, many turned to generators, a safety hazard if misused.
"We noticed a big uptick in generator service and installation calls," Airmasters General Manager David Holliman said.
Holliman said his technicians have responded to about 30 generator service calls since the storm on June 25, an uncommon uptick this time of year.
"We get a strong surge of generated calls in the spring when it's storm season," Holliman said. "This time of the year, it's kind of unusual."
Holliman welcomes any customer concern calls because he wants to see people get the necessary maintenance before something goes wrong.
Although Airmasters only work on home standby generators, Holliman recommends them to customers because they require less labor.
"Once the power goes out, it automatically does everything," Holliman said. "Switch over in the breaker panel, so there are no safety issues."
For portable generators, fire officials said to ensure it's at least 20 feet away from houses to prevent carbon monoxide from getting inside.
"The exhaust is just like a vehicle," North Little Rock Fire Captain Dustin Free said. "It's like leaving the exhaust off. That engine is going to go and go into the atmosphere and stay inside of the house. It'll fill up the garage and eventually get into the living area."
Free said people should also use a funnel when filling a generator with gas. If any gas is spilled in the process, Free recommends not starting the generator until the gas evaporates.
According to North Little Rock Electric, a generator should never be plugged into a wall outlet or breaker panel because it could send electricity back into the distribution system, potentially deadly to employees.
"We're trying to make sure that the public knows all the safety tips," Free said.
In addition, experts said Arkansas's power grid is prepared to meet the demand of the summer heat. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/generator-safety-heat-power-outages/91-75af7bd9-d33a-44bb-8bf7-84cba81ba3f9 | 2023-06-28T23:48:15 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/generator-safety-heat-power-outages/91-75af7bd9-d33a-44bb-8bf7-84cba81ba3f9 |
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Passengers are relieved after a mechanical issue led to tense moments on a Delta Air Lines flight to Charlotte Wednesday morning.
Delta Flight 1092 departed Atlanta just before 7:30 a.m. As the plane approached Charlotte, the pilot alerted air traffic control that they were experiencing a landing gear issue. After circling the airport, the pilot was able to safely land the plane without the nose gear.
Air traffic communication obtained by WCNC Charlotte shows the pilot telling the tower that they had an unsafe nosewheel with "104 souls on board." Delta confirmed the plane had 96 passengers, two pilots and three flight attendants. The pilot also said the plane had 50 minutes of fuel.
Fortunately, no one was injured during the scary incident.
"Initially we were going down to land and we got 30, maybe 50 feet from the runway and the pilot sped up and kind of took off again, he didn't want to land," one passenger said. "That was kind of the first sign of, 'Oh, something must be pretty wrong.' As we came back around for the second time, I think it kind of set in, everybody was looking around like what is actually the problem?"
Charlotte Douglas officials confirmed everyone on board was safe and carried to the terminal on buses. The cause of the landing gear failure is under investigation.
"We were just circling, we didn't know why we were circling the airport," another passenger said. "Then the pilot came on and let us know the wheels up under the nose weren't coming down."
And while passengers credited the pilot for an excellent job landing the plane safely, it's a moment they won't soon forget.
"The fear and panic that set before this was palpable," Ariel Ramsay commented on a passenger's video of the landing. "There was a lot of nervous crew, some more than others, crying and hugs, true fear of what it could have been for very valid reasons. I am so thankful for the crews work in landing safely, and for the staff who were working hard to hold their own fear down while providing the calmness we needed."
Delta issued a statement saying in part, "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and employees," telling WCNC Charlotte the airline plans to take care of customers who were on the flight.
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
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All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/delta-air-lines-flight-emergency-landing-no-front-gear-charlote-douglas-international-airport/275-a7cc82f2-f4f5-4592-aadc-3a297e039584 | 2023-06-28T23:49:57 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/delta-air-lines-flight-emergency-landing-no-front-gear-charlote-douglas-international-airport/275-a7cc82f2-f4f5-4592-aadc-3a297e039584 |
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A virus among cats and kittens has prompted the suspension of intakes at Hernando County Animal Services, the county announced Wednesday.
Feline panleukopenia has been detected among the cat population at the kennel, and Hernando County Animal Services is following best practices to protect the remaining shelter population, a news release said. It's a highly contagious viral disease of cats caused by the feline parvovirus, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
During the suspension, it will allow an isolation period for sick and exposed animals. The virus is most dangerous to kittens that can be too small for protective vaccinations, the shelter said.
"Our primary responsibilities are the health and safety of the animals and the citizens we serve," Hernando County Animal Services Manager, James Terry, said in a statement. "Although difficult, the decision to temporarily suspend feline intake services is the best way to meet those responsibilities.
"We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work diligently to provide the best care and return to normal operations."
While Hernando County Animal Services monitors the issue, they will continue testing and supportive care for the cats and kittens impacted by the virus. Another notice will be sent out when normal feline operations return after the approval of Hernando County's staff veterinarian.
Additionally, the Hernando County government has been made aware that panleukopenia is present in the community.
Cat owners should contact their vet if they start to see signs of generalized depression, loss of appetite, high fever, lethargy, vomiting, severe diarrhea, nasal discharge and dehydration.
More information about feline panleukopenia can be found here. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hernandocounty/cat-virus-hernando-county-suspends-intakes/67-d21db4ad-0586-4c57-b135-603fdd7baf02 | 2023-06-28T23:50:03 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hernandocounty/cat-virus-hernando-county-suspends-intakes/67-d21db4ad-0586-4c57-b135-603fdd7baf02 |
Death investigation launched after Salisbury woman's body found on Virginia Eastern Shore
The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is conducting an investigation into the death of Kadisha Smith of Salisbury after her body was found on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
During the investigation, an individual was located who led detectives from the Wicomico and Accomack County sheriff’s 0ffices to a location in Virginia where Smith’s body was discovered June 23.
Smith’s next of kin was immediately notified.
More on recent casesSheriff's office on hunt for suspect in Salisbury stabbing
The investigation surrounding Smith’s death and how her body ended up in Accomack County is still ongoing. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-548-4898.
The facts that are known at this time, have enabled the Sheriff’s Office to declare that there is no ongoing threat to the community as a result of this incident.
More on a recent fatal collisionNew Jersey man dies, three injured in fatal Worcester County crash | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/death-investigation-launched-after-salisbury-womans-body-found-in-va/70366448007/ | 2023-06-28T23:53:40 | 0 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/death-investigation-launched-after-salisbury-womans-body-found-in-va/70366448007/ |
Hebron man sentenced to 60 years for rape, sexual abuse of three children
Harold Cuff, 49, of Hebron has been sentenced to 60 years of incarceration, which includes a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence, for rape in the second degree and related charges involving three minor children.
Cuff pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2023, to sexual abuse of a minor, rape in the second degree and two counts of sexual offense in the third degree, the Office of the State's Attorney for Wicomico County said in a news release. He was later sentenced on June 21 by Kathleen L. Beckstead, chief judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County.
At the time of the new conviction, Cuff had been on supervised probation for previous convictions for first degree burglary and first degree assault, the news release stated. The aggregate sentence is the total consecutive sentence for the new conviction and violations of probation. Cuff was found to be a third-time subsequent offender for crimes of violence, and was also determined to be a sexually violent predator.
According to the release, from August of 2018 through July of 2022, Cuff sexually abused three minor children within his household. The victims ranged in ages from 3 years old to 15 years old.
CRIME:Sheriff's office on hunt for suspect in Salisbury stabbing
MORE:Tractor-trailer goes overboard on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Dykes said, “The sexual abuse of one, let alone three children, is a complete and utter tragedy. Due to the diligent prosecution of this case, the courage of the survivors and the resolute sentence of the court, this violent predator will remain behind bars for decades to come, if not for the remainder of his life.”
Dykes commended Cpl. N. Hager of the Maryland State Police, who was the lead investigator, and members of the Child Advocacy Center for their work in the investigation. Dykes also commended Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Calabrese, who prosecuted the case.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com. | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/06/28/hebron-man-gets-60-years-for-rape-sexual-abuse-of-three-children/70365105007/ | 2023-06-28T23:53:46 | 1 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2023/06/28/hebron-man-gets-60-years-for-rape-sexual-abuse-of-three-children/70365105007/ |
A Lincoln man is set for sentencing after entering a plea in a case involving a man's kidnapping and torture and a woman's sexual assault last summer at a warehouse on the northeast edge of town.
Tanner Danielson, 31, faces up to 50 years on each of the charges — attempted kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault — at his sentencing in September.
He pleaded no contest Wednesday.
The case against his co-defendant, Austin Widhalm of Firth, remains in county court, where he's charged with false imprisonment, felony assault and a weapons charge.
The investigation began the morning of July 29, when the Gage County Sheriff's Office took a report about a handcuffed man spotted walking along a gravel road southeast of Firth near the Gage County line.
When they found him, the 26-year-old told deputies he had been struck by a wrench and handcuffed, held captive for 12 hours, tortured and beaten at a warehouse near North 56th Street and Interstate 80, where he had gone the night before with a female friend to buy cocaine.
At the Beatrice Hospital, where he was treated for burns and brand marks on his face, arms and legs and two black eyes, he told Lincoln Police he was "beaten, burned with a blowtorch and branded" with the word "thief" after he was ambushed by two men during a drug deal.
The victim believed it was retaliation for him burglarizing Danielson's house and stealing marijuana and cash about a week earlier.
When police interviewed the woman held captive with him, she told them she had been raped by one of the men, who introduced himself as Tanner, after he took her to a bathroom.
Police said Danielson drove her home from the warehouse and threatened to kill her if she reported it.
The male victim was left with his mouth taped shut, tied to a tree in rural Gage County and told if he wasn't still there when they returned, they would kill his family. He eventually freed himself and started walking.
Police said the investigation led to the arrests of Danielson in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Widhalm in Lincoln. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-enters-plea-in-kidnap-torture-case/article_f2288986-15ed-11ee-b705-13d7a03bb245.html | 2023-06-28T23:55:49 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-enters-plea-in-kidnap-torture-case/article_f2288986-15ed-11ee-b705-13d7a03bb245.html |
At least three restaurants surrounding SouthPointe Pavilions were closed Wednesday afternoon by a water main break.
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que, McDonald's and Chick-fil-A were closed late into the afternoon, while Goodly Cookies was without water but able to remain open for business.
Because the water main break was at a private business, the city of Lincoln wasn't called to fix it. However, Lincoln Transportation & Utilities spokesperson Erika Hill said her department was called for consultation.
Von Maur, an anchor tenant in the south Lincoln mall, had to close its doors for about an hour, an employee told the Journal Star.
Top Journal Star photos for June 2023
A'rielle Harvell (bottom), 5, slides down an inflatable water slide next to her sisters, Yahkira Harvell (top), 4, and Samirah Graham, 13, on Monday in central Lincoln. The temperature in Lincoln reached 96 on Monday and was in the 90s again on Tuesday. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the 90s and mostly sunny conditions for at least the next week.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
David Campbell, a recent graduate from Union college's international rescue and relief program, climbs and rappels from a tree alongside Mike Mikler (not pictured) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
The duo, who had earlier created a giant swing, said they were climbing the trees for fun and practice. The program for International rescue and relief is a bachelor of science degree designed for students who want to serve and help others in disaster and humanitarian relief.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Southeast Community College Professor Michael Mellon teaches anatomy of the human brain to his class Tuesday in Lincoln. A change to community college funding in Nebraska will result in higher property taxes to support SCC next year, but officials say a tax credit will offset those increases.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Crane removal equipment sits on Q St. between North 9th and 10th St. temporarily closing the section of Q until June 23rd, Monday, June 19, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Malone Ribbon Dancers, including Maisey Ratliff, 8, dance during Lincoln's Juneteenth celebration Saturday at Trago Park.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Scott Copeland (Left) and Donnette Thayer (right) play Irish folk music with friends during the Hub Farmers Market at Union Plaza park on Wednesday. The markets are Wednesdays, from 5-7 p.m., through Sept. 20.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Open Harvest employees shovel gravel at the Open Harvest ground breaking in the Telegraph District, Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Dynasty Volleyball players Abigail Mullen (bottom left), Reese Messer (left), Claire Cisneros (top right), and Skyler Pierce (right) share snacks and stories with one another as they rest on the catwalk overlooking the volleyball courts ahead of their next match during the Midwest PreNationals tournament on Friday, June 9, 2023, at the Sports Pavilion Lawrence in Lawrence.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Fisherman Salem Alsareni, catches a 24 inch carp, weighing in at six and a half pounds at Holmes Lake, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Angela Gebhardt walks next to Star City Chorus during the Star City Pride Parade Saturday at the Nebraska state Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Foster Care Closet employee Brooke Horton lifts boxes of diapers onto the bus before departing for Norfolk on Friday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
University of Nebraska-Lincoln chancellor candidate Rodney Bennett answers questions from students and staff who are part of the College of Law on Thursday at the Office of the President.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Terrance McIntyre gets his hair cut by Treveon Phinney at 402 Fades Barber Shop on Thursday at Gateway Mall.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Eliana Athena Vargas Smith, 2, plays in the fountain at Union Plaza park on Wednesday, when temperatures reached 88 degrees in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Children extend their arms outward as they reach for bubbles to pop during a family fun night ice cream party on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at the Charles H. Gere Branch Library in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Harper Trumble (top right) dances with her cousin Keegan VanDeWater (right) while Alexis Arai y Su Grupo perform as part of the Jazz in June concert series on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at in the Sheldon Sculpture Garden at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln. The first performers for Jazz in June drew a sizable crowd on Tuesday. The free concert series, held each Tuesday in June, will feature two sets of music from 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:45 p.m. Beyond the performances, the series will include education outreach coordinated by community centers and artists. A market offered food and drinks to hungry patrons. And a bike Valet will provided free, secure parking for bicycles from 5 p.m. until the end of the performance in the market.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
The Rev. T. Michael Williams signs the petition to repeal LB753 during Support our Schools Nebraska petition drive kickoff at the state Capitol on Tuesday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Mia Masch, 5, has her hair adjusted by her father Ian while his pet parrot Mango rests atop his shoulder during an animal blessing ceremony at First-Plymouth Church.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Shriner clowns cover their hearts for the invocation before the Nebraska Shrine Bowl on Saturday at Cope Stadium in Kearney.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
A rainbow is seen near Ralston High School stadium during the Nebraska High School Soccer Senior Showcase on Friday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Grace Jacobson of Lincoln holds a rainbow umbrella over a coffin prop in front of the Governor's Mansion on Thursday, the final day of the legislative session.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nikita (black) jumps into the dog pool as Pearl chases after her at Off Leash Dog Bar on Wednesday.
HAYDEN ROONEY, Journal Star
Lincoln East’s Carter Mick (10) poses for portrait , Monday, May 29, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Rebecca Rager greets her grandfather Alfred Zieg (from left) during a celebration before his birthday on Wednesday, in the Gramercy dining room on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at The Residence at Gramercy in Lincoln. 'It has been a life for sure," Alfred Zieg said during the celebration. "And on Wednesday I get to start all over again, right?"
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Muggs, a 6 year-old chocolate lab fetches his toy from the water following his dive on Saturday at Paws 4 Fun in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Fire fighters clear out hot debris pulled off of 411 Mulder Dr home after alert two back yard fire, Friday, May 26, 2023, in Lincoln.
HAYDEN ROONEY Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7391 or psangimino@journalstar.com
On Twitter @psangimino
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/southpointe-eateries-closed-by-wednesday-afternoon-water-main-break/article_528b65c6-15f0-11ee-94e2-0733279e728d.html | 2023-06-28T23:55:59 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/southpointe-eateries-closed-by-wednesday-afternoon-water-main-break/article_528b65c6-15f0-11ee-94e2-0733279e728d.html |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/body-cam-video-shows-allen-officer-tracking-down-mall-gunman/3286382/ | 2023-06-28T23:57:38 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/body-cam-video-shows-allen-officer-tracking-down-mall-gunman/3286382/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/south-oak-cliff-neighbors-concerned-about-proposed-distribution-warehouse/3286361/ | 2023-06-28T23:57:44 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/south-oak-cliff-neighbors-concerned-about-proposed-distribution-warehouse/3286361/ |
Traffic has eased up for drivers in Collin County. On Wednesday morning, leadership from the Town of Prosper, the City of Celina and Collin County celebrated the expansion of Frontier Parkway.
"It was expanded from Dallas Parkway to Preston Road along Frontier," Ryan Tubbs, Mayor of Celina said. "This stretch has a football stadium. It has a natatorium, it has a park, it has an elementary school directly off of it, as well as new retail shops that have opened in the past six months to a year with several more retail coming."
Frontier Parkway, which was previously a two-lane asphalt road, is now a four-lane concrete roadway after a nearly $34.5-million investment.
"The county was brought in to assist with coordination from design as well as to lead the project and assist financially," Tubbs said.
Drivers like Maddln Downes said they are thankful for the improvements.
"There was a lot of potholes, and it was almost like an off-roading type of experience," Maddln Downes said.
Downes lives in Prosper and often drives along Frontier Parkway. "With the railroad, it was tough. And then if you got stuck behind a big truck with all the construction, it would be a nightmare." Downes said. "It would take a while to get anywhere."
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The latest news from around North Texas.
However, the new bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe or BSNF railroad tracks helps decrease delays.
"Previously, everyone would get stuck at the bridge. If a train comes through, there is a spot that the train stops in Prosper. And a lot of times there's another train unloading or loading. It would get stuck there at Frontier," Tubbs said. "BNSF was a great partner in the project in allowing and coordinating with both cities for the overpass to be able to go over the train."
The overpass will also help first responders reduce their response times to emergencies.
"They really only have three access points to make it over the railway and one of them could potentially be blocked at all the times. So, they had to go around 380," Tubbs said. "For our first responders, it's critically important because every second matters. And it allows them either ease of access to get over that railway without having to stop or find an alternate route. Now they can consistently know that they're able to travel over Frontier."
The east-to-west connector, which is estimated to see 30,000 vehicles a day, has room for growth.
"Ultimately, it can be improved to six lanes in the future. It was designed that way. It's a major regional thoroughfare for us," Tubbs said.
A plan that according to the municipalities and county will accommodate the projected population growth in Celina and Prosper. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/the-frontier-parkway-project-finally-complete-after-a-nearly-34-5-million-investment/3286325/ | 2023-06-28T23:57:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/the-frontier-parkway-project-finally-complete-after-a-nearly-34-5-million-investment/3286325/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/the-frontier-parkway-project-is-finally-complete/3286415/ | 2023-06-28T23:57:57 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/the-frontier-parkway-project-is-finally-complete/3286415/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/workers-prepare-for-the-heat-while-some-plano-residents-are-left-without-power/3286407/ | 2023-06-28T23:58:03 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/workers-prepare-for-the-heat-while-some-plano-residents-are-left-without-power/3286407/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gas prices are set to increase this weekend by three cents. The state’s gas tax goes up every July to adjust for inflation and help pay for the roads, and the latest increase puts it to around 58 cents per gallon.
While some claim drivers won’t notice, others say every penny counts.
Back in 2010, California drivers were paying 18 cents a gallon in the excise gas tax. It’s gradually increased throughout the years.
“We do have relatively high taxes in California in order to have freeways. The freeways aren't really free. They're funded by taxes, and the gas tax is the way we fund them,” said Consumer Watchdog president Jamie Court.
Court says drivers won’t really notice the three-cent difference.
“I think last year we noticed when we saw gas prices go up by like $1, literally in a matter of three weeks during the summer. Three cents isn't going to matter, particularly when it's funding the roads and the upkeep of the roads rather than funding the coffers of the oil refiners,” he said.
Republican Assemblymember Laurie Davies disagrees. She said she tried one final time to get lawmakers to suspend it Tuesday "to give Californians a break from being taxed to death.”
It’s the latest attempt in a multi-year effort. Last year’s effort to suspend the gas tax had bipartisan support from a group of lawmakers — part of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
“Once again, though, it just wouldn't push through. It’s kind of mind blowing to me when we know how people are hurting,” said Davies.
Top Democrats said there was no guarantee suspending the gas tax would result in lower costs at the pump.
As of Wednesday, June 28, Californians are paying an average of $4.83 per gallon, according to AAA.
“The danger on gas prices is they could go up suddenly. I mean, we could have something that happens in July or August, and we can see these gas price spikes again. That's going to be a real test of the California Energy Commission and the new powers it has… how it deals with it, there will be a test at some point,” said Court.
He’s referring to the new law Governor Gavin Newsom advocated for that went into effect this week requiring oil refiners to be more transparent with their efforts and when they’re doing maintenance. It allows the state’s energy commission to punish oil companies if they’re found to be profiting too much.
The excise gas tax isn’t the only tax drivers pay for at the pump. They also pay 23 cents a gallon for California’s cap-and-trade program to lower greenhouse gas emissions, as well as 18 cents for the state’s low-carbon fuel program.
WATCH ALSO: Lawmakers OK potential fines for price gouging | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/californias-gas-tax-increase/103-25951ec5-a77d-4ca3-b2b6-2ce15c9bea29 | 2023-06-28T23:58:05 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/californias-gas-tax-increase/103-25951ec5-a77d-4ca3-b2b6-2ce15c9bea29 |
EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — The El Dorado County Fair & Event Center is inviting everyone to bring their coolers, footballs, dancing shoes and other activities as it prepares to host the annual 4th of July Family Blast.
The family fun event will take place at the El Dorado County Fair and Event Center in Placerville on July 4. There will be live music, carnival rides, games, food, commercial vendors and more.
Here's everything you need to know to have a blast and catch fireworks this Fourth of July:
Schedule
- 3 p.m. Gates open
- 6-10 p.m. Live music by Dream and the Dreamers
- Between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Fireworks
Admission
- $10 Parking in the Tiers
- $5 per person (walk-in at the gate), Kids 6 and under are free
- $30 per carload — includes parking on the grounds and Family Blast admission for up to 6 people
- $75 for RVs — includes overnight parking on the grounds and gate admission for up to 6 people
- $15 carnival ride presale wristbands, $20 day-of event
Tickets at the gate are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash-only day of the event. Admission does not include admission into the racetrack.
Get your tickets HERE.
Activities and vendors
Rides:
The American Wheel
Merry Go Round
Super Slide
Games:
The Bearded Axe - Axe Throwing
Various Lawn Games
Food Vendors:
Cool Kettle Corn
The Lemonade Yard
Bacondogge
Bubble Cone
Snowie Magic
Pappis Kitchen
Richards Patty Wagon
Wing it on Wheels
Commercial Vendors:
Hansen Trading Co
Gold Leaf Botanicals
Face Painter Kimberly
The Bearded Axe Throwing
El Dorado Disposal
Bow by Bow
Banned Items
El Dorado County Fair is enforcing guests not to bring the following:
- Pets
- Outside alcohol
- Charcoal barbecues
- Glass Containers
Map
For live updates on traffic near the fairground, view the Waze map below.
Watch more from ABC10: Neil Nayyar to headline Elk Grove 4th of July firework celebration | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/fireworks-show-el-dorado-county-placerville/103-390448c3-8266-435e-9aad-acedab78e32f | 2023-06-28T23:58:06 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/fireworks-show-el-dorado-county-placerville/103-390448c3-8266-435e-9aad-acedab78e32f |
A dramatic helicopter rescue has been unfolding in New Jersey on Wednesday afternoon after a team of firefighters found themselves stuck in the Passaic River.
Several members of the Clifton Fire Department were on board a fire boat that reportedly needed aid after going over the Passaic River Falls.
The first calls for additional aid came around 3 p.m. when the boat became stranded in the river, partially submerged in the water.
A yellow life boat was being lowered down the side of the falls in what appeared to be a part of the river rescue, but was seemingly abandoned. By 5 p.m., a New Jersey State Trooper helicopter arrived to take over.
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Within a couple minutes, a rescue team member descended down from the helicopter and managed to lift one of the two men stranded on the boat up and out of the river. The second and last member on the fire department boat had to wait a bit longer.
The second rescue attempt took at least another 10 minutes to complete as the helicopter team struggled to get back to the boat. Once he made it back to the boat during a third attempt, he secured the second firefighter to the harness and the duo were pulled up into the air.
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The stranded firefighters did not appear to be in imminent danger throughout the ordeal, but the entire scope of the situation is still unfolding.
There were no immediate reports of injuries to any of the firefighters. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nj-fire-boat-members-rescued-via-helicopter-in-passaic-river/4461948/ | 2023-06-28T23:58:06 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nj-fire-boat-members-rescued-via-helicopter-in-passaic-river/4461948/ |
FOLSOM, Calif. — Folsom is turning into the wild west this holiday weekend as it hosts a well-known and loved city tradition, the Folsom Pro Rodeo.
This year, the Folsom Pro Rodeo celebrates 62 years of 'wild rodeo action.' The three-day event attracts around 21,000 people annually.
The event presented by the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, is happening July 1-3 at the Dan Russell Rodeo Arena located at 403 Stafford Street.
The patriotic, family-fun event offers nonstop rodeo action, mutton busting, dancing, an American flag which arrives by skydiver, a fireworks show and much more.
What is mutton busting?
