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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/rules-to-remember-on-north-texas-lakes/3005133/ | 2022-07-01T13:14:35 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/rules-to-remember-on-north-texas-lakes/3005133/ |
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News from around the state of Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/video-brittney-griner-arrives-in-moscow-court/3005137/ | 2022-07-01T13:14:41 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/video-brittney-griner-arrives-in-moscow-court/3005137/ |
The countdown is on till the Disney Wish sets sail on her maiden voyage from Port Canaveral.
The enchanting ship is rolling out a number of new experiences for Disney Cruise Line passengers to see and explore.
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To commemorate the new ship and its first sailings, the company is rolling out some special merchandise that not only pays tribute to the ship but even experiences and rooms onboard, including the Grand Hall.
“We’ve got several different exclusive collections for the Disney Wish, including Inaugural,” explained Emily Trudgn, brand merchandise manager for Disney Cruise Line. “What was really cool is we worked with Disney Imagineering from the very beginning.”
The Inaugural line reflects the enchantment of the Disney Wish with beautiful details of rhinestones and rich fabrication, the company said.
Some of the other merchandise lines include a Disney character, Cinderella, Marvel, Make-A-Wish and even a group of products that pull schematics from the Disney Wish.
Passengers will find bright and colorful items that include T-shirts, bags, cruise line Mickey Mouse ears, button-up shirts, hats, spirit jerseys, mugs, Dooney & Bourke bags and for the first time ever, a 2-foot sized model of the ship.
One of the newest toys hitting the shelves is the first-ever Disney Cruise Line play set. The set features Disney characters and different rooms onboard a Disney cruise ship. The set will be available online this fall.
The Disney Wish offers guests the chance to shop in several different shops including Mickey’s Mainsail, Treasures Untold, Dory’s Forget Me Knots and so many others.
Disney said a select number of products from the Make-A-Wish collection will be available on ShopDisney.com. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/first-look-new-merchandise-sails-onto-disney-wish/ | 2022-07-01T13:16:15 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/first-look-new-merchandise-sails-onto-disney-wish/ |
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A child was struck by lightning and critically injured Thursday in Florida, fire rescue said.
Firefighters were called to Williams Park in Riverview, southeast of Tampa, around 4 p.m.
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The child was injured at a boat ramp and was taken to a nearby hospital.
Firefighters said the child, whose age has not been released, was in critical condition.
Florida ranked No. 1 in the Top Ten States by Total Lightning density and No. 2 in the Top Ten States by Total Lightning Count in 2021, according to the annual lightning report by Vaisala.
Here are some of the tips the National Weather Service offered for storm safety:
- When thunder roars, go indoors. If you hear lightning, that means you are within striking distance. You must seek shelter and stay there until 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder, even if the rain stops.
- Find shelter that has electrical wiring and plumbing during a thunderstorm. The safest location is inside a large enclosed structure with plumbing and electrical wiring like shopping centers, schools and office buildings.
- Don’t use plugged in cell phones. This means that you should not be using a cell phone while it is being charged.
- Stay away from windows and doors. Do not sit on an open porch to watch the thunderstorm; it is best to stay in an interior closed room.
- Refrain from touching concrete surfaces. Lightning can travel through the metal wires or bars in concrete walls and flooring, such as the basement or garage.
- If inside a vehicle, roll the windows up and avoid contact with any conducting paths leading to the outside of the vehicle, such as devices plugged in for charging, metal surfaces and the ignition.
- Avoid plumbing. Metal plumbing and the water inside are very good conductors of electricity. Therefore, do not wash your hands or dishes, take a shower or do laundry during a thunderstorm.
- If you or someone else gets struck by lightning, you can begin first aid immediately. People who get struck do not carry an electric charge. Call for medical help right away. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lightning-strikes-critically-injures-child-in-florida/ | 2022-07-01T13:16:22 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lightning-strikes-critically-injures-child-in-florida/ |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
The president was tired — very tired. He had accomplished most of his goals and, simply, he was worn out. And so the president decided not to run for re-election.
Among his other peculiarities, the president was considered to be Machiavellian as he tried to manipulate those around him — his cabinet secretaries and advisors. He constantly meddled in their business and believed that he could do a better job than any of them. He had had extensive political experience, but he had been thwarted in his previous attempts to seek a more powerful position.
He knew that the country was divided — both by geography (north and south) and by strong opinions about the treatment of minorities. The southern border of the U.S. was the source of many of his headaches.
The president had brought an international war to a successful conclusion, but he realized that the war’s end would not stop the domestic disunion in the country. Political parties were at each others’ throats over the fallout from that war. According to historian John Pinhiero, the president “left the nation at the end of his term facing its greatest political and social crisis since the American Revolution.”
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If all of this sounds familiar, you might be excused for believing that it describes President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 when he announced that he would not seek re-election in the midst of an international war.
Or, you might be thinking that it could refer to President Donald Trump, who was notorious for selecting and then denigrating his closest advisors and cabinet members while he was leading a troubled nation. (Of course, Trump has never admitted that he’s tired or worn out).
No — all of these facts relate to the 11th president of the United States, James K. Polk of Tennessee, who served from 1845-49. Polk is listed by many historians as one of the great or near-great leaders of this country. Most one-term presidents never make that list.
Polk was willing to compromise when it came to border issues. The Mexican-American War concluded with the U.S. annexing the land that is now New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California and portions of Colorado and Wyoming. Earlier, Polk had negotiated a northern border dispute that added Oregon, Idaho, and Washington to the U.S., as well as control of the Columbia River.
President Polk created the Department of the Interior because he wanted the federal government to control and manage the westward development of the country. He negotiated U.S. jurisdiction over the Isthmus of Panama, laying the foundation for the canal that would be constructed over 70 years later.
The president was not without his faults. Although he was a virtuous man by nature, the fact is that Polk was a southerner who kept slaves. Nevertheless, he directed that those slaves be freed upon his death.
Polk died shortly after leaving the presidency. He was taking a “victory tour” through Louisiana when he encountered a pandemic disease — cholera — that was sweeping through the southern states. He passed away within three months of leaving office.
Right now, there is considerable back-room discussion as to whether or not President Biden should seek another term. While he has insisted that he will, he also faces significant obstacles with a divided Congress and an angry nation.
So, should Biden decide to follow Polk’s path? We don’t know what his final decision will be, but he has a chance to follow historical precedent and to be remembered as Polk was — as a president who accomplished his goals and left office with his head held high. Like Polk, he’s probably tired — very tired, and he’d be excused if he wanted to wrap up his term and take a long nap.
Bob Kovitz holds a B.A. in political science and a masters in public administration. He was the co-founder of the “James K. Polk Fan Club” in 1963. He lives in Tucson. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-a-very-tired-president/article_8a55b458-f737-11ec-8696-0b1f1767fca4.html | 2022-07-01T13:19:09 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-a-very-tired-president/article_8a55b458-f737-11ec-8696-0b1f1767fca4.html |
Wheeling Avenue to be closed during 4th of July fireworks Monday night
MUNCIE, Ind. — A stretch of Wheeling Avenue north of downtown Muncie will be closed to traffic for the duration of the city's fireworks display Monday night, July 4.
Starting at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Wheeling will be closed to vehicles from the High Street/Fallen Heroes Memorial Bridge north to Neely Avenue, according to a release from the Muncie Police Department.
Side streets leading to that section of Wheeling will be blocked off before 8:30 p.m.
The road closure will allow pedestrians safe access to view Muncie's annual fireworks show from Wheeling.
Fireworks for the Fourth:Here's when East Central Indiana skies will light up this holiday
Traffic after the show will follow restricted directions of travel to clear the area, according to MPD.
Nominations sought for Women's Equality Day awards
MUNCIE — The Muncie-Delaware County Coalition of Women’s Organizations is seeking nominations of local women to honor during the 30th Annual Women’s Equality Day Program.
The coalition invites nominations of women who have made a significant contribution in the arts, education, religion, business, politics, environment and social or community service by improving the quality of life in our community, according to a release. Other categories also will be considered.
Six women will be honored during a program at 5 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Muncie City Hall auditorium.
Women’s Equality Day celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Those honored will be awarded Vivian V. Conley Recognition Certificates.
Conley, who died May 8, 1993, was at the forefront of many community issues relating to education, civil rights, and aging. She attended Ball State University in her 60s, earning her bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degree in gerontology.
Organizations that make up the Muncie-Delaware County Coalition of Women’s Organizations are the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County, the American Association of University Women, the National Organization for Women, the Indiana Women of Achievement Awards Committee and the Coalition of 100 Women.
“This program is important because it shines light on the contributions women make in society, politics, business, civic, and humanitarian efforts. One of the most important achievements in the fight for equality has been women winning the right to vote,” WaTasha Barnes Griffin, chief executive officer of YWCA Central Indiana. “As a member of the planning committee, I count it an honor to serve in a community where so many women are working to enhance the quality of life and place.”
Additional event and nominee details will be announced prior to the event.
A letter of nomination of 250 words or fewer describing the nominee’s contributions should be submitted by July 22 to: womensequalitydaymuncie@gmail.com or by mail to: YWCA Central Indiana, 310 E. Charles St., Muncie, IN 47305.
Send news items to The Star Press at news@muncie.gannett.com. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/wheeling-avenue-closed-during-4th-july-fireworks-monday-night/7783294001/ | 2022-07-01T13:21:58 | 1 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/wheeling-avenue-closed-during-4th-july-fireworks-monday-night/7783294001/ |
Winchester man fatally injured in Ohio work-site accident
WINCHESTER, Ind. — A Winchester man's recent death at an Ohio work site is being investigated by federal authorities.
Bradley Fritz, 37, died June 23, two days after being critically injured at an Ohio AES substation under construction near Tipp City in Miami County, Ohio, about 45 miles southeast of Winchester.
Fritz, an employee of Cobalt Civil in Winchester, reportedly fell head first into a hole that was 10 feet deep and less than three feet wide.
After he was pulled from the hole, resuscitation efforts began, but the Randolph County man later died at a Dayton hospital.
Miami County sheriff's deputies and Tipp City EMS personnel responded to the scene.
In a release, officials with AES Ohio said on June 21, "a contractor working for AES Ohio sustained a serious injury that later resulted in a fatality."
"AES Ohio extends its deepest sympathy to the individual’s family and is providing support resources as they grieve the loss of their loved one.”
The fatality is under investigation by the sheriff's department and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Fritz was married and the father of a seven-year-old son.
A GoFundMe account has been established to help the family with expenses.
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Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/work-site-accident-results-death-winchester-man/7785044001/ | 2022-07-01T13:21:58 | 0 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/work-site-accident-results-death-winchester-man/7785044001/ |
WATERLOO — Waterloo is one step closer to establishing a citywide broadband service.
Magellan Advisors of Denver, Colo., presented a broadband assessment to the City Council last week. The report said the design of a fiber backbone and fiber to the premises, or FTTP, will be completely finished by August.
The broadband study began in January 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19.
The fiber backbone project will connect 100 miles of fiber optic cables to over 100 sites throughout the city, such as facilities, community centers, fire stations, City Hall and parks. That half of the project is expected to cost $29.28 million.
The FTTP project will connect broadband to Waterloo homes. Magellan’s Chief Operating Officer Courtney Violette said all 390 miles of streets in the city will be covered. This more extensive project is expected to cost $86.38 million.
Waterloo received $31.24 million from the federal American Rescue Plan that can be used for broadband purposes.
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Michelle Weidner, the city’s chief financial officer, said officials are still working on a funding plan for the project. A portion of those federal dollars would be used.
Violette noted the funds could support broadband development in areas of the city where access, affordability and reliability are concerns. Other potential funding could come from federal grants and general obligation bonds.
The study came after the Waterloo Industrial Development Association and others encouraged the city to consider starting a municipal utility, similar to Waverly or Cedar Falls, to provide internet to homes and businesses due to concerns about Mediacom and CenturyLink.
Magellan conducted a survey for Waterloo residents to ask about their current experience with broadband. Just over 2,700 people responded. Forty percent of respondents said their main issue with their current provider is that it’s too expensive. The study found the median download speed for residents is 75.26 megabits per second. The average bill for an expected speed of 100 Mbps is $88.74.
The report also outlined prioritized areas. These areas were determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s low to moderate income areas, average costs, and download and upload speeds. On a map of Waterloo, the consultants designated the highest priority networks as downtown Waterloo and neighborhoods near UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital and Gates Park — mostly the northeast side of Waterloo.
The report also outlined what neighborhoods would receive broadband first. The neighborhoods determined highest priority from the first map would also be the first to receive broadband, as well as the neighborhoods near Maple Lanes.
The buildout concept was determined in phases. Phase one is where the company could connect the most homes for the least amount of money. Almost 11,000 homes would be connected in the first phase at a cost of $14.71 million, whereas phase three would connect almost 8,900 homes for $16.6 million.
Fiber infrastructure designed by Magellan to monitor and detect emergencies in Waterloo’s storm water and sewer drains was completed in the spring of 2021.
Along with design work, procurement of construction services and materials is expected to be complete in August. Agreements for services are expected to be finalized by January. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/fiber-network-plan-presented-to-waterloo-city-council/article_0f6601b6-5cea-56cb-8926-e581325b8e58.html | 2022-07-01T13:23:08 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/fiber-network-plan-presented-to-waterloo-city-council/article_0f6601b6-5cea-56cb-8926-e581325b8e58.html |
WAVERLY — Amid financial struggles and declining membership, a vote by the Waverly Country Club members has favored transferring its property and operations to the city on Jan. 1.
The pending transfer was proposed by city administration, club general manager Emma Wagoner confirmed when reached by telephone. However, it has yet to be presented to or approved by the City Council in a public session.
If given the green light by council, the city also would absorb the debt of the semi-private entity, and be responsible for “the services currently provided by the country club to the general public,” said the proposal voted on by members.
The potential transfer also comes after a lawsuit was filed in district court May 24 by the club’s former general manager Wesley Gade.
Gade alleges that the club's board of directors failed to address female employees’ complaints about members sexually harassing them and then tried to defame Gade after firing him in retaliation for bringing up these harassment concerns.
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He also is a former city councilman.
The city is interested in including the club’s property in its “vision” for substantial renovations and upgrades to Memorial Park, the soon-to-be former fairgrounds and golf course, according to letters from country club officials.
“The city has no comment on either issue. Anything that has been discussed would have been in closed session and is not public,” wrote Waverly City Administrator James Bronner in an email.
Country club board president Sarah Claiborne also declined comment over text message.
Though sharing the same building at 705 Eighth St. Southwest – which includes the clubhouse portion owned by the country club and the pro shop leased by the city from the country club – the Waverly Golf Course and the Waverly Country Club “are in no way connected,” states the club’s website.
The country club was registered as a 501(c)7 nonprofit in 2003. But it has been incorporated since 1958. The golf course is publicly owned.
“Membership is required to enjoy country club amenities and events. However bar, lunches, and other periodic offerings may be open to the public,” said its website. “Though we are not connected, we do work closely with each other to offer Waverly a top notch golf and country club experience.”
The Supreme Court decision is a call to continue supporting pregnant mothers, new parents and newborns, say those who oppose abortion.
The Waverly Golf Commission is the recommending body of the golf course and would oversee the country club, as well, said Wagoner. In turn, the club board would dissolve.
The commission’s current purview includes setting rules and regulations, like fee schedules, that govern the use and management of the course,” according to its website.
All recommendations would need to be approved by the City Council.
“The question before us now is do we want to support the (city’s vision) by enabling the property currently owned by the club to be included in the master plan?” states a letter from the club’s board of directors before the vote. “If we decide we do not want to be included, then the city will move forward with a plan to build a new pro shop, learning center/driving range and cart storage in another location.”
A letter from Wagoner reveals that membership declined from more than 340 members 10 years ago to 250 pre-COVID in 2019. The current membership now stands at 100 for the 2022 season.
The membership decline has led to a reduction in services and in turn, “less incentive for people to join,” said the board’s letter.
The board letter adds that the club has “struggled financially” for a number of years and voiced uncertainty that “we can continue.”
During the last couple of years, the club has relied on COVID-19 pandemic relief funds to pay for the manager’s salary, according to the board letter.
“We are committed to holding the city accountable for some of our requests, as current owners of this prized property. I would like to ask our members who live in town to contact their city council members and ask them what they have heard and how they feel about the proposal,” wrote Wagoner.
The Rooted Carrot Cooperative Market is a community-owned grocery store that seeks to enhance the health and well-being of the greater Cedar Valley, according to its mission statement.
Garret Riordan, city leisure services director, said the city leases the pro shop from the Country Club annually for $11,000. The city also provides the country club with snow removal services and and is involved in an Iowa alcoholic beverage lease agreement with the club.
The club board estimates “conservatively” that the license allows it to generate about $50,000 annually in on-course liquor sales.
The revenue from the pro shop rental agreement and liquor sales could be lost if the transfer to the city does not happen, the board said in its letter.
The country club also owns one-third of the golf course parking lot, tee number one and a cart shed, said Riordan. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/waverly-country-club-votes-to-transfer-ownership-of-property-operations-to-city/article_b47073d6-024c-5763-bb3a-65264dcd19c2.html | 2022-07-01T13:23:14 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/waverly-country-club-votes-to-transfer-ownership-of-property-operations-to-city/article_b47073d6-024c-5763-bb3a-65264dcd19c2.html |
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — A Mays Landing man died Wednesday when his 2012 Yamaha motorcycle crashed into another vehicle on the Black Horse Pike.
Michael Dimodica, 28, was headed westbound around 5:48 p.m. when he ran a red light at the intersection of Delancy Avenue and the Pike, police said.
The bike then collided with a 2017 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Bernadette Cassel, while it was making a U-turn at the intersection with Spencer Avenue, police said.
Dimodica was fatally injured after being thrown from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Traffic was detoured for about four hours. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/motorcyclist-dies-in-egg-harbor-township-crash/article_76db070a-f937-11ec-9ec4-4f3dd5ec566e.html | 2022-07-01T13:26:46 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/motorcyclist-dies-in-egg-harbor-township-crash/article_76db070a-f937-11ec-9ec4-4f3dd5ec566e.html |
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — David Giulian won his 100th career wrestling match for Middle Township High School on Jan. 27.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Giulian pinned his opponent and raised his arms as a student section, many of them dressed in the Panthers' school colors of black and orange, roared. It was time to celebrate.
But before leaving the gym, Giulian rolled up the mats and swept the floor of the team’s practice room.
Middle coach Matt Wolf has a rule that senior captains must make sure that everything is in order at the end of the night.
“On that night, if he had left to celebrate, I wouldn’t have thought a second about it," Wolf said. "He was the last one in there. That's who he is."
A football, wrestling and track and field standout, Giualian is The Press Male Athlete of the Year.
Last fall, Giulian rushed for 751 yards and made 106 tackles at linebacker. He finished with a school record 117 career wrestling wins in the winter. This spring, he defended his Cape May County discus championship. Giulian will play football for the College of New Jersey.
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He credited his senior teammates Brett Nabb and Matthew Frame in football and Alick Killian in wrestling with helping him succeed.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Middle Township and all the people I’ve met here,” he said. “I think having the support of the whole community has really shaped me into the person I am today.”
Not only is Giulian a three-sport athlete, but he spends his summers as Avalon lifeguard and represents the patrol in various lifeguard competitions. Wolf joked that Giulian trains and works so much he doesn’t know how he’s standing at the end of the day.
“I love that grind, staying busy,” Giulian said of being a three-sport athlete. “Just getting after it. Getting up early, going to work out, going to school, and working out again. I just love it.”
Giuian’s best individual moment of his senior year came in the state individual wrestling tournament.
Wolf has known Giulian almost his whole life. Before beginning high school, Giulian wrote Wolf a note, saying that he couldn't wait to one day wrestle in the state individual tournament with Wolf at his side. That note came true when Giulian finished sixth at 190 pounds at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
“He had that as a goal for a long time,” Wolf said. “There was a lot of sacrifice.”
But beyond his individual achievements is what Giulian meant to the teams he played on. The Middle football team last fall won the West Jersey Football League United Division title for its first league championship since 1969. The Panthers wrestling team was 53-27 during his tenure.
Giulian would stay after wrestling and football practices to talk with coaches about how to help his teammates improve.
“It’s team first,” Wolf said. “He elevated those programs to a different level than they had been.”
Giulian stepped on the football field or wrestling mat expecting to win.
“Dave has great confidence,” Wolf said, “and it’s well-based because he’s put the work in. He changed the expectations of people around him because of his confidence.”
Giulian jokes that his family “saved the best for last.”
He is the youngest of Amy and Karl Giulian's four children. All played sports for the Panthers.
“I’m just happy to be able to make parents proud, and make my family proud,” he said.
Rob, 22, was a tennis, cross country and swimming standout. Cate, 21, ran and swam. Karl, 20, starred in football and had 104 victories in wrestling.
When it came to sports, David followed after his siblings.
“Karl in second or third grade made a decision to play football,” David said. “The year after I decided to play, too.”
Karl started wrestling as a high school freshman. David saw that and decided to try that sport as a seventh grader.
“He would always be beating me up,” David said of Karl. “I definitely credit a lot of my success to him for beating me up.”
Giulian chose football over wrestling when it comes to college.
“The grind of always laying a hit,” Giulian said. ”I just love that feeling of laying a hit. I think that’s what separates football and wrestling, being able to hit people and have fun flying to the ball.”
As for the future, Giulian intends to major in education at the College of New Jersey and pursue a life as a teacher, coach and lifeguard.
“Beach and teach,” he said with a smile. “I think my purpose in life is to help people. I love lifeguarding because being able to help people. I love staying after practice to help younger kids. I think (teaching) is my best chance to help as many people as I can.”
The Press Male Athlete of the Year Runners-Up
Calem Bowman
Calem Bowman
Millville senior
Bowman made 111 tackles and caught two TD passes for the Millville football team that won the South/Central Group IV championship. He averaged 5.4 points and 6.5 rebounds in basketball and won the Cumberland County high jump championship. He will play football at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut.
Trevor Cohen
Trevor Cohen
Holy Spirit senior
Cohen played both quarterback and running back for the Spartans. He rushed for 597 yards and five TDs and threw for 1.635 yards and 16 TDs. Cohen played center field in baseball, batting .500 with six home runs. He will play baseball at Rutgers University.
Cohl Mercado
Cohl Mercado
St. Joseph Academy senior
Mercardo rushed for 753 yards and caught 27 passes for 543 yards in football. In baseball, Mercado batted .553 (42 for 76) with 31 stolen bases. He will play baseball at Boston College.
Ja’son Prevard
Ja’son Prevard
St. Joseph Academy senior
Prevard excelled at football and basketball. He threw for 1,527 yards and 18 TDs, ran for 4 TDs. Prevard played point guard for the basketball team, averaging 14.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He will play football at East Coast Prep, a post-graduate school in Massachusetts.
Elijah Steward
Elijah Steward
Holy Spirit senior
Steward excelled at football and track and field. He caught a program single-season record 60 passes for 1,081 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 30 career touchdown catches are a record for a Cape-Atlantic League school. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound receiver is committed to Lafayette College. In track and field, he won the state Non-Public B 400-meter dash.
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/meet-the-press-high-school-male-athlete-of-the-year/article_1fca941a-f8c6-11ec-8ff1-0315665d86c5.html | 2022-07-01T13:26:51 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/meet-the-press-high-school-male-athlete-of-the-year/article_1fca941a-f8c6-11ec-8ff1-0315665d86c5.html |
Nonprofit leaders discuss southeast Canton market plans
CANTON – Construction of a grocery store and health center in southeast Canton could begin as early as this summer or fall.
There have been various partners and plans for a southeast grocery store since 2014, and community members who attended Thursday's meeting to discuss the latest iteration were cautiously optimistic.
"The question is, 'How many times have we been down this road?'" Pastor Walter Arrington said.
He described the current stage as a "wonderful opportunity" for people to get involved and ensure the project is completed in a way that best serves the southeast community.
Representatives from Canton for All People, StarkFresh and My Community Health Center hosted the meeting at Patrick Elementary on Sherrick Road SE. They plan to open a grocery store and health clinic at 1318 Gonder Ave. SE, which is currently owned by the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority.
"Just this month, we will finally have ownership," said Don Ackerman, lead pastor of Crossroads United Methodist Church and head of the church's nonprofit development arm, Canton For All People.
The building, which SMHA constructed in 1975, has been vacant since YWCA childcare services ended there about eight years ago. The process to transfer it from SMHA to Canton for All People began in April, and Ackerman said the transfer should be complete in the coming weeks.
Canton For All People and StarkFresh plan to create a grocery store in half of the building. My Community Health Center will offer health services in the other half.
Lemmon Development is working with Canton For All People to develop the center. Ackerman said the current completion target is spring of 2023.
"It's going to take some time," he said.
How the grocery would operate
Crossroads United Methodist Church, Church of the Lakes, Faith United Methodist Church, and the Tuscarawas District of the United Methodist Church will cover overhead expenses for the grocery for 10 years.
During that time, the market's estimated $80,000 to $90,000 a year profit will be deposited in a community development fund. The fund will be managed by a yet-to-be-established advisory board.
Area charities and foundations and the city of Canton, which committed $1 million, also are funding the project.
"We are 110% behind it," said Councilwoman Chris Smith, who represents the city's southeast Ward 4.
Tom Phillips, executive director of StarkFresh, presented plans for what would be the Southeast Community Market. He said it would be a cross between StarkFresh's grocery store on Cherry Avenue NE and Canton For All People's downtown markets.
"It'll be a regular grocery store with some items for free," Phillips said.
Terry Regula, CEO of My Community Health Center, said services at the southeast center will increase in phases with patients.
"It depends on how busy we are," she said.
The first phase would include a family medicine nurse practitioner, behavioral health counselor, medical assistant and receptionist. The second phase would add a physician, women's health care, and additional clerical staff.
Community wonders if the project will happen
A little over 30 people attended Thursday's meeting in the school gymnasium.
After a 30-minute presentation from the nonprofit representatives, community members asked questions and made suggestions. A common concern was whether the plans would come to fruition and be sustainable.
Pastor Michael Pressley, of Mount Zion Church of God in Christ, said he helped put the meeting together and believes the most recent plans have promise. His main question, though, is what will happen after 10 years.
Pressley said he doesn't necessarily want a seat on the development fund's advisory board for himself, "but we would like to see some clergy on the committee."
Attendees also suggested that the nonprofit leaders involve more Black pastors in the area, include more women's services in the center's first phase because of racial disparities in health care, and hire health care staff who are culturally competent.
Plans for another community meeting later this year — the date to be determined — were announced at the end of the night. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2022/07/01/nonprofit-leaders-discuss-southeast-canton-community-market-plans/7768679001/ | 2022-07-01T13:28:23 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2022/07/01/nonprofit-leaders-discuss-southeast-canton-community-market-plans/7768679001/ |
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Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/watch-live-the-morning-sprint-july-1-2022/ | 2022-07-01T13:31:14 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/watch-live-the-morning-sprint-july-1-2022/ |
Inflation is up. Gas prices are at all-time highs. Shipping woes have plagued the ports and rail yards.
Fireworks manufacturers from China have not sent everything stores ordered, and the orders have not always arrived on time.
But people are still grabbing rockets, artillery shells and other aerials by the box and calling up local fireworks stores at 12:45 a.m., asking if they stock dynamite.
Recent economic travails haven't extinguished business at Northwest Indiana's many fireworks stores, which continue to draw customers from out of state as people stock up to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday with a bang.
With consumer fireworks banned in neighboring Illinois, Northwest Indiana is a popular destination for fireworks stores. It's hard to miss.
Krazy Kaplan's alone has about a dozen billboards in a row on southbound Interstate 94 as drivers approach the state line, greeting visitors to Indiana with its signature mascot of a bug-eyed man in a straightjacket and an American flag top hat clutching a lit stick of dynamite.
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The Indiana Department of Homeland Security estimates more than 100 retailers in Northwest Indiana sell fireworks. Many are clustered along the state line, especially in Hammond and Dyer.
"It's been pretty steady," said Rob Galouzis with House of Fireworks on U.S. 30 near the Illinois state line. "May was a little bit slower until the weather broke."
House of Fireworks continues to attract regulars, many of whom come from Chicago and other spots in Illinois.
"I would say at least 50%, maybe 70% are from Illinois," he said. "It's a fair share."
He's expecting a good year because the Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year.
"Right now it's the calm before the storm," he said. "Friday, Saturday and Sunday it's going to be nonstop. When it falls on a Monday, the weekend's going to be hectic. It's going to come like a hurricane."
While the store sells an increased number of fireworks for New Year's Day, Diwali and Juneteenth, Independence Day remains the big annual draw for the Region's fireworks stands.
"Inflation and higher gas prices will reduce fireworks tourism in Northwest Indiana to some extent, but probably not drastically so," Indiana University Northwest Associate Professor of Economics Micah Pollak said. "The rising price of goods has decreased disposable income for many households; in response they may limit their travel and reduce spending on less essential goods, such as fireworks.
"Annually, fireworks tourism reflects a relatively small but welcome economic shot in the arm for Northwest Indiana during summer months, a shot that this year will likely have a smaller dose."
Last year, consumer fireworks sales totaled a record $2.2 billion nationwide, up from $1.9 billion the previous year, according to the American Pyrotechnic Association.
Business has remained stable this year, said Ricochet Chandler, who owns the Willy Works fireworks and CBD store in Crown Point along with his father Willy Chandler.
"Gas prices have put a dent in people's pockets. But people are still spending as much as they did last year," he said. "We have Willy Bucks that give them 20% off. If they spend $1 million, we give them $200,000 in free fireworks and shut down the store for the year."
That money doesn't necessarily go as far, as many fireworks stores have been forced to raise their prices.
"Unfortunately, the prices on some stuff has had to come up," he said. "Most prices are pretty comparable. But the rough reality is it cost $12,000 to ship a container from China in 2019 and now it costs $42,000 to ship a container."
While most of the bigger fireworks people covet remain in stock, smaller novelty items like Friendship Pagodas are harder to come by.
"We don't have as many sparklers as we'd like," he said. "There are probably five or six items we don't have."
Chandler believes business will end up being able level with record sales last year, thanks to Independence Day falling on a Monday.
"It's a four-day weekend," he said. "People are getting off work, partying, stocking up and ready to rock on the Fourth of July. It definitely makes a big difference what day it falls on."
