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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mckinney-community-fighting-to-preserve-historic-ice-house/3016006/ | 2022-07-16T04:25:25 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/mckinney-community-fighting-to-preserve-historic-ice-house/3016006/ |
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Sherry Russell said she just wants her cough to go away.
“Struggling to breathe in,” she said. “Coughing up some of the worse stuff.”
Russell believes the cough is caused by mold in her apartment because of various leaks near her patio doors
“All this is cracked away,” she showed KENS 5. “It’s washed away from water.”
She also showed KENS 5 what she believes is mold in the bathroom.
“The black wouldn’t go away and it’s like really gross,” Russell said. “It’s mold.”
She notified her property manager several times, several different ways.
“I want to say in the last six, eight months, I’ve been asking them, writing it, calling them,” Russell said.
She said she has taken all the measures she can to eliminate it.
“I noticed when I’m scrubbing like, you know, corners are always hard, but if you know, scrubbing them, they come clean, but this won’t come clean,” Russell said.
The property manager told KENS 5 an employee with the property and the regional property manager looked at the apartment and saw no mold. Russell said the only option left is to move.
“This is me and my family’s health, what do we do?” she said.
Tenants that find themselves in a similar situation should take these steps.
The first is to always put the problem in writing to a property manager.
“You do want to put things in writing so that you’ve got a record of it,” said David Mintz with the Texas Apartment Association. “So there’s no question that you’ve made that notification.”
He also recommended trying to do what you can as a renter to reduce moisture.
“A lot of times it’s just making sure that there’s not water accumulation that’s going on,” he said.
Russell said she has done both.
“I spray it down with cleaner and I brush it because I don’t want gunk on my shower wall when I’m bathing,” she said.
Contacting your city’s code enforcement is the next step.
“If your efforts to reach out to the management haven’t been successful, then code enforcement will respond to that and evaluate whether or not there really is a problem that affects health and safety and if it does, they’ll take the proper steps to try to remedy that situation,” Mintz said. “Generally, it’s harmless and I think that’s very important for people to keep that in mind when you do have mold.”
Call 311 to reach code enforcement in the City of San Antonio. Mintz said there are no federal or state standards for dealing with mold. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mold-apartment-concerns-frustrates-renter/273-1e4e6697-f9c4-46e6-8088-0ccaf4f175d7 | 2022-07-16T04:25:30 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mold-apartment-concerns-frustrates-renter/273-1e4e6697-f9c4-46e6-8088-0ccaf4f175d7 |
HARDIN, Mont. – At least six people were killed and others were injured in a major highway pileup in Montana, according to the New York Times.
The mass crash happened on Friday during a windstorm that kicked up dust, the NYT said, and authorities told them that it was caused by “near-blackout conditions.”
Sergeant Jay Nelson, a spokesman for the Montana Highway Patrol, told the NYT that the crash involved 21 vehicles, including six semi-trucks, and at the time of the interview, it was not immediately clear how many people had been injured.
According to the article, the authorities did not immediately release the names or ages of the victims.
“Everything is indicating there was an isolated weather event that caused near-blackout conditions at this location,” Sergeant Nelson said in an interview according to the NYT. “A dust storm in the area with extremely high winds is the preliminary cause of the crash.”
The crash happened around 5 p.m. and caused traffic on Interstate 90 to shut down, the NYT said, and as of about 9 p.m., the eastbound lanes were still closed, and officials were directing traffic.
On Friday evening, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte posted his response to the tragic crash on Twitter.
I'm deeply saddened by the news of a mass casualty crash near Hardin. Please join me in prayer to lift up the victims and their loved ones. We're grateful to our first responders for their service.
— Governor Greg Gianforte (@GovGianforte) July 16, 2022 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/at-least-six-killed-after-mass-casualty-crash-in-montana/ | 2022-07-16T04:25:41 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/at-least-six-killed-after-mass-casualty-crash-in-montana/ |
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg has announced a new approach to encourage the community to donate blood.
John Lynch Lodge #34 is asking first responders in the surrounding area to participate in the “Battle of the Badges,” a friendly competition to see who can give the most to support the life-saving effort.
Other members of the community are invited to give, as well.
Everyone who donates blood will receive a John Lynch Lodge #34 stress ball in the shape of a heart.
The group will also raffle off 35 sets of Lynchburg Hillcats tickets for the ball game on August 20.
The Hillcats tickets will be for First Responders night, and the game will be followed by a firework show.
“We just wanted to raise the awareness of it,” President John Lynch Lodge #34 Chief Deputy Tommy Carter said. “This time of year especially, June, July, August people are on vacation and the focus on giving blood is not as keen as it is other times of the year.”
The event will take place at the Jamerson Family YMCA at 801 Wyndhurst Dr. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
To make an appointment or to learn more about the blood donation event, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/battle-of-the-badges-blood-drive-competition-set-for-wednesday-in-lynchburg/ | 2022-07-16T04:25:47 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/battle-of-the-badges-blood-drive-competition-set-for-wednesday-in-lynchburg/ |
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Members of the Lynchburg Fire Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team are back home after being deployed to Buchanan County for the second time in less than a year.
The team was called on Wednesday to assist with the catastrophic damages that occurred there as a result of flash flooding and landslides.
Twelve volunteers were tasked with wide area searches and assessing damages to homes and vehicles.
The team also assisted in the search of submerged vehicles along the banks of the Dismal River.
“We’re thankful that we have that talent and that capability to be able to assist communities like Buchanan. We’re even more thankful that nobody was hurt and that there were no fatalities,” Lynchburg Fire Chief Greg Wormser said. “Our hearts go out to those though that are still going to be dealing with this kind of issue for really the next several days, if not weeks, as they begin to rebuild and clean up.”
The rescue team is a partnership between the City of Lynchburg and the Commonwealth and is similar to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Teams that work on both national and international emergency responses.
The Lynchburg team deployed with a variety of specialized equipment that assisted with the challenges of the area’s terrain and situation. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/lynchburg-rescue-crews-return-home-after-being-deployed-to-buchanan-county/ | 2022-07-16T04:25:53 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/lynchburg-rescue-crews-return-home-after-being-deployed-to-buchanan-county/ |
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — When you walk into Quansha-la McElmurray's apartment, you'll immediately be greeted by Ty'Shaun Prince McElmurray's photos and memorabilia.
"These are his wrestling figures," she said, showing us around."Those are the last pair of shoes that graced his feet."
On July 7, Ty'Shaun and Quansha-la were in a Douglasville home they had plans of moving to. She says around 11 p.m. that night, her life changed forever.
“He lost his life by a gun. But not purposely, you get what I’m saying? Not purposely. My child was fighting," she recalled while holding back tears. "He was fighting. Fighting.”
His mother says the 9-year-old boy got ahold of a gun and accidentally fired it. She told 11Alive it was her gun and that she has a concealed carry permit for it, but that the shell casing was not hers.
We asked her where the gun was, to which she replied, "In the home, where all guns are. For protection of the home." We asked where in the home, to which she repeated, "in the home."
She says investigators ruled it an accident and wishes she could have her son back. Now, she’s pushing through for the little boy who loved singing, football, basketball, WWE, as well as the outdoors.
“My son is my love," she said. "We grew together and we had so much more growing to do.”
Family members have set up a fundraiser to help give Ty’Shaun a proper burial.
Anthony Usher who is helping with the burial explains why this is so important to the family.
"It’s really the last time a parent can actually tuck their child in and lay them to rest," he said.
To donate, click here.
“This is the last thing I can do for my son as a mother. This is my last responsibility," Quansha-la added.
The Douglasville Police Department told 11Alive that the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is the agency investigating this case. We have reached out to DCSO for more information. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/9-year-old-killed-accidental-shooting-douglasville/85-b23b157f-5f4b-4b4a-80d0-fd899d0341df | 2022-07-16T04:31:17 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/9-year-old-killed-accidental-shooting-douglasville/85-b23b157f-5f4b-4b4a-80d0-fd899d0341df |
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Two people are dead and three kids were injured after a crash involving a tractor-trailer in Catoosa County Friday afternoon.
According to Georgia State Patrol, the crash happened at 3:17 p.m. at the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Three Notch Road. The 47-year-old driver of a Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer was driving west on Battlefield Parkway toward Three Notch Road. A Chrysler Pacifica was driving south on Three Noth Road, attempting to make a left turn onto Battlefield Parkway. GSP said both the tractor-trailer and the Chrysler entered the intersection. The tractor-trailer then ran a red light and that's when the driver struck the left side of the Chrysler, GSP said.
Two people inside the Chrysler died from their injuries at the crash scene. GSP has not identified them at this time. Three kids were also taken to the hospital for treatment and are in stable condition, according to GSP.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was arrested for driving too fast, vehicular homicide second degree (two counts), and failure to obey traffic control device (red light). He is currently in custody at the Catoosa County Jail.
GSP is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/tractor-trailer-crash-catoosa-county/85-d1797b98-d039-4012-a45c-ab07861f25e7 | 2022-07-16T04:31:18 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/tractor-trailer-crash-catoosa-county/85-d1797b98-d039-4012-a45c-ab07861f25e7 |
The fight to save a historic mansion in Brooklyn is getting some help from a Hollywood star.
Edward Norton is siding with residents and advocates who want the Jacob Dangler House designated as a city landmark. The 120-year-old mansion on Willoughby Avenue in Bed-Stuy is set to be demolished and replaced with a condominium complex.
Norton wrote a letter to the board of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, saying the mansion should be viewed as a spiritual and aesthetic connection to the past and a as a major city asset. A representative for the actor also testified on his behalf at a public hearing on Tuesday, a city official said.
The house, designed by Theobald Engelhardt, was built for Dangler, who was a prominent merchant at the turn of the 20th century. The LPC called the house in a report a “fine example of the French Gothic style that stands out in its neighborhood.” The commission also found that the home has local cultural significance as well, as it was the longtime home of a masonic organization that was almost exclusively made up of African-American women.
The LPC will vote on the designation at a later date, but that date was not clear. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/actor-edward-norton-joins-fight-to-save-historic-brooklyn-mansion/3777177/ | 2022-07-16T04:36:23 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/actor-edward-norton-joins-fight-to-save-historic-brooklyn-mansion/3777177/ |
EAST CHICAGO — A three-vehicle collision led to traffic diversions Friday night in East Chicago, the fire department said.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., fire department officials recommended vehicles take an alternate route away from Columbus Avenue and McShane Drive due to the incident.
Two people were transported to St. Catherine Hospital following the incident. Their condition is unknown. During the incident, all three vehicles' airbags deployed.
Assisting agencies included East Chicago Fire Department, East Chicago Police Department and Superior Ambulance.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
Jason Woods
Age : 31
Residence: Wolcott, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205825
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: BURGLARY - PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL ENTRY - BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Shunell Watson
Age : 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205839
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Isaiah McNeal
Age : 26
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205831
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: FRAUD - COUNTERFEITING AND APPLICATION FRAUD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Reginald Russell
Age : 30
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205828
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: FRAUD - OBTAINING PROPERTY - BY CREDIT CARD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Mariya Smith
Age : 19
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205845
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST A PERSON < 14 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jared Smithey
Age : 27
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205822
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Tanner Lewis
Age : 25
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205835
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Sydney Gonzales
Age : 27
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205846
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jenifer Joy
Age : 35
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205827
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - AGAINST A PERSON < 14 YEARS OLD - BY ADULT; RESISTING
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Anthony Casares
Age : 19
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205823
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT; THEFT - PROPERTY - FIREARM
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Rickey Stewart Jr.
Age : 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205797
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Emily Weber Brokke
Age : 22
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205785
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Stephen Miller Jr.
Age : 32
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205793
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Andres Perez
Age : 43
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205801
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: HOMICIDE - MURDER (ATTEMPTED)
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dion Pope
Age : 39
Residence: Brooklyn, NY
Booking Number(s): 2205816
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Alexa Rodriguez
Age : 18
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205817
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Cody Long
Age : 29
Residence: South Bend, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205792
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Nicole Meljanac
Age : 39
Residence: Highland, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205791
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESS LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Angela Miller
Age : 43
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205811
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Majestic Lee
Age : 24
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205808
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: FRAUD - COUNTERFEITING AND APPLICATION FRAUD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dwayne King
Age : 51
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205800
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Amari Evans
Age : 24
Residence: Indianapolis, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205787
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: FRAUD - FORGERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Howe
Age : 45
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205799
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: DEALING - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
David Keck
Age : 36
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205815
Arrest Date: July 6, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESS LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Paul Delgado
Age : 42
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205814
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Mariah Driver
Age : 22
Residence: Madison, WI
Booking Number(s): 2205813
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Brandon Clements
Age : 32
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205812
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - W/PRIOR AN UNRELATED CONVICTION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Megan Myers
Age : 27
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205766
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Samaria Porter
Age : 25
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205783
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Michael Roque
Age : 59
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205773
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION - SIMPLE; OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Kristina Delaney
Age : 34
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205776
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Brian Jablonski
Age : 33
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205770
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
James Kratkoczki
Age : 41
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205767
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Michael Lopez
Age : 36
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205779
Arrest Date: July 5, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Stephan Metcalfe
Age : 25
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205772
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dashiae Williams
Age : 20
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205748
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: HOMICIDE - MURDER (ATTEMPTED)
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Michael Wineteer
Age : 46
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205758
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: IMPERSONATION - PUBLIC SERVANT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Fabian Yanez
Age : 29
Residence: Calumet City, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205741
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Lea Vogel
Age : 39
Residence: Nineveh, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205742
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: OWI; NEGLECT OF DEPENDANT/CHILD VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Darien Small
Age : 30
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205750
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING - ESCAPE; POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Davion Stephenson
Age : 23
Residence: Country Club Hills, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205746
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Samantha Taylor
Age : 29
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205756
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION; DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
Raffinee Pedraza
Age : 37
Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205760
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jamal Simmons
Age : 27
Residence: Hazel Crest, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205734
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS (AGGRESSIVE DRIVING/SERIOUS BODILY INJURY)
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Taylen Johnson
Age : 20
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205736
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Deontae Marzette
Age : 29
Residence: Richton Park, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205759
Arrest Date: July 4, 2022
Offense Description: DEALING - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Casey Doll
Age : 27
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205744
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESS HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Raynard Donald
Age : 20
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205739
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Lauren Fuqua
Age : 22
Residence: Lynwood, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205745
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Tyrae Hayes
Age : 25
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205733
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT - VEHICLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Dominique Byndom
Age : 25
Residence: Riverdale, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205749
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Reynaldo Briseno
Age : 57
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205757
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Ronald Ruggeri
Age : 63
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205706
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Kayla Shamblin
Age : 33
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205703
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; POSSESS HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Emigdio Nodal
Age : 62
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205711
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Alexander Rodriguez
Age : 35
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205725
Arrest Date: July 3, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD; DOMESTIC BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - MODERATE BODILY INJURY; BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
John Fry
Age : 62
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205716
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: BURGLARY - PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL ENTRY - BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Ashley Jager
Age : 23
Residence: DeMotte, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205712
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Benjamin King
Age : 37
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205702
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Elizabeth Lambert
Age : 29
Residence: Bourbonnais, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205704
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Carey Carlson
Age : 40
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205717
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Vicorio Banks
Age : 27
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205710
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESS LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR; DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
Anthony Brown
Age : 47
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205705
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCY VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Malik Young
Age : 26
Residence: University Park, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205672
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: BURGLARY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Stephanie Slawinski
Age : 33
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205699
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Dashawn Wims
Age : 19
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205675
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jasmine Robinson
Age : 29
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205694
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: OWI; FAMILY OFFENSE- NEGLECT OF DEPENDANT/CHILD VIOLATIONS
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Kenneth Nuzzo
Age : 25
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205665
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cassandria Norfleet
Age : 32
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205686
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Timothy Lewis
Age : 23
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205669
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Lipsey
Age : 58
Residence: East Chicago, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205679
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Rashonda Love
Age : 33
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205659
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Dermaine Michaels
Age : 34
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205668
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: RESISTING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
James Lewis
Age : 57
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205463
Arrest Date: June 24, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Idris Doss
Age : 40
Residence: Fort Wayne, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205663
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - AGAINST PERSON W/MENTAL OR PHYSICLA DISABILITY - W/INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Savalley Evans
Age : 42
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205673
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
James Johnson
Age : 31
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2205670
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: FRAUD - DECEPTION - IDENTITY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Robert Johnston
Age : 64
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205662
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESSION - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jessica Kollwitz
Age : 34
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205683
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Danielle Bronson
Age : 37
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205696
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Celia Bruno
Age : 38
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205691
Arrest Date: July 2, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE - PRESENCE OF CHILD < 16 YEARS OLD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Bruce Burns
Age : 55
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205660
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Darius Barnes
Age : 26
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205666
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Brandon York
Age : 47
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205648
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Megan Hogan
Age : 36
Residence: Holton, MI
Booking Number(s): 2205647
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: POSSESS HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Vicki Kirkwood
Age : 53
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205655
Arrest Date: July 1, 2022
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - MODERATE BODILY INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Julian Payne
Age : 44
Residence: Lincoln, NB
Booking Number(s): 2205637
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Omar Rivera
Age : 42
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205652
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - AGGRAVATED - W/DEADLY WEAPON
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Kimberly Bouknight
Age : 37
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205649
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jordan Fletcher
Age : 20
Residence: North Judson, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205640
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: DEALING - METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Alejandro Arteaga
Age : 19
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2205645
Arrest Date: June 30, 2022
Offense Description: BATTERY - SIMPLE - TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/two-people-hospitalized-after-three-vehicle-collision/article_fa2942ca-bb08-55c4-b1ec-b124581b0b13.html | 2022-07-16T04:43:02 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/two-people-hospitalized-after-three-vehicle-collision/article_fa2942ca-bb08-55c4-b1ec-b124581b0b13.html |
INDIANAPOLIS — There was a special reunion in Decatur Township Friday that was nearly years in the making.
Firefighters at the Decatur Township Fire Department got a surprise visit from a young boy named Samuel. He was safely surrendered by his mother at the fire station's Safe Haven Baby Box in October 2020.
(NOTE: The video in the player above is from a previous story about a couple who adopted a surrendered baby.)
Friday, he came back to say hello to the team.
So far this year, six babies have been safely surrendered at boxes across the state, including three at Carmel Fire Station 45.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes are temperature-controlled and sound an alarm when an infant is placed inside, alerting firefighters. Once taken out of the box, the baby is checked by medics and taken to the hospital. Newborns who are surrendered in the boxes are usually adopted in about a month.
There are now 112 boxes installed nationwide, including 85 in Indiana. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/boy-surrendered-in-safe-haven-baby-box-in-2020-visits-firefighters-who-saved-him/531-c35a9c0a-2489-42c2-918d-97af78eb2357 | 2022-07-16T04:46:56 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/boy-surrendered-in-safe-haven-baby-box-in-2020-visits-firefighters-who-saved-him/531-c35a9c0a-2489-42c2-918d-97af78eb2357 |
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Infamous drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, has been captured by Mexican forces nearly a decade after walking out of a Mexican prison and returning to drug trafficking, an official with Mexico's navy confirmed Friday.
The source was not authorized to speak publicly and agreed to confirm the action only if not quoted by name. No further details about the capture were immediately available.
Caro Quintero walked free in 2013 after 28 years in prison when a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the 1985 kidnapping and killing of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. The brutal murder marked a low point in U.S.-Mexico relations.
Caro Quintero, the former leader of the Guadalajara cartel, had since returned to drug trafficking and unleashed bloody turf battles in the northern Mexico border state of Sonora.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has maintained that he is not interested in detaining drug lords and prefers to avoid violence.
An appeals court overturned Caro Quintero's verdict, but the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. It was too late by then; Caro Quintero was spirited off in a waiting vehicle.
He was on the FBI's most wanted list, with a $20 million reward for his capture through the State Department's Narcotics Rewards Program. He was added to the FBI's top 10 most wanted list in 2018.
Caro Quintero was one of the primary suppliers of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the United States in the late 1970s. He blamed Camarena for a raid on a marijuana plantation in 1984. In 1985, Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara, allegedly on orders from Caro Quintero. His tortured body was found a month later.
The DEA did not immediately comment.
Mike Vigil, the DEA's former chief of international operations, said Caro Quintero was believed to have been operating independently most recently, though there had been rumors he was back with the Sinaloa cartel.
Caro Quintero was from Badiraguato, Sinaloa, the same area as Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the former Sinaloa cartel leader now serving a life sentence in the United States. He eventually became one of the "godfathers" of Mexican drug trafficking.
Caro Quintero's arrest was a surprise, considering López Obrador's stated disinterest in going after drug cartel leaders, Vigil said, but he added that the DEA would never stop looking for someone who killed an agent.
"We didn't see a lot of effort (to capture Caro Quintero) in the last several years, especially when (López Obrador) came in and immediately started to dismantle a lot of the infrastructure and the bilateral relationships between the U.S. and Mexico relative to drug trafficking," Vigil said.
After seeing Caro Quintero walk out of a Mexican prison once already, Vigil said he hopes the government won't risk a repeat — Guzman twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons — and would agree to a likely U.S. extradition request.
In Sonora, one of the state's hit hardest by Caro Quintero's efforts to reclaim his territory, there was a hope his arrest could help.
"I believe in Sonora, in general, there could be calm, and yes, relief for us, because I believe the disappearances will diminish," said Cecilia Duarte, an activist with a team of volunteer searchers in Sonora who look for the clandestine graves of the disappeared. Some activists have been threatened and even killed in Sonora amid Caro Quintero's turf wars with the sons of "El Chapo."
But, Duarte said, Caro Quintero "is only part (of the conflict), the conflict doesn't end."
WATCH RELATED: Federal crackdown on Jalisco drug cartel nets hundreds of arrests (March 2020). | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mexico-captures-drug-lord-rafael-caro-quintero/509-b8dee858-165f-49d1-8686-f4a3097e042c | 2022-07-16T04:47:02 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mexico-captures-drug-lord-rafael-caro-quintero/509-b8dee858-165f-49d1-8686-f4a3097e042c |
WACO, Texas — Today, Camp Fimfo's newest site in Waco soft opened to the public. There's tons of family fun to be had and the camp's goal is to encourage families to spend time together in the great outdoors.
"Our main goal is to get people to come out and experience time with their family and be face to face one on one with each other," General Manager Craig Copeland said. "We want to provide a family-friendly atmosphere with tons of outdoor activities for people to enjoy."
The resort is one of three around the country, with locations in New Braunfels here in Texas, up north in New York, and eventually, there will be a site in California.
Today, the site opened with families parking on the RV campsite of the resort with most of the resort cabins still under construction.
The grand opening is set for August 1.
If you're not ready to make a big commitment and spend an extended stay at Camp Fimfo, you can try out a day pass. Buying a day pass, which costs $40 dollars, gives you access to all the amenities inside for the day. Copeland says the deal is especially attractive for locals.
"We do offer day passes for locals here in Waco," Copeland said. "They can come into our main Visitor Center, purchase a day pass and that will give them full access to all of our amenities on site with the pool, the splash pad, miniature golf everything that we have onsite they'll have access to it for the day."
So, you don't even have to leave Central Texas if you're looking for good family fun. Camp Fimfo offers a ton of options to enjoy time with one another and they highly encourage outdoor fun.
The Texas heat may be rough, but the big resort pool will certainly be the place to cool off when you're not enjoying the rest of the campsite.
More on KCENtv.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/camp-fimfo-soft-opens-today-in-waco-resort-promotes-fun-outdoors/500-65018309-bf0d-4b81-be4a-e20dd7f85f37 | 2022-07-16T04:51:37 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/camp-fimfo-soft-opens-today-in-waco-resort-promotes-fun-outdoors/500-65018309-bf0d-4b81-be4a-e20dd7f85f37 |
Clinton Township man killed in bulldozer accident, police say
A construction worker died Friday in Chesterfield Township in what police are calling a "horrible accident" involving a bulldozer.
Chesterfield Township police and fire departments and an ambulance service were called to New Center Boulevard south of 21 Mile Road just after 11 a.m. Friday for a report of an injured construction worker struck by a bulldozer, police said in a news release.
The victim was a 53-year-old man from Clinton Township, police said. Police did not identify him by his name.
The bulldozer operator, whom police described as cooperating with the investigation, was moving concrete at the time of the incident.
Police said alcohol or drugs were not believed to be involved in the accident.
The body was turned over to the Macomb County Medical Examiner's Office, according to the release.
An investigation was ongoing.
jgrzelewski@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @JGrzelewski | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/15/clinton-township-man-killed-bulldozer-accident-police/10075962002/ | 2022-07-16T05:05:41 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/07/15/clinton-township-man-killed-bulldozer-accident-police/10075962002/ |
TAMPA, Fla. — A team of four people now has a job to stop unlicensed contractors who break the law and leave homeowners with expensive problems to fix.
The city of Tampa created the Construction Activity Compliance Team — with a fraud investigator, two code enforcement officers and a support specialist.
Why was the team created? Since 2019, in the city of Tampa alone, there have been 2,000 complaints about illegal construction. Unlicensed contractors have become a big problem across the Bay area.
Tampa says this team will streamline the investigation process to stop work before it's too late.
Before the team came around, Code Enforcement was tasked with investigating construction complaints, issuing stop-work orders and notices of violation along with other duties, city leaders explain in a news release.
"Unlicensed construction work can lead to serious problems, not just from a health and safety standpoint, but also a financial one," Chief Building Official JC Hudgison said in a statement. "Unpermitted work can saddle homeowners with big expenses bringing a property into compliance."
"With our new team and hotline, we hope to streamline communication with the community to identify and address illegal construction activity as quickly as possible," he added.
Moving forward, notices of violation will be issued simultaneously with stop-work orders.
"This begins the legal process and sets a deadline for the offender to come into compliance," city leaders explain in the release.
If not completed by the deadline set in place, they can be fined up to $1,000 a day.
"I am proud of our Development and Growth Management team for identifying this issue and taking action to ensure we have the tools to tackle it as effectively as possible," Mayor Jane Castor said in a statement. "With home buyers eager to close on homes right now, it is imperative we enhance our procedures to protect them from possible compliance issues down the line, and we urge those looking to do work to follow the rules, just as so many countless others do."
"Our staff is always available to answer questions and help developers and homeowners navigate the permitting and inspection process," the city says. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/tampa-construction-activity-compliance-team/67-e8b0292f-9c1d-4e5b-9f47-ffcb5e100362 | 2022-07-16T05:05:43 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/tampa-construction-activity-compliance-team/67-e8b0292f-9c1d-4e5b-9f47-ffcb5e100362 |
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s been a little over a year since the disastrous Piney Point leak that poured 200 million gallons of untreated wastewater into Tampa Bay.
Now, drillers say they’ve reached the desired depth for the injection well that’s going to put treated wastewater from the facility’s reservoirs deep into the ground.
“I don’t trust it at all," Skye Grundy, a lifetime Manatee County neighbor who lives less than a mile away from the drill site, said. "Not at all, you don’t know what’s going to happen over time.”
Grundy had to quickly evacuate her family during the leak last Spring.
Since then, she says not enough has been done to make her feel safe about the deep-injection well that will be pumping a million gallons of wastewater into the ground every day for two years.
“I would actually prefer them to bring us city water," Grundy said, speaking about county leaders. "I think that as a part of the emergency money that they got, that should have been first in their plans. To take care of the residents, to make sure that we’re safe. That’s not happening. They have not come out and tested our water.”
Pete Larkin, a rep from the consulting firm hired by the county at the injection site said the desired depth of the dig is deeper in the ground than the aquifer where drinking water comes from. He says the drinking water aquifer, and the aquifer where the wastewater will be pumped, are separated by a thick underground layer.
“It is not used for any other purposes in this region," Larkin said. "It is a good zone for the purposes of what we’re trying to accomplish here.”
So, we asked...what are the chances of this polluting drinking water in the area?
"It’s almost impossible for that to happen, in our opinion," Larkin said. "Just based on the data that we’ve collected on this confining unit, and how dense it is. We feel like there’s just not an opportunity for that to interact with the overlying underground sources of drinking water."
But Grundy says, at this point, she just can’t trust that.
“We’re the ones who are going to deal with the outcomes," she said.
The Florida Department of Environment Protection is overseeing the project, saying they plan to ensure that this is “the last chapter in the long history of Piney Point.” Drillers say they still have to build a pre-treatment plant on the site, and are racing to get it done by the 2023 rainy season. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/piney-point-deep-injection-well-concerns-from-neighbors/67-4c1f6060-a222-437d-8303-581cae83fe6b | 2022-07-16T05:05:49 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/piney-point-deep-injection-well-concerns-from-neighbors/67-4c1f6060-a222-437d-8303-581cae83fe6b |
A $502,500 bond was set Friday afternoon for a Fort Wayne man charged with 11 drug-related felonies.
Fort Wayne police officers arrested Melvin D. Green, 32, of the 2700 block of South Harrison Street after a traffic stop Thursday.
Detectives recovered 30 grams of fentanyl and 1.3 grams of marijuana from Green’s vehicle after detaining it at Pontiac Street and Fleetwood Avenue, law enforcement officials said. Undercover detectives had also bought fentanyl from Green before the Thursday stop, according to a news release.
Using those purchases and surveillance of Green, members of the Fort Wayne Police Department Vice and Narcotics Division were able to file preliminary charges on him and get a warrant to search his home, the news release said.
In Green’s home, detectives found almost 10 grams of fentanyl and 3.1 grams of heroin. They also found two semi-automatic handguns, $1,600 in U.S. currency and two scales, according to the release.
Police continue to investigate.
Green was charged with four counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, each count carrying a sentence of 10 to 30 years. He was also charged with two counts of dealing in cocaine of 5 to 10 grams and faces sentences of three to 16 years on each of those counts.
The Allen County prosecutor’s office has also charged Green with three counts of dealing cocaine between 1 and 5 grams, which carry sentences of two to 12 years, and a count of dealing cocaine (no weight amount listed), which carries a sentence of one to six years.
The final felony filed against Green is maintaining a common nuisance, which has a sentence of six months to 28 months.
Green had his initial hearing Friday to set bond, but no trial date is listed yet. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-faces-11-drug-related-felonies/article_5cf05fbc-0494-11ed-8591-db187847586d.html | 2022-07-16T05:15:18 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/fort-wayne-man-faces-11-drug-related-felonies/article_5cf05fbc-0494-11ed-8591-db187847586d.html |
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At 13 feet tall, the new statue of Shawnee War Chief Blue Jacket towered over those taking photos in front of it after Friday’s dedication.
It’s the only known statue of Blue Jacket, who unified competing tribes along the Wabash River from southern Ohio to northeast Indiana, said Lee Bluejacket, a descendant of the war chief.
The nonprofit named after the chief, Blue Jacket Inc., erected the statue on the lot just south of its building at 2826 S. Calhoun St.
Blue Jacket Inc. provides tools, training and opportunities for those who have trouble finding work. That includes helping those out of the prison system rebuild their lives and helping those with disabilities get jobs that pay a living wage.
The lot with the statue, until recently vacant, now has a gazebo, flag poles and decorative landscaping surrounding the depiction of Blue Jacket. Tony Hudson, Blue Jacket’s executive director, said the statue and new grounds are a start to revitalizing the Calhoun commercial corridor.
“Our message to the community is that we believe in these neighborhoods.” Hudson said.
The Blue Jacket statue project began with a $20,000 budget, he said. As the organization realized it would be better to improve the entire grounds next to their building, the cost ran to $125,000, helped by the city’s façade program and multiple donors.
Hudson said after the ceremony that a goal of Blue Jacket is to bring arts to the corridor. “Aesthetic improvement makes way for economic improvement and community improvement,” he added.
The statue was created by local artist Sayaka Ganz, who specializes in using reclaimed metal and plastic in her work. Hudson introduced her as one of the most prolific and best-known modern artists from Fort Wayne.
One of her sculptures, of Abraham Lincoln, is in the Lincoln Financial building. Blue Jacket is the largest she’s done, and she saw it as a great responsibility.
“I really do think this is the highlight of my career,” Ganz said.
Her metal depiction of Blue Jacket has him looking northeast while riding atop a swan and holding a tomahawk. The swan is an important symbol in Shawnee mythology, and the story is that the tribe came out of the water riding a swan, she said.
Some of the larger pieces of metal she used came from the building next to the TekVenture Inc. after a fire, she said. She sees that as a symbolic reclamation. She worked with Lee Bluejacket to get the sculpture details historically correct.
For the subject, “I really wanted to capture the dignity, diplomacy and trust,” Ganz said.
Hudson said in his speech that many descriptions of the chief noted his noble appearance and charisma.
Blue Jacket, known as Weyapiersenwah in his native language, united the Shawnee, Miami, Delaware, Huron and Potawatomi nations in the Fort Wayne area with Chief Little Turtle, using trade to facilitate the relationship.
In 1791, Blue Jacket gave the U.S. Army its worst defeat in a fight against Native Americans in the Battle of St. Clair on the Wabash River banks.
Hudson named his organization after Blue Jacket because of his college studies in Native American arts and his continued studies of Native Americans in Fort Wayne when he returned.
The organization will open Tall Rabbit coffeehouse for training and employment during the next few months, its name chosen from one of Blue Jacket’s nicknames. It will be at 2001 S. Calhoun St.
Lee Bluejacket, who was one of 16 descendants of the war chief who came to the dedication, told the audience that his family feels that what Blue Jacket Inc. does is in keeping with their ancestor’s spirit.
The war chief faced overwhelming odds while trying to preserve Shawnee land, fought adversity and came through it well. The clients of Blue Jacket are also facing adversity in their lives.
