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LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — A 44-year-old Vancouver man was killed in a climbing accident on Icicle Buttress south of Leavenworth Monday, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
The man and his female climbing partner were climbing on the buttress when a heavy rain storm moved in. The woman was lowered to the bottom of the pitch with the man set to follow. As she was ascending the trail, the woman heard a noise and saw the man fall, according to CCSO. It's estimated he fell approximately 100 feet.
The woman managed to flag down a U.S. Forest Service Officer who was in the area. When CCSO Search and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene, they found the man dead from injuries he appeared to have sustained during the fall.
The climber was brought to the roadway with the help of Chelan County Fire District 3 personnel. The man's name has not been released. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/man-killed-in-climbing-accident-icicle-buttress-leavenworth-vancouver/281-104325a0-1f0e-4a97-b1fd-1110a9d99ba8 | 2022-07-06T03:11:58 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/man-killed-in-climbing-accident-icicle-buttress-leavenworth-vancouver/281-104325a0-1f0e-4a97-b1fd-1110a9d99ba8 |
SEATTLE — The triumphant return of Seafair fireworks were captured in stunning detail by Seattle photographer Tim Durkan.
The skies above Seattle were lit up with more than 10,000 pounds of fireworks Monday night after a three-year hiatus.
"It was a hurry-up-and-wait opportunity," Durkan said.
Durkan scoped out what he called an ideal spot to capture the fireworks show at Gas Works Park, with the city skyline and the Space Needle in the backdrop.
Durkan was surrounded by droves of excited spectators, but he remained focused and patient with his camera.
"I, myself, like the longer exposures that really help detail each and every moment of those fireworks' short-lived but beautiful lives,” Durkan said.
Durkan shared an exclusive photo collection with KING 5 and captured many spectacular highlights from the 21 minutes show.
Seafair fireworks show returns for the first time in 3 years
Durkan has been featured by National Geographic and has had his photos shared around the world. His most viewed photo is a moonlit Space Needle shot that has upwards of 20 million impressions. Last night was a welcomed change of pace after several years of the show being canceled due to COVID-19.
“It was probably the best show I’ve seen in 10 to 15 years, to be honest,” said Durkan.
The weather cooperated for the full show and Durkan gives credit to the pyrotechnic team from Western Display Fireworks. He was able to capture colors like bright pinks and aqua colors that were new this year.
“My only job was to record a slice of time, so that people in 100 years will be able to look at these pictures and know…that the summer of 2022 was when Seattle came back!” said Durkan. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-photographer-stunning-shots-lake-union-fireworks-tim-durkan/281-6254e078-0553-44bc-b652-d098a06da337 | 2022-07-06T03:12:05 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle-photographer-stunning-shots-lake-union-fireworks-tim-durkan/281-6254e078-0553-44bc-b652-d098a06da337 |
A fire that forced evacuations for people in the Frenchman Coulee climbing area is out, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
A Level 3 evacuation notice was issued just after 5:30 p.m.
People in the area near 21935 Vantage Road SW were told leave immediately, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
The recreation area was impacted by the two-acre fire, according to the sheriff's office. No homes were threatened.
The evacuation notice expired around 7:30 p.m.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/grant-county-wildfire-evacuations/281-c35bd1c4-6212-40cf-b6af-2dd933e1af02 | 2022-07-06T03:12:11 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/wildfire/grant-county-wildfire-evacuations/281-c35bd1c4-6212-40cf-b6af-2dd933e1af02 |
BRENTWOOD, Calif. — A 9-year-old boy who was badly injured in a Northern California commuter train crash that killed three other people has died, according to a GoFundMe page set up for his family.
Julien Nieves of Dixon died Wednesday of injuries suffered when an Amtrak commuter train smashed into a car on June 26 in unincorporated Brentwood, Daisey Morales, who organized the GoFundMe page, wrote Sunday.
“On June 29, Juli became a true Superhero, his organs will be donated to give life to other children in need," Morales wrote. “Knowing that he’ll be living through another precious life brings our family solace while we navigate these difficult times.”
The car was headed to a fundraiser at a vineyard for a Brentwood resident who had recently died, authorities said.
The crash southeast of San Francisco killed three women, including the boy's mother and grandmother. The victims were identified by the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office as Julia Mondragon, 41, of Dixon; Maria Nieves, 72, of Dixon and Mercedes Regalado, 51, of Antioch.
The 85 passengers and crew members on the train weren't injured.
The train crossing at a private dirt road had no railroad crossing gates, lights or signals. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/9-year-old-in-northern-california-train-crash-dies/103-7d9874f5-8cf0-41c1-b679-1ea6e8771c9e | 2022-07-06T03:19:03 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/9-year-old-in-northern-california-train-crash-dies/103-7d9874f5-8cf0-41c1-b679-1ea6e8771c9e |
MONTEBELLO, Calif. — A 42-year-old man was killed when a powerful firework exploded in his hand during a Fourth of July celebration in a Southern California neighborhood, officials said Tuesday.
Paramedics responding around 6:30 p.m. Monday found the victim with severe injuries at a home in Montebello, said Michael Chee, a city spokesperson.
The man was attempting to light a “high powered, mortar type, aerial firework” that is illegal in Montebello and the surrounding county of Los Angeles, Chee said in a statement.
“The victim apparently attempted to hold the device when the firework went off and caused severe trauma to his upper torso,” the statement said.
The man, who was not immediately identified, died at a hospital, Chee said.
Fireworks paraphernalia were confiscated at the home and an investigation is ongoing, officials said.
Click here to read the story on APNews.com | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/man-killed-in-illegal-fireworks-explosion-near-los-angeles/103-ceaffb94-a3ba-401a-8b77-36828c76ce4f | 2022-07-06T03:19:09 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/man-killed-in-illegal-fireworks-explosion-near-los-angeles/103-ceaffb94-a3ba-401a-8b77-36828c76ce4f |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento police are investigating a homicide after a man was found dead Monday night.
Police say the Sacramento Fire Department initially responded to the death in the 6400-block of Village Center Drive and then called them around 10 p.m. because of his injuries.
The man’s death is now being considered a homicide and detectives have taken over the investigation of the case. They’re processing the scene and canvassing for both evidence and witnesses.
No information about a suspect or cause of death is available yet, and the victim has not been identified pending notification of his next of kin.
Anyone with information in the case can call the Sacramento Police dispatch center at 916-808-5471, or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/police-investigating-mans-death-at-south-sacramento-apartment-complex/103-7f36392e-cb1f-4ea6-9807-bd704820c6b4 | 2022-07-06T03:19:10 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/police-investigating-mans-death-at-south-sacramento-apartment-complex/103-7f36392e-cb1f-4ea6-9807-bd704820c6b4 |
Police on Long Island are trying to figure out if a house of worship was targeted by hate after someone threw a container that exploded outside of a mosque.
A symbol of Islam now bears what worshipers at a Ronkonkoma mosque believe is a sign of hate: a burn mark -- the result of a pre-dawn Fourth of July incident outside the place of worship.
Imam Ahmed Ibrahim, of Masjid Fatima Al-Zahra, finished prayers inside when flames erupted around the Crescent moon sign.
"All of a sudden I hear a big explosion -- and I mean big explosion," Ibrahim said.
Surveillance video shows the seconds leading up to the incident. The Suffolk District Attorney says the ball of flame was caused by someone using a container filled with an accelerant.
"He came from nowhere and did that. Did not achieve anything but it expressed hate. Why?" Ibrahim said.
Investigators are now trying to determine if this was a hate crime, but the district attorney's office says it sure looks like one.
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"No good American can look at this and justify it," New York State Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-NY) said.
On Tuesday, local elected officials and mosque leaders condemned what happened.
The mosque has been in Ronkonkoma for three years. It is the spiritual home to about 500 families. It never faced any threat before this July 4th.
"It’s extremely disappointing that on the morning of such a beautiful day of celebration, somebody chose to perpetrate hate," Hassan Ahmed, part of the Suffolk County District Attorney Anti-Bias Council, said.
The mosque itself was not damaged and no one was hurt, but now the imam says he must reconsider his normal routine of sitting outside in his rocking chair reading his Quran.
"I’m doubting that I should do that again," he said. "Somebody can target me from far away. Unbelievable."
As part of the investigation, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office says the FBI is investigating the device that was used to burn the sign. In the meantime, mosque leaders are inviting the community to come to the mosque Saturday to denounce hate at their Eid celebration. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fire-outside-long-island-mosque-investigated-as-hate-crime/3762527/ | 2022-07-06T03:23:25 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/fire-outside-long-island-mosque-investigated-as-hate-crime/3762527/ |
GREENSBORO — When teenagers build and program robots, stick them in a swimming pool and try to get them to maneuver and perform tasks, so much can go wrong. And go right.
Despite poolside snafus, Greensboro’s SEAL Robotics Team placed first in its class at the international championships for underwater robotics, held late last month. The Marine Advanced Technology Education Center’s worldwide competition for remote operated vehicles took place in Long Beach, Calif.
It’s the last year of competition for the team, with most members headed off to college after years of working together and practicing at the Lake Jeanette Swim and Tennis Club pool.
At the June event in Long Beach, the team, most of whom had just graduated high school, competed against more than 50 regional winners from around the world.
The SEAL team — short for Science Engineering Automation Leadership — has repeatedly won its regional competition for the “Ranger” class, which is for high school and middle school students with some robotics experience. That competition takes place in somewhat shallower water than the Explorers class, which is for high school and college entrants. The team placed fifth worldwide in 2019 and earned second place in 2021.
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SEAL member Marissa Maynard rejoined her teammates a month before the regional competition in May after having been away at boarding school.
Maynard said Tuesday she knew going into the international competition, her teammates had been more focused on challenging themselves with building this year’s robot rather than winning.
If it is possible to be both surprised and not surprised, that’s how Maynard felt about the team’s success.
“My first thought was of course,” she wrote in a text. “The guys built an entirely new system with new software for fun ... and still took first.”
Maynard said the competition is a huge event with some nerve-wracking moments.
When the team first put “SEALbot” in the pool for a tune-up, the robot wouldn’t start. They eventually figured out part of the system had overheated.
Then, on the first official pool run, the team lost precious minutes when they couldn’t get their on-land television monitor, which display’s the robot’s camera view, to work. Turns out the power strip was off.
Minutes later, SEALbot’s programming crashed and it got tangled in a rope. Thankfully, the thrusters were strong enough for SEALbot to make it to the surface. Maynard said she and a teammate were able to detangle it.
Then, on the second run, the system crashed again, Maynard said, causing it to go into a “death spin.” But the team was able to troubleshoot their way out of that, too.
Most teams, Maynard explained, run into problems during the competition. Everything from the water density to the layout of the pool is a little different from what they’ve practiced. And having spectators cranks up the pressure.
Coach Ned Voorhees said the SEAL Team was formed five years ago at the suggestion of one of his sons and some other students. He said he thinks they were inspired by the 2015 movie “Spare Parts,” which tells the story of Arizona high school team which competes in a similar underwater robotics competition and beats a team from MIT.
Voorhees’ younger son later joined the team and is one of the recent high school graduates that make up the bulk of this year’s group.
Voorhees said he’s been happy and impressed with how the team has matured in the time he’s worked with them.
This year, he said, “they really ran the team on their own, which is really nice to see as a coach.”
“Over the five years I’ve built strong relationships with these kids,” he added. “It’s been very rewarding to see what they’ve done and learned.”
Contact Jessie Pounds at 336-373-7002 and follow @JessiePounds on Twitter. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/hosts-in-the-machine-greensboro-teens-and-their-sealbot-are-robotics-champs/article_c12535d2-fc76-11ec-bcbf-6b67d8cf59c0.html | 2022-07-06T03:27:00 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/hosts-in-the-machine-greensboro-teens-and-their-sealbot-are-robotics-champs/article_c12535d2-fc76-11ec-bcbf-6b67d8cf59c0.html |
VINELAND — Police are investigating after a driver fatally struck a pedestrian Monday night.
At 9:52 p.m., officers were dispatched to Fourth Street and Chestnut Avenue for a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Investigators learned that city resident George Goldsboro Jr., 56, was traveling east on Chestnut in a 2020 Toyota Corolla when his car hit a man in the roadway, police said. The man died at the scene.
Police described the victim as a Hispanic man of about 25 years old wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans.
No charges have been filed, police said.
Officer Justin Levari is investigating. Anyone with information can contact him at 856-691-4111, ext. 4942, or jlevari@vinelandcity.org. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/vineland-crash-kills-pedestrian/article_59624c46-fcd0-11ec-96dd-a3743a4c904a.html | 2022-07-06T03:27:02 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/vineland-crash-kills-pedestrian/article_59624c46-fcd0-11ec-96dd-a3743a4c904a.html |
PORTLAND, Maine — Maine will not cooperate with other states' investigations into people who seek abortions or health care providers that perform them, the state's governor said Tuesday.
Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed an executive order that she said will protect access to abortion in her state. She said she made the order as a response to the Supreme Court's ruling that overturned Roe V. Wade.
Mills said her order also directs Maine state agencies to review laws and regulations for any barriers to reproductive health care and remove or minimize them. She said she will use her authority to decline any extradition attempts from states that pursue criminal charges against people who receive or perform abortions.
Mills said she “will stand in the way of any effort to undermine, rollback, or outright eliminate the right to safe and legal abortion in Maine.”
Mills is seeking reelection against Republican former Gov. Paul LePage. LePage has said abortion affects “few Mainers” and has not made it a focus of his campaign. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/gov-maine-wont-help-prosecute-abortion-seekers-providers-maine-executive-order-mills-roe-v-wade/97-1a4c6741-764a-4328-a4b7-a51b8ec4f055 | 2022-07-06T03:29:11 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/gov-maine-wont-help-prosecute-abortion-seekers-providers-maine-executive-order-mills-roe-v-wade/97-1a4c6741-764a-4328-a4b7-a51b8ec4f055 |
ARLINGTON, Texas — More than 15 people were involved in a fight at an Arlington pool Monday, police said.
Arlington Police said officers responded to the Randol Mill Family Aquatic Center at 6 p.m. July 4 for a reported fight happening in the parking lot.
Officers learned that there were two groups at the pool who got into an argument that then spilled into the parking lot, police said.
Police reported 15 to 20 people were involved.
There were no injuries or property damage reported.
Multiple people received criminal trespass warnings from the pool and citations may be issued by police pending the outcome of the investigation, Arlington PD said.
The center was closed Tuesday by the Parks & Recreation Department.
No other details about the incident were released. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/police-investigate-fight-randol-mill-pool-arlington/287-aaedb666-0318-4914-86ae-da603bb8658e | 2022-07-06T03:36:15 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/police-investigate-fight-randol-mill-pool-arlington/287-aaedb666-0318-4914-86ae-da603bb8658e |
INDIANAPOLIS — The violent holiday weekend saw many of the city’s youth caught in the crossfire, including an 8-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy at an east side Fourth of July party Monday evening.
A 17-year-old was also shot during a reported “gunfight” early Tuesday morning in the 800 block of Eugene Street on the city’s northwest side.
“Never did I imagine when starting my career that I would see a weekend like the weekend we just experienced, where not only was there one person who was shot, but three children,” said Dr. Matt Landman, trauma medical director at Riley Children’s Health.
Landman said the number of pediatric gunshot victims has skyrocketed in recent years.
So far, eight people under 18 have been shot and killed in Indianapolis this year. According to IMPD, 49 children under the age of 18 have been shot but survived.
“It’s a sad reality that as a pediatric surgeon in this country, you are now confronted with patients that have gun violence-related injuries on a weekly basis,” he said.
So far this year, the team at Riley has treated 23 patients with gunshot injuries, 17 of them caused by a violent crime. That’s compared to the 60 last year, 44 in 2020, 37 in 2019 and 29 in 2018.
“We not only see the interpersonal gun violence that’s in the news locally, but we also see suicide. We also see mishandling of firearms by kids who find them laying around,” he said.
With each patient, Landman said it never gets easier.
“I think a lot of us, once the dust settles, so to speak, do take account of what we just did, and it can be emotional,” he said.
Earlier this year, data from the CDC found gun-related injuries the leading cause of death for U.S. children. It’s why medical experts aren’t just worried about the healing process, but also the long-term emotional impact these injuries can leave.
“The systems we have in place, the aftercare is all catching up,” Landman said. “We are in many ways recreating adult systems for patients with penetrating trauma in our children’s hospitals because it is becoming so commonplace.”
To prevent devastating accidents, Landman advises parents to talk with their children about gun safety and the dangers of a firearm. He said it’s also important that guns are locked and secured in any home your child visits.
If you are looking for a way to help victims, Landman encourages Hoosiers to donate blood, saying hospitals are currently facing a severe shortage.
What other people are reading: | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/riley-trauma-doctor-describes-skyrocketing-increase-in-young-gunshot-victims-violence-children-impd/531-aab2df24-4f1e-4325-8125-5c63fdb50047 | 2022-07-06T03:40:05 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/riley-trauma-doctor-describes-skyrocketing-increase-in-young-gunshot-victims-violence-children-impd/531-aab2df24-4f1e-4325-8125-5c63fdb50047 |
DANVILLE, Va. – After years of debate, Danville’s Long Mill Dam will be coming down.
Danville City Council voted on Tuesday to remove the low-head hydraulic dam due to safety concerns.
They say with more development moving into the area, like the White Mill Building and Riverfront Park, this project is more urgent than before.
“There’s additional reasons now besides public safety, which is my priority, is economic development that depends on that dam being removed,” said Vice Mayor Gary Miller.
City leaders say other benefits of removing the dam could be better fishing conditions, less flooding and less erosion.
City councilmen who voted against the project, said they’re concerned about the river becoming too shallow with no dam.
The project is expected to cost between $100,000 to $200,000. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/06/danville-city-council-approves-removal-of-the-long-mill-dam/ | 2022-07-06T03:40:16 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/06/danville-city-council-approves-removal-of-the-long-mill-dam/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Shocking statistics came out of Tuesday’s Roanoke City Council meeting regarding the 2021 public safety report.
It included data on gun violence, thefts, rape and domestic violence.
The latest data shocked city council members.
“The rape is what really disturbed me,” said Councilwoman Stephanie Moon Reynolds.
But other organizations like Total Action for Progress weren’t as surprised.
10 News spoke with TAP’s Director of Housing and Human Services, Stacey Sheppard to discuss the latest data.
The public safety report shows from 2020 to 2021, reported rapes jumped 113%.
“We’ve seen a huge increase since COVID in the amount of domestic abuse and intimate partner abuse and sexual abuse and just people seeking services in general. So I’m not surprised at all,” said Sheppard.
Domestic violence related aggravated assaults also showed to be on the rise, up by 26%.
TAP says this isn’t a surprise either.
Calls to their hotline have doubled.
“An average day used to be two to three calls on the hotline. We are averaging 8 to 12 calls a day,” said Sheppard.
They hope these startling statistics will help draw attention to the need for additional resources.
“The first thing is to advocate for more victim services folks like us. The people that do the work, who are here to help,” said Sheppard.
Then, hopefully help break the cycle so these numbers aren’t as jarring come next public safety report.
“It’s also opening some eyes, some things are happening with people saying, ‘We’ve got a problem.’ We’ve known for months that we’ve got a problem because we see it, we work it everyday,” said Sheppard. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/06/weve-known-for-months-roanoke-agency-notices-increase-in-need-in-line-with-public-safety-report/ | 2022-07-06T03:40:22 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/06/weve-known-for-months-roanoke-agency-notices-increase-in-need-in-line-with-public-safety-report/ |
BOISE, Idaho —
With the U.S Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization less than two weeks ago, Idaho’s abortion ban trigger law will make abortions illegal in less than two months.
The trigger law passed overwhelmingly in March of 2020, right as we were hit by the covid pandemic and signed by the governor the day before he signed a statewide stay-at-home order.
However, there were three republicans in Idaho’s House of Representatives that voted against it.
Two of them, Representatives Heather Scott and Priscilla Giddings from Blanchard and white Bird respectively, did not want to wait for the supreme court's permission. In fact, rep. Scott said during debate "the supreme court will not change their mind" on Roe v Wade. But both of them also did not believe senate bill 1385 went far enough.
The other ‘no’ vote was from representative Fred Wood from Burley, the only physician in Idaho's legislature.
Wood began his medical career in a general family practice but spent the last 17 years working in the emergency room. However, instead of a medical reason for his objection to the abortion ban, he went with a legal one two years ago.
“I really object to this statute if in fact we're lowering the burden of guilt for a felony to convict someone of homicide and if we're lowering that then I really have a concern with this,” Wood said on March 18, 2020 during the house floor debate over senate bill 1385.
Going back to representative Scott's sentiments, there were probably a lot of others who did not see this ruling coming this soon. So, when it did, we wanted to ask representative Wood about his republican opposition. He told us today, it is still a legal issue, but it is also a philosophical one.
Scot Wood: I don't think it's a criminal act, I mean, you can be against abortion or whatever but in my opinion that's not a criminal act.
Brian Holmes: Is it because of your experience as a physician that you're coming at this from a different perspective from every other republican in the house of representatives?
Wood: Correct. You know, I started medical school in 1968, I graduated in 1972. When I was an intern, I saw what happened, I did my internship in Arizona, many people who went to Mexico to get illegal abortions and some died. From my perspective, and my personal philosophy, what happens with my healthcare, is absolutely no business, or anybody else. That's my business, just like nobody should ever get between a doctor and their patient. Period. And in my opinion, that is not murder. Murder is a concept in my opinion is basically a religious tenet not a tenet of common law. You know how you make abortion go away? It's pretty simple, you make unwanted pregnancies go away, Brian. Yet, you know what my colleagues are going to do. Mark my word, they will try to take away every single form of contraception that there is available. Which, markedly, is going to increase the number of unwanted pregnancies. Which is then markedly going to increase the demand for abortion.
Holmes: So, you sound like someone who is ringing the bell, maybe a little fearful of what's next and where we are right now.
Woods: I worry, you know, I really worry. The lower socioeconomic classes, some of them are not going to be able to afford contraception, and then those people are going to suffer the consequences. All you're going to do is increase the cycle of poverty. I've lived that, I've seen that, that's why I voted against it. I can hear it now, I can hear ‘Rep. Fred Wood does not sound like a republican.’ I've been accused of being everything but a republican for most of the sixteen years I've been there. Brian, I've been a republican all my life. I can remember a long time ago what republicans used to be like, I'm a republican, ok? I'm a staunch fiscal conservative, I am not a social conservative. This day and age, you can't be a conservative without being a strict social conservative in a lot of people's minds. Not mine, but a lot of people's minds.
Holmes: Any outgoing words for Idahoans about your party going forward, like where do you see this going?
Wood: I'm very concerned about where the party is going. People say we're no longer republicans. We're republicans, the republican party left us a long time ago, the republican party is no longer the republican party. I don't know what it is. There are two characteristics of the party, however, that do concern me significantly and that is, they are drifting towards a theocratic totalitarianism state of mind in the party and I think that bodes ill for the republican party in the long term.
Representative Wood will not have much say in the direction of the party in the Idaho Statehouse, because while he will always consider himself a republican, in about five months, he will not be considered a representative.
His term ends November 30 of this year, the day before he turns 77, after 16 years in office.
He said he decided years ago he would not run again after redistricting took place, even though many have pleaded with him to reconsider.
Representative Wood told KTVB he received no backlash after that ‘no’ vote two years ago.
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- Still reading this list? We're on YouTube, too: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/rep-fred-wood-discusses-no-vote-idaho-abortion-trigger-law-which-passed-2020/277-e2476fa1-d06c-41e8-8c3a-3df54dff579b | 2022-07-06T03:53:59 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/208/rep-fred-wood-discusses-no-vote-idaho-abortion-trigger-law-which-passed-2020/277-e2476fa1-d06c-41e8-8c3a-3df54dff579b |
BOISE, Idaho — It has been a busy past few days for the folks at the Idaho Humane Society (IHS). With the recent Fourth of July firework celebrations, some of our furry friends experienced extreme anxiety and ran away from their homes.
“So, we've had a decent amount of cats and dogs come into us as strays, which is pretty typical this weekend,” said Laurien Mavey, the Public Relations Assistant with IHS.
She told KTVB, just over the 4th of July weekend IHS received a total of 54 animals
- Friday: nine cats and six dogs
- Saturday: seven dogs
- Sunday: four cats and 17 dogs
- Monday: three cats and four dogs
With an additional three cats and one dog coming by noon on Tuesday.
