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Indianapolis police investigate man's death Saturday on the west side
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported Saturday that a man died on the west side after injuries that appeared to be from a gunshot wound.
Northwest District officers and Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services responded to a report of a person shot at about 6 a.m. in the 3400 block of Marabou Mills Drive, according to a release from the police department. They found the man in a vehicle and he was pronounced dead at the scene, the release stated. Homicide detectives and the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency arrived to begin an investigation and look for forensic evidence, according to the release.
More:Judge rules against Nakota Kelly's father in bid to toss evidence in murder case
The Marion County Coroner's Office will determine the manner of death and release the man's identity after family has been notified, the release stated.
Those with information should reach out to Detective Jeremy Ingram at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or Jeremy.Ingram@indy.gov. Those who wish to give tips anonymously should call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477, download the P3tips app or go to www.CrimeTips.org.
Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2022/08/06/indianapolis-crime-police-investigate-mans-death-on-west-side/65394340007/ | 2022-08-06T21:09:22 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2022/08/06/indianapolis-crime-police-investigate-mans-death-on-west-side/65394340007/ |
Anyone who's lived in Northwest Indiana has probably spent a significant amount of time soaking in views of Lake Michigan.
The Great Lake's South Shore has inspired poets like Carl Sandburg, painters like Frank Dudley and writers like Nelson Algren.
Now anyone can jot down their creative ideas in appropriately themed memo books.
“Our headquarters sits about a mile and a half east of Lake Michigan, one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world,” said Jim Coudal, cofounder of Field Notes. “We’ve wanted to do a set inspired by the Great Lakes for years, and when we saw the bright cobalt Classic Techweave cover stock from Neenah, we knew it was finally time.”
Each memo book in the limited edition set is dedicated to a Great Lake. The lake is depicted in an illustration on the front cover and explained with history, data and trivia in the back cover.
It's being sold online, at retail stores and as part of Field Notes’ Quarterly Edition Series, which people can have mailed to them through a subscription. Subscribers also get a sixth memo book with a charcoal cover honoring the entire Great Lakes Waterway.
Field Notes also is releasing The Great Lakes T-shirts and a set of vintage postcards styled after Curt Teich & Company. The Chicago-based company printed more than a billion postcards over a 90-year period, many of which are preserved at the Curt Teich Postcard Archive in the Newberry Library.
“Most Teich postcard images were photographed by the company’s salesmen as they toured the country, then touched up or embellished back home,” said Bryan Bedell, design director at Field Notes. “We decided to be as faithful to the process as possible, which led to a 1,300-mile road trip to shoot each of the lakes on black and white film. We scanned the negatives and, having examined the original Teich production files, we felt no qualms about retouching and colorizing the photos beyond recognition.”
Bombers BBQ is now serving up its beloved brisket and other slow-cooked meats in Crown Point.
The acclaimed military aviation-themed barbecue joint has built up a fervent following at its original location at 435 Ridge Road in Munster. It reached a deal with Darin Jacobs, who owns Rosati's pizzerias in Munster, St. John and Valparaiso, to open franchises.
Jacobs, a longtime bombers customer, on Monday opened the first Bombers BBQ franchise at 35 W. 112th Ave. next to Cold Stone Creamery and Three Monkeys Pub in Crown Point. He's eyeing future locations in St. John and Valparaiso.
"It's definitely the barbecue smoking shows on the Food Channel," he said. "We carry more than most. We sell smoked turkey that's the most tender turkey you've ever had. Our best customers are those who smoke or barbecue themselves because they know what they're looking for. They come in, ask how we prepare our food, understand it makes sense and keep coming back."
Jacobs hopes to open more franchises after establishing the Crown Point location.
"We're thinking of Valparaiso and St. John once we feel comfortable we've replicated it in Crown Point," he said. "This is the freshest, best-tasting barbecue around."
"Everything is fresh, smoked that day," he said. "Not to disparage other barbecue restaurants, but if they say they close at 9 p.m. and then close at 9 p.m. the meat's not all fresh."
The new Bombers BBQ in Crown Point seats 80 people in a former furniture store and another 24 on an outdoor patio. It has a liquor license that lets it serve 12 types of beer, half craft and half domestic.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is decorated with the same military aviation theme, inspired by how founder Chris Cole's relatives served as pilots in World War II and Vietnam.
"We've had a lot of military people come in and say they appreciate it. They like to take it all in," Jacobs said. "Some people don't know where the name comes from or think it's because the food is the bomb, but it's because both Chris Cole's relatives were bomber pilots."
Bombers BBQ in Crown Point has the same menu as the original Munster restaurant, adding banana pudding. It smokes its meat fresh every day, selling it until it runs out and closing early if sold out.
"We smoke meat daily and stay open until we sell out," he said. "If we still have some left we donate it or let employees take it home. But we're pretty good at estimating how much we'll need based on the previous day's sales."
Spirit Halloween will return to 1525 U.S. 41 in Schererville this Halloween season. Long located every fall at the former Ashley Furniture big-box in Schererville, it moved across the street last year to the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til.
Though it's still beach season when many have little more than beer and sunshine on their mind, to paraphrase the artist who just played Hammond's Festival of the Lakes, the Halloween retailer already posted "coming soon" and "now hiring" signage at the location.
The seasonal pop-up is known for occupying vacant commercial real estate for a couple of months, selling a wide array of Halloween costumes like Jason Vorhees hockey jerseys, as well as Halloween decorations like the styrofoam headstones you can plant to make your front lawn look like a cemetery.
The local chain of barbecue joints in Munster, Crown Point and Griffith is coming to Merrillville, near the busy intersection of U.S. 30 and Interstate 65.
It's taking over the former Fresh to Order space at 540 81st Ave., where it will share a strip mall with Planet Fitness and Catch Table and Tap.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to Crown Point.
The restaurant at 146 E. 109th Ave. is now hiring for a variety of positions, offering sign-on bonuses. It offers Greek favorites like grilled lamb, tzatziki, village salads, rice and pita bread. The menu includes many handhelds such as gyros, wraps and Greek burgers.
For more information, call 219-274-7335, email greatgreeknwi@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook.
True BBQ has opened its long-awaited third location in downtown Griffith, where it's bringing smoked meats and another late-night spot for drinks.
The modern barbecue restaurant took over the former Twincade space at 106 N. Broad St. at the corner of Broad and Main streets in downtown Griffith.
True BBQ first opened in Munster in 2014 and recently opened a second location in downtown Crown Point.
It's owned by Progressive Dining Group, which also owns Bullpen Luxury Bar & Grill, Gino's Steakhouse and The Links in Schererville.
The True BBQ in Griffith has the same menu, which includes baby back ribs, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked rib tips. It offers full slabs of ribs for $16 on Mondays. Other barbecued meats include turkey, andouille sausage, pork belly, pork shoulder, brisket, corned beef and chicken.
The menu also features steaks, pasta salads and appetizers. A full bar serves up craft beers, artisan cocktails and a wide selection of whiskeys.
Catering toward dinner and drinks in Griffith, True BBQ is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Port of Peri Peri's ship has sailed in Schererville.
Signs posted outside the Portuguese peri peri chicken restaurant in Shops on Main on U.S. 41 have said it was temporarily closed "for improvements" for some time.
But now the Port of Peri Peri sign on the building facade has come down. And Shops on Main owner Regency Center is listing the 2,388-square-foot restaurant space as available for lease.
Sports Clips left its longtime spot in the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til and Walmart and moved a few miles north in Schererville.
The sports-themed hair care chain, in which customers can watch sports on television getting their hair cut, moved to 336 Indianapolis Blvd. in a newer strip mall by McAlister's Deli and Buona Beef.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Bombers BBQ, True BBQ and Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opening; Port of Peri Peri closed
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Bombers BBQ, True BBQ and Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opening; Port of Peri Peri closed
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Open
Bombers BBQ is now serving up its beloved brisket and other slow-cooked meats in Crown Point.
The acclaimed military aviation-themed barbecue joint has built up a fervent following at its original location at 435 Ridge Road in Munster. It reached a deal with Darin Jacobs, who owns Rosati's pizzerias in Munster, St. John and Valparaiso, to open franchises.
Jacobs, a longtime bombers customer, on Monday opened the first Bombers BBQ franchise at 35 W. 112th Ave. next to Cold Stone Creamery and Three Monkeys Pub in Crown Point. He's eyeing future locations in St. John and Valparaiso.
Joseph S. Pete
Brisket the top seller
It has three smokers on site, two for the restaurant traffic and one for catering. It will cater to as few as 50 people and as many as 500.
Top sellers include brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese and jalapeno cornbread.
"The brisket is by far the No. 1 seller," he said. "It's the recipe and because we made everything fresh."
Joseph S. Pete
Drive-through for online orders
It has a drive-thru pickup window for online and phone orders.
"It's a trend," Jacobs said. "The drive-through at Rosati's is 20% of our business and growing. This is perfect for pickup."
Barbecue has taken off in Northwest Indiana in recent years, with many new barbecue joints opening.
Joseph S. Pete
Further expansion planned
"It's definitely the barbecue smoking shows on the Food Channel," he said. "We carry more than most. We sell smoked turkey that's the most tender turkey you've ever had. Our best customers are those who smoke or barbecue themselves because they know what they're looking for. They come in, ask how we prepare our food, understand it makes sense and keep coming back."
Jacobs hopes to open more franchises after establishing the Crown Point location.
"We're thinking of Valparaiso and St. John once we feel comfortable we've replicated it in Crown Point," he said. "This is the freshest, best-tasting barbecue around."
Joseph S. Pete
Meat smoked daily
"Everything is fresh, smoked that day," he said. "Not to disparage other barbecue restaurants, but if they say they close at 9 p.m. and then close at 9 p.m. the meat's not all fresh."
The new Bombers BBQ in Crown Point seats 80 people in a former furniture store and another 24 on an outdoor patio. It has a liquor license that lets it serve 12 types of beer, half craft and half domestic.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is decorated with the same military aviation theme, inspired by how founder Chris Cole's relatives served as pilots in World War II and Vietnam.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Bombers BBQ will be open in Crown Point from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 219-613-4444, visit bombersbbq.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Open until sold out
"We've had a lot of military people come in and say they appreciate it. They like to take it all in," Jacobs said. "Some people don't know where the name comes from or think it's because the food is the bomb, but it's because both Chris Cole's relatives were bomber pilots."
Bombers BBQ in Crown Point has the same menu as the original Munster restaurant, adding banana pudding. It smokes its meat fresh every day, selling it until it runs out and closing early if sold out.
"We smoke meat daily and stay open until we sell out," he said. "If we still have some left we donate it or let employees take it home. But we're pretty good at estimating how much we'll need based on the previous day's sales."
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
It's almost the most spooktacular time of year.
Spirit Halloween will return to 1525 U.S. 41 in Schererville this Halloween season. Long located every fall at the former Ashley Furniture big-box in Schererville, it moved across the street last year to the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til.
Though it's still beach season when many have little more than beer and sunshine on their mind, to paraphrase the artist who just played Hammond's Festival of the Lakes, the Halloween retailer already posted "coming soon" and "now hiring" signage at the location.
The seasonal pop-up is known for occupying vacant commercial real estate for a couple of months, selling a wide array of Halloween costumes like Jason Vorhees hockey jerseys, as well as Halloween decorations like the styrofoam headstones you can plant to make your front lawn look like a cemetery.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
True BBQ hasn't stopped growing.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon to Merrillville
The local chain of barbecue joints in Munster, Crown Point and Griffith is coming to Merrillville, near the busy intersection of U.S. 30 and Interstate 65.
It's taking over the former Fresh to Order space at 540 81st Ave., where it will share a strip mall with Planet Fitness and Catch Table and Tap.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to Crown Point.
The restaurant at 146 E. 109th Ave. is now hiring for a variety of positions, offering sign-on bonuses. It offers Greek favorites like grilled lamb, tzatziki, village salads, rice and pita bread. The menu includes many handhelds such as gyros, wraps and Greek burgers.
For more information, call 219-274-7335, email greatgreeknwi@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
True BBQ has opened its long-awaited third location in downtown Griffith, where it's bringing smoked meats and another late-night spot for drinks.
The modern barbecue restaurant took over the former Twincade space at 106 N. Broad St. at the corner of Broad and Main streets in downtown Griffith.
True BBQ first opened in Munster in 2014 and recently opened a second location in downtown Crown Point.
It's owned by Progressive Dining Group, which also owns Bullpen Luxury Bar & Grill, Gino's Steakhouse and The Links in Schererville.
The True BBQ in Griffith has the same menu, which includes baby back ribs, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked rib tips. It offers full slabs of ribs for $16 on Mondays. Other barbecued meats include turkey, andouille sausage, pork belly, pork shoulder, brisket, corned beef and chicken.
The menu also features steaks, pasta salads and appetizers. A full bar serves up craft beers, artisan cocktails and a wide selection of whiskeys.
Catering toward dinner and drinks in Griffith, True BBQ is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Port of Peri Peri's ship has sailed in Schererville.
Signs posted outside the Portuguese peri peri chicken restaurant in Shops on Main on U.S. 41 have said it was temporarily closed "for improvements" for some time.
But now the Port of Peri Peri sign on the building facade has come down. And Shops on Main owner Regency Center is listing the 2,388-square-foot restaurant space as available for lease.
Joseph S. Pete
Relocated
Sports Clips left its longtime spot in the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til and Walmart and moved a few miles north in Schererville.
The sports-themed hair care chain, in which customers can watch sports on television getting their hair cut, moved to 336 Indianapolis Blvd. in a newer strip mall by McAlister's Deli and Buona Beef.
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.
Steelworkers will take home bonus checks of upwards of $14,000 for the three-month period that ended on June 30, U.S. Steel Media Relations Manager Amanda Malkowski said.
The Michigan-based movie theater chain completed the first phase of its two-phase renovation plans to add amenities like faux-leather recliners and brick oven pizza.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges against California-based SOLV Energy and recruiter Aerotek charging they are recruiting workers from outside Indiana for the Mammoth Solar Farm Project and paying them "substantially lower than Indiana standards."
Customer complaints have mounted as Old National Bank has integrated First Midwest Bank branches. Customers have complained about debit cards being declined, being locked out of their accounts online, being allowed to overdraft their accounts without warning and having to wait for hours on the phone.
The cost of gas has dipped under $4 a gallon at a few Region gas stations, including BP in Dyer, Murphy USA in Valparaiso, Speedway in Wanatah, Family Express in Hobart and Valparaiso and Sam's Club and Costco in Merrillville as of Monday, according to GasBuddy.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/field-notes-releases-great-lakes-edition/article_bc761071-0b6c-5f56-b74f-27f9bf58788d.html | 2022-08-06T21:13:08 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/field-notes-releases-great-lakes-edition/article_bc761071-0b6c-5f56-b74f-27f9bf58788d.html |
GARY — A worker died while on the job at the Gary Works steel mill Friday night.
United Steelworkers Union District 7 Director Mike Millsap said the death did not appear to have been the result of an industrial accident.
A 39-year-old electrician collapsed and died while working on a crane at the 84-inch hot strip mill, Millsap said. The death appeared to witnesses at the scene to have been the result of natural causes.
"It was not because of an injury," Millsap said. "It was an apparent heart attack."
The worker was a contractor who belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union.
Attempts to revive the man at the scene were unsuccessful, Millsap said. He was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
"It's just tragic what happened," Millsap said. "Our condolences go out to his family."
U.S. Steel did not immediately return requests for comment.
The United Steelworkers union and the company will investigate what happened to be sure it was not a workplace accident or that any additional safety precautions could be taken to prevent such incidences in the future.
"We'll definitely investigate, but it does not appear to be work-related," Millsap said.
Though safer than in previous generations, steel mills remain dangerous places to work with many natural hazards like heavy machinery, rumbling trucks, barreling trains, molten metal, raging temperatures, high catwalks and steel coil that can weigh many tons. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Health and Safety Administration reports that steel mills had 7.3 recordable illnesses or injuries per 100 qualifying hours in 2020, making it one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.
PHOTOS: The True Cost of Washington Tour comes to Hobart
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.
Steelworkers will take home bonus checks of upwards of $14,000 for the three-month period that ended on June 30, U.S. Steel Media Relations Manager Amanda Malkowski said.
The Michigan-based movie theater chain completed the first phase of its two-phase renovation plans to add amenities like faux-leather recliners and brick oven pizza.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges against California-based SOLV Energy and recruiter Aerotek charging they are recruiting workers from outside Indiana for the Mammoth Solar Farm Project and paying them "substantially lower than Indiana standards."
Customer complaints have mounted as Old National Bank has integrated First Midwest Bank branches. Customers have complained about debit cards being declined, being locked out of their accounts online, being allowed to overdraft their accounts without warning and having to wait for hours on the phone.
The cost of gas has dipped under $4 a gallon at a few Region gas stations, including BP in Dyer, Murphy USA in Valparaiso, Speedway in Wanatah, Family Express in Hobart and Valparaiso and Sam's Club and Costco in Merrillville as of Monday, according to GasBuddy.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/worker-dies-at-gary-works-steel-mill/article_4159aa99-5077-5d69-b460-22408ec21881.html | 2022-08-06T21:13:14 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/worker-dies-at-gary-works-steel-mill/article_4159aa99-5077-5d69-b460-22408ec21881.html |
Editor's Note: Times Correspondent Deborah Laverty reported on the story in 2003 and was interviewed for the broadcast.
The 2003 murder of Merrillville businessman John Parker Jr., planned by his wife, Judy Parker, and aided by his two stepchildren, will be the focus of a television show airing at 6 p.m. Sunday.
The episode will air as part of the "Mastermind of Murder" series on Oxygen.
The episode will include interviews with local police and family members of Parker, as well as Times Correspondent Deborah Laverty, who reported on the story at that time.
Parker's wife, aided by his two stepchildren, plotted and killed him as he left his vacuum cleaning business.
Judy Parker was 40 years old when she was sentenced in 2009 to 33 years for her role in the slaying of her husband.
She plotted and was assisted in the murder by her two children, Daniel Lee Hicks and Christina Hicks, according to court documents.
Daniel Hicks was 15 at the time of the murder, and Christina Hicks was 17.
Both were convicted and received jail sentences.
Christina Hicks-Grabski, who had married during the crime investigation, died in 2013 at the age of 27.
Daniel Hicks completed service in Community Transition Court on Jan. 24, 2017.
Judy Parker, who lived with John Parker and their four children in Crown Point, unsuccessfully attempted several times to kill her husband.
She first laced his food with an illicit drug. He reportedly thought it was food poisoning.
She also hired hit men, but either they got cold feet or simply took the money and ran, according to court testimony.
She finally recruited two of her own children to kill their stepfather.
She succeeded on April 17, 2003, when her son, Daniel Lee Hicks, shot the 33-year-old Merrillville businessman in the back of the head in an ambush outside J&J Parker Industries, 8892 Louisiana St., in Merrillville, a corporate sales and service operator for Kirby Vacuum Corp., where he trained salespeople.
PHOTOS: Frank Calabrese Jr. speaks in Merrillville | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/merrillville-businessmans-murder-case-to-air-on-tv/article_f5b2abfd-5919-55bb-9c36-5c676f9358ed.html | 2022-08-06T21:13:20 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/merrillville/merrillville-businessmans-murder-case-to-air-on-tv/article_f5b2abfd-5919-55bb-9c36-5c676f9358ed.html |
BLOOMINGTON — Every morning when 16-year-old Rachel Grimes wakes up, she said her long-haired cat, Sunny, crawls under her covers and snuggles with her.
“I don’t know whether she wants to be fed or if she loves me — whichever one that is!” Grimes said.
The Bloomington teenager was one of 22 who showed their feline 4-H projects Saturday morning at the McLean County Fair. She was joined by her sister, Sarah Grimes, a seventh grader at Trinity Lutheran School, who said it was fun to talk to the judges and learn new things about her cat, Daisy.
Sarah Grimes said Daisy, who is Sunny’s twin sister, likes to play with toys under her bed before she wakes up.
“Sometimes, they’ll wake me up and scare me a little bit,” Sarah Grimes said. “That’s one of my favorite memories with Daisy.”
She said 4-H is a good program to be involved with, and helped her build her speaking skills and confidence. She encouraged other kids to try it out.
The girls' mother, Andie Grimes, said she helped run their 4-H club, the Bloomington Busy Bees, for four years, and the program has been fantastic for her kids. She added her daughter Sarah also submitted an essay for another 4-H project.
Reporting on the McLean County Fair Cat Show this morning. Lots of cute felines putting their best paw forward!
— Brendan Denison (@BrendanDenison) August 6, 2022
Here's some short-haired male class entrants, starting with Rydan, of Arrowsmith, showing his 9 yr old, Merlin. pic.twitter.com/oKvAbN3PHg
Cat show judge Morgan Fuller, of Lincoln, who was formerly a vet’s assistant of five years, said children can learn much in the 4-H program.
“It helps them come up here and be able to talk and present,” she said, adding they also make new friends in 4-H.
“Taking care of an animal and making sure they’re healthy is a huge responsibility,” she said, “and I think that’s always great for kids to experience.
“It builds them up.”
Rachel Grimes echoed that advice. She said she loves 4-H.
“It's such a good experience to be in and I really love showing the projects,” she said. “You really should step out of your comfort zone and show projects when you are at the fair because it's so much fun.”
Showing Orangy in the short-haired male class was Mason Van Note, 5, of Dewey. He said he feeds him and gives him water, and for the rest of the day, Orangy just runs around chasing birds and mice.
He added his cat also likes to lie around a lot.
Mason said his favorite thing to do with Orangy is: “Cuddle.”
His sister, Makenzie Van Note, also showed a cat she likes to cuddle with. Hers is 3-year-old short-haired female named Shorty, who won best in class. Van Note said that made her feel really good.
Another cat that won its class was a long-haired male named Milo, shown by Alyssa Gray of Bloomington. The senior at Normal Community West High School said she prepared for the project by researching best care practices.
She said cats need water in their diet because they don’t drink enough, so she gives her cat wet food in the morning.
Taking home the top ribbon in the short-haired male class was Lorien Nergard, 18, of Deer Creek. Her furry little boy, Isonuke, is just 1 year old and very timid outside the house.
Congrats go out to Lorien Nergard, of Deer Creek: her 1 yr old, Isonuke (named after the Demon Slayer character) for winning this class' Best In Show ribbon! pic.twitter.com/FanVWrvSyv
— Brendan Denison (@BrendanDenison) August 6, 2022
But he impressed the judge, who commented that Nergard was very knowledgeable about cats. Nergard said she used to show another cat, Mavis, who recently passed away.
“It's really nice to see that my cats are still doing well and that I can still take care of my cats,” she said in reaction to winning her ribbon.
She was there with her friend Kylee Mathis, 18, of Tremont, whose 1-year-old cat named Keeko won best in class in the long-haired female class.
Mathis said there were many cute cats at the show that were very adorable and much bigger than Keeko, but she’s proud of how well her cat did in her first year at the show.
“The other cats are very beautiful and I thought they were amazing up there, too,” she said. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/finest-felines-shown-saturday-at-mclean-county-fair-cat-show/article_6c754e82-15c1-11ed-9d14-b357b78ca394.html | 2022-08-06T21:14:27 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/finest-felines-shown-saturday-at-mclean-county-fair-cat-show/article_6c754e82-15c1-11ed-9d14-b357b78ca394.html |
Originally published Aug. 4 on KTVB.COM.
Mari Beth Stein and her family love to mountain bike.
"I've been mountain biking for probably 20 years," said Stein. "I started mountain biking with my husband when I lived in Colorado and he was very into cycling."
One of her favorite things about living in Boise is having close access to the foothills so she can ride.
"We're blessed to be [living] right at the base of Polecat Gulch," Stein said.
She tries to ride her bike in the Boise foothills as often as she can. One day, the opportunity presented itself after she got off work around noon.
"We hop on the bike and we decided we're gonna do a little bit longer loop, like two-and-a-half hours or so to Seaman's Gulch," Stein said.
Riding on the path before, Stein knew she needed to be fast as she was going downhill on the connector trail from Seaman's to Cartwright Ridge. As she and her husband were getting ready to head onto the connector, she approached a big rut caused by spring runoff.
"My back tire slid into [the rut] and it was pretty deep which made my front end [of my bike] get really squirrely," Stein said. "I put my foot down and it made noises and it just broke."
Stein immediately knew she broke her leg. She flagged down her husband, who was just up ahead, and called Ada County's 911 dispatch.
"We got this lovely dispatch lady. She was trying to locate us and so we get on the phone she said, 'Do you have an Apple iPhone?' I'm like, 'Yes.' So we're trying to find the coordinates on the Apple iPhone," Stein said.
Ada County Sheriff's Office 911 Technical Operations Manager Stephanie Johnson said when a call comes in, particularly in the foothills area, the location information is dependent on how close a caller is to a cellular tower.
"However, when you get farther away from the cell towers on a trail, it's less accurate," Johnson said. "We're really reliant a little bit more on callers to clarify their locations for us. We have callers that aren't able to provide more information other than 'I'm at the trailhead' or something to that effect."
While struggling to find and send dispatch her location, Stein said the 911 operator asked if she had the app, 'what3words.'
The app has divided the entire world into 57 trillion 10-foot squares. It gives each square a unique combination of three words known as a what3words address.
"In an emergency, using a what3words address gives 9-1-1 callers a simple way to describe precisely where help is needed, allowing Emergency Services call centers to dispatch resources directly to the scene," wrote what3words in a news release.
Ada County Sheriff's Office said people do not need the app to receive help from first responders. All dispatch operators have access to the app through a program on their computers. They are able to access those in need of assistance's location with a cell phone ping, enter their coordinates into the app and send the information to first responders.
"Obviously, we want to give our responders the best kind of information that we can so that we can get to our callers as quickly as possible to help mitigate their emergency," Johnson said. She added the app also can track the caller if they're actively moving and it automatically updates to dispatch with new words.
While Stein didn't have the app, she was able to ping her location to dispatch and they used the what3words themselves. Dispatch then gave first responders the 'what3words' address.
"This is a tool that we have found that we're able to use to get that better information more quickly, get it out to our responders and it's easy for our callers to understand," Stein said. She added Ada County has been using what3words for a few years.
Because of her location, Stein said the rescue was about two hours. She added without 'what3words' it would've probably been much longer. Stein, who is a nurse practitioner, knows the importance of time in emergency situations. She encourages others to download the free app to their phones.
"Every second matters," Stein said.
More from KTVB.COM: | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/what3words-geography-app-helping-ada-county-dispatchers-with-response-times-location-accuracy/article_07e87fd5-3d1b-5ab1-a92e-4a66d81138e3.html | 2022-08-06T21:16:59 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/what3words-geography-app-helping-ada-county-dispatchers-with-response-times-location-accuracy/article_07e87fd5-3d1b-5ab1-a92e-4a66d81138e3.html |
PETERSBURG. Va. — A Petersburg police officer has been acquitted of assault charges stemming from his use of a Taser on a man who reportedly was seen walking the streets carrying guns.
Yoffy ruled that Sharp’s use of his police-issued Taser on William Antonio Scott was “reasonable and appropriate” under the circumstances.
Sharp and Petersburg Officer Jonai Jackson went to Scott’s home on Oct. 4 to investigate a 911 call about an armed man walking the streets with several weapons.
Before arriving, the officers were informed that Scott had previously been violent and resisted arrest, that he was a two-time convicted felon and was mentally unstable, said defense attorney Doug Ramseur.
Upon arrival, Jackson ordered Scott to come out with his hands up, according to police body-cam footage.
Scott began walking down the porch steps toward Sharp, telling him to “Get the f- —” off his property. Sharp then fired his Taser at Scott, striking him, according to the footage.
After Scott appeared to have recovered from the Taser shock, and when he began to move around, Sharp fired his Taser again, hitting Scott a second time.
Scott then complied and put his hands behind his back to be handcuffed. He received minor injuries.
Powhatan Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Cerullo, who was appointed special prosecutor in the case, argued that Sharp’s use of the Taser was unnecessary and excessive.
Ramseur said Sharp was suspended without pay after he was indicted in November, and is looking forward to returning to work. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/officer-acquitted-of-assault-charges-in-taser-incident/2022/08/06/5b679da6-15c7-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html | 2022-08-06T21:19:34 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/officer-acquitted-of-assault-charges-in-taser-incident/2022/08/06/5b679da6-15c7-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html |
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — St. Clair County Sheriff’s Patrol Division and Ashville Patrol Department are investigating a historical landmark fire that occurred Saturday in Ashville.
According to officers, Ashville Fire Department, Steele Fire Department and Shoal Creek Fire Department all arrived at John Looney House on Greensport Rd. to save the landmark.
The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division and State Fire Marshall were also on the scene. If anyone has information, contact investigator Greg Watson at 205-884-3333 or State Fire Marshall Riley Foshee at 334-241-4166.
Stay with CBS 42 as this is a developing story. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/crews-battle-historical-landmark-fire-in-ashville/ | 2022-08-06T21:30:33 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/crews-battle-historical-landmark-fire-in-ashville/ |
BIRMINGHAM Ala. (WIAT) — Extra traffic is expected as school begins for many next week.
Local police officials are saying traffic will be tough to handle during the first week of school. They ask that those coming through school zones drive with caution.
Mountain Brook High School resource officer, Richard Knecht, says traffic can be very hectic when the school year begins.
He says students of all ages will be crossing streets to get to school. For extra protection, Knecht says school staff will assist police and school resource officers in directing traffic, especially near cross walks.
“We’re gonna have kids crossing the street. We’re gonna have kids on bicycles. We’re gonna have kids everywhere,” said Knecht. ”So, we’re gonna have a lot of staff out helping from the schools- not just police officers.”
With so many families, students, and drivers coming through school zones, Knecht stresses that all who enter need to drive safely.
To protect the lives of others, police officials highly encourage drivers to follow the school zone speed limits, pay attention to nearby surroundings, and avoid all potential distractions like cell phone usage.
“If we can get parents not to be on their phone and paying attention, you know, even that cup of coffee or that bagel that you might get over here in crestline might take your eyes off the road for just a minute and put somebody’s life at risk,” said Knecht.
Hoover police captain, Keith Czeskleba, recommends that parents and others driving through school zones leave home earlier than usual to avoid accidents caused by rushing.
Czeskleba says following school zone directions and accounting for extra traffic ahead of time will help both traffic flow and safety.
“The best advice is to just be patient and follow the instructions of the SRO’s and the school personnel as they help you get your kid dropped off and get you on to your intended destination,” said Czeskleba.
Czeskleba says after the first week of school, heavy traffic will likely level out and everyone will then be used to a new traffic routine. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/police-officials-stress-driving-with-caution-through-school-zones/ | 2022-08-06T21:30:39 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/police-officials-stress-driving-with-caution-through-school-zones/ |
1 person dead following crash on Loop 101 near Glendale Avenue
Laura Daniella Sepulveda
Arizona Republic
One person died on Saturday morning following a crash on Loop 101 north near Glendale Avenue, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The two-vehicle collision occurred just before 6:30 a.m. at milepost 8, DPS said.
All northbound lanes remained closed for several hours after the crash and reopened about 10:30 a.m.
Authorities said the investigation was ongoing.
Reach breaking news reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda at lsepulveda@lavozarizona.com or on Twitter @lauradNews.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-traffic/2022/08/06/crash-loop-101-near-glendale-avenue-leaves-1-dead/10257193002/ | 2022-08-06T21:30:55 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/glendale-traffic/2022/08/06/crash-loop-101-near-glendale-avenue-leaves-1-dead/10257193002/ |
GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Sailors are some of the most highly-trained people on the planet, according to Navy officials, and at Recruit Training Command, otherwise known as “boot camp,” these skills are taught by hard-charging, Navy professionals who transform civilians into disciplined, qualified U.S Navy sailors.
Lt. Donny James II, a native of Albany, plays an important role at RTC, supporting these sailors as a surface engineer limited duty officer.
James is responsible for managing instructors who provide training for new recruits. A 2003 graduate of Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, James joined the Navy 19 years ago.
“I joined to accelerate my life and be part of something bigger than myself,” he said in a Navy news release.
According to James, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Albany.
“I learned if you’re going to do something, do it all the way,” he said.
In 1994, RTC Great Lakes became the Navy’s only recruit training facility. The mission of RTC is to transform civilians into smartly disciplined, physically fit, basically trained Sailors who are ready for follow-on training and service to the fleet while instilling in them the highest standards of honor, courage and commitment.
Recruit training involves a change in the mental and physical capacity of the new recruit, according to Navy officials. From the first day at RTC through graduation day, when new Sailors board the bus to depart, recruits find themselves in a whirl of activity. Every recruit entering the Navy today will remember RTC as their introduction to Navy life.
Bootcamp lasts approximately eight weeks, and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Their basic training curriculum comprises five core competencies: firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watch standing and physical fitness. Through a hands-on learning approach, recruits “train how they fight” and receive critical warfighting skills during the sailor development process. The command consists of more than 1,100 staff members, with an average of 6,000 recruits in training at any time.
Jobs are highly varied at RTC, both sailors and civilians work together to keep the command running smoothly. This includes coordinating public affairs events, religious ministries, and providing administrative and logistic support.
With more than 90% of all trade traveling by sea, and 95% of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
According to Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, four priorities will focus efforts on sailors’ readiness, capabilities and capacity.
“For 245 years, in both calm and rough waters, our Navy has stood the watch to protect the homeland, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend our way of life,” Gilday said. “The decisions and investments we make this decade will set the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century. We can accept nothing less than success.”
Serving in the Navy means James is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy is the primary source of global sea power,” James said. “I’m most proud of getting commissioned as a Naval officer.”
As James and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“I have an opportunity to serve in various leadership roles,” he said. “I’m always being encouraged to grow. I get to be an example and role model for others to follow.”
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After her unsuccessful campaign to hold her U.S. Senate seat, Kelly Loeffler has taken on the role of vice-chair and top donor of the state Senate Republican leadership committee, Citizens for a Greater Georgia, a group that seeks to “register, educate and mobilize conservative voters.”
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler visited southwest Georgia this week, including a stop at GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Tyler Harper's roundtable in Dawson Wednesday.
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler talks with a group of farmers in Dawson as part of her work with the grassroots GOP leadership committee Greater Georgia.
After her unsuccessful campaign to hold her U.S. Senate seat, Kelly Loeffler has taken on the role of vice-chair and top donor of the state Senate Republican leadership committee, Citizens for a Greater Georgia, a group that seeks to “register, educate and mobilize conservative voters.”
Special Photo
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler visited southwest Georgia this week, including a stop at GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Tyler Harper's roundtable in Dawson Wednesday.
Special Photo
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler talks with a group of farmers in Dawson as part of her work with the grassroots GOP leadership committee Greater Georgia.
ALBANY — Asked why she, who’d suffered a bitter loss to Raphael Warnock in a runoff for the U.S. Senate seat she’d held since being appointed to the position by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, took it upon herself to take on the “lonely” task of organizing a grassroots campaign to register conservative voters in Georgia, Kelly Loeffler doesn’t even need a moment to think about her answer.
“Because (the lack of such a campaign) happened to me,” Loeffler, the businesswoman/turned Senator/turned organizer, said during a conversation with The Albany Herald. “I felt called to put on the hood of public service in Georgia, but sometimes God may have a different plan for how you serve.”
While many conservatives lamented the fact that Loeffler chose not to seek a return showdown with Warnock, whose term was limited to only two years after being selected to complete the unfinished term of long-time Georgia political giant Johnny Isakson after Isakson stepped down for health reasons, and many whisper now that she’d be a much greater challenge than the Republicans’ choice to run against Warnock, former Georgia football player Herschel Walker, Loeffler said she doesn’t concern herself with such what-ifs.
“I came to Georgia 20 years ago, so I was part of the conservative grassroots movement that flipped the state red,” Loeffler, who is vice-chair and top donor of the state Senate Republican leadership committee Citizens for a Greater Georgia, a group that seeks to “register, educate and mobilize conservative voters,” said. “But once we accomplished that, I think we got a little complacent. Meanwhile the Democrats put 100 or so operatives on the ground in Georgia in order to take advantage of changing demographics in the state, and we recognized that at the last minute. They outmanned us in 2020 and 2021.
“Organizing can be lonely, especially initially, but after you make inroads, you analyze the data to see where folks were not engaged and are able to have an impact in those areas, it makes the lonely days worth it.”
Loeffler said the results of the Republican Party’s lax organizational efforts in the state during ‘20 and ‘21 had an impact on the outcome of state and national elections. She said 339,000 GOP voters that had cast ballots in the November 2020 general election failed to return in January for the runoff that saw she and David Perdue lose the two Georgia Senate seats to Warnock and Jon Ossoff, respectively.
“And we found more than 900,000 registered Republicans who did not vote,” she added. “While that was disappointing, it also offered us a great opportunity.”
So Loeffler has taken to the road. She was in southwest Georgia Wednesday for a roundtable with GOP Agriculture Commissioner candidate Tyler Harper, and after a stop at The Herald’s offices for an interview, she and campaign Director of Marketing and Communications Caitlin O’Dea were off to Thomasville and “a couple of more stops before we leave southwest Georgia.”
Loeffler said Greater Georgia is part of the conservative “ground game” that is itself an element of the “road map to November” and the mid-term elections.
“What we’re looking for is improvement up and down the ticket,” she said. “We saw a lot of that in the last election cycle. Nobody talks about how 51% of Hispanic voters pulled Republican ballots in the last election. And nobody is mentioning that there was a 100% increase in black Republican voters.
“Georgia is not just a large state, it is a diverse state. We’re talking to people, knocking on doors, rebuilding the party’s infrastructure. We’re out there talking to black, Latino and Asian voters, to women’s groups. Part of our mission is to educate voters, to help them understand the issues and where the people they’re asked to vote for stand on those issues. Because an engaged voter is a more empowered voter.”
Loeffler brushes off a mention that many Republican voters suggest that she might in fact be a stronger candidate than Walker, but she offers her take on why so many Republicans have remained loyal to former President Trump.
“I think President Trump spoke to a part of America that’s long been overlooked,” she said. “He spoke more to blue-collar Americans, the people who work for a living, and he helped create an economy that lifted those people up, shifted the focus away from the Democratic elites. He also stood up to nations like China and let them know America would not back down.
“I think he helped create an economy that gave the working man opportunities to rise, and that is the American dream. I really loved working with him.”
As she prepared to head for her next meeting, to knock on a few more doors, talk to another group looking for answers, Loeffler said doing the groundwork for Greater Georgia is, at this time, her calling.
“This is a great opportunity for our party,” she said. “The other side is pushing this concept of a ‘green economy,’ and that’s nothing more than a fallacy. Instead of working to make things better, they’re selling this green utopia that’s not happening. So we get these high gas prices, high food costs, an economy that’s making it tough for people to make a living.
“We have the pieces in place: the data, the resources, the manpower ... the infrastructure. It’s a matter of working that ground game, knocking on those doors, making those calls, sending those texts. Right now, this is what I’m called to do. I experienced a setback, a failure in my campaign. But you learn more from failure than you do success. I’m taking what I learned and putting it to good use.”
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/out-of-the-senate-kelly-loeffler-takes-on-gops-grassroots-challenge/article_eee76710-159e-11ed-8135-83982480bd52.html | 2022-08-06T21:43:43 | 1 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/out-of-the-senate-kelly-loeffler-takes-on-gops-grassroots-challenge/article_eee76710-159e-11ed-8135-83982480bd52.html |
BLUFF CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A boil water notice that affected the homes of the Bristol Bluff City Utility District (BBCUD) and the South Fork Utility District customers has been lifted.
The advisory was delivered yesterday and was originally in place as a precaution for customers in the Pleasant Grove road area of the BBCUD and all of the South Fork Utility District that left some without water on Friday.
According to the release, the water outage occurred while workers were installing upgrades to service the South Fork Utility District.
The notice was reported to expire Saturday around 4 p.m. after laboratory tests found the water within the systems was safe to use as drinking water. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-lifted-for-sullivan-co-water-customers/ | 2022-08-06T21:45:24 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-lifted-for-sullivan-co-water-customers/ |
FRANKFORT, KY (WOWK) — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Saturday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Individual Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance in five additional counties affected by catastrophic flooding in late July.
Kentuckians are now eligible in Leslie, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley and Whitley counties.
Who qualifies for assistance?
DUA claimants must prove their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted by flooding that began in southeastern Kentucky in late July. The applicant cannot otherwise be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (UI) under state or federal law.
DUA is available to southeastern Kentuckians who:
- Worked or were self-employed, or were scheduled to;
- Cannot work or perform services because of flood damages to the place of employment. This can also include physical inaccessibility to the workplace if the government shuts closes it as a result of the flooding;
- Prove that the work or self-employment that can no longer be performed was the person’s primary source of income;
- Cannot work or resume self-employment because of an injury from the disaster; or
- Became the main financial supporter of a family if the head of the household died in the disaster.