“Sometimes people just need an opportunity,” Bluejacket said. “Just give them an opportunity, and they’ll show you how good they are.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/nonprofit-blue-jacket-honors-namesake-shawnee-chief-with-calhoun-street-statue/article_b32cc5f6-0470-11ed-a7a6-8348d61dde31.html | 2022-07-16T05:15:30 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/nonprofit-blue-jacket-honors-namesake-shawnee-chief-with-calhoun-street-statue/article_b32cc5f6-0470-11ed-a7a6-8348d61dde31.html |
Allen County’s new jail facility is expected to be built on a property near Adams Center and Paulding roads.
The Allen County commissioners said Friday they’ve decided the new home of the county jail will be on the property at 5080 Adams Center Road, where the Allen County Sheriff’s Regional Training Facility is located. The location is dependent on approval from the Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals.
U.S. District Judge Damon Leichty ordered the commissioners to come up with a plan as a result of a lawsuit filed by inmate Vincent Morris against the county commissioners and the sheriff in January 2020.
The lawsuit alleged the Allen County Jail in downtown Fort Wayne is chronically overcrowded and understaffed, leading to numerous problems that threaten and cause inmates’ injuries. The American Civil Liberties Union later joined the lawsuit.
Leichty in late March issued a permanent injunction in which he agreed with the plaintiffs and ordered county officials to respond with solutions within 45 days.
The commissioners submitted a plan in May that Leichty said was insufficient. The commissioners have been looking for 70 acres of land and have been unsuccessful – aside from the Adams Center Road property that the county already owns.
In June, Commissioner Nelson Peters said environmental testing showed the 200-acre site wasn’t suitable for the construction of a jail. Peters said Friday that part of the land isn’t suitable, but the county is hopeful it will be able to make about 70 acres work for the new jail complex.
The commissioners said in a news conference this year that Three Rivers Horse Trails is planning to put a 5-mile riding trail on the site. Commissioner Rich Beck said the property is large enough for a new jail complex and the horse trail.
Peters expressed frustration at the timeline being enforced by the court.
“It really is disappointing that the ACLU and a federal mandate have pushed us into a situation where we got to do something, we got to do something now,” he said. “Is the property that’s been selected the best property for this project? I don’t know, but we’ve not really been given the time to vet this time the way it needs to be vetted.”
The new facility is expected to have 1,100 beds and room for future growth, the court report said. The current jail was built to hold 732 inmates.
Beck said the downtown location of the current jail is not an option.
“That parcel is a very small postage stamp parcel with an elephant sitting on it,” Beck said. “Going up vertically is not the answer.”
The commissioners’ report includes several dates as benchmarks for the project: programming and concept by Sept. 30, schematic design by Dec. 31, design development by April 30, and construction documents by Sept. 30, 2023. The county expects to put the project out for bid Nov. 30, 2023, with construction beginning in April 2024.
The jail’s completion is estimated for April 2027. The project is expected to cost $350 million, Peters said Friday.
The sheriff’s department also submitted a report to the court Thursday. From June 11 to July 11, the jail’s population ranged from 657 to 720. Last year, the jail frequently held more than 800 inmates.
The next hearing for the lawsuit is set for Aug. 25. Leichty is expected to share his opinions on the plans then.
Help Not Handcuffs and others have asked that the commissioners and justice system focus on what they say is the root of the problem: unaddressed mental health needs.
Beck said the commissioners aren’t forgetting mental health concerns. The commissioners have continued to work with state-level officials to explore possible funding resources to address mental illnesses in the jail.
“That is a critical part of this issue when the vast majority of your population in your jail are mental health patients. We’ve got to address that, and we will,” Beck said. “We just don’t know what that looks like.”
The commissioners approved hiring Barnes & Thornburg of Indianapolis as bond counsel for the jail project. The commissioners previously hired Elevatus Architecture to draft the plans. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/county-to-build-new-jail-in-southeast-allen/article_df991ca2-0452-11ed-a274-5bec104572ff.html | 2022-07-16T05:15:36 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/county-to-build-new-jail-in-southeast-allen/article_df991ca2-0452-11ed-a274-5bec104572ff.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department said officers are investigating after a shooting in North Austin.
APD said Friday night that someone fired gunshots in a busy area of The Domain. Bullet holes were found in the side of Dr. Martens, which is one of the businesses on Rock Rose Avenue.
Police said that no one was hurt in the incident.
No other details were immediately available.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-gunshots-fired-the-domain-north-austin/269-dd29c637-510a-4051-972e-d26e5b868edc | 2022-07-16T05:43:31 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-gunshots-fired-the-domain-north-austin/269-dd29c637-510a-4051-972e-d26e5b868edc |
GALLIPOLIS, OH (WOWK) — Mental health is a challenge people of all ages struggle with.
For teenagers and younger children in Meigs, Gallia and Jackson counties who are dealing with this crisis, they will soon have a local option for treatment once a new facility in Gallipolis becomes operational.
The Gallia-Jackson-Meigs ADAMH Board has partnered with Hopewell Health Centers and the Gallia County Board of Commissioners to transform a portion of the former Gallipolis Developmental Center grounds into a youth crisis center.
It’s been almost 30 years since this area has had a crisis center designed for those high school age and younger. We spoke with area youth, and they say they believe this will be a great new addition to the area.
“I feel like having a center like that for kids is going to be really helpful for them,” says youth worker Tristan Janey.
Instead of waiting for treatment in a facility out of the area, this local center will offer the same services, but in a more convenient location.
The goal of this project is to eliminate the need to visit a hospital emergency mental health department or travel long distances for unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization.
This new facility was made possible through funding from Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services and a grant from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia/Appalachian Regional Commission. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/youth-mental-health-crisis-center-to-serve-jackson-meigs-and-gallia-counties/ | 2022-07-16T05:55:40 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/youth-mental-health-crisis-center-to-serve-jackson-meigs-and-gallia-counties/ |
Bill Loyd Robinson
January 13, 1932-July 13, 2022
CLARION-Bill Loyd Robinson, 90, of Mason City and formerly Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Knights of Columbus Hall, 551 South Taft Avenue in Mason City. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion at a later date.
Bill Robinson, son of Loyd and Vera Robinson, was born January 13, 1932 in Clarion. Bill graduated from Clarion High School in 1951. He married Frances A. Nelson at Alden United Methodist Church in Alden on December 4, 1955.
He served his country during the Korean War in the US Army. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Iowa to work at his dad's dealership in Clarion.
In 1957, Bill and Frances moved to Mason City where Bill was employed at Hathorn Motor Parts, Mason City Volkswagen and Harley Davidson Motorcycles.
He enjoyed photography, reading, fishing at Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota, listing to the Iowa Hawkeyes and watching open wheel car racing. Bill was baptized and a member of Clarion Church of Christ.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Frances; sister Janet Arndorfer; sisters-in-law Jeanette Robinson and Peggy Robinson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and fur person, Lucy.
He is preceded in death by his parents Loyd and Vera Robinson; sister Shirley Robinson; brothers Richard Robinson and Roger Robinson; brother-in-law John Arndorfer; mother and father-in-law Arthur and Fannie Nelson; and special fur persons Mitzy, Kelly, Robin, and Molly.
www.ewingfh.com, Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East, Clarion, Iowa 50525, 515-532-2233 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/bill-loyd-robinson/article_d98256dc-fa7f-528b-b368-07a57c5edec9.html | 2022-07-16T05:56:34 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/bill-loyd-robinson/article_d98256dc-fa7f-528b-b368-07a57c5edec9.html |
Santiago Carvallo, 5 months, of Eagle Grove, died Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at the Iowa Specialty Hospital-Belmond. Arrangements: Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond.
Bill Robinson, 90, of Mason City, formerly Clarion, died Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City. Arrangements: Ewing Funeral Home in Clarion.
Bonnie Jean Seifert, 84, died Thursday, July 14, 2022, at MercyOne Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City. Arrangements: Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/globe-death-notices/article_98acb01e-dd9b-5e83-8843-2669de473688.html | 2022-07-16T05:56:40 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/death-notices/globe-death-notices/article_98acb01e-dd9b-5e83-8843-2669de473688.html |
Larry James Waller
February 27, 1940-June 29, 2022
Larry James Waller, 82, of Cumming, GA, unexpectedly passed away at Northside Forsyth Hospital on June 29, 2022 at 12:35pm.
Larry was born on February 27, 1940 in Mason City, IA, to Franklin Riley Waller and Gracia Bernadine Kaiser (Van Blair). He has one sister, Linda Jarrar.
He graduated from Rockford High School, Rockford, IA in 1958, where he jokingly bragged that he was in the top 25 of 30 in his class. While in high school, Larry played football, basketball, ran track, played the trombone in band and sang in choir. Shortly after graduating, he joined the Army where he earned an Expert Shooting medal and was selected for the 7th Army football team that played throughout Europe.
After leaving the Army, he attended college and took a job bartending. In 1967, he got his start in the Chamber of Commerce world as Chamber Manager in Marion, IA and never looked back. He served the chamber profession for more than 30 years, including as president of the chambers in Billings, MT, Rapid City, SD, Cedar Rapids, IA, and Huntsville, AL. He would move to Atlanta, GA in 1998 where he would work as a Chamber consultant and fundraising coordinator, finally retiring in 2010.
From 1989-1990, Larry served as Chairman of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE). In 2006, he received the Life Member Award, the Chamber profession's highest honor. Larry received numerous other awards during his career and continued to give back to his community, later as an active member of the Rotary Club of Forsyth-Lanier and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
On September 26, 1993, Larry married Julie Cole (Petrak) on the island of Maui.
When he was not working, Larry enjoyed playing golf and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was a lifelong baseball fan, coaching many of his son Jeff's childhood teams. He even eventually shifted his allegiance from his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers to the Atlanta Braves. He also enjoyed relaxing on the beach at his condo in Orange Beach, AL.
Larry is survived by his wife of 28 years, Julie Waller of Cumming, GA. Children Jeff Waller (Beth) of Davenport, IA, Jenifer Morse (David) of Williams, OR, Tina Cooley (Chris) of Huntsville, AL and John White (Kelly) of Winder, GA. Grandchildren, Logan Waller, Mason Waller, Brandon Morse, Dylan Morse, Christina Cooley, Jenson Cooley, Shawn White, Kyle White, Kenzie White, and Leia Rosser. Sister Linda Jarrar (Kaiser) of La Verne, CA and his niece, Janeen Jarrar in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. And Cappy, his feline companion that hates all humans except his Larry, who he continues to look for around the house.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; Franklin Waller and Gracia Bernadine Kaiser (Van Blair), brother-in-law; Sharif Jarrar, and nephew; Ramsey Jarrar.
Visitation will be held at McDonald and Sons Funeral Home, on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 1:00pm – 2:00pm. A celebration of life, with military honors, will be in the chapel of the funeral home at 2:00pm officiated by Rev. Bruce Petty, a dear friend of Larry's from weekly bible study. No procession will follow. A live stream will be available for those that are unable to travel but would like to attend. At www.mcondaldandson.com, you will be able to view a recording of the service as well as leave condolences for the family.
Larry's professional life was all about championing local businesses and organizations. With that in mind, in lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the following organizations in his name:
Rotary Club of Lanier-Forsyth, PO Box 3166, Cumming, GA 30028 www.rotary.org/en/donate; or
Skyland Trail (www.skylandtrail.org), a mental health 501(c)3 non-profit in Brookhaven, GA; or Cattyshack, Inc (www.cattyshackhuntsville.org), a nonprofit cat rescue and cat lounge, Huntsville, AL.
Arrangements by McDonald and Son Funeral Home, 150 Sawnee Drive, Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 886.9899. www.mcdonaldandson.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/larry-james-waller/article_571be9db-0e95-5030-94cf-ac340201b6db.html | 2022-07-16T05:56:46 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/larry-james-waller/article_571be9db-0e95-5030-94cf-ac340201b6db.html |
Michael “Mike” McClung
January 13, 1959-July 14, 2022
MASON CITY-Michael “Mike” McClung, 63, of Mason City, died Thursday, July 14, 2022 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30AM, Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St., Mason City, IA 50401. Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice and their staff as well as the physicians, nurses, and staff at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics and MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
Mike was born on January 13, 1959, in Mason City, son of Charles and Virginia (Erickson) McClung. He graduated from Newman High School with the class of 1977. He joined the Iowa National Guard 3657th Maintenance Battalion in his mid-twenties, serving at Camp Dodge, and made life-long friends. Mike held a variety of jobs; most notably Taylor Plumbing and Kraft Foods. He retired from Kraft Foods after 25 years with a “PhD” in sensitivity training.
Mike was a determined man. Once he had his mind set, there was no stopping him. He was a jack of all trades and could fix anything after he took a look at it. He was a life-long Twins fan. He enjoyed spending his afternoons and evenings in the garage with friends and neighbors. He was an incredible host, and always had time and a beverage for everyone. He was popular with the families in the neighborhood; especially the kids and dogs. He was feared by all the neighborhood jack and ground squirrels. Mike's life was his nieces and nephews; he always wanted to spend time with them and he has nicknames for every one of them. He gave himself the title of “Gummy” (Great-uncle Mike) when his great-niece was born. Mike enjoyed watching the weather channel and Ancient Aliens. He also loved hunting and fishing with his friends and family. Special memories include trips to Wyoming and turkey camp with his nephews. Trips to Sam's Club were always a costly adventure with his nieces and nephews. He was an amazing big brother and his family will greatly miss his Sunday night phone calls.
Mike is survived by his mother, Virginia; siblings, Dave (Debra) McClung, Janice (Derald) Holtkamp, Julie (Christine) McClung, Scott McClung; nieces and nephews, Christopher McClung, Daniel (Abbey) McClung; Joshua, Isaac and Audrey Holtkamp; Collin and Alexis McClung; great-niece, Mallory McClung; and great-nephew Maverick McClung.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Charles; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel is serving the family. ColonialChapels.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/michael-mike-mcclung/article_2e627070-5dcd-5e92-b6ce-0a2d7c953a21.html | 2022-07-16T05:56:53 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/michael-mike-mcclung/article_2e627070-5dcd-5e92-b6ce-0a2d7c953a21.html |
Terry L. Haxton
May 7, 1961-July 12, 2022
GRAFTON-Terry L. Haxton, 61, of Grafton passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. A private memorial service will be held at Major Erickson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Inurnment will be held in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family of Terry Haxton. Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com
Terry was born on May 7, 1961, in Mason City, IA, son of Jerry D. and Aivetta (Neve) Haxton. At a very young age, Terry showed interest and talent for baseball. He spent most of his formative years stirring up the dust at the “North End” little league diamonds. Terry was a Mason City High School graduate and played baseball for the Mohawks. During these same teen years, Terry also started playing fast-pitch softball for various local teams. He would go on to play for the Mason City Bud-Poodle well into his 30s. Some of his fondest memories were the good times and friendships made during his softball career.
Terry worked sales for various companies over the years such as Jaydon, Somody, Yelland and Hanes, and Pepsi. He ended his working years at the Mason City Community School District as Grounds Foreman. Terry entered into early retirement in 2012 for various health issues.
Terry married the love of his life, June, on August 11, 1979. This union was blessed with four children, many little league games, camping trips, and fishing. Terry truly was an outdoorsman. He was a Mohawk Archery Club member and also belonged to the Lunker Club. He especially loved going to their cabin in Ontario. Deer and Turkey hunting were also some of his favorite sports.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, June (Long) Haxton of Grafton; his mother, Aivetta (Neve) Haxton of Mason City; his children, Nick Haxton of Mason City, Daniel Haxton of Grafton, Jennifer Haxton of Grafton, and Derek (Ashley West) Haxton of Northwood; seven grandchildren, Tyler Briggs, Jacob Briggs, Kaylee Haxton, Gracie Haxton, Harper Haxton, Hudson Haxton, and Leo Carillo; two brothers, Mark (Suzanne Shaffer) Haxton of Mason City, and Tim Haxton (special friend, Debbie Curry) of LeRoy, MN; one sister, Lori Haxton (special friend, Troy Pals) of Mason City; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Terry was preceded in death by his father, Jerry D. Haxton; two brothers, Michael Haxton and Jeff Haxton; grandparents, Bernard and Kay (Steenhard) Neve, and Clarence and Anna (Duda) Haxton.
The family of Terry L. Haxton would like to extend their appreciation and thanks to MercyOne, University of Iowa Hospitals, and especially St. Croix Hospice.
Arrangements are with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, Iowa 50401,
641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/terry-l-haxton/article_5329332f-00f2-58e6-8950-ba761c617665.html | 2022-07-16T05:56:59 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/obituaries/terry-l-haxton/article_5329332f-00f2-58e6-8950-ba761c617665.html |
Eleanor (nee Bahleda) Surdy
MUNSTER - Eleanor (nee Bahleda) Surdy, 91, of Munster passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (fiance Rick Shettles) Vasilak; son, Bob (Karen) Markovich; grandchildren: Casey Vasilak, Kimberly, Steven and Nicholas Markovich; sister, LoAnn (Joseph) Lux; She was preceded in death by her husbands: Joseph Markovich in 1967 and Eugene Surdy in 2014.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carmelite Monastery, 1628 Ridge Road, Munster, IN. Interment at St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery, Hammond, IN. Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Monastery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Redemption Rescue (www.redemptionrescueinc.com) Noblesville, IN.
Eleanor was the best mom in the world and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her. www.kishfuneralhome.net | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/eleanor-nee-bahleda-surdy/article_cf160bef-3caa-53c2-9848-d56d11a877e2.html | 2022-07-16T06:19:25 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/eleanor-nee-bahleda-surdy/article_cf160bef-3caa-53c2-9848-d56d11a877e2.html |
Genevieve I. Shoup (nee Franz)
April 1, 1925 - July 11, 2022
CROWN POINT - Genevieve Shoup (nee Franz), age 97, of Crown Point, IN, formerly of Merrillville, IN passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022.
Genevieve is survived by her children: Duane Shoup of Minnesota, Linda (Dan) Adams of Lowell, IN, James (the late Patty) Shoup of Crown Point, IN and David Shoup of Crown Point, IN; four grandchildren: Sarah Shoup, Dustin (Kim) Adams, Amy (Michael) Pantageo and Stephanie Slager; great-grandchildren: Isabella Adams, Ethan Slager, Lennon McCullagh; and many nieces and nephews.
Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband, John E. Shoup; parents: Balzer and Ella Franz; and granddaughter, Kelly Adams.
Genevieve was a former nurse at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and a volunteer at St. Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point. She was also a member of ARCS Senior Group (St. Joan of Arc). Genevieve loved to bake. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will be dearly missed.
Friends may visit with the family on Monday, July 18, 2022, at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Calumet Park Cemetery in Merrillville, IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Genevieve's name to a charity of your choice.
Visit Genevieve's online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/genevieve-i-shoup-nee-franz/article_6399f286-f388-53ed-a959-88332f69100c.html | 2022-07-16T06:19:31 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/genevieve-i-shoup-nee-franz/article_6399f286-f388-53ed-a959-88332f69100c.html |
Helen Wein
July 27, 1931 - July 11, 2022
ST. JOHN - Helen Wein, age 90, of St. John, IN went to be reunited with the Lord and her family on Monday, July 11, 2022. She was born on July 27, 1931 to the late Joseph T. and Margaret (Hasse) Wein. Helen has been a resident of St. John all of her life. She spent her entire life in the family farm house that she was born in.
She leaves behind seven loving nieces and nephews: Michael (Patti) Wein of Brentwood, TN, Debbie (Marty) Spannan of Lowell, IN, Julie (Russ) Bauer of Kouts, IN, Cindy (Rick) Raducha of Wheatfield, IN, Peggy (Dan) Spence of Danville, IN, Paulette (Jason) Cunningham of Lawton, MI, Nick (Stacey) Wein of Chesterton, IN; as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews.
Helen was a beautiful soul. For many years, she served on the St. John Historical Society and devoted much of her time to that. Her ancestors, the late John and Matilda Hack were the original settlers of St. John. She maintained the Hack Cemetery on 101st Ave. in St. John down from the family farm. She worked at Art Hill Ford for 42 years as an office manager and wore many hats throughout her time there. St. John the Evangelist Parish was her home church. She was very active when she was able to attend. Helen occupied her time making memories with her family and treating any and every animal with the same kindness and compassion she did to a friend, neighbor or stranger. Her infectious smile and zest for life will never be forgotten.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Margaret Wein; as well as her brothers: Joe, Paul (Joann) Wein, John (Marie) Wein; and her nephew, Jeff (Kristin); and great-niece, Emma Wein.
Family and friends may visit on Monday, July 18, 2022 from 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home - 8178 Cline Ave. Crown Point, IN 46307 in the Gregory Shapen Memorial Chapel. A funeral service for Helen will begin promptly at 1:00 P.M. with Deacon Bill Sayre will be officiating. Burial to follow in the Garden of Madonna at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Helen's name to the Hospice of the Calumet Area - www.hospicecalumet.org/donate
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Wein family. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/helen-wein/article_a04843e0-33ea-5775-83d0-3be13bdad1b3.html | 2022-07-16T06:19:38 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/helen-wein/article_a04843e0-33ea-5775-83d0-3be13bdad1b3.html |
Jayce Ryan Haney
May 21, 1986 - July 16, 2004
IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAYCE RYAN HANEY ON HIS 18TH ANNIVERSARY IN HEAVEN.
We cried when you passed away, we still cry today. Although we loved you dearly, we couldn't make you stay. Your golden heart stopped beating, hard -working hands at rest, GOD broke our hearts to prove to us HE only takes the best.
Missing you always, Dad, Mom, Kristina, Taylor, Ryan, Melissa, Hayley, Ryder, Ryker and all of your Family & Friends (We love you Uncle Jayce and Rocky.) | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/jayce-ryan-haney/article_879b7716-1de3-5d97-bde1-1fa2eaefeea8.html | 2022-07-16T06:19:44 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/jayce-ryan-haney/article_879b7716-1de3-5d97-bde1-1fa2eaefeea8.html |
MaryLou Pishkur
Sept. 7, 1934 - July 13, 2022
VALPARAISO - MaryLou Pishkur, age 87, of Valparaiso, IN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. MaryLou grew up in Miller, IN and attended Wirt High School. She retired from Indiana Bell (now AT&T) with 32 years of service, where she began her career as a telephone operator and ascended to a management level position.
Born MaryLou Smith to Dr. Robert Smith and Mary (nee Foxall). There are not enough words to describe her love, kindness, and selflessness. Her greatest joy was seeing her children graduate from school, thrive in their careers, watching them grow and have families of their own. Some of MaryLou's happiest moments were those spent with her grandchildren. She had a talent for baking pastries, especially her nut and apricot kolachy cookies that were enjoyed by family and friends. Reading, ceramics, and sewing were her favorite hobbies, but her passion was cross-stitching gifts for people she loved.
MaryLou is survived by her children: Jennifer (Matthew) Gariup, John (Laura) Pishkur, Jody (Elizabeth) Pishkur; grandchildren: Dr. Michael Gariup, Andrew Gariup, Carson, Chloe, Olivia, Charlie, and Clare Pishkur; sister, Delores (Joe) Shane; sisters-in-law: Carol Smith, Mary (late Nick) Geras, Liz (Bernie) Beckham; friend and caretaker, Linda Sherrington; and many nieces and nephews.
MaryLou was preceded in death by her dear husband of 63 years, Edward Pishkur; her beloved son, Jeffery; and her brother, Donald Smith.
Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Nativity of Our Savior Catholic Church, 2949 Willowcreek Rd, Portage, IN 46368 from 10:00 A.M. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Kevin McCarthy officiating.
Interment to follow at Chapel Lawn and Memorial Gardens in Crown Point, IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in MaryLou's name to Dunes Hospice.
Visit MaryLou's online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/marylou-pishkur/article_a2fa939b-e314-5d77-933d-d61411ae1f2a.html | 2022-07-16T06:19:46 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/marylou-pishkur/article_a2fa939b-e314-5d77-933d-d61411ae1f2a.html |
MESA, Ariz. — Over sections of green grass, surrounded by fencing, Vic Linoff searches for the next plot.
"It's a thrill," Linoff, a historian, said.
He's walking through Mesa's Cemetery, full of history, not just for the city, but the country too.
"Every one of these people had lives and some were ordinary, some were extraordinary," Linoff said.
Linoff sees the cemetery differently than some might, maybe because of those who stay here.
"There are over 38,000 permanent residents," Linoff said with a smile. "Not winter visitors, permanent residents."
Linoff said that's nearly the population of Sun City.
The cemetery is technically full, Linoff said, but it's been expanded and more land has been recently acquired by the City of Mesa to keep expanding.
One of those 38,000 includes Waylon Jennings, the legendary musician who pioneered the outlaw movement in country music.
"Usually you can spot it because it's probably the most visited grave in the cemetery," Linoff said.
Jennings' black stone grave marker, with a picture of his smiling face, stands out from the others in its row. It's larger, and one of the more decorated ones in the row.
On this particular day, the marker has flowers and a can of beer, along with coins left by people who've stopped by.
It's not the only grave of someone well-known in the city's cemetery.
"In the confines of this cemetery is one of the most infamous people in US history," Linoff said.
Linoff is referring to the grave of Ernesto Miranda, of Miranda Rights.
Even though in June, the Supreme Court ruled police officers can't be sued if they don't properly tell people under arrest of those rights.
"That resulted in a major change in which the way arrests were made," Linoff said, referring to the original Supreme Court case.
In between their graves, lie many who most passing by may not know.
"Every one of these headstones tells some story," Linoff said.
But their graves and stories are still equally important. Among them, include Dr. Lucious Alston, an African American doctor who lived in the Washington-Escobedo neighborhood.
"He was practicing medicine when there was significant segregation in the city," Linoff said.
Others, hold special plaques, marking those who spent 177 days aboard the Brooklyn Pioneer and survived. The ship made the trek from the east coast to the west coast.
"They got blown off course, almost to Africa, had to go all the way around South America," Linoff said.
Their graves lie in the older portion of the cemetery. It's easier to spot with actual headstones versus grave markers.
Some of the graves in the cemetery weren't even originally buried at the current location off of Center Street and Brown Road.
The first location of Mesa's cemetery was built just south of there at Center Street and University Drive in 1183. But Linoff said the smallpox outbreak gave evidence that the city would need more room to bury people.
Linoff said Native Americans were hired to dig up those graves at the original site and move them to the current cemetery in 1891.
Still, others have graves that go unmarked. Like Alexander McPherson's grave.
"He was the first African-American that we know of to take residency within the city limits," Linoff said.
The limits of the cemetery hold children, mothers, fathers and good Mesa High School football players.
"There's so many sad stories in the cemetery, this is one of the saddest," Linoff said, standing in front of a dark-colored headstone.
Zedo Ishikawa was just 17 years old when he died. Linoff said he accidentally shot himself while trying to separate a pair of fighting dogs.
As he was dying, he left a final message for his teammates.
"Tell the boys to 'carry on', and 'carry on' has been a rallying cry of Mesa High ever since," Linoff said.
It's those who've passed, impacting those now present in Mesa.
"It's representative of the population we have today," Linoff said.
Linoff is also part of the group that helps give tours of the Mesa Cemetery each October, highlighting even more of the graves that lie there.
For 2022, the Mesa Historical Museum will hold its cemetery tours on October 22 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. More information can be found here.
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/valley/headstones-full-of-stories-mesa-cemetery-holds-local-national-history-within-its-graves/75-4b2318fe-30fe-4835-bae2-efb53c0b09a5 | 2022-07-16T06:31:17 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/headstones-full-of-stories-mesa-cemetery-holds-local-national-history-within-its-graves/75-4b2318fe-30fe-4835-bae2-efb53c0b09a5 |
Ethel Hazel Clark, 90, of Chubbuck died July 13, 2022, at Brookdale—Chubbuck. Arrangements are under the care of White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel in Twin Falls.
Joe A. Rocha, 52, of Wendell died July 9, 2022. Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary, Jerome.
Myra Tvrdy, 92, of Twin Falls died in Ogden, Utah. Arrangements are under the care of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_1306bfe2-048d-11ed-aa03-9f4e08c0f97c.html | 2022-07-16T06:53:49 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_1306bfe2-048d-11ed-aa03-9f4e08c0f97c.html |
April 12, 1947—July 11, 2022
Danny T Peterson (Pete) was born April 12, 1947 in Twin Falls to Floid and Katherine (Pratt) Peterson. He was born again at the age of 13. Dan passed from this life July 11, 2022 in Boise, Idaho at the age of 75. Dan was married to Evelyn Boyer Peterson for 53 years. They had two children: daughter, Jeannie (Paul) Erway (Parker and Julia): son, Brian (Yvette) Lydia, Lexie, Lacie, Lilah, three brothers: Arley (d). Arthur (d). Ronnie of Kansas City, MO: six sisters: Maxine Rebaleti (d). Anna Nilsson (d). Doris Fattig (d). Emma Mitchell (d). Patty Goedhart of Hereford, TX, and Karen Nunnery of Twin Falls.
Dan attended Orchard Valley Grade School. Wendell High School class of 1966 graduate. He was Student Body President and received numerous sports awards. CSI graduate in 1968 where he played on the college baseball team. He worked at custom farming, Twin Falls sugar factory, Gooding meat packing plant, Buhl Green Giant, and Idaho Power where he retired after 28 years. Dan and Evelyn wintered in Arizona for 19 years. Dan was a member of the Wenden Bible Church in AZ and Hagerman Valley Bible Church. He was kind and generous. He lived his life as a testimony to point others to Christ.
At Dan’s request there will be no funeral service. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/danny-t-peterson/article_5b77ed7a-7beb-5b78-ab98-29e638905982.html | 2022-07-16T06:53:55 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/danny-t-peterson/article_5b77ed7a-7beb-5b78-ab98-29e638905982.html |
A mother was shot multiple times while she was walking with her two young kids, one of whom was in a stroller, in a Queens neighborhood, according to police.
The shots were fired just before 7 p.m. along Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, police said. The woman was walking with a 5-year-old alongside her and a 2-year-old in a stroller, when a car pulled up and started firing.
The mother was struck three times in the chest, and a man nearby was hit in the arm. Neither of the children was shot or injured, according to police.
Both victims are expected to survive. It was not clear if the mother or the man was targeted in the shooting.
The gunman took off in the car, and police are searching for the suspect. No arrests have yet been made. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mother-shot-multiple-times-while-walking-with-her-2-young-kids-in-far-rockaway-police/3777229/ | 2022-07-16T07:17:02 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mother-shot-multiple-times-while-walking-with-her-2-young-kids-in-far-rockaway-police/3777229/ |
Apex Engineering Group hires three
Brad Pfeifer has been hired as a lead water resources engineer for Apex Engineering Group. Pfeifer worked for 30 years at the North Dakota Department of Transportation in the construction, design and bridge divisions, serving his last decade there as bridge division’s team leader for preliminary engineering and hydraulics. He is a licensed professional engineer in North Dakota with 33 years of experience.
Jacob Scheetz has been hired as a graduate engineer. Scheetz earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from North Dakota State University. He has work experience from his time at FCI Constructors as a field engineer intern and with the city of Fargo engineering department as a seasonal inspector.
Brett Zeltinger has been hired as a senior survey crew chief. Zeltinger is a professional land surveyor certified in the state of North Dakota with 12 years of industry experience. He is a member of the North Dakota Professional Land Surveyors Missouri River Chapter and serves as the chapter's vice president.
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Transportation Institute hire
Jody Jones has joined the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at North Dakota State University. Jones is based in Bismarck, working with UGPTI’s North Dakota Technical Assistance Program.
Jones is the administrative assistant with the North Dakota Local Technical Assistance Program. Jones has 18 years of experience in the concrete products industry which helped to hone her skills in logistics, marketing, engineering quotes, plan production, scheduling, transport coordination and dispatch.
CRA Group promotes Steckler
Kristyn Steckler has been promoted to managing broker of The CRA Group. Steckler is a lifetime resident of Bismarck-Mandan and University of Mary alumna. She joined the commercial real estate brokerage company as a client relationship manager in 2017.
Capital Credit Union promotes Monson
Ryan Monson has been promoted to chief financial officer at Capital Credit Union.
Monson graduated from the University of North Dakota in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant. He has been with Capital Credit Union since August 2021, most recently as vice president of accounting.
Historical Society names new director
Andrew Clark has been named director of the Archaeology & Historic Preservation Department of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
He previously served as the State Historical Society's chief archaeologist from 2019 through June 2022. Working for the South Dakota State Historical Society, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and private consulting companies, he has spent most of his career working in the northern Plains, but has also conducted archaeological investigations in 15 states and two countries. Clark holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota, a master's from the University of Memphis, and a doctorate from the University at Albany.
Officers elected
The board of directors of Gateway to Science recently elected officers for the 2022-23 fiscal year: Doug Zenke, Starion Bank, president; Chris Riedman, director of sacraments and outreach for the Church of St. Joseph, vice president; Amanda Wangler, project manager with Basin Electric, secretary; Karol Riedman, CPA and chief compliance officer with North Dakota University System, treasurer.
Mudder selected
North Dakota Professional Communicators selected Sarah Mudder, Mandan, as its 2022 Communicator of Achievement.
Mudder currently serves as NDPC’s southwest district chair and is a member of its board. She is the communications and events coordinator at North Dakota Housing Finance Agency.
Getzlaff elected
Sarah Getzlaff, CEO of Security First Bank of North Dakota, has been elected to the Independent Community Bankers of America Bancard board of directors.
Submit businesspeople and business digest items to businessbeat@bismarcktribune.com. Deadline for submissions is noon Tuesday. | https://bismarcktribune.com/business/local/businesspeople---july-16-2022/article_3a8d17b4-012c-11ed-b743-c750d1e4c26b.html | 2022-07-16T07:26:31 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/business/local/businesspeople---july-16-2022/article_3a8d17b4-012c-11ed-b743-c750d1e4c26b.html |
Front Porch Music, the music store and school in Valparaiso is bringing back its annual music festival to downtown Valpo for the eighth year.