“If you have lost your pet, you can go to our website and click on services and then at the top of the menu, you will see lost and found pets. There you can access our portal, which is where we'll have pictures of all the animals that have been found. They'll be listed on there and then if you have lost a pet, you can also file a missing pet report,” Mavey said.
This comes as the shelter is also looking for foster parents to help take care of an influx of cats. IHS said it received more than 500 cats since the beginning of June. They say, with that many cats and kittens coming in, their staff needs help. But why is this happening?
“So during our kitten season, we can see these numbers, that's not that out of the ordinary, but this is a pretty high one just for this month,” Mavey said. “Cats can have quite a few kittens in each litter, so that just really, really adds up pretty quickly.”
Foster parents would help feed and socialize the kittens. IHS told KTVB, they are also looking for foster parents for cats, as well as dogs.
For people interested in becoming a foster, click HERE.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-humane-society-receives-influx-cats-since-june/277-922e64dd-0367-4c17-97a1-4b225833b102 | 2022-07-06T03:54:05 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-humane-society-receives-influx-cats-since-june/277-922e64dd-0367-4c17-97a1-4b225833b102 |
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A party on America’s birthday turned deadly overnight.
Just before midnight on Monday, officers responded to a call of shots fired along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between 2nd Street Northeast and 5th Street East and found one man dead with a gunshot wound.
"It wasn’t just a random thing. It was a sad event for those were that involved," Winter Haven Police Chief David Brannan said.
Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler said the pop up block party was unexpected and unplanned. It started with around 20 people and grew quickly.
"This was private property. This was a vacant lot on private property and it’s what they call a pop up party or a pop up event of some sort. I think these things just sort of happen on social media," he said.
Hundreds of people were at the block party.
Neighbors said parties like this are not the first time it turns violent.
"When everybody should be done and go home, I got a bullet in my home," Frances Campbell said, a person who lives near the block party area.
Her home is across the road and now has bullet holes in her property after a similar party on Martin Luther King Day ended with violence years ago.
"We have this all the time on holiday, but I've been here this long, I can't move. We just have to live like this and hope we don't get killed in our own house," Campbell said.
After this latest death, the city wants to crack down on block parties in vacant lots.
"When you’re talking about private property, people gathering on private property, there’s not a lot you can do truthfully, but we’re trying and actively looking for any options and solutions we can get because it’s really not fair to the people that live out there," Dantzler said.
As a family mourns, Dantlzer pleads to the community with the hope someone will come forward.
"We need help finding out exactly what happened out there. This type of violence, people dying, it’s just not acceptable and we’ve got to do something," he said.
The shooter has not yet been found and a $5000 reward for any information that may lead to an arrest is being offered.
You can call 1-800-266-8477 or dial **TIPS on your cell phone to contact authorities. You may also submit a tip online here. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/winter-haven-block-parties-deadly-shooting/67-e14e6852-938b-46d1-bb71-22c772cc61b1 | 2022-07-06T03:56:19 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/winter-haven-block-parties-deadly-shooting/67-e14e6852-938b-46d1-bb71-22c772cc61b1 |
WACO, Texas — More closures on Interstate 35 are headed your way, but not without some new openings.
The Texas Department of Transportation says closures will occur nightly and daily from US 84 to 18th Street, including cross streets and U-turns, southbound entrance and exit ramps, and all southbound I-35 main lanes.
U-turns will close in the early afternoons while entrance and exit ramps will close in the evenings. Southbound main lanes will close starting at 7 p.m.
The reason for this is because TxDOT plans to hang overhead signage in several locations along the southbound I-35 main lanes. TxDOT will also be putting permanent striping work on the southbound main lanes from Forest Street to 18th Street, Tuesday, July 5 to Friday, July 8.
TxDOT recommends avoiding the area by using Loop 340 to go around Waco or finding alternate routes.
In order to keep the flow of traffic steady, traffic on the southbound frontage road will be directed onto the main lanes near North Loop 340, right before exit 377.
Jake Smith, the Department of Transportation Officer said this is a project that is coming along well.
"We appreciate everyone's patience as construction is ongoing, and we certainly are making significant progress," Smith said. "We do appreciate the understanding that this construction is necessary to improve capacity and safety within the project limits, and improve Downtown Waco."
The ongoing construction is part of a project that started in 2019, in hopes to make I-35 safer. It is expected to be complete by the beginning of next year.
You can find up to date information on road openings and closures on the TxDot Twitter or by clicking this link.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/expect-more-i-35-closures-waco-with-a-few-new-openings/500-0472d710-4a86-4409-aff8-21797a4aefdb | 2022-07-06T04:07:57 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/expect-more-i-35-closures-waco-with-a-few-new-openings/500-0472d710-4a86-4409-aff8-21797a4aefdb |
TEXAS, USA — Note: The following article was originally published by The Texas Tribune.
A school shooting in Uvalde that left 19 children and two teachers dead. The end of a nearly 50-year-old constitutional right to an abortion.
A history-making spring in Texas is laying the groundwork for a contentious final four months in the race to lead the state, where Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott remains the favorite but is confronting his toughest Democratic opponent yet in Beto O’Rourke.
While O’Rourke works to harness the anti-incumbent energy spurred by the seismic events of the past few months, Abbott is banking on a general election centered on stronger issues for him: the economy and the border. But even as the national environment looks bleak for Democrats, O’Rourke has been able to keep the race competitive in Texas — and Abbott’s campaign is not taking any chances.
“People are energized right now, but you know, our job is going to be to keep them that way up until Election Day on Nov. 8,” said Kim Gilby, chair of the Democratic Party in Williamson County, a battleground county north of Austin that in 2018 went for both O’Rourke for U.S. Senate and Abbott for governor. “We can’t just lose sight — there’s so much at stake right now.”
Gilby added she was not worried about O’Rourke’s ability to keep people engaged, calling him the “Energizer bunny” of the campaign trail.
Abbott still carries most of the advantages in the race — money, for one, and a midterm election that is expected to favor Republicans across the country. The governor’s allies argue that voters are more worried about the skyrocketing inflation and illegal immigration — and that O’Rourke cannot separate himself from President Joe Biden, who is very unpopular in Texas.
“First and foremost, those [social] issues won’t overcome the reality of Biden’s economy and when you ask Texans what are their biggest issues, their answers are inflation, the economy and the border,” said Dennis Bonnen, the former Texas House speaker, adding he doesn’t think attitudes in Texas about abortion and guns are enough to move the needle. “Those are issues that have been around forever. The lines have been drawn … and I don’t see significant movement either way.”
Abbott himself has downplayed the political impact of Roe v. Wade getting overturned, arguing that his gubernatorial race in 2014 against then-state Sen. Wendy Davis was a “referendum on the issue of abortion” and he won resoundingly.
To O’Rourke and his supporters, though, this spring has been game-changing. His campaign said it has had 52,000 volunteer shift sign-ups in the five weeks since the Uvalde shooting, a 300% increase over the five weeks prior. After the Roe v. Wade ruling, which came on a Friday, the campaign set out to knock on 30,000 doors over the following weekend and hit 30,279 through 87 separate block walks statewide.
“For us to do that four months away from when this election is decided just shows you how energized the people of Texas are,” O’Rourke said on a Facebook Live afterward.
He also touted a Quinnipiac University poll in mid-June that showed him trailing Abbott by 5 points. The same pollster found O’Rourke behind by 15 points in December.
“The momentum, the speed at which we are catching up and closing the gap, is amazing,” O’Rourke said. “And that was before the Dobbs decision [that overturned Roe v. Wade], that was before it was reinforced that Greg Abbott signed legislation that outlawed abortion in the state of Texas with no exceptions for rape or incest.”
To be sure, O'Rourke has continued to talk about issues that have animated his candidacy from the start — like the 2021 power-grid failure — but the headlines of recent months have given his campaign a new trajectory.
After both the mass shooting in Uvalde and the Supreme Court decision, O’Rourke capitalized by hosting rallies where huge crowds swarmed despite the sweltering weather. And shortly after the shooting, O'Rourke confronted Abbott at a news conference that led to an uproarious scene.
O’Rourke is expected to return to the road with regular events through Election Day after appearing at the state Democratic Party convention later this month in Dallas.
“The wind is blowing our way,” said Cynthia Ginyard, the Democratic Party leader in another battleground county, Fort Bend, in suburban Houston. “We have a little less convincing to do. The state of affairs is helping us do that, and I am very glad that Beto is capitalizing on these current situations.”
One measure of the momentum O’Rourke has received lately could come later this month, when the candidates will have to report their fundraising for the first time since February.
O’Rourke successfully met a goal of raising $4 million online in the final week of the fundraising period, which ended Thursday. But Abbott’s campaign spent recent days rolling out plans for nearly $20 million in ad buys, reminding observers of his towering financial advantage over O’Rourke. As of their last fundraising report in mid-February, Abbott had roughly $50 million cash on hand compared to $7 million for O’Rourke.
Public opinion is generally on O’Rourke’s side when it comes to two major issues that have galvanized Texas Democrats more than ever lately: abortion and guns. Polls regularly show that at least pluralities of Texans want stricter gun laws and oppose totally banning abortion.
But the economy and border have ranked as more important issues for voters, and Abbott has the advantage on them. In the Quinnipiac poll, voters chose the border and economy as the two most urgent issues facing the state, and they said they trusted Abbott more than O’Rourke on them by 15- and 14-percentage-point margins, respectively.
Immigration continues to dominate headlines, and it did so tragically this past week after over 50 migrants died in connection with an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio. Abbott quickly blamed the deaths of Biden and later announced new truck checkpoints, while O’Rourke said the United States needs to “dismantle human smuggling rings and replace them with expanded avenues for legal migration.”
Still, in the Quinnipiac poll, gun policy was a close third among the most urgent issues facing Texans, and Abbott’s advantage there over O’Rourke was a much narrower 4 percentage points. On abortion, voters gave O’Rourke a 2-percentage-point edge.
After a primary season during which Abbott lurched to the right, the governor has done little outwardly to try to win back more moderate voters.
He has, however, tread more lightly on the Roe v. Wade news than some fellow Texas Republicans, who have responded with jubilance — like Attorney General Ken Paxton, who declared the historic day an annual office holiday. Abbott, however, was slow to react when the draft opinion was leaked in April, and when the ruling came out earlier this month, he issued a single mild statement that said the court “correctly overturned” the case.
Whatever the impact of the ruling, his supporters believe the economy will reign supreme in November. Cat Parks, the former vice chair of the Texas GOP, said it will “undoubtedly” be the No. 1 issue in the race, not social issues like abortion.
“I think you’re seeing all of the added energy they’re putting behind it because they don’t have anything else,” Parks said. “They have a president who’s incompetent, they have a gubernatorial candidate who’s aligned themselves with Biden.”
Glenn Hammer, the head of the pro-Abbott Texas Association of Business, said the state’s economy is the “healthiest it’s ever been by really any metric.” TAB, he added, “would love to see a continued focus on the meat-and-potato issues that have made Texas the best place in the world to do business.”
Abbott has big ambitions for November. He not only wants to beat O’Rourke but wants to defeat him by a large enough margin to doom any future political run in Texas. Speaking on the sidelines of the Texas GOP convention earlier this month, Abbott rallied supporters with a call to “beat the hell out of Beto.”
Abbott also wants to win the Hispanic vote, though recent polls have shown O’Rourke still leads with those voters. The Quinnipiac survey gave O’Rourke a 9-percentage-point advantage with Hispanic voters.
The fight for Hispanic voters — especially in South Texas — has only intensified in recent weeks after Republican Mayra Flores flipped a congressional seat in the Rio Grande Valley. O’Rourke largely stayed out of that contest, where the main Democratic candidate, Dan Sanchez, held an election-eve rally with three other statewide candidates.
As part of the almost $20 million in ad buys that Abbott’s campaign has announced, $2.75 million has been dedicated to Hispanic media.
Differences with 2018
The race is shaping up to be different from O’Rourke’s 2018 U.S. Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz in some key ways. For starters, Abbott’s campaign has proven far more aggressive in working to define O’Rourke than Cruz’s was, pumping out news releases and videos every week loaded with opposition research.
Bonnen said Abbott is “taking nothing for granted” and that the governor’s approach to O’Rourke has been a “night and day” difference with Cruz’s campaign at this point four years ago.
For his part, O’Rourke has openly talked about how he is running this campaign differently from 2018. He has said he is investing more in data; driving a message centered on jobs, schools and health care; sharing more resources with fellow Democratic candidates; and making more of a case against the incumbent.
O’Rourke’s focus on the incumbent this time has especially stood out to his supporters.
“He famously did not draw the contrast with Ted Cruz,” said U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, who recently endorsed O’Rourke as part of a statewide slate. “You can go back and forth about what you think about that strategy. It’s immaterial at this point, really, but in this campaign, he is clearly drawing the contrast on every issue and also being specific on what he would do.”
Democrats believe O’Rourke’s hammering of Abbott is especially helpful due to the governor’s shift to the right over the past two years — a shift that has only been reinforced by the recent headlines on guns and abortion.
“Whatever version of Greg Abbott you voted for previously,” Allred said, “that’s not the version you’re considering on the ballot this November.”
Disclosure: Texas Association of Business has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/texas-governor-race-greg-abbott-beto-orourke-2022/287-7c73a602-96fb-489d-b90d-68a17e774e75 | 2022-07-06T04:08:03 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/texas-governor-race-greg-abbott-beto-orourke-2022/287-7c73a602-96fb-489d-b90d-68a17e774e75 |
OREGON, USA — As gas prices surge in Oregon, Washington and around the country, many consumers are fighting to join the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Buying any car in 2022 has proven to be a big challenge for consumers.
Shortages of computer chips and raw materials for car parts and batteries have cut into new car supply. Car production around the world has also slowed since the beginning of the pandemic.
Websites such as Cars.com show ordering a new car can take at least two months.
J.D. Power reported earlier this year that 56% of vehicles are sold within 10 days of arriving at a dealership. The average number of days a new vehicle is in a dealer’s possession before being sold was about 18 days, down from 49 days a year ago.
These factors have all contributed to low inventory for prospective car buyers everywhere.
Lower supply has resulted in higher prices. The Consumer Price Index showed in May, new car prices were up 12.6% over the past year, and used car prices had risen 16%.
As of Tuesday, the national average for a gallon of gasoline was $4.80, and that average is even higher in Oregon ($5.47) and Washington ($5.45), according to AAA.
Consumer interest in more efficient hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs has understandably increased, and supply is limited.
"It's a tough ticket right now," said Derek Wing with Pemco Insurance.
A Pemco survey in April 2021 found about one in 10 Northwest drivers had a hybrid or EV, and about two out of three drivers would consider one for their next vehicle.
"Since [that survey], gas prices have exploded," Wing said, noting the number of potential EV shoppers is likely higher now. "There is an aspiration and a hope for people in the northwest to have electric vehicles, but it's just a matter of can they afford them and can they find them?"
The Oregon nonprofit Forth helps consumers navigate EV purchases and ownership, with a goal of boosting access to greener transportation.
JR Anderson, a program manager with Forth, said some Oregonians are having trouble finding vehicles within the local market.
"If it's a specific car you want, you may just have to wait," Anderson said.
He explained if people want a particular make and model, it could take six months to a year to get a new electric vehicle.
However, he said if people are willing to be more flexible about which car they buy, groups like Forth can help find other EV options.
Anderson uses a number of resources to find available cars on the market. He recommended Platt Auto in Milwaukie as one of them, a dealership that specializes in used electric and hybrid vehicles.
A barrier to entry in the EV market for some consumers is price. EVs and hybrids typically cost $5,000-$10,000 more than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
However, Forth helps consumers navigate the many cost-saving options buried in the fine print, including state rebates, federal tax breaks and charging incentives by local power companies.
Anderson said jumping through the hoops can cut the cost of an EV, new or used, by thousands of dollars.
"Once you cross that line, life gets so much easier," Anderson said.
EVs do come with a cost of electricity, about $30-$60 per month according to Pemco. However, the company said insurance is typically cheaper for newer vehicles that have advanced safety features.
EV maintenance costs tend to be lower, without the need for oil changes and gas engine fixes. However, in the rare event of EV battery failure, replacement can cost many thousands.
Overall, the average cost to drive an EV per mile is cheaper than that of a gas-powered car, but consumer experts emphasized drivers have to take initiative to lower upfront costs and ensure access to charging.
For those with their hearts set on a particular new model of EV, the current market could make it tricky.
"You might want to consider waiting a little bit until there's more inventory," Wing said.
"I think it will go back to normal at some point," Anderson added. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/experts-help-navigate-ev-purchases/283-ff002ef0-fca9-480f-b290-94b79b8acb1c | 2022-07-06T04:11:00 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/experts-help-navigate-ev-purchases/283-ff002ef0-fca9-480f-b290-94b79b8acb1c |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Residents at a North Portland apartment building said they feel trapped as people living on the streets repeatedly break into their building. Those who spoke to KGW said they're unable to afford to move out.
Tenants at the Kentwood Apartments on North Kilpatrick Street said the break-ins are making them feel unsafe.
“They are shooting up in the common bathrooms, they're using the kitchens, they're sleeping on the stairs, they're bringing their animals in,” said Esperanza Bohorquez, who has lived in the building for about two years.
She pays about $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom where she lives with her 9-month-old daughter. Last week, her ceiling collapsed due to water damage.
“It makes me want to cry," Bohorquez said through tears. “I lost everything. I had to sell my food stamps to get diapers.”
“Very frustrating,” added Bohorquez’s partner Perry Lambert. “Even before the flood happened, there was a lot of issues.”
Lambert said they can’t afford to move.
"It's almost a helpless feeling because your hands are tied,” he said.
Roland Howerton lives upstairs in the building. He said he's called police when homeless people have broken in.
“I just feel trapped,” said Howerton. “I don't feel at home here, and you know there's a housing crisis in Portland and it's hard to find a place."
Portland-based Capital Property Management has owned the apartments since January 2021. Since then, the company has documented four instances of unauthorized entry into the building.
The company was not available to speak with KGW on camera, citing safety concerns, but said it's taken the following steps to ensure safety:
1. Sent notifications to residents to not let anyone into the building
2. Rekeyed the building twice
3. Disabled the intercom to circumvent potential easy access for those that give out the code
4. Installed active alarms on fire doors to prevent access in unauthorized areas or emergency areas.
The tenants said it's not enough.
“There's homeless people that'll go through the trash over here and people make keys and hand them to the homeless people and they come in and try to break into people's apartments,” said Bohorquez.
“Still have a lot of people coming in the building, still have people sleeping in the building,” said Lambert.
As for the damage to Bohorquez’s apartment, management has since put her in a temporary unit but told her they aren't responsible for her damaged belongings.
KGW asked Capital Property Management about her damaged belongings. The company cited an Oregon law that requires renters to obtain liability insurance but said it could not share the specifics around her rental agreement.
It also said it has called the police numerous times regarding people breaking in but said police have been largely unresponsive. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/homeless-people-break-into-north-portland-apartments/283-c565e278-4613-4ccb-aae6-f803af989def | 2022-07-06T04:11:06 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/homeless-people-break-into-north-portland-apartments/283-c565e278-4613-4ccb-aae6-f803af989def |
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. — A 44-year-old Vancouver man was killed in a climbing accident on Icicle Buttress south of Leavenworth Monday, according to the Chelan County Sheriff's Office (CCSO).
The man and his female climbing partner were climbing on the buttress when a heavy rain storm moved in. The woman was lowered to the bottom of the pitch with the man set to follow. As she was ascending the trail, the woman heard a noise and saw the man fall, according to CCSO. It's estimated he fell approximately 100 feet.
The woman managed to flag down a U.S. Forest Service Officer who was in the area. When CCSO Search and Rescue personnel arrived on the scene, they found the man dead from injuries he appeared to have sustained during the fall.
The climber was brought to the roadway with the help of Chelan County Fire District 3 personnel. The man's name has not been released. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/man-killed-in-climbing-accident-icicle-buttress-leavenworth-vancouver/281-104325a0-1f0e-4a97-b1fd-1110a9d99ba8 | 2022-07-06T04:11:12 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/man-killed-in-climbing-accident-icicle-buttress-leavenworth-vancouver/281-104325a0-1f0e-4a97-b1fd-1110a9d99ba8 |
MILL CITY, Ore. — Building new housing for wildfire survivors has been a slow and frustrating process for many people who are trying to move forward from the devastating Labor Day wildfires of 2020. The fires burned a million acres and more than 4,000 homes across Oregon.
A number of wildfire survivors are now dealing with red tape and bureaucratic delays, keeping the process moving at a snail’s pace. Now, with inflation, building costs have shot up making the process even slower.
It’s been nearly two years since Lucretia Benolken lived on her property along the North Fork River in the Santiam Canyon. She remembers her neighbors coming to her door, waking her up, and telling her she had to leave.
“They came in and said you have five minutes to get ready. We’re leaving. The fire’s on its way here,” recalled Benolken.
Days later, she found out she had lost everything from her home, to her woodworking shop and her car.
“It was pretty scary. Realizing that I had nothing left but the clothes on my back and my medicine. I had that with me, and that was it,” Benolken said.
Benolken, who is 89, is now living in Arizona at her daughter's second home as she waits for her new home to be rebuilt. She said she’s fortunate her son is her contractor, but the process is taking a while.
“Insurance doesn't cover everything and all the materials have gone sky high as far as the price,” she said.
Benolken is one of the many people who are still displaced and waiting for a home.
“Given that we were already in a housing crisis, and what has happened with construction cost escalation, that really drove us to spending every dollar that we that we could justify on housing,” said Alex Campbell, the external affairs officer for the disaster recovery and resilience section of Oregon Housing and Community Services.
Oregon Housing and Community Services is the state agency responsible for distributing $422 million of wildfire disaster recovery money from the federal government. The OHCS program doing that is called ReOregon.
“We dedicated over $300 million of that $422 [million] to housing programs. The majority of that for folks who lost a home,” Campbell said.
He said the idea is to provide affordable housing to people in the form of home ownership for both prior homeowners and those who rented before and want to buy. Campbell anticipates wildfire survivors will be able to apply late this year or early next year.
According to Campbell, new homes likely won’t be available until the end of next summer.
In the McKenzie River Valley where the Holiday Farm Fire burned, Jamee Savidge said she believes housing is the community’s biggest issue.
Savidge works for Cascade Relief Team, a nonprofit helping with wildfire recovery.
“My main concern is the 150 families that are on their property living in an RV, some with two, three, four or five kids that are trying to figure out what their rebuild is going to look like and how they're going to do it,” Savidge said.
She said the $422 million in federal grant money will mostly help those with the least resources, which is needed, but she’s also worried about all the people who were underinsured.
“It's the people that are in the middle, that [had] good employment and you know, solid income and solid credit history. Those are the people that are having the most difficult time right now,” said Savidge.
Campbell said Oregon Community Housing and Services is required by the federal government to spend 70% of the total grant to benefit “low and moderate income individuals.”
In Marion County, Commissioner Danielle Bethell said about 300 families still don’t have a place to call home. She says while there are big plans to build more rental units but due to inflation and rising costs, things are moving slowly.
“The county is still working on two projects, temporary housing projects, which are tiny homes, 16 units in Gates at the old Gates Motel site and 16 units at North Santiam State Park. Both of those projects are taking much longer than anticipated,” said Bethell.
She said the Gates project will likely be complete this year by early winter. The housing project at North Santiam State Park will take longer, but may be open by next spring. It’s under environmental review right now.
She said the LIFT project in Mill City will offer 54 units of affordable multifamily housing. Bethell said developers are moving ahead but it’s also a pretty slow process.
Among the hurdles there, Bethell said developers have to work around the Mill City sewer system which lacks capacity. She said the system needs improvements and the hope is that groundbreaking can happen in 2023.
Additionally, Bethell said the county has bought 14 acres of land in Mill City to develop more affordable housing. That effort is part of more than $73 million that Oregon Housing and Community Services has given out to fund over 600 affordable homes. The $73 million is separate from the federal grant.
Campbell said the Oregon legislature allocated more than $150 million to help wildfire recovery efforts in the state.
Meantime, Benolken is hopeful she’ll be able to move back into her new home this summer. She recently received a grant from a local organization to help with her home build. It doesn’t pay for everything, but she’s grateful for all the support she has.
“[I’m] thankful for the people and the friends that I’ve have that have been so very helpful and thoughtful,” said Benolken.