Farmers and other self-employed individuals who are traditionally ineligible for UI benefits may qualify for DUA.
12 counties total are now eligible for Individual Assistance and DUA. Residents in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley counties can submit a claim for DUA benefits.
DUA benefit claims can be submitted online through the Kentucky Career Center website or by phone at (502) 875-0442. The deadline for all applicants was extended until Sept. 6.
In-person application assistance
In-person application assistance will be given at the following locations from Monday, Aug. 8 to Friday, Aug. 12 between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.:
- Breathitt County
421 Jett Drive, Jackson, Kentucky - Clay County
Oneida Elementary School, 435 Newfound Road, Oneida, Kentucky - Knott County
Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop #8765, Leburn, Kentucky - Perry County
Hazard Community and Technical College, 1 Community College Drive, Hazard, Kentucky
For more information on flood resources in eastern Kentucky, visit Gov. Beshear’s website. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/beshear-5-more-ky-counties-eligible-for-individual-assistance-disaster-unemployment-assistance/ | 2022-08-06T21:48:17 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/beshear-5-more-ky-counties-eligible-for-individual-assistance-disaster-unemployment-assistance/ |
The police blotter is a public record of incidents as reported by law-enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty. The information printed is preliminary and subject to change.
Friday, 7/29/2022:
North Bend
• 5:37 am, 1900 block of Lincoln Street, arrest. Located wanted subject out of Coos County Sheriff office on charges of assault IV, domestic strangulation and reckless endangering x 3. A 23 year old male was transported to Coos County jail.
• 9:10 am, 2000 block of Marion Street, theft of gaming equipment.
• 10:14 am, 1700 block of Virginia Avenue, shoplifter.
• 10:43 am, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue, shoplifter.
• 10:52 am, 3400 block of Broadway Avenue, burglary.
• 1:05 pm, 1700 block of Virginia Avenue, criminal trespass. Want subject removed from store property. A 45 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II and resisting arrest.
• 1:52 pm, 3400 block of Sheridan Avenue, garage entered and items taken from motorcoach.
• 3:08 pm, 2600 block of Broadway Avenue, subject breaking into a vehicle in the parking lot.
• 4:45 pm, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue, theft of checks. Possible forged and passed.
Coos Bay
• 1:20 am, 1700 block of Southwest Boulevard, fraud use of debit card.
• 1:49 am, 800 block of Central Avenue, prowler.
• 6:49 am, 800 block of Central Avenue, criminal trespass. A 48 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 7:06 am, 200 block of S Marple Street, unauthorized use of motor vehicle/theft.
• 9:19 am, 1100 block of Salmon Avenue, burglary.
• 11:41 am, Myrtle and N 6th Street, traffic stop resulting in arrest. A 36 year old male was cited for driving while suspended – misdemeanor.
• 1:33 pm, 1400 block of N Bayshore Drive, fraud.
• 4:05 pm, Ocean Boulevard and Water Board, traffic stop/warrant service. A 48 year old male was cited for driving while suspended misdemeanor and warrant.
• 5:00 pm, 900 block of Montgomery Avenue, violation of restraining order. A 44 year old female was charged with violation of restraining order and transported to Coos County jail.
• 7:50 pm, S 4th and Elrod, traffic stop. A 52 year old male was cited.
• 9:03 pm, Koos Bay Boulevard and Thompson, driving while suspended. A 31 year old male was cited.
• 10:55 pm, N 12th and Nutwood, traffic sign down.
Coquille
• 11:14 am, 800 block of N Elliott, theft.
• 7:05 pm, 1200 block of W Central Avenue, dispute.
Saturday, 7/30/2022:
North Bend
• 12:55 am, Commercial Street and Myrtle Street, driving while suspended. A 33 year old male was cited.
• 7:33 am, 2100 block of Everett Avenue, burglary.
• 11:04 am, 2500 block of Broadway Street, criminal trespass. A 32 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 4:41 pm, Newmark and Pine, accident. A 59 year old male and 58 year old female were cited.
• 11:24 pm, Virginia and Harbor, assault.
Coos Bay
• 8:07 am, Newmark and Oak, traffic stop. A 57 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 8:13 am, 2500 block of Newmark Street, violation of restraining order.
• 9:20 am, 500 block of N Broadway Street, criminal trespass. A 62 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 9:21 am, 200 block of S Schoneman, theft of bike.
• 10:23 am, 1000 block of S 1st Street, criminal trespass. A 44 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 11:16 am, 300 block of 16th Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 12:31 pm, Cedar Street and Newmark Avenue, civil issue over motorhome.
• 2:45 pm, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, counterfeit money.
• 4:12 pm, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue, criminal trespass. A 27 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 6:35 pm, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, criminal trespass. A 35 year old female was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 7:51 pm, Mingus Park disc golf, criminal mischief to vehicle.
• 9:54 pm, Ocean and Captain’s Cabin, traffic stop. A 24 year old female was cited.
Coquille
• 1:08 am, 1300 block of W 10th Street, suspicious conditions.
• 11:09 am, 40 block of E Highway 42, criminal trespass.
• 11:49 am, Highway 42 mile post 18, traffic hazard.
• 2:33 pm, 400 block of N Central Boulevard, theft.
• 2:38 pm, Highway 42 and Rink Creek, traffic stop. A 60 year old male was cited.
• 3:27 pm, Highway 42 mile post 19, traffic stop. A 21 year old male was cited.
• 3:59 pm, Highway 42 and Finley, traffic stop. A 39 year old male was cited.
• 5:38 pm, Highway 42 and Finley, traffic stop. A 31 year old male was cited.
• 6:19 pm, Highway 42 and Finley, traffic stop. A 58 year old male was cited.
• 6:51 pm, Highway 42 mile post 18, traffic stop. A 36 year old female was cited.
Sunday, 7/31/2022:
North Bend
• 1:16 pm, 2100 block of Newmark Street, indecent exposure.
• 1:42 pm, Newmark and Broadway Avenue, warrant service. A 31 year old male was cited for Coos County Sheriff warrant and criminal trespass II.
• 3:55 pm, 2100 block of Hamilton Avenue, assault.
• 6:50 pm, Ferry and Park, driving while suspended. A 36 year old male was cited.
Coos Bay
• 1:13 am, Koos Bay Boulevard and Highway 101, driving while suspended. A 38 year old male was cited.
• 1:14 am, 700 block of S Broadway Street, violation of restraining order.
• 7:37 am, 700 block of S Broadway Street, theft of bike.
• 8:02 am, 500 block of S 2nd Street, burglary.
• 8:38 am, 1000 block of S 1st Street, theft.
• 8:42 am, N Bayshore Drive, criminal trespass. A 62 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 9:51 am, Front Street and Cedar Avenue, casual contact. Warned for camping ordinance.
• 10:30 am, 200 block of Park Avenue, theft.
• 11:01 am, 500 block of N 2nd Street, unlawful entry into motor vehicle.
• 11:25 am, 1200 block of N Bayshore Drive, burglary.
• 4:57 pm, Newmark Avenue and Main Street, driving while suspended. A 57 year old male was cited.
• 8:39 pm, 2600 block of N 17th Street, burglary. A 47 year old male was charged with attempted theft I, criminal mischief I and burglary. Subject lodged at Coos County jail.
• 10:04 pm, 3400 block of Ocean Boulevard, fraud.
Coquille
• 8:33 am, 200 block of W Highway 42, theft/criminal trespass. A 21 year old male was cited for theft III.
• 2:24 pm, 700 block of N Birch Street, neighbor dispute.
• 4:18 pm, 40 block of E Highway 42, criminal trespass.
• 6:40 pm, Highway 42 and Lee Valley Road, traffic stop. A 29 year old female was cited.
• 6:48 pm, Highway 42 and Old Highway 42, traffic stop. A 22 year old male was cited.
• 10:29 pm, 200 block of W Highway 42, criminal trespass. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-police-blotter/article_35ffcef8-1374-11ed-9e04-33fc95d47b54.html | 2022-08-06T21:48:19 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-police-blotter/article_35ffcef8-1374-11ed-9e04-33fc95d47b54.html |
A long line of law enforcement boats jetted up and down Rogue River last week.
The jet boat drivers maneuvered their crafts into small channels and through strong currents, performing emergency stops and securing their boats to rocks along the river shores.
The boat drivers, and their instructors, were taking part in a week long training designed to teach law enforcement, fish and wildlife and fire personnel the skills to safely operate their watercraft in emergency river scenarios.
The jet boat operations training was hosted by the Oregon State Marine Board on July 25 to 29.
“This is critical training for marine law enforcement and first responders,” said Ed Persichetti, the training coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board Boating Safety Program.
The marine board contracts officers to uphold the law on waterways and the keep the waters safe, said Persichetti. Those who complete the training become the qualified boat jet operators tasked with carrying out these duties.
Curry County’s wild and scenic Rogue River is a prime spot for the yearly safety training for a number of reasons.
“We have the support of the sheriff’s office – which is always a bonus. And the support of the community – which is always a bonus,” said Persichetti.
Plus there is plenty of water to maneuver and work around in the Rogue River.
“It is such a dynamic waterway. We have 42 miles to stretch our legs – if you will – and train individuals,” he said.
Last week’s training included more than 40 participants (including instructors and trainees) from 18 different agencies. Up to 19 different jet patrol boats were running the river at any given time during the training.
This year, the law enforcement training was held in conjunction with the Oregon State Marine Board’s quarterly meeting. For the first time ever, members of the marine board had the opportunity to witness the training firsthand.
The board members were invited to take part in an exercise with trainees as they learned to shallow jump into the water off the back of the jet boats on Wednesday, July 27. This sort of belly-flop technique allows the person jumping to keep their head above the surface of the water, and hopefully their bodies above rocks and other potential hazards, should they need to enter the water in an emergency situation.
Curry County Sheriff John Ward was present at the July 27 training. Sheriff Ward said he is a big supporter of the program, and always tries to participate in at least one day of the training each year.
Local training instructors included Curry County Senior Deputy Walter Scherbarth and Deputy Jared Gray; and Coos County Sergeant Will Coleman.
As long-time jet boat operators, these instructors are tasked with teaching their trainees how to navigate the waters efficiently, effectively and safely.
“The goal for trainees is to get the expertise from the instructor and build their own skills and techniques,” said jet boat operations training instructor Nate Thompson, a sergeant with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Thompson said he took the training 15 years ago, went home and perfected his jet boat skills, and came back as an instructor a few years later.
“As an instructor, it’s about figuring out what the trainees’ baseline skill set is and then building off of that. Sometimes people come into it already knowing how to read the water well. Other times we need to teach them that along with driving the boats,” Thompson said.
“Throughout the course of the training, they learn how to navigate these types of water safely – and there’s a lot that goes into that,” he said. “These boats don’t drive like cars. It’s a lot different. It’s all about throttle control and steering.”
Thompson’s trainee, Clackamas firefighter Sandor Pongracz, said he felt like his head was on a swivel during the training.
“Every day is a little different. There’s wind. There’s the glare from the sun. There’s wakes from the big tour boats. So your head is on a swivel all the time as you read up the river and down the river – all while there is chatter on the radio,” Pongracs said. “It’s mentally exhausting because you don’t want to have any catastrophes and you are always trying to do your best.”
The trainee said his takeaway has been to slow down.
“These things have a lot of power and speed behind them but that’s not always what you need to get up and down the river correctly,” he said. “Anybody can drive really fast – but if you can do it slowly and accurately to get to a target in the water – that takes skill and that takes practice.”
Law enforcement training supervisor Persichetti said instructors purposely put their students into challenging positions.
“I have been doing this a long time, and you never pick somebody up that needs to be rescued in any easy spot – there is a reason why they are stuck there. So we are constantly putting students into tight quarters with difficult maneuvers to try to perfect their skills – so that when they do go home and there is a rescue they can facilitate it,” he said.
More information about the Oregon State Marine Board can be found on the official website of the state of Oregon at www.oregon.gov. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/rogue-river-serves-as-law-enforcement-training-grounds/article_2b6b4b0a-1371-11ed-a059-732aa6c7a578.html | 2022-08-06T21:48:19 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/rogue-river-serves-as-law-enforcement-training-grounds/article_2b6b4b0a-1371-11ed-a059-732aa6c7a578.html |
KNOTT COUNTY, KY (WOWK) — A free mobile health clinic, flood relief supply distribution and a hot meal are available to Knott County residents recently affected by flooding.
On Saturday, Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), Marshall University Health, Mountain Health Network (MHN), and World Central Kitchen will be stationed in the Hindman and Carrie communities of Knott County.
“We are sending caring people with quality resources to assist, and I am confident in their efforts to provide the care so desperately needed right now. We also send our prayers to the many people who are impacted by this heartbreaking situation,” said Kevin Yingling, RPh, MD, FACP, CEO of Mountain Health Network and president of Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Services include screenings, medical exams, immunizations, referrals and over-the-counter medications provided by Marshall Health. Vaccines including tetanus and hepatitis A are also be available through MHN and the Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.
ARH is distributing flood relief supplies, and the World Central Kitchen is providing a hot meal. Marshall Medical Outreach, a medical student-led free mobile health clinic, is giving out blankets, bleach, mops, clothes and more items.
Times and locations are listed below:
- Hindman
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Community Trust Bank (107 West Main Street, Hindman, Kentucky) - Carrie
2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Montgomery Baptist Church (290 Kings Harbor Road, Carrie, Kentucky) | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/free-mobile-health-clinic-hot-meal-available-to-knott-co-flood-victims/ | 2022-08-06T21:48:23 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/free-mobile-health-clinic-hot-meal-available-to-knott-co-flood-victims/ |
SCIOTO COUNTY, OH (WOWK) — Ohio State Highway Patrol’s (OSHP) Portsmouth Post is investigating a one-vehicle fatal crash on Collier Road near Jackson Sugar Camp Road in Scioto County.
OSHP says the driver of a 2000 Honda TRX400FW was traveling westbound and drove off the right side of the road, hit a fence, and overturned.
The driver, Andy A. Adkins, 58, of South Webster, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scioto County Coroner. OSHP also was on scene along with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and the South Webster Fire Department. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/ohio-state-highway-patrol-investigating-fatal-crash-in-scioto-co/ | 2022-08-06T21:48:29 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/ohio-state-highway-patrol-investigating-fatal-crash-in-scioto-co/ |
A violent man is in the wind after attacking a city parks employee from behind and repeatedly striking her with a metal folding chair, officials said Saturday.
The reportedly unprovoked attacked occurred outside the Betsy Head Pool in Brooklyn around 8 a.m. Saturday, according to police and NYC Parks officials.
The 38-year-old woman had been operating a leaf blower to clear the front of the facility when the come-from-behind attack occurred.
"Our staff suffering violent assaults is simply appalling," a parks spokesperson said. "We are actively cooperating with the NYPD on their investigation of the matter."
After the attacker fled on foot down Thomas Boyland Street, EMS responded and transported to Brookdale Hospital. She suffered head injuries but was "conscious and breathing," officials said. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mystery-man-wacks-nyc-parks-worker-in-head-with-folding-chair-outside-pool/3813484/ | 2022-08-06T21:52:46 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mystery-man-wacks-nyc-parks-worker-in-head-with-folding-chair-outside-pool/3813484/ |
Three's a crown: Former PGA golfer wins third career Peoria Men's City title
Brien Davis won his third Peoria Men's City championship, defeating Jeff Ott to win the 96th annual tournament at Kellogg Golf Course in Peoria.
The 42-year-old Davis, who won in 2021 and 2019, defeated the second-seeded Ott in a 36-hole finale on Saturday morning, taking the title with a score of 9-and-8.
Davis is a former PGA Tour pro who works in his family business, which operates Taco Bell restaurants in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal and Springfield.
Ott is the 2018 Men's City champ and a former University of Iowa golfer. He is one of two golfers to win the Senior Men's City and Men's City in the same year. He went on to win senior titles in 2019 and 2020, as well.
Scores:Here are the pairings and results for the 2022 Peoria Men's City golf tournament
Logan Hinrichs defeated Rockie Zeigler in the A Flight finale in 19 holes. Dominic Kouri won the B Flight championship with a 5-and-3 victory over Chuck Vermillion.
The Men's City began Monday at Kellogg, with 112 players with the top scores from qualifying beginning the competition in three flights. | https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/local/2022/08/06/2022-peoria-mens-city-brien-davis-defeats-jeff-ott-for-third-title/65388600007/ | 2022-08-06T21:59:08 | 0 | https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/local/2022/08/06/2022-peoria-mens-city-brien-davis-defeats-jeff-ott-for-third-title/65388600007/ |
SALMON, Idaho — More than two weeks after what is now Idaho's largest wildfire started, evacuation alerts continue for people living near the fire area in Lemhi County.
The Moose Fire has burned an estimated 68,166 acres -- or about 106 square miles -- since July 17. The fire was 14% contained as of the morning of Saturday, August 6.
Wind gusts on Thursday exceeded 40 miles per hour and temporarily grounded air operations for firefighters. The U.S Forest Service said the weather has been "more favorable" for crews the last two days, with lighter winds, higher humidity levels and cooler temperatures.
The fire burned actively in the Jackass Ridge and Daily Creek areas, and in heavy timber north of and inside the Diamond Line. That created a large column of smoke visible from Salmon on Thursday afternoon.
Saturday's conditions call for cloudy skies, moderate winds and a 30% chance of light precipitation in the area. Warm, dry weather is expected to produce conditions for rapid fire growth through Monday, Aug. 8.
The fire is burning actively north of Copper Mountain in the Pine Creek drainage, moving to the west and south, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire is now on both sides of the drainage, requiring crews to remain in the Pine Creek area to protect the Pine Creek Ranch.
On Saturday, the Salmon-Challis National Forest issued an updated closure order. The River Road is now open to two-way traffic from North Fork to Spring Creek. Additionally, lands north of Salmon River Road are now open.
Rafters can now access the main Salmon River from North Fork to the west side of the fire. Officials ask to the public to drive with extreme caution and to stay out of the fire area north of the Salmon River.
Residents on both sides of Highway 93 from Carmen to North Fork and from Squaw Creek to Pine Creek on the Salmon River Road are now in a "SET" evacuation status. All other zones are in "READY" status.
A pilot car has been escorting drivers through the area in the morning and when fire behavior allows. Outfitters and guides, as well as private citizens who have a Forest Service permit are allowed to use that system, but the Salmon River corridor is closed to all other traffic.
There's also a suggested alternative route: Williams Creek Road to Deep Creek and north at Panther Creek. The route is long and unpaved, and drivers should be prepared for heavy mining and recreation traffic.
An evacuation shelter and assistance with placement of pets are available at the Salmon Valley Baptist Church, located at 1230 Cemetery Street.
The latest evacuation updates from the Lemhi County Sheriff's Office can be found by clicking here.
Investigators have determined the Moose Fire was human-caused, but the specific circumstances as to how it started remain under investigation.
Crews have created miles and miles of what they refer to as the Diamond Line, a fuel break with cut down trees and grass, just south of the fire. The line runs East and West and up to where it intersects at the Ridge Road where the Forest Service added a fire break last year.
"What that does is it stops fire spread from coming across the hillside here," said Chad Olson, operations manager with Great Basin Team 2.
Olson also said that this plan of action has the highest chance of fire avoiding the watershed.
Salmon city leaders are staying hopeful the Diamond Line will work. However, there are also plans in place for other water access if the watershed was impacted, like increasing their use of water from the Salmon River.
"It's a wonderful asset that we get to use benefits that community greatly, I'd hate to have to change things up," Salmon city administrator Emery Penner said Monday in a virtual community meeting.
Great Basin Team 1 on Wednesday, Aug. 3, replaced Great Basin Team 2 and assumed command of the Moose Fire.
1,036 firefighters are fighting the Moose Fire, which is burning grass, brush and timber -- much of it being dead and downed fuel -- about 17 miles north of Salmon on both sides of the Salmon River and the Salmon River Road. It started near the confluence of Moose Creek and the Salmon River.
A helicopter accident that occurred the afternoon of July 20 on the Moose Fire is under investigation. Both pilots on board were killed, the Lemhi County County Sheriff's Office confirmed Friday. They were identified as Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska.
The sheriff's office said they died after being extricated and taken to medical facilities. An online fundraiser in Hayes's honor has been created to help his father pay for a funeral and to make a donation to the Boise-based Wildland Firefighter Foundation in his memory. An online fundraiser for Bird's family is also underway. GoFundMe has verified both fundraisers.
The fire is affecting access for whitewater rafters to Highway 93 from the Middle Fork of the Salmon River take-out at Cache Bar Boat Ramp and the Main Salmon River launch site at the Corn Creek Boat Ramp.
Questions on river launches can be answered by emailing middlefork@fs.fed.us. For river access updates, call 208-756-5587.
An emergency area, road and trail closure on the Salmon-Challis National Forest has been implemented in the fire area. More information for the closure can be found by clicking here.
The Idaho DEQ has issued an air quality advisory with conditional restrictions on outdoor burning for Lemhi County due to particulate matter in wildfire smoke. The forecast is Yellow, or moderate, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 5-7.
The Central Dispatch Zone, which includes the Salmon-Challis National Forest, has elevated the fire danger level to "Extreme" for the region. Also Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for the area as of Tuesday, July 26.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions
The following acts are prohibited on state and federally managed or protected lands, roads, and trails:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site and in a permanent concrete or metal fire ring, or on private land, and only within an owner-provided structure.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
The following are exemptions to the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
- Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
- Persons using fire fueled solely by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fuels. Such devices, including propane campfires, may be used only in an area cleared of flammable material.
- Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
- Any federal, state, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- All land within a city boundary is exempted.
Watch more on wildfires in the West:
See all of our latest coverage in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/moose-fire-lemhi-county-salmon-challis-national-forest-wildfire/277-554f19f7-15dd-4d49-924d-f7519a6dfdf6 | 2022-08-06T22:01:34 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/moose-fire-lemhi-county-salmon-challis-national-forest-wildfire/277-554f19f7-15dd-4d49-924d-f7519a6dfdf6 |
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Earlier this week, a lucky shark was set free by Pinellas County deputies after getting caught in a crab trap.
The sheriff's office said in a Facebook post they were flagged down by a citizen who reported the shark had been caught in the trap.
Unfortunately, deputies were not able to remove the hook that was stuck in the shark's mouth but stated in the post," they cut as far down on the line as they could so the shark could live to see another day!"
In the video, you can also hear deputies estimate the shark to be over 6 feet in length.
In other shark news, over the weekend Instagram user @karaskonieczny captured on video sharks coming remarkably close to the Neptune Beach shore in Jacksonville.
According to her post, the sharks were feeding on baitfish.
"There was a little excitement this weekend...I caught a glimpse of few sharks feeding on baitfish close to shore in Neptune Beach Florida," the post read. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/shark-pinellas-county-caught-crap-trap/67-9011a003-4338-4a13-b6f0-80ffd1f8a0dd | 2022-08-06T22:01:41 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/shark-pinellas-county-caught-crap-trap/67-9011a003-4338-4a13-b6f0-80ffd1f8a0dd |
ATLANTA — A man is in custody after speeding down Interstate 20 near Six Flags in a stolen car, Georgia State Patrol officials said. The incident caused traffic backups along the highway Saturday morning.
Authorities said a trooper tried to stop a blue Dodge Durango around 11 a.m. on I-20 near H.E. Holmes for speeding, but the driver didn't stop.
Troopers said the person behind the wheel was recklessly driving westbound, ignoring law enforcement, which prompted a pursuit.
After rushing behind the driver, the trooper performed a PIT maneuver around mile marker 43 in Douglas County, forcing the car off the roadway. PIT maneuvers are often used by law enforcement as a pursuit tactic to get fleeing drivers and vehicles off the roadway and typically end in a crash.
At this point, the incident forced two of the three lanes closed and caused backups as far back as Factory Shoals Road, traffic cameras showed.
As others struggled with the traffic jam, the driver of the Durango was arrested and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital hurt following the crash. Officials said after checking the vehicle, it was learned that the Dodge Durango was reported stolen.
GSP did not provide details on the severity of the driver's injuries or if the trooper was hurt. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/speeding-driver-along-i-20-turns-into-pursuit-stolen-vehicle-arrest-gsp/85-70671190-2384-47e0-bb16-c572164993d3 | 2022-08-06T22:01:47 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/speeding-driver-along-i-20-turns-into-pursuit-stolen-vehicle-arrest-gsp/85-70671190-2384-47e0-bb16-c572164993d3 |
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The City of Fayetteville was one of two cities awarded the 2022 Program of the Year by Resource Recycling. Fayetteville was named the winner of the Small City category, while Washington, D.C., won the Large City category.
Fayetteville was recognized for its Recycling and Trash Collection Division’s efforts in recycling, food-waste diversion and education. Other finalists for the Small City category were Marquette County, Michigan, and San Marcos, Texas. This is the second year Resource Recycling has hosted the awards.
“Fayetteville has gone above and beyond to help residents and businesses divert their food scraps from the landfill, even handing out free collection buckets and setting up numerous drop-off centers,” Resource Recycling wrote in a media release. “The city also conducts robust outreach through multiple avenues.”
Fayetteville will be honored at the 2022 Resource Recycling Conference in Austin, Texas this month. This is the only national event dedicated to enhancing municipal recycling and will be held from Aug. 15-17.
The City of Fayetteville says its Recycling and Trash Collection collects from nearly 16,600 houses, as well as apartment units and commercial establishments. In 2021, about 6,570 tons of recyclables, 876 tons of food scraps and 17 tons of household hazardous waste were collected from homes and businesses in Fayetteville.
Fayetteville has a 19% recycling rate, with a contamination rate of less than 2%. To learn more about the City of Fayetteville's Trash and Recycling Collection efforts, click here.
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You’re Temporarily Blocked | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/fayetteville-named-2022-program-year-resource-recycling-trash-environment-clean-landfill/527-55342c92-5475-46c4-9dd9-1e0eaf9b423d | 2022-08-06T22:08:53 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/fayetteville-named-2022-program-year-resource-recycling-trash-environment-clean-landfill/527-55342c92-5475-46c4-9dd9-1e0eaf9b423d |
BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — About 50,000 people in Benton County will soon have a new ambulance provider. The cities impacted include Cave springs, Centerton, Decatur, Gentry, and Highfill.
The Mayor of Cave Springs says he’s planning the next steps after speaking with the Benton County judge.
“I do appreciate the fact that he brought all the cities together that are involved. We are working with him and with each other to put together a process,” said Randall Noblett.
Judge Barry Moehring tells 5NEWS that this move comes as a surprise. He says northwest health cited financial issues with the contract for this decision.
“We've been in meetings all week to come up with a new proposal that will be in the newspaper for bid and we'll be interviewing prospects in the next month or so,” said Moehring
Northwest Health Spokesperson Christina Bull released a statement, saying in part:
"Northwest Health has notified Benton County that it will terminate the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agreement, effective Jan. 30, 2023. Northwest Health EMS will continue to provide emergency response and transport services until then to ensure adequate time for the County to identify a new EMS provider.
Northwest Health made this decision in order to refocus resources on its hospital services and other points of care across the community.
Northwest Health has appreciated the opportunity to provide EMS services to western Benton County including Gentry, Decatur, Cave Springs, Highfill and Centerton for the past three years and looks forward to continuing to be a health resource for local residents through our large network of healthcare services and locations."
The Mayor of Centerton says the decision also threw him off guard because of their strong working relationship.
“Because here currently in Centerton we have two of their ambulances here which serves quite of a bit of the area to the west of Centeron and also the city limits proper,” Bill Edwards said.
In the meantime, he and the other cities are working to find a new provider and he doesn’t want residents to be concerned.
“Us and the other cities…. they’ve all been working together, and everyone has been very proactive,” said Edwards.
County officials say they are confident a new provider will be chosen quickly enough so there is no lapse in service. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/northwest-health-ems-contract-benton-county/527-33d69925-1b85-4e58-9722-610b21d8227c | 2022-08-06T22:08:59 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/northwest-health-ems-contract-benton-county/527-33d69925-1b85-4e58-9722-610b21d8227c |
ATLANTA — A bipartisan bill that could change the way law enforcement interacts with mental illness calls passed through the Senate on Monday.
The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act aims to fund mental health training for first responders and crisis intervention teams so they can better understand how to act and react to individuals experiencing mental illnesses.
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff proposed the bill with Sen. Chuck Grassley from Iowa.
Ossoff told 11Alive they hope the legislation will help better law enforcement's response to mental health calls.
“Communities in Georgia and across the country are struggling both with high rates of violent crime and also high rates of mental illness that's often untreated, and the response has to be one that both strengthens public safety through the training of law enforcement,” he said.
Additionally, training would teach law enforcement how to better recognize signs of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in individuals. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these contribute to 3 million hospitalizations, emergency room visits and deaths each year.
“It'll also help to stand up crisis intervention teams that bring in mental health expertise where someone's having an acute mental health crisis and make sure that, more broadly, mental health care services in our communities are strengthened,'' Ossoff explained.
Through CDC research, the legislation requires a study that will look at law enforcement and first responders who may have suffered a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty.
The TBI and PTSD Law Enforcement Training Act is currently headed to President Joe Biden’s desk, where it could soon get signed into law. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/tbi-and-ptsd-law-enforcement-training-act/85-013d8937-409f-49a4-9b3f-25ca396064db | 2022-08-06T22:09:06 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/tbi-and-ptsd-law-enforcement-training-act/85-013d8937-409f-49a4-9b3f-25ca396064db |
The Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital promised employees extended health insurance and pay when it announced mass layoffs in June, but those promises disintegrated when the now-closed hospital fired everybody in July.
Roughly 300 health-care providers and other employees, about 200 full-time, were working for Green Valley's only hospital when it shut down June 30. The company's former CEO, Stephen Harris, said during a previous interview that workers would receive pay and health insurance through Aug. 20. Employees say they were also told they'd receive compensation for up to 80 hours of unused vacation pay.
This formal 60-day notice was given under the protection of the WARN Act, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and stands for Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
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But on July 21, employees received a termination letter in which they were told, "you will no longer be entitled to any further compensation, monies, or other benefits from SCVRH, including coverage under any benefits plans or programs sponsored by SCVRH, except as described hereinbelow."
The letter then details that the final paycheck, deposited on or before July 29, would include full pay.
Several employees said that is not what happened, however. Instead, only partial pay was included and any paid-time-off employees used to round out their hours was removed from the paycheck. They also still had insurance withdrawals made, even though their insurance is no longer effective.
"I have former co-workers who don’t have money for groceries, or have to decide between their rent and food right now and it is absolutely heartbreaking," said registered nurse Stephanie Garrett of her colleagues.
"I was supposed to get paid for 80 hours and I only was paid for 24 hours, and I was supposed to be paid 44 hours of unused vacation time and they have decided not to pay that either."
"Don't know where to start"
Employees may be able to file a claim alleging WARN Act violations in federal court, said attorney Roscoe J. Mutz, a partner with Tucson's Farhang and Medcoff.
While Mutz is not representing the Green Valley employees, he is familiar with WARN Act guidelines. During an interview Thursday, he said it appears a "strong argument could be made for back pay and benefits."
Arizona law does not generally mandate accrued time off be compensated during a layoff, but if the employees were promised that as part of the WARN agreement or an existing company policy, Mutz said that also could be covered.
For now, the wait is challenging as many try to figure out what's next, and how to get by without the money and benefits they were counting on. Garrett said some have applied for unemployment but their claims are being dismissed because they are still listed as active employees.
Rochelle Bryant, an ultrasound technician, decided Southern Arizona would be a good place to settle when she moved here from California eight months ago for a new job. She was about to put her house in California up for sale when the layoffs occurred.
“We don’t know where to start, we don’t know what to do,” she said of herself and former colleagues. “Some people are saying, ‘Forget it. We’re not even going to get paid because now they are talking about filing for bankruptcy.’ ”
Long-beleaguered hospital
The hospital, initially called Green Valley Hospital, was built in 2015 for about $77 million. The owners filed for bankruptcy in 2017, and the hospital was renamed after being purchased for $26 million by California-based Lateral Investment Management.
The relaunch of the Santa Cruz Valley Regional Hospital was fraught with challenges and change.
A doctors group called Global Hospitalist Solutions sued the hospital in 2019, claiming it was owed more than $1.9 million. The suit was settled later in the year with terms kept confidential.
In 2021, a Rochester, New York, company call Broadstone Net Lease, Inc. bought the hospital for $60 million with Lateral Investment remaining the operator. Harris, who declined interview requests for this story but answered a few questions by email, said the Broadstone sale money was used to "pay off the real estate mortgage and to fund the hospital’s losses."
Further details on the company's growth and losses were not available at the time of publication. Lateral Investment's Richard de Silva, and Jeremiah Foster of Resolute Commercial Services — who has been hired as the chief restructuring officer — did not respond to interview requests.
Since the start of the pandemic, the hospital has been flooded with public funds including $5.9 million in federal paycheck protection program money, $5.4 million from the state's COVID-19 Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund, and $6.4 million in advanced Medicare payments.
In a previous interview, Harris said the Medicare money was needed to stay open during the pandemic, but then became an unmanageable debt to pay back at $400,000 per month. Payments were going to drop to $50,000 per month in September, he said.
For a while, it appeared Tucson’s TMC HealthCare was going to buy the facility but that plan fell through in June for reasons that have not been made public.
Investigation needed
Hosanna Hembree has worked in nursing 27 years and started at the hospital when it opened in 2015. After layoffs, Hembree said they were told they could work four or five hours a day to get the hospital ready to close, but then clock a full day.
Instead, she said their last check only included pay for the hours they worked.
She attributes the closure entirely to mismanagement.
"The COVID money the hospital received that should have gone back to equipment and funding and staff," she said, "but we did not see any of that money."
Michael Culver worked in maintenance at the hospital for a few months, and was out of town when the layoffs occurred. He called in, he said, and was relieved to hear he still had a job. That didn't last even a full day.
“I was promised to be there until October, to keep everything running, but apparently that changed,” he said. “They just told me, ‘We can’t pay you any more.’ ”
Culver said he relocated here for the job, and had planned to work at the hospital until he retired.
“Honestly," he said, "there needs to be a government investigation of the whole thing.”
Contact reporter Patty Machelor at 806-7754 or pmachelor@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/employees-of-closed-green-valley-hospital-left-without-pay-seek-answers/article_c25cb346-0f98-11ed-a61a-9f8160732bfc.html | 2022-08-06T22:12:15 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/employees-of-closed-green-valley-hospital-left-without-pay-seek-answers/article_c25cb346-0f98-11ed-a61a-9f8160732bfc.html |
Phish fans pack the Atlantic City beach Friday night for the first of the band's three concerts Friday night. The band's three-day stand, their fifth trip to the city since 2010, ends Sunday night.
Kristian Gonyea Photos, For The Press
A total of about 30,000 fans are expected to attend the three concerts, organizers said.
ATLANTIC CITY — Thousands of music fans traveled far and wide this weekend to see the popular jam band Phish perform a three-day show on the beach near Arkansas Avenue for the second straight year.
"The atmosphere is absolutely amazing here," said Daniel Morgan, 44 of Parkersburg, West Virginia. "There aren't many places in the country that are capable of holding shows like this on the beach. I'm glad I was able to make the trip here."
Phish, known for hits such as "Farmhouse" and "Sample in a Jar" made its fifth trip to the resort this weekend. The band performed three shows at Boardwalk Hall in 2010 and again in 2013. Phish put on three concerts at Bader Field in 2012.
Robert Simmons, of York, Pennsylvania, has been to all of the Phish shows in Atlantic City.
"Anytime that the band has been in the city, I've been in attendance, and I even planned to come in 2020," the 50-year-old Simmons said. "All of the shows have been great, but I'm liking these shows on the beach more because of how unique it is."
Phish planned to hold its first Atlantic City beach show in 2020, but the event was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year's event kicked off Friday night on an 80-foot by 20-foot stage just as the sun was beginning to set over the ocean. The band's lead guitarist and singer, Trey Anastasio, led the band onto the stage as the crowd let out a huge roar and the smell of weed filled the air.
For Kelsey Taylor, 25, of Woodstock, New York, it was her first chance to see the band live. She said she was amazed when the musicians stepped onto the stage to begin their performance.
"I've been listening to the band for my entire life," Taylor said. "My parents are big fans of them, so growing up, Phish is all I've really heard. I never thought I'd have the chance to see them, and it felt like a dream come true to see them on that stage tonight."
The music concluded at around 11 o'clock Friday night. When things were ready to resume Saturday, there was once again a lot of energy and excitement on the Boardwalk in the area of Missouri and Arkansas avenues. Many were dressed in tye-dye shirts and holding up signs in tribute to Phish as they eagerly waited for the gates to open at 5:30 p.m.
Fans were on the Boardwalk waiting as early as 3 p.m., and some took advantage of the down time to explore some local businesses. The Boardwalk Saloon bar located inside Bally’s Wild Wild West Casino, was serving several Phish fans and planned to do so until the music's scheduled start at 7:30.
Anyone on the Boardwalk on Friday or Saturday might have observed people walking and holding their index finger in the air. Alexandra Collins, of Corning, California, said there is a simple meaning behind it.
"A lot of people might see that and think there is a deep meaning to it, but when someone is doing that, it actually means that they are in need of a ticket," the 22-year-old Collins explained.
Collins said it's a very common sight at Phish concerts.
"You see it all the time. It's something that people do," Collins finalized.
Phish will perform again Sunday, and when the music has stopped, about 30,000 people are expected to have attended over the three days, according to event organizers.
Fans have traveled from as far north as Canada and as far west as California to see the band.
"This has been a good deal for the last two years, and I'll continue to make the 10-hour drive here if it's here to stay," said Andrew Lee of Toronto. "I hope the city sees how popular it is and they continue to welcome the band with open arms."
Following the conclusion of the Phish concert, Live Nation, the promotional group that is putting the Phish shows on, will immediately begin preparation for the inaugural TidalWave Music Festival that will take place on the same stretch of beach this coming Friday through Sunday.
Phish also will have a quick turnaround as the band heads north to play in Toronto on Wednesday.
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Phish fans pack the Atlantic City beach Friday night for the first of the band's three concerts Friday night. The band's three-day stand, their fifth trip to the city since 2010, ends Sunday night. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/thousands-turn-out-to-see-phish-on-atlantic-city-beach/article_12d8446a-158f-11ed-a50b-d7ff755207f4.html | 2022-08-06T22:16:43 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/thousands-turn-out-to-see-phish-on-atlantic-city-beach/article_12d8446a-158f-11ed-a50b-d7ff755207f4.html |
United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced him to the incarceration, followed by 10 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Tibbels also was ordered to pay $29,000 to funds established for victims of these types of cases.
In a news release, Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Russell said the case began as a part of a Freenet peer-to-peer investigation by the FBI, which traced IP addresses to Tibbels’ home, where his then-wife ran a child care.
On Oct. 5, 2021, a search warrant there turned up 887 child pornography image files and 147 child pornography video files.
While reviewing other electronic devices seized, FBI agents found a video and seven images that depicted a child attending the child care changing clothes in the main bedroom of the Tibbels’ home.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
In court records, police said two men beat, tortured and branded a 26-year-old Lincoln man in a warehouse, later tying him to a tree and threatening to kill him.
A Lincoln orthopedic surgeon was sentenced to probation in federal court Tuesday for writing fraudulent prescriptions to a patient, then buying back thousands of painkillers.
"He violated me and so many other underaged women. He did not have the right to do that," one woman, identified as Victim 4, said at Gregory Dightman Sr.'s sentencing.
Deputies noticed Brett Balak had "bloodshot and watery eyes" as he approached his vehicle that night, and later observed "a strong odor" of alcohol, according to court filings.
"It was at that moment ... I saw him with the gun in his hand," State Patrol Trooper Adam Strode said according to a transcript. "I honestly thought I was going to be shot."
The contents of the fire extinguisher are considered a skin irritant, forcing store employees to destroy the merchandise affected in the incident, which happened Sunday evening inside Gateway Mall.
"He was out enjoying himself on a walk, minding his own business, and I had absolutely no reason to approach him," Gabriel Sterling said first in an apology. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-man-gets-federal-prison-time-for-making-child-porn-at-in-home-child-care/article_3a1bb55b-ce71-5736-944d-8236c9a6d96f.html | 2022-08-06T22:17:59 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/lincoln-man-gets-federal-prison-time-for-making-child-porn-at-in-home-child-care/article_3a1bb55b-ce71-5736-944d-8236c9a6d96f.html |
By Silas Sloan and Ryan Wilusz
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton donned her best sequined park ranger outfit Friday to unveil Big Bear Mountain, Dollywood’s newest and longest roller coaster opening in spring 2023.
The attraction, an expansion of Wildwood Grove, will bring thrills to this family-friendly area of the park. Big Bear Mountain is the largest single attraction investment in Dollywood history, with a cost of $25 million.
Dollywood revealed a virtual ride-along Friday that shows the roller coaster taking visitors through a cave and waterfalls. It’s the park’s first ride with on-board audio, including music and words from Ned Oakley, the fictional caretaker of Wildwood Grove mascot Benjamin Bear.