The 31-year-old music store known for its long-running Thursday night open mic night at 505 E. Lincolnway put the Front Porch Music Festival on pause for the past two years because of the coronavirus pandemic. It returns from 4-10 p.m. Sunday at Central Park Plaza at 68 Lafayette St. in downtown Valparaiso.
It features Front Porch Music owner Chad Clifford's band The Crawpuppies, which plays frequently at venues all across Northwest Indiana, including upcoming gigs at the Schererville Corn Roast, Pierogi Fest, the Hobart Lakefront Festival and Pints in the Park in Highland.
The band plays its own original music as well as covers of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, U2, The Doors, The Who and many other popular acts from the 1960s through the present day.
Front Porch Music Festival highlights the musical endeavors of its music school's instructors. This year, it also features performances from the Michael Kelsey Band, Stop.Drop.Rewind, Eric Lambert & Char, Rito, For Pete's Sake, Mami Matsuda and Big Dune Avenue.
The all-ages festival will have kids' activities and a beer garden for grown-ups.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for kids under 18.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
The legislation was supposed to shift the pay of top executives away from stock and performance bonuses "that can lead to a myopic emphasis on short-term results." The hope was to incentivize companies to implement cash-based fixed compensation instead.
But the study found the change in law ultimately had little effect. CEO compensation either stayed the same or grew.
"It's very politically amenable right now to say they're going to tax these corporations and these executives and it's going to reduce income inequality, but our research — and that of others — suggests that taxes are just not a big enough stick to change the structure or the magnitude of executive compensation," said Bridget Stomberg, associate professor of accounting and a Weimer Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business. "We found no statistical effects, which is counter to what Congress intended. We looked very hard and see no evidence of a reduction in CEO pay."
The journal Contemporary Accounting Research published the article, entitled "Examining the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Executive Compensation." It was researched and written by Stomberg, University of Texas Associate Professor of Accounting Lisa De Simone and Booth Assistant Professor of Accounting Charles McClure. De Simone and McClure co-host the "Taxes for the Masses" podcast.
Their study looked at CEO pay before and after the tax policy change. It found no substantive differences in compensation mix, pay-performance sensitivity or total compensation.
Publicly traded companies were able to deduct up to $1 million in C-suite pay from their taxes since 1994, unless it was linked to company performance.
When Congress slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2017, it got rid of that exemption. The study looked at CEO pay when the new tax rules took effect in 2017 and 2018 and then in 2019 and 2020.
"Even three full years after the law took effect, we didn't see any evidence of a reduction in CEO pay," she said.
The authors concluded tax regulation likely would not be effective at limiting executive compensation and reducing income inequality, a policy strategy pursued in cities like Portland and San Francisco.
"If Congress' fundamental assumption about the relative importance of taxes in the design of executive compensation is overstated, its ability to shift current compensation practices through changes in tax policy is also likely overstated," the authors said. "Our results and those from prior studies suggest increases in firms' cost of executive compensation do little to reduce its amount."
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
The legislation was supposed to shift the pay of top executives away from stock and performance bonuses "that can lead to a myopic emphasis on short-term results." The hope was to incentivize companies to implement cash-based fixed compensation instead.
But the study found the change in law ultimately had little effect. CEO compensation either stayed the same or grew.
"It's very politically amenable right now to say they're going to tax these corporations and these executives and it's going to reduce income inequality, but our research — and that of others — suggests that taxes are just not a big enough stick to change the structure or the magnitude of executive compensation," said Bridget Stomberg, associate professor of accounting and a Weimer Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business. "We found no statistical effects, which is counter to what Congress intended. We looked very hard and see no evidence of a reduction in CEO pay."
The journal Contemporary Accounting Research published the article, entitled "Examining the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Executive Compensation." It was researched and written by Stomberg, University of Texas Associate Professor of Accounting Lisa De Simone and Booth Assistant Professor of Accounting Charles McClure. De Simone and McClure co-host the "Taxes for the Masses" podcast.
Their study looked at CEO pay before and after the tax policy change. It found no substantive differences in compensation mix, pay-performance sensitivity or total compensation.
Publicly traded companies were able to deduct up to $1 million in C-suite pay from their taxes since 1994, unless it was linked to company performance.
When Congress slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2017, it got rid of that exemption. The study looked at CEO pay when the new tax rules took effect in 2017 and 2018 and then in 2019 and 2020.
"Even three full years after the law took effect, we didn't see any evidence of a reduction in CEO pay," she said.
The authors concluded tax regulation likely would not be effective at limiting executive compensation and reducing income inequality, a policy strategy pursued in cities like Portland and San Francisco.
"If Congress' fundamental assumption about the relative importance of taxes in the design of executive compensation is overstated, its ability to shift current compensation practices through changes in tax policy is also likely overstated," the authors said. "Our results and those from prior studies suggest increases in firms' cost of executive compensation do little to reduce its amount."
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
The legislation was supposed to shift the pay of top executives away from stock and performance bonuses "that can lead to a myopic emphasis on short-term results." The hope was to incentivize companies to implement cash-based fixed compensation instead.
But the study found the change in law ultimately had little effect. CEO compensation either stayed the same or grew.
"It's very politically amenable right now to say they're going to tax these corporations and these executives and it's going to reduce income inequality, but our research — and that of others — suggests that taxes are just not a big enough stick to change the structure or the magnitude of executive compensation," said Bridget Stomberg, associate professor of accounting and a Weimer Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business. "We found no statistical effects, which is counter to what Congress intended. We looked very hard and see no evidence of a reduction in CEO pay."
The journal Contemporary Accounting Research published the article, entitled "Examining the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Executive Compensation." It was researched and written by Stomberg, University of Texas Associate Professor of Accounting Lisa De Simone and Booth Assistant Professor of Accounting Charles McClure. De Simone and McClure co-host the "Taxes for the Masses" podcast.
Their study looked at CEO pay before and after the tax policy change. It found no substantive differences in compensation mix, pay-performance sensitivity or total compensation.
Publicly traded companies were able to deduct up to $1 million in C-suite pay from their taxes since 1994, unless it was linked to company performance.
When Congress slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2017, it got rid of that exemption. The study looked at CEO pay when the new tax rules took effect in 2017 and 2018 and then in 2019 and 2020.
"Even three full years after the law took effect, we didn't see any evidence of a reduction in CEO pay," she said.
The authors concluded tax regulation likely would not be effective at limiting executive compensation and reducing income inequality, a policy strategy pursued in cities like Portland and San Francisco.
"If Congress' fundamental assumption about the relative importance of taxes in the design of executive compensation is overstated, its ability to shift current compensation practices through changes in tax policy is also likely overstated," the authors said. "Our results and those from prior studies suggest increases in firms' cost of executive compensation do little to reduce its amount."
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
The legislation was supposed to shift the pay of top executives away from stock and performance bonuses "that can lead to a myopic emphasis on short-term results." The hope was to incentivize companies to implement cash-based fixed compensation instead.
But the study found the change in law ultimately had little effect. CEO compensation either stayed the same or grew.
"It's very politically amenable right now to say they're going to tax these corporations and these executives and it's going to reduce income inequality, but our research — and that of others — suggests that taxes are just not a big enough stick to change the structure or the magnitude of executive compensation," said Bridget Stomberg, associate professor of accounting and a Weimer Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business. "We found no statistical effects, which is counter to what Congress intended. We looked very hard and see no evidence of a reduction in CEO pay."
The journal Contemporary Accounting Research published the article, entitled "Examining the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Executive Compensation." It was researched and written by Stomberg, University of Texas Associate Professor of Accounting Lisa De Simone and Booth Assistant Professor of Accounting Charles McClure. De Simone and McClure co-host the "Taxes for the Masses" podcast.
Their study looked at CEO pay before and after the tax policy change. It found no substantive differences in compensation mix, pay-performance sensitivity or total compensation.
Publicly traded companies were able to deduct up to $1 million in C-suite pay from their taxes since 1994, unless it was linked to company performance.
When Congress slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2017, it got rid of that exemption. The study looked at CEO pay when the new tax rules took effect in 2017 and 2018 and then in 2019 and 2020.
"Even three full years after the law took effect, we didn't see any evidence of a reduction in CEO pay," she said.
The authors concluded tax regulation likely would not be effective at limiting executive compensation and reducing income inequality, a policy strategy pursued in cities like Portland and San Francisco.
"If Congress' fundamental assumption about the relative importance of taxes in the design of executive compensation is overstated, its ability to shift current compensation practices through changes in tax policy is also likely overstated," the authors said. "Our results and those from prior studies suggest increases in firms' cost of executive compensation do little to reduce its amount."
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Den Asian Bistro, Bankquet pop-up restaurant, Spenga Fitness Center, Encore Car Wash, Potato Express opening; Consider the Lilies closing
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Glorious Coffee and Teas, Jamba, craft brewery and Esca Kitchen open
Effort to curb CEO pay failed, IU study finds
A new study found an effort by Congress to curb CEO pay has failed.
Professors from Indiana University, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and University of Texas examined a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that repealed an exemption allowing companies to deduct significant amounts of performance-based pay.
The legislation was supposed to shift the pay of top executives away from stock and performance bonuses "that can lead to a myopic emphasis on short-term results." The hope was to incentivize companies to implement cash-based fixed compensation instead.
But the study found the change in law ultimately had little effect. CEO compensation either stayed the same or grew.
"It's very politically amenable right now to say they're going to tax these corporations and these executives and it's going to reduce income inequality, but our research — and that of others — suggests that taxes are just not a big enough stick to change the structure or the magnitude of executive compensation," said Bridget Stomberg, associate professor of accounting and a Weimer Faculty Fellow at the IU Kelley School of Business. "We found no statistical effects, which is counter to what Congress intended. We looked very hard and see no evidence of a reduction in CEO pay."
The journal Contemporary Accounting Research published the article, entitled "Examining the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Executive Compensation." It was researched and written by Stomberg, University of Texas Associate Professor of Accounting Lisa De Simone and Booth Assistant Professor of Accounting Charles McClure. De Simone and McClure co-host the "Taxes for the Masses" podcast.
Their study looked at CEO pay before and after the tax policy change. It found no substantive differences in compensation mix, pay-performance sensitivity or total compensation.
Publicly traded companies were able to deduct up to $1 million in C-suite pay from their taxes since 1994, unless it was linked to company performance.
When Congress slashed the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in 2017, it got rid of that exemption. The study looked at CEO pay when the new tax rules took effect in 2017 and 2018 and then in 2019 and 2020.
"Even three full years after the law took effect, we didn't see any evidence of a reduction in CEO pay," she said.
The authors concluded tax regulation likely would not be effective at limiting executive compensation and reducing income inequality, a policy strategy pursued in cities like Portland and San Francisco.
"If Congress' fundamental assumption about the relative importance of taxes in the design of executive compensation is overstated, its ability to shift current compensation practices through changes in tax policy is also likely overstated," the authors said. "Our results and those from prior studies suggest increases in firms' cost of executive compensation do little to reduce its amount."
Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
An "interstate signing assessment" will will include an inventory of airport signage along interstates 80/94 and 90, and along Cline Avenue, and a plan for new signs.
USW leaders have been meeting in committees and reviewing what members want before they finalize the proposals they plan to bring to the bargaining table next week.
Gas now costs an average of $4.80 a gallon in Lake County, $4.87 a gallon in Porter County, and $4.64 per gallon in LaPorte County, according to GasBuddy.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/front-porch-music-festival-returns-to-downtown-valparaiso/article_a8b99de7-45ce-533c-b634-7158a70a8dc8.html | 2022-07-16T07:53:41 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/front-porch-music-festival-returns-to-downtown-valparaiso/article_a8b99de7-45ce-533c-b634-7158a70a8dc8.html |
A Texas National Guard soldier from San Antonio has died while supporting Gov. Greg Abbott’s border mission, Operation Lone Star, military officials said Friday night.
Sgt. Alex Rios Rodriguez, 52, died Thursday in what the Texas Guard called “a non-mission related incident” at his quarters in McAllen. The guard said “he suffered a medical emergency at the unit's hotel and was unable to be revived by emergency personnel.”
Rodriguez was a team leader for the 36th Infantry Division’s Delta Company, 536th Brigade Support Battalion, 72nd Brigade Combat Team. The guard provided no other details about his service history or his family.
His death will be the subject of a command investigation.
Rodriguez is the latest Texas guardsman to die while on Abbott’s controversial border mission. Spc. Bishop Evans, 22, of Arlington died April 22 after trying to rescue a migrant crossing the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the operation’s commander, offered condolences to Rodriguez’s family in a news release announcing the death. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time,” he said in the statement.
The guard didn’t immediately respond to a query about the incident late Friday.
Prior to the deaths of Rodriguez and Evans, four guardsmen committed suicide.
Operation Lone Star has placed 6,128 guardsmen on the border, with an additional 3,700 elsewhere, making it the organization’s largest mission in decades. The state also has assigned 1,600 Department of Safety troopers to the border.
There are around 20,600 soldiers and airmen in the Texas guard.
Until last year, when Operation Lone Star began, Texas Guard border missions had a relatively small footprint. One mission was ordered in 2014 by then-Gov. Rick Perry, who dispatched 1,000 troops to be “the tip of the spear in protecting Americans from these cartels and gangs.”
Like Perry, Abbott repeatedly has invoked troubles along the border in highly partisan rhetoric.
Operation Lone Star has required hundreds of millions in state funding to maintain the heavy footprint. It also has triggered morale issues among troops who’ve endured everything from pay shortages to hardships tied to their service.
As the operation continues, the Texas Guard is still emerging from a leadership shakeup. Its first female commander, Army Maj. Gen. Tracy Norris, abruptly resigned Feb. 14 and was replaced by Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer. Two other high-level guard officials left as well.
Maj. Gen. Charles Aris, who had led the 36th Infantry Division for less than five months, was replaced by Brig. Gen. Ronald “Win” Burkett II. The civilian chief of staff for Norris, retired Maj. Gen. James “Red” Brown, resigned after Abbott announced her exit.
A new public affairs team is also now in place.
sigc@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-guardsmen-dies-while-on-border-17309118.php | 2022-07-16T07:55:32 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-guardsmen-dies-while-on-border-17309118.php |
What to Know
- The United States is in the midst of its largest-ever monkeypox outbreak, and while there is an existing vaccine for this virus, getting a vaccine appointment has proven difficult in NYC, whether due to high demand or technological errors
- NYC accounts for more than 25% of US monkeypox cases, according to the CDC; at this point, eligibility is limited to gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and transgender, gender non-conforming or gender non-binary persons ages 18 and older who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days,
- Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Lymph nodes can also swell. The incubation period is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days
Looking to get one of the latest monkeypox vaccination appointments the New York City Health Department released on Friday? Unless you acted fast, you're already too late.
That's because the latest round of 9,200 slots that were made available starting at 6 p.m. went fast — really fast. The appointments filled up within seven minutes of going live online.
The city was able to avoid another technological blunder, as the site to book an appointment didn't crash or accidentally release times too early, as has happened the last two times slots were opened up.
The city initially was going to make 8,200 appointments available, but added another 1,000 late Friday afternoon. Those extra doses were originally reserved for second doses, but the city added them in an effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible. The Health Department said that it "decided providing first doses to offer protection to more at-risk New Yorkers is the best strategy until we receive adequate vaccine supply."
On top of the 9,200 appointments at vaccination sites, the city said it would make another 4,000 shots available via referral from "community partner organizations serving highest-risk patients."
It's a two-dose vaccination process like many others, though the vaccine supply issue may mean some New Yorkers have to wait an extra week or two to get their next layers of protection against monkeypox. City Hall has now formally asked the Biden Administration to delay those second doses, precisely so it can get more first doses in arms while supply is constrained.
The number of places where a shot will be available will soon expand as well. In addition to the existing monkeypox vaccine clinics located at the city's Chelsea, Central Harlem, and Corona Sexual Health Clinics, another clinic will open at NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health on Vanderbilt Avenue in Staten Island.
And as of Sunday, there will also be three mass vaccinations sites open for appointments at the following locations:
- Aviation High School (45-30 36th Street in Queens)
- Bushwick Education (440 Irving Avenue in Brooklyn)
- Bronx High School of Science (75 W 205th Street in the Bronx)
Getting one's hands on a first dose has been difficult, as only a few thousand appointments have opened in the past few weeks. And the portal used to make the appointments hasn't exactly been working the way officials hoped it would.
On Tuesday, appointments ran out almost immediately after a wave of errors left many people unable to even access the booking website. The city Health Department said that the scheduling site went down "due to a high level of traffic" — a problem that many are hoping has been remedied in time for Friday's release.
That hiccup followed what the city said was an "unfortunate glitch" the week before. A July 6 error opened the appointment window prematurely, prompting a flood of confusion and a flurry of apologies from city health officials as they worked to correct the problem.
All of the 2,500 appointments inadvertently released were again scooped up extremely quickly, within 10 minutes. The city said that the glitch was the result of a third-party vendor, not the department itself. The department later said it would honor all of the erroneously made appointments from earlier in the day.
The latest effort to maximize vaccine distribution comes as cases are doubling in New York City practically every five days. The city represents more than a quarter of all U.S. infections, according to CDC data, and more than 2% of all current infections worldwide. On Thursday, the city reported a total of 389 infections, up 16% in a day.
It rose again Friday to 461, a 19% day-over-day increase. And more than 95% of cases through July 13 were men.
Mayor Eric Adams, calling the city the "epicenter of the Monkeypox epidemic," said earlier this week he'd asked the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services to secure more vaccine distribution.
There are another 29 monkeypox cases in New York's other counties, with Westchester now home to the second-most, with 16 confirmed cases. The plan for vaccination is also underway there, with several hospitals and community health centers administering 450 vaccine doses. Another 520 will be available starting July 18, by appointment only at the Count Health Clinic on Court Street.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday that another 32,000 doses from the federal government will be heading to New York and the city starting next week.
At this point, eligibility in New York City is limited to "gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and transgender, gender non-conforming or gender non-binary persons ages 18 and older who have had multiple or anonymous sex partners in the last 14 days," under the guidelines released by the health department. Learn more here.
While monkeypox is highly contagious and typically confined to the African continent, health officials say the risk to the general U.S. public is low. They say this isn't COVID all over again because vaccines already exist to treat orthopoxvirus, the family of viruses to which monkeypox and diseases like smallpox and chickenpox belong.
The city is also launching more active messaging, saying people could now receive text alerts about the virus and new appointment openings by texting MONKEYPOX to 692692, or MONKEYPOXESP for alerts in Spanish.
What Is Monkeypox?
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958, when outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research -- resulting in its name. (What you need to know about monkeypox.)
The first case in a human was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which still has the majority of infections. Other African countries where it has been found: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone.
Human symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox, the CDC says. It presents itself as a flu-like illness accompanied by lymph-node swelling and rash on the face and body.
Monkeypox starts off with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. Monkeypox also causes lymph nodes to swell, something that smallpox does not. The incubation period is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days.
The CDC is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rashes consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have traveled or have specific risks. See more information from the travel notice here. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-9000-monkeypox-vaccine-appointments-fill-up-in-less-than-10-minutes/3777250/ | 2022-07-16T08:50:15 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-9000-monkeypox-vaccine-appointments-fill-up-in-less-than-10-minutes/3777250/ |
BOISE — There are now just three digits people need to know to call for help in a mental health crisis: 9-8-8.
Just after the stroke of midnight on Saturday morning, the new 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline launched in Idaho and nationwide, connecting callers to a mental health version of 911. It’s a place to call when you or someone you love is in crisis, 24/7, and it offers help.
In Idaho, calls to 988 will be routed to the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline, which has been taking crisis calls for the past 10 years. “We expect the volume to go up,” said Lee Flinn, director of the Idaho hotline.
“The vast majority of times people call us, our responders are able to support the person mostly by listening to them,” Flinn said, with trained crisis responders helping the caller “de-stress and de-escalate. And that’s the thing that helps keep them safe.”
Callers can also be referred to their local crisis center for help, where they can walk in any time and get help for free, staying anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours. Or when needed, 988 may be able to dispatch a mobile crisis response team, consisting of two licensed clinicians, to the person’s home or other location.
“They can do more face-to-face with that person than we do on the phone,” Flinn said. “It’s not 24/7 right now, but it’s going to be,” she said, as Idaho works toward staffing up toward that goal.
Idaho has mobile crisis response teams in every region, but their availability varies. In Region 4, which includes Ada County, Mobile Crisis Units are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight; in Region 3, which includes Canyon County, they’re available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ellie Merrick, Mobile Crisis Unit clinical supervisor for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, said, “In urgent cases, Region 4 responders can provide phone consult to Region 3 responders.”
“Mobile response decisions will be triaged according to crisis acuity and staff capacity, depending on the volume of crisis calls and response requests,” she said.
The idea is that rather than calling 911 and having police, fire or other emergency responders come out, people facing behavioral health crises can call 988 and get the kind of response they actually need for their situation — without facing arrest, jail or other consequences. Callers also can text 988, and they can remain anonymous if they choose.
“988 is essentially the front door to a crisis-care continuum that the department has been working on building up for years,” said Nicole Coleman, 988 project manager for the Idaho Division of Behavioral Health, a division of the state Department of Health and Welfare. “This just gives us the opportunity to do that on a larger scale.”
State Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said, “Just like you would expect any other first responder, you will have a first responder who responds to those behavioral health emergencies.”
Callers to 988 will first be given three options: Connecting to the Veterans Crisis Line; to a Spanish-language line; or to their state hotline. State hotlines, including Idaho’s, also will have access to a language service that can provide translation into a wide array of languages in a three-way call with the caller and the Idaho hotline crisis responder.
“It is an inclusive service,” Coleman said. “It is designed for anyone and everyone.”
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo co-sponsored the congressional legislation in 2020 that designated the new national 988 line; President Donald Trump signed it into law in October of that year. In 2021, the Idaho Legislature approved a resolution supporting the effort; this year, lawmakers followed up with $4.4 million in funding.
Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Fred Martin, R-Boise, has long pushed for the move, which drew bipartisan support. The funding bill this year, SB 1384, passed the House 45-22 and the Senate, 31-4. “To finally have this come to fruition is just absolutely wonderful,” Martin said. “This way it’s easy to remember, it’s national. … I’m just very, very excited that this is going to happen.”
Crapo, in a statement this week, said, “Ensuring everyone knows where to turn for help to prevent suicide and receive crisis intervention has been one of my top priorities.” He’ll host a news conference in Twin Falls on Saturday afternoon with advocates and state legislators to celebrate the launch of the new 988 line.
“On July 16, all Americans will have access to this easy-to-remember, 3-digit phone number,” Crapo said, “and we will be able to better connect people in crisis with life-saving resources.”
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Idaho, the Associated Press reports, and the state’s 23.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2020 made it the fifth-worst in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Idaho’s Suicide Prevention Hotline was first established 10 years ago; it’s been gearing up in a big way for the 988 launch.
In January, the hotline moved into new, larger offices, where it can eventually expand to up to 12 phone stations to take calls; the previous location had a maximum of six stations. It’s also been training and hiring additional paid staffers.
“Ten years ago when we started, we only had trained volunteers answering the phones,” Flinn said. “Now we have around 60 volunteers that do one four-hour shift a week, and then we have 16 staff crisis responders,” with more currently being hired.
Training takes more than 40 hours, with the initial crisis intervention training delivered in a two-day, 16-hour in-person training session. Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment; some just stay one year, while others keep coming back long-term.
“It’s easy to train somebody, as long as they’ve got the right temperament and patience and are a good listener,” Flinn said.
The volunteers and staffers are a collegial group; during down times, they work on training modules on the computer, visit or pursue hobbies.
“The hotline has had a really strong volunteer program since the beginning, since the first year,” Flinn said. “So it’s been something that’s built over time. … We’ve got a good crew.”
Calls to the hotline have been increasing, and that’s expected to continue. In June 2021, the hotline responded to 1,552 contacts, between calls and texts. In June 2022 it was 2,358 – a more than 50% increase. Since January, the hotline has averaged around 70 calls or texts a day.
Those using the hotline, Flinn said, have ranged in age from 7 to 92.
“The hope and the expectation,” she said, “is that over time, marketing about 988 and people talking about 988 will hopefully start to reduce the stigma of mental illness and suicide, and make it more widely understood that most people are going to be in crisis at some point in their lives.” | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/just-call-988-new-crisis-hotline-goes-live/article_8e037a55-61b5-5361-b292-3d59b30b3d36.html | 2022-07-16T08:51:05 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/just-call-988-new-crisis-hotline-goes-live/article_8e037a55-61b5-5361-b292-3d59b30b3d36.html |
Forrest County deputy injured, another man dead after fight in Hattiesburg home
A Forrest County deputy was placed on administrative leave after he shot a man during a fight, authorities said. The man, who was shot in the torso, died at the scene.
Deputies were trying to serve a civil commitment writ at a home on the 300 block of South Chancellor Road Thursday afternoon when the man approached one of the deputies, according to a news release from the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office.
A civil commitment is one in which a person is deemed to have mental health issues and is involuntarily hospitalized for treatment.
It is unclear how the fight began or what took place during the fight. Sheriff’s officials say the deputy received a head injury from a blunt object.
The deputy was taken by ambulance to Forrest General Hospital. The Sheriff’s Office did not say whether the deputy was released or admitted to the hospital.
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Neither the deputy nor the man who was shot has been identified.
“As part of the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office response to this incident, an internal administrative investigation will be conducted to review policy and training as it relates these types of incidents,” the news release says.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which handles investigations of incidents when a police officer is involved, responded to the scene to begin its investigation.
“MBI is currently assessing this critical incident and gathering evidence,” officials said in a news release. “Upon completing their investigation, agents will share their findings with the Attorney General’s Office.”
This is a developing story and may be updated if other information becomes available.
Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge. | https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/forrest-county-deputy-injured-another-man-dead-after-altercation/10066598002/ | 2022-07-16T09:08:18 | 0 | https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/forrest-county-deputy-injured-another-man-dead-after-altercation/10066598002/ |
Local governments respond to new beach smoking law
As of July 1, local governments in Florida have the authority to regulate smoking on beaches through new laws known as the Florida Clean Air Act.
Cigarette butts are the fourth most harmful type of plastic to marine life, according to Ocean Conservancy research.
But how are local counties and cities responding to the new law? Here is a rundown of the latest developments, as local officials, residents, and tourists navigate uncharted waters.
Background:Sarasota officials, Dr. Beach celebrate new law allowing local governments to ban beach smoking
Opinion:Cigar smoking on beaches is an idea that stinks
Sarasota County
According to Drew Winchester, a media relations officer for Sarasota County’s communications department, the majority of public beaches within Sarasota County are owned and operated by the county. Lido and Venice Beach, while owned by the city of Sarasota, and Venice, respectively, also are maintained by the county.
The Florida Clean Air Act applies to a vast array of beaches, and in a statement to the Herald-Tribune, a Sarasota County spokesperson outlined the county’s next steps with regard to smoking.
“Sarasota County continues to evaluate House Bill 105, which was recently signed by Gov. (Ron) DeSantis, for potential changes to related county ordinances,” the statement read.
“As we move through the evaluation process, we’re still asking our beach visitors to pack out what they pack in, including cigarette waste, and to respect others who are also enjoying our wonderful amenities.”
Manatee County
Four beaches — Anna Maria Bayfront Park, Coquina Beach, Manatee Beach, and Palma Sola Causeway Park — fall under the purview of Manatee County. According to Bill Logan, Manatee County’s information outreach manager, the County Commission sets and changes all policies for the county, including for beaches.
Director of Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Charlie Hunsicker said via statement “with virtually every beach cleanup campaign — through volunteers and our own staff — we see the same patterns of many other public beaches throughout Florida, that of a preponderance of non-recyclable cigarette butts that add plastic fibers to our already overloaded Gulf of Mexico environment in a manner both harmful to animal life and our own family-oriented beach experiences.”
City of Sarasota
City Attorney Robert Fournier brought the issue to the City Commission’s attention at the July 5 meeting. Former mayor and current Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, along with current Mayor Erik Arroyo, also weighed in.
Ahearn-Koch, who was present at a July 1 press conference at Lido Key Beach marking the new law, said she was “so thrilled that we finally have the ability in the city of Sarasota to regulate at the local level and the rest of the cities in Florida have this ability.”
At the July 5 meeting, Ahearn-Koch supported quick action on the issue.
“I would say move as swiftly as possible, would be my leaning towards this,” Ahearn-Koch said.
Ahearn-Koch elaborated on her stance, saying that a smoking ban is “an important piece of the puzzle, that we do everything we can to keep our beaches and our natural environment natural, and clean.” She also mentioned that residents and visitors have been supportive of a ban.
Noting that seabirds are migrating to local beaches, Ahearn-Koch emphasized the need for “environmentally sensible and responsible” action, while still creating designated areas near the beach for those who do smoke.
Arroyo agreed with Ahearn-Koch, noting the new authority given to local governments at that July 5 meeting.
“This bill has been a champion for bringing power back to the municipalities and the counties,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo noted that in his experience, cigarettes are more often found on beaches than cigars, which makes it reasonable for the law to distinguish between the two.
Town of Longboat Key
Allen Parsons, the planning, zoning and building director for the town of Longboat Key, said the Town Commission will take up the issue once it returns from its summer recess on Sept. 12. At the last meeting before the recess, the commission directed staff to prepare an ordinance “that would be able to take advantage of that state legislation change and prohibit smoking, except for in designated areas of the town’s beaches or parks,” according to Parsons.
Parsons expects enforcement to be similar to how other regulations apply to Longboat Key beaches, such as a ban on fires and a ban on dogs. Parsons called it “reactive enforcement,” whereby beachgoers call the police department when they see a violation.
“I think the primary intent is to keep the beaches clean, not necessarily to regulate behavior, but unfortunate side effects of those who are smoking on the beach, that sometimes they don’t throw their butts away,” Parsons said.
City of Anna Maria
When reached via email, LeAnne Addy, Anna Maria’s city clerk and treasurer, said a potential ban “will be discussed at an upcoming City Commission meeting. However, that meeting has not been scheduled yet, according to Addy. | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/07/16/florida-clean-air-act-forces-local-governments-take-up-issue/10056976002/ | 2022-07-16T09:21:56 | 0 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/07/16/florida-clean-air-act-forces-local-governments-take-up-issue/10056976002/ |
CEDAR FALLS — A man has been arrested for allegedly stealing pet medication from a veterinary office.
Investigators allege Jordon Robert Tait, 31, of Waterloo, got access to Cedar Valley Veterinary Center on State Street because his girlfriend cleaned the business after hours.
Court records allege Tait took alprazolam pills and other items in May and June until veterinary staff realized their pharmacy cabinet was short during an audit.
Alprazolam, also known as Xanax, is a sedative for humans that can also be used to calm cats and dogs.
Tait wasn’t employed by the cleaning service, Evergreen Cleaning, and didn’t have permission to be at the clinic, according to court records.
Police investigators reviewed surveillance videos from the clinic that showed Tait at the office while his girlfriend was cleaning on May 10. He removed pill bottles and put them in his pocket, records state.
Then on May 20 he allegedly returned at 12:38 a.m. and turned off the alarm. He then used a set of lock picks to gain access to the inner door of a medicine storage cabinet and removed pills from a bottle, court records state
He is also accused of taking several insulin needles from the clinic while his girlfriend was cleaning on May 24, May 31 and June 1, records state.
Police were notified on June 2 after staff discovered the thefts.
Tait was arrested on a warrant Thursday for possession of a controlled substance, possession of burglary tools and five counts of third-degree burglary. Bond was set at $20,000.
Tait has prior burglary and theft convictions for allegedly taking a women’s wallet and car keys from a cubby hole at the Get Air Trampoline Park and then removing a Backstreet Boys CD from her vehicle in February 2021, taking vape kit from a convenience store in April 2020 and stealing a paintball CO2 canister from Scheels sporting goods in May 2021. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-arrested-in-cedar-falls-vet-clinic-burglaries/article_bb31bade-af78-54c9-bc25-93dba71293c7.html | 2022-07-16T09:24:49 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-arrested-in-cedar-falls-vet-clinic-burglaries/article_bb31bade-af78-54c9-bc25-93dba71293c7.html |
TUPELO • When Juan Carlos and Stephanie Barcia closed on a property on North Madison Street in Tupelo about four years ago, they thought they found a perfect DIY project.
“We wanted to fix it,” Stephanie Barcia said. “It was a hidden gem. But it didn’t seem to be in the cards.”
During her two decades of living in Tupelo, Barcia said she'd never seen the house occupied, but she saw the potential for a beautiful property. Once they closed the sale, the two went to the city to request permits, but the city turned them away until they could get an engineer’s report. The report, Barcia said, was later rejected.
After a series of failed attempts to secure contracts for renovating the property, the couple decided to cut their losses. In 2021, the city of Tupelo purchased the property, then tore it down.
A year into the new administration's term, Tupelo elected officials have ramped up the demolition of derelict properties like the Barcias’ with a goal to “clean up” the city, although some criticize the efforts as too aggressive.
Since taking office last July, the Tupelo City Council has approved the demolition of 26 structures — representing a mix of residential and commercial properties — throughout the city. Of those, the city has completed 16.
Both numbers represent a drastic uptick in the number of city-approved, and typically executed, property demolitions versus the previous administration.
City officials say the removal of blighted properties represents an effort to improve the aesthetics of local neighborhoods. In turn, they believe life in Tupelo will improve as a whole.
“When left unchecked, neighborhood blight and the presence of abandoned buildings have a profound negative impact on the surrounding community,” said Development Services Director Tanner Newman, whose department carries out the demolition process. “Blighted properties decrease surrounding property values, damage the health of local housing markets, pose safety hazards, and result in reduced local property tax revenue.”