Whether Independence Day expands the weekend instead of falls in the middle of the week is typically the biggest determinant of sales, said Marilyn O'Connor, the owner of Boom Town Fireworks in Dyer.
"It's not my first rodeo," she said. "A lot of our customers are blue-collar guys who like hunting, fishing, drinking and driving their F-150s. But they have to go to work the next day and can't do that if it's in the middle of the week.
"Even with gas prices, interest rates and the bumps in the road that may mean a recession, people still buy fireworks in bad times. They have marriages, jobs and kids and want to have fun in the backyard and forget all that responsibility. Indiana boys know how to party and have a good time."
Customers have been choosier about what they're buying because of inflation and gas prices, she said. They're less likely to just randomly stuff fireworks in their baskets and carts and more likely to seek out the good stuff to try to get more bang for their buck.
"I call them picky pyros," she said. "They're picking quality and hard-to-find items like never-before-seen Vibranium shells and Halo shells."
With gas hovering around $5 a gallon and many people driving half an hour or more to buy fireworks, they're also calling ahead to make what the want is in stock, O'Connor said. They're less likely to visit several different stores to find what they're looking for.
"They want to make sure you're not sold out of what they want," she said. "They don't want to drive from store to store to store. They want one that has everything under the sun."
Boom Town Fireworks draws customers from Chicago, Michigan and even Milwaukee. One stopped in from Colorado the other day. It gets at least half its customers form Illinois, often from Orland Park, Frankfort and other south suburbs.
"Most of our shoppers are repeat shoppers who come back year after year," she said. "When they cancelled all the fireworks shows, that led to a lot of new shoppers who had never blown up fireworks before. On Saturdays before the Fourth, I feel like half the town of Dyer is in here. It's a party. People are going to stay closer to home because of gas prices but you can still shoot fireworks off in the street. Fireworks are fun. It's a lot cheaper than Disney."
Fireworks stores have an economic impact, paying 12% sales tax, O'Connor said. Boom Town drives business to neighboring restaurants like Doreen's Pizza and Tacos and Burritos.
But they have been plagued with supply-chain issues, including manufacturers who can't fill all the orders, delays at ports in California and further delays in rail yards in Chicago. O'Connor ordered eight months early and paid upfront in cash to ensure she'd end up with the inventory needed to satisfy the Fourth of July rush.
But she doesn't always have everything customers are seeking.
"You'd be surprised how many men call in the middle of the night," she said. "One called at 12:45 a.m. asking if I sold dynamite. Not firecrackers, dynamite. It's crazy. I told him you need a whole other license for that type of explosive. Calls like that are sometimes fun to answer." | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/gas-prices-inflation-and-shipping-woes-not-dampening-region-fourth-of-july-fireworks-sales/article_77afa385-48ac-5ccf-8d5a-90bb6f8cfe95.html | 2022-07-01T13:35:16 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/gas-prices-inflation-and-shipping-woes-not-dampening-region-fourth-of-july-fireworks-sales/article_77afa385-48ac-5ccf-8d5a-90bb6f8cfe95.html |
New Cocoa Beach City Hall plan features green space plaza, future parking garage
Cocoa Beach leaders are pursuing construction of a new single-story City Hall featuring an outdoor "cultural green space" plaza — with room nearby for a future parking garage.
On June 16, Jacobs Engineering Group of Orlando presented two conceptual City Hall designs — a one-story building and a two-story structure — to the Cocoa Beach City Commission.
After discussion, commissioners preferred the $4.3 million single-story, 10,750-square-foot City Hall proposal, which is designed for 36 occupants.
"I'm a big fan of the one-story building, and I'll tell you why. It costs one hell of a lot less money," Commissioner Mike Miller said.
"But more importantly, it functions much better, in my opinion. It brings all of our employees together on a single floor. We're trying to, with this facility, encourage collaboration among all of our staff," Miller said.
'This could be our best summer ever': Space Coast tourism sector optimistic
New Cocoa Beach police station:Dedication during ribbon-cutting ceremony
No final decisions have been made, and the site remains at the corner of South Orlando Avenue and Minutemen Causeway. Wayne Carragino, assistant to the city manager, cautioned that costs and engineering details remain in the conceptual stage. City officials will next seek design-build bids from developers.
“We'll put an RFQ (request for quote) out on the street. There will be responses to that. We will shortlist that, and we will select the top-ranked firm. They will actually design the building,” Carragino said.
“Sometimes, the end product is different than what you have here. But this allows us to put a design-criteria package together for the RFQ," he said.
In addition, City Manager Robin Hayes said bids would be solicited to demolish today's City Hall and move staffers into the public works building — which would require interior modifications — in August or September. Construction would proceed in stages and require City Commission approvals.
Cocoa Beach leaders have debated whether to build a new City Hall since at least 2003. Today's two-story shared City Hall-police station complex — which dates to 1962 — "is undersized, lacks necessary spaces and has fallen into disrepair," an agenda memo said.
In December, the Police Department moved into a $9 million, three-story police station on the other side of South Orlando Avenue.
Cocoa Beach's 24,400-square-foot Fire Station 51 opened in February 2015. Then in May 2019, the city opened its three-story, 241-space public parking garage across the street from City Hall.
The future City Hall could feature a rooftop photovoltaic system, and its campus could incorporate space for a future annex building measuring roughly 10,000 square feet.
Amid sky-high construction and material costs, the $4.3 million single-story design clocked in at an estimated $400 per square foot.
"You might be a little shocked at that number, but that's kind of the going number these days — I hate to say it," Kevin Kuehn, Jacobs Engineering Group manager of architecture, told commissioners.
The cost estimate for the two-story, 12,900-square-foot City Hall concept was $5.9 million. That equates to $457 per square foot.
"This is where I think everybody started getting concerned about, 'Wow, that's a lot of money,' " Kuehn said.
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Developing the ¾-acre City Hall cultural green space could cost $1.5 million, including $300,000 to demolish today's aging City Hall, $210,000 for a canopy structure, and $100,000 for an entertainment platform.
Kuehn said the future three-level City Hall parking garage may cost $5.4 million for 178 spaces.
Mayor Ben Malik said his banking clients are pausing major projects amid fears of a looming economic recession.
"Let's face it: There's a 50-50 chance we go into a recession, because we put too much money out. And that's just a fact," Malik said.
"So as things slow down, our timing might be really good," he said.
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma's gusts ripped off about half of the City Hall-police department roof, inflicting about $1 million in structural and water damages. After months of repairs, displaced staffers moved back inside the building in February 2018.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/new-cocoa-beach-city-hall-plan-features-cultural-green-space-and-more/7767195001/ | 2022-07-01T13:35:19 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/new-cocoa-beach-city-hall-plan-features-cultural-green-space-and-more/7767195001/ |
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VALPARAISO — A $50,000 cash bond was set for a retired Chicago police officer, who faces multiple felony counts based on allegations of twice shooting at her Porter County neighbor and his children over a property line dispute, a documents shows.
If Aunzette Smith, 71, is able to post bond, she will be placed on pretrial supervision, prohibited from having any further contact with the alleged victims or possess a gun, and will be placed on GPS monitoring, according to the order from Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.
Smith, who is represented by defense attorney Bob Harper, is charged with four counts of attempted aggravated battery, criminal recklessness, criminal confinement, pointing a firearm and misdemeanor battery, records show.
A trial was scheduled for Nov. 7, with preliminary hearings Sept. 2 and Oct. 7, a court order says.
Porter County police said they were called out around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to the area just north of Shorewood Forest where Smith, who was on the phone with police dispatch, told them her neighbor had shoved her down, thrown her lawn mower and beat her with a stick.
Smith said she was cutting the grass when her neighbor began yelling at her over an ongoing property line dispute, threw the lawnmower in her driveway, shoved her and spray painted a property line, police said.
Smith said she grabbed her .38 special revolver from inside her house and came back out as her neighbor was attempting to drive away with his children ages 7, 12 and 15, according to police.
"Aunzette stated, 'He always leaves before the cops get there, and never wants to talk to them after things happen,' " a charging document says.
Smith said she stood in front of the vehicle attempting to stop the neighbor from leaving when he grabbed a stick and beat her, police said.
When the vehicle reached the road, Smith said she pulled out her gun and fired two shots, charges say.
"Aunzette stated she was trying to shoot the vehicle's tire so he/she could not leave, as he/she normally does when cops are called," police said.
The neighbor reportedly told police he confronted Smith when she began mowing on his property and close to his landscaping. She aimed her mower at him and he responded by throwing the mower onto her property, police said.
When he and his children were in their truck ready to leave, Smith confronted them and hit him in the chin with the handle of a shovel, charges say.
The neighbor said he shoved the stick away, at which time Smith fell to the ground, according to police. Smith then shot at them as they drove away.
The man provided police with video surveillance of the incident, which was to be played during Thursday's bond hearing.
The most serious of the charges Smith faces carries a potential sentence of three to 16 years behind bars.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
"Aunzette (Smith) stated she was trying to shoot the vehicles tire so he/she could not leave, as he/she normally does when cops are called," police said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/50-000-bond-gps-monitoring-for-retired-cop-charged-in-porter-county-shooting/article_b0541743-4b8c-5fe6-9426-e30c55e2b847.html | 2022-07-01T13:35:23 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/50-000-bond-gps-monitoring-for-retired-cop-charged-in-porter-county-shooting/article_b0541743-4b8c-5fe6-9426-e30c55e2b847.html |
Pumping ocean water into the IRL and creating inlets draws fire from fish conservationists
The essence of the idea is simple: pump ocean water into the Indian River Lagoon and create new inlets that would then let the water circulate back to sea, diluting or removing the excess nutrients that are killing the estuary.
But to some scientists who study fish populations, that is not how it will work.
Some critics of the concept say that the plan to study the creation of one or more new small inlets into the Indian River Lagoon to help flush out the waterway, at worst, could negatively change the natural balance of the estuary, and, at best, is a complete waste of time and money,
Fish conservationists in particular warn that a new inlet would risk adversely changing the ecology of the lagoon which is a nursery ground for many species, while pushing the pollution to the southern lagoon, out Sebastian Inlet and onto nearby beaches.
And they say the study itself diverts taxpayer money from solutions that could pay much better long-term ecological dividends.
"You're taking polluted water and trying to clean out other polluted water," said Mitch Roffer, a Melbourne Beach consultant and founder of ROFFS, a scientific consulting company based in Miami and West Melbourne, that uses satellites to help fishermen track fish movements.
State lawmakers recently gave the Florida Institute of Technology almost $1 million toward the concept of creating a small temporary opening to the lagoon so that more ocean water can flow into the estuary and help clean it up.
The idea is that if more ocean water can flow into the lagoon, the cleaner it will be. The money will pay to design and monitor a temporary pipe/pump/inflow system at Port Canaveral near Canaveral Locks. The project would be permitted by the U.S. Army Corps and reviewed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
But Roffer and a few other critics of the plan warn there's no "simple, quick fix to the lagoon's pollution problems and that the project diverts money from tackling the root source of the problem, which is stopping the source of excess nutrients entering the lagoon.
According to Aaron Adams, director of science and conservation for the nonprofit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, based in Miami, FIT's project takes the focus off tried-and-true ways of fixing estuarine pollution problems, such as what's been done in the Tampa Bay, Chesapeake Bay and Narragansett Bay regions. Those areas focused on hooking up homes on septic tanks to sewage systems, runoff reduction and other ways decreasing pollution at its sources, not inlets, he said.
"It gives excuses to policy makers to not invest in the fundamental decisions that have to be made," Adams said.
FIT's project also doesn't consider potential unintended and unpredictable consequences to fish populations like tarpon, which have evolved to spend their larval and juvenile stages in the backwaters of the lagoon, under natural ecological conditions, thousands of years in the making, that humans can hardly expect to mimic.
"If you change the flows, you will change the ecology," Adams said.
Roffer agrees.
"Research money spent on searching for this magical (inlet) solution is a waste of taxpayer resources in dollars and personnel," Roffer added.
But the FIT researchers pursuing the idea say new inlets and/or pipes and pumps that add more seawater are misunderstood and could be one valuable piece to help cure a complex pollution puzzle.
Green shoots of hope for the Indian River Lagoon: Grass begins to grow back at Sebastian Inlet
Want a cleaner lagoon: Why not open Canaveral Lock?
*We're not trying to stir the sediment," said Austin Fox, assistant professor in FIT's department of ocean engineering and marine science. "What we're trying to do is .. —like (with) your compost pile — if you can't turn it, what you could do is blow a fan over it." By helping turn over the muck will let more oxygen in to make the sediment healthier, Fox says.
But according to Roffer and the others, FIT is using limited field observations, unproven models that lack peer review. "They are effectively siphoning off valued and proven resources to show that flushing the toilet will cure our problems with a little help from the internal Indian River Lagoon’s ecological processes."
Not so, Fox says. Water would flow from the inflow site at the port towards inlets, but along the way, healthier sediments would neutralize or consume nitrogen and phosphorus.
So despite more water moving, potentially less nitrogen and phosphorus would reach the inlets, Fox said. In other words they shouldn’t be 'flushed' into the ocean, he said, but instead nitrogen is processed and removed into the atmosphere and phosphorus would be buried in the sediments.
Fox explains the process as follows:
- “Good” bacteria in the lagoon help convert nitrogen from forms readily available to algae into inert nitrogen gas.
- Inflow of more ocean water stabilizes dissolved oxygen in the nearby lagoon, restoring healthy conditions along the bottom and nutrient cycling by promoting communities of “good bacteria.”
- Breaking low-oxygen cycles promotes uptake of phosphate onto sediment particles, removing it from the water and making phosphate unavailable to algae.
During an algae bloom, seagrass or when other plants die, bacteria rot them and consume oxygen as they decompose the organic muck buildup along the bottom. When there's enough organic matter, bacteria consume so much oxygen that little else nearby can survive.
"If you want to change the lagoon you need to change the bacteria in the lagoon," Fox said.
"By giving the system a nudge in the right direction using strategic inflow of seawater, we hope to promote restoration of these natural processes," Fox wrote.
A seawater inflow system successfully raised oxygen levels in the water in Destin Harbor, Fox said.
FIT chose Port Canaveral as the temporary demonstration site for the pilot project because of the lower cost, the ease of access to the site and the existing exchange of ocean water at the locks, according to a frequently asked questions page about the project on the FIT website.
"It's just to see the magnitude," FIT researcher Gary Zarillo said of the degree to which the project might improve water quality. "It's one small step."
Zarillo has studied the concept of new inlets in the past, including leaving the locks open, hypothetical new tidal inlets, pumping stations and widening of Sebastian Inlet. Those studies have shown that opening Canaveral Lock alone would do little to flush out the lagoon. New tidal inlets, however, and pumping stations linking the ocean across narrow stretches of the barrier island produced water quality improvements.
A narrow tidal inlet or pumping station in the southern Mosquito Lagoon would flush out Mosquito Lagoon and the northern Indian River Lagoon within 70 days or less, a 2015 study by Zarillo showed. and a tidal inlet just north of Patrick Space Force Base would improve flushing of the Banana River.
But to Adams of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, new inlets are a fool's errand.
"If you change the flows you will change the ecology," said Adams, who lives in Melbourne Beach. "Basically what they're saying is we need to engineer a new estuary to supposedly fix things. I'd love to have an example where engineers created a new ecologically functioning system.
"They don't consider the socio-political complexities," Adams added.
Adams has heard it all about inlets before. He's not sold.
"We have to realize that others have been through this before. and those places that recovered or are on the way to recovering, gave us really good lessons one what works and what doesn't work," Adams said. "I think the study lacks the rigor on background research before anything like this is even conceptualized."
George Minto, a retired Lockheed Martin aerospace director in Titusville, for years pitched a similar pump-pipe inflow concept to lagoon resource managers. He's proposed an array of small electrical pumps that run continuously, with special inlet gates in the ocean and heavy duty flexible piping buried in the sand over the dunes into the lagoon, pulling an estimated 40 million gallons per month of ocean water into the lagoon.
It wouldn't have to be permanent, Minto said, just until water quality improved enough.
"Of course energy does not come free. FPL may donate the power or the state or some organization may fund the cost of the electrical power. Same goes for the construction efforts to install the pumps and piping etc.
"This initial proposal only addresses the northern IRL. If improvement is obvious then nothing stands in the way of adding this scheme further south," Minto said.
Similar engineering efforts have improved water quality in New York, California, and internationally, according to an FIT writeup about the Brevard study. Since 1992, Destin Harbor pump site in Destin, Florida, also has used a similar concept to increase ocean water circulation to improve water quality and prevent fish kills. said new or wider inlets are not the panacea for curing the lagoon, however.
"There will always be somebody saying we should be doing something different," Fox said. "This is not a silver bullet, but it is one thing in a multifaceted approach that could be a benefit."
Jim Waymer is an environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Or find him on Twitter: @JWayEnviro or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jim.waymer | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/lagoon/2022/07/01/critics-warn-lagoon-inlets-could-alter-its-ecology/7670685001/ | 2022-07-01T13:35:25 | 0 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/lagoon/2022/07/01/critics-warn-lagoon-inlets-could-alter-its-ecology/7670685001/ |
Start your morning outside with the Kenosha Library System at the Southwest Library, 7979 38th Ave. An outdoor Preschool Storytime is 10:30 a.m. in the Southwest Library Park. The half-hour program, with rhymes and songs, takes place in the park on the north side of the library parking lot. Admission is free. The program is aimed at 3- to 5-year-old children; bring a blanket or towel to sit on.
The free folk music hootenanny gathering returns tonight to the Anderson Arts Center, 6603 Third Ave., after stopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The free event is 7 to 10 p.m. Everyone is welcome to this informal get-together. Participants are welcome to bring an acoustic instrument or just come to sing along; song sheets with chords and lyrics are provided.
A carnival opens today in Downtown Kenosha, featuring rides and games. The carnival, between 54th and 55th streets, west of Sixth Avenue, is open 5 to 10 p.m. today and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday-Monday.
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The “Movie Night in the Park” series continues tonight in Petrifying Springs Park next to the Biergarten, on the south end of the park, 5555 Seventh St. Tonight’s film is “Eternals.” Admission is free. The movie starts at dusk, and bug spray is always recommended!
CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band bring some New Orleans-style music to George’s Tavern, 1201 N. Main St. in Racine, tonight. The music starts at 9 p.m.
Summerfest continues today in Milwaukee. Billing itself as “the world’s largest music festival and Milwaukee’s cornerstone summer celebration,” Summerfest features the 23,000 capacity American Family Insurance Amphitheater, plus 11 additional stages, a huge selection of food and beverages, marketplaces and interactive exhibits. For more details on admission promotions and attractions, go to summerfest.com. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-friday-july-1/article_b0c8ec74-f7e9-11ec-be3c-2fdb3b5933de.html | 2022-07-01T13:37:03 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-friday-july-1/article_b0c8ec74-f7e9-11ec-be3c-2fdb3b5933de.html |
This weekend marks the High Holy Days for community bands.
And you thought it was just our nation’s birthday!
When it comes to the Fourth of July, my mind immediately goes to John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin and “Semper Paratus.”
We are so lucky in Kenosha to have a thriving city-sponsored music group, the Kenosha Pops Concert Band.
That the Pops is celebrating its 100th season this summer is just more icing on the nation’s birthday cake. It doesn’t get more Americana than listening to — or playing in — a community band in a local park.
To do anything for a century is an accomplishment, and the Pops Band reflects the enduring importance of music in our lives.
While our nation remains fiercely divided over politics, we can all agree that the Fourth of July isn’t complete until we’ve heard (or played) “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Music just makes everything better and speaks to all generations. Consider that the Pops Band’s membership includes newly minted high school graduates, performing alongside trumpet player Ralph Morrison, who first joined the group back in 1945, the same year World War II ended, the United Nations was founded and Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball (signing with the Dodgers before playing with Montreal in the minor leagues before joining Brooklyn in 1947).
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Five years later, in 1950, a young fella named Marv Miller first joined the band, as a saxophone player.
You’ll find Morrison and Miller on the band shell each week, which is amazing and a great example of how playing music keeps your mind sharp and your heart filled with joy.
As for myself, I first joined the Pops almost 30 years ago, making me — in comparison — practically a rookie.
Pops-apalooza
The Pops Band will be busy for the holiday, playing on a float Sunday in the Civic Veterans Parade and performing its patriotic-themed July 4 concert starting at 4 p.m. Monday on the band shell.
Just north of us, the Racine Concert Band is likewise celebrating its centennial season, and several musicians — myself included — play in both groups.
The Racine group opens its summer season with a free concert 7:30 Sunday night in the Racine Zoo. Then, on Monday morning, the band plays on a float in that super long Racine 4th of July Parade.
That adds up to two concerts and two parades, on two days, in two cities, with two different bands, playing four different sets of music.
No wonder I fall asleep with visions of F sharps dancing in my head.
Happy birthday?
The reason for this busy band schedule is, of course, the United States’ 246th birthday.
It’s not easy to get in a celebratory mood this July 4, with so many people in our country seemingly (and, alas, sometimes literally) at each other’s throats.
But that’s sort of an American tradition, too, to bemoan the state of our union and say, “I can’t imagine a time when the U.S. was in worse shape.”
It helps to remember that our nation’s birthday is pretty much like your birthday (except with fireworks), meaning it’s a time for friends and family members to gather together for copious amounts of eating and drinking.
And, like a family gathering, our nation’s birthday bash can be fraught with tension.
I grant you, it’s very bad, but it’s been worse. Last I checked CNN, we weren’t battling our fellow citizens on blood-soaked battlefields near places with names like Gettysburg and Antietam.
While being ornery is an American tradition, like cheating on your taxes and complaining about your neighbor’s lawn, let’s all try to act like gracious birthday party guests — at least for one day.
Let’s be nice to everyone and not talk about how wasteful the government is or how Wisconsin should secede from the union. That last comment is a joke, though not in Texas.
Instead, let’s keep in mind this sentence from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” That’s not a bad sentiment to keep in mind — though we have to assume by “men,” the writer means “people.”
Now go Fourth and pursue some happiness.
Have a comment? Email Liz at esnyder@kenoshanews.com or call her at 262-656-6271. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-making-a-joyful-noise-for-the-fourth-of-july/article_8114651e-f887-11ec-93e8-cf2829336480.html | 2022-07-01T13:37:09 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-making-a-joyful-noise-for-the-fourth-of-july/article_8114651e-f887-11ec-93e8-cf2829336480.html |
Average daily flows
Snake River at Heise 10,662 cfs
Snake River at Blackfoot 747 cfs
Snake River at American Falls 12,071 cfs
Snake River at Milner 0 cfs
Little Wood River near Carey 227 cfs
Jackson Lake is 48% full.
Palisades Reservoir is 76% full.
American Falls Reservoir is 53% full.
Upper Snake River system is at 62% of capacity.
As of June 30. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_9f8becd0-f89e-11ec-a2c3-93b1a238e2e0.html | 2022-07-01T13:40:00 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_9f8becd0-f89e-11ec-a2c3-93b1a238e2e0.html |
If successful, Planned Parenthood’s challenge to Idaho’s pending abortion ban — triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court’s repeal of a woman’s 50-year constitutional right to reproductive autonomy — will send the matter back to the Legislature.
No one would expect that GOP-led body to change its stripes. Eventually, the Gem State will make abortion a crime.
But until now, lawmakers have relied on sloganeering masquerading as policy. Who cared if they passed draconian measures designed to instill loyalty among the anti-abortion rights base of their party? As long as Roe v. Wade remained the law of the land, they could do so with impunity. Their actions had no consequences on the unsuspecting targets of their political machinations.
Now those consequences are about to take shape, unless the Legislature removes the irresponsible features of these laws by:
Getting rid of the bounty hunters. It’s never a good idea to follow Texas’ lead, whether in battle or in public policy. By doing so in this case, Idaho lawmakers have empowered private citizens with dubious claims — including rapists — to seek at least $20,000 in civil judgments against health care providers who perform abortions.
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That gives legal standing to people whose lawsuits would otherwise be thrown out of court — because they have suffered no injury.
It’s redundant. Under Idaho’s abortion ban, a health care provider who performs an abortion could serve time in prison and lose his professional license.
And it’s poorly written. For instance, what burden of proof would someone have to meet in order to claim his money?
Passing a genuine exception for victims of rape and incest. More than three-quarters of Americans agree with that idea. Yet the exception in Idaho law isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
That’s because the victim of rape or incest must present a police report in order to obtain an abortion. In this victim-blaming culture, fewer than two-thirds of rape victims ever come forward. And what incest victim is going to see a relative prosecuted?
Assume, however, that a victim steps forward. Even then, there’s no guarantee of getting a timely report.
Under Idaho’s public records act, law enforcement is under no obligation to release a report when an investigation is active — and increasingly, police are exercising that authority.
As critics of the state’s abortion ban also noted at the time it was proposed, on average, police take about three months to close a rape investigation.
And the longer a woman must wait to get an abortion, the more complicated her situation becomes.
Why bring the police in at all?
A more humane, effective remedy would give the rape or incest victim’s own health care provider the discretion to act.
Leaving northern Idaho alone. Idaho’s anti-abortion rights laws already chased providers out of the Panhandle and north central Idaho. They’ve taken refuge among Washington’s abortion-tolerant venues.
For instance, of the 255 Panhandle women who obtained an abortion in 2020, one underwent the procedure in Idaho.
During that same period, only two of the 90 north central Idaho women who had abortions relied on Gem State providers.
In contrast, all but 23 of the 822 abortions secured by women in the Ada County area were performed within the state.
The last thing anybody needs now is some fanatical GOP lawmaker screaming about forbidding Idaho women from traveling to states where abortion remains legal.
Chief among the gatekeepers who can stop yet another Idaho assault on a constitutional right is Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa. Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee, Crane can bury any such mischief in his desk drawer and deny it any further consideration.
Appearing on Idaho Public Television’s “Idaho Reports,” on May 6, he pledged to do just that:
“No, I would not (hear it) because an individual still has the right to travel. And if they’re legal in the state of Oregon and if a woman in Idaho chooses to travel to Oregon, that’s a decision she’s making to travel to Oregon. When the government is stepping in and restricting people’s ability to travel, that’s a scary place to be.”
Indeed, it is. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-if-idaho-must-ban-abortions-do-it-humanely/article_a6f1fd56-f89f-11ec-ab58-234b6a98b141.html | 2022-07-01T13:40:06 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-if-idaho-must-ban-abortions-do-it-humanely/article_a6f1fd56-f89f-11ec-ab58-234b6a98b141.html |
BLOOMINGTON — Looking for a way to celebrate Independence Day? Here's what's happening in Bloomington-Normal and surrounding areas:
Bloomington
Celebrate America Concert; 7 p.m. July 2 & 3, Miller Park Bandstand, 1020 S. Morris Ave.
Park 2 Park 5 Miller Race; noon July 4, Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave.
66th annual July 4 Parade; 2 p.m. July 4, 1322 E. Grove St.
4th of July Class Car Cruise Celebration; 3-7 p.m. July 4, Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave.
Fireworks; 9:15 p.m. July 4, Miller Park, 1020 S. Morris Ave.
Normal
Park 2 Park; 7:30-9:30 a.m. July 4, Fairview Park, 801 N. Main St.
4th of July Early Bird Swim; 9-10 a.m. July 4, Fairview Family Aquatic Center, 801 N. Main St.
Concerts on the Quad: House of Hamill; 7-8:30 p.m. July 4, Quad, West College Avenue
4th of July Celebration Sky Concert; 5 p.m. July 4, Fairview Park, 801 N. Main St.; inflatables, face painting, balloon artists begin at 5:30 p.m.; food vendors available at 5 p.m.
Fireworks; 9:15 p.m. July 4, Fairview Park, 801 N. Main St.
Chenoa
Street Dance; 5 p.m. July 3, City Park, featuring Brushville.
Parade; 2 p.m. July 4, corner of Division and Mill.
Fireworks; 9:30 p.m. July 4, City Park.
Clinton
Fireworks; dusk, July 5.
Downs
Fireman's Breakfast; 7-10 a.m. July 4, Downs Fire Department.
Sand Volleyball Tournament; 9 a.m. July 4, Dooley Park.
Battle of the Bands; 10 a.m. July 4, Dooley Park Pavilion.
Food vendors; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park.
Lineup for parade; 11-11:45 a.m. July 4, Tri-Valley Schools.
4th of July Parade; noon, July 4.
Live music; 1-4 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park.
Basketball tournament; 1-4 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park Basketball Court.
Live music; 7-10 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park Basketball Court.
National anthem; 9:10 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park.
Fireworks; 9:15 p.m. July 4, Dooley Park/TV.
Dwight
4th of July Celebration; all day July 4, Dwight Grade School grounds; food, carnival games, water wars, bounce house, 50/50 raffle and glow item sale.
Fireworks; 9 p.m. July 4, Dwight Grade School grounds.
Eureka
Parade; 10 a.m. July 4, Apostolic Christian Home.
Food Truck Festival & Fireworks; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. July 4, Eureka Lake.
Heyworth
Fishing Derby; 7-9 a.m. July 4, Centennial Park.
Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament; 8 a.m. July 4, Centennial Park.
4th of July Community Parade; 10 a.m. July 4.
Food vendors & DJ; 7-10 p.m. July 4, Centennial Park.
Fireworks; dusk, July 4, Centennial Park.
LeRoy
4th of July Parade; 9:30 a.m. July 4, American Legion Ruel Neal Post 79.
LeRoy Freedom Quilters honor local veteran; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 4, Kiwanis Park.
Lincoln
4th of July Celebration; noon-10 p.m. July 3, Lincoln Park District; live music, children's parade, pool fun and fireworks.
Minonk
Band: Tim Gleason; 7-10 p.m. July 1, Chestnut St. near the block of 5th and 6th streets.
Celebration; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 2, Chestnut Street near the block of 5th and 6th streets; parade, inflatables, vendors, lunch and bingo.
Band: Two Beer Tommy; 7-10 p.m. July 2, Chestnut Street near the block of 5th and 6th streets.
Fireworks; dusk, July 2, Chestnut Street near the block of 5th and 6th streets.
Cruise-In; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 3, Chestnut Street near the block of 5th and 6th streets; no entry free.
Local Smoke Off; 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 3, 5th and Chestnut streets.