Dollywood president Eugene Naughton said this ride will help “extend our storytelling” in the park, and he is excited to see families hop aboard.
“If you’re going to be the No. 1 family attraction in the United States, your product needs to be family friendly,” he told Knox News. “So, within this ride called Big Bear Mountain, I like to call it comfortable fun.”
Orange track and SUV coaster cars set the scene for a journey with Oakley to find the elusive “Big Bear.” The ride will last nearly two minutes as it rides along the edges of Wildwood Grove on 3,990 feet of track, reaching speeds up to 48 mph and a maximum elevation of 66 feet.
The ride will include “three separate launches, multiple airtime hills, high-speed carousel turns, and tunnels, including a pass behind a waterfall,” a release said.
Dolly Parton and Dollywood officials have revealed plans for Big Bear Mountain, the park’s next roller coaster, scheduled to open in spring 2023. Located in Wildwood Grove, the ride marks the biggest single investment for an attraction in park history, with speeds up to 48 mph across nearly 4,000 feet of track.
“You know I’m not gonna get on that,” Dolly Parton said Friday during the Dollywood media event. “If I get on that thing you’ll find one of my wigs in the top of a tree or the top of Clingmans Dome or something. But it does look like fun.”
Wildwood Grove, a $37 million addition to the park, opened adjacent to the Timber Canyon area in May 2019. The addition increased the park size by 20% and includes the Hidden Hollow play area and the Dragonflier, a smooth roller coaster for families to enjoy.
Both the Dragonflier and Big Bear Mountain require guests be 39 inches tall, but the latter roller coaster will up the thrills by roughly 8 mph.
“I would say arguably, and with all humility, I believe that attraction will be up for the best new attraction in 2023 and will be known as one of the best of its kind in the world,” Pete Owens, vice president of marketing and public relations, told the USA TODAY Network about the coaster in 2021.
Dolly Parton and Dollywood president Eugene Naughton reveal plans for Big Bear Mountain on Friday. The $25 million roller coaster will be built in the Wildwood Grove section of Dollywood, and a rendering is displayed behind them.
Big Bear Mountain was designed by Vekoma, which also designed the Dragonflier. The company has manufactured multiple rides for Disney parks, including Expedition Everest at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
As Dollywood’s “dreamer in chief,” Parton wants employees to dream big as the park invests a half-billion dollars over the next 10 years in its quest to become a year-round, premier destination.
Naughton said the park has spent $130 million in the first year of the plan and referred to the 2023 opening of Big Bear Mountain and HeartSong Lodge and Resort as a “cool double dip” for added fun in one year.
The 302-room resort is inspired by Parton’s love for the Great Smoky Mountains and will feature a mercantile store, restaurant and a grab-and-go food spot. It also will include a music room, activities for kids and family gathering spots.
Dollywood expects to open another resort in 2027, but the plans don’t stop there. Naughton’s long-term vision for the park is to extend operating hours and eventually become a year-round park.
“The Smokies are all about adventure and going exploring,” Parton said in a news release. “I’m excited our guests will be able to head out on their own trip into the Smokies to see if they can find that Big Bear! Whether he’s out there or not, I’m sure they’ll find a lot of memories along the way that they’ll keep forever.” | https://www.al.com/local/2022/08/dolly-parton-reveals-big-bear-mountain-dollywoods-newest-and-longest-roller-coaster.html | 2022-08-06T22:21:10 | 0 | https://www.al.com/local/2022/08/dolly-parton-reveals-big-bear-mountain-dollywoods-newest-and-longest-roller-coaster.html |
According to state data from the fall of 2020, 18.5% of the district’s student body was Hispanic, while Black students made up 55.4% of the student body and white students accounted for 21%.
For the past three school years, according to state data and the organization’s letter, Latino students in RPS have trailed all of their peers with on-time graduation rates. For example in the 2020-21 school year, 57.2% of Latino students graduated from RPS, compared with 80.1% of Black students, 93.3% of white students and 78.5% of all students, according to state data.
Hundreds of Chesterfield County students returned to classrooms on Monday, marking the begin…
Establishing a communitywide Commission on the Status of Latino students in RPS “is needed to comprehensively assess current issues related to the academic and non-academic success of Latino students (including English learners) and to identify policy, programmatic, and administrative steps aimed at significantly improving academic and non-academic outcomes for RPS’ Latino students,” according to an Aug. 1 letter from the Richmond chapter of LULAC.
A report on K-12 performance that the Youngkin administration released in May found that following the state’s public school closures during COVID-19, the most “devastating” learning loss affected Black and Hispanic students and students living in poverty.
Vilma Seymour, president of the Richmond branch, submitted the letter last week to RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras and School Board Chairwoman Shonda Harris-Muhammed. Seymour also read portions of the letter during public comment during Monday’s School Board meeting. There was no formal discussion of the proposal.
During one of his final lessons in a high school classroom, Demario-Quintel Lonzer looked ov…
However, later during the meeting, School Board member Stephanie Rizzi asked her colleagues to consider LULAC’s proposal in full, including forming the commission. Harris-Muhammed immediately concurred.
The proposal looks to charge a commission with assessing existing programming that is designed to meet the needs of Latino students and English learners, develop a multiyear plan to improve academic outcomes and the well-being of Latino students, gather perspectives from the Latino community and more.
“[While] Latino students are the fastest-growing segment of RPS enrollment ... RPS has never focused sustained system-wide priority attention on specific issues impacting the well-being and achievement of Latino students,” the proposal letter reads.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s new appointees to the Virginia Board of Education include members whos…
The commission, according to the proposal, would have between four and six community members (including parents of RPS Latino and English learner students), two or three Latino high school students, community organization representatives, RPS staff, two School Board members (with at least one representing a South Side district) and more.
The Richmond LULAC chapter wrote that its proposal is consistent with the Dreams4RPS Strategic Plan and the district’s overall commitment for equity for all students.
Dreams4RPS, a five-year plan that ends in 2023, includes prioritizing safe and loving school cultures, hiring high-quality staff, fostering a passion for learning with engaging instruction, establishing community and family partnerships, and modernizing buildings.
In a July appearance before the School Board, Seymour asked for the commission to be formed. She brought a letter from a concerned member of the George Wythe High community that she said “detailed unacceptable treatment of the Latino and English learner population” at the school.
Seymour said English-learner students are crammed into small classrooms with not enough desks, forcing some to sit on the floor.
In 2014, when Cynthia Reyes enrolled her daughter in what was then Greene Elementary School …
Spanish-speaking school visitors “are routinely ignored by front desk personnel,” said Seymour, adding that teachers have been told they will not receive a substitute to cover their class because the substitutes only want to work with students who speak English.
The Richmond LULAC chapter is asking for the commission to be established ahead of the upcoming school year and for members to be named no later than Sept. 20. The 2022-23 academic year begins Aug. 29.
31 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives
Air Raid
Air Scouts
Bellwood
Bookmobile
cannonballs001
Cloverleaf Mall 1975
Draft
Dumbarton
Falling Creek
Floods
Fort Lee
Henrico Schools
John Marshall High
Kings Dominion
Kings Dominion
Laurel Elementary School in Henrico, 1955
Maggie Walker
Miller & Rhoads
Mules
Paper drive to benefit Dumbarton Elementary library | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/lulac-calls-for-a-richmond-schools-commission-to-support-latino-students/article_9ab94764-f471-5915-8514-a0e67badfc00.html | 2022-08-06T22:28:11 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/lulac-calls-for-a-richmond-schools-commission-to-support-latino-students/article_9ab94764-f471-5915-8514-a0e67badfc00.html |
In Luray on July 30, visitors navigated their way to search for hidden goals at The Garden Maze, which is located at a popular tourist attraction, Luray Caverns — the largest caverns in the eastern United States.
The largest hedges maze in the Mid-Atlantic states is created with more than 1,500 evergreen hedges and a half-mile pathway on a 1-acre ornamental garden.
The Garden Maze is fully handicap accessible and is perfect for baby strollers.
A misting fog offers visual and cooling effects, and umbrellas are provided for light rain. | https://richmond.com/news/local/virginia-from-above-our-new-drone-feature/article_7a00d017-325b-5fec-9d63-046a96a17bb9.html | 2022-08-06T22:28:17 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/virginia-from-above-our-new-drone-feature/article_7a00d017-325b-5fec-9d63-046a96a17bb9.html |
3 injured following pickup truck rollover in Phoenix on southbound State Route 51
A rollover crash on State Route 51 south near Bell Road on Saturday left three people injured and prompted lane closures on the freeway, according to Phoenix Fire Department.
Capt. Scott Douglas with the fire department said two vehicles crashed on the freeway around noon. A pickup truck rolled over following the collision and landed on its roof.
The driver, a 66-year-old man, was extricated and treated by fire personnel, Douglas said.
Two other adults received treatment at the location but refused transportation to the hospital.
The driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital in stable condition, Douglas said.
The crash was blocking the right two southbound lanes of the freeway, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
All lanes reopened around 1:15 p.m.
Reach breaking news reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda at lsepulveda@lavozarizona.com or on Twitter @lauradNews.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2022/08/06/rollover-collision-sr-51-injures-3-phoenix/10257704002/ | 2022-08-06T22:36:11 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2022/08/06/rollover-collision-sr-51-injures-3-phoenix/10257704002/ |
Metro Detroit under heat advisory throughout weekend
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Metro Detroit this weekend with heat index values forecast at 95 and above.
Warm, muggy nights and multiple consecutive days of heat indices over 90 will lead to increased heat stress that will be most notable in more urbanized areas of southeast Oakland County, southern Macomb County and much of Wayne County, especially in Detroit and neighboring communities, the weather service said.
The heat index, also known as apparent temperature, factors in both air temperature and relative humidity.
The weather service said high temperatures and humidity may cause heat-related illnesses and urged people to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and in air-conditioned rooms if possible, and check on relatives and neighbors.
People who work or spend time outside should reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening when possible and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, it said. Young children and pets should not be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
The heat advisory is in effect through 10 p.m. Sunday in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, including the cities of Pontiac, Warren, and Detroit. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/08/06/metro-detroit-under-heat-advisory-throughout-weekend/10255703002/ | 2022-08-06T22:37:59 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/08/06/metro-detroit-under-heat-advisory-throughout-weekend/10255703002/ |
The Peacetree Music Festival, bringing music lovers and “peaceful energy” to Kenosha, wrapped up its fifth season at Pennoyer Park Saturday, with music and fundraising efforts running well into the night.
Bridgit Rallo, the owner of jewelry store Peacetree Originals for over two decades, said the festival was her way of thanking the community for their support. The event brings like-minded people together, the type of people to dance barefoot in the grass, Rallo said, pointing at her own bare feet.
“We’re bringing people together who are full of love and peaceful energy,” Rallo said. “Everybody’s friends, whether they’ve met or not.”
Two stages were set up, one on the band shell and another across the site, allowing non-stop music performances which helps keep up the energy, Rallo said.
Manya Reinier, who said she was from Hawaii “and everywhere on Earth,” had taken a rainbow painted bus from Florida to the festival. A pair of wings were placed on the side for festival-goers to take photos, and Reinier also had phoot booths and kids crafts.
“We’ve had lots of kids playing, lots of positive interactions,” Reinier said.
Reiner said she was most looking forward to a performance by Cosmic Railroad later that evening, a band she hadn’t seen in years.
Beyond the music, the festival also raised funds for the Kenosha Achievement Center. Rallo thanked the festival’s numerous local sponsors for their help.
“We’ve been able to do this because of our sponsors,” Rallo said. “When I look around, I know the people, they’re my friends.”
The festival began Friday afternoon, and continued Saturday, ending with a light show at 11 p.m. Saturday.
Photos from Lollapalooza 2022
Festivalgoers are seen on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Kirk Hammett, left, and James Hetfield of Metallica perform on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
James Hetfield, from left, Lars Ulrich, Robert Trujillo, Kirk Hammett of Metallica perform on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
James Hetfield, from left, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and Robert Trujillo of Metallica perform on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
James Hetfield of Metallica performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Lil Baby performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Emmy Meli performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Mills performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Sampa The Great performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Underscores performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Maude Latour performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Maude Latour performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Sean Caskey of Last Dinosaurs performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Elijah Hewson of Inhaler performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
General view of the crowd on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Still Woozy (Sven Eric Gamsky) performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Elijah Hewson of the band Inhaler performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Still Woozy performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Tove Lo performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Remi Wolf performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Jazmine Sullivan performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Lil Baby performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Ashnikko performs on day one of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Jordy performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Jordy performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Jasiah performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Baby Tate performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Cordae performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Cordae performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Tinashe performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Hester Chambers, left, and Rhian Teasdale of Wet Leg perform on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Dave Bayley of Glass Animals performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Coi Leray performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Don Toliver performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Avril Lavigne, left, performs with Machine Gun Kelly on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Dua Lipa performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Dua Lipa performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Dua Lipa performs on day two of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Machine Gun Kelly, left, performs with Avril Lavigne on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Machine Gun Kelly performs on Day 2 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Friday, July 29, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Amy Woodall, left, Holly Minto and Liv Kettle of Crawlers perform on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Evan Giia performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Carlotta Cosials of Hinds performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Lil Durk performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Fletcher performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Dylan Minnette, left, and Braeden Lemasters, of Wallows, perform on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival, Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Alexander 23 performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Cochise performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Ericdoa performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Fletcher performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Griff performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Lil Durk performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Big Sean performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Calder Allen performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
J. Cole performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Baby Jake performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
J. Cole performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Soobin of Tomorrow X Together performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
J. Cole performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Soobin, left, Beomgyu, Yeonjun, Taehyun, and Huening Kai of Tomorrow X Together perform on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Soobin, left, Huening Kai, Beomgyu, Yeonjun, and Taehyun of Tomorrow X Together perform on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Kygo performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Mariah the Scientist performs on Day 3 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Willow performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Joe Talbot of Idols performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Joe Talbot, left, and Adam Devonshire of Idols performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Brendan Yates of Turnstile performs on day three of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
De'Wayne performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
De'Wayne performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Erica Banks performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Hannah Mee, left, and James Shaw of Hot Milk perform on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Damiano David of Maneskin performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Goth Babe performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Victoria De Angelis, left, and Thomas Raggi of Måneskin perform on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Damiano David of Måneskin performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Perry Farrell of Porno For Pyros performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)
Rob Grabowski
Perry Farrell of Porno for Pyros performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
The Kid Laroi performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
j-hope performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
j-hope performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Drunk Bunny is seen on stage before Green Day performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Mike Dirnt of Green Day performs on Day 4 of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs on day four of the Lollapalooza Music Festival on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Grant Park in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)
Amy Harris
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-peaceful-energy-flows-in-pennoyer-park-at-peacetree-music-festival/article_08f5c496-15bb-11ed-a513-afa81c3dacd4.html | 2022-08-06T22:40:01 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-peaceful-energy-flows-in-pennoyer-park-at-peacetree-music-festival/article_08f5c496-15bb-11ed-a513-afa81c3dacd4.html |
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M’s Bar & Grill on Saturday. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown. Damage estimates were not immediately available.
SEAN KRAJACIC,
Kenosha News
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M's Bar & Grill on Saturday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M's Bar & Grill on Saturday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M's Bar & Grill on Saturday.
SEAN KRAJACIC Kenosha News
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M's Bar & Grill on Saturday.
SOMERS — Multiple fire departments were called to a structure fire at the site of J&M’s Bar and Grill, 8013 12th St. in Somers at midday Saturday.
One of the owner’s, Megan Strandell, said they noticed smoke filling the bar, but was initially uncertain as to the reason. Another witness said they saw flames above the kitchen hood, in the ceiling. Then the electricity reportedly “popped”, and everyone evacuated.
The fire department was called sometime before noon.
The Somers Fire Department was assisted by units called in including an engine from the Southshore Fire Department, a Pleasant Prairie fire truck, tenders from Paris and Kansasville departments, as well as equipment and personnel from Pleasant Prairie, Bristol, Union Grove, Salem and the Racine Fire Belles.
Assisting departments were dismissed shortly after 1 p.m.
A crash early Sunday morning involving a wrong-way car on Interstate 90 in northern Illinois left seven people dead, including five children, authorities said.
The Somers Fire Department, with help from other area departments, responds to a fire at J&M’s Bar & Grill on Saturday. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown. Damage estimates were not immediately available. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-update-multiple-fire-departments-respond-to-mid-saturday-fire-at-j-ms-bar/article_3ff55378-15aa-11ed-94c0-f764622e65bd.html | 2022-08-06T22:40:07 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-update-multiple-fire-departments-respond-to-mid-saturday-fire-at-j-ms-bar/article_3ff55378-15aa-11ed-94c0-f764622e65bd.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/woman-abducted-by-suspected-murderer-found-safe/3328189/ | 2022-08-06T22:42:34 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/woman-abducted-by-suspected-murderer-found-safe/3328189/ |
SARASOTA, Fla. — A purple alert has been issued for a missing 83-year-old man at 2:10 p.m. Saturday.
Jerome David Clark was last seen on Londonderry Drive leaving Doctor's hospital in Sarasota and is believed to be heading in the area of Fort Myers in a 2014 Gray Ford Escape with a Florida tag of Y84ZRK, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Clark is described as 6-feet tall, weighs 210 pounds and has gray hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information on Clark's whereabouts is asked to contact the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office at 941-316-1201 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/purple-alert-missing-83-year-old-man/67-e3446153-35a3-4806-823f-a9951b4f81b9 | 2022-08-06T22:48:02 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/purple-alert-missing-83-year-old-man/67-e3446153-35a3-4806-823f-a9951b4f81b9 |
ANNE ARUNDEL, Md. — Police in Maryland have arrested a 66-year-old man on multiple hate crimes charges after racist graffiti was discovered at a church in Anne Arundel County.
Donald Eugene Hood Jr., 66, who has no fixed address, faces three hate crime charges and a fourth charge of malicious destruction of property in the most recent incident. Police identified him after reviewing surveillance footage from the church, according to a news release from the department.
He was arrested Friday and was later released on his recognizance, the news release said.
Police have not determined whether he was involved in the vandalism incident last month.
“I am appalled by these acts of hate targeting Black churches in our communities,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement Wednesday. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/man-arrested-on-hate-crime-charges-in-church-vandalism/2022/08/06/cfa496be-15cd-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html | 2022-08-06T22:51:02 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/man-arrested-on-hate-crime-charges-in-church-vandalism/2022/08/06/cfa496be-15cd-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html |
NEW YORK — Marcus Eliason, an international journalist whose insightful reporting, sparkling prose and skillful editing graced Associated Press news wires for almost a half-century, has died. He was 75.
From Israel and the 1967 Six-Day War to apartheid-era South Africa and on to Afghan battlegrounds, bloody Belfast, the Iron Curtain’s fall, the handover of Hong Kong and countless other datelines and stories, Eliason witnessed and reported on some of the great world events of the 20th century’s final decades. And when that century drew to a close, it was the Eliason touch that greeted the new one.
“From East to West and North to South, the world welcomed the new millennium in a shimmering tapestry of song and light that rippled around the globe,” he led off AP’s main article on January 1, 2000.
By then he had moved on to his final posting, from which he retired in 2014, as a New York-based editor of some of AP’s biggest stories and projects — and, finally, as chief editor for international feature stories, a valued guiding hand for scores of AP reporters worldwide.
“A classic AP go-to guy is gone,” said former AP President and CEO Louis D. Boccardi. “Even a quick look at the outline of his assignments, both abroad and here at home, says it all. If there was a tough assignment that needed a steady hand, Marcus was often the choice.”
“Marcus was a wonderful writer and editor, erudite, wise and supporting,” said former AP International Editor John Daniszewski, now the AP’s vice president and editor-at-large for standards. Observed Claude Erbsen, a longtime correspondent and global AP executive: “He could make words sing and dance.”
Jack Marcus Eliason was born on Oct. 19, 1946, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to Jewish immigrant parents from Europe, grew up in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and moved as a teenager with his parents to Israel. At age 20, after a brief apprenticeship at The Jerusalem Post, Eliason joined the AP bureau in Tel Aviv as a messenger and trainee “puncher,” or operator of the Telex machine used to transmit stories.
A month later, on June 6, 1967, the Arab-Israeli conflict known as the Six-Day War broke out. When the new hire arrived at work and was chastised for not rushing in earlier, he told of having to buy emergency groceries for his mother, dig a backyard bomb shelter, pick up stranded hitchhikers, and so on.
“Don’t stand there talking about it, kid,” an old hand growled. “Write it down.”
He did, launching a sterling career in news and being promoted to staff reporter a year later. Once asked how he learned to write so well, he replied, “By punching the great copy of journalists in the AP bureau in Tel Aviv.”
Through the 1970s, the Eliason byline topped some of the biggest stories from the Middle East: terror attacks and Israeli government turmoil, another Arab-Israeli war, Anwar Sadat’s history-making 1977 visit to Jerusalem.
“Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt, had landed in Israel on a mission of peace. The time was 7:59 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19,” he reported. “For Israelis, and doubtlessly for Egyptians, too, it was more stupendous than Neil Armstrong’s foot touching the moon.”
In 1978, Eliason was posted to the AP bureau in Paris, where among many other assignments he covered the exiled Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini as he led, from afar, the Islamist revolution in Iran.
After a stint back in Israel, Eliason transferred to London, where he rose to news editor. His astute reporting and masterful prose stood out in one of AP’s premier “writing bureaus,” whether covering the bloodshed of the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland or having fun with British eccentrics like “the world’s worst poet,” William McGonagall.
“Scotland does its poets proud, and no town is without its statue to Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott or Robert Louis Stevenson,” Eliason wrote from Dundee. “But mention The Great McGonagall in his hometown and reactions range from a fond chuckle to pained silence.”
He next returned to Israel, this time as chief of bureau, leading a staff of prize-winning reporters and photojournalists in the 1990s, overseeing the nonstop flow of news of Palestinian uprisings, intermittent Arab-Israeli peace talks, Israeli political battles and Scud missile attacks from Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. From there, he moved on to his final international assignment, in Hong Kong, where he ran coverage of the 1997 handover of the British colony to Chinese control, writing all the while.
Throughout the decades, the AP also tapped the talents of the big, gregarious Israeli with the South African accent — a high school graduate whose insatiable reading and store of knowledge often amazed colleagues — for temporary assignments in some of the world’s hottest spots, on some of the era’s most important stories.
He reported from Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion of that country in 1979 and from his southern African homeland during the worst of its anti-apartheid upheavals. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the AP dispatched Eliason to travel along the former Iron Curtain border to interview ordinary citizens and write an in-depth report on the meaning of that epic chapter of 20th-century history.
In 1997, he left Hong Kong for AP headquarters in New York and a job as lead editor for feature articles from around the world, an acknowledged master becoming an understanding mentor for a cadre of younger foreign correspondents, from Beijing to Berlin to Buenos Aires.
“He was one of those journalism heroes I had as a young writer — those fascinating, unattainable bylines,” said one of those correspondents, Ted Anthony, now AP’s director of new storytelling and newsroom innovation. “Then he became the greatest editor I’ve ever had, an astonishing mix of encourager and enforcer. And a dear friend.”
When he retired after 47 unbroken years with the AP, Eliason remarked that “I’m a guy who has worked all his life. No fellowships, no sabbaticals, no parental leaves. I was having way too much excitement for that.”
Leaving his desk for the last time, he heard the vast AP New York newsroom burst into applause. “It was a gracious, spontaneous gesture that reminded me once again how lucky I have been,” he later wrote. Said Boccardi: “It was the AP that was lucky.”
Eliason is survived by Eva, his wife of 44 years and countless house moves and adventures; a daughter, Avital, of Tel Aviv, Israel, and a son, David, of New York. The family said he will be buried in Kadima, Israel.
___
Charles J. Hanley was a writer and editor for The Associated Press from 1968 to 2011. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/longtime-ap-correspondent-editor-marcus-eliason-dies-at-75/2022/08/06/782c971c-15cb-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html | 2022-08-06T22:51:08 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/longtime-ap-correspondent-editor-marcus-eliason-dies-at-75/2022/08/06/782c971c-15cb-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.html |
PANTAGRAPH STAFF REPORT
BLOOMINGTON — The McLean County Fair Royalty Contest was held Wednesday evening at the fairgrounds, crowning Madison Hamilton as queen and AJ Hepner as king.
Hamilton, 18, is the daughter of Randy and Deanna Hamilton of LeRoy. She is a member of the LeRoy 4-H Club and LeRoy FFA. She will attend Illinois Wesleyan University this fall.
Hepner, 17, is the son of Eric and Carol Hepner of Colfax. He is a member of the Downs Top Notchers 4-H Club. He will attend Heartland Community College this fall.
Photos: Preserving agriculture at the McLean County Fair for our children
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Annabelle Sutter, 9, Danvers, was disturbed from her art project by her Jersey cow "Ronette" as they kept each other company at the McLean County Fair on Friday. Sutter brought home a ribbon for reserve grand champion. She is a member of the Hudson Ag 4-H Club.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Eloise Bosquet, 9, Bloomington, milks a mechanical cow in the Food & Farm Fun Zone at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Madison Kraft, 18, of the Towanda and Bridle Path 4-H Clubs, prepares her goat for competition at the McLean County Fair on Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Chad Lawyer of Carlock helped out Madison Kraft of Towanda as he vacuumed her goat before going onto competition at the McLean County Fair, Friday, August 6, 2021.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Actor Allan Adcock pushed swords through a box holding Mary Macaroni during one of the midway performances at the McLean County Fair, August 6, 2021.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Eloise Bosquet, 9, Bloomington, pets a baby chick in the Food & Farm Fun Zone at the McLean County Fair on Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Morgan Mouser, 16, Downs, keeps track of her chicks as she tends a chick petting zoo during the Food & Farm Fun Zone at the McLean County Fair on Friday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Mary Macaroni, also know as Karen Burris of Chicago, pops out of a "sword in the box" magic trick to the amazement of children at the McLean County Fair, Friday, August 6, 2021. Burrs' partner, Allan Adcock, right, impaled the box with swords without injuring the star of the midway show.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Gailen Smiley of Normal, left, takes a photo of his grandson, Abel, 3, while touring the antique tractor tent at the McLean County Fair, Thursday. The 22 tractors on display come from across McLean County and represent agricultural technology from 1935 to 1971.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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They still make corndogs at the 2021 McLean County Fair as Marlon Diaz, 6, Bloomington, treats himself to one for lunch.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Customers line up to buy lunch at food vendors' booths at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Greg Watkin, left, and Marlin Hendren, volunteers with the Gridley Golden Banners, moved around fans to cool off poultry cages at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Cody Lyon, who is studying agriculture at Heartland Community College, tried to size up the root systems on the winners of the hybrid field corn that was was on display at the 2021 McLean County Fair.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Paula Sandage of Arrowsmith admires art displayed during the 4-H competition.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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FFA superintendent Diane Weer; Brittnay Haag, horticulture educator with University of Illinois Extension; and 4-H judge Diane Cook examine some of the entries in the flower arranging competition.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Channing Durbin, 11, cleaned up his poultry cages as he showed ducks and chickens at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Landon Baker holds his Rhode Island Red rooster, "Dusty," as his sister, Jayden, cleans his feet before poultry judging at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday. 4-H exhibitors brought their entries to the fairgrounds for judging beginning Monday to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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A colorful tropical bird painted by Abigail Wilson of the Olympia Pacesetters was recognized during the art exhibition at the McLean County Fair on Wednesday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
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Landon Baker removes his Rhode Island Red rooster, Dusty, from his cage before the poultry judging on Wednesday at the McLean county Fair. Some 4-H exhibitors brought their entries to the west Bloomington fairgrounds for judging beginning Monday to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Most of the animal exhibits arrived Wednesday, the day the fair officially opened. The fair runs through Sunday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
IT'S COUNTY FAIR TIME
Isabella Crego of the Flanagan-Cornell FFA turns a fast corner during the pole bending competition at the McLean County Fair on on Tuesday. Horsemanship competition runs through Saturday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
MCLEAN COUNTY FAIR PREP CONTINUES
McLean County Fair exhibitor Travis Rhode, 12, of Carlock, a member of the Hudson Ag 4-H club, sets up fans for his pigs at the fairgrounds on Monday. The fair opens Wednesday and runs until Sunday.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Contact Robyn Skaggs at robyn.skaggs@lee.net or 309-820-3244.
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Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/mclean-county-fair-crowns-2022-royalty/article_cd7df2fa-15a9-11ed-afa2-4b06b5b50bdc.html | 2022-08-06T22:53:46 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/mclean-county-fair-crowns-2022-royalty/article_cd7df2fa-15a9-11ed-afa2-4b06b5b50bdc.html |
BLOOMINGTON — Police in Bloomington said a driver was ticketed after their vehicle hit a bicyclist Friday on the east side of the city.
Lt. Clayton Arnold said officers responded to the reported collision at 8:39 p.m. Friday at Hershey Road and Clearwater Avenue.
He said a vehicle turned off of westbound Clearwater Avenue onto northbound Hershey and hit a bicyclist who was in the crosswalk area.
Arnold said the cyclist is a minor. He added EMS arrived at the scene.
It’s unclear whether the cyclist was injured.
The police lieutenant said the driver, a 29-year-old man, was given a citation for not yielding to the right of way for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
No further information was available Saturday.
PHOTOS: Downtown Dog Days in Bloomington
Knox, a 2-year-old Australian Shepard and German Shepherd mix who belongs to Ashley May, checks out the view in downtown Bloomington.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Teddy, left, and Claire Koth enjoy the Downtown Dog Days on Friday in Downtown Bloomington. The event gives local Bloomington businesses the opportunity to stay open later on the first Friday of each month.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Penny, a 3-month-old mix between a poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, explores downtown Bloomington with family, including Tessa, left, and Tessa Drury, both of Bloomington. The theme of this month's First Friday event was Downtown Dog Days.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Locals have fun on Friday during BN Sunrise Rotary Brats & Bags event. The bags tournament was part of the Downtown Dog Days in Downtown Bloomington. The event gives local Bloomington businesses to stay open later on the first Friday of each month.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Darryl Hulsing, left, and Jeff Hindman have fun on Friday during BN Sunrise Rotary Brats & Bags event. The bags tournament was part of the Downtown Dog Days in Downtown Bloomington. The event gives local Bloomington businesses to stay open later on the first Friday of each month.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Dustin Koth and Teddy during Downtown Dog Days on Friday in Downtown Bloomington.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Downtown Dog Days on Friday in Downtown Bloomington.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Rex during Downtown Dog Days on Friday in Downtown Bloomington.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Cavapoo named Penny was downtown with family including sisters Tessa, left, and Tessa Drury. Both from Bloomington.
CLAY JACKSON, THE PANTAGRAPH
Contact Brendan Denison at (309) 820-3238. Follow Brendan Denison on Twitter: @BrendanDenison
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Lt. Tim Spanesa with the Bloomington Police Department told The Pantagraph that officers spotted a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Galesburg, and stopped it at 5:20 p.m. Friday near Lee and Oakland streets.
He said the driver, a 48-year-old man from Galesburg, was arrested without incident. Spanesa said he is being held on a preliminary charge of possession of a stolen vehicle.
Brendan Denison is our breaking news reporter. Denison was a digital content producer for WCIA-TV in Champaign and a reporter for The Commercial-News in Danville. He can be reached at (309) 820-3238 and bdenison@pantagraph.com. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galesburg-man-arrested-in-bloomington-with-stolen-vehicle/article_12a70dce-15cf-11ed-9e43-530ccd5b4ed9.html | 2022-08-06T22:53:59 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galesburg-man-arrested-in-bloomington-with-stolen-vehicle/article_12a70dce-15cf-11ed-9e43-530ccd5b4ed9.html |
SCRANTON, Pa. — The 17th Annual Scranton Jazz Festival is happening now in the Electric City's downtown.
Dozens of musicians are on the schedule to perform at more than 20 venues around the city through Sunday, including artists from around the world, the United States, and northeastern Pennsylvania.
And you can check out most of the acts for free.
The Scranton Jazz Festival began in 2005 at the Hanlon's Grove Amphitheatre at Nay Aug Park in the city.
After the facility was damaged by a major snow storm in 2007, the festival's organizers moved the event to its present home at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/17th-annual-scranton-jazz-festival-underway-downtown-scranton-lackawanna-county-northern-light-espresso-bar/523-ba484ccc-cd05-4a2e-bd13-4b0bc03b606b | 2022-08-06T23:08:21 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/17th-annual-scranton-jazz-festival-underway-downtown-scranton-lackawanna-county-northern-light-espresso-bar/523-ba484ccc-cd05-4a2e-bd13-4b0bc03b606b |
SCRANTON, Pa. — In Lackawanna County, state police spent the day connecting with adults and children with special needs at summer camp!
The Sunny Day Camp at Marywood University included demonstrations by the bomb squad and SERT team.
People also enjoyed browsing through emergency vehicles and seeing the police helicopter.
Troopers say the event provides them the opportunity develop a relationship with those who have special needs.
"We want them to be able to come to us, trust us, like us, because a lot of times they may be apprehensive, thinking they may be in trouble if they see law enforcement. We want to turn that around and interact with them and show them a good time and that we're here if they ever have any type of trouble that they're in to come and see us so we can help them out," said Trooper Bob Urban, PA State Police Troop R.
The Sunny Day Camp is based on the foundation of Camp Cadet, a program that aims to generate interest in law enforcement careers.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/sunny-day-camp-for-kids-with-special-needs-marywood-university-scranton-trooper-bob-urban-troop-r-camp-cadet/523-babc2780-927a-4a3e-8d03-c6332063a513 | 2022-08-06T23:08:27 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/sunny-day-camp-for-kids-with-special-needs-marywood-university-scranton-trooper-bob-urban-troop-r-camp-cadet/523-babc2780-927a-4a3e-8d03-c6332063a513 |
BERWICK, Pa. — Flowers lay near what's left of the home in Nescopeck that burned early Friday morning, leaving ten people dead and a community in shock.
Just across the river in Berwick, a celebration of the community was going on, but amidst the air of fun, organizers say there was a heavy feeling, knowing just a mile away, a fire took the lives of their neighbors.
Some vendors at the event decided to help out in any way they could.
"There are a couple of vendors and a couple events going on today that proceeds will go to the Nescopeck victims," said Ayrin Shortlidge, Berwick Area United Way Director.
The Berwick Youth Football League had a tent at the community event.
Members chose to donate the 50/50 money earned during the event because one of the fire victims played in the league.
"He loved the tackle this year. He would have just done flag. His mother actually said he talked about it to this day," said Katie Karchner, Berwick.
Businesses in the area are also chipping in to help, including Bandit's Roadhouse. They'll be donating a portion of their proceeds raised on Sunday.
"What that family is going through right now. It's it's very heart-wrenching. You know, they know that the communities are backing them up. Hopefully, that means a little bit, and we can do what we can to help them out," said Thomas Smith, Bandit's Roadhouse.
The community is doing just that, collecting donations and planning fundraisers to help the family get back on their feet.
The Berwick Youth Football League is also organizing a tribute to those lives lost in this tragedy.
"On Sunday, August 28, which would be our first football game. We are also going to honor all of the victims from yesterday and donate all of the 50/50 proceeds to them as well," said Karchner.
Donations for the family can also be dropped off at the Nescopeck Fire Company on Warren Street.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/communities-rally-around-nescopeck-family-katie-karchner-ayrin-shortlidge-bandits-roadhouse-luzerne-county-berwick-thomas-smith/523-4bb6ea4f-5b01-442d-96fa-7ab40714b9ae | 2022-08-06T23:08:33 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/communities-rally-around-nescopeck-family-katie-karchner-ayrin-shortlidge-bandits-roadhouse-luzerne-county-berwick-thomas-smith/523-4bb6ea4f-5b01-442d-96fa-7ab40714b9ae |
Midwest Express Clinic has opened new locations in Michigan City and Cicero.
The express care chain that started in Munster has now grown to 30 locations across Chicagoland, including a dozen in Northwest Indiana.
Its new clinics are located at 3939 S. Franklin St. by the Marquette Mall in Michigan City and 3314 S. Cicero Ave. Unit B in Cicero. It's also opening another clinic at 2621 W. North Ave., Ste 400 in Melrose Park on Monday.
The clinics are meant to be more accessible than a doctor's office but more affordable than an emergency room. They provide care for chronic conditions, abscesses, allergies, asthma, cardiovascular conditions, cysts, diabetes, ear infections, the flu, headaches, hemorrhoids, migraines, rashes, thyroid issues and urinary tract infections.
People can visit without appointments to be treated for a range of illnesses and injuries like colds or sprains. They can check in online in advance to hold a spot in line.
Bombers BBQ is now serving up its beloved brisket and other slow-cooked meats in Crown Point.
The acclaimed military aviation-themed barbecue joint has built up a fervent following at its original location at 435 Ridge Road in Munster. It reached a deal with Darin Jacobs, who owns Rosati's pizzerias in Munster, St. John and Valparaiso, to open franchises.
Jacobs, a longtime bombers customer, on Monday opened the first Bombers BBQ franchise at 35 W. 112th Ave. next to Cold Stone Creamery and Three Monkeys Pub in Crown Point. He's eyeing future locations in St. John and Valparaiso.
"It's definitely the barbecue smoking shows on the Food Channel," he said. "We carry more than most. We sell smoked turkey that's the most tender turkey you've ever had. Our best customers are those who smoke or barbecue themselves because they know what they're looking for. They come in, ask how we prepare our food, understand it makes sense and keep coming back."
Jacobs hopes to open more franchises after establishing the Crown Point location.
"We're thinking of Valparaiso and St. John once we feel comfortable we've replicated it in Crown Point," he said. "This is the freshest, best-tasting barbecue around."
"Everything is fresh, smoked that day," he said. "Not to disparage other barbecue restaurants, but if they say they close at 9 p.m. and then close at 9 p.m. the meat's not all fresh."
The new Bombers BBQ in Crown Point seats 80 people in a former furniture store and another 24 on an outdoor patio. It has a liquor license that lets it serve 12 types of beer, half craft and half domestic.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is decorated with the same military aviation theme, inspired by how founder Chris Cole's relatives served as pilots in World War II and Vietnam.
"We've had a lot of military people come in and say they appreciate it. They like to take it all in," Jacobs said. "Some people don't know where the name comes from or think it's because the food is the bomb, but it's because both Chris Cole's relatives were bomber pilots."
Bombers BBQ in Crown Point has the same menu as the original Munster restaurant, adding banana pudding. It smokes its meat fresh every day, selling it until it runs out and closing early if sold out.
"We smoke meat daily and stay open until we sell out," he said. "If we still have some left we donate it or let employees take it home. But we're pretty good at estimating how much we'll need based on the previous day's sales."
Spirit Halloween will return to 1525 U.S. 41 in Schererville this Halloween season. Long located every fall at the former Ashley Furniture big-box in Schererville, it moved across the street last year to the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til.
Though it's still beach season when many have little more than beer and sunshine on their mind, to paraphrase the artist who just played Hammond's Festival of the Lakes, the Halloween retailer already posted "coming soon" and "now hiring" signage at the location.
The seasonal pop-up is known for occupying vacant commercial real estate for a couple of months, selling a wide array of Halloween costumes like Jason Vorhees hockey jerseys, as well as Halloween decorations like the styrofoam headstones you can plant to make your front lawn look like a cemetery.
The local chain of barbecue joints in Munster, Crown Point and Griffith is coming to Merrillville, near the busy intersection of U.S. 30 and Interstate 65.
It's taking over the former Fresh to Order space at 540 81st Ave., where it will share a strip mall with Planet Fitness and Catch Table and Tap.
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to Crown Point.
The restaurant at 146 E. 109th Ave. is now hiring for a variety of positions, offering sign-on bonuses. It offers Greek favorites like grilled lamb, tzatziki, village salads, rice and pita bread. The menu includes many handhelds such as gyros, wraps and Greek burgers.
For more information, call 219-274-7335, email greatgreeknwi@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook.
True BBQ has opened its long-awaited third location in downtown Griffith, where it's bringing smoked meats and another late-night spot for drinks.
The modern barbecue restaurant took over the former Twincade space at 106 N. Broad St. at the corner of Broad and Main streets in downtown Griffith.
True BBQ first opened in Munster in 2014 and recently opened a second location in downtown Crown Point.
It's owned by Progressive Dining Group, which also owns Bullpen Luxury Bar & Grill, Gino's Steakhouse and The Links in Schererville.
The True BBQ in Griffith has the same menu, which includes baby back ribs, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked rib tips. It offers full slabs of ribs for $16 on Mondays. Other barbecued meats include turkey, andouille sausage, pork belly, pork shoulder, brisket, corned beef and chicken.
