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TWIN FALLS — Adonna R. Hobbs, 76, of Twin Falls, passed away, Sunday, July 24, 2022, at home. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022 at Rock Creek Celebration Center, 320 Main Ave. North, Twin Falls.
Arrangements are under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho. For tributes and condolences go to www.serenityfuneralchapel.com | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/adonna-r-hobbs/article_7cf1cf4f-7f02-5666-b21f-350826b9b466.html | 2022-08-10T06:06:24 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/adonna-r-hobbs/article_7cf1cf4f-7f02-5666-b21f-350826b9b466.html |
Dec. 27, 1936 - Aug. 3, 2022
BURLEY – JoAnn LaVeve Phillips Hurst, died peacefully at her home in Lindon, Utah, on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. Her family is so grateful for her life and her example of a strong, righteous woman of faith.
JoAnn was born December 27, 1936, in Rupert, Idaho, to Clarence Hartsell and Florence LaVeve Wheeler Phillips. She grew up in Declo, Idaho, and graduated from Declo High School in 1954. She married Clinton LaMar Hurst on September 11, 1958, in the Salt Lake City Temple. JoAnn and LaMar resided for most of their married life in Burley. They had seven children while living there and added JoAnn's niece, Gretchen Cook, to their family after the passing of JoAnn's sister, Veneta, in 1982.
JoAnn worked hard at home and at various jobs to help provide for her family. After the children left home, JoAnn and LaMar moved to Rupert, where they enjoyed the peace and quiet of their country home on "an acre and a bit." The couple served in the Australia Sydney South Mission from 2003 to 2005. Upon returning from their mission, they spent several years serving in the Twin Falls Idaho Temple. They moved to Lindon, Utah, in 2016.
JoAnn was an inexorable source of strength and encouragement, not only to her children, but to everyone around her throughout her life. She brought joy to others, and she loved to laugh.
She will be missed by those who survive her: children, Kim (Candi), Ray (Lorie), Kent (Darla), Carey (Darin) Perkins, Drew (Allison), Karlene (Lindsey) Altom, Vernal (Sara), and Gretchen (Darby) Newton; as well as 36 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren, with three on the way. She is also survived by brother, Clarence Hartzell Phillips, Jr.; and sister, Ida Phillips Wilkinson.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 12, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Declo Stake Center, located at 213 W. Main St., in Declo, with Bishop Wayne Hurst officiating. Burial will be in Declo Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, August 11, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, preceding the funeral, at the church.
A webcast of the funeral will be available and maintained at rasmussenwilson.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/joann-laveve-phillips-hurst/article_20389d6b-0f5d-5f9f-bf1c-286a0f2bd10c.html | 2022-08-10T06:06:31 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/joann-laveve-phillips-hurst/article_20389d6b-0f5d-5f9f-bf1c-286a0f2bd10c.html |
Jan. 16, 1931—Aug. 8, 2022
Marjorie Louise (Drake) Annis passed away Aug. 8, 2022. A memorial picnic will be held on Aug. 13, 2022 at Harmon Park at 11:00 a.m. so friends and family will have a time to be together and share fond memories of Marjorie.
Marjorie was born to Loren and Maecil (Beeman) Drake on Jan. 16, 1931 in Twin Falls, Idaho. She grew up on a farm in Filer, Idaho and attended school in Filer. She loved being involved in all sorts of activities and clubs during her high school years and continued that trend for the rest of her life. From being a room mother for her children’s classes, to becoming the first woman President of the Twin Falls Lyons Club, to singing in Sweet Adeline’s, Marjorie was always busy giving of herself to others.
Marjorie retired from a 20-year career working in the Twin Falls County Clerk and Recorder’s office. After retiring, she worked for the Republican Legislative office during the legislative session in Boise every year for eight years.
She had many passions including reading, sewing, arts, traveling, music and culture and she wanted to make sure her children, grandchildren and friends were exposed to those things as well. Nothing made her happier than to share a theater of music experience with someone she loved. If you asked people to describe her, they would use words like adventurous, resilient, loving, creative, giving, caring, spontaneous, brave, social director and friend.