Band: Stringrays; 5-8 p.m. July 3, Chestnut Street near the block of 5th and 6th streets.
Mount Pulaski
Town Wide Garage Sale; July 1-4, multiple locations.
Peoria
Peoria Jaycees Firecracker 5000; 7:30 a.m. July 4, 418 SW. Water St.
Inaugural 4th of July Party; 7 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4, Touch of Grey Café.
4th of July at Tartan Inn; 8 a.m. July 4, Tartan Inn.
50th annual 4th of July Parade; 10 a.m. July 4, West Peoria.
Red, White and Boom Fireworks; 9:30 p.m. July 4, Peoria Riverfront.
Pontiac
Independence Day Celebration; 4-9:30 p.m. July 2, Elks Lodge; live music, inflatables, balloon creations, food and drinks, fireworks.
Streator
5k run/walk; 8 a.m. July 2, City Park or virtual; $20 early registration; $25 virtual and registration after June 30.
Non-food vendors open; 9 a.m. July 2-3, City Park.
Kids Corner; 9 a.m.-noon July 2, City Park.
Fundraising cookout; noon-3 p.m. July 2, City Park.
Lizzi Neal Band; noon-3 p.m. July 2, City Park Plumb Pavilion.
Bagshot Row Band; noon-3:30 p.m. July 3, City Park Plumb Pavilion.
Fundraising Ice Cream and Pie Social; noon-3 p.m. July 3, City Park.
Kids Parade; 1 p.m. July 3, City Park.
Vendors, beer tent and carnival; 5 p.m. July 6, Northpoint Field.
Opening ceremonies and crowning of Ms. Sparkler & Mr. Firecracker; 6:30 p.m. July 6, Northpoint Field.
Heartless; 7 p.m. July 6, Northpoint Field.
Silver Bullet STL; 9 p.m. July 6, Northpoint Field.
80's Bush; 7 p.m. July 7, Northpoint Field.
Jack Russell's Great White; 8:30 p.m. July 7, Northpoint Field.
Firehouse; 10 p.m. July 7, Northpoint Main Stage.
The NATU Band, 7 p.m. July 8, Northpoint Main Stage.
Jordan Fletcher, 8:30 p.m. July 8, Northpoint Main Stage.
Eddie Montgomery, 10 p.m. July 8, Northpoint Main Stage.
The Nixons, 7 p.m. July 9, Northpoint Main Stage.
Fastball, 8:30 p.m. July 9, Northpoint Main Stage.
Everclear, 10 p.m. July 9, Northpoint Main Stage.
Parade, 1 p.m. July 10, Main Street, downtown Streator
Confederate Railroad, 6:30 p.m. July 10, Northpoint Main Stage.
The LACs, 8 p.m. July 10, Northpoint Main Stage.
Fireworks; 9:39 p.m. July 10, Northpoint Field.
Towanda
Fireworks; dusk, July 3, near fire department and school.
Flea market; all day July 4, Villages Parks.
Food concessions; all day July 4, Parks and Community Building.
Parade; lineup 9-9:30 a.m., starts at 10 a.m. July 4, Grade School.
States spending the most on fireworks
States spending the most on fireworks
The middle of the country outspent the coasts
Three states saw fireworks spending increase more than 5x since 2008
Nationally, fireworks spending more than doubled since 2008
South Dakota had some of the biggest increases in spending between 2020 and 2021
Missouri spent more on fireworks than any other state
Contact Olivia Jacobs at 309-820-3240. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @olivia___jacobs | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/celebrate-america-a-roundup-of-fourth-of-july-events-in-central-illinois/article_97a885f2-f19e-11ec-b285-477fd01c8149.html | 2022-07-01T13:41:07 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/celebrate-america-a-roundup-of-fourth-of-july-events-in-central-illinois/article_97a885f2-f19e-11ec-b285-477fd01c8149.html |
Police are searching for a mother and daughter from Philadelphia who they say may be at risk of harm and were last seen days ago.
Tiffany Ware, 35, and Kiara Vargas, 6, were last seen walking together on June 26 around 8 p.m. in Philadelphia’s East Frankford neighborhood, according to an advisory from the Pennsylvania State Police Department.
“Police believe these individuals may be at special risk of harm or injury,” the department said.
The Philadelphia Police Department said they last were seen leaving their home on the 1900 block of Auth Street.
Tiffany Ware is 35 years old, weighs 135 pounds and has a medium build, wavy blonde hair and blue eyes, the PPD said. She was last seen wearing a green Phillies t-shirt and black leggings.
Kiara Vargas is 6 years old, weighs 40 pounds, is approximately 3 feet, 8 inches tall, and has dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, according to the department. She was last seen wearing pink pajamas.
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the PPD at 215-686-3153. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-seek-missing-mother-daughter-from-philadelphia/3287863/ | 2022-07-01T13:42:06 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/police-seek-missing-mother-daughter-from-philadelphia/3287863/ |
Commissioners publicly voice support for county manager
Several members of the Gaston County Board of Commissioners publicly expressed their support for County Manager Kim Eagle, who came under fire in recent weeks for ordering the removal of a photo of two men kissing from the Gaston County Museum of Art and History.
Commissioner Chad Brown started a Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday evening by expressing his "unwavering support" for Eagle and her ability to lead.
Brown said he has met with the chairwoman of the museum's board of trustees, Kim Norwood, "and me and her have been assuring each other that we would work hard to make sure that this goes through a-- uh, an issue that goes away, because it's not something that happened as a direct relation to what it was portrayed."
Commissioner Bob Hovis said that he also supports Eagle.
"I don't think anything has happened that's caused us to lose appreciation for the job that she does," he said. "There's information that has been out there that's not 100% factual. It's really a human resource issue. It's a personnel matter, and those have been handled in the utmost decorum and concern for all those involved."
Commissioner Tracy Philbeck also echoed his support.
Both Eagle and Pearl Burris-Floyd, hired in August 2020 as Gaston County's first equity and inclusion officer, have declined interviews on the matter.
Later in the meeting, Ro'shaun McClendon, an activist from Belmont, addressed the commissioners, telling them that he feels the photo should not have been removed.
"Queer representation is essential, as any other piece of history, even in Gaston County. Regardless of our own personal opinions or beliefs, it's very evident to all of us that the LGBTQ community has its own various contributions to our country, as well as our county as a whole," he said. "So to undermine that fact is just genuinely dishonest, especially in a venue like a museum, where we attempt to inspire conversation."
He compared the board's support of the removal of the photo to the county's refusal to remove the Confederate monument outside the Gaston County Courthouse, which they have argued is historical.
"So when I see that being such a fire issue, and then I see someone step into a museum and go, 'I don't like that' and remove it from its walls, … it's kind of hard for me to kind of swallow," he said. "As an ally, as someone who sees the plight of the queer community in this county especially, … it seems like that conversation is very needed and that level of representation is essential."
He said it bothers him to hear those outside the county talk about Gaston County as a place that's "dismissive, disingenuous with our principles of loving history and conversation and debate," he said. "But to close out, I would just ask that we take a moment to really assess what those principles are. Not our own personal morality, but more so, do we really genuinely value discussion, because this is going to be an ongoing conversation, and it's going to continue to be brought up."
"And I look forward to the day that we as a county can step into that realm where that conversation is had in a genuine way," he added.
Commissioner Chad Brown responded to McClendon, saying that Eagle's decision to remove the photo was so that it could be replaced "with another picture that better depicted what may be happening as a current event."
He added that the decision was intended to draw the community closer together "by not having a difference of opinion that would be a firestorm."
"It was not to be erased. It was simply to be replaced," he said, adding that the photographer chose not to replace the picture.
Brown's comment about replacing the photo with something that "better depicted" a current event seemed to somewhat contradict what the county initially said after the photo was removed. In a written statement, the county said that Eagle told museum staff to work with the photographer to find an alternative photograph "that would be more considerate of differing viewpoints in the community."
"The idea behind the exhibit is to document a historical event, and there are other options from the photographer’s work that more fully capture the context of the parade that was documented," the statement said.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here. | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/gaston-commissioners-again-voice-support-county-manager-kim-eagle/7750047001/ | 2022-07-01T13:46:10 | 0 | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/gaston-commissioners-again-voice-support-county-manager-kim-eagle/7750047001/ |
ATLANTA — As Americans head into the Independence Day holiday weekend, many are also honoring those who sacrificed so much for the nation's freedom.
For veterans, it’s rarely an easy road. But one Atlanta group is connecting servicemen and women in a unique way; through rock climbing.
“For me, it was an outlet," said Chris Butler, climbing coordinator for the Atlanta branch of VetsClimb. "I did six years in the navy, two years in the army. Been on two tours. Just, you know, took a toll on me and my family, and here I am.”
Now he's sharing his newfound love of the climb with other veterans.
“Since I found climbing, it's helped me open up," Butler said. "It gives me a purpose, you know. I lost my purpose for a while.”
Veteran Ryan Ruzek recently joined the group for the first time.
"This is my first time climbing period," he laughed. “I've hit three walls and I've got to the top of all of them, but I'm not going to quit until I fail a couple of times.”
Ruzek said his own experience in the military made him want to help and connect with other veterans.
"I was in the 82nd airborne division as an infantryman," he said. "A lot of veterans are dealing with PTSD. Everybody kind of seems to want to do it on their own, that’s how we were bred.”
However, it’s also in their nature to overcome.
“It's the mental and the physical part of it," Butler explained. "When you're up on the wall, it's like to me nothing else matters.”
For Butler, leading the group now is his calling.
"Hopefully some of them will take it up lifelong and hopefully it will save some lives," he added.
After all, it's what's helping him move forward with his healing and his family.
“My daughter climbs, been climbing basically the whole time with me," Butler said. "She’s actually better than I am!”
In fact, 8-year-old Melia recently launched a climbing nonprofit to increase access to the sport to all children.
When asked if he think's she's proud of him, Butler simple smiled saying "Yeah."
Now that’s a peak worth reaching.
The VetsClimb group meets every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stone Summit in Atlanta, 3701 Presidential Pkwy.
You can learn more at vetsclimb.org.
The organization is supported by Catalyst Sports, a nonprofit that provides opportunities for service men and women who have incurred a physical or mental injury, or illness to participate in challenging adventure programs. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/veterans-find-solace-through-rock-climbing/85-5d4abe77-45ce-4efb-8471-9ed25fe85a94 | 2022-07-01T13:50:03 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/veterans-find-solace-through-rock-climbing/85-5d4abe77-45ce-4efb-8471-9ed25fe85a94 |
Six people were hurt, three of them firefighters, after a fire broke out at a mixed-use building in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood early Friday, authorities say.
Firefighters responding to a call about the Union Avenue blaze around 5:40 a.m. encountered heavy flames, and the fire was escalated to five alarms, meaning more personnel would be brought in, about 90 minutes after the initial call.
Nearly 200 FDNY members ultimately responded to the fire, and crews were tackling hotspots well through the morning.
Two of the three hurt firefighters were taken to a hospital. The other four victims -- another firefighter and three civilians -- were treated at the scene, officials said.
A cause of the blaze is under investigation.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/6-hurt-in-brooklyn-inferno/3758407/ | 2022-07-01T13:50:18 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/6-hurt-in-brooklyn-inferno/3758407/ |
Cops responding to a 911 call about a bad smell at a Queens apartment building this week made a grisly discovery: They found a dead man under a couch.
Officers found the unidentified man under the couch with trauma to his back after they responded to the Jamaica Avenue scene around lunchtime on Wednesday.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine his identity and how he died. No arrests have been made, and the NYPD says its investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/911-call-about-bad-smell-leads-to-grisly-discovery-under-nyc-couch/3758499/ | 2022-07-01T13:50:25 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/911-call-about-bad-smell-leads-to-grisly-discovery-under-nyc-couch/3758499/ |
DALLAS — A motorcyclist has been taken to a hospital ICU after a serious accident early Friday morning.
A detective with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department (DCSD) said deputies were called at 3:34 a.m. They were dispatched to the accident in the eastbound lanes of I-30 over Peak Avenue.
Authorities at the scene told WFAA photographer Mike Forbes that the motorcyclist lost control of his bike, causing him to fall off and slide on the freeway.
When DCSD deputies got there, the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department had taken the man to Baylor Hospital in critical condition. The deputies then went to the hospital where they were told the man was placed on life support in the ICU.
The motorcyclist has not been identified.
This story will be updated if/when more information is available.
Other Dallas news: | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-motorcycle-crash-i-30-friday-july-1-2022/287-39ff0fd3-cca3-42e4-9759-335a6d8f97d5 | 2022-07-01T13:53:53 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-motorcycle-crash-i-30-friday-july-1-2022/287-39ff0fd3-cca3-42e4-9759-335a6d8f97d5 |
At its most recent meeting, the Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) governing board approved a climate action report that will be used to guide the district’s climate goals and response going forward.
The board had previously passed a resolution with priorities in expanding its climate response in August of 2019. In November 2021, it formed a committee to prepare climate recommendations and goals in response to a presentation from Flagstaff sustainability director Nicole Antonopoulos on ways FUSD could contribute to the climate goals in the city’s carbon neutrality plan.
The committee included staff, students, parents and other community members and met monthly from January to June of this year, culminating in the climate action report.
It is meant to help FUSD become an active partner in Flagstaff’s response to the climate emergency, including its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
The report “came out of recognizing that the activities and everyday life of a large school district in our town has impacts on resources and everything surrounding our city’s efforts to reduce carbon,” said board member Anne Dunno, who was on the committee and presented the report Tuesday.
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She added that the idea was for the district to look systemically at ways it could lessen its climate impact through initiatives and education in addition to operational elements.
In the report, FUSD’s overall climate action goals include identifying and monitoring a greenhouse gas reduction target by December 2022, developing energy efficiency standards for new projects, preparing schools, systems and resources to be “more resilient to climate change impacts” and encouraging student engagement in both climate education and action.
The recommendations focus on three categories -- labeled reduce, learn and engage -- and each list several ideas for strategies the district can use to pursue its goals.
Reduction strategies focus on energy efficiency, transportation, water and waste, through actions like promoting carpools for pickup and dropoff, pursuing renewable energy sources, looking at composting options and donating leftover food.
Learning recommendations cover curriculum and behavioral change. Recommended actions include creating a resource hub for teachers, expanding programs such as after-school and summer enrichment activities, developing school-based climate plans and encouraging those who use FUSD facilities in stewardship of water and energy.
The district’s plan for engagement is to expand partnerships with places such as the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Office, Terra BIRDS and the County Extension Office. Expanded initiatives also fall under this goal. For example, green schoolyards at each site, environmental education programs and opportunities at Camp Colton.
A sustainability intern for the City of Flagstaff has been working to measure and analyze the district’s existing data in order to better determine what the targets should be and the best ways to work toward them, said Superintendent Michael Penca.
The information will likely be presented to the board in the coming months.
The motion, which passed unanimously, also included the creation of an administrative committee that will meet quarterly to guide both short- and long-term climate goals and measure the district’s progress.
“I see this as really exemplifying a collective impact model,” said Carol Haden, the FUSD board president. “When you’re talking about a city trying to reach targets and then you have these big organizations within the city, they all have to do their part and contribute to have any chance of meeting those citywide goals. I see this as a really good effort in that direction.”
The full report is available here. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/education/flagstaff-unified-school-district-approves-climate-action-report/article_4f871c5e-f8b8-11ec-bc3f-0f38785903a0.html | 2022-07-01T14:09:49 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/education/flagstaff-unified-school-district-approves-climate-action-report/article_4f871c5e-f8b8-11ec-bc3f-0f38785903a0.html |
The Flagstaff Police Department will soon be receiving training on responding to health emergencies through a partnership with Griffith Blue Heart and Guardian Medical Transport.
Griffith Blue Heart was one of six organizations awarded grants in the Health First Foundation’s 2022 grant cycle.
The grant of up to $100,000 will fund a program that trains and equips police officers in Flagstaff to be able to provide cardiac care in emergency situations.
“Currently, law enforcement around the nation remains the most underutilized component of survival,” said Brandon Griffith, Griffith Blue Heart’s founder and CEO. “ ... We are required first responders, and we’re on the scene first 90% of the time, so it’s very vital that we prepare by training law enforcement for these emergencies.”
Griffith, himself a police officer, was inspired to start the program after his own experience with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
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“At age 26 while off duty, I had an electrical malfunction in my heart that caused me to drop dead,” he said. “My wife was in the room with me [and] she called 911, started CPR until an officer arrived and took over compressions until fire and EMS arrived. All in all, I was medically dead for about 16 minutes. ... It wasn't until I returned to the field that I realized how unprepared law enforcement really is for resuscitation in an emergency."
He realized that, while police are often some of the first on the scene in cardiac emergencies and thus the most able to make an impact, many agencies aren’t “well-equipped” to provide that care. Agencies often don’t have automated external defibrillators (AED) on hand, for example, and training may only be a two-hour refresher on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) every few years.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been waiting for the fire department to get here, just compressing away hoping they make it,” Griffith said. “It’s a very time-sensitive issue, especially when it comes to hemorrhage control and when it comes to overdoses. Without the proper tools and training, we’re not going to be able to make much of an impact.“
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about nine in 10 people who have an OHCA die. About 350,000 OHCAs happen each year, it said, and measures such as “early, high-quality CPR” and AED use can increase the chance of survival.
Griffith Blue Heart is trying to help police departments across Arizona develop “high-performance resuscitation programs" to address the issue, including training, research, recognition of successes and providing AEDs.
Griffith Blue Heart had begun work with FPD prior to the Health First grant, which will allow them to continue the efforts. These funds will be used to provide FPD with about 50 AEDs, training through Griffith Blue Heart’s Advanced Law Enforcement Resuscitation Academy program, and help with developing and implementing “an entire system of care,” including chain of command, dispatch and other protocols.
The training covers “everything from overdoses to cardiac arrest to drowning to pediatric choking cases.”
Griffith said it was designed with experts, including medical personnel and SWAT medics, to build on the skills officers are already trained in.
“This program is going to be focusing on non-EMS applications of automated external defibrillators and a focus on increasing the high-performance resuscitations," he said.
It takes a “reality-based” approach, with officers participating in simulations of various situations to help them build up muscle memory and experience.
Participants are scored on various aspects of their response both during and after the training to measure the program's results. Griffith Blue Heart also uses police and fire department data to measure the training's success.
The idea is to get to a point where officers “basically have a blueprint to draw from when the time comes,” Griffith said.
Due to staffing and supply chain issues, the program is still in the process of scheduling training and is waiting the AEDs to arrive. It has already begun implementing new protocols.
More about Griffith Blue Heart can be found at griffithblueheart.com. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-police-to-receive-training-on-response-to-cardiac-emergencies/article_69f0aa86-f257-11ec-8970-b362ae774c61.html | 2022-07-01T14:09:50 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-police-to-receive-training-on-response-to-cardiac-emergencies/article_69f0aa86-f257-11ec-8970-b362ae774c61.html |
Alan Culpepper hasn't been in his role as the new head coach of NAZ Elite for very long, but he's already finding it very rewarding.
“It’s what I enjoy about it so much," the two-time Olympian said Thursday.
He likes the small, everyday interactions with the staff and the athletes. He enjoys seeing an athlete benefit largely from a small adjustment in their workout he formulated for them.
Then there's the relationships, the interactions with the people who, he said, are "like-minded and have goals and are driven." Just like him.
“It’s an interesting sport and a very gratifying sport, very satisfying," Culpepper said. "Daily, you have these little moments of satisfaction, and that’s no different with coaching."
Let's not forget the success.
Since taking the head coach position -- a move that was officially announced by NAZ Elite in mid-May -- Culpepper has been working a lot with the team's rookies, Katie Wasserman, Alex Masai and Wesley Kiptoo. Those three have been setting PRs, winning races and putting their names in the team record book.
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Wasserman recently set a PR at the Portland Track Festival 5,000-meter, placing eighth overall with her time of 15:27:57. Although it was only a second off her previous 5000m PR, the new best mark was significant for the coach and the athlete for other reasons.
Wasserman battled COVID-19 issues for months not long before heading to Portland for the June 11 race, registering average or subpar performances on race days while trying to get back to full fitness and shake off the lingering effects of the illness.
"So for her to go to Portland and run a PR," Culpepper said, "I think, was just a good sign that we’re on the right track, and we have a long way to go but we’re just making progress. I think that was important for her, but it was really fun for me to see that the work was translating.”
Meanwhile, Kiptoo and Masai gave NAZ Elite first- and third-place performances, respectively, at Portland while battling the rain on the track. The two also just competed at a Boston road race featuring a stellar field where Masai this time bettered his fellow rookie. Masai clocked a 28:29 for a new team record at the BAA 10K over the weekend, and Kiptoo finished 13th in 28:58.
“Obviously it’s been a process over several months of just trying to get a better understanding of the team and of the athletes in particular, and just getting my bearings around Flagstaff," Culpepper said. "But overall, I am just really, really happy with how it’s going.”
The connection, however, between the team and the new coach was there early, and it was, according to Ben Rosario, executive director of NAZ Elite, a huge part of why Culpepper was selected for the position. As soon as Culpepper accepted the job, he started creating workouts for the younger athletes, he said. Now, he said, he's focusing on learning about each athlete while maintaining the team environment.
"You can't really rush those things," Culpepper said of learning about everyone on the roster and where they are at in their careers and lives.
It helps that Culpepper is full of experiences when it comes to the sport.
Before joining NAZ Elite, he was at the University of Texas at El Paso as the director of operations and assistant cross country and track and field coach. During his years as a professional runner from 1996 to 2008, Culpepper was mostly his own coach.
Culpepper said the college and pro levels are different in how the team is perceived. For instance, he explained that in college, the athletes should put the team first -- nearly always -- because "it runs the machine."
“Whereas here, there’s an element where these are individuals with individual goals and with their individual aspirations" Culpepper said of NAZ Elite. "And time is limited when you get to do this thing at the highest level, and it’s also very evident if you don’t reach the level you are hoping for.”
Getting the individual and team to have a symbiotic relationship is a challenge he's embracing.
“At this level, the challenge is always like, how do you create an individual approach to where you are really assuring each individual is being addressed the most effective way possibly, while at the same time assuring that the entire team dynamic isn't feeling like we’re just a bunch of individuals?" Culpepper said.
Now settled in for the most part in Flagstaff, he'll get a chance to dig deeper with each athlete as the spring season reaches a finish line and the summer picks up pace. According to the new head coach, Wasserman has a few more track races ahead of her and the two other rookies have a couple more road races possibly in the near future. Then it's on to working with young athletes such as Nick Hauger and Tyler Day.
“It’s exciting for me to start fresh with someone like Nick and Tyler," Culpepper said. "And also, Matt Baxter, he’s going to race some this summer but we are really targeting New York City, and, I think, that will be a big push for him, and for Kellyn [Taylor] and Aliphine [Tuliamuk].”
Mike Hartman can be reached at 556-2255 or at mhartman@azdailysun.com. Follow him on Twitter @AZDS_Hartman. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/naz-elite-this-week-culpepper-enjoying-rewards-of-new-role-as-head-coach/article_5577a63c-f8b9-11ec-9cbe-6344fc9ea0cd.html | 2022-07-01T14:09:51 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/naz-elite-this-week-culpepper-enjoying-rewards-of-new-role-as-head-coach/article_5577a63c-f8b9-11ec-9cbe-6344fc9ea0cd.html |
TAMPA, Fla. — The son of a Tarpon Springs Police officer who was killed in the line of duty honored his father’s legacy Wednesday when he was sworn in to the Tampa International Airport Police Department as an officer.
"I grew up in law enforcement and I grew up in front of my dad...so I feel like I got a head start on this law enforcement career," Andrew Kondek said.
Andrew's father, Charles 'Charlie K' Kondek, was a 21-year veteran of the Tarpon Springs Police Department. He was shot and killed in December 2014.
"He was always kind to people, always caring, always trying to help everybody," Andrew said remembering his father.
Tarpon Springs Police Chief Jeffrey Young, who served alongside Charlie Kondek, attended the swearing-in ceremony to show his support for Andrew and the entire Kondek family.
"[I] couldn't be prouder as a friend, family member," Young said. "I know your dad's looking down with pride and I was just telling your mom, she said, 'you know, his dad should've been here pinning the badge on him,' and I said, 'he was here with you and with your mom and he's looking down on you every day with pride.'"
Andrew Kondek said he chose the Tampa International Airport Police Department because he believes it will mold him to his highest potential and give him the chance to carve his own path.
"If I can make a difference in a single person's day, it's a good day for me," Kondek said.
June 30 is not only significant to Andrew because of the swearing-in ceremony, but it's also his birthday. The department recognized the milestone by bringing out a cake after the ceremony and singing to him.
"It is coincidental, I don't know how it happened," Andrew said. "Good birthday present."
After graduating from law enforcement academy in 2019, Andrew Kondek told 10 Tampa Bay that he never intended on going into law enforcement until after his father was shot and run over by a man trying to avoid arrest in December 2014.
“I’ve finally accomplished something I’ve been working really, really hard towards and now I’m nervous to actually complete it and move on,” Kondek said, hours before the graduation ceremony. “It’s been a long time coming but it’s just weird to finally finish it and actually be able to move on and be able to start a career.”
He said seeing everybody come together in the aftermath of the tragedy is what pushed him to pursue a law enforcement career.
“I’m just here to basically finish out my dad’s legacy and be the best police officer I can, just like he was," Kondek said. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/tarpon-springs-police-officer-son-swearing-in-tampa-aiport-police/67-ef5344fe-ecb6-4963-bffa-ea8fb312c683 | 2022-07-01T14:13:53 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/tarpon-springs-police-officer-son-swearing-in-tampa-aiport-police/67-ef5344fe-ecb6-4963-bffa-ea8fb312c683 |
MT. MORRIS, Mich. (WJRT) - Three residents and a firefighter were injured after an apartment building in Mt. Morris caught fire early Friday.
The Mt. Morris City Fire Department responded to Bristol Court Apartments off Saginaw Street around 5:05 a.m. for reports of a fire.
A total of five fire departments from Genesee County responded to the scene for assistance. They remained on the scene for at least three hours dousing hot spots.
Mt. Morris City Fire Chief James Young said three residents and one firefighter sustained undisclosed injuries from the fire. He believes all of the injuries were relatively minor.
There was no immediate word Friday morning about how the fire started or how much damage was caused. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/four-people-injured-after-mt-morris-apartment-building-catches-fire/article_bbdc3bbc-f937-11ec-a863-c7115e605d34.html | 2022-07-01T14:13:59 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/four-people-injured-after-mt-morris-apartment-building-catches-fire/article_bbdc3bbc-f937-11ec-a863-c7115e605d34.html |
LANSING, Mich. (WJRT) - The state budget deal announced early Friday includes $10 million for a variety of community programs in the Flint area.
Democrat State Sen. Jim Ananich of Flint helped secure funding for more than a dozen organizations and initiatives in the budget, which now heads to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.
“From youth programming to health care to food donation centers, Flint is proud to have a family of service-based organizations that lift our community up," Ananich said. "One of the great responsibilities and honors of being their senator is to deliver on funding to support these organizations that perform critical services for our young, elderly, sick and vulnerable.”
Funding in the state budget includes the following:
- $3 million for the Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative through the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office. Funding will provide equipment, personnel and training focused on reducing shootings and homicides.
- $2.5 million for Insight to redevelop the former General Motors headquarters into an in-patient behavioral health facility.
- $1.5 million for the Hamilton Community Health Network to increase access to health care for the underserved in the greater Flint area.
- $1 million for Educare Flint to continue providing no-cost, full-day, year-long early education to Flint children from birth to age 5.
- $500,000 for Berston Field House to continue providing recreational, educational and civic engagement opportunities for youth and adults.
- $500,000 for the Ennis Center to support work with abused or neglected children, foster care placement and locating adoptive families, and guidance for troubled teens.
- $500,000 for the Flint Children’s Museum to help pay for building developments.
- $500,000 for the St. Mark Community Outreach Center to support suicide awareness and youth and community outreach programs.
- $500,000 for the Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village to develop a new facility that will offer year-round athletic programming to youth of all ages and abilities.
- $250,000 for the Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education program in the Genesee County Jail, which offers GED, skilled trade and college-level courses for inmates.
“The vision of changing county jails throughout Michigan from incarceration to education is part of meeting the public’s demand for police evolution,” Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said. - $250,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Flint to pay for building and infrastructure improvements.
- $250,000 for Crossover Outreach to establish a new facility designed to provide food, personal items, household items, clothes, cleaning supplies and more.
- $150,000 for the Martus-Luna Food Pantry in Flint to support continued operations. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/state-budget-includes-10-million-for-a-over-dozen-flint-area-programs/article_3c5edbe8-f93b-11ec-9062-9348751b02a3.html | 2022-07-01T14:14:05 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/state-budget-includes-10-million-for-a-over-dozen-flint-area-programs/article_3c5edbe8-f93b-11ec-9062-9348751b02a3.html |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a more than $300 billion state budget Thursday, which includes money to cover abortions, health care for undocumented immigrants, and inflation relief payments.
“In the face of new challenges and uncertainties, we’re providing over $17 billion in relief to help families make ends meet, and doubling down on our investments to keep building the California Dream on a strong fiscal foundation,” said Newsom. “This budget invests in our core values at a pivotal moment, safeguarding women’s right to choose, expanding health care access to all and supporting the most vulnerable among us while shoring up our future with funds to combat the climate crisis, bolster our energy grid, transform our schools and protect communities. Building a better future for all, we’ll continue to model what progressive and responsible governance can look like, the California way.”
The budget continues a turnaround for the nation's most populous state, which just two years ago raised taxes and slashed spending to cover what they feared would be a staggering $54.3 billion budget deficit caused by the pandemic.
Instead, California's revenues soared on the back of a roaring stock market boosting the wealth of the state's share of millionaires and billionaires who pay higher tax rates than other states. The top 1% of California earners account for roughly half of all the state's income tax collections.
The result? A $97 billion budget surplus, the largest in state history.
About $9.5 billion of the budget is going back toward 23 million California taxpayers. They'll be getting up to $1,050 as soon as October.
Another investment comes in the form of $200 million in reproductive care and $53.9 billion in new investments related to climate change, including fire protection and drought response.
See if you qualify on the new Middle-Class Tax Refund calculator here.