A group of 5- to 6-year-old cowboys and cowgirls will test their skills by riding sheep. With a handful of will, they'll try to cling on while the sheep steps out of the chute and often just lays down. Mutton busting will happen each evening of the Folsom Pro Rodeo.
The show will also feature live performances from Sacramento-based pop-country band MoonShine Crazy at Saloon Under the Stars. Also at 10 p.m. each day, the band will also perform as the fireworks light up the sky.
Unfortunately, this event is sold out, but for those going here's everything you need to know.
WHAT TO BRING
- Sunscreen
- Hat/sunglasses
- Blanket
- Factory-sealed bottle of water
- Small clear bag of snacks for toddlers
WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
- Personal water bottles, food, beverages
- Ice chests
- Stadium chairs
- Pets
- Weapons (this includes concealed or permitted weapons)
- Cameras, video equipment
- Pepper spray
- Strollers and baby carriers (Bayside Church is hosting a stroller parking area)
PARKING
There is plenty of parking around the Dan Russell Rodeo Arena, which is located at the rear of the Folsom Lions City Park. Parking onsite is $15.
Parking is available nearby the arena in local neighborhoods.
SacRT is offering free shuttle rides from the Historic Folsom and Glenn/Robert G. Holderness light rail stations to Rodeo Park in Folsom all weekend.
For more information click HERE.
Watch more from ABC10: Fireworks crackdown expected in leadup to 4th of July | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-pro-rodeo/103-33815ea7-649f-47ec-b537-da5f2db5ec97 | 2023-06-28T23:58:21 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-pro-rodeo/103-33815ea7-649f-47ec-b537-da5f2db5ec97 |
Fed up with hundreds of bootleg pot shops, New York launched new inspections this month aimed at getting rid of the unlicensed stores that are troubling the state's fledgling legal marijuana market. “You will be caught,” the governor vowed.
But anyone who expects to see the stores shape up or shut down might need patience.
Two weeks after the enforcement push debuted with authorities issuing violation notices and confiscating contraband weed at 11 Manhattan storefronts, only two appeared to have closed when an Associated Press reporter visited, and two others were no longer selling marijuana products.
At the rest, it was business as usual.
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In some shops, customers came and went right past the “ILLICIT CANNABIS SEIZED” notices inspectors had posted in the windows. Other retailers apparently took down the signs, ignoring their stated warnings of additional penalties for doing so. A couple of stores advertised marijuana products on sidewalk signs. And another was thick with pot smoke from customers enjoying their purchases in its “lounge.”
For all its new initiative, the state won't immediately shutter the illegal shops, which have been operating with relative impunity throughout New York City.
Inspections are just a first step toward hefty fines and, potentially, closure and even criminal prosecution. Still, regulators hope this will be a turning point in weeding out illegal sellers and giving authorized ones more room to flourish.
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“To the citizens that want us to go out and padlock on day one: We do have to afford a due process system," explains state Office of Cannabis Management enforcement director Daniel Haughney. “As you see the process actually play out, step by step, it will get to a point where you’re not going to see these illicit shops out there any longer.”
A manager at one of the first 11 shops that were cited declined to discuss it. Managers and owners of those that hadn't shut down didn't respond to requests for comment.
Since New York legalized recreational marijuana use in March 2021, it has struggled to enforce the new regulations on sales.
The state limited the amount of pot someone can have for personal use and allowed for criminal charges, including felonies, for illegally possessing and selling larger amounts. But officials have stressed that they don't want to “recriminalize” the drug after striving to make up for decades of prosecutions.
New York set aside its first dispensary licenses for people who had pot convictions or relatives who did, planned to find and outfit storefronts for them to lease, and more. But those complexities helped slow the rollout. Just 15 approved retailers have opened in a state of nearly 20 million people, compared to the 25 dispensaries that opened in the first three months of legal sales in neighboring Vermont, which has only about 650,000 residents.
Unlicensed sellers rushed to fill the vacuum in New York. That has happened in some other states, but scale and density have made the problem especially visible in New York City, where shops have appeared every couple of blocks in some neighborhoods.
Their proliferation is irking lawmakers and licensees alike.
“The most frustrating part is that there’s just not a clear understanding within the public about the difference between a licensed dispensary and an unlicensed dispensary,” since the latter are operating so openly, said Arana Hankin-Biggers, president of a licensed Manhattan dispensary called Union Square Travel Agency.
She emphasizes that buying legal means that products have been tested at state-approved labs and follow labeling and other rules. She notes that half her dispensary's proceeds go to a nonprofit partner that helps formerly incarcerated people. Yet those selling points vie with the sheer abundance of unauthorized options nearby.
Price comparisons between the licensed and unlicensed sellers are difficult because of the range of products and stores; also, licensed sellers collect state taxes that illicit shops likely do not. Hankin-Biggers said Union Square Travel Agency's prices are competitive, and sometimes lower.
The state cannabis office started trying to oust unauthorized marijuana stores last year by sending warning letters. But at the time, it didn't have the clear authority that it now has for inspections, fines and other consequences.
Meanwhile, some local officials took action. New York City has towed trucks suspected of selling weed, sued shops, and, with the state's help, inspected over 600 smoke shops since November on suspicion of illegal sales of pot or other items. Those inspections have led to more than 1,000 violation notices, 100 arrests, $15 million in fines and millions of dollars' worth of seizures, Mayor Eric Adams' office said.
“New York City is doing everything in its power" to tackle the problem, mayoral spokesperson Kayla Mamelak said in a statement that commended the state's new efforts. Meanwhile, the city could levy new fines against illegal weed shops' landlords under a measure the City Council passed last week, and that Adams appears likely to support.
The state's new powers come from legislation that Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed into the state budget in May. It allows for inspections, seizures, fines that can reach $20,000 a day plus possible tax penalties, and, in some cases, closing shops and going after landlords.
After an inspection and seizure, retailers are entitled to an administrative hearing to determine whether they’ll be fined. In order to lock the doors, the state would have to go to court and demonstrate that “the public health, safety, or welfare immediately requires” such a step.
Arrests, while possible, are “not the focus point,” as the state hopes that fines and seizures will persuade illegal sellers to stop, Haughney said.
Hankin-Biggers said she's already seen an impact. The first inspections included several unauthorized shops near her licensed dispensary, and some then pivoted to other products or apparently closed.
“I’m super-hopeful,” she said. “It's going to take some time, but I think we’re starting to finally make progress." | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-cracking-down-on-unlicensed-pot-shops-but-closing-them-might-take-time/4462272/ | 2023-06-28T23:58:21 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-cracking-down-on-unlicensed-pot-shops-but-closing-them-might-take-time/4462272/ |
FOLSOM, Calif — With the Fourth of July ahead, it's time to bring out everything red, white and blue - including your running shoes.
Folsom is preparing to host two big events this 4th of July: Folsom Firecracker Race and Folsom Ranch 4th of July Bike Parade.
Both events are great for the entire family to kick off the 4th of July before other festivities of the day.
Here's everything you need to know to start your morning on our nation's Independence Day:
Firecracker Race
On the morning of the fourth, Folsom will be hosting the 12th Annual Folsom Firecracker race.
The race will start at 145 Parkshore Drive.
According to the race's website, the event will benefit the burn prevention program at Shriners Children’s Northern California.
RACE DAY TIMES
6:30 a.m. - Registration opens
7:45 a.m. - 10K Start
7:50 a.m. - 5K Start
8:00 a.m.- 2 Mile Start
REGISTRATION
- Includes a race t-shirt, chip timing, eligibility for age group & special division awards and a sparkly red-white-and-blue finisher's medal
- $48 to participate
- A $5 discount is offered for youth participants ages 1 to 17 years for the 2 Mile, 5K and 10K
- Reduced cost entry to all US Military - Active Duty, Veterans and Reserves
For more information and how to register for the race click HERE.
PARKING
Parking (free) is available in the surrounding corporate parks of Parkshore Drive. Please be mindful of no parking signs. Arrive early to find a space.
4th of July Bike Parade
Grab your bikes, trikes and shooters and head out to the Folsom Ranch 4th of July Bike Parade!
This family-friendly event is open to all ages and skill levels. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes with patriotic colors and symbols to show off the American spirit.
The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and starts at Mangini Ranch Elementary School located at 4640 Sparrow Drive.
Don't forget to wear red, white and blue!
For more information click HERE.
Watch more from ABC10: Cal Fire suspending outdoor residential burn permits in some Northern California counties | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/fourth-of-july-folsom/103-4c250f6d-95c2-4745-b0f5-a31bb8163217 | 2023-06-28T23:58:27 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/fourth-of-july-folsom/103-4c250f6d-95c2-4745-b0f5-a31bb8163217 |
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Roseville is celebrating Independence Day with several events throughout the city Tuesday.
From family-friendly activities to a variety of food and entertainment, here are all the details on how the Fourth of July is being celebrated in Roseville.
4th of July Parade
The parade starts at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Riverside Avenue, Vernon Street and Douglas Boulevard. The city recommends getting there early to find a place to watch. The parade route continues past the Civic Center on Vernon Street and turns right onto Lincoln Street before turning right again on Park Drive. Find a map of the parade map HERE.
Parking for the parade is available at the Oak Street Parking Garage and Vernon Street Parking Garage. People can't go into the Oak Street parking garage after 9 a.m. There is also some street parking near Taylor Street and Royer Street.
After the parade, people parking in either garage will only be able to exit the garage to the right.
Royer Park Activities
After the parade, there are activities and games at Royer Park for people to enjoy. A patriotic band will be playing music and food will be available for purchase as well. It lasts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Run Crime Out Of Roseville
The annual "Run Crime Out of Roseville" event is a 5K race alongside officers from the Roseville Police Department.
Funds from the run go to community education, managing anonymous tip software and phone numbers, and sponsorships for high school students who want to pursue being first responders, according to the website.
The 5K started at 7:15 a.m. and is $30 for adults and $25 for children. There will also be a free quarter-mile run for kids under 10 starting at 8:15 a.m.
People can register HERE until midnight on June 30, according to the website.
Fireworks @The Grounds
The 4th of July fireworks show returns for a night of fun at @the Grounds.
Parking and gates open at 4 p.m. Parking is $10 cash only and there is no entrance fee. Seating is limited at the All American Raceway grandstand and is first come, first served. There will be activities and games for kids. No outside food or coolers are allowed.
The fireworks will start between 9:15-9:30 p.m.
4th of July fireworks safety
If you choose to celebrate Independence Day at home and bypass the parades and public events, you should read up on any local ordinances in your city or county before buying any fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in certain areas of the state due to serious injuries and millions in property loss from fireworks-sparked wildfires.
According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, an average of 18,000 fires are started every year by fireworks, both illegal ones and “safe and sane” fireworks” used improperly.
To celebrate the Fourth of July safely, the Office of the State Fire Marshal says you should only use fireworks outdoors, and never near dry gas or other flammable materials. It’s also recommended to keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby when using fireworks.
Regardless of where you go in California, using fireworks that explode, leave the ground or move about the ground uncontrollably is illegal. These fireworks include skyrockets, bottle rockets, and Roman candles. Anyone caught with illegal fireworks could face fines or even arrest.
All legal fireworks include the “Safe and Sane” logo from the California State Fire Marshal on them. If you are not sure if your fireworks are legal, you can contact your nearest Cal Fire facility or local fire station.
Watch more on ABC10: Placer County Board of Supervisors holds a special meeting on Project 8 Winery
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/rosevilles-4th-july-celebration/103-95410108-0f4e-43c6-b1a0-3a2f27fdd518 | 2023-06-28T23:58:33 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/rosevilles-4th-july-celebration/103-95410108-0f4e-43c6-b1a0-3a2f27fdd518 |
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — For years now, we have followed the murder of Isaiah Torres. The Benton County boy was murdered by his parents after years of abuse. But now, he's being remembered in a way that aims to prevent tragedies like the one that took his life.
“I wanted to do something that would be in Isaiah's a memory that would keep his memory alive that would continue to honor his life and his story,” said Amy Gourley.
Registered nurse Amy Gourley has no connection to Isaiah Torres or his family. She happened to be at the Bentonville square one day as Mauricio Torres’ sat on trial for a second time, accused of killing his six-year-old son Isaiah. She decided to sit in on the rest of that trial and then the third.
“At the third trial, sentencing, I almost felt worse after it was over, because I felt like no one would continue to share Isaiah’s story or even talk about him anymore,” she said.
Gourley says after Torres was sentenced to life in prison this February, she sat in her car brainstorming. That’s when she decided investing in the education of the future child advocates would help honor Isaiah’s life.
“Isaiah would be 15 next week, if he was still alive, if he wasn't killed at the hands of his parents, the ones who were supposed to love him and protect him the most,” she said.
She established the Isaiah Torres Memorial Scholarship Fund at Northwest Arkansas Community College which will benefit students in the child advocacy studies (CAS) program.
Stephanie Morris oversees the program and says it's designed to prepare future frontline professionals that might be involved in investigating or responding to child maltreatment. She says many of their students rely on financial aid or scholarships.
“Many of them are first-generation college students, or they're working full time, and every penny will really make a big difference to them in the long run. These are fields for people that have a passion for helping, not necessarily making a lot of money. And so, they're going to come out with fewer student loans, which will make it much easier for them to get started in their professional careers,” said Stephanie Morris.
She says it’s amazing that Gourley took Isaiah’s story and decided to do something good with it. Now, Gourley is calling on her community to help make a difference.
“One person can change things, one person can make a difference. One person can inspire other people in the community. And I think that's what people need to remember is that you can do hard things, if you could do things that will make a difference,” she said.
Click here if you would like to donate to the Isaiah Torres memorial scholarship fund. Click on the donate now tab. Then enter the amount you wish to donate. In the 'How would you like to direct your donation' text box, enter Isaiah Torres Memorial Scholarship Fund.
You can also donate by mail to the address below:
Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation
Attn: Isaiah Torres Memorial Scholarship Fund
One College Drive
Bentonville, AR 72712
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/memorial-scholarship-honor-isaiah-torres/527-d510e1a0-1b47-4719-93ae-7d6aac2af488 | 2023-06-29T00:00:33 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/memorial-scholarship-honor-isaiah-torres/527-d510e1a0-1b47-4719-93ae-7d6aac2af488 |
CYPRESS, Texas — An Amazon contract driver got his own unwanted delivery Tuesday evening seconds after approaching a home with a pile of packages.
"Oh good Lord,” the worker could be heard saying in the family's surveillance video that they shared with KHOU 11.
He had a heat-related episode brought on by the blazing weather.
"This is something that can affect anybody,” Assistant Chief Justin Reed, with the Cy-Fair Fire Department, said.
Reed reported twice as many heat-related calls this month than last August and September combined. Those are usually the high-heat months.
"Just for the month of June, the Cy-Fair Fire Department has responded to over 40 responses for heat-related illness," Reed said. "That’s where it’s the primary call for us going out.”
How to cool off
Reed and others used a training dummy to illustrate part of their response.
"If your core temperature is at 104 (degrees), that’s when we start worrying. You’re now pushing from heat exhaustion to heat stroke,” Reed said.
The dummy’s temperature dramatically decreased during a misting and fanning procedure typically done in the back of an ambulance.
Ice or even frozen food is also used to help cool people down.
"So, this is something that is super low-tech that not a lot of people have jumped onto that is extremely effective,” Reed said.
According to Amazon, the contract employee did not require emergency help.
“We’re very thankful to report this delivery driver is OK and feeling well," a spokesperson said in a statement. "We’ll continue to monitor the driver’s condition, and we appreciate the customer bringing this to our attention.”
The company added there’s nothing more important than the safety and health of employees and delivery partners, especially during times of extreme temperatures.
Full statement
“We’re very thankful to report this delivery driver is OK and feeling well. There’s nothing more important than the safety and health of our employees and delivery partners, especially during times of extreme temperatures, and we take a lot of precautions to minimize risk. All Amazon-branded vehicles have air conditioning, drivers are provided with as much water and Gatorade as they need, and they’re encouraged to take breaks whenever needed to cool off. We’ll continue to monitor the driver’s condition, and we appreciate the customer bringing this to our attention.”
Maureen Lynch Vogel, Amazon spokesperson | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/amazon-delivery-driver-heat/285-101acebc-bda6-441e-a7e4-311c37a4b27a | 2023-06-29T00:02:04 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/amazon-delivery-driver-heat/285-101acebc-bda6-441e-a7e4-311c37a4b27a |
GARLAND, Texas — A North Texas city has renamed its newest skate park after a hometown skateboarding legend following a request by both the local community and even Tony Hawk himself.
The Boneyard skate park in Garland was officially renamed after Jon Comer, who died in 2019 and is a native of the city. The change was made official during a city council meeting on May 16, according to Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Morris.
Comer was the first pro skateboarder with a prosthetic leg and was dubbed by X Games officials as the godfather of adaptive skateboarding. He was just a child when he had to have his foot amputated following a car accident.
He was also the subject of the 2004 award-winning documentary, "Never Been Done."
The local skateboarding community has been calling on the city to rename the skate park since it opened in October 2022. According to Morris, the request even dates back to 2019.
Pro skater Tony Hawk joined the initiative back in January 2023 when he made a video pitch to the city to memorialize Comer. "He was truly an inspiration to skaters. He was a pioneer in skating… was a huge inspiration to adaptive athletes, especially in skating and action sports," he said.
"After learning more about Jon Comer’s remarkable achievements and receiving a recommendation from the Parks Board to change the name to include Comer’s name, the City Council unanimously agreed to change the skate park name from 'The Boneyard' to 'Jon Comer Skate Park,'" Morris said in a statement on Facebook.
Morris said the city is working to order a replacement sign for the park. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/garland-texas-name-skate-park-after-legend-jon-comer-push-from-community-tony-hawk/287-06fe15dc-33e1-4fd5-a34e-03f8041b624c | 2023-06-29T00:02:10 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/garland-texas-name-skate-park-after-legend-jon-comer-push-from-community-tony-hawk/287-06fe15dc-33e1-4fd5-a34e-03f8041b624c |
DALLAS — Despite being in foster care for eight long years, Wednesday’s Child 11-year-old King is forever smiling.
Mother Teresa once said a smile is the beginning of love. King's smile speaks a lot louder than his words.
“You say cheese, and he makes this big smile! He's full of joy," said Leah Powell. She is King's Child Protective Services caseworker.
"He's fascinated with cameras, and he likes to take pictures of himself and video tape himself," said Powell about King.
The tween is currently into Transformers and drawing. He also has a healthy appetite. Powell said he likes to eat proteins and vegetables.
He's a parent's dream case scenario when it comes to eating his veggies.
"He likes broccoli. King loves to eat anything. He can eat anything and everything,” Powell said. “He just enjoys food.”
King is a growing young man who is teaching Powell a lesson about strength.
"I love to go visit King. The first thing he says to me is, ‘hi,’ and then he asks for his notebook,” said Powell.
When King has his notebook, he immediately starts drawing. He can draw for hours.
King doesn't use a lot of words, but he doesn't need them with Powell. She sees King – truly sees him.
"He's a smart kid. There is so much there. You just gotta [sic] find it and nurture it," she said about King.
He is on the autism spectrum and will need lifelong care.
"King needs a family that understands his diagnosis, that's patient and committed to him,” said Powell.
Adoption changes lives. The prayer is that King finds a forever family who sees him too.
Powell wants him to have parents who see his light, his intelligence and above all, the love in his smile.
For more information on how to adopt King, please send all approved home studies to LaQueena Warren at LaQueena.Warren@dfps.texas.gov. Please remember to include King's name within the subject line.
If you're not licensed, please visit adoptchildren.org to find out more information on how to become licensed to foster and/or adopt or contact LaQueena Warren at 817-304-1272.
If you would like to read more Wednesday’s Child stories, click here. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/outreach/wednesdays-child/wednesdays-child-11-year-old-king-in-foster-care-for-8-years-adoption-story/287-23a01422-86e2-4e8e-9b46-54d4e81f417d | 2023-06-29T00:02:16 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/outreach/wednesdays-child/wednesdays-child-11-year-old-king-in-foster-care-for-8-years-adoption-story/287-23a01422-86e2-4e8e-9b46-54d4e81f417d |
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY — The Pasadena Senior Activity Center will be closed on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30, due to damages sustained from a fire on Wednesday, The Department of Aging and Disabilities say.
Officials say that no one was injured in the fire and all staff and center members were able to evacuate safely.
Members are encouraged to visit other centers for available programming while the Pasadena Center is closed.
All other centers will be operating on normal schedule on both Thursday and Friday.
For more information on other locations, click here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/pasadena-senior-activity-center-temporarily-closes-due-to-fire | 2023-06-29T00:05:00 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/pasadena-senior-activity-center-temporarily-closes-due-to-fire |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — Baltimore County on the scene of a barricade situation in the 8900 block of King Henry Circle in White Marsh.
Residents who live in this area are being asked to stay indoors as police work to peacefully resolve the incident.
This is story will continue to be updated. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-on-scene-of-a-barricade-situation-in-white-marsh | 2023-06-29T00:05:06 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-on-scene-of-a-barricade-situation-in-white-marsh |
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - The City of Flint is celebrating 70 years of the Corvette.
The classic car came out of the assembly plant in Flint back in 1953, 70 years ago.
Back to the Bricks, General Motors' Flint Assembly plant leaders, UAW union members and local leaders held a special ceremony on Wednesday.
They acknowledged Flint as the birthplace of the Corvette.
It was built on Van Slyke, next to the current Flint Assembly Plant.
: "The biggest innovation for the first Corvette ever was the use of fiberglass for the body, or sheet molded composites," says Ed Piatek the Chief Engineer for Performance Vehicles. "This provided a lot of benefits, it was a lot quicker to make, lower costs, and gave the designers more flexibility in shaping the curves of the car. So that was one of the really innovative technologies to give the car the very expressive look."
Only 300 Corvettes were made in 1953. Each one had a polo white paint, with red interior and a black convertible. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/corvette-ceremony-held-on-wednesday-in-flint/article_55c04274-1600-11ee-9aba-df00d272fcb8.html | 2023-06-29T00:10:04 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/corvette-ceremony-held-on-wednesday-in-flint/article_55c04274-1600-11ee-9aba-df00d272fcb8.html |
GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) - Inmates are sharing their condolences following the unexpected death of a Genesee County Sheriff Deputy.
Deputy Anthony Fedewa died on Sunday after a brief illness, he was 56 years old.
Sheriff Chris Swanson says that Fedewa was loved by everyone. He was known for his service and leadership in the corrections facility and the Army.
Inmates at the Genesee County jail made Fedewa's family a card.
The card reads, "Fedewa was a great man. He will be greatly missed."
It was hand-drawn by an inmate and includes written notes from several others.
"This is what unity looks like," says Sheriff Swanson. "In his death, he's being credited by people that he secured, controlled cared for."
Fedewa's funeral is scheduled for next Wednesday. He'll be buried at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly Township. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/inmates-at-genesee-county-jail-make-card-for-family-of-deceased-deputy/article_7d743480-15f4-11ee-a520-33681a627cf0.html | 2023-06-29T00:10:10 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/inmates-at-genesee-county-jail-make-card-for-family-of-deceased-deputy/article_7d743480-15f4-11ee-a520-33681a627cf0.html |
CARO, Mich. (WJRT) - There is an effort underway at the Caro Area District Library to remove the book "Gender Queer: A Memoir," over its LGBTQ+ themes.
The director at the library has said that the book will stay.
Concerned citizens are expected to discuss moving or removing sex education books. Particularly the books that include drawings and explanations of naked people, genitals and intercourse in the children and teen sections.
The library board meeting scheduled in June was canceled because the number of people who came out exceeded the fire code.
The next meeting is scheduled for July 10. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/sexual-education-books-to-be-discussed-at-caro-library/article_43ed2f68-15f0-11ee-b10f-87d837909509.html | 2023-06-29T00:10:16 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/sexual-education-books-to-be-discussed-at-caro-library/article_43ed2f68-15f0-11ee-b10f-87d837909509.html |
VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — A 72-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly choking and killing his wife, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Wayne Leonetti was booked in the Clark County Jail and charged with second-degree murder. The official cause and manner of death is still under investigation.
Deputies say they responded to a disturbance call at 19400 NW 61st Ave around 11:15 a.m. after Leonetti called 911 to report that he had killed his wife. Leonetti went on to say that he choked his wife and that she wasn’t breathing, according to authorities.
Officials say they contacted Leonetti outside the home, claiming he was uncooperative at first, but they were able to detain him after a brief standoff. A woman was found in the home and declared dead after medical teams rendered aid, according to CCSO. The woman was tentatively identified as 80-year-old Alice Bolen, authorities said.
CCSO says there is no outstanding threat to the public. | https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/authorities-man-called-911-after-choking-killing-his-wife/ | 2023-06-29T00:10:21 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/authorities-man-called-911-after-choking-killing-his-wife/ |
SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — A fight involving 10-15 juvenile boys near a Salem mall resulted in three arrests and a boy being stabbed on Tuesday, police said.
The three teenagers were charged with rioting and one of the boys was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. They were each lodged at the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center.
Just before 6 p.m., police say they responded to a stabbing call at 480 Center St. NE and located a boy in a mall restroom with a non-life-threatening stab wound. Officers said the wound occurred as a result of a large fight that took place at the northwest corner of High St NE and Chemeketa St NE.