Most properties city officials have approved for demolition either owned by companies located outside of Mississippi or whose owners died with no heirs, Newman said.
Administration sees demolitions as important piece of revitalization
The current administration’s approved list of demolitions is more than double that of the previous administration’s first year.
During his inaugural year in office, former Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton’s council approved the demolition of nine blighted properties. According to Shelton, the administration focused on blight elimination, noting it budgeted $1 million annually for “demolition, renovation and beautification” in the city.
Though Shelton said he believed blight elimination was key to growth in a city, he believed the current administration has been too aggressive in the process.
But Newman asserts the city has been evenhanded in his approach to either cleaning up or tearing down aging, dilapidated structures, often working with property owners to ensure they are given “ample time to fulfill the city’s request” to clean up their properties before moving forward with any demolitions.
“Of all the demolitions and property cleanups that the city has conducted over the past year, not one has been objected to by the property owner,” Newman said.
Jordan noted the city has demolished many of its own properties since the beginning of his administration’s term.
“(We can’t) ask people to demolish their properties if we are sitting on ours,” Jordan said.
Tupelo historian: Increased demolition a ‘shame’
Among city owned properties that have been torn down are the Gardner-Watson Ice Plant, a historic building that lay vacant for several years before the city purchased it intending to renovate. Later, city officials determined the property was too far gone to save.
But some, like Tupelo Historic Preservation Commission member Doyce Deas, disagree.
“It made me sick when the city tore the ice plant down,” Deas said, adding that she believed the history behind the building, which had stood empty for years, made it worth preserving. “I understand it was in serious disrepair, but it could’ve been saved.”
A building can be considered historic by the State Department of Archives and History and land on the national register once it is 50 years old and is historically significant. If a property meets the criteria, Deas said there are a handful of programs that provide state and federal tax incentives to aid in the renovation process.
The city also has six historic districts, including Highland Circle, Downtown Historic District and Downtown Neighborhood Historic District, Mill Village, North Broadway and South Church Street. Any renovations in these districts are eligible for a five-year tax abatement.
“We need to spend more time as a city working with people and letting them know these are available,” Deas said. “All of (the incentives) can be put together to make a larger project economically feasible.
“I’m not trying to be critical,” she added of the city’s efforts. “There is just more that we could do.”
Jordan called historic preservation just as important as blight elimination, but said gauging historical significance is challengingly subjective. He also noted that, in many cases, saving a property in severe disrepair simply isn’t feasible.
“In my opinion, you can tear down a building and replicate it cheaper than restoring it,” Jordan said.
Deas praised the administration’s effort to grow but noted that it was not always a good thing to tear down buildings “in the name of progress” when there are other options.
“It is not real progress when you destroy a property like that,” she said. “You lose the historic heart of the city.”
Newman said demolitions were often the final option after a long, drawn-out process to save the property or have it privately demolished.
“If the city demolishes a house, we have gone on a months-long process,” he said. “Owners are given ample time and options to get it up to code. If we bring it to the council, we either got no response or an agreement from the owners.”
Demolished home a ‘prime example’ of blight removal program’s purpose
Stephanie Barcia said hers and her husband’s experience trying to renovate the North Madison Street property has soured them on home buying ever since. She said she was happy the city agreed to purchase the house and tear it down, making way for future growth.
“I am grateful, and I feel like they worked with us because we had such an unpleasant experience,” she said.
The bottom line, she said, was that she understood it was a complex situation and progress was important but the city needed to take extra care to make sure new developments fit the city’s small-town aura.
Newman said the condition of the property made it cost-prohibitive for the property owners to fix. Its demolition, he said, was a necessity, and will clear the way for something new.
“This property is a prime example of why the city’s blight removal program exists,” he said. “Once the city’s work on the property is complete, the remaining lot will serve as additional green space for Robins Field.” | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/demolition-hurry-city-ramps-up-removal-of-blighted-properties/article_c4fbcd77-2fdc-506a-b09b-e81de2fcd6ab.html | 2022-07-16T09:43:37 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/demolition-hurry-city-ramps-up-removal-of-blighted-properties/article_c4fbcd77-2fdc-506a-b09b-e81de2fcd6ab.html |
TUPELO • In 1986, four trumpet players from the Tupelo High School band made the Mississippi Lions All-State Band — a rare feat for one section at a single school.
A shared love of music, and friendly competition, united Gregg Gausline, Chris Young, Sean Ross and Greg Barnes. Fittingly, music brought them back together again Thursday night for the first time in 36 years at a Drum Corps International (DCI) contest hosted at their alma mater.
Brought together by circumstance
It was circumstance that brought the four trumpet players together all those years ago.
Of the four, Ross is the only Tupelo native. Both Gausline and Young moved to Tupelo in 10th grade; Barnes was in ninth grade when his family moved to the All-America City.
"It was very humbling how many great trumpet players there were, not just in Tupelo but the whole state," Barnes said.
They competed with one another for chair placement, which is the ranking of players in each instrument section, and the opportunity to play solos during performances.
"Trumpet players, whatever we are as our natural personality, when we're on that field, we want the spotlight," Young said.
In a way, it was as if they were brothers. They were constantly at each other's throats back then, Ross remembered, but if they hadn't been, they wouldn't have pushed each other to reach the musical heights they did.
To this day, the men are still competitive.
"Is this our chair order now?" the men joked as the Daily Journal's photographer lined them up for a photo. They all laughed in unison.
Becoming 'The Tupelo Four'
Around the time the four fiercely competitive trumpet players earned spots in the Mississippi Lions All-State Band during the 1985-1986 school year, they came to be known by their friends and feared by their competition as "The Tupelo Four."
Another friend and member of the Tupelo band, a French horn player named Sandra Fortenberry, also made the Lions Band that year — a testament to the talent present at THS at the time.
Two people stand out in the group's minds as contributing to their success — Floyd Stevens, longtime Tupelo band director, and Keith Ellis, an Ole Miss music professor who traveled to Tupelo once a week to give private lessons to each of the four boys.
Gausline can't recall where the nickname "The Tupelo Four" originated, but it dates back to the mid-80s.
"I've heard different band directors that I've run across in Mississippi here and there at conventions say 'Hey, how's The Tupelo Four doing?' and I don't know where it stuck," Gausline said.
In the late 1990s, years after graduating, Young went to a Tupelo football game to see Stevens and the band. Another former high school band director was there talking with Stevens, and he made a comment about the 1985 marching season trumpet line.
"That's the best trumpet line I ever heard in my entire career," the director said.
"Mr. Stevens flicks his thumb towards me and says, 'Well, that was my section leader right there,'" Young said.
It was surprising to hear someone he didn't even know mention himself and his former bandmates.
Being referred to as "The Tupelo Four" still humbles and cracks Young up, he said, largely because band kids rarely receive much recognition.
Young, Barnes and Ross graduated in 1986, with Gausline graduating a year later in 1987. Their individual paths led them to varying careers and states.
Young became a Methodist minister. Ross works for Grammer, Inc, in Shannon. Barnes is a facilities engineer for a Japanese company. Gausline directed bands at the high school and college level for 15 years and now works in sales for Jostens.
Getting the band back together
As an Ole Miss student, Gausline spent two years marching with The Cadets, a competitive drum and bugle corps in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Though Gausline now lives in Atlanta, when he heard the group would be taking part in a contest at Tupelo High, he made plans to go and reached out to his former bandmates.
"When I saw it on the schedule online, I naturally thought it would be a really cool opportunity, because I was going to come to this show anyway," Gausline said.
As the four men stood together near the concession stand at Tupelo's Golden Wave Stadium before the contest began, it was as if they'd never been apart.
"It's always a lot of fun for us because we can always say we sat ahead of a guy who was a featured soloist for The Cadets," Young joked. "We brag on him, then we go, 'You know, in high school we beat him.'"
Being together again was a bit overwhelming, Barnes said.
"It's kind of like there's so much you want to say, you can't get it all out at once," he added.
"It actually feels real natural at the same time," Chris Young said. "The whole thing, frankly, is blowing my mind. They were together in September, and I couldn't make it. It's been surprisingly natural."
"We were anticipating it so much and it's like, they're all the same as they were back then," Gausline said. "There's a lot of the same characteristics."
Although they don't play music like they used to, it's still just as important to them as the memories they once made together.
The DCI contest brought the memories flooding back with questions and exclamations like, "What was that marching show?" and, "Oh, I remember that piece!"
Without a doubt, the night will be another memory the members of “The Tupelo Four” will bring up the next time they're together again. | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/four-1986-ths-trumpet-players-reunite-at-drum-corps-international-contest/article_8daa8d09-d2b6-597a-9872-0d5c264d7a9c.html | 2022-07-16T09:43:43 | 0 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/four-1986-ths-trumpet-players-reunite-at-drum-corps-international-contest/article_8daa8d09-d2b6-597a-9872-0d5c264d7a9c.html |
LiveWell cooks up another cooking class
Staff reports
Times Record News
LiveWell Wichita County will conduct a new cooking class at the Wichita Falls-Wichita County Public Health District at noon July 22.
The recipe will be “Farmer’s Market Pasta Salad and Quesadillas."
The class is open to the public but has is limited seating. Spots must be reserved by July 20.
Participants can sign up at LiveWellWichitaCounty.com in the events section. For more information, call 940-761-7699. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/livewell-cooks-up-another-cooking-class/65374011007/ | 2022-07-16T09:44:26 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/livewell-cooks-up-another-cooking-class/65374011007/ |
Motorcycle rider injured in accident
Wichita Falls police and emergency medics responded to the scene of an accident involving a motorcycle.
According to officers at the scene:
Just before 1 p.m. Friday, officers responded to an injury accident on Barnett Road near Kovarik Road. A motorcycle rider was northbound on Barnett when he came up on a pickup truck turning west on to Kovarik.
The motorcyclist made an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting the truck but crashed. He was transported to the hospital with unknown head injuries.
AMR medics, Wichita Falls firefighters and law-enforcement officers from the Wichita Falls police, Wichita County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety responded to the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The rider of the motorcycle was not wearing a helmet. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/motorcycle-rider-injured-in-accident-on-barnett-road/65374715007/ | 2022-07-16T09:44:32 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/motorcycle-rider-injured-in-accident-on-barnett-road/65374715007/ |
Peaches make appearance at Wichita Falls Downtown Farmers Market
Staff reports
A much-anticipated summer crop is here and they are going fast.
Locally grown peaches are ready at the Downtown Farmers Market from various vendors. They go fast, so get yours early in the day.
Wichita Falls Downtown Farmers Market summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
They will also have the Third Thursday Happy Hour Market 5:30-8:30 p.m. July 21. Enjoy drinks, food and local wares in the evening hours. Live music will be Michael Hayes and there will be the Traveling Tavern Mobile Bar and various food trucks.
For more information about the market, visit the Wichita Falls Downtown Farmers Market website. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/peaches-make-appearance-at-farmers-market/65374640007/ | 2022-07-16T09:44:38 | 1 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/peaches-make-appearance-at-farmers-market/65374640007/ |
Wichita Falls police investigate shooting on Sheppard Access Road
Wichita Falls police are investigating a shooting that happened on Sheppard Access Road Thursday.
According to WFPD spokesman Sgt. Charlie Eipper:
Around 11:30 p.m., officers responded to a check welfare in the 3100 block of Sheppard Access Road. Police dispatchers told the responding officers a man had been shot in the leg. They found him sitting on the ground near some railroad tracks. He told the officers he saw two bright headlights pointed towards him and heard multiple gunshots. The man said he ran and stopped where the officers found him. He also said he called 9-1-1. The officer saw an injury on his ankle that was actively bleeding.
Wichita Falls Fire Department and AMR arrived and treated him for his injury He was transported to the hospital by AMR. The hospital staff indicated the injury is consistent to a gunshot wound but is non-life threatening. Officers searched but did not find evidence that a shooting occurred in the area the man indicated.
Eipper said the investigation is pending and said this is an isolated incident and citizens are not in danger. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/wichita-falls-police-investigate-shooting-on-sheppard-access-road/65374482007/ | 2022-07-16T09:44:44 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/07/15/wichita-falls-police-investigate-shooting-on-sheppard-access-road/65374482007/ |
ANDERSON, Ind. — A woman was hit by a car and critically injured in Anderson late Wednesday evening.
Around 10 p.m. on July 13, Anderson police officers responded to a crash at the intersection of East 53rd Street and South Scatterfield Road involving a 2019 Chevrolet Impala and a female pedestrian.
Officers located a 45-year-old woman lying in the road who had been critically injured, police said. The woman was taken to an Anderson hospital and later flown to an Indianapolis hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
The driver of the Impala was identified and detained by police. The Anderson Police Department Crash Team responded to the scene.
Results are pending on a OWI blood draw of the driver, police said. The driver was transported to the Madison County Jail.
The case remains under investigation. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/woman-hit-by-car-critically-injured-anderson-indiana/531-ec04a294-eb91-4f42-a5d5-4bc2ab080c23 | 2022-07-16T10:10:53 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/woman-hit-by-car-critically-injured-anderson-indiana/531-ec04a294-eb91-4f42-a5d5-4bc2ab080c23 |
COVID cases are surging in New York City and throughout the country, fueled by the omicron BA.5 subvariant. Though the cases are less severe, the soaring case count is alarming — although fewer people appear to be masking up to protect themselves and others.
Anyone who has ridden the bus or the subway recently has noticed for sure, as the number of people who are masked has decline, and is almost less than those who are still wearing them — even though it is still required.
"Masks continue to be required in public transit pursuant to a determination by the New York State Department of Health that has no expiration date," an MTA spokesperson told NBC New York.
The MTA is one of only three transit systems requiring masks. The others being the PATH train, and Milwaukee. However, the MTA has removed paper signs and posters that promote mask use. Digital displays promoting mask wearing are still being shown at some stations, and audio announcements are being made as well.
"I know there's signs being removed, but there are still announcements on the system," Mayor Eric Adams said Friday.
When asked what he does when he encounters non-compliance, Adams said he does say something.
"I always talk to them and say put on a mask. The challenge we are having is COVID fatigue," he said.
Some riders said that the realization that recent COVID waves, like the current one, have not been as deadly as earlier rounds, giving commuters a false sense of security.
"People just don't want to follow the rules, people are sick of this," said subway rider Cynthia, from the Bronx. "And they say 'I'm not gonna get it,' until they get it."
City health data shows the rapid increase in COVID cases, with more than 1,000 per day in the last week alone.
"We are not out of the woods, we have a new variant in the city," Adams said.
The mayor said that in coming days, health teams may return to subway stations during rush hour to once again hand out masks. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mask-usage-dwindles-on-buses-and-subways-despite-mta-requirement-even-amid-covid-surge/3777279/ | 2022-07-16T10:22:32 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mask-usage-dwindles-on-buses-and-subways-despite-mta-requirement-even-amid-covid-surge/3777279/ |
Christina Mitchell Busbee cut her teeth in Uvalde as an assistant district attorney prosecuting criminals with nicknames like “Righteous” and “Cartel” as she helped take down members of the Latin Kings and Mexican Mafia gangs.
Today, as the district attorney in Uvalde, she is in charge of investigating the horrific May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School and the failure of law enforcement officers to confront the shooter until more than 70 minutes into his rampage.
Once lauded by the FBI for helping crack down on trans-border crime, the Republican prosecutor is now under fire over allegations that she has stonewalled the public’s right to know what transpired that late-spring day.
With the gunman dead, other former prosecutors say there may be no one she can hold criminally responsible, even if she tries to go after officers taking cover in the hallway outside two fourth-grade classrooms that had become killing grounds. Salvador Ramos, 18, of Uvalde, gunned down 19 students and two teachers, and wounded 17 others.
Busbee, 55, mostly has kept silent as victims’ families, her community, the media and lawmakers demand answers and accountability. She has been accused of blocking the release of details, even when other officials did not object to their release.
On ExpressNews.com: Video shows hour-plus wait to enter classrooms during Uvalde massacre
State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, chairman of a Texas House committee investigating the law enforcement response to the shooting, asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to allow the committee to release much of a video showing officers in the hallway while the shooter was still alive and shooting victims. The recording would not show any bodies or wounded students or teachers.
“We do not believe its public release would harm our investigative efforts,” Freeman Martin, deputy director of DPS’ Homeland Security Operations, responded in a letter. “In fact, releasing this video would assist us in providing as much transparency as possible to the public without interfering with the investigation in a manner that an immediate public release of all evidence would.”
But after DPS ran the matter by Busbee, he added, “She has objected to releasing the video and instructed us not to do so.”
The recording went public anyway. On Tuesday, the Austin American-Statesman and the Austin-area ABC affiliate, KVUE, aired the hallway surveillance footage.
It depicts police arriving at the scene quickly and approaching two classrooms where the gunman was shooting. The officers retreat after being fired on and do not approach again for more than an hour.
A “stack” of officers finally went in to classroom 111 at 12: 50 p.m., shooting and killing Ramos. The Express-News learned Friday that the unit included Border Patrol agents Chris Merrill, Paul Guerrero, John Becker and two off-duty deputies: Joaquin Ibarra from the Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office and Jose Luis Vasquez from Zavala County. Another Border Patrol officer in the stack, Wayne Jackson, was grazed in a brief firefight with the gunman.
For his part, Burrows said he plans to release the video after the families have viewed it on Sunday. The House committee also will release its preliminary report on the shooting and the failed police response.
“How in the world is the DA going to be negatively impacted by disclosing things that happened in public?” said Bill Blagg, a former state prosecutor in Bexar County. “Maybe she’s got some justification for holding things back, but who in the world is she going to prosecute?”
“If there’s public pressure for accountability and transparency, the best cure for the problem might be to shed some daylight on it,” said Blagg, who also was the one-time top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Texas, which includes Uvalde. “Sometimes, the public’s right to know outweighs anything the DA’s got in her pocket.”
Busbee — whose turf is the 38th Judicial District, which includes Uvalde and Real counties — has not explained publicly why she wants to keep details of the massacre and the police response to it under wraps.
Her friends and supporters aren’t surprised. They say she’s a sharp lawyer, but an introvert who can sound harsh when she does speak her mind.
“She’s very smart,” said former Uvalde DA Daniel Kindred, who hired her as an assistant prosecutor in 2011. “She’s a very competent attorney, and she did a good job.”
Karen Brickey, who has known Busbee since grade school in Boerne, said Busbee gets straight to the point in conversation and in her public comments. She is sometimes seen as brusque and hard-edged, as women in powerful jobs often are. In other words, her gender factors into how her words and actions are interpreted.
Busbee is in a position of authority mostly held by men, many of whom play up tough-guy personas.
“If a man represents the facts in a very straightforward manner, they are seen as strong,” Brickey said. “But if we as women do it, we’re seen differently. I see her as a strong person.”
Community activist Diana Olvedo-Karau, 63, of Uvalde, said she met Busbee a couple of years ago as she campaigned for district attorney.
“I was involved in the campaign process at the time and met her, and she strikes me as a nice person, But from my observations of her interactions with others she doesn’t — in my opinion, she’s not a people person,” Olvedo-Karau said. “She is not a personable person, possibly an introvert’s personality.”
“It’s hard for her to engage,” she said. “It can be a hindrance in public office.”
Clashes
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr. and state Sen. Roland Gutierrez have been Busbee’s most dogged critics. They recently asked Gov. Greg Abbott to take away her duties administering a $5 million fund for victims of the mass shooting.
McLaughlin said Uvalde residents have complained that “they go out there to see her, she’s rude to them, she won’t talk with them.”
“We’ve had families tell us that they’ve asked for money to help with their bills and they’re not getting it,” he said.
He and Gutierrez asked Abbott to put the fund under the control of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. However, the governor declined to do so.
On Monday, Busbee told Uvalde County Commissioners Court that the state-granted fund is not allowed to make grants directly to victims. The money is being used for counseling for anyone in Uvalde affected by the mass shooting.
McLaughlin and Gutierrez also have blistered Busbee for her decision to keep a tight rein on investigation stemming her office’s investigation.
Gutierrez, a Democrat whose senate district includes Uvalde, said in a Senate committee hearing in June that DPS director Steven McCraw told him that Busbee instructed DPS not to release any information about the investigation to Gutierrez.
Some law enforcement sources have said some relatives of the victims felt that Busbee came across as rude early on. But the sources said things smoothed over a little after Busbee enlisted the help of outside attorneys, including former Brazos County DA Bill Turner.
Related: Morning of chaos: A reconstruction of how the Uvalde massacre unfolded
In a June 6 interview, Turner said Busbee called and three other attorneys to handle the “volume of information” stemming from the inquiry. They include district attorneys Tonya Ahlschwede and Audrey Louis, who each oversee five-county rural regions near Uvalde County, and Nelson Barnes, another former prosecutor.
“There’s just such an overwhelming amount of work to be done that she just kind of called in and asked for help,” said Turner, a Democrat who worked as a prosecutor for the Texas Attorney General’s office after a three-decade tenure as the top prosecutor in Brazos County.
After the Express-News visited contacted some of her family to gather biographical information, Busbee asked the Express-News not make the incident about her or her family. She said politicians had made untrue comments about her, resulting in threats to her and others at her office and some of her relatives.
“The emphasis of this horrific event that my community has suffered should be based on the deceased victims, their families, the injured and their families, the trauma suffered by the children of Robb Elementary and the overall Uvalde Community, and of course, the investigation,” she wrote. “If anyone has found me to be rude during this tragic event, I sincerely apologize for my demeanor that came across in that manner.”
“I will not comment on the investigation that is pending,” she said, adding she planned a careful review. “I would appreciate the time to allow me to do my job once the investigation is submitted to my office.”
Keeping her head down
Busbee has lived in Uvalde for more than a decade, and she’s little known outside Uvalde and Real counties. And within Uvalde, she’s an enigma to some.
She grew up in Boerne, and has lived in Bergheim. Growing up, she had a number of jobs, including working in a Boerne dry-cleaning business owned by her late grandfather, George Candido Tejeda Mitchell, a direct descendant of the Canary Islanders who settled San Antonio.
She earned her law degree at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1996, and began practicing law in Boerne in 1997 and garnered trial experience early in her career in Amarillo.
Busbee practiced law in Kendall County and the Hill Country for 15 years, focusing largely on family, commercial and criminal litigation as well as appeals. She also taught mock trials to high school students in the Boerne school district, according to her LinkeIn profile.
She has remained active in parent-teacher organizations and booster clubs in Boerne and Uvalde. In 2010, a San Antonio radio station named her “Woman of the Year.”
“She was always great, legal-wise,” said Karen Brickey, the former Boerne classmate. She hired Busbee to handle her divorce, and found her comforting.
“It wasn’t just legal things. It was my life,” Brickey said. “It was great to have words that were more than just about money, money, money. She wanted the best for me and the best for my children.”
In another divorce case, Scott Milgrom ended up on the other side of Busbee, his wife’s attorney. He found Busbee intimidating.
“She was a bulldog,” Milgrom said. “Back then, I was thinking I wish she was my attorney.”
On ExpressNews.com: Embattled Arredondo quits Uvalde council
She is married to former Uvalde assistant police chief Mark Busbee, and has three children from a prior marriage. Her parents and brother and sister still live in Boerne.
She moved to Uvalde in late 2011 when Kindred hired her with a grant for prosecuting crimes stemming from the Texas-Mexico border.
“In this position, I was involved in a four-year state and federal complex investigation regarding the Latin Kings. This investigation, although initiated in Uvalde County, involved targets in the San Antonio, Austin and Houston area,” Busbee told the Uvalde Leader-News in 2020. “As a result of this investigation, I was able to obtain 31 state indictments on 21 individuals from Uvalde County, which all resulted in final convictions.”
She collaborated with the FBI’s office in Del Rio in an investigation that resulted in 10 state indictments of members of the Texas Mexican Mafia in Medina County for drug and other organized crime.
In recent years, her office has handled prosecutions under Operation Lone Star. Abbot has said he launched the controversial program to combat human and drug smuggling.
In October 2020, the FBI recognized Busbee and her chief investigator, Shayne Gilland, for their efforts to combat border crimes and transnational criminal organizations. They were given certificates of recognition, signed by FBI director Christopher Wray, at the bureau’s San Antonio office.
She stepped up to run for district attorney in 2020 when her boss, Mark Haby, was elected district attorney in Medina County. She ran unopposed in the November 2020 election, and winning 7,694 votes. She took office as the district attorney in January 2021.
Defendants?
The school shooting investigation is a huge undertaking for Busbee. Her office has an annual budget of $432,400 and employs an assistant district attorney and three prosecutors who handle border prosecutions and at least one investigator. She is currently looking for someone to fill one of the border prosecutor posts, with pay of $85,000.
She has not publicly said what her office plans to do once the Texas Rangers and the Texas Department of Public Safety hand over the case file, which is expected to take several weeks. The agencies are investigating the Ramos’ rampage and how officers on the scene responded.
Former prosecutors said it’s necessary to keep details of any investigation under wraps — to prevent witnesses from trying to change their statements to align with recordings or with what others have said.
While much of the investigation has focused on the officers’ actions, prosecutors not involved in the case see an uphill battle to hold anyone criminally responsible since the shooter is dead.
Jay Norton, a former assistant district attorney who headed the criminal trial division and the law enforcement integrity unit in Bexar County, said it does not appear that any of the officers who shot the gunman are under criminal investigation.
“From everything I’ve seen and heard, it appears to be an obviously justified shooting,” Norton said.
And the delayed police response “appears to be a mistake,” he said. “It doesn’t appear to me to be a criminal mistake.”
“There’s a lot of mistakes made,” said Norton, now a criminal defense lawyer in San Antonio. “It’s unfortunate, but a terrible mistake is not necessarily a crime.”
Mike McCrum, a defense lawyer who previously headed the drug and major crimes units at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Antonio, said keeping evidence from the public during a criminal investigation is a no-brainer for prosecutors.
“There’s a valid reason for not disclosing recordings or other written statements prematurely,” McCrum said. “That said, it may be wise to explain why you’re not disclosing recordings. Sometimes, it’s not enough to say, ‘There’s a pending investigation.’ You have to explain why it’s important.”
guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland | Staff Writers Sig Christenson and Jasper Scherer contributed to this story | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Uvalde-DA-school-shooting-probe-17308738.php | 2022-07-16T10:36:30 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Uvalde-DA-school-shooting-probe-17308738.php |
Modern appeal: Alliance Country Club debuts $100,000 upgrade to ballroom, locker room
ALLIANCE – When you walk in, it feels airy. The room is well-lit and modern.
A $100,000 makeover of the ballroom and ladies locker room at the Alliance Country Club has breathed new life into two areas that once were considered stale and outdated.
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Anna Strouble, director of marketing and membership, said the ballroom always offered a spacious place for events and receptions, but its former look deterred potential users.
Strouble said those seeking a bridal party site, in particular, weren't interested.
"No one ever really said anything directly," she said, "but I was definitely picking up on it."
The club, opened in 1911, has 291 members.
Strouble and general manager Troy Grove approached board members with a proposal to modernize the ballroom and the ladies locker room, which doubles as a bridal room, in early 2020.
Upgrades made during COVID
Then, COVID-19.
Strouble said the club took advantage of the COVID restriction canceling indoor gatherings and used that time to make the upgrades. "It was a good opportunity," Grove said.
The ballroom features new tables, chairs, decor, lighting, flooring and chandeliers, and an upgraded terrace overlooks the 18-hole golf course.
The walls have been painted and feature stylish acoustic panels to mitigate noise after dreary wallpaper and carpet were removed.
"We got this project done and everybody was so happy with this," Grove said, "(The board) approved continuing to the ladies locker room."
The locker room received a similar treatment including new floors, lights and brighter walls.
"It looks nice," Strouble said.
'Hidden gem'
Strouble said the new look, visible in photos posted to social media, have attracted attention she hopes will turn into rentals.
"We're kind of a hidden gem," she said.
Strouble said the club has "more open dates" available than most wedding venues. It also can host such gatherings as corporate events, golf outings and holiday parties.
Strouble said members can rent the facility for free. Non-members, with member sponsorship, can rent the space for a fee.
Call 330-823-1010, ext. 122, for more information on rental availability.
Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @bduerREP. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2022/07/16/alliance-country-club-golf-ballroom-remodel-2022/7789356001/ | 2022-07-16T10:58:31 | 0 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/alliance/2022/07/16/alliance-country-club-golf-ballroom-remodel-2022/7789356001/ |
Unity of Flagstaff Jul 17 — Unity of Flagstaff, 1800 S. Milton Road, Flagstaff. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Do you find yourself using the phrase, "Well since Covid..."? Has your Spirit been dampened by a collective consciousness of being overwhelmed, under motivated or settling for less than the capacity of your Infinite Self? It's time to TURN IT UP A NOTCH! The whole of God is present at every point in space at the same time. God doesn't come and go. Spirit expressing as YOU is always present, totally present as a Presence. —Eric Butterworth Join us this Sunday 10:30 AM Live or LIVE STREAM 1800 S. Milton Suite #103. https://go.evvnt.com/1242265-0.
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany Jul 16 — The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 423 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff. 928-774-2911. 8 a.m.- July 17, 10:30 a.m., WELCOMING ALL: with Rev Lynn Perkins Celebrating: SAT 5:30PM; SUN: 8:00AM & 10:30AM (COVID masks are required)- with organ, and congregational singing; IN PERSON or on-line at epiphanyaz.org ; 928-774-2911. https://go.evvnt.com/1235808-0.
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Beacon UU Sunday Service: “Pushing Up Daisies” – Conscious End of Life Choices Jul 17 — Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. 928-779-4492. 10-11 a.m., ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon - Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958. The Seventh Principle of Unitarian Universalism reads: “We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” As we make conscious choices to live this principle in our daily lives, walking lightly upon the Earth, we do not often think about how it applies to choices for our death care. Our culture's current practices are not sustainable, leaving a heavy carbon footprint and consuming precious natural resources. But what are the alternatives? Green burial is a growing trend nationally. We'll explore several options that are not yet available locally, but we, as conscious consumers, can change that. Together we can create new possibilities to Live Green and Leave Green. Rev. Char Tarashanti preaching, with music from Andrez Alcazar. During the service, Summer Grandy, the volunteer coordinator at the Flagstaff Family Food Center, will make a brief presentation. https://go.evvnt.com/1237317-0.
Flagstaff Federated Community Church: Please join us for in person services Sundays at 10 a.m. We are located at 400 W Aspen Ave. on the corner of Aspen and Sitgreaves in Downtown Flagstaff. All are welcome to our services. For more information about Flagstaff Federated Community Church please call our office at 928-774-7383, Mon – Thurs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Church of the Resurrection Sunday Church Services: May 8 — 740 W. University Heights Drive S., 740 W. University Heights Drive S., Flagstaff. 928-853-8522. 10-11:30 a.m., Church of the Resurrection Presbyterian Church in America (PCA): We invite you to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 740 W. University Heights Drive South as Rev. Joshua Walker preaches through the book of Acts. Please feel free to contact us for information on our mid-week gatherings and for more information on our church. You can find us at www.cor-pca.org and www.facebook.com/CORFlagstaff or we can be reached at corflagstaff@gmail.com and (928) 699-2715.
Living Christ Lutheran Church: Living Christ Lutheran Church is a diverse and LGBTQ-affirming community of disciples embraced by God's unconditional love and enduring grace. You are invited to celebrate with us God's love and presence in your life, grow in your discipleship, and leave empowered to be God's hands in the world. We worship through music, teaching, prayer, and the sacraments each Sunday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Fangmeier leading. We offer worship both in-person (masks are respected, not required; encouraged for unvaccinated) and online. Learn more about us at our new website: lclcflag.org.
Leupp Nazarene Church: The church, near mile post 13 or Navajo Route 15, has been holding services by teleconferences and doing drive-up meetings. For information, call pastor Farrell Begay at 928-853-5321. Teleconference number: 1-7170275-8940 with access code 3204224#. Services are 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Christian Science Society of Flagstaff: 619 W. Birch Ave. The Christian Science Society of Flagstaff has opened for Sunday services while continuing to have them available via Zoom for online and phone. Wednesday testimony meetings are available only via Zoom. For phone Sunday Services: Dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 369 812 794#, Passcode: 075454#. For phone Wednesday meetings, dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 971 672 834#, Passcode: 894826#. The access for Zoom on Sundays is: https://zoom.us/j/369812794. The Zoom access for Wednesdays is: https://zoom.us/j/971672834. The password to use to enter both is CSS. We welcome all to attend our Sunday Services in person, or live by Zoom, at 10:00 o’clock, and to attend our Wednesday Testimony meetings live by Zoom, at 5:30 o’clock. Our Reading Room will be open on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-12 noon. For further information please call 928-526-5982. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-july-16/article_34b33262-049a-11ed-872f-fbe3c795189f.html | 2022-07-16T11:01:19 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-july-16/article_34b33262-049a-11ed-872f-fbe3c795189f.html |
100 years ago
July 16, 1922: The possibilities of radio were demonstrated at Illinois State Normal University by the I.S.N.U. Radio Club. This was the first event of its kind in this part of the United States. Over $1,000 of radio equipment was placed upon the stage of the big auditorium. Upon the tables were nine different receiving units, two transmitting sets, four loud talkers and a phonograph attachment.
75 years ago
July 16, 1947: An all-school summer picnic — the first of its kind at Illinois Wesleyan University — is being planned for July 22. The university's entire faculty, student body, alumni and other personnel have been invited. The picnic will start at 5:30 p.m. on the campus grounds between Presser Hall and the Buck Memorial Library. The menu will feature barbecue and watermelon. After the picnic, a street dance will be held.