Watch: Housing | Eviction protections just ended in California | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/governor-signs-off-on-budget-inflation-relief-payments/103-e8aa2337-c003-436c-84ec-9bddc1cc38f6 | 2022-07-01T14:19:10 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/governor-signs-off-on-budget-inflation-relief-payments/103-e8aa2337-c003-436c-84ec-9bddc1cc38f6 |
In honor of Independence Day, The Lincoln Journal Star is providing unlimited access to all of our content from June 28th-July 4th!
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University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Williams Branch Library will soon pack up its books and vacate its space at Arnold Elementary School in northwest Lincoln, but it won't be going far.
Lincoln City Libraries is terminating its lease with Lincoln Public Schools for the 2,500 square feet it occupied at Arnold since 2009 after the district rebuilt the school just north of the Arnold Heights neighborhood.
The Williams Branch will move just east of the school into the new, $6.5 million Air Park Rec Center in Huskerville Park after construction is complete next spring, said Assistant Library Director Traci Glass.
Glass said there are "various circumstances" behind the move, including new hours and programming the library is exploring with the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department.
Safety is a major consideration at the current location, which operates limited hours because it's joined to a school. While Williams has a separate public entrance, it is connected to Arnold's library by shared doors, which remain locked.
"We have loved partnering with LPS," Glass said, but called the move "a unique opportunity" that also frees up space for LPS.
The library will occupy roughly the same amount of room in the new 24,000-square-foot facility, which will replace the old Air Park Rec Center 4 miles to the south.
The 99-year lease signed back in 2007 will end June 1, 2023, a rough date for when the library will be in its new digs. But the termination agreement lets the city vacate at its convenience because construction is still underway at the rec center, said LPS Director of Operations Scott Wieskamp.
LPS is exploring its options on how to repurpose the space once that happens. Some ideas include adding classrooms to Arnold, which continues to be near its 790-student capacity. This fall, it's projected to have 750 students.
"We're contemplating a number of things," Wieskamp said. "It's adjacent to our library and the building was even designed for potential expansions, and we'll look at student enrollment."
Since the city paid for the construction of the library and owned the space, LPS will pay about $258,000 in a prorated reimbursement.
The Williams Branch has a long history in northwest Lincoln. The library first started out in a Housing Authority duplex in 1973 before relocating in 2009 after LPS rebuilt Arnold a few blocks south of the old school.
The city contributed funding for the space at the 97,000-square-foot school, which is just west of Northwest 48th Street.
While Arnold is the only school with a public library, LPS has built schools attached to rec centers and YMCA branches.
Last October, the city held an open house to go over plans for the new Air Park Rec Center, which will also feature a gym, community space and weight room.
Zach Hammack, a 2018 UNL graduate, has always called Lincoln home. He previously worked as a copy editor at the Journal Star and was a reporting intern in 2017. Now, he covers students, teachers and schools as the newspaper’s K-12 reporter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/city-terminates-williams-library-lease-at-arnold-elementary-as-it-prepares-for-move/article_7d1a4cee-ad93-5e2b-bc9a-b90cbd9eabb8.html | 2022-07-01T14:23:59 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/city-terminates-williams-library-lease-at-arnold-elementary-as-it-prepares-for-move/article_7d1a4cee-ad93-5e2b-bc9a-b90cbd9eabb8.html |
Burnham Playfield reopens with new turf field and splash pad, drawing neighbors and families to the once little-used park
The newly renovated Burnham Playfield offers local residents a place to gather with the addition of a synthetic turf field, a new playground and a new splash pad to replace an old wading pool.
The renovations cost about $4.4 million, according to Lynn Greb, recreation director with Milwaukee Recreation. The playfield's reopening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday.
These renovations are part of a broader plan through Milwaukee Recreation to renovate 52 playfields and fieldhouses across Milwaukee, Greb said. This is the seventh renovation project that's been completed since 2019.
"Lots of work left to do but it's so rewarding to see how years of planning have come to fruition," she said.
Sisters Beatriz Romo and Jocelyn Romo said they are happy to see this park's renovations because it's closer to their homes than other parks — and their kids love it.
"Every day they want to come. They don't let us leave the park," Jocelyn said as she and Beatriz sat in the shade while their children played in the splash pad. This was their third day in a row visiting.
Other upgrades to this south-side park include new basketball courts, shade trees and additional walking paths.
"It's real nice compared to how it was," Nata Pineta said about the newly renovated basketball court.
"When I was young it was all stone. It was all messed up. And it's real nice now ... . A lot of people come out and it's a good thing for the city," he said.
Pinet said he has been coming every few days to play basketball on the courts since they opened a few weeks ago. He added that in the evenings the place is "packed" with people lined up to play.
Plans to upgrade local parks have been in the works since 2014 when Milwaukee Recreation did an analysis to determine which playfields and fieldhouses needed upgrades, which included Burnham Playfield.
Last year the department developed a metric that would provide a more equitable approach to renovating these public spaces that considered both population and neighborhood characteristics.
Burnham Playfield, which is surrounded by a predominantly Latinx population, was among the top 10 that needed attention, Greb said.
Community input was central to the improvements, so Milwaukee Recreation collaborated with VIA CDC, an organization that focuses on strengthening local neighborhoods in Milwaukee. They work primarily with Burnham Park, Silver City and Layton Park.
VIA CDC, formerly known as Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, was involved in the dialogue that led to converting old tennis courts at Burnham Playfield into futsal courts in 2019, said JoAnna Bautch, executive director of VIA CDC.
The community's input was crucial to that change; it emphasizes cultural representation and highlights the different activities different cultures gravitate toward, Bautch said. The installation of the futsal courts were "a stepping stone" for the recent improvements, she added.
Greb said she's happy to see that spaces like Burnham Playfield, which was "not very much used," now are drawing residents.
"You make that change and people will come. They will use the spaces if they're meeting their needs." | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/burnham-playfield-reopens-new-turf-field-splash-pad/7776999001/ | 2022-07-01T14:25:55 | 0 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2022/07/01/burnham-playfield-reopens-new-turf-field-splash-pad/7776999001/ |
'Tuj lub' is a 5,000-year-old Hmong game that will soon have a home in Milwaukee with new permanent courts
A 5,000-year-old Hmong game will soon have a permanent home in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Recreation is adding three courts at Carmen Playfield to play the Hmong game tuj lub (pronounced too-loo). For years, those who played the sport in Milwaukee had to set up the court themselves. Starting next year, they'll no longer have to do that.
"It's amazing," tuj lub player Tom Vang said. "We can't ask for more than that."
The courts, which will be the fourth of their kind in the country, come as part of renovations to the Carmen and Stark playfields, and with funding from the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.
Stark and Carmen Playfields are located on the north and northwest sides of Milwaukee in proximity to areas of the city with growing Hmong populations.
Tuj lub is played by people of all ages. The game utilizes tops that are about five inches tall and three inches in diameter. Players use a golf shaft or stick that they craft to their liking so that they can attach a string at the end to wrap around the top. The length of the string is measured by how many times it can wind around the top and each player decides the length of the string to their liking.
All the game materials have to be made by hand.
Kou Lee said that with a longer string you have to be stronger and more accurate. At the end of the string is a feather, which Vang said helps with aim and accuracy.
The game is played with two teams typically with six players on each team and players take turns throwing a top at other tops 10 to 70 feet away depending on the round. The distance, goal, target and objective change in each of the eight rounds that are played. Each round gets progressively more challenging with more points awarded. A perfect score is 75.
"It's totally not easy and it's totally not hard, Vang said at Clovernook Park, where play has moved while Carmen is under construction.
The first round consists of attempting to hit a spinning top and whichever team's top spins the longest after contact wins the point. The second round is played similarly but at a farther length and points are awarded if the thrower just hits the spinning top.
The game is played on grass and on mats. The throwing area material can range from a carpet to a gym-floor-like material. When the new courts open in 2023, Vang said the game is going to change.
"It's going to totally change the game… because we're going to have to get used to the new materials," Vang said. "Everybody's probably going to change their way of tossing or playing the games on there because it's different materials than playing on grass."
Construction at the Stark and Carmen playfields has already started and is on schedule to be finished this fall or spring so that the parks can reopen in the summer of 2023.
"We are working really closely with our contractors and our owner's representatives to really make sure that we're being efficient and everything that we can do to get completed on that timeline," said Shannon Arms, a Milwaukee Recreation project supervisor.
Milwaukee Recreation has renderings of what the playfields at Stark and Carmen will look like on their website. Upgrades include: renovated fieldhouse, shade structure, walking loops, asphalt games, basketball courts, tot lots, group swings and splash pads.
Both will also improve the lighting and improve the fencing at the playfields as a form of safety measure.
"I think the decorative fencing that we put in is something that protects users, but also aesthetically has a good look," said Lynn Greb, recreation director of Milwaukee Recreation. "We also have been including video surveillance at all of our new sites just as a way to keep protection of the equipment and also ensures user safety as well."
These measures are also meant so that users of the playfields can focus on having fun and not their safety.
"There's no substitute for that experience of your body being able to relax when you're supposed to be able to go into a park or playfield and relax and have that fun experience," Arms said.
In addition, Stark Playfield will be getting a soccer/football field and updated tennis courts.
The addition of the tuj lub courts at Carmen Playfield is in response to how the playfield was being used.
"There's a larger growing Hmong community on this part of town and it's a great example of supporting a truly community-based process for how to use those public spaces," Paul Williams, Choice Neighborhood Initiative coordinator for the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee said.
Arms said that there's no handbook for making the courts because of how few there are. Because of this it opened a conversation with the players for what they'd like to see with the future courts.
"We would come out with material samples and sort of say 'OK, we've got three types of synthetic turf, which one do you want to throw on? Which one do you want to have the tops land on?" Arms said. "It was this really collaborative process of developing the design with them and we went out and put flags and said, is this wide enough for a court, or does it need to be wider? Can it get narrower?"
When the courts are finished Arms and Greb said there's a potential for classes on how to play tuj lub and also tournaments like the ones that players from Milwaukee travel to in Denver and Minneapolis.
In the meantime, tuj lub players have had to find a new place to play for the summer with Carmen Playfield under construction.
They've taken their game and skills to Clovernook Playground, a five-minute drive north of Carmen Playfield. When they show up to Clovernook Playground they bring the materials for the court, lawn chairs and baseball bat bags with their equipment.
But, when they return to Carmen in 2023 they'll just have to bring one thing — their bags filled with their sticks, tops, supplies and maybe even a refreshing beverage for hot summer days.
"It's going to be like a new life for us," Kou Lee said. "This is something new and this is a good opportunity for us in the community." | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2022/07/01/milwaukee-become-home-5-000-year-old-hmong-game-tuj-lub/7714039001/ | 2022-07-01T14:26:01 | 1 | https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2022/07/01/milwaukee-become-home-5-000-year-old-hmong-game-tuj-lub/7714039001/ |
A man died Thursday night after he lost control of his pickup truck on Loop 410 on the Southeast Side, drove off the highway, and rolled over, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
About 10:30 p.m., the unidentified man was driving his tan Chevrolet Avalanche northbound in the left lane on Southeast Loop 410 near Sulphur Springs Road.
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For unknown reasons, police believe the man failed to stay in his lane and the rear passenger side of his truck collided with the front driver side of a black Hyundai Elantra that was traveling northbound in the right lane of SE Loop 410.
Both vehicles were redirected off Loop 410, authorities said. The Chevrolet rolled and landed upside down in the grass median between the highway and the access road.
The man was pronounced dead on the scene.
Authorities have not released the man’s name or age.
timothy.fanning@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/fatal-410-crash-southeast-side-17278795.php | 2022-07-01T14:27:36 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/fatal-410-crash-southeast-side-17278795.php |
4th of July forecast: Storms to start, end weekend, but sunny, dry between
A cold front moving into southeast Michigan may spark thunderstorms this afternoon and evening but a dry and mostly sunny weekend is in store for the holiday.
"We're looking at chances increasing this afternoon from scattered to numerous thunderstorms," National Weather Service meteorologist Sara Schultz said. "It's mainly going to be between noon and 8 p.m. Potential threats are gonna be lightning, damaging wind gusts, small hail, heavy rainfall."
While Shultz said the Detroit area faces only a marginal risk for severe weather, the thunderstorms could affect travel plans. Today's high and low temperatures are 85 degrees and 65 degrees, respectively.
Holiday weekend forecast
After this evening, the weather will dry out and remain dry though much of the daytime hours of July 4th.
Saturday and Sunday will be mostly sunny and temperatures in the mid- to high 80s will continue throughout the weekend.
4th of July weather
Skies might not remain clear for Independence Day evening, as the chances of rain and storms will increase throughout the afternoon, Schultz said.
"We do have increasing chances for some weather Monday afternoon ... we've got some rain and chance of storms," Schultz said.
Temperatures overnight are expected to be in the mid-60s and there is a 50 percent chance of rain.
hmackay@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/01/4th-july-weekend-forecast-starts-ends-rain-storm-chances-but-plenty-sun/7785817001/ | 2022-07-01T14:34:35 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/01/4th-july-weekend-forecast-starts-ends-rain-storm-chances-but-plenty-sun/7785817001/ |
LEE COUNTY, Fla. – The 4th of July weekend is here, which means most people will be enjoying fireworks! But before you light them off, remember, they’re more than just fun
As relaxing as it is, the Fourth of July is also one of the most dangerous holidays in our country.
“ One of the number one causes of burn injuries are just the simple sparklers they burn at 1000° and a lot of times children are left unsupervised with them because people feel so comfortable with their use,” said Katie Heck with Lehigh Fire Control & Rescue.
In the past, Heck said they’ve responded to numerous brush fires due to fireworks misuse.
But she hopes this year is different.
“Thankfully this year we have had a lot of rain leading up to July 4 so we’re optimistic about the brush fire situation,” said Heck.
Just last year, there were nine deaths in the U.S caused by fireworks.
So there are many steps you should take before the boom.
“All of our local fire departments have put out several good informational posts and then videos on firework safety and again really that supervision is key,” said Heck
Here’s a list of firework safety tips from the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District:
- Light fireworks in a cleared area free of vegetation or dry debris;
- Clear debris from around campfires, grills and all fire sources;
- Remove debris from any location where fireworks could land;
- Always have a water source available;
- Aim fireworks away from people, homes and wooded areas;
- Never use homemade fireworks;
- Discard used fireworks in a bucket of water;
- Store unused fireworks, matches, and lighters out of the sight and reach of children;
- Never leave a fire unattended and ensure it is completely out before leaving it;
- Report any fire immediately to 9-1-1.
“It’s 4th of July, we want people to have fun and just to be safe,” said Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/07/01/local-fire-department-discusses-firework-safety-ahead-of-fourth-of-july-weekend/ | 2022-07-01T14:35:30 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/07/01/local-fire-department-discusses-firework-safety-ahead-of-fourth-of-july-weekend/ |
ALTOONA, Iowa — The family of 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo is suing Adventureland, claiming the park is responsible for his 2021 death on the Raging River ride.
Sabrina and David Jaramillo Sr. filed the wrongful death lawsuit in Polk County on Thursday against a number of Adventureland managers for damages related to their son Michael, and injuries they and their other children sustained.
The Jaramillo family was on the Raging River ride back in July 2021 when the raft they were on overturned, trapping them under the water.
According to the lawsuit:
- David Sr. and Sabrina were able to escape from underneath the approximately 1,700-pound raft and tried to rescued their stuck children although they were injured.
- The parents claimed to have screamed for help, but the ride kept going, which sent more water and rafts down the river while the children were trapped. Michael and David Jr., who was critically injured, were under the water for over five minutes.
- Although other patrons and a fireworks crew who heard the parents' screams tried to help, no one from Adventureland came to their aid. There were also delays to get emergency responders to the scene due to the park's layout.
- Adventureland continued to keep the ride open that day even though they were aware of multiple issues, such as the rafts deflating or hitting the bottom of the ride and equipment failures.
- Multiple rafts, including the one used by the Jaramillos, were pulled out of service, repaired and sent back on the ride without being properly tested.
- The morning of the incident, the ride's water pumps, which are responsible for maintaining water levels, were experiencing power surges that would turn them off. Maintenance workers did not fix the issue, and the problems were not communicated to patrons.
- Multiple other patrons reported hitting the bottom of the ride while on their rafts that day, the same issue that overturned the Jaramillos' raft.
- The Raging River was staffed by employees who had not been trained on that particular ride and had never worked on it before the day of the incident.
- The state's Amusement Ride Safety Division investigated the ride after the incident, and deemed it posed an "imminent danger" to the public.
- The Jaramillo family is seeking reimbursement for their past and future medical expenses, physical and mental injuries, emotional distress, lost earnings and Michael's burial expenses.
An Iowa Division of Labor report showed the boat involved in the deadly incident was taken out for repairs just hours before the Jaramillos rode it.
The raft's bladders were removed, according to the report, and they put all but one of the boats back into service just over two and a half hours later.
The state investigator confirmed the boat, which "immediately began taking on water as the ride began," touched the bottom of the trough of the ride multiple times by seeing scrape marks in the concrete and fresh gouges in the wooden weirs.
Related Stories
WATCH: Altoona Fire Department describes their response to Adventureland tragedy | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/adventureland-wrongful-death-lawsuit-michael-jaramillo-family/524-1e8d36c5-b980-4ebc-8f37-cbde34d4029f | 2022-07-01T14:38:42 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/adventureland-wrongful-death-lawsuit-michael-jaramillo-family/524-1e8d36c5-b980-4ebc-8f37-cbde34d4029f |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/what-to-know-about-frisco-freedom-fest/3005154/ | 2022-07-01T14:45:40 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/what-to-know-about-frisco-freedom-fest/3005154/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Brevard County sheriff’s deputy committed suicide, officials said Friday, although few details have been released.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the death in an email to News 6. The deputy’s name has not been released.
Palm Bay police reportedly responded to the deputy’s home, but it’s not known when or where.
No other information has made available.
Check back for updates.
According to Blue H.E.L.P., a website that tracks suicides among law enforcement and first responders, a combined 176 police officers, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers reportedly died from suicide in 2020 in the U.S., with 157 such deaths recorded in 2021. There have been 67 so far this year, according to the group.
Blue H.E.L.P. provides useful resources such as hotlines, reading material on mitigating the effects of trauma and best guidelines on supporting your peers, teammates and yourself. Learn more here.
Also, 1st Help is a website that employs a short survey to match emergency personnel with healthcare services. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/brevard-county-deputy-commits-suicide-sheriffs-office-says/ | 2022-07-01T14:47:49 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/brevard-county-deputy-commits-suicide-sheriffs-office-says/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – A new Florida alert is now in effect Friday and aims to find missing people who may be suffering from mental or cognitive disabilities.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said the new Purple Alert will be sent out for those who do not meet the criteria for the state’s Silver Alert. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed it into law on July 1, 2021, exactly one year ago.
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Here is the criteria for a Purple Alert:
- The person is 18 or older and does not qualify for a state- or local-level Silver Alert.
- The person has an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury or another physical, mental or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and the individual does not have Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder.
- The disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law enforcement intervention.
- There is a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution.
- The missing person information has been entered into Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC).
- The law enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommends activation.
The information for the missing person will also be displayed on highway message signs.
You can sign up to receive Purple Alerts by clicking here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/new-florida-purple-alert-now-in-effect-heres-who-it-is-for/ | 2022-07-01T14:47:55 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/new-florida-purple-alert-now-in-effect-heres-who-it-is-for/ |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing 81-year-old man last seen Thursday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office said Daniel Waterhouse was last seen near Holdenbury Lane and Bramlea Lane around 2 p.m.
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Deputies said there is concern for his well-being because he may become lost or disoriented without prescribed medication.
Waterhouse is described as being 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts.
Anyone with information is asked to call 407-836-4357 or 911. | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/orange-county-deputies-search-for-missing-81-year-old/ | 2022-07-01T14:48:01 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/01/orange-county-deputies-search-for-missing-81-year-old/ |
Arizona and tribes could protect a wider range of species with money in a new bill
Arizona could receive a huge boost in wildlife conservation funding if a bill that just cleared a key hurdle in the House makes it to the president’s desk.
The measure would add $1.3 billion to existing conservation funding by amending the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, a 1930s law that generates revenue through the sales of guns, ammunition and archery equipment.
The bill represents one of the largest investments in conservation work in recent years, extending a life raft to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, which oversees the most biodiverse state in the inland U.S., and, significantly, to the wildlife agencies operated by the 22 federally recognized tribes in the state.
Introduced in the House last spring by Reps. Debbie Dingle, D-Michigan, and Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, HR2773, known as the Recovering America's Wildlife Act, passed last month on a bipartisan vote of 231-190. The Senate has taken up a companion version of the measure.
Under the proposal, annual disbursements of the funding would vary based on a state’s population, size and the number of species on the landscape. If the money were evenly distributed by state, each state would receive on average about $26 million in extra funding per year.
But because the money is based on wildlife species, Arizona could receive as much as $31 million in extra funding.
To get the money, states would be required to contribute 25% in non-federal matching funds. Most states currently generate non-federal revenue through sales tax, hunting tags and licenses or state lottery funds.
Arizona Rep. Raúl Grijalva chairs the House Natural Resources Committee and has been a champion of the bill since its inception.
"Protecting wildlife in Arizona and across the country is not just the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do," said Grijalva, a Democrat, in a press release. "Healthy, thriving wildlife populations are one of our greatest defenses against the looming threat of climate change in Arizona — they make our forests more resilient against wildfires and keep pests and invasive species in check."
Money could aid hundreds of species
Many species in Arizona aren't specifically protected, and their habitats lack targeted protection because agencies don't have the resources.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 605 species in Arizona are classified as Species of Greatest Conservation Need, imperiled species that don't yet qualify for federal listing under the Threatened and Endangered Species Act.
Arizona's State Wildlife Action Plan is a framework that outlines on-the-ground conservation efforts to help protect native wildlife and keep species from threatened or endangered status.
Ron Regan, the executive director of the Association for Fish and Wildlife Agencies, likens these plans to a roadmap to protecting species before they require the emergency-room-like care of the Endangered Species Act.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees the funding mechanism that pays for these efforts, primarily through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grant Program. But this money rarely covers all of what's required for every species. And many of these grants are competitive, which means lower priority projects are often left underfunded if they lose out.
Arizona has received $16 million since the program started in the early 2000s. It has helped species ranging from bald eagles to prairie dogs. The state also received $31 million last year from funding tied to the Pittman Robertson Act, one of the largest sources of wildlife funding for states in the country.
This money is also distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service annually based on the percentage each state contributed to the larger fund through the sales of firearms. A significant portion of funding in Arizona comes directly from the state.
“Nearly 70% of the Department’s funding comes from hunters and anglers through their discretionary purchases of licenses, tags and outdoor-related equipment,” said Tom Cadden of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "The state Game and Fish Commission determines which projects will be funded with Pittman Robertson funding."
Keep reading:Scientists want to count every saguaro cactus in metro Phoenix — and they need your help
While statewide conservation has flourished under these hunting-generated activities, the funding is not without critics.
Kevin Bixby is the founder and executive director at Wildlife for All, an advocacy organization with the goal of making the development of wildlife policy a more transparent, inclusive, science-based process.
The group argues that because much of the current revenue is tied to hunting and fishing, a significant portion of the funds conserve big or charismatic species that people like to hunt, such as big horn sheep and rainbow trout.
Why the new funding is critical for tribes
Conservation advocates and Indigenous leaders are quick to point out that the money from the original Pittman-Robertson act leaves out tribal nations and territories. The tribal grants that are available are piecemeal and inconsistent, and the competitive nature of the process means that many tribes are left without funding.
That would change under HR2773. The measure adds provisions that ensure all states, tribes, territories and the District of Columbia receive federal funding for wildlife conservation and species of greatest conservation need every year based on their 10-year State Wildlife Action Plans.
Tribes would be guaranteed $97.5 million through a Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration grant program, and wildlife managers would be able to dedicate more money to programs that have gone underfunded.
Gloria Tom is the director of the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife and she has advocated for the passage of this bill as much as anyone else in Arizona. She has personally campaigned for a more inclusive funding process since the 1990s and has spoken on outreach webinars and written letters to members of Congress. Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly read one of her testimonials in a hearing on the bill.
"There's no room for capacity building. You can't build a management program with that," said Tom about the limited amount of funds that tribes receive. "And then you have to compete with other tribes for a small pot of money, and you're limited in the amount of funding that you can apply for."
She says it's taken years of collaboration and advocacy to finally reach this point. And it couldn't come too soon. The 572 tribal nations throughout the U.S. receive, on average, between $5 and $8 million per year. In comparison, states have received up to $90 million, but on average, according to Regan, receive between $50 and $70 million.
With money spread so thin, essential services such as education and outreach, law enforcement, and species monitoring are left unaddressed.
Darren Talayumptewa is a program manager for the Hopi Nation's Department of Natural Resources and leads the tribe's Wildlife and Ecosystems Management Program. He says the time for increased funding is long overdue for tribes.
Collectively, tribal lands cover 55 million acres across the US, roughly the size of the state of Minnesota. Talayumpetewa said the money that would result from the new bill could have an enormous impact on tribal wildlife management within the borders of the Hopi Nation, which lies within the Navajo Nation.
“Wildlife doesn't do borders,” said Talayumpetewa. “I really appreciate the opportunity that we're finally being recognized and considered for something this large of a scale.”
Measure has bipartisan support
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act has been in the making since at least 2015, when the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources met to discuss how conservation funding could be secured to cover all native species.
The panel included representatives from 26 organizations that focus on wildlife policy and included a former governor of Wyoming, founders of fishing and hunting outfitters such as Trout Unlimited, and a director from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
The panel met in Missouri to brainstorm ways to secure permanent, long-term funding for state fish and wildlife agencies to use for non-game species.
Since the enactment of Pittman-Robertson in the 1930s, agencies have long grappled with how to fund conservation for species that aren't hunted. Some states, like Arizona, fill that void using alternative sources such as lottery revenue, while others, like Arkansas, tap additional sales taxes.
The result has been a hodgepodge stream of conservation funding. To help address this challenge, the study group laid the groundwork for the bill now under consideration.
The group recommended that the government permanently allocate $1.3 billion to state wildlife agencies, the amount needed to fulfill the funding gap between what states were getting and what they actually needed for Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The group also recommended at least two dozen sources of revenue, though none have stuck thus far.
In the House, one Democrat and one Republican introduced the first Recovering America's Wildlife Act in 2017. Through multiple iterations, the bill adapted and changed as more leaders weighed in. The tribal title was added in 2019.
More:11 Mexican gray wolf pups are released into the wild. Will it help the species recover?
Proponents say the bill's passage in the House has been a rare bright spot in a Congress that has been gripped by gridlock. Democrats and a smaller contingent of at least 45 Republicans voted yes on passing the bill.
Regan, from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, was an original member of the blue-ribbon panel that helped craft the bill. He has been a champion for expanded funding for over two decades.
Two of the biggest problems that exist in today's conservation efforts, he said, are lack of connection to nature, and a lack of funding. One way to solve both is by direct investments from Congress.
"States know how to manage fish and wildlife, their public trust resources, they've proven they can successfully and competently manage creatures from the brink of extinction to abundance," said Regan. "And if they had the right-sized amount of funding to address the species that are in their state wildlife action plans, they could demonstrate the same kind of success."
Should state agencies consider reforms?
The bill is not without concerns for some members of Congress. A significant point of contention for some is the lack of a funding source.
Thus far, no sources have been identified, causing some lawmakers, like Bruce Westermann, R-Arkansas, to question the validity of passing a bill that guarantees no specific money
Part of the reason for the new legislation is to direct new funding toward non-game species, Regan said. Existing programs tend to focus on consumptive users, or hunters and anglers, given the revenue source of most state agencies.
Sandy Bahr, the director of the Sierra Club's Grand Canyon Chapter, believes the current system is broken. She said one of the drawbacks of existing funding is the hyper-focus on game species. The wildlife commission in Arizona, for example, is exclusively made up of hunters, and as a result, sees consumptive users as its main constituency.
"It kind of takes away from a more comprehensive look at wildlife, looking at healthy ecosystems, and ensuring that all of our native wildlife species have sustainable and healthy populations," said Bahr. "And instead, I think it focuses a little bit too much on the game species."
Bixby, who runs Wildlife for All, said while the funding boost is worth celebrating, it still gives money to the same agencies that prioritize consumptive users and game species.
For true conservation, he says, the state wildlife agencies should think more holistically about wildlife management, the ecological role of all species, and include people who don't hunt and fish.
"There's no requirement to hold public meetings on how they'd spend the money, there's no requirement to make their plans available to the public or let the public have an opportunity to comment on them," said Bixby. "There's not a lot of accountability."
Related:Wildfires like Rodeo-Chediski imperil Mexican spotted owls, but is forest work also a threat?
The bill, as is, would give more money to the same agencies that have been resistant to reform to continue along the same path, he said. Of more than 450 wildlife commission seats in the U.S., he said, at least three-quarters of them are occupied by consumptive users.
The effect is that wildlife policy often only caters to those who hunt and the species they like to kill.
The new measure, Bixby said, could have funded state-led conservation, and introduced reforms to bring these agencies into the 21st century.
The authors of the bill could have added a provision to make wildlife commissions more diverse, to represent all wildlife users, as a condition of receiving the extra funding, Bixby said. They could have required that the public be included in management decisions. And they could have conditioned the funding on giving state agencies broad power to manage wildlife.
"In theory, it's fantastic. It's just going to be a question of how states use it," said Bixby. "Our perspective is, across the nation, state wildlife agencies tend to operate in secrecy, they tend to focus on satisfying consumptive users, and they tend to dismiss or disregard non-hunters. And that bias is sort of built into state laws, state policies, and state wildlife institutions."
'It's going to be a game-changer'
Many advocates have heralded this new piece of legislation as a victory for American conservation. The Sierra Club, Wildlife Federation, The Wildlife Society, state chapters of the Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund and Trout Unlimited have all supported the measure.
Bahr, from the Sierra Club, said one of the reasons the bill has been largely bipartisan is because it strengthens state control by empowering state wildlife agencies to guide their own policies before species are federally listed. That's been been a point of contention in some Republican states that generally favor state control over wildlife.
Regan said the bill has huge potential to benefit state wildlife agencies and non-game species through additional hiring of biologists, increasing outreach efforts to connect people who might not be near wildlife and increasing resources to monitor and study all species.