When police attempted to contact a group of boys suspected to be involved in the fight, one boy was caught after running a throwing a handgun away, authorities said.
Two other teens were also taken into custody after police confirmed they were involved in the fight.
The Salem Police Department says they do not identify minors involved in criminal investigations. | https://www.koin.com/local/marion-county/police-fight-involving-10-15-boys-leads-to-3-arrests-1-stab-wound/ | 2023-06-29T00:10:22 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/marion-county/police-fight-involving-10-15-boys-leads-to-3-arrests-1-stab-wound/ |
SAN ANTONIO — Hospitals across Texas are seeing an uptick in patients experiencing heat-related illness.
Data from the CDC indicates there were 837 heat-related visits per 100,000 emergency department visits between June 18 and June 24. Compare that to 639 heat-related visits per 100,000 emergency departments visits during the same time frame in 2022.
“Last week, we had seen approximately 69 patients associated with heat-related illnesses and just this week since Sunday, we’ve seen 32 patients within the Baptist system,” said Dr. David Lim.
Baptist Health is among the hospital systems in the Alamo City keeping busier than normal with treating people impacted by the scorching hot temperatures.
“A post office patient that’s been outside all day, I’ve had a parking attendant patient too that had to come in due to heat exhaustion,” Lim said.
Triple-digit days have become common, especially over the past couple weeks, prompting medical professionals to remind the community about the signs to lookout when it comes to heat sickness.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include fatigue, rapid heart rate, vomiting and headaches, which can worsen to heat stroke, leading to body temperatures exceeding 105 degrees, multi-organ failure and death.
“There’s so many important individuals that are outside working doing things that need to be done. Try to find some shade, find some cool water, take that 10-15 minutes because it save you a trip to the hospital,” Lim said.
In 2022, Texas recorded 279 heat-related deaths, the most since 1999, according to Lori Keck, Frio Regional Accute Care ED and trauma nurse manager.
So far in June, Frio Regional’s emergency department in Pearsall has reported 35 visits from a multitude of heat-linked illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, dehydration and rhabdomyolysis. Keck is urges everyone to be extra vigilant when dealing with the blazing hot temperatures.
“With temperatures reaching 110-115 degrees in our area, it is also very important to make sure kids or pets are not left alone in your vehicle. Interior temperatures of cars can reach up to 160 degrees, rapidly causing their bodies to overheat,” Keck said.
Methodist Healthcare is also experiencing an increase in patients with heat sickness. Dr. Kenneth Nugent stressed how older adults, children and people with existing health issues are most prone to experiencing detrimental effects from the scorching conditions.
“For heat stroke the mortality of that illness can be as high as 30%. They can be in the hospital for a long period of time, days to weeks,” Nugent said. “If you’re ever worried about anyone, if you’re worried about how you’re feeling, I always tell my patients if there is any concern just to call 911.”
The City of San Antonio is operating dozens of cooling centers for residents. Locations include libraries, senior centers and community centers. Go here to learn more. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/hospital-heat-texas-san-antonio/273-505cf441-4ca3-4ebc-b618-fb167f9ce1d4 | 2023-06-29T00:13:36 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/hospital-heat-texas-san-antonio/273-505cf441-4ca3-4ebc-b618-fb167f9ce1d4 |
SAN ANTONIO — As we are now into summer, the next two months are the perfect time to get your child caught up on their childhood vaccines before school begins in the fall. Getting these childhood vaccines aren't only important to protect your child, but also other children, especially those with medical conditions that prevent them from getting specific vaccinations.
"It's very important for children under five to get their vaccines because they have lower immune systems in general and they don't have as much exposure and experience seeing lots of different infections," said Dr. Dina Tom who is a pediatric hospitalist with University Health and associate professor of pediatrics with UT Health San Antonio.
She says when a child is born they only have the mother's immunity for a few months. Dr. Tom told us, "That's why they tend to get a bunch of vaccines in that first couple of years of life because they have to build up their protection to go out into the world and interact and be happy, healthy children."
According to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report… Kindergartner's vaccination rates are on the decline. Vaccines for measles, mumps, and the rubella vaccine, and state required doses of vaccines for polio, varicella, diptheria, tetanus and pertussis was about 93 percent for the 2021-2022 school year, which is down from 94 percent in the previous year, and 95 percent in 2019 and 2020, before the COVID pandemic.
Dr. Tom added, "Now that we have children out in the world again, they had a couple of years where they weren't really weren't exposed to sick people, so their immune systems really got a bit lower."
Right now Dr. Tom says making sure your child has the measles, mumps, and rubella shot is very important. Dr. Tom said, "These are all three viruses. And measles is very, very contagious. So we're seeing these in different parts of the country where there's low vaccination rates and measles can be very, very dangerous."
The CDC has a wealth of information about childhood vaccines. You can also check out University Health's Children's Health site for more information as well.
For more information about family health call 210-358-3045. You can also find the rest of Wear The Gown stories, just go to WearTheGown.com. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/outreach/wear-the-gown/wear-the-gown-childhood-vaccinations/273-91df18f4-8f31-4e19-abd0-a73191fdfe67 | 2023-06-29T00:13:37 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/outreach/wear-the-gown/wear-the-gown-childhood-vaccinations/273-91df18f4-8f31-4e19-abd0-a73191fdfe67 |
SAN ANTONIO — ERCOT Vice President of Planning Woody Rickerson told board members last week the wind would be an important factor this summer.
"Resource adequacy for high-demand days is going to be very dependent on wind. That's just the reality of where we are. Every day we will have to look at what the wind is doing," Rickerson said.
ERCOT reported a demand of up to 80,018 Megawatts of power (MW) on Wednesdays. The power grid only has a maximum of 72,000 MW between natural gas, coal, and nuclear plants according to the last ERCOT statement.
This means wind and solar power must make up the difference, and solar power is only available during the day.
Fortunately, solar power is producing around 10,000 MW between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and wind provided between 20,000 MW and 23,000 MW throughout Wednesday. KENS 5 shows the wind forecast staying consistent throughout the rest of the weed and into the weekend.
Meanwhile, CPS Energy is still asking residents to conserve power through Thursday. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/wind-turbines-texas-power-grid/273-313510a0-f114-4d58-b420-7b0a7189c9d5 | 2023-06-29T00:13:39 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/wind-turbines-texas-power-grid/273-313510a0-f114-4d58-b420-7b0a7189c9d5 |
Biden adviser, Detroit officials celebrate $6M revamp of Roosevelt Park in Corktown
Detroit -Hazardous air quality wasn't going to stop a top presidential senior adviser and a gaggle of local politicians from touting another victory over Detroit's war on blight.
Gene Sperling, Senior Adviser to President Joe Biden, was in town Wednesday to help launch the renovated Roosevelt Park in front of Ford Motor Co.'s Michigan Central in Corktown. The city park has undergone a $6 million upgrade and expansion. The upgrades include eliminating the streets that split the park in the middle. The park is now unified and full of new green spaces and wide paths.
"To see this become a beautiful, open, iconic place -- this is what creates community," Sperling said.
Sperling oversees the historic $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan known as the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. Detroit received $826 million of ARPA funding and $5 million of it went to renovating Roosevelt Park.
The dangerous air quality caused the city to cancel a community event of live music and food trucks that was to follow the congratulatory speeches by Sperling, Mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and others.
Roosevelt Park is the latest win in the city's years-long battle to revive dead buildings and blighted spaces. Michigan Central is part of a 30-acre, nearly $1 billion campus Ford is developing in southwest Detroit. Its anchor is the former train station that sat vacant and neglected for decades.
Ford received an estimated $238 million in tax breaks to renovate Michigan Central. The historic structure is one of several Corktown buildings being restored by Ford, which plans to use Corktown as its hub for "the company’s vision for the future of transportation," according to a company website. Michigan Central hasn't opened yet.
Corktown, the city's oldest neighborhood, has experienced a steady and rising influx of development for about two decades. Many restaurants and other small retail breathed new life into Michigan Avenue, and more recently, several upscale apartment complexes and a hotel are being built.
Long-time Corktown resident Annette Alexander said when Ford announced it was setting up shop in the neighborhood, she began to get many unsolicited offers to buy her home. Alexander has lived in the community for 30 years.
The celebration took place as the sky was hazy from the smoky pollutants drifting in from Canadian wildfires. The air quality index for Detroit at the time of the Wednesday afternoon event was in the "hazardous" range.
"The park and parts of the neighborhood has been transformed. I'm not leaving," said Alexander, who attended the Roosevelt Park event. "But if Ford calls and makes an offer, I will listen. "
Even in one of Detroit's most celebrated areas of urban renewal, the persistence of blight is present. There's the still fire-damaged Roosevelt Hotel, the boarded-up CPA building, and two small blocks of empty land and vacant buildings on Michigan Avenue across the street from the park. The nearby new Southwest Greenway, which links to Roosevelt Park, offers interesting views of many new developments and big empty industrial buildings.
Recently, Duggan proposed hiking the city's property taxes for vacant land and buildings while lowering the rate for occupied homes and businesses in a plan he contends will resolve many of Detroit's blight and high property tax woes.
The proposal, dubbed the Land Value Tax Plan, would increase taxes on land while reducing taxes on homes and structures by an expected 30%. If approved by the Michigan Legislature, and later by Detroit voters, Duggan claims the plan will encourage further neighborhood growth and hold land speculators accountable.
laguilar@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/28/biden-adviser-detroit-officials-celebrate-6m-revamp-of-roosevelt-park-in-corktown/70362225007/ | 2023-06-29T00:15:33 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/06/28/biden-adviser-detroit-officials-celebrate-6m-revamp-of-roosevelt-park-in-corktown/70362225007/ |
Wyandotte cell tower legal battle to take place in state court, judge rules
A group of Wyandotte residents suing to remove a new T-Mobile cell phone tower atop a public elementary school are cheering a late Wednesday ruling that sends the lawsuit back to state court.
The residents originally filed the suit in Wayne County Circuit Court, alleging the telecommunications giant duped the local school district and a city of Wyandotte engineer into issuing an illegal building permit to build the 5G cell phone tower on the chimney of Washington Elementary School.
T-Mobile had attempted to move the lawsuit to federal court because it contends the case deals with federal law regarding cellular technology.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith on Wednesday decided to return the case to Wayne County Circuit Court.
"This case does not necessarily raise any federal issue, thus requiring a remand to state court," the judge wrote in his order.
"This is another HUGE win for us," Josh Castmore, a lead attorney representing the residents, wrote in Facebook post.
The Wyandotte resident also has children who attend Washington elementary. Three Wyandotte parents are suing T-Mobile, the Wyandotte school district, board of education, City Council, Mayor Robert Desana and former Superintendent Catherine Cost and more than a dozen other current and former city and district employees.
Castmore said the next step is to quickly secure a ruling that will keep the 5G cell phone tower from being activated. A court-mandated temporary restraining order prevents the new tower from being activated for the first time. That order ends on Friday.
The cell tower has sparked fierce resistance by a group of parents in the Downriver community who argue the cellular technology poses a potential health threat to the schoolchildren.
Attorneys for T-Mobile point out the cellphone tower will emit radio frequency waves that are well below, about 5%, the acceptable level allowed by the Federal Communications Commission.
laguilar@detroitnews.com
. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/28/lawsuit-over-wyandotte-cell-phone-tower-atop-an-elementary-school-to-be-heard-in-state-court/70366699007/ | 2023-06-29T00:15:45 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/28/lawsuit-over-wyandotte-cell-phone-tower-atop-an-elementary-school-to-be-heard-in-state-court/70366699007/ |
EUPORA, Miss. (WTVA) — A Eupora Police officer was arrested Tuesday for allegedly hitting his girlfriend.
Webster County Sheriff David Gore identified the man as Phillip Miller.
The incident allegedly happened at Miller’s home Monday night in Eupora, according to the sheriff.
He was arrested and charged with domestic violence, a misdemeanor, and received a $2,000 bond. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/eupora-officer-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge/article_9e1ef9fa-1602-11ee-91b6-27fd0e084ef7.html | 2023-06-29T00:22:30 | 0 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/eupora-officer-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge/article_9e1ef9fa-1602-11ee-91b6-27fd0e084ef7.html |
Travelers are getting hit with delays at U.S. airports again Wednesday, an ominous sign heading into the long July 4 holiday weekend, which is shaping up as the biggest test yet for airlines that are struggling to keep up with surging numbers of passengers.
By late afternoon on the East Coast, about 4,800 U.S. flights had been delayed and more than 950 were canceled, according to FlightAware.
The worst disruptions continued to be along the East Coast, which has been pummeled by thunderstorms this week. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily held up Boston-bound flights on Wednesday. It stopped flights to all three major airports in the New York City area for a time Tuesday night.
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The FAA in a video on Twitter blamed the delays and cancellations on weather, calling it a domino effect that means crews can’t get to where they need to, and for some airports too many planes stuck resulting in ground stops.
According to the FAA’s website, there are a number of airports with ground stops possible, including Orlando International Airport.
Summer storms combined with high volume are leading to high levels of air travel disruption this week. DOT will continue our work to support passengers & promote resiliency in the airline system.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) June 28, 2023
If you’re flying, be sure to check out https://t.co/1QkmVqmAaB to know your rights. pic.twitter.com/4BhaQuifqp
Over 22,000 flights were delayed Wednesday, and more than 1,500 already canceled according to Flight Aware.
The weather only adding to staffing issues highlighted in a report out last week by the U.S. Department of Transportation, in which they said about 77% of the FAA’s critical facilities are staffed below the 85% threshold.
Huge crowds, bad weather, inability of some airline crews to reach their scheduling offices — even a Delta jet that made a belly landing in Charlotte, North Carolina — all contributed to the mess.
And it could be just the storm before the storm: The FAA predicted that Thursday would be the heaviest travel day over the July 4 holiday period. On top of that, some airline planes may be unable to fly in bad weather starting this weekend because of possible interference with 5G wireless service.
United Airlines, which has a major hub operation in Newark, New Jersey, was again faring the worst early Wednesday. It canceled about 500 flights or 17% of its schedule by late afternoon. New York’s JetBlue canceled 9% of its flights.
Travel has picked up steadily every year since bottoming out during the pandemic. For the past week, about 2.6 million people a day on average have been flying in the United States, about 2% more than in the same period during pre-pandemic 2019, according to Transportation Security Administration figures.
The number of air travelers could set a pandemic-era record over the holiday weekend. The FAA expects Thursday to be the busiest, with more than 52,500 total flights.
People whose travel plans were disrupted took to social media to vent against the airlines. Some swore they would never fly again on whichever airline had done them wrong.
Tia Hudson was back at Newark Liberty International Airport for the fourth straight day, trying to catch a United Airlines flight home to Louisiana.
“My flight has been canceled like five times now. I slept at the airport two nights, I booked two hotels, I spent over $700 since I’ve been here and they said they’re not going to reimburse me because it’s weather-related,” she said. “It’s not weather-related. It’s a shortage of pilots and attendants.”
Hudson missed her mother’s wedding and caused her mother to skip her own honeymoon to pick up Tia at the airport near Dallas – only for the flight to be canceled.
Also, Hudson’s bags were lost.
“I just want to get away from this airport, but they say nobody is leaving until Saturday,” she said.
At Logan Airport in Boston, pharmaceutical company manager Rui Loureiro had to scrap plans to spend the rest of the week meeting clients on the West Coast when his flight to San Francisco was canceled. United told him the soonest he could get on another flight was Friday, and didn’t offer to pay for a hotel room. He plans to fly home to Portugal instead – or at least give it a try.
“I am a little bit stressed, disappointed,” Loureiro said. “People were waiting for me. We had things arranged to do. Now I have to go back and rebook everything and come again another time.”
If large numbers of passengers are stranded or delayed this weekend, expect federal officials and the airlines to blame each other for the mess.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes the FAA, has been beating up on the airlines for more than a year. He has accused them of failing to live up to reasonable standards of customer service and suggested that they are scheduling more flights than they can handle.
The airlines are punching back.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby blamed a shortage of federal air traffic controllers for massive disruptions last weekend at its Newark hub.
“We estimate that over 150,000 customers on United alone were impacted this weekend because of FAA staffing issues and their ability to manage traffic,” Kirby wrote in a memo to employees.
The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents United’s cabin crews, said United was contributing to the situation. The union said employees were waiting three hours or longer when calling a crew-scheduling center for assignments because of “limited telephone lines and personnel.”
However, the FAA signaled earlier this year that it could struggle to keep flights moving in New York, the busiest airspace in the nation. Facing a severe shortage of air traffic controllers at a key facility on Long Island, the FAA persuaded airlines to trim their summer schedules to avoid overloading the system.
Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, where American and Southwest are based, took the airlines’ side in a series of tweets about delays at the New York City area’s three big airports.
“Staffing at FAA’s air traffic facilities in NY is at 54%,” Cruz tweeted. “Yet (the Transportation Department) is blaming weather for delays. Nonsense.”
A Transportation Department spokesperson said the agency is working with airlines to fix things, but the combination of high traffic and bad weather reduces the rate at which planes can take off and land safely, leading to delays and canceled flights.
The FAA is training about 3,000 new air traffic controllers, but most of them won’t be ready anytime soon. Last week, the Transportation Department’s inspector general said in a report that the FAA has made only “limited efforts” to adequately staff critical air traffic control centers and lacks a plan to tackle the problem.
Last week, Buttigieg issued a new warning to airlines, telling them that planes that aren’t outfitted with new radio altimeters — devices that measure the height of a plane above the ground — won’t be allowed to operate in limited visibility after Saturday because of potential interference from new 5G wireless service.
American, United, Southwest, Alaska and Frontier say all of their planes have been retrofitted, but Delta Air Lines still has about 190 planes waiting to be updated because its supplier doesn’t have enough altimeters. Delta said it will schedule those planes to avoid landing where the weather might be bad to limit disruptions.
Smaller airlines that operate regional flights could also be affected by the radio interference issue, as could flights operated to the United States by foreign carriers.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/28/airline-delays-and-cancellations-are-bad-ahead-of-the-holiday-weekend-theyre-getting-worse/ | 2023-06-29T00:22:36 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/28/airline-delays-and-cancellations-are-bad-ahead-of-the-holiday-weekend-theyre-getting-worse/ |
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs controversial state takeover of Gainesville utilities
Gainesville commissioners, who have historically campaigned on GRU matters, will have no power in deciding what occurs with the utility or its rates.
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed the controversial HB-1645, dubbed the "GRU Takeover" bill, beginning the process of establishing a governor-appointed Gainesville Regional Utilities authority board and setting the stage to strip the Gainesville City Commission of its authority over the municipal-owned utility.
While some, including Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, have said the bill could be devastating to local government and services, others are hopeful that it will bring down notoriously high utility bills.
The bill takes away the city commission's century-long control of GRU and gives ultimate authority to an unpaid five-member board appointed by the governor. DeSantis is now responsible for issuing a public notice looking for citizen nominations within 120 days of the bill’s July 1 effective date, according to the bill.
The nomination period will last at least 30 days, and the governor will appoint the board members within 60 days of the nomination period ending.
Gainesville commissioners, who have historically campaigned on GRU matters, will have no power in deciding what occurs with the utility or its rates. While the board would have the ability to hire and fire GRU's general manager, the city's charter still says that the role is a "charter officer" position that answers to the City Commission.
The bill was first introduced almost two weeks after members of the state's Joint Legislative Auditing Committee grilled city leaders in February about utility oversight and city officials' plan to tackle $1.7 billion in debt.
"I have no confidence that the City Commission will take the steps that are severe enough to curtain the bankrupting of the utility," state Rep. Chuck Clemons said at the time.
Since then city officials announced a plan to reduce $315 million of GRU’s debt over the next 10 years and have proposed cutting jobs and raising property taxes in the city.
Gainesville commissioners have argued the bill could have negative financial impacts on the city, despite what state lawmakers claim.
The uncertainty surrounding the impacts of the bill have already resulted in a projected cost of $2.9 million to be shouldered by GRU ratepayers over the next three years after commissioners authorized the purchase of bonds with a new bank for the utility after a first bank pulled out over concerns related to the bill.
With the bill now signed, Gainesville officials and residents will likely look at taking legal action.
In June the city commission authorized the spending of $250,000 from the GRU utility system reserves fund for the outside counsel of Ackerman, LLP, led by Cindy Laquidara, in hopes the counsel can provide legal advice in connection with analyzing and potentially litigating the impact of the bill on the city.
Earlier coverage:Commission funds legal counsel, prepares to litigate impact of ‘GRU Takeover’ bill
A citizen-led nonprofit group, Gainesville Residents United, has said it will file a federal lawsuit in the coming days in response to the bill.
“I worked for GRU through almost the entire 1980s and really, truly believe in locally controlled utility operations. I think they're important for health, safety, welfare, reliability, and accountability and transparency,” said Robert Hutchinson, the group’s president. “There's lots of pressure on local utilities and this is just part of the battle.”
Mayor Harvey Ward's statement
"Today marks a controversial milestone in the history of our publicly owned Gainesville Regional Utilities. House Bill 1645 — commonly known as the GRU bill — has become law. This means that by October 1, 2023, we can expect Governor Ron DeSantis to have appointed five people to manage, operate and control our municipal utility," Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward said in a statement released Wednesday.
"What does this mean for our GRU customers?
"The first thing to know is that the new law does not change who owns GRU. The utility is still owned by the residents of the City of Gainesville," Ward said.
"The second thing is that we are proud of GRU’s record of providing excellent service. It is my hope this will continue for all gas, electric, water and wastewater, and GRUcom customers throughout this transition," he continued.
"Finally, I am - and I trust my City Commission colleagues are - working to develop a better understanding of the way this new board will operate, the decisions it is likely to make and the actions our commission will need to take to ensure a proper and dependable transition. More information will help us move through these uncharted waters," Ward concluded. "I say this not because I believe a governor-appointed GRU Authority is the right move for our utility and our community, but because at this moment that debate is over. It is my job to make this changeover a smooth one for the people of Gainesville." | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/desantis-signs-controversial-gru-takeover-bill/70357176007/ | 2023-06-29T00:30:59 | 0 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/desantis-signs-controversial-gru-takeover-bill/70357176007/ |
Update from sheriff’s office shows Alachua County Jail still severely understaffed
Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr. was absent from the meeting he was expected to present at.
A new update from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office shows the county is still severely understaffed with over 100 vacant positions showing little progress has been made since the issue was discussed by county commissioners in February.
During the presentation, which was requested by county commissioners, it was revealed that there are a total of 105 vacancies for combined dual certified officer positions and civilian positions at the jail. In February, data obtained by the Gainesville Sun showed that the jail is operating with 246 employees who oversee all operations of the 800-inmate facility, despite there being 354-funded positions.
The presentation touched on issues such as the length and nature of the recruitment process as well as retention struggles, though the Board of County Commissioners had hoped for more details.
More:Data shows the Alachua County Jail is 'severely' understaffed. Employees forced to work overtime
More:Sheriff Clovis Watson will not seek second term in office, submits withdrawal letter
County commissioners interrupted the presentation multiple times to express that the information being provided was not what they had hoped for.
“I don't mean to be difficult, but when we asked the sheriff to come to meet with us, the whole point was about the challenges that we were having about staffing the jail and the increasing population of the jail and the low numbers of staffing at the jail and concerns about safety and security and ability to manage the jail population,” said Commission Chair Anna Prizzia.
A copy of the presentation was not presented to the commissioners ahead of the meeting, Commissioner Mary Alford said.
“I'm just really surprised that this is, you know, the information that we're getting today,” she said.
Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr., who was expected to be in attendance, was absent due to illness, his colleagues said.
Before the staffing update the commission received in February, they had expressed frustration with Watson’s lack of responsiveness on the issue for a two-month period. Emails obtained by the Sun show Tuesday’s meeting was supposed to take place back in May, but was postponed by Watson.
Watson dropped out of his race for reelection, submitting a withdrawal letter this month. He has declined to comment since.
Capt. Chris Sims, ACSO public information officer, said the office compiled the presentation based on an email sent to them by Prizzia.
“These folks have gone based upon your email and your direction and created this outline,” Sims said. “We want to come to you with the right information, but we're going based upon what was requested from your email.”
Despite the commissioner’s concerns, Major Lance Yaeger said everything at the jail is going smoothly.
“Despite the staffing challenges, I can assure you that the security and the operations are going flawless and seamless,” he said.
Former jail director Maj. Robert Stafford said in a February phone interview that he watched the vacancy rate balloon during his tenure and up until his departure in November. During that time, he added, the sheriff rejected multiple proposals to help fix the problem.
“I'm afraid for the employees," he said. "I'm concerned for the inmates in the jail. What was once a well-run organization is not anymore. There is no leadership over there." | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/update-from-acso-shows-county-jail-still-severely-understaffed/70365411007/ | 2023-06-29T00:31:05 | 1 | https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/update-from-acso-shows-county-jail-still-severely-understaffed/70365411007/ |
UPDATE: I-5 reopens in Redding after tanker truck spill
Update, 4:15 p.m.