The menu also features steaks, pasta salads and appetizers. A full bar serves up craft beers, artisan cocktails and a wide selection of whiskeys.
Catering toward dinner and drinks in Griffith, True BBQ is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Port of Peri Peri's ship has sailed in Schererville.
Signs posted outside the Portuguese peri peri chicken restaurant in Shops on Main on U.S. 41 have said it was temporarily closed "for improvements" for some time.
But now the Port of Peri Peri sign on the building facade has come down. And Shops on Main owner Regency Center is listing the 2,388-square-foot restaurant space as available for lease.
Sports Clips left its longtime spot in the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til and Walmart and moved a few miles north in Schererville.
The sports-themed hair care chain, in which customers can watch sports on television getting their hair cut, moved to 336 Indianapolis Blvd. in a newer strip mall by McAlister's Deli and Buona Beef.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Bombers BBQ, True BBQ and Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opening; Port of Peri Peri closed
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Bombers BBQ, True BBQ and Great Greek Mediterranean Grill opening; Port of Peri Peri closed
1 of 14
Open
Bombers BBQ is now serving up its beloved brisket and other slow-cooked meats in Crown Point.
The acclaimed military aviation-themed barbecue joint has built up a fervent following at its original location at 435 Ridge Road in Munster. It reached a deal with Darin Jacobs, who owns Rosati's pizzerias in Munster, St. John and Valparaiso, to open franchises.
Jacobs, a longtime bombers customer, on Monday opened the first Bombers BBQ franchise at 35 W. 112th Ave. next to Cold Stone Creamery and Three Monkeys Pub in Crown Point. He's eyeing future locations in St. John and Valparaiso.
Joseph S. Pete
Brisket the top seller
It has three smokers on site, two for the restaurant traffic and one for catering. It will cater to as few as 50 people and as many as 500.
Top sellers include brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese and jalapeno cornbread.
"The brisket is by far the No. 1 seller," he said. "It's the recipe and because we made everything fresh."
Joseph S. Pete
Drive-through for online orders
It has a drive-thru pickup window for online and phone orders.
"It's a trend," Jacobs said. "The drive-through at Rosati's is 20% of our business and growing. This is perfect for pickup."
Barbecue has taken off in Northwest Indiana in recent years, with many new barbecue joints opening.
Joseph S. Pete
Further expansion planned
"It's definitely the barbecue smoking shows on the Food Channel," he said. "We carry more than most. We sell smoked turkey that's the most tender turkey you've ever had. Our best customers are those who smoke or barbecue themselves because they know what they're looking for. They come in, ask how we prepare our food, understand it makes sense and keep coming back."
Jacobs hopes to open more franchises after establishing the Crown Point location.
"We're thinking of Valparaiso and St. John once we feel comfortable we've replicated it in Crown Point," he said. "This is the freshest, best-tasting barbecue around."
Joseph S. Pete
Meat smoked daily
"Everything is fresh, smoked that day," he said. "Not to disparage other barbecue restaurants, but if they say they close at 9 p.m. and then close at 9 p.m. the meat's not all fresh."
The new Bombers BBQ in Crown Point seats 80 people in a former furniture store and another 24 on an outdoor patio. It has a liquor license that lets it serve 12 types of beer, half craft and half domestic.
The 5,000-square-foot restaurant is decorated with the same military aviation theme, inspired by how founder Chris Cole's relatives served as pilots in World War II and Vietnam.
Joseph S. Pete
Open daily
Bombers BBQ will be open in Crown Point from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, call 219-613-4444, visit bombersbbq.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Open until sold out
"We've had a lot of military people come in and say they appreciate it. They like to take it all in," Jacobs said. "Some people don't know where the name comes from or think it's because the food is the bomb, but it's because both Chris Cole's relatives were bomber pilots."
Bombers BBQ in Crown Point has the same menu as the original Munster restaurant, adding banana pudding. It smokes its meat fresh every day, selling it until it runs out and closing early if sold out.
"We smoke meat daily and stay open until we sell out," he said. "If we still have some left we donate it or let employees take it home. But we're pretty good at estimating how much we'll need based on the previous day's sales."
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
It's almost the most spooktacular time of year.
Spirit Halloween will return to 1525 U.S. 41 in Schererville this Halloween season. Long located every fall at the former Ashley Furniture big-box in Schererville, it moved across the street last year to the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til.
Though it's still beach season when many have little more than beer and sunshine on their mind, to paraphrase the artist who just played Hammond's Festival of the Lakes, the Halloween retailer already posted "coming soon" and "now hiring" signage at the location.
The seasonal pop-up is known for occupying vacant commercial real estate for a couple of months, selling a wide array of Halloween costumes like Jason Vorhees hockey jerseys, as well as Halloween decorations like the styrofoam headstones you can plant to make your front lawn look like a cemetery.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
True BBQ hasn't stopped growing.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon to Merrillville
The local chain of barbecue joints in Munster, Crown Point and Griffith is coming to Merrillville, near the busy intersection of U.S. 30 and Interstate 65.
It's taking over the former Fresh to Order space at 540 81st Ave., where it will share a strip mall with Planet Fitness and Catch Table and Tap.
Joseph S. Pete
Coming soon
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is coming soon to Crown Point.
The restaurant at 146 E. 109th Ave. is now hiring for a variety of positions, offering sign-on bonuses. It offers Greek favorites like grilled lamb, tzatziki, village salads, rice and pita bread. The menu includes many handhelds such as gyros, wraps and Greek burgers.
For more information, call 219-274-7335, email greatgreeknwi@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook.
Joseph S. Pete
Now open
True BBQ has opened its long-awaited third location in downtown Griffith, where it's bringing smoked meats and another late-night spot for drinks.
The modern barbecue restaurant took over the former Twincade space at 106 N. Broad St. at the corner of Broad and Main streets in downtown Griffith.
True BBQ first opened in Munster in 2014 and recently opened a second location in downtown Crown Point.
It's owned by Progressive Dining Group, which also owns Bullpen Luxury Bar & Grill, Gino's Steakhouse and The Links in Schererville.
The True BBQ in Griffith has the same menu, which includes baby back ribs, St. Louis-style ribs and smoked rib tips. It offers full slabs of ribs for $16 on Mondays. Other barbecued meats include turkey, andouille sausage, pork belly, pork shoulder, brisket, corned beef and chicken.
The menu also features steaks, pasta salads and appetizers. A full bar serves up craft beers, artisan cocktails and a wide selection of whiskeys.
Catering toward dinner and drinks in Griffith, True BBQ is open from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. It's closed on Tuesdays.
Port of Peri Peri's ship has sailed in Schererville.
Signs posted outside the Portuguese peri peri chicken restaurant in Shops on Main on U.S. 41 have said it was temporarily closed "for improvements" for some time.
But now the Port of Peri Peri sign on the building facade has come down. And Shops on Main owner Regency Center is listing the 2,388-square-foot restaurant space as available for lease.
Joseph S. Pete
Relocated
Sports Clips left its longtime spot in the Crossroads of America shopping center anchored by Strack and Van Til and Walmart and moved a few miles north in Schererville.
The sports-themed hair care chain, in which customers can watch sports on television getting their hair cut, moved to 336 Indianapolis Blvd. in a newer strip mall by McAlister's Deli and Buona Beef.
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.
Steelworkers will take home bonus checks of upwards of $14,000 for the three-month period that ended on June 30, U.S. Steel Media Relations Manager Amanda Malkowski said.
The Michigan-based movie theater chain completed the first phase of its two-phase renovation plans to add amenities like faux-leather recliners and brick oven pizza.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges against California-based SOLV Energy and recruiter Aerotek charging they are recruiting workers from outside Indiana for the Mammoth Solar Farm Project and paying them "substantially lower than Indiana standards."
Customer complaints have mounted as Old National Bank has integrated First Midwest Bank branches. Customers have complained about debit cards being declined, being locked out of their accounts online, being allowed to overdraft their accounts without warning and having to wait for hours on the phone.
The cost of gas has dipped under $4 a gallon at a few Region gas stations, including BP in Dyer, Murphy USA in Valparaiso, Speedway in Wanatah, Family Express in Hobart and Valparaiso and Sam's Club and Costco in Merrillville as of Monday, according to GasBuddy.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/midwest-express-clinic-opened-new-locations-in-michigan-city-and-cicero/article_07631552-4452-52e3-b54c-afe741580474.html | 2022-08-06T23:11:42 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/midwest-express-clinic-opened-new-locations-in-michigan-city-and-cicero/article_07631552-4452-52e3-b54c-afe741580474.html |
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Seventeen families, many emotional and a few in tears, celebrated the realization of a long-sought goal of becoming first-time homebuyers, despite the effects of the pandemic.
Angelica Gonzalez said her daughter can’t wait to paint her bedroom — something not allowed in the place she’s been renting.
“Thank you for making my daughter’s dream come true to own a home,” Gonzalez said to more than 100 people at a Habitat for Humanity house dedication ceremony Friday in the Rancho Carlota subdivision on the Southwest Side.
In spite of a shortage of building materials that has driven up costs, along with rising land prices and a decline in volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity met its goal of building 51 houses in Bexar County per year in 2020 and 2021. It’s on track to build 56 houses this year, including three in Guadalupe County.
But with spiraling home values, the number of people applying to Habitat for zero-interest mortgages and willing to commit 300 hours of “sweat equity” at a construction site has exploded. Last year, the chapter received 4,300 applications, up 37 percent from 2020.
“The community has really come together. But we need that going forward because now the need is just so much greater,” said Stephanie Wiese, vice president of Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio & Guadalupe Valley. “The need for home ownership is really unbelievable.”
As the global economy wrestled with COVID-19, the cost of a standard 2-by-4 board jumped from $1.75 to $8, then fell to $5. A plywood roofing sheet similarly climbed from $7 to $55, then leveled off at $23. Habitat for Humanity, an ecumenical Christian nonprofit, used its 100,000 square feet of warehouse space to manage those material costs by purchasing in bulk items for storage when prices fell or were discounted. But skilled labor costs have risen.
“Two years ago, when we started building this subdivision in 2020, our houses were costing $95,000 apiece. Now they’re costing about $115,000,” Wiese said.
The local chapter, created in 1976, shortly after the international Habitat program was launched to address a global shortage of affordable housing, normally has about 14,000 volunteers annually. But it saw a 75 percent drop in volunteers in 2020. The number of volunteers has rebounded, but this summer’s triple-digit temperatures have forced many to work shorter shifts.
Amid the challenges, celebrations like the one Friday are all the more joyous for the first-time homebuyers. Wiese said the San Antonio Housing Trust, private foundations, individual donors and the city and county, which provide street and infrastructure funding, have given critical support.
“This is everything for the families,” who have endured a yearlong process, including attendance at 17 homeowner readiness classes, Wiese said.
Veronica Canisalez was among the new homeowners who thanked Habitat and its volunteers from Valero, St. Luke Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church for making their dreams a reality. Canisalez, who moved in with her daughter about 10 days earlier, also praised her mother for helping her meet the required volunteer work hours.
“We’re really excited about getting to know our neighbors and getting ready for a new school year,” Canisalez said.
After 20 years of renting, Tiffney Taylor said she’ll drop to her knees to pray for thanks when she gets the keys to her home later this month.
“I’m so grateful. I’m so happy,” said Taylor, who will move into a house with her mother, after the ceremony. “It means I’m not going to have to work so hard because my mortgage is going to be reasonable.”
Taylor, a 40-year-old medication aide at a nursing home, thanked volunteers from St. Francis and St. Luke who “built me a beautiful home.”
“Some of them, I think, are going to become longtime friends,” she said.
City Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia provided backpacks for the children and recognized a dozen high school and college interns who toiled in the heat this summer for Habitat in its tenth year of providing paid opportunities for students to gain hands-on skills and experience.
The students “not only invested in their futures, but they selflessly invested in this wonderful community and the futures of the families that we celebrate today,” Garcia said.
shuddleston@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-Texas-homes-nonprofit-17355344.php | 2022-08-06T23:20:52 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-Texas-homes-nonprofit-17355344.php |
One man was killed and another severely injured in a shooting early Saturday at an apartment complex on the West Side.
Officers responded to a call just before 2 a.m. about a shooting at Reagan West Apartments, 6503 W. Commerce St. When the officers arrived, they found a man with gunshot wounds on the ground in the parking lot near a stairwell, according to a preliminary report from the San Antonio Police Department. He was taken to University Hospital in critical condition.
A second man who was also shot was found on the opposite side of the parking lot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The men have not been identified.
A woman, identified as the girlfriend of the wounded man, told police the two men had been sitting outside and drinking, but that she hadn’t seen the shooting. Police said several people at the apartment complex heard the gunshots but did not see the shooting or hear any altercation.
One resident said they saw a silver car drive away after the shooting but did not know whether it was involved, according to the report.
megan.rodriguez@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-shooting-Texas-17356802.php | 2022-08-06T23:20:59 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-shooting-Texas-17356802.php |
A pickup driver died early Saturday after being ejected from the truck, which then landed on the person and burst into flames, according to San Antonio police.
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado was going eastbound in the 7100 block of the eastbound access road of U.S. 90, just west of Military Drive, about 2:30 a.m. when it veered off the roadway into the grass between the access road and the main lanes of the highway, according to a preliminary report from the San Antonio Police Department.
The pickup hit a light pole and ejected the driver, then landed on the person and caught fire, according to the report.
The San Antonio Fire Department extinguished the fire. The driver, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash is under investigation.
megan.rodriguez@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Texas-driver-death-truck-17356816.php | 2022-08-06T23:21:05 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Texas-driver-death-truck-17356816.php |
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Enjoyed your article (last Sunday on the Red Carpet club and restaurant). Those were the days!
When I arrived (in San Antonio) from Baylor Law School in 1968, we didn’t want to wait on jury verdicts in the depressing halls of the courthouse. So we would tell the bailiff to call us when the jury came back. No cellphones then, of course. We didn't really need to tell the bailiff where to call, because he knew we would be at “the Carpet.”
When our firm was awaiting the jury verdict on the suit over the damages for the negligence of the company that was lifting the HemisFair ’68 Tower of the Americas restaurant and caused the damages when the lifting cables broke, we — Sol Casseb, Dayton Wiley, Dick Keene, Franklin Houser, Peter Plumb, Roy Brock, Joe Segrato, John Hohman and others — were at the Red Carpet, where there was always a man who was holding open the front door when you drove or walked up.
The Carpet also organized events such as busing us and our insurance-adjustor friends and clients to the offsite showing of the Ali/Frazier fights in the mid-1970s.
Maybe you could tell us about the history of the Old San Francisco Steakhouse next. The girl on the swing and the blocks of cheese at every table are locked in my memory bank.
— Robert Allen
Whoa, Tower of the America’s “lifting cables broke” and a “suit for damages? Yes, sure, we can look at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse, but first … what happened to the Tower, and whose fault was it?
For a building that has become a symbol not only of the 1968 World’s Fair but a skyline-defining icon of San Antonio’s visual identity — not unlike the Eiffel Tower for the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris — the theme structure of HemisFair ’68 had some troubled beginnings. The cable-snapping incident was minor, compared with the prolonged haggling over its funding and contract negotiations over the cost of its construction.
The design by revered local architect O’Neil Ford was criticized for looking too much like the Space Needle built for Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair, which it did — a stockier version of its tower concept, both with revolving concessions and an observation deck near the top. (Ours had a height advantage, 750 feet to their 605 feet.)
Named through a public contest, HemisFair’s tower dodged a bullet when runners-up such as “Astroshaft ” were passed over in favor of the popular choice, “Tower of the Americas,” submitted by 68 people as a good match for the fair’s bumpy but good-hearted theme, “The Confluence of Civilizations in the Americas.” (Compare with the snappy futurism of New York 1939, “The World of Tomorrow”; Chicago 1933, “Century of Progress,” or Seattle’s “Living in the Space Age.”)
Once construction of the tower was underway, the project had a tight deadline. The start date was Aug. 9, 1966, and the fair’s opening date was April 6, 1968. The complicated project that included a 622-foot concrete shaft, elevators, a revolving tophouse and finish-out for all the public areas, including a fancy restaurant, was one of only a few structures built for the fair that were expected to be permanent, and it had less than two years to soar safely above the fairgrounds.
The HemisFair construction period was a nail-biting numbers game. Reports were released regularly on how far behind or ahead of schedule various structures or areas were in relation to the hard opening day, which had been announced worldwide years before ground was broken. Days-ahead and days-behind goals bobbed up and down like stock prices as opening day ticked closer.
A tower had been chosen for the fair’s theme structure because it was supposed to pay for itself, not just during the fair but with ongoing tourism. Long after the international pavilions were empty, visitors were expected to add a swoopy elevator ride to enjoy its panoramic views to their downtown sightseeing route, just behind visits to the Alamo and the River Walk. But there would never be so many visitors at once as there would be during the six months of the fair.
Lifting rods had broken due to high winds from Hurricane Beulah in September 1967 and had been replaced by comparable ones. The Tower was about 30 days behind when the doughnut-shape tophouse took a slight tumble during the night of Oct. 30-31, 1967. The next morning, workers found the tophouse tilted and discovered that three lifting rods or cables out of the 24 used for lifting it had given way overnight. No one was hurt, and damages were estimated at $20,000, probably mostly the cost of replacing the rods, as reported in the San Antonio Light, Oct. 31, 1967.
Work halted for a few weeks as the contractors, Darragh & Lyda, searched for a solution. A tension study commissioned from Southwest Research Institute determined that replacements needed to double in weight; new rods — 12 instead of the original 24 — were ordered from a Pennsylvania supplier who would purchase top-quality oil-well drill-stem rods. Once these arrived, in mid-November 1967, delays were compounded by the need to remove all the old rods and to replace them with the new ones, which were attached to hydraulic jacks. Then the tophouse could be hoisted another 14 feet so that work on its bottom levels could continue.
These next stages were projected to take about three weeks. Construction supervisor Elmer Joiner, for co-contractor Darragh & Lyda — the hometown firm working with Houston’s H.A. Lott — told the Light, Nov. 15, 1967, that it should be possible to finish the tower on time, although “we didn’t have enough time to build it to begin with.”
Windy conditions were a further drag on the process of taking out and putting in the new rods, and the contractor started working through the weekends. Only once the replacement work was completed could the crew return to work on the tophouse, which was to have ventilation ducts and sprinkler equipment installed, before pulling it farther up the concrete shaft.
By mid-December 1967, Murphy’s Law — “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong” — appeared to have well and truly kicked in when the contractors ran into a shortage of the skilled workers needed to put the aluminum cover on top of the tophouse and had to send for reinforcements from out of town. The cover was the layer that would hold the windows in and form the base of its roof. Then, during the first week of January 1968, four months from HemisFair’s opening, the crane at the top that lifted the tophouse anywhere from 15-25 feet a day blew a fuse and burned out an electric coil. A replacement part couldn’t be found locally, and work paused again.
Whenever possible, by mid-January, work was continuing through the night, unless it was so cold men and machines couldn’t function. Despite power failures, high winds and thunderstorms, the construction crews gritted it out, and the tophouse was raised — but not ready to open — on April 6, 1968, along with the rest of HemisFair. When the Tower opened for its vertical tours, April 11, 1968, the tophouse still was not quite ready for visitors. The first meal wasn’t served in its restaurant until April 16, 1968.
The lawsuit filed April 13, 1968, by the general contractors, Darragh & Lyda and H.A. Lott, against local subcontractor Texstar Construction Co., which bought the steel rods and bolts, and Pennsylvania-based Stressteel, which sold them, took longer to resolve than it did to build the tower.
Lyda-Lott, as the tower construction partners were by then known, said that the other two firms either sold them the wrong rods (Texstar) or had designed them poorly (Stressteel) and were thus negligent and liable for $700,000 in damages ($273,685 actual, $500,000 exemplary or punitive), in compensation for the contractors’ costly scramble to make up for lost time.
First Stressteel, incorporated in Delaware, contended that Texas district courts didn’t have jurisdiction, since it technically didn’t do business in Texas. But that didn’t stop the suit.
Lyda-Lott tried for a summary judgment, a decision by a judge without a trial, but it was denied Sept. 30, 1969.
The resulting trial in 45th District Court finally got started Nov. 2, 1970.
Jurors heard 26 days of testimony about the twice-snakebit rods. It was the second-longest trial ever heard by Judge Robert R. Murray, as observed by the Light, Dec. 2, 1970. The trial concluded Dec. 31, 1970, with a take-nothing judgment in favor of Lyda-Lott, owing to the jury’s findings in favor of the general contractors, while the judge ruled that they were not entitled to damages.
Of the other permanent HemisFair structures, the U.S. Pavilion and Confluence Theater/John H. Wood Jr. Federal Courthouse has been replaced by a new federal courthouse, and there is ongoing discussion of a move for the Texas Pavilion/Institute of Texan Cultures.
While the city-owned Tower of the Americas is funded for improvements to preserve its concrete shaft, it’s still going strong, despite its early ups and downs.
historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Texas-worlds-fair-legal-battle-17356568.php | 2022-08-06T23:21:11 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Texas-worlds-fair-legal-battle-17356568.php |
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Occidental Petroleum is planning a series of massive industrial projects in Texas to pull tens of millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the air, and the company is seeking substantial state tax breaks to help finance the operations.
The projects would be the first commercial-scale operation of a long-shot technology that is gaining increased attention from governments and corporations for its potential to help curb climate change.
In recent months, Occidental has applied to school districts in the Odessa area and near Corpus Christi for property tax abatements that could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars if the company completes the projects.
The applications include new details about the scale of the company’s planned investments in carbon removal—potentially tens of billions of dollars over the next decade—and fresh insight into how Occidental is trying to finance these plans by assembling a package of federal and state tax breaks, climate incentives, a burgeoning corporate market for carbon offsets and even the sale of oil.
Some policy experts and scientists say technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the air could one day play a small but important role in helping the world achieve the Paris Agreement’s ambitious targets of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. These efforts remain prohibitively expensive, however, a fact underscored by Occidental’s applications, which say the projects cannot move forward without taxpayer support.
Carbon removal has also generated controversy within the environmental community. Some activists are concerned the technologies could be used as an excuse to weaken efforts to cut emissions from fossil fuels. Many also say that the technologies, which use considerable energy, could have their own damaging environmental impacts.
‘Making lots of money’
Virginia Palacios is executive director of Commission Shift, a Texas advocacy group that has raised concerns about the Texas Railroad Commission’s oversight of oil and gas wells and, potentially, of underground injection of carbon dioxide.
“I think it’s kind of absurd,” she said of the possibility that Occidental could receive the state tax abatements. “Because it’s supposed to be a public benefit, but ultimately it’s a private company that’s going to be making lots of money.”
Because Texas has no income tax, the state depends on property taxes to fund schools and other services. The tax abatements in question, known as Chapter 313 agreements, allow a company to pay school taxes on only a fraction of its true property value for a decade.
The program was meant to help draw investment to the state, but academic analysis and an investigation by Hearst Newspapers found that it has rewarded companies with billions of dollars in benefits for projects that likely would have been built anyway. In response to criticism of the program, state lawmakers let it expire this year, leading to a wave of applications that could be grandfathered in for projects that might not be built until the 2040s, in some cases.
“I think it’s just important to have some scrutiny over these applications to determine whether they’re actually incentivizing a company to set up shop or not,” Palacios said.
Occidental has applied for other state tax benefits, too, and has already been awarded at least one other 10-year property tax abatement for one of the projects by Odessa College, a public junior college. Under state law, local school districts and colleges approve the property tax abatements. It is unclear how much the abatement from Odessa College could be worth, but Gary Johnson, the chair of the college’s board of trustees, said any loss of revenue would be justified if the tax break generates investment and jobs.
“Right now, there’s nothing there at all,” Johnson said of the property, adding that the college would eventually collect full tax revenue from the project after the abatement expires.
Occidental said it had submitted “tax limitation” applications through its subsidiary, 1PointFive. Spokesman Eric Moses said the subsidiary “was formed to help curb global temperature rise to advance the Paris Climate Agreement goals by developing and commercializing technologies that provide practical decarbonization solutions on an industrial scale.”
He said each direct air capture plant “will reflect a significant investment in the communities where they are built.”
There are reasons to doubt that Occidental can achieve the scale described in the applications. Carbon removal technologies remain nascent—the largest operation is a project in Iceland that captures 4,000 tons per year, and there are no truly commercial-scale operations. Occidental is under no obligation to build the projects, even if the applications are approved.
“You have to be careful how seriously you take these,” said Nathan Jensen, a professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin who has studied the tax abatements. “It’s almost like an options contract.”
Still, the last year has brought a wave of interest and investment from governments and corporations that could help nudge the concepts into reality. The infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year directed $3.5 billion to help build direct air capture hubs around the country, and the CHIPS Act recently signed by President Joe Biden added an additional $1 billion for research and development. Microsoft, Alphabet, Stripe, United Airlines and other major corporations have pledged billions more in investment, with United investing directly in Occidental’s efforts.
Occidental is positioning itself to be the first large corporation to bring the technology to commercial scale. It announced plans in 2020 to build a direct air capture plant in the Permian Basin area of Texas and New Mexico, and has said it would initially be able to capture 500,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
The tax abatement filings show that the Ector County Independent School District in Odessa already has approved Occidental’s application for the initial project, granting tax breaks under Chapter 313 that could be worth $50 million over a decade if the project is completed. The company has said it will begin construction this year.
Occidental also has applied for a Chapter 313 tax abatement from the Riviera Independent School District, along the Gulf Coast southwest of Corpus Christi.
In March, the company announced plans to build up to 70 direct air capture plants globally by 2035. But the tax abatement applications provide the first details about the timing, location and cost of those projects.
The filings describe plans to build a series of 14 direct air capture projects over the next 15 years at two sites, one outside Odessa and the other in Riviera. If all are completed, the applications say, they would eventually be capable of capturing 56 million metric tons of CO2 per year.
The total investment would reach into the tens of billions of dollars. In 2025, the applications say, Occidental plans to invest about $2 billion in three projects at the two sites. The company’s entire capital budget for this year, most of which will go to oil, gas and chemical production, is expected to be about $4 billion.
The Odessa operations would sprawl over 1,600 acres on a site known as Shoe Bar Ranch, which was historically a cow-calf operation covered with native pasture, mesquite and greasewood. The ranch is close to many oil wells operated by Occidental.
‘Essentially a public good’
For decades, oil companies have been using carbon dioxide to help squeeze oil out of depleted reservoirs, generally using CO2 that has been mined from underground deposits. With nearby deposits drying up, Occidental wants to start using CO2 captured from the atmosphere or from smokestacks to extract the oil.
Because most of the carbon dioxide remains in the reservoir after extraction, the company and some independent experts say it is possible to store as much or more of the gas than the CO2 emitted when the oil is eventually burned. This potential has prompted Occidental to begin marketing a new product it calls “net-zero oil,” describing any crude it produces using captured CO2. It signed an agreement with a South Korean refiner to sell its first batch.
Long term, Occidental has said that it will use CO2 to pump oil and produce chemicals or other products, and also will store CO2 underground for customers that want to buy credits to offset their own emissions. It has announced one of these offset deals with Airbus, the European aerospace giant.
Federal tax credits provide another revenue stream. Under current law, Occidental would eventually be eligible to deduct $35 from its taxes for every metric ton of CO2 it captures and uses to produce oil, or $50 for every metric ton that it stores permanently.
But if the tax and climate bill championed by Senate Democrats becomes law, those figures would leap to $130 or $180 per metric ton. Under these higher credit values, Occidental could be eligible to receive $65 million a year for 12 years for the first project, even if it used the CO2 to pump more oil. Subsequent direct air capture operations could be far larger, potentially generating more than $1 billion annually.
Occidental is also seeking approval from regulators in California to sell carbon credits in that state’s low-carbon fuels market, which is intended to lower the emissions of the state’s transportation sector. If it is successful, refiners in California would be able to avoid selling lower-carbon fuels by purchasing credits from Occidental for pumping CO2 underground in Texas.
These arrangements have drawn harsh criticism from many environmentalists, particularly environmental justice organizations, who say they could perpetuate the production and use of oil.
But some environmental groups say all this government support is critical to help launch what could be an important tool for limiting warming.
“Overall, carbon removal is essentially a public good,” said Katie Lebling, an associate in the climate program at the World Resources Institute. “There’s no market for it, there’s no need for people to purchase it, so I think there has to be a role for government in supporting that, especially in the beginning.”
Lebling and other supporters of carbon removal technologies say these projects need to be deployed rapidly to provide meaningful contributions to limiting warming.
But it is that same speed that concerns other environmental advocates, who say too little is known about the potential impacts of the technologies.
‘Assess those risks’
The tax abatement applications provide the first concrete timelines showing that construction could proceed rapidly.
“I think it’s concerning that it’s moving so fast,” Palacios said. “The public doesn’t really know a lot about this.”
It is unclear what types of state or federal environmental permits Occidental’s direct air capture plants might require. The company declined to say whether any will be necessary.
Occidental has said its direct air capture operations would be powered by a combination of renewably-generated electricity and natural gas, and that it would capture the carbon dioxide emitted by burning the gas. It is unclear exactly where those supplies would come from, but it could require drilling new gas wells and constructing new wind or solar farms.
The company has not yet applied to the federal Environmental Protection Agency to store CO2 underground in Texas, meaning that the only current option for injecting the gas would be into old oil and gas wells to help increase fossil fuel production.
“I think we just need to be cautious about jumping into some of these new technologies where we know there are risks,” Palacios said, “and we haven’t really taken the time to assess those risks.”
About this story
This story is published in partnership with InsideClimate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/air-co2-texas-company-17355173.php | 2022-08-06T23:21:17 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/air-co2-texas-company-17355173.php |
It may have been one of the most unexpectedly endearing moments on the first day of San Francisco’s Outside Lands.
When Los Angeles-based rock duo Best Coast descended on the Panhandle stage Friday night, much of the performance was focused on reflection. It’s been a decade since the release of “The Only Place,” and 12 years since their debut record “Crazy for You” delighted fans with its retro revival-meets-surf rock sound. Vocalist Bethany Cosentino’s cat, Snacks, made an iconic appearance on the album cover, and swiftly became the band’s unofficial mascot and one of indie rock’s most famous pets. Over the years, her pet has become the subject of fans' tattoos, adorned Wavves' 2010 album cover for "King of the Beach" and even got a shout-out on David Letterman.
But earlier this year, Cosentino announced the passing of her beloved 14-year-old Maine Coon.
“He meant everything to me and I’m going to miss him so much, but I know he will live on forever by way of the legacy he created simply by being himself,” she wrote in an Instagram post in February. “He loved you all so much and he knew you loved him.”
So it was fitting that on Friday night, the musician dedicated her song, “Goodbye,” to the pet she described as the band’s de facto “third member” and “merch king.”
“We see you up there, bud,” she said.
Despite the fog, it was hard not to fall into a sun-drenched trance as Cosentino’s dreamy, beach goth melodies fused with guitarist Bobb Bruno’s roaring, distorted riffs. On the screen behind them was a bold statement, harkening back to a brief, albeit fiery, speech made by Cosentino during the band’s performance at Chicago’s Riot Fest last year: “Abortion is healthcare, bitch.”
During the set, she reiterated her statement — sans baby Yoda — and informed fans that the band’s merch would all go toward abortion access funds.
“And that’s my speech,” she said. “Thank you for coming to my TED talk, San Francisco.”
The band is slated for another performance at Bottom of the Hill on Saturday. | https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Best-Coast-Outside-Lands-California-tribute-cat-17356750.php | 2022-08-06T23:28:22 | 0 | https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/Best-Coast-Outside-Lands-California-tribute-cat-17356750.php |
PEORIA, Ariz. — Deputies are searching for a man who went under the water while swimming and did not resurface at Lake Pleasant Saturday afternoon.
Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies said they were notified around 2 p.m. of a man that did not resurface from the water in the humbug cover area of the lake.
Deputies are on the scene searching for the man, MCSO said.
Lake Pleasant has been the site of several drownings, injuries, and deaths so far this summer.
The most recent occurred when a woman had to be airlifted to the hospital on July 22 after she was struck by a boat propeller at Lake Pleasant.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to 12News for more updates.
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Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four–sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/authorities-searching-for-man-went-under-water-lake-plesant/75-e0f24c13-c9c0-4a03-8ae5-0a106e456344 | 2022-08-06T23:30:23 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/authorities-searching-for-man-went-under-water-lake-plesant/75-e0f24c13-c9c0-4a03-8ae5-0a106e456344 |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man has been injured after an "illegal firework or similar device" accidentally detonated inside of a car Saturday, officers with the Sacramento Police Department said.
According to police, around 1 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to the area of Roseville Road and Connie Drive for a request for medical aide.
On scene, officers say they found evidence of an explosion inside of a car and an adult man with significant injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The man was taken to a local hospital along with a woman who was a passenger in the car. Officers say the woman was taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Police believe the explosion was caused by the accidental detonation of an illegal firework or similar device.
The Sacramento Police Department's bomb squad is on scene investigating the incident. Police say the investigation is still active and they have closed off Roseville Road in between Connie Drive and Tri Cities Road.
Watch More from ABC10: Some Sacramento families seek help with essentials for the first time as inflation soars | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-injured-illegal-firework-explodes-inside-car/103-4c180c5e-4311-4f4d-aef1-69fc41211c6e | 2022-08-06T23:41:12 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/man-injured-illegal-firework-explodes-inside-car/103-4c180c5e-4311-4f4d-aef1-69fc41211c6e |
Call it an unintended side effect of the state's plastic bag ban.
New Jersey supermarkets say shoppers are walking off with baskets and are loading up the store baskets and taking those home, instead.
"It's foolish, why would you steal the basket, they need them," Christine Young, who was loading up her car with groceries, said Friday. "I think it's foolish people are lazy."
Statewide, supermarkets and grocery stores are reporting that handheld baskets have gone missing by the thousands.
Forgetful shoppers who might be trying to avoid paying for a reusable bag might be sticking some stores with a tough payday -- some baskets run as much as $8.
The Trenton-based New Jersey Food Council, which represents supermarkets and grocery stores, said it's an industry-wide issue, and the price of those baskets has started to increase.
A spokesperson for Stop and Shop said they’ve been hit too by this unintended consequence of the ban on plastic bags, but she didn’t say how they’re going to deal with the problem. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/no-more-baskets-nj-supermarkets-say-shoppers-are-taking-all-the-baskets-home/3813492/ | 2022-08-06T23:41:32 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/no-more-baskets-nj-supermarkets-say-shoppers-are-taking-all-the-baskets-home/3813492/ |
Colorful umbrellas helped beat the heat as hundreds of families waited their turn in line for a back-to-school event hosted by local community organization Dream Center Dallas.
“It’s wonderful that the community can come together and do something for the kids,” said Mary Lara, who showed up with her grandkids.
Every year, Dream Center hands out a thousand backpacks and shoes at its annual Mega Back to School Bash.
“The line is outrageous. But it’s worth it. We need the help right now. Their mom is a single mom, so she needs the help,” said Lara.
Kacie Kintz, director for Dream Center Dallas, said this second annual event has grown from its first year.
“Last year we gave away 300 backpacks and we gave away 100 pairs of shoes. This year, we’re giving away 1,000 backpacks with school supplies, and 1,000 pairs of brand new shoes to families,” said Kacie Kintz, Director for Dream Center Dallas.
Volunteers handed out smiles and supplies to excited kids and parents.
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“They get to go into a shopping experience or they get to pick out a brand new pair of shoes, and a backpack with school supplies for the year,” said Kintz.
The lesson here: A good pair of shoes can build kids up.
“Everybody feels good walking in with a pair of new shoes. It’s so beautiful and amazing to be able to provide that for the community,” said Kintz.
Additionally on every second Saturday of the month, Dream Center holds a grocery drive-through, serving over 800 people who show up.
You can find information on its upcoming community events here: https://www.dreamcenterdallas.com/sub-copy | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-dallas-organization-hosts-back-to-school-drive/3042081/ | 2022-08-06T23:41:55 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-dallas-organization-hosts-back-to-school-drive/3042081/ |
Police today continue to investigate the shooting of four people in a Butler Twp. neighborhood on Friday as they look for the man named a person of interest in the case.
Here’s what we know today:
--- Police cruisers and a trailer with cameras remain in the neighborhood around Hardwicke Place and Haverstraw Avenue. The Butler Twp. Police Department is leading the investigation with the help of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
--- Police are looking for Stephen Marlow, who was named the person of interest in the shooting. He is a white male, 39 years old and approximately 5′11″, 160 pounds with short brown hair and was last seen wearing shorts and a yellow t-shirt. Marlow is believed to have fled the area in a white 2007 Ford Edge SUV bearing Ohio license plate JES9806.
He is considered armed and dangerous.
In a statement today from the Butler Twp. police, they said Marlow may have fled Ohio.
--- At a 6 p.m. Saturday press conference, Butler Twp. Chief Porter said, “I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the families who lost loved ones yesterday. This has been a difficult time for all of us in the community and surrounding areas. All of us here at the Butler Twp. Police Department, as well as all of our local state and federal partners here today are working continuously to provide justice for all of the victims and their families. The victims families have been notified and victim specialists are working with them to provide resources and support.
He said Marlow remained the primary suspect in the shooting. They believe following the shooting he traveled west on Intestate 70.
Porter said police are aware that Marlow released a video on the internet some time after the shooting where he discussed why he shot the four people. He said dozens have been interviewed about Marlow.
“We understand the ideas and languages in the video are startling. And that is why our investigators are working around the clock to ensure Mr. Marlow is brought into custody,” Porter said.
Porter said he had a message for Marlow, “I want you to know that we want to help you. You have the ability resolve the situation peacefully if you turn yourself into law enforcement as soon as possible. Again, we want to end this peacefully. Now is the right time to call 911 and turn yourself in.”
--- Porter said killed in the shooting were Clyde Knox, 82, Eva Knox, 78, Sarah Anderson, 41, and a Kayla Anderson, 15. The Knox couple was killed in their home and the Andersons were killed in a separate home.
Vandalia school superintendent Robert O’Leary said the district has provided counselors and therapists for students and their families and will continue this through next week.
“Yesterday we tragically lost a member of the aviator family and our hearts prayers and supports are with the Anderson family. Kayla’s friends, her classmates and all of our students. In the words of those who knew her best Kayla was a friend to many. She was kind and as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She was a ray of light.”
“Our priority right now is for that light to live through all of us. And we will focus our efforts in bringing that beauty, that joy and love to all of our students and our staff and the entire community. Yesterday I was able to make a phone call to the leaders of our faith community. Our staff was able to reach out to Samaritan behavior. And we had pastors, youth ministers and therapists available in about 30 minutes time sort of go out to provide supports for students who were very close to Kayla.”
On Saturday, students and parents gathered at the high school to remember Kayla, who was described as a “special student who made others smile.”
--- The FBI is helping with the investigation as Marlow could have crossed state lines. In a statement on Twitter, the FBI said: The #FBI and Butler Twp. Police are searching for Stephen Marlow, a person of interest in multiple shootings today. He was last seen in a white 2007 Ford Edge with Ohio license plate JES 9806. Call 937-233-2080, 1-800-Call-FBI or http://tips.fbi.gov with info.
--- Wanda Pence has lived in her Hardwicke home, located across the street from where two of the shootings took place, since the 1970s. She told the Dayton Daily News today she’s always felt safe in her neighborhood.
“People don’t even run stop signs in this neighborhood,” she said. “You hear all the time on the news, ‘Oh this is a really quiet neighborhood, nothing ever happens here.’ But it’s the truth; nothing ever happens here. I’m just shocked.”
Pence said while she’s not particularly close with her surrounding neighbors, everyone is friendly when they see each other outside.
“It’s just very disheartening that this happened here,” she said. “We’ll just have to process this. It’s certainly going to affect the neighborhood and give it a different feel.”
--- One nearby neighbor who declined to give his name on Saturday said he has lived in the neighborhood for over three decades.
Visibly upset, the man said he and his wife had offered up their home as an area for victim’s families to gather in the immediate aftermath of the shootings.
The man said he did not know the alleged shooter but that he’d recently heard there were what seemed to be minor issues with Marlow and other neighbors, including residents on Hardwicke Place.
“He’d holler at them and say, ‘Keep the noise down, you’re too noisy in this neighborhood,’” the man said, noting that he’d didn’t personally witness Marlow yelling, but had heard this from others in the neighborhood. “They said he did that all the time, he’d holler at you if you were outside.”
--- Marlow has connections to Chicago, where he lived for some time; Lexington, where he attended college; and Indianapolis, the FBI said.
Marlow graduated from Butler High School in 2001 and graduated from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, according to background check obtained by the Dayton Daily News.
He lived and worked in Chicago as a trader from 2006 to 2018, according to his LinkedIn profile. He most recently lived with his parents on Haverstraw Avenue, one of the streets where a part of the shooting took place, police said.