50 years ago
July 16, 1972: Because he "couldn't stand to see it sit in the garage deteriorating," Leo Loker, 511 W. Mill St., reluctantly parted with his 1932 Ford, some 40 years after he bought it. It was purchased by David Rehor of Deborn, Michigan, who collects 1932 Fords. Loker paid $585 for the car and, except for the salesman who drove it to him, has been its only driver. "Lots of memories go with the car," he said.
25 years ago
July 16, 1997: Nancy Messamore and Lucretia Crawford had what many might consider an enviable task at the Farmer City Fair. It was their job to judge about 150 goods in the fair's culinary division. In addition to judging each entry on texture, appearance and recipe, they had to nibble each to rate its taste. Also during the fair, Jaqueline Coone, 17, of Downs was named the 1997 Farmer City/DeWitt County Fair queen.
Compiled by Pantagraph staff | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/50-years-ago-bloomington-man-sells-cherished-1932-ford/article_87d367b6-0245-11ed-ba4c-4f15c8e8cec3.html | 2022-07-16T11:13:28 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/50-years-ago-bloomington-man-sells-cherished-1932-ford/article_87d367b6-0245-11ed-ba4c-4f15c8e8cec3.html |
WATERLOO — Cedar Valley United Way announced grants totaling $1.72 million across the Cedar Valley for the 2023-24 fiscal year funding cycle.
The funding was made possible by gifts to Cedar Valley United Way’s 2021 campaign. Of the investments, $1,528,468.15 was awarded in investment grants to 63 community programs at 39 local nonprofits that address needs in the areas of education, financial stability and health.
A news release noted that these areas are the building blocks for a good life – a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and improving physical and mental health. The United Way's goal is to create long-lasting change that supports and sustains the community.
Funding also went to emergency and basic needs programs to offer assistance in the event of a setback.
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Investment grants were chosen by Community Impact Team volunteers in each focus area after reviewing submitted applications, as well as looking at data addressing community needs to determine how United Way could make the largest impact with its community investment.
Programs needed to show strong, assessable outcomes and an impact that has proven results in the community. After deciding which programs to fund, the volunteers evaluated how much financial support to give them. They then focused on the targeted community needs of each funded program, the number of individuals the program will serve and how funds will advance the common good.
A complete listing of the 63 programs receiving strategic investment grants is available online at cedarvalleyunitedway.org/partners.
Additional investments include:
- $50,000 in social innovation grants directed at breaking the cycle of systemic poverty. Social innovation grant applications will be reviewed per need, and recipients will be announced as the grants are awarded. Organizations interested in social innovation grant funding may contact Debbie Roth at debbie.roth@cvuw.org for more information.
- $13,100 in designations to Cedar Valley United Way initiatives including the Books for Babies project, mental health impact work and Women United.
- $20,600 in our 211 Information and Referral Services system, a resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week that connects people to human services and health resources in the community.
- $25,000 to SuccessLink for a Data Management Project to advance the development of a community-wide data system.
- $2,150 to United Way’s Community Partner Fund to assist in responding to community needs as they arise. Previous investments in this area have included nonprofit board education and training, disaster response, and inclusion initiatives.
- $85,353 will be distributed in donor-directed designations to other 501(c)3 organizations as part of United Way’s work to encourage charitable giving.
To learn more about Cedar Valley United Way and its work in the community, visit cedarvalleyunitedway.org/community-impact. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-valley-united-way-announces-1-7-million-in-grants/article_122e2122-3636-591e-ac90-1750fa1dfce2.html | 2022-07-16T11:21:30 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-valley-united-way-announces-1-7-million-in-grants/article_122e2122-3636-591e-ac90-1750fa1dfce2.html |
The Racine Theatre Guild is hosting open auditions starting at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, July 18-19, for its next show.
“Native Gardens” features a “side-splitting, back-and-forth mudslinging, all-out turf war” that erupts when two sets of neighbors — one couple with an award-winning garden — learn that a portion of that backyard actually belongs to the pair with a barren yard.
This discovery rocks their friendship.
Characters in the show are:
Tania Del Valle (age 20s–30s): Latinx/Hispanic; smart, likable, positive, highly energized, pregnant Doctoral candidate and gardener.
Virginia Butley (age 50s–70s): Caucasian; no-nonsense engineer. She is assertive and fiercely protective.
Pablo Del Valle (age 20s–30s): Latinx/Hispanic; high-powered lawyer, ambitious, savvy. South American but educated in the United States.
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Frank Butley (age 50s–70s): Caucasian; caring, excitable, retired detail-oriented federal employee and an avid gardener.
Note: Actors and crew members must be fully vaccinated to volunteer on productions. Actors will be asked to show proof of vaccination at auditions.
Masks will be required to be worn when attending auditions and may only be removed while actively auditioning. Rehearsal protocols will be discussed at auditions.
Director Douglas Instenes will oversee auditions at the Racine Theatre Guild. No appointments are necessary, and you need to only attend one of the days. Auditions consist of a cold reading from the script. Individuals of all levels of experience are invited to audition.
Scripts may be checked out in advance from the box office with a $10 deposit, which will be refunded when the script is returned. The show will go into rehearsal at the end of July and will be performed weekends, Sept. 16 through Oct. 2.
For more information, contact the Box Office at 262-633-4218 or email boxoffice@racinetheatre.org. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/racine-theatre-guild-auditions-july-18-19-for-native-gardens/article_2404e964-03bf-11ed-b1c5-7b0982bdb13c.html | 2022-07-16T12:08:07 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/racine-theatre-guild-auditions-july-18-19-for-native-gardens/article_2404e964-03bf-11ed-b1c5-7b0982bdb13c.html |
The St. Therese Catholic Church Festival continues today at the church grounds, 2020 91st St. The festival is open 5 to 11 p.m. today (and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday). You know what to expect: Food, games, food, live music, food ... and MORE food!
The Kenosha Kingfish Legends Weekend Celebrity Softball Game, featuring Green Bay Packers players including Gilbert Brown, Ahman Green, Jordan Love and A.J. Dillon, is tonight. An autograph session is 6 to 7 p.m. The softball game is 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Simmons Field, 7817 Sheridan Road. Tickets are $20, including the autograph session and the game. Call 262-653-0900 or go to kingfishbaseball.com.
The Waterford Balloonfest is open noon to 9:30 p.m. today, on the Waterford High School, Evergreen and Fox River school properties on Main Street. Organizers are hoping to have about 15 hot air balloons at the festival. The launch windows — during which the balloons will take to the sky (weather permitting) — are 6 to 7:30 a.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m. The “evening glow” with lighted balloons is 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $10 (cash only). For more details about activities, go to waterfordballoonfest.com.
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Huzzah! The Bristol Renaissance Faire is open for another season of making merry while wearing chain mail. The Faire celebrates the day in 1574 when Queen Elizabeth visited Bristol, England. If you see the queen, remember to use your best royal wave to greet her majesty. The Faire is open weekends through Sept. 5, located just west of I-94 at the Wisconsin/Illinois border. For more details, go to renfair.com/bristol/ | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-saturday-july-16/article_076eea94-03c3-11ed-8b74-9743d7bf22e5.html | 2022-07-16T12:08:13 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-saturday-july-16/article_076eea94-03c3-11ed-8b74-9743d7bf22e5.html |
Space Coast sees jump in COVID-19 related deaths, CDC data show
COVID-19 related deaths on the Space Coast increased this past week, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From July 2 to July 9, 37 people died of COVID-19 in Brevard County. The Space Coast hasn't seen this many deaths in a week since the omicron variant's record-breaking spread in January.
The uptick in deaths comes after the CDC reported no new deaths last week, which was unusual. It's important to note all the data is provisional and can change. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 2,051 COVID-19 related deaths in Brevard County.
Previously:COVID-19 cases increase as Space Coast remains a community of high transmission
COVID BA.5 dominant variant in Florida:The BA.5 'ninja' COVID-19 variant is now dominant in Florida. What that means, and what to do
Column:A family and world united by grief: COVID's continued, shattering impact | Kennerly
Despite the increase in deaths, COVID-19 cases saw a slight decrease this week.
Data released Friday by the Florida Department of Health shows that from July 8 to July 14, there were 303.7 cases per 100,000 population which means there were 1,059 total cases this week. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 319.8 cases per 100,000 population. The new case positivity rate decreased from 23.1% last week to 19.2% this week.
However, there could be far more infections in the community than are tracked because at-home test kit results go unreported and not everyone who is symptomatic takes a COVID-19 test.
Because hospitalization and case rates this past week remained elevated, Brevard County is still a community of high COVID-19 transmission. The CDC calculates transmission levels through a combination of hospitalizations and case rates.
The CDC reported that there were 92 COVID-19 admissions from July 7 to July 13 across the Space Coast. The CDC said hospitalizations didn't increase or decrease this week but last week's numbers showed 89 people hospitalized so it wasn't immediately clear why the CDC reported no change between the two weeks.
The CDC advises that in communities of high transmission, residents should mask-up indoors, vaccinate and take a COVID-19 test when feeling unwell.
Thus far, 67% of the eligible population — those ages 6 months and older — have received at least one dose of a vaccine.
According to FDOH, of the eligible population in Florida, age group vaccination rates across the state are:
- Ages 6 months- 4 years, 1.0% vaccinated.
- Ages 5-11, 24% vaccinated.
- Ages 12-19, 64% vaccinated.
- Ages 20-29, 65% vaccinated.
- Ages 30-39, 72% vaccinated.
- Ages 40-49, 80% vaccinated.
- Ages 50-59, 84% vaccinated.
- Ages 60-64, 88% vaccinated.
- Ages 65+, 94% vaccinated.
Nationwide, 71.3% of Americans ages 5 and older have been fully vaccinated. There have been 89,067,445 COVID-19 cases and 1,018,578 deaths nationwide since the start of the pandemic.
Where to get vaccinated
The Florida Department of Health is offering COVID-19 vaccines at three sites.
- Viera clinic, at 2555 Judge Fran Jamieson Way.
- Melbourne clinic, 601 E. University Blvd.
- Titusville clinic, 611 N. Singleton Ave.
Residents also can get vaccinated at Omni Healthcare's offices, as well as at its walk-in vaccination clinic located in Suite 303 on the third floor of 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. in Melbourne, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Vaccinations also are available from 9 a.m. to noon in Suite 2C of Omni's 1344 S. Apollo Blvd. complex.
Amira Sweilem is the data reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Sweilem at 386-406-5648 or asweilem@floridatoday.com. | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/07/16/brevard-county-florida-covid-deaths-hospitalizations-increase/10027275002/ | 2022-07-16T12:16:23 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2022/07/16/brevard-county-florida-covid-deaths-hospitalizations-increase/10027275002/ |
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department is searching for a 22-year-old man last seen leaving his home earlier this week.
Hiro Verdecia left his home located near the intersection of West Iowa Avenue and South Manhattan Avenue around 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, police explained in a news release.
Police describe Verdecia as 5 feet 9 inches tall with a thin build. They say he was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a forest green shirt, forest green sneakers and a pirate's patch (unknown color). He was also seen carrying a gray backpack.
Verdecia has a sunflower tattoo on his right forearm, police say.
Anyone with information is asked to contact our non-emergency number at 813-231-6130. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/hiro-verdecia-tampa-missng-22-years-old/67-5ba0b794-2a83-490a-9581-cf97c6b53e93 | 2022-07-16T12:17:05 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/hiro-verdecia-tampa-missng-22-years-old/67-5ba0b794-2a83-490a-9581-cf97c6b53e93 |
Carnivals and fairs in the Lehigh Valley this week are still drawing intense emotions and reactions for residents, but not just the ecstasy of a thrilling ride — now it’s outrage.
That’s at least according to what one carnival organizer said when people complained about the prices for carnivals in the Valley this season.
The Dewey Fire Company Annual Carnival in Hellertown runs through Saturday.
Through Thursday, people can purchase a $30 wristband that grants one person of any age unlimited access to the carnival’s 16 rides, including a Ferris wheel, a rollercoaster, a swing and a slide. Other ticket options include buying one ticket for $1.50, 20 tickets for $20 and 55 tickets for $50.
“$30 per person for a wristband for 1 night at Dewey Carnival. Seriously!!!” Krysta Buss posted in the Facebook group Complainers of Hellertown. “I don’t know about most people but as a family of 5 with 1 main [source of] income we cannot afford $90 just for rides!!!”
Wristbands won’t be available over the weekend.
The Dewey prices represent a partial increase from last year. At that time, the same wristband cost $25 and a single ticket cost $1.25, according to Goodtime Amusements co-owner Judd Good. The company provides food, rides and games for events like the Dewey carnival, the Big Time Carnival in Roseto and the Carbon County Fair in Little Gap.
Good said the biggest hurdle for the company and the prices it set is the rising cost of fuel, specifically diesel, as everything from the trucks the company uses to the rides it provides relies on diesel.
The company is using $2,000 worth of fuel per week for events and equipment, Good added.
“Inflation has hit everybody ... and we’re not trying to price ourselves out of existence,” he said. “We’re [disadvantaged] at the pump right now.”
He said any outrage about the prices will likely pass over, and recommended that anyone with affordability concerns for their families should consider the larger ticket sheet options to save money. Good also said he doesn’t anticipate future season prices to continue increasing, as the fuel prices should normalize at some point with stagnating wages and rent increases.
“You can only pass so much of that onto the consumer,” he said.
Despite complaints about the prices there, the Dewey carnival saw plenty of turnout on Thursday. Dozens upon dozens of families and friends were in attendance later in the evening, enjoying attractions such as food, bouncy houses, rollercoasters, games and a Ferris wheel.
Peter and Sarah Radlowski of Hellertown were enjoying their first year at the carnival with their 2-year-old-son Judah.
The two said they were comfortable with the prices they saw at the carnival, adding such prices are to be expected with inflation and the cost of commodities like food and gas.
First Call
“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a carnival expecting not to spend a good portion of my [money],” Peter said.
The events under Goodtime Amusements weren’t the only ones residents criticized for prices. The Quakertown Fire Department Carnival Aug. 2-6 is charging $40 for a “One Price Ride Special” offer for the first few days, according to its Facebook page.
“$40 is [a lot] for 6-7 rides,” user Jill Campbell Troche commented. “Maybe if food/drink was included too, then yes. But that price is nuts.”
The Quakertown Fire Department couldn’t be reached for comment.
Kerry Benner, who owns the amusement company Penn Valley Shows, concurred that increased fuel and labor costs from last season are to blame for the increased carnival prices. The Sellersville Volunteer Fire Department Carnival, for which Penn Valley Show provides rides, is also on through Saturday, and offers a $25 wristband on Tuesday and Thursday and a $18 wristband on Saturday for people to enjoy unlimited rides.
Benner said he couldn’t recall the previous year’s price for the wristband, but acknowledged it has increased. He added that he can’t say for sure if his company will be affected financially by these price increases until the season ends, and that it wouldn’t matter how much revenue it grosses if the costs remain too high. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-carnival-prices-20220716-qma6d6nmofg6fdgbuxlfoqj5te-story.html | 2022-07-16T12:28:23 | 1 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-carnival-prices-20220716-qma6d6nmofg6fdgbuxlfoqj5te-story.html |
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
When I heard my editor say, ”It’s hot as hell” I wondered if it was true. There was only one way to know for certain. I dialed my reliable source.
“You’ve reached hell.”
“Hello, I’m calling to —“
“— If you are calling regarding your contract with Lucifer, touch 1. If you wish to know your soul’s status or your soul’s itinerary for Eternity, press 2. If you wish to speak to our Press Office, press 3. If you are a pitchfork peddler —”
Bingo. I pressed 3.
“Press Office. Bob Beelzebub speaking. What in hell are you calling about?”
“What?”
“I love that joke! Who’s this?’
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“Dave Fitzsimmons. I’m a cartoonist and I was wondering—”
“The answer is yes, all cartoonists are condemned to hell. No exceptions. Does that answer your question?’
“No. I’m calling from Tucson where people often say Tucson is hot as hell and I was wondering if that’s true and —”
“—Did you say Tucson!? I have a brother who lives there! He was one of the Seven Princes of hell, then he retired after 10,000 years. He was so burned out.”
“10,000 years? I’ll bet he was toast.”
“Totally. Loves Arizona. Especially in the summertime. He says your wildfires make him feel right at home. So tell me. What’s your question?”
“Folks here like to complain it’s hotter than hell here in July and I was wondering if that’s actually true. How hot is hell?”
“Checking my Weather App, Mr. Fitzsimmons, it looks like where you are at in Arizona is not as hot as Phoenix, which is hotter than a Quonset hut in Quartzite at high noon.”
“Uh-huh. But can you tell me how hot it is in hell?”
“It’s hotter than Bullhead City — which is hotter than a seat belt buckle in a Buick in a Gila Bend junkyard.”
“Can you give me a number? The temperature?”
“Where I am right now, looking out my office window onto the Lake of Fire, it’s hotter than a doorknob in Death Valley.”
“And that is …”
“Anywhere from 2,200 degrees to 9,000 degrees. I suspect that’s hotter than Tucson.”
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Will be?”
“Darned! I meant darned. I admit I’m a little disappointed. Old Pueblo pride and all.”
“Cheer up. Climate change is on your side. Anything else I can help you with? We offer tours. Have you seen our gift shop?”
“Actually, while I have you … why are cartoonists damned?”
“Your vile drawings! None of us looks like a mountain goat crossed with a tomato carrying a trident.”
“Write a letter to my editor. Do you have any Tucsonans down there?”
“More than I can count on all four hooves. So many of them are cast into our hell pit for driving sins. The worst are the venal snakes who swoop in to grab parking spaces— in the shade, close to the store’s entrance — from your less aggressive drivers.”
“The lowest. Where are they?”
“Condemned to circle our eternal Michigan Turn. In smoking Ford Pintos. For all time.”
“Wow.”
“With their windows rolled up.”
“Awful.”
“With busted ACs blowing hot air in their broiled faces.”
“Stop.”
“With their radios set to Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’ looping over and over.”
“Please stop.”
“Behind a retiree driving 25 miles an hour with his left turn signal blinking for all time.”
“Are you done?”
“During rush hour.”
“Are you done?”
“I’m done.”
“Listen, I got to go.”
“You don’t want to know what becomes of those who lock children or animals in a parked car.”
“You’re right,“ I said as I wiped my wet brow and leaned into my desk fan.
“One more thing. There’s been a huge rule change that should interest every Tucsonan.”
“What’s that?”
“Any condemned soul who ever spent a summer in Tucson, with only an evaporative cooler, will have their Celestial Sentence pardoned.”
“That’s a hell of a thing.”
“Yes, it is. And they will be sent straight up to Heaven.”
“Why?”
“It’s our new Double Jeopardy Rule. There’s no way we can match the torment those poor sweaty souls have endured under their swamp box. They’ve done their time.”
“Hey. Thanks for the scoop. I could talk to you all day but I really have to go. My guayabera shirt’s soaked with sweat, deadlines are calling and my editor’s head is on fire.”
“It was a hell of a fun time. Hope we’ll see you soon, Mr. Fitzsimmons.”
“Not if I can help it.” I hung up and glanced out my window at the time and temperature sign shimmering in the heat across the empty street. I looked back at the monitor and started tapping out my story. I didn’t care what my source said. As far as I was concerned, on this day, Tucson was hot as hell.
David Fitzsimmons, tooner@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/fitzs-opinion-is-tucson-really-as-hot-as-heck-these-days/article_e207f392-02f3-11ed-aae9-23a02716bedd.html | 2022-07-16T12:36:31 | 1 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/fitzs-opinion-is-tucson-really-as-hot-as-heck-these-days/article_e207f392-02f3-11ed-aae9-23a02716bedd.html |
Through a partnership with the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory University and the Georgia Public Library Service, "She Gathers Me: Networks Among Black Women Writers," now will be available at the Dougherty County Public Library's Northwest Branch, located at 2507 Dawson Road July 21-Aug. 21.
ALBANY – Through a partnership with the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library at Emory University and the Georgia Public Library Service, "She Gathers Me: Networks Among Black Women Writers," now will be available at the Dougherty County Public Library's Northwest Branch, located at 2507 Dawson Road July 21-Aug. 21.
Originally on display at the Rose Library, the exhibit was curated by the Rose’s Instruction Archivist Gabrielle M. Dudley. "She Gathers Me" examines the connections found within intimate correspondences, personal projects, and speaking engagements and furthers understanding of the interconnectedness of black women writers beyond their published works. The exhibit features luminaries like Alice Walker, Audre Lorde, Pearl Cleage, Tayari Jones and others.
“Through the exhibition, viewers will witness the ways that writers seek community with one another that may not always be apparent through published works,” Dudley said. “While close friendships can be seen throughout, viewers will also see how these women respectfully challenged and shaped each other’s ideas and perspectives.”
"She Gathers Me" is a colorful mosaic of six upright banners exploring the insights, experiences and relationships of the featured authors with each panel dedicated to a specific aspect of their community -- collective, sister writers, dialogue and remembrance -- so their works are never lost, exhibit officials say.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/library-exhibit-highlights-black-women-writers/article_1cf14850-04f7-11ed-abe6-73e448a20ba7.html | 2022-07-16T12:44:33 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/library-exhibit-highlights-black-women-writers/article_1cf14850-04f7-11ed-abe6-73e448a20ba7.html |
LUMPKIN -- A new complaint alleges that a nurse sexually assaulted four women who sought medical attention at an ICE detention center in south Georgia.
A nurse at the privately run Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, according to the complaint, took advantage of his position to coerce the women "into giving him access to private parts of their body without medical justification or need."
The Southern Poverty Law Center and a coalition of advocacy organizations filed the administrative complaint with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. It accuses Immigration and Customs Enforcement and private prison company CoreCivic of enabling the nurse's alleged actions and failing to protect and care for people in their custody.
The complaint details the accusations of four women identified with pseudonyms and described as detainees held at Stewart in late 2021 and early 2022.
Two of the women notified Stewart officials of the nurse's alleged behavior while they were in detention, according to the complaint, which alleges the women were "brazenly retaliated against through aggressive and accusatory interrogations and threats of prolonged imprisonment."
The nurse's name is redacted in a copy of the complaint the organizations released to the media. The complaint, first reported by The Intercept, says the nurse continues to work and see patients at Stewart.
A spokesman for CoreCivic, the private company that operates the detention facility, said in a statement released to CNN that an internal administrative investigation of two of the women's accusations found one woman's claim to be "unsubstantiated" and the other's to be "unfounded."
Those women were released from Stewart before the investigation concluded, CoreCivic spokesman Matthew Davio said.
"We have very little information regarding the claims made by the other two women but will investigate them thoroughly if and when we receive that information," he said.
The nurse was placed on administrative leave during the company's investigation, Davio said, adding that there have been no allegations against the nurse before or since.
"As he was cleared of all allegations, the nurse is still in our employ," Davio said. "We unequivocally deny any claims of threats or retaliation."
ICE also said its administrative investigation into the initial allegations determined they were unsubstantiated.
"Two allegations remain under investigation, and ICE continues to follow all appropriate protocol" for reporting and investigations, an ICE spokesman said in a statement. "Any individual -- ICE employee or contractor -- suspected of sexual abuse or assault is immediately removed from contact with detained individuals until the completion of the investigation."
The agency has "a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of assault, including sexual abuse," the spokesman said, adding that facilities are required to notify ICE of all sexual abuse or assault allegations and notify local law enforcement of allegations involving potentially criminal behavior.
CNN also has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and the Stewart County Sheriff's Office for a response to the allegations.
The complaint filed this week alleges that the two women who reported the nurse while detained were repeatedly accused of lying by officials at Stewart and warned that if they continued with their complaints their detention could be prolonged, they could be charged and they could face up to seven years in prison. The complaint also alleges that food was withheld from one of the accusers.
At a press conference in Atlanta Thursday, advocates accused authorities of dismissing the women's complaints and threatening them rather than protecting them.
"How many times have we seen this? How many times -- that survivors are disregarded, not believed and vilified," said Amilcar Valencia, executive director of El Refugio ministry, an organization whose volunteers are in regular contact with Stewart detainees and their families. "To the survivors, we as a community are saying today that we hear you, that we believe you, that we stand by you, and we thank you for being brave."
The complaint outlines a series of allegations against the nurse.
In one instance, the nurse allegedly put his penis in a woman's hand during a medical exam, ordered her to lower her pants and tried to touch her below her waistline. When that woman, identified as "Maria Doe," attempted to report the alleged assault to officers at the facility, the complaint alleges that she was "subjected to repeated interrogations and accusations that she was lying."
In other instances, the complaint alleges the same nurse inappropriately touched women who'd come to him seeking medical help.
A woman identified as "Marta Doe" alleges that when she went to the medical unit for chest pain, the nurse had her remove her shirt and bra, then placed a stethoscope on her bare chest. On another occasion when she sought treatment for an injured wrist, the complaint says that the nurse "grabbed her hand and insisted that she remove her pants." In that instance, after she repeatedly refused, the complaint says, the nurse "gave up and told her to calm down."
Marta told CNN she was detained from September to November 2021 and didn't report the incidents when they occurred because she was afraid she'd face retaliation and would be forced to spend more time detained. But she says she told her attorney what had happened as soon as she was released from custody and felt it was important to join the complaint and share her story now, because she's afraid others could get hurt.
"There are a lot of us, the women who were abused mentally and physically. And he is still there," she said. "I'm afraid he's still causing harm."
The SPLC's Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative led the complaint, joined by Project South, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration, El Refugio, the Georgia Human Rights Clinic, the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights and Owings MacNorlin LLC.
The organizations are requesting removal of the nurse from Stewart, an investigation into the facility and records related to the cases, among other things.
Erin Argueta, the initiative's lead attorney, said the complaint was filed with the DHS civil liberties office because that division is tasked with investigating allegations of abuse in ICE detention.
"We hope for a thorough investigation, with transparent results and follow-up," she said.
Lawsuits also could be possible in the future, she said.
The Stewart Detention Center is one of the largest ICE detention facilities in the country. The facility had housed only male detainees for years, but ICE began holding women there in late 2020, several months after accusations of high rates of hysterectomies and medical neglect surfaced at another Georgia detention facility in Ocilla.
For years immigrant rights advocates have criticized medical care at Stewart -- and in the wider ICE detention system -- alleging inadequate staffing, delays in care and neglect.
CoreCivic's spokesman said Wednesday that the safety, health and well-being of detainees is a top priority. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/stewart-detention-center-nurse-accused-of-sexual-assault/article_68682272-04f2-11ed-a3e8-6f27a1b99d46.html | 2022-07-16T12:44:39 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/stewart-detention-center-nurse-accused-of-sexual-assault/article_68682272-04f2-11ed-a3e8-6f27a1b99d46.html |
ATASCOSA COUNTY, Texas — Note: The above video is from June 3, 2022.
The manhunt was intense when escaped prison inmate Gonzalo Lopez was speeding south through the San Antonio area and headed for the border on June 2.
Offering a window into the effort to stop a killer, Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward detailed the fast-moving, multi-faceted effort that ended with no harm to anyone except the accused.
At a time when Texans are still reeling from the massacre of Uvalde school children and teachers, Soward said he is grateful his team was successful in bringing a killing rampage to a halt in the heart of a quiet, small town neighborhood.
Soward said when he received intelligence that Lopez, accused of killing a family of five in the Centerville area northwest of Houston, might be headed into the heart of his community, he told his wife he would personally lead the hunt.
“That night I had this gut feeling that this guy was going to end up in our county and I didn’t want my guys to get into something with this fellow and me not be there,” Soward said, adding “ The most important thing – and everybody knew it – but we never talked about it - is that if this guy shows up? He doesn’t get away. He doesn’t get away with a chance to kill again.”
“The last thing we wanted him to do is get into a residential area, get into a house and take a hostage,” Soward said, adding “He had already killed five people so he’s going to kill again and we wanted to avoid that, most of all.”
Soward said with a massive cooperative effort underway by every law enforcement agency in the region, they had only moments to come up with a plan.
“Something just told me – I don’t want any of our officers stopping this guy, not knowing who he is, so I sent a message to all my officers to be on all the possible routes he would take,” Soward said.
Soward said he gathered his things and left home, knowing that the man they were after was desperate and maybe deadly.
“He did have an AR-style rifle, and we knew he would be armed. And of course, we knew he was dangerous and had nothing to lose, serving a life sentence in prison when he escaped,” Soward said.
But the hastily assembled plan to neutralize an accused killer was developed and successfully executed in a matter of minutes and Soward said he could not be more proud or grateful that when his people had to stare down a murder suspect – they didn’t blink.
The effort was massive and included Atascosa County deputies and constables and officers from Pleasanton, Jourdanton, Poteet, Lytle, DPS troopers and U.S. Marshals.
Soward said “Everybody was pleased that no officer got hurt, no civilians got hurt, nobody else was killed except the suspect and frankly we just didn’t really care about him. He had a gun and he was trying to kill us.”
A review of audio transcripts of the takedown on Broadcastify, and an interview with Soward, offers an insider’s view of an almost perfect operation.
“On this night, everything went smooth. Everybody worked together, and it did go down pretty much textbook,” Soward said.
A few minutes after 9 pm, lawmen from various agencies detailed the net they cast over several south Texas highways.
Soward said when they received intelligence that Lopez was headed south “We covered all the major roads in the county heading south, Interstate 35, Texas 16, US 281 and IH 37.”
At 9:48 pm the radio crackled: “He is armed with an AR-15 and a pistol and a whole bunch of ammo in the San Antonio area and is going to McAllen. He is in that pickup and he is armed.”
Lawmen knew what they were after: a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck had been stolen during the Centerville murders.
The takedown drama began around 9:57 pm when Atascosa County Chief Investigator Henry Dominguez, who works for the county’s Animal Control Authority, announced he had the suspect in his sight. Just 19 minutes later, at 10:16 pm, radio transmissions show it ended in a firefight that caused no collateral damage to any innocent civilians.
While some officers discussed how they planned to deploy spike strips to disable the truck, Dominguez announced he was following the truck.
Dominguez calmly announced he had the license plate they were after “I got a white Chevy. DPV is the first three (letters).”
Soward said at that point, they knew the battle was set, and he quietly reminded Dominguez to be careful.
Soward can be heard on the radio advising “Do not attempt to stop until we have plenty of backup,” while Dominguez replied “10-4. He’s weaving in and out of traffic.”
As Dominguez kept the truck in sight, others got ahead of the action, and deployed spikes.
Soward said the Jourdanton Police Chief set up the trap just north of town on Highway 16.
“The plan was to spike him out there and hopefully never allow him to get into town,” Soward said, adding “The spike was successful. We hit all four tires, but he kept going and we chased him into the edge of Jourdanton.”
The radio transmission calmly indicating “He’s still southbound but he’s starting to lose it. He’s going 50 mph but it was a good hit and he is losing rubber.”
After a few twists and turns west of Highway 16, the chase turned even more dangerous. Soward said “He went through a field, circled around behind a truck stop and came back out on the highway.”
At 10:13 pm there was an urgent warning to all the lawmen converging on the scene: “He’s got a gun! He’s got a gun! He hit a telephone pole. He’s still going!”
Soward said he heard the exchange of gunfire start because he was close by and he had rolled down his window so that he could track the chase.
“I heard several shots from a semi-automatic rifle, which had to be coming from him because none of our guys shot at him while he was driving on Cypress Street,” Soward said, adding Lopez was holding a rifle out the window, shooting at oncoming deputies.
“He ran off the road, jumped a curb, went down an embankment, hit a telephone pole and knocked it down and kept going until he hit a fence and that was as far as he could go,” Soward said, adding that his deputies, running toward rifle fire, returned fire.
One minute later “Shots fired! Shots fired!” was the urgent call on the radio, “He is running with a weapon!”
Soward said four lawmen returned fire to end the attack and by 10:16 pm the firefight was over.
The same deputies who stopped the rampage immediately began resuscitation efforts, but the damage, from multiple shots, was too great and Lopez was pronounced deceased, ending a crime spree that spanned 22 days and more than 400 miles across Texas.
In the intervening weeks, Soward said he has had time to reflect on the importance of bravery in the face of overwhelming danger, a topic that is top of mind for many Texans now.
Speaking of his team, who are like family members, Soward said “It’s always tough to send them out on dangerous missions, but that’s what they pay us to do.”
Soward said when it was over “It’s an overwhelming sigh of relief that’s hard to describe.”
After the heartbreak of the Uvalde massacre, Soward said Atascosa County residents have been expressing their gratitude for the way this incident ended.
“It’s pretty much like I haven’t seen it before,” Soward said, adding “I have had phone calls and messages from all over the area and I hardly think anyone has paid for a lunch in weeks, I mean, everybody wants to buy your lunch!”
“It’s good that the community appreciates law enforcement when law enforcement does something good because nowadays there’s been a trend across the United States to bash law enforcement,” Soward said, adding “but in this county we see that the citizens want and respect good law enforcement.”
“It’s good when they show it and mention it, good job, good job, I’ve heard it a hundred times in the last few weeks,” Soward said.
Soward said because he has experienced tragic results, he’s especially grateful for this outcome.
“The good guys got to go home, and that’s what we’re supposed to do, but most of all we’re supposed to protect the citizens. They’re supposed to be alive and well at the end of the night, even if we’re not. That’s our job,” Soward said.
Soward said in law enforcement, sometimes officers can go a while and not draw a lot of attention to their efforts. “I always tell people ‘Don’t pay us for what we do, but pay us for what we’re willing to do,’ and Thursday night, June the second, is a good example of that.”
“Of course I told them they did a great job and I handed out 14 commendations, and there was more people than 14 that were out there that night, but these 14 were there when it went down, in the middle of it pretty much,” Soward said.
When the shooting stopped, Soward said the job of making sure everyone in the area was safe rushed forward.