Marjorie was proceeded in death by her parents, her brother, Loren L. Drake, her husband Wesley Lee Annis, two of her children, Beverly Marie Sharri and Gordon Bruce Annis, and one great-grandson, Hunter Wagner. She leaves behind three children, Ronald (Chong) Annis, Kelly Annis and Jeanette (Richard) Cox, grandchildren Shawn Yi (Mica), Kevin (Heather) Annis, Lisa (Cory) Hockersmith, Paul (Kathy) Sharrai, Andrew Sharrai, Jennifer (Kurt) Rushing, Kristy (Josef) Wagner, Cory (Brian) Annis, Meagan Hermanson, Shelli Annis, Siara Reyes, Jolie Malizzi, Amie Cox, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers or similar memorials, appreciated though they would be, since Marjorie was one who went quietly about doing good for others, we would request you do the same. Call or write to an estranged family member. Make a generous contribution of your time, means or both to your favorite charity. Do a kind deed for your neighbor in need. Forgive a debt. Drop a grudge. In general, be sensitive to the needs of others and do what you can to share a burden or dry a tear.
If Marjorie were to give you advice, she would suggest that you vote, volunteer, read, travel, do something that challenges you and helps you grow, go see a play, enjoy music, eat good food, pray, and love others and yourself. We are better for having you in our lives and things won’t be the same as we move forward without you. We’ll miss you Mom, Grandma, G.G. and friend. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/marjorie-louise-drake-annis/article_c7aa6980-f77a-5337-a50a-be411d8da454.html | 2022-08-10T06:06:37 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/marjorie-louise-drake-annis/article_c7aa6980-f77a-5337-a50a-be411d8da454.html |
May 29, 1928—Aug. 6, 2022
BURLEY — Raymond Clayson Searle, age 94, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
He was born May 29, 1928, in his family home in View, Idaho, south of Burley, to Joseph Edwin “Ed” Searle and Mary Alice “Mamie” Moffett Searle. He was raised on the family farm where he loved caring for the animals and working in the fields with his father and brothers. He attended school at the View School and Burley Junior and Senior High Schools.
Raymond married Sharol Joy Woodbury in the Idaho Falls Temple on March 9, 1950. They settled in the View area to farm and raise their family of five sons and two daughters. Farming was in his blood and he loved working the ground, caring for cattle and especially loved his horses. He had many carriages and sleighs which he was happy to hook to horses for parades, field trips or just to give friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren rides. Spending time working and teaching his family took most of his time, but he also enjoyed traveling with friends.
Raymond was an active and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in regional, stake and ward callings – all of which he served in faithfully and enjoyed the work. He served two missions with his wife, one in Tuscan, Arizona, for six months and another in Olongapo, Philippines, for 18 months. Visiting and serving other people were his most loved activities. He is remembered by his grandchildren as always having a sense of humor, going on buggy rides, horseback rides, skiing and being the undefeated checker player. They learned to drive while sitting on his lap and he always fishtailed to scare them.
He is survived by his wife, Sharol; five sons, Cloyd (Gwendolyn), Kent (Marilyn), Craig (Beverly), Clifford (Terri), and Kelly (Shawna) all of Burley; two daughters, Marla (Brent) Stoker of Burley, and Janna (Lane) Webb of Rexburg; a sister, Ruby (Jim) Chapman; 43 grandchildren; and 98 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Elwin, Harold (Shirley), Gale (Maxine), Orvil (Geraldine) and Bernell; a sister, Pearl; and a great-grandson, Jace Searle.
Raymond will be missed by his loved ones and remembered for his humor, love and service to others.
His family would like to thank Aisha White, Lisa Asher and Valle Stube for their dedication in assisting our family in caring for our parents in their home.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—View 2nd Ward, located at 490 E. 550 S., of Burley, with Bishop Kevin Schroeder officiating. Burial will be in View Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Rasmussen-Wilson, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. Friday, preceding the funeral, at the church.
A webcast will be available and maintained at rasmussenwilson.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/raymond-clayson-searle/article_3e92c7ff-04fb-5912-b267-8b8cf1bf353a.html | 2022-08-10T06:06:43 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/raymond-clayson-searle/article_3e92c7ff-04fb-5912-b267-8b8cf1bf353a.html |
BLOOMINGTON — As she went through papers belonging to her late brother, a former teacher at a prestigious New York prep school, one name jumped out to Becky Leach O’Donnell.
One of the essays her brother had saved was written by John F. Kennedy Jr. when he was an eighth grade student at the Collegiate School in New York City. O’Donnell’s brother, Blake Leach, taught at the school for years, and Kennedy was one of his students.
“I was just kind of in shock when I found that,” O’Donnell said.
The topic of the essay Kennedy wrote also raised O’Donnell’s eyebrows. He wrote about being accident-prone.
“That was the irony in the whole thing, (...) as a poet and as a writer myself, I’m trained to recognize irony in life,” O’Donnell said.