The state agency could use the money to learn more about species of greatest conservation need, establish new populations of species in their historical habitat, conduct surveys, and collaborate with partners such as universities and the Phoenix Zoo, said Tom Cadden, public information supervisor for Arizona Game and Fish.
No specific projects have been identified and some of the conditions of the funding, if the bill were to pass, could complicate the process of obtaining grants, Cadden said.
“The RAWA legislation includes a 25% match requirement that will necessitate the Department to maintain or increase its non-federal match sources in order to actually utilize the potential additional funds, and it is unknown yet what other requirements may be included by the federal government,” said Cadden.
The bill would also establish an Endangered Species Recovery and Habitat Conservation Legacy Fund that the Department of Interior would use for federally listed threatened and endangered species. The fund would provide $187.5 million every year between 2023 and 2026.
Caroline Murphy is a government relations program manager at The Wildlife Society and for her and conservation enthusiasts like her, the bill’s passage would be a welcome boost to cash-strapped conservation projects.
“It's going to be a game-changer as far as the ability of wildlife biologists to perform their work but also the relevance of wildlife biologists within the communities that they serve,” said Murphy. “It is specific to the conservation of at-risk species. But there are so many positive ripple effects that can come from the adoption of this legislation.”
Senate action still needed
The bill must now move through the Senate, where Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, introduced a companion version of the bill last year, along with Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri.
On April 7, the Senate version passed the Environment and Public Works Committee on a bipartisan vote of 15-5. The next step would be to move it to the floor for a vote.
Regan said that probably won’t happen until lawmakers agree on a plan for funding the law. Previous iterations of the bill included funding from taxes on oil and gas, but those amendments were scrapped in 2019.
One way to fund the legislation, some watchers of the bill say, is to close some tax breaks on conservation easements. If these loopholes were closed, the IRS could direct some of this money to the U.S. Treasury so that it could be appropriated for the bill.
A recent investigation by ProPublica revealed that the use of syndicate easement deduction generated $9.2 billion in 2018.
The Department of Interior has already expressed support for the measure, sending a letter to Congress last summer urging passage of the bill.
And just last month, the White House praised the legislation for its bipartisanship, lauding the power of such a transformational piece of legislation to address some of the most pressing conservation issues by working directly with states and tribes.
“The Administration appreciates the legislation’s goal of providing assistance to these critical partners to support timely, collaborative, science-based actions to conserve fish and wildlife and their habitats before they become too rare or costly to restore,” the administration said in a letter.
“The Administration strongly supports the goals of H.R. 2773, the 'Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2022,' to equip fish and wildlife managers with the tools necessary to proactively address the most critical fish and wildlife conservation needs that we face today.”
Lindsey Botts is an environmental reporter for The Arizona Republic/azcentral. Follow his reporting on Twitter at @lkbotts and Lkbotts on Instagram.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Support local journalism. Start your online subscription. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2022/07/01/arizona-tribes-could-get-more-conservation-funding-protect-wildlife/7755445001/ | 2022-07-01T14:51:38 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2022/07/01/arizona-tribes-could-get-more-conservation-funding-protect-wildlife/7755445001/ |
Residents of most Arizona counties should wear face masks indoors, new CDC guidance says
Residents in nine of Arizona's 15 counties, including Maricopa County, should be wearing face masks in indoor public places because of COVID-19 levels, updated federal guidance says.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "community level" guidance for COVID-19 mitigation measures is updated weekly and ranks counties as low, medium and high or green, yellow and orange.
Masks are recommended in public indoor places, including in schools, when a community level is designated as "high."
CDC guidance updated Thursday says the nine Arizona counties designated at the "high" level, where masks are recommended, are Maricopa, Pinal, Apache, Coconino, Gila, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai.
Only about one in five counties in the U.S. was designated at the "high" level in the latest update, the CDC guidelines say, suggesting Arizona is one of the higher risk areas in the country.
Thursday's update also marks the first time Maricopa, Coconino and Yavapai counties have been rated "high" since the CDC began posting the data in late February.
Three counties are designated in the "medium" level — Yuma, Pima and Cochise counties, and three were at the "low" level — Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties.
Masks are not recommended when communities are in the low level, nor for most at the medium level except for certain people, including those who are immunocompromised, at high risk for severe disease, or if they have a household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease. The CDC also recommends "enhanced prevention measures in high-risk congregate settings" in communities designated at the medium level.
The metrics are based on a county’s COVID-19 hospital bed use, COVID-19 hospital admissions and case rates for the virus over the past week.
Arizona has been reporting higher case counts in recent weeks, although case numbers in recent months likely are not showing the full picture of infections as many more people have used at-home test kits and may not report positive results to county health departments.
Percent positivity was at 28% for the week of June 19, the highest it's been since January.
Other areas in the U.S. with large concentrations of counties designated at the "high" community level as of Thursday were California, Florida and Oregon.
Reach the reporter at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes.
Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2022/07/01/residents-9-az-counties-should-wear-face-masks-indoors-cdc-says/7783296001/ | 2022-07-01T14:51:44 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2022/07/01/residents-9-az-counties-should-wear-face-masks-indoors-cdc-says/7783296001/ |
Headed to water to beat the Arizona heat? Experts say to follow these rules to avoid drowning
As temperatures across the Valley enter the triple digits and families retreat to lakes and pools to beat the heat, safety experts warn whoever takes a plunge or merely dips their toe to know the dos and don’ts when it comes to water safety — especially when young children are involved.
According to the CDC, children between 1 and 4 years old are more likely to die by drowning than any other cause other than birth defects.
Always supervise children near water
Michele Long, fire and life safety education administrator for the Mesa Fire Department, said it’s imperative that at least one adult be designated to supervise children when they’re in or near water no matter how much swimming experience a child has.
“Anyone can get exhausted,” Long told The Arizona Republic. “Anyone can have issues — medical issues — in the water. “So it’s always important that you swim with a buddy or have adult supervision that’s watching the child.”
Capt. Evan Gammage, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Fire Department, echoed Long’s urge to have an adult supervise whenever children are in the water. Gammage, said as a paramedic, he has responded to child drownings where whoever was assigned to watch the kids said they looked away for only a second.
“The parents are saying ‘I was just hearing them playing and then it went quiet,’” Gammage said. “So the reality is, whether it’s the water in a toilet or a pool out back because you’re having a party, taking your eyes off of a kid for just a few seconds can really be the difference between life and death in these scenarios.”
On the lake, wear a life vest — a real one
Long said anyone out in open water such as lakes, rivers and oceans should wear life vests certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, equating it to wearing a seatbelt.
Long explained that, just how people wear seatbelts not expecting a collision, people wear life vests not expecting a river rapid or ocean swell to knock them into the water.
She also warned parents not to treat their child’s arm floaties as safety devices rather than what they really are — toys.
“They’re all sold in the toy area,” Long said. “They can pop. They can come off," she said. "And the other thing with it is that a lot of times kids get comfortable with them and so they forget that if they don’t have them on and they go in the pool that they won’t be floaty.”
Know CPR basics
Should someone be found unresponsive underwater, Long said to pull them out immediately and perform CPR, preferably while another person calls 911.
While cardiac issues typically only require chest compressions, Long said it’s important to breathe oxygen into the drowning victim mouth-to-mouth.
“In a cardiac issue, there’s still oxygen in the blood,” Long said. “And so you’re just trying to circulate that oxygen. “But in a drowning, the heart stops because the oxygen has been depleted. And so it’s super important in a choking, in a drowning — think about it — if it’s an airway issue, you definitely need to do your breaths.”
Long said someone performing CPR on a drowning victim should tilt their head back, pinch their nostrils shut if they’re over one-year-old and breathe two breaths into them before giving 30 chest compressions. Long said the interval between compressions should be roughly 100 beats per minute which can typically be reenacted with the beat from "Stayin’ Alive" by the Bee Gees or "Baby Shark."
Gammage said if an adult is drowning, one should attempt to help them if it can be done so safely and to call 911 if one is concerned that attempting a rescue would endanger their own life.
Both Gammage and Long also recommended parents with particularly young children keep their toilet lid closed and fully drain their bathtub, as even a small amount of water can cause a toddler to drown.
“There’s kind of what we call an X factor when it comes to drowning,” Long said. “Children ages 1 to 4 are more likely to drown in the home. As the child grows and they hit their teen years, they’re more likely to drown in open water — a river, a lake, ocean — something like that.”
Drink responsibly
Gammage also warned that adults who opt to participate in water activities while inebriated are at greater risk of something going wrong.
“If you’re going to swim, we understand that, again, you’re adults. You have your full right to be able to consume alcohol if you’re of age," she said. "But the reality is that that does increase your likelihood and the threat of having a water-related incident. So if we’re speaking to adults — if you choose to drink, we advise you not to when around a body of water. But if you choose to drink, please do so responsibly.”
Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/01/how-to-avoid-child-drownings-experts/7774984001/ | 2022-07-01T14:51:50 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/01/how-to-avoid-child-drownings-experts/7774984001/ |
July 4th weekend updates: Weather forecast shows sunny skies, triple digits for Phoenix
Packed highways and congested Valley airports are expected as many Arizonans begin their celebrations for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Chances of storms were only expected in the Flagstaff area, while sunny skies and high temperatures are forecasted through Monday for the Phoenix area.
The Arizona Department of Transportation said that while some Arizona highways will have lane restrictions for improvement projects, none will be fully closed in an effort to limit impacts on highway travel.
Despite a tradition of setting off fireworks around the holiday, many Valley cities have canceled firework celebrations citing supply chain issues. Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe, among others, have been forced to switch up their festivities because of the issues.
Follow coverage of the Fourth of July weekend in Arizona by Republic reporters here.
Fireworks: Tips to stay safe | Canceled events | Travel rush | Arizona events
6 a.m. Friday: Weather forecast shows sunny skies in the triple digits
Valley residents should expect clear and sunny skies with highs between 104 and 106 degrees between Friday and Monday while lows are expected to stay between 84 and 86 degrees according to the National Weather Service.
Anyone retreating to Flagstaff for the holiday weekend should expect significantly cooler temperatures with highs and lows ranging between 78 to 81 degrees and 53 to 54 degrees respectively.
NWS forecasts Flagstaff to have a 40% chance of thunderstorms on Friday with mostly clear skies through Monday.
— Perry Vandell | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/01/july-4th-arizona-travel-weather-and-event-updates/7711169001/ | 2022-07-01T14:51:56 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/01/july-4th-arizona-travel-weather-and-event-updates/7711169001/ |
Mesa police seize large amounts of illegal fireworks valued at nearly $12K
Mesa police said they seized a large number of illegal fireworks from two different locations in the past two weeks.
The first seizure occurred near Mesa Drive and Brown Road on Wednesday.
George Baber, 40, was arrested after police say he sold illegal fireworks to a detective. Mesa police said they served a search warrant and found 1,665 packages of fireworks valued at over $7,700 and two AR-15 rifles.
Baber faces charges of misconduct involving weapons and prohibited possessor and various misdemeanors, according to arrest documents.
Another seizure took place on June 24 at a liquor and smoke shop near Brown Road and Central Street. Mesa police said they received an anonymous tip that illegal fireworks were being sold at the store.
Undercover detectives went to the store and bought illegal fireworks, police said. Later they served a search warrant and seized 129 packages of fireworks valued at about $4,000.
There are pending charges against the store owner, according to Mesa police.
Fireworks were safely stored after being seized. The use of prohibited fireworks is illegal and extremely dangerous, police said. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-breaking/2022/07/01/mesa-police-seize-illegal-fireworks-valued-nearly-12-k/7784728001/ | 2022-07-01T14:52:08 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-breaking/2022/07/01/mesa-police-seize-illegal-fireworks-valued-nearly-12-k/7784728001/ |
MULVANE, Kan. (KSNW) – An alert Mulvane patrol officer noticed a fire in a cul-de-sac only to discover a trash can full of used fireworks burning next to a house.
Mulvane Fire Rescue says the officer used a fire extinguisher and garden hose to get the fire out before they arrived.
The department wants to remind residents of proper firework disposal and suggests soaking the fireworks in water for 24 hours before putting them in with other trash.
To help celebrate safely, the Office of the State Fire Marshal offers the following tips for the safe use of fireworks:
- Always ignite outdoors
- Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
- Have a water supply nearby
- Light from a solid, flat and stable platform
- Light only one firework at a time
- Make sure fireworks debris is cooled off completely before disposing
- Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
- Use a long-handled lighter
The fire marshals says bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. The use or sale of these banned fireworks is considered a crime under Kansas law. It is also illegal in Kansas to shoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/mulvane-officer-extinguishes-burning-fireworks-by-home/ | 2022-07-01T14:53:42 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/mulvane-officer-extinguishes-burning-fireworks-by-home/ |
No matter what Zora Martin Felton accomplished, she always shifted the spotlight off herself, aiming to elevate the achievements of others.
“She was a very kind person,” said Martin Felton’s niece, Darlene Carnes. “If there were other people that had accomplishments, where they were making headway with their lives or doing bigger things with their lives, she would shine the light on them and she would acknowledge them.”
The first Black woman to graduate from Moravian College for Women in 1952, Martin Felton died March 11, at the age of 91. Family, friends and colleagues said she was a trailblazer and force for positive change in her community, both while growing up in the Lehigh Valley and during her career in Washington, D.C., as a museum curator.
“I felt it was a great honor,” said Carnes, 63, of Easton. “And it’s something that I instilled in my children. I always bragged about how she was the first Black graduate from Moravian College and then moved on and became co-director of the Anacostia Museum. I felt very honored, and I thought it was great.”
‘Often that these institutions weren’t really intended for, built for people of color’
G. Christopher Hunt, vice president and dean for equity and inclusion at Moravian University in Bethlehem, met Martin Felton in the spring of 2016 during an alumni networking event through the university’s Black Student Union. Martin Felton was in her mid-80s at the time.
“She was as gracious and classy in person as you read about her,” Hunt said. “She was delighted and really moved to hear about the progress and all the different opportunities there were for Black students. And she was also, at the same time, disheartened to know that some of the experiences that she had as a student, or some of the experiences that our current students at the time were having.”
During her time at Moravian, Martin Felton was president of the senior class and student body. She was also recipient of the president’s prize for outstanding senior, according to the university’s archives. She played on the field hockey team, the women’s basketball team, was a member of Phi Mu Epsilon and a student leader.
She also worked as an elevator operator at Hotel Bethlehem for four years.
“I would venture to guess that much of that activism, or the spirit of that, maybe got its roots here as she was going through her own journey,” Hunt said. “But then, when she got to graduate school, I’m thinking that’s when she really saw the opportunities to tell the story of Black people.”
She graduated from Moravian with her bachelor’s degree in social science. She then went on to attain her master’s degree in education from Howard University in 1980.
“I think it’s not something that people think about very often that these institutions weren’t really intended for, built for people of color, built for Black students,” Hunt said. “And so the fact that she was able to persevere and get through four years of college at a place that wasn’t intended for her is pretty remarkable, I think.”
‘Her legacy is all over this museum’
More than a decade after graduating from Moravian, Martin Felton went on to become one of the founders of the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C. She worked at the museum, part of the Smithsonian Institute, from 1967 to 1994.
While Melanie Adams, director of the Anacostia Community Museum, didn’t have the opportunity to work with Martin Felton, she said “her legacy is all over this museum.”
“And similar to its founder, John Kinard, she was a community activist in the sense that she was working in the community to improve the conditions for people living east of the river,” Adams said. “It’s not only telling them about the issues, but then, How can we work together as a community and solve them? So, I think she really saw the museum as a place of education, which anyone you talk to about her, they’ll tell you, that’s what she emphasized — education.”
For an exhibit called “Rat: Man’s Invited Affliction,” Martin Felton brought live rats to live in the museum to teach how to manage the community’s excessive rat population. In “Lorton Reformatory: Beyond Time,” she provided a platform for incarcerated men to tell their stories through song and drama.
“The reason why that was innovative, not only because there were live rats, but more because it was really one of the first times especially within the Smithsonian where the museum was relevant to its community,” Adams said. “She was able to look and figure out what the community needs.”
She also created in the early to mid-1970s the museum’s Youth Council, working with teens and young adults in the area and taking them on trips outside the U.S.
“Just because you live in Anacostia doesn’t mean you can’t learn about the world,” Adams said. “So she was very intentional in nature in terms of exposing neighborhood kids to the world beyond Anacostia. And I think she was doing it the way it still made them proud to be from Anacostia.”
But Martin Felton’s impact wasn’t only felt at the Anacostia Museum and the surrounding community, Adams said. Her work influenced museums all over.
“You can’t talk about [the Anacostia Community Museum] without talking about that rat exhibit — that’s what everyone knows,” she said. “And so I think she has a legacy in museum education in general, in terms of being innovative and being relevant. I think she’s the one who’s really brought that to the forefront by coming to ACM and doing the programs and working with the community.
“So as a community-based museum, she was figuring it out as she was going along, and it’s really become a model for the field.”
‘She clearly was someone who was very kind and caring’
A. Reed Raymond was one of the organizers for the 2016 alumni event at Moravian, aiming to bring past graduates back to offer some support and advice to some of the current students, especially Black students.
A Moravian graduate in the 1970s, Raymond was the president of the college’s first African American organization, the Society for Black Initiative. He first met Martin Felton at the 2016 event.
“My interactions with her, our conversations and observations were that she clearly was someone who was very kind and caring, provided a lot of support, and just shared experiences with all of us, but particularly with the African American women students that were attending Moravian now,” he said. “But clearly, knowing that she was the first, it just brought to me what a first has to endure. And observing her interacting and mingling with the students who were probably clearly over 50 years her junior, it didn’t matter. And you can just see the type of person she was, in my view, based on just being able to observe those interactions.”
Alexis Wiggley, one of the cofounders of the university’s Black Student Union, also got to meet Martin Felton during the alumni event.
Wiggley, 26, of southern Illinois, said Martin Felton was welcoming, but she only got to speak with her briefly.
“Now looking at what she’s done for the community, it’s pretty inspiring. And sometimes you look back and you kind of wish you asked the right questions, asked better questions,” she said. “If I would have known a little bit more about her, going into it, I could have really asked her questions and really kind of dove into her brilliant mind and just her experiences being one of the first like, major Black student leader leaders on campus, and then taking that from campus and going out into the world and become a leader in that aspect as well.”
Wiggley, who graduated from Moravian in 2017, said looking back on Martin Felton’s time at Moravian, she saw commonalities, especially as both were active on campus.
“She just seemed like she was super involved on campus,” Wiggley said. “And at that time, I was too, so, in a way, I just kind of felt like I wasn’t walking in her footsteps, but kind of following her lead without knowing it, and just being involved and super active on campus.
“At the event, I didn’t necessarily know those things. But after, in retrospect, looking at all the things she’s done, it’s inspiring.”
‘She was our family’
Martin Felton was adopted by Carnes’ grandmother when she was 9-years-old, Carnes said, after her parents died. In that family, she had eight siblings, including: Alfred, Arthur, Elmer, Leroy and James Smith, Dorothy Hall, Lillian Taylor and Olive M. Carne.
“She wasn’t an adopted child; she was our family,” Carnes said. “She was my mother’s sister — that’s how they knew her. They made no difference. Zora was a go-getter. She never sat still. She was always eager to learn more, you know? She was truly a blessed person. She was a trailblazer.”
Carnes was very close to her aunt, traveling from the Valley to Washington, D.C. to help her heal through surgeries for cataracts and a pacemaker.
“And then in 2006, I had open heart surgery,” Carnes recalled. “I had told her I was going for surgery. And she said, ‘I want to come up and spend a couple of weeks with you until you get back on your feet.’ And she did.”
In 1975, Martin Felton married Edward P. Felton Jr. and became stepmom to three teenagers.
Her stepson, Edward Felton, said “her way of rearing children was through lessons that would allow us to go and seek information.”
“When she was home, she was just a bonus mom,” Felton said. “She did not mash down her accomplishments. She always played down on her success, and allowed folks to shine much more brightly.
“I’ve learned so much more about her after her passing, that I lived through with her. She was a great, humble person and spiritual.”
Her life was already filled through awards and acknowledgements, Felton said, and helping others was part of her mission.
“When I look at her entire life: the things she said, the places she’s gone, the things she’s done, her being the last to receive, so others can be the first to receive and the light shining,” Felton said. “She did everything for everyone, and didn’t really care to have the light shined on herself.”
Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-zora-felton-memorial-20220701-vcpvwqdbknhgdbocusbgj2kkim-htmlstory.html | 2022-07-01T14:55:24 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-zora-felton-memorial-20220701-vcpvwqdbknhgdbocusbgj2kkim-htmlstory.html |
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) reported a fatal motorcycle crash in Carter County.
According to the agency, the deadly incident occurred on Thursday night on Gap Creek Road. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear at this time, and it is not yet known how many people were involved.
News Channel 11 has reached out to the THP for more information.
This is a developing story, and News Channel 11 will provide updates as we receive them. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/thp-fatal-motorcycle-crash-in-carter-county/ | 2022-07-01T14:57:13 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/thp-fatal-motorcycle-crash-in-carter-county/ |
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. — A 32-year-old Florida man who had been a passenger in an Adams County single-vehicle crash eight days ago has died as a result of his injuries, according to the York County Coroner's Office.
Vincent Martin, of Volusia County, was believed to have been a backseat passenger in a 2011 Jeep SW on June 22, when the driver of the vehicle, who had been traveling eastbound at a high speed, lost control in the area of 1801 Pine Run Road at 12:21 p.m., also according to the coroner's office.
The vehicle ran off the road and crashed into a tree, killing three occupants, including the driver, at the scene. They were all York residents.
The crash caused life-threatening injuries to the other three occupants, including Martin. The condition of the others is not known at this time.
The cause of Martin's death was multiple blunt force trauma, also according to the coroner's office, and the manner has been ruled accidental.
Martin's family has been informed of his death, and there will be no autopsy. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/florida-man-dies-8-days-after-single-vehicle-crash-adams-county/521-8ad389a9-5c0b-4ce3-97de-1c4fcaed3e0a | 2022-07-01T14:59:08 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/florida-man-dies-8-days-after-single-vehicle-crash-adams-county/521-8ad389a9-5c0b-4ce3-97de-1c4fcaed3e0a |
The city of Mandan is asking residents in a large area to conserve water after a water main break.
The affected area is north of Main Street and south of Interstate 94 from Collins Avenue west, as well as Diane’s Addition, according to Mandan Public Works.
Residents are asked to postpone all lawn irrigation until repairs are complete.
“We are hopeful repairs can be made by the end of the day,” Mandan Public Works Director Mitch Bitz said.
Residents can monitor the www.cityofmandan.com website, city social media and local news for updates. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/mandan/residents-in-large-area-of-mandan-asked-to-conserve-water/article_6b0d210e-f93e-11ec-9602-a30cfc20fae5.html | 2022-07-01T14:59:14 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/mandan/residents-in-large-area-of-mandan-asked-to-conserve-water/article_6b0d210e-f93e-11ec-9602-a30cfc20fae5.html |
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Editors note: The above video is from June 2.
For several years, the invasive spotted lanternfly had no known natural predators, which greatly helped its rapid invasion of Pennsylvania.
However, as more research has come to light surrounding the bugs, there are actually several animals who like making a meal of the pest.
According to a study from Penn State University, the public has aided them in finding several predators for the bug. Chickens, cardinals, praying mantises, ants, wasps, and spiders have all been reported and captured eating the invasive species.
The bugs aren't the main diet of these predators, but they're generalists that are making use of a rapidly increasing and abundant food source, according to experts.
One known predator that has been spotted increasingly snacking on the lanternflies is the wheel bug.
If you've never heard of these predators, they're typically found in Southwest Pennsylvania, but they've become more common throughout the state within the past decade.
This bug has a piercing beak-type mouth. They will lay eggs right next to spotted lanternfly egg masses. Since the wheel bug hatches first, they will sit and wait for the spotted lanternfly eggs to hatch. A quick and free meal!
Researchers are interested in finding and encouraging the growth of natural enemies to the lanternfly.
Like planting pollinator gardens, which are gardens designed to attract pollinators like bees, several wildflowers will attract assassin bugs that will then, hopefully, prey on lanternflies.
If you spot a bird or bug eating a spotted lanternfly, you're encouraged to report it to Penn State researchers on the Birds Biting Bad Bugs Facebook page or by emailing birdsbitingbadbugs@gmail.com. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/spotted-lanternfly-wheel-bug-praying-mantis-pennsylvania-invasive-species/521-28c62dbb-69ca-4fa0-a03c-dcc728349ef2 | 2022-07-01T14:59:14 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/spotted-lanternfly-wheel-bug-praying-mantis-pennsylvania-invasive-species/521-28c62dbb-69ca-4fa0-a03c-dcc728349ef2 |
LANCASTER, Pa. — Pennsylvania State Police in Lancaster, York, and Chester counties issued a reminder Friday to enjoy the July 4 holiday weekend safely and responsibly.
Members of Troop J will be out over the entire weekend working to keep roads safe, according to State Police.
"As we approach another holiday weekend, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Troop J, would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July," State Police said in a press release. "Be safe in your travels, buckle up, and don’t drive impaired."
The State Police Lancaster Barracks, will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint sometime between Friday and Tuesday, the department also said.
A sobriety checkpoint is a traffic safety checkpoint wherein the Pennsylvania State Troopers systematically stop vehicles at selected locations to briefly observe drivers for articulable facts and/or behaviors normally associated with alcohol or drug impaired drivers.
The goal of a sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug related fatal and serious injury crashes, and to reduce the number of DUI drivers on Pennsylvania highways, according to State Police.
"The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to maintaining a safe environment for the motoring public," the press release concludes. "This checkpoint is intended to achieve that goal."
State Police also reminds drivers who encounter emergency vehicles on the side of the road to move over and give the responders room to safely work.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, click here. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/state-police-july-4-enforcement-plans/521-906fc848-81e7-42a9-96ec-1090f61097b0 | 2022-07-01T14:59:20 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/state-police-july-4-enforcement-plans/521-906fc848-81e7-42a9-96ec-1090f61097b0 |
YORK, Pa. — A non-profit, faith-based organization in York County announced it is opening its doors today to those who need a place to cool off.
LifePath Christian Ministries said it will open its Men's Shelter at 363 W. Market St. in York as a cooling station for those who need a respite from the heat, which is expected to surge into the 90's Friday afternoon.
"With Friday expected to be the hottest day of the year so far, LifePath will be opening its doors to welcome the community to cool off in the air conditioning," the organization said.
The shelter will be open Friday from 1-3 p.m.
LifePath said it goes through about 160 to 200 bottles of water a day between the two shelters it operates in the city. That increases as higher temperatures hit York County and the demand for services grows, the organization said.
"There is no summer vacation for many of those who experience homelessness in our community," says LifePath CEO Norman Humber. "The heat of this season can be incredibly challenging for many who do not have a safe place to go. LifePath is here to open its door to those who need it."
For more information about LifePath Christian Ministries, go here. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/lifepath-shelter-cooling-station-york/521-847be971-9620-4a01-9872-43ab530e32d4 | 2022-07-01T14:59:26 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/lifepath-shelter-cooling-station-york/521-847be971-9620-4a01-9872-43ab530e32d4 |
HIGH POINT — Police announced today that they made multiple arrests during a recent undercover prostitution operation conducted in response to concerns voiced by residents and businesses.
The High Point Police Department’s Vice & Narcotics Unit conducted the operation in the Southside and West End neighborhoods and obtained warrants for 13 people for crimes including prostitution and solicitation of prostitution, police said in a news release.
Anthony L. Godfrey, 50, of High Point, was charged with solicitation of prostitution, resisting public officer, reckless driving to endanger public, and prostitution, according to the news release.
Police said each of the following people, all of High Point, have been charged with prostitution and solicitation of prostitution: Rick A. Watkins, 33; Manuel A. Brea, 49; Crystal A. Barefoot, 61; Baptisha D. Bonham, 36; Christina Y. Brown, 30; and Elizabeth A. Cooper, 33.
Several other people are expected to be charged and arrested at a later date, police said in the news release.
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Police ask anyone with information about to contact Crime Stoppers of High Point at 336-889-4000 or download the P3 mobile app for IOS or Android. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/high-point-police-announce-arrests-made-in-recent-undercover-prostitution-operation/article_e6bb2618-f941-11ec-af0b-d7e33fe8e96d.html | 2022-07-01T15:03:10 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/high-point-police-announce-arrests-made-in-recent-undercover-prostitution-operation/article_e6bb2618-f941-11ec-af0b-d7e33fe8e96d.html |
LYNCHBURG, Va. – When nine-year-old Gunner Nowell walked through the Lynchburg Humane Society, he wasn’t only there to see the animals he loves.
Gunner had a mission in mind: to honor his late brother, whose life was cut short in 2020.
On July 2, the humane society will host an event called ‘Calaeb’s Canines,’ in honor of Gunner’s late brother, Calaeb, who would have turned 16 years old on July 4.
Gunner’s goal this year is to get 16 dogs adopted during the event.
The family is choosing to celebrate and praise the life Calaeb lived instead of focusing on how he passed.
“He loved hanging out with dogs. He had a connection with animals,” said Gunner.
We’re told Calaeb was the definition of a dog person, someone with a passion for animal rescue and care.
“He didn’t love them for their color or [anything else]. He loved them for their soul,” Gunner said.
Gunner said that when he spent time with Calaeb, they enjoyed playing with their pets, playing video games, and having nerf gun wars.
Gunner said that he remembers Calaeb just as he was: “nice and generous.”
“And he still means the same thing to me now,” said Gunner.
Their mother, Ashley, did not want to be interviewed but said they raised $16,000 to sponsor the second-annual adoption event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
So, if you plan on attending the event, remember that you’re not only bringing home a forever friend – you’re helping a young boy honor his late brother who he still holds near to his heart.
“I know [Calaeb] is still with me,” Gunner said. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lynchburg-boy-organizes-calaebs-canines-pet-adoption-event-to-honor-his-late-brother/ | 2022-07-01T15:03:59 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lynchburg-boy-organizes-calaebs-canines-pet-adoption-event-to-honor-his-late-brother/ |
RUSTBURG, Va. – Communities across the nation can help this couple out. After a liver transplant procedure saved this Lynchburg man’s life, he is now facing emergency complications that put his life at risk, and medical expenses are piling up faster than ever.