“The shooting happened in a yard and those people were not home. I think the good Lord just had that planned. I thank God they weren’t home,” Soward said, adding that the area is home to a number of senior citizens.
“There was an elderly housing unit off to the south of us, so officers knocked on all the doors and checked on people,” Soward said, relieved that no innocent person was hurt.
Soward said the officers who traded shots with Lopez were given a few days off after the Thursday gun battle, but they all were anxious to return to duty.
“We gave all those guys three days off to chill out and relax and be with their families and offered them more, but they were all ready to come back to work. They all wanted to come back on Monday and it says a lot about them,” Soward said.
The long-time sheriff, with decades of service, said “It’s a good feeling when everything goes right and it pretty much went right that night and everybody went home except the bad guy - so I’m grateful.” | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/ending-a-crime-spree-as-big-as-texas-an-insiders-view/273-d9f9a349-458c-4e43-9e3d-736d4db35de8 | 2022-07-16T12:53:28 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/ending-a-crime-spree-as-big-as-texas-an-insiders-view/273-d9f9a349-458c-4e43-9e3d-736d4db35de8 |
A man was shot and killed in a parking lot along Kelly Drive in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park neighborhood, police said.
Officers found the man along the 2400 block of Kelly Drive Saturday morning, the Philadelphia Police Department said. He had been shot in the head.
NBC10 cameras showed a white blanket over the man’s body as it lay just feet from the Schuylkill River. Several police officers were inspecting the area.
Police said at least two other men also died in separate shootings in Philadelphia on Saturday morning.
In South Philadelphia, a man died after being shot in the chest on the 6100 block of Passyunk Avenue. Someone drove him to Jefferson Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the PPD said. The circumstances surrounding his death remained under investigation.
In the Hunting Park neighborhood, a UPS delivery driver was gunned down along the 4000 block of North 7th Street, the department said. The man was possibly returning home from work when someone shot him, police said.
The police department did not immediately announce any arrests in the three shootings.
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-shot-dead-along-kelly-drive-in-fairmount-park/3301691/ | 2022-07-16T13:12:24 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-shot-dead-along-kelly-drive-in-fairmount-park/3301691/ |
Tour of Artful Gardens
By Jennifer Quarterman
The annual Flagstaff Tour of Artful Gardens is happening soon! Get excited to view what you can grow in Flagstaff and our own harsh environment. We love our gardens, and yes, it's possible! Come see for yourself and chat with the homeowners about how, why, and what you can achieve. Find where and how they have been successful in their gardens… it's always a work in progress.
Mark your calendar for the tour on July 23, 2022. That's a Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Maps of the garden tour locales are available for $12.00, cash or check preferred, on the day of the event only at Viola's Flower Garden, 610 S. State Rt. 89A, Flagstaff. Questions? Call or text Jenny at 720-560-7575.
A self-guided tour of seven lovely gardens featuring ponds, a waterfall, a tucked-away oasis, and shade trees display cool, relaxing summer retreats.
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Many gardens this year showcase incredible stone patios and hardscapes with comfortable bench seating from which to enjoy stone fireplaces and dark, starry skies.
Several gardens make you feel as if you’ve entered a peaceful park, including an elevated ramada, a large play structure, and more waterfalls!
All proceeds go to the Assistance League of Flagstaff, non-profit organization founded in 1978. It helps ten philanthropic programs in Flagstaff.
Fact or Fable?
By Cindy Murray
Need advice on how to grow juicy ripe tomatoes, plant a spruce, or get rid of aphids? Consult the best gardener in your neighborhood, right? Chances are, you'll receive some sage counsel. But nearly all gardeners, even highly successful ones, use a technique or two that isn't doing any good. Some, in fact, could be harmful. Here I will discuss a few gardening practices popular in northern Arizona and sort out which are sound, and which are merely empty claims.
• Should I use stakes to support my newly planted trees? Here in my neck of the woods, Timberline, winds reach upwards of 60 mph, so staking is a must, but we remove them after couple of years. In less wind-prone areas staking may be unnecessary or needed only until the trunks are strengthened, about a year. If you leave them much longer, the trunks may never gain their potential girth. Check frequently to ensure cords or wires do not cut into the bark. Verdict: Fact, with care.
• How about using a solution of dish soap and water to zap aphids? This can be a safe and effective method to kill some insect pests if you take a few precautions. First, select a dish soap that is free of dyes and perfumes. Next, test a low concentration of solution on a small section of the infested plant. One year when I treated a plum tree, the concentration of soap in my solution was too high, and every leaf was burned. Verdict: Fact, with precautions
• When I plant a tree or shrub, I always dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Is this the proper method? This rule-of-thumb is outdated. Hattie Braun, Coconino Master Gardener Program Coordinator, advises that you should dig a hole as deep as the root ball while loosening and breaking up the soil three to five times as wide as the root ball. Verdict: Fable
• My neighbor claims that painting her apple tree trunks white will prevent a malady called sunscald. Absurd, right? Sunscald (Southwest Winter Injury,) a condition that thin-barked trees develop when exposed to intense sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations during the winter, is a genuine concern in northern Arizona. It can be prevented by painting the trunk from the ground up to some of the lower branches with diluted white latex paint. This will prevent cracking of the bark. Verdict: Fact
My motto is “verify before use of any gardening practice that seems just too good to be true.” A good source of information is the Coconino Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program, which can be reached by emailing CoconinoMasterGardener@gmail.com.
Jennifer Quarterman has organized the Tour of Artful Gardens for many years. Cindy Murray is a biologist, co-editor of Gardening Etcetera. and a Coconino Master Gardener with Arizona Cooperative Extension.
If you have a gardening question, email CoconinoMasterGardener@gmail.com or call the Master Gardener Hotline at 928-773-6115 and leave a message. A Master Gardener will get back to you. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-tour-of-artful-gardens-and-fact-or-fable/article_af30bcda-049a-11ed-acce-772f9c215599.html | 2022-07-16T13:16:00 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-tour-of-artful-gardens-and-fact-or-fable/article_af30bcda-049a-11ed-acce-772f9c215599.html |
Nearly a year later, it remains a bit difficult for Coconino cross country coach Shannon Taylor to believe that the Panthers girls won their first Division III state title in the fall.
"It's surreal still. I'll be walking the halls of Coconino still and I'll go, 'Hey, that's our trophy. We actually did that after being so close after all these years.’ And we’re still so proud,” she said.
After a handful of runner-up finishes, the girls finally earned their rings. The boys improved too, finishing ninth in their title race.
Now the Panthers are hungry for more, with young squads on both sides. As the teams train during informal practices over the summer, there is a belief it can be done.
"We're bringing back almost everybody. We just graduated one senior and we've got some JV girls that were competing, so we've got a lot of depth on the girls side," Taylor said. "We lost our two top seniors from last year on the boys side, but we're bringing back a whole slew of young athletes."
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“It’s motivating because we did it once, so we could do it again," Panthers senior Zofia Sawasky added. “Now we want to be back where we were last year. It's going to be a lot tougher than it was last year.”
She’s right.
Coconino’s squads are making a move to D-II level. They’ll face faster teams on a regular basis, including crosstown rival Flagstaff, which has dominated the last few years. Both the Flagstaff Eagles boys and girls have won five of the past six D-II state championships.
It’s nerve-racking, but exciting, too.
"We've always had that rivalry with city meets and other races, but now it's there with sections and state. So that's another fun thing," Sawasky said.
And as the Panthers girls try to maintain their spot, the boys are in their own battle to qualify again.
After barely having enough runners to field a boys team in the 2020 season, they eked into the title race in sectionals last fall and performed well.
"It was huge for their momentum. They got top 10 after getting the last spot in qualifying, running the way we thought they could. So that's really big for that program," Taylor said.
And seeing the girls atop the podium last fall is fueling the boys to make their own history.
“We want to replicate them,” junior Nick Wolfe said. “It’s tough when we’re moving up to Division II, but we want boys and girls to be up there this year. And that’s going to take a lot of extra work from us, but I think we can do it.”
The summer period has been productive for the Panthers. The team is practicing regularly. From long runs in Buffalo Park or other area trails to faster-paced workouts on the school track or weight sessions, the buy-in from the athletes appears to be at a recent high.
Both teams are young, and around 50 athletes have taken part in the preseason -- with more expected to participate once school starts up again in the fall.
"We're still just trying to keep building a great cross country program,” Taylor said. “They're taking the wind from last year and wanting to be even better.”
Coconino’s first scheduled meet is in September, with official practices set for August. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/coconino-panthers-look-to-repeat-improve-ahead-of-cross-country-season/article_1992957a-0465-11ed-bcd4-f7ed9d154741.html | 2022-07-16T13:16:02 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/coconino-panthers-look-to-repeat-improve-ahead-of-cross-country-season/article_1992957a-0465-11ed-bcd4-f7ed9d154741.html |
WASHINGTON — Some of the asylum seekers who have recently traveled to D.C. by bus say they came to the District under false pretenses.
The state of Texas has been sending migrants to D.C. since April. The state of Arizona started to conduct the same practice in May.
The two states have sent more than 4,000 people combined to the District. Officials in both states say the participating migrants voluntarily agreed to take a bus trip north.
Many of the passengers on those buses had plans to go elsewhere after they arrived in D.C.
On Thursday, WUSA9 reporter Rafael Sanchez-Cruz talked to Ana Karina Arce Polano, an asylum seeker from Venezuela.
The mother of two says a man in a badge and uniform, in Texas, told her family they would be sent to Colorado after they got to D.C.
She said that ultimately did not happen.
"We arrived here with faith to give them a better life and it turns out that we do not even have a place to sleep and no way to get where we want to go,” she said.
Barbara Diaz, an asylum seeker and mother of three from Venezuela, also said a Texas official told her family someone in D.C. would ultimately provide her family with a bus ride or flight to Chicago.
“But it was all a lie,” she said.
Local non-profit groups say they have also heard similar stories from the migrants they have assisted outside Union Station in D.C.
It is unclear exactly who is promising future assistance to the Arizona and Texas bus passengers.
WUSA9 requested comment from both Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Emergency Management, but it has yet to get a reply from either office.
However, the office of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey did provide comment on the matter.
“If anyone is being misled, we certainly want to know about it,” said Ducey’s communications director CJ Karamargin.
A person seeking asylum goes through many steps before they ever board a bus for D.C.
Once a migrant seeking asylum reaches the United States border in Arizona, they turn themselves over to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a branch of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
After that, they are typically directed to go to a non-governmental organization named the Regional Center for Border Health (RCFBH). That non-profit is in Somerton, Arizona, just a 12-mile-long ride from the San Luis Port of Entry at the United States-Mexican border.
RCFBH provides medical services to people in western Arizona and the border region.
Ducey’s office says migrants are typically informed of the state’s offer to bus them to D.C. at RCFBH.
However, Arizona state officials add there is a lot they do not know about what is being told to migrants before they get on a bus. Misunderstandings resulting from language barriers between migrants and border officials can pop up too.
WUSA9 reached out to DHS, CBP, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to see if they were aware of any federal employees on the borders promising migrants they would be assisted once they get to D.C. Those agencies have yet to respond.
Still, the state of Arizona says one thing is for sure: the people who get on their buses often don’t want to stay in D.C.
Ducey’s spokesperson says it has sent 27 buses, containing 1,031 migrants, to D.C. since the middle of May.
The buses, which average 40 passengers and go to D.C. two to three times a week, are usually full of people who want to ultimately end up in other locations on the East Coast.
Arizona says half of the people who have volunteered to get on buses have expressed interest in going to New York or New Jersey, while a little under 20 percent have said they want to go to Florida.
Sixty-percent of the migrants that cross the border into Arizona and get on buses have come from the country of Colombia, according to Ducey’s office. Many others call Peru, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua home.
However, some migrants have come from much farther away.
Eighteen people from Russia have gotten on buses to head toward D.C. as well. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/a-lie-some-migrants-say-theyre-being-bused-to-district-under-false-pretenses/65-9e0cda60-5f12-4649-af5b-b8810a20345c | 2022-07-16T13:23:23 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/a-lie-some-migrants-say-theyre-being-bused-to-district-under-false-pretenses/65-9e0cda60-5f12-4649-af5b-b8810a20345c |
BRYAN, Texas — College Station, Texas residents will be among the first in the country to receive drone deliveries from Amazon Prime Air.
According to Amazon's spokesperson, Av Zammit, Prime Air has developed a system that enables Amazon drones to fly farther.
Zammit said, it is done as safely and reliably as possible, in order to avoid other aircraft, people, pets, and obstacles as much as possible.
Zammit mentioned customers can receive free and fast delivery on thousands of everyday items.
Residents will be able to select from a large selection of products never before offered by drone delivery. The program will begin later this year.
According to Zammit, the propellers are designed to reduce the transmission of high frequencies.
In an Amazon official statement, they stated that the Prime Air drone is capable of traveling at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour), reaching altitudes of 400 feet, and carrying packages weighing up to five pounds.
Amazon will display Residents' Prime Air-eligible items once they are onboarded.
Zammit said their order will be placed as usual and you will get an estimated arrival time with a status tracking system.
According to Zammit, when obstacles are detected, Amazon drones will automatically change course to avoid them. A drone ensures that any people, animals, or other obstructions are removed from the area surrounding the delivery location.
Zammit mentioned the delivery drone will fly to the resident's backyard and hover at a safe height until it delivers. The aircraft will return to base after releasing the package safely and returning to altitude.
Lastly Zammit said, in order to realize their drone delivery vision, Amazon has recruited hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists.
It was also said that Amazon has designed, built, and tested more than two dozen prototypes over the past nine years.
Zammit said the company will also make a significant investment in the local community, create new jobs, and develop partnerships with local organizations. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/amazon-using-drones-to-deliver-to-college-station/499-624fc145-4472-4e35-a6a3-195db0799b48 | 2022-07-16T13:23:29 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/amazon-using-drones-to-deliver-to-college-station/499-624fc145-4472-4e35-a6a3-195db0799b48 |
DALLAS — Dallas police are searching for a 23-year-old nurse who went missing Thursday night.
Police say Roxane Reza was last seen on foot around 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the 8200 block of Meadow Road in the North Dallas area.
Family and friends say Reza had gone out for a run near White Rock Lake like she normally does, but that she never returned home. She also didn't show up to work at the NICU at Baylor Scott and White Health on Friday.
According to family, the last location of Reza's phone was along the SoPac trail.
Reza is described as a Latin female, 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
According to police, she was last seen wearing workout clothes and running shoes. The colors of the clothes are unknown.
Police, family and friends spent Friday night searching along the trail in hopes of finding any trace.
"I'm hoping to just see my daughter and to come to me and give me that hug she wanted me to give her. I need my daughter back. I’m just so scared," Reza's mother, Matilte Reza, said.
Anyone with information on her disappearance is asked to call 911 or 214-671-4268. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/dallas-police-searching-missing-23-year-old-roxane-reza/287-21dde4b0-620a-4afa-a999-e436613c532e | 2022-07-16T13:23:35 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/dallas-police-searching-missing-23-year-old-roxane-reza/287-21dde4b0-620a-4afa-a999-e436613c532e |
HOUMA, La. — Investigators say a 2-year-old who was found dead in a Houma trash can died from severe blunt force trauma to the head.
The Houma Police Department published the cause of death of 2-year-old Ezekiel Harry on Friday, adding that the official coroner's report is still awaiting toxicology test results.
Harry's mother, Maya Jones, 28, and her live-in boyfriend Jermaine Robinson, 37, could potentially face the death penalty for the child's death.
Police said that Jones initially came to them with a report that her child had been abducted but that inconsistencies in her story immediately led them to suspect foul play. Jones' claims led to a several hour search by helicopters and boats along Bayou Terrebonne.
A few hours into the search, Police Chief Dana Coleman said that Jones led them to Ezekiel’s body, found in a trash can on Daspit Street.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/ezekiel-harry-cause-of-death-houma/289-36f51f3c-7ded-4435-8d8c-25b1139d3d37 | 2022-07-16T13:23:41 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/ezekiel-harry-cause-of-death-houma/289-36f51f3c-7ded-4435-8d8c-25b1139d3d37 |
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Infamous drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985, has been captured by Mexican forces nearly a decade after walking out of a Mexican prison and returning to drug trafficking, an official with Mexico's navy confirmed Friday.
The source was not authorized to speak publicly and agreed to confirm the action only if not quoted by name. No further details about the capture were immediately available.
Caro Quintero walked free in 2013 after 28 years in prison when a court overturned his 40-year sentence for the 1985 kidnapping and killing of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. The brutal murder marked a low point in U.S.-Mexico relations.
Caro Quintero, the former leader of the Guadalajara cartel, had since returned to drug trafficking and unleashed bloody turf battles in the northern Mexico border state of Sonora.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has maintained that he is not interested in detaining drug lords and prefers to avoid violence.
An appeals court overturned Caro Quintero's verdict, but the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. It was too late by then; Caro Quintero was spirited off in a waiting vehicle.
He was on the FBI's most wanted list, with a $20 million reward for his capture through the State Department's Narcotics Rewards Program. He was added to the FBI's top 10 most wanted list in 2018.
Caro Quintero was one of the primary suppliers of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana to the United States in the late 1970s. He blamed Camarena for a raid on a marijuana plantation in 1984. In 1985, Camarena was kidnapped in Guadalajara, allegedly on orders from Caro Quintero. His tortured body was found a month later.
The DEA did not immediately comment.
Mike Vigil, the DEA's former chief of international operations, said Caro Quintero was believed to have been operating independently most recently, though there had been rumors he was back with the Sinaloa cartel.
Caro Quintero was from Badiraguato, Sinaloa, the same area as Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the former Sinaloa cartel leader now serving a life sentence in the United States. He eventually became one of the "godfathers" of Mexican drug trafficking.
Caro Quintero's arrest was a surprise, considering López Obrador's stated disinterest in going after drug cartel leaders, Vigil said, but he added that the DEA would never stop looking for someone who killed an agent.
"We didn't see a lot of effort (to capture Caro Quintero) in the last several years, especially when (López Obrador) came in and immediately started to dismantle a lot of the infrastructure and the bilateral relationships between the U.S. and Mexico relative to drug trafficking," Vigil said.
After seeing Caro Quintero walk out of a Mexican prison once already, Vigil said he hopes the government won't risk a repeat — Guzman twice escaped from Mexican maximum security prisons — and would agree to a likely U.S. extradition request.
In Sonora, one of the state's hit hardest by Caro Quintero's efforts to reclaim his territory, there was a hope his arrest could help.
"I believe in Sonora, in general, there could be calm, and yes, relief for us, because I believe the disappearances will diminish," said Cecilia Duarte, an activist with a team of volunteer searchers in Sonora who look for the clandestine graves of the disappeared. Some activists have been threatened and even killed in Sonora amid Caro Quintero's turf wars with the sons of "El Chapo."
But, Duarte said, Caro Quintero "is only part (of the conflict), the conflict doesn't end."
'Long and ovedue'
Patrick O'Toole, Former U.S. Attorney and Federal Prosecutor, described Quintero's arrest as welcoming and long overdue in an interview with CBS 8.
"It's one good development. Drugs are terrible. I mean, they do terrible things and the money and violence behind it are perhaps the worst of all so I applaud the fact that he's been caught," said O'Toole.
O'Toole worked narcotics cases during his time in the District Attorney's office and remembers the brutal murder of agent Camarena.
"I can remember when his body was brought back, I can remember his son, young son at the time, who’s now a judge himself, being there so it was a very sad affair when his remains were brought back to United States," added O'Toole.
Vicente Calderon, Editor of the TijuanaPress.com, says Quintero's arrest is the biggest capture under Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's presidency who has been criticized for not taking a tougher stance against drug traffickers,
But Calderon said, his capture means more to the U.S. than it does to Mexico
“This arrest is most significant for the US than for Mexico. This is a symbolic operation for the DEA who has been looking for this suspect since 1985,” said Calderon.
Despite his arrest, O’Tool and Calderon think Quintero’s capture won’t do much to put a stop to drug trafficking and drug traffickers.
Quintero was taken into jail in Almoloya, State of Mexico.
WATCH RELATED: Federal crackdown on Jalisco drug cartel nets hundreds of arrests (March 2020). | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mexico-captures-drug-lord-rafael-caro-quintero/509-b8dee858-165f-49d1-8686-f4a3097e042c | 2022-07-16T13:23:47 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mexico-captures-drug-lord-rafael-caro-quintero/509-b8dee858-165f-49d1-8686-f4a3097e042c |
SAN ANTONIO — An off-duty Bexar County Sheriff's deputy was involved in a late night crash overnight.
It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Martin St. in downtown San Antonio.
Police say the deputy was in his own car heading eastbound down Martin Street when another car tried turning down the street and hit the deputy's car.
The deputy suffered a knee injury but did not need medical attention.
The driver of the other car was not injured.
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Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
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Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/off-duty-deputy-involved-in-minor-crash-san-antonio-texas-bcso/273-a1ecc994-f5ff-4906-a767-cc5c32144819 | 2022-07-16T13:23:53 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/off-duty-deputy-involved-in-minor-crash-san-antonio-texas-bcso/273-a1ecc994-f5ff-4906-a767-cc5c32144819 |
MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo — Friday morning, a man successfully pushed a peanut to the summit of Pikes Peak.
This achievement comes two days ahead of what would've been required to break a record.
A man supposedly pushed a peanut up Pikes Peak with his nose 93 years ago. Since then, the challenge has been tackled a few times but never in the 21st century.
Now, Bob Salem of Colorado Springs will be the first.
Pushing the peanut up the mountain is in honor of Manitou Springs' 150-year celebration of city life. Additionally, he's raised money for charity.
Ahead of his journey, KRDO sat down with him. Salem insisted he wasn't nuts, just "eccentrically challenged."
"I like the weird and the strange. I love local stuff," he says.
Track his progress here.
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For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9NEWS" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/peanut-pusher-reaches-summit-top-pikes-peak/73-c4eb4c99-44d8-4e95-bc2e-bf283d5975fd | 2022-07-16T13:23:59 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/peanut-pusher-reaches-summit-top-pikes-peak/73-c4eb4c99-44d8-4e95-bc2e-bf283d5975fd |
DALLAS — Democrat Beto O’Rourke outraised incumbent Greg Abbott in the latest campaign finance filing on Friday.
O’Rourke reported more than $27 million to Abbott’s $25 million.
Both candidates are prolific fundraisers and these staggering amounts suggest the race for governor is tightening with more than 100 days until the November election.
O’Rourke did not report how much “cash on hand” his campaign has. Abbott has more than $40 million remaining and has dedicated an additional $20 million to campaign ads later this fall.
Political donations are vital because they let candidates craft their own message rather than have an opponent define them.
In addition to Friday’s new fundraising numbers, three recent polls show O’Rourke is closing the gap with Abbott. The governor’s lead over the former congressman has shrunk from 15 points a few months ago, to 5 points after the mass shooting at the Uvalde elementary school, the reversal of Roe v. Wade and the tight supply on the Texas electric grid.
On Tuesday, O'Rourke is taking his momentum on the road with a 49-day tour across the state.
In an interview for Sunday's Inside Texas Politics, O'Rourke said he is not worried that inflation might be a drag on Democrats in this state.
“The number one driver of inflation in the state of Texas is Greg Abbott. Our property taxes have gone up $20 billion dollars in the seven years that he’s been governor – that’s a 40% increase. On average our utility bills are going up $45 a month after the power grid failed in the energy capital of the world. He still hasn’t fixed the grid,” O’Rourke said on the television program.
Abbott’s campaign is driving an old ambulance through downtown Dallas this weekend as Democrats meet here for their state convention. The vehicle is wrapped with an attack ad against O’Rourke.
Abbott also sent the former speaker of the Texas House, Dennis Bonnen, to campaign for him in Dallas on Friday.
When asked about the tight conditions on the Texas electric grid twice this week, here’s what Bonnen said: “No, we’re actually not having issues that’s the point. You’ve had 25 times [since May 2022] that you’ve had historic demand on that grid, and it has not failed in any way. The lights haven’t gone off. You’re actually seeing one of the most successful things of Gov. Abbott’s tenure – 25 records of demand in this state and you haven’t had a problem one. And that’s success.”
Labor Day is the traditional start of political campaigns, when summer vacations end and Texans get back to their routines.
But this race is already going a third of the way through the summer. And as long as this remains close, expect both candidates to spend their money to compete for your attention. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/beto-orourke-outraising-greg-abbott-texas-governor-race-tightening/287-1716fa26-9c9d-42b2-ab6f-ad6282d84e0b | 2022-07-16T13:24:06 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/beto-orourke-outraising-greg-abbott-texas-governor-race-tightening/287-1716fa26-9c9d-42b2-ab6f-ad6282d84e0b |
ROANOKE, Va. – Angels of Assisi is teaming up with PetSmart and the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection. Dogs will be available for adoption Saturday from 11 am-3 pm and Sunday from 12 pm-4 pm at PetSmart 220.
Applications will be available and can be approved on the spot, meaning you could go home with your new, loving family member today.
Adoption fees are discounted to $50. All local shelters and rescues are at capacity, and animals everywhere need the community to help.
The organizations asks that the community come together to help find loving homes for these amazing animals. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/shelters-full-across-the-region-need-the-communitys-help/ | 2022-07-16T13:32:36 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/07/16/shelters-full-across-the-region-need-the-communitys-help/ |
Kathryn Doll stands before a classroom of seventh graders at Mandan Middle School and begins talking about a subject few students likely think much about.
Homelessness isn’t always the disheveled-looking guy curled up in a dark alley, she tells them.
“Sometimes it’s your friend sitting next to you that slept in their car the night before,” she says.
Doll, the family liaison with the Students in Transition Program who is employed part-time by the Mandan School District, typically sees 50-60 elementary, middle school and high school students who are living in homeless situations as they attend classes each year.
They're a somewhat hidden segment of the homeless population. And Doll seeks to raise awareness by eliminating the stereotype that homeless people are all drug addicts living on the streets.
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“A lot of times it’s little kids sleeping on couches, little kids sleeping on blankets on the floor in the corner" at a friend’s home, she says.
"I don’t think anyone’s goal is to be homeless. You are at your lowest point when you are in a situation," Doll says. "Having people be respectful and empathetic and understanding and nonjudgmental is really important for families.”
Shuttle system
The number of homeless students in America has swelled from roughly 680,000 in 2008 to nearly 1.4 million in 2019, according to the National School Boards Association. Homeless is defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. For example, a student living in a storage unit or with a friend would be considered homeless.
North Dakota in most years identifies about 2,300 homeless children ages 5-18, according to the state Department of Public Instruction.
Bismarck Public Schools started the Students in Transition Program in 2003 as awareness of youth homelessness became more apparent. More than 175 homeless students were identified that school year. Those numbers have swelled to an average of 425 over the course of the past decade. The highest mark to date was 524 students in the 2019-20 school year.
Sherrice Roness, the full-time family liaison for Bismarck's Students in Transition Program, identifies homeless students, builds relationships, and advocates for them and their families. She also oversees a fleet of three minivans and drivers -- soon expanding to five -- that shuttles the homeless students.
“I tell everybody that I am the air traffic control in the morning and afternoon,” she said.
The shuttle system helps provide stability for the students and "lessen their anxiety a little bit," Roness said. "I saw that within the first four weeks of the program and I just thought we have to keep it up,” she said.
Mandan Public Schools recently purchased a minivan for the same purpose, and Roness said Fargo schools are wanting to study the program.
Reporting and recognizing
Once the students are in the classrooms, their troubles aren’t erased. They're still dealing internally with their less-than-optimal housing conditions and unstable family circumstances.
Teachers and counselors report to Doll and Roness if the youth are irritable, not participating or falling asleep in class, or not completing homework. Doll said the first step is recognizing that the fact the student is at school "is a huge improvement."
"(A home) is a basic need," she said. "If you don’t have a home to go to, you don’t have that basic need, so how can I expect parents and kids to learn X, Y and Z when that basic need is not met?"
Roness said many homeless families are embarrassed or ashamed.
“I try to reach out and say, 'Hey I’m here to help you; let’s figure it out,'" she said. "And then I can try to hook them up with the resources to see if they qualify for housing and other community resources that fit their needs.”
If a family is in crisis, Roness and Doll sometimes call Carrie Grosz because of her ability to think of solutions.
Carrie's Kids
Grosz once led the Students in Transition Program and is now executive director of Carrie’s Kids, a local nonprofit advocating for homeless and at-risk youth and their families.
“A lot of families have to meet certain criteria in order to be served through the Bismarck Public Schools system,” Roness said. “Being a private nonprofit, Carrie’s Kids doesn’t have to follow those guidelines. If I can’t serve a family, but they are in need, then I call Carrie."
At the Carrie’s Kids building in south Bismarck, Grosz and volunteers provide a safe atmosphere for the homeless and at-risk youth to take part in art activities and organized programming, complete school work, work on social skills and life skills, or just hang out.
With the coronavirus pandemic in its third year, Grosz sees a lot of hopelessness in the hundreds of youth she reaches annually.
“I see a lot of emptiness,” she said. “My heart hurts for every kid I meet. I see a lot of things that keep me up all night long. We’ve muddied the waters, and I see a lot of kids struggling."
Grosz guides youth to services when topics such as mental health, addiction, juvenile justice and suicidal thoughts arise.
“One of the things I think that is a growing concern for me is the fact that we no longer gather as a community,” Grosz said. “It seems like everyone is attached to their technological devices, and I think that has weakened the power of people. We’re losing humanity.”
She also works to dispel the stereotype of lazy parents being a major reason for homelessness.
“I have so many families that are hardworking and dedicated to their kids, and the kids are responsible," Grosz said. "You have a mom who is sleeping in her car, and she’s got her kids living with other people and she is doing the best she can to bring all of this stuff together. But those kids know their mom loves them so much that she’s doing everything she can to provide for them.”
Lacking support
But many of the runaways and homeless youth that Mark Heinert sees in his work as Bismarck program manager at Youthworks of North Dakota are without the support of family or friends.
Youthworks has offices, emergency shelters and apartment units in Bismarck and Fargo for homeless, runaway, trafficked and struggling youth and young adults.
“We have found that there are groups that are overrepresented like foster youth and former foster youth, and young people of color are grossly overrepresented,” Heinert said.
One group especially vulnerable to homelessness are LGBTQ youth, according to Heinert. In 2020, one-fourth of the youth served by his organization were LGBTQ.
“An advocacy issue that we are struggling with is that if I am a member of the LGBTQ class, it is not a protected class for housing,” Heinert said.
“(Landlords) can squarely look at you say, ‘I don’t rent to gay people’ and be covered by the law because it’s not a class that’s protected," he said. "That to me is sad, really sad. And knowing that we serve a population that is well overrepresented, it makes it that much harder for young people to make it to that next level when they keep on experiencing these barriers.”
For Doll, at Mandan Middle School, getting the homeless students into the school building is a victory.
“I talked to the teachers and said the fact that the kid is here today is a huge improvement," she said. "So let’s just meet the kid where he is at, give him some TLC while he’s in our building and then we’ll start to build. We will get there. We will get them learning." | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/education/schools-nonprofits-work-to-prevent-homeless-students-from-falling-behind/article_8cdf2b68-d85c-11ec-a9e1-a3003e65f5d0.html | 2022-07-16T13:34:55 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/education/schools-nonprofits-work-to-prevent-homeless-students-from-falling-behind/article_8cdf2b68-d85c-11ec-a9e1-a3003e65f5d0.html |
ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Public Health announced the addition of more monkeypox vaccines as cases statewide push close to 100.
A mix-up in Fulton County led to the cancellation of appointments for many people wanting the vaccine.
The spokesperson for the Fulton County Board of Health sent 11Alive the following statement:
"Before our internal approvals process for sending out this information was finalized, an early registration link was sent outside of official public health channels. The process was designed with equity in mind as we work to reach those most at risk for monkeypox infection. Those unauthorized registrations were discarded and those who signed up were informed by email that a new link was forthcoming. We understand there is huge concern about this illness and massive demand for this vaccine. To that end, slots filled up quickly. Additional vaccine events will be scheduled in the coming days as more doses become available. We regret any inconvenience to anyone who registered."
Spokesman Darryl Carver also said in a text the department will post additional monkeypox vaccine clinics as doses come in.
Jamaal Jenkins, who's lived in Atlanta for five years, wants to get the vaccine to protect himself.
“As a gay man, the monkeypox vaccine is very concerning," Jenkins said. "I just try to be extra cautious.”
He described his process for trying to get a dose.
“Roughly around 745 in the morning, I registered," Jenkins said.
However, Jenkins got an email about six hours later indicating his appointment had been cancelled.
“Fast forward to maybe like around 2:00 in the afternoon, I got an email telling me like, sorry, incorrect link went out. You all are going to have to re-register," Jenkins said. “By the time I clicked on it, all the slots were filled.”
The state's health department reports they've gotten enough doses for 1,500 people and are targeting five metro Atlanta counties since that's where the majority of cases are.
Those counties include Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb and Clayton. Health departments in DeKalb and Cobb counties got back to us and said they're still trying to figure out the logistics of how the vaccines will be distributed. Clayton and Gwinnett counties did not respond.
“I'm not happy about it at all," Jenkins said.
Jenkins is crossing his fingers and hoping to get vaccinated since he comes into contact with a lot of people as a school social worker.
“Right now it's just a waiting game. It's just the waiting, so right now, I'm just out," Jenkins said. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/monkeypox-vaccine-fulton-county-appointments-cancelled/85-c49f1e9d-5178-429c-a1da-d75b5bc83d8c | 2022-07-16T13:43:43 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/monkeypox-vaccine-fulton-county-appointments-cancelled/85-c49f1e9d-5178-429c-a1da-d75b5bc83d8c |
Average daily flows
Snake River at Heise 12,569 cfs
Snake River at Blackfoot 1,877 cfs
Snake River at American Falls 10,859 cfs
Snake River at Milner 0 cfs
Little Wood River near Carey 287 cfs
Jackson Lake is 46% full.