The essay follows a format that will be familiar to many who remember their grade school assignments, with a thesis statement and then evidence to support it. For evidence of his clumsy nature, Kennedy described a time falling into a campfire, putting his foot in the spokes of a bicycle and falling off a cliff. The only thing that kept him from being “splattered” was a “five-inch deep puddle,” Kennedy wrote.
“I could go on for pages about accidents but I’ll spare the reader the pleasure,” he wrote toward the end of the essay.
The original of the essay is going up for auction in September through One of a Kind Collectibles in Florida. A note from Kennedy’s mother, then Jackie Onassis, that was in Leach’s papers is also being auctioned.
Leach scored the essay as a 79, with many of the missing points from spelling errors. He also left notes asking Kennedy to write out numbers; Kennedy appeared to have used the bottom of the last page to try out potential spellings of “exist.”
Leach died in 2000 at the age of 59. He and O’Donnell were born and raised in Bloomington-Normal. Both left, with Leach going to New York and then Florida. O’Donnell has lived in St. Louis and Florida, before moving back to Bloomington-Normal in 2019.
Both of the siblings worked in education. For O’Donnell, it was her career, but for Leach, his real focus was playwriting. He acted in local productions and while getting his bachelor’s degree at Northwestern. He later earned a master’s from the University of Iowa (CHECK) and a doctorate from New York University. While in New York he wrote several plays that were produced off-Broadway.
“He just was born to be an actor, to be in the field of drama,” O’Donnell said.
One of the plays Leach wrote also has a Kennedy connection. The play, titled “Petticoats and Union Suits,” tells the story of Mother Bickerdyke, a prominent nurse from Galesburg during the Civil War. Kennedy played a young soldier who died onstage during the play. Leach later wrote in his 1999 Pantagraph column that he did not think about how that could relate to the president’s death.
“So involved was I that it didn’t occur to me that people would relate this onstage death to the real death of his father 13 years before. The moment was electrifying and perhaps very sad for Mrs. Onassis, who, nevertheless, came night after night to see (Kennedy) in the play,” Leach wrote.
Judge Jennifer Bauknecht speaks to potential jurors in Livingston County court at the start of Clifford Brewer's jury trial Monday. Brewer is accused of killing three people on Christmas 2019.
Clifford Brewer, 55, of Cullom appears in Livingston County court at the start of his jury trial Monday, accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor on Christmas 2019.
Clifford Brewer, 55, watches potential jurors answer attorney questions at the start of his murder trial Monday in Pontiac. Brewer is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor on Christmas 2019.
Attorneys Joshua and Stephen Richards of Chicago appear in Livingston County court Monday with their client Clifford Brewer, center, who is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
Defense attorney Joshua Richards asks potential jurors questions at the start of the Clifford Brewer's trial. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor
Assistant State's Attorney Mike Regnier speaks to potential jurors at the start of Clifford Brewer's trial. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
Defense attorney Stephen Richards speaks to potential jurors Monday at the start of the trial for Clifford Brewer, left. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
State's Attorney Randy Yedinak speaks to potential jurors at the start of Clifford Brewer's trial Monday in Livingston County. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
Clifford Brewer's murder trial begins with jury selection in Livingston County triple homicide
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Judge Jennifer Bauknecht
Judge Jennifer Bauknecht speaks to potential jurors in Livingston County court at the start of Clifford Brewer's jury trial Monday. Brewer is accused of killing three people on Christmas 2019.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Clifford Brewer
Clifford Brewer, 55, of Cullom appears in Livingston County court at the start of his jury trial Monday, accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor on Christmas 2019.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Clifford Brewer
Clifford Brewer, 55, watches potential jurors answer attorney questions at the start of his murder trial Monday in Pontiac. Brewer is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor on Christmas 2019.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Brewer's defense
Attorneys Joshua and Stephen Richards of Chicago appear in Livingston County court Monday with their client Clifford Brewer, center, who is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Joshua Richards
Defense attorney Joshua Richards asks potential jurors questions at the start of the Clifford Brewer's trial. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER POOL
Mike Regnier
Assistant State's Attorney Mike Regnier speaks to potential jurors at the start of Clifford Brewer's trial. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Stephen Richards
Defense attorney Stephen Richards speaks to potential jurors Monday at the start of the trial for Clifford Brewer, left. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
Randy Yedinak
State's Attorney Randy Yedinak speaks to potential jurors at the start of Clifford Brewer's trial Monday in Livingston County. Brewer, 55, is accused of killing his wife, son and neighbor.