Benolken’s family has also started a GoFundMe to help pay for rebuilding and furnishing her home.
While most of the $422 million in federal grant money will be going toward affordable housing, some of it will also be used for things like infrastructure, mitigating future fires and disasters, and economic revitalization. But Campbell said unfortunately, while $422 million may sound like a lot to many people, it isn’t enough to address all the wildfire-related needs in Oregon.
Campbell also said there are programs available right now to help people with rebuilding if they are low and moderate income. People who are low or moderate income and were impacted by the 2020 wildfires can get a disaster case manager to help them by calling this hotline: 833-669-0554.
Aside from that, there are a number of resources that can help with housing-related concerns. There are also local groups, like the Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund, trying to help people in specific areas.
Here is a list of housing resources by county from the Oregon Housing and Community Services:
Clackamas County
Catholic Charities: 503-688-2694
www.catholiccharitiesoregon.org/services/disaster-services
Douglas County
UCAN: 541-802-6529
www.ucancap.org
Jackson County
ACCESS Center for Community Resilience: 541-414-0318
www.accesshelps.org/ccr
Klamath County
Klamath-Lake Community Action Services: 541-882-3500
www.klcas.org
Lane County
Oregon Department of Human Services: 971-388-9081 (DHS)
www.oregon.gov/dhs/EmergencyManagement/Pages/wildfires.aspx
Lincoln or Linn County
Community Services Consortium: 458-239-2265
communityservices.us
Marion County
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency: 503-399-9080 (Press 6)
mwvcaa.org | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/wildfire-survivors-still-waiting-to-rebuild/283-b3b57453-6ceb-4a03-b64a-2b5ae32f055c | 2022-07-06T04:11:18 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/wildfire-survivors-still-waiting-to-rebuild/283-b3b57453-6ceb-4a03-b64a-2b5ae32f055c |
NORMAL — The rules for temporary signs in Normal could see changes after the Town Council voted Monday night to send the issue to the Normal Planning Commission.
City Manager Pam Reece said the proposed ordinance changes that will be sent to the Planning Commission are “staff’s attempt to get the ball rolling.”
The current code differentiates types of temporary signs, including for political campaigns and real estate. Corporation Counsel Brian Day said this puts the town out of compliance based on recent court decisions, namely Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Arizona.
The proposed ordinance eliminates content-based distinctions with the intent to make the code “content neutral,” Reece said.
However, the motion passed over two dissenting votes after concerns were raised about the proposed ordinance town staff drafted extending beyond seeking “content neutrality” and about the Planning Commission’s public input process.
While Day noted some aspects of the proposed ordinance already exist in the town code for temporary signs, Trustee Scott Preston said he believes there are holes and unresolved questions “that I just don’t think are practical, to be honest, in the proposed ordinance, how it reads that’s being sent to Planning. ... I think the additional regulations go too far and are unnecessary.”
He voted against the measure.
Trustee Stan Nord also said he believed this proposed ordinance as written was “too far reaching.”
Within the proposed ordinance, he and Preston drew attention to the size limits (no more than 7 square feet) and display length limits (no more than 84 days in a year), especially in regard to how different entities use temporary signs regularly.
Nord also told the council he was concerned about the public not knowing to whom to provide feedback on the issue as it proceeds to the Planning Commission.
Trustee Kevin McCarthy, who voted in support, said he has encouraged the public to attend the Planning Commission meeting “to express their opinion directly to the Planning Commission as the beginning of the public input process. … There isn’t an ‘either or’ going on here. Citizens get to talk to the Planning Commission and they get to talk to their council members.”
While the proposed language of the ordinance will be sent to the Planning Commission to consider, McCarthy said what goes to the commission may not be what comes back to council for a final vote.
“I don’t want to get bogged down tonight by the details of what we’re sending to the Planning Commission because we don’t know what the Planning Commission’s actually going to hear. Let’s let the public weigh in before we try to weigh in,” he said.
This topic gained attention prior to the meeting, which has already led to some discussions with community groups, Trustee Kathleen Lorenz said.
“This is the opportunity for people and stakeholders with a vested interest in our sign ordinance to step forward into the planning process,” she said. “I think this discussion tonight and the topic itself being on the agenda has helped bring attention to that.”
In other business, the council approved a resolution to use $202,500 of state motor fuel tax dollars for the design of the Franklin Avenue Bridge over the north branch of Sugar Creek.
Town staff reported the existing bridge is in poor condition and the adjacent pedestrian bridge had to be closed for safety concerns.
The designing process is scheduled to begin this year and be completed by 2024.
The project also is supported by a grant from the Illinois Special Bridge Program. The awarded $1.56 million is slated to help pay construction-related costs.
In addition to the grant and motor fuel tax funds, the town’s storm water fund is budgeted to contribute to the project as well.
This morning's top headlines: Tuesday, July 5
A shooting that left at least six people dead at an Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb rattled Monday's celebrations across the U.S. and further rocked a country already awash in turmoil over high court rulings on abortion and guns as well as hearings on the Jan. 6 insurrection.
The July 4 shooting was just the latest to shatter the rituals of American life. Schools, churches, grocery stores and now community parades have all become killing grounds in recent months. This time, the bloodshed came as the nation tried to find cause to celebrate its founding and the bonds that still hold it together.
The latest high-profile shooting in the United States happened on July Fourth, when a gunman opened fire on parade-goers in a Chicago suburb. Other notable episodes of gun violence in recent weeks:
Akron police released video of the shooting of Jayland Walker, 25, who was killed June 27 in a pursuit that had started with an attempted traffic stop. The mayor called the shooting “heartbreaking” while asking for patience from the community.
Brittney Griner made an appeal to President Joe Biden in a letter passed on to the White House through her representatives saying she feared she may never return home and asking that he not “forget about me and the other American Detainees.” Griner's agent says the letter was delivered on Monday. The Phoenix Mercury All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist is in the midst of a trial in Russia that began last week after she was arrested on Feb. 17 on charges of possessing cannabis oil while returning to play for her Russian team. The trial will resume Thursday.
After the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the federal right to an abortion, companies like Amazon, Disney, Apple and JP Morgan pledged to cover travel costs for employees. But they gave scant or no details on how they will do this.
The 30 NATO allies have signed off on the protocols needed for Sweden and Finland to become members. The move means the question of admitting the two nations now goes to the capitals of existing members for legislative approval. Their ambassadors and permanent representatives on Tuesday approved the invitation to join the club that NATO leaders extended to Finland and Sweden at a summit in Madrid last week. Securing parliamentary approval in Turkey, however, could still pose a problem. Turkey's president has said his parliament might block the process even though Sweden, Finland and Turkey reached a memorandum of understanding at the Madrid summit. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says he expects no change of heart.
Stocks fell broadly in morning trading on Wall Street Tuesday, extending a slump for the major indexes as investors continue to worry about the state of the economy. The S&P 500 fell 1.8% and more than 95% of stocks in the benchmark index were in the red. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2% and the Nasdaq fell 1.3%. Small-company stocks fell sharply in a signal that investors were worried about economic growth. Energy companies had some of the biggest losses as U.S. crude oil prices fell 5%. Banks also slipped along with falling bond yields.
The war in Ukraine has abruptly drawn millions of dollars away from longer-running humanitarian crises. Somalia is perhaps the most vulnerable as thousands die of hunger amid the driest drought in decades. Aid funding for Somalia is less than half of last year’s level as donors, overwhelmingly from the West, have sent more than $1.7 billion to respond to the war in Europe. The Norwegian Refugee Council secretary general tells The Associated Press he's “angry and ashamed" watching under-resourced aid workers in Somalia forced to make “horrific” choices about which desperately hungry people to help.
Ukrainians displaced in Borodyanka near the capital wonder what will happen to their war-damaged homes. Russian troops retreated from the area around Kyiv in late March. But authorities say they left behind 16,000 damaged residential buildings in the Bucha region where Borodyanka is located. There are 257 people living in a shipping container camp for displaced people in Borodyanka’s camp with 35% of them older residents. The camp's coordinator says that he expects two containers for 160 people to be added this month. But even this isn’t enough. He has 700 families waiting.
Hundreds of homes have been inundated in and around Australia's largest city in a flood emergency that was causing trouble for 50,000 people. Officials said Tuesday emergency response teams made 100 rescues overnight of people trapped in cars on flooded roads or in inundated homes. New South Wales state Premier Dominic Perrottet said 50,000 people in and around Sydney were given evacuation orders and warnings to prepare to abandon homes. That's up from 32,000 on Monday. Days of torrential rain have caused dams to overflow and waterways to break their banks, bringing a fourth flood emergency in 16 months to parts of the city of 5 million people.
From the snowcapped peaks of Tibet to the tropical island of Hainan, China is sweltering under the worst heatwave in decades while rainfall hit records in June. Extreme heat is also battering Japan, and volatile weather is causing trouble for other parts of the world in what scientists say has all the hallmarks of climate change, with even more warming expected this century. The China Meteorological Administration says the northeastern provinces of Shandong, Jilin and Liaoning saw precipitation rise to the highest levels recorded in June. The average temperature across the nation also rose to its highest since 1961. A city in the northern province of Henan recorded 42.1 degrees Celsius, or 107.8 Fahrenheit, in late June. The south meanwhile experienced floods.
Rescuers using drones are resuming the search for an estimated 13 people unaccounted-for following an avalanche in northern Italy that killed at least seven people and is being blamed in large part on rising temperatures that are melting glaciers. After rain hampered the search Monday, sunny weather on Tuesday allowed helicopters to bring more rescue teams up to the avalanche site on the Marmolada glacier, east of Bolzano in the Italian Alps. A huge chunk of the glacier cleaved off Sunday, sending torrents of ice, rock and debris down the mountainside onto unsuspecting hikers below. At least seven people were killed, and a further 13 remain unaccounted-for, officials said.
A satellite the size of a microwave oven successfully broke free from its orbit around Earth and is headed toward the moon. It's the latest step in NASA’s plan to land astronauts on the lunar surface again. The Capstone satellite will take four months to reach the moon as it cruises along using minimal energy. Rocket Lab company founder Peter Beck told The Associated Press the experience of seeing the project come together and send the spacecraft on the way to the moon was “just absolutely epic.” The plan is for the satellite to orbit the moon in a stretched-out egg shape to save fuel and stay in contact with Earth. NASA eventually plans to put a space station in the same orbital path.
Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/normal-planning-commission-to-consider-amending-temporary-sign-code/article_8c276d6e-fcbc-11ec-84c8-1b134e9a962a.html | 2022-07-06T04:11:36 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/normal-planning-commission-to-consider-amending-temporary-sign-code/article_8c276d6e-fcbc-11ec-84c8-1b134e9a962a.html |
Man dies days after being found unresponsive in Pima County jail cell
A man incarcerated at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex in Tucson died on Tuesday, days after a correctional officer found him unresponsive in his cell.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department said an officer found 33-year-old Jonathan Leary hanging in his cell on June 29 at around 8 a.m. Officers immediately began life-saving measures before Tucson Fire Department personnel took over and transported Leary to a hospital where he later died.
The Sheriff's Department said Leary was originally booked into jail on June 21 for an outstanding out-of-state warrant relating to dangerous drugs.
An investigation into the death remains ongoing.
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-breaking/2022/07/05/man-dies-days-after-being-found-unresponsive-pima-county-jail-cell/7817882001/ | 2022-07-06T04:12:13 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2022/07/05/man-dies-days-after-being-found-unresponsive-pima-county-jail-cell/7817882001/ |
MADISON COUNTY, Arkansas — Dave Randall, a middle school teacher in Berryville was on his way back home.
When he and his wife saw an 18-wheeler tanker drift off Highway 23, near the Madison/Carroll county line.
"We were just coming back from Crystal bridges," Randall said.
Randall says he and his wife immediately jumped into action after they saw the tanker rollover.
"You just react, your prayers. I just did something that needed to done," Randall said
While walking toward the 18-wheeler, it caught on fire. However, Randall's determination to rescue the driver persisted.
"There's no thought process. You just react to it," Randall said.
After minutes of trying to save the driver. The sweltering heat from the flames and the sun got to Randall.
“It had gotten to the point where I needed to make the decision, do I try one more time or do I get to safety," Randall said. "I asked GOD for the strength to get him out and that's when his arm came through the window."
Randall says, with the help of two other men the driver was pulled out from the flames.
"If they wouldn't have helped me at that point, this story would've had a whole different ending," Randall said.
Adding that the rescue took about 15 minutes but felt a lot longer.
“Time kind of slows down a bit and it seemed like I had more time than what I guess I actually had."
However, time was running out. Moments after the rescue, the 10-thousand-gallon tanker truck became fully engulfed in flames. He says he only had a few blisters.
"This is a boring story, I know," Randall said while laughing.
5NEWS has reached out to the departments that responded to the call to check on the driver’s condition. However, haven't heard back.
Randall says a coworker reached out to him a few days ago saying the driver is still in the hospital.
RELATED: Entergy Arkansas requests proposals for 1,000 megawatts of solar and wind generation resources
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/berryville-teacher-rescues-person-burning-18-wheeler/527-ad0d79d7-bcbd-4827-9adc-e0d80c876a60 | 2022-07-06T04:14:58 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/berryville-teacher-rescues-person-burning-18-wheeler/527-ad0d79d7-bcbd-4827-9adc-e0d80c876a60 |
ROGERS, Ark. — No matter the temperature outside, this is the everyday reality of fight fighters, working to save lives and keep people safe.
The rogers fire department is taking the high temperatures more seriously by working to keep firefighters cool when they’re not working.
“In Rogers, we call greater alarms quicker during excessive heat or cold temperatures just to make sure we have extra people there to rotate in out with these crews to be sure they’re not exposed to that heat or any elements too long,” said Dusty Meredith
While it’s not only hot outside, temperatures inside a burning building can reach up to 1,000 degrees.
"You got to get those clothes off of them because they’re just wrapped up in those turnout gears…it’s holding all that stuff in there, so we got to get them cooled off and get them rehydrated because they dehydrate really quickly,” said Meredith.
The gear that firefighters wear is about 60-75 pounds and It consists of a helmet, hood, pants, boots, coat, gloves, and an oxygen tank. It’s made from several levels of special fabric to guard against the heat and flames.
"It’s designed to keep heat out, but it also keeps it in too…so you know you just feel like you’re baking in that gear,” said Schuyler Brennan
Firefighters can spend hours on a scene putting out a fire. that’s why firefighter paramedic Shuyler Brennan says recovery for them is very important.
“my crew went in and searched the structure and started pulling some celling and we came out pretty quick and got our bottles changed and went to rehab…. and just try to stay hydrated,” said Brennan
Whether it’s below freezing or 100 degrees, the weather can’t stop firefighters from putting their lives on the line for their community.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/extreme-heat-firefighters-gear/527-26420e29-c5ef-43b5-8e39-8d00582badba | 2022-07-06T04:15:04 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/extreme-heat-firefighters-gear/527-26420e29-c5ef-43b5-8e39-8d00582badba |
ROGERS, Ark. — Animal Shelters are experiencing an influx of stray pets after Independence Day celebrations.
Nancy Collins is the Executive Director of the Bella Vista Animal Shelter. She explained that fireworks cause stress in dogs, making them run from the loud noises of fireworks.
“Fireworks get dogs very excited. They get very riled up, if there’s a loud noise then they will usually bolt, and they won’t come back when they’re being called," said Collins. "It increases the amount of strays everywhere, not just here.”
Luke Heffron said his family's dog, Inara, escaped on Friday, July 1.
"She freaked out, she got scared, she ran off she dug under the fence and got out," said Heffron.
Heffron said Inara stayed in their fenced backyard when the family went to visit his grandparents in Bella Vista. Rogers' fireworks ordinance limited firework use from July 2 to 4, meaning the Heffron wouldn't have to worry until the next day. With fireworks going off nearby, it drove the family pet to dig under the fence, escaping the home.
"I got really comfortable with her being in the backyard she is an inside-outside dog," said Heffron. "She's a real nice dog, she's very friendly but she was in a state of mind where she didn't trust anybody."
Collins said that returning from the holiday weekend, the shelter had received 6 dogs in the month of July, which was more than usual for the nonprofit. Tuesday morning the shelter received an older dog from the weekend's celebrations.
"Her little feet were all burned from walking on the asphalt, she obviously isn't a dog that runs very quickly arthritic, and so we're hoping that we can find her people quickly," said Collins
Luckily for the Heffron family, their dog was promptly found when a person called the number on Inara's collar.
"The person who found them she was crossing the street that hadn't seen any of our posts, but they saw her collar. They called and said we have your dog and so it was seven minutes by the time I just had to drive to Sam's Club," said Heffron. "We're all much happier for it including my living my little boy he was very glad to see his dog home."
The Bella Vista Animal shelter has also seen a rise in owner surrenders. The executive director asks anyone looking to adopt to fully consider the responsibilities of owning a pet. She explained that owners should also consider who to entrust the pet to in case of emergency or death.
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/local-animal-shelters-see-rise-stray-pets-fireworks-celebrations/527-fb932862-968d-430f-bdca-76943ebd4c89 | 2022-07-06T04:15:10 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/local-animal-shelters-see-rise-stray-pets-fireworks-celebrations/527-fb932862-968d-430f-bdca-76943ebd4c89 |
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb Police are investigating after a deadly crash on I-20 west near Wesley Chapel Road early Tuesday morning.
Authorities said the single-vehicle accident happened at 4:15 a.m. Nine people were inside the car when the driver lost control, overturned and rolled down an embankment, according to the police department.
One person has died, another person has critical injuries and the others had non-life-threatening injuries, DeKalb Police said.
The police department said its investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/i-20-crash-wesley-chapel-road-9-people-inside-1-dead/85-d1984987-bdd4-4c07-a24c-a3acf9b55d32 | 2022-07-06T04:16:34 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/i-20-crash-wesley-chapel-road-9-people-inside-1-dead/85-d1984987-bdd4-4c07-a24c-a3acf9b55d32 |
TOCCOA, Ga. — Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are stepping in after a Toccoa police officer fired his weapon during a shooting investigation at a hotel.
Toccoa Police Department officers were called to a shooting Tuesday at a Regency Inn on West Currahee Street. When officers arrived, they found a man shot, according to the GBI.
Officers also found a second man in the hotel room who was holding a handgun, authorities said, adding this man had been visited by the other.
Police told the man to drop his firearm and he did not comply, GBI said. He was shot by Toccoa officers. Despite officers trying to perform life-saving measures, both men died, according to investigators. No officers were hurt.
Toccoa police asked the GBI to step in, as is protocol when a law enforcement officer fires their gun during an investigation.
The GBI will conduct its own investigation and turn over its findings to the local district attorney's office for review. It will be up to the office to pursue charges.
According to the agency, this is the 65th time the GBI has been asked to investigate a shooting involving a law enforcement officer this year. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/toccoa-officer-shooting-regency-inn/85-8ce8ae0d-bd8f-4fcd-9220-f81fe58a8e1a | 2022-07-06T04:16:40 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/toccoa-officer-shooting-regency-inn/85-8ce8ae0d-bd8f-4fcd-9220-f81fe58a8e1a |
LAGRANGE, Ga. — The Troup County Sheriff's Office says a woman fired a gun during a Fourth of July fireworks show and celebration in LaGrange Monday night. Nobody was hurt many people felt forced to run to safety.
In that crowd, was 22-year-old Savannah Gonzalez.
“My niece actually looked at me and she was like, 'That's not fireworks,' and I was like, 'just calm down.' It was more like a little bit of panic that we got to get out of here. Calm down, stay calm," she recalled.
As a LaGrange resident, Gonzalez has gone to this Fourth of July gathering at Pyne Road Park for six years straight, but never felt the need to run for safety.
"People around her were like, 'She has a gun, she has a gun.' People, of course, were taking off in different directions," she said.
She remembers looking towards West Point Lake and seeing a woman holding a gun, about 50 feet away from her and her family.
“She had pointed towards the lake and fired a shot at the lake instead of trying to fire it at somebody else or trying to hold somebody else at gunpoint," Gonzalez added. "It was like anger ensued her and she just shut it off at the lake."
Troup County Sergeant Stewart Smith says deputies quickly responded after hearing reports of a large fight.
“It's dark out there. It is pitch black. So we were just relying on headlights and flashlights, and whatever we could. We had ATVs to get down there. I just can't say enough about our team for responding as a team to get down there and take care of the situation," Smith said.
He says about 15 officers responded, and they were able to arrest the 37-year-old LaGrange woman without incident.
"She was engaged in an argument or an altercation with maybe just a handful of people, but because there were so many people around once the chaos started, all the people started fleeing in several different directions," he added. "As she was leaving the area, she tossed the gun in the direction of a car and we did recover the handgun."
Sergeant Smith adds that there were about 30 people in the general area where this took place.
Gonzalez says her fight or flight reaction kicked in, and as she was putting her family members in her vehicle, she witnessed the suspect getting arrested. She says the whole incident lasted about two minutes.
"They ended up arresting her and the show continued," she said. "They pulled her out of the area, diffused the people that were causing the drama and causing the mishap, and were all removed and the day went on according to plan."
The woman arrested has since been charged with three misdemeanors, including discharging a firearm while under the influence, reckless conduct, and public drunkenness.
Everyone is grateful this didn't end in a tragic situation, like in Highland Park, Illinois this Fourth of July.
“Unfortunately, there's been a lot of tragic shootings in the country and around this area. We're very fortunate that this didn't end in a way it could have ended," Smith added. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-fires-gun-fourth-of-july-fireworks-show-lagrange/85-9b844e72-76be-4b8c-84b9-da9271df1b4e | 2022-07-06T04:16:47 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-fires-gun-fourth-of-july-fireworks-show-lagrange/85-9b844e72-76be-4b8c-84b9-da9271df1b4e |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The dog days of summer have arrived, and the heat has been suffocating.
"Unfortunately there's a heat wave that's pretty much reaching across the country," Brandi Hinkle, spokesperson for Entergy Arkansas, said.
Hinkle knows the strain the heat and humidity can put on our power system, but she said it's not just Arkansas who is on that power grid.
"Within your community, within cities and towns, across the state, it's all one grid," Hinkle said. "Even though there are different power providers within that footprint."
Much of Arkansas is on the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or MISO, grid. The grid extends all the way up through the Midwest and all the way to the Canadian border.
What happens to them all the way up there can actually affect us down here as well.
"It's just to ensure that we have enough power to supply the demand so that we can use power from other generators if we need to, other power companies," Hinkle said.
The North and Central regions of MISO have been under an alert because of hot weather up there, which something we've been much better at dealing with here in the South.
In a statement, MISO officials said that this is typical during challenging grid conditions. Hinkle also agreed with that statement.
"We are absolutely not in panic mode," she said. "Again, we prepare for this kind of thing."
Entergy isn't alone in that. At Benton Utilities, General Manager David Vondran said they constantly monitor conditions in case MISO asks them to conserve power.
Some of the ways to conserve power, include raising your thermostat a couple degrees, turning off lights that aren't in use and unplugging unnecessary appliances.
Doing those may be a slight annoyance, but they can help keep the lights on for everybody, whether they're in Arkansas or not.
"So the best way we can do that, again, is ask our customers to just be mindful of how much power they're using," Hinkle said. "So that we don't create too much demand on the grid." | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-power-grid-and-other-cities/91-9c481d70-9b63-4c2d-9b7a-225c8d4cb948 | 2022-07-06T04:18:05 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-power-grid-and-other-cities/91-9c481d70-9b63-4c2d-9b7a-225c8d4cb948 |
ARIZONA, USA — If you looked up this July 4, you might have noticed what appeared to be a fiery streak of light slowly heading downward and even changing directions.
Was it a meteor? Flare? Aliens?!
Turns out it was a group of Pyrotechnic paratroopers flying through the air!
The All Veteran Group was hired to perform at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess this holiday weekend.
The group consists of active, retired military members, and patriotic Americans who go across the country flying through the air.
"If we can jump out of an airplane and give that platform to stand up and say, I love America, America is great. That’s the message we want to send honor, remember, and serve our community," said the founder of the All Veteran Group, Michael Elliott.
So rest assured, Arizona is safe from an alien invasion. At least for now. :)
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12 News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/what-were-the-strange-lights-seen-in-the-valley-sky-on-july-4/75-e06fed4c-7fde-46dd-b2a8-e4859bcffda5 | 2022-07-06T04:19:23 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/what-were-the-strange-lights-seen-in-the-valley-sky-on-july-4/75-e06fed4c-7fde-46dd-b2a8-e4859bcffda5 |
WATERLOO – A man who led police on a brief chase is facing weapons charges after police found stolen guns in the minivan he was driving.
