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SPRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a disaster proclamation for eight counties that were disproportionately impacted by two separate severe weather events that hit the state in late June and early July.
The proclamation covers Coles, Cook, Edgar, Hancock, McDonough, Morgan, Sangamon and Washington counties. In a statement, Pritzker said he made the declaration "to mobilize every available resource, accelerating the recovery process and providing relief for our residents."
On June 29, Central Illinois was rocked by a derecho that produced straight-line winds of more than 100 mph that downed trees, power lines and left thousands in the dark for days. The storm also dropped five confirmed tornados.
On July 2, significant rainfall in a short period, including eight inches in some areas, caused flash flooding in the Chicago region. The storm also downed trees and led to power outages across northern Illinois.
According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, local resources and capabilities in the communities hit by these storms have been exhausted and state resources are needed.
The proclamation goes into effect immediately. A request for federal disaster assistance could also come if deemed necessary.
A utility line sags under the weight of a fallen tree limb Thursday in a Charleston neighborhood. Similar scenes throughout Central Illinois have left many Ameren Illinois customers without power for days. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/weather/pritzker-issues-disaster-declaration-for-eight-counties-impacted-by-severe-weather/article_6804b24e-2028-11ee-9210-0f0fe52ee28d.html | 2023-07-11T23:07:45 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/weather/pritzker-issues-disaster-declaration-for-eight-counties-impacted-by-severe-weather/article_6804b24e-2028-11ee-9210-0f0fe52ee28d.html |
Sarasota woman arrested after shooting victim over disagreement, deputies say
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office arrested a 44-year-old woman on Tuesday in connection to a fatal shooting incident.
Courtney Leigh Wadeck of Sarasota was identified as a suspect following the shooting on Sunday and was arrested by deputies. Witnesses said the victim and defendant had a disagreement about living conditions and got into a physical altercation at a home near Beneva and Clark roads. Two witnesses tried to intervene but were unable to stop the fight.
"Within moments, the witnesses heard a gunshot from the living room and immediately observed the victim falling to the floor," according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office.
In case you missed it:North Port Little League memorializes 6-year-old boy who died after dog bite
More:13-year-old shot in Sarasota faces lengthy rehab, family asks for help in GoFundMe
Deputies were called just before midnight in response to the shooting. When they arrived, they found an unresponsive woman on the living room floor with a gunshot wound to her chest. After life-saving efforts were made, she was pronounced dead by the Sarasota County Fire Department medics at 12:27 a.m.
Wadeck has been charged with one felony count of murder without premeditation. She is in custody without bond at the Sarasota County Correctional Facility. | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2023/07/11/sarasota-woman-arrested-after-shooting-victim-over-disagreement/70403737007/ | 2023-07-11T23:07:48 | 0 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2023/07/11/sarasota-woman-arrested-after-shooting-victim-over-disagreement/70403737007/ |
AUSTIN, Texas — A 27-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly hitting and killing a pedestrian in northeast Austin on Saturday, July 8.
Police said the incident happened around 11:15 p.m. in the 5400 block of Pecan Brook Drive.
According to police, Marena Falcon-De la Rosa was driving when her SUV hit a boat trailer parked on the road and then hit and killed 30-year-old Janicia Molina.
Falcon-De la Rosa was arrested and charged with intoxication manslaughter.
The incident is being investigated as Austin’s 52nd fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 52 deaths for the year. On the date of this crash in 2022, 57 fatal crashes resulted in 58 deaths.
Anyone with any information on the crash is asked to contact police at 512-974-8111 or submit a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/pedestrian-fatal-crash-pecan-brook-drive/269-ba327c9a-8a4a-478c-9d46-22bcceaa9f96 | 2023-07-11T23:15:53 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/pedestrian-fatal-crash-pecan-brook-drive/269-ba327c9a-8a4a-478c-9d46-22bcceaa9f96 |
CONVERSE, Texas — Converse authorities say one woman is dead after a Tuesday afternoon shooting that involved four officers.
The officers were responding to an apparent suicide attempt, according to Police Chief Bobby Lane, who said law enforcement tried to communicate with the woman over the course of about 40 minutes. Lane said the woman fired shots inside her residence before police arrived.
At some point, the woman pointed her gun at officers who were trying to approach her, Lane said, at which point they fired, killing her.
Lane couldn't immediately say how many shots were fired, but the investigation is expected to be led by Texas Rangers. The four officers who fired shots will be placed on administrative duty in the meantime.
This is a developing story. Check back with KENS5.com for updates.
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Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/converse-police-shooting-deadly-texas-crime/273-59ee6211-5d6a-4420-acfe-ae87b0597de6 | 2023-07-11T23:16:18 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/converse-police-shooting-deadly-texas-crime/273-59ee6211-5d6a-4420-acfe-ae87b0597de6 |
SAN ANTONIO — With a heat advisory in effect for the local area through Wednesday evening, and heat index values predicted to reach a sweltering 111 degrees, everyone who works outside is thinking about protection from the extremes.
At a house fire on Dugas Drive Monday afternoon, the San Antonio Fire Battalion Chief in command of the scene said the heat response was rated at a Level 2, calling for more protective measures.
"By the time I arrived the fire was moving up over the top of the roof," Stephen Ruston said.
Ruston said fighting a fire and the heat is always a challenge, when the temperature at the time was around 105.
"Whenever we get into Level 2 heat and we are way above that actual threshold for our department by policy, so we dispatch more resources."
Ruston said in addition to more manpower, they are using shorter shifts, rotating firefighters out for breaks every 15 minutes.
"Now we're taking a precautionary pace with our crews to make sure nobody gets behind the curve," Ruston said.
San Antonio Fire spokesman Joe Arrington agrees, battling a blaze while wearing about 70 pounds of protective gear is physically challenging.
"It's like walking around wearing a multi-layer oven mitt all over your body," Arrington said.
Arrington said both Fire and EMS crews are kept busy in the heat.
"We average, Fire and EMS, about 900 calls a day and we are seeing more heat related emergencies. Not exponentially more, but we do see more," Arrington said.
With regard to protecting their own personnel, they said hydration before, during and after all calls is essential, as is immediate cool down relief.
At the Dugas scene, there was a non-stop effort to provide water and electrolyte drinks.
Towels soaked in a five-gallon bucket of ice water were a life-saving fashion trend, draped over the heads and necks of the firefighters who emerged from the burning home.
Arrington said fires aren't the only hot zones.
"We're not just dealing with fires. We're also out on the highways and when you're standing on the concrete, on the blacktop, for a length of time at an automobile accident, that takes a toll on you on a medical call," Arrington said, adding "We don't do a lot of calls in a nice 68 degree walk in cooler. We do a lot of things outdoors so it takes a toll on our firefighters but we encourage hydration all day long and getting rest when they can."
Arrington said what works for firefighters can work for citizens as well, especially those who are especially vulnerable.
"Especially your elderly neighbors, checking them, making sure they are staying cool and if they don't have air conditioning, making sure they have a box fan. Project Cool is a perfect example of a partnership that we have within the city with all the different agencies," Arrington said.
With high temperatures predicted to remain in the local area for the next few days, here are some beat the heat tips. Here is a link to Project Cool for a free box fan. If you're looking for a place to stay cool, you can look at this map. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/fighting-fires-and-heat/273-9e04b905-0225-443c-be91-e7edf057632d | 2023-07-11T23:16:24 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/fighting-fires-and-heat/273-9e04b905-0225-443c-be91-e7edf057632d |
SAN ANTONIO — Southside ISD is pushing for sidewalks to be installed outside the district’s main complex following complaints from parents about the highly-trafficked area posing safety risks for students who walk to school.
“Everybody involved is looking at child safety,” said Randy Escamilla, Southside ISD director of public relations and community engagement.
In June, the Southside ISD Board of Trustees approved a resolution advocating for full funding to build sidewalks along U.S. Highway 281 South and Martinez Losoya Road.
The estimated $500,000 project would be funded by Bexar County and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Escamilla said Southside ISD officials have held discussions with Bexar County and TxDOT officials about the sidewalk initiative.
The project has garnered documented bipartisan support from state lawmakers, including Sen. Roland Gutierrez and Rep. John Lujan.
“Right in front of our main campus we have 2,800 students and some students are having to walk on the grass alongside the busy highway,” Escamilla said.
Escamilla noted two consecutive years of record student enrollment exemplifies the growing community as more housing developments are in the works.
“Last year we had a little more than 5,800 students. This year we’re approaching 6,000,” Escamilla said. “There are an estimated 16,000 new homes planned in developments around Southside.”
Michelle Martinez knows how dangerous it can be walking outside the Southside ISD main complex. She supports the idea of sidewalks.
“Out of the four years I wouldn’t walk to school, but I would go to the taco cafes and the Valero and it would kind of be difficult to walk because you would have to cross the street or either go on the road on the sides,” Martinez said. “A lot (students) go to the store so I think it would be safe if they did have a sidewalk.”
Escamilla said TxDOT will conduct a traffic study in August along U.S. Highway 281 and nearby streets. All parties involved in the sidewalk project will reconvene in November. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/southside-isd-looking-to-build-sidewalks-around-main-complex-community-safety-concerns/273-7509d403-8228-4fab-a4e9-4d34a5933815 | 2023-07-11T23:16:30 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/southside-isd-looking-to-build-sidewalks-around-main-complex-community-safety-concerns/273-7509d403-8228-4fab-a4e9-4d34a5933815 |
Children from Dallas' Bonton neighborhood are saddling up for a unique lesson. They are the first to be enrolled in the 'City to Saddle' program, which is being taught at Equest this summer for the first time.
"So it gives us an opportunity to reach out to some of the children who might be in our neighborhoods that we might not have reached before," Equest Program Director Amy Causey said.
Equest is a therapeutic riding center located just a few minutes from the Bonton neighborhood, but the children who live there rarely have an opportunity to ride horses.
"It feels good to be riding a horse," Erick Williams said "Because it's really, like, fun!"
"i was hoping to bring and give joy and opportunity for things that I love for others who wouldn't have that opportunity," City to Saddle Co-Founder and Chair Barbara Zenker said.
The children don't just learn how to ride horses, they are learning communication skills and responsibility, too.
"So the great thing about the horses is that they are eternal equalizers. They don't judge," Causey said. "We have to kind of learn to talk and walk the way the horses are communicating."
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"I think what they bring to people is an opportunity to learn how to calm and quiet and work together," Zenker said. "It's the relationship, not force, that allows you to grow with others and within yourself, and it gives you an enormous amount of confidence, I think."
The first group of children in City to Saddle are getting lessons this week. There is another group starting on July 17. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-to-saddle-brings-kids-from-bonton-neighborhood-to-equest-barn/3293846/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:07 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-to-saddle-brings-kids-from-bonton-neighborhood-to-equest-barn/3293846/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-to-saddle-brings-kids-from-bonton-neighborhood-to-equest-barn/3293892/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-to-saddle-brings-kids-from-bonton-neighborhood-to-equest-barn/3293892/ |
A person is hospitalized after being shot in an apparent act of road rage along Interstate 35W in Fort Worth Tuesday.
Police said a driver of a pickup was headed southbound on I-35 near Ripy Street when someone pulled up alongside them and began shooting.
The driver of the truck crashed while the other driver drove away.
Video from Texas Sky Ranger showed the pickup truck spun around, apparently having collided with a big rig. The pick-up truck's front windshield was riddled with bullet holes.
Police said the injured driver was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital and was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm.
A description of the shooter's vehicle has not been provided. Police have not identified any suspects in the shooting or announced any arrests.
Fort Worth Police said the Gang Unit is investigating. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-driver-shot-apparent-victim-of-road-rage-on-i-35w/3293911/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:19 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-driver-shot-apparent-victim-of-road-rage-on-i-35w/3293911/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-police-chief-gives-update-after-releasing-body-camera-video-from-shooting/3293914/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:25 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-police-chief-gives-update-after-releasing-body-camera-video-from-shooting/3293914/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-police-release-body-camera-video-of-shooting-from-fourth-of-july/3293894/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:31 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-police-release-body-camera-video-of-shooting-from-fourth-of-july/3293894/ |
A procession of dozens of cars followed the casket of 18-year-old, Paul Willis.
Willis is one of the three fatal victims of a shooting in the Como neighborhood of Fort Worth on July 3.
The procession traveled along Horne Street where they passed the corner where Willis died last Monday. The family later lead the way to Lake Como Park where they released pink balloons in his honor.
At Lake Como Park, his mother, Ka'Desha Weatherly spoke to family and friends.
"I don't want him to just be some young man on a t-shirt," Weatherly said. "He had a very promising life. He did not deserve to be taken from him."
Weatherly asked those in attendance to not forget about the cousins that witnessed the tragic event or Willis’ younger brother.
“Wrap your arms around them,” Weatherly said. “I want all the children out here to hear me say all the boys that was out here don't owe me revenge. That's not what I want. I want counseling for y'all for the summer. I want y’all to be better because my son was about excellence.”
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Excellence other community leaders also want to see from the youth.
“We need healing. We need time and we need each other. There's no pain like a mother's pain to lose a child. So, for her to be able to say no revenge, she just want us to come together and be together,” Parish Lowery said. Lowery is a pastor and owner of Tree of Life Funeral Directors in Fort Worth.
The company offered to cover all funeral costs for Willis.
"It has been a tough enough situation, the fact that tragedy has struck in our community. I mean, we wanted to make sure that we did our part in giving back to our community," Andrew Sims-Kirkland said. Sims-Kirkland is the owner of Tree of Life Funeral Directors. "Pastor and I spoke, and we agreed that we would do that as a gesture just to... support our community. And our hand is not always out, but we give as well."
Family and friends later continued the procession to Willis’ final resting place.
On Tuesday night, teens and their parents are encouraged to attend a grieving session at Lake Como Community Center to unpack the trauma they witnessed hours after ComoFest ended on that July 3 night. The grieving session is spearheaded by Mothers of Murdered Angels.
"Como is a close-knit family. They're like a big family. So when one thing happens, they're all there for it. And they and this is their bedrock right here, the community center," Hamilton said. “We will have at least 10 to 15 counselors in the room if they need to talk."
Hamilton started Mothers of Murdered Angels after losing her own daughter in 2019 and grandson in 2020 to gun violence.
"That's when I started my nonprofit to help these other parents out here because I know what I went through. So, I know to try to help deal, to make it a little easier for them," Hamilton said. "You think you're fine, but you're not fine. So, come out and talk to someone about it. We want the parents to know what we're offering their kids to help them and help the parents, too, because the parents going through it."
Grief counselors will be on-site, and a moment of silence will be held in honor of the three victims killed.
Tuesday evening’s event is free and will take place at 6 p.m. at 4660 Horne St, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
"We're just here to help the kids and the parents get through this year that has happened out here in their community," Hamilton said. "We need to just put the guns down. That's what we need to do, is put the guns come down and come together." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grief-counseling-offered-in-como-neighborhood-teens-and-parents-encouraged-to-attend/3293817/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:38 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grief-counseling-offered-in-como-neighborhood-teens-and-parents-encouraged-to-attend/3293817/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grief-counseling-offered-in-como/3293884/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:44 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grief-counseling-offered-in-como/3293884/ |
It has been one week since a Midlothian man was accused of driving 60 miles across DFW and opening fire on his ex-girlfriend’s son.
The 10-year-old continues to fight for his life at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth.
The violent ambush happened July 4 at around 7:30 p.m. outside a mobile home in the 3900 block of Teasley Lane in Denton, according to police.
The attack left the home’s front door and porch riddled with bullet holes and many unanswered questions.
“The number one question is why would you hurt an innocent child,” asked Michael Cross, the victim’s grandfather. “It’s incomprehensible. I can’t even comprehend it. It’s malicious. It’s vicious. It’s horrible.”
Michael and Vickie Cross say their sweet and lively grandson Cody John Olson is in a medically induced coma after being shot six times.
“He’s hooked up to all these tubes and all these monitors and a ventilator and it’s just he can’t breathe on his own,” he said.
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The boy’s maternal grandmother is a pediatric nurse.
“To think that a large-gauge bullet went into my grandson’s head and it didn’t exit,” she said. “That’s why we don’t know the level of damage. There are no words. This is devastating. This is a nightmare we can’t wake up from.”
They say the man accused of the crime is someone their family has known for years.
Travis Rollins is their daughter’s ex-boyfriend whom she broke up with approximately one month ago. Rollins, grandmother says, even became a father figure to her daughter’s son.
“Cody John adored him,” she said. “I can’t imagine what he thought when he saw him coming at him and shooting him with an AR. I will never until I take my last breath, I will never understand how someone can do that. There’s no reason on Earth.”
Rollins is accused of driving from Midlothian to Denton where he knew his ex was helping her grandmother move in.
“He got out of his truck and just started firing right at the mobile home, at Cody John and at Becky,” said grandpa.
The gunman missed mom who was coming outside but shot her little boy six times, including in the head.
“She ran outside with bullets coming at her to her son but by this time he had emptied all of his ammo and cowardly got back in his truck and left,” she said.
Hours later, Duncanville police spotted and arrested the 39-year-old for a warrant on an unrelated aggravated assault case out of Ellis County.
The Cross’ says Rollins is an ex-Marine.
His criminal history includes two additional aggravated assaults with deadly weapon charges, including a 2004 conviction for using his truck to pin and drag a man underneath it for over 50 feet during a fight.
Rollins was sentenced to court supervision, according to online court records.
In 2008, Rollins was charged with aggravated assault and family violence after he reportedly assaulted his then-pregnant girlfriend and threatened to kill her with a knife.
Rollins was sentenced to 150 days in jail.
“I hope that Travis Rollins is locked up for the rest of his life,” said Mrs. Cross.
The damage, she says, is done.
“[Cody John] is forever altered,” she said listing off milestones her grandson has not yet enjoyed.
“This child is the innocent victim of a malicious crime that has to do with gun violence, and it needs to stop,” said his grandfather through tears. “Children got to quit dying.”
Rollins is currently in jail on a $1.1 million bond, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Cody John’s grandfather set up a verified GoFundMe to help with costly medical bills on what they hope is a road to recovery.
“Cody John is such a sweet little boy. He has such an outgoing personality. He’s all boy and yet he likes to get in the kitchen and cook with his mother. Loves his German shepherd. He really is a remarkable little boy,” said the grandmother. “We walked the dog two weeks ago and he said: Gigi, can I have your puppy? And I said: No, but you can come visit him. I would give anything to have him back intact as he was. We want the community to be aware of this tragedy. We need prayers and if anyone sees fits, to donate to the GoFundMe because my daughter is a single mother.”
Here's how you can donate to the GoFundMe. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/this-is-a-nightmare-we-cant-wake-up-from-10-year-old-shot-critically-injured-by-moms-ex-boyfriend-police-say/3293879/ | 2023-07-11T23:19:50 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/this-is-a-nightmare-we-cant-wake-up-from-10-year-old-shot-critically-injured-by-moms-ex-boyfriend-police-say/3293879/ |
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Beginning Nov. 1, dogs will be allowed on a small stretch of Ormond Beach.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Volusia County councilors approved a pilot program Tuesday afternoon. It allows visitors to take their dogs to a designated area between Milsap Road and Rockefeller Drive.
The county will let the pilot program run for 18 months before discussing next steps.
READ: Insurance company pulls out of Florida; 100K policyholders affected
Some people, including a council member, said they don’t think it’s a good idea for the area, but dozens more showed up in support.
Those opposed had concerns about public health and safety and satisfying those who don’t have pets.
Councilors came up with a compromise to try it out, as long as the dog beach has bags, trash bins, signs and support staff.
READ: Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining to return next month with new tiered pricing system
The cost associated with all that was an initial concern. However, local philanthropist Nancy Lohman agreed to cover the costs.
Daytona Dog Beach, Inc. also presented a check to the county and agreed to provide volunteers to help keep people and their pets in line.
READ: ‘Life will never be the same’: Mikala Jones dead at 44 after freak surfing accident
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/barking-news-portion-this-local-beach-will-allow-dogs-beginning-this-fall/LZKU6UTPLNHX3DUCCMKLJ3YC2E/ | 2023-07-11T23:23:02 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/barking-news-portion-this-local-beach-will-allow-dogs-beginning-this-fall/LZKU6UTPLNHX3DUCCMKLJ3YC2E/ |
WASHINGTON, D.C. — 15-year-old Elise Cataldo has never known life without type 1 diabetes.
“I’ve had type 1 since I was one year old and so everything I do, it affects,” said Cataldo.
The teen says she still remains active but has constant reminders of her condition.
“When I’m playing soccer, I need to ensure my blood sugar is in the right range,” said Cataldo. “If it’s too high, I can become fatigued. But if it’s too low, I can become disoriented or even pass out.”
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
It’s a life 10-year-old Maria Muayad can relate to all too well since she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago.
“We know what it feels like to live the highs and lows of diabetes, literally,” said Muayad.
The two girls testified before a Senate committee on Tuesday about living with type 1 diabetes as lawmakers weighed the benefits of a federally funded program called the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).
SDP is a program for research and clinical trials focused on prevention, treatment, and potential cures for type 1 diabetes.
Read: Insurance company pulls out of Florida; 100K policyholders affected
It’s run by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
The program has been in place for the last 25 years.
“This enduring investment has enabled us to take on challenges beyond what we could support with NIH’s regular appropriations and to perform critical trials unlikely to be done by the private sector,” said Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of NIDDK.
“It’s put now life-changing therapies in our hands and brought us closer to cures,” said Dr. Aaron Kowalski, CEO of JDRF, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Read: ‘Do Not Drive’ warning issued for 29,000 Dodge Ram pickups after air bag death
Cataldo said she has seen the difference from SDP in her own lifetime.
“I can sleep better at night and so can my parents because of SDP-funded research,” Cataldo testified.
She pointed to new devices such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps which were not readily available to people with type 1 diabetes when she was first diagnosed.
“When I was one, I was doing shots and that was about six shots a day not including finger pricks,” said Cataldo. “Just to see all the technology now that has advanced even the past two years, the past five. It’s amazing.”
Read: Florida girl, 6, fights off attempted kidnapper while playing outside her home
Congress is now considering legislation to reauthorize funding for SDP so that money doesn’t run out by the end of September.
The bill has bipartisan support.
The witnesses who testified said it’s critical for lawmakers to make sure the funding remains in place.
Read: Marion County woman charged with murder in the death of her 17-month-old son
“My dream and my family’s big hope is to cure type 1 diabetes,” said Muayad.
“We want to grow up and be able to tell our children, we don’t want to have to worry about them getting diabetes,” said Cataldo. “We want to be able to tell them in a past tense and say I had diabetes.”
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/everything-i-do-it-affects-kids-with-type-1-diabetes-testify-before-senate-panel/VKM255SPVVGGNHYG4WPUG7ICEQ/ | 2023-07-11T23:23:09 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/everything-i-do-it-affects-kids-with-type-1-diabetes-testify-before-senate-panel/VKM255SPVVGGNHYG4WPUG7ICEQ/ |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Five hours southwest of Jacksonville near Fort Myers is a community called Babcock Ranch. The community made national headlines last year after it survived Hurricane Ian with little to no damage.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Nearly one year later, Action News Jax Anchor Tenikka Hughes visited Babcock Ranch to learn how the innovation put to work there could help make our homes safer when severe weather hits Jacksonville.
Driving through Babcock Ranch we saw sunny streets, manicured lawns, and homes with personal touches. Aside from a few downed trees and minor damage, residents told Action News Jax, it’s essentially how their community looked after Hurricane Ian roared through last September.
Babcock Ranch developer and former NFL player Syd Kitson told Action News Jax that it was by design. He rode out Hurricane Ian at his home in Babcock Ranch and assured his neighbors they could do the same. Kitson said, “I told people to shelter at home.”
READ: Insurance company pulls out of Florida; 100K policyholders affected
Kitson essentially asked his neighbors to trust that years of resiliency planning, innovative and sustainable construction, and other safeguards would measure up when put to one of mother nature’s ultimate tests. In this case, Hurricane Ian.
Kitson said, “As I’m watching this thing just come over us for eight hours. This freight train running through my house for eight hours. I had no idea what was going on outside. All I knew is that we had done everything possible to make sure we didn’t flood and to make sure homes were safe.”
Some of the unique features Kitson says helped the community weather Ian’s blow include the location, strong building codes, and a high-tech stormwater management system.
READ: Barking news: A portion of this local beach will allow dogs beginning this fall
Babcock Ranch was developed outside of flood zones and elevated beyond the reach of coastal storm surges. All structures there are built to Florida state code, able to withstand 160 miles per hour winds. Babcock Ranch also has a Platinum Certification from the Florida Green Building Coalition. Kitson said several design elements that make homes more sustainable can also help to make them stronger. There is also a high-tech stormwater management system that includes utilizing the land’s natural waterways. Plus, smart pond technology can monitor lake levels and analyze weather forecasts in real-time, which reduces the threat of flood waters reaching homes.
Kitson said, “But I’ll tell you, if you talk to most people here what was really great, but almost eerie, we never lost power.”
Residents were able to get power from a massive 870-acre solar farm that powers Babcock Ranch. Kitson says Babcock Ranch partnered with FPL to harden transmission lines and the power grid, which allowed the community to draw power from all over the state during Hurricane Ian when others could not.
READ: Brevard County to weigh 10-year tax breaks to offset costs for expanded operations
After the storm, Kitson immediately gathered his team to figure out how to improve ahead of the next one. Green and Sustainable Building expert Dr. Jennifer Languell was a part of the post-Ian huddle. Her family has a home in Ponte Vedra Beach and Babcock Ranch, which is where she took shelter during Ian.
Dr. Languell said, “What if? Really was the challenge by Syd and the ‘what if’ was what if the winds were stronger? What if we had more rain? So, let’s not think that we’re done here because we’re not, we’re going to push to the next level.”
Pushing to the next level through constant assessment and thinking outside of the box. In June, Babcock Ranch held its second summit for builders and developers from across the country to exchange ideas on how to build stronger, more sustainable homes and do it more efficiently.
Languell said, “A lot of people have heard about Babcock and they have a new system or a new product and they want to try it. So, we really do go through kind of a vetting process.”
Some of the builders and developers are then invited to build homes at Babcock Ranch to test out ideas that we could see replicated in homes across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia in the future.
Kitson said, “There are just so many ideas out there that people don’t even realize exist. So if we give them the opportunity to do it here, to innovate here at Babcock Ranch and have a platform, I think then that can take hold and other people be more confident to do it around the country.”
There are several things you can do to harden your home against severe weather or hurricanes:
- The Florida Green Building Coalition offers several suggestions for various budgets, to make your home greener or more resilient. Click here.
- The state of Florida also has the My Safe Florida Home Program that helps eligible homeowners pay for hurricane-hardening improvements to roofs, doors, and windows. Click here.
- You can also download the Action News Jax First Alert Weather 2023 Hurricane Guide for other ways to prepare and stay safe when severe weather hits. Click here.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/innovation-southwest-florida-community-could-help-make-jacksonville-homes-safer-storm/L5OK4XZWKFGYLHN6IHJXERBBZU/ | 2023-07-11T23:23:15 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/innovation-southwest-florida-community-could-help-make-jacksonville-homes-safer-storm/L5OK4XZWKFGYLHN6IHJXERBBZU/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Central Florida man said he was targeted by a pair of thieves that followed him out of the Mall at Millenia after he purchased a Rolex watch.
Travis Preudhomme said his Tesla captured the whole thing on video.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
He said the video from Friday afternoon shows two men following him from the Mall at Millenia, and then breaking into his car while he was at a restaurant on Sand Lake Road.
“It’s just very scary,” Preudhomme said. “He literally breaks the window, grabs the bag, and is off.”
Read: Plans filed for new Tesla dealership in Orlando as EV powerhouse grows local presence
Preudhomme said his girlfriend’s Rolex watch was stolen from their car while they had dinner.
“They literally knew exactly what they were coming for, they didn’t look anywhere else in the car,” he said.
He said less than an hour before the crime, he and his girlfriend picked up a new watch at the Mall at Millenia. He said that’s when the thieves’ plan also began.
Read: Groveland family speaks out after Tesla crashes into porch seconds after going inside
In the parking lot, he was approached by a man asking him about the watch purchase.
“I just ignored that and walked towards my car,” he said. “I didn’t think anything of it at the time.”
But then something suspicious happened. He said a gray Kia is seen on his Tesla camera appearing to follow him from the mall to the Sand Lake area.
Read: Man dies after officer-involved shooting in Olive Garden parking lot near Mall at Millenia
And then while the couple was in the restaurant, he said the video shows a man standing in front of his car, appearing to serve as a lookout while another man looks to make sure the bag is still in the car before smashing the window and grabbing it.
“It looks like a whole operation like they’ve done this several times,” Preudhomme said.
He said his girlfriend had put on her new watch and put her older model in the bag, which was still worth nearly $15,000.