All lanes in both directions of I-5 have reopened in north Redding after a tanker truck spill earlier Wednesday closed the freeway for several hours.
Update, 2:15 p.m.
Officials have opened one lane of southbound Interstate 5 after all lanes were closed earlier Wednesday due to an overturned tanker truck that spilled liquid nitrogen.
Caltrans reported the lane opened around 2 p.m.
Northbound I-5 is still closed in the area.
Original story
A semitruck hauling 6,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen overturned on northbound Interstate 5 in north Redding on Wednesday, snarling traffic for miles in both directions, the California Highway Patrol said.
Liquid nitrogen was escaping through a vent in the tanker that was attached to the truck, CHP officer Rob Smith said.
The big rig truck was heading north and hauling a tanker full of the material when the left front tire blew, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck and tanker trailer rolled over and came to rest in the center median, Smith said.
No other vehicles were involved in the crash, which happened just north of Twin View Boulevard in north Redding at about 9 a.m. The driver was not injured but, he was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Smith said.
All four north and southbound lanes were closed to through traffic, causing traffic to back up for miles in both directions. Motorists were forced off the freeway around the crash, which caused further traffic jams on surface streets in north Redding.
Liquid nitrogen is a very cold substance that can be used to keep materials frozen. After the tanker came to rest in the center median in the road, vapors from a vent on the tanker escaped into the air.
Smith said the vapors may were likely to stop escaping from the vent after the tanker was brought upright again on its wheels.
In addition to the risk of freezing skin and other tissue, a materials safety data sheet from Vanderbilt University said that because of how liquid nitrogen reacts with oxygen it should only be handled in well-ventilated areas.
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/2023/06/28/chp-i-5-closed-in-north-redding-due-to-overturned-tanker-truck/70364988007/ | 2023-06-29T00:32:32 | 0 | https://www.redding.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/chp-i-5-closed-in-north-redding-due-to-overturned-tanker-truck/70364988007/ |
NASHWAUK — A beleaguered mining company is appealing a state agency's decision to grant to a competitor mineral leases it once held.
On June 23, Mesabi Metallics filed a petition with the Minnesota Court of Appeals, arguing the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources erred in its decision to award 30 state mineral leases to Cleveland-Cliffs. The company also requested the leases be sent back to the DNR "for further proceedings to determine on a lease-by-lease basis whether the statutory prerequisites have been met."
"Given the fact that some of the leased parcels are not adjacent to any Cliffs parcel, along with the disputed nature of Cliff’s property and mining rights in other adjacent parcels, the transaction does not meet the requirements prescribed by Minnesota law," Jessica Nelson, an attorney for Mesabi wrote in the petition.
Last month, the Minnesota Executive Council — chaired by Gov. Tim Walz and made up of the state's constitutional officers — unanimously approved granting all of the leases to Cliffs. Cliffs said it would use the ore mined in Nashwauk to feed its Hibbing Taconite processing facility in Hibbing, keeping it open for at least another two decades. The mine and pellet plant would otherwise run out of ore in 2026, putting more than 700 jobs at risk.
Cliffs already has mineral rights throughout the Nashwauk site.
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But Mesabi maintains that if an anti-trust lawsuit it filed against in Cliffs in 2017 is ruled in its favor, separate third-party leases in Nashwauk would not go to Cliffs.
Mesabi cites Minnesota law that the state can grant the leases through negotiation if the party already has adjacent leases.
The company argues that because the third-party leases are in litigation, and that several of the state leases are not adjacent to any Cliffs parcels, the DNR erred in granting the leases to Cliffs.
Mesabi reiterated that it wants some of the state mineral leases, particularly the six state leases within its permit-to-mine area, while some of the leases could still go to Cliffs to help keep Hibbing Taconite open.
During last month's Minnesota Executive Committee meeting, DNR officials maintained that it had looked into the possibility of splitting leases between multiple companies, but that breaking up and sharing mining land is difficult and could put permitting at risk.
The DNR did not immediately respond to the News Tribune's request for comment.
Mesabi once held the state leases in question, but the DNR pulled the leases in May 2021 after Mesabi failed to meet what was then considered last-chance deadlines.
For more than 15 years, iterations of Mesabi, which is owned by Mumbai, India-based Essar Group, has floundered through construction stoppages, bankruptcies, missed deadlines, late payments and other legal battles. It maintained it would eventually complete its half-finished facilities and eventually mine and process it into direct-reduced iron pellets and hot-briquetted iron. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/mesabi-metallics-appeals-dnr-decision-to-grant-cliffs-leases | 2023-06-29T00:41:14 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/mesabi-metallics-appeals-dnr-decision-to-grant-cliffs-leases |
PHOENIX — A Peoria man and his affiliated companies have been ordered to pay over $4 million in restitution for allegedly selling unregistered investment contracts to about 400 investors.
The Arizona Corporation Commission issued the financial penalty against Jad Morris earlier this month after concluding he had engaged in securities fraud. The penalty included an extra $200,000 fine.
ACC records accuse Morris of selling "investors an investment in a call center that would purportedly find customers to put in the investors' downlines for multi-level marketing companies."
"Morris guaranteed investors would receive over $1,000 per month from their downlines. On at least one occasion, Morris guaranteed an investor $5,000 per month. Investors did not receive the promised returns and lost most or all of their principal," commission records state.
Morris allegedly convinced some investors to use credit cards to make investments, falsely telling them they wouldn't be liable for business credit card debt.
The ACC found Morris used most of the investors' funds for personal uses which weren't authorized by the investors. The commissioners also faulted Morris for allegedly not telling investors about his previous securities violations in Wisconsin.
By settling this case with the commission, Morris did not admit nor deny the allegations brought against him.
Morris has already agreed to pay $372,000 toward the $4,679,122 restitution order, ACC records show.
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>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/peoria-man-ordered-pay-4m-call-center-scheme-corporation-commision/75-9ecc2dda-f47f-43d4-befa-03e7fd7afec7 | 2023-06-29T00:41:20 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/peoria-man-ordered-pay-4m-call-center-scheme-corporation-commision/75-9ecc2dda-f47f-43d4-befa-03e7fd7afec7 |
PHOENIX — A death investigation is underway after police officers found a dead body in a west Phoenix neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
Officers were dispatched to the area of 39th Avenue and McDowell Road for an "unknown trouble" and found a deceased person, according to the Phoenix Police Department.
The deceased person's identity was not disclosed nor was their cause of death.
Detectives responded to the scene and have begun trying to figure out the circumstances leading up to the person's death.
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Women in Arizona will soon find it a lot easier to get birth control.
Starting in July, on a date yet to be set, Arizona pharmacists will, for the first time since birth control pills were authorized in 1960, be allowed to dispense them without women having to present a prescription.
Ditto for the more recent hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring and hormonal contraceptive patches.
It won't be quite the same as grabbing a bottle of cough medicine off the shelf. Women will still need to answer some questions from the pharmacist to determine if the hormones will be safe and appropriate for them.
But gone will be the need to first go to a doctor for an initial prescription or for annual renewals. Replacing that will be a "standing order'' from a doctor at the Arizona Department of Health Services permitting pharmacists to dispense contraceptives if they first question would-be customers about their individual risks.
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There was some concern expressed by lawmakers about skipping medical exams when they set the process in motion two years ago. But the consensus was that the benefits of on-demand hormonal birth control outweighed the risks of not having regular doctor visits.
Debate over the new law
The debate when lawmakers considered the issue in 2021 was how difficult it should be for women to avoid conception.
"Pregnancy should be the decision of the woman,'' said Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe. "Right now women face barriers in our community because they don't have access to doctors for a variety of reasons, one of which is because health care premiums keep going up. We should be making it as accessible as possible for women who want to plan their pregnancies to be able to do that.''
During debate, no one spoke against the idea of easier access to pills and devices containing hormones that block ovulation.
But several lawmakers wanted more guardrails.
Joanne Osborne, then a Republican representatives from Buckeye, said she had no problem with women getting up to two years of refills without having to go back to a doctor.
She proposed, however, that any initial prescription require an order from a physician. She also suggested requiring new medical assessments by the woman's primary care physician every other year.
The idea of being able to get contraceptives without first seeing a doctor also bothered Regina Cobb, a Republican who represented Kingman.
Cobb, who is a dentist, said regular visits are designed to ensure the chemicals in the contraceptive devices are not causing problems. She noted a link between certain types of birth control, particularly those using estrogen, and potentially fatal blood clots.
"Prescribing without actually doing a complete exam and questionnaire from a medical professional I think is irresponsible,'' Cobb said.
Law written to address risks
But Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, told Capitol Media Services on Wednesday that the law that will soon take effect is a good balance between risk and benefits.
"On the risk side of things, there's a chance — and probably a good chance — that some women will skip that routine care, Pap smears and things like that,'' he said, referring to tests that can detect cervical cancer.
Beyond that, Humble said, there are some conditions that put women who take oral contraceptives at higher risk for blood clots.
The legislation is written to address that issue.
It requires pharmacists, before dispensing any pill or device that has hormones, to ask patients to fill out a self-screening risk assessment designed to determine whether there are any indications contraceptives may not be appropriate.
The specific form is being finalized by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
That's part of the reason there is no firm date for when the contraceptives will be available without an individual prescription.
Questions women might be asked
But by law, that form must be based on nationally recognized guidelines. And forms from other states give a good clue of what women here will be asked.
For example, the form being used in California inquires about things like whether a woman has used hormonal contraceptives in the past and, if so, has suffered any adverse reaction.
There are also questions about risk factors, such as whether someone smokes, has diabetes, has given birth within the past six weeks, has high blood pressure, or is currently breastfeeding an infant younger than one month.
Cobb was unimpressed with the idea the self-assessment is sufficient to protect patients.
During debate, she said her own patients, filling out questionnaires at her office, might answer one way in writing. But when questioned in person, where more detail can be solicited, sometimes the answers change, she said.
Strictly speaking, nothing in the law or the rules enacted by the Board of Pharmacy say an affirmative answer to one or more of those questions disqualifies a customer from getting the pills. Instead, that is left to the judgment of each individual pharmacist.
The rules, however, require pharmacists who do want to dispense birth control without individual prescriptions to have at least three hours of continuing education every two years.
The law also provides protections for those who participate. It says that pharmacists who act "reasonably and in good faith'' are "not liable for any civil damages for acts or omissions resulting from dispensing that self-administered hormonal contraceptive.''
"Ability to control reproduction"
All that goes to what Humble said is the benefit side of the equation.
"It just makes it that much easier for women to access birth control and their ability to control reproduction and have autonomy over that side of things,'' he said.
Humble said health issues like this are rarely black and white. He compared the risk-benefit analysis here to when Arizonans voted in 2020 to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
"The upside was criminal justice reform,'' he said, as it allowed the legal purchase of the drug from state-regulated dispensaries and eliminated the risk of jail time for users. "The downside was it makes it easier for adolescents to get access to weed.''
Part of the reason it's taken until now for the 2021 law to take effect is the statute required the state Board of Pharmacy to write rules, submit them for public comment and ultimately get final approval from the Governor's Regularly Review Council. That is set to happen next week.
There is precedent for the idea of having the health department write a standing order that can replace individual prescriptions.
It used to be that individuals needed a doctor's permission to obtain naloxone, formerly marketed under its brand name Narcan. That drug can reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of the drug on the brain and restoring breathing.
During a spike in opioid deaths, then-Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, signed an order directing the health department to issue a standing order allowing anyone to purchase naloxone. That was designed to ensure that families could have it easily available should someone overdose.
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-will-soon-allow-access-to-birth-control-pills-without-prescription/article_ca6f73ea-15d5-11ee-b7e8-0b1db734d948.html | 2023-06-29T00:43:49 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/arizona-will-soon-allow-access-to-birth-control-pills-without-prescription/article_ca6f73ea-15d5-11ee-b7e8-0b1db734d948.html |
ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Leaders in Hawkins County are working to be heard ahead of Governor Bill Lee’s special session on public safety.
On Monday, the Hawkins County Commission unanimously approved a resolution, “requesting the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee to preserve the Fundamental Right of Tennesseans to Keep and Bear Arms.”
“It’s very clear and very simple that Hawkins County, we oppose any red flag laws, and we think we need to focus on the root cause,” Commissioner Robert Palmer told News Channel 11.
Red flag laws, also known as Extreme Risk Protection Orders, allow courts and law enforcement to restrict access to firearms for people deemed dangerous.
The resolution also urges the legislature to focus on mental health care rather than gun control. Palmer, who wrote the resolution, said he’d like to see improved mental healthcare in the region.
“It’s no secret that people are having delayed treatment, waiting many days before they can even get in to see a provider,” said Palmer. “As I stated in the resolution, you do have better enforcement of existing gun laws, mental health treatment and provide greater mental health services.”
State Representative Gary Hicks echoed the commission’s position on the cause of gun violence.
“It’s not the gun, we know that. It is the person holding the gun,” Hicks told News Channel 11 Wednesday.
He said whatever comes out of the special session has to balance public safety with Second Amendment rights.
“I think the main thing for us as we go into special session is that we want to make sure we’re not trampling on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” said Hicks.
Hicks said when he returns to Nashville, he’d like to focus on helping schools improve mental health services so they can identify potential safety threats early on.
“Being able to pick up on that early but not just about picking it up but being able to help those folks get out of the situations that they’re in and the mental thoughts that they have,” said Hicks. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/hawkins-co-leaders-voice-opposition-to-red-flag-laws-ahead-of-special-session/ | 2023-06-29T00:48:10 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/hawkins-co-leaders-voice-opposition-to-red-flag-laws-ahead-of-special-session/ |
BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Knoxville mother drove to Bristol to have her daughter take swim lessons at the YMCA. Those lessons were put to the test a short time later.
Captured by a Ring camera, Knoxville 2-year-old Elyssa Alley jumped into the pool at her grandparent’s house. Her mom and grandma were busy watching her other siblings.
“She had forgotten that she didn’t have her floaties on,” said Elyssa’s mother, Julie Alley.
In the video, you can see Elyssa make a “starfish” while floating on her back. This is what they’re taught to do in a toddler swim program offered at Bristol’s YMCA, Little Floaters.
Little Floaters aims to teach children how to be safe in the water.
“We teach them how to roll over on their back so they can get that breath and then they can float,” said Little Floaters program coordinator Maura Hill.
Tracy Sells, a mother, takes her two young sons to swim lessons at the Bristol YMCA. She has put all three of her children through the program and has another one on the way which she plans to do the same with.
“It’s great to know that if my kids are around a pool and I’m looking away for just a few seconds, that if they fall in, that they know how to float in so that they can save their lives,” said Sells.
Hill says it can take just seconds for a young child to drown.
According to the CDC, drowning deaths are most common among children ages one to four. Hill says it’s better to start teaching children earlier.
“So a lot of swim programs around don’t start the children until they’re three,” said Hill. “So we’re really missing the opportunity to safe their lives.”
CEO of Bristol YMCA Rick Matthews says their YMCA is the only one in the state and one of few in the country that offers this type of program. He hopes this will change.
“And my true dream is that every Y in the country would teach this style program,” said Matthews. “But, we can start here in the state of Tennessee and do all of our Tennessee Ys. And our Y is ready, willing, and able to train them all as soon as possible to get it done.”
Registration is open right now for Little Floaters. You can learn how to sign your child up by following this link. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/ring-video-shows-bristol-ymca-toddler-swim-lessons-put-to-the-test/ | 2023-06-29T00:48:16 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/ring-video-shows-bristol-ymca-toddler-swim-lessons-put-to-the-test/ |
ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – A deceased songwriter from Rogersville who worked with country music legends was honored in his hometown Wednesday.
Wednesday marks what would have been Kim Williams’s birthday. A Tennessee Music Pathways marker dedicated to him was unveiled at Crockett Spring Park and Arboretum.
Williams, who was born in Kingsport and raised in the Poor Valley community north of Rogersville, turned to songwriting after he was in a disabling accident. During his life, he co-wrote songs with stars like Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, George Strait, Rascal Flatts and Reba McEntire.
He passed away in 2016.
His wife, Phyllis Williams, spoke with News Channel 11 Wednesday as the marker was unveiled.
“I feel very blessed,” she said. “I feel very humbled to be able to get to come here today and honor Kim.”
Williams was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame by Garth Brooks in 2012. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/songwriter-kim-williams-honored-in-hometown-of-rogersville/ | 2023-06-29T00:48:22 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/songwriter-kim-williams-honored-in-hometown-of-rogersville/ |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)- Tusculum University will soon see improvements to the dorm rooms and apartment-style residence halls on campus.
The newly launched Dorm Refresh Campaign aims to replace the flooring, ceiling fans and furniture in the dorms. New coats of pain and additional lighting to the common areas are also included in the campaign.
Belle Kemp, Director of Alumni and Community Engagement at Tusculum University, said the refresh is needed, as a lot of the furniture is outdated.
“If we want to be able to attract more students and to keep more students, any university would update their residence halls,” said Kemp. “It also gives them that space to where they can come into the dorms, and they can hang out with their friends.”
The campaign has already garnered local support. Justin Jeffers, the owner of Jeffers Funeral and Cremation and an alumnus of Tusculum, has reportedly donated $15,000 for a study room in the Charles Oliver Gray East residence hall.
Kemp said the goal is to raise $110,000. So far, they have received $47,000. Kemp said they have seen a lot of support from former students.
“It’s been amazing to see how many alumni have kind of come out of nowhere to come back and support their alma mater,” said Kemp.
Philanthropist Dr. Scott Niswonger, who is also a Tusculum alumnus, local businessman and prominent local figure, has donated $10,000 to the campaign.
Maggie Vickers, student body president at Tusculum University, said she has spent a lot of time in the dorm halls and the renovations are important to the students.
“It is where they spend the majority of their time, so it’s all about making it home for them, getting them to make those connections,” said Vickers. “We want them to have places they feel comfortable outside of their room.”
Tusculum reports that there are other ways to support the campaign besides direct monetary donations. Alumni have arranged a yard sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 22. All proceeds will go to the campaign, and the event will be held at the Tusculum Welcome Center. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tusculum-university-dorms-seeing-extensive-improvements/ | 2023-06-29T00:48:28 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tusculum-university-dorms-seeing-extensive-improvements/ |
Where, when and how you can use fireworks this Fourth of July
Wondering what the local and state regulations are for fireworks as the Fourth of July holiday approaches? Here is a breakdown of Indiana and Bloomington rules when it comes to celebrating with a bang.
Who can buy/handle fireworks in Indiana?
In Indiana, anyone 18 or older can purchase fireworks.
When are fireworks allowed in Bloomington?
On the Fourth of July and other holidays, fireworks can be discharged from 9 a.m. to midnight. The cutoff is 11 p.m. any other day, according to the Indiana State Police.
Where can I use fireworks in Bloomington?
You can launch fireworks from your personal property or from someone else's, as long as you have their permission. Bloomington follows Indiana's policy for fireworks, according to Tom Figolah, the fire prevention officer for the Bloomington Fire Department.
Leave it to the pros:Five places to see fireworks around Bloomington this 4th of July holiday
How to enjoy fireworks safely
The Bloomington Fire Department provides tips for safe firework use.
- First, always buy fireworks from licensed sellers. Never attempt to alter them or to make your own. Store them somewhere cool and dry where children can't reach them.
- One common misconception is that fireworks are for children. Fireworks burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt gold and copper — and thousands of kids in the U.S. suffer burns from sparklers each year, Figolah said.
- Light fireworks one at a time in open areas outdoors, making sure all spectators are a safe distance away. Don't try to relight duds. And keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of emergencies. It's also a good idea to clean out your gutters beforehand to eliminate the risk, Figolah said.
Isn't Indiana in a drought?
Indiana has been dry lately, but burn bans in Monroe and surrounding counties either have not been declared or have been lifted. Find more info at https://www.in.gov/dhs/burnban/. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/fireworks-rules-and-regulations-in-bloomington-indiana/70346811007/ | 2023-06-29T01:02:36 | 0 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/fireworks-rules-and-regulations-in-bloomington-indiana/70346811007/ |
DAILY SUN STAFF
Despite red flag conditions in recent days, with hot temperatures and high winds, fire managers on the Kaibab National Forest have kept several fires in check.
The Hull and Ridge fires just south of Grand Canyon National Park have both experienced minimal growth in recent days, officials said.
The Hull Fire remains at about 1,491 acres while the Ridge Fire is 2,603 acres with slow growth within the planed area.
Likewise, the Three Lakes Fire south of Jacob Lake has also seen slow growth -- and that blaze is now at 1,037 acres.
Fire managers say the lack of growth despite red flag conditions is a testament to prior forest thinning and prescribed fire projects, and the skill and vigilance of fire managers and crews on the scenes.
Knowing red flag conditions were coming, forest managers said, crews have been making strategic decisions about where and when to conduct back-burns and establish fire lines to control the blazes.
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The three lightning-caused fires are being managed to help improve forest health and reduce the risk of larger fire as part of a new U.S. Forest Service 10-year fire strategy.
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/kaibab-national-forest-fires-grow-slowly-despite-red-flag-weather/article_61130b56-15d9-11ee-baab-67df314055bc.html | 2023-06-29T01:02:36 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/kaibab-national-forest-fires-grow-slowly-despite-red-flag-weather/article_61130b56-15d9-11ee-baab-67df314055bc.html |
It smells like rotting flesh: Indiana University's corpse flower will bloom soon
Follow the smell of rotting flesh.
Past the prickly leaves of the pineapple plants and the tall stalks of papyrus. Toward the southeast corner of the greenhouse. Into the humid air, sagging with the stench.
The bloom of a corpse flower like Wally is quite the event. It comes once every few years and lasts a mere two days. The plants surrounding Wally are blooming, too. One, a banana tree, holds tightly to still-green fruit. Another is swollen with clusters of papayas.
Between them sits a plant towering over 6 feet tall. Rising from a round swath of green leaves is its spadix, a large, gray-purple spire. Soon, maybe Wednesday or Thursday, the leaves — the part of the flower known as its spathe — will unfurl. It happens overnight, and visitors in the morning will see the deep crimson of Wally’s outstretched petals.
The Indiana University Biology Building Greenhouse is home to Indiana’s only known corpse flower, said greenhouse workers. It last bloomed in December 2020 and is expected to complete its current bloom by the end of this week. The plant is named for the greenhouse’s first manager, Hugh Wallace “Wally” Scales.
More:Still no new fiber network in Bloomington — 10 weeks after city said connections are live
Corpse flower 'Wally' starts blooming
The corpse flower, known scientifically as Amorphophallus titanum or the titan arum, is a native of the rainforests of western Sumatra. Greg Speichert, former director of Hilltop Garden and Nature Center, donated Wally to the greenhouse in 2007.
But it lay dormant for nearly 10 years, blooming for the first time in July 2016.
The greenhouse’s acting supervisor, John Leichter, has witnessed both of Wally’s previous blooms. Some corpse flowers bloom every two years. For others, it takes decades.
“We’ve gotten lucky,” Leichter said.
The plant grows from a corm, which is an underground stem that stores food. When the plant has gathered enough energy, it blooms. It'll flower every few years. But there's a catch: While in bloom, the flower emits a pungent odor that has been described as rotting flesh, sweaty socks and feces.
It takes a lot of energy to produce the smell. Reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the spadix vaporizes its stench, attracting carrion-eating beetles. The beetles then pollinate the plant. Afterward, the flower collapses, and the process will repeat in about three years.
Because they’re endangered species and their blooms are so rare, corpse flowers draw crowds. There are others in St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati, Leichter said. Just last Saturday, more than 200 people passed through the IU greenhouse to gaze at Wally.
Corpse flower's bloom draws crowds
In one weekend, Wally’s 2016 bloom attracted 5,000 visitors, according to an IU Science at Work article.
Leichter said he knew people would be invested in Wally’s growth. But the greenhouse is now short-staffed. He didn’t know if they’d be equipped to handle so much traffic again.
“I wondered if we should even tell the public,” Leicester said. “But this is too spectacular.”
There isn’t much time left before Wally’s bloom is at its peak. There’s a narrow window to visit the corpse flower. Stay updated by tracking Wally’s progress from the greenhouse Facebook page.
Visitors can enter the greenhouse through room 139 on the first floor of the Biology Building at 1001 E. Third St. You’ll know you're in the right place when you get a whiff of Wally. | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/indiana-universitys-rare-corpse-flower-wally-prepares-to-bloom/70358721007/ | 2023-06-29T01:02:42 | 0 | https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/indiana-universitys-rare-corpse-flower-wally-prepares-to-bloom/70358721007/ |
The Mountain Line public bus system will receive a $16.3 million grant to help build a new maintenance facility from the Federal Transit Administration.
Mountain Line’s grant was one of 130 awards totaling nearly $1.7 billion from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects in 46 states and territories, the transit agency announced Wednesday.
The money comes as work on Mountain Line’s new downtown connection center project is already underway. That project also includes new administrative offices, freeing up space for improved bus maintenance structures at their current location at Kasper Dr.
When the new downtown facility opens and Mountain Line’s administrative and customer service teams relocate to that space, work on the improved maintenance facility will begin.
Officials said the new facility will improve and expand maintenance capabilities, and create the capacity for Mountain Line’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.