Waterloo police arrested Jonathan Williams, 29, for three counts of felon in possession of a firearm, assault causing injury, interference, third-degree theft and eluding.
The incident started shortly after noon on Tuesday when police were called a report that a man punched a woman in the face at the Kwik Star on East San Marnan Drive. A patrol officer heading to the call spotted a silver minivan fleeing the scene.
The van turned down Camelot Drive and Oelson Road, and the driver leapt from the vehicle while it was still in motion and ran into the woods.
The driverless van continued a short distance before hitting a tree.
Police found a rifle and two handguns in the vehicle. The weapons had been reported stolen during home burglaries in Hiawatha and Cedar Rapids, according to Waterloo police.
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Williams was found in an apartment in the 1000 block of Langley Road around 2:30 p.m. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/guns-from-waterloo-chase-had-been-stolen-from-cedar-rapids-hiawatha/article_6cfa72a2-d34c-5cd7-ae5f-c57d9b7c07e8.html | 2022-07-06T04:23:24 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/guns-from-waterloo-chase-had-been-stolen-from-cedar-rapids-hiawatha/article_6cfa72a2-d34c-5cd7-ae5f-c57d9b7c07e8.html |
DoorDash driver dies on job; body in trunk. Detroit police ask for help
Detroit police Chief James White is urging the public to come forward with tips in a fatal shooting Saturday and the death of a man whose body was found in a car hours later.
The first incident was reported around 8:40 p.m. in the 1700 block of Bagley, White said.
"Three people were inside a vehicle when they saw a man in a black ski mask starting towards them and then started shooting … at one of the vehicles," he told reporters Tuesday. "A male DoorDash employee was making a delivery and sadly he was fatally shot."
Investigators are continuing to interview witnesses and neighbors, White said. "We’re looking to bring closure to this case immediately."
The victim, Dajour Russ, was on his first day on the job, WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) reported.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support his family. More than $2,700 of its $10,000 goal had been raised by Tuesday night.
Police also are investigating another death discovered Saturday night on the city's west side.
Officers with the Detroit Police Department's Sixth Precinct stopped a car near Fullerton and Hubbell around 11:50 p.m. for expired plates, White said.
Learning the vehicle wasn't properly registered, and the driver and passenger had no identification, they decided to have it impounded and conduct a search, the chief said.
At that point, he said, "both the passenger and the driver became uncomfortable and attempted to flee from the vehicle."
One officer worked to apprehend both while another searched the car and found a man's corpse in the trunk, White said.
"We’re waiting on a report from the Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause of death before we classify the case as a homicide," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detroit police at (313) 596-2260. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/07/05/doordash-driver-dies-job-body-trunk-detroit-police/7817066001/ | 2022-07-06T04:27:19 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/07/05/doordash-driver-dies-job-body-trunk-detroit-police/7817066001/ |
1 dead, 1 hurt after crash leads to chase, then gunfire in Detroit, police say
Mark Hicks
The Detroit News
One person died and another was injured Tuesday after a car crash led to a chase and gunfire on Detroit's west side, police said.
A Dodge Challenger and a Lincoln SUV collided near Outer Drive and Greenfield around 3:35 p.m., the police said in a statement.
The Dodge driver fled the scene, according to the release. Two other people were in the car, police said.
The Lincoln followed the car to nearby Prest, where "the victim and the suspect fired shots at each other," police said.
A man in the Lincoln was fatally wounded, according to authorities. Another man was wounded and hospitalized in stable condition. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/07/06/1-dead-1-hurt-crash-chase-gunfire-detroit-police/7817948001/ | 2022-07-06T04:27:25 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/07/06/1-dead-1-hurt-crash-chase-gunfire-detroit-police/7817948001/ |
3 arrested in shooting death of Ypsilanti Twp. man on Facebook
Three people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of an Ypsilanti Township man that was streamed live on Facebook last month, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday.
Deputies were dispatched to the 1000 block of Nash in Ypsilanti Township around 11 a.m. June 28 after multiple calls of gunfire. They found Terrill Smith, 46, with gunshot wounds, authorities said in a statement.
"While Terrill streamed live from his Facebook page, the shooting was overheard/witnessed by many," officials said. "Prior to being removed, the video had been shared numerous times and countless people were exposed to the reality of gun violence here in our community."
Deputies rendered aid until medical personnel arrived to transport Smith to a hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to the release.
"Investigators have worked tirelessly to identify and apprehend those responsible," the Sheriff's Office said.
On Friday, two women from Washtenaw County, Martita Bonner, 41, of Ypsilanti Township and Jermia Castion, 25, of Ypsilanti were arrested.
They were arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit homicide/open murder. Both remain at the Washtenaw County Jail on bonds of $1 million each.
A 24-year-old Ypsilanti man was arrested in Georgia. He is being transported back to Washtenaw County, officials said Tuesday.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to contact detectives at (734) 973-7711 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/05/3-arrested-shooting-death-ypsilanti-twp-man-seen-facebook/7817326001/ | 2022-07-06T04:27:37 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/05/3-arrested-shooting-death-ypsilanti-twp-man-seen-facebook/7817326001/ |
Judges panel dismisses lawsuit filed by Jewish couple alleging adoption bias
A panel of Tennessee judges has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Knoxville couple who alleged that a state-sponsored Christian adoption agency refused to help them because they are Jewish.
The lawsuit against the state challenged a 2020 law that installed legal protections for private adoption agencies to reject state-funded placement of children to parents based on religious beliefs.
Much of the criticism of the law had focused on how it allowed adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ people. But Elizabeth and Gabriel Rutan-Ram of Knoxville sued over claims that they were discriminated against because they were Jewish, in violation of their state constitutional rights.
The panel made its 2-1 decision last week to dismiss based on other grounds and did not directly rule on the law’s constitutionality.
In their lawsuit, the couple said the Holston United Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville barred them from taking state-mandated foster-parent training and denied them a home-study certification while they attempted to adopt a child from Florida last year.
Americans United for Separation of Church & State, which filed the lawsuit in January on the couple’s behalf, plans to appeal the ruling.
The two-judge majority found there was no standing for the lawsuit to proceed on several grounds.
One of the rationales was that the case is now moot because the state Department of Children’s Services approved the couple as foster parents, provided the training Holston wouldn’t, and allowed them to be long-term foster parents for a teenager who had been in the department’s custody.
In six to 12 months, either they’ll be allowed to adopt the girl or she will be reunified with her parents, the judges wrote, and the couple plans to foster and potentially adopt another child, as well.
Though the judges did not rule on the constitutional protections, the majority downplayed some arguments against the law. They wrote that it “does not single out people of the Jewish faith as a disfavored, innately inferior group.” They also found that the services the couple sought would not have been state-funded, saying the scope of Holston’s contract with the state is for services for children “in the custody of the State of Tennessee.”
The judges in the majority were Roy B. Morgan Jr. covering Chester, Henderson and Madison counties, and Carter S. Moore, covering Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties.
The dissenting judge, Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle in Nashville, wrote that the couple’s lawsuit should have been allowed to advance.
In part, she reasoned that the couple “need not demonstrate that they would have been completely foreclosed from fostering/adoption — only that they cannot compete for the right to adopt on the same footing as everyone else.”
She wrote that the fact the state has since allowed them to foster a child, with the potential for adoption, is part of the state’s argument against legal standing but it “does not exist in the law.”
In a statement, Americans United for Separation of Church & State President and CEO Rachel Laser called Tennessee’s law “unconscionable and unconstitutional.”
“The courthouse door should not be slammed shut on foster parents and taxpayers like Gabe and Liz Rutan-Ram who bravely came forward to fight religious discrimination in state-funded foster care services,” Laser said.
The attorney general’s office declined to comment on the ruling. Holston’s CEO did not immediately respond to emailed requests for comment.
The lawsuit centered on a 2020 law that assures continued taxpayer funding of faith-based foster care and adoption agencies even if those organizations exclude families based on religious beliefs. The broadest pushback came from advocates for LGBTQ families. Before the law, some faith-based agencies had already not allowed gay couples to adopt. But the 2020 law provides legal protections to agencies that do so.
The case also illustrated the impact of a 2021 law that changed how legal challenges to state laws and policies are handled in Tennessee courts.
Republican lawmakers had lamented that those constitutional challenges generally went in front of judges in Tennessee’s left-leaning capital city, Nashville. The 2021 law requires three-judge panels instead, cycling jurists in from across the state, including from more conservative areas. | https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/05/tennessee-judges-dismiss-adoption-lawsuit-filed-jewish-couple/7813787001/ | 2022-07-06T04:28:03 | 1 | https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/05/tennessee-judges-dismiss-adoption-lawsuit-filed-jewish-couple/7813787001/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can kill cattle that have ingested it in less than 24 hours.
The bacteria lives in all bodies of water, but according to Will Boyer, an extension watershed specialist for K-State, it becomes problematic after it blooms.
“It’s actually when they die-off is when the toxins are released and they’re most problematic,” Boyer said.
Blue-green algae can sometimes be reddish or brownish, but Boyer says, “Very commonly it’s a blue-green color and looks a lot like somebody spilled paint in the water.”
Although Boyer says it is becoming more common, he says because it happens so fast, there is not a lot of treatment for it.
Farmers can help protect their herd by taking preventative measures.
“Getting out there and checking it regularly, and maybe checking it in the morning would be a good time to check it cause it’s stiller then, and they’re waking up and ready to try and get a little sunshine,” said Boyer.
Farmers can also provide other sources of clean water.
If a body of water has had blue-green algae before, Boyer says you should check it more often for cyanobacteria. Water can be tested by sending it to a lab.
To check the status of Kansas public lakes under investigation for harmful blue-green algal blooms, you can visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s website. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/blue-green-algae-can-kill-cattle-in-less-than-24-hours/ | 2022-07-06T04:32:28 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/blue-green-algae-can-kill-cattle-in-less-than-24-hours/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The growth continues off K-96 and Greenwich, with Top Golf being built across the street from the Stryker Sports Complex.
“That whole district has been incredibly successful,” said Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple. “And we spend the money to create the infrastructure to make it happen.”
Whipple calls Topgolf a big, brand name attraction.
The construction on Topgolf is moving along quickly. A Top Golf spokesperson says it is slated to open in the early spring of 2023.
Whipple says city leaders, planners and council members love adding destination attractions.
“We want to create that next Wichita,” said Whipple, “That people want to see from a top 50 city. That includes positioning ourselves.”
The next move Whipple wants to plan to attract more business to the ICT is more mundane. He says it’s time to get back to doing what we do well.
“Really getting back to basics. Making sure that we can have the upgrades of our police stations, our fire stations, the infrastructure, the stuff that we’re going to need,” said Whipple. “But also to attract those next amenities that might be looking at a city comparable to Wichita but they decide to come to Wichita because we have our basics covered.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/progress-moving-quickly-on-topgolf-in-wichita/ | 2022-07-06T04:32:34 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/progress-moving-quickly-on-topgolf-in-wichita/ |
Idaho Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin deferred most of her June 24 paycheck to balance her office’s budget, leaving the budget with less than $1 before the 2022 fiscal year closed Thursday.
McGeachin faced a shortfall after using her taxpayer-funded operating budget to pay for $29,000 in legal fees. Most of the expenses covered attorney fees for the Idaho Press Club, which successfully sued McGeachin last year when she declined to hand over public records.
By June 24, the final payroll date of the fiscal year, the office was projected to have $724.42, according to a June 13 email from Chief Deputy Controller Joshua Whitworth, obtained by the Idaho Statesman.
Whitworth recommended that McGeachin defer $1,713.26 of her June 24 wages until the next fiscal year. That left $148.50 in her wages and $575.20 in benefits, which was able to be covered by the remaining office budget.
“This would close the fiscal year with an estimated $0.72 remaining in the appropriation budget for the office,” Whitworth wrote, although he noted that final amounts may vary based on tax and workers’ compensation rate adjustments.
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McGeachin followed through with Whitworth’s recommendations, Alex Adams, administrator of the Idaho Division of Financial Management, told the Statesman by email. McGeachin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
McGeachin will still receive the deferred pay, but not until the third payroll date of the 2023 fiscal year, which started Friday.
“This will ensure sufficient salary savings have been accrued to keep the office personnel budget whole through the fiscal year, and it will keep the office in compliance with the annual pay for the elected position,” Whitworth wrote.
McGeachin this spring cut staff as her office racked up at least $33,000 in operating expenses beyond what was budgeted.
The Idaho Press Club last year won a lawsuit that sought the release of public records regarding McGeachin’s education task force, which was looking for indoctrination in Idaho schools. Reporters had requested responses to a Google Forms survey that McGeachin circulated earlier in the year soliciting public feedback, as well as additional records.
A judge mandated that McGeachin release the records and pay the Idaho Press Club’s legal costs. McGeachin eventually asked that taxpayers fund what her office was forced to pay, “due to unforeseen legal bills related to a lawsuit from the Idaho Press Club after the attorney general’s office failed to properly represent” her.
The lieutenant governor previously dismissed reports of her office’s shortfall as “fake news.”
“Honestly, who cares about $2,000 … in the lieutenant governor’s budget?” McGeachin said on April 21 while she was campaigning for governor. McGeachin lost in the Republican primary against Gov. Brad Little, who’s running for reelection.
The Idaho Legislature’s budget-setting Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee declined to consider McGeachin’s $29,000 supplemental budget request to cover attorney fees.
McGeachin’s lieutenant governor term ends in the middle of the 2023 fiscal year. The winner in the November general election will take over the office in January. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/0-72-remaining-idaho-lieutenant-governor-balances-office-budget-after-shortfall/article_e5ace58a-fca8-11ec-b327-cb31fa4889bb.html | 2022-07-06T04:33:44 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/0-72-remaining-idaho-lieutenant-governor-balances-office-budget-after-shortfall/article_e5ace58a-fca8-11ec-b327-cb31fa4889bb.html |
TWIN FALLS — City Council heard a presentation summarizing the city manager's recommended 2023 budget at its Monday night meeting.
In-depth presentations covering the entire budget areas will take place over the next seven Council meetings, which take place at 5 p.m. each Monday at City Hall Council Chambers.
City Manager Travis Rothweiler told the council that while the recommended tax rate of $4.78 per $1,000 of assessed property value would be the lowest rate the city has ever set, a sharp increase in home value assessments could mean property tax payments may be higher than previous years.
"This is going to be, by far, the lowest tax rate that we have ever issued inside of the city of Twin Falls," Rothweiler said.
The average value of a home in Twin Falls has risen sharply to $358,000 in January this year, up from $257,000 in 2021. Nationwide the average home price is $349,000.
Cities are not able to control the maximum homeowner exemptions, which are set by the state legislature. In 2016 the legislature adopted a formula for homeowner's exemption, moving away from indexed formula that matched growth, and instead opting for a 100,000 or 50% of the home value, whichever was lower.
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Because of this, Rothwieler said, higher home values will see larger property tax payments across the state.
"Indexing was incredibly important to us in Twin Falls," Rothweiler said. "If they followed the exact same philosophies that they had in the past, and indexing were still available, the maximum homeowner's exemption this year would be $176,000. It would have meant that an additional $50,000 would have been taken off as an exemption."
Elements that affect the city's expenditures will be discussed in greater depth at upcoming meetings.
The budget requests a 5% increase in city compensation to employees, Rothweiler said, to retain competent people during a market seeing labor shortages driven by historic low unemployment.
"The best thing that we can do to secure a safe community ... is to retain people who have committed themselves to our organization."
"I want you to think for a minute if we weren't able to staff our fire department," Rothweiler said. "While I want to believe that nothing bad ever happens in Twin Falls, I'm grateful that we have a high-quality police department."
Both departments are facing staff shortages.
The council will devote substantial time over the next seven meetings to continue to evaluate areas to allocate funding, based on anticipated revenues for the year ahead.
Public hearings on the budget will be held at council meetings in August, with the final budget to be adopted Aug. 22.
A summary of the proposed budget will be posted on the city of Twin Falls website.
As city staff present a preliminary budget on Tuesday, increasing home values mean homeowners may pay more than last year — despite the lowest tax rate the city has issued. The budget won't be adopted until August, following public hearings. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/city-evaluates-budget-boosted-by-growth-but-sunk-by-inflation/article_3ac5115e-fca0-11ec-8248-0f1f726e0466.html | 2022-07-06T04:33:50 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/city-evaluates-budget-boosted-by-growth-but-sunk-by-inflation/article_3ac5115e-fca0-11ec-8248-0f1f726e0466.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — For weeks, Central Texas lake levels have dropped because of increased temperatures and low rainfall. As water levels at Lake Travis get lower, zebra mussels will die out near the shore but have access to new areas of the lake.
"Lower lake levels caused by the drought provide both good and bad news for zebra mussels. As lake levels decline, many zebra mussels die as they become stranded in dry areas. At the same time, the remaining population is able to colonize new areas that become available to them as lake levels drop," the Lower Colorado River Authority said in a statement.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the invasive species first took hold in Lake Travis back in 2017. Since then, they have been impossible to get rid of.
"It's all triage, it's mitigation," Monica McGarrity, a senior scientist with TPWD studying invasive species, said. "It's trying to prevent their impacts on the water infrastructure, on people's private water intakes, on your boats that you've got in the lake. And so, unfortunately, there really is nothing that can be done to eradicate them."
While there may be nothing officials can do to kill off all the zebra mussels, McGarrity advised neighbors at Lake Travis can still help slow their spread.
"One unfortunate side effect may be that there will be an unpleasant smell and unpleasant odor from the mussels," McGarrity said. "People who do live along the shorelines are allowed to scrape off and remove those mussels at that, like as long as they black bag them for transport for disposal."
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/drought-zebra-mussels-lake-travis/269-872a9fee-0c99-4806-be53-8d6d862dec57 | 2022-07-06T04:37:01 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/drought-zebra-mussels-lake-travis/269-872a9fee-0c99-4806-be53-8d6d862dec57 |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/amid-burn-bands-fires-blaze-across-north-texas/3007733/ | 2022-07-06T04:41:05 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/amid-burn-bands-fires-blaze-across-north-texas/3007733/ |
As Dallas works to reduce violent crime, Mayor Eric Johnson announced a series of new public safety initiatives Tuesday.
In a memo to the City Manager and City Attorney, Johnson said the effort was part of “a holistic approach to reducing violent crime in Dallas as we strive to become the safest major city in the United States.”
Initiatives included blight remediation for neighborhoods like Mill City.
“We have a lot of loitering, a lot of people being on lots and just sort of trashing them out,” said Community Association President Alendra Lyons.
Lyons said her neighborhood has nearly 1,500 empty lots.
“It can be a lot of gathering here, parties, fights,” she said.
Now with the help of city funding, Mill City will team up with Builders of Hope Community Development Fund to get to work clearing nearly 1,500 vacant lots.
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“It’s a model that’s been used in Philadelphia that’s seen a decrease in crime,” said President and CEO James Armstrong.
Now following the same model, Armstrong said cleared lots will be fenced off to be prepared for future development and affordable single-family homes.
“The fence is more than just a barrier. It’s a symbol that the activity that once happened in this vacant lot is not acceptable, that the community members don’t want it,” he said.
Among the Mayor’s other initiatives are school partnerships, including the expansion of programs like Becoming a Man and Working on Womanhood in DISD schools.
Johnson’s plan also calls for funding for the Dallas Police Department’s focused deterrence program, which Chief Eddie Garcia has said will be integral to reducing violent crime.
Another initiative calls for the Dallas Police and City Attorney’s Office to challenge alcohol licenses of businesses that have a track record of public safety issues in neighborhoods, saying “Several violent incidents in our city's vibrant and thriving nightlife districts have caused some safety concerns.”
Lastly, the plan calls for Dallas City Council committees to develop briefings this fall regarding strategies that various city departments and agencies can contribute to public safety in Dallas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-mayor-announces-initiatives-to-reduce-crime/3007698/ | 2022-07-06T04:41:11 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-mayor-announces-initiatives-to-reduce-crime/3007698/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-mayor-announces-initiatives-to-reduce-crime/3007741/ | 2022-07-06T04:41:17 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-mayor-announces-initiatives-to-reduce-crime/3007741/ |
Near the corner of Foch Street and Seventh Street in Fort Worth, it's not uncommon to see people out for an evening walk or bike ride.
Bradley Perez, Fort Worth Police spokesperson, said it's a popular area that draws a crowd some nights.
“There's a lot of businesses, but keep in mind a lot of businesses let out at the same time and there's a mass exodus,” Perez said.
It is why police are warning people to remain vigilant. Fort Worth Police confirmed to NBC 5 that a woman was sexually assaulted while walking to her car in the area last Monday, near the 900 block of Foch Street. Officials said the victim was threatened with a firearm during the attack.
Word of the assault spread fast among regulars who live and work in the community.
“Stick tight with a group of people. A lot of my friends who bartend here I'll make sure to walk them to their car, just because there's just a lot of riffraff and idiots out,” said Pierson V., a man who frequents the establishments there.
Three days later, police caught the man they believe is responsible. 24-year-old Caylon Washington confessed to officials before being booked for aggravated sexual assault.
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Perez said several elements came together to track down Washington, including the use of technology.
“Not only did the sex crime detectives make the location just shortly after it occurred, we already had officers that were already into our real-time crime center scouring hours and hours of footage piecing together what they could,” said Perez.
Today, people tell us they feel safe, but there's a heightened sense of awareness.
“Had it not been for her being as brave as she was to come forward right away and to let us know everything that occurred, who knows if this person could've gotten away with this,” said Perez.
Police said they entered Washington’s data into the FBI Violent Crime Apprehension Program database to determine whether he’s responsible for any other assaults. So far, no indication that Washington has previously committed similar crimes. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-fort-worth-sexual-assault/3007704/ | 2022-07-06T04:41:24 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-fort-worth-sexual-assault/3007704/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-fort-worth-sexual-assault/3007734/ | 2022-07-06T04:41:30 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-arrested-for-fort-worth-sexual-assault/3007734/ |
Thunderstorm flash floods possible in days ahead in northern Montana; drought conditions improve
After so many months confronting drought conditions, it’s a relief to experience generous rainfall – but some areas of northcentral Montana may be on the verge of enjoying too much of a good thing.
A soggy Fourth of July is what most central Montanans experienced over the extended weekend. According to the National Weather Service 0.88 inches of rain have fallen in Great Falls five days into July, with 0.69 inches of that coming between the afternoon of the Fourth of July over into the early morning hours of the fifth.
It was an early summer blessing for both firefighters and ag producers across northcentral Montana, the last section reporting significant drought conditions. However, an unsettled weather system lies just to the southwest of us, and widespread areas of central, eastern, and even northwestern Montana may be in line for a series of severe thunderstorms over the next few days.
“We’re still in an unsettled pattern,” said NWS meteorologist Cody Moldan. “There’s Pacific moisture streaming northeast from the Great Basin across much of the Northern Rockies and this will continue through Thursday. Each day a portion of central and northcentral Montana is under the risk for some severe weather.”
It’s a tale of two regions – or perhaps of the good fortune northeastern Montana has enjoyed since late last spring. According to the National Drought Monitor at the end of March 2022 nearly 90% of Montana was experiencing some level of drought conditions, with more than half the state categorized at being in an extreme drought. As of the end of June little more than half of Montana was reporting any drought at all, and less than 8% of the state reported experiencing extreme drought conditions. The early July rains have almost certainly improved that overall picture even further.
However, there is such a thing as too much water – a reality confirmed by the recent devastating flooding along the northern down-slope of Yellowstone National Park. While the threat of damaging thunderstorms across much of northern Montana is real, the National Weather Service is confident a similar disaster will not occur across the state’s more northern reaches.
“What happened down in the Yellowstone area would not happen today,” Moldan said. “They had a really heavy snowpack … and a bunch of rain fell on top of it and completely melted the snowpack out.”
SNOTEL Basin Data Reports from the Department of Natural Resources Conservation Services (DNRC) show that the snowpack for the Missouri River Basin is exactly where it should be, 100% of seasonal totals. Absent a heat wave that would send all the accumulated water out at once the flood risk across the Rocky Mountain Front is forecast to be minimal – depending upon localized events over the next several days.
Meteorologist Cody Moldan cautioned that the entire northern half of Montana could potentially experience flash flooding events.