He’s now hoping others will learn from what happened.
“I want people to be vigilant and when they do shop make sure they’re aware of their surroundings,” he said.
And anyone who may recognize the men in the video of the incident are asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2023 Cox Media Group | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-says-thieves-stole-rolex-out-his-tesla-after-following-him-out-mall-millenia/FQFGPDZMBZAHVHM4LQKDPMFUOI/ | 2023-07-11T23:23:21 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/local/man-says-thieves-stole-rolex-out-his-tesla-after-following-him-out-mall-millenia/FQFGPDZMBZAHVHM4LQKDPMFUOI/ |
Richmond Public Schools administration has proposed a new 15-part safety plan following the June 6 shooting death of an 18-year-old graduating student and his father outside of the Altria Theater after the Huguenot High School graduation.
The proposal includes a pilot program at four schools to change the student cellphone policy. Students would be required to lock up their cellphones in pouches during the school day. The pouches would cost $45,000 ($15 per student for 3,000 students), and the funding would come from a U.S. Department of Education grant that provides short-term funding for local educational agencies that have experienced violent or traumatic incidents.
The administration also indicated it will recommend changes to its contract with the Richmond Police Department and changes to the job description for its "care and safety associates," who act as unarmed security guards in schools, in order to boost partnership and coordination.
Monday night’s proposal and debate is a sharp juxtaposition from the conversation three years ago , at the height of the nation’s racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd and after Richmond police tear gassed peaceful protesters at the Robert E. Lee monument. At the time, RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras and several board members recommended removing police from schools entirely.
The shift comes after increased violence in Richmond schools and youth gun violence throughout the community.
The school division is in the process of refining its contract with the Richmond Police Department. RPS Chief Wellness Officer Renesha Parks said the contract is great in its current state, but that there is a greater need for partnerships and to make sure that school resource officers are aligned with the care and safety associates and the administration.
Cars and police gather around Altria Theater, the site of a shooting after the Huguenot High School graduation on June 6, 2023, in Richmond, Va.
MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
The school division now has 11 school resource officers, who are RPD officers, throughout its middle and high schools, and 68 care and safety associates among all schools.
“The current (care and safety associate) job description was written in a time where there was a lot of unrest in Richmond city and across the nation," Parks said.
"We really wanted to reimagine what that looked like at the time,” Parks said. “It has since been three years, and we know it's time to revisit it. Times have changed and they’ve improved somewhat.
"We know race relations are still something that's very prominent across the nation and in Richmond city. But as we seek to do better by our students and by our families, we know there’s some tweaking that’s needed to the job description.”
School Board members, who would ultimately have to approve the 15-part plan, greeted it with mixed reviews Monday night.
Several School Board members met the plan with hostility and called the recommendations “Band-Aids.”
The policy recommendations include additional mental health personnel and additional safety equipment, like metal detector wands, X-ray scanners and radio equipment.
“It seems like this presentation is a Band-Aid right after one incident (in which) we made national headlines and we lost two lives. One student and one parent,” Mariah White said. “You (were) not prepared for this event. You were not ready.
"And yes, our students are not safe," she said. "And we all know it. We all know it.”
Much of the 15-part plan, including the pilot project to change the cellphone policy, is borrowed from a plan introduced by board member Jonathan Young, who represents the Fourth District. He introduced his plan in May, the day that two George Wythe High School students were shot near the school's parking lot during the school day. His plan was not implemented at the time.
"I really commend (Kamras) for having the courage and wisdom to introduce a plan that is so at odds with where the district was at only three years ago, even at the risk of incorporating elements of that crazy guy Jonathan's plan," Young said Tuesday. "That is leadership to acknowledge what we are doing isn't working and instead propose something that's different. That's more than I can say for my colleagues."
Other recommendations from the RPS proposal are updated safety protocols, expanded therapeutic options for elementary students and more training for the unarmed care and safety associates.
“I see things like metal detectors, policing and other punitive measures as Band-Aids,” said School Board Chair Stephanie Rizzi, who represents the Fifth District. “It looks like we're headed to a dystopian future. I don't want to believe that that is where we're headed.
"I would like to know or believe that we can address what is harming our students, why they're acting out this way, so that we don't have to have these kinds of things as permanent measures.”
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The Times-Dispatch's 'Photo of the Day'
Jan. 1, 2023
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) carries the ball as Washington Commanders cornerback Danny Johnson (36) tries to stop him during the first half of a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Commanders on Sunday, January 1, 2023 in Landover, MD.
Shaban Athuman/ RICHMOND TIMES-D
Jan. 2, 2023
Sharon MacKenzie of Mechanicsville walked with her friend Cindy Nunnally and her golden retriever, Sunny, during a GardenFest for Fidos at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Jan. 2.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Jan. 3, 2023
People remember 8-year-old P’Aris Moore during a vigil in Hopewell on Jan. 3. The girl was shot and killed while playing in her neighborhood.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 4, 2023
UR's Jason Nelson presses down court as George Washington's Brendan Adams, left, and Hunter Dean defend in the Robins Center Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 5, 2023
Manchester's Olivia Wright reaches in on James River's Alisha Whirley at James River Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 6, 2023
Daron Pearson plays basketball at Smith Peters Park in the Carver neighborhood on Friday, January 6, 2023 in Richmond, Va.
Shaban Athuman/ RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 7, 2023
UR's Tyler Burton takes a shot as Duquesne's Joe Reece defends Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 8, 2023
Park ranger Bert Dunkerly leads a walking tour of Revolutionary Richmond on the grounds of the Chimborazo Medical Museum in Richmond on Jan. 8. The tour was part of a multiday annual event interpreting Richmond’s Revolutionary history, including the capture of the city by British General Benedict Arnold on Jan. 5, 1781.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 10, 2023
Bon Secours Richmond Community Hospital COO Joey Trapani and Richmond City Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille react after cutting the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the East End Medical Office Building on Tuesday. Bon Secours Richmond Market President Mike Lutes (left) and Del. Delores McQuinn, D-Richmond, were also part of the festivities.
EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
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Jan. 11, 2023
Pages are introduced at the Senate chamber during the first day of Virginia General Assembly at Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 12, 2023
Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, worked at his desk at the Virginia State Capitol on Thursday. Above him is a portrait of former Lt. Gov. Don Beyer, now a congressman representing the 8th District in Northern Virginia.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 13, 2023
Elizabeth Leggett is photographed with her pup Pallas, 10, in her neighborhood in Richmond's business district on January 13, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Jan. 14, 2023
Aubrey Nguyen, age 5, and Andrew Nguyen, age 8, eye the dragon as it comes by during the Tet celebration at Vien Giac Buddhist Temple Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Jow Ga Kung Fu, of Virginia Beach, performed the Dragon Dance.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 15, 2023
The St. James's West Gallery Choir sings during "Evensong, A Celebration of the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." at St. James Episcopal Church Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 16, 2023
James "States" Manship of Thornburg came to the gun rights rally at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Lobby Day, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, dressed as President George Washington.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 17, 2023
Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, confers with Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, at the state Capitol on Jan. 17. Brewer sponsored the bill on state purchasing, House Bill 2385.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 18, 2023
Aaliyah Rouse, 9, and Jennifer Rouse stand by as Aaron Rouse is sworn in in the Senate by Clerk of the Senate Susan Clarke Schaar during a general assembly session at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Jan. 19, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin talks to the media at George W. Carver Elementary School on Jan. 19.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 20, 2023
VCU's fans cheer for the team against Richmond during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game at University of Richmond, Richmond, Va., on Friday, January 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 21, 2023
Jacqueline Dziuba, bottom left, and Steven Godwin, who live in Greenville, N.C., and other visitors check out the exhibits at the Poe Museum in Richmond in January as the museum celebrates Edgar Allan Poe’s 214th birthday and its own 100-year anniversary.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 22, 2023
Paul McLean (left), founder of the Virginia Minority Cannabis Coalition, listens alongside Mark Cannady during the “Is Social Equity in Off the Table in 2023?” portion of the program on Sunday on the second full day of the Virginia Cannabis Conference presented by Virginia NORML at Delta Hotels Richmond Downtown. Lobby Day takes place Monday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 23, 2023
The flags at the Executive Mansion are at half-staff to honor those killed and injured in Monterey Park, California last weekend. Photo was taken on Monday, Jan. 23, 2023.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 24, 2023
Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, listens to debate during a Senate floor session in the state Capitol on a bill to make Daylight Savings Time year-round.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 25, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin listens to George Daniel as he tries some Brunswick stew on Brunswick Stew Day at the Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. Next to Daniel are (L-R) Dylan Pair, stewmaster Kevin Pair and Austin Pair. The yearly event returned to the Capitol for the first time since the pandemic.
ALEXA WELCH EDLUND/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 26, 2023
Meghan Vandette is photographed with her dogs, Pepper, a deaf mini Australian shepherd, and Finn on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at Ruff Canine Club in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 27, 2023
Three-year-old London Oshinkoya (from left) and 3-year-old twins Messiah and Malkia Finley go through the toys brought by Crystal Holbrook-Gazoni near the Gilpin Resource Center in Richmond on Friday.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 28, 2023
Dance instructor Paul Dandridge (foreground) works with youngsters as he teaches a theater dance during the “Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series: On the Road” at the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School on Saturday. The series offers free workshops and performances throughout the year for youth of all ages.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 29, 2023
Ronnie Jenkins II of Chesterfield County sits inside a Barefoot Spas hot tub with his 11-year-old son, Connor, and his wife, Amber, during the RVA Home Show at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County.
Daniel Sangjib Min photos, TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 30, 2023
Frank Saucier listens as elected officials give remarks during a vigil for Tyre Nichols on Monday at Abner Clay Park in Richmond. Nichols died from the injuries he sustained after being beaten by police officers in Memphis.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Jan. 31, 2023
Mayor Levar Stoney gets ready to deliver his State of the City on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the Richmond Main Street Station in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 1, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin attends the Virginia March for Life in Richmond, VA on February 1, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 2, 2023
Petersburg High School's basketball standout Chris Fields Jr. on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at the Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 3, 2023
Shawnrell Blackwell, left, a Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation homeowner and board member, watches as Dianna Bowser, president and CEO of SCDHC, shares a moment with Suzanne Youngkin during a ceremony at Virginia Housing in Richmond on Friday after Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the first lady presented the first Spirit of Virginia Award of 2023 to the affordable housing nonprofit.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 4, 2023
Members of the Break it Down RVA Line Dancing group perform during a Black History Month Celebration at Virginia State University on Feb. 4.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 5, 2023
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) of the Washington Commanders, right, look on before the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl on Sunday in Las Vegas. With him are, from left, NFC wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) of the Detroit Lions, NFC wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) of the Dallas Cowboys and NFC wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) of the Minnesota Vikings.
John Locher, Associated PRess
Feb. 6, 2023
(From left) U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, and Sethuraman Panchanathan, Ph.D., director of the National Science Foundation, arrive for a tour of VCU's Nanomaterials Core Characterization Facility with lab director and physics professor Massimo Bertino, Ph.D. (right) on Monday, Feb. 6. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 7, 2023
Sen. Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, is seen 4 1/2 hours into Tuesday's crossover session at the state Capitol.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 8, 2023
Chef Patrick Phelan works with his staff on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Lost Letter in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 9, 2023
Onlookers stand near a shattered window on East Broad Street following a shooting on Thursday. One person was killed and another wounded.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 10, 2023
Colonial Williamsburg moves a 260-year-old building, originally called the Bray School, on a truck to a new location a mile away, where it will be put on public display, in Williamsburg, Va., on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The Bray School is believed to be the oldest building in the US dedicated to the education of Black children.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb 11, 2023
Randolph-Macon celebrate after beating Roanoke College during a NCAA Division III Basketball game on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Randolph Macon Crenshaw Gym in Ashland, Virginia. With today's win, the Yellow Jackets hold the longest home winning steak in NCAA Division III history.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 12, 2023
The Science Museum of Virginia hosted a competition for student engineers during a commemoration of Celebrate Engineering Ingenuity Day. A packed crowd watches Sunday as a team of “Bridge Breakers” from the American Society of Civil Engineers puts students’ inventions to the test.
Lyndon German
Feb. 13, 2023
A crew from Walter D. Witt Roofing installs a new roof for Melvin Washington, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, as part of the Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project in Richmond, VA on February 13, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 14, 2023
Richmond City Council member Cynthia Newbille pulls the winning raffle ticket as Marc Edwards, from InnovAge Virginia PACE, holds the basket during the 9th annual "For the Love of Our Seniors" event at Main Street Station in Richmond, VA on February 14, 2023. The event is a resource fair for senior residents and caregivers in Church Hill. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 15, 2023
A crew from the Richmond-based company Cut Cut installs the new art installation "McLean" by Navine G. Dossos on the façade of the Institute for Contemporary Art in Richmond, VA on February 15, 2023. The installation is part of the exhibit "So it appears" opening February 24th. The vinyl pieces being used are adapted from a series of paintings. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 16, 2023
Giov. Glenn Youngkin meets with the community at Westwood Fountain in Richmond, VA on Thursday, February 16, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 17, 2023
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Alison Linas, left, and Franklin greet Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jennifer Guiliano and attorney Alex Clarke at the Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court building on Friday.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
Feb. 18, 2023
Fans take pictures during the All-alumni Block Party before VCU’s game against Fordham on Saturday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 19, 2023
Virginia Tech's Georgia Amoore, left, waits for a pass from Elizabeth Kitley (33) during the first half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, in Blacksburg.
Matt Gentry, The Roanoke Times
Feb. 20, 2023
Richmond resident David Scates filed an appeal with the VEC last summer four days after the state agency notified him that he had been overpaid unemployment benefits after catching COVID-19 and losing his job. Now, Scates is one of almost 17,000 Virginians at risk of having their appeals dismissed because the VEC contends they filed too late.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 21, 2023
State Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, greets chief election officer and college friend Sheryl Johnson (right) at the Tabernacle Baptist Church polling station in Richmond, VA on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 as (from left) election workers Katie Johnson and Eric Johnson look on. McClellan is running to succeed Rep. Donald McEachin, D-4th. McClellan would be the first African American woman to represent Virginia in Congress and would give Virginia a record four women in its congressional delegation. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 22, 2023
Members of the media tour Fox Elementary School in Richmond, VA after Richmond Public Schools Chief Operating Officer Dana Fox provided an update on construction plans to rebuild the school on Wednesday, February 22. The building, which dates to 1911, was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire on the night of Feb. 11, 2022. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 23, 2023
Marley Ferraro and her boyfriend, Zack Bannister, both VCU freshmen, spend time together between classes at Monroe Park as Thursday weather reaches around 80s in Richmond, Va., on Feb. 23, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 24, 2023
Sen. Aaron Rouse, left, D-Virginia Beach, talks with Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, before a general assembly session at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 25, 2023
Jenna Anderson of Cosby High shows her medal to her dad, Waylon Anderson, after winning the 112-pound weight class during the VHSL Girls State Open Championships at Unity Reed High in Manassas on Saturday.
SHABAN ATHUMAN, TIMES-DISPATCH
Feb. 26, 2023
Contestants in a duathlon race (run-bike-run competition) dash from the starting line in the first event of the West Creek Endurance Festival at the West Creek Business Park in Goochland County on Sunday.
Mark Bowes
Feb. 27, 2023
Eric and Linda Oakes speak to a small crowd before unveiling a plaque and bench dedicated to their son, Adam Oakes, in the VCU Student Commons building near the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life on February 27, 2023. The date marks the two-year anniversary of Oakes' death in a hazing incident, and VCU is calling this an annual hazing prevention day and day of remembrance for Oakes. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
Feb. 28, 2023
Jess Tanner (center) looks on as her daughters Aubrey (left), 10, and Charleigh, 8, deliver Girl Scout cookies to school counselor Michelle Nothnagel (right) and the other teachers and staff members at Manchester High School on February 28, 2023. With help from groups of retired teachers and others in the community, the girls, who are members of Girl Scout Troop 3654, raised over $1,000 to purchase the cookies for the staff. Jess Tanner, is an art teacher at Manchester and also a co-leader of their troop. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 1, 2023
Shirley Wiest, left, and Wilma Bowman, center, show a blanket for a veteran with the help of Julie Wiest, daughter of Shirley Wiest, at Sunrise of Richmond in Henrico, Va., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Shirley Wiest and Wilma Bowman sewed over 3000 blankets for people at the VA Hospital, the Children’s Hospital and Moments of Hope Outreach among others.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 2, 2023
Carl Gupton, president of Greenswell Growers, is shown at the greenhouse of the company in Goochland, Va., on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Greenswell Growers, an automated indoor farming, can produce 28 times more greens per acre than traditional farming. They just sealed a deal with Ukrops and will start selling on Kroger shelves all across the mid-Atlantic.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 3, 2023
Highland Springs walks off the court after beating Stone Bridge during the Class 5 boys basketball quarterfinal on Friday, March 3, 2023 at J.R. Tucker High School in Henrico, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 4, 2023
Nutzy plays with Shane Paris-Kennedy,9, during the Richmond Flying Squirrels Nutzy's Block Party on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia.
SHABAN ATHUMAN/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 5, 2023
Patrons wait in line for Caribbean soul food from Mobile Yum Yum, one of the food trucks participating in Mobile Soul Sunday in Monroe Park. The event kicked off the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, a weeklong celebration of Richmond’s Black-owned restaurants.
Sean McGoey
March 6, 2023
Henrico County officials celebrate the start of renovations at Cheswick Park in Henrico's Three Chopt District on March 6, 2023. The 24.5-acre park, Henrico's oldest official park, will receive $2.1 million in improvements, including a new open fitness area and upgrades to its trails, playground, restroom facilities, pedestrian bridges, parking lot, main entrance, stormwater management infrastructure and signage. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 7, 2023
Congresswoman-elect Jennifer McClellan heads into the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC for orientation on March 7, 2023 in preparation for her swearing in as the first Black Congresswoman from Virginia. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 8, 2023
Kate Chenery Tweedy shows the exhibition of Secretariat at Ashland Museum in Ashland, Va., on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Kate Chenery Tweedy is spearheading an effort to bring a monument of Secretariat to Ashland.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 9, 2023
John Marano of Top Trumps USA speaks to the media next to Mr. Monopoly at Maggie Walker Plaza in Richmond, Va., on March 9, 2023. Top Trumps USA, under license from HASBRO, will design a Richmond-specific board that highlights the region’s favorite historic landmarks.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 10, 2023
The U.S. Postal Service commemorate the history and romance of train travel with the unveiling of its Railroad Stations Forever stamps during a ceremony at the Main Street Station in Richmond, Va.
Lyndon German
March 11, 2023
Susie Williams of Richmond gets a makeover at the Shamrock the Block Festival in Richmond on Saturday. The festival was relocated to Leigh Street this year.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
March 12, 2023
A procession of Fifes and Drums moves down Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg on Sunday. It traveled from old Colonial Williamsburg Courthouse to the Raleigh Tavern, where Thomas Jefferson and other leaders formed a Committee of Correspondence in 1773.
Sean Jones photos, Times-Dispatch
March 13, 2023
Cuong Luu, foreground, a volunteer of Feed More, prepares boxes of meals with other volunteers and staff at the food bank in Richmond, Va., on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 14, 2023
Bill Barksdale, technical director of Virginia Video Network, works with Kelli Lemon, director of digital programming, at the video studio of Richmond Times-Dispatch in Richmond, Va., on March 14, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 15, 2023
Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, looks on a portrait after unveiling it as former Speaker of the House at the house chamber of the State Capitol in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Filler-Corn made history as the first woman and first Jewish Speaker in Virginia.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 16, 2023
MIKE KROPF, THE DAILY PROGRESS Virginia's Isaac McKneely (11) becomes emotional after an NCAA Tournament first round game against Furman in Orlando, Fl., Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Mike Kropf
March 17, 2023
Brian Erbe, center, a pipe manager, and other members of Greater Richmond Pipes and Drums perform to celebrate St. Patrick's Day at Rosie Connolly's Pub Restaurant in Richmond, Va., on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 18, 2023
Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis takes down Oklahoma State's Dustin Plott during the consolation semifinals at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships, Saturday, March 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP)
Ian Maule
March 19, 2023
Virginia Tech's Kayana Traylor (23) is congratulated by teammates after scoring just before halftime of a second-round college basketball game in the women's NCAA Tournament, Sunday, March 19, 2023, in Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Matt Gentry
March 20, 2023
Hannah and Ty Bilodeau of Lynchburg visit the recently completed Richmond Virginia Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their children, Blythe, 5, Goldie, 4, and Graham, 2, in Glen Allen in Henrico, Va., on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 21, 2023
Doug Ramseur, center left, and Emilee Hasbrouck, center right, defense lawyers for Wavie Jones, one of three Central State Hospital employees , who was charged in death of Irvo Otieno, speak to the media at Dinwiddie Courthouse in Dinwiddie, Va., on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 22, 2023
WRANGLD's, from left, senior customer success manager Trevor Lee, chief business officer Andy Sitison and CEO Jonathan "JD" Dyke work at their office of the 1717 Innovation Center in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 23, 2023
New Bon Secours Community Health Clinic is open in Manchester, Richmond, Va., on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The clinic will serve scheduled appointments and same day call-in appointments for the uninsured. The 8,000 square foot building is also home to the Bon Secours Care-A-Van, a mobile health clinic.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
March 24, 2023
Liz Kincaid, CEO of RVA Hospitality and owner of Max's On Broad, is photographed at the restaurant in Richmond, VA on March 24, 2023. Max's On Broad will be closing April 1 and will relaunch as a new concept in the summer. Kincaid also owns Tarrant's & Bar Solita. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
March 25, 2023
Henrico County families gather at Deep Run Park & Recreation Center on Saturday to celebrate all things agriculture during the county's second annual Farm Graze event. Children went booth to booth learning about the wonders of agriculture while participating in fun activities and scavenger hunts.
Lyndon German
March 26, 2023
Church Hill resident Alex Gerofsky finishes the Hill Topper 5K at the Church Hill Irish Festival with a time of 20 minutes, 26.8 seconds.
Thad Green
March 27, 2023
Wyatt Kingston, center, conducts a strength training session with Marshall Crenshaw, left, and Kevin Wright at Hickory Hill Community Center in Richmond on March 27.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
March 28, 2023
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, center, talks about the ongoing housing crisis in the city during a news conference on March 28.
Daniel Sangjib Min, TIMES-DISPATCH
March 29, 2023
From left, Caroline Ouko and Leon Ochieng, mother and older brother of Irvo Otieno, react near the casket during the celebration of life for Irvo Otieno at First Baptist Church of South Richmond in North Chesterfield on March 29.
Eva Russo
March 30, 2023
Senior students in Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center's culinary program presented Taj Mahsala: an Indian fusion menu.
SYDNEY SHULER, THE DAILY PROGRESS
March 31, 2023
Richmond Police address onlookers Friday, March 31, 2023 at the intersection of North Avenue and Moss Side Avenue, near Washington Park. Richmond police shot a man who was suspected of shooting a woman earlier in the day in the 1100 block of Evergreen Avenue on Richmond's Southside.
April 1, 2023
Sculptor Jocelyn Russell takes photos of the crowd after the unveiling of her statue of Secretariat at Ashland Town Hall Pavilion on Saturday.
Michael Martz photos, TImes-Dispatch
April 2, 2023
Drivers race in the Toyota Owners 400 at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, VA on April 2, 2023.. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 3, 2023
Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill plans to resign from her post to attend graduate school in Paris, where she will start a master’s program in international governance and diplomacy at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, colloquially known as SciencesPo.
EVA RUSSO, TIMES-DISPATCH
April 4, 2023
From left, Judy and Ron Singleton pose for a photo on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. MIKE KROPF/TIMES-DISPATCH
Mike Kropf
April 5, 2023
Beatrix Smith dips her matzah in salt water as she enjoys a Pasover Seder with her classmates (from left) Helen Corallo, Camp Maxwell, and Amara Ellen at the Weinstein JCC Preschool Program in Richmond, VA on April 5, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 6, 2023
Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré speaks with students at Piedmont Virginia Community College on Thursday.
SYDNEY SHULER, THE DAILY PROGRESS
April 7, 2023
A worker pushed water off a tarp on the field at The Diamond Friday, when the Flying Squirrels were scheduled to open their season against Reading.
MIKE KROPF/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 8, 2023
Ember O’Connell-Evans, 1, plays with hula hoops during the Dominion Energy Family Easter event at Maymont on Saturday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
April 9, 2023
Mike Kearney plays an early form of badminton with grandkids Savannah and Ashton on the lawn of Montpelier during “We, the Kids” Day.
ANDRA LANDI, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REVIEW
April 10, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, center left, tours Richmond Marine Terminal with W. Sheppard Miller III , Virginia Secretary of Transportation , center right, as Stephen A. Edwards, left, Virginia Port Authority CEO, and Christina Saunders, manager of Richmond Marine Terminal, give them the tour on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 11, 2023
Inaara Woodards, 5, of Henrico, visits Italian Garden at Maymont with her mother, Victoria Crawley Woodards, and three brothers, Kai, 13, Zion, 12, and Avion Woodards, 11, during their home-school field trip to the park in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. "It’s gorgeous!" Victoria Crawley Woodards said of Tuesday weather. She said it was the perfect weather for the field trip and other activities.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 13, 2023
Clarence Thweatt, right, a lead trainer for Chesterfield Public Schools, works on marking points during a transportation road-e-o event, which is friendly competition of school bus drivers demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of laws, at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 14, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at Liberty University.
PROVIDED BY LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
April 15, 2023
Tyson Foods workers attend a job fair at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on Mechanicsville Turnpike. The Glen Allen plant is closing, displacing about 700 employees.
Em Holter
April 16, 2023
A display of 32 white balloons were raised and a 32-second moment of silence was observed in honor of the victims of the April 16, 2007, tragedy at the start of the 2023 3.2-mile Run in Remembrance on the Virginia Tech campus.
MATT GENTRY, The Roanoke Times
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April 17, 2023
Albert Hill Middle School sixth-grader Drew Sirpis looks for birds during the educational boat trip on the James River on Monday.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
April 18, 2023
Richmond Flying Squirrels Luis Matos steals the second base against Erie SeaWolves shortstop Gage Workman in the 3rd inning at The Diamond, Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 19, 2023
Children participate in Little Feet Meets at Matoaca High School in Chesterfield, VA on April 19, 2023. A total of 1,400 Special Olympic athletes from grades PK-5 throughout Chesterfield County Public Schools competed in Little Feet Meets between two dates, April 12 at James River High and April 19 at Matoaca High. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 20, 2023
Mike Blau, center, a line cook, and others work on preparing a soft opening of The Veil's new taproom, located in Scott’s Addition at 1509 Belleville St., on Thursday, April 20, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 21, 2023
(From left) VCU sophomore Caroline May, of Pittsburgh, PA, and senior Lee Finch, of Norfolk, VA carry a coffin with a blow-up Earth ball during a VCU Student Climate Protest in Richmond, VA on April 21, 2023. The small crowd walked from the James Branch Cabell Library, though Monroe Park, to the office of VCU President Michael Rao in a mock funeral procession. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 22, 2023
Anthony Clary gestures as he runs through confetti during the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k on Saturday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
April 23, 2023
A volunteer picks up an old wooden palate and brings it to a trash pile during Friends of Fonticello Park's community cleanup on Sunday.
Sean Jones, Times-Dispatch
April 24, 2023
Kay Ford spends time with her cat, Patches, at her home in Mechanicsville, VA., on Monday, April 24, 2023. Ford recently adopted Patches, a 40-pound cat, from Richmond Animal Care and Control. The story of Patches went viral after RACC publicized the cat.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 25, 2023
Emily Cover, a project manager with DPR Construction, is shown at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU, left top, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. DPR is the team that built the hospital.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 26, 2023
Guests tour the Anthropology Lab at the new College of Humanities and Sciences STEM building on West Franklin Street in Richmond, VA on April 26, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 27, 2023
Police tape marks the scene outside George Wythe High School.
ANNA BRYSON/TIMES-DISPATCH
April 28, 2023
Sculptor Kate Raudenbush takes in her finished piece "Breaking Point" in the Flagler Garden Near the Monet Bridge at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on April 28, 2023. The garden is set to debut "Incanto: An Oasis of Lyrical Sculpture" on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Incanto features five designed, allegorical sculptures, accompanied by poetry, throughout the garden. The exhibition is the work of Raudenbush and poet Sha Michele. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
April 29, 2023
Pharrell Williams performs during the Pharrell's Phriends set at Something in the Water in Virginia Beach on Saturday.