Credit: Montgomery County Jail
Credit: Montgomery County Jail
--- Butler Twp. police said they do not think there is an ongoing threat to the neighborhood.
--- The city of Vandalia have closed a number of public areas in the city out of caution as Stephen Marlow, 39, remains at large. In a statement the city said, the Recreation Center and all outdoor activities, as well as Cassel Hills Golf Course, Cassel Hills Pool and the Vandalia Senior Citizens Center will also be closed Saturday.
These closures are being implemented solely as a precaution, as there have been no known targeted threats towards any City facility.
Vandalia residents will see an increased police presence this evening and tomorrow, and City leaders will continually evaluate the situation and make any necessary adjustments.
--- A prayer event has been organized in the community and will be held at 5 p.m. Monday in the Butler High School parking lot. The event is meant to show a message of hope, strength, love and support amid the recent tragedy, according to a Facebook post by the City of Vandalia.
--- Neighbors are in shock about the shooting. Wendy Chapman lives next door to one of the Hardwicke Place houses wrapped with crime scene tape. “I don’t know how to feel. I’m still stunned,” she said, describing the neighborhood as “so quiet. … At this point, I’m pissed. I feel violated. My question is why. I can’t even imagine.”
Our previous story:
Four people were shot and killed late Friday morning in a quiet neighborhood in Butler Twp., and police said Friday afternoon they were seeking a person of interest in connection with the crime.
PHOTOS: Police investigate shooting in Butler Township
Butler Twp. Police Chief John Porter said officers were dispatched to the area of Hardwicke Place and Haverstraw Avenue around 11:45 a.m. and located “multiple crime scenes” and four victims with gunshot wounds. All four people died at the scene.
The chief identified 39-year-old Stephen Marlow as a person of interest in the deaths. Police described him as a 5-foot-11, 160-pound white male with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing shorts and a yellow T-shirt, and Porter said he was possibly driving a white 2007 Ford Edge SUV with Ohio license plate JES-9806.
Two homes were surrounded by crime scene tape near the intersection of Hardwicke and Haverstraw. One of the homes, in the 7200 block of Hardwicke, shares part of a back fence with a house in the 2600 block of Haverstraw that is owned by a Marlow family, according to county property records.
“If anyone sees (Stephen) Marlow or knows of the vehicle, they should call 911 immediately and not approach him, as he is likely to be armed and dangerous,” Porter said. “We don’t believe that there is any ongoing threat to the neighborhood at this time, but we will continue to have crews in the area in case Marlow would return.”
The names of the victims have not been released, and it is not clear what led to the shooting.
“We are working to determine if there is any motive to this horrible tragedy or if mental illness played any role,” Porter said.
A man at the scene of Friday’s shootings would not give his name, but said his daughter and granddaughter were killed in the shootings.
The Butler Twp. neighborhood where the shooting happened sits about a mile west of the Miller Lane development, just south of Little York Road.
“This is the first violent crime in this neighborhood in recent memory,” Porter said.
Wendy Chapman lives next door to one of the Hardwicke Place houses wrapped with crime scene tape.
“I don’t know how to feel. I’m still stunned,” she said, describing the neighborhood as “so quiet. … At this point, I’m pissed. I feel violated. My question is why. I can’t even imagine.”
She described her neighbors — a couple and their daughter — as a “nice, normal family.”
“We weren’t close but always very friendly. Their teen daughter, she was friendly,” Chapman said. “We’d always see them out there when we were out there cutting grass and always (talk) back and forth. You know … just neighbor stuff.”
Porter encouraged residents in the area to remain vigilant and to review any security camera footage they may have from earlier Friday.
“We ask that anyone with any possible information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of Marlow to call our dispatch center at 937-233-2080.”
Marlow, 39, of Haverstraw Avenue, was convicted of aggravated burglary and aggravated menacing in February 2020, stemming from a July 2019 incident in Vandalia. He was sentenced to five years of community control but that probation was terminated Feb. 9, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records.
Porter said Butler Twp. police were getting support from Vandalia police and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, as well as state and federal officials. He said the Dayton Bomb Squad was brought in as “an abundance of caution” to ensure there are no further imminent threats to the normally quiet neighborhood.
A man who identified himself as a relative said his daughter and granddaughter were dead inside one of the houses. The man, who did not give his name, had come from inside a section of the crime scene tape where others had gathered to learn what happened.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/four-victims-identified-in-butler-twp-shooting-fbi-manhunt-continues-what-we-know-today/D5TF2ECB7FCHVC2NUKETZMJ274/ | 2022-08-06T23:44:56 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/four-victims-identified-in-butler-twp-shooting-fbi-manhunt-continues-what-we-know-today/D5TF2ECB7FCHVC2NUKETZMJ274/ |
BOISE, Idaho — The Boise Police Department announced Saturday the 78-year-old man who was reported missing Friday afternoon "has been located and is safe."
In a Twitter post, Boise Police said John was last seen Thursday around 5:30 a.m., walking on the 9000 block of West Cory Lane in Boise. He was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and dark blue jeans.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-police-man-reported-missing-located-and-safe/277-240b0710-3a4a-4e68-ba1b-2591de0faf43 | 2022-08-06T23:45:57 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-police-man-reported-missing-located-and-safe/277-240b0710-3a4a-4e68-ba1b-2591de0faf43 |
You can't really call Kyrsten Sinema a centrist. "Moderate" isn't quite the right descriptor either.
Yeah, she's a Democratic senator who sometimes stands in the way of Democratic initiatives, and who occasionally supports Republican ones. And sure, every other word she utters is "bipartisan."
But she just flashed again a tendency toward a sort of immoderate extremism.
This week, Sinema stopped holding out and committed to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, a deceptively named bill that mostly works to reduce carbon emissions and lower drug prices. It might also reduce inflation a little bit in the process, economic analyses show.
What was strange was the top condition Sinema demanded to guarantee her support. She demanded that Democrats delete a change to tax law in the bill that would have made some wealthy financial-sector employees pay more taxes.
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Here I'm referring to the so-called carried-interest loophole, which allows the partners in private-equity firms such as hedge funds to pay a tax rate on their investment income of 20% instead of 37%. Investment income is the main source of pay for these high-level investors, yet it is not taxed like the pay that you and I make.
In order to qualify for that lower rate, they have to keep the asset, the one that's making them the money, for at least three years. This part of the Inflation Reduction Act would simply have lengthened that time limit for holding the investment to five years. Holding the asset any less would subject them to higher tax rates.
So, the bill didn't even eliminate the loophole, as it should. Republicans and Democrats, both Donald Trump and Joe Biden in fact, have called for the carried interest loophole to be eliminated.
It is basically a tax-break for some of the wealthier people in country — the people who don't need it the most. But it has proven incredibly resistant.
Not surprisingly, the private-equity executives are fighting the change, and they have the money to make their opinions count. In fact, Sinema has been a big recipient of campaign donations from the private equity and investment sector.
Her campaign has taken in $2.2 million from employees or PACs in the securities and investment industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. It's her second highest category of donations, below retired people and above lawyers.
In 2020, her first year as a senator, she briefly interned at a California winery, called Three Sticks, owned by a private-equity investor named Bill Price. Later she held a fundraiser there.
But not every senator who gets donations from the investment industry bows to them on this issue. Sen. Chuck Schumer, who's from the center of the financial universe in New York City, gets the most donations from that industry of any senator. He still supports eliminating the loophole.
None of this, as you may have noticed, has anything much to do with Arizona. Sinema tried to make a case that there is an Arizona connection in her office's explanation of her propping up this tax break for the wealthy.
"Kyrsten has been clear and consistent for over a year that she will only support tax reforms and revenue options that support Arizona's economic growth and competitiveness," her office said in a written statement. "At a time of record inflation, rising interest rates, and slowing economic growth, disincentivizing investments in Arizona businesses would hurt Arizona's economy and ability to create jobs."
But I have seen no evidence that taxing wealthy investors' income at a higher rate would significantly affect Arizona's economy.
Defending Sinema's position, the American Investment Council put out a series of statements and explainers showing that private equity investment has had a positive effect on Arizona. I'm sure that's true. It still doesn't explain why the partners in their companies should have their income taxed at a lower rate than everyone else.
Interestingly, though, Sinema signed onto other tax increases that would raise much more money than altering the carried-interest loophole would have. These taxes help make the bill a net deficit-reducer by about $300 billion.
She agreed to a plan to impose a 1% tax on all stock buybacks by companies, a recently popular practice by which businesses spend their own money to raise their own stock price.
She also agreed to the 15% minimum tax on corporations that net more than $1 billion in annual income. Here Sinema did demand some changes that would benefit manufacturers by retaining a depreciation mechanism that I won't pretend to understand.
She also ensured that billions of additional funding for water and other drought relief in the West is included. Anything to improve water supplies and drought response is clearly a good thing for Arizona. Based on this, we know that she knows what it means to use her leverage for Arizona's benefit.
That only makes it more frustrating, though, that she would stick her neck out for private-equity investors. It's a brazen display of immoderation.
Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-immoderate-sinema-wields-power-to-shield-wealthy/article_7c453e0c-1504-11ed-bb8c-b7e95d4fd445.html | 2022-08-06T23:46:06 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-immoderate-sinema-wields-power-to-shield-wealthy/article_7c453e0c-1504-11ed-bb8c-b7e95d4fd445.html |
SAN ANTONIO — About a week after she was reinstated from administrative leave by district officials, Robb Elementary School Principal Mandy Gutierrez will now start preparing for a new role.
The district on Friday announced Gutierrez will shift to the position of assistant director of special education for Uvalde CISD. The district website indicates she was previously set to serve as principal of Uvalde Elementary at the Benson educational complex, one of the learning centers which will take on former Robb students when the new school year begins Sept. 6.
Uvalde CISD officials said the reassignment fulfills her "desire to support special education students across the district."
Gutierrez's lone year at the helm at Robb was punctuated in tragedy when an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in the last week of school. One of numerous people interviewed by the Texas House investigative committee created in the wake of the shooting, Gutierrez was suddenly placed on paid administrative leave by Superintendent Hal Harrell on July 25, during which time she wrote to committee members seeking to clarify her role in the emergency response on May 24.
"It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue at Robb Elementary," she wrote in part, specifically clarifying why she didn't use the intercom system to warn the school population and contending she received no report that the door to Classroom 111 was faulty.
Gutierrez was eventually reinstated after three days of leave.
Christy Perez, a former assistant principal at Uvalde High School with a background in counseling, will take over the reins as principal at Uvalde Elementary, the district says.
Other administrative additions
Uvalde CISD on Friday also said it has created and filled two new roles "to oversee our recovery and infrastructure enhancement efforts."
Nichole Henderson, a former counselor who has been with the district for seven years, will work as the director of recovery to oversee support services across campuses, including the "implementation of enhanced training in trauma-informed care and recovery."
Meanwhile, district newcomer Esequiel De La Fuente will serve as director of special projects within the maintenance department, and oversee "safety and security infrastructure enhancements across the district." | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 | 2022-08-06T23:47:59 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 |
ST ALBANS, Maine — The famous EAA AirVenture Oshkosh events in Wisconsin are well-known for their wide array of plane performances and aviation appreciation spanning over the course of a week each year. The event sees hundreds of thousands of people attend every summer. This year's show, however, received an unexpected visitor: Delilah the cat.
Andrea Scholten, of St. Albans, finally finished packing up her pop-up camper to head to the 2022 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, a long-awaited trip after it was deferred for a few years due to the pandemic.
At the last minute before leaving, pillows and various last-minute items were thrown into the camper after hitching it to the car. Scholten and her family then hit the road.
The Scholten family drove around 900 miles from St. Albans to Toledo, Ohio where they made a pit stop to rest for the evening. Upon popping up the camper and opening the door, they were met with utter shock.
"I open the door, and there's Delilah," Scholten said. "I just screamed 'Delilah!' and my husband and the kids were like 'Delilah!' So, we went to Target, we bought her food, litter, a collar that we could write her name on because we were completely unprepared for this."
The family quickly came up with a plan on how to keep Delilah comfortable for the remainder of the trip. As they all continued traveling to Oshkosh, Delilah soon became an internet sensation.
Scholten took to Facebook to share her journey, creating the hashtag "stowawayoshkoshcat" and posting updates to the "EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 - Pictures and Video!" Facebook page. Before she knew it, her Facebook posts blew up with likes, comments, and shares. Delilah the stowaway cat quickly became an Oshkosh star.
"We put a story up with a photo of her and people thought it was hysterical," Scholten explained. "They were commenting 'We want more Delilah,' so we did. Every day a couple of times a day I would put up a post and we used the hashtag ... People loved Delilah."
Delilah gained popularity so quickly that people attending the events in Oshkosh brought her gifts to the Scholten family's camper. Even one of the skywriters made a cat in the sky for her.
While Scholten documented Delilah's journey through her Facebook posts, she also made sure to highlight the Oshkosh events she attended as well.
"Every post I put up would have a photo of Delilah, but it also had something to do with Oshkosh ... It highlighted some of the fun things about Oshkosh, too, and we did that on purpose because we knew people were following this cat, and there's more to the story than just a cat. We had gone to Oshkosh for a reason, and we just wanted people to see what was there."
On the way back home, Delilah even got to do some more sightseeing, as the Scholten family made a pit stop at Niagara Falls.
After safely returning home to St. Albans, Scholten says she and her family are already planning to bring Delilah back to Oshkosh again for next year's events.
The family is also aiming to get Delilah a brick under the Brown Arch to leave her permanent mark at Oshkosh.
For now, Delilah is getting some well-deserved rest back at home with her family to prepare for next year's journey.
To see more posts about Delilah's cross-country adventure, click here. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/delilah-the-stowaway-cat-captures-hearts-at-oshkosh-eaa-airventure-2022/97-d478a1c8-8ced-4f58-a19a-14df995f375f | 2022-08-06T23:54:15 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/delilah-the-stowaway-cat-captures-hearts-at-oshkosh-eaa-airventure-2022/97-d478a1c8-8ced-4f58-a19a-14df995f375f |
ELLSWORTH, Maine — The Ellsworth Rotary Club's annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast returned this year after a two-year pause due to the pandemic. The breakfast was held at the Ellsworth YMCA on Saturday.
Organizers say the rotary club has hosted this fundraising event at the YMCA for more than 50 years.
The breakfast, including blueberry pancakes, gluten-free pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee, started at 7 a.m. and ended at 10 a.m.
Tickets were $9 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 10. All proceeds from the event went toward supporting community members and local nonprofits.
"We try to give out $5,000 to $8,000 worth of scholarships for local high [school] students every year, plus we give out money to local nonprofits to help with their efforts as well, as do community service projects," Clyde Cushing, president of the Ellsworth Rotary Club, said.
Lincoln Ehrlenbach, a member of the Ellsworth Rotary Club, says they had about 60 to 70 volunteers helping out Saturday morning to make the event a success.
"We've been working on this event probably for two months. Going out in the community, raising funds, soliciting for materials and the sausage and the batter and the syrup and the coffee, it's a lot of work," Ehrlenbach said. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/ellsworth-rotary-hosts-a-blueberry-pancake-breakfast-food-community/97-60ea00e7-8dc1-4ed6-9a25-eeaad4322dc4 | 2022-08-06T23:54:21 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/ellsworth-rotary-hosts-a-blueberry-pancake-breakfast-food-community/97-60ea00e7-8dc1-4ed6-9a25-eeaad4322dc4 |
ATLANTIC CITY — Whatever views people have about social media, Facebook in particular, one Mays Landing man literally calls it a lifesaver.
Roy McIntosh needed a kidney to replace one of his that had been damaged by renal failure. The 48-year-old was living a bleak life on dialysis.
The pandemic made matters worse.
“I caught COVID in 2020, which, at that time, I was in stage 3 of kidney failure,” McIntosh said. “So, COVID took it to the top.”
When some of his immediate family members weren’t eligible to donate a kidney for varying reasons, McIntosh and his wife grew desperate.
Overwhelmed with misery about her husband’s grim outlook, Toshira Maldonado-McIntosh found herself scrolling on Facebook from her phone one December day while sitting at her dining room table. When she saw a post on the Christian Laughs page asking what you’d want God to bring you in 2022, she asked for a kidney donor with B-type blood.
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Little did she know Heather Schaefer would also be online more than 1,500 miles away in Grapevine, Texas, visiting that same Facebook page and seeing the plea from Maldonado-McIntosh hoping to give her husband a new lease on life.
“I felt this tug on my heart that her message was for me,” said Schaefer, a 33-year-old military wife who was born in Scotland.
At first, Maldonado-McIntosh was skeptical about Schaefer’s generous offer to volunteer one of her kidneys should it be a match.
“My sister was like, ‘Maybe, it’s not a hoax. Maybe, she’s a real person,’” Maldonado-McIntosh said.
She trusted God, sending an image of a Virtua Health kidney physician’s business card to Schaefer. That jumpstarted McIntosh’s life-saving procedure.
Maldonado-McIntosh was later informed that Schaefer’s blood was Type B — same as her husband’s. Maldonado-McIntosh kept it a secret to surprise her husband.
McIntosh was driving to work when he got an unexpected phone call from Virtua telling him his new kidney would be extracted from Schaefer, packaged for a flight to Philadelphia and transferred across the Delaware River to Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden. He’d be waiting for it there.
Given the long distance between the McIntoshes and Schaefer, they never met in person but corresponded often through FaceTime.
The transplant surgery took place June 8. Since then, McIntosh says, he feels as if 20 years were slashed from his age. He felt healthy enough and had a strong desire to at long last meet his life-saving donor in person.
Schaefer, too, was eager for a face-to-face meeting.
The couple picked the YouYu Restaurant and Noodle Bar at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. They and Schaefer favor Asian cuisine, but the restaurant has a deeper meaning to the McIntoshes.
They frequented the restaurant while McIntosh was on dialysis for dietary reasons. It was also a space where they could hide from the grim life following them.
“It (YouYu) was a breath of fresh air,” Maldonado-McIntosh said.
While about 30 diners enjoyed the restaurant’s ambiance on the main floor at the restaurant, the McIntosh family, Schaefer and her two children sat at a private, quaint dining table. They shared laughs, practicing the chopstick skills before they enjoyed a mid-afternoon course of lo mein, beef and curry.
Organ donations often come from a loving friend or a close family member, but social media has fueled a trend in which strangers help each other, said Dr. John Radomski, a Virtua surgeon who oversaw McIntosh’s operation.
Living donors are preferred most by organ transplant surgeons because they have the best odds of providing having healthy, functioning body parts.
“The kidney functioned immediately,” Radomski said of McIntosh’s operation. “His blood pressure is controlled now. He’s not showing any signs of rejection.”
Living donors contributed to 28% of American kidney transplants in 2019, a percentage that fell off the following year when the pandemic struck, Radomski said.
Nearly 20,000 organ transplants nationwide — heart, kidney, etc. — were performed from January to June, according to data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, a public-private partnership that connects professionals working in the U.S. donation and transplantation system.
As of Wednesday, about 89,000 people were in the OPTN’s database waiting for a kidney, its website says.
The surgeon advocates for kidney transplant awareness, educating people about the operation. One functioning kidney can continue purifying the blood once it’s removed, a transition to a full-time job after a few months, Radomski said.
“It’s always a good feeling when you do the kidney transplant, whether it’s from a deceased donor or living donor,” Radomski said.
A better life
Since his surgery, McIntosh is enjoying activities with his four children in New Jersey and chatting with another, the couples’ oldest, living out of state.
More so, the McIntoshes can continue cherishing their marriage, which is approaching its 24th anniversary. The couple met in the 1990s while on a NJ Transit bus bound for the Division of Motor Vehicle when its Atlantic County operations were in Northfield.
While Schaefer and her children may return to the Dallas suburbs after visiting McIntosh and Ocean City, she’ll always be connected to the McIntoshes now that she’s a part of the family.
“This is my new sister right here,” McIntosh said, hugging Schaefer and giving a gentle kiss on her head. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/social-media-key-in-saving-mays-landing-mans-life/article_a6ffd82c-1401-11ed-8810-dffacc7194ee.html | 2022-08-06T23:56:28 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/social-media-key-in-saving-mays-landing-mans-life/article_a6ffd82c-1401-11ed-8810-dffacc7194ee.html |
Election 2022: Which of the Volusia School Board candidates took on LWV questions?
Teachers' pay, banned books and staffing shortages are among the many challenges that lie ahead for Volusia County School Board members.
The 10 candidates for the three open board seats on the Aug. 23 ballot were invited to a candidates' forum Saturday in Deltona. Four participated. Voters did not hear from Jaclyn Carrell, Ginny-Beth Joiner and Georgann Carnicella in District 1, Jessie Thompson in District 3 or either of the District 5 candidates, Ruben Colón or Fred Lowry.
The event was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Volusia County and moderated by member Ann Smith. Questions came from league members as well as the public in attendance. A video of the full forum is scheduled to be posted to the league's website, where voters can also access candidates' responses to a questionnaire by clicking on the Vote411 icon.
Here's a look at how the candidates who did participate responded to challenging questions. Portions of answers are paraphrased.
1. Teacher and staffing shortages are a pervasive problem throughout Florida. Given the limited resources, what are two or three suggestions you have for the recruitment and retention of staff?
Jamie Haynes: The recruiting and retention department within human resources has held 31 job fairs, advertised in colleges and CareerSource sites. "We are looking into the J-1 visa program and looking at bringing in individuals specifically in the areas of math and science, which are shortages, that can come in and teach here in the United States. … We're also looking at a HealthSource piece to bring in paraprofessionals and our nurses."
Al Bouie: I was director of recruitment and retention for Volusia County for 12 years, and we provided "everything from job fairs, which were very effective, … we were aggressively advertising. We also had recruiters who were traveling to invite teachers or instructional staff to the district and then we had an incentive program where we offered signing bonuses." Aggressiveness in recruiting teachers and staff has to be shown in our budget.
Kim Short: "We need to have an exit interview process. … Unless we have actual data to find out why people are leaving, it's going to be very hard to fix this problem." Exit interviews will probably result in 10 to 15% of staff staying "because a lot of times, it's a simple fix. Somebody's living in Port Orange and working in Deltona, and we can make changes." The teachers' union surveyed teachers and found behavior was one of the reasons for people leaving. "We definitely need to try to address that problem."
Justin Kennedy: "In business, the way you succeed is getting new customers or saving the ones you've got. And if you're having a hard time getting new customers, you have to look inward and how can we capitalize on the customers that we have? … We have to focus on the existing teacher base, because we can't afford to lose any of them." The retention department must address "a sense of mistrust." Also, consider a plan to employ education students as paid interns.
What is your position on banned books and would you explain that position?
Jamie Haynes: "I believe in children having access to books. Where we're at, unfortunately, in society is we have some individuals that have taken some of our classic books … they've written them in a way that's not age-appropriate for children." Anne Frank's Diary showed up on a book list and was not appropriate for a child to read because it contains pornography.
Al Bouie: "It's critically important that children have access to books that give them a variety of topics to read." However, parents and curriculum staff should be involved — not just the school board — in book decisions. "Books that are not appropriate, the ones that are laced with profanity or pornography, I have an issue with."
Kim Short: We can’t let elementary school children watch a PG-rated Disney film without a parent permission slip. “I wish we could have it that simple with books.” Some materials are disturbing. "There are graphic novels with sex acts in them that have been found in some of our elementary schools. I don’t think any of us would say that is something we want our children to be exposed to.”
Justin Kennedy: I think we can all agree that the books we have in schools should be age appropriate. “I’m a firm believer that the more you read, the more you know.” Parents know how to parent their kids. "What I do object to is certain groups coming along and objecting … I'm not suggesting that I want my kid to read what they described … but there's literary value in some of these books."
Veteran teachers with over 15 years' experience are making about the same as a beginning teacher. How will you begin to address salary compression?
Justin Kennedy: It is a problem and it is not fair. You're there for 15 years and you're making the same as a new person and that hurts. "I would be willing to work with any resources we have to try to change that. Obviously, the state sets the budget. We do have a huge hurdle there," but it wouldn't be a bad thing to bring our budget down to zero-based budgeting and start looking for ways.
Kim Short: Flagler County uses a step system. Whenever Flagler has a job opening, "all they have to do is pilfer right from Volusia County. … It's ridiculous that we aren't trying to figure out a way to be like that. Honestly, it's irresponsible of us." We can task human capital audit companies with looking at the district positions and finding ways to make cuts so we can provide experienced teachers with raises.
Al Bouie: "We have to evaluate what is happening in other school districts around the state where they are retaining their teachers with experience." We just need to adjust our structure, so that we make sure we're making an effort and teachers know we value them. "We have to evaluate our current salary structure and do what is necessary, make the changes that are necessary to address the issues."
Jamie Haynes: When I started on the board, the starting teacher salary was at $39,200. We are now at $47,500. "So, yes, a compression issue happened, but that's because a separate pot of money was set aside specifically for teacher salaries. In that set-aside, 80% had to be teachers who were below $47,500 to get them there." Our commitment now is to start at the top ... and bring more experienced teachers up.
Never miss a story: Subscribe to The Daytona Beach News-Journal using the link at the top of the page. | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/08/06/volusia-school-board-candidates-take-teacher-shortage-banned-books-league-of-women-voters-forum/10245328002/ | 2022-08-06T23:57:05 | 1 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/08/06/volusia-school-board-candidates-take-teacher-shortage-banned-books-league-of-women-voters-forum/10245328002/ |
QUESTION: I run a small business. Recently, profits have declined. I feel that my costs have gotten too high given our revenue. Do you have any tips for how can I cut costs to improve my profit?
ANSWER: Even in good economic times, some companies will find that profits have slipped. Most may be doing OK, but for whatever reason, some companies will struggle. When this happens, a focus on growing profit is crucial.
A wise CFO once explained that when you cut costs to generate more profit, the upside is limited. There is a limit to how much you can cut without damaging the business’s ability to generate revenue. When you increase profit by growing sales, there is no limit. Therefore, we would encourage you to think about opportunities to grow revenue before cutting costs.
That bit of wisdom notwithstanding, companies should run as efficiently as possible and there will come a time in the lifecycle of most businesses when expenses need to be reduced. Following these five tips will make the process more successful.
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1. Eliminate the frills
First-class airline tickets, luxury hotels, lavish company parties and expensive conferences are the first things that should go — particularly excessive perks at the executive level. Enforcing austerity measures on the rank and file while executives live high on the hog is a recipe for destroying the positive culture in your company.
2. Look to suppliers for cost reductions
In good times, companies often buy from suppliers with which they are familiar. There may not be a push to get the absolute best deals.
Difficult times provide a reason to review all of your company’s vendors. Given the hard times, can you negotiate a better price or more favorable payment terms? Are there other vendors who would offer the same or equivalent products and services at lower prices?
Are there ways of working with vendors that would reduce the total cost of doing business? For example, we once worked with a client that purchased chemicals in plastic drums. They then paid to dispose of the drums. Discussions with their supplier uncovered the fact that the drums could be recycled. Our client was able to negotiate a lower price because they reduced their vendor’s costs.
3. Dismiss weaker staff members first
The time will inevitably come when a business has to reduce staff. While this is never easy, it can be necessary. Companies facing this challenge should make a concerted effort to dismiss those who add the least value to the organization first. This will probably mean that some longer tenured employees need to go, while newer, more talented employees are retained. Tenure-based cuts will inevitably result in a weaker, less competitive company. Retaining the most talented employees will increase the average quality of your staff.
4. Consider across-the-board reductions
If you would be just as happy hiring a new employee as keeping the one you have, these people are candidates for dismissal to reduce costs. However, if you have talented employees who you would absolutely hire back if you could, consider across the board reductions rather than dismissing these valuable people.
First, eliminate all overtime. Across-the-board reductions can come as reduced salaries and a commensurate reduction in hours (e.g., reduce salaries by 20 percent and cut hours by the same amount). Alternatively, salaries and hourly wages can be reduced, but hours maintained. A caution, make sure executives share equally, if not more than equally, in these reductions.
5. Replace guaranteed compensation with incentive-based compensation
If salaries and hourly wages must be reduced, consider an incentive compensation program that ensures employees will earn back their lost compensation and more when the company’s performance improves. This type of compensation provides incentive for employees to work hard to make the company excel and provides automatic cost savings when times are hard.
Implementing an austerity program is always difficult, but sometimes it’s essential. When you face this challenge, following these five tips will help make your company stronger. | https://richmond.com/business/local/ask-doug-polly-cost-reductions/article_0dfd3b5e-2f80-5c63-a4fc-865af09ea30f.html | 2022-08-06T23:57:23 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/local/ask-doug-polly-cost-reductions/article_0dfd3b5e-2f80-5c63-a4fc-865af09ea30f.html |
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Lincoln Police will be the highest-paid law enforcement officers in the state if the City Council approves a three-year contract giving officers an 8% wage hike and sergeants a 10% increase beginning Aug. 18.
The contract, approved by the Lincoln Police Union after about two months of negotiations with the city, increases starting pay for new officers from $28.55 an hour to $30.83. Hourly wages for new sergeants would increase from $37.06 an hour to $40.76.
That means new officers would make $64,128 annually and those who reach the highest step in the pay scale would be paid $90,646. The annual pay range for sergeants would be $84,793 to $107,369. The top hourly wages for officers would be $40.77and $51.62 for sergeants.
The current annual salaries range from $59,377 to $83,932 for officers, and $77,884 to $97,608 for sergeants.
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Under the new contract, officers would get a 6.5% increase next year and sergeants a 4.5% increase. Pay for both officers and sergeants would increase 3% in 2024.
The contract would cost the city $3.2 million this year and $5 million in the second year of its biennial budget, said Barb McIntyre, Lincoln-Lancaster County human resources director.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird emphasized public safety in her proposed budget, adding police officers and firefighters among other public safety investments.
Police Chief Teresa Ewins said the contract will help hire and retain officers and reduce a chronic staff shortage LPD has faced in recent years.
“It’s really hard hiring people today,” she said. “You’re competing with the entire nation for law enforcement officers and to get the qualified people in our department we need to make it a lot more appealing to them financially. Being highest-paid (in the state) is kind of a no-brainer for me.”
The average minimum officer salary of seven comparable Midwest cities Lincoln used as part of the negotiations was $30.02 an hour and the maximum average was $40.65, McIntyre said.
She declined to name the cities used in the seven-city array, which she said isn't shared with union officials during negotiations, but did acknowledge Omaha was among them.
Starting pay for Omaha officers for 2022 is $30.36, and the maximum is $42.47, she said.
Because of LPD’s “generalist” model of policing — where officers work most cases from beginning to end, rather than taking reports and handing them off to other investigators — Lincoln officers have a lot more to do than officers in many departments, including Omaha, Ewins said.
LPD is now short 20 officers, despite a class of 20 recruits going through the department’s academy. Ewins said she hopes to get another class of recruits with previous experience to help fill that gap prior to a full recruit class in January.
The new contract adds other incentives, including a $4,000 lump-sum payment for existing officers beginning Aug. 18; a $3,000 payment for officers who start in the next fiscal year; and $2,000 for officers who start in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
The estimated $1.3 million needed for those lump-sum incentives will come from savings within the LPD budget, not as an added budget item, Ewins said.
Another recent change by the city makes it easier and more affordable for officers with experience at other agencies to buy into LPD’s pension, and that will help attract experienced officers from other states as well as Nebraska, McIntyre said.
The wage hike alone is significantly higher than other city wage increases approved this year, which range from 3%-4%. The current LPD contract, which will expire Aug. 18, reflected a 3.25% increase in pay over the previous contract.
McIntyre said the higher increases for LPD are based on what’s happening in law enforcement as departments across the nation have had hiring challenges, and it’s different for different professions.
“I’d love to say they’re all equal but they’re not,” she said. “Some grow faster than others.”
Lincoln Police Union President Jeff Sorenson declined comment.
Both Ewins and McIntyre said trying to be competitive with other law enforcement agencies was the primary motivator in contract negotiations, not the state’s decision last fall to deal with a chronic staff shortage in corrections by raising starting wages by $8 an hour, increasing the hourly wage to $28.
That did affect other agencies, including Lancaster County Corrections and the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.
County Corrections employees got a 26% increase in their new contract (followed by 3% increases the following two years).
Sheriff’s deputies got a 10% raise, which was retroactive to August 2021, bringing starting salaries to $59,502 and raising them another 5% this month — bringing the hourly wage to $30.04 an hour and annual salary to $62,476. They’ll get 3% the following year.
Other changes in the LPD contract include:
* Increases in the pay differential for officers who work second and third shifts.
* Increases in longevity pay for officers who have been at LPD at least seven years.
* An increase in the probationary period for new officers from 6 months to a year.
* Language that makes clear pregnancy- and childbirth-related medical issues won’t count toward the 210-day light duty limit.
* Increasing the city’s contribution to employees’ health insurance by 2% for family coverage.
* Increasing the life insurance benefit from $60,000 to $75,000.
* Using gender-neutral language in the contract, which the city has been doing with other labor contracts.
“I think it is a really good contract for us,” McIntyre said. “We need to focus on the safety and security of our city and we need a healthy and vibrant police force to ensure we have a safe city.” | https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lincoln-police-would-be-highest-paid-officers-in-state-under-proposed-contract/article_5dbb79c4-c7d9-5785-a44e-6576a605d86f.html | 2022-08-07T00:05:46 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lincoln-police-would-be-highest-paid-officers-in-state-under-proposed-contract/article_5dbb79c4-c7d9-5785-a44e-6576a605d86f.html |
FLOYD COUNTY, KY (WOWK) — People in Floyd County say they are finally seeing a bit of light after the recent flood left many feeling helpless.
People in the community have been coming together to donate what they have to others to help each other get back on their feet.
“Most everything you see here came from private donations, some we’ve hit it from numerous sources, but the bulk of everything actually came from private individuals,” said Wayland Mayor Jerry Fultz. “Just neighbors helping neighbors.”
Residents are able to meet at the Wayland Gym to pick up necessities like clothes, baby food, masks, cleaning supplies and more. Volunteers there say they are happy to help as much as possible.
“It’s terrible to know that people are in that dire need, that they’re having to walk miles and miles just to get simple supplies, but it feels good to help, said volunteers Reagan Laferty and Ava Bailey. “‘It’s sad to see so many people coming in asking for the bare necessities and they just seem embarrassed or scared to ask but that’s what we’re here for — to help out.”
Flood victims in Wayland told 13 News this tragedy has truly made the community stronger.
“It’s brought every one of us together, and I mean there are people out here that I have met that I’ve never even seen on the streets and they’re just like: ‘Here. What do you need? Give me your size. Give me your shoe size. I’ll go out and buy it if I have to.’ It’s wonderful,” said Elizabeth Wallen, a flood victim.
She also said “it was a sign from God that [they] need to help each other in times of need. This is what God wants to see is us out here donating, if we have extra, to someone that doesn’t have it.”
The gym will be open again Monday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. until the supplies are gone.
Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Inspiritus at WeInspirit.org to sign up. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/floyd-county-resident-on-flood-cleanup-it-was-a-sign-from-god-to-help-each-other/ | 2022-08-07T00:06:12 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/floyd-county-resident-on-flood-cleanup-it-was-a-sign-from-god-to-help-each-other/ |
RICHWOOD, WV (WOWK) — A big crowd turned out today in Richwood for the last day of the Cherry River Festival.
The Nicholas County tradition started this year on July 29 and has been going on all week.
The grand parade included candy for the kids, music from high school marching bands and more. There will be music on Saturday night followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
This year’s theme was “Celebrating Richwoods’ blossoming into the future!” | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/richwood-community-turns-out-for-last-day-of-cherry-river-festival/ | 2022-08-07T00:06:18 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/richwood-community-turns-out-for-last-day-of-cherry-river-festival/ |
BUDA, Texas — Have you ever wanted to own your own drive-in movie theater? Well, now is your chance!
Doc’s Drive-In in Buda is up for sale, and when you buy it you get the whole 7.9-acre property and everything with it.
That includes the two drive-in movie screens, Doc’s Diner, three movie-themed tiny houses and even a 1920s-themed underground speakeasy.
The owners, Chris and Sarah Denny, bought the land when it was just a field of weeds. With a love for movies and bringing people together, they opened Doc’s Drive-In in 2018.
But, they recently had a baby and want to focus more on family and are deciding to sell the drive-in theater.
“Obviously, we've put our heart and soul, you know, sweat, tears, everything into this, right,” said Chris Denny, one of the owners of Doc’s Drive-In. “So, we'd love to see it grow even further. I mean, I play a little bit of golf, but I feel like we've put the golf ball on the tee, ready for somebody to swing.”
Doc’s Drive-In still means a lot to them, so they are hoping the drive-in ends up in good hands.
“We did grow this from the ground up,” said Denny. “We got a really good community backing, everybody that's here, that's pitching in, you know, they're passionate and they love this place. They would love to continue with whoever's here. We would definitely pass on a lot of knowledge that we've learned.”
The drive-in is going for just under $4 million. You can view the full listing here.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/docs-drive-in-movie-theater-buda-for-sale-four-million/269-b96f146d-8187-415d-b8b9-9565fbcf830b | 2022-08-07T00:12:46 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/docs-drive-in-movie-theater-buda-for-sale-four-million/269-b96f146d-8187-415d-b8b9-9565fbcf830b |
SAN ANTONIO — About a week after she was reinstated from administrative leave by district officials, Robb Elementary School Principal Mandy Gutierrez will now start preparing for a new role.
The district on Friday announced Gutierrez will shift to the position of assistant director of special education for Uvalde CISD. The district website indicates she was previously set to serve as principal of Uvalde Elementary at the Benson educational complex, one of the learning centers which will take on former Robb students when the new school year begins Sept. 6.
Uvalde CISD officials said the reassignment fulfills her "desire to support special education students across the district."
Gutierrez's lone year at the helm at Robb was punctuated in tragedy when an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in the last week of school. One of numerous people interviewed by the Texas House investigative committee created in the wake of the shooting, Gutierrez was suddenly placed on paid administrative leave by Superintendent Hal Harrell on July 25, during which time she wrote to committee members seeking to clarify her role in the emergency response on May 24.
"It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue at Robb Elementary," she wrote in part, specifically clarifying why she didn't use the intercom system to warn the school population and contending she received no report that the door to Classroom 111 was faulty.
Gutierrez was eventually reinstated after three days of leave.
Christy Perez, a former assistant principal at Uvalde High School with a background in counseling, will take over the reins as principal at Uvalde Elementary, the district says.
Other administrative additions
Uvalde CISD on Friday also said it has created and filled two new roles "to oversee our recovery and infrastructure enhancement efforts."
Nichole Henderson, a former counselor who has been with the district for seven years, will work as the director of recovery to oversee support services across campuses, including the "implementation of enhanced training in trauma-informed care and recovery."
Meanwhile, district newcomer Esequiel De La Fuente will serve as director of special projects within the maintenance department, and oversee "safety and security infrastructure enhancements across the district." | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 | 2022-08-07T00:12:52 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 |
GREENSBORO — For years, the corner of South Davie and East Market streets has been decked out with anything but a finished five-story February One parking deck and Westin Greensboro Hotel.
It’s been a demolition zone, decorated with the remains of a torn-down salon and old utility tunnels.
It’s been a muddied construction sandbox, fenced in and adorned with miniature red barricades.
And its most recent ensemble resembles a parking deck on one end; the other a skeleton of a deck garnished with bright yellow support beams.
Voting for the project passed in 2017, demolition started in 2019 and according to a Q&A released by the city, parking deck projects like this typically take between one and a half to two years from “design to completion.”
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So why has this downtown deck dragged out more than twice as long?
A history of stalls
Shortly after the project was green-lit by city officials in 2017, it was red-lit by a court case.
A piece of the area the city planned to build the parking deck on was an easement owned by Cone Denim Entertainment Center, a live entertainment venue on South Elm Street.
After the city threatened to condemn the easement using eminent domain, co-owners Rocco “Rocky” Scarfone and Jeff Furr took the issue to court.
The city ended up settling with the owners, a decision that cost $735,000 and over four months of lost construction time.
Although the case was settled in April 2018, it took the city a year and a half (until September 2019) to start the demolition work and site grading for the deck.
Carrie Reeves is the Greensboro department of transportation’s engineering and operations supervisor and has been working on the February One parking deck project.
Reeves said in an email that one reason it took so long to start work was due to “multiple value engineering iterations” relating to the design of the hotel. Value engineering is a process in construction where products for a project are reviewed to see if there are lower-cost options that lead to the same result.
Another reason is the arrangement that will result in the deck’s construction. Since it is a public-private project with the hotel developers, the city isn’t building the deck — the third party is. This means that the city doesn’t have workers on site every day.
The city also had to go through a review process with the state before work could begin. The North Carolina Building Code changed during the project’s design. While the project was grandfathered under the old code, that created complexity in the review, inspections and construction process.
Clearing a path
Demolition started in September 2019 to clear the empty buildings on the site. But that work ended up being extensive, Reeves said in an email.
Part of that is due to what workers dug up in 2020.