“The entire state can expect thunderstorms over the three days, but where the severe weather threats are will vary on each given day,” Moldan said.
For the impacts of flash flooding you need look no further than Helena on the Fourth of July. There a strong cloudburst flooded the streets on Monday, sending torrents of water down Last Chance Gulch and damaging additional properties on the east side of the city.
“That one was strong,” Moldan said of the Fourth of July thunderstorm. “It produced a 70-mph wind gust up at the Helena Airport. It was a fairly fast-moving thunderstorm, but thunderstorms with a lot of available moisture can still put down heavy rainfall.”
The meteorologist added that even comparatively small thunderstorms can create critical flashflood situations.
“When you put down heavy rainfall in an urban area like Helena or Great Falls - and we see these issues a lot, especially in cities where there’s downward terrain and the water’s able to move from high areas to low areas quickly - you can see flash flooding, even with kind of weak thunderstorms.”
To sum it all up the next three days will likely bring numerous isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms all across northern Montana. The National Weather Services day-by-day breakdown of where the worst are likely to occur is as follows
- Tuesday 6/5 – Northcentral Montana will see the worst of afternoon thunderstorms running east of a line from Lincoln, MT to Havre. The greatest likelihood of severe thunderstorms is likely to occur east of a line from the Little Belt Mountains near White Sulphur Springs to the Bears Paw Mountains west of Havre.
- Wednesday 6/6 – The greatest threat shifts west, with the greatest threat of severe thunderstorms likely east of a line from Lincoln to Cut Bank. Multiple points east are likely to see substantial thunderstorm activity.
- Thursday 6/7 – The threat of thunderstorms is statewide, with the greatest threat of severe thunderstorms east of a line from Missoula north to St. Mary.
Moldan said the best strategy to stay ahead of shifting weather forecasts it to check regional NWS forecasts daily.
“If you’re camping or just normal travel, check each day because the situation will evolve with new information,” he said. “Forecasts do change, and threat areas either grow or reduce over time. Just check back for the latest information.” | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2022/07/05/thunderstorm-flash-floods-weather-forecast-great-falls-montana/65367594007/ | 2022-07-06T04:43:06 | 0 | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2022/07/05/thunderstorm-flash-floods-weather-forecast-great-falls-montana/65367594007/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/mixed-reactions-from-residents-after-kenney-says-he-wants-out/3291223/ | 2022-07-06T04:44:14 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/mixed-reactions-from-residents-after-kenney-says-he-wants-out/3291223/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/officer-grazed-in-head-speaks-out/3291221/ | 2022-07-06T04:44:20 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/officer-grazed-in-head-speaks-out/3291221/ |
A wildfire ignited east of Casper on Tuesday evening, prompting evacuations in the area of Geary Dome Road.
The grass fire threatened structures in the area, but as of roughly 9:30 p.m. it had been contained, said Natrona County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Kiera Grogan. No structures had been harmed as of that time.
"Right now road closures remain in place as personnel work to ensure the threat is fully eliminated and it is safe to reunite residents with their homes," she said via text.
Grogan did not have information yet on the size of the blaze.
Evansville police were stationed at road closures at multiple points in the area. Dozens of residents lined up on the side of the road waiting to be let back in. It was unclear late Tuesday when they would be allowed back in their homes.
One of those homes is the “Little R&R,” a house farm that was boarding roughly 20 horses when the owners got the call to evacuate around 8:15 p.m.
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“We're trying to figure out what to do with all of them and contacting their owners,” said Kimberly Zeitner, assistant manager of the farm.
Hat Six Travel Center, which is just south of the area of the fire, offered its services to evacuated residents, the sheriff's office said.
Rocky Mountain Power, meanwhile, reported outages in the area.
Earlier Tuesday evening, the Natrona County Sheriff's Office had advised the public to stay away.
"Area evacuations have begun, residents who live in this area be prepared to evacuate upon notification from emergency personnel," a Facebook post from the agency read.
All fire departments in Natrona County were sent to the fire.
Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/wildfire-contained-east-of-casper-after-prompting-evacuations/article_7ca6cbda-fcd7-11ec-baff-b3c165a609d0.html | 2022-07-06T04:49:40 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/wildfire-contained-east-of-casper-after-prompting-evacuations/article_7ca6cbda-fcd7-11ec-baff-b3c165a609d0.html |
Married off-duty NYPD detectives and their toddler came within inches of a stray bullet Monday night.
It happened as they were driving along the Bronx River Parkway on their way home from a Fourth of July party when they heard a loud bang.
What they thought was a firework turned out to be a bullet that pierced their car door.
The car door essentially served as a bulletproof vest for off-duty NYPD Detective Eiel and her family, on their way home from a July 4 BBQ.
She was in the driver’s seat. Her two-year-old in a carseat in the back.
The bullet came within inches of piercing her car window.
"You don’t expect it on your day off," Detective Eiel said.
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It’s rare for two married NYPD detectives to get July 4th off. But on Monday, the stars aligned for Detective Eiel and her husband, parents to a 2-year-old little boy.
"We were excited, celebrating upstate where it’s a bit safer," Detective Eiel said.
But it was on their drive back home around 10 p.m., somewhere along the Bronx River Parkway they found themselves in the middle of gun violence.
"What sounded to us like fireworks later found out that it was actually a bullet ricocheted thru my driver’s side window," Detective Eiel said.
On Tuesday morning, Detective Eiel realized there was a bullet lodged inside her car door, barely missing the glass window.
"This is where we’ve come to – this is what the streets are delivering to us, it's dangerous unless we fix these gun laws," she said.
"Gun violence is out of control and that’s why I’ve been saying constantly that we have to appoint a special firearms prosecutor to target gun-related violence and crimes," Paul DiGiacomo, NYPD Detectives Endowment Association, said.
Was it a bullet from celebratory gunfire or a targeted shooting? The NYPD is investigating.
Detective Eiel says her guard is now up –even on her days off.
"These moments kind of taint our safety and it's not just us – everyone is seeing it," she said. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/married-nypd-couple-in-car-with-toddler-come-within-inches-of-getting-hit-by-stray-bullet/3762599/ | 2022-07-06T04:51:15 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/married-nypd-couple-in-car-with-toddler-come-within-inches-of-getting-hit-by-stray-bullet/3762599/ |
New York City's largest food and culture festival is set to return next week.
The Uptown Night Market will kick off July 14 -- bringing along with it plenty of food, live entertainment and vendors.
Guests can explore more than 50 vendors serving food from over 40 global cuisines.
Not only is food on the menu, but attendees will have access to live performances, merchants, arts & crafts offerings, and more.
The event aims to create an immersive experience for the love-to-eat community while supporting micro-businesses.
Following its July 14 kickoff (which will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.), the event will be hosted every second Thursday of the month through November under the Arches of Harlem at 12th Avenue and W. 135th Street.
Although the event is free to attend, you can RSVP to make sure you do not miss the opportunity to participate.
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For more information, click here. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/uptown-night-market-will-kick-off-july-14-in-harlem/3762361/ | 2022-07-06T04:51:22 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/uptown-night-market-will-kick-off-july-14-in-harlem/3762361/ |
'Sargassum storm': Stinky seasonal seaweed sets record in Brevard, and more is coming this way
Many people visiting the Brevard County coastline in recent days may have noticed lots of stinky seaweed that has washed up onshore. The bad news, scientists say, is that much more is headed our way than has ever been documented before.
The Caribbean Sea keeps gifting Central Florida's beaches with mounds of mushy, stinky brown seaweed. And researchers warn that this seasonal so-called Sargassum storm is likely to get worse before easing up, as all the excess weeds at sea wash in with the winds and currents, often wrapped in a filamentous brown algae that's only making things worse.
Oceanographers expect the Sargassum to thicken on beaches from the eastern Caribbean throughout Florida's east coast. So things could soon get messier, smellier and even potentially slightly toxic in the weeks to come as seaweed rots along Space Coast beaches, presenting major snags for surf fishermen and a tangled, smelly mess for other beachgoers.
"Nitrogen appears to be increasing in the Atlantic basin, driving these blooms," Brian Lapointe, a research professor at FAU-Harbor Branch in Fort Pierce. "We do believe that the Congo River is also contributing to the formation of the bloom in the eastern tropical Atlantic."
Lapointe calls Sargassum the largest seasonal algae bloom on the planet.
Seasonal seaweed strikes back: Tons of seaweed washes up on the Space Coast
For centuries, pelagic Sargassum, floating brown seaweed, have grown in low nutrient waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, supported by natural nutrient sources such as fish and invertebrates excretions and ocean upwelling. But as fertilizers, wastewater and other human source have increased the nitrogen and phosphorus into rivers, the seaweed has been growing out of control over the past decade.
FAU researchers have shown seasonal Sargassum in Florida and elsewhere in the tropical Atlantic have grown worse in recent years because of increasing nitrogen and phosphorus from discharges from the Congo, Amazon and Mississippi rivers, atmospheric deposition from Saharan dust, and biomass burning of vegetation in central and South Africa,
This summer's Sargassum already has set a record. Combined, the total amount of the weed increased from 18.8 million tons in May 2022 to 24.2 million tons in June 2022, setting a new historical record, according to the University of South Florida scientists July 2 bulletin on the algae.
Considering the historical record-high mass of Sargassum in June, more of the seagrass may enter the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico in the following months, riding major ocean currents, USF bulletin warns. USF runs a Sargassum Watch System.
"We will keep a close eye on how Sargassum in the Caribbean Sea and the tropical Atlantic may evolve in the next two months," the bulletin says.
USF expects the trend of increasing Sargassum seaweed in the ocean to slow this month but with the possibility of ramping back up after that.
A year ago, fed by sewage and fertilizers in Brazil and thereabouts, the same seaweed kept coming all summer long. Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at the time released a study that suggested increased availability of nitrogen from natural and man-made sources, including sewage, fuels excess Sargassum growth.
According to the study, our waste can turn a critical nursery habitat into toxic algae dead zones, "with catastrophic impacts on coastal ecosystems, economies, and human health."
The FAU researchers used unique historical baseline seaweed tissue from the 1980s to compare its chemical makeup to samples collected since 2010. They found dramatic changes in the chemistry and composition of Sargassum weed since the 1980s, "transforming this vibrant living organism into a toxic “dead zone,” FAU's announcement said.
Their findings were published last year in Nature Communications.
Washed-up Sargassum:Washed-up Sargassum seaweed sometimes wreaks havoc and reeks; expect it for next several weeks
Pulled from waves:Several pulled from waves after boat capsizes near Melbourne Beach
Last month, strong winds blew a thick layer of dust from the Sahara Desert westward over the Atlantic Ocean. By June 6, the leading edge of the massive river of dust reached South America, stretching more than 3,500 miles and covering more than 2.2 million square miles, according to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA’s Aqua satellite, which acquired a true-color image.
Sargasso Sea
Biologists say the vegetation washing up on the Space Coast and shorelines statewide this week usually is beneficial to the beach. It provides food for birds, crabs and other wildlife and habitat for hiding. So raking the stuff off the beach can be controversial, often pitting tourism against conservation interests.
But when the weed feeds off too much sewage, it can turn toxic for some wildlife, FAU and other research shows.
Sargassum is a constant presence in the Atlantic. It typically drifts in long lines near the Gulf Stream and provides vital food for young sea turtles.
But in excess, the stuff annoys tourists and those who's livelihoods depend upon them, by fouling the beaches beauty and air.
It seems now that extreme blooms appear on an almost yearly basis.
The recent stringy mess on Brevard County beaches hearkens back to the widespread Sargassum algae blooms that hit county beaches in 2014, 2015, 2018 and last year. Huge Sargassum blooms blanketed beaches along the east coast of Barbados and Puerto Rico in 2014, as well. But 2018 was among the worst in Florida, Lapointe said, adding that this year could rival that year's bloom.
"I think we're having a pretty bad year this year," Lapointe said.
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
Support local journalism and local journalists like me. Visit floridatoday.com/subscribe | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2022/07/05/record-amount-stinky-seaweed-brevard-county-central-florida-beaches/7803956001/ | 2022-07-06T04:51:33 | 0 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2022/07/05/record-amount-stinky-seaweed-brevard-county-central-florida-beaches/7803956001/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Whether it be a fear of too much fun in the sun and the burns that come with it, or concerns surrounding small children around bodies of water this summer, Ballad Health has it covered.
Summertime is in full swing and safety is at the top of parents’ minds.
News Channel 11’s Kelly Grosfield spoke with Tiffany Alford, the trauma injury prevention coordinator for Niswonger Children’s Hospital, who shared helpful information on keeping kids safe during these summer months. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/niswonger-childrens-hospital-touches-on-keeping-kids-safe-this-summer/ | 2022-07-06T04:54:08 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/niswonger-childrens-hospital-touches-on-keeping-kids-safe-this-summer/ |
LOS ANGELES — A contract between shipping companies and 22,000 West Coast dockworkers expired over the weekend. But both sides continued to talk and said they want to avoid a strike that could savage an economy already stressed by soaring inflation and supply chain woes.
The contract that expired last Friday covered workers at ports from California to Washington state that handle nearly 40% of U.S. imports.
“While there will be no contract extension, cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached,” said a joint statement from the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
The ILWU is the union representing Pacific dockworkers, and the Pacific Maritime Association is a trade group for cargo carriers and terminal operators. Its members include such global shipping giants as Maersk and Evergreen Marine.
The talks are so crucial that President Joe Biden even stepped in last month and met with both sides in Los Angeles. They are taking place against the backdrop of surging imports that left backlogs of ships anchored offshore, and declining exports.
Both sides said last month that they weren't planning any work disruptions, but U.S. industries are clearly worried.
In a letter to Biden issued hours before the latest contract expired, about 150 trade groups ranging from truckers to agricultural, chemical and toy industries urged the administration to work with both parties to extend the current contract, negotiate in good faith and agree to avoid actions that further disrupt the ports.
The letter stressed that the groups are entering their peak season for imports as retailers stockpile goods for the fall holidays and back-to-school items.
“We continue to expect cargo flows to remain at all-time highs, putting further stress on the supply chain and increasing inflation,” the letter said. “Many expect these challenges to continue through the rest of the year.”
A major issue in the talks is automation of port facilities. The union argues that it will cost the jobs of crane operators and other workers, who can earn $100,000 or more per year. The Pacific Maritime Association argues that automation will actually will increase employment by enabling ports to move more cargo.
Ports already have been struggling to handle container traffic, much of it from Asia, where ports are heavily automated.
After the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold in 2020, cargo traffic to ports slumped drastically. But then it recovered and has been booming since. Soaring demand has led to traffic jams at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which in 2021 alone moved some 20 million cargo containers. The ports, collectively known as the San Pedro Bay port complex, alone handle more than 30% of waterborne containerized imports and exports in the U.S.
In January, some 100 ships were waiting to get into the port complex, but that total is now down to 60 or even as low as 20 at times, Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero said Tuesday.
Cargo is loaded and unloaded 16 hours a day, on average, Cordero said. However, the ports need to have a “24-7 mindset" to deal with Asian traffic, where ports operate around the clock, he said.
Contracts are renegotiated every six years, and Cordero said most have concluded without disruptions.
However, a lockout in 2002 and an eight-day strike in 2015 cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and forced the administrations of then-presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to intervene.
Cordero said he hadn't seen any work slowdowns at the port and was optimistic that the current negotiations would end with a fairly quick resolution.
“The world’s looking at us to make sure that were moving the cargo," he said. “I think the administration has made it clear that they expect a reasonable ... outcome.”
Unionized dockworkers also are seeking a raise and argue that shipping lines can afford it. With global demand, overseas freight shipping firms are seeing record profits.
Last month, Biden signed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act — meant to make shipping goods across oceans cheaper — and blasted the concentration of corporate shipping in the hands of nine foreign-owned companies.
“These carriers made $190 billion in profit in 2021, seven times higher than the year before,” Biden said. “The cost got passed on, as you might guess, directly to consumers, sticking it to American families and businesses because they could.”
Click here to read the story on APNews.com
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WATCH MORE: June Business of the Month | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/west-coast-dockworkers-negotiating-after-contract-expires/103-b750f31d-7ebe-42fc-902c-ebbd9f574746 | 2022-07-06T04:54:43 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/west-coast-dockworkers-negotiating-after-contract-expires/103-b750f31d-7ebe-42fc-902c-ebbd9f574746 |
AMADOR COUNTY, Calif. — As the Electra Fire rages on in Amador County, we’re hearing from one woman who was trapped with her family in a PG&E powerhouse for several hours Monday night.
The fire, which is burning southeast of Jackson, is moving in a southerly direction after sparking between Electra Road and Highway 49.
The blaze forced people around the recreation area to shelter in a PG&E powerhouse with workers. Steep terrain made it difficult for rescuers to access the powerhouse, but CalFire said everyone inside was evacuated around 10:30 p.m. Monday.
Milka Mikula and her family were among the 60-80 people who were evacuated. ABC10’s Caroline Morales spoke with Mikula via Zoom to hear more about her experience.
Q: Could you start off by telling us a little bit about your experience? The timeline of it?
A: We were just down there with my family, and I was down there with my husband, our 5-year-old and our 1-year-old. We just wanted to go down and have a good time at the river. We were hanging out and my husband was in the river and he noticed. He’s like, “I kind of think there's some barbecue or smoke or fire nearby,” because he smelled it and then we looked over and there was smoke, but we couldn't tell where it was coming from. We weren't exactly sure and then it started getting more and more, and we could tell that it had been on Electra Road with how close it was.
Q: That probably was a very scary experience
A: We were a little scared. Everybody around us was kind of freaking out. There wasn’t very many locals there yesterday, but nobody really knows the area so a lot of people were freaking out, running to their cars, trying to get out. We noticed they had been sending people to the opposite end, which the opposite end is a dead end… it’s where the powerhouse is, there’s no way out. So people were asking, ‘Where do we go?’ and I’m like, ‘The only way you can get out is the only way you came in.’ They decided we all had to go into the powerhouse. We decided to pack up and we got in our car and the sheriff came down and told us we need to get in our car to go to the powerhouse. We did and once we got there, they had changed their mind like four or five times whether we were going to get out or stay in. They didn’t know what was going on, then they told us they were going to let one vehicle go out at a time, which would have taken hours. Then they decided everybody should just stay and go into the powerhouse. The fire was right at the parking lot where we were.
Q: Can you talk us through your thoughts and emotions as you were seeing the fire come towards you and then once you got to the powerhouse?
A: I didn’t start freaking out really until we were actually going into the powerhouse, when the fire was at the parking lot and the fire truck was right there and my vehicle was right next to the fire truck and the fire was right there… that’s when I started freaking out. That's when I said, ‘Okay, well, we now we need to go inside, take the babies inside.’
I went in and I waited and I was waiting for my husband – he decided to go back out to get a few more things – and he ended up actually moving our vehicle down to the powerhouse with a couple other guys. There were a few people who moved their vehicles down there as well. I had all my stuff in there, I have all my merchandise for my business, so I didn’t want to lose anything in my vehicle. He moved it all down to the powerhouse.
I was very happy when he came back in the building because I was pretty nervous. I was waiting there with my kids for quite some time. It was about 10-15 minutes and I could see the fire. I was just like, ‘I hope my husband gets back in here quickly.’
Q: We’ve talked to a few people about their experience at the powerhouse. We heard there was no food or anything in the powerhouse.
A: There was no food. They gave us warm waters that they had left over in the powerhouse. They came by with a couple Gatorades later on, but they had no food. There was a very nice Hispanic family that came over, they were cooking food for a bunch of people. They offered for us to go up there and have some food, but by that time it was time for us to get going.
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, the 2021 fire season started earlier than previous years, but also ended earlier, as well. January 2021 saw just under 1,200 acres burned from nearly 300 wildfires. Fires picked up in the summer when the Dixie Fire burned in five Northern California counties — Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama. The Dixie Fire started on July 13 and wasn't contained until Oct. 25, burning nearly 1 million acres. It has since become the second-largest wildfire in state history and the largest non-complex fire.
Overall, 2.5 million acres were burned in 2021 from 8,835 wildfires. Over 3,600 structures were destroyed and 3 people were killed.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If you're impacted by the wildfires, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/hear-from-a-woman-who-was-trapped-in-pge-powerhouse/103-877bdfe0-03ec-4d23-a743-e45d29d34059 | 2022-07-06T04:54:49 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/hear-from-a-woman-who-was-trapped-in-pge-powerhouse/103-877bdfe0-03ec-4d23-a743-e45d29d34059 |
GREENSBORO — MayCay Beeler and her son are in select company. Possibly the most select.
Maybe 12 to 24 people worldwide are considered “wing walkers” — those who climb from a plane’s cockpit during flight and move about on the aircraft.
Just a little over two weeks ago, after a year of training and two days after her 67th birthday, Beeler climbed onto the wing of a World War II biplane in flight. Her son, RJ Gritter, was piloting the 1943 Stearman PT-17 as his mother made the attempt.
But as she stood up in the strong winds, Beeler quickly realized that she did not feel secure. She didn’t learn until later that her left foot was not properly in a hold, or indentation, on the trailing edge of the wing.
She crouched on the wing for about five minutes without being tethered or her belt being attached to a stanchion.
Nonetheless, as far as she knows — and she has checked a variety of official sources — they are the only mother-son team to have performed such a maneuver.
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“It was a really cool bonding experience for us,” Beeler said.
You might remember Beeler from her work as a TV personality, co-hosting WFMY’s “PM Magazine” back in the day. She learned to fly for a story in 1983. She maintains licenses as a professional pilot and flight instructor.
Her son’s father is a former chief test pilot for HondaJet.
And Gritter has been flying since Beeler was pregnant with him 31 years ago. He took his first solo flight at age 16.
He’s now an aerospace engineer as well as a commercial and airshow pilot. Weekends find him performing aerobatics for the Flying Circus Airshow in Bealeton, Va.
Looking for a new challenge, Beeler decided that she wanted to try wing walking. But she knew of only two locations that train the public — in the Pacific Northwest and England.
However, the president of the Flying Circus Airshow approved her to train at its facility hours away.
If she passed, she could try wing walking in private, out of the public’s eye.
So for a year, she drove on weekends five hours each way to train at the Flying Circus Airshow.
Wing walker Beth Sommer trained her on a parked plane most of the time.
“If I don’t feel safe for any reason, I’m not going to do it,” Beeler said from the start. “Beth said that you will never be 100% sure when you’re up there.”
For Beeler’s final exam, her son would taxi on the runway and prepare for takeoff with the propeller going. Beeler had to get up on the wing, strap herself in, unstrap herself and climb back into the cockpit. She passed.
On Father’s Day a few weeks ago, Beeler was ready to try the real thing.
Beeler remembers the five- to 10-minute flight from the Flying Circus Airshow to their destination in the sky.
“I’m enjoying the view, and it was gorgeous,” she recalled. “We are in a 1943 airplane, open cockpit. You are one with the Earth and with the sky.”
Her son flew from the back seat.
When they reached about 3,000 feet, he slowed the plane to reduce the wind resistance, she said.
But the air flow was still much stronger than she anticipated, Beeler recalled.
Still, she wasn’t frightened.
“I could have been sitting on the couch in my living room. I could have been in a swimming pool,” she said. “I wasn’t aware of anything else other than the wind and where my hands and feet are supposed to be.”
Beeler said she has never seen wing walkers traversing the top wing. Some walk a little on the lower wing, but she didn’t try that. She planned to belt herself to the stanchion on the top wing.
She pulled her 120-pound frame from the cockpit using wires and grips. But as Beeler stood, she didn’t feel secure enough to belt herself to the stanchion to stand up fully.
The entire flight and maneuver lasted about 20 minutes, with maybe 5 to 10 minutes on the wing.
“In the moment, as she climbed out of the cockpit and onto the wing, it was mostly business as usual,” Gritter said via email. “I focused on flying the airplane, keeping things steady to ease the wingwalk, and she went through the walk just as practiced.
“Once she was safely back in the cockpit, I was proud of her attempt and wise decision to stop when things didn’t feel right.”
When she returned to the ground, Beeler recalled her instructor saying: “You were out of the seat. You were on top of the wing. You wing-walked. You did it.”
The stunt was enough to intrigue the Guinness Book of World Records. Although there is no known record, officials decided that the maneuver is “not competitive enough on a worldwide scale therefore unlikely to ever be broken,” Beeler said. The people behind the Guinness Book like records that can be broken, she added.
As for future wing walks, Beeler said she plans to do it with her son piloting one more time.