Kendall Warner
May 1, 2023
A man carries a piece of furniture through a neighborhood in Virginia Beach, Va. on Monday May 1, 2023. The City of Virginia Beach declared a state of emergency after a tornado moved through the area and damaged dozens of homes, downed trees and caused gas leaks. (AP Photo/Ben Finley)
Ben Finley
May 2, 2023
Sports Backers Stadium is shown next to The Diamond in this drone photo, in Richmond, VA., on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 3, 2023
CAL CARY, THE DAILY PROGRESS UVa cheerleader, Madison DeLoach, in front of other UVa cheerleaders tour the The Avelo Airlines Boeing 737 after landing at Charlottesville Albemarle Airport coming from Orlando on May 3, 2023. Avelo Airlines launched its first Charlottesville to Orlando flight line at the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport on May 3, 2023. The inaugural event consisted of a returning flight from Orlando to Charlottesville Albemarle Airport, a firetruck water salute upon arrival and a tour of the airplane.
Cal Cary
May 4, 2023
(From left) Maryann Macomber, of Mechanicsville, VA, leads a small group prayer with Gloria Randolph, of Richmond, VA, Randolph's great-grandson Xavier Jones, also of Richmond, and John Macomber, of Mechanicsville, during a National Day of Prayer event at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square in Richmond, VA on May 4, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 5, 2023
Steffiun Stanley preps dishes at Birdie's in Richmond, VA on May 5, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 6, 2023
People at the ¿Qué Pasa? Festival sit on the grass and enjoy the weather on Brown’s Island on Saturday.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 7, 2023
Arts in the Park saw thousands pass through Byrd Park over the weekend. The festival is sponsored by the Carilion Civic Association.
Charlotte Rene Woods, Times-Dispatch
May 8, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin shares a quiet moment with Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm on Monday afternoon before ceremonially signing a bill that adds a definition of antisemitism to Virginia law.
David Ress, Times-Dispatch
May 9, 2023
The Molcajete Sinaloa at Mariscos Mazatlan in Henrico, VA on May 9, 2023. Mariscos Mazatlan focuses on traditional Mexican cuisine from the city of Mazatlan and all along the Mexican coast. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 10, 2023
A goose, seen here on May 10, 2023, has built a nest in a median of the parking lot near Dilliards at Short Pump Town Center. The mall has put out orange cones to keep cars away and Jerome Golfman, assistant manager at Fink's Jewelers, said he regularly brings it water, cracked corn and other grains.
Eva Russo, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 11, 2023
Mary Finley-Brook, a professor of environmental studies at the University of Richmond and an expert on American gas infrastructure, says repairing the pipes no longer makes sense as gas prices continue to rise.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 12, 2023
(From left) Sam Amoaka, a freshman at Virginia State University, helps his girlfriend, Tamia Charles, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University, move out of her dorm along with her dad, Thomas Charles, of Fredericksburg, VA, in downtown Richmond, VA on May 12, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 13, 2023
Virginia’s Thomas McConvey (left) defends the ball from Richmond’s Jake Kapp during an NCAA Tournament game at Klockner Stadium in Charlottesville on Saturday.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 14, 2023
University of Richmond outfielder Christian Beal made a catch on the run during the Friday game of Spiders-VCU series at The Diamond.
MIKE KROPF, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 15, 2023
The flags at Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission building are flown at half-staff on Monday. Governor Youngkin announced that flags would fly half-staff in honor of Peace Officers' Remembrance Day.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
May 16, 2023
Ukrop's crumb cake has been picked up by Kroger and is being sold nationwide. Here, fresh cinnamon crumb cakes are packaged at the Ukrop's bakery in Richmond, VA on May 16, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 17, 2023
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney officially proclaims May as Jewish American Heritage Month during a celebration held in collaboration with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) at Richmond City Hall in Richmond, VA on May 17, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 18, 2023
Acting Police Chief Richard Edwards stands by as Penn and Victoria Burke places a flower in honor of Sergeant J. Harvey Burke in the wreath at the memorial stone at the Richmond Police Training Academy in Richmond, VA during the Richmond Police Department Police Officers' Memorial Service on May 18, 2023. The ceremony, which took place during National Police Week, paid homage to Richmond's fallen officers. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 19, 2023
Doumit Bouhaidarat fries falafel balls to order during the St. Anthony Lebanese Food Festival on Friday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 20, 2023
Dogs compete in the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs — Splash Qualifier #4 event on the second day of Dominion Energy Riverrock on Saturday.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
May 21, 2023
The Virginia men’s tennis team celebrates after winning the national championship on Sunday in Orlando.
Courtesy UVa athletics photos
May 22, 2023
Vietnam War veteran Stuart Blankenship is photographed at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, VA on Monday, May 22, 2023. Blankenship is one of 50 Vietnam War Veterans from throughout the Commonwealth featured in the exhibit “50 Years Beyond: The Vietnam Veteran Experience” which opened at the Virginia War Memorial on January 28, 2023. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
May 23, 2023
Wilbert Hobson poses for a portrait at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Va, on May 23, 2023. Hobson was part of the 101st Airborne unit of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. Hobson is very active in his chapter of the American Legion and helped found the Friends of Dupont, and organization. Graduating from an all-Black high school, Vietnam was Hobson’s first real experience with integration. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
May 24, 2023
Powhatan Owen, shown at the Virginia War Memorial, volunteered for a Burial Honor Guard company in Washington state to commemorate the service of fellow veterans and has further connected with veterans while attending powwows across the U.S.
Eva Russo, Times-Dispatch
May 25, 2023
Madi Mabry laughs with other members of Mango Salon at the 2023 Top Workplaces awards in Richmond on Thursday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
May 26, 2023
A solar cell receives light at the Agecroft Hall and Gardens on May 26, 2023, in Richmond, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
May 27, 2023
Julia Hunter, a shawl dancer, participates in the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe’s powwow on Saturday.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
May 28, 2023
Festival organizers Pete LeBlanc, left, and Zavi Harman enjoy the second installation of Daydream Fest in front of the Main Line Brewery stage on Sunday.
Gabriela De Camargo Goncalves
May 30, 2023
Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks during the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial on Monday.
Margo Wagner, Times-Dispatch
May 31, 2023
Earl Gary, owner of YME Landscape, used a compact tractor to move topsoil for a temporary landscaping at the former site of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's statue on Monument Ave. in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Daniel Sangjib Min/TIMES-DISPATCH
June 1, 2023
Jorge Figueroa leads tenants and New Virginia Majority organizers in a rally at Southwood Apartments, in Richmond, VA on June 1, 2023 to protest rent increases. EVA RUSSO/TIMES-DISPATCH
Eva Russo
June 2, 2023
This screenshot from the Virginia Department of Transportation's real-time traffic cameras shows multiple southbound lanes of Interstate 95 closed after a crash near the Belvidere Street exit the morning of Friday, June 2, 2023.
Virginia Department of Transportation
June 3, 2023
Richmond Kickers defender Simon Fitch shoots the ball defended by Chattanooga Red Wolves forward Walter Varela at City Stadium on Saturday, June 3.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
June 4, 2023
Mark Whitfield and Ciara Dickson watch Samaya Dickson throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Flying Squirrels game on Sunday.
Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves, Times-Dispatch
June 5, 2023
People bow their heads before eating as Dr. Stepfanie Ramsey gives the invocation at the 2023 Times-Dispatch/Sports Backer Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2023 at the Jefferson Hotel. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
June 6, 2023
A radar measure the speed of passing cars on Main Street on June 6, 2023, in Richmond, Va. MARGO WAGNER/TIMES-DISPATCH
Margo Wagner
June 7, 2023
A piece from a mortar board lays on the ground at the site of a shooting at Huguenot High School's graduation ceremony.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
June 8, 2023
A participant holds a candle during a vigil hosted by Grace & Holy Trinity Church on Thursday to remember Huguenot High School graduate Shawn Jackson and his stepfather, Renzo Smith.
Mike Kropf, TIMES-DISPATCH
June 9, 2023
Louisa softball players celebrate after beating Hanover 5-3 in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday, June 9.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
June 10, 2023
Riverside lacrosse players and coaches run on the field after defeating Freeman in the Class 5 championship game in Ashburn on Saturday, June 10.
Mike Kropf/TIMES-DISPATCH
June 11, 2023
The Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground featured drumming, dancing and music Sunday as visitors gathered for Elegba Folklore Society’s 27th annual Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration, on Sunday.
Katie Castellani, Times-Dispatch | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/richmond-graduation-shooting-huguenot-high-school/article_3bf951c2-2006-11ee-a00f-ffd096ff9a59.html | 2023-07-11T23:32:24 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/richmond-graduation-shooting-huguenot-high-school/article_3bf951c2-2006-11ee-a00f-ffd096ff9a59.html |
Traverse City hair salon says it won't serve transgender community
A hair salon in Traverse City is getting pushback after saying in a now-deleted Facebook post that it won't serve anyone who identifies as transgender or queer, adding that they should seek the services of a pet groomer.
"If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period," said the now-removed Studio 8 Hair Lab post.
"Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as, 'hey you,'" it continued. "... This is America; free speech. This small business has the right to refuse services."
Michigan's civil rights law bans discrimination and added protections in March for gay and transgender residents.
Christine Geiger, an owner of the salon, could not be reached.
In an interview with television news station 9&10 News, Geiger said that she doesn't have a problem with the gay community, but she won't serve those who are transgender/queer/questioning. She told the television station she is taking a stand against preferred pronouns including they/them, he/him and she/her.
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling recently allowed a Colorado Christian graphic artist to refuse to work with same-sex couples; experts have said the ruling applies specifically to businesses that create original artwork and pure speech, and then offer that work as limited commissions, according to the Associated Press.
The salon post has spawned fury locally.
"Hate has no home here," said a statement on the Facebook page of Polestar LGBT+ Community Center of Traverse City. "Both Polestar and Traverse City welcome all!
"Hate has no home in Northern Michigan. Please do not support this Traverse City salon and continue speaking out against uninformed bigotry every time it rears it’s head in our community (or yours)," tweeted Chasten Glezman Buttigieg, who is married to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. They live in Traverse City.
"This is the kind of full-throated bigotry and ignorance many advocates and leaders have been warning would become more mainstream due to the rapid increase in homophobia and transphobia in the GOP," Glezman Buttigieg said. "America should be moving forward, not backward. There are real problems to solve." | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/traverse-city-hair-salon-says-it-wont-serve-transgender-community/70403823007/ | 2023-07-11T23:33:39 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/traverse-city-hair-salon-says-it-wont-serve-transgender-community/70403823007/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — Some who frequently visit the Monon Trail in downtown Indianapolis near 16th Street feel unsafe when trying to cross.
"Cars do drive pretty crazy over here especially during the rush hour. They don't see the blinking lights. I feel like those do not help. Like, you actually need something that says 'STOP'," said Aaria Woolcock who was walking her dog Reeko on the trail Tuesday afternoon.
City leaders have been looking at ways to make greenway crossing zones safer for pedestrians, runners and cyclists.
A new measure passed this week aims to include speed limit reduction notices in certain zones.
"The aim of the proposal is to treat these intersections similarly to how we treat school intersections," said Councilor John Barth, who co-sponsored the proposal.
Councilor Barth said he's heard stories of people almost getting injured while trying to cross.
"It just takes one more minute or one more turn to make that near miss into a fatal accident, so we want to make sure we do everything we can to protect folks," Barth said.
The Department of Public Works told 13 News that engineers have been looking at all crossings and will conduct an analysis to determine where the biggest risk is and where speed limits may need to be reduced.
The analysis includes looking at the number of lanes, road volume and trail volume.
For walkers like Woolcock, she's hoping the changes can help make drivers become more alert.
"They're just speeding down the street while another car is stopping. Sometimes I feel there would be accidents," Woolcock said. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-city-leaders-want-safer-monon-trail-indy-safety/531-55c0b077-91e3-4baf-88b0-1171c7f9b1a9 | 2023-07-11T23:38:28 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-city-leaders-want-safer-monon-trail-indy-safety/531-55c0b077-91e3-4baf-88b0-1171c7f9b1a9 |
BANGOR -- Dozens of Bangor firefighters filled the city's council chambers Monday night to express their disappointment and frustration with Bangor's handling of ARPA funding.
The Bangor firefighters union originally applied for a lump sum of approximately $800,000 of the city's $20.48 million in ARPA funds.
The goal was to issue two payments of roughly 45 hundred dollars to each first responder who worked during the pandemic.
The city denied their application.
Members of the union confronted the city council Monday night.
President of the Bangor professional firefighters I.F.F. Local 772, Jarred Willey says, "The initial request through our labor management was turned over and the responses I got was laughed at, just not taken seriously, potentially not shared with the council. So, our request basically went from our hands to a shredder."
During the workshop, several Bangor firefighters testified about the toll the pandemic took on them, their families, and their work, with some even saying they are now embarrassed to work for the city due to how they've been treated.
"What I remember most about the pandemic was thinking 'I hope I get Covid, that way I can get two weeks off. I want you to let that sink in for a moment. I hope I get sick with a potentially lethal disease, just so I can get some sort of reprieve." said one of the firefighters during his testimonial.
Following the testimonies, city council members had very little to say and offered no explanation as to why the application was denied.
Bangor city councilor stated at the meeting, "We're not gonna make or take any action on this tonight but I think it's important for you all to hear that you are appreciated."
Currently, the city has more than 16 million dollars in ARPA funding left to allocate.
Multiple attempts were made to contact the city council to discuss their decision concerning Bangor Fire's application.
We are still awaiting comment. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/bangor-firefighters-union-urges-city-to-supply-arpa-funds/article_399ec83c-2031-11ee-b2aa-ff68f2253869.html | 2023-07-11T23:41:08 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/bangor-firefighters-union-urges-city-to-supply-arpa-funds/article_399ec83c-2031-11ee-b2aa-ff68f2253869.html |
BANGOR -- For the second straight month the state of Maine has set a new monthly record for legal marijuana sales. This past June, dispensaries sold over 18 million dollars of cannabis, which is a 1.2 million increase over May's sales. Marijuana distribution centers across the state are overjoyed.
"For a lot of reasons I think this is actually a really positive sign for the industry as a whole in Maine and for the broader cannabis industry to see that kind of growth in a market so we're excited to be a part of that growth," said Thomas Winstanley, chief marketing officer for Theory Wellness, a Maine recreational dispensary.
Theory Wellness opened its first recreational storefront the day sales became legal in 2020 and are now all across the state.
"There are lots of different types of products for people who have been consuming cannabis for many years or people who maybe haven't tried it as much or are trying a beverage or something that is a little bit of a lower barrier for entry," said Winstanley.
According to the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, dispensaries have sold around 340 million dollars since 2020, generating excellent economic activity through its job growth and tax revenue.
"What this industry is doing is employing tens of thousands of Mainers who might be under employed or unemployed and its generating that type of economic activity not just for those businesses but for the businesses in the communities where those people come from and where they work," said Director of Maine Office of Cannabis Policy John Hudak. "As people get to know that this industry is maturing they get to know what the industry has to offer."
They say the negative stigma surrounding cannabis use declined as it transitioned to a legal market.
"It really is a sign of progress and I think there are a lot of people who have been fighting for this industry for a long time and that proof of concept is really coming forward," said Winstanley.
You must be 21 years of age to purchase legal marijuana in Maine, and dispensaries say it is important to do your research and ask questions before exploring products. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-sets-new-monthly-record-for-legal-marijuana-sales/article_38e70d80-2033-11ee-bf21-37831146557c.html | 2023-07-11T23:41:14 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-sets-new-monthly-record-for-legal-marijuana-sales/article_38e70d80-2033-11ee-bf21-37831146557c.html |
AUGUSTA -- The Governor's Office of Policy Innovation has formed an expert advisory committee to support Maine's Roadmap to End Hunger by 2030 initiative.
The panel is made up of stakeholders across the state involved in combating hunger. Their goal is to address the root causes of food insecurity in Maine.
"The population of this middle Maine is in a crisis really, the food insecurity here is in a dire straight," said Maureen Bean, director of Burlington Food Pantry and a member on the expert advisory committee. "The opportunities for jobs are fewer and there are people here who still are hungry."
Bean says food banks have been working harder than ever to support their communities.
She says the group has been meeting virtually for a couple months and they are feeling hopeful that together they can make a real difference for Mainers in need. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maines-roadmap-to-end-hunger-by-2030-committee-formed/article_ebf1fc90-2034-11ee-8e73-63d3b569161b.html | 2023-07-11T23:41:21 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maines-roadmap-to-end-hunger-by-2030-committee-formed/article_ebf1fc90-2034-11ee-8e73-63d3b569161b.html |
BANGOR -- Locals will have a new stop for all their sweet treats by the end of this month.
Preparations are underway at 624 Hammond Street for the grand opening of the whoopee wagon bakery.
Owner, Christiana Thomas says although she's excited about the venture, a brick-and-mortar shop is something completely new to her and she is anxious to get started.
Thomas says, "I'm super nervous. Yep. I- I can do craft fairs and all that and it doesn't bother me because I know what to expect. But this I have no idea so I'm hoping that it's as busy as it seems that it's going to be."
In addition to baked goods, the shop will feature an array of crafts from local artists.
The grand opening is slated for July 29th with a soft opening the week before. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/new-bakery-coming-to-bangor/article_f607bb96-2031-11ee-bcca-57dca8ee0be1.html | 2023-07-11T23:41:27 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/new-bakery-coming-to-bangor/article_f607bb96-2031-11ee-bcca-57dca8ee0be1.html |
PITTSBURGH — An awareness campaign is underway to discourage drivers from parking on sidewalks within the City of Pittsburgh.
“It’s in every neighborhood, on almost every street around Pittsburgh,” said Scott Bricker, Executive Director of Bike Pittsburgh. “We’re just telling people that one, it’s illegal. Two, we need to watch out for our neighbors and really protect them.”
The campaign, titled “Protect Pedestrians” was launched by the non-profit on Monday.
Bricker said that while drivers may perceive that what they’re doing is harmless, they are in fact often forcing pedestrians onto streets.
“Let’s think about the people who are dependent on our sidewalks to get around and to be safe, especially our kids and older Pittsburghers, people with mobility needs, people with disabilities.”
Bike Pittsburgh intends to spread its message through social media, neighborhood flyers and community engagement.
Channel 11 visited Lawrenceville on Tuesday, where we saw numerous vehicles parked on curbs and sidewalks. Many had their side mirrors tucked in.
Pedestrians we spoke with said that while they understand the campaign’s message, they believe that many city streets are too narrow for every vehicle to park on the street.
“I can speak from experience if you’re not parking even a little bit on the sidewalk, you’re going to get sideswiped, often,” said resident Haley Gault.
Another neighbor, named Craig, agreed, telling Channel 11 that “if you don’t park on the sidewalk... an ambulance or a fire truck on some of these streets cannot fit down the road.”
We spoke with him while he was jogging, and while he noted that it can be tough to dart around vehicles on the sidewalk, he said “you have to do what you have to do to make parking available.”
Bricker, however, told Channel 11 that more often than not “the street is plenty wide to park on the street and not on the sidewalk.”
He encourages drivers to tuck in their mirrors and to think of their vehicles secondary to pedestrian safety.
Ultimately, he said the solution could require changes to the roads.
“We’re going to be having conversations in the future with the city about redesigning our streets so that, maybe we can’t have a two-way narrow street and cars parking on both sides,” he said. “There has to be a place for pedestrians and a place so that people can drive and bike and park safely, but it’s really unacceptable to park on the sidewalks.”
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WASHINGTON — Fifteen-year-old Elise Cataldo has never known life without type 1 diabetes.
“I’ve had type 1 since I was 1-year-old and so everything I do, it affects,” said Cataldo.
The teen says she still remains active but has constant reminders of her condition.
“When I’m playing soccer, I need to ensure my blood sugar is in the right range,” said Cataldo. “If it’s too high, I can become fatigued. But if it’s too low, I can become disoriented or even pass out.”
It’s a life 10-year-old Maria Muayad can relate to all too well since she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago.
“We know what it feels like to live the highs and lows of diabetes, literally,” said Muayad.
The two girls testified before a Senate committee on Tuesday about living with type 1 diabetes as lawmakers weighed the benefits of a federally funded program called the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).
SDP is a program for research and clinical trials focused on prevention, treatment and potential cures for type 1 diabetes.
It’s run by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
The program has been in place for the last 25 years.
“This enduring investment has enabled us to take on challenges beyond what we could support with NIH’s regular appropriations and to perform critical trials unlikely to be done by the private sector,” said Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of NIDDK.
“It’s put now life-changing therapies in our hands and brought us closer to cures,” said Dr. Aaron Kowalski, CEO of JDRF, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Cataldo said she has seen the difference from SDP in her own lifetime.
“I can sleep better at night and so can my parents because of SDP-funded research,” Cataldo testified.
She pointed to new devices such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps which were not readily available to people with type 1 diabetes when she was first diagnosed.
“When I was one, I was doing shots and that was about six shots a day not including finger pricks,” said Cataldo. “Just to see all the technology now that has advanced even the past two years, the past five. It’s amazing.”
Congress is now considering legislation to reauthorize funding for SDP so that money doesn’t run out by the end of September.
The bill has bipartisan support.
The witnesses who testified said it’s critical for lawmakers to make sure the funding remains in place.
“My dream and my family’s big hope is to cure type 1 diabetes,” said Muayad.
“We want to grow up and be able to tell our children, we don’t want to have to worry about them getting diabetes,” said Cataldo. “We want to be able to tell them in a past tense and say I had diabetes.”
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PITTSBURGH — “We were walking down the hill and somebody pulled up and started shooting,” said Wykie Scott.
Wykie Scott, 15 lives in the Hill District. Last year on his way to play basketball with his friends, bullets flew in his direction.
“We didn’t know who it was,” said Scott. “We ran back up to the house, and I didn’t know I was shot until I looked at my hand.”
Wykie says CARES Afterschool Enrichment Program at Jeron X Grayson Community Center saved his life in a way.
“My whole entire staff is vested into making a difference,”said Rev. Glenn Grayson.
Rev. Glenn Grayson started this program shortly after his son was shot and killed.
“We’re in six zones,” said Grayson. “We have more than 40 workers out every day being preventative. Youth programs. Boxing. Girls’ group. They’re really impacting lives.”
This is one local initiative, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis shined light on for the kickoff of his statewide “Safer Communities” tour. The Trauma Response Team is another one that was highlighted at this kickoff event. They drive to homicide scenes to help and empower survivors.
“I think the thing that’s making the biggest difference is the resources are empowering people on the ground in these communities to take advantage of turning their communities around and taking on the issue of gun violence,” said Davis.
“People might often say what is happening about gun violence,” said Rev. Paul Abernathy. “Today, I hope that it’s very clear to all of us that there is an extraordinary effort that is moving forward to address gun violence and a difference is being made.”
“Look at what Reverand Grayson is doing here at the CARES Center or Pastor Paul Abernathy with his violence intervention program,” said Davis. “We’re empowering folks on the ground to help stem the tide of gun violence, and we need to do our part as government leaders to help support these folks not just with financial resources but passing common sense gun reform legislation here in the Commonwealth.”
While the Trauma Response Team is based here in Allegheny County, it’s something that’s wanted in other parts of the state.
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MCKEESPORT, Pa. — McKeesport police are asking for the public’s help to find a missing man.
According to police, Steven Humphreys, 67, has mental health issues and hasn’t taken his medication.
Humphreys is described as a white male who is 6 feet tall and weighs 155 pounds.
If seen, call the McKeesport Police Department at 412-675-5015 or dial 911.
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WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Police testified in court on Tuesday afternoon that surveillance footage, tire tracks, and the victim’s description of her attacker and the car he drove led them to Frank Springer.
Only Channel 11 was able to get that footage.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >> Man accused of attempting to kidnap a jogger in Westmoreland County arrested
In the video, the 18-year-old victim can be seen jogging on the morning of January 8.
Shortly after you see her, a 1995 Buick drives past going in the opposite direction. Moments later, the camera catches the same Buick turned around and driving quickly in the same direction as the woman jogger.
Police said the car description matched the one later given by the 18-year-old an older blueish Buick, driven by a white scruffy man who appeared to be in his 50S wearing glasses and standing about 5 foot 7 inches.
A detective testified on Tuesday that the description helped identify 56-year-old Frank Springer as the attacker.
According to court documents, a woman jogging around Route 381 encountered a man who attempted to force her into his car by shooting at her three times with a revolver. When that failed, he pushed her to the ground kneeing her in the back and dragging her. The woman escaped because another car drove past and turned around.
Police testified that when they went to Springer’s home to initially question him the mud on his car and tires also matched the crime scene, prompting them to get a search warrant for the vehicle, where they found plastic zip ties.
Day three of the trial resume Wednesday at 9 a.m.
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Representatives with Johnson City Schools and Kingsport City Schools said Tuesday they are pleased with their rising fourth graders’ results from summer school learning.
Summer school is wrapping up for many in the region. This session marks the first after the state’s third-grade retention law was passed.
The law requires third graders to test proficiently in the English Language Arts portion of the TCAP exam to move on to the fourth grade.
Hundreds of third-grade students in the region were required to pick other pathways to the fourth grade.
Kingsport City Schools (KCS) still has some rising fourth graders finishing makeup summer school days. District officials report that out of the 202 rising fourth graders that attended summer school, less than one percent will be retained. They see this as a success.
“It was really all hands on deck,” said multi-tiered system of supports specialist for Kingsport City Schools, Jennifer Pangle. “And the commitment that our teachers, our facility, our staff, everyone, our families that everyone has in doing what is in the best interest of our students.”
According to Pangle, 17% of the students who attended summer school will also receive tutoring in fourth grade.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum with KCS Rhonda Stringham said this year was the guinea-pig year for summer school to see how their curriculum needs to change.
“As far as our early literacy, that program is staying the same,” said Stringham. “We tried some things out this year with intervention that we are seeing great growth with kids, and we’re expanding that and scaling that out to all of our elementary schools.”
Johnson City Schools (JCS) reports that none of the 206 rising fourth graders that attended summer school will be retained, which leaders are excited about.
Director of Accountability and School Improvement for JCS Robbie Anderson said the success was thanks to the meticulous pre-planning of the school district, which mapped out what every individual student needed to work on.
Both Johnson City Schools and Kingsport City Schools representatives said this year is just the beginning.
“There are a lot of students that are going to have to be monitored for next year in fourth grade, and then we will have to do that process all over again next May for next year’s third-grade students,” said Anderson.
“We look at is as it’s going to involve both third and fourth from here on out, not just third grade,” said Stringham.
Below is data from other area school systems:
- Bristol, Tennessee City Schools: 0 of their 70 rising fourth graders that attended summer school will be retained.
- Johnson County Schools: 0 of their 73 rising fourth graders that attended summer school will be retained.
- Washington County, Tennessee Schools: 0 of their 115 rising fourth graders that attended summer school will be retained. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tri-cities-school-districts-share-third-grade-summer-school-data/ | 2023-07-11T23:50:36 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tri-cities-school-districts-share-third-grade-summer-school-data/ |
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Originally published July 10 on KTVB.COM.
NAMPA — The Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho along Garrity Boulevard is under new management after the City of Nampa took over Monday evening.
"It was news to me this morning," cultural center president Humberto Fuentes said. "To vacate the building, they gave us until 5 p.m. They're gonna change the locks and give us until Thursday to move all [the] stuff out."
While it seemed sudden to Fuentes, Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling said they did not make the decision lightly. The city has leased the building to the nonprofit for $1 every year since 2002.
The city issued a complaint in December 2022 outlining all of its concerns. Leadership claimed the center has not been used much recently, saying the nonprofit allowed the building to "fall in disrepair" and "failed to deliver the services to the Hispanic community."
A judge turned the building over to the city in May after the complaint was filed. The nonprofit had 42 days to respond, but Fuentes said their lawyers made a mistake and never did.
Fuentes said the allegations are not true and that anywhere from 100-150 people use the building every month.
"This is the only place for the community to gather for quinceaneras, weddings, baptisms, all kinds of events," he said. "[The community is] not going to be very happy that the city wants to control this building for business purposes."
At the end of the day, Kling said they are more concerned with the center not meeting expectations outlined in their lease. The lease states, "The Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho exists to improve the quality of life for all people as well as recognize, celebrate, and preserve Hispanic heritage, culture and values.
"Beginning six years ago, Hispanic leaders actually approached me as a mayor and the city about making a change and trying to get the Hispanic Cultural Center back to what it was originally intended to be," Kling said.
Those complaints included PODER of Idaho, executive director Estefania Mondragon said. PODER previously had office space in the cultural center in exchange for helping the nonprofit run more events.
She said management with the Hispanic Cultural Center was unfair and that they were unlawfully evicted. Mondragon believes the city taking over has the potential to liven up the building.
"I remember it, just having so much promise and hope for that building as a young person here in Nampa and hoping to see a lot more cultural events, a lot more art," Mondragon said. "As an adult, just seeing that never came to be, was really saddening."
Fuentes does not see it that way. He said the nonprofit fixed all of the building concerns they could, and that the city's and community members' claims are untrue.
He said they have met every expectation outlined in the lease and believes the city has been after the building for years.