In 2017, Roger received a liver transplant to fight non-alcoholic liver disease through a living donor liver transplant from Alana, his wife: a portion of her own liver saved Roger’s life, a release by Help Hope Live said.
The procedure gave Roger and Alana hope for a long-lived, love-filled future together, but on May 11, Roger’s health plummeted.
The release said that after the liver transplant procedure Roger developed an undetected infection in his body and brain, and it could be life-threatening.
Roger is currently being treated at UVA Health in Charlottesville, the release said, and Alana has been by his side as much as she can even though her round-trip commute is four hours.
“My ability to work is limited,” Alana explained. “Every essential cost in our lives is currently in jeopardy of not being paid, from electricity and water to our mortgage, food, gas, and essential medical bills.”
Roger and Alana’s bills are piling up faster than ever and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
The release said that Roger is facing indefinite hospitalization, meaning that the bills won’t stop coming anytime soon.
Because of this, Help Hope Live is giving you the opportunity to help lift the burden through an online medical fundraising campaign.
To help Roger and Alana, you can visit their page and make a donation.
“Donations have already made it possible for me to stay at the hospital with my husband and travel back to our home,” Alana said.
“Donations are tax-deductible and fully administered by our nonprofit,” Help Hope Live added. “Roger’s condition is medically verified. We pay only verified medical and related expenses. Funds raised will not jeopardize his state-based benefits, either.” | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lynchburg-man-and-living-donor-wife-need-your-help-during-medical-crisis/ | 2022-07-01T15:04:05 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/lynchburg-man-and-living-donor-wife-need-your-help-during-medical-crisis/ |
ACKLEY — A walk through Eileen Kruse’s home will tell you a lot about the woman. Her life is documented on the walls, her memories fill the shelves, her heart is reflected in the photos displayed throughout.
But they don’t tell the whole story.
An intricately woven rug hangs in the living room, a testament to Kruse’s world travels. But it doesn’t detail the missionary work Kruse completed on many of those trips.
A photo of a bright-eyed German Shepard makes no mention of the fact that Kruse led the fundraising efforts to provide the Ackley Police Department with its (now retired) K-9 officer, Lexer.
And a planner with notes scribbled here and there reflects how, at 92 years old, Kruse is still finding ways to serve others.
Kruse was born in Wichita, Kan. Her father, a minister, moved his family to Hubbard, Ia., when Kruse was a toddler.
“We had missionaries speak at the church,” Kruse said. “They would come to the house, and I would hear about how they lived and where they lived.
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“I would play nurse when I was little and I had two sisters who became nurses. I suppose I soaked it up that way,” she said.
Kruse went to nursing school in Marshalltown and graduated with her degree as a registered nurse.
“The hospital in Eldora called and offered me a job, but I didn’t know how to drive,” Kruse said, laughing.
She took a quick course in driving in a nearby farm field and accepted the position.
This would be the start to a decades-long – and trailblazing – career in the healthcare field.
Kruse married and raised two children in Ackley.
“I worked as a private duty nurse when the children were little,” Kruse said. Her husband, Ernie, managed the grain elevator.
When describing her stint as a school nurse, Kruse tends to downplay her contribution.
“I had my own little office,” Kruse said. “I would call the parents if kids were sick, I’d check on kids who were absent, I’d give medication. I would do whatever the teachers needed me to do. I really enjoyed the kids.”
Kruse’s daughter, Ellen Vanderloo, who nominated her mom for Eight Over 80 honors, put it a little differently:
“Using her training as a nurse and a keen interest in public health, in 1960 she created the first school nurse position in the Ackley-Geneva Schools. For the next 10 years she established health records for every student in the district, organized immunizations for polio, gave countless demonstrations on health and wellness and promoted regular dental checkups. She identified community resources to assist families that had children with special health needs. She was a sounding board for both students and staff who needed support with both physical and mental health issues.”
During this time, Kruse also volunteered as a camp nurse at church and for the Girl Scouts. Additionally, she started a candy stripers program, recruiting high school students and training them to help at the local nursing home.
“We had uniforms and everything,” Kruse said. “Half the students in the program went on to become nurses or work in the health field.”
Kruse then went to work for the Hardin County Homemaker Health-Aide program as a nurse supervisor. She made regular visits to elderly and disabled people to make sure their health care needs were being met.
When her children were older, Kruse began going on mission trips.
With the Partners of the Americas organization, she traveled to places like the Yucatan Peninsula, Honduras and Haiti.
“For 16 years we went once or twice a year,” Kruse said. “We worked with doctors and dentists. We would get churches and schools and other places to donate. We got two portable dental units so we could do actual dental work, instead of just pulling teeth.
“We set up a medical center. We’d bring as much medicine as we could. We’d buy and beg for it here. I could tell you a lot of stories about how we got the medicine,” she said, laughing. “I helped recruit doctors, dentists and nurses to make the trips.
“Before one trip we got word that a fisherman needed a new wheelchair,” she said. “Well the Rotarians were able to find a nice used one, but we didn’t know how we were going to get it down there without paying a lot of money. So we talked an elderly gentleman into pretending he needed it, and we were able to get it on the plane at no cost.
“I met some very interesting people and experienced different foods and different cultures. They were very poor, but happy to share with us. We would tell ourselves, if they can eat it, we can eat it. They were very grateful to have us there.”
In fact, Vanderloo was able to see firsthand the impact her mom made.
“I will never forget going with her on one of these medical missions in Yucatan. We had a small convoy of medical personnel that pulled into a very remote jungle village. There, a Catholic priest had strung up a loud speaker in the trees and as we approached, he boomed through the speaker, ‘We love you, Eileen.’”
Even after retirement, Kruse continued to serve, creating the parish nurse program at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Ackley.
“She provided blood pressure checks after church services, visited parishioners who were home sick and helped arrange services for the elderly or disabled,” Vanderloo said. “She also provided bereavement support in times of loss. While she no longer is the parish nurse, she continues to regularly visit shut-ins after Sunday services to take them a bulletin and check in on them.”
Even now, Kruse finds ways to help others.
She is a longtime board member and supporter of the Faith in Action Friendship Club in Iowa Falls, which provides a social and educational center for adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
“It is a place for them to go,” Kruse said. “Or they will go bowling or to a restaurant. They learn a lot and just love it. It’s something new for them.”
Vanderloo sums up her mother very simply.
“Mr. Rogers always instructed children to look for the people who are ‘helpers.’ For over 60 years, my mother has been a ‘helper,’” she said. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/watch-now-eileen-kruse-retired-nurse-92-still-finds-ways-to-be-helper/article_0abc6324-91f6-5c77-ac24-c7fc7b950775.html | 2022-07-01T15:04:06 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/watch-now-eileen-kruse-retired-nurse-92-still-finds-ways-to-be-helper/article_0abc6324-91f6-5c77-ac24-c7fc7b950775.html |
ROANOKE, Va. – There will be plenty of ways to celebrate the 4th of July and have fun in Roanoke. You can kick off the day in Elmwood Park with games, entertainment and food.
Starting at 11 a.m., the Freedom First Festival will have inflatables lining Elmwood Park. There will also be lawn games to play, like cornhole. Children can also take a chance and try to climb a rock wall.
While the children play, parents can enjoy a drink in the beer garden or grab some food at one of the many local food trucks. Some of the food trucks that will be featured include Bootleg BBQ, Charlie Tropical, Two Roosters Kettle Corn and more.
Kelly Brammer, the special events coordinator for Roanoke County Parks and Rec said, “I am honestly just really excited to have this area be busy with families just celebrating the fourth and having a great time together. There is not a ton of things that you can always do for free around town, so I think this is a really cool opportunity for them to do something a little bit different.”
[EVENTS: Ready to celebrate? Here are some 4th of July events near you]
The Freedom First Festival will also feature live music with local bands throughout the day like, Soul Acoustics, Chupacabra’s and the Jordan Harmon Band.
The night will end with a concert in the amphitheater. Starting at 5 p.m., you can enjoy the music of the 90s rock band, Sugar Ray. This is the only ticketed event of the day. Tickets are $25, and children 12 and under are free.
The band will perform until 8:30 p.m., and then fireworks will light up the sky over Rivers Edge Park starting at 9:30 p.m.
Due to the festival, Reserve Ave, Wiley Drive, and River’s Edge North Park parking lot will be closed. At 8:30 p.m., Jefferson right lane southbound from Williamson to Reserve will be closed. Also, Jefferson from Reserve Ave to the Hospital will be closed.
At 9:45 p.m., all roads will re-open after an all-clear from the fire marshal. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/you-can-celebrate-the-4th-of-july-weekend-with-the-whole-family-for-free-in-elmwood-park/ | 2022-07-01T15:04:12 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/01/you-can-celebrate-the-4th-of-july-weekend-with-the-whole-family-for-free-in-elmwood-park/ |
A federal grand jury has indicted a Baltimore man for submitting several fraudulent loan applications as well as stealing the identity of a tax preparer, according to a federal prosecutor.
According to the six-count indictment, between March 2020 and October 2021, Hayes submitted fraudulent applications for loans from Economic Injury Disaster Relief, the Paycheck Protection Plan, the Small Business Administration and two banks.
The indictment also says Hayes used the name of a tax preparer and their identification number to submit a fraudulent Form 941 to a bank without the victim’s knowledge or consent. The preparer previously had been hired by Hayes and a company he revived to prepare his personal returns as well as those of the company. Federal records indicate no such form was ever filed.
If convicted, Hayes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for wire fraud, 10 years for money laundering, and a mandatory two years in federal prison followed by any other sentenced imposed for aggravated identity theft. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/baltimore-man-indicted-for-multiple-fake-loan-applications/2022/07/01/f2cf5334-f941-11ec-81db-ac07a394a86b_story.html | 2022-07-01T15:05:39 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/baltimore-man-indicted-for-multiple-fake-loan-applications/2022/07/01/f2cf5334-f941-11ec-81db-ac07a394a86b_story.html |
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Texas (KETK) – Two men were accused of robbing a fireworks stand in Cherokee County Tuesday night. They were arrested after leading authorities on a car chase from Rusk to Houston County.
Leon Zion Washington, 22 of Ruskin, Florida, and Kevin Bert Anderson, 27, of Tampa, Florida drove to a fireworks stand north of the city of Rusk. They ordered the owner to “give them all of their fireworks,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson.
The men then fled from the scene in a U-Haul vehicle and a car chase began. Deputies chased the men through Alto and Houston County. The U-Haul reached speeds of 100 mph.
The suspects’ vehicle was spiked in Houston County after about 20 minutes and the men were arrested. They were charged with attempted robbery, evading arrest in a vehicle, and one of the men was also charged with failure to identify.
Crockett and Department of Public Safety officials also assisted with the pursuit. | https://cw33.com/news/local/2-arrested-after-alleged-robbery-u-haul-chased-across-several-east-texas-counties/ | 2022-07-01T15:07:31 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/2-arrested-after-alleged-robbery-u-haul-chased-across-several-east-texas-counties/ |
It goes without saying that the coronavirus pandemic has sparked a wave of uncertainty across myriad industries, and not other market has quite felt its impact like that of real estate.
The pandemic has become a driving force behind the continued real estate boom, with high demand for vacation homes and a limited supply of housing that has prompted buyers and investors to bid up prices for affordable properties, causing home prices to skyrocket. The ability to work remotely played a role in the vacation home demand in mid-2020, as affluent Americans opted to ride out the pandemic with more amenities and space outside dense urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX metro area using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by 1-year price change as of May 2022. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib. The typical home value in the United States increased over the last year by +20.9% to $334,141. Data was available for 200 cities and towns in Dallas.
#30. Saint Paul, TX
– 1-year price change: +$144,203 (+33.1%)
– 5-year price change: +$238,417 (+69.8%)
– Typical home value: $580,073 (#34 most expensive city in metro)
#29. Highland Village, TX
– 1-year price change: +$144,430 (+31.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$229,923 (+62.0%)
– Typical home value: $600,563 (#31 most expensive city in metro)
#28. Allen, TX
– 1-year price change: +$147,157 (+36.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$218,284 (+66.3%)
– Typical home value: $547,656 (#40 most expensive city in metro)
#27. McKinney, TX
– 1-year price change: +$154,476 (+38.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$225,902 (+68.9%)
– Typical home value: $553,606 (#37 most expensive city in metro)
#26. Flower Mound, TX
– 1-year price change: +$154,632 (+32.9%)
– 5-year price change: +$242,814 (+63.6%)
– Typical home value: $624,618 (#28 most expensive city in metro)
#25. Hebron, TX
– 1-year price change: +$159,390 (+33.6%)
– 5-year price change: +$242,814 (data not available)
– Typical home value: $633,552 (#25 most expensive city in metro)
#24. Murphy, TX
– 1-year price change: +$159,761 (+34.3%)
– 5-year price change: +$243,607 (+63.7%)
– Typical home value: $626,141 (#27 most expensive city in metro)
#23. Lantana, TX
– 1-year price change: +$167,879 (+35.4%)
– 5-year price change: +$241,526 (+60.4%)
– Typical home value: $641,706 (#22 most expensive city in metro)
#22. Pecan Acres, TX
– 1-year price change: +$167,931 (+27.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$303,355 (+64.5%)
– Typical home value: $773,936 (#15 most expensive city in metro)
#21. Trophy Club, TX
– 1-year price change: +$174,335 (+33.3%)
– 5-year price change: +$271,424 (+63.6%)
– Typical home value: $698,490 (#20 most expensive city in metro)
#20. Annetta North, TX
– 1-year price change: +$177,437 (+31.9%)
– 5-year price change: +$307,884 (+72.2%)
– Typical home value: $734,053 (#17 most expensive city in metro)
#19. Annetta South, TX
– 1-year price change: +$178,804 (+34.6%)
– 5-year price change: +$318,894 (+84.6%)
– Typical home value: $695,866 (#21 most expensive city in metro)
#18. Fairview, TX
– 1-year price change: +$182,137 (+35.0%)
– 5-year price change: +$266,823 (+61.3%)
– Typical home value: $702,395 (#18 most expensive city in metro)
#17. Double Oak, TX
– 1-year price change: +$186,036 (+28.8%)
– 5-year price change: +$347,444 (+71.6%)
– Typical home value: $832,644 (#11 most expensive city in metro)
#16. Copper Canyon, TX
– 1-year price change: +$186,941 (+28.2%)
– 5-year price change: +$340,399 (+66.9%)
– Typical home value: $849,214 (#10 most expensive city in metro)
#15. Colleyville, TX
– 1-year price change: +$190,431 (+28.2%)
– 5-year price change: +$312,498 (+56.4%)
– Typical home value: $866,604 (#9 most expensive city in metro)
#14. Celina, TX
– 1-year price change: +$193,928 (+43.6%)
– 5-year price change: +$274,723 (+75.5%)
– Typical home value: $638,686 (#23 most expensive city in metro)
#13. Argyle, TX
– 1-year price change: +$194,638 (+31.8%)
– 5-year price change: +$316,321 (+64.6%)
– Typical home value: $806,071 (#13 most expensive city in metro)
#12. McLendon-Chisholm, TX
– 1-year price change: +$197,739 (+36.5%)
– 5-year price change: +$294,530 (+66.2%)
– Typical home value: $739,700 (#16 most expensive city in metro)
#11. Heath, TX
– 1-year price change: +$198,734 (+33.5%)
– 5-year price change: +$302,441 (+61.9%)
– Typical home value: $791,329 (#14 most expensive city in metro)
#10. Frisco, TX
– 1-year price change: +$199,392 (+39.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$276,612 (+65.1%)
– Typical home value: $701,826 (#19 most expensive city in metro)
#9. Prosper, TX
– 1-year price change: +$255,767 (+44.7%)
– 5-year price change: +$358,739 (+76.4%)
– Typical home value: $828,132 (#12 most expensive city in metro)
#8. Southlake, TX
– 1-year price change: +$269,114 (+29.9%)
– 5-year price change: +$437,556 (+59.7%)
– Typical home value: $1,170,022 (#6 most expensive city in metro)
#7. Parker, TX
– 1-year price change: +$273,170 (+35.3%)
– 5-year price change: +$415,756 (+65.8%)
– Typical home value: $1,047,492 (#8 most expensive city in metro)
#6. Bartonville, TX
– 1-year price change: +$280,969 (+31.2%)
– 5-year price change: +$454,075 (+62.4%)
– Typical home value: $1,181,573 (#5 most expensive city in metro)
#5. Lucas, TX
– 1-year price change: +$293,677 (+37.9%)
– 5-year price change: +$449,512 (+72.6%)
– Typical home value: $1,068,795 (#7 most expensive city in metro)
#4. University Park, TX
– 1-year price change: +$397,077 (+25.0%)
– 5-year price change: +$567,653 (+40.0%)
– Typical home value: $1,988,014 (#3 most expensive city in metro)
#3. Westlake, TX
– 1-year price change: +$433,738 (+32.2%)
– 5-year price change: +$688,047 (+62.9%)
– Typical home value: $1,781,287 (#4 most expensive city in metro)
#2. Westover Hills, TX
– 1-year price change: +$444,702 (+24.0%)
– 5-year price change: +$662,993 (+40.6%)
– Typical home value: $2,295,491 (#2 most expensive city in metro)
#1. Highland Park, TX
– 1-year price change: +$451,544 (+24.4%)
– 5-year price change: +$627,494 (+37.5%)
– Typical home value: $2,300,954 (#1 most expensive city in metro) | https://cw33.com/news/local/cities-with-the-fastest-growing-home-prices-in-dallas-metro-area-3/ | 2022-07-01T15:07:37 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/cities-with-the-fastest-growing-home-prices-in-dallas-metro-area-3/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — If you’ve been in North Texas for a while, you may recognize the name Abel Gonzales.
He’s made several television appearances including A&E’s Deep Fried Dynasty and the Kelly Clarkson show, impressing fair attendees and celebrities with his deep-fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
But did you know this celebrity chef has his own restaurant in Dallas? That’s right; it’s called Texican. Located at 7101 Harry Hines Blvd., this restaurant offers signature dishes from Gonzales’ brilliant culinary mind, including breakfast, donuts and burgers.
If that all sounds tasty to you, they are open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To learn more about them, visit agtexican.com.
Fun on the Run host Yolonda Williams took a trip to Texican and has more! | https://cw33.com/news/local/what-to-eat-at-dallas-celebrity-chef-abel-gonzales-restaurant-texican/ | 2022-07-01T15:07:43 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/what-to-eat-at-dallas-celebrity-chef-abel-gonzales-restaurant-texican/ |
Coronavirus hospitalizations are continuing to climb in Ohio, but the numbers are a fraction of levels previously reported during the state’s peak during the omicron surge.
As of Thursday, 753 people were hospitalized with COVID in Ohio and 79 were in the state’s ICUs, according to the Ohio Hospital Association.
Of the 753 people hospitalized with the virus, 78 were in west central Ohio — which includes Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties — and 110 were in southwest Ohio, which consists of Butler, Warren, Hamilton, Adams, Brown, Clermont and Clinton counties.
This represents a 50% increase compared to the number of inpatients with COVID last week and a 239% increase compared to 60 days ago in west central Ohio, according to OHA. Southwest Ohio reported an 11% decrease in the past week but a 100% increase over the last 60 days.
Though the number of ICU patients in both regions has increased recently, it’s at a slower rate than hospitalizations overall.
The 15 COVID patients in southwest Ohio’s ICUs Thursday was a 15% increase from last week and an 88% increase compared to 60 days ago, according to OHA. West central Ohio, which had four ICU patients with the virus, reported a 33% increase in the last week and a 33% increase from 60 days ago.
In the past week the Ohio Department of Health recorded 483 hospitalizations and 32 ICU admissions. The three-week average is 465 hospitalizations and 30 ICU admissions a week.
Since Jan. 1, 2021, there have been 70,372 people hospitalized with COVID in the state who were not fully vaccinated, according to ODH. There have been 4,955 people hospitalized with the virus among the fully vaccinated.
During that same period, there have been 23,943 COVID deaths of people who were not fully vaccinated and 1,286 deaths of people who were vaccinated, according to the state health department.
Nearly 63% of Ohioans have started the coronavirus vaccine and 58.46% of residents have completed it. More than 7.36 million people in Ohio have received at least one vaccine dose and 6.83 million have finished the series.
About 3.65 million Ohioans got a booster shot and 629,038 people received a second booster, according to ODH.
Ohio added 17,225 coronavirus cases cases in the last week, according to ODH. The state is averaging 16,518 cases a week over the last three weeks.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/covid-hospitalizations-remain-low-in-ohio-but-continue-to-rise/NIHHCPVDWJDQTBPWZ4ZFVQDLCE/ | 2022-07-01T15:16:51 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/covid-hospitalizations-remain-low-in-ohio-but-continue-to-rise/NIHHCPVDWJDQTBPWZ4ZFVQDLCE/ |
Everyone in San Francisco knows the feeling when the weekend is swiftly approaching and you have no idea how to spend it.
Of course, it’s great to live in a city that offers a bounty of options, but amid surging gas prices, costly rent and worsening inflation, it can be tough to stick to a budget. That’s where this guide comes in.
Whether you’re a longtime local, new to the city, a bookworm or an outdoorsy type, we rounded up a list of 40 free things for you to do this summer, from familiar traditions to potential new favorites.
See something we’re missing? This is by no means a comprehensive list, so tell us about your favorite wallet-friendly outing and we’ll be sure to include it. You can also check out our Bay Area-wide list.
1. Take in the views at the Potrero Hill Community Garden
Once home to Estelle West, otherwise known as the fabled Goat Lady of Potrero Hill, this hidden gem of a garden just off San Bruno Avenue requires a bit of an uphill trek, but offers one of the best views in the city. Bring a burrito and watch the sunset among the plots of organic fruits, vegetables, sunflowers and dahlias — you might even see a few chickens. 780 San Bruno Ave. Open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2. Get your game on at Musee Mecanique
Of course, you’ll need a pocketful of change to play the games at this legendary vintage arcade tucked away on Fisherman's Wharf, but just taking in the atmosphere is worth the trip alone. Say hi to Laffing Sal, reminisce on the good old Playland days and keep an eye out for proprietor Dan Zelinsky as he zips around from machine to machine on his roller skates. Pier 45. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
3. Watch movies under the stars
Grab a blanket and some popcorn — Sundown Cinema is back. Co-hosted by Do The Bay and the San Francisco Parks Alliance, the series of outdoor screenings descends on eight parks throughout the city. This summer, catch “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” in Union Square on July 8, “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows: Part II” at Marina Green on July 29 and “Encanto” (waitlist only) at India Basin Shoreline Park on Aug. 19. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance. Various locations, dates.
4. Boogie down at Skatin’ Place
There’s nothing like a Friday night at Skatin’ Place in Golden Gate Park, where LED lights glimmer and the rhythmic bass of R&B thrums from the outdoor rink. But the best part just might be seeing the charismatic host of the long-running event in action: David Miles Jr., otherwise known as the Godfather of Skate. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skater, you can check out the rink’s colorful new mural, hang out in the grass and listen to some disco music, or lace up some skates yourself and get moving. Golden Gate Park at 6th Avenue and Fulton Street. Open every day.
5. Check out a drag show by the ocean
The true spirit of San Francisco lives on at Golden Hour Drag, where performers lip-sync, twirl and turn it out on the sands of Baker Beach at sunset. With the crashing waves and the Golden Gate Bridge providing a backdrop to every song, trust us, it doesn’t get better than this. Hosted by VERA!, Heaven on Earth, Die Anna, Mary Vice, Syzygy, Obsidienne Obsurd, Major Hammy and Nicki Jizz, shows are typically held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but check Instagram for the most up-to-date details. Admission is pay-what-you-can, but $15 is recommended — and please don’t forget to tip your performers! Baker Beach at the Sand Ladder on Fridays and Lobos Creek on Saturdays and Sundays. Next shows: Friday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m.
6. Uncover some SF trivia on a Free Guided Walking Tour
No matter how long you’ve been in the city, there’s bound to be a tour led by one of San Francisco City Guides’ 300 trained volunteers that will teach you something new. SFGATE’s travel editor Silas Valentino calls it “a fun fact bonanza,” and you can educate yourself on just about anything from scandalous murals to downtown architecture and the filming locations of Alfred Hitchcock. Various locations, dates.
7. Discover a new hobby on top of an SF skyscraper
The Rooftop Park of Salesforce Tower can provide a convenient respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown, and it’s worth it to go even if only for a peaceful walk on your lunch hour. But free activities are also held on a daily basis, from yoga and HIIT classes to bird-watching and garden tours. Visit the park’s website for a full list of events. 425 Mission St. Open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
8. Catch a concert at Stern Grove
Now in its 85th season, this storied music festival series needs no introduction, and it’s in full swing through July 31. This month, catch late-aughts indie staple the Cold War Kids, folk band Old Crow Medicine Show and Molly Tuttle, legendary singer-songwriter Cat Power and Oakland’s Spellling, plus country-pop artist LeAnn Rimes and Amythyst Kiah. The San Francisco Symphony is expected to return July 31, followed by multi-instrumentalist blues musician Taj Mahal and Monophonics. Phil Lesh & Friends and Midnight North will wrap up the series with an annual Big Picnic fundraiser on Aug. 14. Check Stern Grove’s website to secure your free reservation. Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove. Sundays at 2 p.m.
9. Hang out with the sea lions at Pier 39
Is there anything better than seeing a blubbery pile of sea lions barking, snuggling and sunning themselves while you look on from the viewing dock with an uncontrollable grin on your face? No, there isn’t.
As SFGATE reporter Madeline Wells described in her 10/10 rating of the Fisherman's Wharf mascots: “I laughed, I nearly cried. I love them.” Pier 39. Open every day.
10. Visit a museum for free
With a San Francisco Public Library card, residents can visit a number of museums for free. Simply log into Discover & Go, choose a date and an available attraction, and you’re on your way. (SFGATE’s deputy editor Fiona Lee recommends the Jim Henson exhibit currently on view at the Contemporary Jewish Museum.)
However, this isn’t the only way to get into a museum at no cost — Bank of America sponsors free visits for cardholders to the Legion of Honor, the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the de Young Museum on the first weekend of every month. And residents can go to the Legion of Honor and the de Young every Saturday at no cost, with the latter institution offering free sketching and art materials on select dates from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Conservatory of Flowers also extends free general admission to residents every day, and to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month. Various locations, dates.
11. Enjoy a picnic at Sutro Baths
Once home to the largest indoor swimming complex in the world — not to mention an ice skating rink and a museum with stuffed polar bears and a mummy — the ruins of the 126-year-old Sutro Baths are one of the city’s most interesting landmarks. Wander into the spooky adjacent tunnel where Anton LaVey once hung out (or did he?), and for a full coastal history day, SFGATE managing editor Katie Dowd recommends checking out the shipwreck off Lands End. 1004 Point Lobos Ave. Open every day.
12. Learn how to sail the open sea
Bring out your adventurous side and join the Cal Sailing Club for its monthly open house and introductory sailing course, where you can voyage across the water, enjoy dazzling views of the Bay Bridge and the San Francisco city skyline, and come away with some boat safety education. Rides are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive at the clubhouse early to make your reservation. 124 University Ave. on the Berkeley Marina. Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.
13. Try some tofu
The 10th Annual Northern California Soy and Tofu Festival is descending on Japantown after a two-year hiatus and will feature plenty of vendors, games, live performances and yes, free samples. Look out for the popular mascot, Cutie Tofutti. San Francisco Japantown Peace Plaza. Saturday, July 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
14. Look for fairy doors
Crafted by Tony Powell and his son in 2008, the tiny fairy door tucked away behind the Japanese Tea Garden has become a little-known legend of Golden Gate Park and receives hundreds of handwritten notes from children every year. In recent years, Alec Hawley has performed upkeep on other doors throughout the park in addition to making some new ones, and a miniature Victorian recently popped up, too. Can you find them all? Golden Gate Park. Open every day.
15. Listen to jazz in a bookstore
Bird & Beckett Books and Records in Glen Park transforms into a live jazz venue every week — they haven’t missed a Friday night since they started hosting shows there in 2002. Though some events require a cover charge, free jam sessions are held on the first and last Sundays of every month, and you can listen to some tunes while you pick up your next summer read. If you can, tip your musicians! The store also hosts poetry readings on the first Thursday of each month. 653 Chenery St. Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. (poetry) and Sundays from 7 to 9 p.m. (music).
16. Pre-game in Mission Bay
Spark Social SF is a free community gathering space in Mission Bay with a beer garden and rotating food truck options. There’s plenty of outdoor seating offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and it’s just a 7-minute walk away from Chase Center. Pets and children are welcome. 601 Mission Bay Blvd. Open Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
17. Scout out San Francisco movie locations
The city is home to several iconic films, from “What’s Up, Doc?” to “Vertigo” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” to “Harold and Maude.” A number of unmistakable movie residences still stand, including the turreted Victorian in “Mrs. Doubtfire” on Steiner Street in Pacific Heights and Mia Thermopolis’ fire house in “The Princess Diaries” on Brazil Avenue in the Excelsior. You can go see them for yourself — just remember to be respectful of the people living there. Various locations. Open every day.
18. Master some swing dancing moves
If you’ve seen the free swing dancing lessons in Golden Gate Park and felt intimidated but secretly wanted to join in on the fun, you’re not alone. I can personally attest to the welcoming nature of co-founder Ken Watanabe and longtime instructor “Hep” Jen Holland, who did not laugh at me when I went last year, despite my two left feet. If you’re willing to put yourself out there, it’s fun and freeing — and a great way to meet new people. As Watanabe puts it: “It’s like being a kid again.” Enter Golden Gate Park at 8th Avenue and Fulton Street. Free half hour lessons offered every Sunday at noon; events run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
19. Pay your respects at the Presidio Pet Cemetery
Morbid as it may seem, it’s hard not to crack a smile at the quirky headstones here, “Our Knuckle Head, Parakeet to Paradise” and “Tippy, Daddy’s Little Baby Boy” chief among them. The final resting place for hundreds of military pets was established in the early 1950s and maintained by the Presidio Boy Scout Troop. Now, a team of dedicated volunteers keep it alive. 667 McDowell Ave. Open every day.