ERICH MURPHY, PONTIAC DAILY LEADER, POOL
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Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter:@connorkwood
The Moweaqua road leading up to a monument, honoring the 54 men who died in the disaster 90 years ago, was dedicated on Sunday, with the name Coal Miner’s Way. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/watch-now-twin-cities-woman-finds-essay-by-jfk-jr-among-brothers-papers/article_029d4d76-175f-11ed-9480-a7f7efa738a6.html | 2022-08-10T06:21:54 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/watch-now-twin-cities-woman-finds-essay-by-jfk-jr-among-brothers-papers/article_029d4d76-175f-11ed-9480-a7f7efa738a6.html |
SEATTLE — The Seattle City Council passed legislation on Tuesday that adds more protections for those seeking an abortion or gender-affirming care.
For Ashley Fedan, being involved in women’s reproductive healthcare is a calling, but in her line of work threats and intimidation can happen.
“At an abortion clinic where I worked, we had chalk drawings on in the parking lot that said 'murderers,'” said Fedan, a CRNA, and abortion rights advocate.
The city council passed legislation that makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with someone seeking an abortion or gender-affirming care.
That includes physical obstruction, trespassing, harassing phone calls, or threats of violence against patients or healthcare workers. The Seattle City Attorney's office would be the ones to prosecute violations.
“I appreciate the fact that there's a penalty for intentional intimidation,” said Fedan.
Fedan wants patients to know that this move gives added protection at clinics.
“These pre-emptive ordinances are going to be incredibly impactful in making sure that people, it's not just women, need access to care, it's everyone and they can do it safely without intimidation,” said Fedan.
The second piece of legislation adds new civil rights protections. It would get the Seattle Office for Civil Rights involved to investigate alleged discrimination based on pregnancy outcomes.
Not everyone agrees with the city council's actions. Brad Payne with the Family Policy Institute of Washington, an anti-abortion group wants to see the Seattle City Council take different measures like financially supporting crisis pregnancy centers.
“It doesn't mean that everybody that goes to a crisis pregnancy center, chooses to go ahead and carry that baby to term, but there are certainly a fair number of women that change their mind, once they've seen that ultrasound,” said Payne.
On Friday, Councilmember Morales plans to introduce a third piece of legislation that would ensure those crisis pregnancy centers don't make false or misleading statements.
The two bills that passed Tuesday now head to the mayor’s desk for his signature, then it would take 30 days for the laws to take effect. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-city-council-legislation-protections-abortion-seekers/281-2e0a2da3-415d-46ce-bdf3-2a3a00e03a55 | 2022-08-10T06:36:07 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-city-council-legislation-protections-abortion-seekers/281-2e0a2da3-415d-46ce-bdf3-2a3a00e03a55 |
A Brooklyn company was sentenced to pay a big fine for their role in price-gouging a chain of grocery stores in New Jersey for KN95 masks during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
The company, Milk & Honey Ventures LLC (MHV), had previously pleaded guilty to violating the Defense Production Act by price-gouging for the personal protective equipment (PPE). It was fined more than $314,000 on Tuesday, and will be on probation for a year.
According to court documents and statements, MHV and two partners bought 250,000 KN95 facemasks from a foreign manufacturer in March 2020, just as the pandemic was starting.
The company, along with one of the partners, then sold 100,000 of the masks to the New Jersey grocery store chain at prices well above market value — charging $5.25 per mask, a markup of more than 400 percent from the price they acquired the PPE for.
Before the pandemic hit, MHV had never sold PPE, court documents stated. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/brooklyn-company-fined-314k-for-price-gouging-nj-stores-for-kn95-masks-at-400-markup/3818090/ | 2022-08-10T06:44:15 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/brooklyn-company-fined-314k-for-price-gouging-nj-stores-for-kn95-masks-at-400-markup/3818090/ |
A gang member opening fire on a rival as he gets his hair cut inside a salon. A woman in her 60s gunned down as she waits for a bus.
Just two examples of gunfire and bloodshed in the New Brighton neighborhood on Staten Island that police say were orchestrated by gangs.
For more than a year, the NYPD’s Staten Island Violent Crimes Squad has been building a case against 17 people they say are shooters and violent offenders.
"These perps are not soft 17 people. Twenty-six acts of gun violence in their history. The top eight have 200 collars between them," said Insp. Mark Molinari.
Their turf? Jersey Street, a corridor occupied by gangs which saw eight shootings in a four-month period in 2021, including a murder.