"They want to justify saying that we're not doing the right thing," Fuentes said. "For 20 years, that's what we've been doing, and we've been successful."
Kling said no matter what happens, the city will keep the building within the Latino and Hispanic community. She said she is scheduling meetings with local leaders to talk about what the future looks like.
Fuentes said they still plan on fighting this in court, accusing the city of abusing its power.
More from KTVB.COM: | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/a-deeper-look-into-nampas-ownership-of-hispanic-cultural-center/article_ece27260-1f76-11ee-89a9-e37420bb0354.html | 2023-07-11T23:53:51 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/a-deeper-look-into-nampas-ownership-of-hispanic-cultural-center/article_ece27260-1f76-11ee-89a9-e37420bb0354.html |
A Pacific-Northwest advocacy group Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Idaho in U.S. District Court challenging the recently enacted “abortion trafficking” law.
Idaho was the first state in the nation to pass this kind of ban, which makes it a felony for an adult to take a minor across state lines for an abortion without parental consent.
Legal Voice and other groups contend that the law violates the First and 14th amendments and the right to travel within and between states.
Attorneys from Legal Voice, Stoel Rives and the Lawyering Project are representing the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, the Indigenous Idaho Alliance and Lourdes Matsumoto.
Matsumoto is an Idaho attorney who works with victims of domestic and sexual violence, including minors. She previously told the Idaho Press that she and other advocates were unsure of what kind of information or assistance they could provide pregnant minors.
Violation of the law is a felony punishable by two to five years in prison.
The organizations and Matsumoto who are plaintiffs in the lawsuit have “long histories of serving as trusted adults for minors who find themselves pregnant,” the lawsuit states. “They associate with pregnant minors as a show of solidarity, communicating a message to minors who find themselves pregnant. That message is often that minors are not alone. Plaintiffs’ support also communicates a message to those who may seek to isolate and abuse minors that these minors will have the support of trusted adults.”
HB 242 passed during the 2023 legislative session on near party-line margins. It was originally sponsored by Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls. Ehardt said she feels confident the law will be upheld.
“It’s absolutely no surprise to me that a lawsuit would be filed by those who do not value the life of the preborn," Ehardt said. "This piece of legislation is a parental rights bill. The arguments I'm seeing … such as referencing the 14th and First Amendment, absolutely have nothing to do with this legislation. No one has a right to take a child without the permission of the parent to go anywhere, in layman's terms we call that kidnapping.”
The bill amended Idaho’s existing abortion ban, defining “abortion trafficking” as when “an adult who, with the intent to conceal an abortion from parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor, either procures an abortion … or obtains an abortion-inducing drug for the pregnant minor to use for an abortion by recruiting, harboring, or transporting the pregnant minor within the state.”
The law provides an affirmative defense if the parents or guardians provided consent, although there is no true exemption.
House Minority Leader Rep. Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, said the bill “is opening a terrifying Pandora’s box.”
“This is a real camel’s nose under the tent of dangerous, dangerous government overreach in areas that go beyond abortion,” Rubel said.
She said by the logic used for the law, the state could penalize people who drive to Oregon or Washington to smoke marijuana in those states, even though it’s legal there, or those who drive to Las Vegas to gamble.
The lawsuit argues that the law violates the constitutional right to travel freely among and across states.
“The law is so uncertain that Plaintiffs cannot tell if it is criminal to operate a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of Idaho because a pregnant minor is in the car, and Plaintiffs’ own rights to travel are implicated and effectively chilled,” the court document says.
Wendy Heipt, senior reproductive health and justice counsel at Legal Voice, said in a written statement, "Idaho’s law is the first time a state has tried to criminalize the right to travel for health care. It is unconstitutional to forbid citizens from traveling because you disapprove of the reasons they are driving to another state. Idahoans, like all people, should be free to travel within and between states without the specter of prison. Even if they are traveling for a reason other people disagree with. If this stands, what is next?"
Gov. Brad Little, when he signed the bill into law, wrote in his letter explaining his decision that the law “does not criminalize, preclude or otherwise impair interstate travel, nor does it limit an adult woman from obtaining an abortion in another state. Rather, the ‘abortion trafficking’ provision in the bill seeks only to prevent unemancipated minor girls from being taken across state lines for an abortion without the knowledge or consent of her parent or guardian.”
The lawsuit also argues that the law is vaguely written and thus violates the 14th Amendment’s due process guarantee because it does not provide ordinary people fair notice of what conduct may be in violation of the law.
Rubel said the definitions of “harboring” or “recruitment” in the law are too vague. She said it’s a question if assisting someone who’s recovering from an abortion would be in violation or if providing information would be "recruitment."
"If you're going to criminalize something, you need to be crystal clear about what you're criminalizing," Rubel said.
Additionally, the legal challenge contends that the ban violates the First Amendment right to “associate freely with each other and with pregnant Idahoans, to provide information, and to engage in expressive conduct, including providing funding or practice support for pregnant Idahoans traveling to access out-of-state services that are legal where rendered, including abortion.”
The lawsuit is asking the court to declare the law unconstitutional and stop the attorney general from enforcing the ban.
Legal Voice is based in Seattle and advocates for women and LGBTQ people against gender discrimination, according to its website. Stoel Rives is a corporate and litigation law firm with offices in seven states that's headquartered in Portland, Oregon. The Lawyering Project is an abortion-rights legal advocacy group based out of New York. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/advocacy-group-files-lawsuit-challenging-idahos-abortion-trafficking-law/article_d6cffbb2-2027-11ee-900f-6764d26fce67.html | 2023-07-11T23:53:57 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/advocacy-group-files-lawsuit-challenging-idahos-abortion-trafficking-law/article_d6cffbb2-2027-11ee-900f-6764d26fce67.html |
Holli Woodings' departure from the Boise City Council will occur sooner rather than later.
On Tuesday, the city of Boise announced that Woodings will resign from her post as city council president on July 21.
Holli Woodings' departure from the Boise City Council will occur sooner rather than later.
On Tuesday, the city of Boise announced that Woodings will resign from her post as city council president on July 21.
In a city news release, it was announced that Woodings will be relocating with her family to Washington, D.C. later this month.
"It’s bittersweet to leave early, but it’s with the health and happiness of my family in mind," Woodings said in the release. "We are excited for the next chapter of our lives — starting in new schools and exploring opportunities to work and play in a new place."
In May, Woodings announced that she would not run for re-election this November, noting a need to take a break from the public eye.
At the time, Woodings said, “A lot has changed in the past couple of years. I graduated with my master’s degree, my husband and I sold our company, our kids are getting older. So it’s just kind of a good time to reexamine what our life looks like and our priorities.”
Woodings, a Democrat, grew up in Boise and is a Boise State University graduate. She has served on the council since 2017.
On her city of Boise profile page, Woodings lists some of her top accomplishments in office as expanding after-school programming to the West Ada School District, working with small businesses and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic and for being a champion for affordable housing in the city.
In Tuesday's news release, Woodings cited her friendships, education from BSU, family roots and serving the city and state as irreplaceable memories.
“Boise will always be my home and so many parts of Boise’s story are my story too," she said.
Mayor Lauren McLean will appoint a replacement from current District 5, the district Woodings was elected to in 2021, to serve out the remainder of the term.
“I’ve enjoyed knowing and working with Holli from our time advocating for local schools, to serving on city council together and during my time as mayor,” McLean said in the release. “Holli is fiercely dedicated to our community, opportunities for our kids, growing our modern economy and protecting the natural places we all love. I will miss her leadership and I know Boise will miss her.”
The mayor will begin accepting applications from interested candidates immediately.
"I will look for a candidate to fill out her term who brings a strong knowledge of the city and District 5 with them," McLean said. "I encourage anyone with a passion for Boise, a strong record of civic engagement, and a willingness to serve to apply."
Candidates seeking an appointment must be qualified electors in District 5, using the legal boundaries from the 2021 election map. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. More information about applications can be found on the city's website.
Emily White is a reporter for the Idaho Press. She covers Boise and Ada County with an emphasis on education. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyWhite177 and email her at ewhite@idahopress.com
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-city-council-president-resigns-mayor-to-appoint-replacement/article_7d28acee-2036-11ee-ba8f-73ae5299c414.html | 2023-07-11T23:54:03 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-city-council-president-resigns-mayor-to-appoint-replacement/article_7d28acee-2036-11ee-ba8f-73ae5299c414.html |
Originally published July 10 on IdahoEdNews.org.
Boise schools will see a new dress code when school starts in August, after trustees unanimously passed a new policy in Monday night’s meeting.
The new dress code comes after district data revealed discrepancies in dress code enforcement that disproportionately targeted female students and students of color. The district embarked on a months-long process of digging into the code and collecting community and student feedback.
Trustees focused on cutting down arbitrary language in the new policy to prevent inconsistency from school to school and give school staff clear guidelines. They hope the new policy will improve student-staff relationships, limit the code’s impact on teaching time and give parents more control over their child’s dress and education.
The proposal also emphasizes enforcement training for administrators and school staff.
One district patron showed for public comment on the code.
Becky Terhaar, a mother of two Boise students, said she’s seen the impacts of the previous dress code firsthand.
Her daughter, now a high schooler, has been frequently cited for violating the dress code throughout her time at North Junior High School and now Boise High School. She began testing the dress code to see if her friends would get cited while wearing her clothes, and they weren’t.
“The dress code was less about the attire and more about how some adults in the classroom or in the school setting were uncomfortable being around students with breasts,” Terhaar told the board.
The new code, she said, is a vast improvement on the previous code — with some caveats.
“It goes a long way toward reducing the sort of uneven enforcement that often targeted people based on their body type or just their manner of dressing in ways that maybe weren’t actually inappropriate but stood out from their peers,” she said.
But Terhaar added that prohibiting “visible underwear” could unintentionally lead to added violations for students who wear bras as undershirts or for extra coverage.
The board acknowledged Terhaar’s comment before unanimously approving the policy and said changes could be made to the new code down the line.
TRUSTEE APPLICATIONS TO OPEN WEDNESDAY
The Boise School Board is on the lookout for a new trustee.
The board officially declared a vacancy Monday night, left by former trustee Andy Hawes, who announced his departure at a May meeting.
Trustee applications will go live on Wednesday, according to board president Dave Wagers and district staff. Any district patron who wants to apply to be a trustee must return their application by Aug. 11. The board will then host a workshop on Aug. 18 to narrow down applications and will later conduct candidate interviews.
The goal, Wagers said, is to have a new trustee in place by Sept. 11.
BOARD APPROVES THREE RESOLUTIONS
Trustees approved three resolutions — or legislative directives — to take to the Idaho School Boards Association later this year for full approval. ISBA resolutions, if approved, become the education organization’s legislative priorities for the year.
The resolutions consider paraprofessional requirements, school funding and open enrollment.
Requirements for paraprofessional employment in Idaho
This resolution calls for an amendment to Idaho Code that would eliminate roadblocks for prospective paraprofessionals, said trustee Nancy Gregory.
As of December 2022, local districts can no longer administer the PRAXIS — an aptitude test for prospective parapros. Instead, they must go to a testing site and pay an $80 test fee.
“The testing system is already backlogged nearly one month for scheduling the test, and should the prospective employee fail the test by even a single point, they would need to wait at least another month to retest,” the resolution reads.
The resolution calls on the Legislature to allow local districts to administer State Board-approved assessments for paraprofessional certification in lieu of the PRAXIS.
“This is not just a Boise School District issue, this is a statewide issue,” Gregory said.
Open enrollment program and building capacity limits
This resolution comes as a reaction to a law passed in the most recent legislative session, which requires schools to accept students from outside district boundaries — a program known across Idaho as open enrollment.
The directive calls on the Legislature to allow districts to make exceptions in open enrollment when school buildings are at or over capacity, or when a school’s special programs (like career technical education and special education) are full.
It would also allow a district to transfer a student to another school without parental consent, when their current school has reached or exceeded capacity.
K-12 funding formula principles
The district’s final resolution calls on the Legislature to rewrite Idaho’s school funding formula — a complex system that dictates how schools get money and how much money they receive.
The new formula should adhere to principles and requirements laid out in the resolution:
- Predictability
- Adequacy
- Transparency
- Stability
- Uniformity and thoroughness
- Supportive of quality staffing
- Holds harmless (does not decrease the per-pupil dollars a district currently receives)
- Reinstates enrollment based funding
- Accountability
All three resolutions will be heard and voted on by the Idaho School Boards Association membership this fall. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-school-trustees-approve-new-dress-code-declare-board-vacancy/article_f399038e-2017-11ee-acce-43c1d3cf8d7e.html | 2023-07-11T23:54:10 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-school-trustees-approve-new-dress-code-declare-board-vacancy/article_f399038e-2017-11ee-acce-43c1d3cf8d7e.html |
Noting the “escalating waves of hostile actions and legislation coming out of Florida,” the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is ditching its scheduled annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Miami later this year and instead will hold it in Chicago.
In a letter sent to ACSP educators, researchers and students posted on the organization’s website Friday, Laxmi Ramasubramanian, ACSP president, said the group had made “this difficult decision” to move the convention to remain in alignment with ACSP’s values statement.
The organization is a consortium of more than 100 university departments and programs offering planning degrees.
“Despite myriad assurances from the Florida hospitality industry, members of all ACSP interest groups expressed significant concerns regarding travel to Florida,” Ramasubramanian wrote. “While no place can be 100% safe, Florida this fall did not feel like the best place to gather for our annual conference.
“As with the state of Florida, other states curtail what can and cannot be taught in high school and college classrooms. Planning educators have a lot of issues we should be concerned about, including how we prepare future planners to work in environments hostile to the ideals and principles of planning.”
Organizations representing Black, Hispanic and LGBTQ+ communities in Florida have issued travel advisories in recent months, citing “open hostility” to those groups manifested in laws passed during the recent legislative session, as noted by Ramasubramanian in a message sent out to ACSP members last month.
In another letter dated May 26, Ramasubramanian wrote that, “Like you, I have been following the escalating waves of hostile actions and legislation coming out of Florida but also other states that are following a political playbook. It is disheartening, painful and it makes me angry. As president of ACSP, I write today to acknowledge the anxieties, hurt, and anger that you may be feeling and experiencing.”
The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that a number of conferences slated to be held later this year or in future years in Orange County have been moved or cancelled due to the political environment in Florida. | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/florida-politics-leading-groups-to-relocate-events/article_027fe75a-1f5f-11ee-b488-b353f27951ca.html | 2023-07-11T23:56:17 | 1 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/florida-politics-leading-groups-to-relocate-events/article_027fe75a-1f5f-11ee-b488-b353f27951ca.html |
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — Firefighters halted forward progress on a fire in Rancho Cordova Tuesday afternoon.
The fire was burning on a field off White Rock Road and Sunrise Park Drive in Rancho Cordova.
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District's Carl Simmons said the fire grew to 18 acres in size before forward progress was stopped.
No structures were in danger during the blaze.
Officials said they'll be doing some firing operations as well to take out of some of the fuels in the area.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/forward-progress-stopped-rancho-cordova-fire/103-8e835635-5c64-4006-98be-0ff749cbc269 | 2023-07-12T00:01:15 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/forward-progress-stopped-rancho-cordova-fire/103-8e835635-5c64-4006-98be-0ff749cbc269 |
WACO, Texas — The Waco Police Department is hosting the 3rd Annual Back to School Bash at Richland Mall on Saturday, July 29.
Parents and guardians can bring their child to the bash and get a free backpack and other school supplies from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also featured at the Back to School Bash will be free haircuts, eye screenings, immunizations and more.
Those who are looking to take advantage of this event are encouraged to show up early as the free backpacks will only be available while supplies last.
To learn more about this event, visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/waco-pd-gears-up-for-3rd-annual-back-to-school-bash-richland-mall/500-5c0e5d5b-5735-4cab-9c82-41a1a2859132 | 2023-07-12T00:03:41 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/waco-pd-gears-up-for-3rd-annual-back-to-school-bash-richland-mall/500-5c0e5d5b-5735-4cab-9c82-41a1a2859132 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Little Rock Zoo and Hiland Dairy have announced that the Hiland Dairy Dollar Day will be happening on Saturday, July 15, with admission to the zoo costing just $1. They are also offering free parking.
The Hiland Dollar Day will feature festive, interactive programs that the entire family can enjoy. The zoo will also have hydration stations offering free water and they will also have multiple first aid stations set up.
There will be several Hiland products on sale for only $1 including iced tea, milk, and other beverages.
“Hiland Dairy has a history of over 220 years of serving Arkansas families and communities with the best of the best dairy products and that’s a commitment to families and to quality. Hiland Dairy and the Little Rock Zoo share those traits,” said Joy Matlock, Little Rock Zoo Marketing Director.
Zoo gates will open at 9:00 a.m. and the last guests will be admitted at 3:30 p.m. The zoo will close to the public at 4:00 p.m.
For more information, please click here or call (501) 666-7200. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/little-rock-zoo-2023-hiland-dollar-day/91-13ab98f0-1b99-45eb-9b35-a050daa99089 | 2023-07-12T00:07:52 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/little-rock-zoo-2023-hiland-dollar-day/91-13ab98f0-1b99-45eb-9b35-a050daa99089 |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/beyonce-kicks-off-u-s-tour-in-philadelphia/3602314/ | 2023-07-12T00:08:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/beyonce-kicks-off-u-s-tour-in-philadelphia/3602314/ |
Police say a passenger inside an Uber tried to rob his driver, then stabbed the man behind the wheel.
The rideshare vehicle, a black Tesla, was being driven down the southbound lanes of the FDR Drive on approach to the Manhattan Bridge.
Officers say the passenger jumped out of the Tesla stopped on the side of the road and ran. A witness said he watched the man run out.
"Then he tried to get into another car and he jumped into the car, cause the window was down, and I saw when he got into the car he tried to fight in the car -- tried to get to the wheel," the witness said.
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Video seemingly recorded from a nearby building overlooking the road captured the apparent attacker jump into the back window of the moving vehicle.
Police arrested the passenger after jumping down from the highway to the street below.
Both the passenger and Uber driver were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/rush-hour-chaos-uber-passenger-stabs-driver-before-jumping-off-fdr-drive/4496375/ | 2023-07-12T00:16:18 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/rush-hour-chaos-uber-passenger-stabs-driver-before-jumping-off-fdr-drive/4496375/ |
WATERLOO — Trinity American Lutheran Church is hosting a free community meal from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The church is located at 605 W. Fourth St. Those attending should use the South Street entrance to the fellowship hall.
Images from the final round of the John Deere Classic
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/church-hosting-community-meal-wednesday/article_679f9506-1f58-11ee-9249-473f9d9c6f18.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:03 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/church-hosting-community-meal-wednesday/article_679f9506-1f58-11ee-9249-473f9d9c6f18.html |
CEDAR FALL — Fire destroyed a passenger car near U.S. Highway 20 Monday afternoon.
Occupants of the vehicle escaped without injury but the car is a total loss. The fire apparently started in the engine compartment while the car was on the Highway 20 off-ramp onto Hudson Road.
Crews with Cedar Falls Fire Rescue extinguished the blaze. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crews-respond-to-car-fire-by-cedar-falls-highway/article_4a4b742a-1f58-11ee-bed4-87382d55dce0.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:09 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crews-respond-to-car-fire-by-cedar-falls-highway/article_4a4b742a-1f58-11ee-bed4-87382d55dce0.html |
WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into the former Courier newspaper building over the weekend.
The man was apparently searching for metal fixtures to sell as scrap, according to police accounts.
Officers were called to the vacant building at 501 Commercial St. around 2:20 p.m. Sunday after someone spotted an open door and noticed a man inside who was wearing a headlamp and carrying a duffel bag.
Police found Donald Henry VanWie Jr., 51, a block away. His bag contained a reciprocating saw, metal snips, flashlights and a box cutter. They also found a second bag that contained wires and copper, according to court records.
VanWie was arrested for third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Bond was set at $10,000.
The arrest came two days after firefighters rescued a contractor whose leg became trapped when part of a second-story floor gave way while a crew was surveying the condition of the building.
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The property has been vacant since The Courier moved offices in December 2011 and the structure was sold.
Court records show VanWie has a prior conviction for attempted burglary for a 2018 incident where police found him with a bag of tools inside a garage at 1332 Walker St., which is a vacant home the city owned.
He is also on probation for a February 2021 incident where he and another person had allegedly cut through a chain link fence at Century Link, 1010 Stratford Ave., and removed pieces of ground communication wire. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-courts/man-arrested-burglarizing-former-courier-building/article_4b8edd7c-1f35-11ee-a631-473d9e2542a8.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:16 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-courts/man-arrested-burglarizing-former-courier-building/article_4b8edd7c-1f35-11ee-a631-473d9e2542a8.html |
WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been sent to prison for plotting the robbery of his half-brother’s home in Elk Run Heights in 2021.
Prosecutors said Daymion Ohrt enlisted others armed with firearms to break into the house while most of the family was asleep and force them to open a gun safe.
During sentencing on Monday, the victim, Jesse Ohrt, reminded Daymion Ohrt that they have children about the same age and implored him to consider what would happen if the same had happened to him.
“My kids are a huge part of this. That was your family, too,” Jesse Ohrt said. “I still deal with this day to day.”
He said loud noises around the house startle his wife. His young children cower when they see people that remind them of the intruders in public. The Ohrt family is white, and Daymion Ohrt had a group of black youths to carry out the robbery.
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Judge Joel Dalrymple upheld a plea agreement, sentencing Daymion Ohrt to consecutive 25-year prison sentences, but he imposed the largest mandatory minimum possible, meaning he will have to spend 70% – 17 and half years – behind bars before he can be considered for parole.
Prosecutor Brad Walz said the sentence was needed because, although Daymion Ohrt wasn’t present for the robbery, he was behind the crime, providing the target and telling the accomplices when only the wife and children would be alone while the husband was at work.
“But for this defendant, this doesn’t happen. … This was a complete betrayal of a family member,” Walz said. He noted how home robberies involving firearms can easily turn fatal.
In the Elk Run case, prosecutors said a group of people entered the house in the early morning hours of Feb. 23, 2021, after Jesse Ohrt left for a construction job out of town. The intruders threatened his wife and children and took about half a dozen firearms.
Daymion Ohrt later admitted to his role in the crime when talking to another family member. When the relative pretended to be interested in buying the stolen guns, Daymion Ohrt got him in touch with a the people who took the weapons.
Police used that information to search a Waterloo apartment were most of the guns were discovered.
Trial for Daymion Ohrt began in March 2023, but he opted to accept a plea agreement part way through testimony.
Others charged in the crime include Davon Marcell Oliver, who was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison on charges of robbery and burglary. The alleged getaway driver, Dequonterio Jashawn Galloway-Bass, was sentenced to up to 25 years.
Three youths – ages 13, 14 and 15 at the time – were also charged in connection with the robbery in juvenile court. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-courts/man-gets-prison-step-brothers-home-robbery/article_971426b2-1f5d-11ee-94c3-2b8a13dcf1ad.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:22 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-courts/man-gets-prison-step-brothers-home-robbery/article_971426b2-1f5d-11ee-94c3-2b8a13dcf1ad.html |
CEDAR FALLS — Superintendent Andy Pattee's salary will grow by more than 3% to $223,633 for the next year.
The Board of Education was unanimous in its raise Monday for Cedar Falls Community Schools' chief executive officer as part of a three-year rolling contract that’s renewed and takes effect July 1 every year.
His salary went from $216,426 to $223,633, a 3.33% increase. The new pay rate is part of a 2.95% overall boost in compensation from $295,070 to $303,782.
Pattee has seen his salary rise in prior years and it is now 24.24% higher than the base salary of $180,000 he received when hired in 2013. Jeff Hassman, board president, said the latest hike follows an evaluation of Pattee's performance. The amount given will help Cedar Falls Schools remain competitive with similarly sized and neighboring school districts.
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Pattee's salary had been the second highest of the nine Cedar Valley district superintendents in the 2022-23 school year, according to a document provided by Denelle Gonnerman, chief financial officer. It was fourth lowest of 11 similarly sized school districts when comparing enrollment.
“Thank you. I’m very humbled and humbly appreciative of the work the board does,” said Pattee. “It’s my privilege and honor to serve the students, community, staff, and the board of the Cedar Falls Community School District.”
Pattee will also receive an $11,000 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity retirement contribution and a $3,500 car allowance in addition to other standard district benefits, like health insurance – all of which remain unchanged, Hassman said.
He said the board was “happy” with the superintendent's performance while meeting in closed session last month.
"We're competitive with other districts as we look to them as benchmarks and are appropriately compensating him for doing a fine job for our district," said Hassman.
Last winter, Pattee applied for and was one of two finalists for Central Rivers Area Education Agency’s chief administrator position. Joel Pedersen, the other finalist, was chosen for the job.
Hassman denied having concern about Pattee leaving when asked about his Central Rivers application after the meeting. And the superintendent said it was the only other job he pursued.
“My family could have stayed in Cedar Falls and it was the opportunity to have a larger impact while working with multiple districts across multiple counties,” said Pattee. “My primary focus is here in Cedar Falls and our strong educational excellence. I couldn’t be more proud.”
For comparison, Central Rivers' chief administrator salary is $240,000 for a job serving more than 63,500 public and private school students across 18 counties. Cedar Falls has an enrollment of about 5,700 students.
There are a range of salaries for recently hired superintendents in eastern Iowa based on district size. The Cedar Rapids Community Schools, where more than 16,000 students are enrolled, is paying a $305,000 salary during the first year, according to board documents. The Independence school district, with about 1,400 students, set a salary of $170,000, board minutes show.
Jared Smith, superintendent of Waterloo Community Schools, was paid a salary of $215,000 when starting in his position a year ago. His salary hasn't been set yet for the next year. The district has about 10,000 students.
All other Cedar Falls Schools' administrators saw their salary and benefits increase by an average of 2.84% last month.
“We’re very lucky,” said Hassman after the meeting. “It’s unusual to have a superintendent of his stature and who’s had his tenure.”
5 budget-friendly recipes to try this week
This week's recipe roundup turns cheaper cuts of meat into picnic-ready, summer meals.
Besides calling for a cost-effective cut of meat, the best part about this recipe is how hands-off it is. You season your ribs, throw them in the oven, rub them with barbecue sauce, and finish them in the oven. That’s it!
In case it's just too hot to grill, this dinner featuring barbecue flavors can be cooked inside and is done in minutes.
A grilled whole chicken that's deeply and perfectly browned yet still juicy can be hard to pull off at home. But a couple of easy tricks ensure success for your barbecue.
This healthy barbecue chicken recipe is easy to make and is packed with so much flavor, thanks to the sweetness from orange zest and juice. You can make this recipe with whole chicken legs or all drumsticks or thighs.
Just like the classic version of gooey butter cake, this confetti gooey butter cake has a crisp, yet chewy cake base and a gooey, buttery cake layer on top that develops a crackly texture as it cools. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/cedar-falls-superintendent-pattee-raise-approved/article_0322e78c-1f6b-11ee-b802-7330adab08e3.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:28 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/cedar-falls-superintendent-pattee-raise-approved/article_0322e78c-1f6b-11ee-b802-7330adab08e3.html |
WATERLOO — The Waterloo Community School District will hold a referendum Sept. 12 on renewal of its physical plant and equipment levy.
The Board of Education approved placing the measure on the ballot Monday for the special election. The renewal would double the current voter-approved PPEL to $1.34 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation.
The levy is used to maintain and repair buildings. It is set to expire in 2027 but can be renewed now for an additional 10 years. If approved, it would expire in 2037. If the renewal is voted down, the PPEL will still be in place until 2027.
Apart from fixing buildings, funds generated by the levy can be used to purchase property, construct buildings and pay debts for construction of schools.
The proposed ballot language states the tax would not exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district. The current tax rate is 67 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In 2015, the PPEL passed with 81% of voters approving it. Passage requires approval by more than 50% of voters who cast ballots.
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Annually, the board can certify a PPEL that is not voter-approved in an amount up to 33 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. This number is decided every spring when the board approves its tax rates.
Combined with the current voter-approved levy, property owners within the district pay $1 per $1,000 of taxable value. If the board decides to go with the full $1.34, the total tax rate would be $1.67. If any changes are made, they won't go into effect until 2027.
Michael Coughlin, the district’s chief financial officer, said each 33 cents per $1,000 is equal to about $1 million of property taxes. If the board were to have a tax rate of $1.67, that would generate about $5 million in revenue.
Even though many buildings in the district are new, Coughlin pointed out that upkeep will always be an important factor.
“Our oldest new buildings are 20 years old,” he said. “In the next 15 years there will be a lot of issues with maintaining that many buildings.” Waterloo Schools has 19 preschool through 12th-grade buildings.
He said that during the August board meeting, there will be further presentations on what the PPEL has helped with in the past, as well as more explanation for voters.