Before it was a construction site for a new parking deck, the corner of South Davie and East Market streets was home to an S&W Cafeteria. The restaurant served up low-cost, Southern-style meals for 24 years before it shut down in 1975.
Although the building was demolished a year after the restaurant closed, it left behind a buried secret that wasn’t uncovered until 44 years later.
In January 2020, construction workers discovered underground tunnels and remnants of the S&W basement at the parking deck site. When it was an S&W, the tunnels held utility lines for the restaurant.
At the time, Jake Keys, the city of Greensboro’s communications manager, said construction would be “going vertical” by mid- or late spring.
It didn’t.
Construction of the deck’s foundation work started in spring 2020, but as mid-spring rolled in, the coronavirus pandemic was already rapidly spreading across the state.
Reeves said in an email that the “unanticipated impacts of the pandemic,” paired with other “multiple unforeseen variables” slowed construction down by about 12 to 18 months.
“Construction of (the) deck didn’t stop,” Reeves said in an email, “but it moved very slowly for the next 9-12 months due to the many unknown variables.”
Vertical construction on top of the foundation finally started in 2021, and is still continuing today with a crane laying down structures to fill the deck's unfinished gaps.
So, when will the deck be done?
Less than a year from now, probably.
Reeves said in an email that the parking deck is scheduled to be finished with construction by April 2023.
After the parking deck is complete, work will begin to build The Westin Greensboro Hotel on top of the south part of the deck, just behind Elm Street Center.
According to its website, The Westin Greensboro is scheduled to open the same year as the parking deck. This gives the hotel construction crew about nine months to build a multi-story 180-room hotel over a parking deck that took over three years to construct.
Regardless of whether the hotel sticks to its timetable or delays the opening date further, Reeves said in an email that the plan is to open the February One deck to the public in summer 2023. This plan entails the deck operating even if hotel construction is still taking place on top of it.
The Westin Greensboro developers told the News & Record there weren’t any updates to share at this time on the hotel's construction schedule. Updates about the hotel will be posted on the Westin Greensboro website.
Reeves said in an email that there aren’t any expected construction stalls that could push the opening date of the parking deck back at this time.
Aftermath of the deck delay
The February One parking deck has had a long history of controversies relating to its cost, need and impact on surrounding businesses.
The City Council approved up to $30 million to fund the parking deck.
This included any money spent for land acquisitions, the design contract and construction contract costs, according to Reeves.
Right before this budget was passed in December 2017, opponents from Democracy Greensboro gathered holding signs reading “no debt for decks” and argued that taxpayers would be paying for a project they had no say in.
Other opponents included two City Council members, Sharon Hightower and Michelle Kennedy, who voted against the project.
Three years later, Hightower and Kennedy voted against the project again when an updated total of $37 million needed to be approved by the council in December 2020. The council approved the new cost.
The original $30 million approval set aside $25.9 million for construction contract costs, long before the pandemic drew out the work for months.
If construction costs are increased as a result of this wait, Reeves said in an email that it would have to be approved by the City Council.
Reeves didn’t respond to emailed questions about whether the extra $7 million is due to the additional time it has taken to build the deck or how that money would be spent.
The money for the deck will be paid by the city through limited obligation bonds, funded by a debt service that includes money from monthly and hourly parking rates and property/sales taxes taken from new developments the city predicts will happen as a result of the new deck.
According to Reeves, the city plans to finance this debt service over a 20-year period.
Rates downtown for monthly parking are now $100, a $35 increase compared to 2017 when the parking deck project first started. And according to a Q&A from the city, rates will continue to increase.
From now until 2025, monthly parking rates will increase by $5 to $7 each year to “help service the project debt.” The city has not said if the new deck will impact hourly prices.
Reeves said in an email that any potential parking rate increases are determined on an annual basis and are changed according to a schedule that is made based on operational and debt service costs.
Is the deck needed?
Some have questioned the need for another downtown parking deck.
At City Council meetings, parking deck opponents asked the city to delay the project to allow for more time to determine if there was a need for more parking and more hotel rooms.
According to the then-general manager of another hotel downtown, there wasn’t, at least for the hotel.
At the City Council meeting in 2017, Megan Weathersbee said that hotel occupancy at the downtown Marriott was only 59.3%, which was below the then national average of 65%. The hotel also saw occupancy drop by 1.3% from the year before.
But the city said the parking deck was needed, based on projected increases of 400-600 employees for downtown business Lincoln Financial and a comprehensive parking study and department of transportation validation that pointed to an influx of growth downtown and need for at least one more parking deck.
However, Lincoln Financial didn’t back the city’s claims, declining to provide the number of eventual employees and the last comprehensive parking study was done in 2010, which at the time was 7 years old. And the validation, although from 2015, had no paper trail for the study’s review.
Opponents asked if the city would conduct a new comprehensive study before moving ahead with the project. Instead, the City Council voted to move forward, noting at the same meeting that the hotel developers “couldn’t afford any further delay” and were “under some time constraints.”
Stephen Carter, the business and parking manager for the city, said a comprehensive study was likely not done then because of the development pressure in connection with the construction of the parking deck.
A couple of months after the 2017 meeting, the city released a parking services and evaluation study which estimated that all of the parking decks downtown, including February One, would be at 51% to 90% capacity by 2023.
It was conducted by Kimley-Horn, the same company designing the February One parking deck.
Now, the city is looking to do a comprehensive parking study this year, after “additional pressure for parking downtown” spurred in the South Elm area, according to Carter.
These additional pressures include anecdotes, complaints and direct observations.
Carter said in an email that ongoing complaints have come from parking spilling over into the Southside neighborhood on nights and weekends and the private surface lot at the end of West Lewis Street, which is regularly at or near capacity.
And the Greensboro Police Department has had to intervene by closing a portion of that intersection because of the surrounding on-street parking also being near or at capacity.
Carter said the upcoming comprehensive parking study will use available parking results and projections on anticipated development to evaluate what the city’s parking needs are.
Those results could include parking deck-specific trends, similar to those conducted in the Kimley-Horn study. The city also wants to use the study to see how parking has evolved in a post-pandemic Greensboro.
“We want to look at changes in the number of cars,” Carter said. “Changes in the number of people coming back to work and percentages that they don’t anticipate coming back to work. Hopefully, the consultant will provide numbers regarding those trends.”
The new study was expected to begin this summer.
In the meantime, to address some of the ongoing street parking complaints, Carter said in an email that the city has provided temporary parking south of Gate City Boulevard to serve businesses at the end of downtown.
Access blocked
But one business downtown is still in a legal tug of war with the city over parking.
Cone Denim settled its case with the city in 2018, however, the argument remains the same, the venue's owners say.
“Throughout this process while they’ve been building this parking deck, we’ve been telling them, you are in our easement, you are in our easement,” said Drew Brown, a lawyer representing Rocky Scarfone, one of the owners of Cone Denim. “Even though we told them, the city’s parking deck is now permanently constructed in our easement.”
According to the settlement, during construction the city is supposed to provide a 15- by 80-foot parking easement and a 14- by 70-foot shared access easement. This is so tour buses can access the back of Cone Denim’s building and park for shows.
“We explained to them that we don’t have either of those at all,” Scarfone said.
Without an easement for tour buses to easily load and unload into the building, there’s no major artists. Without major artists, Cone Denim’s revenue is impacted.
“Cone Denim’s business is destroyed,” Brown said. “They have a constructed parking deck and we now cannot get what we agreed that they would give us. He (Scarfone) cannot get a booking from a major act, because they have no ability to get their bus in and out.”
The city declined to comment on the settlement.
Opening in 2023
When complete, the five-story February One Parking Deck will have about 720 parking spaces, including bicycle parking and a parking office. It will also include five electric vehicle charging stations, which could become up to 350 spaces in the future if necessary, Reeves said in an email.
The second through fifth levels of the deck will spread across February One street, with retail and restaurant space along South Davie Street.
The deck is scheduled to be finished with construction by April 2023, and open to the public by that summer. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/five-years-and-counting-when-will-the-february-one-parking-deck-in-downtown-greensboro-be/article_e6587e64-eb4f-11ec-9d1c-ab4826efce84.html | 2022-08-07T00:20:58 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/five-years-and-counting-when-will-the-february-one-parking-deck-in-downtown-greensboro-be/article_e6587e64-eb4f-11ec-9d1c-ab4826efce84.html |
GREENSBORO — Less than a year from now, the corner of Davie and East Market streets will have a city-sponsored makeover.
By April 2023, the city’s five-year parking deck project is expected to come to a close, the finished look being an over 700-space structure for cars and bicycles alike.
Not to mention a parking office, retail storefront epicenter and home to a new 180-room Westin Greensboro hotel.
But for one business on South Elm Street, this new multimillion-dollar dream deck is nothing but a nightmare.
Cone Denim Entertainment Center used to bring in packed crowds and big names in comedy. Now, the venue only has four events listed on its website — two this month and two in October.
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Owner Rocco “Rocky” Scarfone said the live entertainment center has struggled to book major artists since construction started on the downtown February One parking deck in 2020.
“It was a disaster,” Scarfone said. “Everything was torn up and it was not usable and they had put up a temporary retaining wall.”
The deck, he said, has destroyed Cone Denim’s easement, an alley in the back of the venue’s building.
Artists traveling to perform at the live entertainment center use the alley for their tour buses. Without it, the buses can’t get to the back of Cone Denim’s building to unload equipment and artists can’t access the dressing room.
For Scarfone, it was like the business had gotten over the nightmare of COVID-19, which had shut them down for 14 months, just to awaken to a new one caused by the construction.
When Cone Denim hosted its annual charity event to raise money for St. Jude, “Stars and Guitars,” the unusable easement led to multiple artists and tour buses loading in front of the venue instead of backstage.
“That leads to us walking artists through the front door with guests in the building,” Scarfone said. “It’s a security risk, they don’t want to do it and it creates a nightmare for load out.”
Adjustments had to be made when country singer Niko Moon came because there was nowhere to park in the back of the building. Stage props critical to Korean-pop band 2Z’s performance couldn’t be loaded. And the trend continued, show after show.
“I can’t book my A grade acts,” Scarfone said. “Everyone, anyone who is in the live entertainment industry will tell you that access to the rear of your building and to your dressing rooms is mandatory. And that access has not been available since Day 1.”
Day 1 of fighting for access to Cone Denim’s easement isn’t last year or the year before — it’s Dec. 19, 2017.
That’s the day the City Council voted to build the February One parking deck, but also when it voted to take Cone Denim’s easement by eminent domain.
What resulted after was a court case, pursued by Scarfone and Jeff Furr, another Cone Denim owner, to prevent the city from seizing the alleyway.
The City Council voted to settle with Scarfone and Furr in April 2018. The no-fault settlement awarded $735,000 in damages and lawyer’s fees and gave the owners certain easement rights.
These rights-of-way were twofold, with certain stipulations required during construction of the deck and another set after.
According to the agreement, during construction the city is supposed to provide a 15-foot by 80-foot parking easement and an about 14-foot by 70-foot shared access easement whenever Cone Denim gives them appropriate notice of a show. The shared access easement is located inside of the parking easement.
Cone Denim uses the easement for artists’ tour buses to load and unload equipment and according to the settlement, the exclusive right to park there during the show.
Or at least the easements would be used for those reasons if the tour buses were able to fit through them, Scarfone said.
According to the agreement, there are times when “the parking easement may be inaccessible and unavailable for use due to modifications to the Parking Easement area necessary or appropriate in connection with the construction of the project…”
However, in instances where the easement area is unavailable, according to the agreement, it is the city’s responsibility to “designate alternative bus parking locations” that Cone Denim has the exclusive right to park in and that the city must ensure that the construction is completed promptly to minimize the parking easement’s unavailability.
But Scarfone said the easement’s unavailability hasn’t just been limited to a specific time when construction was being completed and is still unavailable today.
“We explained to them (the city’s lawyer) that we don’t have either of those at all,” Scarfone said. “It (the parking easement) wasn’t a 15 by 80… it wasn’t even 14 by 80. The shared access easement, it was supposed to be 14 feet wide. It doesn’t say 14 feet wide, then narrows to 8 feet, narrows to 11 feet. It’s supposed to be 14 feet without exception.”
Because of this constant unavailability, Scarfone said buses have had to park at East Market Street, which is an alternative parking area noted in the settlement, wheel equipment up to Elm Street and go through Cone Denim’s front door.
“Cones would be put out, but no city monitoring whatsoever… people would just move the cones and park their cars there,” Scarfone said. “Our most recent show, the tour bus was in, which was a nightmare to back in, and only for them not to be able to get out because people parked behind them. There’s no enforcement for anything.”
The city declined to comment on the settlement.
Scarfone said he and his lawyers have been contacting the city about the problems, which they see as a breach of contract, since December 2020.
“Even though we told them, the city’s parking deck is now permanently constructed in our easement,” said Drew Brown, a lawyer representing Scarfone. “And not only have they built this wall, but they’ve put in barriers now that closes it even more behind my client’s business.”
According to the agreement, when construction is complete on the deck, Cone Denim should have an easement that’s 19 feet wide and about 220 feet long. Currently, the widest section is about 14 feet.
Considering that the five-story deck’s structure is already in place, Scarfone said he feels like the 19-foot wide easement is impossible now.
“The easement that is there right now, is now the easement I am stuck with,” Scarfone said. “Forever. It would be impossible for them to tear down the deck structure.”
“There is no light at the end of the tunnel for me… it is absolutely the ruination of my business, permanently.”
He sees just one option now.
“All these phone calls, all these letters, everything we’ve done has fallen on deaf ears,” Scarfone said. “As if my business doesn’t matter because I’m not a $50 million Westin. And now we’re left with no choice but to sue again, which I shouldn’t have to do.” | https://greensboro.com/news/local/incoming-city-parking-deck-could-put-one-downtown-venue-out-of-business/article_a75b0cd8-fe17-11ec-83c6-5fbfeff7bdc6.html | 2022-08-07T00:21:04 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/incoming-city-parking-deck-could-put-one-downtown-venue-out-of-business/article_a75b0cd8-fe17-11ec-83c6-5fbfeff7bdc6.html |
TWIN FALLS — Those attending Saturday's Magic Valley Beer Festival enjoyed warm weather, good music and cold beer.
With 120 beers by 48 brewers to choose from, "I think a lot of people who come here have a strategy," said Jennifer Moss of the Blue Lakes Rotary Club, which sponsored the annual event., in its 11th year.
Some people might stick to porters, others to IPAs, Moss said. No matter what beer they chose, they got something good.
It was common to hear those attending encouraging others on what beers to select with their allotted tickets.
Marshall Bolen, visiting from Boise, enjoyed himself.
"This is great," Bolen said, taking notice of the setting and the unique City Park bandshell where Front Porch Flavor was playing, belting out tunes from the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty. The Heath Clark Band and Shenanigans were also scheduled to perform.
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The Blue Lakes Rotary Club raised $58,000 last year that went toward various local charities and Moss hoped for a similar amount this year. A good chunk of this year's money will go toward the planned Children's Museum of the Magic Valley. A silent auction was held, and raffle items included a grill and kayak.
Some 900 tickets were sold prior to the festival and tickets were available at the gate, along with $10 tickets for designated drivers.
The Magic Valley Beer Festival is returning to Twin Falls City Park for its 10th year with even more brewers. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/warm-weather-and-cold-beer-blue-lakes-rotary-club-hosts-beer-festival/article_a5d27dca-15cc-11ed-978d-1fa1bb5d9f95.html | 2022-08-07T00:24:33 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/warm-weather-and-cold-beer-blue-lakes-rotary-club-hosts-beer-festival/article_a5d27dca-15cc-11ed-978d-1fa1bb5d9f95.html |
TEMPLE, Texas — Temple Fire Department is reporting to a grass fire in an open field. Named the Wildflower Fire, it is located off of Highway 36 in Temple near Wildflower Country Club.
As of now, authorities say approximately ten acres have burned since the initial call was received around 2:23 p.m.
The fire hasn't progressed but so far zero of it has been contained, according to Temple Fire Department officials. Temple Fire is being assisted by Morgan's Point and Moffat fire departments in an effort to reduce the fire.
6 News will keep you updated as more information is released. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/wildflower-fire-10-acres-burning-multiple-units-respond-to-grass-fire/500-1cdbae2e-db4c-4cd3-84ba-f2f9874b1071 | 2022-08-07T00:35:02 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/wildflower-fire-10-acres-burning-multiple-units-respond-to-grass-fire/500-1cdbae2e-db4c-4cd3-84ba-f2f9874b1071 |
Those drawn to the iconic Scout brand had a bit more to be excited about Saturday than the hundreds of vehicles on display during this weekend’s 4th annual International Harvester Homecoming.
The big news: Scouts could be back on – and off – the road soon.
Among about 10,000 visitors browsing the Harvester Museum was Scott Keough, CEO of Scout Motors Inc., a northern Virginia subsidiary of the Germany-based Volkswagen AG group.
“We want to relaunch the Scout brand,” said Keough, who was surrounded by 400 examples of vintage Harvester vehicles. “The reason I am here is to get a sense of the history.”
Keough said prototypes of an SUV and pickup trucks are expected as soon as next year – with production of the vehicles beginning in 2026.
But the Scouts of the future won’t be like the rugged vehicles of the 1960s and ‘70s. There will be some updating – specifically, the new Scouts will run on electricity, not gasoline.
“Realistically, there’s no way you could launch a new vehicle company and have it not be electric,” Keough said.
“The goal is not to replicate and mimic a 40- to 50-year-old vehicle. The goal is to take the heart and soul and advance that into the future. But of course you’ve got to be respectful of the history,” he said.
Volkswagen acquired the Scout brand when its truck division took control of Navistar International in 2020. Volkswagen is transitioning its product line to electric vehicles and expects to have more than 25 models by the end of the decade.
Artists’ conceptions of the new Scouts show vehicles with the traditional Scout boxy lines smoothed into futuristic-looking curves. The vehicles retain the rear-facing curved side windows.
During his visit, Keough toured Harvester buildings with the founder of Harvester Homecoming, Ryan Duvall, who is also a Journal Gazette employee. The tour focused on the former engineering center.
Keough also met with several area dignitaries – Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, New Haven Mayor Steve McMichael, Allen County Commissioner Therese Brown and John Urbahns, president and CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc.
That meeting “was purely a meet-and-greet. It was friendly and ... they gave me a sense of the region,” Keough said.
The new Scouts are planned to be built in America, on a new platform, Keough said, adding the company is now scouting locations.
International Scouts were built in Fort Wayne from 1961 to 1980. So, could the new vehicles be built here?
“All of America,” Keough said, “is on the table.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/new-scouts-coming-visiting-exec-says-at-harvester-homecoming/article_3b73532e-15b7-11ed-88ed-dba4cb881a02.html | 2022-08-07T00:38:02 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/new-scouts-coming-visiting-exec-says-at-harvester-homecoming/article_3b73532e-15b7-11ed-88ed-dba4cb881a02.html |
In just a couple more weeks, Brinda will be moving into her new place on Fairfield Avenue, and it’s been a long time coming.
The woman is one of the first to live at the newest Graduate House developed by Redemption House, a Fort Wayne drug and alcohol recovery program for women. She asked to be identified by only her first name because of the stigma associated with drug abuse.
The program celebrated its 10th anniversary Saturday with free lunches, musical performers and a splash pad at Lutheran Park and Gardens.
In that time, it has served 500 women – and their families and friends.
Tomi Cardin, executive director, said the program has thrived because of acceptance by Allen County’s court system.
Judges have placed women in the criminal justice system who need help with substance abuse with Redemption House to help them get their lives back on track.
The program has now expanded to five locations, with its latest on Fairfield – a Graduate House reserved for women who have completed Redemption’s six-month residential program, Cardin said.
“It’s tough,” she said, for women coming out of the program to find affordable, safe living space. That’s especially been the case lately with the recent rapid escalation of rents in Fort Wayne, she said.
“The options for housing are not good right now,” Cardin said. Rents in many cases have doubled from just a year or two ago.
Women at the Graduate House do pay rent – usually $400 to $500 a month. The amount includes utilities, she said.
The women get a separate bedroom upstairs and share a spacious kitchen, living room, dining room and music room on the first floor.
Women also attend a once-a-week recovery-oriented meeting, but otherwise they can come and go as they please, Cardin said.
Cardin said Redemption House is launching a fund drive to raise $2 million to renovate its other properties and pay off the graduate houses.
Redemption House also would like to start another graduate house with apartment-like spaces where women with children could live, Cardin said.
She said women tell her they like the family atmosphere at the residences – that the women bond, help each other and keep each other accountable.
Brinda said she will graduate from her first Redemption program in two weeks. She plans to move into the newest Graduate House on Sept. 2.
She wants to continue with Redemption House “just for the structure” and to continue her recovery.
“I’m excited,” Brinda added.
In a time when groups of residents are urging officials to find better ways of dealing with drug addiction and crime than an overcrowded jail, an expanded Redemption House program could be part of the solution, Cardin said.
The program now has only 16 bedrooms in its graduate residences, she said, and often the first-level residences are full.
“We do our best at alleviating the jail situation by providing our program,” Cardin said. “We want to be a partner in (resolving) the situation.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/redemption-house-opens-graduate-house-for-women-in-recovery/article_8b045ea2-15ca-11ed-bfd9-4bd1280d4c5c.html | 2022-08-07T00:38:08 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/redemption-house-opens-graduate-house-for-women-in-recovery/article_8b045ea2-15ca-11ed-bfd9-4bd1280d4c5c.html |
SAN ANTONIO — About a week after she was reinstated from administrative leave by district officials, Robb Elementary School Principal Mandy Gutierrez will now start preparing for a new role.
The district on Friday announced Gutierrez will shift to the position of assistant director of special education for Uvalde CISD. The district website indicates she was previously set to serve as principal of Uvalde Elementary at the Benson educational complex, one of the learning centers which will take on former Robb students when the new school year begins Sept. 6.
Uvalde CISD officials said the reassignment fulfills her "desire to support special education students across the district."
Gutierrez's lone year at the helm at Robb was punctuated in tragedy when an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 students and two teachers in the last week of school. One of numerous people interviewed by the Texas House investigative committee created in the wake of the shooting, Gutierrez was suddenly placed on paid administrative leave by Superintendent Hal Harrell on July 25, during which time she wrote to committee members seeking to clarify her role in the emergency response on May 24.
"It is unfair and inaccurate to conclude that I ever (became) complacent on any security issue at Robb Elementary," she wrote in part, specifically clarifying why she didn't use the intercom system to warn the school population and contending she received no report that the door to Classroom 111 was faulty.
Gutierrez was eventually reinstated after three days of leave.
Christy Perez, a former assistant principal at Uvalde High School with a background in counseling, will take over the reins as principal at Uvalde Elementary, the district says.
Other administrative additions
Uvalde CISD on Friday also said it has created and filled two new roles "to oversee our recovery and infrastructure enhancement efforts."
Nichole Henderson, a former counselor who has been with the district for seven years, will work as the director of recovery to oversee support services across campuses, including the "implementation of enhanced training in trauma-informed care and recovery."
Meanwhile, district newcomer Esequiel De La Fuente will serve as director of special projects within the maintenance department, and oversee "safety and security infrastructure enhancements across the district." | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 | 2022-08-07T00:39:35 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/robb-school-principal-gutierrez-uvalde-cisd-shooting/273-71a97d0d-4fda-4f14-9795-17716b88bcf6 |
HOUSTON — Five children lost their father Thursday night in a horrific accident on the North Freeway in Spring.
A tire flew off a large truck on I-45 north near Louetta, bounced off the hood of the victim's car and crashed through his windshield. The force of the impact sheared off part of the vehicle's roof.
The driver, later identified as 32-year-old Lee Simmons Jr., died in front of his 11-year-old son who was riding in the backseat.
His family says the little boy is currently in the hospital after being treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Christina Simmons said on Lee's GoFundMe page that she and her husband also have a 22-month-old and an 8-month-old. Lee was also the father of two other children, a 12-year-old and a 9-year-old.
"We are in need of prayers and support of our family, friends and kind individuals to help us bury Lee and care for the kids," Christina said. "Five children will be without a father!"
Lee's family described him as a hardworking father.
"All my niece could say yesterday was how much she was going to miss him because of what a great father and great husband that he was," said Dr. Anjanette Wyatt, Lee's aunt-in-law. "We're heartbroken as a family, we're heartbroken."
Authorities said the big rig driver stayed on the scene until officers arrived. It's unclear right now if charges will be filed.
Christina said their family will be taking action to ensure there's justice for Lee.
If you would like to donate to help Lee's family pay for his funeral services, you can visit their GoFundMe page here.
Meanwhile, deputies say the truck's maintenance is being reviewed to determine if it was an accident or if someone was at fault. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/tired-kills-father-of-five/285-61a2d0d9-f959-4e7e-9369-3e10f0bc0ccf | 2022-08-07T00:39:41 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/tired-kills-father-of-five/285-61a2d0d9-f959-4e7e-9369-3e10f0bc0ccf |
The City of Kenosha Housing Authority will accept pre-applications for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program at the end of August.
An online application portal will open for one day only, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Interested parties may apply online only from a computer or mobile device with internet access.
To apply, visit https://www.waitlistcheck.com/WI1325.
Persons who do not have access to a computer may utilize the public computers at the Kenosha Public Uptown Library, 2419 63rd St., during their normal business hours.
No applications will be accepted after 9 p.m. on Aug. 24. There is no fee to apply.
Applicants must provide their full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and income information for each household member. The head of household must provide an email.
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Incomplete or duplicate applications will be disqualified.
After the online pre-application period ends, between 1,500 -1,700 preliminary applications will be selected at random by a computer for placement on the Wait List. Completing an online application does not guarantee that an applicant will be chosen for the Wait List.
Applicants already on a waiting list for other housing programs through Kenosha Housing Authority must apply separately for this program. Applicants will not lose their place on other waiting lists when they apply for this program.
For questions, please call the Kenosha Housing Authority at: 262-653-4120. For additional information please visit the Kenosha Housing Authority website at www.housingauthority@ kenosha.org.
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HANDYMAN ALERT!!!! GREAT LOCATION FACES THE RAVINE! WOODED LOT! This bungalow has approximately 840 sq ft is ready for renovations. BRAND NEW ROOF WAS INSTALLED IN LAST COUPLE YEARS. Home features 2 bed, potential 2 baths (one in basement), a partial basement-attic access over the front porch.... this space has great potential to be finished. Gather your custom design and make your offer. THIS HOME IS A SHELL/ READY FOR CONTRACTOR TO MOVE FORWARD WITH new, drywall, plumbing electric,etc. being sold "as-is", and seller makes no representations or warranties......NOTE NO ELECTRIC ON ON FIRST FLOOR PLEASE TAKE FLASHLIGHT FOR ALL SHOWINGS. CASH OFFERS ONLY!!!!! please see city requirements online under disclosures. ***** owner will review offers on saturday 7/26...firm on price** no survey/100% tax proration
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Mobile home in great condition, move in ready with Gurnee schools. Features 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, nice open kitchen with lots of cabinet space, nice yard with shed for storage and ample parking for 3 cars. Home has been painted throughout, carpet cleaned, Central A/C installed in 2022.
2 Bedroom Home in Antioch - $79,900
Frame Ranch home located close to downtown Antioch, Lake Catherine and restaurants. Featuring kitchen that opens to the living room. 2 Bedrooms and a Great room at the back. This is a HomePath Property!
3 Bedroom Home in North Chicago - $70,000
Great project home or investment opportunity! 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, unfinished basement, and loft that could be potential 4th bedroom. Off-street parking in the 2 car detached garage with access from the alley. Home is located near Great Lakes Naval Base and major highways. Home is being sold as is.
3 Bedroom Home in Gurnee - $2,300
Ready for a new family, with an impressive private back yard with above ground pool, kids playground set, view of park and pond, amazing wood deck, and enclosed porch. 2 stories 3 bedroom and 1 and a half bath, plus family room, enclosed porch, all around recently painted. Entertain all year round and enjoy nature in this unique location. Tenant responsible to maintain and keep the above-ground pool, yard, and paid utilities. $43.00 per person over 18 years old, to run credit and background check.
3 Bedroom Home in Lindenhurst - $2,500
Perfectly situated on a quiet cul-de-sac lot with sweeping nature views! Recent updates include a New A/C (2021), a New hot water heater (2020), freshly painted interior, and new luxury vinyl flooring on the main and upper levels (2020). The bright and open living room opens to the dining room, perfect for family gatherings. In the kitchen, you will find a breakfast bar and quality stainless-steel appliances featuring a new refrigerator and a new oven (2020). Step out the slider to your patio where you can enjoy your private yard with views of the Fen forest preserve. Enjoy the colors of the crab apple tree as it blooms or the harvest offered by the pear tree. Back inside, upstairs you will find the master bedroom with a private half bath, 2 additional bedrooms with generous closet space, and a full bath with tub/shower combo. The lower level provides separation from the other levels and can be a great space for added living, a place for the kids to go and play, or the ultimate media area. Great school districts! Close to so much; shopping, restaurants, and more! No pets, no smoking.
1 Bedroom Home in Racine - $1,475
The William apartments are the latest in modern meets historic projects. These beautiful conveniently located apartments are part of a project that has thought of everything. Anything from a studio to a 3 bedroom, the site has big plans. Belle City Square will connect you with shopping, dining and living right in your own neighborhood. Leasing available right now. Photos are representative of the units and may not be actual unit.
3 Bedroom Home in Lake Villa - $1,350
Charming, sunny 3 bdrm home w/beautiful hardwood floors! Wooded setting, lake rights, short walk to the beach-free boat launch. Hurry--enjoy summer now! LL master suite with full bath, fireplace, walk-in closet, & storage closet. 2 car garage. Dogs under 20 lbs ok upon landlord approval. Kitchen includes granite counters and ceramic tile floor, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, wash/dryer.
2 Bedroom Home in Park City - $19,990
Lot rent is $600/month. Includes water, sewer, garbage, lawn maintenance and snow removal.
4 Bedroom Home in Racine - $70,000
Attention Investors: Here is your opportunity to complete the rehab that has been started. This would make a great investment as a flip or rental. Property is being sold As-Is. Seller will not make any repairs or cure any defects. NEW: vinyl plank flooring in some rooms, tile flooring, kitchen cabinets, granite counters, updated bathrooms & some new windows. Exterior & most of Interior & doors have been freshly painted. 2016 water heater. Trim is all taken off and in back pantry room. Put your finishing touches and ideas in here. Front porch needs to be rebuilt. See City code violations in documents after Condition Report. Some of these issues may have been addressed. Use caution when looking at it and no children allowed here please. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-housing-authority-to-take-pre-applications-for-section-8-housing-voucher-program-on-aug/article_161b599e-14e7-11ed-8f77-eb00f988f986.html | 2022-08-07T00:46:06 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-housing-authority-to-take-pre-applications-for-section-8-housing-voucher-program-on-aug/article_161b599e-14e7-11ed-8f77-eb00f988f986.html |
A lifelong Kenosha couple celebrated their 50th marriage anniversary with a renewal of vows ceremony at historic Simmons Field Saturday evening.
Terri and Kurt Wruck renewed their wedding vows with help from Kenosha Kingfish - and mascot King Elvis. The Wruck's official anniversary is Aug. 12.
"Only 5% of marriages last to 50 years," Terri Wruck said before the ceremony in front of a packed crowd of Kingfish fans. "We are one of them. I guess we're old enough to have survived."
Kurt Wruck said he's excited for the 55 and 60 year milestones.
Terri Wruck credited their faith, family, friends and fun for the milestone.
"There is nothing more fun than celebrating at the Kenosha Kingfish," she added.
Current Kingfish players created a "tunnel" for the happy couple to walk through with their bats when they exited home plate.
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After the ceremony the couple held their "first dance" in front of the crowd.
Marz Timms, of Chicago, officiated the ceremony. He's the Kenosha Kingfish emcee.
"I've never been a part of something like this," he said. "This was absolutely amazing. It's always good when you have the (King) Elvis out there. It's a lot of fun!"
Terri Wruck is also the 2022 Susan B. Anthony Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Wruck — manager of Snap-on Incorporated’s charitable contributions, manager/curator of the Snap-on museum, and a prolific community volunteer — was highlighted earlier this year for her life’s dedication to women’s equality in Kenosha County and her extensive community work.
“Our world is better today than when Susan B. Anthony lived. But our job is not done until all women and all people have parity and equity in leadership roles, elected positions, boardrooms and any chosen profession. None of us do it alone,” she said upon receiving the honor. “So, you have my personal pledge and lifetime commitment that I will continue to stay in the struggle for equality and justice, with you … together making a difference.”
This is a developing story. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-kenosha-couple-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-kenosha-kingfish-vow-renewal/article_875161c4-15de-11ed-b3f0-0f5cbb5c4101.html | 2022-08-07T00:46:12 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-kenosha-couple-celebrates-50th-anniversary-with-kenosha-kingfish-vow-renewal/article_875161c4-15de-11ed-b3f0-0f5cbb5c4101.html |
TAMPA, Fla. — A person driving in a pickup truck crashed into a road ranger's truck around 4 p.m. Saturday along northbound I-75 in Tampa, authorities say.
The Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release a car had lost control and struck a concrete barrier wall and a Florida Department of Transportation road ranger arrived to the crash to set up a lane closure.
However, the person in the pickup truck towing a large dump trailer containing roofing material did not see the roads ranger, ran over traffic cones and crashed into the road ranger's truck, troopers say.
The road ranger and every other person at the crash were reportedly away from the pickup truck and did not face any injuries.
A small fire occurred on the pickup truck due to the collision but was soon extinguished by local fire rescue crews, FHP says. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/truck-catches-fire-crashing-road-ranger-tampa/67-3ffe2805-4bb6-4904-9512-024ab03a2780 | 2022-08-07T00:55:35 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/truck-catches-fire-crashing-road-ranger-tampa/67-3ffe2805-4bb6-4904-9512-024ab03a2780 |
CROWN POINT — Competing at the Lake County Fair All Breed Classic Horse Show is all in the family for the Brumms.
Lake County Fair memories for the family, whose base is AG Stables out of Crown Point, abound through the years and over countless summers.
The memories include a costume class win in 1979 for 2-year-old Josh Brumm, who rode dressed as Big Bird and still has the trophy in his basement, and a proposal of marriage by his younger brother, Zach Brumm, to his wife, Brooke Brumm, at the Lake County Fair some 11 years ago.
Josh Brumm, whose son, Jalen Brumm, 6, was competing in the lead line competition Saturday, loves the fair so much he traveled back to Crown Point from his home in Boston.
"I've traveled all over, and this fair is the best place in the world. If I could bottle the smells of the fair, I would," Josh Brumm said.
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Brooke Brumm, of Crown Point, was busy getting her sons Casy, 2, and Mack, 5, ready for their events, including a stick horse competition for her youngest and the lead line category for her oldest.
Cousins Otto Brueckman, 2, and Hugo Bruekman, 5, also competed with the 2-year-olds in the stick horse category and the 5-year-olds in the lead line category.
The four little boys were dressed in western shirts and hats and jeans and ready for their competition.
"This is where I met my husband. Our family and his family were rivals," Brooke Brumm said.
Her husband proposed to her at the fair, an event family matriarch, Anne Brumm, said she knew about ahead of time and videotaped.
The fair has held a romantic connection for Anne Brumm, and her husband, Garry Brumm, who were celebrating their 46th anniversary Saturday.
"We always celebrate our anniversary at the fair," Anne Brumm said.
Competing at the Lake County Fair horse show is also a long-time tradition for Bri Stimson, 37, of Crown Point, who came to compete with her son, Ty Stimson, 10.
"He's a fifth-generation horseman," Bri Stimson said of her son.
Bri Stimson has loved and ridden horses since a teenager growing up in Hobart and has most recently competed in the World Championship in Cloversdale, Ill.
She rode Pete, a Buckskin quarter horse at the World Championship competition and also rode him in earlier competition Saturday at the Lake County Fair.
Bri Stimson and her horse Pete have won 16 buckles or World Title championships in various competitions.
"I love this horse so much I wanted to compete with him at the Lake County Fair," she said.
Ty Stimson, who has been riding ever since he could sit in a saddle, was competing in the afternoon while riding Charlie, a quarter horse.
"We just like the fair so much; it's so much fun," Bri Stimson said.
The heat and humidity at the fair Saturday didn't deter audience member Audrey Domar, who traveled to the fair from Oak Forest, Ill.
Domar, who sat in front in her own portable chair she brought from home, said she has been coming to the fair for some 15 years primarily to watch the horse competition.
"I have always liked horses, and this is close to watch since you are right there looking through the fence. And I like the convenience of the food tents nearby," Domar said.
Domar said she owns a horse named Dream Walker but hasn't gotten the opportunity to ride her in recent times.
"I have had a horse since 1987 but stopped riding after hip replacement surgery," Domar said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/watch-now-all-breed-classic-horse-show-a-family-affair/article_245cdf4d-9f23-5edc-8b6d-7a1b03e8dc21.html | 2022-08-07T01:02:57 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/watch-now-all-breed-classic-horse-show-a-family-affair/article_245cdf4d-9f23-5edc-8b6d-7a1b03e8dc21.html |
SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — South Fulton Police Department officials said a child was found wandering by herself and now they're trying to reunite the young girl with her family.
Officers were called to the 2100 block of Rochelle Way around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. That's where they found the child alone and carrying a Spiderman backpack.
"The toddler stated that her name is Autumn, but she could not provide her parents' name or telephone number, nor an address," police said.
South Fulton Police believe the child is three or four years old. She weighs around 34 pounds and is about 3-feet 2-inches tall. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/little-girl-found-wandering-in-south-fulton/85-15e44fd0-62b7-4cfb-8154-a0c1afc43b93 | 2022-08-07T01:04:09 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/little-girl-found-wandering-in-south-fulton/85-15e44fd0-62b7-4cfb-8154-a0c1afc43b93 |
ATLANTA — An Atlanta woman has been missing for nearly a week and police are asking for the public's help in finding her.
Atlanta Police Department's Homicide/Adult Missing Person Unit is working to find 24-year-old Allahnia Lenoir.
She was last seen along 1600 Peachtree Street in northeast Atlanta on July 30. Lenoir stands at 5-feet, 4-inches and weighs around 120 pounds, according to police. She has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue shorts and cream-colored shoes.
Lenoir's family is hosting a prayer vigil and news conference Sunday. They believe Lenoir was abducted from the apartment complex.
Her family is asking the Atlanta community to get involved and stand in solidarity with them to raise awareness about Lenoir's case and pray for her safety.
If anyone has information regarding her whereabouts, police ask to please contact 911 or 404-546-4235. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/missing-in-georgia/allahnia-lenoir-missing-in-atlanta/85-28e3ab7d-4ac9-4414-967a-add0508015be | 2022-08-07T01:04:15 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/missing-in-georgia/allahnia-lenoir-missing-in-atlanta/85-28e3ab7d-4ac9-4414-967a-add0508015be |
Chance meeting with Kent Hance leads single mom Erica Flores to a degree from Texas Tech
As one of the last graduating classes of Texas Tech's first century walked the stage on Saturday, one student had a unique story that started with an encounter on an airplane in 2015 with the chancellor emeritus.
Erica Flores, a general studies graduate from Dallas, said she remembers the visit with Kent Hance quite well.
"I was going to Austin, I believe for work," Flores said. "I was on a Southwest flight and I had C boarding, which basically means center seat. So I was walking down the aisle and just trying to find a good center seat and I saw (Kent Hance) and a colleague. I remember he had a sweater vest on and a newsboy cap and he just looked really nice"
Flores said she did not know who he was at the time or what a chancellor was.
Hance said they talked about her work, her family and he inquired where she went to college. But Hance said he found out she did not go to college.
That's when Hance said he started talking to her about Texas Tech.
Hance speaks about timing, proudest moments
"I said, 'Look, if you only take one course and somebody asks where you go to college, you can always say I went to Texas Tech. You don't have to tell them everything,'" Hance said. "So we talked about the college and what she could do online. I said, 'Well, try it and see if you like it and see if you can do it and I bet you can do it. You can do it and it'd be a great benefit to you.'"
They traded contact information and Hance said he passed her information along to the recruiters at Tech, who got in contact with her.
Flores said Hance would check up on her and make sure she was completing the paperwork she needed to be admitted at Tech.
In 2016, Flores was accepted into Tech, where she first majored in general studies as an online student with a focus in English, technical communications and sociology. She and Hance kept in communication.
However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, providing challenges during her process.
"He'll call and check and see how I'm doing," she said. "I have three kids, too, and he'll check on them during COVID. He was really nice to just check in make sure everyone was doing good."
The pandemic also provided Flores with an opportunity to reach out and study other fields.
"They've welcomed other degree or program areas into online and included psychology and human sciences that weren't originally, I think, in that bucket," she said. "So now I'm graduating with concentrations in psychology, sociology and Human Sciences."
Flores said the real reason she went to college was not for advancement in her career, but rather a personal one.