Palisades Reservoir is 70% full.
American Falls Reservoir is 37% full.
Upper Snake River system is at 53% of capacity.
As of July 15. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_2fc4539a-0449-11ed-aa7b-2386598831cc.html | 2022-07-16T13:51:03 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_2fc4539a-0449-11ed-aa7b-2386598831cc.html |
When Idaho’s dominant political party gathers in Twin Falls this weekend, do not expect a robust give and take about abortion, the “big lie” or even voter suppression.
This discussion is one-sided. The only question is whether the Idaho Republican Party goes even further down the road of extremism.
For example:
Abortion — Proposed platform planks would declare “abortion is murder from the moment of fertilization. All children should be protected regardless of the circumstances of conception, including persons conceived in rape and incest. ...”
So a state that is about to prosecute any abortion provider with a felony and a jail term might be poised to charge the woman with murder. And if “abortion is murder from the moment of fertilization,” wouldn’t that imply that oral contraceptives must be outlawed?
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The “big lie” — Idaho’s GOP won’t go as far as its counterparts in Texas, where secession got a nod. But it will follow Texas’ lead in considering this resolution: “... We reject the certified results of the 2020 presidential election; and we hold that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States.”
By the way, state Rep. Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, who as a candidate for secretary of state, embraced the “big lie” that “based on polling, President (Donald) Trump should have been reelected,” is challenging former state schools Superintendent Tom Luna for state GOP chairman.
Voter suppression — It wasn’t enough 12 years ago for the Idaho GOP to close its all-important primary election to anyone unwilling to register as a Republican. But at least independents could sign up to vote as Republicans at the polls.
Now up for consideration are plans that would stop anyone from having a voice in the Republican primary unless he affiliated with the party at least a year before the election. Also banned from voting in the GOP primary would be anyone who formally ended his Republican affiliation within the preceding 39 months. The same goes for anyone with a record of contributing to a non-GOP candidate or party — or participated in another party’s primary or caucus — within the preceding 25 months.
There is talk of nominating GOP candidates at caucuses.
One plan aims to give the GOP domination over the process of redrawing legislative and congressional districts.
And finally, there’s a proposal to require candidates for mayor and city councils to declare a partisan label.
Education — Start with supporting “the ability of parents to use vouchers to select their school of choice,” a move that would make Idaho Freedom Foundation President Wayne Hoffman happy, but undermine the education of kids living in rural communities. From there, the GOP will debate whether the State Board of Education — which consists of gubernatorial appointees and the elected state superintendent of public instruction — should be elected.
And finally, there’s another run at encouraging “the Idaho Legislature to divest the state of Idaho from Idaho Public Television. ...”
Settling scores — Luna sued the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee for violating the rules by endorsing and contributing money to its own preferred slate of candidates in the May 17 primary. Up for a vote is a measure directing Luna — or his successor — to dismiss the lawsuit “with prejudice.”
There’s also a resolution to condemn District 19 Chairwoman Lynn Bradescu. And what was her transgression?
She pointed out Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin was breaking the law when she closed her office — after spending her budget into oblivion. State law says offices must remain open during the business week except for weekends and holidays.
Potpourri — Among the more predictable material is a measure putting GOP on record against “red flag” laws that allow relatives and police to remove firearms from the possession of someone feared to be a danger to himself or others. In deference to former Congressman Ron Paul’s supporters, there’s a proposal critical of American involvement in the war for Ukrainian independence. Another idea suggests repealing the federal income tax.
Time was when the Idaho GOP convention was an exercise in political voyeurism but not much more.
No longer. The same radical fringe that has taken hold of the GOP has an outsized influence. The Idaho Legislature is starting to look more like the Republican Party — and not the other way around. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-this-happens-when-the-idaho-gop-talks-to-itself/article_93f5be48-044a-11ed-92a0-5f923f25b126.html | 2022-07-16T13:51:10 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-this-happens-when-the-idaho-gop-talks-to-itself/article_93f5be48-044a-11ed-92a0-5f923f25b126.html |
WINFIELD — Improvements to 121st Avenue, a former farm road, will be made by Milestone Contractors of Griffith.
The Town Council awarded a contract to the Milestone, the lowest of two bids received earlier in the month.
The winning bid from Milestone was $1,181,885. The only other bid the town received was from Rieth-Riley, for $1,446,277.
Money to pay for the improvements to 121st Avenue will come from the Community Crossings project fund, Clerk-Treasurer Rick Anderson said.
The town received $944,423 in funding to pay for the improvements earlier this year, Anderson said. The money comes from the state's local road and bridge matching grant funds.
Improvements will likely start in August or September once the contract is awarded, Anderson said.
"It's an old farm road that will feed into the new Taft Middle School," Anderson said.
Work will include drainage and stormwater work and upgrading the roadway's base, Anderson said.
The school is paving the part of 121st Avenue that is adjacent to the property it owns.
The town is paving 121st Avenue, about a mile section, from Decatur west to the town's corporate limits, Anderson said.
In other business, the Town Council gave the go-ahead to Todd Kleven, land planning and entitlement manager for Lennar Homes of Indiana, to issue 50 more occupancy permits prior to the completion of a lift station in the 515-lot Aylesworth subdivision.
Located at 5807 E. 109th Ave., Aylesworth, originally called Aylesworth Farms, is being developed by Lennar Homes.
Town Council President Gerald Stiener said the Aylesworth lift station, which should be completed in December or January, is missing a major part which is a control panel.
Stiener said the missing part, due to supply issues, is what is holding up the lift station being completed and functioning.
The cap for the Aylesworth homes is 72 since 22 permits have been issued to date, Stiener said.
A number of residents voiced concerns at a June Plan Commission meeting last year over property density, adverse impacts on the community and traffic issues, when town officials approved Aylesworth Farms subdivision.
Mike Zolfo Jr. last year presented a petition with 246 signatures of people against the development.
Kleven, at the meeting last year, said the proposed property density would be lower than the average Winfield residence. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/former-farm-road-slated-for-upgrade/article_4feda4cf-6ceb-5dae-8519-8956a8f8d705.html | 2022-07-16T13:52:34 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/former-farm-road-slated-for-upgrade/article_4feda4cf-6ceb-5dae-8519-8956a8f8d705.html |
TUPELO • When Juan Carlos and Stephanie Barcia closed on a property on North Madison Street in Tupelo about four years ago, they thought they found a perfect DIY project.
“We wanted to fix it,” Stephanie Barcia said. “It was a hidden gem. But it didn’t seem to be in the cards.”
During her two decades of living in Tupelo, Barcia said she'd never seen the house occupied, but she saw the potential for a beautiful property. Once they closed the sale, the two went to the city to request permits, but the city turned them away until they could get an engineer’s report. The report, Barcia said, was later rejected.
After a series of failed attempts to secure contracts for renovating the property, the couple decided to cut their losses. In 2021, the city of Tupelo purchased the property, then tore it down.
A year into the new administration's term, Tupelo elected officials have ramped up the demolition of derelict properties like the Barcias’ with a goal to “clean up” the city, although some criticize the efforts as too aggressive.
Since taking office last July, the Tupelo City Council has approved the demolition of 26 structures — representing a mix of residential and commercial properties — throughout the city. Of those, the city has completed 16.
Both numbers represent a drastic uptick in the number of city-approved, and typically executed, property demolitions versus the previous administration.
City officials say the removal of blighted properties represents an effort to improve the aesthetics of local neighborhoods. In turn, they believe life in Tupelo will improve as a whole.
“When left unchecked, neighborhood blight and the presence of abandoned buildings have a profound negative impact on the surrounding community,” said Development Services Director Tanner Newman, whose department carries out the demolition process. “Blighted properties decrease surrounding property values, damage the health of local housing markets, pose safety hazards, and result in reduced local property tax revenue.”
Most properties city officials have approved for demolition either owned by companies located outside of Mississippi or whose owners died with no heirs, Newman said.
Administration sees demolitions as important piece of revitalization
The current administration’s approved list of demolitions is more than double that of the previous administration’s first year.
During his inaugural year in office, former Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton’s council approved the demolition of nine blighted properties. According to Shelton, the administration focused on blight elimination, noting it budgeted $1 million annually for “demolition, renovation and beautification” in the city.
Though Shelton said he believed blight elimination was key to growth in a city, he believed the current administration has been too aggressive in the process.
But Newman asserts the city has been evenhanded in his approach to either cleaning up or tearing down aging, dilapidated structures, often working with property owners to ensure they are given “ample time to fulfill the city’s request” to clean up their properties before moving forward with any demolitions.
“Of all the demolitions and property cleanups that the city has conducted over the past year, not one has been objected to by the property owner,” Newman said.
Jordan noted the city has demolished many of its own properties since the beginning of his administration’s term.
“(We can’t) ask people to demolish their properties if we are sitting on ours,” Jordan said.
Tupelo historian: Increased demolition a ‘shame’
Among city owned properties that have been torn down are the Gardner-Watson Ice Plant, a historic building that lay vacant for several years before the city purchased it intending to renovate. Later, city officials determined the property was too far gone to save.
But some, like Tupelo Historic Preservation Commission member Doyce Deas, disagree.
“It made me sick when the city tore the ice plant down,” Deas said, adding that she believed the history behind the building, which had stood empty for years, made it worth preserving. “I understand it was in serious disrepair, but it could’ve been saved.”
A building can be considered historic by the State Department of Archives and History and land on the national register once it is 50 years old and is historically significant. If a property meets the criteria, Deas said there are a handful of programs that provide state and federal tax incentives to aid in the renovation process.
The city also has six historic districts, including Highland Circle, Downtown Historic District and Downtown Neighborhood Historic District, Mill Village, North Broadway and South Church Street. Any renovations in these districts are eligible for a five-year tax abatement.
“We need to spend more time as a city working with people and letting them know these are available,” Deas said. “All of (the incentives) can be put together to make a larger project economically feasible.
“I’m not trying to be critical,” she added of the city’s efforts. “There is just more that we could do.”
Jordan called historic preservation just as important as blight elimination, but said gauging historical significance is challengingly subjective. He also noted that, in many cases, saving a property in severe disrepair simply isn’t feasible.
“In my opinion, you can tear down a building and replicate it cheaper than restoring it,” Jordan said.
Deas praised the administration’s effort to grow but noted that it was not always a good thing to tear down buildings “in the name of progress” when there are other options.
“It is not real progress when you destroy a property like that,” she said. “You lose the historic heart of the city.”
Newman said demolitions were often the final option after a long, drawn-out process to save the property or have it privately demolished.
“If the city demolishes a house, we have gone on a months-long process,” he said. “Owners are given ample time and options to get it up to code. If we bring it to the council, we either got no response or an agreement from the owners.”
Demolished home a ‘prime example’ of blight removal program’s purpose
Stephanie Barcia said hers and her husband’s experience trying to renovate the North Madison Street property has soured them on home buying ever since. She said she was happy the city agreed to purchase the house and tear it down, making way for future growth.
“I am grateful, and I feel like they worked with us because we had such an unpleasant experience,” she said.
The bottom line, she said, was that she understood it was a complex situation and progress was important but the city needed to take extra care to make sure new developments fit the city’s small-town aura.
Newman said the condition of the property made it cost-prohibitive for the property owners to fix. Its demolition, he said, was a necessity, and will clear the way for something new.
“This property is a prime example of why the city’s blight removal program exists,” he said. “Once the city’s work on the property is complete, the remaining lot will serve as additional green space for Robins Field.” | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/demolition-hurry-city-of-tupelo-ramps-up-removal-of-blighted-properties/article_c4fbcd77-2fdc-506a-b09b-e81de2fcd6ab.html | 2022-07-16T13:53:25 | 1 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/demolition-hurry-city-of-tupelo-ramps-up-removal-of-blighted-properties/article_c4fbcd77-2fdc-506a-b09b-e81de2fcd6ab.html |
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is preparing students for the upcoming school year during an event Saturday.
The Back to School Bash is giving children free backpacks, supplies and haircuts for the new school year.
[TRENDING: Ask Trooper Steve: Am I under lawful detention when pulled over during a traffic stop? | Bullseye Blast: New game on ICON Wheel in Orlando allows riders to shoot at targets | Become a News 6 Insider (it’s free!)]
There will also be games, music and prizes for whoever visits the event.
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the sheriff’s office at 2500 West Colonial Drive.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/16/orange-county-sheriffs-office-gives-away-free-backpacks-school-supplies/ | 2022-07-16T13:59:35 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/07/16/orange-county-sheriffs-office-gives-away-free-backpacks-school-supplies/ |
Many employers are evaluating their hiring practices after the pandemic as they assess on-site needs, efficiency, use of artificial intelligence, outsourcing and general recruitment practices.
These are some solid best practices that employers should consider:
1. Post job openings and conduct an objective recruitment. Some employers have gravitated to promoting employees without posting roles. When a company fails to post roles, it creates division and a sense of favoritism. I see this in all roles — even when selecting interim or temporary assignments. Managers should be developing their talent so they will be prepared and successful in an open internal recruitment. There should be no sham or “post and fill” recruitments.
Some employers post internal recruitments for a couple of weeks and then open it to external only if an insufficient number of qualified candidates apply. Depending on the current representation of the workforce, employers are cautioned that only conducting internal recruitments can delay progress in the area of DEI.
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2. Publish the salary range. It’s time to bring pay transparency to all roles. A new law that goes into effect Nov. 1 in New York City requires employers to post the salary range. Candidates deserve to know the salary range when they apply so that they can determine if it’s worth the effort to even seek out the opportunity. If the pay is truly “competitive,” then the employer should not be too concerned about posting the range.
3. Review the qualifications. Employers should be updating their job requirements and asking whether a degree or certification is actually required to perform the role and/or whether experience can substitute for educational requirements. Employers can expand the applicant pool by removing unnecessary “requirements.”
4. Be intentional, but don’t draw out the process. The No. 1 complaint I hear from managers and candidates is the process is too lengthy. Most blame HR, but many times it is the indecisiveness of management that causes the delay. Employers need to run a deliberate recruitment process and strategically determine who needs to interview the candidate and why. Candidates complain that they endure hours of interviews that includes lengthy project work. Some of this is unnecessary. Be efficient in the process.
5. Make the process easy and personalized. It seems like everyone is hiring — but no one is getting hired. Some feel that online applications have made it more difficult to get selected for interviews. Employers should test their process by having people in your organization actually play the role of a candidate and try to go through your own process. You might be surprised at how difficult it is to search for jobs, apply and get noticed/selected for an interview.
6. Conduct background checks. Too often, bad employees get passed along to other organizations because of a failure to conduct a background check, which not only hurts potential productivity but could also be a safety or negligent hiring situation. Require “references” given by the candidate to be professional references for those who worked with the candidate in some capacity (colleague, client, served on a board together, etc.). Employers should also always confirm prior employment, dates of employment, reason for leaving (if the employer will provide it) as well as graduation from college or graduate school. Inspect what you expect.
While some prior employers will provide only dates of employment, job title and possibly salary, employers should build into their process contacting prior managers to seek information about the candidate. Unfortunately, some candidates misrepresent or flat out lie about their educational or job experiences. Many employers use a third party to conduct background checks and, if they do, the employer must also comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
7. Make and communicate selection decisions. Candidates frequently complain that they have been ghosted either in the application process or following an interview. Let candidates know if they are not selected when you are made aware of that decision.
8. Pay fairly. The recruitment effort is not a chance to get a good deal. Pay consistent with what others in the role make based on experience, education and other relevant factors. Avoid relying upon prior salary as a basis to determine the pay. Virginia passed a law in 2020 that permits employees to share wage information without retribution by the employer. Many employees share their wage information with each other to hold the employer accountable for pay equity. Make sure you can justify all pay decisions.
Managers rely upon HR for their recruitment efforts but, in reality, they need to own their own recruitment. Managers should be continuously expanding their network so that when they have openings, they can tap into a diverse network of potential candidates and encourage them to apply for the roles.
Karen Michael is an attorney and the president of Richmond-based Karen Michael PLC and author of “Stay Hired.” She can be reached at stayhired@stayhired.net. | https://richmond.com/business/local/labor-law-post-pandemic-hiring-practices/article_fa81ed8e-6f87-5a49-a3aa-5bd11f610d9c.html | 2022-07-16T14:02:00 | 0 | https://richmond.com/business/local/labor-law-post-pandemic-hiring-practices/article_fa81ed8e-6f87-5a49-a3aa-5bd11f610d9c.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-tightens-dui-law/3301381/ | 2022-07-16T14:17:45 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-tightens-dui-law/3301381/ |
Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation Monday to increase penalties for motorists who have multiple DUI convictions to try to end what critics call Pennsylvania’s “revolving door” for the most serious drunken drivers.
The state Senate passed the final version last week after a couple of attempts to get the bill through the Legislature.
The new law takes effect in November and increases penalties for some offenders who receive a third or subsequent DUI conviction.
It aims to lengthen sentences by requiring someone convicted of a third DUI offense to serve consecutive sentences for separate counts, instead of serving the sentences at the same time.
The law also increases the grading of offenses — and the potential length of the sentence — for someone convicted of a fourth DUI if they are caught with drugs or record a high blood alcohol content.
The bill was inspired by the death of Deana Eckman. A five-time drunken driver killed the 45-year-old Delaware County woman in 2019 when he drove his pickup truck across a double yellow line and slammed head-on into the car she was riding in, driven by Eckman's husband, who was seriously injured.
The 30-year-old pickup driver pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges and was sentenced to 25 1/2 to 51 years in prison.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
The driver, David Strowhouer, had been freed from state prison a few months before the crash after serving a concurrent sentence for his fifth DUI conviction. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-toughens-penalties-for-repeat-dui-drivers/3301060/ | 2022-07-16T14:17:51 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/pennsylvania-toughens-penalties-for-repeat-dui-drivers/3301060/ |
Staff from the office of U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wisconsin, will be in Kenosha County next week to assist individuals, families and small businesses with concerns dealing with federal agencies. Steil will not be attendance.
Common issues addressed include Social Security payments, IRS and tax issues, veterans’ benefits, and Medicare and Medicaid questions. Staff will be available at the following sites on Tuesday, July 19:
Pleasant Prairie Village Hall, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., 9915 39th Ave.
Twin Lakes Village Hall, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m., 105 East Main St., Twin Lakes,
Individuals seeking assistance but unable to attend can reach out to Steil’s office at the following locations:
Kenosha County Office: 7511 12th St., Somers, phone 262-654-1901
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Janesville Office: 20 S. Main St., Suite 10, Janesville, phone 608, 752-4050
Racine County Office: Racine County Courthouse, Room 101, 730 Wisconsin Ave., Racine, phone 262-637-0510. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/staff-of-u-s-rep-steil-to-hold-office-hours-in-kenosha-county-next-week/article_5b3a57f0-03b2-11ed-b7b1-83264e8614ef.html | 2022-07-16T14:18:24 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/staff-of-u-s-rep-steil-to-hold-office-hours-in-kenosha-county-next-week/article_5b3a57f0-03b2-11ed-b7b1-83264e8614ef.html |
Do you wake up some mornings feeling as if the planet has finally opened pandora’s box? Or that we’ve let the genie out of the bottle (perhaps both)? Two years back, we knew this thing simply as COVID. We now know it as Alpha, Beta, Delta and most recently Omicron. Omicron has proven the most troublesome, having a capacity to mutate at a rate far exceeding our capacity to develop resistance. We’ve suffered through the subvariants BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.11, BA.2.12.1, BA.2.13, and now as unbelievable as it may seem, we are entering a wave with the most contagious COVID strains yet to date, BA.4 and BA.5. It seems these strains may also be inherently more dangerous than prior Omicron strains.
It seems each variant becomes harder to detect with current testing, meaning most cases go unidentified. Even when they are detected, home tests likely aren’t reported. In fact, estimates nationwide (including Lane and Coos counties) based on sewage water samples, suggested that infection rates are actually 30 times higher than what is being reported (that’s not a misprint). It is felt we are having more new infections currently than at any prior point in the pandemic. At the current reported 7-day average of 100,000 cases per day, the true number may actually be 3 million.
Also hospitalizations, a lagging indicator, are now headed much higher as well, this despite immunity from vaccination or previous infection. Based on conversations with patients, I don’t find this at all hard to believe. Stories which used to be fairly rare have now become commonplace. I’m guessing 10-25% of people walking into my office daily will report having had a recent case of COVID. Why this change? Each subsequent Omicron variant has made current vaccines as well as natural immunity from a prior infection much less effective. Additionally, we’ve dropped most restrictions and mandates. I’d suggest that after two and a half years of this, COVID is starting to feel much less like a normal virus. At this juncture the Spanish flu was over, with COVID it feels like we’re just starting over.
At this point in the pandemic, we’ve learned so much about this virus. We know how it is transmitted, it’s strengths/weaknesses, how it affects various parts of the human body, treatment/vaccination options and how it mutates. Still, at this juncture we do not know one of the most important aspects of any infectious process, it’s origin. If we are to avoid a repeat of this pandemic in short order, we need to know where it came from. How else can we avoid repeating the same errors unless we know precisely what factors contributed in the first place? If this originated in bats, we need better bat control in certain parts of the world. If was a lab leak, we need to change protocols or standards to be sure nothing like this ever happens again.
So which is it, bats or lab leak? I know that we need to “entertain all potential options” but let’s consider a few things. I guess one of the things that bothers me most was China’s early response to accusations that a lab leak was even being considered. In their words, the lab theory was, “a total lie and complete rubbish, having nothing to do with science.” A more appropriate response would have been, “we’ll thoroughly investigate this possibility. If we are responsible, we’ll do everything we can to establish safer protocols and ensure that a leak can never again happen. We also may want to revisit the strains of viruses we are working with.”
Instead, we got anger. They reacted with an immediate complete denial of any wrongdoing which just smacked of a cover-up. “No Mom, I didn’t just throw that ball through the living room window, how could you even suggest that, shame on you,” even though it was your ball, was found lying in a pile of broken glass inside the house, you’d just been outside playing ball and your fingerprints were all over it.
The other thing that doesn’t add up is the severity of this virus. Run of the mill flus can be pretty horrible, but don’t carry nearly such a high degree of mortality. Nor are they associated with the extended list of complications such as we are seeing with COVID. Does this behavior seem a bit more suspicious for an engineered virus. I’m starting to suspect it might. I’m not being a conspiracy theorist here, this is just looking more and more consistent. The Wuhan lab is an epicenter of viral research, constantly engineering new viral strains. Certainly, most of these strains have a perfectly reasonable use in scientific research, but I think we’d be naive to not suspect other stains may be less well intended. This article recently surfaced, “WHO chief, Tedros Adhanem, confides COVID leak did occur after a catastrophic accident at Wuhan lab despite publicly maintaining ‘all hypotheses remain on the table’.” This kind of news rarely sees major headlines.
What we do see in the headlines is long COVID, which is becoming far more commonplace. Two years of experience and research has narrowed down the possible causes. One out of five of us will get some form of long COVID.
You might ask, why would I be at risk? Well, we are all just wired differently. How we react to a COVID infection is encoded in in our DNA, our past medical history and our immunization status. Interestingly, it really has no bearing on how fit you are, where elite athletes are just as much at risk of long COVID as a nursing home patient.
There are three current long COVID theories. These include: 1) Issues with coagulation, 2) Persistent viral colonization, and 3) Altered immune function. There is much data to support any of these theories and it may well turn out that long COVID has more than one cause.
Changes in coagulation have always been a hallmark of the acute infection. People with active COVID are far more likely to develop serious embolic events. There are many instances where a COVID patient, after discharge from the hospital would return home, seemingly recovered, only to sustain a catastrophic pulmonary embolism or other clot, often fatal.
Tissue samples of patients with long COVID commonly show high numbers of diffuse micro emboli or small clots distributed throughout the tissue. This leads to under perfusion of whatever organ is involved. If that organ is the lungs, you will be short of breath, hypoxic and easily fatigued. If in the heart, you will have diminished cardiac output or possible arrythmias. If your brain is involved, you get brain fog. If your brain is getting 20% less blood flow you will not be at the top of your game. You can forget your event at The World Athletic Championships and cancel your MENSA membership.
The next theory is retained virus. Tissue samples of long COVID patients also show persistent viral particles in just about any organ sampled, persisting many months after the active infection has cleared.
The viruses are often still active, and in many cases still replicating. In this situation, COVID has reverted from an acute infection into a chronic illness leading to the array of prolonged symptoms.
The final theory of long COVID proposes the viral infection somehow creates a reset to the body’s immune system, which somehow is unable to reestablish its normal level of function. This heightened activity creates essentially an autoimmune phenomenon whereby the immune system remains in a constant state of inflammation. Certainly, this could also explain prolonged symptoms.
I guess after two and a half years of living with this, if I were able to offer the two best pieces of advice they would be: 1) Keep your vaccination status up to date. Vaccination still makes acute disease less severe and decreases your chance of contracting long COVID. When an Omicron specific vaccination is available, get it. 2) Properly fitted and worn, masks DO work and are still your number one level of defense against ANY strain of this infection. When you’re going out, wear one.
Doc H | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/we-are-still-learning-about-covid-19/article_11e38852-02e4-11ed-a82f-4f60d550479e.html | 2022-07-16T14:22:57 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/we-are-still-learning-about-covid-19/article_11e38852-02e4-11ed-a82f-4f60d550479e.html |
BLOOMINGTON — Design work is continuing for extensive road improvements to Illinois Route 9 through Bloomington, including the potential addition of bike lanes.
The improvements will be made from the intersection of Market Street and Martin Luther King Drive east to the intersection of East Empire Street and Carnahan Drive.
Brian Hogan, a project support engineer with Illinois Department of Transportation District 5, said there is no set schedule for construction, but once a preliminary design study is complete, they will start to look at funding options. It is likely that the project will be split into several contracts and spread out over several years, with a tentative start date in 2024.
Although IDOT has not provided cost estimates on the project, Hogan said adding bike lanes will not have a significant impact on the total cost: The additional costs to add bike lanes should be limited to a small amount of curb and gutter replacements and additional signage and pavement markings.
If parking lanes along the state route become bike lanes, 80% of the initial resurfacing cost will be paid for by the state, with the city’s responsibility dropping from 100% to just 20%. The ongoing maintenance of bike lanes will belong to the state, Hogan said.
“It’s important for the public to see the projects, and sometimes we don’t see or notice everything,” Hogan said. “It’s nice to get a fresh set of eyes on stuff and get a different perspective on a project and how it affects them.”
IDOT invited area residents to Bloomington Junior High School on Wednesday to learn more about the anticipated work along Route 9.
Project displays were available for viewing and IDOT representatives were there to explain the project, answer questions and record comments offered by residents.
“When people talk about the poor conditions of roads in Bloomington, and I don’t necessarily think they’re any worse than anywhere else, but a good chunk of that are state roads, and it’s nice to see that there is a timeline,” said Bloomington Ward 8 Alderman Jeff Crabill. “I think that’s a key for the community to have nicer roads to drive over.”
What work will be done?
Overall the work will consist of milling and overlaying pavement, removing and replacing curbs and gutters that are in poor condition, upgrading sidewalk ramps to current ADA standards, modernizing traffic signal equipment, and adding pedestrian and bicycle accommodations where feasible, according to state documents.
Widening or narrowing of the current pavement is not anticipated, but there may be some widening done at intersections or other isolated locations.
“I know some business owners have concerns with access, but we won’t totally cut their access off at any one time,” Hogan said. “Our contractors work really well with local businesses to try to keep at least one entrance open so we can get traffic in and out of the residence.”
The first segment to see work will be West Market Street from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to North Hinshaw Avenue, where — for the most part — the roadway will stay the same, except for White Oak Road, which will be relocated to the east to allow room for railroad crossing gates across Route 9.
Current plans are asking for a median barrier to be installed on Route 9 to have some of the gate equipment built into it, but this will not allow motorists to make left turns onto or off of White Oak.
“If I’m behind the line that you’re supposed to stop at, trying to get out on to White Oak, I can’t see,” said Laura Taylor, 75. “All you see are all these signs and overgrown grass.”
Other changes to Route 9 include:
West Locust Street from Lee Street to Main Street will be returned to two-way traffic, allowing for state highway traffic to be taken off of Lee Street.
Westbound traffic on Empire Street will be directed by route signage to turn left at Center Street. Southbound traffic on Center Street will be directed to turn right at Locust Street to continue on Route 9.
Bike lanes will be added on Empire and Locust streets between Main Street and Towanda Avenue along the right hand side and in the direction of traffic. No parking will be allowed there, but it be allowed along the left hand side.
A new trail will be built along the north side of Empire Street from Towanda Avenue to Carnahan Drive.
A dual right turn lane will be built for northbound traffic on North Hershey Road at Empire Street.
Veterans Parkway plans yet to come
Hogan said there will be no improvements made yet at the intersection of Veterans Parkway, but the five intersections that run between Route 9 and Veterans will be included in a second project. A study has been conducted for this additional work, but there is no construction scheduled yet.
Based on the preliminary study from IDOT, the city will see approximately 12,850 feet of additional bike lanes and 7,540 feet of shared lanes as well as a loss of between 200 and 250 parking spaces associated with the bike lane expansion west of Towanda Avenue.
For the portion of road east of Towanda Avenue, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path was proposed along the north side of Empire Street from Towanda Avenue to Carnahan Drive, and will be located between Empire Street and Frontage Road.
Crabill said he shared concerns about the length of sidewalks on the west side that do not provide a way for pedestrians to safely cross Veterans Parkway. He also expressed concern about the addition of bike lanes without narrowing the streets they are on.
“When you look at strong towns, they talk a lot about road diets, and if you’ve got places where there’s a bike lane that’s in a 45 mph zone, that’s pretty dangerous,” Crabill said. “Even when it’s 30 mph like in downtown. If the lane hasn’t been lessened, people are still gonna want to drive 40 to 45 (mph), but if you narrow the lane down, people aren’t going to feel like they can drive as fast.”
To learn more about the project, go to www.cityblm.org/government/departments/public-works/project-updates/idot-route-9-project. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/watch-now-idot-talks-route-9-improvements-in-bloomington/article_0b18f3d0-03a3-11ed-9ae5-37a69b025d61.html | 2022-07-16T14:33:22 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/watch-now-idot-talks-route-9-improvements-in-bloomington/article_0b18f3d0-03a3-11ed-9ae5-37a69b025d61.html |
If Ralph Bunche High School was once the hub of the Black community in King George County, then the school gymnasium might have been the heart of the facility, given the many activities held there.
That’s the original “B,” a circle in the gym floor, decked out in the school colors. The orange capital letter is set against a background of dark blue—and although the hues have faded, the item will find a place of honor in the renovated facility, said Claudette Jordon, president of the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association.
“The ‘B’ has been here since 1949 and it will remain,” she said this week as she led members of the Ralph Bunche Advisory Committee on a tour of the school. “Anything can be refurbished.”
Annie Cupka, the at-large member of the King George Board of Supervisors, said the circle probably will be cut out from the floor and framed for display, then a replica of the “B” can be installed in the refurbished gym.
Giving the “B” top billing is but one of many issues discussed by the Advisory Committee as members come up with a restoration plan and resources to pay for it. Cupka got permission from fellow members of the Board of Supervisors last month to resurrect the group, saying there’s a “new ambition” in the community to save the building.
“If the county has a plan, someone is going to see it and say, ‘Well they’re not just waiting around for someone to do it for them,’ and I feel like that’s going to start … attracting investors,” she said.
Former School Board member Renee Parker chairs the group. She served on the original committee, tasked with the same mission more than a decade ago, and believes the current effort is more attuned to making the restoration a reality.
She said there’s support from the Board of Supervisors “which is huge,” and a new committee of people with different perspectives, ideas and determination. There’s also the timing of the Black Lives Matter movement and an increased emphasis on preserving African–American sites. Ralph Bunche High School certainly fits into that category, as state and national history was made when Black parents in King George sued the county in 1947 for separate-but-equal facilities for their children.
King George recently received a $500,000 grant from the National Park Service to replace the leaking roof, and it plans to apply for a second grant of the same amount to remove asbestos and mitigate damaged caused by roof leaks.
“We’ve gotten a lot of traction with the grants that have come through,” Parker said. “When real money starts being talked about, you get interest from other parties and you get excitement so you can put out there that this is a real effort backed by our county.”
But as the nine people who walked through the building discovered, the school has deteriorated in the decades it’s been closed. The high school housed students through 1968 when county schools were integrated, then the building was used as a preschool and later, for School Board offices in the 1980s and 1990s.
The once-spacious classrooms were carved into smaller areas for workers and new walls were covered with dark paneling. The leaking roof—and water seeping in around the foundation—have caused green and black mold to grow along the baseboards and up the walls, particularly on the lower level where the kitchen and cafeteria once were housed.
In those areas, the carpet squished underfoot with every step and visitors wore masks to avoid breathing in moldy air.
“None of it is impossible to fix,” Jordon said, noting that the building remains structurally sound. “It’s got good bones. No arthritis at all.”
Cathy Binder, a member of the county’s Board of Supervisors and a student of history, said many structures from that era tended to be built better than they are today. While the renovation will have to “make up for the years of just leaving it to sit here, I see a lot of potential.”
It’s clear the gym will be restored and the cavernous library turned into a museum with photos and documents that tell the Ralph Bunche High School story. Beyond those rooms, however, Cupka said there aren’t definitive plans for other spaces, and the committee plans to address that.
Cathy Cutright, a School Board member, has talked with parents about the county’s need for career-readiness programs and wonders if the school or the industrial arts building behind it might meet some of those needs.