20. Wander through a mural alley
A colorful passageway connecting Valencia and Mission Streets has featured more than 900 murals from the Clarion Alley Mural Project since the organization was established in 1992. Explore a visual history of some of San Francisco’s political movements and community artists’ bold responses to topics of gentrification, police violence, racial justice and more. 90 Clarion Alley. Open every day.
21. Look for wild parrots
No one is quite certain how they got here, but wild flocks of cherry-headed conures are a staple of San Francisco, made even more recognizable by “The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill,” the heartwarming book written by Mark Bittner, and the subsequent documentary of the same name by filmmaker Judy Irving. Grab your binoculars and spend an afternoon trying to find the noisy, daredevil creatures along the Embarcadero, on Billy Goat Hill, in Corona Heights or hopping on top of telephone lines in Pacific Heights. Various locations, any day.
22. Laugh at the San Francisco Mime Troupe
Known for their slapstick nature and political commentary, these popular shows will take over San Francisco parks once again with a new musical this summer. SFGATE reporter Nico Madrigal-Yankowski has a fond, yet peculiar memory of watching the San Francisco Mime Troupe in Dolores Park as a child: “I asked my mom, ‘Why does it smell of skunk?’ The adults in the crowd, I learned later in life, were cracking up at more than the on-point satirical humor, if you catch my drift.” The troupe’s first San Francisco event returns to the very same park July 4 — check their website for a full event calendar. Various locations, dates.
23. See a live band play at Amoeba Music
The bowling alley-turned-record store on Haight Street is a paradise for crate diggers, and it also hosts free live shows just about every month. San Francisco’s poet laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin is next on the roster with a poetry reading and record signing event later this month. 1855 Haight St. July 10 at 4 p.m. — check Amoeba’s website for a full event schedule.
24. Go to your neighborhood farmers market or flea market
Farmers markets, flea markets and pop-up events aren’t just an opportunity to stock up on your groceries for the week or hunt for a bargain. They’re also great for getting some fresh air, unearthing new or nostalgic treasure, and, let’s be real, people-watching. Whether Off the Grid is more your style, or you’re looking to browse the Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile in the Sunset, there’s sure to be a market near you. SFGATE’s newsletter editor Cole Chapman recommends the Clement Street Farmers Market in the Inner Richmond: “It’s always a good time to hear the band outside Plough and the Stars on Sunday mornings.” Various locations, dates.
25. Attend a new street festival
This is one of the best ways to experience San Francisco’s vibrant culture and discover what makes it truly unique. From Festa Coloniale Italiana, the city’s only Italian street festival located in North Beach (Aug. 27) to Up Your Alley, a leather, fetish and BDSM festival in SoMa (July 31), there’s something for everyone. Various locations, dates.
26. Sing your heart out at a karaoke bar
Nothing brings people together like making fools out of themselves during a goofy sing-along. We’re partial to The Mint and Bow Bow, where regulars have been returning for decades. Liquid courage is optional — just please don’t sing “Hey Jude.” Various locations, dates.
27. Relive your arcade nostalgia
There’s never been an easier way to beat your “Pac-Man” high score or challenge a friend to “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.” Free game token nights are offered weekly at Emporium and monthly at the Detour. Check each bar’s website for full details. 616 Divisadero St. (Emporium) and 2200A Market St. (the Detour). Mondays (Emporium) and the first Tuesday of each month (the Detour).
28. Visit the bison paddock
A small herd of these gentle giants can be seen grazing in a sprawling field on the western end of Golden Gate Park. It’s never a bad idea to spend a peaceful afternoon with Bailey, Betsy, Buttercup, Bambi and Bellatrix. 1237 JFK Drive. Open daily.
29. Contemplate in a labyrinth
Each month, Grace Cathedral invites guests to spend a couple of hours relaxing and meditating during one of its candlelit labyrinth walks. Take in the stunning stained glass windows and serene views of the historic building as you quiet your mind. 1100 California St. Fridays.
30. Hear an author speak at a historic bookstore
Free author readings and Q&A panels are frequently held at City Lights Books in North Beach, Green Apple Books in the Inner Richmond, Booksmith in the Haight and Omnivore Books in Noe Valley. Find your next summer read or some recipe inspiration. Various locations, dates.
31. Say ‘awww’ to cute dogs
The city’s largest dog park, the Golden Gate Park Dog Training Area, underwent a $2.4 million renovation last year and is a canine destination. You’re sure to get a much-needed serotonin boost watching a few happy pups running around. 6335 Fulton St. Open daily.
32. Trek or cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge
Not just for tourists, but a must for any city-dweller. Grab a cup of coffee and head out for an early morning adventure — it’s about an hour walk both ways, but buses are available if you need to rest your feet. Touch Hoppers Hands while you’re at it. Golden Gate Bridge. Open daily.
33. Sunbathe at Dolores Park
Whether you’re reading a book, playing spike ball or just taking in the views, it’s easy to kill an afternoon here. Bonus points if you spot a dancing robot or get serenaded by a musician who plays you an original song on the spot. Dolores and 19th streets. Open daily.
34. Go on a docent-led tour of the Antique Vibrator Museum
Did you know the vibrator was the fifth household device to be electrified, after the sewing machine, the fan, the tea kettle and the toaster? You’ll learn these offbeat facts and more as you look at vibrators dating back to as early as the 1800s during a docent-led tour inside the Good Vibrations shop on Polk Street. Reservations need to be made 72 hours in advance by calling 415-345-0400. 1620 Polk St. Every third Sunday at 3 p.m.
35. Peek at three innings of a Giants game
It’s a San Francisco tradition. Make your way to the viewing area at McCovey Cove and watch three innings (or more, depending on the size of the crowd) free of charge. It’s also fun to look out for people in boats as they try to catch a fly ball. 24 Willie Mays Plaza. Dates vary.
36. Go to San Francisco’s oldest nursery
Housed in a dairy farm building dating back to 1904, Clement Nursery is a haven for plant fanatics and is the oldest institution of its kind in the city. A former hay barn accommodates what is now the nursery storefront, with shelves of self-watering pots, houseplants, jewelry and other gifts on display. Out back, hundreds of native California plants bask in the sunlight next to what used to be the dairy’s cookhouse. The nursery also allegedly served as Armistead Maupin’s inspiration for Plant Parenthood, the shop run by Michael “Mouse” Tolliver and Brian Hawkins in “Tales of the City.” 1921 Clement St. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
37. Put your ear up to the Wave Organ
One of the oldest art installations in the city, the Wave Organ creates ambient soundscapes from the bay itself. Built in 1986 by Exploratorium artists in residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez, it’s now an international destination. “It’s chaotic at first,” writes SFGATE editor Dan Gentile. “But hold your ear for a little longer or take a seat in the alcove with several pipes surrounding you in stereo. The sounds develop a soothing rhythm, and if you’re there at high tide, calming resonance builds into timpani-like swells.” 83 Marina Green Dr. Open daily.
38. Hike up Mount Davidson to see the cross
This historic hike on one of the famed Seven Hills of San Francisco — those named at the time of the founding of the city — ends beneath a 100-foot-tall concrete cross. Once you’re there, look out at the sweeping downtown views from the highest natural point in the city. 298 Juanita Way. Open daily.
39. See a circus in the park
Acrobats, jugglers, clowns, dancers and other acts from all over the world will converge at the city’s parks in “Flip Flop Fly,” the latest show from Circus Bella. More than 108,000 people in the Bay Area have gone to see these hourlong performances, according to its website, and the next one is at Salesforce Park on July 10. View the full schedule at Circus Bella's website. Various dates, locations.
40. Voyage to the Doggie Diner head
The face of the retro fast food chain used to be ubiquitous across the city. Now, there’s only one left, and though the deranged dachshund was once toppled in a windstorm and people fought over whether to deem it a landmark, it now watches over us all. Intersection of Sloat Boulveard and 45th Avenue. Open daily. | https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/free-things-to-do-san-francisco-17263457.php | 2022-07-01T15:20:29 | 0 | https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/free-things-to-do-san-francisco-17263457.php |
An 88-year-old woman was left with a broken left arm and a severe left hip injury after a random butt grab by a stranger in Brooklyn this week knocked her to the ground, authorities say.
Cops say the attacker was on a bicycle and rode up behind the woman at the corner of Wyckoff and Greene avenues in Bushwick around 2:20 a.m. Tuesday to grab her butt. The woman, surprised, fell to the ground, which is how she was hurt.
She was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center for treatment. The suspect rode off, fleeing southbound on Greene Avenue.
Police released surveillance footage of the attacker (above). Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/butt-grabber-breaks-88-year-old-womans-arm-in-nyc-attack-cops/3758537/ | 2022-07-01T15:24:32 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/butt-grabber-breaks-88-year-old-womans-arm-in-nyc-attack-cops/3758537/ |
Thieves posing as New York City tourists drove up to an 87-year-old man and swiped his necklace, swapping it for one made of fake gold, police said Thursday.
The snatch-and-switch happened June 16 near Cunningham Park in Queens. The thieves claimed to be travelers from Dubai and engaged the man in conversation to draw him closer to their vehicle, police said.
Surveillance video made public Thursday showed the man standing close to the vehicle and the driver reaching for the man’s necklace, unclasping it and at one point removing a hat from the man’s head.
The driver then placed a fake gold necklace, much cheaper than the original, on the man's neck before driving off, police said. They described the vehicle as a white Jeep Grand Cherokee with a covered rear plate.
A similar incident happened Sunday on Staten Island. There, thieves in the same type of vehicle pulled up to an 81-year-old woman at a bus stop, engaged her in conversation to draw her closer and removed her jewelry once she was within reach, police said.
No arrests have been made. Police say they’re investigating the thefts as grand larcenies, indicating that the stolen necklace and jewelry were worth more than $1,000. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/thieves-posing-as-nyc-tourists-swipe-87-year-olds-necklace/3757929/ | 2022-07-01T15:24:38 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/thieves-posing-as-nyc-tourists-swipe-87-year-olds-necklace/3757929/ |
New York Democrats are considering enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, possibly as part of a broader amendment that would also prohibit discrimination based on gender expression.
Lawmakers held a special legislative session Thursday that Gov. Kathy Hochul called primarily to pass an emergency overhaul of the state's gun permitting rules after they were struck down by a Supreme Court ruling.
But the Democrats were talking privately about whether to also use the emergency session to launch the process of amending the state constitution to protect the right to abortions.
State law currently allows abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy, but abortion rights supporters say they want a guarantee that a future legislature won't be able to pass more abortion restrictions.
Even in a blue state like New York, however, some Democrats have been hesitant to start the process of amending the constitution amid opposition from pro-life Catholic groups.
“There’s a narrative that’s taken hold among Democratic leadership that somehow they can’t win on this issue,” said Katharine Bodde, New York Civil Liberties Union assistant policy director.
Hochul, a Democrat running for her first full term as governor in November, has vowed in campaign ads to protect the right to abortion in the state constitution.
News
Lawmakers and advocates are also debating the best way to spell out abortion protections.
One approach would be to protect abortion rights indirectly. Leaders of NYCLU and Planned Parenthood’s New York chapter have proposed an amendment they say would guarantee abortion rights by prohibiting discrimination based on “pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes.”
That amendment could also prohibit discrimination based on disability, sex, national origin, gender identity and gender expression. Backers say the intent would also be to create legal grounds for barring the government from trampling on transgender rights, among other things.
Right now, the Equal Protection Amendment in the state constitution currently prohibits discrimination based on “race, color, creed or religion.”
Mike Murphy, spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, said lawmakers are considering a combination of both approaches: passing an amendment that explicitly protects abortion rights, and also adding sex, gender identity and other protections to the constitution.
Leaders of the New York State Catholic Conference have expressed concern about the possibility that a constitutional change would weaken protections for health care workers who, for religions reasons, don’t want to provide abortions or gender transition care.
Health care workers with religious concerns are already somewhat protected under federal and state law, but Catholic Conference Executive Director Dennis Poust said those protections aren't enough.
“Federal conscience protection is limited based on certain funding streams and is dependent totally on federal enforcement since there is no private right of action,” Poust said in an email. “It does not extend to forced referrals or to anything related to gender transition.”
The process of amending the state constitution takes time.
Any amendment approved by the legislature this year would have to be approved a second time in a subsequent legislative session, next year. The proposed amendment would then go before voters in a statewide referendum.
The NYCLU's Bodde said changing the constitution would be worth the effort.
“We are filing gaps where the federal Constitution has shrunk protections over the past 50 years,” Bodde said. “And we are maintaining the balance of religion within our state constitution.”
Rewriting Gun Laws
New York lawmakers began the special legislative session Thursday with the intent of limiting the proliferation of firearms in public after the Supreme Court gutted the state’s century-old handgun licensing law.
The state is overhauling its rules for carrying guns after the court decided that ordinary citizens had a right to arm themselves in public for self-defense, something New York had limited mostly to people working in law enforcement or security.
New rules being rushed through an emergency session of the Legislature would allow many more gun owners to apply for a license to carry a concealed weapon, but would seek to set new restrictions on where firearms can be carried.
Lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s staff had hoped to have a vote Thursday, but work drafting the bills was unfinished when the day ended at midnight. Work continued until shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday, and was set to resume later in the day.
“We’re continuing to have serious discussions because the implications are hard to overstate. We want to ensure we are doing this in a constitutional way, in a way that comports with the court’s opinion,” Sen. Zellnor Myrie, a Brooklyn Democrat, said during an afternoon press conference in New York’s State Capitol. “We’re just trying to close the loop on some details.”
One provision proposed Wednesday by Hochul, a Democrat, would ban people from carrying firearms into places of business unless owners put up signage saying guns are welcome.
New York would be the first state to pass such a rule, according to David Pucino, deputy chief counsel at Giffords Law Center. In states where carrying guns is more common, businesses that want to keep guns out are usually required to post signs indicating weapons aren’t allowed.
New York would also set new requirements for obtaining a handgun permit, including mandating 15 hours of in-person training at a firing range. The Legislature is also primed to enact new rules around firearm storage in homes and vehicles.
Gun advocate groups are critical of the new proposed restrictions, saying some of them infringe on the rights upheld by the Supreme Court.
Hochul and fellow Democrats also plan on compiling a list of “sensitive places” where the average person will be banned from carrying firearms, including hospitals, schools and public transportation.
Other provisions require background checks for all purchases of ammunition for guns that require a permit, and bar people with a history of dangerous behavior from getting handgun permits.
Hochul has said the Supreme Court ruling came at a particularly painful time, with New York mourning the deaths of 10 people in a shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo. “This decision isn’t just reckless. It’s reprehensible. It’s not what New Yorkers want,” she said. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-wants-to-enshrine-abortion-rights-in-constitution-amid-session-rewriting-gun-laws/3758503/ | 2022-07-01T15:25:00 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-wants-to-enshrine-abortion-rights-in-constitution-amid-session-rewriting-gun-laws/3758503/ |
Someone tried to carjack a 72-year-old Bronx man as he pulled into his driveway last weekend, police say. The man's family stopped the would-be thief, police said.
According to the NYPD, the victim was still sitting in his car, in his driveway near Gleason and Theriot avenues, just before 11 p.m. Saturday when the stranger walked up, put his hand over the driver's mouth and snatched his car keys.
The man's family stopped the thief as he tried to drive off with the car. He then ran away and was last seen moving north on Theriot Avenue.
No injuries were reported.
Video released by police shows the man police are looking for (above). Anyone with information is asked to calL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-family-chases-off-stranger-who-tries-to-carjack-72-year-old-in-driveway-cops/3758482/ | 2022-07-01T15:25:08 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-family-chases-off-stranger-who-tries-to-carjack-72-year-old-in-driveway-cops/3758482/ |
Times Square would be a gun-free zone under pending legislation designed to revive some of New York's gun control laws, Albany sources told News 4 on Friday.
In the wake of a Supreme Court decision striking down's New York's century-old laws on carrying firearms in public, the legislature is hurriedly crafting new rules that would keep firearms out of so-called sensitive areas.
The bill would ban guns in the kinds of places that have already been subject to heightened law enforcement protections. It would also specifically prohibit guns in "the area commonly known as Times Square," according to draft language obtained by News 4.
As of mid-morning Friday the legislation was still working its way through the state house and there was no guarantee those restrictions would become law.
Gov. Kathy Hochul has said the proposed legislation would prohibit concealed weapons inside private businesses unless business owners explicitly post signs welcoming them. It would also increase training requirements and mandate background checks for some ammunition purchases. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/times-square-would-be-gun-free-zone-under-new-ny-laws-sources/3758517/ | 2022-07-01T15:25:15 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/times-square-would-be-gun-free-zone-under-new-ny-laws-sources/3758517/ |
BRIDGETON — Authorities are investigating a robbery outside of a city liquor where a man was stabbed with a pocket knife on Thursday evening.
While at Inspira Medical Center Vineland for treatment, the man informed the police that three men, which he described as "Spanish-speaking and wearing face coverings," approached him outside the store, in the 50 block of S. Laurel Street.
During the incident, which happened around 7:30 p.m., the group demanded money from the him, and when he told them he didn't have any, one of the men stabbed him, police said.
After the stabbing, the suspects seized $60 from the man before running from the area on foot, police said.
Anyone with details about the suspects or the incident is asked to contact city police, at 856-451-0033. Anonymous tips can be shared online, at bpd.tips, and all information shared is anonymous. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-stabbed-robbed-outside-bridgeton-liquor-store/article_e643bafc-f945-11ec-a049-8fa3fb2149c9.html | 2022-07-01T15:27:10 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-stabbed-robbed-outside-bridgeton-liquor-store/article_e643bafc-f945-11ec-a049-8fa3fb2149c9.html |
OCEAN CITY — New four-way stops should make a pair of intersections safer for both cars and pedestrians, city officials said Friday.
Traffic must now stop in all directions where Simpson Avenue meets both 11th and 13th streets. The addition intends to slow traffic in a neighborhood already filled with four-way stops, officials said in a news release.
“Public safety will always be our top priority,” Mayor Jay Gillian said in a statement. “I’m glad to see this work get done.”
City police are reminding drivers and pedestrians about the change when they approach the intersection. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/four-way-stops-added-to-a-pair-of-simpson-avenue-intersections-in-ocean-city/article_6a8903ba-f939-11ec-be52-b38723658f0f.html | 2022-07-01T15:27:16 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/four-way-stops-added-to-a-pair-of-simpson-avenue-intersections-in-ocean-city/article_6a8903ba-f939-11ec-be52-b38723658f0f.html |
ODOT resurfacing work to restrict lanes on 2 routes near Alliance
Review staff report
ALLIANCE – Motorists should expect lane restrictions on two state routes next week.
The Ohio Department of Transportation issued a press release Thursday for stretches of State Route 183 and Route 225 in the Alliance area.
The restrictions begin Tuesday and are due to resurfacing work on those roads. The project is expected to be completed by late July.
Here are the areas impacted:
- Route 183 from just north of Alliance city limits to the Portage County line.
- Route 225 from Rt. 183 to the Alliance corporate limits.
In other construction news, State Route 153 between Harmont Avenue and Broadway Avenue near Louisville also will be experience lane restrictions due to resurfacing work. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2022/07/01/odot-resurfacing-restrictions-alliance-ohio-2022/7786594001/ | 2022-07-01T15:30:20 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2022/07/01/odot-resurfacing-restrictions-alliance-ohio-2022/7786594001/ |
Fuel cards available to eligible Stark County veterans
PLAIN TWP. – Stark County veterans might be able to get some help at the gas pump.
The Stark County Veterans Service Commission is offering fuel cards to eligible veterans.
The new initiative comes at a time when many states are seeing of nearly $5 per gallon, but Veterans Service Commission Finance Manager Jacqueline Wagner said the recent surge in gas prices isn't the reason behind the fuel cards.
She said the agency has been working to address "more needs" of veterans in the community. Expenses like fuel can make it difficult for those experiencing financial hardship to find and maintain employment, she said.
Single veterans can receive $100 in gas cards. Married veterans and their spouses can receive $200 in gas cards if they own two vehicles.
Veterans can apply for the fuel cards through the agency's financial assistance program.
To qualify, they must have active federal service and have been honorably discharged and served on active duty for reasons other than training.
They can also qualify if they sustained a disability while serving on active duty for training, providing their disability is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense as service-connected.
Applicants must be residents of Stark County for at least 90 days before submitting their application. Proof of residency is required. They must demonstrate a definite financial need. The commission will evaluate factors such as income, liquid assets and living expenses.
"I think it's a great program," Commander Terry Roan of Massillon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3124.
Roan said the fuel cards will help address the specific needs of Stark County veterans. He commended the county's Veterans Service Commission, saying the staff does a tremendous job in the community.
De Ann Williams, executive director of the Veterans Service Commission, said the agency has been introducing programs in recent years to help meet the different needs of area veterans. The commission recognizes that everyone's circumstances are different, she said, and wants to assist veterans in any ways they can.
The financial assistance program helps veterans with living expenses such as rent and mortgage, utilities, food, clothing and personal hygiene.
Williams said the Veterans Service Commission hopes to raise awareness about the benefits available to veterans in Stark County at the local, state and federal levels.
One way they do it is through benefits counseling. Veterans can book an appointment with the commission to find resources for which they might qualify.
Veterans who book appointments now through Sept. 22 will be entered in a drawing to win a $120 Texas Roadhouse gift card.
To schedule a benefits counseling appointment, call 330-451-7457.
Reach Paige at 330-580-8577 or pmbennett@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @paigembenn. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/07/01/fuel-cards-available-eligible-stark-county-veterans/7778718001/ | 2022-07-01T15:30:26 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/07/01/fuel-cards-available-eligible-stark-county-veterans/7778718001/ |
The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday denied a request for an emergency stay on enforcing Ohio’s “Heartbeat Bill,” which bans abortion after five or six weeks’ gestation.
The court issued a two-sentence order Friday morning, signed by Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, only two days after a lawsuit was filed seeking to stop the bill from going into effect.
“This cause originated in this court on the filing of a complaint for a writ of mandamus,” it says. “Upon consideration of relators’ motion for an emergency stay, it ordered by the court that the motion is denied.”
The American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio and Planned Parenthood Federation of America filed suit Wednesday in the Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of Ohio’s six abortion clinics and one doctor, seeking an injunction to again block implementation of Senate Bill 23, which outlaws abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detectable. Those clinics include the Women’s Med Center of Dayton and the Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio clinic in Cincinnati; the doctor is Sharon Liner, medical director for the Cincinnati clinic.
Senate Bill 23 became law in 2019 but swiftly blocked by a federal judge. That injunction, however, was lifted June 24 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Also on Wednesday the Ohio Supreme Court ordered named defendants in the Ohio case – Yost, state health officials and prosecutors in counties that are home to abortion clinics – to file responses to the suit no later than noon Thursday.
Yost filed a response opposing the stay. Two of the affected county prosecutors, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley and Franklin County Prosecutor Gary Tyack, said in their filings they did not oppose granting a stay on SB 23.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/heartbeat-bill-ohio-supreme-court-denies-emergency-stay-of-abortion-law/XW3ZHI43ZVDDPCXGQ2KH2O4EMI/ | 2022-07-01T15:34:08 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/heartbeat-bill-ohio-supreme-court-denies-emergency-stay-of-abortion-law/XW3ZHI43ZVDDPCXGQ2KH2O4EMI/ |
March 31, 1931 – June 23, 2022
Maryann Montgomery, 91, died June 23 in Bandon, Oregon. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 31, 1931 to Joseph and Theresa Budzinski, and had one brother, Thomas. Maryann entered the Ursuline Convent in Toledo, Ohio, in 1949 and left the Order in 1963. Four years later she married Robert Montgomery and is survived by stepson, Thomas; his wife, Colleen; and their children.
Maryann received her Bachelor of Music from Mary Manse College, Master of Music from the University of Michigan, and Doctor of Philosophy from Ohio University. Her dissertation title was: “Musical and Poetic Structures in Olivier Messiaen’s Couleurs de la Cite Celeste and Ted Huches’s Crow.”
Maryann sang and played the piano professionally in clubs, chorales, and musicals in Michigan, Ohio, and California. She taught music history, music theory, art history, fine arts/humanities, voice and piano at Mary Manse, University of Michigan, University of San Diego, and Stephens College.
In 1997, Maryann was awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence in College Teaching from Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri. She retired in 1998 and lived a semi-solitary life in Port Orford and Bandon, Oregon.
The family requests donations be made in her honor to Pedal the Pacific, pedalthepacific.org. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/maryann-montgomery/article_2f4c472e-f94f-11ec-8993-1fa3a3e5e7c8.html | 2022-07-01T15:34:48 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/obituaries/maryann-montgomery/article_2f4c472e-f94f-11ec-8993-1fa3a3e5e7c8.html |
GAS TRACKER: Prices entering 4th of July weekend Jul 1, 2022 Jul 1, 2022 Updated 1 hr ago 0 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Here's the latest as of July 1. Gas prices IA/MN Infogram Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save More From KIMT News 3 Community Med City 'Lemonade Day' teaches kids life-long skills as they hand out lemonade Updated Jun 11, 2022 News StormTeam3: Tracking More Snow For Saturday Evening Updated Jan 22, 2022 News Austin man gets final sentence for rash of March 2021 crimes Updated Mar 24, 2022 Weather Severe Weather Awareness Week: keep an eye in the sky Updated Apr 5, 2022 Cerro Gordo County Mason City pursuit ends when man crashes vehicle into a garage Updated Jan 4, 2022 News StormTeam3: Tracking a Midweek Arctic Blast Updated Jan 16, 2022 Recommended for you
Community Med City 'Lemonade Day' teaches kids life-long skills as they hand out lemonade Updated Jun 11, 2022
Cerro Gordo County Mason City pursuit ends when man crashes vehicle into a garage Updated Jan 4, 2022 | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/gas-tracker-prices-entering-4th-of-july-weekend/article_378acd86-b6a4-11ec-b417-27b35e070ff8.html | 2022-07-01T15:41:06 | 1 | https://www.kimt.com/news/local/gas-tracker-prices-entering-4th-of-july-weekend/article_378acd86-b6a4-11ec-b417-27b35e070ff8.html |
Opinion: If you didn’t have doubts about former Congressman Raul Labrador’s capacity to serve as Idaho’s attorney general before the House Jan. 6 Committee convened its televised hearings, you should have a bunch of them now.
An Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet was killed in an training event on Friday at Saylor Creek Range, a part of the Mountain Home Range Complex.
Susan Wampler of Mountain Home picks cherries to can and preserve at home Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Kelley's Canyon Orchard in Filer. This was Wampler's first time at Kelley's Canyon Orchard. 'This is a really nice area,' she said.
Kassity Wilhelm checks out customers Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Kelley's Canyon Orchard in Filer. Now in their 114th season, Kelley's Canyon Orchard offers U-pick on a variety of fruits. Cherries are currently in season at $2.49 per pound.
A stack of U-pick buckets sit ready for customers Thursday, June 30, 2022, at Kelley's Canyon Orchard in Filer. Now in their 114th season, Kelley's Canyon Orchard offers U-pick on a variety of fruits. Cherries are currently in season at $2.49 per pound. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/cherry-picking-at-kelleys-canyon-orchard/article_df0d407a-f8b7-11ec-9c78-1363556c35c8.html | 2022-07-01T15:42:01 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/cherry-picking-at-kelleys-canyon-orchard/article_df0d407a-f8b7-11ec-9c78-1363556c35c8.html |
A painted pot full of violet pansy flowers sat next to 8-year-old Riley Fowler while she sat on a plastic lawn chair eating a popsicle. The outside of the pot was decorated with purple acrylic paint of her own design.
“Well it’s purple,” she said when asked about the artwork. “Because I like purple.”
“Someone else liked purple too,” her mom, Kelsey Fowler said.
Riley nodded. “Grandma,” she said.
Riley’s and her 11-year-old brother Thomas’s grandma passed away in February of this year. “It was a Wednesday,” they said in unison. After being signed up for the program by Kelsey, the two attended the three-day Central Wyoming Hospice Kids Grief Camp this week.
“The kids are all here because they’ve had to say a forever goodbye. They start guarding their hearts because it’s hard to say goodbye to a loved one, but it’s also hard to say hello to a new one,” Karol Santistevan, the co-founder of Reach 4A Star Riding Academy, said. “It’s a pretty intensive camp that lets them experience a lot of different things. We have play, storytelling, art, we have a couple different units of horses, all to help them find what’s going to connect with them.”
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Partnering with Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, the camp first opened in 2014, and has been in operation every summer since. This year, the academy hosted two grief camps, working with 18 kids ranging from 6 to 16 during the last session.
Over the course of three days, campers are engaged in different exercises meant to understand and improve the ways they process or deal with grief. Some of the activities include playing bonding games, learning to connect with horses and making a memory garden — like Riley’s purple project.
“Adults have a hard time putting words to what they’re experiencing, kids even more so because of different developmental stages of their life,” Todd Von Gunton, the grief care coordinator at the camp said. “We provide ways of expression so that they can try to start making sense of what they have within ... if it’s just some of the overwhelming amount of feelings that they have, there’s a way for them to express sometimes without words.”
On day one, the kids designed “brands” meant to represent aspects of their loved ones. On day three, the kids set out with paper blueprint in hand to transfer over the designs onto the horses with paint.
The groups were given a palette full of multicolored paint, safe for the horses, and a brush to work on their designs. Surprisingly, the horses remained very still while the kids worked, but every once in a while they would to shuffle to the left or the right.
“The canvas is on the move,” Santistevan laughed as one of the horses began to turn. The kid painting on the horse’s side did his best to move with the animal, paintbrush still in hand.
The horses were always accompanied by two handlers in the arena, too. One of those was 18-year-old Madelyn Cuartas, who first attended the program in 2020.
She came as a camper after losing her dad to a battle with brain cancer. At the time of her Dad’s passing, Cuartas was 16 and mixing in the loss of her Dad with her other teenage struggles, she said. Her Mom originally signed her up for the camp thinking it would help her process her grief and “be good for her.”
Turns out, it was, she said.
“When my dad passed, I didn’t know anyone who had lost a parent,” Cuartas said. “Being so young, not a lot of people understand what they’re feeling, not a lot of these kids know what they’re feeling and if it’s normal … so I got to connect with some other teenagers who lost grandparents and parents and were dealing with the same thing I was. Just knowing that you’re not alone.”