"My oldest son is also at Texas Tech - he's a junior - so that's kind of why I wanted to make sure that I graduated before them," she said. "I'm the first in my family to graduate and my kids are all on path to follow right behind me, so I'm excited to be that example for them. It's more, I think, for my kids and for my mom than for me."
Saturday's graduation ceremony in the United Supermarkets Arena not only marked the occasion of Flores becoming the first to graduate college in her family, but it was also the second time Flores and Hance met in person.
Flores said since Hance had such an impact on her life, she invited him to the commencement ceremony.
Hance was not only in attendance but also handed her the diploma.
Through her journey, Hance said he is impressed and inspired by her.
"I took a simple five or 10 minutes, but kept doing it because it changed her and, and changed her life ... and you never know what a little encouragement will go a long way," he said. "I admire and respect her for doing what she's done." | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/06/texas-tech-graduate-erica-flores-looks-back-chance-meeting-kent-hance/65394370007/ | 2022-08-07T01:04:19 | 1 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/06/texas-tech-graduate-erica-flores-looks-back-chance-meeting-kent-hance/65394370007/ |
ATLANTA — Police are investigating a shooting near a southeast apartment complex Saturday evening.
Officers were called to an area along Stovall Street southeast near Glenwood Park Lofts. The neighborhood sits near Interstate 20 and Ralph David Abernathy Freeway, less than two miles from Zoo Atlanta.
11Alive photojournalist Cody Dallas is at the scene where at least three police vehicles are parked. Investigators also roped off part of the roadway with crime scene tape, blocking off entry for a portion of the street.
Police told 11Alive that they are investigating a shooting, but did not clarify who or if anyone was hurt.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
Also download the 11Alive News app and sign up to receive alerts for the latest on this story and other breaking news in Atlanta and north Georgia. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/police-investigate-northeast-atlanta-apartment-complex/85-68cfe093-35f8-44f6-830b-b86872958b3d | 2022-08-07T01:04:21 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/police-investigate-northeast-atlanta-apartment-complex/85-68cfe093-35f8-44f6-830b-b86872958b3d |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dream-center-dallas-hosts-annual-backpack-drive/3042120/ | 2022-08-07T01:13:11 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dream-center-dallas-hosts-annual-backpack-drive/3042120/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-council-to-survey-public-transportation/3042121/ | 2022-08-07T01:13:18 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-council-to-survey-public-transportation/3042121/ |
An upcoming study is set to zero in on better transportation options for residents living in Fort Worth’s 76104 ZIP code.
Recently, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has been awarded a $270,000 grant to identify innovative and affordable transit solutions to improve access to basic needs like food and healthcare. The study will specifically focus on the 76104 area, which has been identified as an area of persistent poverty.
Gypsy Gavia, a principal transportation planner for NCTCOG, said the council wants to learn more about how people travel in the area and whether current transportation options are meeting demand.
“Even though there is a number of health facilities in this area, you have the hospitals, this area is also surrounded by highways and a lot of the residents here don’t have access to a vehicle,” Gavia said.
14% of residents living in areas of the ZIP code identified as facing “persistent poverty” have no vehicle, compared to 4.3% of households throughout Tarrant County. Despite 76104 being home to the Fort Worth Medical District, researchers at UT Southwestern say it has lowest life expectancy in the state.
“Over the course of the next year, we’re looking to do interviews, come and do public meetings, and really doing outreach within this community, to hear from residents,” Gavia said. “What it is that they need?”
Len Moore of Fort Worth has lived in the 76104 for at least 15 years. While his household does have access to a car, he said he takes the bus about five times a week.
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The latest news from around North Texas.
“For me, it’s a health choice. It’s an environmental choice. All of the above,” Moore said. “From time to time, I walk if it’s within walking distance or half a mile, but if it’s somewhere several miles away, I’ll ride the bus.”
While he does not frequently run into issues with transportation, Moore said that’s not always the case for his neighbors.
“I see disabled people in wheelchairs, on walkers, and kind of elder people having trouble just maneuvering down the street,” he said. “So, it would be helpful for them to be picked up from their house and go where they have to go.”
The study will officially kick off in 2023 and is expected to last about a year. For more information, click here. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-study-to-focus-on-public-transportation-reforms/3042106/ | 2022-08-07T01:13:24 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-study-to-focus-on-public-transportation-reforms/3042106/ |
Caribbean delivers more beach seaweed to snarl Space Coast surf zones
Too much weed on the beach can be a bad thing, especially in surfing meccas such as Cocoa Beach, where Sargassum seaweed snarls boards, snags surf fishing lines, and is a bane to all others who prefer weed-free wading.
More of the stuff is expected to drift our way in coming weeks, scientists say.
Oceanographers expect Sargassum seaweed and other macroalgae to thicken on our beaches as more washes in from record amounts already in the Caribbean Sea.
Combined, the total amount of the weed increased from 18.8 million tons in May 2022 to 24.2 million tons in June 2022, a new historical record, according to the University of South Florida scientists, alarmed by the new record.
USF's most recent bulletin on the seaweed, on July 31, forecasts continued "significant beaching events" of Sargassum in the Caribbean Sea.
While regional decreases in seaweed abundance recently were seen in the tropical Atlantic, USF scientists say there has been no decrease in other waters closer to Florida.
"This indicates significant beaching events are still ongoing around the CS (Caribbean Sea) nations/islands," USF's bulletin says. "Likewise, some moderate amount of Sargassum was found in the Straits of Florida and along the east coast of Florida, indicating possible beaching events in Florida."
Looking ahead, total Sargassum tonnage will likely decrease in the coming months, however, based on historical seasonality, USF scientists say.
Beyond the usual Sargassum, which the Caribbean Sea delivers seasonally to the Gulf Stream and then Central Florida's beaches, a "filamentous" algae also has at times dominated Brevard's surf zone this summer, scientists at Florida Atlantic University say.
Too much of a good thing?
Overall, the Sargassum and other seaweed it washes in are a benefit to the beach and wildlife.
Shorebirds feed on the small animals that live in the Sargassum and other seaweed "wrack lines" along the beach. Ghost crabs, beetles and other tiny animals feed on the fungus that grows in the clumps of seaweed that line beaches.
On the beach, the seaweed clumps collect wind-blown sand and plant seeds near the dunes, and nutrients for sprouting plants, promoting formation of small dunes that help prevent erosion.
Offshore, Sargassum provides crucial early meals for hatchling sea turtles that swim out to find the stuff floating in the Gulf Stream.
Too much, though, can tangle hatchlings on their crucial first journey from nest to the Gulf Stream, but they're taking the weed in stride this nesting season, says Mike McGarry, Brevard's beach renourishment coordinator. Evolution adapted them to such obstacles.
"Our most recent monthly turtle monitoring reports (for June 2022) indicated no problem with hatchings reaching the water as a result of Sargassum," McGarry wrote in an email, adding that July nesting reports are pending.
Female turtles that craw up the beach to nest do so successfully about half the time. "Nesting success is impacted by many things, and often very dry weather causes reduced nesting success (more challenging to dig in dry sand)," McGarry wrote.
Stringy, smelly algae dominates coastline from Cocoa Beach to Sebastian and beyond
Florida Atlantic University researchers have shown seasonal Sargassum here and in the tropical Atlantic has grown worse in recent years because of increasing nitrogen and phosphorus from discharges from the Congo, Amazon and Mississippi rivers, atmospheric Saharan dust coming down on the water and burning of vegetation in central and South Africa.
USF plans more Sargassum updates by the end of this month.
Jim Waymer is an environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Or find him on Twitter: @JWayEnviro or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jim.waymer
Support local journalism and local journalists like me. Visit floridatoday.com/subscribe | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2022/08/06/too-much-weed-beach-can-bad-thing/10241633002/ | 2022-08-07T01:22:55 | 1 | https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2022/08/06/too-much-weed-beach-can-bad-thing/10241633002/ |
How to help Smith Island in tornado recovery
Smith Island was hit with an EF1 tornado Aug 4, 2022.
A bed-and-breakfast lost its roof and third floor and a mobile home was destroyed in the Rhodes Point community. And it damaged 17 homes as the tornado made its way to the community of Ewell.
Doris Lee Bradshaw, 88, was hospitalized after being found in the rubble of her destroyed home.
Her son, Lindsey Bradshaw, told The Baltimore Sun of his relief Friday after she was taken to TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, the hospital in Salisbury.
STORMS:Doris Lee Bradshaw talks about life on Smith Island in 2016 interview
“This is bad; this is real bad. It looks terrible,” Lindsey Bradshaw said, while overlooking the debris that was once his mother's home. “But we could’ve been planning a funeral today.”
There were no fatalities.
The archipelago is located about 10 miles off the Delmarva Peninsula, in the Chesapeake Bay. It is uniquely isolated because it is accessible only by boat or helicopter. There are no bridges, no airport.
Its isolation makes it more difficult to get aid and supplies to the island, first charted by Capt. John Smith in 1608.
RELATED:'The damage is devastating': Tornado strikes Smith Island, damaging more than dozen homes
MORE:Footage from Smith Islanders during the tornado
On Friday, Robert Joseph Jones of the Ewell Volunteer Fire Company posted to Facebook: "Our fuel dock is out of commission and we are currently unable to get fuel."
The Facebook page Smith Island United noted Saturday that "the major cleanups are on hold waiting for insurance adjusters to get here. We have plenty of water and food."
Power was knocked out by the storm, with A&N Electric Co-Op getting a generator running through the first night restoring power to many.
About 60 residences on the island continued to experience a power outage as a result of the storm damage on Saturday, the A&E posted to Facebook. Those members’ power were expected to be restored by afternoon.
“Some of the power line damage is located out in the marsh, making its accessibility more difficult for our guys to make repairs,” said Joe Cataldo, A&N Electric Cooperative vice president of construction and operations. “While working to restore the power we’re taking the opportunity to shift those lines closer to the nearby road, which will make them easier to access and help any outage restorations in the future.”
How to help Smith Island
Maryland Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (Maryland VOAD) is the umbrella organization that helped the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee rebuild Crisfield after Hurricane Sandy. 100% of donations designated for Smith Island will be put to use rebuilding. Just put “Smith Island” in the memo line of your donation. https://www.marylandvoad.org/donate/
Jay Fleming, a photographer known for his images of the Chesapeake Bay, started a GoFundMe Page to raise money for recovery efforts.
Monetary donations can be sent to Smith Island United, which set up an account for disaster relief. Smith Island United/Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 40, Ewell, Md. 21824.
Want your organization included, email newshub@delmarvanow.com. | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/08/06/smith-island-in-water-spout-tornado-maryland-gofundme/65394258007/ | 2022-08-07T01:25:32 | 0 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/08/06/smith-island-in-water-spout-tornado-maryland-gofundme/65394258007/ |
Richmond police have identified the victim in Thursday’s homicide on Forest Hill Avenue as Candice Gomness, 23, of Chesterfield County.
Police responded to reports of random gunfire around 3:13 p.m. near the 4000 block of Forest Hill Avenue.
At the scene, officers located a vehicle nearby on West 44th Street that had collided with a curb near the Forest Hill intersection.
Police said they discovered a man and a woman occupying the vehicle, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims were transported to a hospital, where Gomness later died. The man’s injury is not considered life-threatening, police said.
Miguel Rampersad, 20, of Richmond has been charged with attempted murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Additional charges are pending. The medical examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.
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Major Crimes detectives believe the shooting may have occurred in the 4000 block of Forest Hill Avenue, near the intersection of Roanoke Street.
Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact Major Crimes Detective B. Neifeld at (804) 646-3246 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used.
Continuing coverage of alleged Dogwood Dell shooting plot
'Mass shooting on the Fourth of July' intent of Richmond shooting suspects, police say
Richmond police on Wednesday said a tip from a “hero citizen” prevented a mass shooting at the Dogwood Dell Fourth of July celebration Monday. Two men were arrested, and two assault rifles, a handgun and several hundred rounds of ammunition were seized in a South Richmond residence, authorities said.
The announcement came two days after a rooftop gunman opened fire during an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven in a massacre that wounded dozens of others.
Police in Richmond did not release information about a possible motive in the Dogwood Dell case. Police Chief Gerald Smith during a press conference Wednesday said an officer in the 2nd Precinct received the anonymous tip from a concerned citizen, who overheard a conversation regarding a mass shooting.
Officers and agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigated the information, which led them to a residence in the 3100 block of Columbia Street, Smith said. One of the occupants Friday allowed police to search the home, where several firearms were found out in the open, police said.
Police later arrested Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, of Richmond, who faces a preliminary charge of being a non-U.S. citizen in possession of a firearm. He is being held at Richmond City Jail without bond.
Police also monitored Alvarado-Dubon’s roommate “very, very closely,” Smith said, until obtaining probable cause for an arrest warrant. Rolman Balacarcel, 38, of Richmond, was arrested by Virginia State Police in Charlottesville on Tuesday.
He faces the same preliminary charge as Alvarado-Dubon and is being held in Albemarle County Jail with no bond.
We must get illegal guns off the streets and have better gun control measures that ban assault rifles. But while @RichmondPolice is on the job we have a lieutenant governor @WinsomeSears posing with an assault rifle in a political ad. This is not the progress that Virginia needs. pic.twitter.com/0b8FxHhzHr
— Michael Jones (@thedrmikejones) July 6, 2022
Police spokesperson Tracy Walker said both men are from Guatemala. Initial documents filed in General District Court in Richmond say both Alvarado-Dubon and Balacarcel are not in the U.S. legally. The documents, which say Alvarado-Dubon has an expired visa, did not include any details about the alleged plot.
Court documents note bond was set at $15,000 for Alvarado-Dubon on Wednesday, but it was unclear if he had been released. The documents say he has lived in the Richmond area for three years and works full time in the construction industry. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled in Richmond on Aug. 2. Alvarado-Dubon’s attorney, Jose Aponte, declined to comment Wednesday.
The suspects may face more charges as law enforcement’s investigation continues. A Richmond police spokesperson said Homeland Security officials are leading the investigation.
Smith said they’re unsure how the weapons were obtained, but the suspects did say their intent was to “conduct a mass shooting on the Fourth of July.”
He credited the officer in the 2nd precinct and the person who provided information with preventing the shooting.
“There is no telling how many lives this hero citizen saved from one phone call,” Smith said. “It is the responsibility of law enforcement that if we hear something, that we do something, and that is the message I would like to get out there — that ‘see something, say something’ works.”
‘A constant state of vigilance’
The Dogwood Dell event, which featured music and fireworks, was held despite the threat.
Isaiah Cabino, 23, of Richmond, was at the Dogwood Dell event Monday and said the crowds spanned all the way to the Fan.
Cabino, who was with his partner, said he has gotten into the habit of looking for exits and places to hide when going out in public, a routine he said feels common for a generation that’s grown up in an era of mass shootings.
And in the wake of a Fourth of July parade shooting in a Chicago suburb, Cabino was already uneasy about Monday night.
“It was a constant state of vigilance,” said Cabino, a 23-year-old Richmond resident. “This reality is not OK. You shouldn’t have to go to these events with an expectation of potentially being shot ... The sense of inaction by all levels, both the federal and state level, it’s something that’s not sustainable, especially for kids and folks in my generation.”
While music played and people settled into their chairs around 9 p.m. Monday night, Kristin Dittmann sat with her spouse on the curb of Pump House Drive waiting for the fireworks to begin.
“It was dark and crowded. Chaos and terror would have ensued,” said Dittmann, 63. “We must now recognize that we’re not safe anywhere from gun violence. Guns are everywhere in this country, and what few regulations we have are falling away by the day.”
‘Got to stop’
Smith said police “had a very robust plan” for security for Dogwood Dell. He said they also were monitoring The Diamond, which had fireworks Friday night.
In the Illinois shooting, hundreds were sent fleeing after gunfire erupted in Highland Park. Robert E. Crimo III was charged with seven counts of murder Tuesday.
Two Philadelphia police officers were also wounded during a shooting Monday night at an Independence Day celebration.
In Richmond, a pair of shootings occurred on Independence Day: one incident occurred at a business on Broad Street in which four men and two women were injured. Another person was shot and killed at the City Dogs Restaurant on Main Street the same night.
BREAKING NEWS w/@RTDNEWS
— Lyndon German (@Lyndon__G) July 6, 2022
I’m at Richmond police HQ where officials will discuss how officers thwarted a potential mass shooting attempt over the Fourth July weekend.
Tons of media here already.
Follow this thread for updates. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/dS7mmdd8H5
Smith said the pattern of violence has to end.
“It’s just got to stop,” said Smith. “You know, I may be the police chief, but I’m also a citizen. It’s ridiculous. At some point in time, this has got to stop.”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Wednesday urged citizens, local, state and nationally elected officials to do more to curb gun violence.
“We need more,” Stoney said during the press conference, “More policies to keep people safe, so these firearms, these weapons of war don’t get in the hands of the wrong people.”
When asked if he believes Richmond police have enough resources to continue to prevent tragedies from occurring, Stoney said he and the City Council have taken steps. The city approved a $17 million public safety plan that included pay hikes for police and firefighters and funding for the city’s gun buyback program.
Stoney said he’s also had conversations with the Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin about how to help in this effort, but the justice system is just one piece of the solution.
“We can’t just be tough on crime and say investing law enforcement is the only answer. We also have to be tough on the root causes of crime,” said Stoney.
“Whether you’re at home in your cul-de-sac or in your neighborhood or in a park or at a parade, out dining — you have to keep your head on a swivel,” Stoney said. “And that’s not the country that I know I desire to live in ... but those are the facts of the matter at this moment.”
Tipster about planned Richmond mass shooting said suspect showed 3 guns in June, affidavit says
A “concerned citizen” who tipped Richmond police off about a potential mass shooting at Dogwood Dell on Monday told investigators that one of the men in custody showed him two rifles, a red dot sight and a “longer higher caliber gun” with a kickstand on June 21, according to a court affidavit filed Thursday.
The tipster identified Rolman “Chapin” Balcarcel Ac, 38, as the person planning the shooting, and told police that “Chapin” has connections to a gang called “Los Zetas,” Richmond Detective Michael Kiniry wrote in an affidavit used to obtain a warrant to search 3112 Columbia St. in Richmond.
Kiniry noted in the affidavit that “Zetas” is a reference to the gang affiliate that operates in Mexico and the U.S. The affidavit makes no mention that the tipster informed police that Dogwood Dell was where the mass shooting would take place.
During a news conference Wednesday, Richmond police described the tipster as a “hero citizen” who helped authorities thwart the shooting at Dogwood Dell. An officer in the 2nd Precinct received the tip, police said.
The announcement by Richmond police came two days after seven people were shot and killed during an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Ill., north of Chicago.
Richmond police reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in reference to the tipster’s information on the Zetas cartel, and their investigation led to the home on Columbia Street, authorities said.
Officers conducted a “knock and talk” at the address on July 1, and another man, Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, came to the door, police said. Officers then asked Alvarado-Dubon if they could step inside to speak with him, and he allowed them to enter, according to the affidavit.
There was a loud party with a DJ outside, which made it difficult to hear, police said. Once inside, officers observed two Glock magazines and a rifle round in the living room in plain view, the affidavit said. At that point, a second man appeared and provided police with a Colorado ID with the name Rolman A. Balcarcel Ac. He also was in possession of two Colorado driver’s licenses and IDs from Guatemala and Mexico, police said.
Alvarado-Dubon then gave police permission to search the residence, but was not present during the search, police said. Officers recovered two AR-15 semiautomatic assault-style rifles, a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Alvarado-Dubon lived at the Columbia Street home with his adult son, 20, the affidavit said, and police during Wednesday’s news conference said Balcarcel Ac was his roommate.
After further investigation, a Homeland Security agent advised Richmond police that both Alvarado-Dubon and Balcarcel Ac were residing in the U.S. illegally.
On Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that Balcarcel Ac was deported twice from the U.S. to Guatemala — first in October 2013 and then in August 2014. An immigration spokesman said Balcarcel’s full name is Rolman Balcarcel Ac, which slightly differs from the name provided Wednesday by Richmond police.
Immigration authorities also said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Washington placed immigration detainers on both men on Wednesday. Alvarado-Dubon is in custody at the Richmond City Justice Center, and Balcarcel Ac is being held at the Albemarle County Jail. Both are charged with possession of a firearm by non-U.S. citizen.
A Richmond judge granted Alvarado-Dubon a $15,000 bond on Wednesday, but court documents show prosecutors appealed the judge’s decision and that a hearing on the matter will be held Monday. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 2 in Richmond General District Court.
Court documents say Alvarado-Dubon has lived in the Richmond area for three years and works full time in the construction industry.
Homeland Security Investigations, in conjunction with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and the FBI, is assisting Richmond police in an investigation of the men, immigration officials said.
Bond revoked for man accused in Richmond mass shooting plot
A Richmond judge on Monday revoked bond for one of two defendants charged with gun offenses in connection with an alleged mass shooting that police said was planned for July 4 at Dogwood Dell.
In a joint agreement signed by both the prosecution and defense, Richmond Circuit Judge Claire G. Cardwell revoked a $15,000 bond that had been granted to Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, on Wednesday.
Monday’s hearing was scheduled after Richmond prosecutors appealed the bond granted by Richmond General District Court Judge David Hicks.
Had Cardwell upheld bond for the defendant, he likely would have remained in custody due to U.S. immigration authorities placing federal detainers on both defendants on July 6. During Monday’s hearing, Cardwell asked defense attorney Jose Aponte about the detainers, which Aponte confirmed.
Immigration Customs and Enforcement last week advised news outlets that both men are from Guatemala and were illegally residing in the U.S.
During Monday’s bond hearing, the revocation order signed by the judge set Aug. 3 as a preliminary hearing date for Alvarado-Dubon.
In a separate hearing Monday in Richmond General District Court-Manchester, the second defendant, Rolman Balcarcel Ac, 38, was arraigned during a brief proceeding via video feed from the Richmond City Justice Center. It was his first appearance in a Richmond courtroom since he was arrested in Albemarle County on July 5.
His preliminary hearing date is Aug. 3, which coincides with Alvarado-Dubon’s. Richmond attorney Samuel P. Simpson has been retained to represent Balcarcel Ac.
Both men are charged with possession of a firearm as a non-citizen and being illegally present in the U.S.
Richmond police on Wednesday said they thwarted the potential mass shooting on Independence Day after receiving a tip from a “concerned citizen.” The announcement came two days after a gunman opened fire on a parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven.
The person who tipped Richmond police identified Balcarcel as the person who was planning the shooting, according to a search warrant affidavit. The tipster further advised that Balcarcel, known to the tipster as “Chapin,” had connections to a gang called “Los Zetas.” Police said Zetas is a reference to the Zetas cartel that operates in Mexico and the U.S.
In court records made public Monday, Balcarcel told a Richmond magistrate that he has been living in Richmond for three or four months and resided in Denver for three years before that. He was employed doing electrical work and earned $1,100 weekly when working 40 hours a week.
Alvarado-Dubon has lived in the Richmond area for three years and worked full time in construction, according to court documents.
Balcarcel and Alvarado-Dubon were living in a house at 3112 Columbia St. in Richmond. During a search of the residence, police said they recovered two AR-15 semiautomatic assault-style rifles, a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and about 200 rounds of ammunition, police said.
Court records filed so far in the case, which include an affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for the suspects’ residence, makes no mention that Dogwood Dell was the intended target of the mass shooting, as police announced last week. After questions arose about the location, Richmond police late Friday issued a “supplemental release” in an effort to clarify.
In the release, police said that following the tip they said they received from a concerned citizen about a plot to conduct a mass shooting that targeted the city’s Fourth of July celebration, “the Richmond Police Department began an exhaustive investigation to determine its validity.”
Based on the initial information and subsequent investigation, investigators concluded that Dogwood Dell was the intended target, police said without elaboration.
“Over the course of the investigation, we believed it necessary to keep the information secure, not wanting to risk tipping off any suspects while also not desiring to incite fear in our residents,” said Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith in a statement. “I stand behind the thoroughness of this investigation and continue to be proud of the work that our officers did to thwart a plot that could have proven disastrous for Richmond.”
Stoney won't release certain documents related to Richmond mass shooting press conference
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is withholding some of his public records regarding a news conference he held about an alleged foiled mass shooting plot.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch through the state Freedom of Information Act asked for emails and other documents from Stoney and the Richmond Police Department following the July 6 news conference, where officials said authorities had thwarted a planned Independence Day mass shooting at the crowded Dogwood Dell amphitheater.
Speaking to the media, Stoney referenced what he called an epidemic of gun violence. The news conference was held days after a gunman opened fire on a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven.
“Whether you’re at home in your cul-de-sac, or in your neighborhood, or in a park, or at a parade, out dining — you have to keep your head on a swivel,” said Stoney, standing in front of City Council members and other officials.
Police Chief Gerald Smith said during the news conference that the investigation began after getting a tip from a “hero citizen” on July 1. The person overheard a conversation regarding the shooting, he said.
Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, was arrested that same day. Rolman Alberto Balcarcel, 38, was put under surveillance and arrested days later near Charlottesville, police said.
“One phone call saved numerous lives on the Fourth of July,” Smith said during the news conference.
But while Smith said a citizen tipster told police that the men were going to shoot up Dogwood Dell, a police spokeswoman told television station WRIC-TV a few days later that the tip did not include a specific location.
Court documents also revealed details of the correspondence between the tipster and Richmond police. The affidavit makes no mention that the person informed police that Dogwood Dell was where the mass shooting would take place.
Officials have not responded to questions about a possible motive of the attack they say was planned. The Fourth of July events and fireworks show at Dogwood Dell were still held.
The Times-Dispatch on July 8 submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Richmond Police Department and a second FOIA request to the mayor’s office to obtain correspondence related to the news conference, including emails, texts and notes.
Richmond police told The Times-Dispatch that it would be charged $568.32 as a deposit for an IT employee to spend an estimated 12 hours searching for the records. The newspaper is negotiating with police about that request. The mayor’s office charged $54.61 for records.
Stoney’s office opted not to disclose several documents, including two emails containing drafts of statements from the news conference, four text messages and one text message between the mayor and press secretary Jim Nolan.
The mayor cited an exemption in Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act for executive working papers, one of about 150 discretionary records exemptions in the state’s open records act. The exemption allows elected officials to not make public documents that are for “personal or deliberative use.”
Stoney did not respond to questions from The Times-Dispatch about the documents. Nolan also did not immediately return messages for this story.
***
According to Alan Gernhardt, the executive director of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Advisory Council, nothing in Virginia Code requires the mayor’s office to answer why the records will not be made public. The state agency helps resolves FOIA disputes.
“As long as localities cite the exemptions as written in state code, they’re not compelled to tell you anything more than that,” Gernhardt said.
He also pointed out a change to the FOIA law effective July 1 that states a public body searching for the requested records “shall make all reasonable efforts to supply the requested records at the lowest possible cost.”
Although VFOIA law does not require localities to charge per request, they still have the option to do so, Gernhardt said.
“With the way the law’s been phrased, it just says, ‘You may charge,’ so it’s permissive not required,” he said. “Technically since it says ‘may’ in the law, a locality could say our policy is to charge every request or every single time in some cases.”
A Richmond city regulation says the city’s VFOIA representatives shall charge the requester for the response.
“I have heard of some other bodies that are like that. That they literally charge every single time. You get one sheet of paper and it’s 10 cents; you get 100 and it’s 10 bucks,” Gernhardt said. “I mean that’s really up to them and their policy.”
But he said Richmond’s regulation isn’t in conflict with the state’s new FOIA law as written.
“A hypothetical example of a conflict is if somebody were to say, ‘We shall charge a minimum of five dollars per record for every record to go out of this office,’” Gernhardt said. “That would be a violation, because that could exceed a reasonable cost.”
Gernhardt said there are rules outside FOIA that may require minimum fees for such records as Virginia court systems or the Department of Motor Vehicles, but lawmakers have addressed concerns over high charges for FOIA requests before.
Del. Danica Roem, D-Prince William, this year submitted House Bill 599, which would limit the charges incurred by an individual seeking four or fewer individual record requests. That bill was killed in committee. The new law that passed that requires government to keep costs minimal was sponsored by Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper.
Gernhardt said that in general, citizens have expressed concerns about higher charges for FOIA records, but he’s unsure how those issues should be addressed.
“Again as the law currently stands, technically it’s an allowed expense as long as it’s reasonable,” he said. “Should it be that way in an ideal world, that’s not for me to say, but that’s the way it is as the law as written.”
The men arrested in the threat case are both from Guatemala and are not in the U.S. legally. Documents filed in General District Court in Richmond said Alvarado-Dubon has an expired visa, but did not include any details about the alleged plot.
Stoney stands by not releasing alleged July Fourth shooting plot documents
Mayor Levar Stoney on Wednesday said he’s following state code by not releasing certain internal city documents related to a mass shooting plot that authorities said was planned on July 4 in Richmond.
The Times-Dispatch has filed two Freedom of Information Act requests for emails and other documents from Stoney and Richmond police related to a July 6 news conference about the alleged plot and the arrest of two suspects. Other media outlets have filed similar document requests.
Police Chief Gerald Smith said they were tipped off by a citizen who overheard a conversation about a shooting. Smith said the shooting was to have occurred during an Independence Day celebration at Dogwood Dell amphitheater.
But a police spokeswoman later told television station WRIC-TV that the tip did not include a specific location. A court affidavit also doesn’t give a location for the shooting.
Stoney’s office opted not to disclose several documents pertaining to the request, citing one of the 150 record exemptions outlined in the state’s open records act.
The exemption allows elected officials to not make public documents that are for “personal or deliberative use,” available.
“We are following the code of Virginia,” Stoney said Wednesday.
However, the code Stoney referenced is permissive, not mandatory. The code states that records of this nature “may be disclosed by the custodian in his discretion, except where such disclosure is prohibited by law.”
So although Stoney has the ability to release some personal records, the mayor has opted not to, as is consistent with FOIA law and the mayor’s own policy.
“Those documents are protected and that’s always been our policy since day one, since I took office here in 2017,” said Stoney.
The alleged Richmond shooting was to occur the same day a gunman opened fire during a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago, killing multiple people.
UPDATE: Prosecutor says no evidence Dogwood Dell was target of alleged plot; Richmond chief 'stands behind' investigation
A Richmond prosecutor on Wednesday told a judge during a hearing for two Guatemalan immigrants charged in connection with an alleged July 4 mass shooting plot that he had no evidence that it was planned for Dogwood Dell, as the city’s police chief and mayor had noted during a July 6 news conference.
Shortly after the hearing, during which it was disclosed that federal authorities will now prosecute the two suspects, the Richmond Police Department issued a statement that Chief Gerald Smith “stands behind the investigative work done by Richmond Police Detectives to stop a mass shooting planned for July 4th.”
Federal court documents show that Rolman Balcarcel-Bavagas, 52, was charged Monday in a federal criminal complaint with re-entering the U.S. after being previously deported and was indicted on the same charge Tuesday; and Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 38, was charged in a criminal complaint Tuesday with possession of a firearm by a person illegally and unlawfully in the United States.
The issue of whether Dogwood Dell was specifically targeted for the mass shooting arose Wednesday after Richmond General District Judge David Hicks asked Assistant Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Clint Seal about the targeted location.
Hicks noted in comments from the bench that two of his three sons had been at Dogwood Dell on July 4, and if there was evidence the shooting was planned for that location, he would have a conflict of interest that would require him to recuse himself from hearing the case.
“Mr. Seal, I’m asking as an officer of the court based off what I just told you, does the Commonwealth have information that either of these individuals were involved in something that could have potentially affected Dogwood Dell on the Fourth of July where my children were present,” Hicks asked from the bench. “I need to know that before I do anything else on this matter.”
To that, Seal replied, “No.”
But Hicks pressed, asking if it was Seal’s representation “that the commonwealth has no information that either of these individuals were involved in a potential shooting, a planned shooting at Dogwood Dell on Fourth of July here in the city of Richmond.”
Seal replied that he believed “there is evidence to support the potential for a shooting” but not at a specific location.
Hicks also noted that when he granted bond to Alvarado-Dubon on July 6, it was represented to him at that time that “there was a potential for an unspecified shooting at an unspecified location.” Prosecutors appealed the decision to circuit court, and a judge revoked Alvarado-Dubon’s bond July 11 in an agreement signed by both the prosecution and defense.
During a news conference later on July 6, Smith hailed the actions of a “hero citizen” tipster whom he said helped police thwart the mass shooting planned for Dogwood Dell. An officer in the 2nd Precinct received the tip, police said.
Without mentioning Dogwood Dell, Richmond police quickly responded to Wednesday’s court developments.
“Following up on a tip from a concerned individual who heard a plot of a mass shooting planned for July 4th, the Richmond Police Department began an exhaustive investigation to determine its validity,” police said in a statement. “Based on the initial information and subsequent investigation, investigators recovered firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition from the suspect’s residence.”
Later Wednesday, Smith and Mayor Levar Stoney spoke to reporters outside Creighton Court to address the new developments.
“I think the best thing to say about the case is that the same case that was presented to the state has been presented and accepted by the federal government right now,” Smith said.
Smith stood by his officers’ investigation, which pointed to Dogwood Dell’s Fourth of the July celebration as the intended target, citing the department’s internal knowledge and experience.
“It comes from just your police department knowing what it’s doing and just the high probability that would be it,” said Smith. “Our organization looked hard and long at that, to the point where we actually put surveillance on the ones that we didn’t have in custody yet.”
Smith commended his officers for their hard work leading up to the arrest of Balcarcel-Bavagas and Alvarado-Dubon, saying he’s glad that those officers recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition as opposed to having to comfort the families of hundreds of victims.
Stoney also thanked the Richmond Police Department for their work leading up to this point, and that he remains confident in the department’s investigation as it moves to federal court.
“I have confidence in the chief of police and I have confidence in hard working men and women of the Richmond Police Department — bottom line,” Stoney said.
The Times-Dispatch submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to Stoney and the Richmond Police Department seeking emails and other correspondence related to the July 6 news conference, where both the mayor and chief announced a mass shooting plot planned for Dogwood Dell had been thwarted.
Stoney declined to release several documents, citing a portion of the state FOIA law that allows elected officials to withhold documents that are for “personal or deliberative use.”
During Wednesday’s hearing, Hicks withdrew state firearm charges against both men after Seal disclosed, and their attorneys confirmed, that both men now face federal charges.
The state charges that were withdrawn Tuesday accused both men of possession of a firearm by a non-U.S. citizen.
In an affidavit in support of the federal complaint against Alvarado-Dubon, a special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security noted that Richmond police officers who responded to a tip at the house where he was living in the 3100 block of Columbia Street, located two firearms in his bedroom and a third in another part of the house. They included a Radical Firearms RFS-15 rifle; a Glock 26 9mm semiautomatic pistol; and a third unidentified rifle.
Alvarado-Dubon confirmed he had purchased all three firearms, and he had purchased the two rifles from a yard sale near Fredericksburg in March , according to the affidavit.
Police then contacted federal immigration authorities to determine Alvarado-Dubon’s legal status to determine whether he could legally possess a firearm. A federal record check showed that he had last entered the U.S. on a B2 nonimmigrant visa on Aug. 31, 2014, “and overstayed his visa by more than seven years.”
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint against Balcarcel-Bavagas say he was previously removed from the U.S. and returned to his native Guatemala on two occasions — in October 2013 and August 2014.
Balcarcel-Bavagas made an appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond. Alvarado-Dubon is set to make his initial federal court appearance on Friday. | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/arrest-made-victim-identified-in-forest-hill-avenue-homicide/article_d5a0f032-b531-5279-be5a-d61f1e2759d2.html | 2022-08-07T01:28:41 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/arrest-made-victim-identified-in-forest-hill-avenue-homicide/article_d5a0f032-b531-5279-be5a-d61f1e2759d2.html |
Richmond police detectives have identified the victim in Saturday morning’s Midlothian Turnpike death investigation as Rashard Lewis, 31, of Colonial Heights.
At approximately 12:42 a.m., officers responded to the 4000 block of the turnpike for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located two adult males with apparent gunshot wounds. Both males were transported to local hospitals. Lewis died shortly after and was pronounced dead. The second victim’s injuries were not life-threatening.
The medical examiner will determine manner and cause of death.
Anyone with information about this death investigation is asked to call Major Crimes Detective C. Tovar at (804) 646-6739 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones also may be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.
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Continuing coverage of alleged Dogwood Dell shooting plot
'Mass shooting on the Fourth of July' intent of Richmond shooting suspects, police say
Richmond police on Wednesday said a tip from a “hero citizen” prevented a mass shooting at the Dogwood Dell Fourth of July celebration Monday. Two men were arrested, and two assault rifles, a handgun and several hundred rounds of ammunition were seized in a South Richmond residence, authorities said.
The announcement came two days after a rooftop gunman opened fire during an Independence Day parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven in a massacre that wounded dozens of others.
Police in Richmond did not release information about a possible motive in the Dogwood Dell case. Police Chief Gerald Smith during a press conference Wednesday said an officer in the 2nd Precinct received the anonymous tip from a concerned citizen, who overheard a conversation regarding a mass shooting.
Officers and agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigated the information, which led them to a residence in the 3100 block of Columbia Street, Smith said. One of the occupants Friday allowed police to search the home, where several firearms were found out in the open, police said.
Police later arrested Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, of Richmond, who faces a preliminary charge of being a non-U.S. citizen in possession of a firearm. He is being held at Richmond City Jail without bond.
Police also monitored Alvarado-Dubon’s roommate “very, very closely,” Smith said, until obtaining probable cause for an arrest warrant. Rolman Balacarcel, 38, of Richmond, was arrested by Virginia State Police in Charlottesville on Tuesday.
He faces the same preliminary charge as Alvarado-Dubon and is being held in Albemarle County Jail with no bond.
We must get illegal guns off the streets and have better gun control measures that ban assault rifles. But while @RichmondPolice is on the job we have a lieutenant governor @WinsomeSears posing with an assault rifle in a political ad. This is not the progress that Virginia needs. pic.twitter.com/0b8FxHhzHr
— Michael Jones (@thedrmikejones) July 6, 2022
Police spokesperson Tracy Walker said both men are from Guatemala. Initial documents filed in General District Court in Richmond say both Alvarado-Dubon and Balacarcel are not in the U.S. legally. The documents, which say Alvarado-Dubon has an expired visa, did not include any details about the alleged plot.
Court documents note bond was set at $15,000 for Alvarado-Dubon on Wednesday, but it was unclear if he had been released. The documents say he has lived in the Richmond area for three years and works full time in the construction industry. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled in Richmond on Aug. 2. Alvarado-Dubon’s attorney, Jose Aponte, declined to comment Wednesday.
The suspects may face more charges as law enforcement’s investigation continues. A Richmond police spokesperson said Homeland Security officials are leading the investigation.
Smith said they’re unsure how the weapons were obtained, but the suspects did say their intent was to “conduct a mass shooting on the Fourth of July.”
He credited the officer in the 2nd precinct and the person who provided information with preventing the shooting.
“There is no telling how many lives this hero citizen saved from one phone call,” Smith said. “It is the responsibility of law enforcement that if we hear something, that we do something, and that is the message I would like to get out there — that ‘see something, say something’ works.”
‘A constant state of vigilance’
The Dogwood Dell event, which featured music and fireworks, was held despite the threat.
Isaiah Cabino, 23, of Richmond, was at the Dogwood Dell event Monday and said the crowds spanned all the way to the Fan.
Cabino, who was with his partner, said he has gotten into the habit of looking for exits and places to hide when going out in public, a routine he said feels common for a generation that’s grown up in an era of mass shootings.
And in the wake of a Fourth of July parade shooting in a Chicago suburb, Cabino was already uneasy about Monday night.
“It was a constant state of vigilance,” said Cabino, a 23-year-old Richmond resident. “This reality is not OK. You shouldn’t have to go to these events with an expectation of potentially being shot ... The sense of inaction by all levels, both the federal and state level, it’s something that’s not sustainable, especially for kids and folks in my generation.”
While music played and people settled into their chairs around 9 p.m. Monday night, Kristin Dittmann sat with her spouse on the curb of Pump House Drive waiting for the fireworks to begin.
“It was dark and crowded. Chaos and terror would have ensued,” said Dittmann, 63. “We must now recognize that we’re not safe anywhere from gun violence. Guns are everywhere in this country, and what few regulations we have are falling away by the day.”
‘Got to stop’
Smith said police “had a very robust plan” for security for Dogwood Dell. He said they also were monitoring The Diamond, which had fireworks Friday night.
In the Illinois shooting, hundreds were sent fleeing after gunfire erupted in Highland Park. Robert E. Crimo III was charged with seven counts of murder Tuesday.
Two Philadelphia police officers were also wounded during a shooting Monday night at an Independence Day celebration.
In Richmond, a pair of shootings occurred on Independence Day: one incident occurred at a business on Broad Street in which four men and two women were injured. Another person was shot and killed at the City Dogs Restaurant on Main Street the same night.