In other business, the board also unanimously approved:
- The purchase of new professional learning materials regarding reading and spelling for K-5 classrooms for a total of $310,362 over three years.
- A memorandum of understanding with Wartburg College that allows its students to provide music therapy in the district.
- A quote to participate in the Iowa Association of School Board’s Safety Group Plan for property, casualty and worker’s compensation insurance program with a total estimated premium of $2.81 million. According to board documents, that is a 28% increase. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/waterloo-school-board-sets-levy-renewal-referendum/article_63bb909e-1f5c-11ee-a9e7-9fa6a450deb5.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:34 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/waterloo-school-board-sets-levy-renewal-referendum/article_63bb909e-1f5c-11ee-a9e7-9fa6a450deb5.html |
WATERLOO — Parranderos Latin Combo will headline Fiesta!, a Latin heritage showcase, on Saturday at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre.
The vibrant outdoor festival, presented by the Waterloo Center for the Arts in partnership with Veridian Credit Union, begins at 3:30 p.m. with traditional dance performances, exhibitors, crafts and family-friendly activities, including a piñata breaking.
For more than 12 years, the celebration has been part of the Cedar Valley’s cultural life. It originally began as a Cinco de Mayo festival, and later Fiesta de Mayo. Now the celebration has grown beyond a holiday gathering “to focus on the Latin community’s rich and diverse heritage,” said Elizabeth Andrews, WCA registrar and curator of international textiles.
The Waterloo Center for the Arts has a significant collection of Mexican and Latin American folk art.
“It’s one of our collecting priorities, and we also have a great Latino population in Waterloo. We want to celebrate that diversity and introduce it to the broader Cedar Valley,” Andrews explained.
An exhibition of Latin artwork will be displayed at the Phelps Youth Pavilion, in the Langlas loft area.
Fiesta! committee member Rosario Garcia, a native of Bogata, Colombia, enjoys sharing her culture with festivalgoers. The general public likely is surprised that so many Latino cultures are represented in the Cedar Valley, she said.
“There are a lot of similarities within the Hispanic cultures. Music is a big one, for sure, and we share things like the piñata and, of course, the language that we are really proud of,” she explained.
On Saturday, kids’ activities from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. will include a pair of bounce houses, provided by a local company, Fiesta Perez, as well as crafts and face painting of traditional Mexican sugar skull and Latin country flags. Kids can make Mexican paper flowers with Youth Pavilion staff, and the Waterloo Public Library is offering an activity using papacado art style.
An additional welcome stage will feature a performance by local rapper L Lobo Catrino and a free Zumba session lead by Angelica Rodriguez. Mark’s Park & Splash Pad will be open, as well.
The piñata breaking will take place at 4:30 p.m.
Traditional dance performances begin at 5:15 p.m., featuring the folkloric dance troupe Los Laureles from Perry and the local dance troupe, Las Palomas.
Christine Guevera, founder of Las Palomas, believes Fiesta! is “a positive expression of our Latino culture and way to educate the public in a very fun way. I think it’s fantastic because it really fuses the richness of the Latin American culture,” she said.
Guevera, who grew up in Mexico, has been active on the organizing committee off and on since 2010. Her dance troupe, which over the years has featured her three daughters, has performed at the event since the beginning. Her youngest daughter still dances with the troupe.
The group primarily focuses on pre-Hispanic Aztec dances and ballet folklorico. Solange Bolger of Iowa City, a dancer with Venezuelan heritage, will join the troupe to perform salsa and samba choreography.
Los Laureles is expected to perform a medley with 10 different dance styles, Andrews said.
Parranderos Latin Combo will be on stage from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. The combo features a collective of musicians based between Des Moines and Medellin, Colombia. Their new album, “El Gran Chantaje” features 13 songs created with more than 40 collaborators recorded in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Mexico City, Paris, Medellin and Santo Domingo.
They will perform original music inspired by Salsa, Cumbia, Son Montuno, Afrobeat, Plena, Joropo, Salsa Dura, Vallenato and other Latin rhythms and folk music.
At 8 p.m., a Quinceanera Fashion Show will take place at the amphitheater. Traditionally, the quinceanera takes place when a girl turns 15 and is often characterized by a party that is also a rite of passage into womanhood.
“We’re really excited about the fashion show. Oftentimes there’s a beautiful dress worn during the celebration, and they’ll be coming out of the back of the closet to be seen again. The fashion show is open to anyone of any age,” Andrews said. A registration form is available on the art center’s Facebook page.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Con Amor Home Bakery, Estela’s Foods, Zury’s Cuisine, and Antojito’s Guadalajara.
Admission is free and open to the public. Additional support for Fiesta! is provided by Tyson, Sam’s Club, Kwik Star, Friends of the Art Center, GreenState Credit Union and Green Counseling Services.
In addition to Fiesta!, Friday’s “Cinema on the Cedar” at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre will feature the animated movie, “Vivo.” The film tells the story of a music-loving kinkajou’s journey of a lifetime from Havana to Miami to deliver a love song for a friend.
Gates open at 8 p.m. and the movie starts at 9 p.m. or sunset. Admission is free. Popcorn, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
Elise Johnson of Waterloo, 5, takes a swing at the piñata as other children wait for their turn during the 2022 Fiesta! celebration at the Riverloop Amphitheatre in Waterloo. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/fiesta-latino-fest-waterloo-riverloop-amphitheatre/article_11b16294-1c26-11ee-b807-6771f1b36d64.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:41 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/fiesta-latino-fest-waterloo-riverloop-amphitheatre/article_11b16294-1c26-11ee-b807-6771f1b36d64.html |
CEDAR FALLS — MercyOne officials do not foresee a scenario where the company fails to move forward with plans to replace Cedar Falls’ hospital, now more than 100 years old, with a new facility in the not-too-distant future.
Ryan Meyer, MercyOne Northeast Iowa chief operating officer, recently reaffirmed that the project is a “top priority” for the company in Iowa, but that planning is “on pause” for the new hospital on 50 acres it owns on the northeast corner of Hudson and Greenhill roads.
Jack Dusenbery, the former MercyOne Northeast Iowa president who recently retired and had championed the estimated $100 million project, anticipated several years ago that a new hospital would be constructed during 2017 and 2018, opening by 2019.
“We continue to believe in the project and want to see the project come to fruition,” Meyer said in an interview.
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Currently, however, the land remains an open field. The company attributes the delay to funds having been allocated elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ownership changes also led to time and resources being dedicated to significant internal work related to the integration of the operations.
Meyer is declining at this time to give additional details about the future facility, including a best guess as to when shovels could be in the ground.
Meyer insists that Dusenberry’s departure doesn’t change anything relative to the future replacement of MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center at 515 College St., formerly Sartori Memorial Hospital. He wants to follow through on Dusenberry’s vision of what would be built.
“We continually evaluate what will be best for the city of Cedar Falls for a replacement hospital,” said Meyer.
MercyOne had worked with RDG Planning & Design on a master plan, which is considered pre-design work.
RDG released some details on the master planning, including its 158,131-square-foot size. Of that, 95,355 square feet would be dedicated to the hospital and with the other 62,776 square feet for the medical office building.
But Meyer says not to make much of the previous projections because they’re likely to change, although he wouldn’t provide any details about where the company’s at in the planning and design process.
One exception was his commitment that the Sartori family name and legacy will be recognized at the new facility in some way. The family was among the town’s earliest settlers and responsible for a municipal hospital being built in the city.
In order to build a new hospital, health organizations have to acquire what’s called a certificate of need from the state – the result of a lengthy, complicated and political process taking several months.
Sarah Ekstrand, public information officer of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, said MercyOne has not yet submitted a letter of intent for its certificate of need.
Meyer contended the organization was on the precipice of pulling the trigger on the project in the months before the COVID-19 pandemic would become its immediate focus. The pandemic led to restraints on capital funding related to projects not directly addressing COVID-19.
“We had to shift whatever would have been traditional investment in projects to really cover those immediate needs of extra staff, bed utilization, and supply costs,” said Jill Groth, MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center site administrator. “And now that those costs are settling into more of a routine expense, we’re able to then look at what types of project priorities we need to continue to move those funds toward like we always would have traditionally.”
Another reason why MercyOne has supposedly not yet jumped back on track is its internal transition related to portfolio and ownership changes, including being fully acquired in September by its new parent company Trinity Health. The Livonia, Michigan, company is one of the largest nonprofit healthcare systems in the nation.
It’s not clear whether Trinity’s board has given its blessing during a period of financial strain relating to a myriad of challenges. Numerous voice mail and email messages left over several months seeking comment from company officials went unanswered.
In the meantime, MercyOne touts other significant, yet smaller, investments made or underway at its Cedar Falls facility, ranging from an upgraded MRI and bariatrics program to mammography technology upgrades and a massive records system overhaul.
“Just because the hospital is 100 years old, doesn’t mean everything inside of it is 100 years old,” said Chelsea Priest, MercyOne communications lead. “We’ve got new great equipment and are continually investing in that facility to make sure that we’re providing our patients with the best quality care we can.”
The new MercyOne Cedar Falls OB/GYN Clinic on Bluebell Road also opened in August, and several improvements have been seen within its Waterloo network, including at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center.
Another highlight mentioned by officials is the Joint Commission, the nation’s largest independent organization for health care standards, granting the hospital a national accreditation in March as part of a review completed every three years on its operation and buildings. No significant deficiencies were found.
Prior to 2020, the project saw delays for unspecified reasons, as well. Then part of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa, officials announced plans for a new hospital in May 2015 to replace the current one. The company purchased the land from the University of Northern Iowa for $4.3 million in 2016.
Since then, local officials and other agencies have been awaiting word on what MercyOne is planning to do.
The city owns the land where the current hospital sits and will be looking for a way to repurpose the building and redevelop the nearly 17 acres to the west of the West Sixth and College streets intersection.
The lack of knowledge when and if the hospital will be constructed led the City Council, while planning for how to pay for the reconstruction of Main Street, to approve a capital improvements plan that delayed work along Greenhill Road, near Hudson Road and the hospital site.
The area’s seeing changes. Residential and industrial growth is happening to the west of Hudson Road. Viking Road and the Pinnacle Prairie corridor, to the east, are seeing new commerce. A new high school is opening about a mile away from the future hospital site, not far from UNI’s campus.
Additional visioning for the Saratori neighborhood could happen as the current hospital and soon-to-be-former high school, less than a half mile away on Division Street, are vacated.
While no update on the hospital project has been publicized and city officials have little to share, MercyOne leaders have occasionally stopped by Cedar Falls Health Trust Fund Board meetings and briefed the members on the project. Those meetings are scheduled a few times a year.
Messaging, however, has been similar to what was recently provided to The Courier, says members, in that the "priority" has been in limbo and been delayed because of ownership changes.
“To have it be a number one rated project is a good sign, but it’s been number one for quite a while,” said Roger White, one of the members.
Covenant Health System took over Sartori, previously a municipal hospital, in 1997, according to Courier archives. Covenant later became Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare-Iowa. The city retains ownership of the real estate and established a trust fund from the sale of the hospital’s non-real-estate assets to be used toward reuse of the existing site.
The board makes recommendations to the City Council for the expenditure of the interest income established for projects or programs that address health-related issues within the city.
Funds have been applied to expenditures like new technology at the current hospital. Currently, securities total north of $19.5 million.
The board next meets at 7:30 a.m. Thursday in City Hall, 220 Clay St. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mercyone-cedar-falls-hospital-still-priority/article_b26499f6-f9b0-11ed-ab06-3fc4e3cce9c9.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:47 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mercyone-cedar-falls-hospital-still-priority/article_b26499f6-f9b0-11ed-ab06-3fc4e3cce9c9.html |
Fourth in a series on The Courier’s Eight Over 80 winners.
WATERLOO — Herstine Ferguson moved to Waterloo in 1957 and has been active in the community ever since.
Ferguson, 85, is one of the recipients of a Courier Eight Over 80 award for making a difference in the community and positively affecting anyone who has come into contact with her.
She said she didn’t tell anyone about her nomination, except one person, because she didn’t want to “toot her own horn.” That person was a 103-year-old woman that she is a senior companion for through Hawkeye Community College.
Ferguson has been a senior companion for 15 years. Over her time volunteering, she’s worked with five other seniors who have since died. She does things such as running errands with them and playing games. She plays cards everyday with her companion.
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“I love people and it’s something I always wanted to do,” she said.
She also keeps up with five or six former colleagues from Powers Manufacturing Co., where she worked for 30 years – retiring in 2002.
At the company, she worked in the cutting room, where she would recut clothing with flaws. She worked with basketball and football uniforms for many schools, but mostly East and West high schools.
She had the opportunity to work on special jerseys, including cutting University of Iowa basketball player Chris Street’s jersey. The jersey was commemorated after the junior died in a car crash in 1993.
In addition, Ferguson worked Len Bias’ jersey. A basketball player for the University of Maryland in the 1980s, Bias was the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft and was selected to play for the Boston Celtics. Two days after being picked by the Celtics, he died as a result of a cocaine overdose.
Although it was intensive hand-worked labor, Ferguson loved her time at Powers.
The staff “was like family,” she said. “(The boss) could’ve said ‘I can’t pay you.’ I think we would have still went in because that’s how nice he was.”
Though retired for more than 20 years, Ferguson stays involved in the Waterloo community.
She’s been on the Jesse Cosby Neighborhood Center’s board of directors for more than 10 years. There, she exercises, learns “how to work her phone” and sews. She is also hoping to restart a choir even though she confessed she wasn’t a good singer.
Ferguson also hosted a radio show on the Waterloo’s African-American owned public radio station, KBBG FM. From 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, she played gospel music for listeners.
Even when she was “too busy,” her love of people overcame her attempts to limit herself. One day when visiting Northcrest Specialty Care, she was sitting down, smiling, and an employee asked her to be a greeter.
“I said, ‘No, I’m doing enough,’” she recalled. “I came home for two days, and I called him up. I said, ‘yes.’”
Apart from greeting, she also visited the residents who loved her.
“I’m passionate for older people,” Ferguson explained, as well as for her own family.
Born in Mississippi, she moved to Waterloo in 1957 to follow her sister, Lillie. About 10 years later, she met her husband, Oma, at a bar she frequented. The two never had children of their own, but raised three grandkids together. Oma died in 1999.
“He was a sweetie pie,” she said, remembering him fondly that he called her “kitten.” “People used to call me Mickey. He didn’t like that.”
Ferguson now has eight great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. The youngest is about a month old.
In her spare time, she continues her tradition of bowling at Maple Lanes, which she’s done for 50 years. Her league restarts in August. Her old average was 256 but Ferguson didn’t share her new average, except to say it was “much lower.” | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/senior-companion-devoted-to-people-community/article_7d004f10-1136-11ee-a38b-834ec102dc81.html | 2023-07-12T00:25:53 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/senior-companion-devoted-to-people-community/article_7d004f10-1136-11ee-a38b-834ec102dc81.html |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — According to Little Rock police, car break-ins are common this time of year. One downtown auto glass shop explained how they've been seeing the jump in cases first-hand.
"There's definitely been a big increase probably from this past weekend," Capitol Glass Co-owner, Aaron Grimes said.
He noticed it first thing on Monday morning when several cars lined up before the garage opened at 8:00 a.m.
"We had cars stacked from one end to the other from 7:30 in the morning until late in the afternoon. And the vast majority of them were car break-ins and door glasses which is way higher volume than we normally see with that type of issue," Grimes described.
It's been keeping them busy, especially as they continue repairs on other cars at the shop.
"Honestly, going all the way back to the tornado and the two hailstorms and increased break-ins we've been, since the end of March we've been as busy as we've ever been," he said.
Grimes wants customers to know they're working as fast as they can.
"There's only three major glass warehouses in town to get glass from. And so if you know and they don't stock, tons of any certain parts, get multiple the same type of cars and get broke into some bigger so there can always be a delay in getting parts," he explained.
Even if they do have the right parts, Grimes said fixing glass isn't a quick process.
"We have to move the door panel. There's a lot of disassembly and reassembly involved in actually doing the door glass and it's a lot more time-consuming," he described.
Little Rock police said these car break-ins are pretty common during the summer as more people are out and about.
On Thursday, Officer Jonathan Tolentino told us that they have been happening all over the city.
"People like to get out a lot more not just pools, parks, you know, and they really like going like the outlet malls and stuff as well," Officer Jonathan Tolentino added.
No matter where you go, Officer Tolentino said preparation is key.
"Put these practices into play. You know, hide your belongings take away the, or don't take them with you at all if you don't have to," Officer Tolentino said.
On Monday alone, Grimes said they had nearly 20 cars come in to be fixed after attempted break-ins. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/little-rock-auto-shop-increase-car-break-ins/91-89f7e488-7bf0-40dc-976d-1b6a53f071ae | 2023-07-12T00:25:59 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/little-rock-auto-shop-increase-car-break-ins/91-89f7e488-7bf0-40dc-976d-1b6a53f071ae |
JEFFERSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is looking for the whereabouts of a runaway juvenile who was last seen on July 9, 2023.
Jaycee Hackney, 16, ran away from a residence in Jefferson County and may be traveling to Texarkana, Ark., in a silver or gray pickup truck.
Hackney is 5-foot-6 inches tall and 153 pounds. Authorities said she has black hair, but is a natural blonde. Hackney was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, blue jean shorts and white tennis shoes.
She is also known to wear nose rings with long eyelashes.
Anyone with information regarding Hackney's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Investigator Rodney Allen at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at (870) 541-5351 or by email at rodney.allen@jeffcoso.org.
People can reach the non-emergency dispatcher at (870) 541-5300. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/missing-persons-reports/jefferson-county-runaway-teen/91-423a7c56-1148-4b17-92bf-462217d1b646 | 2023-07-12T00:26:05 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/missing-persons-reports/jefferson-county-runaway-teen/91-423a7c56-1148-4b17-92bf-462217d1b646 |
FORT WORTH, Texas — Fort Worth police are investigating a shooting that happened Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 35W.
Police said they responded to the shooting at about 3:20 p.m. in the southbound lanes of I-35W near Biddison Street, south of downtown.
According to the preliminary investigation, a vehicle pulled up to another on the highway and opened fire on the driver. The shooting also caused a crash, according to police.
Police said the suspect vehicle then continued going southbound on I-35W.
The shooting victim was hospitalized with a gunshot wound in the arm, police said.
The southbound lanes were shut down through the afternoon amid the continuing investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/driver-injured-shooting-i35w-fort-worth/287-be30ad01-1160-4998-9993-f82b69c5b07d | 2023-07-12T00:28:30 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/driver-injured-shooting-i35w-fort-worth/287-be30ad01-1160-4998-9993-f82b69c5b07d |
COMO, Texas — Sirens sounded as family, friends and community members drove behind a hearse carrying the body of 18-year-old Paul Willis Tuesday morning.
Their first stop was Houghton and Horne Street where Willis died after being shot in Fort Worth's historic Como neighborhood.
When the processional reached Lake Como for the memorial service, Willis' mother, Ka 'Desha Weatherly shared heartfelt comments both about her son and toward other young people in attendance.
"He was my best friend. Sometimes he was a thorn in my side, but he was an overall great person," Weatherly said.
"Wrap your arms around these babies today. Jalen is his brother, in case y'all don't know. Remember these faces, these babies deserve a chance. They are hurting more than we can ever imagine."
They are hurting because Willis lost his life in a senseless shooting after attending a July 3 street party in Como. Gunfire forced crowds to run for cover. Bullets fatally struck three people, including Willis, and left eight others injured.
Fort Worth police officers arrested Christopher Redic, 20, and Brandon Williams, 19, on Friday, July 7. They both are charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
Although Willis' celebration of life at Lake Como included a balloon release in his honor, his mother shared concerns about people forgetting him, and her son becoming just another statistic.
"I just hope his name is remembered. I don't just want him to be some name on a T-shirt," said Weatherly.
Fort Worth community leader Camilla Galloges helped Willis' brother in planning the balloon release and oversaw the flyers and social media posts. But she didn't want the attention focused on the work she did to help with the memorial services, she made sure to comfort Willis' mother.
"This is what Paul's brother wanted for him," Galloges said. "He wanted people to come together. So many hearts came forward, and the family is grateful for the community response."
Because of his tragic death, Tree of Life Funeral Home owners also came to help. Andrew Sims-Kirkland and pastor Parish Lowery decided to accommodate Willis' family as a community donation, so they toocould celebrate his life.
"Tragedy has struck our community. We wanted to make sure that we did our part in giving back to our community," said Sims-Kirkland.
Lowery is not just co-owner of the Tree of Life Funeral Home, but he's also a longtime Fort Worth minister. He has seen how gun violence has impacted countless families in North Texas.
"We need healing. We need time and we need each other," he said. "There's no pain like a mother's pain to lose a child. So, for her to be able to say no revenge, she just wants us to come together and be together."
While speaking to the crowd at Lake Como before the balloon release, Weatherly hoped she got the attention of the young people present with a message about peace in the streets.
"Y'all don't owe me revenge. That is not what I want. I want counseling for y'all for the summer. I want y'all to do better because my son was about excellence," said Weatherly.
After the balloon release, the processional passed by Willis' street-side memorial one last time. His mother placed flowers at the site with her son Jalen by her side. Then, the motorcade took them to the cemetery for a private burial for family only. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-como-neighborhood-mass-shooting-family-takes-part-motorcade-honoring-teen-killed/287-8bb931ef-c6ef-4fa4-8fa6-3a9ab2386944 | 2023-07-12T00:28:31 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-como-neighborhood-mass-shooting-family-takes-part-motorcade-honoring-teen-killed/287-8bb931ef-c6ef-4fa4-8fa6-3a9ab2386944 |
TEXAS, USA — When Texas A&M University announced last month that it had hired a director to revive its journalism school, it included the kind of fanfare usually reserved for college coaches and athletes.
The university set up maroon, silver and white balloons around a table outside its Academic Building for an official signing ceremony. It was there that Kathleen O. McElroy, a respected journalist with a long career, officially accepted the position to run the new program and teach as a tenured professor, pending approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
McElroy, a 1981 Texas A&M graduate, was the director of the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Journalism between 2016 and 2022, where she is a tenured professor. Earlier, she spent 20 years in various editing roles at The New York Times until heading to UT-Austin to pursue her doctorate.
She has studied news media and race, with a focus on how to improve diversity and inclusion within newsrooms, and spent her career covering other areas like sports and obituaries. Her master's thesis focused on the obituaries of civil rights leaders. Now, she was excited to head back to her alma mater to build a brand new program there.
But in the last several weeks, McElroy told The Texas Tribune, the deal with Texas A&M fell apart.
In the days after the signing ceremony, she said, A&M employees told her an increasingly vocal network of constituents within the system were expressing issues with her experience at the Times and with her work on race and diversity in newsrooms, McElroy said.
Behind the scenes, A&M spent weeks altering the terms of her job. After hearing about the concerns, McElroy agreed to a five-year contract position without tenure, which would have avoided a review by regents. On Sunday, she received a third offer, this time with a one-year contract and emphasizing that the appointment was at will and that she could be terminated at any time. She has rejected the offer and shared all of the offer letters with the Tribune.
The situation comes at a fraught time at Texas public universities. Schools are preparing for a new state law to go into effect in January that bans offices, programs and training that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Recently, the Texas A&M System started a systemwide audit of all DEI offices in response to the new law.
Conservative Texans — from locally elected public school trustees to top state officials — have labeled several books and schools of thought that center the perspectives of people of color as “woke” ideologies that make white children feel guilty for the country’s history of racism. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court banned the consideration of race in college admissions, effectively ending affirmative action in American higher education.
McElroy said she was told that her appointment was caught up in “DEI hysteria” as Texas university leaders try to figure out what type of work involving race is allowed.
“I feel damaged by this entire process,” said McElroy, who is a Black woman and a native of Houston’s Third Ward, and whose father, George A. McElroy, was a pioneering Black journalist. “I’m being judged by race, maybe gender. And I don’t think other folks would face the same bars or challenges. And it seems that my being an Aggie, wanting to lead an Aggie program to what I thought would be prosperity, wasn’t enough.”
A Texas A&M University spokesperson did not immediately respond to a list of emailed questions about the issue.
On Friday, McElroy said, she got a call from A&M’s interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, José Luis Bermúdez, warning her that there were people who could force leadership to fire her and he could not protect her.
The call came one day after the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents met and discussed personnel matters in executive session, according to a posted agenda. The board discussed McElroy’s hiring with Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks, according to a person familiar with the situation.
According to McElroy, Bermúdez told her that her hiring had “stirred up a hornet’s nest,” that there were people against her and that, “even if he hired me, these people could make him fire me … that the president and the chancellor, no one can stop that from happening,” she said.
Ultimately, he advised her to stay in her tenured role at UT-Austin.
On Sunday, she received the latest iteration of an offer letter, which was different from the one she publicly signed on campus. Texas A&M was now offering her a one-year contract as a professor without tenure, and a three-year appointment as the director of the journalism program, though it noted that she could be fired at any time, she said.
“This offer letter on Sunday really makes it clear that they don’t want me there,” she said. “But in no shape, form or fashion would I give up a tenured position at UT for a one-year contract that emphasizes that you can be let go at any point.”
Weeks after the public celebration about the new A&M position, she has rescinded her resignation at UT and will stay in Austin, according to an email sent to that school’s journalism department Tuesday morning and obtained by the Tribune.
In a statement, Bermúdez said Texas A&M policy does not allow him to comment on personnel deliberations.
“However, we can confirm that Dr. McElroy has an offer in hand and that we have not been notified her plans have changed — we hope that’s not the case. We certainly regret any misunderstanding that may have taken place,” he said in a statement.
Reviving a defunct program
When Banks announced that the university would bring back its journalism program in 2021, it was an exciting moment for many students, faculty and alumni.
Texas A&M had dropped its journalism program in 2004 after 55 years, though it continued to offer it as a minor and then as a liberal arts degree.
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, which oversees the university, approved the new major in February. It is still waiting for final approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
McElroy said the university started to woo her last summer, at first as a consultant as it relaunched the program and then to possibly run it.
According to the original offer letter that she signed during the June 13 ceremony, McElroy was hired as a tenured professor in the Department of Communication and Journalism and as the journalism program’s director, without an end date to her appointment. Still, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, whose members are appointed by the governor, would have to approve her tenure position.
McElroy’s responsibilities had little to do specifically with diversity or equity, she said. She was hired to help build a curriculum that specifically addresses delivering news to underserved audiences across the state, as well as growing the program, hiring faculty and helping expand its internship program for future student journalists.
That’s the kind of work that McElroy is known for, journalism experts said.
“She’s always constantly trying to improve opportunities for journalism students so they can enter the career and continue building out great storytelling,” said Judy Oskam, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University. “That’s what I always think of when I think of Kathleen.”
When A&M suggested that it announce McElroy’s hiring with a signing day, McElroy said she didn’t want the attention.
“But I was willing to go along with it because if A&M wanted to celebrate journalism, then I want to be a part of that,” she said.
Backlash
The signing ceremony got a huge positive response on social media, according to an email sent to McElroy by the university’s social media coordinator.
“This is one of the most positively received stories we have shared during my time at [marketing and communications],” wrote Jacob Alan Svetz, a social media coordinator at Texas A&M, in an email to McElroy. “Of the hundreds of posts congratulating Texas A&M, Arts and Sciences, and Kathleen, I saw two negative posts — pretty unheard-of levels of positivity for today’s internet.”
But within days, the conservative website Texas Scorecard wrote a piece emphasizing McElroy’s work at UT-Austin and elsewhere regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and her research on race, labeling her a “DEI proponent.”
That website is the reporting arm of Empower Texans, a Tea Party-aligned group formed with millions in oil money that holds considerable influence over Texas officials. Empower Texans and its affiliated groups blur the lines between newsroom, lobbying firm and political action committee. It has aimed to upend Texas politics with pricey primary challenges to replace moderate Republicans with hard-line conservatives.
In a statement, Texas A&M defended McElroy to Texas Scorecard, calling her a “superb professor, veteran journalist and proven leader.”
“She has worked for newsrooms for 30 years, and has led journalism programs at two Tier 1 research institutions,” the university told Texas Scorecard. “Her track record of building a successful curriculum — coupled with her deep understanding of the media landscape — positions her uniquely to lead the new program.”
But McElroy said she had a conversation with Bermúdez, the interim arts and sciences dean, on June 19 that struck a different tone.
According to written notes McElroy took during the calls and provided to the Tribune, Bermúdez said he wanted her to “go into this with eyes open” and that Texas A&M is different from UT-Austin in terms of its politics and culture. McElroy said she was told that she had a big target on her back.
Bermúdez said there were concerns about McElroy going through the tenure process, which requires the approval of the board of regents.