"We have to remember what we're doing here. People are getting shot, unintended targets standing on bus stops. We cannot have this happen out here. We've got to target the violence and get it at its core and get it out," said TKTK
Police executed raids Tuesday morning before sunrise, at 6 a.m. The officers made their first arrest within minutes.
Cops busted through the front door at the home of Arthur Williams, who police said is a gang member with 32 prior arrests, including multiple for shootings.
By 6:15 a.m., with the operation underway for about 15 minutes, police moved outside the home of Durail Miles, a.k.a. Shoota, who was not willing to come out of the home.
"He's definitely one of the leaders. He's got multiple drug sale charges on him involved with this operation. He has been arrested in the past with guns. He's been involved in shootings in the past," Molinari said.
In all, 15 men were charged in seven separate indictments with selling large quantities of drugs, which prosecutors said fueled violence on the streets.
"We’re charging conspiracy, we're charging for most sale and possession in the first degree, which is the highest level of narcotics charge. It's actually one of the only bail eligible offenses at this point, possession and sale in the third and fourth degrees, again, conspiracy," said Michele Molfetta, the Narcotics Bureau Chief for Staten Island District Attorney's Office. "We're hoping you know that some of these guys stay off the street, and it'll reduce the violence in the area."
During the investigation, detectives recovered more than 100 grams of crack-cocaine, 40 grams of cocaine, more than 3,100 ecstasy pills containing meth and 360 oxycodone pills.
"These young people are throwing their own lives away by choosing this life of street crime and selling drugs. And the drugs that they are selling because of fentanyl are also deadly to the people that are buying them," said Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nypd-launches-pre-dawn-raids-in-fight-against-gangs-and-gun-violence-on-staten-island/3818067/ | 2022-08-10T06:44:21 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nypd-launches-pre-dawn-raids-in-fight-against-gangs-and-gun-violence-on-staten-island/3818067/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After an explosive weekend of gun violence in Gresham, where police recovered nearly 200 bullet casings, residents told KOIN 6 News they want to see even more action from the city.
Mayor Travis Stovall said they have seen people as young as 13 to 22 getting involved in gun violence in Gresham. So, he says, it’s important to take a comprehensive approach to get to the root causes and not only treat the symptoms of the problem.
“The first gut reaction is, of course, it’s frustration that these things are happening within our community. Somewhat anger, to be frank. But then, there’s hope,” Stovall said.
After a violent weekend, the mayor of Gresham says law enforcement is focused on missions with county and federal officers getting guns off the streets.
“A lot of the crime that we’re seeing is retaliatory in nature,” Stovall said.
That’s why, he says, the city has also invested heavily in their youth violence prevention programs.
“In this case, an ounce of prevention is worth 2,000 pounds of cure. The prevention component of it is incredibly important,” Stovall explained.
He said It’s equally important to address the underlying issues.
“It’s lack of opportunity, and that’s the critical component that we are missing in our community. There’s a direct correlation between poverty and crime and so if we can address the concept of poverty, we can address the concept of crime,” Stovall said.
While Gresham police say the number of shootings has risen exponentially in 2022, the mayor says so far, the homicide rate is down.
In 2021, the mayor says, Gresham’s homicide rate was 15 homicides per 100,000. So far in 2022, it’s nearly half that at 8 homicides per 100,000.
The mayor attributes the decline in deaths to the prevention and intervention work police and community groups are doing with at-risk kids.
However, he says Gresham’s biggest challenge is a lack of resources.
Gresham has $84 million dollars in its general fund. Hillsboro, which has a similar population size, has nearly twice as much funding at $171 million in their general fund.
“Hillsboro has a public safety levy that’s a $1.85 that they can utilize to put police and fire to work in their community. So they’ve been they’ve been able to make that investment,” Stovall said. “And we haven’t.”
Currently, the city is working to fill out their police ranks, but for decades Gresham has had an understaffed police force.
The mayor says that’s partly because voters turned down two public safety levies back in 2008 and 2014 that would have funded more officers.
“Right now, we’re about 20 officers down,” Stovall said.
The mayor says there is no better time than now, to serve and protect this community.
Gresham City Council is currently considering proposing a public safety levy with the goal to bring it to voters in May of 2023.
City Council will talk about the levy at their meeting next Tuesday. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/gresham-mayor-talks-frustration-and-hope-amid-spike-in-gun-violence/ | 2022-08-10T06:52:02 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/gresham-mayor-talks-frustration-and-hope-amid-spike-in-gun-violence/ |
On July 25, the Hood River City Council approved a 5.05% increase in garbage rates. The price hike will see residential costs go up by $0.96 per month for an average 32-gallon can. The new fees will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2022.