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“We appreciate U.S. Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly, and Arizona Reps. David Cook and Mae Peshlakai for their leadership and support of our grant application,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Mountain Line proudly services and maintains our entire fleet and this new facility will allow our team to effectively take care of our vehicles now and as we grow into the future.”
For more information on the grant funding, visit https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/news/biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-17-billion-help-put-better-cleaner-buses. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/mountain-line-gets-16-3-million-transit-grant-for-improved-maintenance-facility/article_f226fbd8-1607-11ee-8486-c3728dce9da3.html | 2023-06-29T01:02:42 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/mountain-line-gets-16-3-million-transit-grant-for-improved-maintenance-facility/article_f226fbd8-1607-11ee-8486-c3728dce9da3.html |
MARTINSVILLE, Va. – One man is hurt and another has been taken into custody after a malicious wounding incident in Martinsville, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.
On Tuesday, June 27, around 10:09 p.m., the Martinsville-Henry County 911 Center got a call about a person who had been stabbed in the 200 block of Green Acres Circle in Martinsville, authorities said.
When deputies got to the scene, they found 26-year-old Robert Essington III in the yard with lacerations on his arm and face, according to Col. Wayne Davis. He was treated for his injuries at the scene.
Authorities said it was later determined that another man, 40-year-old Christopher Hill, had arrived at the home and got into an argument with Essington’s girlfriend, who was not identified.
We’re told Essington tried to defuse the situation at which point Hill pulled out the knife and cut Essington.
Hill was taken into custody at the scene without incident and is now facing a malicious wounding charge, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said he is being held in the Henry County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 276-638-8751 or Crimestoppers at 63-CRIME (632-7463). The Crimestoppers Program offers rewards up to $2500.00 for information related to crime. The nature of the crime and the substance of the information determine the amount of reward paid. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/28/martinsville-man-hurt-another-arrested-after-malicious-wounding-incident/ | 2023-06-29T01:03:11 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/06/28/martinsville-man-hurt-another-arrested-after-malicious-wounding-incident/ |
A man who oversaw food service for New York City schools was convicted Wednesday in a bribery case that picked apart how chicken tenders riddled with bone and bits of metal were served for months in the nation's biggest public school system.
Former city Department of Education official Eric Goldstein and three men who founded a school food vendor — Blaine Iler, Michael Turley and Brian Twomey — were found guilty of bribery, conspiracy and other charges after a monthlong trial.
It delved into school menus, from yogurt parfait to ravioli. And the trial gave jurors a stomach-churning look at what some students and school staffers encountered when a brand called Chickentopia turned up on their plates in 2016 and 2017.
“Our children depended on nutritious meals served in schools and, instead, got substandard food products containing pieces of plastic, metal and bones,” Brooklyn-based U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement Wednesday. He called the case “a textbook example of choosing greed" over children's well-being.
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Goldstein's attorney, Kannan Sundaram, declined to comment. Messages seeking comment were sent to the city Education Department and to attorneys for Iler and Twomey, both from Dallas, and Turley, of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The charges carry the potential for 20 years in prison. No date has yet been set for sentencing.
As head of the school system's Office of School Support Services from 2008 to 2018, Goldstein oversaw functions including the food service operation, known as SchoolFood. Iler, Twomey and Turley had a company, SOMMA Food Group, with its eye on the New York City school system.
News
Around the same time, the three men and Goldstein formed another company to import grass-fed beef. Prosecutors argued that the venture amounted to a conduit for paying Goldstein off.
The SOMMA founders “made sure that they got the key decision-maker at SchoolFood in their pocket so that he would make sure that the D.O.E. served a lot of their food products,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Zuckerwise said in a closing argument this week. “Eric Goldstein got what he wanted, too. He cashed in the power and the resources and the influence of his office to enrich himself.”
According to prosecutors, Iler, Turley and Twomey paid thousands of dollars to Goldstein and his divorce lawyer. Meanwhile, Goldstein helped ensure that the school system bought Chickentopia items and other SOMMA products, sometimes on a fast track.
Then, in September 2016, SOMMA hit a snag: A school system employee choked on a bone in a supposedly boneless Chickentopia chicken tender and needed the Heimlich maneuver, according to documents presented at the trial. For a time, the schools stopped serving the company's chicken tenders.
They were allowed back two months later — a day after the SOMMA founders agreed to pay Goldstein $66,670 and gave him their shares of the beef business. Goldstein then signed off on reintroducing Chickentopia products, prosecutors said.
The tenders reappeared. So did complaints about foreign objects in them. SchoolFood ultimately ditched SOMMA products in April 2017, according to prosecutors.
Goldstein testified that he couldn't singlehandedly get a product purchased, saying that the “heavily gated process” could involve a dozen decision-makers. Fast-tracking didn't mean skipping steps, he said.
He insisted that he was careful to separate his personal business from his city work.
"I always made sure that my D.O.E. responsibilities came first,” he told jurors.
His defense rebuffed the argument that the payments from his beef business partners were bribes, saying the sums were for such things as reimbursing travel expenses. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-ex-school-food-chief-convicted-in-bribery-case-tied-to-icky-chicken-tenders/4462447/ | 2023-06-29T01:05:58 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-ex-school-food-chief-convicted-in-bribery-case-tied-to-icky-chicken-tenders/4462447/ |
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) – Nearly two dozen Washington County Detention Center (WCDC) inmates are looking to turn the corner in their lives after completing TCAT Elizabethton courses.
A graduation ceremony was held at the WCDC for the 21 inmates who completed the four-month-long program. This is the first time that these courses were offered at the facility, making this the inaugural graduating class.
TCAT Elizabethton President David Hicks said the classes gave inmates the tools that they need upon the end of their incarceration.
“I think it shows them that there are skill sets that they didn’t even know that they had that will enable them to upskill jobs in our area that are available,” Hicks said.
TCAT classes focus on various technology and trade skills.
Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton said that this program has been a success. In a speech to the inmates, Sexton encouraged inmates to not let this be the “last first day” of self-improvement in their lives.
“The importance of this program is like the other programs we have,” Sexton said. “It’s to let the inmate know that they don’t have to do what they’ve always done.”
Sexton said that he’s willing to bring in any program that could help inmates be more productive members of society upon release.
“We look to bring anything, any program that we feel like will help us with cutting down on the rate of recidivism for inmates,” Sexton said.
After all the certificates were handed out, one inmate received a full scholarship from TCAT that can be used upon his release from the detention center.
Hicks said that the support for these inmates will expand beyond their release.
“We want them to continue to develop their skill set,” Hicks said. “We want them to know that there’s resources available here in northeast Tennessee to assist them.”
Hicks said that a second group will begin classes later this year. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/nearly-two-dozen-wcdc-inmates-earn-tcat-certificates/ | 2023-06-29T01:06:14 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/nearly-two-dozen-wcdc-inmates-earn-tcat-certificates/ |
UPDATE: On Wednesday the SUV driver responsible for the Glades County crash that killed an unborn child and three others on January 29 was medically cleared from Gulf Coast Hospital and arrested by the Traffic Homicide Division of the Florida Highway Patrol.
The man faces four counts of DUI manslaughter and has been booked into the Lee County Jail.
ORIGINAL STORY:
GLADES COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a car crash on US 26 and CR 733 at around 2 a.m. Sunday.
According to the FHP reports, a Lexus SUV was traveling the wrong way on US 27 before hitting a Jeep Compass with two people, one of them pregnant.
The Jeep overturned and erupted in flames. The driver and passenger, as well as the passenger’s unborn fetus, were pronounced dead on the scene.
The 37-year-old man who was driving the SUV sustained serious injuries. However, the 28-year-old passenger did not survive.
The driver and passenger from the Jeep have not been identified.
The crash is currently under investigation, and charges are pending. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/inland-counties/2023/06/28/man-arrested-for-glades-county-crash-that-killed-unborn-child-and-3-others/ | 2023-06-29T01:09:50 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/inland-counties/2023/06/28/man-arrested-for-glades-county-crash-that-killed-unborn-child-and-3-others/ |
Oregon state workers picket as contract negotiation deadline nears
Hundreds of Oregon state employees took to the streets Wednesday to draw attention to their fight for a new contract.
SEIU Local 503 workers are bargaining a contract for the next two years and say they are at an impasse on wages, health care costs and worker safety.
The union’s bargaining committee and state of Oregon officials have until June 30 to negotiate a new contract. Rally participants said they could strike if that deadline is not met.
State workers picketed at more than 60 worksites across the state Wednesday, including many in Salem.
About four dozen Oregon State Hospital workers marched near the Center Street campus chanting, “We don’t give our work away.”
“We have people here making less than they would at Target or Taco Bell,” said Katherine Hays, president of Local 392, which represents state hospital workers.
A proposed 5.1% cost-of-living increase doesn’t cover current inflation, she said, much less rising living costs.
The union’s bargaining team has proposed a 9.5% increase on July 1, 2023, and a 7.5% increase on July 1, 2024.
Union officials also are calling for state workers to make at least $22 per hour. And they are asking for more sustainable workloads.
The union said there are about 9,000 job vacancies across the state, accounting for about one in five state jobs.
“We’re here every day risking our safety,” Hays said. “We should be able to go home and take care of our families.”
SEIU 503 represents about 22,000 Oregon employees and care providers.
Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips:tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at@Tracy_Loew | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/oregon-state-workers-picket-as-contract-negotiation-deadline-nears-seiu-union/70365943007/ | 2023-06-29T01:10:33 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/oregon-state-workers-picket-as-contract-negotiation-deadline-nears-seiu-union/70365943007/ |
Lawyers to help 2020 wildfire survivors understand how class action lawsuit win affects them
Lawyers representing plaintiffs that won a class action lawsuit against PacifiCorp for damages from the 2020 Labor Day fires in the Santiam Canyon and Lincoln City area will hold two meetings this week to discuss the verdict and help survivors understand how the historic decision affects them.
The meetings are at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Lincoln City at The Beach Club (2020 NE 22nd St.) and 6 p.m. on Friday at the Stayton Community Center (400 W. Virginia St.).
Those planning to attend are asked to register in advance at bit.ly/435oQ4W.
A jury held Oregon’s second largest utility liable for damage caused by the fires not only for 17 named plaintiffs but also for the entire class of roughly 2,500 properties impacted. That means anyone who had property damaged in the fire — and is part of the class — will get the chance to make their case that PacifiCorp should pay damages in a second phase of the trial.
Since the verdict, many class members have been calling lawyers in an attempt to figure out what’s next — and whether they qualify for compensation — and the meetings are an easy place to do that, a news release from the law firms said.
Class members can contact class counsel by email at PacifiCorpFireLitigation@edelson.com or by telephone at 503-217-6722.
The jury awarded 17 plaintiffs in the case $87 million. However, the payout to survivors could reach into the billions when taking into consideration the 2,500 class members.
“The verdict includes findings that PacifiCorp was negligent, reckless and willful, and that its actions were a cause of harm to the entire class associated with each fire," a statement from law firms Edelson PC, Keller Rohrback LLP and Stoll Berne said. "We plan to meet with survivors of these fires this week, as well as throughout the summer, to answer their questions about the verdict and the next phase of the case — during which each class member's individual damages will be determined."
More:PacifiCorp asks permission to pass wildfire liability costs to customers
In an email, PacifiCorp reiterated that it will appeal the verdict.
"There is a broader class action component that is yet to be litigated, and PacifiCorp continues to challenge the case as a class action," PacifiCorp spokesman Simon Gutierrez said. He also noted that several post-verdict motions could "change the amount of damages awarded by the jury," he said.
"These verdicts are just one step in a multi-year legal proceeding. PacifiCorp will vigorously pursue appeals and are confident that we will prevail," he added.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/oregon-wildfires-2020-labor-day-fires-class-action-lawsuit-pacificorp/70364758007/ | 2023-06-29T01:10:34 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/oregon-wildfires-2020-labor-day-fires-class-action-lawsuit-pacificorp/70364758007/ |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating after a near-collision incident involving an Allegiant Air flight at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Monday, June 26.
The FAA said Allegiant Flight 1500 from Cincinnati was preparing to land in Austin “when the crew initiated a climb due to a small aircraft in proximity.”
The closest proximity was 1.6 miles and 200 feet, the FAA said.
A spokesperson from Allegiant confirmed the incident but told KVUE they could not comment on active investigations.
Earlier this year, the FAA appointed a safety review panel in response to several close calls between airplanes, some of which appeared to be caused by FAA air traffic controllers.
In February, a FedEx cargo plane attempting to land at the Austin airport had to reverse course after a Southwest Airlines plane was cleared to depart from the same runway.
An NTSB report into that incident was released in March and said the captain of the FedEx plane "noted that at an altitude of about 150 feet, the FO called go-around after visually seeing [the Southwest Airlines flight] at approximately 1,000 feet to 1,500 feet from the approach end of the runway."
The report did not state the closest proximity of the planes at the time of the "overflight" occurrence.
KVUE has reached out to the Austin airport for more details on Monday's incident. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/faa-allegiant-air-flight-close-call/269-893ceecb-386d-4878-8d43-867523cbd7e9 | 2023-06-29T01:10:39 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/faa-allegiant-air-flight-close-call/269-893ceecb-386d-4878-8d43-867523cbd7e9 |
AUSTIN, Texas — There will be no new trial for convicted killer Rodney Reed.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the death row inmate's request on Wednesday, effectively ending his legal options on the state level, according to former state district judge and current criminal defense attorney, Charlie Baird.
Reed was convicted of raping and strangling Stacey Stites in Bastrop in 1998.
Baird said Reed has one more legal recourse on the federal level. Reed still has a case before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow Reed to pursue DNA testing in April.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' decision means it accepted a lower court's recommendation to let Reed's capital murder conviction stand.
In a 129-page opinion, the state's highest criminal court stated Reed "failed to make an affirmative, persuasive showing that, more likely than not, he is innocent of Stacey Stites' murder."
The ruling comes nearly four years after the state's highest criminal court stayed Reed's execution in November of 2019, days before the scheduled date, and sent the case back to a lower court to decide if Reed should get a new trial.
After a two-week evidentiary hearing in 2021, a judge recommended against a new trial.
As for what's next Baird said there's a long and complex process ahead if the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals grants Reed's request to allow DNA testing on evidence, like the murder weapon.
"It would probably at that point show clearly that it was Miss Stites' DNA and genetic material on the belt. You would expect that. But the real question, would it show that material allowed Mr. Reed or Mr. Fennell?" he said.
Reed and his attorneys contend Jimmy Fennell, Stites' fiance, is the real killer.
Baird also said the Fifth Circuit could take a year to 18 months before making a decision.
One of Reed's attorneys, Jane Puscher with The Innocence Project, released a statement on Wednesday that stated in part they will continue to fight for Reed's freedom and bring him home to his family. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/rodney-reeds-trial-5th-us-circuit-court-of-criminal-appeals/269-d62b30f6-15e1-4d89-b42c-379a0c681d83 | 2023-06-29T01:10:45 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/rodney-reeds-trial-5th-us-circuit-court-of-criminal-appeals/269-d62b30f6-15e1-4d89-b42c-379a0c681d83 |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A dangerous heat wave across the South is taking a toll on central Alabama, especially on firefighters.
For Birmingham Fire and Rescue, it’s been a very busy week. They’ve been slammed with heat-related calls, and now they’re preparing for a hectic holiday weekend.
“One of the things that we try to tell our citizens is to try to stay out of this heat during the hottest parts of the day which is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. [Wear] lightweight, light-colored clothing instead of dark clothing,” Lt. Catina Williams with Birmingham Fire and Rescue said.
Williams added that all the caffeine and alcohol over the Fourth of July weekend can dehydrate you faster, and that could turn into a potentially life-threatening heat stroke.
“Early on, you can see things like cramping muscles, and that may be a sign that you’ve lost a lot of fluid and salt through sweat,” Dr. Wes Stubblefield with the Alabama Department of Public Health said. “Then, the next thing we worry about is heat exhaustion where people can start feeling poorly because they get too hot, they lose fluids, they have symptoms like nausea and vomiting, dizziness.”
Stubblefield said if you see someone getting overheated, immediately get them to a cool place and get them some water and ice packs. If that doesn’t work, call 911. Young children, the elderly and anyone with underlying conditions are especially vulnerable.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue said the trick to handling this extreme weather is a matter of being prepared and being well-hydrated, which they do before their shift starts.
“It gets hard, sometimes it does, but we have to remind ourselves that we are in a job where we have to take care of the citizens just like we have to take care of ourselves,” Williams said. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-firefighters-handling-surge-of-heat-related-calls/ | 2023-06-29T01:10:48 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-firefighters-handling-surge-of-heat-related-calls/ |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the 14th overall pick in the NHL Draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins have selected Brayden Yager.
Welcome to Pittsburgh!
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 29, 2023
With the 14th overall pick in the 2023 #NHLDraft, the Penguins have selected forward Brayden Yager. pic.twitter.com/MpAWK1Py4x
Yager, a forward, comes to the Penguins from the Moose Jaw Warriors.
“Yager is a sturdy two-way pivot who would be a welcome addition for all 32 NHL organizations,” McKeen’s draft report on him reads. “He’s a trustworthy workhorse that a coach can send over the boards and rely on in any situation and is already playing as the first-line center for the Warriors. He’s good on the powerplay, he’s good on the penalty, he’s good at matching up against the best players on other teams, and he’s good in the dying minutes of a game whether you’re trying to defend a lead or tie the score up. He’s quite strong and compact, which helps him out in various ways, whether that’s staying on his feet as he fights through checks or generating a lot of power through his shot. Speaking of his shot, it’s a major selling point for him and is his single best attribute.”
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©2022 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/penguins-select-brayden-yager-1st-round-2023-nhl-draft/WP365PFW35HHZINHGVT4QNYMOQ/ | 2023-06-29T01:14:02 | 1 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/penguins-select-brayden-yager-1st-round-2023-nhl-draft/WP365PFW35HHZINHGVT4QNYMOQ/ |
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have brought up yet another prospect to make his major league debut. Jared Triolo had his contract selected from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Triolo will make his first big league appearance on Wednesday night at PNC Park against the San Diego Padres at third base while hitting eighth in the lineup. He will wear No. 19.
To make room for Triolo on the active roster, Ke’Bryan Hayes has been placed on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation. The IL stint is retroactive to June 25.
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©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pirates-select-jared-triolo-place-kebryan-hayes-il/4MACITHZXNH7HIM7VSQGXRSREU/ | 2023-06-29T01:14:08 | 0 | https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/pirates-select-jared-triolo-place-kebryan-hayes-il/4MACITHZXNH7HIM7VSQGXRSREU/ |
RANKIN — Two Paxton teens and a third person, not yet identified, died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night in Vermilion County.
The crash claimed the lives of Joseph D. Stallone, 19, and Keegynn L. Martinek, 17, both of Paxton.
The driver of the other vehicle also is deceased, but pending identification and notification of next of kin, according to Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden.
McFadden stated the collision occurred on State Route 49 at 3550 North Road in Rankin, between Paxton and Hoopeston.
According to Illinois State Police at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Troop 7 units were on the scene of the two-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 49 at Vermilion County Road 3550 North. Northbound and southbound traffic on Route 49 was detoured until the roadway was reopened Wednesday morning.
ISP and the Vermilion County Coroner's Office continue to investigate the accident.
This story will be updated.
Debbie Braverman, 17, left, of Kansas City, Kan., watches as her cousin Abby Rosenbaum, 10, right, of Champaign runs after a flying disc while they wait for "Kung Fu Panda" on June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In in Gibson City. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In's sign displays the two featured films on June 19: "Kung Fu Panda" and "The Incredible Hulk." (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun has change and a plastic bag for a customer as a "God Bless America" neon sign hangs on a pay station building before show time June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun, left, greets moviegoer Dee Daniels, center, of Fairbury, as Darien Blackwell, 7, right, of Dublin, Ohio, looks through the car's back window June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
A trailer for an upcoming "Star Wars" animated film is shown before a "Kung Fu Panda" on June 19 at Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Manager Mike Miller keeps an eye on the projector as the reels turn while he starts the second feature, "The Incredible Hulk," on June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun, left, takes a sign that says "If No Attendant On Duty, You Must Pay at The Concession Stand" aside as customer Dee Daniels, center, of Fairbury, waits in the driver's side to pay for one of the features as her grandchild Darien Blackwell, 7, right, of Dublin, Ohio, watches June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Randy Rosenbaum, left, walks with his son, Jake, 7, back left, both from Champaign, toward their car with a flying disc while sisters Karly Kiogima, 4, center front, and Kyleigh Kiogima, 6, front right, both from Fisher, eat Pizza Hut as kids play in the background before one of the features start June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
Debbie Braverman, 17, left, of Kansas City, Kan., watches as her cousin Abby Rosenbaum, 10, right, of Champaign runs after a flying disc while they wait for "Kung Fu Panda" on June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In in Gibson City. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In's sign displays the two featured films on June 19: "Kung Fu Panda" and "The Incredible Hulk." (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun has change and a plastic bag for a customer as a "God Bless America" neon sign hangs on a pay station building before show time June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun, left, greets moviegoer Dee Daniels, center, of Fairbury, as Darien Blackwell, 7, right, of Dublin, Ohio, looks through the car's back window June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
A trailer for an upcoming "Star Wars" animated film is shown before a "Kung Fu Panda" on June 19 at Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Neon signs light up the concession area while customers line up inside at the Gibson City Harvest Moon Drive-In on June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Manager Mike Miller keeps an eye on the projector as the reels turn while he starts the second feature, "The Incredible Hulk," on June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In owner Mike Harroun, left, takes a sign that says "If No Attendant On Duty, You Must Pay at The Concession Stand" aside as customer Dee Daniels, center, of Fairbury, waits in the driver's side to pay for one of the features as her grandchild Darien Blackwell, 7, right, of Dublin, Ohio, watches June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Randy Rosenbaum, left, walks with his son, Jake, 7, back left, both from Champaign, toward their car with a flying disc while sisters Karly Kiogima, 4, center front, and Kyleigh Kiogima, 6, front right, both from Fisher, eat Pizza Hut as kids play in the background before one of the features start June 19 at the Harvest Moon Drive-In. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher)
B MOSHER
Lost items sit underneath the neon lights the Gibson City's Harvest Moon Drive-In concession stand June 19. (The Pantagraph/B Mosher) | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/vermilion-county-crash-kills-2-paxton-teens-1-other/article_10a903aa-160b-11ee-b44a-73c80401d11c.html | 2023-06-29T01:14:55 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/vermilion-county-crash-kills-2-paxton-teens-1-other/article_10a903aa-160b-11ee-b44a-73c80401d11c.html |
On Tuesday, the Kenosha Unified School District Board of Education approved a 19 month lease extension for LakeView Technology Academy, which includes a 4% increase from the current payment as opposed to the full Consumer Price Index change of 8%. Previous lease extensions had built-in increases to match the change in the Consumer Price Index.
All board members, except Todd Battle, who abstained from voting, approved the lease extension.
The lease extension will bridge the gap between July 1, 2023, and the time it takes to gain occupancy in the new LakeView building, which will be located in the developing Kenosha Innovation Neighborhood in the site of the former Chrysler engine plant.
There are an additional six optional one-month lease extensions available at the same rate in the event of additional construction time.
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Kenosha Unified leased its space for LakeView from the Kenosha Area Business Alliance Foundation from 2005 to 2020. In 2020, when the original lease expired, three extensions on the lease followed to take the district through June 30, 2023.
Kenosha Unified subleases LakeView to Gateway Technical College, which also has continued to extend its sublease with the district.
In other business
In other business, the board approved:
A $147,800 contract with MobileMind for a digital platform to provide staff with on-demand access to professional learning
The purchase of Second Step and The Core Project, in the amount of $327,875, for the 2023-24 and 24-25 school years. The materials, which are designed to help students regulate their emotions and behaviors, will be paid for using the Getting Kids Ahead Mental Health Grant
A $49,950 contract with ESGI, which provides a digital platform for an online phonics assessment system
An informational report of the Education for Employment plan
Recommended updates to School Board Policy and Rule 4221 – Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace as a first reading
Authorization of the payment of all currently authorized salaries and benefits beginning July 1 and continuing until the budget is formally adopted, and authorization of e expenditures in other areas to continue at the discretion of the administration
Changes to the 2023-24 Employee Handbook, which included clarification on current language, as well as grammatical and formatting corrections
An anonymous donation to the Tremper Golden Strings in an undisclosed amount. | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kusd-school-board-approves-lakeview-tech-lease-extension-other-contracts-and-policies/article_94fd70b2-15b3-11ee-abb8-1f4eb835b820.html | 2023-06-29T01:19:28 | 1 | https://kenoshanews.com/news/local/kusd-school-board-approves-lakeview-tech-lease-extension-other-contracts-and-policies/article_94fd70b2-15b3-11ee-abb8-1f4eb835b820.html |
REC DIGEST
BASKETBALL
29TH ANNUAL HOOPS CAMP: July 10-13 at Horizon Middle School from 1-4:30 p.m. For Grades 4-8. Cost $75 before May 31, $80 after. Includes T-shirt and pizza party. Basketballs will be provided. Mail registration and fee to Charlie Ledger: 9904 Kerry Lane, Bismarck, N.D. 58504.