McElroy said that Bermúdez told her that “it might be wise to consider all the ways the wheels might come off.” In that conversation, McElroy said they alluded to what happened to journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones when the University of North Carolina’s board of trustees denied her a tenured position a few years ago because of her Pulitzer Prize-winning work covering on race in America, despite a recommendation for tenure from the university’s journalism department. Texas lawmakers have banned Texas public schools from requiring students to read work spearheaded by Hannah-Jones.
Ultimately, McElroy said, Bermúdez convinced her not to go for tenure. Instead, she agreed to be a professor of practice with a five-year contract.
A few days later, they had another conversation in which Bermúdez suggested McElroy give a presentation to the board of regents at its August meeting about her vision for the program, she said.
McElroy was further told there was “noise in the [university] system” about her, though he did not give specifics. When she pressed him, she said he told her, "'you're a Black woman who worked at The New York Times.'" He told her that in some conservative circles, The New York Times is akin to Pravda, the newspaper of the Communist Party in Russia that began in the early 1900s.
On June 26, McElroy met with Bermúdez and Susan Ballabina, chief external affairs officer and senior vice president for academic and strategic collaborations, to walk through the presentation to the board of regents in August. She was told to see the presentation as an opportunity to tell the regents who she is and how she fits within Aggie core values.
McElroy said she left that conversation feeling positive.
“I’m gonna wow them, I’m looking forward to this and I’m hoping I can even get money from these folks,” she remembered thinking.
But then she got a call from Bermúdez on Friday afternoon that quickly erased those good feelings when he told her people outside the university could force the school to find a new director and no one could stop it.
On Sunday, the new offer came in for a one-year contract to teach and a three-year appointment as director.
Ultimately, McElroy said she was surprised by the backlash. She said as reality set in during these talks, she remarked that she was so disappointed that not much had changed about the culture at Texas A&M since she was a student in the ’70s and ’80s. She said the university insisted it was different. It was better.
“Well, it doesn’t feel that way,” she said.
This story comes from The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans - and engages with them - about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-dei-programs/285-9abe0630-63c9-46da-9e9f-ff384616b73e | 2023-07-12T00:28:32 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-dei-programs/285-9abe0630-63c9-46da-9e9f-ff384616b73e |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – Ballad Health and Tusculum University have partnered together to build a Child Care Center for Early Learning on the college campus, with hopes of opening this fall.
Corporate Director of Early Care and Education for Ballad Health Amy Doran said the goal of the new center is to help alleviate the childcare crisis in Tennessee.
“We are living in a child care desert and essentially we don’t have enough child care, enough quality child care. If you look at some of the quality centers, they have very long waiting lists,” said Doran. “We decided that we need to step up and open up quality programs that are both affordable and accessible for families so that they can go to work and not worry about their children.”
The new center will be located in the old Shulman Art Center and have a capacity of 92. Doran said they will also have extended hours for working parents to further make childcare more accessible.
“It’s going to provide much-needed child care and enable families to be able to go back to work or maintain the work environment,” said Doran. “They will be nurtured and at the same time will be providing a quality program that’s going to get them ready for kindergarten.”
Scott Hummel, President of Tusculum University, said the new childcare center is beneficial to the Pioneer community.
“We know how critically important child care is for the development of future readers, and for the confidence of students,” said Hummel. “Healthy families and good child care lead to good outcomes in the community and in universities.”
Hummel said he knows how vital quality childcare is to parents that are in college, as well as the kids being cared for.
“We all know, particularly as a university, how important child care is for the development of children as they become teenagers, as they become future college students,” said Hummel. “Stronger college students often have good child care.”
Officials said they hope to have the facility open by the fall of this year. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tusculum-university-unveils-new-childcare-center/ | 2023-07-12T00:41:10 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/tusculum-university-unveils-new-childcare-center/ |
MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — Remains found in a wash in Golden Valley last year have been positively identified as an Arizona man who went missing in 2019, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office.
MCSO said using advanced DNA testing and genome sequencing, authorities were able to identify the remains as Jordan Victor Carvalho, 30 of Golden Valley.
Carvalho was reported missing by a family member on September 30, 2019, after the family had not heard from him in a few weeks.
Officials said the remains were located by a citizen on September 12, 2022, and were sent to the Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office, which was unable to positively identify the individual.
In March of 2023, a sample from the remains was submitted to Othram, Inc. to conduct a genetic genealogy investigation, that resulted in the identification of Carvalho on July 7, 2023.
Due to the state of the remains when they were located, an official cause of death could not be determined, according to MCSO.
Anyone with information regarding the case of Jordan Carvalho is encouraged to contact the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 928-753-0753 ext. 4288 and reference DR#19-037765.
Golden Valley is located about 200 miles northwest of Phoenix near the Arizona-Nevada border.
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12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/remains-found-last-year-identified-as-arizona-man-jordan-carvalho-missing-since-2019/75-8f18e9e2-f23b-4ab6-9b26-7c36da0101e2 | 2023-07-12T00:41:39 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/remains-found-last-year-identified-as-arizona-man-jordan-carvalho-missing-since-2019/75-8f18e9e2-f23b-4ab6-9b26-7c36da0101e2 |
BOISE, Idaho — Two advocacy groups and an attorney who works with sexual assault victims are suing Idaho over a new law that makes it illegal to help minors get an abortion without their parents’ consent.
Abortion is already banned in Idaho at all stages of pregnancy. But the law enacted in May -- dubbed a “travel ban” by the advocacy groups and an “abortion trafficking ban” by the lawmakers who passed it -- seeks to prevent minors who don’t have parental approval from getting abortions in states where the procedure is legal. Violating the law is a felony, punishable by at least two and up to five years in prison.
The Legal Voice activist group filed the lawsuit in federal court Tuesday on behalf of Nampa attorney Lourdes Matsumoto, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund, and the Indigenous Idaho Alliance. All of the plaintiffs work with and sometimes assist minors who are seeking abortions, and they want to continue that work without the threat of prosecution.
They contend the law is overly vague and violates both their First Amendment right to discuss abortion with minors and their Fourth Amendment right to travel freely between states.
“Ignoring that some of the minors may seek an abortion because they were sexually abused by a parent or guardian, that they have consulted with trusted adults who support their position, or that they are actual victims of human trafficking,” the Legislature instead tried to stop pregnant minors from crossing state lines for care, the plaintiffs wrote in the lawsuit.
Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador's office declined to comment on the case because it is still pending. But spokeswoman Emily Kleinworth wrote in an email that the office is always prepared to vigorously defend laws passed by the Legislature.
Labrador has previously said that his office has the ability to charge people with violating the law even in cases where the local prosecutor, who would normally handle such decisions, declines to prosecute.
In the lawsuit, Matsumoto and the advocacy groups call Idaho's abortion laws “draconian” and “the worst in the nation.” The ban on helping minors obtain abortions is poorly written and infringes on the right to talk about and fund a minor's abortion, they contend.
Matsumoto, who works with survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, said she would like to help her minor clients obtain abortions if they choose, but she’s not sure exactly what type of conduct would violate the law.
“The law is so uncertain that Plaintiffs cannot tell if it is criminal to operate a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of Idaho because a pregnant minor is in the car,” Matsumoto's attorneys wrote in the lawsuit.
Abortion remains legal in the neighboring states of Washington, where no parental consent is required, and Oregon, where people over age 15 can get abortions without parental consent.
Even before abortion was criminalized in Idaho, some residents traveled to neighboring states for the procedure just because that was the closest clinic. But in the year since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark abortion rights ruling in Roe v. Wade, the states surrounding Idaho saw a significant increase in abortions, including almost 1,500 in Washington, more than 1,300 in Oregon and nearly 2,600 in Nevada, according to data from the Society of Family Planning.
The Idaho law attempts to sidestep violating a constitutional right to travel between states by making illegal only the portion of the trip that takes place in Idaho. Another clause of the Constitution requires states to respect the laws of other states, and yet another restricts the ability of the states to impair interstate commerce.
Idaho's law is also structured as an “affirmative defense” statute, which means anyone who helps a minor that is not their own child arrange an abortion can be charged with a felony, but they can later attempt to defend themselves in court by proving that the minor had parental permission for the trip.
Last year, the Northwest Abortion Access Fund assisted 166 Idaho residents, including some minors, obtain abortion care, according to the lawsuit. Now the organization is worried its staffers and volunteers could be subjected to prosecution if they continue those efforts.
The Indigenous Idaho Alliance has also helped adults and minors facing unwanted pregnancies obtain abortions. In some of those cases, the pregnant person was sexually abused by a close family member, a law enforcement officer or another person in an authority position, making it unsafe to involve a parent, according to the lawsuit.
“Although many minors faced with an unintended pregnancy choose to involve their parents, many do not,” the groups wrote in the lawsuit. “There are minors who cannot or do not have access to their parents. There are minors who are afraid to anger or disappoint their parents, as well as those who face the threat of violence in their homes.”
Many minors seeking abortions have to rely on an adult to drive them to another state. Even in the most populated part of the state, there are no public transportation options to travel the roughly 56 miles (90 kilometers) from Boise to the closest abortion provider in Ontario, Oregon, according to the lawsuit.
Matsumoto and the advocacy groups are asking a judge to declare the law unconstitutional and bar the state from enforcing it.
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Stream Live for FREE on FIRE TV: Search ‘KTVB’ and click ‘Get’ to download. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/capitol-watch/idaho-sued-over-law-making-crime-help-minors-get-abortions-without-parental-consent/277-8313a6f1-c5da-4d60-9ab1-46322e9b73be | 2023-07-12T00:43:47 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/capitol-watch/idaho-sued-over-law-making-crime-help-minors-get-abortions-without-parental-consent/277-8313a6f1-c5da-4d60-9ab1-46322e9b73be |
People were dancing, hugging and drinking before shots rang out, according to security camera footage of the scene at a 2017 fatal shooting at a Fort Wayne strip club.
A trial for James Starks, 29, who is accused of shooting and killing Marcus Rogan at Bleu Diamond on April 9, 2017, began Tuesday morning. In 2021, Starks was arrested on four charges – murder, criminal recklessness, carrying a handgun without a license and an enhancement for using a gun in the alleged offenses – in connection to the fatal shooting.
Surveillance footage shown to jurors shows the crowd at the club abruptly stopping before scattering, running and stumbling into piles of people as the shooting happened. When police arrived on the scene, they found Rogan’s body riddled with bullets. Chief Counsel Tesa Helge of the Allen County prosecutor’s office said about 10 bullets hit Rogan.
Video from the club shows Starks shooting at the floor twice before walking to a group of people cowering against a stage and pointing his gun at them, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Fort Wayne Detective Scott Tegtmeyer. Outside the club, Stark appeared to be holding a semi-automatic handgun as he leaves the area, court records said.
In May 2020, police were able to identify Starks as the man shown in the surveillance video, according to court documents.
Medics pronounced Rogan dead at the scene, court records said. Three other victims were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the leg, chest and sternum.
Helge gave a timeline of events beginning with the shooting and ending with Starks’ arrest. By the end of the trial, Helge said she will piece together the parts of the timeline to show that Starks was the shooter.
“Now it’s finally time for him to be held accountable,” she said.
Helge said jurors will hear during the four-day trial from a key witness who helped reignite the cold case – a former manager at the club who identified Starks as the shooter. About two weeks after the shooting, Tegtmeyer was contacted by the woman who said she had just seen a Snapchat message from Starks in which he confessed to killing someone, the affidavit said.
“I did it, I killed that (expletive), I’d do it again,” the alleged message said. “The feds are dumb as (expletive).”
Tegtmeyer asked the woman to take a screenshot of the message, but she said she was afraid to because the app allows senders to see who takes screenshots of their content, court documents said. The woman, who came back to police 51/2 years later when faced with her own charges, agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
William Lebrato and Jamie Egolf, the public defenders representing Starks, said the woman didn’t actually have information on the shooting. Instead, they said, she was looking for a way to ease the punishment for the crimes she was sentenced for less than a week before identifying Starks.
Egolf said nobody – not even the witness who claimed to – saw the shooting.
“No one saw the shooter,” she said, “no one saw a thing.”
Helge brought Rogan’s mother up before the jury. Lakisha Rogan described a run-in at the Allen County Courthouse with the man she believes killed her son.
Detailed in court records and the mother’s testimony, that day was significant to both homicide detectives and prosecutors. Tegtmeyer met with an Allen County Jail inmate who said he heard Starks talking about the shooting while they shared a cell, according to court records.
The man said he overheard Starks telling another inmate he hadn’t been arrested for the shooting because police had no shell casings to tie to him. Shortly after, a man with dreads was brought into the cell and started arguing with Starks about the shooting, the inmate told Tegtmeyer, according to the affidavit.
Starks and the man eventually had to be separated. When Starks calmed down after the argument, court records said, the inmate who spoke with detectives said Starks told him he was going to do the same thing to the man with dreads that he did to his brother – Marcus Rogan.
Rogan’s mother said Starks tried to speak to her through a bailiff in the courtroom, but she refused to hear the message and told the court officer, “No, he killed my son.” She said Starks also blew her a kiss from his seat. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jurors-hear-details-of-2017-fatal-shooting-in-first-day-of-jury-trial/article_5b3923b4-1f3e-11ee-b8bd-83914934fee5.html | 2023-07-12T00:45:42 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/jurors-hear-details-of-2017-fatal-shooting-in-first-day-of-jury-trial/article_5b3923b4-1f3e-11ee-b8bd-83914934fee5.html |
East Allen County Schools leaders could soon formalize their support for a new nonprofit that wants every Allen County high school student to graduate with what they need to choose, prepare for and pursue their preferred career.
Board members only discussed Grow Allen on Tuesday, but seemed in favor of the initiative. It involves focusing on early learning, life skills, work-based learning and advocacy.
Board secretary Ron Turpin, who shared background about Grow Allen, said the region and state faces three big problems – population growth, wage growth and degree or credential attainment.
He noted public school enrollment in Allen County totals about 55,000 students.
"A lot of our students today are graduating without a college plan, without a credential plan," Turpin said. "What would it look like if we put a plan together where every student who graduated had a career pathway?"
Grow Allen stemmed from the business community bringing together the district superintendents and nonprofit groups for listening sessions. Turpin, who works at Ambassador Enterprises said his company hired consultants to help facilitate.
The goal is to have all four districts – EACS, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Northwest Allen County Schools and Southwest Allen County Schools – sign onto the effort, Turpin said.
"That gives the ground clearance for us to continue to work with the superintendents and then to launch this next month, where the business community puts a considerable amount of money into starting this effort to work with our schools," Turpin said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/east-allen-county-schools-board-considers-new-effort-to-ensure-students-graduate-with-career-path/article_cc425926-203e-11ee-939d-db14d8908491.html | 2023-07-12T00:45:49 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/east-allen-county-schools-board-considers-new-effort-to-ensure-students-graduate-with-career-path/article_cc425926-203e-11ee-939d-db14d8908491.html |
Starin and its parent company Midwich have acquired two software firms and branched into broadcast.
Midwich, a global audio visual distributor whose North American operations are based in Chesterton, has acquired Toolfarm.com and Digital Media Promos, Inc. which operates as 76 Media Systems. The terms of the deals were not disclosed.
CEO Rich D’Angelo runs both businesses. Toolfarm distributes video software products and plugins, focusing especially on 3D and motion graphics. 76 Media Systems, which D'Angelo also founded, specializes in value-added distribution of high-end video storage and media asset management hardware.
D’Angelo will continue to lead both businesses, which will be operated going forward as part of Starin's new broadcast division. The new division will serve Starin, Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems customers with the value-add distribution of software and hardware used in video creation, streaming and storage.
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Philadelphia-based 76 Media Systems works with the major client EditShare. Portland, Oregon-based Toolfarm serves customers across North American, Europe and Asia, including Maxon and Boris FX.
Toolfarm founders Jason Sharp and Colin Sharp are stepping away from the company following the sale.
"The broadcast and video creation market is one of our key technology categories and we will continue to invest in this market to support our vendors and customers," Midwich Group Managing Director Stephen Fenby said. "Toolfarm also represents our first acquisition of a dedicated software distributor which marks an important milestone in our ongoing development.”
Starin said both business serve customers across a spectrum of vertical applications that are complimentary to its own portfolio. It expects high-quality video creation will become more common with corporate, education and house of worship clients.
It also said it is enhancing its software distribution capabilities with investing in Toolfarm. It expects the deal will allow it to provide customers with more software, hardware and services.
The acquisition of Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems follows the recent announcement of the acquisition of Canadian distributor SFM Marketing as Midwich grows its capability in the North American market and beyond.
“Combining Toolfarm and 76 Media Systems specialist knowledge and capabilities with Starin’s existing infrastructure will provide the perfect platform to grow our vendor partner’s business whilst providing both new and existing customers with access to the best products, technical support and value-add services to enable them to maximize their own opportunities," Starin CEO Bobby Swartz said.
Starin is a distributor of pro AV products like Yealink, Lenovo, Crestron, Logitech, Shure, DTEN, LG, Neat, Barco and SMART. It focuses especially on the education and unified communication markets.
"Starin, and the wider Midwich group, are a very natural fit for Toolfarm and 76 Media," D’Angelo said. "We are looking forward to working with our new colleagues and helping our vendors grow their business, whilst continuing to offer the focused support on which we have built our reputation.”
For more information, visit starin.biz.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Mi Tierra closing after 22 years; La Carreta, Flako's Tacos, Wendy's, Bulldog Ale House, WhoaZone, The Love of Arts and Illinois Dermatology Institute opening
219 News Now 6/23/23
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Maple + Bacon, deli and Divalicious Desserts Bakery & Cafe opening | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/chesterton-based-starin-acquires-software-firms-and-creates-a-broadcast-division/article_e5ffb7d0-1f3c-11ee-8004-f73ac4f287e6.html | 2023-07-12T00:48:18 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/chesterton-based-starin-acquires-software-firms-and-creates-a-broadcast-division/article_e5ffb7d0-1f3c-11ee-8004-f73ac4f287e6.html |
MERRILLVILLE — Merrillville officials are seeking residents interested in joining the Momentum Community Committee to help shape a vision for the municipality.
The new committee will play a critical role in developing the Merrillville Momentum comprehensive plan by working with town officials and planners to identify strategies and projects that can take place over the next 20 years.
“We’re looking for a diverse group of individuals, interests, and neighborhoods to get involved so we can incorporate the different points of view from the community,” said Sheila Shine, Merrillville Planning and Building Director.
The Momentum Community Committee will consist of 40 members. Participants must attend at least six monthly meetings starting with the kickoff meeting scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. July 19 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway.
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“You must have a commitment to collaboration and partnership, good ideas, and great energy,” Shine said. “And a dedication to make our town a better place for everyone.”
Those interested in serving on the committee can visit the Merrillville Momentum website to download an application.
Potential members must submit applications by Tuesday. Applications can be emailed to momentum@merrillville.in.gov or delivered to the Merrillville Municipal Complex, 7820 Broadway.
For months, town officials have been collaborating with RDG Planning & Design to collect information and data for the Merrillville Momentum comprehensive plan. Developing the plan involves many steps, and workshops will be scheduled this summer.
When finished, the comprehensive plan will serve as a guide for town leaders in the coming decades.
The plan will address economic development, land use, zoning, infrastructure, utilities, housing, education, recreation, and other aspects of the town.
In addition to potentially serving on the Momentum Community Committee, residents can get involved in the planning process by participating in summer workshops. During these workshops, residents will provide input about particular areas of the town.
The first workshop will have several sessions from July 19-21 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway. The focus area for these sessions is 73rd Avenue north to the Town limits (53rd Avenue), but residents from all areas of Merrillville are encouraged to attend. The schedule is as follows:
July 19 - 6-7:30 pm: Public meeting and individual discussions.
July 20 - 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Public meeting and individual discussions and 5-7 p.m.: Public meeting and individual discussions, short presentation of initial directions at 5:30.
July 21 - 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Public summary. Besides the workshops, residents can also share their thoughts about the community on the Merrillville Momentum website. While visiting the website, residents can add suggestions on an interactive map. A survey is also available there.
Residents are encouraged to continue visiting the Merrillville Momentum website, the town website, and Merrillville’s Facebook page for the latest about the Merrillville Momentum comprehensive plan.
“We’re certainly looking forward to making our comprehensive plan a great plan for the future of Merrillville,” Shine said.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Mi Tierra closing after 22 years; La Carreta, Flako's Tacos, Wendy's, Bulldog Ale House, WhoaZone, The Love of Arts and Illinois Dermatology Institute opening
219 News Now 6/23/23
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Maple + Bacon, deli and Divalicious Desserts Bakery & Cafe opening | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville-forms-committee-to-draft-master-plan/article_53867ec4-1b50-11ee-a138-2b6185e7edc8.html | 2023-07-12T00:48:24 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville-forms-committee-to-draft-master-plan/article_53867ec4-1b50-11ee-a138-2b6185e7edc8.html |
NIPSCO has brought online its first two Indiana solar farms, which are now generating more than 465 megawatts of electricity.
Indiana Crossroads and Dunns Bridge I Solar, NIPSCO's first two Indiana solar farms, are now operating and producing cleaner energy.
“The addition of our first solar parks to our electric generating portfolio represents meaningful investments in the state of Indiana and a direct benefit to our customers,” said NIPSCO President Mike Hooper. “These completed projects are a crucial step in advancing our long-term energy transition plan, providing sustainable, reliable and cost-effective energy now and into the future.”
The Merrillville-based utility estimates customers have gotten $60 million in direct benefits from credits it's sold from excess renewable energy it has generated thus far.
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EDP Renewables North America developed Indiana Crossroads Solar, a 200-megawatt solar farm in in White County. It's expected to generate $42 million in property tax payments over the next 35 years, also contributing $2.6 million in Economic Development Agreement funds to the county.
“We are pleased to have completed the Indiana Crossroads Solar Park, which is one of five renewable energy projects EDP Renewables and NIPSCO have collaborated on in Indiana,” said Sandhya Ganapathy, EDP Renewables North America CEO. “Indiana Crossroads Solar is a shining example of how clean energy projects bring investment and economic benefits to Hoosier communities and the state of Indiana while contributing to the energy transition.”
Dunns Bridge I Solar generates 265 megawatts of electricity. It's in Jasper County near the R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, which will be retired in 2025 if NIPSCO's renewable energy transition goes according to plan. It will be followed by the construction of the Dunns Bridge II Solar Farm in Jasper and Starke counties, which will be able to produce 435 megawatts of solar energy with 75 megawatts of battery storage.
The two Dunns Bridge solar farms are expected to contribute $59 million in tax revenue after they're both online next year.
NIPSCO funded the projects with tax equity investments, also taking advantage of tax benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act. The company aims to be coal-free by 2028, reducing its carbon emissions by 90% by 2030 as compared to 2005.
It has been investing in renewable energy projects like wind that have returned $60 million in credits to customers through excess power sales since 2021.
NIPSCO built the Rosewater Wind Farm in White County and the Jordan Creek Wind Farm in Benton and Warren counties. It's also building the Cavalry Solar Farm in White County and the Fairbanks Solar Farm in Sullivan County. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/nipscos-first-two-indiana-solar-projects-now-online-and-generating-electricity/article_1475f588-2010-11ee-8e97-7f02226fb10e.html | 2023-07-12T00:48:30 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/nipscos-first-two-indiana-solar-projects-now-online-and-generating-electricity/article_1475f588-2010-11ee-8e97-7f02226fb10e.html |
The Pima County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a controversial rezoning request for a new housing development on an abandoned golf course north of Tucson, despite more than a year of opposition from neighbors.
A California-based developer plans to build 310 housing units at the former Quail Canyon Golf Course across about 53 acres of land near the southeast corner of North Oracle and West Rudasill roads. Supervisors voted 4-1, with Supervisor Adelita Grijalva dissenting, to approve the developer’s rezoning request that allows for more housing in the region than currently allowed.
The plan proposes 210 apartment units across seven, three-story buildings in the northern portion of the site and 100 single-family homes in the southern portion. Pima Wash would separate the two sections of the development.
Neighbors have spoken out against the development, many of them organizing under a group called “Save Pima Wash,” over concerns about flooding, the loss of riparian habitat, the project’s density and congestion on the nearby Rudasill Road.
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The development is in Pima County Supervisor Rex Scott’s District 1, and until Tuesday, he hadn’t revealed if he planned to support the project. After a lengthy statement preceding the vote, Scott showed his support for the development.
The supervisor said the project “represents appropriate infill development,” and the developer’s commitment to water conservation efforts, mitigating impacts to wildlife and paying for roadway improvements influenced his decision.
“I am grateful to the opponents of this project from the neighborhood for all of their thoughtful and sincere input. You demonstrated during a fraught and bitter time in our political history how public discourse can be respectful, intelligent and dignified,” Scott said. “ My commitment is to continue to engage with you moving forward with regard to all of your concerns and ideas, not just with this project, but also with Rudasill Road.”
Supervisor Grijalva said the area “is the wrong place for a high-density housing project,” and echoed concerns from speakers about environmental impacts.
Supervisor Sharon Bronson said, “This is the right place and the right time and the right project” and while she understands “the neighbors’ concerns … I think they've been addressed and moving forward, I think the staff and the developer will continue to work with the neighbors.”
Supervisor Matt Heinz has expressed support for the increased housing the project will provide, and Supervisor Steve Christy did not explain his vote at the meeting.
An hours-long public hearing on the development before the supervisors’ vote saw many speakers and stakeholders living around the proposed development speak out against it. Still, several other speakers supported the plan for providing much-needed housing in the area through infill development, a notion the developer has pushed as a core argument for the project’s approval.
“This is the right project for this infill site, and it is going to play a small part, but it will play a part in adding housing to our region that is so desperately needed,” Rory Juneman, who’s representing the developer, Urbaneer Investment Partners, through the local law firm Lazarus & Silvyn.
The developer has said the project would leave the Pima Wash as natural open space, except for a bridge crossing, and add bank protections. But neighbors worry the development would negatively impact the wildlife and native vegetation along the wash and that flooding would inevitably degrade the development.
“We have seen how often the 100-year and 200-year floods happen nowadays, a lot more often than every 100 years. Natural riparian areas will recover from floods. 300 homes won't,” said Joan Scott, one speaker against the development.
The development “will meet or exceed our floodplain management requirements,” Eric Shepp, assistant director of the county's flood control district, told the board.
If one less supervisor voted for the rezoning, it wouldn’t have passed. The pushback triggered a requirement for a super-majority vote with at least 4 supervisors approving rezoning the area to allow for the development to proceed.
About 33% of property owners within 300 feet of the area representing 44% of ownership within the rezoning site submitted written protests to the development, triggering a state law that calls for a super-majority vote if at least a 20% threshold is met for both of those figures.
Just one day before the vote, Lazarus & Silvyn sent the board a request for another special condition after working “extensively with the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection,” a July 10 letter from the firm says. The board accepted the request as part of its vote.
The request includes allowing one additional unit for every 4,000 square feet of open space preserved next to the Pima Wash in the southern portion of the preliminary development plan, totaling up to 120 units instead of the 100 single-family units in the current plan.
The letter also proposed making at least 40% of the northern parcel’s units one-bedroom or studio apartments, creating a construction management plan to mitigate impacts to surrounding properties and agreeing the owners will vote in support of an improvement district to fund upgrades of Rudasill road, if one is ever proposed.
Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/quail-canyon-pima-county-development/article_126a6a98-2007-11ee-88de-3f718600047d.html | 2023-07-12T00:49:40 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/quail-canyon-pima-county-development/article_126a6a98-2007-11ee-88de-3f718600047d.html |
The Pima County Board of Supervisors Tuesday authorized letting backers of an effort to make Vail its own town begin collecting signatures to get the matter on the ballot.
Backers now have less than a month to obtain enough signatures to make it happen.
Incorporate Vail Arizona, or IVA, has followed the process and many statutory guidelines to make Vail its own municipality, including submitting a notice to the Pima County Board of Supervisors of its intention to do so in October last year.
The board’s action on Tuesday is strictly “ministerial,” according to a memo from County Administrator Jan Lesher. Petitioners pushing for incorporation have met the minimum requirements to proceed in the incorporation process.
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The petitioners have to obtain signatures from 10% of the area’s registered voters, which totals 1,537, and submit them by Aug. 8 to allow time for the incorporation question to be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot. That truncates the 180-day signature gathering deadline outlined in state statute by more than 150 days.
Vail residents are largely divided on whether to incorporate into a town. While the group pushing for incorporation has hailed the effort as a way for the historically rural area to gain local control and prevent future annexation efforts by Tucson, many dissenters have aired concerns about higher taxes and uncontrolled growth.
Several homeowners sent requests to the Board of Supervisors for their residences to be excluded from the proposed incorporation boundaries. However, the board doesn’t have the authority to change the boundaries submitted for a potential new town, Lesher said.
The board’s vote also approved creating three “unincorporated islands” if Vail becomes a town, or unincorporated areas surrounded by incorporated land. The three areas are mainly state trust land, Lesher said, and Tucson is working with the State Land Department to annex the land.
Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/vail-incorporation-petition/article_59e1e68a-2007-11ee-a2bb-5b9e9a533fe6.html | 2023-07-12T00:49:46 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/vail-incorporation-petition/article_59e1e68a-2007-11ee-a2bb-5b9e9a533fe6.html |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/10-year-old-continues-to-fight-for-his-life-after-mothers-ex-shoots-him/3293953/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/10-year-old-continues-to-fight-for-his-life-after-mothers-ex-shoots-him/3293953/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-county-officials-demanding-for-speedy-reforms-in-regards-to-detention-center-allegations/3293952/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:19 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-county-officials-demanding-for-speedy-reforms-in-regards-to-detention-center-allegations/3293952/ |
Learning how to commit more serious crimes instead of rehabilitation from lesser offenses is the accusation from Dallas County’s top prosecutor, District Attorney John Creuzot, about what happens at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center.
County officials are demanding the release of more records to speed reform after numerous accusations regarding juvenile justice.
“Really the way this whole thing has been operating has been the exact opposite of rehabilitation,” Creuzot said.
Much of the attention on juvenile justice rises from a report on juvenile detention that Creuzot requested in 2022, the results of which were released in March. It showed that around two-thirds of juvenile offenders should have been released from detention within days but were held with other offenders for months, far longer than in other counties.
“When you incarcerate a low-level, low-risk child, with somebody who’s committed armed robbery or murder, the child is more likely to do what? Develop bad habits,” Creuzot said.
Juvenile records are confidential so it is impossible to independently verify some claims, but county leaders said a recent string of armed robberies pinned on juvenile offenders by Dallas Police is an example of the sort of activity they want to stop.
Four minors were accused of at least eight hold-ups in the Oak Lawn area in May. Among the targets was a smoke shop on Cedar Springs Road, where an employee said he was threatened, beaten and robbed on May 8.
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Three of the minors were 16 years old and one was just 15 years old. A police spokesperson said Tuesday that one of those minors has now been linked to at least five more robberies.
Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said the young age of the alleged offenders was the most alarming thing about the crimes.
“They graduate into this type of crime. They just don't get up in the morning and decide we're going to conduct aggravated robberies throughout the city,” Garcia said.
Officials can’t reveal whether those minors had been in juvenile detention before.
Creuzot said he is seeking records that he knows juvenile officials have on the effectiveness of Dallas County juvenile rehabilitation programs for offenders who have been in the system. Creuzot said he knows of several cases of juvenile detainees going through the programs who then committed murder after their release.
“When you tell the District Attorney who is responsible for public safety, that these kids are going through the program, and the purpose of going through the program is to create rehabilitation and public safety and they wind up killing people, that’s not a very good answer to give somebody like me. So that’s a concern,” Creuzot said.
Separately, Dallas County Commissioners are suing juvenile officials for the release of logs that could show how long juvenile detainees are kept in solitary confinement for lack of proper supervision.
County Commissioner Andrew Sommerman said there is credible evidence about solitary confinement accusations, which he said suggest cruel punishment of children.
Sommerman said some juvenile offenders made stupid mistakes that should not be ignored.
“And they should answer the consequences for those young stupid mistakes. But what we shouldn't do is teach them how to commit the next crime, how to become meaner,” Sommerman said.
The commissioner said he also supports the District Attorney’s request for program effectiveness reports.
“It becomes imperative that we get more information so that we can adopt certain changes over there, so we can have the right kind of systems to prevent crime from happening,” Sommerman said.
Dallas County Juvenile Department Director Darryl Beatty did not return a request for comment. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-county-officials-demanding-records-for-speedy-reforms-in-detention-center-allegations/3293941/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:26 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-county-officials-demanding-records-for-speedy-reforms-in-detention-center-allegations/3293941/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/denton-county-animal-shelter-falls-victim-to-hackers/3293959/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:32 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/denton-county-animal-shelter-falls-victim-to-hackers/3293959/ |
A former Dallas County Sheriff's Office employee was sentenced to 33 months in prison after admitting to stealing $250,000 from the jail's inmate property fund.
Umeka Treymane Myers will also have to pay $429,640 in restitution, a U.S. district judge ruled.
Myers worked as a supervisor at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center's inmate property vault. This service loads balances over $30 to debit cards that are issued to inmates after their release.
"If an employee makes an error processing a debit card, the software generates an error message, which only a lead clerk or supervisor (such as Myers), can clear," according to a statement. "After overriding a debit card error, however, Ms. Myers used released inmates' book-in numbers to create new and duplicate debit cards, then entered the same amount from the card issued to the released inmate onto the newly created card."
From 2018 to 2021, Myers used dozens of debit cards that were fraudulently issued across several states in the U.S. Dallas FBI agents confirmed her spending, with card charges at casinos, bank withdrawals, and for plane tickets.
"For three years, Ms. Myers callously took advantage of a program receiving federal funds to support her personal bank account. Further, as a supervisor in a government role, she also selfishly risked damaging the credibility of hard-working civil servants that support our county infrastructure," said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough.
Myers will begin her sentence on Sept. 11. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/former-dallas-county-sheriffs-supervisor-admits-to-stealing-money-sentenced/3293495/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:38 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/former-dallas-county-sheriffs-supervisor-admits-to-stealing-money-sentenced/3293495/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/police-searching-for-shooter-that-fatally-shot-woman-in-road-rage-incident/3293954/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:44 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/police-searching-for-shooter-that-fatally-shot-woman-in-road-rage-incident/3293954/ |
The Red Cross is looking for help as blood donations are in a concerning decline.
According to a statement, they've collected 50,000 fewer blood donations than needed in the last two months.
In a partnership with Discovery's Shark Week, the two companies are offering incentives for donors who give blood or platelets in the month of July.
- July 1-11: All who come to give will get an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Gifts.
- July 12-Aug 12: Those who come to give will be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark.
- July 17-31: Presenting donors will receive an officially licensed Shark Week T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Shark
You can schedule an appointment to donate in the Red Cross Blood Donor app or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS, or by visiting their website. You can also find blood drives near you here. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/shark-week-and-red-cross-partner-to-prevent-blood-shortage-donors-needed/3293528/ | 2023-07-12T00:52:50 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/shark-week-and-red-cross-partner-to-prevent-blood-shortage-donors-needed/3293528/ |
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The Peace River Wildlife Center has officially broken ground on its future home. The goal of the organization is to rescue and rehabilitate animals. Some can’t be released, though, which is where the need for a larger property comes into play.
At Ponce de Leon Park, PRWC has less than 1/2 an acre to house all of its unreleasable creatures. Their new facility will be ten times larger, meaning more space and more opportunities for education.
The animals that call the center home are those brought in sick, injured or deserted that can’t go back into the wild for some reason.
Like Luna, the Eastern Screech Owl, who was possibly kicked out of his nest as a young bird because of a condition making him white.
“They can’t be released for one reason or another,” Tricia Lapointe, executive director, said. “We’re not a zoo, they’re with us because they have a wing injury or foot injury, or they were imprinted.”
Although the non-profit takes thousands of animals each year into their hospital, most can go back to their wild nature. Others, for example, the two eagles at the center now, have wing amputations and wouldn’t make it.
Without the move to a bigger piece of property, PRWC would have to continue sending these unreleasable creatures to other rescues because they simply don’t have the space.
PRWC has a lot of money left to raise to fund this project and the move.
“Right now, say a small mammal comes to us. we don’t have the space to house them: a fox, a coyote,” Lapointe said.
The current property at Ponce Park is part city-owned, part private, with a lease end date. The new location next to Hounds on Henry Park is over four acres of city-owned property. The city has already negotiated a lengthy lease.
“We wanted to get them a house that’s theirs, and nobody could take it away,” Mayor Lynne Matthews said.
The goal is to build and grow on Henry Street for the next 100 years. In turn, the community can be educated, and creatures like Luna can thrive.
“Florida is this wonderful ecosystem of incredible wildlife,” board member Gary Wein said. “So it gives the average citizen a chance to get up close and see what’s living in the jungles and Everglades and so forth.”
First up is clearing the property and raising it nine feet to protect the site from any future flooding. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/charlotte-county/2023/07/11/peace-river-wildlife-center-planning-development-of-new-facility/ | 2023-07-12T00:55:03 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/charlotte-county/2023/07/11/peace-river-wildlife-center-planning-development-of-new-facility/ |
FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — If you’re looking for heat relief, it most likely isn’t coming from taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico. NBC2’s team of First Alert Meteorologists said temperatures hit the 90’s on Tuesday.
Vicki Fanska lives on Fort Myers Beach, she said it’s never too hot for a beach day.
“It’s never too hot,” said Fanska. “I like bathtub water anyways.”
Online it said a common bath-tub water temperature sits at 90 degrees, so the temperatures we’ve seen in the Gulf are very comparable.
“It was a little refreshing,” said Vinnie Decristofaro from Cape Coral. “It just doesn’t bother me, I love the heat, you know, feels good on the body.”
Dr. Melissa May, assistant professor of marine biology at Florida Gulf Coast University, said on Tuesday they saw temperatures in Estero Bay at 95 degrees.
“90 isn’t really unseasonably hot,” said Dr. May. “It’s when we start going up to 95, 96, 97, that’s when the animals start to get more stressed out.”
Consistent hot water makes the animals stressed, and it grows weather worries during hurricane season.
“Having warmer air temperatures for long periods of time heats up the water, which increases the chance of hurricanes forming,” said Dr. May.
With little to no change in the air and water temperature and no rain in the forecast, Dr. May said it could be an interesting week ahead. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/07/11/gulf-of-mexicos-water-temperatures-making-it-hard-to-beat-the-heat/ | 2023-07-12T00:55:04 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/07/11/gulf-of-mexicos-water-temperatures-making-it-hard-to-beat-the-heat/ |
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Get ready for a longer commute if you’re driving through Cape Coral. You might have to stop at more red lights soon!
Cape Coral transportation officials are discussing adding new traffic signals at six intersections throughout the city. One of the spots is the four-way stop at Chiquita Boulevard and Embers Parkway. That’s where Vickie Bowman, a SWFL native, said a driver hit her daughter a couple of years ago.
“The girl ran a red light and hit — T-boned her,” said Bowman. “She had a Nissan and if the kids would’ve been there, they would’ve been hurt! We need red lights everywhere!”
Santa Barbara Boulevard and Tropicana Parkway, NE 25th Ave and Pondella Rd, Andalusia Boulevard and Diplomat Parkway are other intersections for proposed traffic signals.
Two locations on Del Prado Boulevard are already approved for traffic lights, Averill Boulevard and De Navarra Parkway. Over the last three years, Cape Coral Police say there have been over 300 crashes at these intersections.
“Too many people are getting killed,“ said Bowman.
While she and others are hoping additional traffic signals make roadways safer, many are worried about stop-and-go traffic becoming even more of a problem.
“It’s gotten a lot heavier,” said Virginia Monsanto, a Cape Coral resident. “During the season it was horrible!”
“It’s slowing traffic down more but realistically, I think it would help,” said another Cape Coral resident, Kyle Hoffman.
Before work can begin at the four other intersections off Del Prado, city council needs to give the projects the green light. The Transportation Advisory Board plans to discuss the traffic lights at their meeting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/07/11/new-traffic-signals-proposed-for-multiple-cape-coral-intersections/ | 2023-07-12T00:55:22 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/07/11/new-traffic-signals-proposed-for-multiple-cape-coral-intersections/ |
SAN ANTONIO — The three-way property tax battle between Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dade Phelan officially ended on Monday.
While the governor and speaker pushed hard for a plan that used around $17 billion of the state's budget surplus to focus solely on reducing school district tax rates, Patrick's Senate demanded a $100,000 tax exemption for homeowners and a smaller tax rate reduction.
The Senate plan unquestionably saved homeowners more money while the House plan favored businesses, and Patrick spent the last month pointing this out in press conferences and on social media. The Senate also stood united with republicans and democrats constantly voting in full favor of their position.
And while Monday's deal will be called a compromise, Jon Taylor, head of UTSA's political science department, said Patrick's Senate can quietly claim the win.
"Patrick and his crew came (to work) every day, he got unity among Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate... they talked virtually every day. And in the end Patrick won." Taylor said. "The governor retreated on his plans on tax-compression alone and a deal got done."
The final $18 billion plan still includes the $100,000 homestead tax exemption the Senate wanted, a slightly higher school district tax rate reduction of $0.107 (per $100 of value), and a three-year "experimental" 20% cap on how much businesses can be appraised each year.
"Abbott, Phelan and Patrick all got something out of this deal. Abbott gets his tax cut, Patrick gets his $100,000 homestead exemption and Phelan gets at least somewhat of an appraisal cap," Taylor said.
The 20% appraisal cap is said to be a "circuitbreaker" measure that keeps businesses from having their values raised too far. It applies to non-homestead properties valued at less than $5 million.
In theory, it could reduce rental prices for businesses and individuals. In practice, Taylor said, it was an olive branch for the house and the governor.
"It's only a three-year experimental program and who knows if it will survive," Taylor said. "That was a bone thrown as much as anything else."
The plan will reduce school district property taxes next year. According to KENS 5's analysis, a $320,000 home in San Antonio would save $987 next year based on current numbers. A $200,000 home would save $858, and a $700,000 home would save $1393.
The analysis used an average of ISD tax rates in Bexar County to make the calculations. Taylor expects the legislature to pass the plan within two weeks, and possibly as soon as Friday.
Texas voters will then need to approve the plan at the polls in November.
The plan would reduce school district tax revenue from homeowners while reimbursing those districts with surplus state budget funds, to the tune of $18 billion. In a year when Texas technically has a budget surplus of around $50 billion, this is more than possible.
The concern, Taylor said, is the state may not always be so fortunate.
"School districts will now be more dependent on state money. That's all great when you have a record budget surplus this session, but we have no guarantee in 2025 and beyond what kind of surplus we will have," Taylor said. "I think the legislature and Abbott are engaging in wishful thinking to assume that the 'Texas miracle' will perpetually have economic growth. Based on state history, that is not the case. We see downturns on a regular basis."
Taylor said Abbott may or may not give lawmakers some time off after they pass the property tax reduction. But the governor does have the power to add more items to the current special session, such as school choice, thereby keeping lawmakers in Austin.
>MORE TEXAS POLITICS NEWS:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE: | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-property-tax-savings-san-antonio-politics-legislature-appraisals-money/273-8e78beaa-e662-4a9d-bf21-45659d42b661 | 2023-07-12T01:00:36 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-property-tax-savings-san-antonio-politics-legislature-appraisals-money/273-8e78beaa-e662-4a9d-bf21-45659d42b661 |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A tentative two-year agreement has been reached between the USD 259 Board of Education and the United Teachers of Wichita Negotiations Team.
According to the UTW Negotiations Team, the agreement includes a salary increase of 4.85% after one year and a salary increase of 5% after two years.
The UTW Negotiations Team says the district has asked for a reopened after year two if student enrollment drops 2% or the legislature per pupil base state aid is reduced.
According to Kansas National Education Association, the statewide average negotiated raise is 3.9%.
Sub pay has been increased to $30 per hour, with a daily minimum of $60.
There will be level D supplemental for teachers at Sowers, Bryant, Greiffenstein-Wells and Levy.
“UTW fought and saved the contract provision that allows teachers to make the determination when substantially disruptive students return,” the UTW Negotiations Team said.
The UTW Negotiations Team says they will present the offer to the UTW Executive Board for recommendation to the bargaining unit, as it represents what they believe to be the best offer from the Board of Education.
“I am pleased that we are able to honor our teachers with this tentative two-year contract,” said Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld. “We appreciate the hard work that they do every day to prepare our students to be future ready. Not only does the contract support our current teachers, but the starting salary of more than $50,000 in the second year will help us to recruit new teachers to join the WPS family.”
UTW says they are aware that special education teachers are facing tremendous pressures and that they will continue to fight at the capital for fully funded special education to increase resources available to USD 259
“One of our priorities with the strategic plan is investing in staff,” said BOE President Sheril Logan. “On behalf of the Board of Education, we want to thank the teams for their work on behalf of the certified staff members who inspire and educate Wichita students each day.”
Teachers will vote on the contract in early August. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/2-year-agreement-reached-between-usd-259-and-wichita-teacher-union/ | 2023-07-12T01:01:23 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/2-year-agreement-reached-between-usd-259-and-wichita-teacher-union/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Several people have been injured Tuesday evening after a car drove into KDOT West Lake, which is a body of water to the northwest of where Interstate 135 and Interstate 235 meet.
According to Sedgwick County dispatch, it happened around 6:45 p.m.
As of 7:07 p.m., dispatch has confirmed two people have serious to critical injuries, and three people have mild injuries.
First responders have blocked the ramp from southbound Interstate 135 to southbound Interstate 235.
KSN has a crew headed to the scene. We will provide more information as it becomes available. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/several-injured-after-car-drives-into-kdot-west-lake/ | 2023-07-12T01:01:29 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/several-injured-after-car-drives-into-kdot-west-lake/ |
LOCAL
1 person dead in early morning 2 pickup truck crash in Lane County
Register-Guard staff
The Lane County Sheriff's Office said one person died early Tuesday morning in a two-pickup truck crash on London Road.
The sheriff’s office received the report shortly before 3:30 a.m. of the crash near milepost 11, near the turn off for Bemis Cemetery.
The crash remains under investigation.
A preliminary investigation determined a southbound white Ford pickup failed to negotiate a curve, crossed into the oncoming lane and struck a northbound Dodge pickup head-on, a news release said.
The driver of the Dodge died at the scene. The driver of the Ford was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. | https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/2-pickup-truck-fatal-crash-london-road-lane-county-oregon/70403941007/ | 2023-07-12T01:07:42 | 1 | https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/2-pickup-truck-fatal-crash-london-road-lane-county-oregon/70403941007/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Phillips Fundamental Learning Center (PFLC) received a $7.8 million award from the Department of Children and Families to build a new facility Tuesday.
A news release says the funding will provide two years of staffing and operating costs, as well as construction services to build a state-of-the-art multipurpose facility.
PFLC says it is planning, in conjunction with state universities, to implement a pilot project to provide access for college students interested in becoming dyslexia intervention specialists. The course was accredited in 2005, and prepares educators to teach children with dyslexia who struggle to learn to read, write and spell.
The grant opportunity will also allow the expansion of the Rolph Literacy Academy — a private day school for students with acute literacy needs — from 60 students to as many as 120 in the next two years.
The news release says according to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, 70% of Kansas kids are not reading proficiently by the fourth grade, a number that is suspected to worsen due to the effects of COVID.
“We are in a real crisis in our state, and we can’t afford not to invest what we can in the children of our state,” said Jeanine Phillips, Co-Founder and Executive Director of PFLC, in the news release. “And our teachers deserve the tools essential for teaching their students to read, write and spell.
“We have known how to teach children to read, especially those with dyslexia, for more than 20 years, and we are excited to have the opportunity to reach even more with our services,” Phillips said.
The building is expected to open during Dyslexia Month in October. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/wichita-learning-center-gets-7-8-million-to-close-reading-gap/ | 2023-07-12T01:09:54 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/wichita-learning-center-gets-7-8-million-to-close-reading-gap/ |
Nearly two dozen state senators signed a letter late last month urging the Southeast Community College Board of Governors to reconsider a plan to raise the district’s property tax levy to the maximum allowed under state law.
Led by Sen. Robert Dover of Norfolk, 23 state senators are objecting to SCC’s plan to increase its levy to 11.25 cents per $100 of valuation before a state law changing how community colleges are funded goes into effect.
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, under a property tax reform package (LB243) from Sen. Tom Briese, a “Community College Future Fund” will replace the property tax funding with state appropriations at Nebraska’s six community colleges.
The change is expected to reduce property owners’ tax bills by 5%-6% annually, according to an estimate from the conservative-leaning Platte Institute at a legislative hearing earlier this year.
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The baseline amount community colleges will receive when the law takes effect will be equal to the property tax levy set for the upcoming 2023-24 school year plus an added 3.5%. The funding to each community college will grow by 3.5% annually thereafter.
SCC President Paul Illich told the Board of Governors at its June meeting the funding change will slow and ultimately limit the college’s ability to fund its operations over the coming decade, and require either steep increases to student tuition or cuts to programs.
In response, the board gave preliminary approval to a plan to increase the tax levy to the maximum allowed. Final approval for the plan will go before the Board of Governors in September.
If approved, the owner of a home valued at $228,660 – the average 2022 home value in Lincoln – could expect to pay roughly $257 in property taxes to support SCC, up from $214 this year.
Neal Stenberg, the chair of the SCC Board of Governors, said the proposed levy increase is “a one-time chance” for the board to ensure the college remains financially secure in the future, open to all students, and responsive to the community and industry’s needs.
“(The board’s) judgment is that unless we raise the levy for 2023-24 that there is going to be a shortfall in general fund revenue in future years,” Stenberg said. “I think that’s a very serious concern of the board.”
Stenberg also said SCC is planning a series of public meetings across its 15-county service area beginning in late July and continuing through August to educate taxpayers about a tax credit they can claim to reimburse taxes paid to support the college.
The tax credit will repay 50% of the taxes paid to the college in 2024 and 100% of the taxes paid in 2025; the letter from state senators casts doubt that many taxpayers would ultimately seek the credit, however.
And Dover, who just finished his first year in the Legislature after being appointed to fill a seat vacated by Rep. Mike Flood, said SCC is the only community college seeking to raise its levy ahead of the change.
As property valuations continue to rise — the average valuation increase across SCC’s service area is 15.3% — other community college leaders have assured senators they do not plan to follow SCC’s lead in raising property tax levies next year.
“What they are doing is wrong,” Dover said in a phone interview, noting that some SCC taxpayers could pay 40% more to SCC in the coming year than they did last year. “It’s going against everything the state Legislature is trying to do and everything the public wants.”
In addition to asking more from taxpayers in SCC’s 15-county area in the coming year, Dover said the college’s move to increase its levy would also mean taxpayers across the state would be paying more in the coming years.
Those increases, if the plan moves forward, would be based on budget projections and not actual needs, Dover added: “It just isn’t a responsible decision for the board to put forward.”
The letter asks for the board to reconsider the proposed property tax levy increase and suggests state lawmakers could enact new legislation if SCC doesn’t budge.
“If the Board of Governors determines that it is in the best interest of SCC to continue this course of action, we will consider addressing this issue in the next legislative session,” the letter states.
Dover said no bills are currently in the works, but he added that the Legislature could consider several changes to state statute to prevent SCC or others from continuing down the current path.
Stenberg said he believes the board will give the lawmakers’ letter “careful consideration” in the coming weeks as it meets with constituents and taxpayers to discuss the plan.
“I think it illustrates their concern,” he said. “It’s up to our board to do what we judge to be right.”
The senators who signed the letter are: Tom Brandt of Plymouth, Myron Dorn of Adams, Ray Aguilar of Grand Island, Loren Lippincott of Central City, Julie Slama of Peru, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, Robert Clements of Elmwood, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Barry DeKay of Niobrara, Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, Mike Jacobson of North Platte, Jana Hughes of Seward, Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, John Lowe of Kearney, Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, Dave Murman of Glenvil, Tom Briese of Albion, Teresa Ibach of Sumner, John Arch of Papillion, Tom Brewer of Gordon, and Rita Sanders of Bellevue. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-senators-urge-scc-to-reconsider-plan-to-raise-property-tax-levy/article_34fd3132-2019-11ee-90f8-77e6b8926644.html | 2023-07-12T01:12:06 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-senators-urge-scc-to-reconsider-plan-to-raise-property-tax-levy/article_34fd3132-2019-11ee-90f8-77e6b8926644.html |
In her announcement Tuesday, Behmer Popp said she's now running to join the Legislature "because Nebraskans need someone who is going to put people over politics and knows how to fight for our families."
A Hastings College alumna with a master's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Behmer Popp touted her experience in the Legislature, where she said she spent 10 years as a policy aide and advocate.
Behmer Popp's campaign website also emphasized her accomplishments on the Lincoln Airport Authority, where she helped oversee a $56 million terminal expansion while increasing air service.
The Civic Nebraska board member and mother of two said on her campaign website that she plans to prioritize affordable housing, promoting small businesses and protecting public schools.
Behmer Popp would be the latest Airport Authority member to springboard from the body to the Legislature. Lincoln Sen. Anna Wishart, who represents Legislative District 27, was first elected to her seat in 2016 after serving for five years on the airport's elected governing body.
Behmer Popp, a resident of southeast Lincoln, is the only candidate to have formally announced a run for the District 25 seat in the election cycle.
Pillen, a Republican, appointed Bosn to the seat April 7 to finish the term vacated by Sen. Suzanne Geist, who resigned from the Legislature halfway through her second term to focus on her unsuccessful run for Lincoln's mayor's office in a contentious race marked by attack ads and unprecedented campaign spending.
The 25th District includes the southeastern edge of Lincoln and all of Bennet.
As of this month, the district has 31,127 registered voters, including 15,310 Republicans, 8,960 Democrats and 6,466 nonpartisan voters, according to registration data maintained Nebraska Secretary of State's Office.
Those total represent a similar split as November 2020 — when the district last elected its state senator — despite redistricting since then. Geist, a Republican, beat Democrat Stephany Pleasant in that race with 67% of the vote.
The formal filing window for the 2024 election doesn't open until Jan. 5. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/government-politics/nicki-behmer-popp-announces-run-for-nebraska-legislature/article_a18280b0-2031-11ee-8059-779c146975c3.html | 2023-07-12T01:12:12 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/government-politics/nicki-behmer-popp-announces-run-for-nebraska-legislature/article_a18280b0-2031-11ee-8059-779c146975c3.html |
PITTSBURGH — Kyle Dubas brought Noel Acciari to Toronto at the trade deadline last season, and the relationship they formed during their short time together there was part of the reason Acciari accepted a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1.
But not the only one.
And perhaps not the biggest one.
Read the full story from our partners at Sports Now Group Pittsburgh here.
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HARRISBURG, Pa. — A partisan dispute about funding for three of Pennsylvania’s state-related universities may mean higher tuition for in-state students as a budget impasse continues further into the summer.
The state government approached two weeks without full spending authority on Tuesday, while loose ends remained untied. Snarled in limbo is funding for three Pennsylvania universities that receive state subsidies — Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh and Temple. Gov. Josh Shapiro and his Democratic allies have supported raising state aid to the three schools by 7% to $623 million, collectively.
Republicans, however, have balked. House Republicans repeatedly rejected efforts to approve the aid in recent weeks, complaining that the schools are too willing to raise tuition and saying they would prefer to send money to students, not the institutions.
As a whole, the dispute over approving a final spending plan shows no signs of ending quickly. Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, sent a letter on Tuesday to his counterpart in the House about the amount of work that still needs to be done, placing the onus on the Democratic-controlled House to do so.
The House and Senate both approved a $45 billion spending plan for the fiscal year, but an administrative task — signing the bill on the floor of the Senate — is keeping the legislation from going to Shapiro’s desk.
Senators aren’t due back until September, and Pittman said the chamber “sees little value in returning to session” to give final approval to the plan without the legislation to direct how money in the budget bill can be spent.
The uncertainty about state aid has thrown a wrench into the universities’ own budget planning and could result in the very thing that Republicans have criticized the schools for: increased tuition costs for students.
In a statement, Penn State said its leadership was disappointed the bill failed to pass the House. The state funding supports the university’s 40,000 in-state students, “which thousands of Pennsylvania students and their families rely on each year,” a spokesperson said.
Hari Sastry, senior vice chancellor and chief financial officer for the University of Pittsburgh, said the entire state subsidy goes to an in-state discount for Pennsylvania students, impacting about 17,000 students and about $16,000 for undergraduates.
“That is a pretty large bit of uncertainty that they’re going to have to plan around,” he said. “We can’t obviously wait until September to do things like set tuition rates. So, we’re going to have to figure out what that interim looks like.”
Sastry can’t recall a year where the Legislature did not grant any money to the universities, but it wouldn’t be the first time funding for the schools has come late. This year, he said, inflation is creating more stress on families and the university.
“It’s a very different situation right now, I think, than what we’ve seen before,” he said.
By just about every measure there is, Pennsylvania has some of the highest student debt and lowest affordability of its colleges compared to other states. Some education advocates blame lawmakers for the lack of sufficient higher education aid.
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PITTSBURGH — The 2023 Major League Baseball draft is all wrapped up. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, they made 21 selections and will now look to sign each one to join the organization.
The Pirates’ draft was heavy on two categories in particular — pitching and college — most often, both at the same time.
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PITTSBURGH — The Seattle Mariners selected Pitt right-handed pitcher Logan Evans in the 12th Round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday, making him the No. 367 overall pick.