The price change will also raise special fees. Overweight or full cans will now be charged an additional $0.25, a total fee of $5.25. Other increases include an extra $0.76 added to total delinquent fees that are now $16.36, another $1.11 for loose yard debris for a total of $23.38. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/garbage-rates-to-increase-in-hood-river/article_a2179a18-1832-11ed-a7d2-6b15e01c9cba.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:00 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/garbage-rates-to-increase-in-hood-river/article_a2179a18-1832-11ed-a7d2-6b15e01c9cba.html |
Hood River area athletes competed in the Oregon Special Olympics Athletics (track and field) Regional Competition this past Saturday, July 30. The annual event had been cancelled the last two years due to health concerns but returned Saturday at Clackamas High School with all the enthusiasm and competitiveness that has become customary at these events.
Eight local area developmentally disabled athletes competed in track and field events against a field of over 80 athletes representing the Northwest Oregon region. Standout performers were Melody Nilson and Dawson Beneventi, each with gold medals in the 50m dash and the softball throw.
Other medalists were Dylan Bigelow, Jessie Bigelow, Leilanie Rash, Shad Grimsley and Sierra Bigelow.
“Special Olympics plays an incredibly important role in the lives of the developmentally disabled,” said local program manager Jim Meckoll. “For many it is one of their few opportunities for social interaction and their only opportunity for athletics. The program has a transformative effect on both the athletes and volunteer coaches and supporters.”
Hood River Special Olympics continues this fall with aquatics and bowling. Volunteers ages 16 and up are always welcome. Hood River Valley High School students Ben Bauman and Max Meckoll both coached athletics and called the experience “amazing and fulfilling” and “a great way to gain volunteer experience and give back to the community”.
For more information on volunteer opportunities or know an athlete who would like to participate, email Hood River Special Olympics at hoodriver@soor.org. You can also learn more about Special Olympics at the annual fundraising event “Shred Day,” from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the Rite Aid parking lot in Hood River where donations will be accepted to shred sensitive documents. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/hood-river-athletes-medal-in-regional-event/article_95779462-183b-11ed-b746-bb229a220db8.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:06 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/hood-river-athletes-medal-in-regional-event/article_95779462-183b-11ed-b746-bb229a220db8.html |
Patty Gallardo’s children mean the world to her. But for more than two decades, her status as an undocumented immigrant left her in constant fear of deportation. Add to that stress the fear of potentially being separated from her family.
After Gallardo settled in the Gorge, she made do with what she had available, which wasn’t much. She found support in the region after interacting with Child Protective Services. Some people looked beyond her status and cared, regardless of where she came from or what paperwork she had.
Gallardo’s was now a two-culture family with separate nationalities. She had been born in Mexico, and her children were born in the United States.
Life was a struggle for Gallardo, even though she had lived in the States since she was eight. She had not finished high school, had difficulty learning English and worked under the table because she did not have a Social Security number.
Add to the challenges an unhealthy relationship. By 2011, Gallardo decided to leave her husband. She wanted a better life for herself and her kids. She knew she would need assistance to find a better situation.
A friend from working in the orchards told her about Guided Path, an emergency housing shelter in Bingen. Space was available, so she grabbed the kids and some clothing and left everything else behind.
“I had three kids and was working in the fields,” Gallardo said. She didn’t know how she was going to manage. She says she felt vulnerable but was grateful for the community support.
The shelter staff helped her find housing, initially in Hood River. Over time, she relocated and returned to the White Salmon area.
She met someone new, but the family was struggling to get by. They connected with the Food Bank to help make ends meet. They had added a new baby, and Gallardo says she was suffering from postpartum depression.
Then, she learned about DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). This national program protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the States as children from deportation. Her partner encouraged her to apply. She didn’t think she would qualify, but she wanted to try.
“I never thought that I was ever going to be able to have a social security number or a work permit,” Gallardo said. But she was approved. It meant better opportunities for her.
“Without the Social (Security number), I was struggling working two jobs and sometimes didn’t get paid,” Gallardo said. “I just had to take it. I had to provide for my kids. I had to feed my kids.”
Finally, she could apply for a job with benefits and security. It meant she could qualify for things most Americans take for granted, like paid time off and health insurance.
“When you don’t have a Social, you don’t count,” Gallardo said, adding that she felt more “seen” after that. “It meant a lot,” she said. “For me, it meant a new opportunity to succeed in life, to forget all of the bad things I went through. I felt more value in a way, just by having a Social.”