This summer, her name tag has the title “Teen Mentor” in bold beneath her name. When she first attended the camp, Cuartas said she had only been around horses a few times. Now, she was the one instructing the kids on how to interact with the animals.
“I really wanted to help … it’s a way for me to repay all the stuff that they’ve helped me with,” Cuartas said. “It kind of sucks when you go by it yourself. It took me six months to find someone else who was kind of dealing with the same thing and it was absolute hell on me. So all the help that they’ve given me in the past two years, it’s just, how could I not come back?”
Since her first day at the camp in 2020, Cuartas has graduated from high school and will major in Environmental Land Management at the University of Wyoming in the fall. An adventure she said she’s really excited about.
Also occasionally holding the reins was Rick Dellise. Starting at the camp in 2018, Dellise moved to Wisconsin after two years with the program. When he and his wife made the decision to visit Wyoming over their summer vacation, Dellise made a call to return as a volunteer too.
“I have to be honest, some of my best friends in Wyoming are the horses. Even after being gone for two years, most of the horses remember who I am,” Dellise said. “I made a point when I came out here that I was gonna get involved and take the time to help people … spending time with the horses and working with them was good for me. So you could almost say that part of it was selfish, but I just gave back to the community.”
Back in Wisconsin, Dellise said that horses are often referred to as “pasture pets.” Here though, the horses work for a living. To them, the paint is just another day on the job.
“It’s amazing to see how the horses touch these kids,” Dellise said. “The horses will tolerate things with these kids that are hurting that they won’t tolerate from an adult. … There’s some of the kids that have been here last year and they still have their favorite horse.”
In fact, Riley said her favorite part of the whole camp was the horses. Specifically Ollie, the tallest of the horses, a white stallion.
Riley said sitting on his back felt like being on top of the world.
“The horses felt how I felt,” she said. “It kind of made me happy that I got to ride them and it made me happy that they could understand my feelings. They kind of helped it a lot too, just feeling my feelings.”
The horses were also a large part of the closing ceremony too. On the final day, the three painted horses trotted around the arena while the kids’ families and friends sat on plastic lawn chairs to watch. The kids took turns using a mic to describe the meaning behind their artwork.
Some of the designs included birthday cake, a flying UFO and the superman symbol. Riley’s was a surplus of cleaning supplies and a painted hand print signature. Not all of the kids felt comfortable sharing their brands themselves, so Santistevan offered to describe their designs instead.
“It’s a way to tell a story without having to talk … but we also give them the opportunity to explain how they came up with their brand,” Santistevan said. “Maybe they simply stand next to that brand and say, this is mine. And that’s all they’re able to say, but they’re still able to express in a way that they might not be able to express in a regular setting.”
After the brand presentations, the campers and their loved ones moved outside to complete the final activity of the closing ceremony. Standing in a circle, each kid was given a butterfly to release.
Von Gunton, leading the exercise, informed the kids that when a caterpillar first makes its way into the cocoon, the cycle of metamorphosis can be difficult. During the process, the caterpillar turns itself into a gooey substance during the pupa stage.
“It then knits itself to better together piece by piece and makes itself into a butterfly,” he told the group. “But that takes time. It’s a hard thing to do, to go from a caterpillar to a butterfly … it might hurt sometimes, but it’s what you will become. Your life will change forever and you might be able to come out as a butterfly.”
The kids were then instructed to release their butterflies from their hands. While a little windy, the yellow and orange wings made their escape and flew away from the group in opposite directions. Riley leaned over hers and whispered a message to her grandma before letting go of the insect.
“I told her that I love her and miss her very much,” Riley said. “I asked her if she could send a message back.”
Regardless of age, Von Gunton told the crowd that Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions offers grief care for all and is just a call away. Those looking for grief counseling after the loss of a loved one can reach them at (307) 577-4832.
“So what are you going to do when you get upset about grandma?” Kelsey asked Riley after the final ceremony.
Looking at her Mom, Riley paused to think about her answer.
“I know that she can hear me when I talk,” Riley said after a while. “And that I can always talk back.” | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/local-camp-helps-kids-process-the-grief-of-losing-a-loved-one/article_ed09ac16-f8be-11ec-8549-9f9988d667fa.html | 2022-07-01T15:46:34 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/local-camp-helps-kids-process-the-grief-of-losing-a-loved-one/article_ed09ac16-f8be-11ec-8549-9f9988d667fa.html |
HURRICANE, WV (WOWK) – One person has died this morning after a car crash in Hurricane.
According to Mayor Scott Edwards, the crash was reported just before 2:20 a.m. in the area of Virginia Avenue and Emerald Drive.
Edwards says the driver appears to have rolled the vehicle and crashed into the railroad tracks.
The mayor says the driver was declared dead at the scene. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/1-killed-in-early-morning-crash-in-hurricane/ | 2022-07-01T15:50:09 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/1-killed-in-early-morning-crash-in-hurricane/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta officially kicked off Thursday in the Capitol City with events going on all over town. One of the first major events was an outdoor wrestling show at Slack Plaza.
It isn’t every day that you see good old fashioned professional wrestling in downtown Charleston. There were cheers and boos as wrestlers fought in front of fans.
“Charleston is a wrestling city dating back to the Jim Crockett promotions at the Coliseum to all the local promotions who keep that spirit alive week in and week out here in West Virginia,” said wrestling announcer Adam Harris.
Pro-wrestling groups from across the state worked together to host the show in the unique outdoor setting. The event attracted the attention of a diverse crowd.
“It is always good. You love these festival type shows. All of the fans circling in and out and stuff, it is a good way to get it in everybody’s view that normally wouldn’t be at a show,” said wrestler Drex Dyer.
Other participants agreed that the event was a great way to help more people see what local wrestling has to offer.
“It makes it fun especially drawing in new people that have never seen the product before and when they finally catch the product its like ‘where have I been all of my life to not see this amazing thing called pro-wrestling’,” said wrestler Zaiden Kayne.
Those who came out for the show said it was a great way to kick off the return of the Regatta.
“I’m excited to show them all about the Regatta,” said LeaAnn Smith, Charleston, WV.
There are multiple other events planned at Slack Plaza over the next several days. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/outdoor-wrestling-show-kicks-off-regatta-festivities/ | 2022-07-01T15:50:15 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/outdoor-wrestling-show-kicks-off-regatta-festivities/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Since Roe V. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, nearly a week ago, there has been no clear-cut answer about what the abortion laws are right now in West Virginia.
“We’ve released our memo because we want to make sure that there’s no confusion about the current state of affairs in West Virginia,” said Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.
The memo by Morrisey said he would uphold the laws on the books in West Virginia, dating back to 1849, making abortion a felony for the patient and doctor.
He still thinks lawmakers need to act quickly to create clarity.
“We’re prepared to work with the legislature in any way to save as many lives as humanly and legally as possible,” Morrisey said.
Today, Gov. Jim Justice agreed and said he plans to call for a special session.
“I’ve taken all the knowledge and information that I could take from legislatures as well as our attorney general and now we need to go,” Gov. Justice said.
Legal challenges have already been filed by the ACLU on behalf of the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia.
“With the lawsuit, what we’re seeking is for a court to make a declaration to clarify that this law in the 1800s is unenforceable,” said Loree Stark, ACLU-WV legal director. “That will allow our client to start providing those important lifesaving healthcare services again.”
Moving forward with charges would be up to county prosecutors, and its clear even with Morrisey’s memo, there is still gray area.
Kanawha County Prosecutor Chuck Miller who is named in the lawsuit, said, “The ACLU has filed to enjoin me and the Attorney General from enforcing the law in WV regarding abortion. My office has no referrals pending. I hesitate to take any position until the issue is clarified.”
The Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia said, “… As prosecutors we have a clear obligation to enforce the laws of our state. I believe if abortion is illegal then no responsible medical provider will be doing them.”
Sorsaia continued saying, “If abortions are conducted in the ‘back allies’ as occurred historically before legalized abortions, we would have to aggressively deal with that problem for obvious safety reasons.”
Gov. Justice said he hopes to have the special session soon, but the date of it is still not set. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/west-virginia-lawmakers-to-provide-clarity-on-roe-v-wade/ | 2022-07-01T15:50:21 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/west-virginia-lawmakers-to-provide-clarity-on-roe-v-wade/ |
SHERIDAN, Ore. — Oregon's federal public defender says dozens of people inside the state's only federal prison have been on a hunger strike protesting conditions inside the facility.
"We heard last week that some incarcerated people had started a hunger strike, and the government confirmed (Monday) that about 80 people are now participating," Lisa Hay, the federal public defender, told Oregon Public Broadcasting in a statement.
Oregon's U.S. Attorney's Office would not confirm a hunger strike in the detention center at the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan to OPB. The institution houses people who have been charged but not convicted of crimes.
The Bureau of Prisons this week confirmed some people inside the detention center did not accept their meals.
"Numerous inmates assigned to the detention center at Federal Correctional Institution Sheridan did not accept meals prepared by the Bureau of Prisons for several days," BOP spokesperson Benjamin O'Cone wrote in a statement. "However, during this time, these inmates had access to purchased goods from the commissary for consumption."
O'Cone also said the men in custody are "currently accepting their meals."
Hay has filed dozens of petitions seeking people's release from the prison over concerns about poor medical care and inmates sometimes spending weekends locked in their cells.
During the past two years, Hay's court filings have documented troubling reports she's received from people inside, including cancer patients who have not received treatment for months and inmates who say they've attempted suicide and haven't received medication or requested mental health treatment. At least six inmates have died at Sheridan since March 2020. None of the deaths were from COVID-19.
"We had hoped that the existence of these lawsuits would spur reforms within the Bureau of Prisons, but any progress over these last two years has been frustratingly slow," Hay said in her Monday statement. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/80-people-hunger-strike-federal-prison-sheridan-oregon/283-d56253ed-34cf-4a95-bdf6-34ed86b708d5 | 2022-07-01T15:52:27 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/80-people-hunger-strike-federal-prison-sheridan-oregon/283-d56253ed-34cf-4a95-bdf6-34ed86b708d5 |
SEATTLE — Beginning Friday, July 1, fees will increase for Washington state license plates to help fund the state's nearly $17 billion transportation package "Move Ahead Washington" which was signed into law earlier this year.
Here's what you need to know about the increased fees.
License plate fees
- Original plate: Increases from $10 to $50
- Replacement plate: Increases from $10 to $30
- Original motorcycle plate: Increases from $4 to $20
- Replacement motorcycle plate: Increases from $4 to $12
Some fees when buying a vehicle at a dealership will also be increased.
Dealer temporary permits, which are provided by dealerships for vehicle buyers to use before their permanent plates are received, will see an increase from $15 to $40.
The highest amount a dealer can charge for documentation fees, which are optional and negotiable fees charged for administrative costs, are also increasing from $150 to $200.
The fee to check if a vehicle is stolen when registering it for the first time in Washington state will also increase. The Washington State Department of Licensing checks vehicles against national and state databases for any titling or other issues.
The fee will increase from $15 to $50 July 1 and then to $75 beginning in 2026.
More Washington State Department of Licensing fees will increase in October.
Beginning October 1, the fee for an enhanced driver's license will increase from $32 to $56, in addition to the fees for any driver's license.
Move Ahead Washington invests $16.9 billion over 16 years in major projects throughout the state.
Investments include $3 billion for public transportation, $2.4 billion to fund fish passage barrier removals, $1 billion to fund Washington’s portion of an I-5 replacement bridge across the Columbia River and $836 million to build four new hybrid-electric ferries. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/increased-fees-washington-state-drivers-license-license-plate/281-d5ebca74-6bd9-4eb9-8f05-0803bb2119e7 | 2022-07-01T15:52:33 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/increased-fees-washington-state-drivers-license-license-plate/281-d5ebca74-6bd9-4eb9-8f05-0803bb2119e7 |
HAMMOND — A crash Friday morning at Kennedy Avenue has temporarily shut down westbound lanes along Interstate 80/94 as the busy holiday commute gets underway, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
INDOT expects the lanes to reopen by mid morning.
Come back to nwi.com for updates as they become available.
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Bob Kasarda
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident.
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CROWN POINT — Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. will continue to be armed, and prepared to engage in law enforcement activities, notwithstanding a new state law taking effect Friday that bars Martinez from carrying a handgun in public.
The sheriff said his team has identified other firearms Martinez still may legally carry in public places, and Martinez said he will have one of those weapons on him "during special overnight joint operations and any other critical incident situation."
"The restriction deals with handguns only," Martinez said. "I will be capable of defending myself and the public from any potential threats which may arise."
House Enrolled Act 1296, which authorizes all adult Hoosiers age 18 and older to carry a handgun in public without needing to obtain a state permit, ironically bars Lake County’s chief law enforcement officer from doing the same because Martinez was indicted in January on a felony charge of resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving.
Martinez is accused of failing to stop while driving an unmarked, county-owned Jeep TrackHawk at up to 50 mph over the posted speed limit on Taft and Main streets in Crown Point and Merrillville in September as two Crown Point police officers chased him with their lights and sirens activated, records show.
The Democratic sheriff has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial tentatively is scheduled for August, though it likely will be delayed while the Indiana Court of Appeals considers tossing Martinez's criminal indictment.
Indiana's new permitless carry law denies the right to carry a handgun in public to individuals, like Martinez, under indictment; convicted felons; fugitives; some non-citizens; a person convicted of domestic violence, domestic battery or criminal stalking; a person under a restraining order; a person formally deemed dangerous or mentally defective; or a person dishonorably discharged from military service.
Previously, county sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel automatically were exempt from the state's handgun permit requirement.
But that exemption was deleted from the Indiana Code by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in March because no Hoosier adult now needs a permit to carry a handgun in public.
Martinez said he expects the new law will have little impact on most aspects of his job, including administration of the sheriff's department, operation of the county jail and care for its inmates, and executing civil process, among other responsibilities.
"What is unique in my situation is that I wear the uniform and equipment of a sworn police officer, which is how the public is accustomed to seeing me. I am a proactive sheriff who does not lead from behind a desk," Martinez said.
Martinez isn't the only Indiana sheriff set to be disarmed Friday. Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelly, a Republican, was indicted in March, accused of official misconduct and conflict of interest for his alleged mishandling of hundreds of thousands of dollars of jail commissary and other funds.
An unknown number of local police officers throughout the state with misdemeanor domestic violence convictions also will lose their ability to carry a handgun in public under the law.
As Martinez noted, the restriction only applies to prohibited persons carrying a handgun in public.
Both before and after Friday any person in Indiana legally entitled to own a long gun or rifle, including the AR-15 and other rifles previously classified as assault weapons, may carry it in public with few restrictions.
Under Indiana law, handguns and rifles remain prohibited at school buildings and court houses. In addition, businesses and homeowners retain the right to bar customers or guests from bringing a firearm into a building on their property.
Here are the new Indiana laws to know before they take effect July 1
"We're at a point where families cannot even attend a graduation ceremony without nursing the legitimate fear that it will erupt in senseless gun violence," said state Sen. Eddie Melton, D-Gary.
"Thoughts and prayers are insufficient in the urgency of this moment," the letter says. "We must not wait until January to show Hoosiers we are serious about protecting families."
Hoosier adults age 18 and up not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm will be entitled to carry a handgun in public without needing to obtain a state permit, beginning July 1.
"It puts our law enforcement in danger and threatens the entire fabric of our community by putting other persons' lives in danger, as well. It is crucial Governor Holcomb veto this bill."
"It's been a challenging year, frankly, to find a way forward," said Senate President Rod Bray. "Lots of contentious issues but we worked through them and found a way to resolve most of them."
It's now up to Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb to decide whether Indiana will become the 22nd state to allow handgun owners to carry their weapons in public without needing to obtain a state license.
State lawmakers are taking another shot at enacting legislation to allow all adult Hoosiers legally entitled to own a firearm to carry a handgun in public without obtaining a state license.
A House-approved proposal to allow all adult Hoosiers legally entitled to own a firearm to carry a handgun in public without obtaining a state license once again has failed to advance in the Senate.
State police opposition last year was enough to spur Senate President Rod Bray, R-Martinsville, into stopping a similar House-approved proposal, House Bill 1369, from advancing through the Senate.
Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. is prohibited from carrying a handgun in public, both on- and off-duty, beginning Friday, under a new Indiana law that bars all Hoosiers under indictment, including county sheriffs, from publicly carrying a handgun. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/indicted-lake-county-sheriff-barred-from-carrying-handgun-in-public/article_eab2c2e0-7509-5c0b-9911-9af066dcae03.html | 2022-07-01T15:54:49 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/indicted-lake-county-sheriff-barred-from-carrying-handgun-in-public/article_eab2c2e0-7509-5c0b-9911-9af066dcae03.html |
HAMMOND — Continued vandalism has resulted in the indefinite closure of the skateboard area of Pulaski Park and a threat from Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. to relocate the facility.
The north Hammond park has been the target of vandals for the past couple of weeks and city officials discovered Thursday morning what they described as a massive amount of graffiti targeting the skateboard area.
"With each instance of vandalism, the Hammond Park Department has simply fixed the problem, hoping that it would eventually go away," McDermott said in a social media post.
The mayor said he ordered the park department to indefinitely close the skateboard facility until the most recent vandals are turned in or otherwise brought to justice.
"There will be a lock placed on the fence indefinitely, and persons that attempt to enter the skateboard park will be considered trespassers until it's properly reopened," he said.
"We have spent millions on rebuilding Hammond's parks into some of the nicest around NWI," McDermott said. "I’m not going to sit back, as Hammond's mayor, and watch vandals destroy something we worked so hard to build."
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"If the kids of north Hammond cannot take care of their skateboard park, I'll move it to another part of Hammond that will take care of it," he said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/region-skateboard-park-closed-in-wake-of-vandalism-mayor-threatens-to-move-it/article_eb64e419-f9d7-5811-b5b5-2e57f0cb37e6.html | 2022-07-01T15:54:55 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/region-skateboard-park-closed-in-wake-of-vandalism-mayor-threatens-to-move-it/article_eb64e419-f9d7-5811-b5b5-2e57f0cb37e6.html |
MERRILLVILLE — For Ron McColly, there’s no time like now for local development.
Speaking at the groundbreaking Thursday for the 180-acre Liberty Estates project, McColly, the president of McColly Real Estate, cited two reasons for being optimistic.
“Liberty Estates has a beautiful future,” McColly said, citing its proximity to I-65, U.S. 30 and several medical campuses. “The timing is really right.”
Among McColly’s reasons for optimism is Merrillville’s central location in the U.S., between Canada and Mexico, two major trading partners. This business growth, he said, creates jobs that lead to home buying.
The second reason McColly cited is the growth in people working from home. With Cook County in Illinois among the most populous counties in the country, he said, people may be looking to move to Indiana with its lower taxes while still within distance of Chicago’s many attractions.
“We’re getting a lot of people to work from home. We’re seeing people moving from other parts of the country,” McColly said. “I see a very bright future.”
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Traci Van Gundy, lead agent for McColly on this project, said progress on Liberty Estates, including town approval and grading of the area, has been in the works for the past year.
While McColly’s agents will be selling any of the 1,000 units on the 100-plus lots, Luxor Homes will do the building. Already with projects in Hobart, Crown Point, Valparaiso, and Merrillville, Luxor also developed Heritage North, the subdivision bordering Liberty Estates to the east.
The new subdivision is bordered to west by Whitcomb Street, to the north by U.S. 30, and 84th Place to the south.
Randy Hall, owner of Luxor, pointed to the town’s cooperation on this latest project, praising Merrillville officials as “open communicators.”
Hall explained that Liberty Estates would feature various home styles, including single- and multi-family dwellings, senior residences, patio homes, and duet homes. Future plans, Hall said, call for commercial and office space.
Home prices will start in the low $400,000s, according to Van Gundy.
Headquartered in Merrillville, Luxor provides residential construction, development, and rental services to Northwest Indiana. Hall anticipates the first home in Liberty Estates to be ready next spring.
Town Council President Rick Bella, D-Ward 3, noted, “A lot of work has gone into this project.”
This project lies within Bella’s ward, and the council member said property values would increase as a result of this subdivision.
“This is a partnership,” Bella added, pointing to cooperation between the town and Luxor.
That work, Bella said, has included safety concerns. A safety study is in progress, Bella said, and the town is taking bids for related engineering work.
Possible solutions to addressing safety, Bella said, including installing a rounded curve or roundabout at 91st Avenue and Whitcomb.
From an economic development perspective, Liberty Estates represents a potential $200 million investment for the town, said Matt Reardon, owner of MCR Partners, which is working with Luxor on this real estate project.
“The town has a plan and executed that plan,” Reardon said.
Hall added that a percentage of home sales would be donated to several area charities, including some serving the other-abled. These include St. Jude House, Opportunity Enterprises, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, Center for Possibilities – Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Indiana.
Representatives from each of those agencies spoke prior to the groundbreaking.
Ryan Elinkowski, executive director of St. Jude House, a Crown Point-based shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, thanked project developers for helping nonprofits.
“You may not see the impact,” Elinkowski said, “but it’s real.” | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/groundbreaking-held-for-merrillville-residential-development/article_76df4236-125d-56d7-bd11-98de3c5d5059.html | 2022-07-01T15:55:01 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/groundbreaking-held-for-merrillville-residential-development/article_76df4236-125d-56d7-bd11-98de3c5d5059.html |
ALPINE, Texas — The Museum of the Big Bend on the campus of Sul Ross State University will be likely completing its renovation project in early 2023.
There will be glass panels added to the entrance of the museum to honor the area's ranching heritage.
The Museum is expected to become double the size it was before and include a temporary exhibit gallery, a rotating Tom Lea gallery and an inviting interior event space that has a connecting outdoor patio that highlights the western mountains.
There will be a total of 30 panels in the area, but only 20 are still available for family brands with a donation of $10,000. There will also be a recognition board inside the museum with the name of the donor, the name of the ranch and the date the ranch was established.
Pledges must be received before July 8 and for those that are looking to secure one of the panels, contact Mary Bones at 432-837-8145. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/sul-ross-state-university-to-finish-renovation-on-the-museum-of-the-big-bend-in-early-2023/513-b8f9656d-1d34-4a88-9d37-c85558949a0e | 2022-07-01T16:05:57 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/sul-ross-state-university-to-finish-renovation-on-the-museum-of-the-big-bend-in-early-2023/513-b8f9656d-1d34-4a88-9d37-c85558949a0e |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Anytime Americans are involved with laws and customs outside of the United States, the protection of America laws don’t apply.
Beth Holloway has firsthand experience. In 2005, her daughter, Natalee, disappeared while on a graduation trip in Aruba. She was never found, although she and others believe that she was killed. In 2012, an Alabama judge declared her legally dead.
Holloway, who lives in Birmingham, has been a longtime advocate ever since of more people being aware of what they need to do to be safe overseas. In light of Brittney Griner’s detainment in Russia, Holloway went on CBS 42 to discuss dealing with foreign governments and how difficult navigating different cultures can be.
“It’s so challenging to deal with the foreign law enforcement, everything that we have at home and are accustomed to and familiar with are not going to apply when we’re basically inviting ourselves to these host countries. We’re their guest,” Holloway said. “If you should become involved in something more challenging and something tragic, then you’ve also got to navigate and be familiar with their customs, their culture, their laws, government, and it is, it is, it is all very foreign to us.”
Holloway suggested that those planning on travelling overseas to do their research on where they are going, seeing what the customs, government and laws are about.
“We don’t want to stand out or draw any attention to ourselves,” she said. “And check your insurance provider and see what coverage that you have, should you need their help and assistance when you’re traveling abroad medical medically, and a third one is pretty simple, uh, check with your wireless provider and make sure that you have international coverage.”
Watch the full interview here. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/watch-beth-holloway-discusses-the-importance-of-safe-overseas-travel/ | 2022-07-01T16:08:27 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/watch-beth-holloway-discusses-the-importance-of-safe-overseas-travel/ |
Nikki Haley running for president in 2024? 'If there's a place for me'
On a visit Thursday to Iowa, the home of what's been the nation's first caucuses for presidential elections, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said she'll run for president in 2024 "if there's a place for me."
A spokesperson for Haley reached Friday morning said the former governor had nothing more to add at the time.
Fellow South Carolina Republican Tim Scott, the senator from North Charleston, and former Vice President Mike Pence have also been among potential presidential candidates to visit Iowa recently, the Des Moines Register reports.
One question remaining is whether or not former President Donald Trump will run.
Nikki Haley's career:United Nations ambassador, South Carolina's first woman governor
Haley served as ambassador to the United Nations under Trump from January 2017 to January 2019. They backed different candidates in the most recent primary for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, with Haley supporting incumbent winner Nancy Mace while Trump supported challenger Katie Arrington.
Upon Haley's U.N. resignation in 2019, she said she would not run for president in the 2020 election.
Haley was South Carolina's first female governor from 2011 to 2017.
She was selected to Clemson University's board of trustees in 2021, and she founded the advocacy group Stand for America to promote public policies related to the economy, culture and national security.
Haley served for three terms in the state House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011 after winning the District 87 seat over Larry Koon, who was the state's longest-serving legislator at the time.
Upon the announcement of resignation as U.N. ambassador, Trump, Pence, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan were among those who praised her service.
Check back for more on this developing story.
– Tim Carlin covers county government, growth and development for The Greenville News. Follow him on Twitter @timcarlin_, and get in touch with him at TCarlin@gannett.com. You can support his work by subscribing to The Greenville News at greenvillenews.com/subscribe. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2022/07/01/will-former-sc-governor-nikki-haley-run-president-2024/7786183001/ | 2022-07-01T16:10:08 | 1 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2022/07/01/will-former-sc-governor-nikki-haley-run-president-2024/7786183001/ |
ZILWAUKEE, Mich. (WJRT) - A 2-year-old girl died a week after she drowned in a swimming pool at a Zilwaukee residence.
Michigan State Police say the girl succumbed to her injuries at an area hospital on June 23, which was eight days after the incident was reported on the evening of June 15.
Investigators haven't said how the girl got into the pool or how long she was in the water before someone found her.
Michigan State Police Lt. Kim Vetter said the incident shows the importance of making detailed water safety plans and providing close adult supervision of all children around water. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/2-year-old-dies-a-week-after-drowning-in-zilwaukee-swimming-pool/article_0ed8a11c-f950-11ec-963e-3372a75a4ba7.html | 2022-07-01T16:11:02 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/2-year-old-dies-a-week-after-drowning-in-zilwaukee-swimming-pool/article_0ed8a11c-f950-11ec-963e-3372a75a4ba7.html |
ROSCOMMON COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - Four people were hospitalized after police say a pickup truck ran a stop sign near Higgins Lake and slammed into travelers from Mississippi.
The crash was reported around 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Old 27 North and County Road 104 west of Higgins Lake is Roscommon County.
Michigan State Police say a 55-year-old man was driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck north on Old 27 when he ran a stop sign at County Road 104 and collided with a Ford Edge traveling west.
The Ford was towing a trailer with a personal watercraft, which was thrown onto the roadway after the collision.
A 55-year-old man from Perkinston, Mississippi driving the Ford Edge was airlifted from the scene to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
Female passengers in the Ford ages 22 and 16, along with the Roscommon man driving the pickup truck, all went to Munson Grayling Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
Michigan State Police will continue investigating the crash. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/four-people-hospitalized-after-crash-near-higgins-lake/article_39ecd04e-f94b-11ec-963a-c7cfad3ee0d8.html | 2022-07-01T16:11:08 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/four-people-hospitalized-after-crash-near-higgins-lake/article_39ecd04e-f94b-11ec-963a-c7cfad3ee0d8.html |
Battle Creek air show, hot-air balloon festival to include Latvian alliance recognition
Along with the spectacle of an air show, fireworks and hot-air balloons in Battle Creek this weekend, the Air Force's Thunderbirds will recognize the 100th anniversary of the United States' alliance with Latvia.
The Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival runs all weekend, with a carnival, two fireworks displays and live music stages accompanying the air show and hot-air balloon demonstrations and competition.
The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Latvia in 1922, four years after the country earned its independence from Russia. Michigan is home to one of the largest Latvian-American populations in the country and Michigan's National Guard has been collaborating with the Latvian military for over 20 years through the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.
“Michigan is proud of its close relationship with Latvia, which has shown its value not only though numerous combined deployments, training exercises and initiatives under the State Partnership Program, but also in the rich Latvian-American community that calls Michigan home,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
A spoken dedication will precede the demonstration, which is expected to start at noon Saturday. High level Latvian diplomatic and military leaders are expected to be in attendance, including Maris Selga, Latvian ambassador to the U.S., and Maj. Gen. Andis Dilans, Latvian defense attaché to the U.S.
“We could not be more grateful to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds for paying tribute to our Latvian allies for their partnership, courage, and zeal for freedom in such a spectacular and meaningful way," Rogers said.
The Field of Flight festival begins today and lasts through Monday, featuring Navy and Air Force demonstrations as well as aerial acrobatics and skywriting from civilian pilots.
Also planned at the festival are Saturday and Monday night fireworks displays, a wide assortment of food vendors, a Saturday half-marathon and 5k, carnival rides and live music every night.
hmackay@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/01/battle-creek-air-show-festival-hot-air-balloon-latvian-alliance-recognition/7786324001/ | 2022-07-01T16:14:55 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/01/battle-creek-air-show-festival-hot-air-balloon-latvian-alliance-recognition/7786324001/ |
North Split milestone: Largest flyover bridge opens to traffic
The North Split reconstruction project passed a major milestone Friday morning. Technically two.
The largest structure of the interchange, a new flyover bridge connecting I-65 southbound to I-70 eastbound, opened to traffic, along with the Delaware/11th Street ramp onto I-70 eastbound.
Drivers are now able to enter the I-65/I-70 interchange from Delaware/11th Street and flow directly onto the tall new bridge, which spans from College Avenue to Lewis Street.
It's one of several noticeable signs of progress promised this summer.
More: What's the status of the North Split reconstruction project a year after it started?
With most of the old bridges demolished, crews plan to spend the warm summer months pouring concrete — a relatively quick process — meaning passersby will start to notice many more new structures.
The $350 million project is slated to open to traffic by the end of this year, with some aesthetic work continuing into 2023.
Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2022/07/01/indot-north-split-project-milestone-largest-flyover-bridge-opens/7786097001/ | 2022-07-01T16:17:24 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2022/07/01/indot-north-split-project-milestone-largest-flyover-bridge-opens/7786097001/ |
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