Evans pitched at rival Penn State for two years, prior to joining Pitt. He made three appearances in 2020, totaling 8.0 innings pitched, 11 strikeouts, eight hits and a 4.50 ERA. Evans pitched out of the bullpen in 2021, striking out 12 batters, while allowing 16 walks, 21 hits and 13 earned runs in 14.1 innings pitched for a 8.16 ERA.
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Chime the gutters and release the white smoke, Oregon City’s newest street sweeper has been named.
Following a weeks-long contest that encouraged local youths to name the newest addition to its fleet of street sweepers, Oregon City announced Tuesday that its new sweeper will be named “C-SweeP0.”
The winning name, a parody of the Star Wars character C-3PO, was submitted by 7-year-old Oregon City resident Kennedy Gibb. While the city initially whittled the dozens of funny and interesting submissions down to five finalists, Oregon City Communications Manager Jarrod Lyman said that Gibb’s submission ultimately received the most votes from the public on Facebook.
“We had a lot of great suggestions from the kids, and each of the five finalists garnered substantial support on Facebook,” Lyman said. “In the end, it was Kennedy’s suggestion that came out ahead.”
The winner was announced during the city’s annual “Touch-A-Truck” event organized by the Oregon City Library, where kids interact with a variety of city-used vehicles like fire trucks, patrol cars, bulldozers and more. The new street sweeper, which is replacing an older, recently decommissioned sweeper. The Oregon City Public Works department says that it plans to print “C-SweeP0” and Gibb’s name on the side of the machine when it arrives in the fall. To show its thanks, the city says it will also offer Gibb’s a ride around town in the shiny, new sweeper … Don’t forget to move your cars.
“We appreciate everyone who took part in either coming up with names or voting for their favorites,” Lyman said. “Oregon City once again showed its close sense of community by coming together for this fun contest.” | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/long-live-c-sweep0-oregon-citys-new-street-sweeper/ | 2023-07-12T01:16:04 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/long-live-c-sweep0-oregon-citys-new-street-sweeper/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A woman was found dead at a vacant property set to be sold in Wilsonville on Monday, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies say a person doing work at the property on Stafford Road found the woman and called authorities. An investigation of the area and autopsy of the body has led deputies to believe her cause of death was homicidal violence.
Officials have yet to publicly identify the woman, and no suspects are known. The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact 503-723-4949 or email via the form on their website. Reference case #23-014348.
The sheriff’s office Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit is leading the investigation.
Stay with KOIN 6 as we receive more information. | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/woman-found-dead-at-vacant-property-for-sale-in-wilsonville-homicidal-violence/ | 2023-07-12T01:16:10 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/woman-found-dead-at-vacant-property-for-sale-in-wilsonville-homicidal-violence/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – In case you haven’t heard: Portland has a car theft problem.
While the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office attempts to find new strategies to tackle the area’s rising car thefts, people have taken matters into their own hands on social media.
A Facebook page called PDX Stolen Cars claims to have helped thousands of people find their stolen cars. Titan Crawford founded the page two years ago to “fill in the gaps when we can.”
“It’s a combination of people that are in the group. They see a car outside their house they’ve never seen before: It’s got a broken window, and it’s, you know, something’s off,” he said. “And then there’s plenty of people that drive around looking for other people’s cars. Then there are people looking for their own car.”
Crawford also said the group has even identified houses that have been turned into chop shops.
“When that car went missing, it sticks out like a sore thumb because we’ve recovered other vehicles at that property,” he said.
Meanwhile, deputy district attorneys in the county’s Auto Theft Task Force are gathering evidence themselves. One deputy DA, Cody Linderholm, said some may wonder why a Facebook page can expose these homes while the DA’s office or Portland Police Bureau still can’t charge or prosecute the people involved.
“I kind of look at it as a neighborhood watch,” Linderholm said. “With the understanding they aren’t law enforcement or the DA’s office, how can we work together so when you’re seeing problem areas we can put some resources in to address the chop shop or the known place stolen cars are dumped?”
In fact, Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt’s office reports that prosecution of auto theft and theft at large has gone up. Auto thefts are down 5% compared to numbers from 2022, but with record levels in Multnomah County since 2020.
However, Schmidt also said that “5% isn’t good enough.”
The city and county funded four positions to create the Retail and Auto Theft Task Force with two attorneys and two investigators. So far, only the prosecutors have been hired.
His office reports prosecution rates have increased from 75% through May of last year to 83% in the same timeframe this year. They’re trying to work with law enforcement agencies across the county to create standards for police reports for stolen cars so that officers can know what evidence is needed to track cases.
When a case is declined for prosecution, instead of sending it back to police with no notes, the task force will detail the evidence they need to charge someone, and in some cases, find the car themselves.
“It’s communicating with officers right when something is declined for prosecution,” Schmidt said. “With this task force, we have the resources to do that follow-up.”
A federal court ruling out of Washington earlier this year also raised the bar for prosecutors. It found people who are charged with possession of stolen property must have knowledge that it’s stolen. Schmidt and Linderholm say that’s another aspect of the education for officers.
Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/a-neighborhood-watch-facebook-page-takes-on-portlands-car-theft-problem/ | 2023-07-12T01:16:16 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/a-neighborhood-watch-facebook-page-takes-on-portlands-car-theft-problem/ |
Larry Nassar was stabbed in prison cell, attack not seen by surveillance cameras, AP source says
Investigators probing disgraced former Michigan State Univeristy sports doctor Larry Nassar’s stabbing Sunday at a federal penitentiary in Florida are lacking a key piece of evidence: video of the assault.
Nassar was attacked inside his cell, a blind spot for prison surveillance cameras that only record common areas and corridors, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. In federal prison parlance, because of the lack of video, it is known as an "unwitnessed event."
It's the second time Nassar, the former U.S. women’s gymnastics team doctor, has been assaulted in federal custody while he's serving decades in prison for sexually abusing athletes and possessing explicit images of children.
The attack, which left Nassar hospitalized in stable condition with injuries including a collapsed lung, underscored persistent problems at the federal Bureau of Prisons.
Despite the Biden administration's vow to fix the broken prison system — with new leadership and an emphasis on turning prisoners into “good neighbors” — the agency has continued to struggle with violence, understaffing, abuse and misconduct.
Nassar's stabbing, just weeks after “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski's suicide at a North Carolina federal medical center and amid lingering fallout from Jeffrey Epstein's 2019 jail suicide, also highlighted the agency's inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe.
“This kind of violence in our federal prisons is inexcusable,” said Daniel Landsman, the deputy director of policy at the criminal justice advocacy group FAMM, or Families Against Mandatory Minimums. “The failures that led to this assault are not isolated — too often we see similar incidents impact incarcerated people across the country."
“The assault of Larry Nassar raises a number of questions regarding safety in in federal prisons,” Landsman said.
The Bureau of Prisons did not respond Tuesday to AP's questions about Nassar’s stabbing, and violence, low staffing levels and other problems plaguing its facilities. In a statement Monday, the agency confirmed an altercation involving an inmate at the United States Penitentiary Coleman, but declined to identify the person “for privacy, safety and security reasons.”
Nassar, 59, was attacked inside his cell Sunday by a prisoner armed with a makeshift weapon, according to the person familiar with the matter. Nassar was stabbed multiple times in the neck, chest and back. Two officers guarding the unit where Nassar was held were working mandated overtime shifts because of staffing shortages, the person said.
The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack or the ongoing investigation and did so on condition anonymity.
Nassar was previously assaulted in May 2018 at a federal prison in Tucson, Arizona, within hours of being placed in general population — an attack his lawyers blamed on the notoriety of his case and a seven-day televised sentencing where scores of victims made impassioned statements. Nassar's lawyers did not specify the nature or severity of that attack.
Cell doors on most federal prison units are typically open during the day, letting prisoners move around freely within the facility. Surveillance cameras aren’t positioned to see inside cells, though other cameras may have captured Nassar’s assailant walking in and out of the cell.
At some federal prison facilities, including the Manhattan jail where Epstein died, surveillance cameras been found to malfunction or not record at all — an issue Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., sought to address last December with a law requiring the Bureau of Prisons to overhaul failing and outdated security systems. The agency, however, has been slow to make progress.
Facing increased scrutiny in the wake of Epstein's suicide and an ongoing AP investigation that has uncovered myriad scandals, Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters has pledged to overhaul recruiting and hiring practices and end systemic abuse and corruption.
But changing the culture of the massive agency — the Justice Department’s largest with more than 30,000 employees, 158,000 inmates and an annual budget of about $8 billion — has proved exceedingly difficult. Correctional workers say they've seen no meaningful reforms to fix longtime staffing problems that put inmates' and their own lives at risk.
Just two weeks before Nassar's stabbing, workers at the Florida prison complex where he was attacked organized a protest outside a nearby supermarket to highlight what they said were dangerous staffing levels.
“They’re going to have somebody killed, either staff or an inmate, if they don’t fix the problem,” said Jose Rojas, the union president at the Coleman prison complex. “We sounded the alarm, we warned the public, and I hate to be prophetic, but we were right.”
At Nassar's prison, known as USP Coleman II, nearly one-quarter of correctional officer positions are vacant, according to records obtained by AP. Staffing guidelines show the facility, with more than 1,200 prisoners, should have 222 correctional officers. Only 169 positions are filled.
The day Nassar was stabbed, 44 posts were left vacant and unassigned at the prison, records show. One of the officers assigned to Nassar’s unit was working a third straight 16-hour day, while the other officer was on a second straight day of mandated overtime.
The AP has revealed widespread criminal conduct by employees, sexual abuse by workers, inmate escapes, and staffing shortages that have hampered responses to emergencies.
Last August, the Justice Department appointed Peters — a reformer who previously ran Oregon’s state prison system — to replace former Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal, a Trump administration holdover who clashed with Congress, claimed staffing wasn’t problematic and had to be subpoenaed before attending one of his last oversight hearings.
Peters, in turn, has focused on shifting the Bureau of Prisons away from its strictly carceral roots, emphasizing that “our job is to make good neighbors, not good inmates.” Peters has rewritten the agency’s mission statement to emphasize employees' job to “foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety" by preparing people behind bars for successful reentry into their communities.
___
Associated Press reporter Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/larry-nassar-was-stabbed-in-prison-cell-attack-not-seen-by-surveillance-cameras-ap-source-says/70404301007/ | 2023-07-12T01:18:35 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/2023/07/11/larry-nassar-was-stabbed-in-prison-cell-attack-not-seen-by-surveillance-cameras-ap-source-says/70404301007/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/over-a-dozen-birds-found-dead-in-a-bucks-county-park-after-possibly-being-poisoned-police-say/3602321/ | 2023-07-12T01:27:32 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/over-a-dozen-birds-found-dead-in-a-bucks-county-park-after-possibly-being-poisoned-police-say/3602321/ |
ROAN MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WJHL) – After months of preparation, local leaders and Gov. Bill Lee will unveil the new Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center.
The former Roan Mountain Work Camp prison has been converted into a drug treatment center for individuals in the region’s recovery courts.
Local leaders and Gov. Lee will officially cut the ribbon on the facility Wednesday morning.
But the path to getting a facility like this completed started back in 2017 when three district attorneys sued multiple pharmaceutical companies that produced opioids on behalf of a baby born addicted to opioids.
Baby Doe leads to a payout
District attorneys Barry Staubus, Dan Armstrong, and Ken Baldwin led the lawsuit against the pharmaceutical companies.
At the center of the case was Baby Doe, born with an opioid addiction.
Several participating cities and counties were also listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
Staubus told News Channel 11 said Baby Doe was a singular baby, but represented many other cases of infants with opioid addictions in the region.
He said the case hinged on an interpretation of the Drug Dealer Liability Act.
“They creating an illegal drug market by the manner in which they were marketing the drug,” Staubus said. “They knew the drugs were highly addictive. They knew this was happening and they weren’t curbing it.”
Going up against the pharmaceutical companies was not an easy task.
“The opioids manufacturers had a lot of money, a lot of clout, a lot of lawyers,” Staubus said. “We were basically cutting a new path with this law. This law had never been interpreted that way.”
After four years, the suit led to a settlement with Endo Pharmaceuticals to the tune of $35 million in July 2021.
That money was dispersed to secure the care of Baby Doe. The rest was split among the county and city plaintiffs by population.
With millions of dollars flowing into the region, local leaders had to decide what to do with those funds.
An ambitious idea takes shape
Once the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center is officially open, the addiction non-profit Families Free will administer the recovery care.
Executive Director Lisa Tipton said Families Free has worked with individuals in recovery courts in Washington, Sullivan, and Carter counties.
Based on her work, something more substantial was needed for addiction in the criminal justice system.
“What I saw is a need for a longer-term treatment program that can address not only the alcohol and drug issues, but also provide vocational training,” Tipton said. “Provide an opportunity to live in a community with other people.”
Tipton said she communicated with judges Lisa Rice and Stacy Street about the potential for a regional drug treatment center.
Tipton worked with Rice and Street in the recovery court system.
“They also had the vision that people wouldn’t have to go to prison, often for drug and alcohol problems just because they hadn’t had their needs met in society,” Tipton said.
She also met with state Rep. Tim Hicks of Gray who shared in that vision.
Hicks, a former addict himself, said he got involved during his initial campaign for office.
“Me being a recovering addict was a big reason that I wanted to get involved,” Hicks said. “It’s one of the reasons I ran for office. I believe Northeast Tennessee struggles deeply with addiction.”
After the settlement monies had been dispersed, Tipton, Rice, Street and others presented their idea for a regional drug treatment center to the various county commissions and boards that controlled the funds.
Tipton said their vision made an impact.
“The leadership in these counties often came up and spoke with us after about a family member, a neighbor, an experience that they had had really close to them that they knew people needed this help,” Tipton said. “They are looking for a way to be a part of a solution for healing and restoration in Northeast Tennessee.”
Eleven counties and cities contributed some or all of their Baby Doe funds to the cause.
That included Washington, Sullivan, Carter, Hawkins, Unicoi, Johnson, and Hamblen counties and the municipalities of Kingsport, Elizabethton, Erwin, and Unicoi.
That amounted to about $10 million for a facility. All the effort needed was a location.
The vision becomes a reality
In February 2022, the Northeast Correctional Complex’s Carter County Annex in Roan Mountain was identified as a potential location for the facility.
Also known as the Roan Mountain Work Camp, the facility was decommissioned by the Tennessee Department of Correction in 2021 but was still under state ownership.
Hicks said a meeting between him, other local leaders, the governor, and other Nashville leaders helped make inroads that would eventually lead to a lease agreement.
“I don’t think it was a hard sell because the place was closed down,” Hicks said. “They didn’t know what in the world they was going to do with it. I think from the get-go, (Lee) wanted this to happen and that’s why it did happen.”
The lease between the Northeast Tennessee Regional Recovery Center’s board and the state was signed in October 2022.
Tipton said renovating the former prison into a recovery center started soon after.
“I am really amazed at the amount of work that’s happened,” Tipton said. “That is because there’s been adequate funding to meet the need, but there’s also been collaboration.”
Tipton said the wheels would not have moved this quickly if not for the Baby Doe case.
Ahead of the facility’s opening, District Attorney Staubus, one of the people who helped secure the funding two years ago, said the facility represents the impact of the Baby Doe case.
“I hope the legacy is that the monies we received send a message to the companies,” Staubus said. “But also that those monies have been wisely invested in this program.”
Once the center is open, those in the program will be housed there for 12-18 months for intensive recovery care that aims to help those individuals become contributing members of society.
Hicks said it will transform the way addiction is handled in Northeast Tennessee’s criminal justice system.
“This is just going to give folks a little bit different avenues than the opportunities they have now,” Hicks said. “This will be a totally new opportunity to truly change their life.”
The ribbon cutting for the facility is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/road-to-regional-recovery-center-starts-with-baby-doe/ | 2023-07-12T01:31:50 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/road-to-regional-recovery-center-starts-with-baby-doe/ |
MODESTO, Calif. — In a big milestone for the city of Modesto, City Council plans to formally repeal a ban on cruising that was implemented back in the 90s.
Supporters say they're working with police and other city officials to test it out, and so far, it's been successful.
For decades, cruising down the street in Modesto has been known as a rolling work of art.
"A lot of people don't realize, there's a lot more involved than just cruising up and down. It's an extension of families, it's culture it's a history, and on top of that, Modesto's known for American Graffiti with George Lucas," said Jerry Thompson, a member of the Cruising Culture of Modesto.
However, back in the 90s cruising became illegal.
On Tuesday, a sign banning cruising is still standing on 10th Street downtown, but that could soon change. Modesto City Council is expected to formally repeal the ban, which means the sign would come down by the weekend.
For lowrider owner Chito Mireles, it shows how the car culture has evolved in the city.
"That the stigma that came with the car culture and lowriders in the past, that's not really here no more. You got female car owners, car builders. You know, it's showing the evolution of the car scene out here in Modesto," said Mireles, a member of Ranflas Car Club.
The scene also includes the communities for hot rods and custom cars all coming together.
"No. 1, we want to cross these cultures in our communities. So like music and cars, this is what brings people together and cruising is one of those things. And a lot of the obstacles we had, was trying to get people to remember that cruising was an organic thing," said Chris Murphy, a board member with the Graffiti USA Museum.
They also want to recognize that cruising does not involve sideshows and the dangerous aspects that come along with it.
In fact, fathers like Mireles want it to become an inspiration for their son.
"He actually likes it. He always wants to go cruising, and I hope this just brings unity with everybody. That way, (it) show the younger generation that there's a future with cruising," said Mireles.
City Council plans to repeal the ban at their Tuesday meeting. Then on Saturday, there will be a ceremonial removal of the last 'Cruising Prohibited' sign between J and K Street.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/modesto/modesto-city-council-vote-cruising-ban/103-c8876e64-c84b-4ed3-8cd2-fb89e026138e | 2023-07-12T01:40:18 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/modesto/modesto-city-council-vote-cruising-ban/103-c8876e64-c84b-4ed3-8cd2-fb89e026138e |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Homeless advocates are criticizing a Sacramento judge who wrote a letter to city leadership addressing concerns about the unhoused community surrounding the downtown courthouse.
In a June 29 letter addressed to Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and the city council, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael G. Bowman said there are daily incidents of "physical and verbal assault, public sex acts, open fires, nudity, urinating and defecating on walkways."
He said employees fear for their safety and requested increased police presence near the downtown facilities.
The Sacramento Homeless Union held a news conference Tuesday afternoon addressing the letter.
"The narrative being perpetuated by Judge Bowman, intentional or unintentional, is based in fearmongering tone," said Crystal Sanchez, president of the Sacramento Homeless Union. "To end homelessness, we must quit pointing the finger and criminalizing. We must sit down at these tables together and find solutions that end homelessness, not just move people a few blocks away."
Homeless advocates also question if the letter violated the California Code of Judicial Ethics.
"It was a problematic statement," said Anthony Prince, an attorney for the Sacramento Homeless Union. "Judges are supposed to avoid making any public statements that could be interpreted as being partial."
The union is asking to meet with the judge and for him to retract the letter.
In an email Prince shared with ABC10, a spokesperson for the court declined the request to meet to discuss the letter, saying Judge Bowman decided a personal meeting would be "neither appropriate nor productive."
ABC10 asked for Judge Bowman's response to the Sacramento Homeless Union's concerns, but a spokesperson for the Superior Court referred us to the judge's original letter and said "the court has no additional comment."
The advocates are considering filing a formal complaint. They said they don't want it to come to that point and are hoping to hear from the judge.
ABC10 also reached out to Sacramento Police Department about the safety concerns.
In a statement, they said they are aware of the community complaints near the courthouse and are working with city and county partners to identify long-term solutions.
FULL STATEMENT TO ABC10:
"The Sacramento Police Department recognizes the complex societal challenges surrounding persons experiencing homelessness in our city. Our department continues to work with the City of Sacramento and its Department of Community Response, Sacramento County, and other entities to address the root causes of homelessness and identify long-term solutions. Our officers are aware of the community complaints near the Sacramento County Superior Court and continue to address issues as they arise. Our officers handle service calls in that area; however, we have not identified any crime series or trends. Moving forward, our department continues to evaluate the appropriate response to this complex issue relative to all available outreach and enforcement options."
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-homeless-union/103-9ab4e1e3-fbe2-40a2-96a2-b6b3a48d64d2 | 2023-07-12T01:40:24 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento-homeless-union/103-9ab4e1e3-fbe2-40a2-96a2-b6b3a48d64d2 |
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Californians see homelessness as one of the state's top issues. State data shows the number of families experiencing homelessness in the Sacramento region is only going up and many feel enough isn't being done to fix it.
For the past two years, a Sacramento family of six struggled to find a stable place to live.
"We felt like we were being punished for something that we didn't do," said Rodney Lewis Sr.
It started in 2020 after their North Highlands apartment caught on fire. It was a total loss.
"I'm just... I'm shattered at this point because before then we had just went through a similar situation of homelessness," said Erika Knight.
Both Erika Knight and her husband, Rodney Lewis Sr., were faced with homelessness again; this time with four children.
"It's heartbreaking when your kids are asking you when they're going to get a place or when can they get a cooked meal? Or why we can't get a place? How can we explain that to kids?" said Lewis.
The family bounced between sleeping in their cars and hotel rooms.
"Embarrassed to see us sleeping in our cars, nowhere to use the restroom... it was the worst feeling ever," said Knight.
Knight says she couldn't continue to put her family through this pain after her daughter spoke up last year.
"My oldest daughter, she said, 'Mom, are we ever gonna get a place? Are we ever gonna get an apartment?' I went into the bathroom and I cried so hard, I cried so hard," said Knight.
She called the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Spirit Church and asked for help. The church's program is funded through grants, donations and fundraisers.
Through the program, the family was finally able to move into an apartment. Nearly a year later, they're still in that apartment.
"It's a place, you know, we're not out on the street anymore," said Knight.
According to the state's Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, homeless families in Sacramento County seeking resources continue to rise. In 2021, 4,492 families with children sought access to services. In 2022, that number jumped to 5,281.
"I think a lot of these programs started during the pandemic when schools weren't open anymore and they started seeing more kids," said Lucia Vega.
Vega is the program director at Mustard Seed School, a Loaves and Fishes program providing free school for children experiencing homelessness.
"We see the families that are camping down by the river, and they come here for school, for showers, for food," said Vega.
Vega says less families are coming to Mustard Seed since the pandemic. She believes it's because the families need so much more than school.
"It makes me sad because there's not enough resources to help everybody. There's not enough shelter beds to put families in shelter," said Vega.
As for Knight and Lewis, they no longer want to be another statistic and will continue to do better for their kids.
"I was just like, look, just your home... you have a home. You can stop worrying. You have a home," said Knight.
The couple is currently working on progressing their careers. Knight is working to get her GED to get into college in hopes of becoming a nurse.
There are resources available and if you are in the Sacramento area, you can call 211. Mustard Seed School continues to offer services while the program at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Spirit Church is accepting donations. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-county-homeless-families-resources/103-a61f45fc-0dc2-4034-b3bb-305ab8706a86 | 2023-07-12T01:40:30 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-county-homeless-families-resources/103-a61f45fc-0dc2-4034-b3bb-305ab8706a86 |
MIDLAND, Texas — When you think of historic Midland homes, you might think of George W. Bush’s childhood home, and for good reason. Not every town was once home to not one, but two of the 46 Presidents.
But some Midland residents might not know that 5 minutes away from the Bush home is the Brown-Dorsey House... which has a history itself.
"The house was actually built in 1899," Midland Historical Society President Jim Collett said. "It was built by TD Wadley who was a lumberman here. The family (The Brown Family) moved in in January of 1900. And now this is the oldest remaining house in Midland. It's one of the very first houses built to a plan. As you can see it has the Victorian style of narrow arches and gingerbread. So it's also kind of a neat look at what's called ‘Folk Victorian’."
Located on 231 N Weatherford Street, not only is it the oldest house in Midland, it’s the only known Victorian residential architecture left in the city.
And when you have something there’s only one of, you preserve it.
And the Midland Historical Society has done that.
"Well, we’ve owned this house since the late 1960s when the last member of the family passed on," Collett said. "And we've maintained it as a historic property and restored it as it looked when the family lived here in the early 1900s."
And every once in a while, they give tours to the public… taking you back to 1900.
They did this on the Fourth of July last week, and I got the chance to go back in time.
"So the house is furnished as it would have been when the family lived here in the early 1900s," Collett said. "And many of the items actually belong to the family and they were donated to us. There was no electricity when the house was built. And so when you came to the house and you wanted to let the Browns know you were here, they had what was called a crank doorbell all mechanical."
Collett then rang a doorbell you wouldn't hear today.
And that's just it, the Brown-Dorsey House isn’t the typical house you’d find in Midland today.
"This house if you're noticing it's very very compactly built," Collett said. "We thought it was a kit house; Sears used to make what was called a kit house. You got plans in the kit and everything. It's actually older than that. It was built to an actual plan whereas before that many houses were just what they call board and batten; you just kind of built it up. And so this one is very compact. So everything like the stairwells, you can see fits real tightly."
Even though the house was already crowded, the family still did its part to help out in the war effort: by providing a home to those who didn’t have one.
"So believe it or not, even though the Browns had quite a few children and the Dorsey's had quite a few children living here, they rented out rooms to soldiers," Collett said. "And so on the staircase wecame up, there's a window, there was a door there so the soldiers could actually get in and not disturb the family in their private space. So that was pretty common during the war years, that everyone could rent out rooms to soldiers or their families."
The family who lived in this house were integral parts of early Midland history.
"Zachary Taylor (Z.T.) Brown was one of the early pioneers who came out here first in the sheep industry," Collett explained. "Then he got into ranching and was also in the mercantile business. He and his wife Sarah had a number of children. One of their daughters was named Sarah, and she married a saddlemaker here named Hugh Dorsey. And that's where the name came from. So two generations of the family lived in this house."
The house has become a true time capsule.
"And they would have had what's called an icebox," Collett showed me. "You put ice in the bottom and then you could put your refrigerated items or glass here and it circulated around. And so you could keep things there."
And with six kids around, toys were aplenty during this time, and they were also on display at the house.
But the kids weren’t the only ones who could have fun, adults had their own way of passing the time.
"And over here we have washers," Collett said, pointing to a sandbox with washers in it. "You have a large washer that you stand here and pitch toward the other cup. So the idea is very similar to horseshoes. [...] if you get the washer in the cup, you get three points. If you get the closest in the pit, you get one point."
It may not have the notoriety of the Bush house, but the Brown-Dorsey house has definitely made its mark in Midland history.
A true Midland historical artifact; mere walking distance from a lot of resident’s own homes.
And with 123 years standing, with its history, I’d expect it to stand 123 more, educating the future of what it was like in 1900.
The Midland Historical Society are having many more events in their future, if you're interested, follow them on Facebook. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/oldest-house-in-midland-brown-dorsey-preserved-by-midland-historical-society/513-a2767284-a57d-4b2a-8980-43ba73070bc8 | 2023-07-12T01:43:11 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/oldest-house-in-midland-brown-dorsey-preserved-by-midland-historical-society/513-a2767284-a57d-4b2a-8980-43ba73070bc8 |
PONTIAC, Mich — A document handwritten by singer Aretha Franklin and found in her couch after her 2018 death is a valid Michigan will, a jury said Tuesday, a critical turn in a dispute that has turned her sons against each other.
It’s a victory for Kecalf Franklin and Edward Franklin whose lawyers had argued that papers dated 2014 should override a 2010 will that was discovered around the same time in a locked cabinet at the Queen of Soul’s home in suburban Detroit.
Aretha Franklin did not leave behind a formal, typewritten will when she died five years ago at age 76. But both documents, with scribbles and hard-to-decipher passages, suddenly emerged in 2019 when a niece scoured the home for records.
Franklin’s estate managers have been paying bills, settling millions in tax debts and generating income through music royalties and other intellectual property. The will dispute, however, has been unfinished business.
There are differences between the 2010 and 2014 versions, though they both appear to indicate that Franklin’s four sons would share income from music and copyrights.
But under the 2014 will, Kecalf Franklin and grandchildren would get his mother’s main home in Bloomfield Hills, which was valued at $1.1 million when she died but is worth much more today.
The older will said Kecalf, 53, and Edward Franklin, 64, “must take business classes and get a certificate or a degree” to benefit from the estate. That provision is not in the 2014 version.
Ted White II, who played guitar with Aretha Franklin, testified against the 2014 will, saying his mother typically would get important documents done “conventionally and legally” and with assistance from an attorney.
Franklin was a global star for decades, known especially for hits like “Think,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Respect.”
___
Follow Ed White on Twitter at http://twitter.com/edwritez
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Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/jury-decides-will-found-aretha-franklin-couch-valid-document/69-c5c19515-d0fd-4e78-86f8-82cb073a520c | 2023-07-12T01:43:40 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/jury-decides-will-found-aretha-franklin-couch-valid-document/69-c5c19515-d0fd-4e78-86f8-82cb073a520c |
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