“I’m going to stand up and strap myself and ride for awhile,” she said.
Contact Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane at 336-373-5204 and follow @dawndkaneNR on Twitter. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/rare-air-greensboro-mom-flies-high-on-planes-wing-with-her-son-piloting/article_87482f98-f96c-11ec-85e3-4bf5a3e8d018.html | 2022-07-06T04:59:17 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/rare-air-greensboro-mom-flies-high-on-planes-wing-with-her-son-piloting/article_87482f98-f96c-11ec-85e3-4bf5a3e8d018.html |
SAN ANTONIO — A deadly holiday weekend on Texas waters is leaving two San Antonio families grieving. On Tuesday, a father's body was recovered days after Robbie Berlingeri saved his daughter at Canyon Lake.
There is also a possible second death from our area. The family of Roger Mendoza tells KENS 5 his body has not been found at Lake Travis. Crews have turned his search into a recovery effort. His mother Anel Cox said this is a bad dream. She is hoping search crews will recover his body so she can give him a proper burial.
"At this point, I don't know that to think," she said.
Meanwhile, this July 4th weekend the Texas Game Wardens reported ten drowning across the state.
Over the holiday weekend, the 33-year-old from San Antonio went to Lake Travis with friends. The mother said her son was competing against another person.
"Took a dive," she said. "They were swimming, and Roger never came back up. The guy did, but Roger didn't."
Cox said her son was in good-shape and was a swimmer. Meanwhile, rescue swimmers along with Austin-Travis county EMS have been searching for Mendoza. Now, it is a recovery operation.
"They searched the area they thought he might be at, but they came out with nothing," Cox said.
Mendoza who was known as 'Baby Love' was the owner of Studio AVI. Mendoza created what he called a safe space for any level of dancer.
"He liked to teach, “she said. "He liked to workout. He liked to help and motivate people. He was always dancing. He did the River Parade. He danced downtown at La Villita."
In the meantime, Cox who lives in Kansas is just waiting on the call.
"I am not leaving until I find my son, she said. "I am going to keep fighting for my son until I find him."
Cox said crews will pick back up on Wednesday. She said they are only going to look for half the day.
On Thursday, family and friends will have a vigil for Mendoza.
Thursday July 7th at 7 p.m.
Studio AVI
15002 Tradesman Drive | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/i-am-not-leaving-until-i-find-my-son-mother-of-man-missing-at-lake-travis-speaks-about-recovery-efforts/273-060b13dc-aefb-4518-9d77-c9520d3e4b7d | 2022-07-06T05:02:26 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/i-am-not-leaving-until-i-find-my-son-mother-of-man-missing-at-lake-travis-speaks-about-recovery-efforts/273-060b13dc-aefb-4518-9d77-c9520d3e4b7d |
SAN ANTONIO — Local developers are exploring sites around San Antonio for a new minor league baseball stadium, Bexar county judge Nelson Wolff said Tuesday.
The San Antonio Missions, a San Diego Padres Double-A affiliate, currently play at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium on the city's west side. The ballpark does not meet Major League Baseball's facility standards, implemented when the MLB took over MiLB in 2021.
As mayor, Wolff lobbied for the stadium's construction. The field opened in 1994, making it the oldest ballpark in the Missions' division.
"There's a little bit more of a push to get (a new stadium) or we'll probably lose the franchise," Wolff said.
He says renovating the existing facility to comply with the league's minimum standards would likely cost about much as building a new ballpark.
Local firms are now eyeing plots along San Pedro Creek in downtown, Wolff said. Other investors are considering redeveloping the Lone Star Brewery to include a ballpark, he confirmed.
There is also some discussion of a northside stadium, to be shared with UTSA's baseball team, he added.
"There's a lot of us who would like to see it downtown, but so far, nothing has come of that," Wolff said. "There's other places to build, besides downtown. We'll see if this comes together."
Wolff said the MLB wants to see financing plans, ownership approval, and a secured site.
"I don't think Major League Baseball has made any hard deadline," Wolff added. "But they made it clear, I think, that we're going to have to have something moving forward." | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/wolff-stadium-san-antonio-missions-baseball-renovations/273-8ed742fd-cb46-45d1-9932-bac709ba7e5d | 2022-07-06T05:02:32 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/wolff-stadium-san-antonio-missions-baseball-renovations/273-8ed742fd-cb46-45d1-9932-bac709ba7e5d |
DES MOINES, Iowa — Fourth of July is usually a fun day for most to grill out and celebrate with family and friends – but for those in uniform, the holiday can be a stressful event because of an influx of calls.
The Des Moines Police Department said that, during the 2022 Fourth of July holiday weekend, they received a total of 622 firework-related complaints. Of those, nearly half of all complaints were made on July 4.
"Interestingly enough, we actually have less calls for service reps or reference fireworks this year compared to the last couple years. So the complaints have gone down a little bit," Bryan said.
Sgt. Jason Bryan with the West Des Moines Police Department said that there were approximately 96 firework-related calls with 41 of them being made on the Fourth of July.
Both departments didn't share any reports or serious injuries by fireworks this year, but there were a few instances of firework-related fires that started in the metro, including a house fire in Waukee. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/firework-related-reports-complaints-down-fourth-of-july-2022/524-27fbb449-46f3-413e-8a13-d7e716eba3bf | 2022-07-06T05:08:49 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/firework-related-reports-complaints-down-fourth-of-july-2022/524-27fbb449-46f3-413e-8a13-d7e716eba3bf |
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Dave & Busters will finally be coming to West Des Moines after city council unanimously approved the site plan at a meeting Tuesday.
The 22,000-square-foot entertainment facility will be located at 190 S. Jordan Creek Parkway and have food, drinks and an arcade for visitors to enjoy.
The project has been in the works since 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It really does add to the quality of life of our citizens to have these retail outlets, these entertainment venues, these restaurants, these bars. It really helps to make us who we are,” said West Des Moines Mayor Russ Trimble at the city council meeting Tuesday.
Quality of life is not the only thing council members said it would improve – West Des Moines’ economy could also get a real boost from the new business.
Dave & Busters has more than 100 locations nationwide, but this will be the first in Iowa. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/west-des-moines-dave-busters-construction-city-council-meeting-iowa/524-3ccd8c01-cfb8-4a9a-a084-53fd507db8e7 | 2022-07-06T05:08:55 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/west-des-moines-dave-busters-construction-city-council-meeting-iowa/524-3ccd8c01-cfb8-4a9a-a084-53fd507db8e7 |
MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas —
Midland County has released statistics on the number of calls for fires in the county due to Fourth of July fireworks Monday night.
According to the county, between 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., there were a total of 18 fire calls. Of those calls, 15 were grass fires and 3 were trash fires.
All fire units, including city and volunteer departments, responded to the scenes.
In the press release, Midland County thanked the agencies that fought the fires to save lives and protect land in the area. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-county-releases-independence-day-fire-statistics/513-26c4fc06-eb1e-4a02-a9e9-0ffb8733d66d | 2022-07-06T05:11:08 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-county-releases-independence-day-fire-statistics/513-26c4fc06-eb1e-4a02-a9e9-0ffb8733d66d |
ODESSA, Texas — Magdalena Koziarek had just gotten into her car to go to the store and buy milk. While in her driveway, just before backing out, she heard sirens.
"I heard sirens, so I was cautious and looked around," said Koziarek. "And then I saw the little sports car going really fast and then it was, I think, two police troopers and one lost control of his SUV and slammed into me and for a second I didn't know what was going on."
Magdalena and her daughter, Kamila, both had their car hit from the impact. The trooper also hit their neighbor's concrete fence.
"I could see that officer, like I knew he was going to hit me, I would say he was going about 100 miles per hour or close to it," said Koziarek.
Thanks to intuition, Magdalena knew she had to stop in her tracks.
"I had the feeling like just wait, just wait, and if I would pull out maybe 10 inches I would have been dead, I wouldn't have been standing here because the impact was so severe," said Koziarek.
Koziarek doesn't believe neighborhoods like hers should have to be worried about high speed chases unless it is something very urgent.
"I would like to know what justified all that high speed in the residential area, that's what I would like to know, and if it's really worth it," said Koziarek. "Because God forbid they could kill somebody."
Her neighborhood has a lot of pedestrians walking their dogs and kids who like to play outside.
"I don't think they should be driving in residential areas, especially with three schools around, kids could have been playing, it's summer, who knows," Koziarek said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has not yet arrested any suspect involved in the chase. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/woman-hit-by-state-trooper-in-vehicle-pursuit-shares-her-experience/513-ffb4d2e9-c40a-42d5-850d-6bb98c06d082 | 2022-07-06T05:11:14 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/woman-hit-by-state-trooper-in-vehicle-pursuit-shares-her-experience/513-ffb4d2e9-c40a-42d5-850d-6bb98c06d082 |
AUSTIN, Texas — For weeks, Central Texas lake levels have dropped because of increased temperatures and low rainfall. As water levels at Lake Travis get lower, zebra mussels will die out near the shore but have access to new areas of the lake.
"Lower lake levels caused by the drought provide both good and bad news for zebra mussels. As lake levels decline, many zebra mussels die as they become stranded in dry areas. At the same time, the remaining population is able to colonize new areas that become available to them as lake levels drop," the Lower Colorado River Authority said in a statement.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the invasive species first took hold in Lake Travis back in 2017. Since then, they have been impossible to get rid of.
"It's all triage, it's mitigation," Monica McGarrity, a senior scientist with TPWD studying invasive species, said. "It's trying to prevent their impacts on the water infrastructure, on people's private water intakes, on your boats that you've got in the lake. And so, unfortunately, there really is nothing that can be done to eradicate them."
While there may be nothing officials can do to kill off all the zebra mussels, McGarrity advised neighbors at Lake Travis can still help slow their spread.
"One unfortunate side effect may be that there will be an unpleasant smell and unpleasant odor from the mussels," McGarrity said. "People who do live along the shorelines are allowed to scrape off and remove those mussels at that, like as long as they black bag them for transport for disposal."
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/drought-zebra-mussels-lake-travis/269-872a9fee-0c99-4806-be53-8d6d862dec57 | 2022-07-06T05:11:26 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/drought-zebra-mussels-lake-travis/269-872a9fee-0c99-4806-be53-8d6d862dec57 |
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s attempt to restore abortion laws in Kentucky has hit another roadblock.
After filing his emergency appeal on Sunday, the state Supreme Court denied it Tuesday.
This is the third time the attorney general has been blocked from halting abortions since a Jefferson Circuit Court Judge issued a temporary restraining order allowing them to resume. This blocks the trigger law that was supposed to go into effect when Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to continue delaying enforcement of Kentucky’s Human Life Protection Act and Heartbeat Law is disappointing,” he said on Twitter. “We’ve not asked all three levels of Kentucky’s judiciary to allow these laws to take effect. Not a single judge at any level has suggested these laws are unconstitutional, yet we are unfortunately still prohibited from enforcing them.”
Cameron said he will not be deterred in defending the law and his team will make “a strong case” to get them reinstated.
He is expected to appear before the Jefferson Circuit Court on Wednesday as the ACLU of Kentucky has requested a temporary injunction to block the state’s law.
Abortion rights groups have argued Kentucky’s abortion bans violate rights to privacy, bodily autonomy and self-determination outline in sections one and two in the state’s constitution.
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RELATED VIDEO | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/kentucky-abortion-state-supreme-court-denied-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-aclu-of-kentucky/417-3155bd71-7faa-490d-88c8-41fed883428b | 2022-07-06T05:11:32 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/kentucky-abortion-state-supreme-court-denied-attorney-general-daniel-cameron-aclu-of-kentucky/417-3155bd71-7faa-490d-88c8-41fed883428b |
YORKTOWN, Va. — A Facebook community effort helped connect a message in a bottle back to the Poquoson boy who threw it in the water, 44 years later.
Megan Daliege posted about the mysterious bottle on Independence Day, and it's been shared on Facebook almost 500 times in 24 hours.
"Today we found a message in a bottle off the York River not far from York River State Park1," she wrote. "It was in what I believe to be a late 70’s early 80’s Pepsi bottle and said it was from Poquoson VA. We called the number but it was out of service… we would love to find Kendra or Don Kendra and tell them we found it… do your thing Facebook. (Maybe: Don Kendrick)."
Spoiler alert: Facebook did.
The story started when Brian Daliege and his son were walking along the York River between York River State Park and Camp Peary. They spotted what looked like an antique bottle resting on one of the cliff-like ledges above the water.
"The river comes up and there's a 4-foot drop, and it was on top of that, like a big wave had pushed it up there," Daliege said.
He said his son likes to collect bottles, so they grabbed it, and could tell right away that it was old. They didn't know how old, though.
"I dunked it in the water and cleaned it a little, the threads, and the top finally came off," he said. "Those caps have a little round rubber disk. That was still stuck to the top of the bottle."
There was a message inside, written in large pencil strokes.
"If you find this bottle call 868-7694 Poquoson Va. United Sates [sic] ask for Don Kendrick."
The number didn't lead to a Don, but Megan Daliege's Facebook post took off, with people searching for the author.
"It kind of went from just local people that we're friends with on Facebook to people we've never even heard of before," Brian said.
Soon, they got a comment from a person named Tracy Kendrick, who said this could be from her husband, Don.
Daliege said they're pretty sure he's the boy who tossed this bottle, and three others, into the Poquoson River 44 years ago. He was 12 when he wrote the message.
Daliege said the mystery is solved, and for now, they've got the bottle at their house.
"We've offered it back to Don Kendrick, we haven't heard back yet whether he wants it or not," he said. "It's just a cool story." | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/message-in-a-bottle-york-county-pepsi-bottle/291-fd18117c-bc26-4785-9135-1f81e1b93448 | 2022-07-06T05:11:38 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/message-in-a-bottle-york-county-pepsi-bottle/291-fd18117c-bc26-4785-9135-1f81e1b93448 |
SARASOTA, Fla. — The widower of a great-grandmother, who used to live in the Sarasota area, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a Sarasota-based ice cream manufacturer that the CDC recently announced it was investigating amid a Listeria outbreak.
Mary Billman's husband is suing Big Olaf Creamery, which sells products to Florida ice cream shops, including parlors owned and operated under its own brand name.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the Tampa division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. It claims Billman was visiting her daughter on Jan. 18 in Florida when she ate ice cream at the Big Olaf Creamery on Bahia Vista Street near Kaufman Avenue in Sarasota. The lawsuit alleges that ice cream was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
By Jan. 25, the lawsuit says Billman had developed gastrointestinal issues, a low-grade fever and a urinary tract infection. On Jan. 27, she was rushed to the hospital with a fever of more than 103 degrees.
"Over the course of the next two days, Mrs. Billman's organs began to shut down due to her septic illness," the lawsuit said. "By the time her family was able to see her again, she was unconscious."
Her family says she never regained consciousness and died on Jan. 29, leaving behind her husband, three daughters, eight grandchildren and four great-grandkids.
The lawsuit accuses Big Olaf Creamery of negligence, arguing Billman's ice cream was contaminated by "a dangerous foodborne pathogen."
In a July 2 food safety alert, the CDC confirmed 22 other people had been hospitalized across 10 states due to the Listeria outbreak. The ice cream is only sold in Florida, and most of the people who have been sickened reported travel to the state shortly before symptoms began.
The CDC said Big Olaf was voluntarily contacting retailers, recommending stores stop selling their ice cream until further notice. Government regulators also urged consumers to throw away any Big Olaf ice cream they might have at home.
An investigation is underway into the Listeria outbreak, though no official recall has been initiated, according to the CDC.
"The FDA is aware of and stands at the ready to assist with the outbreak investigation of Listeria monocytogenes infections being led by Florida state partners," an FDA spokesperson said. "Florida issued an advisory with specific advice for people living in or traveling to Florida."
10 Tampa Bay attempted to reach Big Olaf Creamery on Tuesday in an effort to get a response to the lawsuit. A spokesperson with whom we had previously spoken did not have a voice mail set up. A company voicemail was full, so we couldn't leave a message. An email has not yet been returned.
However, we did hear from Big Olaf Creamery last weekend.
At the time, company officer David Peachey explained that the business' retail locations are independently owned. Thus, he said the ice cream manufacturer cannot force them to stop selling the products unless there is definitive proof that the outbreak is specifically linked to their stores. However, Peachey said it was recommended that stores that sell the products be temporarily shut down until testing can be completed.
At least one Sarasota store that 10 Tampa Bay visited over the weekend was continuing to sell the ice cream.
Peachey told 10 Tampa Bay he was confident that Big Olaf Creamery has followed health guidelines when it comes to manufacturing and added that more inspections were being completed this week.
In a separate statement on social media, Big Olaf Creamery said it had been cooperating with Florida regulators and the FDA. The company said it had been transparent and answered questions from health investigators – adding that the health and wellbeing of the public was the business' "first priority."
However, the brand also made clear that it believes it's too early to draw any conclusions on the source of the Listeria outbreak.
"For now it is only speculation as it is an ongoing investigation, our brand has not been confirmed to be linked to these cases, I am not sure why only Big Olaf is being mentioned and targeted," Big Olaf Creamery wrote Sunday on Facebook. "The original report we got from the Florida Department of Health on Friday July 1st, was that there are 23 cases reported, the first one reported was January 2021. 6 out of the 23 patients mentioned having consumed Big Olaf ice cream, but nothing has been proven."
According to the CDC, Listeria is most likely to cause serious illness in senior citizens, pregnant women, newborns or other people with weakened immune systems. Severe illness is more likely when the bacteria spreads beyond the gut and into other parts of a person's body.
"Symptoms of severe illness usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after," the CDC explains on its website.
The CDC urged people who fit the following criteria and have the below symptoms to call their doctor right away:
- Pregnant women: Fever, fatigue, muscle aches
- People who aren't pregnant: Headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever and muscle aches
In some cases, Listeria can cause symptoms that are similar to ones associated with food poisoning. Click here for frequently asked questions and answers about Listeria. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/sarasota-ice-cream-big-olaf-listeria-lawsuit/67-f1083932-d6aa-4120-843c-daab9678ccff | 2022-07-06T05:11:44 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/sarasota-ice-cream-big-olaf-listeria-lawsuit/67-f1083932-d6aa-4120-843c-daab9678ccff |
EAGLE, Idaho — Two Treasure Valley sixth graders are using their STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) knowledge to help the Idaho Food Bank while also representing Idaho at a national level. Kashvi Bansal and Rishi Gajera were selected as one of 20 national finalists for eCYBERMISSION, a STEM competition put on by the U.S. Army, that took place in Washington D.C. this last week.
The two 11-year-olds created a gadget with the Idaho Food Bank in mind that helps sort donated food by nutritional categories. That device is what earned them a free trip to the nation's capital and compete among other top STEM 6th-9th graders in the country. They are the first team in Idaho to compete.
"It really, really makes us proud and we're using our STEM knowledge to help the community," said Rishi.
The duo attended Treasure Valley Math and Science Center, a school that specializes in STEM learning, and are the two members of a local robotics team, Cloudy with a Chance of Robotics.
They got the idea to help the Food Bank after volunteering last year and noticing a shortage of volunteers, Kashvi said. She added they felt they could help make sorting the different foods by nutrition process quicker and more efficiently if they incorporated what they learned in their STEM activities.
"Sometimes food doesn't get sorted, and it goes to waste, and it might expire, or something might happen to it," Kashvi said.
Cloudy with a Chance of Robotics then brainstormed the idea to build a device that would sort donated items by nutritional food categories (protein, dairy, vegetables, fruit, etc.) by scanning the nutrition label of boxed and canned foods.
First, they did research and collected data from more than one hundred different packaged foods.
Then they got a touch screen device, camera and computer software system and spent the last six months bringing the idea to life. The camera snaps pictures of the nutrition label then the system's programming called 'Python' is able to read the image's text. The food item is then instantly classified into different food categories the Food Bank uses to sort food.
"We also have created a database and each food gives its own unique ID. So if you want to look at the nutrients of a certain item, you scan and then you can go back to the database," Rishi said.
The team's supervisor Raj Bansal said they studied YouTube videos to help create their device.
Kashvi and Rishi believe their device will help speed up the sorting process and staff and volunteers can utilize their time more efficiently.
While team Cloudy with a Chance of Robotics did not walk away with the eCYBERMISSION's top prize, both Kashvi and Rishi were awarded $4,000 in a savings bond and were one of five teams awarded a $5,000 STEM in Action grant. They plan to use the money to further their prototype and help develop solutions to help the Idaho Food Bank.
Kashvi said they're working on creating a drone that will scan barcodes in the Food Bank's inventory warehouses without people having to bring down boxes to do so. Another idea is to develop a mobile app that can scan nutrition labels.
They say while this project is taking up most of their time at the moment, they still have ideas for next year like developing technology that can help detect wildfires.
While in DC, they also got to attend classes and workshops that taught them more about STEM careers around the world.
"We also made some new friends," Rishi said. "So it's not all about competition. It's also about learning and making new friends."
Raj Bansal said they are looking for more members to join Cloudy with a Chance of Robotics and take part in STEM activities. For those interested in learning more click HERE.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/eagle-stem-students-compete-national-competition/277-9e01ce17-f19e-4514-86bc-109a3a416fac | 2022-07-06T05:13:07 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/eagle-stem-students-compete-national-competition/277-9e01ce17-f19e-4514-86bc-109a3a416fac |
INDIANAPOLIS — Most 10-year-olds aren’t worried about what will happen to them if they fall off their bike.
Noraa Wise doesn’t have that luxury. A fall off her bike could kill her.
“It is really hard seeing other kids do stuff that I know I can’t do,” said Noraa.
Doctors recently diagnosed her with a rare inflammatory disease called Chronic Recurrent Multi-Focal Osteomyelitis (CRMO).
“It literally causes your bones to burst if left unchecked,” explained Noraa’s mom, Tyse.
In Noraa’s case, it’s her ribs that are inflamed.
“It’s right next to her heart and her lungs, and pieces of bone could travel through her body and cause some serious damage or even death,” Tyse said. "She’s been told that she isn’t allowed to jump or run and to be extremely cautious because her vertebrae could collapse."
It was life-changing news for a kid who had already been through a lot in the past two years, as doctors tried to figure out why she was in so much pain.
“I barely wanted to breathe because it just hurt," said Noraa. "It felt like sharp needles in my body just piercing me."
She said that changed when she started taking a methotrexate, prescribed by her doctor.
“I feel no pain,” said Noraa of the drug's impact on her.
Methotrexate is used to treat more than CRMO. It is also used on patients with other inflammatory diseases, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors also use it in some ectopic pregnancy cases, which is outside the uterus and not viable. Taking methotrexate will end a pregnancy without surgery.
Because of that, some women with inflammatory diseases have reported in online support groups that they haven’t been able to get their methotrexate prescription filled following the the Supreme Court's ruling on abortion rights, after trigger laws banning abortion went into effect in some states.
Tyse worries her daughter’s prescription could be next. That’s why she’s written Gov. Eric Holcomb and state lawmakers, asking them what could happen to access to the drug in Indiana.
Lawmakers here haven’t yet decided about how far an abortion ban will go, but it’s expected in some form with a Republican supermajority and a governor who has said the SCOTUS decision is an opportunity to make progress in protecting the sanctity of life in Indiana.
Tysa wonders where that leaves her child.
“She deserves a happy and healthy life. She’s already a person that needs help and so I need answers from our government officials,” she said.
Noraa needs those answers, too. She’s already had to give up so much, and is scared the medicine that’s finally made her feel better will be next thing to go.
“I’m really scared that they’re just going to take it away and I can’t get my medicine so I can’t get better, and I’ll feel worse every single day,” said Noraa.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) issued a statement on social media on June 30, 2022, about methotrexate access:
“ACR is aware of the emerging concerns surrounding access to needed treatments such as methotrexate after the recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. We are following this issue closely to determine if rheumatology providers and patients are experiencing any widespread difficulty accessing methotrexate, or if any initial disruptions are potentially temporary and due to the independent actions of pharmacists trying to figure out what is and isn't allowed where they practice. The ACR has assembled a task force of medical and policy experts to determine the best course of action for ensuring our patients keep access to treatments they need."