She found her first legitimate job working a night shift with a local manufacturing company. Then she found Work Source, a service that helped her make a resume, and linked her with People for People. The job placement program offered her a day job at the same Food Bank where her family had been helped.
“It made me feel great!” Gallardo said. It was a steady job with benefits, and she now got to support other people in the community.
“This is what I want,” she said. “To keep helping people and make a difference in people’s lives the way they made a difference in my life.”
After two or three months, Gallardo made the connection that Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP), which ran the Food Bank, was also the umbrella organization for the Guided Path, where she had briefly stayed when the children were young.
“I found out everything that WAGAP was doing for the community, all of the programs they have,” Gallardo said. “They will help you without judging you. It gives you a little push to help you stand up again and move on.”
Over time, Gallardo has helped in many programs and done a variety of jobs. She has operated a forklift, been a receptionist, managed the Second Hand Rose thrift store, and now is learning to be a human resource assistant.
Receiving her documentation has empowered Gallardo to care for her family. But her journey is far from over.
Coming up in Part III: What tomorrow may hold, as DACA’s future is uncertain. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/living-undocumented-the-importance-of-a-social-security-number/article_3035ba50-1833-11ed-987f-5f6db266af4d.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:16 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/living-undocumented-the-importance-of-a-social-security-number/article_3035ba50-1833-11ed-987f-5f6db266af4d.html |
Blood, sweat and seizures weren’t enough to stop The Dalles Special Olympics athletes from crossing the finish line. At the Special Olympics Oregon Regional Athletics Competition at Clackamas High School on July 30, eight athletes from The Dalles competed in track and field events such as running, jumping and throwing. The competition is for athletes with cognitive disabilities.
Hood River area athletes competed in the Oregon Special Olympics Athletics (track and field) Regional Competition this past Saturday, July 30. The annual event had been cancelled the last two years due to health concerns but returned Saturday at Clackamas High School with all the enthusiasm and competitiveness that has become customary at these events. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/special-olympics-returns-after-two-year-absence/article_8554fbf6-183b-11ed-a11e-13b00c94a556.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:22 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/special-olympics-returns-after-two-year-absence/article_8554fbf6-183b-11ed-a11e-13b00c94a556.html |
Twenty scholarships were awarded to students in 2022’s Art Camp, which is once again hosted in The Dalles Art center after its 2020 cancellation and 2021 year in the The Dalles Civic Auditorium, according to Executive Director J. Scott Stephenson.
School District 21 provided funds for the scholarships, which were open to any students in Wasco County. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/summer-art-camp-going-strong/article_3d37611c-1834-11ed-bef5-833fd817b0d0.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:28 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/summer-art-camp-going-strong/article_3d37611c-1834-11ed-bef5-833fd817b0d0.html |
Blood, sweat and seizures weren’t enough to stop The Dalles Special Olympics athletes from crossing the finish line. At the Special Olympics Oregon Regional Athletics Competition at Clackamas High School on July 30, eight athletes from The Dalles competed in track and field events such as running, jumping and throwing. The competition is for athletes with cognitive disabilities.
The Dalles track and field team is led by Coach Raven Rutherford who also coaches swimming and basketball teams for the Special Olympics Oregon program.
“I’ve been working with Special Olympics for a while now. As an athlete myself, working with these young athletes really keeps me on my toes,” Rutherford said.
Plenty of athletes surpassed expectations, but Rutherford described Alyssa Masse’s 200-meter dash as the highlight of the competition.
Masse started out strong and approached the finish line ahead of the rest of the pack. According to Rutherford, Masse fell to her hands and knees just 50 feet from the finish line. She experienced a seizure on the track and medical officials were alerted.
However, before they could attend to her, Masse stood up, shook it off and crossed the finish line, mid-seizure. Immediately after reaching the tent, Masse asked if she had won. Rutherford told her she was the biggest winner of them all simply by finishing the race.
“That’s Alyssa Masse in a nutshell,” Rutherford said. “She is an amazing person who refuses to let a disability affect her life.”
The team trains once a week every Saturday at the Wahtonka High School track, for six or seven Saturdays.
During this time, the group works on events such as the javelin throw, 3,000-, 800-, 200- and 100-meter races, as well as the wheelchair slalom, where participants are judged on time, precision and technical ability.
As the swimming and basketball programs begin for the Special Olympics, Rutherford will rejoin the team for the basketball portion of competition.