BREAKING NEWS w/@RTDNEWS
— Lyndon German (@Lyndon__G) July 6, 2022
I’m at Richmond police HQ where officials will discuss how officers thwarted a potential mass shooting attempt over the Fourth July weekend.
Tons of media here already.
Follow this thread for updates. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/dS7mmdd8H5
Smith said the pattern of violence has to end.
“It’s just got to stop,” said Smith. “You know, I may be the police chief, but I’m also a citizen. It’s ridiculous. At some point in time, this has got to stop.”
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney on Wednesday urged citizens, local, state and nationally elected officials to do more to curb gun violence.
“We need more,” Stoney said during the press conference, “More policies to keep people safe, so these firearms, these weapons of war don’t get in the hands of the wrong people.”
When asked if he believes Richmond police have enough resources to continue to prevent tragedies from occurring, Stoney said he and the City Council have taken steps. The city approved a $17 million public safety plan that included pay hikes for police and firefighters and funding for the city’s gun buyback program.
Stoney said he’s also had conversations with the Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin about how to help in this effort, but the justice system is just one piece of the solution.
“We can’t just be tough on crime and say investing law enforcement is the only answer. We also have to be tough on the root causes of crime,” said Stoney.
“Whether you’re at home in your cul-de-sac or in your neighborhood or in a park or at a parade, out dining — you have to keep your head on a swivel,” Stoney said. “And that’s not the country that I know I desire to live in ... but those are the facts of the matter at this moment.”
Tipster about planned Richmond mass shooting said suspect showed 3 guns in June, affidavit says
A “concerned citizen” who tipped Richmond police off about a potential mass shooting at Dogwood Dell on Monday told investigators that one of the men in custody showed him two rifles, a red dot sight and a “longer higher caliber gun” with a kickstand on June 21, according to a court affidavit filed Thursday.
The tipster identified Rolman “Chapin” Balcarcel Ac, 38, as the person planning the shooting, and told police that “Chapin” has connections to a gang called “Los Zetas,” Richmond Detective Michael Kiniry wrote in an affidavit used to obtain a warrant to search 3112 Columbia St. in Richmond.
Kiniry noted in the affidavit that “Zetas” is a reference to the gang affiliate that operates in Mexico and the U.S. The affidavit makes no mention that the tipster informed police that Dogwood Dell was where the mass shooting would take place.
During a news conference Wednesday, Richmond police described the tipster as a “hero citizen” who helped authorities thwart the shooting at Dogwood Dell. An officer in the 2nd Precinct received the tip, police said.
The announcement by Richmond police came two days after seven people were shot and killed during an Independence Day parade in Highland Park, Ill., north of Chicago.
Richmond police reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in reference to the tipster’s information on the Zetas cartel, and their investigation led to the home on Columbia Street, authorities said.
Officers conducted a “knock and talk” at the address on July 1, and another man, Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, came to the door, police said. Officers then asked Alvarado-Dubon if they could step inside to speak with him, and he allowed them to enter, according to the affidavit.
There was a loud party with a DJ outside, which made it difficult to hear, police said. Once inside, officers observed two Glock magazines and a rifle round in the living room in plain view, the affidavit said. At that point, a second man appeared and provided police with a Colorado ID with the name Rolman A. Balcarcel Ac. He also was in possession of two Colorado driver’s licenses and IDs from Guatemala and Mexico, police said.
Alvarado-Dubon then gave police permission to search the residence, but was not present during the search, police said. Officers recovered two AR-15 semiautomatic assault-style rifles, a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Alvarado-Dubon lived at the Columbia Street home with his adult son, 20, the affidavit said, and police during Wednesday’s news conference said Balcarcel Ac was his roommate.
After further investigation, a Homeland Security agent advised Richmond police that both Alvarado-Dubon and Balcarcel Ac were residing in the U.S. illegally.
On Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that Balcarcel Ac was deported twice from the U.S. to Guatemala — first in October 2013 and then in August 2014. An immigration spokesman said Balcarcel’s full name is Rolman Balcarcel Ac, which slightly differs from the name provided Wednesday by Richmond police.
Immigration authorities also said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Washington placed immigration detainers on both men on Wednesday. Alvarado-Dubon is in custody at the Richmond City Justice Center, and Balcarcel Ac is being held at the Albemarle County Jail. Both are charged with possession of a firearm by non-U.S. citizen.
A Richmond judge granted Alvarado-Dubon a $15,000 bond on Wednesday, but court documents show prosecutors appealed the judge’s decision and that a hearing on the matter will be held Monday. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 2 in Richmond General District Court.
Court documents say Alvarado-Dubon has lived in the Richmond area for three years and works full time in the construction industry.
Homeland Security Investigations, in conjunction with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and the FBI, is assisting Richmond police in an investigation of the men, immigration officials said.
Bond revoked for man accused in Richmond mass shooting plot
A Richmond judge on Monday revoked bond for one of two defendants charged with gun offenses in connection with an alleged mass shooting that police said was planned for July 4 at Dogwood Dell.
In a joint agreement signed by both the prosecution and defense, Richmond Circuit Judge Claire G. Cardwell revoked a $15,000 bond that had been granted to Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, on Wednesday.
Monday’s hearing was scheduled after Richmond prosecutors appealed the bond granted by Richmond General District Court Judge David Hicks.
Had Cardwell upheld bond for the defendant, he likely would have remained in custody due to U.S. immigration authorities placing federal detainers on both defendants on July 6. During Monday’s hearing, Cardwell asked defense attorney Jose Aponte about the detainers, which Aponte confirmed.
Immigration Customs and Enforcement last week advised news outlets that both men are from Guatemala and were illegally residing in the U.S.
During Monday’s bond hearing, the revocation order signed by the judge set Aug. 3 as a preliminary hearing date for Alvarado-Dubon.
In a separate hearing Monday in Richmond General District Court-Manchester, the second defendant, Rolman Balcarcel Ac, 38, was arraigned during a brief proceeding via video feed from the Richmond City Justice Center. It was his first appearance in a Richmond courtroom since he was arrested in Albemarle County on July 5.
His preliminary hearing date is Aug. 3, which coincides with Alvarado-Dubon’s. Richmond attorney Samuel P. Simpson has been retained to represent Balcarcel Ac.
Both men are charged with possession of a firearm as a non-citizen and being illegally present in the U.S.
Richmond police on Wednesday said they thwarted the potential mass shooting on Independence Day after receiving a tip from a “concerned citizen.” The announcement came two days after a gunman opened fire on a parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven.
The person who tipped Richmond police identified Balcarcel as the person who was planning the shooting, according to a search warrant affidavit. The tipster further advised that Balcarcel, known to the tipster as “Chapin,” had connections to a gang called “Los Zetas.” Police said Zetas is a reference to the Zetas cartel that operates in Mexico and the U.S.
In court records made public Monday, Balcarcel told a Richmond magistrate that he has been living in Richmond for three or four months and resided in Denver for three years before that. He was employed doing electrical work and earned $1,100 weekly when working 40 hours a week.
Alvarado-Dubon has lived in the Richmond area for three years and worked full time in construction, according to court documents.
Balcarcel and Alvarado-Dubon were living in a house at 3112 Columbia St. in Richmond. During a search of the residence, police said they recovered two AR-15 semiautomatic assault-style rifles, a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol and about 200 rounds of ammunition, police said.
Court records filed so far in the case, which include an affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for the suspects’ residence, makes no mention that Dogwood Dell was the intended target of the mass shooting, as police announced last week. After questions arose about the location, Richmond police late Friday issued a “supplemental release” in an effort to clarify.
In the release, police said that following the tip they said they received from a concerned citizen about a plot to conduct a mass shooting that targeted the city’s Fourth of July celebration, “the Richmond Police Department began an exhaustive investigation to determine its validity.”
Based on the initial information and subsequent investigation, investigators concluded that Dogwood Dell was the intended target, police said without elaboration.
“Over the course of the investigation, we believed it necessary to keep the information secure, not wanting to risk tipping off any suspects while also not desiring to incite fear in our residents,” said Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith in a statement. “I stand behind the thoroughness of this investigation and continue to be proud of the work that our officers did to thwart a plot that could have proven disastrous for Richmond.”
Stoney won't release certain documents related to Richmond mass shooting press conference
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney is withholding some of his public records regarding a news conference he held about an alleged foiled mass shooting plot.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch through the state Freedom of Information Act asked for emails and other documents from Stoney and the Richmond Police Department following the July 6 news conference, where officials said authorities had thwarted a planned Independence Day mass shooting at the crowded Dogwood Dell amphitheater.
Speaking to the media, Stoney referenced what he called an epidemic of gun violence. The news conference was held days after a gunman opened fire on a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago, killing seven.
“Whether you’re at home in your cul-de-sac, or in your neighborhood, or in a park, or at a parade, out dining — you have to keep your head on a swivel,” said Stoney, standing in front of City Council members and other officials.
Police Chief Gerald Smith said during the news conference that the investigation began after getting a tip from a “hero citizen” on July 1. The person overheard a conversation regarding the shooting, he said.
Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 52, was arrested that same day. Rolman Alberto Balcarcel, 38, was put under surveillance and arrested days later near Charlottesville, police said.
“One phone call saved numerous lives on the Fourth of July,” Smith said during the news conference.
But while Smith said a citizen tipster told police that the men were going to shoot up Dogwood Dell, a police spokeswoman told television station WRIC-TV a few days later that the tip did not include a specific location.
Court documents also revealed details of the correspondence between the tipster and Richmond police. The affidavit makes no mention that the person informed police that Dogwood Dell was where the mass shooting would take place.
Officials have not responded to questions about a possible motive of the attack they say was planned. The Fourth of July events and fireworks show at Dogwood Dell were still held.
The Times-Dispatch on July 8 submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Richmond Police Department and a second FOIA request to the mayor’s office to obtain correspondence related to the news conference, including emails, texts and notes.
Richmond police told The Times-Dispatch that it would be charged $568.32 as a deposit for an IT employee to spend an estimated 12 hours searching for the records. The newspaper is negotiating with police about that request. The mayor’s office charged $54.61 for records.
Stoney’s office opted not to disclose several documents, including two emails containing drafts of statements from the news conference, four text messages and one text message between the mayor and press secretary Jim Nolan.
The mayor cited an exemption in Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act for executive working papers, one of about 150 discretionary records exemptions in the state’s open records act. The exemption allows elected officials to not make public documents that are for “personal or deliberative use.”
Stoney did not respond to questions from The Times-Dispatch about the documents. Nolan also did not immediately return messages for this story.
***
According to Alan Gernhardt, the executive director of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act Advisory Council, nothing in Virginia Code requires the mayor’s office to answer why the records will not be made public. The state agency helps resolves FOIA disputes.
“As long as localities cite the exemptions as written in state code, they’re not compelled to tell you anything more than that,” Gernhardt said.
He also pointed out a change to the FOIA law effective July 1 that states a public body searching for the requested records “shall make all reasonable efforts to supply the requested records at the lowest possible cost.”
Although VFOIA law does not require localities to charge per request, they still have the option to do so, Gernhardt said.
“With the way the law’s been phrased, it just says, ‘You may charge,’ so it’s permissive not required,” he said. “Technically since it says ‘may’ in the law, a locality could say our policy is to charge every request or every single time in some cases.”
A Richmond city regulation says the city’s VFOIA representatives shall charge the requester for the response.
“I have heard of some other bodies that are like that. That they literally charge every single time. You get one sheet of paper and it’s 10 cents; you get 100 and it’s 10 bucks,” Gernhardt said. “I mean that’s really up to them and their policy.”
But he said Richmond’s regulation isn’t in conflict with the state’s new FOIA law as written.
“A hypothetical example of a conflict is if somebody were to say, ‘We shall charge a minimum of five dollars per record for every record to go out of this office,’” Gernhardt said. “That would be a violation, because that could exceed a reasonable cost.”
Gernhardt said there are rules outside FOIA that may require minimum fees for such records as Virginia court systems or the Department of Motor Vehicles, but lawmakers have addressed concerns over high charges for FOIA requests before.
Del. Danica Roem, D-Prince William, this year submitted House Bill 599, which would limit the charges incurred by an individual seeking four or fewer individual record requests. That bill was killed in committee. The new law that passed that requires government to keep costs minimal was sponsored by Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper.
Gernhardt said that in general, citizens have expressed concerns about higher charges for FOIA records, but he’s unsure how those issues should be addressed.
“Again as the law currently stands, technically it’s an allowed expense as long as it’s reasonable,” he said. “Should it be that way in an ideal world, that’s not for me to say, but that’s the way it is as the law as written.”
The men arrested in the threat case are both from Guatemala and are not in the U.S. legally. Documents filed in General District Court in Richmond said Alvarado-Dubon has an expired visa, but did not include any details about the alleged plot.
Stoney stands by not releasing alleged July Fourth shooting plot documents
Mayor Levar Stoney on Wednesday said he’s following state code by not releasing certain internal city documents related to a mass shooting plot that authorities said was planned on July 4 in Richmond.
The Times-Dispatch has filed two Freedom of Information Act requests for emails and other documents from Stoney and Richmond police related to a July 6 news conference about the alleged plot and the arrest of two suspects. Other media outlets have filed similar document requests.
Police Chief Gerald Smith said they were tipped off by a citizen who overheard a conversation about a shooting. Smith said the shooting was to have occurred during an Independence Day celebration at Dogwood Dell amphitheater.
But a police spokeswoman later told television station WRIC-TV that the tip did not include a specific location. A court affidavit also doesn’t give a location for the shooting.
Stoney’s office opted not to disclose several documents pertaining to the request, citing one of the 150 record exemptions outlined in the state’s open records act.
The exemption allows elected officials to not make public documents that are for “personal or deliberative use,” available.
“We are following the code of Virginia,” Stoney said Wednesday.
However, the code Stoney referenced is permissive, not mandatory. The code states that records of this nature “may be disclosed by the custodian in his discretion, except where such disclosure is prohibited by law.”
So although Stoney has the ability to release some personal records, the mayor has opted not to, as is consistent with FOIA law and the mayor’s own policy.
“Those documents are protected and that’s always been our policy since day one, since I took office here in 2017,” said Stoney.
The alleged Richmond shooting was to occur the same day a gunman opened fire during a July Fourth parade in suburban Chicago, killing multiple people.
UPDATE: Prosecutor says no evidence Dogwood Dell was target of alleged plot; Richmond chief 'stands behind' investigation
A Richmond prosecutor on Wednesday told a judge during a hearing for two Guatemalan immigrants charged in connection with an alleged July 4 mass shooting plot that he had no evidence that it was planned for Dogwood Dell, as the city’s police chief and mayor had noted during a July 6 news conference.
Shortly after the hearing, during which it was disclosed that federal authorities will now prosecute the two suspects, the Richmond Police Department issued a statement that Chief Gerald Smith “stands behind the investigative work done by Richmond Police Detectives to stop a mass shooting planned for July 4th.”
Federal court documents show that Rolman Balcarcel-Bavagas, 52, was charged Monday in a federal criminal complaint with re-entering the U.S. after being previously deported and was indicted on the same charge Tuesday; and Julio Alvarado-Dubon, 38, was charged in a criminal complaint Tuesday with possession of a firearm by a person illegally and unlawfully in the United States.
The issue of whether Dogwood Dell was specifically targeted for the mass shooting arose Wednesday after Richmond General District Judge David Hicks asked Assistant Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Clint Seal about the targeted location.
Hicks noted in comments from the bench that two of his three sons had been at Dogwood Dell on July 4, and if there was evidence the shooting was planned for that location, he would have a conflict of interest that would require him to recuse himself from hearing the case.
“Mr. Seal, I’m asking as an officer of the court based off what I just told you, does the Commonwealth have information that either of these individuals were involved in something that could have potentially affected Dogwood Dell on the Fourth of July where my children were present,” Hicks asked from the bench. “I need to know that before I do anything else on this matter.”
To that, Seal replied, “No.”
But Hicks pressed, asking if it was Seal’s representation “that the commonwealth has no information that either of these individuals were involved in a potential shooting, a planned shooting at Dogwood Dell on Fourth of July here in the city of Richmond.”
Seal replied that he believed “there is evidence to support the potential for a shooting” but not at a specific location.
Hicks also noted that when he granted bond to Alvarado-Dubon on July 6, it was represented to him at that time that “there was a potential for an unspecified shooting at an unspecified location.” Prosecutors appealed the decision to circuit court, and a judge revoked Alvarado-Dubon’s bond July 11 in an agreement signed by both the prosecution and defense.
During a news conference later on July 6, Smith hailed the actions of a “hero citizen” tipster whom he said helped police thwart the mass shooting planned for Dogwood Dell. An officer in the 2nd Precinct received the tip, police said.
Without mentioning Dogwood Dell, Richmond police quickly responded to Wednesday’s court developments.
“Following up on a tip from a concerned individual who heard a plot of a mass shooting planned for July 4th, the Richmond Police Department began an exhaustive investigation to determine its validity,” police said in a statement. “Based on the initial information and subsequent investigation, investigators recovered firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition from the suspect’s residence.”
Later Wednesday, Smith and Mayor Levar Stoney spoke to reporters outside Creighton Court to address the new developments.
“I think the best thing to say about the case is that the same case that was presented to the state has been presented and accepted by the federal government right now,” Smith said.
Smith stood by his officers’ investigation, which pointed to Dogwood Dell’s Fourth of the July celebration as the intended target, citing the department’s internal knowledge and experience.
“It comes from just your police department knowing what it’s doing and just the high probability that would be it,” said Smith. “Our organization looked hard and long at that, to the point where we actually put surveillance on the ones that we didn’t have in custody yet.”
Smith commended his officers for their hard work leading up to the arrest of Balcarcel-Bavagas and Alvarado-Dubon, saying he’s glad that those officers recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition as opposed to having to comfort the families of hundreds of victims.
Stoney also thanked the Richmond Police Department for their work leading up to this point, and that he remains confident in the department’s investigation as it moves to federal court.
“I have confidence in the chief of police and I have confidence in hard working men and women of the Richmond Police Department — bottom line,” Stoney said.
The Times-Dispatch submitted Freedom of Information Act requests to Stoney and the Richmond Police Department seeking emails and other correspondence related to the July 6 news conference, where both the mayor and chief announced a mass shooting plot planned for Dogwood Dell had been thwarted.
Stoney declined to release several documents, citing a portion of the state FOIA law that allows elected officials to withhold documents that are for “personal or deliberative use.”
During Wednesday’s hearing, Hicks withdrew state firearm charges against both men after Seal disclosed, and their attorneys confirmed, that both men now face federal charges.
The state charges that were withdrawn Tuesday accused both men of possession of a firearm by a non-U.S. citizen.
In an affidavit in support of the federal complaint against Alvarado-Dubon, a special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security noted that Richmond police officers who responded to a tip at the house where he was living in the 3100 block of Columbia Street, located two firearms in his bedroom and a third in another part of the house. They included a Radical Firearms RFS-15 rifle; a Glock 26 9mm semiautomatic pistol; and a third unidentified rifle.
Alvarado-Dubon confirmed he had purchased all three firearms, and he had purchased the two rifles from a yard sale near Fredericksburg in March , according to the affidavit.
Police then contacted federal immigration authorities to determine Alvarado-Dubon’s legal status to determine whether he could legally possess a firearm. A federal record check showed that he had last entered the U.S. on a B2 nonimmigrant visa on Aug. 31, 2014, “and overstayed his visa by more than seven years.”
The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint against Balcarcel-Bavagas say he was previously removed from the U.S. and returned to his native Guatemala on two occasions — in October 2013 and August 2014.
Balcarcel-Bavagas made an appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond. Alvarado-Dubon is set to make his initial federal court appearance on Friday. | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/victim-identified-in-midlothian-turnpike-death-investigation/article_081b1b2d-4ad1-5715-810f-fc0263e2a108.html | 2022-08-07T01:28:47 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/victim-identified-in-midlothian-turnpike-death-investigation/article_081b1b2d-4ad1-5715-810f-fc0263e2a108.html |
24-year sentence for man who killed Arizona jail officer in 2013
A Phoenix man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for his convictions for manslaughter in the 2013 killing of a Maricopa County jail officer and for aggravated assault in the shooting of someone else two days later at a party.
Authorities say Leonard Moreno, then 15 years old, fatally shot Detention Officer Jorge Vargas as the officer was in his driveway getting ready to leave for work. Moreno, now 24, has already spent nearly nine years in jail awaiting resolution of his case.
Before punishment was imposed on Friday, Vargas’ family members told the court about the enduring pain they feel from the death and strongly criticized the term of Moreno's plea agreement. Prosecutors said the plea deal was offered because of issues with both the facts of the case and the availability of witnesses to testify.
Superior Court Judge Jacki Ireland agreed with the Vargas family that the deal was extraordinarily lenient, but the judge said it does bring a measure of justice.
“The single factor that is allowing this court to accept the plea agreement — the single factor — is that the government had serious factual issues with their case," Ireland said before announcing the sentence.
Moreno declined to address the court. His lawyers cited his young age at the time the crimes were committed and said he took responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty.
Vargas was an eight-year veteran who worked for the sheriff’s Custody Support Bureau in a jail food factory. He is survived by his wife and son, who is now 14 years old. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/06/man-sentenced-24-years-2013-killing-officer-jorge-vargas/10259187002/ | 2022-08-07T01:43:19 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/06/man-sentenced-24-years-2013-killing-officer-jorge-vargas/10259187002/ |
Many of us who delight in long hours of bright sunlight, with early sunrises and late sunsets, may wish to regard Saturday with a bit of sadness. To a good approximation, Saturday ended the annual long-day season.
That quarter is the 90 or so days in which we receive a minimum of 14 hours of solar benevolence, brightness and dazzle.
Those hours of protracted illumination, and the feelings of ease and luxury they engender, represent a gift bestowed by the geometry of the Earth’s orbit and the bounty of nature.
But since reaching its brilliant peak at the time of the solstice on June 21, our daily quota of time in the sun has been declining.
On Saturday in Washington, that cherished stretch, so longed for through the darkness of winter, shrank to exactly 14 hours.
For the next three quarters of a solar year, our daylight allotment will be less. Recognizing that to everything there is a season, we may now declare that the longest days have had their season.
It began about May 6, when we welcomed 14 hours of daylight for the first time this year. Now after its run of a little more than 90 days, the splendid time of the 14-hour day is over for the year.
Part of it, of course, overlaps with traditional summer. By no means did Saturday end summer. We may mourn the loss of daylight, but we remain deep within the season of heat and humidity.
Saturday was not as deep in heat as earlier in the week, however. As of 5 p.m., the National Weather Service listed the high as 88 degrees. That is warm, and Saturday seemed warm enough.
But by missing the talismanic 90-degree mark, Saturday failed to extend the heat wave that started on Tuesday.
The figures, however, suggest that Saturday did not stint on our other summer staple, humidity. That could be read in the heat index, often regarded as an indicator of what conditions feel like.
If the mercury did not reach 90, the heat index at least suggested that many of us got the 90-degree experience.
For much of Saturday afternoon the index read seven or eight degrees higher than the thermometer, and dwelled in the 90-degree range.
Yet, in truth, the air seemed clear for a summer afternoon, allowing us to enjoy a day of sunshine and high-level cirrus clouds, the thin feathery ones, that often speak of high altitudes and cooler temperatures. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/saturday-snapped-a-heatwave-and-also-ended-our-time-of-longest-days/2022/08/06/91837730-15d5-11ed-aba1-f2b7689c0492_story.html | 2022-08-07T01:45:02 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/saturday-snapped-a-heatwave-and-also-ended-our-time-of-longest-days/2022/08/06/91837730-15d5-11ed-aba1-f2b7689c0492_story.html |
One Lincoln woman is in serious condition after a multi-vehicle accident Saturday at the intersection of N. 1st Street and Cornhusker Highway, according to police.
The Lincoln Police Department and Lincoln Fire and Rescue were called to the scene of the car crash involving three vehicles at 12:07 p.m. Saturday.
LPD said this 3 vehicle accident occurred right around 12 p.m. It’s unclear how many individuals were in each vehicle. LPD has said that at least one individual involved was in serious condition and transported to Bryan West. @JournalStarNews https://t.co/aAmBLYTXpW pic.twitter.com/0KfQ1VPWNn
— Evelyn Mejia (@evelynmejiaaa) August 6, 2022
After a red SUV ran a red light and struck a blue pickup, the SUV rolled and landed on top of a black SUV, leaving the driver trapped inside. The 47-year-old woman in serious condition was transported to Bryan West, Lincoln Police Cpt. Jake Dilsaver said.
The intersection will be closed for a significant period of time. Police are asking drivers to use alternate routes until further notice.
This is a devolving story. Stay with JournalStar.com for updates.
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Tom Casady's list of the 10 most infamous crimes in Lincoln history
Crimes of the times
This is simply one man’s perspective from the early 21st century (first written in 2010). I had to make a decision about crimes that occurred at locations that are inside the city today, but were outside our corporate limits at the time they occurred. I chose the latter.
Before beginning, though, I have to deal with three crimes that stand apart: the murders of three police officers in Lincoln. I’m not quite sure how to place them in a list. They all had huge impacts on the community, and on the police department in particular. Because these are my colleagues, I deal with them separately and in chronological order.
Patrolman Marion Francis Marshall
Shot in the shadow of the new Nebraska State Capital, Gov. Charles Bryan came to his aid and summoned additional help.
Lt. Frank Soukup
Marion Marshall was technically not a Lincoln police officer, so Lt. Soukup was actually the first Lincoln police officer killed on duty. One of his colleagues who was present at the motel and involved in the gunbattle, Paul Jacobsen, went on to enjoy a long career and command rank at LPD, influencing many young charges (like me) and leaving his mark on the culture of the agency.
Lt. Paul Whitehead
In the space of a few months, three LPD officers died in the line of duty. Frank Soukup had been murdered, and George Welter had died in a motorcycle crash. Paul Whitehead's partner, Paul Merritt, went on to command rank, and like Paul Jacobsen left an indelible mark at LPD and the community.
No. 1: Starkweather
The subject of several thinly disguised movie plots and a Springsteen album, the Starkweather murders are clearly the most infamous crime in Lincoln’s history — so far. One of the first mass murderers of the mass media age, six of Charles Starkweather’s 11 victims were killed inside the city of Lincoln, and the first was just on the outskirts of town. I didn’t live in Lincoln at the time, but my wife was a first-grader at Riley Elementary School and has vivid memories of the city gripped by fear in the days between the discovery of the Bartlett murders and Starkweather’s capture in Wyoming.
The case caused quite an uproar. There was intense criticism of the police department and sheriff’s office for not capturing Starkweather earlier in the week after the discovery of the Bartletts' bodies. Ultimately, Mayor Bennett Martin and the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners retained a retired FBI agent, Harold G. Robinson, to investigate the performance of local law enforcement. His report essentially exonerated the local law officers and made a few vanilla recommendations for improving inter-agency communication and training.
Now I know that many readers are mumbling to themselves “how obvious.” Hold your horses, though. It’s not quite as obvious as you might think. I had two experiences that drove this fact home to me. The first was a visit by a small group of journalism students. Only one member of the class had any idea, and her idea was pretty vague. You need to remember that the Starkweather murders were in 1957 and 1958 — before the parents of many college students were even born.
The second experience was a visit by a Cub Scout den. I was giving the kids a tour of the police station one evening. We were in the front lobby waiting for everyone to arrive. As I entertained the boys, I told the moms and dads that they might enjoy looking in the corner of the Sheriff’s Office display case to see the contents of Starkweather’s wallet — discovered a couple of years ago locked up in the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office safe. After a few minutes, one of the confused fathers asked me who Starkweather was, and why it was significant.
No. 2: Lincoln National Bank
On the morning of Sept. 17, 1930, a dark blue Buick carrying six men pulled up in front of the Lincoln National Bank at the northwest corner of 12th and O streets. Five of the men entered the bank, while a sixth stood outside by the Buick, cradling a machine gun. Observing the unusual events, a passerby called the police. The officer who responded, Forrest Shappaugh, was casually instructed by the machine-gun-toting lookout to just keep going, which he wisely did. Returning with reinforcements, he found that the robbers had already made good on their getaway, netting $2.7 million in cash and negotiable securities.
Ultimately, three of the six suspects were arrested. Tommy O’Connor and Howard Lee were convicted and sentenced. Jack Britt was tried twice but not convicted by a hung jury. Gus Winkeler, a member of Al Capone’s gang, winged a deal with County Attorney Max Towle to avoid prosecution in exchange for orchestrating the recovery of $600,000 in bearer bonds. The following year, Winkeler was murdered in Chicago, the victim of a gangland slaying. The final two robbers were never identified.
The Lincoln National Bank robbery stood as the largest cash bank robbery in the United States for many decades. It precipitated major changes at the Lincoln Police Department. Chief Peter Johnstone was rapidly “retired” after the robbery, the department’s fleet was upgraded to add the first official patrol cars, the full force was armed and a shotgun squad was organized. Forty-four years later when I was hired at LPD, the echo of the Lincoln National Bank robbery was still evident in daily bank opening details, and in the Thomspon submachine guns and Reising rifles that detectives grabbed whenever the robbery alarm sounded at headquarters.
No. 3: The Last Posse
My first inkling about this crime came when I was the chief deputy sheriff. One of my interns, a young man named Ron Boden (who became a veteran deputy sheriff), had been doing some research on Lancaster County’s only known lynching, in 1884. I came across a reference in the biography of the sheriff at the time, Sam Melick, to the murder of the Nebraska Penitentiary warden and subsequent prison break. Melick had been appointed interim warden after the murder and instituted several reforms.
Several years later, a colleague, Sgt. Geoff Marti, loaned me a great book, Gale Christianson’s "Last Posse," that told the story of the 1912 prison break in gory, haunting and glorious detail.
To make a long story short, convict Shorty Gray and his co-conspirators shot and killed Warden James Delahunty, a deputy warden and a guard on Wednesday, March 13, 1912. They then made their break — right into the teeth of a brutal Nebraska spring blizzard. Over the course to the next few days, a posse pursued. During the pursuit, the escapees carjacked a young farmer with his team and wagon. As the posse closed in, a gunfight broke out and the hostage was shot and killed in the exchange, along with two of the three escapees.
There was plenty of anger among the locals in the Gretna-Springfield vicinity about the death of their native son, and a controversy raged over the law enforcement tactics that brought about his demise. Lancaster County Sheriff Gus Hyers was not unsullied by the inquiry, although it appears from my prospect a century later that the fog of war led to the tragedy.
Christianson, a professor of history at Indiana State University who died earlier this year, notes the following on the flyleaf:
“For anyone living west of the Mississippi in 1912, the biggest news that fateful year was a violent escape from the Nebraska state penitentiary planned and carried out by a trio of notorious robbers and safe blowers.”
Bigger news on half the continent than the sinking of the Titanic during the same year would certainly qualify this murder-escape as one of the most infamous Lincoln crimes in history.
No. 4: Rock Island wreck
The Aug. 10, 1894, wreck of a Rock Island train on the southwest outskirts of Lincoln was almost lost in the mist of time until it was resurrected in the public consciousness by author Joel Williams, who came across the story while conducting research for his historical novel, "Barrelhouse Boys."
The wreck was determined to be the result of sabotage to the tracks, perhaps an attempt to derail the train as a prelude to robbery. Eleven people died in the crash and ensuing fire, making this a mass murder, to be sure. G.W. Davis was arrested and convicted of the crime but later received a full pardon. The story was told in greater detail earlier this year by the Lincoln Journal Star.
A historical marker is along the Rock Island Trail in Wilderness Park, accessible only by foot or bike from the nearest trail access points about a half-mile away at Old Cheney Road on the north, or 14th Street on the south.
Here’s the big question that remains unanswered: Was there really significant evidence to prove that George Washington Davis committed the crime, or was he just a convenient scapegoat? The fact that he received a gubernatorial pardon 10 years later leads me to believe that the evidence must have been unusually weak. If he was railroaded, then my second question is this: who really pried loose the tracks with the 40-pound crowbar found at the scene?
No. 5: Commonwealth
On Nov. 1, 1983, the doors to Nebraska’s largest industrial savings and loan company were closed and Commonwealth was declared insolvent. The 6,700 depositors with $65 million at stake would never be fully compensated for their loss, ultimately receiving about 59 cents on the dollar for their deposits, which they all mistakenly believed were insured up to $30,000 through the Nebraska Depository Insurance Guaranty Corporation, which was essentially an insurance pool with assets of only $3 million.
The case dominated Nebraska news for months. The investigation ultimately led to the conviction of three members of the prominent Lincoln family that owned the institution, the resignation of the director of the State Department of Banking and the impeachment of the Nebraska attorney general and the suspension of his license to practice law. State and federal litigation arising from the failure of Commonwealth drug on for years.
At the Lincoln Police Department, the Commonwealth failure led to the formation of a specialized white-collar crime detail, now known as the Technical Investigations Unit. At the time, municipal police departments in the United States had virtually no capacity for investigating financial crime and fraud of this magnitude, and we quickly became well known for our expertise in this area. The early experience served LPD very well in the ensuring years.
No. 6: Candice Harms
Candi Harms never came home from visiting her boyfriend on Sept. 22, 1992. Her parents reported her as a missing person the following morning, and her car was found abandoned in a cornfield north of Lincoln later in the day. Weeks went by before her remains were found southeast of Lincoln.
Scott Barney and Roger Bjorklund were convicted in her abduction and murder. Barney is in prison serving a life term. Bjorklund died in prison in 2001. Intense media attention surrounded the lengthy trial of Roger Bjorklund, for which a jury was brought in from Cheyenne County as an alternative to a change of venue. I have no doubt that the trial was a life-changing event for a group of good citizens from Sidney, who did their civic duty.
I was the Lancaster County sheriff at the time, involved both in the investigation and in the trial security. It was at about this time that the cellular telephone was becoming a consumer product, and I have often thought that this brutal crime probably spurred a lot of purchases. During my career, this is probably the second-most-prominent Lincoln crime in terms of the sheer volume of media coverage.
No. 7: Jon Simpson and Jacob Surber
A parent’s worst nightmare unfolded in September 1975 when these two boys, ages 12 and 13, failed to return from the Nebraska State Fair. The boys were the victims of abduction and murder. The case was similar to a string of other murders of young boys in the Midwest, and many thought that these cases were related -- the work of a serial killer. Although an arrest was made in the case here in Lincoln, the charges were eventually dismissed. William Guatney was released and has since died.
No. 8: John Sheedy
Saloon and gambling house owner John Sheedy was gunned down outside his home at 1211 P St. in January 1891. The case of Sheedy, prominent in Lincoln’s demiworld, became the talk of the town when his wife, Mary, and her alleged lover and accomplice, Monday McFarland, were arrested. Both were acquitted at trial. The Sheedy murder is chronicled in a great interactive multimedia website, Gilded Age Plains City, an online version that builds upon an article published in 2001 by Timothy Mahoney of the University of Nebraska.
No. 9: Patricia McGarry and Catherine Brooks
The bodies of these two friends were found in a Northeast Lincoln duplex in August 1977. Their murderer, Robert E. Williams, was the subject of a massive Midwest manhunt during the following week. Before his capture, he committed a third murder in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and raped, shot and left for dead a victim who survived in Minnesota. He is the last man to be executed in Nebraska, sent to the electric chair in 1997.
No. 10: Judge William M. Morning
District Court Judge William Morning was murdered in February 1924. He was shot on the bench by an unhappy litigant in a divorce case. His court reporter, Minor Bacon, was also shot, but a notebook in his breast pocket deflected the bullet and saved his life.
Many other crimes
Choosing Lincoln's 10 most infamous crimes was a challenge. Although the top two were easy, the picture quickly became clouded. We tend, of course, to forget our history rather quickly. Many of the crimes I felt were among the most significant are barely remembered today, if not completely forgotten.
Some readers will take issue with my list. In choosing 10, here are the others I considered, in no particular order. They are all murders:
-- Mary O'Shea
-- Nancy Parker
-- Charles Mulholland
-- Victoria Lamm and Janet Mesner
-- Martina McMenamin
-- Regina Bos (presumably murdered)
-- Patty Webb
-- Marianne Mitzner
I also thought about the five murder-suicides in which a mother or father killed multiple family members before taking their own life. Though tragic, these crimes did not command the same kind of attention as the others, perhaps because there was no lengthy investigation, no tantalizing whodunit, no stranger-killer, nor any of the details that come out in the coverage of a major trial. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-woman-in-serious-condition-after-rollover-wreck-at-1st-and-cornhusker/article_6895bd86-94c0-5768-ac7b-146e7c0311c2.html | 2022-08-07T01:45:59 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/lincoln-woman-in-serious-condition-after-rollover-wreck-at-1st-and-cornhusker/article_6895bd86-94c0-5768-ac7b-146e7c0311c2.html |
TIGARD, Ore. — Getting all the pieces just right and working together to build them, Comcast workers took over the parking lot of their Tigard business center to create adaptive toy cars for young kids with mobility disabilities.
This coming together is part of the company's "Team UP" volunteer initiative. After going virtual the past couple of years due to COVID concerns, they are back to volunteering in person.
“There's just a lot of smiles, there is a lot of positive energy, and we're just really excited to collaborate to create these toy cars and support our community and give back,” said Rebecca Brown, Comcast's senior director of community impact.
Brown explained that the volunteer project was to support a national organization called Go Baby Go, which provides modified ride-on toy cars for kids with disabilities like spina bifida, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
“They will then go to families in the area so their kiddos can scoot around and interact with their peers, and these are for children with varying mobility disabilities,” said Brown.
Team UP brought these employees together in person for the first time in a long time, making this car assembly project all the more special.
“It's a combination of interaction and socialization with each other and it's also giving back," said Kelly Lajoiu, Comcast’s employee engagement lead.
But at the end of the day, the best part is seeing families arrive to pick up the cars for their kids — like one family with a little girl. Her folks got her buckled in, and now she'll be able to spend some time getting the hang of rolling around in her new ride.
That feels good for volunteers.
“I'm just talking to you and I have tears ... if that doesn't sum it up for you, I don't know what does," said Lajoiu. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/toy-cars-kids-mobility-disabilities-comcast-team-up/283-5d384a89-6e9a-4ae3-aaa3-f99da245f81a | 2022-08-07T01:53:48 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/toy-cars-kids-mobility-disabilities-comcast-team-up/283-5d384a89-6e9a-4ae3-aaa3-f99da245f81a |
HAPPY CAMP, Calif. — A wildfire burning in a remote area just south of the Oregon border appears to have caused the deaths of tens of thousands of Klamath River fish, the Karuk Tribe said.
The tribe said in a statement that the dead fish of all species were found Friday near Happy Camp, California, along the main stem of the Klamath River.
It's unclear exactly what is causing the fish deaths but biologists with the tribe believe a flash flood caused by heavy rains over the burn area caused a massive debris flow that entered the river, said Craig Tucker, a spokesman for the tribe.
The Karuk are working with the Yurok, another Northern California tribe, and state and federal agencies to gain access to the fire zone to get a better sense of what happened and the extent of the problem.
It’s still unclear if the fish kill will be localized or will spread further downriver, affecting additional fish.
A photo from the Karuk taken about 20 miles (32 kilometers) downstream from the flash flood in the tributary of Seiad Creek showed several dozen dead fish belly up amid sticks and other debris in thick, brown water along the river bank.
The McKinney Fire, which has burned more than 90 square miles (233 square kilometers) in the Klamath National Forest, this week wiped out the scenic hamlet of Klamath River, where about 200 people lived. The flames killed four people in the tiny community and reduced most of the homes and businesses to ash.
Scientists have said climate change has made the West warmer and drier over the last three decades and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive. Across the American West, a 22-year megadrought deepened so much in 2021 that the region is now in the driest spell in at least 1,200 years.
When it began, the McKinney Fire burned just several hundred acres and firefighters thought they would quickly bring it under control. But thunderstorms came in with ferocious gusts that within hours had pushed it into an unstoppable conflagration.
The blaze was 30% contained on Saturday.
The fish kill was a blow for the Karuk and Yurok tribes, which have been fighting for years to protect fragile populations of salmon in the Klamath River. The salmon are revered by the Karuk Tribe and the Yurok Tribe, California’s second-largest Native American tribe.
The federally endangered fish species has suffered from low flows in the Klamath River in recent years and a parasite that's deadly to salmon flourished in the warmer, slower-moving water last summer, killing fish in huge numbers.
After years of negotiations, four dams on the lower river that impede the migration of salmon are on track to be removed next year in what would be the largest dam demolition project in U.S. history in an attempt to help the fish recover. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/california-wildfire-oregon-mckinney-fish-kill-tribe/283-18aebf25-c29f-4f97-a64c-282b74734c62 | 2022-08-07T01:53:54 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/california-wildfire-oregon-mckinney-fish-kill-tribe/283-18aebf25-c29f-4f97-a64c-282b74734c62 |
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