START SMART 3 ON 3 BLAST: Sunday, July 23 at Century High School. For boys and girls grades 2-12. Cost $150. Teams guaranteed three games. Tournament limited to first 100 teams. Deadline July 14. Divisions based on gender and grade level, but could vary based on number of teams in the tournament. Teams must register at https://tourneymachine.com/E125186. Fee can be sent to Darin Mattern at 2733 Lexington, Drive, Bismarck, 58503. For more information contact Darin Mattern (darin_mattern@bismarckschools.org) or Nate Welstad at (nathan_welstad@bismarckschools.org). | https://bismarcktribune.com/sports/local/rec-digest/article_9835d0f2-15fa-11ee-8ecb-d779666e5496.html | 2023-06-29T01:22:58 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/sports/local/rec-digest/article_9835d0f2-15fa-11ee-8ecb-d779666e5496.html |
Tempe confirms controversial new city manager, but employee concerns remain
Tempe City Council members confirmed the appointment of Rosa Inchausti as the new city manager after a 6-1 vote on Tuesday night.
Her appointment was met with applause from City Council members and from members of the public, who praised her work as a longtime city employee. Inchausti is Tempe's first female city manager.
However, Inchausti has generated controversy before and after the vote, which followed an unusually opaque and rushed nomination process.
She's become feared by Tempe staffers who believe she's willing to upend the careers of those who cross her, according to about 20 interviews with former and current Tempe workers.
Over the past three decades, she filled several director roles before being promoted to chief deputy city manager under Andrew Ching, who left the city in June after 10 years as city manager.
Inchausti's appointment to Ching's former position means she will serve as Tempe's CEO, with responsibilities that range from putting council-approved policies into action to hiring other managers and staffers.
Among some of the city's top brass, Inchausti is viewed as the ideal person for the top spot.
“You were kind, you were intelligent — extremely intelligent — you were compassionate, inclusive. You were a consummate professional," Councilmember Arlene Chin said, recalling when she first met Inchausti 15 years ago. "Since that time, many other things have changed, but you haven’t."
Mayor Corey Woods opened the floor for Inchausti to address the audience after Tempe leaders confirmed her.
“Thank you (all) for the honor of being your next city manager and first female (city manager),” Inchausti said. “I am the daughter of two Cuban immigrants who taught us three things: education, work hard and — the third thing is the most important — you give back to your community."
The Arizona Republic spoke with several Tempe employees — from high-ranking officials to typical staff members — who presented a different view of the new city leader.
They said Inchausti creates a toxic environment, stomps out dissent, concentrates her own power and makes life miserable for any city worker who lands in her crosshairs. They said they worried her vindictive leadership style could cost them their jobs.
An anonymous letter mailed to Councilmembers Joel Navarro, Randy Keating, Berdetta Hodge and Doreen Garlid in May described the opposition among city employees to Inchausti's promotion. It alleged that she's a cancer within the city's work culture.
"If council is considering making Inchausti the city manager, then they are sorely underestimating the employee response. (She) has helped to usher in an era of low morale, favoritism and bullying," the letter read. "This is our city too. We may not run this city, but we are Tempe. Please do not let us down by letting (Inchausti) be the city manager … even for a day."
The way Tempe approached her appointment raised eyebrows among many insiders, who said the City Council was trying to end-run public input. The equal parts hasty and hazy process was why Councilmember Randy Keating said he cast a "no" vote on Tuesday.
The council was scheduled to be on summer break until July but met specifically for Inchausti's confirmation. Tempe called the meeting after business hours on Friday, first scheduled it for Monday, and initially did not issue its usual news release to announce the appointment.
Inchausti was nominated for the permanent role during a closed-door council executive session four days after taking over as interim city manager. The city usually holds off on permanent appointments for top positions so it can conduct a search for candidates.
Tempe rescheduled the council meeting for Tuesday because of a delay in making public Inchausti's contract details. Once the contract was released, it was revealed that her proposed salary was $315,000, or roughly $33,000 more than Tempe's salary cap for the position.
Ching, after 10 years in the role, made $282,000.
Tempe city manager:Plan to quickly appoint new leader at a high salary draws scrutiny
Sam Kmack covers Tempe, Scottsdale and Chandler. Reach him at sam.kmack@arizonarepublic.com. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2023/06/28/tempe-city-council-confirms-rosa-inchausti-on-6-1-vote/70365349007/ | 2023-06-29T01:23:39 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2023/06/28/tempe-city-council-confirms-rosa-inchausti-on-6-1-vote/70365349007/ |
MIDLAND, Texas —
Some local high schoolers are pioneering a brand-new education program at the I-20 Wildlife Preserve this summer.
The Conservation Job Corps program allows high school students from Legacy High School and Trinity School with an interest in medicine, biology and life sciences an opportunity to obtain hands-on experience in conservation, restoration, education and research before entering college.
Students have the opportunity to investigate several Texas ecosystems, as well as meet with experts, scientists and graduate students on their field trips across the state.
The next stop for these wild explorers will be the Monahans sandhills, and later Corpus Christi, the San Antonio Zoo and other natural spaces in the great state of Texas. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/new-program-teaches-midland-high-schoolers-conservation-work/513-69f0e272-30ea-49d6-8ee3-1e832c0d5ab2 | 2023-06-29T01:29:05 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/new-program-teaches-midland-high-schoolers-conservation-work/513-69f0e272-30ea-49d6-8ee3-1e832c0d5ab2 |
Indicted Wichita Falls pastor no stranger to controversies
A Wichita Falls pastor indicted on six counts of indecency with a child has been involved in controversies in the past.
Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 78, has been pastor of Rephidim Church on Allendale Road since he founded it in late 1971.
He had previously preached at churches in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri, including a brief stint as pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Iowa Park.
In addition to church work, he served on the Iowa Park Police Department in the 70s, being named chief in 1975, only to have the appointment rescinded within a week. He was suspended from the force on allegations of making a false arrest but was later reinstated. Afterwards, he operated a private investigation firm for a short time.
Dispute over tax-exempt status for property
In late 1983, Killingsworth’s church became party to a dispute over a $700,000 home in Country Club Estates in Wichita Falls. The homeowners had incorporated an entity called Grace Mission, Inc., which was affiliated with Rephidim Church. Grace Mission wanted tax-exempt status for the property, which the owners said would be converted into a parsonage. The Wichita Appraisal District denied the exemption. Killingsworth was listed as pastor/teacher of Grace Mission.
Teaming with Jeffries on protest of library books
In 1998, Killingsworth joined Robert Jeffries, then-pastor of First Baptist Church, in protesting two books at the Wichita Falls Public Library that the pastors believed promoted homosexuality. Killingsworth filed paperwork to have them removed and Jeffries simply kept them from the shelves. At the time, Killingsworth told the Times Record News, “I believe the Bible says a homosexual and lesbian lifestyle is wrong and God pronounced the death penalty on them.”
Curiosity over cluster of buildings near Thornberry
In 1999, on the eve of the millennium, Rephidim Church began building a cluster of buildings in a rural area near the Thornberry community, sparking speculation it was some kind of compound or encampment. Killingsworth told the Times Record News at the time that the public curiosity was an “unstory.”
Killingsworth surrendered to Rangers in Clay County
Killingsworth surrendered to the Texas Rangers in Clay County on Friday, even though the sealed indictments against him were on allegations from Wichita County. He was freed on $150,000 bond.
The indictments include four counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact in connection with a girl on May 29, 2011, one count in connection with a second victim on Sept. 25, 2001 and one count in connection with a third victim on Oct. 16, 2000.
Because he was charged in sealed indictments, no court documents such as probable cause or arrest affidavits were available to provide details on the allegations, as they often are in similar cases.
Suspects in crimes are presumed innocent until proven innocent. Information for this story came from the files of the Times Record News. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/indicted-wichita-falls-pastor-no-stranger-to-controversies/70365442007/ | 2023-06-29T01:35:39 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2023/06/28/indicted-wichita-falls-pastor-no-stranger-to-controversies/70365442007/ |
ANDERSON, Ind. — Anderson police are conducting a homicide investigation after a man was found dead in a home Tuesday night.
Around 10:30 p.m. on June 27, officers responded to the 1000 block of West 13th Street, near Madison Avenue, to investigate after a man, identified by police as 41-year-old Timothy E. Kates, was found dead inside a home.
The Anderson Police Department Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene to begin an investigation.
No additional information on the nature of the man's death was provided by police.
An autopsy is scheduled for later this week.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Anderson Police Department Detective Travis Thompson at 765-648-6743. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/anderson-police-conducting-homicide-investigation-man-found-dead/531-4dc654eb-7e9f-455d-b283-c28c19b58a35 | 2023-06-29T01:37:11 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/anderson-police-conducting-homicide-investigation-man-found-dead/531-4dc654eb-7e9f-455d-b283-c28c19b58a35 |
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute announced on June 28 that a $500,000 grant was awarded to 25 non-profit domestic violence shelters across the state.
Thanks to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Services Block Grant Program, the 25 qualifying shelters will each receive a portion of the $500,000 total.
"Access to safe accommodation and shelter, along with survivor-centered support, is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and helping survivors begin to recover," said Kim Lambert, ICJI Victim Services Director. "These services provide a safe space to heal, access to resources, and the support survivors need to rebuild their lives. We must continue to invest in these services so that everyone has the opportunity to live free from violence."
Beginning in July, the organizations will be able to access the funds to help offset costs of operational expenses.
Since 1981, the SSBG has provided funding for social services that has been tailored to each state's individual needs. Indiana's funding is distributed to the Department of Child Services.
Below is a list of Indianapolis-area shelters and how much money they have received through the grant. For a complete list of every shelter and their share of the $500,000, click here.
- A Better Way Services, Inc., Delaware Co., $17,500
- Sheltering Wings Center For Women, Hendricks Co., $19,000
- Alternatives Incorporated of Madison County, Madison Co., $30,700
- The Julian Center, Inc., Marion Co. $35,000
- The Salvation Army, Marion Co. $11,500
- Middle Way House, Inc., Monroe Co. $23,100
Click here for more information on the Social Services Block Grant Program and how the process determines organizations' eligibility. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-grants-500000-dollars-to-domestic-violence-shelters/531-cae23150-766f-4ab5-8ab7-883967d7a54a | 2023-06-29T01:37:17 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-grants-500000-dollars-to-domestic-violence-shelters/531-cae23150-766f-4ab5-8ab7-883967d7a54a |
SPEEDWAY, Ind. — The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) was dispatched to the CVS/Pharmacy at 2320 Cunningham Road in Speedway early Wednesday afternoon following a 911 call.
Around noon on June 28, a registered patient entered the CVS possessing an envelope that witnesses say produced a strong chemical odor upon its opening.
Management immediately noticed the smell and attempted to discern its cause.
Shortly after management began their own investigation into the chemical odor, a nurse practitioner began "experiencing symptoms consistent with chemical exposure", leading to the 911 call.
Firefighters arrived on scene at approximately 12:15 p.m. and released the individual with the envelope following their cooperation with the investigation. The envelope stayed in possession of the individual following their release from the store.
Two female CVS staff members were decontaminated at the scene and then transported to Eskenazi Hospital for further evaluation.
Following IFD's investigation, it was determined that there was no cause for alarm or credible threat to the pharmacy. Meter readings for hazardous chemicals read zero and there was no visual evidence of any spills, powder, or air particulate.
At the suggestion of Marion County Health, the CVS called a cleaning crew to help alleviate any concern amongst customers.
Despite IFD saying there was no cause for concern, this incident has been marked as a working investigation.
More information will be provided as soon as its available. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-fire-department-investigating-chemical-exposure-at-speedway-cvs-pharmacy/531-92aee9ae-063c-4ea2-9025-2d8c74f470a2 | 2023-06-29T01:37:24 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-fire-department-investigating-chemical-exposure-at-speedway-cvs-pharmacy/531-92aee9ae-063c-4ea2-9025-2d8c74f470a2 |
INDIANAPOLIS — Mayor Joe Hogsett, IMPD Chief Taylor and Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal announced they are giving away hundreds of free gun locks.
The distribution event will take place July 2, from noon to 2 p.m. at the New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, located at 10125 E 30th St.
“Gun locks are simple tools, but they can address a significant source of the gun deaths we have seen this year in our city,” Hogsett said. “Our goal today is to make responsible gun ownership as easy and accessible as possible, because if you don’t take responsibility now, you may be responsible later.”
In 2023, the City of Indianapolis is seeing an increase in accidental and unintended shootings involving both adults and children.
So far in 2023, there have been a total of three accidental homicides and 77 accidental non-fatal shootings.
In 2022 at this time, there had been one accidental homicide and 25 accidental non-fatal shootings.
Of the 77 accidental non-fatal shootings that have occurred this year, 81% of those were accidental involving the person handling the firearm themselves, while 19% were accidental involving another person.
A quarter of this year’s non-fatal accidental shootings have involved juveniles.
Officials hope to reduce the number firearm injuries by urging owners to store their guns unloaded, locked and separate from ammunition.
“Far too often, we are seeing children and teens get their hands on firearms and the consequences are deadly. I ask all gun owners to safely store their guns and keep them out of the hands of children. Their lives are at stake,” Taylor said.
About 600 cable-style gun locks were purchased and provided by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The remaining locks were provided by Project ChildSafe, which is funded by the United States Department of Justice.
Each kit includes safety information as well as a cable-style gun lock. The lock is designed to fit most semi-automatic handguns, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and gun cases.
“The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is proud to have provided free gun locks to our community for over a decade, but sadly, the need appears greater than ever. That’s why we are pleased to partner with our colleagues at IMPD in this important effort to turn back the tide of preventable injuries and death, especially amongst our youngest citizens,” Forestal said.
There will be a “no questions asked” policy when distributing the locks.
“Our faith community, along with law enforcement, community partners, and residents —have a responsibility to prevent senseless gun deaths and injuries that are impacting some of our youngest residents. I’ve lost several of my middle school students that I mentor to accidental gun violence,” said Pastor Darrell Brooks, from New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church.
There is a limit of two locks per person.
Attendees do not need to bring firearms for lock installment.
Gun locks are also available at Indianapolis Public Libraries branches during regular hours and while supplies last. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mayor-hogsett-impd-marion-county-sheriff-distribute-hundreds-free-gun-locks-indianapolis/531-2705ae45-b38f-410c-ba72-dd4b44d7dc14 | 2023-06-29T01:37:30 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mayor-hogsett-impd-marion-county-sheriff-distribute-hundreds-free-gun-locks-indianapolis/531-2705ae45-b38f-410c-ba72-dd4b44d7dc14 |
INDIANA, USA — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed more 250 bills into law over the course of last year's legislative session that will begin to take effect on July 1, 2023. Many of these new laws will have an impact in Hoosiers' daily life in some fashion.
Here are a few of the notable laws that will be enforced once the calendar turns to July.
Click here for a full list of the new laws.
HB1608
Arguably one of the most controversial laws signed during the most recent legislative session is House Bill 1608, which bans school teachers from teaching gender and human sexuality to children in grades K-3.
It also prohibits teachers from answering student questions about such controversial topics, while also mandating that teachers inform parents or guardians, in writing, when a student changes their name, pronoun, or gender identity.
SB480
A federal court issued a preliminary injunction June 16, which temporarily blocks an Indiana law that would prohibit health care professionals from providing, or referring, transgender young people for gender-affirming health care.
The ACLU of Indiana had filed that lawsuit on behalf of four transgender youth and their families, as well as a doctor and health care clinic.
However, the judge allowed the ban on gender reassignment surgeries, and the judge said the defendants lacked standing to challenge that ban because gender reassignment surgeries are already not provided to minors in Indiana.
SB 480 would have prohibited doctors from being able to prescribe hormones or puberty blockers to transgender youth under 18, even if they had parental consent.
Teens who were already taking such medications would have had six months to get off them if the proposed law was adopted, or if it gets adopted after the preliminary injunction.
HB1015
In an attempt to make Indiana roadways safer for construction workers, Holcomb signed House Bill 1015 into law on May 1.
The bill allows the state to install traffic cameras in work zones and ticket drivers caught speeding when workers are present.
Under this new law, motorists will receive a warning for their first offense if they are caught by the cameras speeding in excess of 11 mph when workers are present in construction zones. The next penalty will be a $75 fine, followed by a $150 fine for each subsequent violation.
HB1177
In an effort to protect students in the event of an active shooter, the state passed House Bill 1177, which allocates funds for school teachers to enroll in optional firearm safety training.
The cost of the training will be entirely covered by the state at no cost to teachers who choose to enroll.
Included in the law is text that mandates schools distribute firearm safety information to students to help prevent accidental gun-related injuries.
SB43
Amid low staffing numbers at 911 call centers, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 43 to drop the requirement for 911 operators to live in the communities in which they serve. Previously, 911 operators were mandated to establish residency in the areas for which they were assigned. The hope from lawmakers is that this will encourage prospective operators to apply for open positions without the burden of relocation.
SB1
With growing emphasis on mental health, Senate Bill 1, aka the "behavioral health matters" bill, was signed into law, designating funding for a statewide crisis response system for mental health emergencies.
The law strives to provide "confidential emotional support and referrals to certain resources to individuals who call the help line."
In addition to the crisis response system, language also exists in the bill to establish a general help line for non-emergency mental health support.
SB35 and SB167
High school students and parents will have new requirements to follow when they return to school in the fall.
Under Senate Bill 167, all high school seniors will be required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application by April 15, unless granted a waiver.
Furthermore, under Senate Bill 35, students set to graduate in the 2028 school year will be required to complete and pass a financial literacy course in order to graduate. The course must be offered as a separate class and follow the established curriculum.
HB1186
Under House Bill 1186, it is now a Class C misdemeanor for any citizen to stand within 25 feet of a police officer if the officer has asked the citizen to step back.
This primarily applies to crime scenes or emergency areas, and is done to protect both the officer and onlookers. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/new-indiana-laws-going-into-effect-july-1/531-cd931526-1efe-47a9-a83b-d8734451d125 | 2023-06-29T01:37:36 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/new-indiana-laws-going-into-effect-july-1/531-cd931526-1efe-47a9-a83b-d8734451d125 |
CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. — The Sacramento County Coroner's Office identified Vira Zheltonozhko as the victim of a fatal car versus pedestrian crash on Antelope Road in Citrus Heights Tuesday.
Zheltonozhko was 82-years-old and a resident of Citrus Heights, according to the coroner's office.
What led up to the fatal crash is still under investigation, but fire officials said several utility poles and a traffic light were damaged. The crash happened around 8:19 p.m.
Zheltonozhko was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car was found uninjured.
The eastbound lanes of Antelope Road, west of Auburn Boulevard and east of Lauppe Lane were closed for multiple hours Tuesday night while officials investigated, according to the Citrus Heights Police Department.
It isn't known if drugs or alcohol played a factor in the crash.
WATCH MORE: Man dies after medical emergency while being detained, Sacramento police say | To The Point | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/citrus-heights/citrus-heights-crash-victim-identified/103-8e303994-b87d-452c-bff7-86b53967e98a | 2023-06-29T01:39:07 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/citrus-heights/citrus-heights-crash-victim-identified/103-8e303994-b87d-452c-bff7-86b53967e98a |
STOCKTON, Calif. — Planks of wood cover the front windows at downtown Stockton restaurant Eat at Clark's. Inside, new security cameras keep an eye on what's going on.
"We're looking into private security," said Andre Clark, who owns the 6-month-old business along with his wife, Marissa. "We just want to push through this so we can be protected, so we keep going."
When Marissa and Andre started their catering business 10 years ago, they never thought they would one day be serving guests in a brick-and-mortar restaurant along Market Street in downtown Stockton.
They also never imagined spending mornings walking through shattered glass to open their front doors, but now it has become an unnervingly frequent occurrence.
"It started with our vehicle in the back, and then our front doors, and our windows and now our back door... so it's a lot," said Marissa. "We were looking just for a commercial kitchen, and this spot became available and so we took the commercial kitchen and the restaurant on."
Since opening the small business in January, the couple says burglars have shattered windows or broken locks to get into the restaurant six times.
In the past two weeks, windows were shattered twice and the restaurant's back door was broken once. Most recently, on Monday night, burglars allegedly stole a speaker and a Doordash tablet.
"They just take things that are more of an inconvenience," said Marissa. "They took our cash register, nothing was in it. But you know, it's an inconvenience of having to wait for a new one, or a DoorDash tablet. It's just more of a hassle than things monetarily being taken."
Marissa and Andre say they have taken measures to discourage burglars such as clearing out the restaurant of valuables each night, installing a security system and setting up surveillance cameras, but the burglars keep coming.
"We don't have anything in here but food," said Andre. "We don't leave any money. We leave our cash registers open so they can see that."
While the Stockton Police Department investigates the cases, the couple is asking the community for help and support. They are offering a $500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Marissa and Andre are also encouraging guests to keep coming in as they serve up their classic Southern-style comfort food dishes with a side of resilience.
"We feel very blessed to be able to have the opportunity to show our children that you got to go after your dreams. You know, you can't be scared," said Marissa. "We just pray that more support comes our way and that this stops."
Watch more Stockton news from ABC10: Stockton 99 Speedway hosting 'Drift Day' in attempt to combat sideshows | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/eat-at-clarks-break-ins/103-eac3e743-0cb0-4e42-909c-7584bf3cf08c | 2023-06-29T01:39:13 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/eat-at-clarks-break-ins/103-eac3e743-0cb0-4e42-909c-7584bf3cf08c |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jorge Aguilar will step down from his role as the head of the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) by the end of June.
“The Sac City Unified Board and Superintendent Aguilar have mutually agreed to a leadership transition for our District,” said SCUSD Board President Chinua Rhodes. “As one of the longest-serving superintendents at Sac City Unified, we appreciate Superintendent Aguilar’s six years of service and his dedication to SCUSD students and families."
In a news release, Aguilar said he'll remain a big supporter of Sacramento City Unified and commended the school board for their commitment to prioritize student-outcome focused governance.
“Every day as Sac City’s superintendent, I was motivated to change the life trajectories of our students, especially our youth least well served who are from low-income families and have low achievement levels, low graduation rates, and low college and career readiness rates," said Aguilar. "While Sac City must continue to work to meet the needs of all students, I am proud of the strides that we made to improve academic outcomes and expand supports for the social and emotional growth, mental health, and basic needs of all students.”
District officials are beginning the search for a new superintendent to lead the district. In the meantime, SCUSD deputy superintendent Lisa Allen will serve as acting superintendent during the leadership transition.
“I deeply appreciate the generous spirit of partnership and support that civic leaders and organizations have extended to me personally and to our students, schools and district. I am grateful to our community for the respectful interactions that I have experienced over the past six years, including as a parent of our four children who were students in Sac City Unified," said Aguilar.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-school-superintendent-stepping-down/103-02d184ee-3f3a-463a-b671-70d42fabb94b | 2023-06-29T01:39:19 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-school-superintendent-stepping-down/103-02d184ee-3f3a-463a-b671-70d42fabb94b |
LODI, Calif. — A Lodi man was arrested in San Mateo County a day after allegedly shooting a man multiple times, according to the Lodi Police Department.
Officials say they were called to Oro Way in Lodi Monday around 11:15 p.m. about a shooting. A man was taken to the hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and is expected to survive.
Police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Peter Sim as the investigation continued.
Sim was stopped by the Burlingame Police Department and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office after his license plate was spotted the next day, according to officials.
He was extradited to San Joaquin County and booked on suspicion of attempted homicide with the use of a firearm.
WATCH MORE: Man dies after medical emergency while being detained, Sacramento police say | To The Point | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/shooting-lodi-man-arrested/103-c83c1480-3b52-4f10-ac27-756a544db667 | 2023-06-29T01:39:25 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/shooting-lodi-man-arrested/103-c83c1480-3b52-4f10-ac27-756a544db667 |
DALLAS — Dallas City Council approved a near $4 million deal Wednesday to ramp up cybersecurity systems already in place. This comes nearly two month since the city was hit with a ransomware attack.
The new system will alert the city’s information technology (I.T) department of possible cyber attacks.
The protection system will come from Netsync Network Solutions and will include around-the-clock monitoring.
The funding specifically provides the city with a "threat and anomaly detection" system for the Information and Technology Services Department over the span of three years.
In regard to the council-approved spending on the system, City Communications Director Catherine Cuellar said this is part of the city's ongoing commitment to investing in cybersecurity.
In addition to the $3,911,167 deal with Netsync, Cuellar said the city has taken additional steps to "further enhance our security posture, including implementing additional cybersecurity software, deploying a system-wide reset of all user accounts, expediting the implementation of additional controls, and completely rebuilding impacted systems in a new, secure environment."
A week before the May 3 ransomware attack, City Council also approved a three-year, more than $873,000 contract with Netsync for to receive a separate threat detection option for devices such as city servers and employee desktops and laptop computers.
WFAA asked the city of Dallas for an update on the ransomware attack Wednesday. Cuellar declined to give any update on the city’s latest progress in its ransomware recovery, citing the ongoing investigation.