“It’s a possibility, that’s for sure,” she said about the building.
The group already has a study put together by Wiley-Wilson, an architectural and engineering group. King George paid the firm to assess the building in 2010 and determine the cost of repairs and professional exhibits. The 12-year-old report put the price tag at $2.3 million.
King George officials recently asked the firm to update that estimate based on the building’s condition and inflation—and the new estimate is $7.5 million. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/historic-virginia-high-school-considered-for-renovations/2022/07/16/7c492a06-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html | 2022-07-16T14:35:33 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/historic-virginia-high-school-considered-for-renovations/2022/07/16/7c492a06-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html |
Almost every day, Wyatt Childress can be found in his backyard swinging his rope, lassoing calf dummies and listening to rap music.
Wyatt was really “in his groove” when he competed at the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. He placed 18th in the world in team roping which involves two riders trying to rope a calf.
The competition was held in Perry, Georgia. Young cowboys and cowgirls from around the world came to compete in various rodeo events, such as barrel racing, ribbon roping and goat tying. The children that compete in these events are some of the best in the world. Competition was stiff, and this rodeo was the real deal.
“Nationals is the second biggest rodeo in the world, so there is definitely a lot of pressure,” Wyatt said.
Most of his competitors practiced in an arena similar to the competition arena, but Wyatt does a majority of his training in his backyard, hours and hours of training.
“Most of these people do this at home everyday. They have an arena. He doesn’t have that,” his father said.
Wyatt still kept up with his competition.
Before going out to compete, there is a lot going on in the arena. There is music, fans and an announcer livening up the crowd. The horses are ready and raring to go. Wyatt admitted he does get nervous, but he knows how to deal with it.
“I pray before every run,” he said. “And then I just tell my partner to go out there and catch because if we catch two we’ll make it to the short round.”
“Catch” means to successfully throw the loop of the rope around a part of the calf. In team roping, one rider is going for the head and the other is aiming for the back heels. Wyatt’s job was to rope the heels. Sean Stone, his partner during the 2021-22 season, had to catch the head. Scores are based on times, so they are doing this as fast as possible.
They made it to the short round in 13th place to advance to the championship round. No one from Virginia had been to the championship round in seven years. Their time of 59.22 seconds won them their 18th spot.
Those hours of rope swinging in the backyard paid off. The technique of rope swinging is not easy. The wrist has to be flicked the right way. It has to be timed just right, but now it is almost second nature to Wyatt.
“It’s just instinct from where I’ve practiced so much,” he explained.
Wyatt’s mother, Amanda Childress, described how her son discovered roping while at a men’s conference at Liberty. Wyatt met a group of ropers from North Carolina that were doing outreach. From there, he was hooked — at just 8 years old.
“He picked up a rope that day and that was it. He didn’t want to put it down.”
Rodeoing takes a lot of practice, discipline and responsibility — traits that come easily to Wyatt. He bought both of his horses, Fatso and Pearl, with his own money and took a three year break from basketball and baseball to fully pursue rodeoing.
“The kids that do this are just a different type of kid,” his father said.
“To be a 13 year old and have to put all this together. There’s a lot to it,” his mother added.
Wyatt has big goals for the future. He already is looking at colleges. His top two choices are Oklahoma State and Tarleton State. Both have rodeo teams, and his parents are in full support.
“He works hard. It’s what he loves. It’s his passion. As long as he’s willing to do it, we’re willing to put in the time and effort,“ his mother said.
Wyatt also has his sights set on ending up in Texas in the future. One of his biggest dreams is to go to the big leagues, the National Rodeo Finals, and he is on the fast track to make it there. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-teenager-competes-in-national-rodeo-looks-ahead/2022/07/16/801ea6e2-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html | 2022-07-16T14:35:40 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-teenager-competes-in-national-rodeo-looks-ahead/2022/07/16/801ea6e2-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html |
The crew on fishing vessel Southern Girl pulls one caged wire crab pot after another out of the Chesapeake Bay, only to find a scarcity of crustaceans big enough to sell. It frustrates and worries waterman Luke McFadden — and complete strangers, too.
Another viewer comments that he counted 12 empty crab pots coming up from the bottom of the bay in 7 minutes. TikTokers banter in the comments on the video about how much it costs McFadden in fuel and supplies to go crabbing every day.
“Sheesh be positive folks!!!!!” a woman interjects. “Do you do what you love for a living??? Looks like he is winning.”
That is how McFadden sees it, doing a job he’s dreamed of since childhood.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to be too dumb to quit,” he said.
McFadden is breaking the mold in an industry that these days is dominated by older white men, most of who followed their fathers into work on the water. The Pasadena native, half Irish American and half Asian American, started crabbing full time at 18, mostly learning on the job.
He is among a dwindling group of Marylanders who make a living off the Chesapeake, as the average age of bay watermen is estimated to climb into the 60s. It has always been a difficult career, what with challenges of weather, pollution and overseas imports. Now, lackluster efforts to clean up the bay and an alarming decline in the blue crab population threaten to make it even harder to jump into the capricious Chesapeake seafood market.
McFadden is charting his course. Instead of selling his crabs to wholesalers or carryout restaurants like most other watermen, he has launched his own business, Bodkin Point Seafood, and sells directly to customers. It’s a path many younger crabbers are taking to cut out the middleman and earn more money.
But McFadden can thank an algorithm for his unique customer base. He says most of his buyers come his way after stumbling upon the videos he posts on the addictive meme machine that is TikTok.
“There’s a million crab stands,” McFadden said. “There’s only one crab guy on TikTok.”
The water has always called to McFadden. He remembers feeling its pull as a kid when he opened up a coffee-table book and saw black-and-white photos of the watermen of yore, even though he had no concept of what crabbing was. As soon as he was old enough, he’d take a small boat into creeks and go crabbing with chicken necks tied to a string. Under his photo in a school yearbook, McFadden declared plans to grow up to be a crabber.
Trouble was, unlike most aspiring watermen, there were no family footsteps for him to follow. His mother is a homemaker and his stepfather a pastor. His father, who lives in Pennsylvania, is a psychiatrist.
Waterman Luke McFadden pulls in a crab pot while checking lines. McFadden has gained more than a million followers on TikTok for his videos showing life working on the Chesapeake Bay. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)
Fate stepped in when his parents met CJ Canby at church and the Pasadena man told them he worked as a crabber. McFadden started spending summers on Canby’s boat at age 12. When McFadden was 18, he set out in a cheap boat of his own with a couple hundred old crab pots on loan from Canby.
“You’re not going to just get into this business and start,” Canby said. “You need help.”
It took McFadden weeks to catch and sell enough crabs to pay back the $800 he owed, he remembers. But it was his start.
His mother says she worried, but never doubted.
“It never concerned me that he wasn’t going to be able to do the work that’s required because he’s just a really hardworking individual,” said Joy Beans, who lives in Ellicott City. “He’s always pieced together a way to make ends meet and make a living.”
TikTok was never in the plan. McFadden’s brother had gotten a few thousand views on some videos, and he wondered if he could go viral himself. He started posting some glimpses of his life last January — a few old clips of his crab boat in action, of friends drinking, and of a dresser he was building.
The dresser has what carpenters like McFadden call an evolution door, made with panels of wood connected by swiveling hinges so that as it’s opened or closed, it looks like it’s morphing or shapeshifting. The video took off. It has more than 1.8 million views on McFadden’s TikTok page — @fvsoutherngirl, named for his boat — but countless more across the internet, where it’s been widely reposted and shared.
That got him thinking about how he could harness those eyeballs for business. He decided to keep sharing — videos of boat repairs, of all varieties of fish that turned up in his crab pots, of how to identify soft crabs and spawning crabs. Viewers were hooked.
“Everything about this is normal to me,” McFadden said. “But I didn’t really realize this entire thing is completely foreign to almost everybody.”
Many are from all over the world, and some tune into every moment McFadden broadcasts. In addition to regularly posting short clips, he often livestreams his day’s work, with an average of 100,000 viewers over a few hours.
Some are locals, like Bryant Poindexter, who visited McFadden’s crab stand on East Furnace Branch Road in Glen Burnie on a recent afternoon. He came across McFadden on his “For You” page on TikTok, where an algorithm connects users to new accounts to follow and corners of the app to explore. Poindexter had eaten plenty of crabs in his life, but stopped for a few years, frustrated by lightweight and poor-tasting ones served at a restaurant.
He was charmed by McFadden’s presentation of the crabbing process, something he had never thought or learned about, and by the crabs themselves.
“I was like, ‘I’m going to support this young guy,’” Poindexter said.
“You can literally watch me catch it and then come and buy it,” McFadden said.
Waterman Luke McFadden pilots the FV Southern Girl out of Bodkin Creek. McFadden has gained more than a million followers on TikTok for his videos showing life working on the Chesapeake Bay. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)
Some have speculated McFadden must be getting rich off the viewers, but he says their estimates are overblown. TikTok pays him 3.5 cents for every 1,000 views, so while his videos bring in some cash, it doesn’t go far when the overhead for a single day of crabbing is close to $1,000, he said.
Still, it’s a source of income and advertising that’s never been available to any Chesapeake waterman before. Robert T. Brown, president of the Maryland Watermen’s Association, said he hadn’t heard of McFadden or his internet fame, but commended him for it.
“He’s marketing his product,” Brown said. “With the way the economic stuff is, you’ve got to do what you can to get the most out of what you’ve got.”
Given McFadden’s youth and unorthodox entrance into the industry, his success is all the more remarkable. Brown said young men are more likely to follow their fathers into the crabbing business on the lower Eastern Shore, where other economic opportunities are scarce. “If you can get a college education, you don’t go into the seafood business,” he said.
As older watermen age out of the work, the future of the profession is unclear. Brown suggested it means those left behind will have less competition for their catch. But some, like McFadden, aren’t waiting for those crabs to fall in their laps, and are leading the next generation into the future.
Ryan Mould, a 32-year-old waterman from Shady Side, said more young crabbers need to get involved in shaping the industry they will depend on. Mould has served since his 20s on state advisory committees that help craft rules for oystering and crabbing. Most of his peers on those panels are twice his age and have worked through an industry very different from the one Mould will navigate in the coming decades.
“I really think there needs to be more younger voices,” he said. “The older generation are set in their ways, and they’ve seen such a huge change.”
More is coming: new restrictions are set to be imposed this year limiting for the first time the harvesting of male crabs, not just females. Mould said he isn’t happy with the rules, and wishes more young watermen would get involved in the regulation process.
The restrictions are in response to a 60% drop in the Chesapeake blue crab population over the past four years, and a record low population of male crabs, which are what most people eat. So far this season, that scarcity has been evident.
“I feel like I’ve been picking up and putting down the same crabs, waiting for them to get ripe,” McFadden said one recent morning aboard the Southern Girl.
But he is nonetheless doing what he loves, and hoping for the best. He sees crabbing as primal as hunting and gathering, something humans are programmed for and will always do. Crabbing hardly changes; just everything around it does.
And he will keep posting on TikTok. In a post Thursday, he held up a palm-sized crab too small to legally harvest, but that could be big enough later this summer. He used it to share some cause for optimism with his followers.
“We’ve been seeing a ton of these teeny, tiny, little crabs,” he said. “It’s a little bit of a glimmer of hope here.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/waterman-works-chesapeake-bay-invites-tiktok-viewers/2022/07/16/787d0cc6-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html | 2022-07-16T14:35:46 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/waterman-works-chesapeake-bay-invites-tiktok-viewers/2022/07/16/787d0cc6-0507-11ed-8beb-2b4e481b1500_story.html |
EATONTON — Georgia 4-H has chosen 62 high-school students for the Georgia 4-H Ambassador program to represent the organization in the program areas of healthy living, STEM, tech, wildlife and pollinators around the state. Representing 42 Georgia counties, ambassadors were selected through a competitive application process and attended a comprehensive training weekend in June at Rock Eagle 4-H Center.
After intensive subject training, during which ambassadors learn about and led within their chosen disciplines, the students will spend the 2022-23 academic year planning activities to share their knowledge with peers, younger children and adults.
Healthy Living ambassadors will focus on food and nutrition, food access and security, preparing budget-friendly meals and snacks, and general health and well-being.
Pollinator ambassadors teach about the importance of pollinators and easy conservation efforts, sharing activities to build awareness about pollinators and teaching how to take action to help preserve pollinator habitats.
Tech ambassadors work within their communities to increase digital literacy and grow digital skills. STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) ambassadors provide other students with opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM projects in their home counties and surrounding areas.
Wildlife ambassadors will become certified Project WILD educators through a national environmental education program coordinated by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Their goal is to teach people in their communities about the importance of wildlife conservation throughout Georgia.
The ambassador program, which launched in 2005 with more than 30 participants working in their communities “to make the best better,” has a rich history of success. Each key area is coordinated by specialists on the Georgia 4-H state staff and 4-H personnel from UGA Cooperative Extension county offices. These adults mentor the youth ambassadors, providing them with applicable and relevant subject knowledge and empowering them to educate others.
“The Georgia 4-H Ambassador program is unique in that youth get to learn specialized content through an in-depth training experience,” Kasey Bozeman, UGA Extension 4-H specialist for Georgia 4-H science programs and ambassador program coordinator, said. “Under the direction of their local 4-H leaders, student ambassadors continue to learn through interviews, tours and research, but they also get to teach others through exhibits, articles and workshops. I’m always amazed to see their creativity and passion shine.”
Tech ambassadors work within their communities to increase digital literacy and grow digital skills. STEM ambassadors provide other students with opportunities to engage in hands-on STEM projects in their home counties and surrounding areas.
Healthy Living ambassadors are Shannon Schlegel from Burke County; Dayleigh Beard, Brailyn Boyd, Khanijah Mitchell and Markaliyah Mitchell from Calhoun County; Isaiah Farrow from Cobb County; Anna Cook from Cook County; Jacob Bennett from Grady County; Lily Earle from Madison County; Maci Dawson from Mitchell County; Molly Hooker and Ryan Johnson from Pickens County; Carter Hewitt from Stephens County; Megan Miller from Tattnall County; Bethany Samuel from Tift County; Brittney Bryant and Grace Holt from Toombs County; Olivia Walker from Union County; Christopher Kuhbander from Ware County; and Lori Bell from Wayne County.
STEM ambassadors are Hannah Hunt and Erica McLocklin from Barrow County; Lucy Evans from Bartow County; Lee Jay from Ben Hill County; Madison Hudgins from Bryan County; James Schlegel from Burke County; Aarsheya Gunjal and Venya Gunjal from Cobb County; Kyra Burmeister from Liberty County; Rae McBride from Oglethorpe County; Micah Newton from Pickens County; Hailey Perez from Pulaski County; Carolyn Thomas from Putnam County; Leila D. Rimes from Tift County; and Bailey Hutchins from Toombs County.
Tech ambassadors are Quinn Stoy from Bulloch County; Chanthony Andrews Jr. from Glynn County; Hannah Jones from Gordon County; Jeremiah Florence from Mitchell County; Kingston Ryals from Toombs County; and Mary Laura Tippett and Tami Gonzalez from Toombs County.
Wildlife ambassadors are Katy Stinson and Kiwi Waller from Barrow County; Grant Shuman from Bryan County; Catherine Puchala from Bulloch County; Emmaline Cunningham and Tony Gray from Burke County; Presley Douglas from Candler County; Landon Fay from Cherokee County; Connor Watson from Oconee County; Reese Davis from Pickens County; and Addy Winchester from Pulaski County.
Pollinator ambassadors are Aubrianna Stewart from Bryan County; Agatha Grimes from Candler County; Lesley Nichols from Fayette County; Zoey Parks from Jasper County; Makayla Nash from Liberty County; Mia Burnett from Mitchell County; Sophia Scott from Pickens County; Esteban Contreras Jr. from Pulaski County; Nortrayvious Brown from Terrell County; Emma Barber from Ware County; and Landon McDonald from Toombs County.
For more information about the ambassador program and Georgia 4-H, contact a local UGA Extension office or visit georgia4h.org. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/georgia-4-h-names-state-ambassadors-for-five-key-program-areas/article_2b5620e6-0376-11ed-a586-7bde7cc0de3f.html | 2022-07-16T14:47:34 | 1 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/georgia-4-h-names-state-ambassadors-for-five-key-program-areas/article_2b5620e6-0376-11ed-a586-7bde7cc0de3f.html |
TIFTON — A reception for Tracy Brundage, the incoming president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, will take place on Aug. 4 from 4-6 p.m. in Tift Hall. The reception is open to the campus and the community.
Brundage, now the president at Keystone (Pa.) College, takes office on Aug. 1 as the 11th president in the 114-year history of ABAC. David Bridges, who began the 17th year of his ABAC tenure on July 1, will retire on July 31.
“I am very excited and look forward to working with the entire ABAC community,” Brundage said. “ABAC has a long and distinguished history of educational service in Georgia, and I am proud to have a chance to be a part of that legacy.
“I am grateful to President Bridges for his outstanding leadership over his many years of tenure. He and the entire ABAC community have so much to be proud of because of all the accomplishments during his time at ABAC.”
Brundage has served as the Keystone College president since 2018. Prior to becoming president, she was Keystone’s provost and vice president for academic affairs for the 2017-2018 academic year.
During her time as provost and vice president of academic affairs, Brundage managed all academic programs, including master’s degrees and the Keystone College Virtual campus online program. She forged key partnerships between Keystone and local health care and economic development organizations and began to increase college partnerships with other business sectors as well.
Before she came to Keystone, Brundage served as vice president of work force development at Pennsylvania College of Technology, a special mission affiliate of Penn State University, for more than 10 years.
Brundage received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gettysburg College before attending Penn State University, where she earned a master of education degree in training and development and a doctorate in work force education and development.
A Scranton, Pa., native, Brundage has lived in many of the agricultural communities in her home state, including Lancaster County.
“I appreciate the intimacy of small communities and the abundant opportunities to engage with community partners,” Brundage said. “My desire is to be a supportive catalyst in helping people achieve success.”
A recognized expert in her field, Brundage has testified on work force development initiatives before many state and national committees, including the United States House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee.
Brundage has also served as a faculty member at Penn College and Harrisburg Area Community College teaching a variety of business management, information technology and human resource courses.
In the private sector, she has owned and operated a Victorian bed and breakfast in Lock Haven, Pa., and worked as an information technology instructor with a private firm in Lancaster, Pa., while also living on a small farm in the county.
Brundage understands institutional threats and the strategies that must be employed to maintain focus on the core values and mission of the institution.
“We must be laser focused on the mission and the need to develop students for careers in which they will experience optimum success,” Brundage said.
Brundage said she believes ABAC is primed and ready for the future.
“The institution has experienced tremendous growth and innovation, and I believe we are in an excellent position to move forward and build upon the legacy that Dr. Bridges has created,” she said.
Fall semester classes begin at ABAC on Aug. 15. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/reception-for-new-abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college-president-planned/article_fa6971d2-0374-11ed-bcab-d728fd72910c.html | 2022-07-16T14:47:40 | 1 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/reception-for-new-abraham-baldwin-agricultural-college-president-planned/article_fa6971d2-0374-11ed-bcab-d728fd72910c.html |
Heavy rains have forced officials at the Sunbelt Ag Expo to reschedule Field Day, which was scheduled to take place at the Spence Field venue in Moultrie Thursday.
MOULTRIE -- Heavy rains have forced officials at the Sunbelt Ag Expo to reschedule Field Day, which was scheduled to take place at the Spence Field venue Thursday.
"We were looking forward to seeing you, but the much-needed rain from a dry spring has left the fields in an impassable condition," Expo officials said in a news release. "Regrettably, we are postponing this year’s Field Day until Aug. 2 to give the fields and roads some time to dry out.
"Be sure to follow our social media channels and check www.sunbeltexpo.com for updates on the anticipated rescheduling of the event. We will see you in a couple of weeks."
Field Day is an opportunity for farmers and other interested persons to visit the working Spence Field farm and talk to experts about new technology and practices.
“Each year, our mission is to provide a place where research can be done to benefit all row crop and forage farmers — especially those who might not have the resources or land to just go out and try a new variety or technology on a hunch,” Sunbelt Ag Expo Farm Manager Cody Mitchell said. “This year is no different.
“We strive to have the best-looking farm around. We want the Expo farm to showcase what a farm should look like. We work hard all year to ensure that we make a lifelong impression on the guests who come to see us during Sunbelt Ag Expo in October. When they visit here, we want it to be an eye-opening experience that’s worth their time.”
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ODENVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — According to the Odenville Police Department, a 12-year-old girl was accidentally shot Friday afternoon.
The Odenville Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to a residence on Love Joy Terrance road off Highway 411. Someone called 911 to report on a 911 call that a 12-year-old female had been accidentally shot in the stomach.
Once first responders arrived at the scene, the juvenile victim was treated by medics and flown to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. She is currently in stable condition.
The St. Clair County Sherriff’s Office Investigations Division is investigating the incident alongside OPD. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/12-year-old-odenville-girl-accidentally-shot-in-stomach/ | 2022-07-16T14:53:21 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/12-year-old-odenville-girl-accidentally-shot-in-stomach/ |
Nine candidates for Casper City Council sat in the Washington Park bandshell on Wednesday night, making their case to voters.
Besides current Casper Mayor Ray Pacheco, who is running for his third term on the council, the other eight people on the stage are looking to be elected for the first time.
Most, aside from Pacheco and his Ward 3 challenger Woody Warren who ran in 2020, said this is the first time they’re running for elected office.
Answering a series of questions as rain drizzled on the lawn-chaired audience, most candidates emphasized a fiscally responsible approach to local government.
Some, including Warren and Ward 2 candidate Eric Paulson, railed against taxation without proper citizen input on how the revenue should be spent. Others, including Pacheco and Ward 1 candidate Gena Jensen, highlighted their involvement around Casper and praised the city’s amenities.
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This fall, four seats on the council will be up for election — one each in Ward 1 and 2, covering central and west Casper, and two in Ward 3 on the east side.
Here’s a look at how each candidate answered questions covering their top priorities, the city’s role in economic development, city subsidies and the impending renewal of the 1-cent tax.
Ward 1
Three challengers — Dennis Rollins, Travis Van Hecke and Gena Jensen — are going up against council member Jai-Ayla Sutherland, who was appointed last year, for the single open seat in Ward 1.
All three attended the forum Wednesday, but Sutherland couldn’t make it because of a work trip.
Rollins said his top priorities if elected would be addressing food deserts in Casper, namely the north side, and diversifying Casper’s economy. He specifically referenced a recent proposal by local artist Chris Navarro that would use retired wind turbine blades for large-scale art installations as a possible way to bring more people into town.
“I do believe that subsidies are necessary,” Rollins said. “As far as the events center goes, we do need to subsidize that, but I would like to see something in place to be able to reduce the subsidy over a period of time.”
Jensen also emphasized economic development, bringing new businesses to Casper and fostering partnerships between the city and the private sector. She said the key to that is marketing Casper, with the help of organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or Visit Casper.
Van Hecke said Casper should look to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas by attracting other industries like tech to town. He believes in subsidies, he said, when they tangibly give back to the community.
All Ward 1 candidates said they hope to see the 1-cent tax renewed again this fall.
“There’s a lot of misconceptions out there about what the one cent tax actually does,” Jensen said. “The bottom line is we need that 1-cent tax.”
Ward 2
Three of the four candidates running for the open seat in Ward 2 were present on Wednesday — Nikki Green, Eric Paulson and Michael Bond. Dan Elston, a city building supervisor, was not there. Ward 2 is the only race that does not have an incumbent council member running to retain their seat, as council member Shawn Johnson is leaving his post to run for county commissioner as a libertarian.
All three candidates present said they were in favor of the 1-cent tax being renewed. Paulson said he would like to see the money used for more general purposes, rather than “special interest programs” like nonprofits and boards.
Green said infrastructure is at the top of her to-do list, followed by providing affordable housing to support new business.
Like Jensen, Green said the city should be partnering with organizations like Advance Casper to spread the word about Casper’s low taxes and open land to attract businesses. Subsidies, she said, are essential.
“Those particular things provide recreational opportunities, not just for the elite and the ones that can afford it, but for everyone,” she said. “That’s what government has to be, is for everyone.”
Paulson emphasized government accountability in each of his answers, saying that many of the city’s problems can be traced back to a lack of responsibility. He advocated for a cap on property taxes “on a city, county and state level,” though that would likely necessitate an amendment to the state constitution.
“We need to be selective about what we decide to invest in,” Paulson said. “It is not our role in the government to help pay for businesses to stay afloat.”
He said that ideally, city recreation services would be self-funded.
Based on a recent citizen survey that informed the city’s 1-cent tax budget for the coming four years, Bond said he would prioritize street maintenance, safe drinking water and funding for first responders. He said that the support services provided by the city, like licensing and building inspections, are also key to fostering healthy business here.
“I think it’s a matter of balance — striking that balance between the entities turning their own profit and being self-sufficient, along with providing enough support and asking those questions about, ‘Okay, you’re not quite at the self-sufficient level yet. What can we do to help you get there?’” Bond said when asked about the city providing subsidies.
Ward 3
Three of five candidates for two east Casper positions took the stage Wednesday — Woody Warren, Ray Pacheco and Brandy Haskins. Ryan Amadio and Trevor Mahlum were not present.
Pacheco, who is serving his second term as Casper mayor, said he was concerned about the results of a recent study of the city’s buildings, which showed many of them are in need of critical maintenance. He also said he hopes to prioritize streets and balancing the city’s budget if elected for a third term.
Like several other candidates, Pacheco said he believes public-private partnerships to market the city are essential. Subsidies to places including the events center, he said, bring in millions of tax revenue to Casper.
Haskins said that if elected, she would want to make a priority list of street repairs and other infrastructure needs based on urgency. When it comes to economic development, she said the city is already doing what it should to subsidize places like Hogadon and the events center.
“We need to make it beautiful and keep it beautiful,” she said. “The private businesses are going to bring people to us.”
Warren, who is running on a largely libertarian platform though the office is nonpartisan, said he would work to improve the council’s transparency and accountability. He said he believes in “keeping the government out of business” and deregulation to attract and maintain small businesses.
“We got to dive into the budget,” Warren said. “We got to see … what we can do to save every single penny that we can without increasing any more government overreach.”
All three candidates were in support of the 1-cent tax being renewed. Warren said he just doesn’t want to see any additional taxes added on top of it.
“Honestly, I don’t know why we still call it optional and we still vote on it,” Haskins said. “We need it… really what we should work to do is make it permanent.” | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/casper-council-candidates-sound-off-in-open-forum/article_8f0529d0-0479-11ed-beb7-2b23045f02a9.html | 2022-07-16T15:09:06 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/casper-council-candidates-sound-off-in-open-forum/article_8f0529d0-0479-11ed-beb7-2b23045f02a9.html |
Casper has a new option for curbside recycling, and it’s completely free.
On Wednesday afternoons, Miles Encino fires up his truck and heads out on his route, picking up batches of recycling from Community Can Recycling’s growing list of clients. Last week, there were 12 stops on his list.
“Then I have to go back and sort everything, and get it all where it needs to go,” Encino said.
Right now, he is only able to repurpose paper and cardboard at his Casper home. On Wednesday, he passed out a Community Can newsletter, printed on the recycled paper, to clients — thanking them for their support and letting them know the program can now accept all kinds of cardboard.
Besides paper and cardboard, Encino collects a long list of other recyclables including cans, type 1 and 2 plastics, metal, old appliances and electronics, bicycles, musical instruments and cases, car batteries and yarn.
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The electronics he tries to refurbish if he can, and give away if he gets them working. Paper becomes new paper, cardboard becomes biodegradable packing material and plastics he hopes to eventually be able to make into plastic lumber he can sell to hobbyists and artisans looking for sustainable materials.
“Whatever we can do to keep stuff out of the landfill,” he said.
Encino, who has lived in Casper since he was 10, first dreamed up the idea of a self-funding recycling program when he was in high school.
“When I was little, I was really into repurposing stuff, breaking it down,” he said.
But the technology Encino plans to use to repurpose paper and plastic just wasn’t accessible back then, he said. Now, those machines are slightly more affordable, and he hopes that a combination of donors, investors and profits from his recycled materials can help him build his own arsenal.
“This has always been a capitalist venture to me,” Encino said. “The more money I make, the better my service can be to the citizenry.”
Recycling services are limited in Casper, primarily because the city has determined that curbside pickup is too expensive to justify in its budget. There is another privately-run pickup service, Recyclops, whose rates start at $12 per month for pickups every other week.
But Encino said you can’t know what happens after you put a bottle in a bin at the city’s depots, or have your recycling picked up by a company based outside the state (Recyclops bought a locally-operated company, Casper Curbside Recycling, in 2021).
“We have such an abundance of plastic in the world,” Encino said. “Recycled plastic is going to be everywhere, so we might as well just get a grip on it and do something with it that we want to do, and not just give it back to these major companies that just keep pumping out more.”
With Community Can, Encino wants people to be able to see the impact of recycling. And once he gets enough people on board, he said, he hopes to be able to produce enough repurposed material to open an online store to sell it. The profits, he said, would then go back to supporting the recycling service.
“It’s so hard for an individual to collect that material on their own,” Encino said. “It wouldn’t be worth it.”
The name for his service comes from its central idea — that together, a “community can” make a difference.
Encino has built his client list so far by canvassing Casper neighborhoods with door hangers advertising his services. Most of his route consists of homes in the Big Trees neighborhood, with some others in the Centennial Hills area.
Those interested in signing up or making a donation can go to community-can.com. | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/casper-man-looks-to-give-recycled-materials-new-life----for-free/article_a7e7bcbc-03be-11ed-a055-fbd4ecf0cce0.html | 2022-07-16T15:09:13 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/casper-man-looks-to-give-recycled-materials-new-life----for-free/article_a7e7bcbc-03be-11ed-a055-fbd4ecf0cce0.html |
Recent Kelly Walsh graduate Kayla Colburn and Michigan State student Andrew Brown made a deal this summer. If Brown made a return to Casper for the season, they’d both try out for a musical together.
Five weeks after their auditions, the two are on stage preforming leading roles in Opera Wyoming’s upcoming production of “Rent.”
“It couldn’t have come in a better time, it’s like the stars aligned or something,” Colburn, who plays Mimi in the show, joked. “We talk a lot about how it seems like this cast and just everything kind of like was like a lightning-in-the-bottle moment. It was so lucky that we’re all here at the same time this summer.”
This summer marks Opera Wyoming’s fifth production season, and the musical is the largest show yet, said Daniel Quintana, the artistic director and co-owner of Opera Wyoming. Within the span of five weeks, the production has been built from scratch.
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“It’s been amazing. We knew it was going to be special the way it started, and they’ve met and exceeded every expectation I’ve had,” said Steven Spicher, the show’s director. “Five weeks ago we came together as a cast for the first time, four weeks ago we finally had our first rehearsal, three weeks ago we hadn’t gotten into the actual theater yet, two weeks ago we built the stage, and this last week we added all of the technical things.”
When asked to choreograph the show, University of Wyoming Dance Instructor Aaron Wood immediately jumped at the chance. “Rent,” he said, is a show he already had personal connections to.
The musical is based off the AIDS crisis in New York in the 1990s. A lot of the show additionally focuses on some of the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, something that a lot of the cast said is still applicable today.
In 1998, Wood first came out as gay. A few months later in October of that year, gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard was murdered. Wood sang in the choir that performed at his funeral.
“That following year, there was a group of us that went to Denver and saw ‘Rent,’” Wood said. “So it’s a pinnacle moment for me as a queer artist and as a person to be a part of this production. ‘Rent’ is something that lives near and dear to my heart.”
Part of the focus of this production is to create a safe space for both the audience and for the cast, especially when it comes to the subject matter, Spincher said.
“When you dwell it down to what it is, it’s just about love. We’re here telling a story, but we’re also trying to get you to come over and connect with it on a deeper level… that’s connection,” Brown, who plays Mark Cohen in the show, said. “It approaches a lot of really hard topics that are sad obviously at times, but still important to address. It really has this sense of family and just love for each other. That’s what I really love about this show.”
Thursday night marked the final run through rehearsal. At 7:30, after a lot of mic tape and a few technical hiccups, five minutes to places was called. “Thank you, five,” the cast said collectively.
Two hours of singing, dancing and acting ensued, and no one had to use the safe word, aptly named “just yell ‘hold’ at the top of your lungs.” The cast congratulated themselves on the last rehearsal with hugs and tears on stage.
“I think there’s a moment for every show where it’s like, ‘Wow, we have a show.’ And tonight, that’s how I felt,” Colburn said afterwards. “I wouldn’t want to put my time and effort into something that wouldn’t affect the audience or that they would walk away kind of with like a shoulder shrug, but I genuinely feel like we have something that could have an impact on the community.”
When the celebration slowed, both Spicher and Wood pulled their notes out.
“The last thing I’m going to say, because it’s getting late and I don’t want to hold you all anymore, is that the universe brings together for certain reasons,” Wood added. “I want you all to know that I am very, very grateful for the opportunity to have been able to work with you all and each and one of you have been a pleasure.”
The musical opened Friday at The Lyric downtown, and performances are set for July 16, 17, 21, 23 and 24. Tickets can be bought online at operawyoming.wellattended.com, $12 for students, $15 for general admission. Because of the heavy subject matter and cursing in the show, the musical is rated R.
“Tomorrow’s opening night,” Spicher told the cast. “Go home and get some rest.” | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/rent-is-due-opera-wyoming-opens-newest-musical/article_1c4535fc-0492-11ed-8a3e-f3f8f8ae6f46.html | 2022-07-16T15:09:19 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/rent-is-due-opera-wyoming-opens-newest-musical/article_1c4535fc-0492-11ed-8a3e-f3f8f8ae6f46.html |
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