What other people are reading: | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-family-worried-abortion-legislation-may-affect-access-to-life-saving-drug-lupus-arthritis-holcomb/531-426ba61a-b363-47bc-ac11-8224472bf14e | 2022-07-06T05:15:45 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-family-worried-abortion-legislation-may-affect-access-to-life-saving-drug-lupus-arthritis-holcomb/531-426ba61a-b363-47bc-ac11-8224472bf14e |
MINNEAPOLIS — Chaos erupted in Minneapolis' Mill District Monday night as witnesses reported people shooting off fireworks from the street, in some cases firing them in the direction of other pedestrians and nearby apartments and condos.
Video taken by a KARE 11 employee showed people shooting fireworks from cars on 2nd Street around 11:30 p.m. as they sped around the downtown neighborhood.
Other videos showed individuals running through the streets carrying the lit fireworks and aiming them at other people.
"It felt like a war zone," resident Kevin Ringdahl said. "People were driving up and down the street, hanging out of cars, they were shooting roman candles at each other. They were throwing cherry bombs under cars."
In one clip shared with KARE, a group of people is seen running into the Mill Quarter Municipal Parking Ramp. A car quickly pulled up and a person hanging out of the rear passenger seat started shooting fireworks at the group through the ramp entrance.
"I was coming around the corner and it was just absolute chaos out here," another resident Nick Zillges said. Zillges is also a building manager of one of the buildings in the area. "People were hanging out the roof of cars, throwing fireworks at people."
Zillges also added that one of his residents captured video of a gun shootout in the courtyard next to the Guthrie.
"Our building caught a stray so I actually have a glass company on the way right now to board it up and cover it up from last night," Zillges said. "Thankfully that unit was empty."
According to a KARE 11 employee who lives in the Mill District area, the fireworks continued for hours until police were able to disperse the crowd around 2 a.m.
Mayor Jacob Frey and interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman addressed the July 4 violence during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
"This conduct should not be accepted in any cities across the country," Mayor Frey said.
Chief Huffman said Minneapolis received more than 1,300 calls to 911 from 9 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Chief Huffman said her department, Park Police and U of M Police responded to "three significant areas" in Minneapolis last night, involving shots fired and fireworks being shot toward people, property and officers.
Deputy Chief of Patrol Erick Fors said at least one arrest was made Monday night during an incident in which a police officer was assaulted.
"It's up to us to make sure we curb some of the recklessness and violence that we've seen," said Mayor Frey.
Steve Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, said the chaos of July 4th undermines the progress of downtown, as businesses recover from COVID-19 and civil unrest.
"What I saw was brazen, irresponsible, unsafe, and really totally unacceptable," Cramer said. "When situations like this occur, it really does begin to erode some of the confidence that people have. That's why we have to be able to respond more effectively than we saw last night."
According to Minnesota law, any aerial or explosive fireworks are illegal to sell, possess and use, except as permitted for licensed engineers. Wood and wire sparklers with less than 100 grams of mixture per item, nonexplosive and nonaerial sparkling items that contain 75 grams or less of chemical mixture per tube or a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes, and novelty items like trick noisemakers and party poppers are considered legal. However, these items are not permitted on public property under Minnesota law.
Those who violate Minnesota's fireworks laws could be subject to thousands of dollars in fines and potential jail time.
Around the same time that the fireworks started Monday night, seven people were injured and hospitalized after a shooting at nearby Boom Island Park. According to the Minneapolis Park Board, several people were in critical condition as of Tuesday morning.
While there were no formal Fourth of July events or fireworks in downtown Minneapolis because of weather and nearby construction, people had gathered at the park to celebrate the holiday.
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Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/video-fireworks-fired-from-street-in-downtown-minneapolis-mill-district/89-ee48cdf8-887f-4c8f-8374-84b23399caaf | 2022-07-06T05:15:51 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/video-fireworks-fired-from-street-in-downtown-minneapolis-mill-district/89-ee48cdf8-887f-4c8f-8374-84b23399caaf |
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY FATHER ARTHUR LUDWICKI ON HIS 5TH ANNIVERSARY IN HEAVEN - July 6, 2022
We think about you always. We talk about you still. You have never been forgotten and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk and guide us through our lives until we meet again. Miss you so much. Love, Carol & Johnny | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/arthur-ludwicki/article_a85d355a-e595-5ba1-9d33-ea4eb3846d6b.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:28 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/arthur-ludwicki/article_a85d355a-e595-5ba1-9d33-ea4eb3846d6b.html |
May 28, 1957 - June 18, 2022
SOUTH HOLLAND, IL - David Ray Fassett, age 65, passed away on June 18, 2022. David is survived by his father, Rev. Dr. Leroy Fassett; his sister and brother-in-law: Barbara Fassett and Eric Lewis; and his niece, Aliya Lewis. He was preceded in death by his mother, Nona Beth Summa; his brother, Paul Fassett; and his step-mother, Nancy Fassett.
David graduated from high school in Rochester, IN in 1975 and Ball State University in 1979 with a B.A. degree in secondary education. For many years he worked in the construction industry in Florida and Indiana. In mid-life he continued on with his advanced degrees in education with a master's degree in education from Indiana University, and a second master's degree from Ball State University. He, also, earned a doctorate in education from Ball State University. During his employment years in public education he taught in high schools in South Bend, IN and Syracuse, IN. He was, also on the faculty at Indiana University in South Bend. After moving to central Pennsylvania he served as Principal of a high school, and as director of special education for a school district.
There will be no public memorial service for David. His family will hold a private service in memory and as an appropriate closure to David's life. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/david-ray-fassett/article_e994b769-ad27-571b-bec6-84e566d34fa2.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:34 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/david-ray-fassett/article_e994b769-ad27-571b-bec6-84e566d34fa2.html |
LANSING, IL - Grace Horgeshimer (nee Van Der Noord), age 93 of Lansing, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4. She is survived by her four loving daughters: Judy, Joyce (Dave) Tiltges, Jean (Robert) VanDerGriend, and Joan (Todd) Blehr; Grace is the cherished grandmother of Kelly (Luke) Chemielewski, James Weston, Barbara Weston, Tony (Michelle) Tiltges, Risa (Alan) Kwasneski, Scott (Beth) VanDerGriend, Cody (Emily) Blehr, and Kristina (Tanner) Rice; and 18 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her loving sister: Elaine Reitveld; and cherished aunt to many nieces and nephews. Grace was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Ed Horgeshimer; one sister; and five brothers.
How do you begin to put into words what a wonderful person Grace was. She was widowed early in her life and went on to accomplish so much. We had many nicknames for her. One was "Amazing Grace", because that is what she was - Amazing. She never thought of herself, she always thought of others needs before her own. Everywhere she went, every job she had, she made lifelong friends and everyone loved her. On her last birthday she received almost 200 cards, that is what her other nickname is, "the card lady".
Her faith in the Lord was unwavering. She never missed church. Right up until the end she was still attending. She would say, "didn't hear it well, but I was there." There was never a time when she did not thank you for calling or coming over. Her hugs were always there when you needed it, and it always ended with, "I love you - I love you more more!". We will miss her more than words can say. Our hearts are aching with the love of this amazing person. We are sure there is a celebration in Heaven with her family and her loving husband, waiting patiently for 38 years, holding her in his arms and the Lord saying, "Welcome home my good and faithful servant".
Friends are invited to visit with Grace's family on Thursday, July 7, 2022 from 3:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Rd., Lansing, IL. A short Wake will take place on Friday, July 8, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2505 Indiana Ave., Lansing, IL. The funeral service will follow immediately at 11:00 A.M. Grace will be laid to rest in Oak Glen Cemetery in Lansing. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Grace's name to Trinity Lutheran Church. www.schroederlauer.com
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves". Romans 12:10 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/grace-horgeshimer/article_2d41afb9-dae6-561c-971e-692950b4ddd3.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:40 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/grace-horgeshimer/article_2d41afb9-dae6-561c-971e-692950b4ddd3.html |
Feb. 18, 1937 - June 25, 2022
HOBART - Jack Reid Baker, age 85 (forever 42) of Hobart, was called home on Saturday, June 25, 2022. He was born on February 18, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Alfred and Faye (nee Bartlett) Baker. Jack was a graduate of Edison High School the class of 1955 and continued his education at Indiana University Northwest.
On July 7, 1957, Jack married the love of his life, Nancy Kay Kozyra, and they spent 65 wonderful years together. He attended Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hobart and retired from American Bridge. Jack loved his country and was a loyal supporter of the soldiers and veterans, Jack was so proud to be an American and was an avid Brickie fan. He will be remembered as a beloved husband, devoted father, loving grandfather, playful great-grandfather, and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.
Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Baker; children: Jeff (Lori) Baker, Rhonda (Dan) Philipsborn, Brenda (Bob) Wisniewski; son-in-law, John Taylor and Shelia; grandchildren: John (Amy) Kalinowski, Jennifer (Matt) Wright, Katie Kalinowski, Mike (Kim) Taylor, Michelle (Alex) Belligio, Kara (Sean) Baker, Taryn Taylor, Robbie (Cait) Wisniewski, Danny, Ryan and Ross Philipsborn; great-grandchildren: Cassidy, Laina, Johnny, and Aiyana Kalinowski, Kaylie, Daniel and Jackson Wright, Greyson Belligio and Ellie Taylor; family: Sam Kozyra and Dar, Bill and Vikki Filter, Dugo and Berylene Kozyra; and special friend, Carrie Adelman. Numerous nieces; nephews; all his loving puppies; and dear friends. The family would like to give a special thanks and love to Julie Burk.
Jack was preceded in death by his lovely daughter, Donna Taylor; and parents: Alfred and Faye Baker; and his siblings.
In lieu of flowers donations to Juvenile Diabetes at jdrf.org or mail to 200 Vesey Street, 28th floor New York, NY 10281, or to the Disabled Veterans National Foundation at dvnf.org or if you prefer to donate by phone, please call 1-888-782-2148.
A celebration of Jack's life will be held at a later date. Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road was entrusted with arrangements. (219) 942-2109 Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/jack-reid-baker/article_6e6a57e8-f98b-5f05-a29c-4b6483bb30d3.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:46 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/jack-reid-baker/article_6e6a57e8-f98b-5f05-a29c-4b6483bb30d3.html |
Aug. 15, 1945 - July 2, 2022
CHESTERTON - Janet S. Ferrell, age 76 of Chesterton passed away on Saturday July 2, 2022. She was born on August 15, 1945, in Francesville, IN to Clarence and Lola (Wireman) Joseph.
Janet is survived by her daughters: Dawn (Rick) Susits, Jamie (Rob) Garcia, Evelyn (Tony) Ello; sons: Thomas (Kris) Ferrell, Kevin (Angie) Ferrell; sisters: Ruby Garbison, Sharon Jackson; brother, Lonnie Joseph; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; many nieces; nephews; and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Lester G. Ferrell; her father, Clarence Joseph; mother, Lola (Wireman) Joseph; sister, Loretta Bailey; brothers: Almo, Charles, Delos, Emmett, Larry and Omer Joseph; granddaughter, LaRissa Sue Sanders; great-grandson, Carson Gene Garcia.
Janet worked as Millhand at Bethlehem Steel as well as other factory work at local industries in Northwest Indiana. Janet retired in 2010, and then dedicated most of her life raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, camping, quilting and playing Bingo.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Chesterton, 517 Broadway, Chesterton, IN 46304 with Lowell Ott officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Chesterton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet's honor may be made to American Lung Cancer Society at 55 W. Walker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601 and at action.lung.org. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ee-fh.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/janet-s-ferrell/article_c3616639-c233-59a6-8aa9-deef2a561503.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:52 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/janet-s-ferrell/article_c3616639-c233-59a6-8aa9-deef2a561503.html |
April 12, 1948 - July 2, 2022
VALPARAISO - Linda Maxine Dickinson, 74, of Valparaiso peacefully passed away Saturday, July 2, 2022 with her children by her side. She was born April 12, 1948 in Mitchell, SD to Robert and Maxine (Buchanan) Howard and graduated as valedictorian of Liberty Township High School class of 1966. Linda received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Education from Indiana State University. Her teaching career began in Thorntown, IN before she followed her passion for early childhood development to become the founder, director, and teacher of ABC Magic Nursery School. Active membership at Valparaiso First United Methodist Church included longtime participation in Bible studies, funeral luncheons, volunteer work, and P.E.O. membership. Once her grandchildren came along, they became her greatest joy, allowing her to utilize every facet of her professional education to engage them, even if it meant playing in the dirt.
On June 14, 1975 she married Thomas E. Dickinson who preceded her in death in 2001. Survivors include children: Wesley Dickinson (Mindy) of Papillion, NE, Courtney Groch (Mark) of Broadlands, VA and Elliott Dickinson (Karissa) of Valparaiso; siblings: Jewel Roberts (Sam), Bob Howard (Lynn) and Tim Howard (Gena); and grandchildren: Dagny, Gloria, Thomas, Evelyn, Aubrey and Genevieve. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Harry Paul Howard.
A visitation will be held Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, Valparaiso. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. Thursday at Valparaiso First United Methodist Church with burial at Kimball Cemetery.
As a multiple organ transplant recipient, in lieu of flowers her family requests memorial donations to be made to the Indiana Donor Network. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/linda-maxine-dickinson/article_d4355685-cb40-54ad-9aef-d4f6e0091e8a.html | 2022-07-06T05:31:59 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/linda-maxine-dickinson/article_d4355685-cb40-54ad-9aef-d4f6e0091e8a.html |
Sept. 25, 1931 - July 3, 2022
VALPARAISO - Lola Christine Rains (Chris), 90, passed away on July 3, 2022 in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Chris was born on September 25, 1931 in Celina, Tennessee to the late Otis and Eulah Pitcock. Chris is preceded in death by her spouse, Charles Rains (divorced); and daughter, Colleen Rains.
Chris is survived by children: Joseph Rains, Teresa D'Aloisio, Victoria Smith, Charles Rains (Mick), Lola Rees, Ronald Rains; 25 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren; siblings: Grace Brown, Creola Halsell, Janice Dilldine, and Darvis Pitcock.
Chris worked at Porter Memorial Hospital before retiring and was a Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary #2852738. She loved her family and her pet dog, Buddy. Her favorite hobby was crocheting blankets for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed caring for her perennials and having a variety of indoor plants, which she loved sharing with others.
Graveside Services and burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Calvary Cemetery, 2701 Willowdale Road, Portage, Indiana 46268. Rev. Craig Forwalter officiating.
Arrangements by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., Valparaiso, IN (219) 462-3125. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/lola-christine-rains/article_7c4b5a49-d179-5c1d-bc9b-fc3404146fad.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:05 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/lola-christine-rains/article_7c4b5a49-d179-5c1d-bc9b-fc3404146fad.html |
April 3, 1941 - July 2, 2022
VALPARAISO - Lou was born in Vlaherna, Greece, April 3, 1941. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 10, and proudly became a citizen. He graduated from East Chicago Washington High School and Purdue University. After more than thirty years as a pharmacist, he retired from Walgreens.
He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Jacqueline (Cienciwa) Papachronis; children: Athena (Joshua) Herman, Matthew (Ann); grandchildren: Amalea, Constantine, Evangelina, Grayson and Francesca.
He leaves behind his siblings: Gus (Kathy) Papachronis, George (Holly) Papachronis, Cathy Tsiakopoulos, and Dina Anton; numerous nieces and nephews.
The joys of his life included his family, fishing, and gardening. He relished family celebrations, bar-b-que, his Greek heritage and return visits to his homeland.
After a long battle with leukemia, Lou passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2022. Lou benefited from infusions made possible by the blood donations of others; therefore, both in gratitude and to perpetuate the life-giving benefits of blood donation, the family encourages those wishing to express their support to donate their blood, time, or resources to the American Red Cross.
Family wishes to express appreciation for the kindness of Dr. Braik, Infusion Center of Northwest Hospital, Dunes Hospice, and First Care Home Care.
Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 8, 2022 at the DYKES FUNERAL HOME, 2305 N. Campbell St., Valparaiso, IN with the funeral service immediately following at 6:00 p.m. Rev. Michael Porter officiating.
Arrangements made by Dykes Funeral Home, Inc., Valparaiso IN, (219) 462-3125. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/louis-papachronis/article_15176764-363f-5804-929c-826b9353dbeb.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:11 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/louis-papachronis/article_15176764-363f-5804-929c-826b9353dbeb.html |
ST. JOHN, IN - Michael "Mike" L. Muenich, age 76, of St. John, IN passed away at home on June 28, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Debra (néee Terry); children: Meredith (Joel) Naughgle, Miranda (Bryan) McCoy, and Michael "Gus" (Rebecca) Muenich; and seven grandchildren: Alice, Matilda, Christopher, Vivian, Jack, Colin, and Harold. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice (néee Brady) and father, Harold.
Mike's family settled in Hammond in the 1840s. Mike was born in 1946 and attended Dyer Central High School, where he participated in activities including manager of football, basketball, and baseball, Hoosier Boys State, and yearbook editor. He graduated from Valparaiso University in 1968 and Valparaiso Law School in 1971.
Mike began practicing law with Albert Hand in 1971 and became partner in Hand, Muenich & Wilk in 1973. He was attorney for the Town of Dyer and the St. John Sanitary and Waterworks Districts for many years. In 2013, he became Of Counsel with Austgen Kuiper Jasaitis P.C. Mike was admitted to practice in Indiana, the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Claims and the United States Supreme Court.
Mike volunteered with the St. John Fire Department as a firefighter/ EMT-A, and he retired as a Division Chief after 50 years of service. He graduated from the National Fire Academy Incident Command Course and held numerous Indiana state fire certifications. He was a state fire instructor and was named IFIA State Instructor of the Year in 1988.
In 1991, Mike co-founded Fire Service, Inc. a distributor and provider of maintenance, repair and refurbishment for fire, ambulance, and police emergency equipment serving Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Mike was also a land developer and served as the Designer/Project Manager for the St. John Training Center (now the Department of Homeland Security Northwest Indiana District 1 training facility) and Project Manager of St. John the Evangelist Church and the Shrine of Christ's Passion. In 2019, he began developing The Continental subdivision at the site of his family home in St. John.
Although he had many professional and volunteer accomplishments, Mike always made time for his family. He was the biggest fan of his children and grandchildren's many activities. He loved traveling with his wife and family, taking them on sunset cruises on Cedar Lake, and just spending a day together in their gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John Volunteer Fire Department Inc, St. John the Evangelist Parish Peace & Justice Fund, or hospice of your choice.
Visitation will be Friday, July 8, 3:00 PM-8:00 PM, at FAGEN-MILLER FUNERAL HOME in St. John. The funeral mass will be Saturday, July 9, 10:00 AM, at St. John the Evangelist Church. Mike will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at Teibel's Restaurant at 2:00 PM. www.fagenmiller.com | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/michael-mike-l-muenich/article_ee3363d4-b580-5949-9ab3-435498ba9935.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:17 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/michael-mike-l-muenich/article_ee3363d4-b580-5949-9ab3-435498ba9935.html |
VALPARAISO - Nick Trifunovich, 76, of Valparaiso passed away July 2, 2022.
Survived by his loving daughter, Mila; three grandchildren: Mia, Joseph Nikola and Austin; great-grandson, Jovan; brother, Drago Trifunovich; sister, Zorka Trifunovich; and nephew, Adrian Gallo.
Funeral services will be held Friday, July 8, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of East Chicago and at rest, Holy Cross Orthodox Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
Friends are invited to visit with Nick's family on Thursday from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home, 7607 W. Lincoln Hwy, Schererville (RT 30 East of Cline Ave) Pomen prayer service Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Nick was a graduate of East Chicago Washington High School and North Carolina State College. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nick-trifunovich/article_21bedc33-420d-5c28-bf3d-0752724fb408.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:23 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nick-trifunovich/article_21bedc33-420d-5c28-bf3d-0752724fb408.html |
Oct. 15, 1955 - June 9, 2022
VALPARAISO - Richard F. "Rick" Trapp, 66, of Valparaiso, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022. He was born October 15, 1955, in Valparaiso the son of Richard E. and Delores (Darda) Trapp. Rick worked as a safety and environmental manager for Sun Chemical and attended Calvary Church. In Rick's free time he loved to be outdoors riding his bike, gardening, farming, and caring for his pheasants and other creatures. He enjoyed all things aviation, boating and water skiing, scuba diving, hiking, and studying the Bible. Rick was devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with friends. He recently became a grandpa to Jesse, who quickly became the love of his life. Rick was a pillar of strength and wisdom to his family. His selfless, loving, and compassionate nature will be dearly missed.
On October 1, 1977, Rick married La Donna Beck who survives along with their daughter, Jessa (Bryan) Tilford; grandson, Jesse; mother, Delores Trapp; sister, Tammie (Tom) Johnson; and brother-in-law, Dan Ilic. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard; sister, Lynnette Ilic; and niece, Angela Ilic.
A Memorial Gathering was held on Monday, June 20, 2022 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Calvary Church, 1325 E. Evans Ave., Valparaiso with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Creation Museum, Creekside Trails, or to his grandson, Jesse's, education. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/richard-f-rick-trapp/article_81a7f368-134e-50c3-80ff-79916f5fe541.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:29 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/richard-f-rick-trapp/article_81a7f368-134e-50c3-80ff-79916f5fe541.html |
Nov. 25, 1944 - June 29, 2022
PORTAGE, IN - Shelba J. (Pugh) King-Frazier, age 77, of Portage, IN passed away on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. She was born on November 25, 1944 in Princeton, IN to Stanley and Mary (Woods) Pugh.
On January 2, 2022 she married her husband Gene Frazier of Portage, who survives. She is also survived by two daughters: Donna (Ronald) Bates, Nancy King; two step daughters: Valerie Frazier, Shelly (Steve) Snider; step-son, Dan (Tonya) Sheehan; three grandsons: Jerry (Kelly) Bates, Brett Bates, Brandon King; three granddaughters: Amanda (Denny Smiddy) Bates, Ashley (Henry) King, Brandi (Shane Rushing) King; nine great-grandchildren and one on the way; three brothers: Jack (Marilyn) Pugh, Stan Pugh, Steve (Denise) Pugh; sister in law, Nancy (Andy) Fowler; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first spouse, Jerry King; and daughter, Misty King.
Shelba graduated from Portage High School and worked as a car-hop at Calvin's Drive-In in Gary. After graduating she worked as a server and a bartender at Wilson's Restaurant. In the late 1970's she began her career of many years at the gas station at Central Ave. and Hamstrom Road, starting out at Phillips 66, and then Welsh Oil, and finally Speedway. She also drove the first Taxi in Portage for several years and enjoyed occasionally driving in drag races at the US 30 Drag Strip. She loved NASCAR (Dale Earnhardt) and the Cubs. Shelba loved dogs, John Wayne Westerns and Game Shows.
Funeral Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at EDMONDS & EVANS FUNERAL HOME PORTAGE CHAPEL, 6941 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, IN. Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/shelba-j-pugh-king-frazier/article_a7854915-af4f-507f-9ee8-cc4b4f5472f2.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:36 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/shelba-j-pugh-king-frazier/article_a7854915-af4f-507f-9ee8-cc4b4f5472f2.html |
Feb. 23, 1938 - July 4, 2022
MUNSTER - Wesley Feikema, age 84, of Munster, IN, went to be with Jesus on Monday, July 4, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Verna; children: Dirk (Jill), Susan (Todd) Schilthuis, and Julie (Glen) DeYoung; grandchildren: Andrew Feikema, Emily Feikema, Meghan Schilthuis, Madelyn Schilthuis, Mackenzie Schilthuis, Matthew Schilthuis, Loralee DeYoung, Arie DeYoung, and Peter DeYoung; brother, Peter (Dianne) Feikema; brother-in-law, Tom (Sue) Bosma; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his wife, Mary; siblings: Anita Aardema, Orville Feikema, and Roger Feikema.
Wesley was the founder and owner of Feikema Plumbing and Sanitation Service, benefiting the community for over fifty years. He was both a graduate and school board member of Highland Christian School. Wes attended First Highland Christian Reformed Church, serving as both deacon and elder, and Beacon Light Christian Reformed Church. Wes was a lifelong car enthusiast, owning eight Corvettes from his beloved 1957 to his final car, an electric blue 2008 C6.
Visitation will be held at Beacon Light Christian Reformed Church, 3770 Burr St., Gary, IN, 46408 on Friday, July 8, from 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., with funeral service following immediately at 11:30 A.M. in the sanctuary. Pastor John Hoffmaster officiating. Interment will be at Hope Cemetery in Highland, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Feikema Memorial Scholarship fund at Highland Christian School.