Details on how it happened, the amount of recovery work the city has done, if it will cost taxpayers, and what all was specifically attacked still haven’t been released by the city.
Cuellar said Wednesday additional information will be shared in the July Technology Accountability Report, which will be published in August prior to the Government Performance and Fiscal Management committee, and upon the conclusion of our investigation in an After-Action Report.
The city said I.T workers were alerted to the ransomware attack on May 3. A number of servers were compromised and some had to be taken offline to prevent the bad software from spreading. Some city services, such as online water bill payment and nonemergency reporting on the city's 311 app, were unavailable. For weeks, Dallas Police had to handwrite all reports and manually input them.
Royal, the group suspected to be behind the cyberattack, threatened to publicly release data stored by the municipal government. That has seemingly not happened.
Earlier this month, city officials said the work to restore systems and services citywide was more than 90% complete, but it would still take time before they would get to 100%. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-approves-4m-dollars-cyberattack-detection-security-system/287-63a8f4f2-8148-46ff-9796-ded39ca5ef04 | 2023-06-29T01:42:08 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-approves-4m-dollars-cyberattack-detection-security-system/287-63a8f4f2-8148-46ff-9796-ded39ca5ef04 |
Broken Trust | The scandalous story behind one tiny Texas town's surprising number of planes
Prosecutors say WFAA's investigation into Onalaska, Texas, led to criminal indictments resulting in a major reduction in Central American drug trafficking flights.
More than four years ago, we began with a question: Why were more than a thousand planes registered in Onalaska, a tiny East Texas town nestled along the shores of Lake Livingston?
In 2019, we found that there were more planes registered to two post office boxes in tiny Onalaska than in big cities, such as Seattle, San Antonio, San Diego or New York City.
Onalaska, we also discovered, doesn’t even have an airport.
“Onalaska is a very small town,” Zachary Davies, a lifelong resident and realtor, told us back then. “It’s a very quiet, little town. There’s not a lot to do.”
Our initial February 2019 story spawned a federal investigation, disrupted drug smuggling efforts that started thousands of miles away, resulted in the discovery of a massive scheme involving fake plane deals and shook up the entire aircraft trust industry.
The federal trial that followed resulted in a well-known Oklahoma City businesswoman’s conviction on drug smuggling charges that could put her in prison for the rest of her life.
What WFAA found was that Onalaska was the epicenter of a legal loophole that allowed foreigners to anonymously register their planes.
But how?
Our investigation revealed that the FAA allows foreign nationals to gain U.S. registration for their aircraft by transferring ownership to a trust company.
In other words, a check of Federal Aviation Administration records on these planes would show aircraft registered in the name of the trust company, in effect helping to shield the identity of the foreign owner.
Having an aircraft registered in the U.S. also allows the plane to carry an “N” number on its tail -- a designation that gives the plane certain advantages.
“If you’re operating the airplane in and out of the US, it draws much less scrutiny [with that marking],” said Ladd Sanger, an aviation attorney.
Joe Guthienz, a former FAA investigator and attorney, told WFAA that “there's a sense of confidence that ‘Gee, the Americans must have approved what's going on here. It's got the stamp of approval of the United States of America.’”
Chapter 1 Following the trail
WFAA wanted to know who owned all those planes in Onalaska.
Records showed they were listed to Aircraft Guaranty Corp, a company that used to be based in Onalaska.
Debra Lynn Mercer-Erwin owns that trust company. She bought it in 2014. The company then moved its operations to Oklahoma City.
So we went there.
“We must know who our clients are,” Mercer-Erwin said in a 2019 interview. “We collect passports, all of their passports, their addresses, where they're going to keep the planes. We stay in contact with them throughout our service with them.”
Mercer-Erwin told WFAA that it would be “very difficult for a criminal or a drug user to place their aircraft in trust. And why would they? Why would they want to provide all their personal information, their passports, their corporate documents to place an aircraft in trust?”
Criminals, however, did appear to be taking advantage of the anonymity of the trust system.
In court records, WFAA found two Aircraft Guaranty planes cited in a 2012 federal drug smuggling investigation. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration seized an airplane registered to the trust company in 2016 and opened a criminal case. Through not charged in the money laundering and drug trafficking conspiracy, the real owner of that plane – a Mexican national – paid more than half a million dollars to get it back from the U.S. government.
Also of note: In 2008, a plane crashed into a home in Caracas, Venezuela, killing seven people. The pilot was a twice-convicted drug smuggler. The plane was registered in the United States to Aircraft Guaranty Corp.
The company never identified the real owner.
“There's a fundamental problem,” Gutheinz said. “Under the auspices of the trust you can conceal the ownership of planes, details about the planes, details about who flies the planes.”
There's more: In 2013, a helicopter registered to Aircraft Guaranty crashed into a golf course in Mexico.
“I was never able to find out the actual person who was responsible for that helicopter accident,” said attorney Ladd Sanger, who represented the families of three of the five people killed in the crash.
He says he contacted Aircraft Guaranty, but got nowhere.
“It is a classic case of ostrich head in the sand,” Sanger said. “They don’t ask the questions because they don’t want to know the answers.”
In a post-9/11 America, Sanger and Gutheinz question why a loophole in the law still exists that lets foreigners hide their ownership of airplanes in so-called trusts – like the ones used by Aircraft Guaranty.
“If you're a terrorist and you have a way of concealing your secret ownership of a plane in the United States, you're going to do it,” Gutheinz said.
Federal studies back up concerns that ownership may be disguised. A 2013 audit found planes registered through trusts “lacked key information” about the true ownership of the planes. The review found major trust companies “could not or would not provide the information on the aircraft they own.”
Aircraft Guaranty was one of the major trust companies cited in the 2013 audit.
Chapter 2 WFAA investigation prompts inquiry
After our investigation revealed the loopholes, federal authorities started asking questions, too.
Investigators wanted to know: Where were the rest of all those Onalaska planes? Who was operating them?
In April 2019, the government demanded that Aircraft Guaranty owner Mercer-Erwin produce “information on all aircraft... currently being operated overseas.”
The law says trust companies are required to know who is operating their aircraft, where their planes are located and how they are being used.
Officials say that didn’t happen with Aircraft Guaranty Corp. They say Mercer-Erwin broke the trust the government placed in her.
Mercer-Erwin had told WFAA in 2019 that “we know who our clients are -- we collect all their information.”
So, was her claim accurate?
“We found that not to be truthful,” prosecutor Ernest Gonzalez told WFAA in a 2021 interview.
In court records, federal investigators cited four drug planes – registered through Mercer-Erwin's trust company – just from 2020. Two were seized loaded with drugs. A third one burned on a clandestine airstrip in Venezuela. The fourth was shot down by the Venezuelan military.
After authorities determined a fifth plane had been bought with drug money, the real owners let the U.S. government keep it.
“They weren't doing any vetting at all,” Gonzalez said of Aircraft Guaranty. “Some of these planes were being placed in the hands of drug traffickers, and she knew that.”
And that’s not all.
When law enforcement seized some of the company’s aircraft loaded with drugs, investigators say Mercer-Erwin and her daughter Kayleigh Moffett sought to distance themselves by either deregistering the planes or transferring ownership elsewhere.
One Gulfstream jet they were linked to changed ownership three times in one day in December 2019. On that day, prosecutors say an aircraft museum sold the plane to a company linked to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel. That company then sold it to Heriberto Calderon Gastelum, a convicted drug smuggler, who then turned over ownership to Aircraft Guaranty Corp. to register in trust.
Prosecutors say it’s an example of the shell game the company played with drug dealers.
“A simple Google search would have shown that that individual had been prosecuted in the United States,” Gonzalez said in our 2021 interview.
Six days after that plane changed hands three times, it flew to Mexico. Then, 67 seven days after that, authorities in Belize seized the plane, which was loaded with 2,310 kilograms of cocaine.
In 2019, Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch proposed legislation that would require the identity of planes' real owners to be on file with the FAA -- an attempt on his part to close the trust loophole.
“We want someone to be held accountable,” Lynch told WFAA in 2019. “We want to be able to put a face of a person with that aircraft.”
Lynch’s legislation stalled in Congress, but prosecutors moved forward just the same.
Chapter 3 Federal criminal indictment
In 2020, a grand jury indicted Mercer-Erwin, her daughter and six others.
The indictment said after Mercer-Erwin and her daughter concealed the “true ownership” of aircraft.
“There were occasions where the plane was put in trust, then that plane was repeatedly sold to other individuals and they have no idea who the truthful owner of that plane was,” Gonzalez said.
After WFAA’s investigation spurred a federal criminal probe into Aircraft Guaranty, the government decided to expand its review to include dozens of other trust companies.
When investigators began digging into Aircraft Guaranty’s records, they found something else that shocked them -- a Ponzi scheme.
Investigators discovered that Mercer-Erwin and an alleged accomplice named Federico Machado, a Florida-based aircraft broker, engaged in a scheme to bilk investors through fake plane deals.
Machado had put planes in trust with Aircraft Guaranty, and is also accused in the indictment in connection with the narcotics trafficking allegations.
How’d the Ponzi scheme work?
Investigators say investors wired deposits to escrow accounts at Oklahoma City-based Wright Brothers Aircraft Title, owned by Mercer-Erwin.
The escrow money was to be used as a fully refundable deposit so Machado could buy planes, according to signed agreements. In return, the investors were supposed to receive large fees. The money deposited into the title company was to be held in an escrow account, only to be returned to the investors.
But prosecutors say the money didn't remain in escrow, and the planes either didn’t exist or weren’t for sale.
“The planes they were asking investors to put deposits on were ghost planes,” Gonzalez said. “He even got individuals to pose as sellers of these planes. They continued to do more plane deals to cover up the previous plane deals, which is your typical Ponzi scheme.”
We wanted to ask Machado about all this ourselves, so we dug into records, tracked down people who knew him and we found him thousands of miles away from Onalaska -- under house arrest in his native Argentina.
“I have a story to tell,” Machado said during a Zoom interview with WFAA.
Machado is fighting extradition to the United States on the drug smuggling and fraud charges filed in the Mercer-Erwin indictment.
“The way they portray me in the indictment is like you're talking to El Chapo,” Machado said. “I'm not a saint, right? I made mistakes, but I'm not a narcotrafficker.”
We asked him about the Ponzi allegations.
“It's a group of a few people,” he said. “They thought they were investing in something. They invest in something else.”
We wanted to know where the investor money had gone. His answer? Not into buying planes, but rather his Guatemalan mining operation.
“There's not [a] line of old ladies that got cheated,” Machado told WFAA. “It can get fixed. If God gave me freedom, I will fix it, I will pay them back. It has nothing to do with drugs.”
Machado says he’s far from a criminal. Instead, he claims that he’s a humanitarian who gave the local indigenous people a better life through his financial deals and mining operation.
“We were giving jobs to the people,” he said. “They were quite happy.”
We asked Machado about the allegations that Mercer-Erwin – and her trust company – registered planes for drug dealers.
“[It] doesn’t strike me that an old lady from Oklahoma is going to go and put her planes under their name and carry drugs; it's just stupid,” he said. “It made no sense to me.”
But would it make sense to a jury?
Chapter 4 The trial
In April, the story that began in Onalaska with WFAA’s investigation moved to federal court in Sherman. That’s where Mercer-Ewin went on trial.
Never before had an aircraft trust company owner faced trial accusations of putting planes into the hands of drug traffickers.
“She certainly didn't fit the profile from a TV show like Netflix, or a movie depicting Colombian narcotraffickers,” said Jesus Daniel Romero, a retired naval intelligence officer. “But in today's world, narcotraffickers and transnational criminal organizations are made up of people like Mercer.”
At the start of the trial, it was the Ponzi scheme involving as many as 100 fake plane deals that took center stage.
WFAA confirmed that investors lost at least $240 million. Prosecutors showed jurors a secret ledger kept by Machado and Mercer-Erwin detailing each of the plane deals, and what happened to the money. The ledger and bank records revealed that Mercer-Erwin made $4.9 million. Machado pocketed $75 million.
When Mercer-Erwin took the stand, she denied to jurors that she was involved in the Ponzi scheme. Rather, she claimed Machado had scammed her and denied having pocketed any money from the Ponzi.
She also denied having been involved in drug smuggling and claimed to have thoroughly vetted owners of planes she placed in trusts.
Prosecutors, however, argued Mercer-Erwin turned a “blind eye” to possible drug connections by plane owners. They said she ignored warnings that the planes she put in her trust were being used by drug traffickers.
In 2020, about a month before the Belize plane became the biggest seizure in that nation’s history, another Aircraft Guaranty jet loaded with nearly two tons of cocaine landed in a Guatemalan jungle.
Video of that plane went viral within days.
Machado sent Mercer-Erwin a message, telling her that her plane had been “rescued from the landing strip in Guatemala.”
“It’s no longer registered,” she responded.
She failed to tell the U.S. government that the plane had been seized, which prosecutors and investigators told jurors was evidence of her complicity in drug smuggling.
“That plane just simply showed up into Guatemala in the middle of the jungle, but yet the owners of the plane never asked for their plane to be returned,” Romero said.
Romero arrived in Guatemala in 2017. He served as chief of the Joint Interagency Task Force South in Guatemala, a multi-U.S. agency set up to detect and monitor drug trafficking.
He testified at Mercer-Erwin’s trial.
“We were not prepared for the amount of aircraft that came in through Guatemala, and Belize, and Honduras,” he said in an interview with WFAA.
Romero said drug traffickers graduated from slower single- and double-prop planes to speedy jets that could carry several tons of cocaine worth $200 million or more. The planes of choice were Hawker and Gulfstream jets.
Trial testimony showed cartels flew U.S.-registered aircraft from Mexico to cocaine-producing countries in South America to be loaded. The planes flew to clandestine airstrips in Central America, and the drugs were then smuggled north into the United States.
If the jets crashed, it was the cost of doing business. Often, the jets were intentionally destroyed -- either burned or buried -- making it even more difficult to trace their ownership.
Romero told WFAA that pilots flying the U.S.-registered aircraft in Mexico would turn off their planes’ transponders to avoid detection as they often flew to Colombia and Venezuela to pick up drugs. Within hours, the planes were loaded with cocaine, and then flown to Central America to be offloaded by awaiting crews.
“The amount of planes that were coming into the region were creating lots of violence,” Romero said. “They were creating mass chaos.”
Chapter 5 Reduction in drug flights
What happened after Mercer-Erwin’s indictment may be the most damning piece of evidence against her.
“We saw direct disruptions to cocaine air trafficking -- periods of 30 to 90 days where we didn't see a single aircraft,” Romero said. “We attribute that as a result of Aircraft Guaranty’s indictment. That caused the biggest disruption to the cocaine flow.”
Over two days, high-ranking Latin American officials testified that they also saw drug flights fall from hundreds annually down to just a few.
Dressed in full military uniform, Colombian Air Force Lt. Col. Alex Humberto Landino told jurors that the number of jets carrying drugs in the Caribbean dropped 59 percent from 2020 to 2022. He testified that he believed the indictment played a big role in the disruption.
Landino, director of his country’s air and missile defense, also told jurors that there had been a 29 percent drop during that period in cocaine seizures in Central America. He estimated that the disruption in flights represented a $1 billion loss to narcotraffickers.
“As soon as this case was indicted, the effect was immediate [and] the number of planes with drugs diminished considerably,” Gonzalez said.
After a day and a half of deliberations, the 12-member jury convicted Mercer-Erwin of being a drug trafficker. They also convicted her in connection with the Ponzi scheme.
“The jury got to see how drug trafficking works, how everybody plays a part,” Gonzalez said.
After the jury delivered its verdict, Mercer-Erwin left the courthouse in handcuffs and shackles, escorted by U.S. Marshals.
Chapter 6 'A landmark case'
“It is a landmark case,” Gonzalez said. “This is a unique case in the United States, one involving airplane trusts that no one had been paying any attention to. Obviously, your piece, WFAA’s piece, was instrumental in giving us the focus to see what exactly was going on.”
The same week that Mercer-Erwin’s trial began, Congressman Lynch reintroduced the Aircraft Ownership Transparency Act, which would require that the identity of foreign owners of planes held in trust be on file with the FAA.
Under the proposed bill, specific identifying information would need to be on file, including a nonexpired driver’s license or a passport with a photograph and date of birth.
Mercer-Erwin now awaits sentencing. She faces up to life in prison. Her daughter had taken a plea deal for five years of probation before the start of her mother's trial.
“It would be foolhardy to think that this doesn't change things,” said David Hernandez, an aviation finance attorney based in Washington, D.C. “I think this is a game changer for people for trust companies... to ensure that that they are fully aware of who's operating their aircraft and do very comprehensive due diligence.”
He continued: “They're terrified to think that they're going to be held accountable for what happens to a particular aircraft owned by one of their beneficial owners.”
A federal judge also signed an order authorizing the government to seize as much as $50 million from Mercer-Erwin.
After the trial ended, we returned to Onalaska to talk to lifelong resident Zachary Davies, who now serves on the town’s city council.
“I thought you drove four hours on a story that I really just couldn't wrap my mind around because it didn't make any sense,” he said of WFAA's initial investigation. “Onalaska, Texas: We got 3,000 people [and] no airport. I'm thinking, what's really going on?”
Over the years, though, Davies kept up with WFAA's news coverage of the case.
“One of the biggest just shockers for me is we had this under our nose the entire time,” he said. “Y'know everything was real quiet -- until it wasn't. All hell broke loose.”
Got a tip? Email investigates@wfaa.com. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/onalaska-texas-drug-plane-scandal-investigation/287-3bc11085-ce26-442a-8c69-e722c966a2f1 | 2023-06-29T01:42:15 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/investigates/onalaska-texas-drug-plane-scandal-investigation/287-3bc11085-ce26-442a-8c69-e722c966a2f1 |
AUSTIN, Texas — There will be no new trial for convicted killer Rodney Reed.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the death row inmate's request on Wednesday, effectively ending his legal options on the state level, according to former state district judge and current criminal defense attorney, Charlie Baird.
Reed was convicted of raping and strangling Stacey Stites in Bastrop in 1998.
Baird said Reed has one more legal recourse on the federal level. Reed still has a case before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
This comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow Reed to pursue DNA testing in April.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals' decision means it accepted a lower court's recommendation to let Reed's capital murder conviction stand.
In a 129-page opinion, the state's highest criminal court stated Reed "failed to make an affirmative, persuasive showing that, more likely than not, he is innocent of Stacey Stites' murder."
The ruling comes nearly four years after the state's highest criminal court stayed Reed's execution in November of 2019, days before the scheduled date, and sent the case back to a lower court to decide if Reed should get a new trial.
After a two-week evidentiary hearing in 2021, a judge recommended against a new trial.
As for what's next Baird said there's a long and complex process ahead if the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals grants Reed's request to allow DNA testing on evidence, like the murder weapon.
"It would probably at that point show clearly that it was Miss Stites' DNA and genetic material on the belt. You would expect that. But the real question, would it show that material allowed Mr. Reed or Mr. Fennell?" he said.
Reed and his attorneys contend Jimmy Fennell, Stites' fiance, is the real killer.
Baird also said the Fifth Circuit could take a year to 18 months before making a decision.
One of Reed's attorneys, Jane Puscher with The Innocence Project, released a statement on Wednesday that stated in part they will continue to fight for Reed's freedom and bring him home to his family. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/rodney-reeds-trial-5th-us-circuit-court-of-criminal-appeals/269-d62b30f6-15e1-4d89-b42c-379a0c681d83 | 2023-06-29T01:42:21 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/rodney-reeds-trial-5th-us-circuit-court-of-criminal-appeals/269-d62b30f6-15e1-4d89-b42c-379a0c681d83 |
CROWN POINT — It’s been a “great but hectic year” for TradeWinds, said CEO Jon Gold, but now was a time for celebration of staff, consumers, board members, and business partners.
Working with persons with special needs, Tradewinds held its annual board of directors luncheon Wednesday at White Hawk Country Club. The occasion recognized those who have impacted the agencies, from those providing animal supplies to an in-house choir director.
Among recent accomplishments, Gold said, is a food pantry that started small but which has grown to serve more than 2,000 persons.
Another growth area has been employee services, including placement and support of consumers. Independent living has also grown, from a six-person apartment building in Griffith to the purchase of a living facility for four persons in South Haven.
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“A lot of good things are going on,” Gold said. “So many people need our services, and we’re doing our best to accommodate and grow as well.”
TradeWinds currently serves an estimated 1,000 consumers annually in job placement, residential living, and enrichment programs.
Among those honored at the program were board members Natalie Shrader, Troy Rose, Steve Cox, Nicole Cimbaljevich, and Jeff Ban.
Board member of the year was Megan Henning, a five-year trustee.
“I love the mission itself,” said Henning, a Valparaiso resident and NIPSCO employee.
The Superhero Award for TradeWinds staff went to Annette Walker. A 17-year staff member, she is admissions intake specialist. Cited for her “tenacity, sincerity, and honesty,” she is also known as director of the agency’s Believe and Achieve Choir that performs annually at the TradeWinds Gala.
“TradeWinds has a mission and a vision, and they’re sticking with that mission and vision,” said Walker, a Gary resident.
Several business partners were also cited. They include Briar Ridge Country Club, Culvers in Crown Point, Duke Cannon Supply, Diamond Pearl Homes, and Humane Indiana.
Briar Ridge was cited for its support of the TradeWinds Christmas Angel Tree and for hosting the agency’s annual golf outing. Culvers was recognized its staff volunteers and for its flexibility with TradeWinds consumers that it hires.
Based in Minnesota, Duke Cannon Supply has been a business partner for consumer packaging and assembly.
Diamond Pearl Homes contracts with the TradeWinds sign shop. Not only does Diamond Pearl utilize the shop, but it refers other businesses to the shop and also supports the TradeWinds golf outing.
Humane Indiana partnered with TradeWinds by providing pet supplies and food to the agency’s food pantry. The TradeWinds pantry receives an estimated 3,000-4,000 pounds of pet supplies monthly.
The volunteer of the year was Michael Wallace, who for the past year and a half has been involved in a number of TradeWinds projects, including the food pantry and painting jobs. He was hailed as a “great asset” who does everything with a smile.
Four consumers received the Scott Van Til Award as someone who has grown and excelled personally and professionally. They are Alice Leithleiter, Marcus McBride, Latanya Warner, and Harmony Wojciechowski.
The foursome was cited for their abilities to adapt, develop organizational and socialization skills, self-starters, willingness to learn new skills, and who is caring of others.
The award is named for a former TradeWinds consumer who is now deceased. George Van Til, Scott’s father, praised everyone in the room as a hero for TradeWinds. From board to staff to consumers, Van Til said, “each one in that group is so important.” | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/business/tradewinds-recalls-successes-recognizes-partners-honorees/article_170b74e2-15f9-11ee-8a05-73c8c648b2be.html | 2023-06-29T01:43:04 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/business/tradewinds-recalls-successes-recognizes-partners-honorees/article_170b74e2-15f9-11ee-8a05-73c8c648b2be.html |
CROWN POINT — A Hobart woman was charged with felony neglect Monday after police found her severely autistic daughter walking alone along a road and throwing objects into traffic, according to charging documents.
If convicted, Jamie Robbins, 41, faces up to two and a half years in prison.
Shortly before 11 a.m. June 15, officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of West 37th Avenue in reference to a 13-year-old girl walking down the road and throwing objects into traffic, according to charging documents.
The girl, who is severely autistic and nonverbal, also purportedly would retrieve the items and then throw them back into traffic, charges stated.
When police asked the girl where she was going, she only said, “Dollar Store,” and, “Yard Sale,” according to charging documents. The teen was wearing a T-shirt, pajama bottoms, sneakers and a “soiled diaper could be observed from the top of her pants,” according to a probable cause affidavit.
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Police took the teen home and upon entering saw the girl’s sister and her friend, who are both also 13-years-old, asleep on the couch, charges stated. Officers wrote in the affidavit that the sister had multiple tattoos on her wrist and hand.
The sister took officers to an upstairs bedroom where Robbins was sleeping, the affidavit said.
The officers asked Robbins if she knew where her daughter was and she said she did not because she was asleep, the affidavit said.
When the officers told Robbins where her daughter had been found, she said her other daughter was responsible for watching the girl while she took a nap, according to charging documents.
Robbins “showed no signs of remorse or concern for (the girl’s) well-being,” the affidavit said.
Officers wrote in charging documents that the home was unsanitary.
“The floors were covered in a black substance which appeared to be black mold," the affidavit said. "The kitchen sink was full of dirty dishes, as well as a frying pan full of liquid and food on the stove top.”
Police found empty beer bottles, cigars and a marijuana pipe in one of the 13-year-olds' rooms, charges stated, and the other daughter’s bedroom had a diaper full of feces and feces smeared on the floor.
The Department of Child Services was notified and sent to the home, according to charging documents.
Robbins was previously charged with neglect in March after police found her daughter’s friend, who was in her care, on drugs in the Franciscan Health parking lot. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/lake-criminal-court-local-news-neglect-jamie-robbins-level-six-hobart-37th-avenue-teen-girl-unsanitary-conditions-black-mold/article_a8150a3c-1600-11ee-a6c1-4f0ff5ccee9c.html | 2023-06-29T01:43:11 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/lake-criminal-court-local-news-neglect-jamie-robbins-level-six-hobart-37th-avenue-teen-girl-unsanitary-conditions-black-mold/article_a8150a3c-1600-11ee-a6c1-4f0ff5ccee9c.html |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A teen girl has been reported as missing out of Daytona Beach on Wednesday, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
FDLE announced that 13-year-old Makhia Bush went missing on June 13. In a release, the department said that Bush was last seen near the 100 block of Dolphin Fleet Circle.
The release shows that Bush may be carrying a pink-and-black Adidas duffle bag.
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Bush is described as being 5-foot-3-inches tall, weighing 110 pounds, having brown eyes and black hair. She might also have a nose piercing and a long scar on one of her legs.
Anyone with information on Bush’s whereabouts is urged to contact FDLE at 1-888-356-4774 or the Daytona Beach Police Department at 386-671-5246. Alternatively, you can call 911.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/29/missing-13-year-old-girl-last-seen-out-of-daytona-beach/ | 2023-06-29T01:53:59 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/06/29/missing-13-year-old-girl-last-seen-out-of-daytona-beach/ |
LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston Housing has proposed a project that wouldn't just put roofs over people's heads, but also help get them back on their feet.
The housing authority says it's looking to buy the Ramada Hotel in Lewiston for a transitional housing project.
If the sale goes through, the hotel would be redeveloped into roughly 117 affordable housing units, according to MaineHousing spokesman Scott Thistle.
Thistle said they will help fund the project with a $3.7 million grant from the state.
This money was originally going to be used for a homeless shelter project in Lewiston, but city councilors voted down the proposal last week.
"MaineHousing is supporting this proposal because it provides a very high public purpose for these state funds and could lead to a valuable and permanent affordable housing resource in that region," Thistle said in a statement. "It will create a new asset to help people who are experiencing homelessness in that area get back on their feet."
In addition to providing stable housing for people by using housing choice vouchers, the project would also offer case management services.
Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said there's a great demand for these kinds of services in the city.
"Lewiston Housing is certainly a partner in success for the city of Lewiston and I support their efforts to bring more transitional housing to our area," Sheline said. "We have limited transitional housing in Lewiston and this project will go a long way toward filling that need."
Lewiston Housing did not provide NEWS CENTER Maine with a statement related to the project after multiple requests were made. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/housing/lewiston-housing-hopes-to-turn-ramada-hotel-into-transitional-housing-maine-proposal/97-3378c521-e829-4fea-bf49-84fe528b61a4 | 2023-06-29T02:00:31 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/housing/lewiston-housing-hopes-to-turn-ramada-hotel-into-transitional-housing-maine-proposal/97-3378c521-e829-4fea-bf49-84fe528b61a4 |
WINDHAM, Maine — Infrastructure development in Maine is set to receive a significant boost with recent federal grants through the RAISE program.
Formerly known as the BUILD program, this initiative aims to provide financial assistance to states for various infrastructure projects.
The RAISE program has allocated approximately $29 million to the state, facilitating a range of infrastructure projects, including the expansion of trails, road improvements, and sewer system upgrades.
Since its inception in 2009, the program has successfully funneled $325 million into 23 different projects across Maine.
This latest round of funding will contribute to further enhancing the state's infrastructure with improvements to Route 302 in Windham.
Recognizing that Route 302 is a state road with significant local traffic, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) Commissioner, Bruce Van Note, emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between accommodating local businesses and the needs of pedestrians.
"It's an example of what you can do when everybody works together. We know 302 is a state road, and we have local businesses and people that want to walk here and live here," MaineDOT Commissioner Van Note said.
While the infrastructure improvements along Route 302 are anticipated to have long-term benefits for the region, businesses already situated along the route have expressed concerns about the potential disruptions caused by the construction.
Ronda Davis, the owner of Windham Flower Shop, located on Route 302, shared her worries, saying, "I'm right on 302, so if they are working on my stretch of the road, they won't be able to get to my location. As someone who lives in this town, when there's construction, I will take a different route, and that would deter people away from my business."
Despite the short-term challenges faced by existing businesses, officials remain optimistic about the long-term advantages the infrastructure projects will bring to the region.
Senator Collins highlighted the existing limitations faced by businesses in the area.
"Businesses have not been able to expand in the area because they are using septic tanks, and they have limited capacity. Windham has never had a public sewer system, but businesses and local homeowners can hook into the sewer systems, and it's going to be state of the art," Collins said.
The infrastructure projects are scheduled to commence construction at the end of this month. As these projects progress, the state anticipates witnessing substantial improvements in transportation, utility services, and recreational amenities. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/maine-receives-29-million-boost-in-infrastructure-funding-raise-program-development-windham/97-d0ae9d3d-f23d-4da1-8539-f11a374f2a06 | 2023-06-29T02:00:40 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/maine-receives-29-million-boost-in-infrastructure-funding-raise-program-development-windham/97-d0ae9d3d-f23d-4da1-8539-f11a374f2a06 |
BRUNSWICK, Maine — The man at the head of NASA, Administrator Bill Nelson, visited Brunswick Wednesday afternoon.
Brunswick, due in large part to repurposing the former naval air base, is a town at the center of Maine’s role in the future of the space economy.
Nelson, along with Senator Angus King, I-Maine, and Governor Mills, D-Maine, toured bluShift Aerospace, which builds rockets at the old base's airport.
Nelson and King also spoke to close to 100 business owners, students, and other stakeholders at Southern Maine Community College's nearby satellite campus.
Emily Dwinnells, from the newly funded Maine Space Complex, said she believes existing companies and inspired young students have laid a solid foundation to compete long-term.
"We have a potential to play a pretty big role," Dwinnells said. "It’s a growing industry; it’s growing above 10 percent every year – specifically these small satellites that we’re interested in launching. And there’s a backlog of demand for launch. Maine has an important role to play there."
The complex is hosting a conference Nov. 5 to 7. Anyone interested in learning more about Maine’s plans for the final frontier can attend. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/nasa-head-tours-blushift-aerospace-in-brunswick-maine-space-politics/97-93eaf711-5441-4a65-9462-90c3c9e6f0e0 | 2023-06-29T02:00:48 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/nasa-head-tours-blushift-aerospace-in-brunswick-maine-space-politics/97-93eaf711-5441-4a65-9462-90c3c9e6f0e0 |
ELLSWORTH -- Small business owners are dealing with the pressure of rising electrical rates, even if there usage rates remains the same.
In front of Maine's House of Reps, Republican Representative from Carmel Jim Thorne made a statement about the impact of rising electrical rates. He said, "In January of 2021, his electricity bill was $1,000. In January of 2022, the electricity bill was $2,264. In March of 2023, his electricity bill in Ellsworth was $4,533."
The man Representative Thorne is speaking of, is his nephew Christopher Thorne, who owns the Dairy Queen in Ellsworth, along with four other locations.
Over the past few years, and this year specifically, Christopher Thorne has seen his electricity bill skyrocket.
According to Christopher Thorne, "When you open that bill up at the beginning of February to see that you spent a lot in electricity in January, and not just this location but four others, it's an eye awakening that, okay, how am I gonna pay for this?"
He says numerous expenses have gone up over the past few years including wages, delivery, and food costs, unfortunately those increases have been passed on to the consumer.
"Just because a business raises their menu prices, doesn't mean they're making more, they're just covering up the cost they're being charged," said Christopher Thorne. "Whether it's McDonald's across the way or Dunkin Donuts up the hill, we're all dealing and combating it the best we can."
According to Christopher Thorne, the increase on his bill is coming from the cost per kilowatt hour rising, which measures how much energy someone uses per hour, and the standard cost section of the electric bill.
According to Central Maine Power, the standard cost goes towards the state's solar policy incentives and power purchase agreements.
Regardless of the reasoning behind utility rate increases, people like Christopher are asking, when will it stop?
Christopher Thorne says, "I've been told many different things, and we don't know when it's gonna end, and when the increases are gonna end." | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/rising-electrical-rates-and-the-pressure-it-has-on-business-owners/article_557203ca-1619-11ee-8da5-a3c4273395cb.html | 2023-06-29T02:01:26 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/rising-electrical-rates-and-the-pressure-it-has-on-business-owners/article_557203ca-1619-11ee-8da5-a3c4273395cb.html |
The University of Wyoming will establish a new nuclear chemistry research facility in Laramie after receiving a U.S. Department of Energy grant, the school announced last week.
The $300,000 grant from the Department of Energy will allow UW’s Nuclear Energy Research Center, a branch of the School of Energy Resources, to conduct the first nuclear chemistry research in the state while extending nuclear chemistry training to students for the first time.
UW was one of roughly a dozen schools across the country to receive money to boost nuclear energy research, alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, the University of Utah and others.
“This award is a critical first step in advancing the integration of nuclear-related education into the curriculum at UW,” Caleb Hill, an associate professor of analytical chemistry and the co-chair of the Nuclear Energy Research Center, said in a statement. “While we have made significant progress in our efforts through NERC to build capacity and interest in nuclear energy at UW, the ultimate success of these initiatives will depend on advancing the laboratory infrastructure to enhance nuclear-focused research and teaching activities moving forward.”
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When finished, researchers and students will use the facility to study radioactive materials and run “wet chemistry” analyses, according to a press release. It will also allow UW to expand its nuclear energy programming for students as the state looks to invest and spur the development of nuclear energy in Wyoming. In its announcement, the university forecasted a new nuclear energy certificate for students once the facility is up and running.
“Standing up a new nuclear facility on UW’s campus from the ground up is a great opportunity because it will give us the opportunity to be strategic and to develop it going forward in a way that will best serve students, faculty and the state,” Hill said.
Wyoming leaders have increasingly pointed to nuclear as a way of diversifying the state’s economy and ensuring the state’s status as an energy leader amid declines in coal production.
In June 2021, TerraPower, Bill Gates’ nuclear energy company, announced that it had chosen the Naughton power plant in Kemmerer for its first Natrium nuclear reactor, advanced nuclear technology that it hopes to expand to meet zero-emission energy demands. Gov. Mark Gordon celebrated the decision, calling it “game changing” for Wyoming. During Gates’ first visit to Kemmerer in May, Gordon committed the state to helping TerraPower. “The state’s going to try to stand with them to help as they expand,” he told the Star-Tribune.
At the same time, UW has sought to expand its own nuclear research. In December 2021, the School of Energy Resources tapped Hill and Tara Righetti, a law professor specializing in energy law and policy, to lead its new Nuclear Energy Research Center and bolster the school’s role in the field of nuclear technology. The commitment to build a new facility also extends a recent funding boom for the Nuclear Energy Research Center. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded the center another $600,000 in April to strengthen its work in nuclear engineering and other related fields.
“Between these two awards, we are really driving the development of physical and human infrastructure needed to support nuclear-focused research at UW,” Hill said. “The announcement of TerraPower’s Natrium nuclear power plant has generated a great deal of excitement across the state for nuclear energy and, now, UW is one step closer to supporting that new industry.” | https://trib.com/news/local/business/energy/nuclear-research-facility-university-of-wyoming/article_17d4ae2e-15dc-11ee-9f1c-a77292f26f6e.html | 2023-06-29T02:02:01 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/business/energy/nuclear-research-facility-university-of-wyoming/article_17d4ae2e-15dc-11ee-9f1c-a77292f26f6e.html |
Police officers, anti-abortion rights activists and counter-protesters gather on the Capitol steps Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Boise. A protester who was arrested during the rally has sued multiple Idaho State Police officers.
A Boise woman has filed a lawsuit against several Idaho State Police officers after she was arrested at a protest last year for allegedly shoving Idaho State Police Sgt. Michael Kish. The sergeant testified at trial that he didn’t remember her shoving him, and the judge acquitted her.
The woman, Avalon Hardy, alleged that she was subject to wrongful arrest and imprisonment, excessive force, malicious prosecution, fabrication and suppression of evidence and that her rights to free speech, assembly and association were violated.
Neither the Idaho State Police nor lawyers for Hardy immediately responded to interview requests.
“The evidence showed only ‘entirely incidental contact’ from ‘Ms. Hardy attempting to go around the officer,’ the trial judge concluded,” according to the lawsuit. “The judge went on to say that basic fairness demanded acquittal as well, ruling that the ‘ends of justice, I would think after watching that video, would also require this.’”
“That video” refers to a video of the incident shown at trial. The lawsuit described groups of tightly packed protesters divided over abortion rights at the June 28, 2022, rally in front of the Idaho Statehouse, a few days after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Law enforcement was interspersed among the crowd and Kish was in plain clothes with no visible badge, the lawsuit said.
“Police arrested only two people at the protest that day, both of them women of color protesting in support of abortion access,” the filings said. Hardy is Black.
The filing comes amid a reckoning over the last few years about the justice system and law enforcement.
Kish has spoken before about the perception of law enforcement. In 2016, he told Idaho News 6 that less than 1% of police officers are bad apples, but those officers give the greater law enforcement community a bad name.
“Really the people that I’ve seen, the people I’ve worked with aren’t those bad apples and Idaho is a pretty solid law enforcement community,” Kish said at the time. “... Not every police officer out there thinks that they’re above the law because they have a badge and a gun.”
Kish is not the only defendant in the suit.
Idaho State Police Sgt. Troy DeBie, who the lawsuit said signed a citation alleging that Hardy shoved Kish, is also named. Kyle Card and Steven McClain, two troopers who allegedly arrested Hardy, are named as well.
The lawsuit also sued unnamed officers that also participated in the situation.
Hardy said she had to drop her small business from full-time to part-time, lost clients and her children were targeted at school after the arrest. The lawsuit said she had to cut back on community and volunteer work to make time for the court process, and the arrest “severely chilled her free expression and assembly.”
A press release from Hardy’s attorneys quoted her as saying: “Just because you’re an officer of the law does not mean you get to lie and get away with it. It is time for them to be held accountable for their actions and suffer the consequences.”
The complaint is filed in Idaho’s federal district court.
Her requests include unspecified monetary damages, a declaration that the defendants violated her constitutional rights and attorney’s fees.
Carolyn Komatsoulis covers Boise, Meridian and Ada County. Contact her at 208-465-8107 or ckomatsoulis@idahopress.com and follow her on Twitter @CKomatsoulis. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-state-police-officers-sued-by-boise-woman-alleging-wrongful-arrest/article_ecc5c0e4-15fc-11ee-b7f8-8be511254ff7.html | 2023-06-29T02:03:39 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-state-police-officers-sued-by-boise-woman-alleging-wrongful-arrest/article_ecc5c0e4-15fc-11ee-b7f8-8be511254ff7.html |
BOISE — In his 20-plus years as a member of the U.S. Navy SEALs, David Sears learned a thing or two about effective leadership skills, particularly in pressurized moments.
He shared those experiences and insights on Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in a forum hosted by local business leader and event organizer Dan Moschella and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Sears spoke to about 300 people in attendance at the Lincoln Auditorium. The group consisted of leaders and staff from across the Treasure Valley business community, as well as law enforcement and military veterans organizations.
Prior to Sears’ presentation, there was a Law Enforcement and Military Veterans Appreciation Lunch in the Legislative Dining Room at the State Capitol.
“What underlies a leader, really, is your ability to think,” Sears told the crowd. “We have a lot of different sayings that we use – we call them maxims – that make up our culture and who we are. These aren’t just unique to us, a lot of other communities use the same exact ones. But these are reminders and will serve as reminders to (control) your thinking when you’re in different situations. When you’re confronted with situations with your job, and your life. These are universal.”
Here were key points of emphasis Sears focused on during his presentation, which was about a half-hour long:
TWO IS ONE, ONE IS NONE
In all of his topics, Sears illustrated his points by focusing on combat and dynamic training stories ranging from skydiving and parachuting, to scuba diving missions, to patrolling into combat.
Sears said identifying points of failure in those operations, asking the ‘what if’ questions, and applying critical points of failure are important in seeing things through.
His underlying theme, however, was that those are done effectively in a teamwork environment.
“Together is better” was a key mantra throughout.
“This is about people. Who you surround yourself with, you have to realize that going into it alone, you are the single point of failure,” Sears said. “You cannot go it alone. In any occupation, in any venue in life, you have to surround yourself with a team.”
Sears said when meeting with local police chiefs and sheriffs on Tuesday night, he noticed camaraderie amongst the group.
“They are a team of peers and it’s really impressive,” he said.
Those tight-knit units can bounce ideas off one another and share experiences.
Sears also talked about the importance of having a “swim buddy,” whether it be in the line of combat or in day-to-day challenges with work and life.
“That person is always there with you,” Sears said.
“That’s what I encourage you to kind of foster in your life. Find a swim buddy. Find multiple swim buddies. It can be your spouse, it can be your partner, it can be a peer at work, it can be somebody outside of your work, outside of your family you can trust, talk to, develop relationships and do things together.”
SLOW IS SMOOTH AND SMOOTH IS FAST
Sears emphasized the “noise” in today’s society and the need to cut it out and focus on the task at hand.
“When we get overwhelmed, go to your fundamentals, go to the basics, go back to those,” he said.
Sears pointed to social media and how that can take away from what’s important.
“Cut through all that noise and go to the basics of what life is about, which is enjoyment, family, community, those things,” he said. “Remember those basics.”
Sears said the overall mission of a department, unit or organization should be considered “your north star.”
He also spoke about two types of thinking – reactive and deliberate.
He said the reactive and intuitive piece is important for survival “but can also lead someone astray.”
He said that deliberate thinking is about slowing down and recognizing consequences.
“Reflect on what you’ve done, learn from your failures and you take time to make a decision,” he said.
“I’ve been in combat and it’s been very, what would appear to be hectic. There is still time to think. You have certain things you have to react to, very rarely do you not have time to take a moment. It can be two, three seconds.”
THE ONLY EASY DAY WAS YESTERDAY
Sears emphasized the importance of people being in a continual learning phase and not living in the past.
“What’s behind you is behind you. You have to move forward and constantly be going, constantly be learning,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how many missions I’ve done, what different countries I’ve been in, tasks I’ve been given. The next one is the new one. Those other ones are all in the past. I need to learn from the past, but I don’t live in it.”
He said anyone who claims to be an expert at something will likely learn how little they really know about the subject matter.
“Complacency will kill you. You have to stay somewhat uncomfortable, constantly challenging yourself and growing,” he said.
Even simple exercises like learning to play a new game, reading a new book or trying a different exercise routine are important in this process, he said.
CLIFFORD RECOGNIZES DEPUTIES
Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford opened Wednesday’s festivities recognizing four deputies who were involved in a high-profile officer-involved stabbing and shooting incident recently.
In the early morning hours of April 10, deputy Todd Nelson was seriously injured after being stabbed by a man on Interstate 84, according to a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office. Clifford said that Nelson was “immediately and repeatedly stabbed” during the incident.
It was then that the man was shot and killed by fellow Ada County Sheriff's Deputies Ryan Carlson, Dustin Lauritzon and Anthony Del Toro, Clifford said.
Clifford credited the deputies who put themselves in harm’s way to save the life of a fellow officer. He said each of them are dealing with the impact of the incident in their own ways and will be “most likely for quite some time.”
Clifford said that Nelson, who was also struck by gunfire during the altercation, is still undergoing intensive rehab and is looking to return as a deputy at some point. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/retired-navy-seal-addresses-treasure-valley-law-enforcement-veteran-business-communities/article_75d5292e-1616-11ee-9451-c3ecc053e227.html | 2023-06-29T02:03:45 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/retired-navy-seal-addresses-treasure-valley-law-enforcement-veteran-business-communities/article_75d5292e-1616-11ee-9451-c3ecc053e227.html |
NOLAN COUNTY, Texas — Multiple fire agencies are battling a fire that broke out around 4 p.m. Wednesday in Nolan County. The City of Sweetwater spokeswoman tells us the fire is south of the city on US Hwy 70 and County Road 214.
According to a Facebook post from the Sweetwater Fire Department, volunteer fire departments from Nolan, Mary Neal and Lake Sweetwater are responding. The Nolan County Sheriff's Office is also helping at the scene. Authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes.
The Texas A&M Forest Service arrived on the scene about an hour after the fire was reported. According to the service's website, the Rolling Pin Fire is currently at 25 acres and is only 10% contained.
There's no word on what started the fire or if the flames are threatening any structures. A viewer sent in a photo that shows the smoke could be seen from miles away.
This is a developing story. FOX West Texas will provide updates as they become available. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/multiple-agencies-battling-fire-south-of-sweetwater/504-52c7cade-14fd-4e8b-9648-2370d6e10b5f | 2023-06-29T02:04:07 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/multiple-agencies-battling-fire-south-of-sweetwater/504-52c7cade-14fd-4e8b-9648-2370d6e10b5f |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Sunday's severe weather left over 100,000 Arkansans in the dark.
And while people tried to stay cool during the power outages, many turned to generators, a safety hazard if misused.
"We noticed a big uptick in generator service and installation calls," Airmasters General Manager David Holliman said.
Holliman said his technicians have responded to about 30 generator service calls since the storm on June 25, an uncommon uptick this time of year.
"We get a strong surge of generated calls in the spring when it's storm season," Holliman said. "This time of the year, it's kind of unusual."
Holliman welcomes any customer concern calls because he wants to see people get the necessary maintenance before something goes wrong.
Although Airmasters only work on home standby generators, Holliman recommends them to customers because they require less labor.
"Once the power goes out, it automatically does everything," Holliman said. "Switch over in the breaker panel, so there are no safety issues."
For portable generators, fire officials said to ensure it's at least 20 feet away from houses to prevent carbon monoxide from getting inside.
"The exhaust is just like a vehicle," North Little Rock Fire Captain Dustin Free said. "It's like leaving the exhaust off. That engine is going to go and go into the atmosphere and stay inside of the house. It'll fill up the garage and eventually get into the living area."
Free said people should also use a funnel when filling a generator with gas. If any gas is spilled in the process, Free recommends not starting the generator until the gas evaporates.
According to North Little Rock Electric, a generator should never be plugged into a wall outlet or breaker panel because it could send electricity back into the distribution system, potentially deadly to employees.
"We're trying to make sure that the public knows all the safety tips," Free said.
In addition, experts said Arkansas's power grid is prepared to meet the demand of the summer heat. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/generator-safety-heat-power-outages/91-75af7bd9-d33a-44bb-8bf7-84cba81ba3f9 | 2023-06-29T02:15:55 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/generator-safety-heat-power-outages/91-75af7bd9-d33a-44bb-8bf7-84cba81ba3f9 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Below the Morrison Bridge on Portland’s Central Eastside are small homeless tent villages often reported to the city and targeted for camp removals.
“I’m just trying to survive,” said Russell, 60, who lives in one of the tents there.
“They follow you around and post on you, post on you, post on you, so you're in a constant state of move,” said another homeless man named Dave.
He’s referring to Rapid Response Bio Clean, one of two commercial cleaning companies contracted by the city of Portland to clean and remove homeless camps throughout the city. The other company is City of Roses Disposal and Recycling.
A historic ruling just came down in a 2020 lawsuit filed by a homeless person against Rapid Response. Lynette Snook v. Rapid Response Bio Clean Inc. found the cleaning company liable for wrongly throwing out personal property during a sweep in the St. Johns neighborhood. Rapid Response denies the claim but still owes about $400 in damages.
“However, Rapid Response employees did testify to taking everything they removed that day to the dump,” said one of the attorneys behind the case, Nate Haberman of Underdog Law Office. “It sets an important precedent that under Oregon law, everybody's property is valued.”
According to city data, Portland’s camp removal crews have cleared or removed 4,000 sites in the last 12 months. It's not clear how many of those Rapid Response is responsible for. This lawsuit was filed roughly three years ago, meaning there have been thousands of camp clearings since then. Some argue Rapid Response has been doing this all along. Those living in the camps under the Morrison Bridge share that belief.
“What it takes to live, they take from you,” Russell said. He said he's had his camp cleared at least 14 times in his 12 years on the street.
Following a camp cleanup, Rapid Response crews are required to store people's personal property for 30 days, regardless of its condition, except for things like weapons and drugs. After 30 days, the property is destroyed or donated.
“They say they are putting it in storage but it's never there,” Russell said.
“This last time, I didn't get any of my hygiene stuff back. I didn't get any of my first-aid stuff back,” Dave said of a recent sweep. He’s called 311 twice to report it. “I doubt it's going to do any damn good.”
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler's office told KGW they're “glad this is resolved and are pleased with the improvements that the Impact Reduction Program has made with its contractors and our property storage and inventory process over the last three years."
KGW reporter Blair Best called Rapid Response on Wednesday. They had no comment and weren't interested in hearing her questions.
“These people who have not had a voice for so long now do have a voice and are able to bring these cases and use the legal system to protect their property,” said Haberman.
The attorneys behind this case are prepared to take on more lawsuits like this and believe this could be just the tip of the iceberg. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/homeless-camp-sweep-throw-out-rapid-response-lawsuit/283-8d885143-4bf2-4335-afbe-a1595a9bd568 | 2023-06-29T02:17:10 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/homeless-camp-sweep-throw-out-rapid-response-lawsuit/283-8d885143-4bf2-4335-afbe-a1595a9bd568 |
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