For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper - Kevin Nordyke - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/wesley-feikema/article_d9ab6a3a-86bf-5a93-887a-5e40623e264d.html | 2022-07-06T05:32:42 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/wesley-feikema/article_d9ab6a3a-86bf-5a93-887a-5e40623e264d.html |
ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — The Zephyrhills Police Department is investigating a report of shots fired at the parking lot of AdventHealth Zephyrhills.
Police say the location is not related to the hospital on Gall Boulevard and the area is secured.
There are no reported injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Zephyrhills Police Department at 813-780-0050. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pascocounty/shots-fired-advent-health-zephyrhills/67-d35c4a3f-190e-4093-ad57-89f5ee56b86f | 2022-07-06T05:53:58 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pascocounty/shots-fired-advent-health-zephyrhills/67-d35c4a3f-190e-4093-ad57-89f5ee56b86f |
BOISE, Idaho — After the past week's multiple wildfires burning in the state, it is clear, Idaho, much like the rest of the U.S., is officially in fire season. Agencies, like the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), have warned that fire seasons are becoming a thing of the past and what the country is seeing are "year-round events" because fires are starting earlier and lasting longer.
Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in late 2021, which funds $8.25 billion for wildland fire management around the country. A considerable amount of that money is designated for federal wildland firefighter pay increases and will turn many seasonal jobs into full-time positions for the longer fire seasons.
NIFC spokesperson Jessica Gardetto said the goal is to help improve their way of life, while also recruiting and retaining more wildland firefighters.
Gardetto said federal agencies will not begin to see the staffing effects of law until next fire season because they do most of their hiring in the fall which was around the same time Congress passed the law. She said leadership does believe the law will certainly entice new and former wildland firefighters to join crews in 2023.
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is going to help us by allowing us to offer better work-life balance," Gardetto said.
The law ensures actions such as increasing wildland firefighters' starting pay to $15 per hour, increases to pay for current firefighters, which more than 11,300 firefighters have already seen, and expanding the number of wildland firefighters they are able to hire each season. Gardetto said adding more firefighters to crews means more staff is able to take more time off and vacations during the season.
"We do know that in some areas of the country, they've had some issues with hiring wildland firefighters, especially in places like Boise where housing has become incredibly expensive," Gardetto said.
The U.S. also added $103 million this year for wildfire risk reduction and burned-area rehabilitation throughout the country as well as establishing an interagency wildland firefighter health and well-being program. Gardetto said the increased mental health resources for crews will give firefighters support and training to handle stressful and traumatic situations, especially for those who are far away from family and loved ones.
"These Critical Incident Stress teams and mental health support are important not only for recruitment but for retention and being able to give firefighters the support they need to have a meaningful well-balanced career," Gardetto said.
Last Fall, NIFC hired 16,900 firefighters for agencies across the country for this fire season, which Gardetto said is about the same number as 2021. She said while they could use more staffing for these lengthier and more severe wildland fires, NIFC expects to see the number of firefighters applying and the number they hire for next season will increase because of the law.
"We've had a lot of people contact us interested in firefighting positions," Gardetto said. "We work to recruit firefighters in the Fall and into the Winter months so that we can hire them, train them, and have them ready for when we start experiencing fire activity in the Spring."
While this law addresses the current need for retention and recruitment, Gardetto said it does not provide long-term pay increases. According to the White House fact sheet, the funding will last for the next two fiscal years. NIFC hopes to address Congress on more solutions for the topic in the future.
The action from federal agencies has prompted the State of Idaho to do the same.
"Given the extreme nature of the 2021 fire season, Idaho Department of Labor (IDL) knew that we had to step up our game for firefighter recruitment and retention," said Scott Phillips, the policy and communication chief for IDL.
In the 2022 legislative session, Governor Brad Little signed a law that increased incentives and pay for state wildland firefighters.
IDL increased starting wages to $15, introduced hazard pay to the state, and offered rest and recovery pay for state wildland crews.
"That applies to firefighters that have worked on an extended shift and are coming back and they're paid to rest for two days before they can go back on," Phillips said.
According to the bill's statement, hazard pay will enable Idaho's wildland firefighters to receive competitive compensation on par with their peers employed by federal agencies and other western states.
Firefighters employed by the IDL will also earn differential pay of up to 25% of their regular hourly rate; for example, a firefighter paid a regular hourly wage of $15 could receive up to $3.75 of additional pay for every hour they're actively engaged in fire suppression work.
"This is a highly dangerous job," Phillips said. "It's staffed by dedicated employees that sacrifice a lot to do the work to protect our resources and our homes. We're supportive of federal efforts to increase their wages. At the State of Idaho, we're doing our best to stay at parity and provide an environment that helps recruit and retain qualified personnel."
Watch more on wildfires in the West:
See all of our latest coverage in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/wildfire/federal-idaho-wildland-fire-agencies-create-better-work-life-balance-fire-seasons-grow-longer/277-1204b994-9853-4642-9be1-53a7301c58d1 | 2022-07-06T05:56:00 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/wildfire/federal-idaho-wildland-fire-agencies-create-better-work-life-balance-fire-seasons-grow-longer/277-1204b994-9853-4642-9be1-53a7301c58d1 |
VINTON -- Author Linda Betsinger McCann will speak at the Benton County Historical Society at 10:30 a.m. July 16 at the Vinton Depot, 612 First Ave., in Vinton. She will be speaking about her book, "Prisoners of War in Iowa." She will have copies of the book, and all her books, available for purchase. Everyone is invited and there is no admission charge.
Local history author to speak in Vinton July 16
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The vote comes amidst a lawsuit, filed by the club’s former manager, alleging the board did not address employees’ sexual harassment complaints, and tried to defame the ex-manager after firing him.
From historic parades and concerts to family fun, lantern launches and – of course – fireworks, the Cedar Valley is celebrating Independence Day weekend with dozens of activities.
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.
A person has been detained following an assault that ended in a brief chase and crash in Waterloo on Tuesday after police located him in a Langley Drive apartment around 2:30 p.m.
WATERLOO — A vintage toy show coming to the Courtyard Marriot on Wednesday and Thursday will be hosted by someone familiar to fans of the cabl…
Courier staff headed to Lost Island Themepark Tuesday to check out the rides at the newly opened attraction, each finding their sweet spot in one of its five themed worlds.
After a soft opening, Waterloo’s latest attraction is up and running and ready to handle the crowds, owners say.
WATERLOO — A teenager was injured in a shooting in Waterloo on Wednesday evening.
WATERLOO — Police are investigating a robbery at a Waterloo convenience store over the weekend.
WATERLOO — A Waterloo man has been arrested after investigators uncovered a video of him having sex with a girl. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/local-history-author-to-speak-in-vinton-july-16/article_bbb3c0c3-06b1-5162-8d5c-750c554c924f.html | 2022-07-06T05:58:54 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/local-history-author-to-speak-in-vinton-july-16/article_bbb3c0c3-06b1-5162-8d5c-750c554c924f.html |
Arizona lottery numbers, July 5
Associated Press
These Arizona lotteries were drawn Tuesday:
Pick 3
6-0-9
Fantasy 5
02-20-23-35-36
Estimated jackpot: $50,000
Triple Twist
03-05-09-15-19-37
Estimated jackpot: $664,000
Mega Millions
27-31-50-51-61, Mega Ball: 21, Megaplier: 4
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $35 million | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/05/arizona-lottery-numbers-july-5/7817965001/ | 2022-07-06T06:18:29 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/07/05/arizona-lottery-numbers-july-5/7817965001/ |
GILBERT, Ariz. — Brittany Meyer and her family will never look at fireworks the same again.
After spending the 4th of July watching fireworks in celebration of Independence Day, one came flying through their bedroom wall as they slept, just missing the homeowners and their 6-month-old son.
“It was a loud explosion. Never heard anything like it,” Meyer said. “This shook us, especially since my baby was in bed and it was two feet from his head.”
Meyer remembers her husband screaming and calling out her name around 3:20 a.m. after hearing the loud bang.
He was making sure she was okay, while he rolled over their son, grabbed him, and tried to run to safety.
“The entire room was filled with smoke, we couldn’t really make anything out,” she said. “You just saw sparks going everywhere.”
The firework explosion caused the bedsheets to catch on fire and sent nails and debris all over the bedroom, bathroom and closet.
Meyer suffered a minor burn on her left arm, while her son might have ear-drum damage.
“They did a hearing test on him, and he is not responsive in his left ear, which is him laying on his back and that was the ear facing the explosion,” she said.
When the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department arrived on the scene, they noted a smell of “materials consistent with an aerial firework” inside the bedroom.
The firework left a hole in the backside of the home, which backs up to Chandler Heights Road.
Gilbert fire Investigators are looking into the incident and believe the object was shot from the road.
“We want answers, but we just want to raise awareness, hopefully for next year,” Meyer said. “We are trying not to look much in the hypotheticals and are counting our blessings, but this could have been so much worse.”
Gilbert police are asking the community for any video or information that could help in the investigation
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/gilbert-family-wakes-to-fireworks-exploding-in-their-bedroom/75-6d2b6903-758d-44dc-8f1a-8ff58ec73286 | 2022-07-06T07:17:05 | 1 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/gilbert-family-wakes-to-fireworks-exploding-in-their-bedroom/75-6d2b6903-758d-44dc-8f1a-8ff58ec73286 |
ARIZONA, USA — Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.
Jacob Chansley of Phoenix, well known as the "QAnon Shaman," has dropped the appeal of his guilty plea and 41-month prison sentence for his role in the Jan. 6 Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Chansley's request to dismiss his appeal was granted Tuesday, according to a filing in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
In November of 2021, a judge sentenced Chansley to 41 months in prison for his role in the Insurrection.
The federal judge's sentencing was 10 months less than what the prosecution in the case was seeking. The judge also gave Chansley credit for time served, making the net sentence around 31 months in prison.
Chansley was described by the prosecution as "the public face of the Capitol riot." He stood out from the rioters who stormed the Capitol, shirtless with a horned headdress at the dais where Vice President Mike Pence had been presiding at the certification of the 2020 election.
"I was wrong for entering the Capitol," Chansley said in a statement expressing his remorse. "I have no excuse. No excuse whatsoever. My behavior’s indefensible. But I'm in no way, shape or form a violent criminal. I'm not an insurrectionist."
In September of 2021, Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing an official proceeding. During the hearing, the judge determined Chansley is competent. Under a plea deal, five other charges were dropped.
According to court documents, Chansley was among the crowd that passed the police line at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol, entering the building while certification proceedings were still underway.
Once on the Senate floor, court documents report that Chansley scaled the Senate dais and took the seat that former Vice President Pence previously occupied. Officials report that Chansley refused to vacate when told to do so by law enforcement, saying “Mike Pence is a [expletive] traitor” and then wrote a note on available paper on the dais, stating “It’s Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming!”
Chansley was arrested on Jan. 9, 2021, and has been in custody ever since. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and must serve a period of three years of supervised release following completion of his prison term.
Other Arizona arrests in connection to the Capitol riot include James Burton McGrew, Micajah Joel Jackson, Felicia Konold, Cory Konold, Andrew Hatley and Tim Gionet.
Arizona Politics
Track all of our current updates with Arizona politics on our 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe for updates on all of our new uploads. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-drops-appeal-of-41-month-sentence-for-role-in-jan-6-insurrection/75-026219d1-4da4-49f0-b63f-5321156d1b36 | 2022-07-06T07:17:11 | 1 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/qanon-shaman-jacob-chansley-drops-appeal-of-41-month-sentence-for-role-in-jan-6-insurrection/75-026219d1-4da4-49f0-b63f-5321156d1b36 |
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — It's the last thing a car owner needs to deal with: getting their car stolen.
Data from law enforcement agencies in Washington show car thefts are up significantly in more recent years than in previous ones.
"If you think that they're doing it just for the joyride, that's false," Pierce County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss said.
The concern is car thefts are usually linked to other crimes, sometimes violent ones, according to Moss.
A social media post made by a joint auto theft task force group detailed a long list of auto thefts in Pierce County during the July 4th weekend, which showed about 43 reported car thefts during the holiday weekend alone.
KING 5 asked if 43 thefts during a single weekend is considered high.
The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATFF), which comprises multiple law enforcement agencies, said 43 actually trends low, compared to overall averages.
In April 2021, the average number of auto thefts in Pierce County was 14 per day, compared to 27 per day in April 2022. The average in May 2021 in Pierce County was 11, compared to 22 per day in May 2022, according to Sgt. Jeff Carroll with the PSATTF. Numbers for June this year were not yet available.
In Pierce County overall, there were a little more than 900 auto thefts reported countywide per month from January through March -- an average of about 30 auto thefts per day, according to Moss.
But while 43 is considered lower-than-average for a single weekend, auto theft numbers have actually been much higher in recent years compared to pre-pandemic years.
The PSATTF, as well as a Tacoma Police Department spokesperson, and Moss with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department pointed to similar reasons why auto thefts are on the rise.
They include a July 2021 state legislature law that limited law enforcement from making certain pursuits.
"That's one of the things that really gave the criminals the okay to put the pedal to the medal and take off," Moss said.
Moss also said jail space has been limited due to COVID restrictions.
"Our jail has been locked down with COVID so we weren't allowed to book for misdemeanors or lower-level felonies, which include auto theft and burglary," Moss said.
Law enforcement agencies have asked the Washington Legislature to amend the unintended consequences of the pursuit law, but the bill did not make it through the most recent legislative session. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tacoma/auto-thefts-increase-pierce-county-2021/281-2a10a9f1-2068-4cfd-b9da-69aafa49a6bb | 2022-07-06T07:21:01 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/tacoma/auto-thefts-increase-pierce-county-2021/281-2a10a9f1-2068-4cfd-b9da-69aafa49a6bb |
COVINGTON, Wash. — Covington police estimate stores in the area lose thousands of dollars every day in retail theft. It's one department looking to combat this crime as a new statewide organized retail crimes taskforce is scheduled to begin.
On June 30, two Covington Police Officers parked outside the city's Fred Meyer to stop thieves. Five people were caught and charged, two of those individuals were booked into jail. The department estimated in just that afternoon the officers stopped thieves from taking more than $3,000 in merchandise.
"A lot of them will just load up a cart and just walk right out and it's $400 to $500 bucks," said Covington Chief of Police Adam Easterbrook, "We just don't want to be an inviting community for crime."
Easterbrook acknowledges, even with the department's efforts theft is still a problem in Covington.
"You're looking at a community where $10,000, $15,000, $20,000 is stolen pretty regularly," said Easterbrook.
However, theft is a statewide issue and it's prompting changes on a statewide level.
The same day officers in Covington were holding theft emphasis patrols, Bellevue Police arrested a 43-year-old resident who's accused of stealing more than $4,000 in merchandise. Bellevue Police said the arrest came just days after the state announced an organized retail crime taskforce.
“I found in my experience, from working with other task forces and other contexts, that sharing of information helps with enforcement, helps with prevention, raises the profile of the issue, and gets folks in the room to make sure we go after the bad guys, hold them accountable, and the provide the resources we need to help retailers and small businesses who’re dealing with these challenges," said state Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
"A generalized taskforce, I think it's a great idea. I think it can actually have an impact," said Easterbrook.
The taskforce will meet for the first time this week. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/washington-retail-theft-law-enforcement-combat-task-force-organized/281-d48dd658-be03-4113-9984-e8b231a6e40f | 2022-07-06T07:21:02 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/washington-retail-theft-law-enforcement-combat-task-force-organized/281-d48dd658-be03-4113-9984-e8b231a6e40f |
Police are looking for the man they say attacked and robbed a 27-year-old man on Christopher Street last month.
Investigators say around 1:30 a.m. on June 9th the man approached the 27-year-old, and punched him in the face while making homophobic comments. Then, police say the man stole from the victim and ran into the subway.
The investigation by the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/homophobic-attack-and-robbery-in-the-west-village/3762754/ | 2022-07-06T07:54:20 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/homophobic-attack-and-robbery-in-the-west-village/3762754/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the investigation into the fatal shooting on downtown Sacramento’s L Street continues, friends and family gathered Tuesday night for a vigil to remember the victim, Greg Najee Grimes.
His family says he paid off his student loans last week and was just approved for a home loan. His mother, Deborah Grimes, says she last called her son on FaceTime to make 4th of July plans.
“And then he said, ‘I love you, I love you.’ I said, ‘I love you, Najee. Baby,’” said Grimes.
The call happened four hours before the 31-year-old Inderkum High School football coach was killed in a shooting outside of the Mix Downtown nightclub that left four others injured.
"This is the most horrific thing. It is the most indescribable… it's so painful! It's so wrong! Nobody's kid should be killed, but my baby? Oh man, he was so not deserving of that,” said Grimes.
Hundreds of former teammates, students, colleagues, family, and friends gathered to remember the young father.
His own coaches say Inderkum’s revered athletics program wouldn’t have existed if it wasn’t for the alumnus who always led by example.
“We built the whole program around Greg,” said former coach, Terry Stark. “That was the first guy out here at Inderkum High School. They all wanted to be like him and we’d tell him everyday – act like this, talk like that, you need to respect people like that, you need to be at practice on time, you need to treat your parents right, you gotta have your grades – and they knew that’s how he did it, and that’s what they did! We had 60 kids sign after that.”
Grimes leaves behind his parents, a young son and his mother, and countless lives touched.
Investigators say they’ve recovered 11 shell casings, collected surveillance video, and tracked down eyewitnesses.
Police are asking for the community's help and are looking for any video evidence that might have been captured during the shooting.
Any evidence can be uploaded to the Sacramento Police Department Evidence Submission Portal HERE or can be given to the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-4357. Sacramento Police are offering a reward of up to $1,000 to any witnesses who have information regarding this investigation. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/friends-family-gather-at-inderkum-high-to-remember-coach/103-e792f94d-c228-4456-a275-f31065277d87 | 2022-07-06T08:06:23 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/friends-family-gather-at-inderkum-high-to-remember-coach/103-e792f94d-c228-4456-a275-f31065277d87 |
ROSEVILLE, Calif. — Shocking video posted online shows a man caught on camera swapping gas pumps at an AMPM station.
What happens is you *think* you’re putting gas into your car, but the alleged thief has your nozzle and is putting gas into their car while you’re paying for it.
Roseville police are warning of a possible increase in gas theft.
“They, on the other side of the island, are actually using your nozzle to steal gas. We’ve seen a few cases historically where this has worked and we have been able to fortunately catch people,” said Rob Baquera with Roseville Police.
In 2019, Roseville police arrested a man for pulling off the same scheme at least a dozen times. Police suggest taking a moment to verify the hose is connected to the right pump.
Baquera says a spike in gas prices also leads to a spike in gas theft.
“Either through your gas cap, or potentially cutting a hole in your gas tank to drain that fuel out,” he said.
So, what can you do to protect your property? Park in well-lit areas, and when it comes to the gas pump swapping scheme, keep in mind your hose nozzle will always be on the same side as the holster and the hose will never cross over the pump.
Meanwhile, we have some good news about the pain at the pump… Patrick DeHaan (aka the GasBuddy Guy) says crude oil has dropped below $100 a barrel, meaning the national average of gas could fall 35-50 cents in the weeks ahead.
He also says California’s average gas prices are likely to fall under $6/gallon in the next few weeks as long as there are no refinery issues.
► Save Money on Gas: Use our interactive map to find the lowest price near you. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-seen-switching-gas-pump-nozzles-in-roseville/103-70c5809e-997f-4890-b11f-21bc20f0cc52 | 2022-07-06T08:06:29 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-seen-switching-gas-pump-nozzles-in-roseville/103-70c5809e-997f-4890-b11f-21bc20f0cc52 |
Marjorie K. Montanus, 59, of Meridian died June 27, 2022. Arrangements are under the care of Summers Funeral Home, Ustick Chapel.
Mark Eugene Schwarz, 75, of Hazelton died July 4, 2022, at his home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rosenau Funeral Home. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_028df60c-fcb4-11ec-8af7-9366f21611ed.html | 2022-07-06T08:18:04 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_028df60c-fcb4-11ec-8af7-9366f21611ed.html |
Dec. 16, 1934—July 3, 2022
DECLO — DeLores Jean (Kowitz) Smyer, an 87-year-old longtime resident of Declo, passed away Sunday, July 3, 2022, at her home with her husband, Norman, by her side.
DeLores was born December 16, 1934, in her parents’ home near Burley, Idaho. She was the eldest of five children born to Fredrick Otto Kowitz and Emma Gerlach Kowitz. In 1944, her family moved to a small farm north of Declo. She completed her education in Declo and graduated Salutatorian of the Class of 1953.
It was in 1951 when her path would cross with Norman Lee Smyer of Albion. The closure of the Albion Normal School brought Albion secondary students to Declo and would mark the opening chapter of a love story that would span 70-plus years. Norman and DeLores were married on November 27, 1953, in the old Declo gymnasium. Together they built a life in this community. They purchased their current property just north of Declo in 1955, then proceeded to welcome four children, build a comfortable and welcoming home, and establish a legacy of service and love.
In 1968, DeLores began her career working with the Cassia County School District, where she spent 46 years at Declo Elementary. In her role as secretary, she served numerous principals and teachers and countless students and families.
After retiring at the age of 82, she continued to volunteer with school registration. Her commitment to community was exemplified through countless hours of service to the Declo schools and Alumni Association, Declo Days planning committee, PTA, Cub Scouts, 4-H, and student programs including Odyssey of the Mind and Renaissance.
Family was of the utmost importance to DeLores. She was exceptional at gathering both immediate and extended family together. Sunday dinners and holidays were always filled with great food, conversation and love.
She is survived by her husband, Norman Smyer of Declo; children, Gaylen (Carolyn) Smyer of Declo, Kevin (Arlene) Smyer of Albion, Debra (Rhett) Matsen of Declo, and Lesa (Jay) Fox of Declo; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Doreen Leonard of Filer, Chuck (Arlene) Kowitz of Declo, Jolene (Joel) Johnstun of Boise, and Lynette (Craig) Brackenbury of Declo; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
DeLores is preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Juneal and Walter Quast, Jr.; nephew, Brian Michel; and niece, Teresa Bailey.
A special thank you to the staff of the Idaho Kidney Center Home Dialysis, Horizon Home Health & Hospice, and Minidoka Home Health for their care and services.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022 at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2022 and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service on Thursday. Burial will be in Declo Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cassia County Education Foundation in memory of DeLores Smyer and designated for Declo Elementary.
A live webcast of the funeral service will be available and maintained at rasmussenwilson.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/delores-jean-smyer/article_971737ce-fcb0-11ec-80bd-67994380e6ff.html | 2022-07-06T08:18:10 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/delores-jean-smyer/article_971737ce-fcb0-11ec-80bd-67994380e6ff.html |
FILER — Justin David Benitez Jr., 27, of Filer passed away June 20, 2022.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 9, 2022 at the Filer Baptist Church, 254 Highway 30, Filer, Idaho 83328.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Justin’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/justin-david-beneitez-jr/article_c9720e9f-470c-546e-b9ce-da63a1411d29.html | 2022-07-06T08:18:16 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/justin-david-beneitez-jr/article_c9720e9f-470c-546e-b9ce-da63a1411d29.html |
Dec. 28, 1930 - June 26, 2022
WENDELL — Hal Leland Rogers, 91, a resident of Wendell, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at his home with his wife at his side.
Hal was born on December 28, 1930 in Rupert, the son of Adolphus Hosea Rogers and Eva Belle Hunt Rogers. At the age of six his family moved to Carey, then to Silver Creek, later settling in Richfield.
He married Joyce Jones. They later divorced.
Hal married Kathleen Dudley on February 28, 1990 in Boise.
He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a number of years.
Hal loved farming, which he did for a number of years before retiring.
Hal loved and greatly enjoyed his time with his family.
He is survived by his wife – Kathleen; his three sons – Tom, Todd and Craig; his three daughters – Dixie, Christy and Lela; his sister – Darlene; 27 grandchildren; 75 great grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in by his parents; six brothers; two sisters; and one daughter – Judy.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wendell. A viewing will be held from 10:00 am until service time at the Church.
Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls at 2:30 pm on Wednesday.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of Demaray Funeral Service – Wendell Chapel.
Condolences, memories and photos can be shared with the family by following the obituary link at www.demarayfuneralservice.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/hal-leland-rogers/article_be631ec3-8664-5e78-b82e-4ae86b719178.html | 2022-07-06T08:18:22 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/hal-leland-rogers/article_be631ec3-8664-5e78-b82e-4ae86b719178.html |
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