Just like for track and field, the squad will practice once a week until the regional competition against other teams throughout Oregon. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/td-special-olympics-fights-through-to-the-finish/article_afa994ac-183b-11ed-b548-cb6a43ddc3a8.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:34 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/td-special-olympics-fights-through-to-the-finish/article_afa994ac-183b-11ed-b548-cb6a43ddc3a8.html |
The Oregon Department of Forestry recalled the use of its wildfire risk map on Thursday, Aug. 4, after public criticism that the online tool is causing home insurance rates to increase or not be available at all.
The Department of Forestry removed the current iteration of the wildfire risk map from its online Oregon Explorer tool and withdrew notices to property owners in extreme and high-risk classifications.
Property owners in Wasco county were among those offering criticism of the risk map and how their properties were classified during a public meeting at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center hosted by the map’s creators on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
By way of introduction, Tim Holschbach of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s protection division based in Salem, told the crowd of over 100 residents attending that the Oregon Department of Financial Regulation, which regulates the insurance industry, is monitoring the process very closely.
“The governor’s office and that department are watching this very closely for any changes,” he said. “Any changes or terminations (by insurance providers) that are that are either perceived or articulated to a customer as due to the map, that’s actually against the law,” he said, drawing homeowner’s attention to a report form sent to those in high and extreme risk categories. The financial regulation department can than follow up with an investigation and enforcement action, he explained.
“They’re watching closely to make sure insurers are not abusing what was this product is intended to be,” he said.
Cal Mukomot, the director of the Oregon Department of Forestry, said in a release Thursday, “We will immediately begin working with Oregon State University on some refinements to improve the accuracy of risk classification assignments based on what we’ve heard from property owners thus far.”
Speaking Wednesday, Dr. Christopher J. Dunn of Oregon State University said the timeline for creating and publishing the map, and the 90 day comment and appeal period, was set by the Oregon legislature.
The Department of Forestry was assigned to develop and maintain the statewide wildfire risk map following the 2021 passage of Senate Bill 762.
Passage of the bill allowed the Department of Forestry to make investments in fire-adapted communities, wildfire response and the development of wildfire resilient landscapes — 11 state agencies were tasked with developing various components of the bill.
Oregon State University helped develop the mapping tool.
The purpose of the map is to identify the risk of a wildfire occurring in a given area to help determine where resources are needed most to protect lives and property, said Mukumoto.
The agency was also tasked with defining the wildland-urban interface where development meets combustible vegetation. It assigned a risk classification at the property ownership level for all 1.8 million tax lots across the state. Each parcel was placed into one of five categories of wildfire risk — none, low, moderate, high or extreme.
Property owners in the high or extreme risk categories were suddenly faced with the potential prospect of new regulations, under development by the Oregon Fire Marshal, including special building codes and fire-safe landscaping. Tonkon Torp LLP, a Portland-based law firm that reviewed the legislation, said the regulations impacted around 120,000 tax lots statewide, including 80,000 structures.
According to Mukumoto, the current appeals process will end and any appeals filed will become moot. “For those who did submit an appeal, we will be reviewing the information submitted and using it to identify any additional areas where we may need to take a closer look at the data,” he said.
Speaking in The Dalles, Holschbach said, “Most folks in this room that live in this area know the battles that this area has, there are large wildfires pretty routinely. And most folks either have manicured yards or have done defensible space around their home to clean up their brush.” Those homeowners will already be in compliance with the new guidelines, he said. “Fire wise communities, that’s all in line with what the codes requirements are,” he said.
Existing homes will not be impacted by any fire-related code changes, he added, as those involve new construction.
The Senate bill tasked other state agencies with developing new codes for defensible space and home hardening to increase resiliency in the event of a wildfire, including the fire marshal’s office.
Firewise USA is a national program that encourages neighbors to work together and take action to prevent damage from wildfires.
•••
David Gilmore, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Bain in Bend, said the bill has made the challenge of buying a home even more difficult than it was, especially in high-risk areas. He had a client recently who was buying a home in Sisters and was initially denied insurance coverage. Gilmore later found a broker in Redmond that would insure the home.
“There’s definitely more talk about insurance now. This is one more potential hurdle homebuyers and sellers need to be aware of,” said Gilmore. “The map doesn’t necessarily take into account if a neighborhood is a Firewise neighborhood or not.”
Statewide, around 2,000 Oregonians gave feedback to the agency since the release of the wildfire risk map in July, much of it concerning the risk classification.
•••
Prior to the recall of the map, on Aug. 3, state Sen. Lynn Findley (R-Vale) co-wrote a letter to ODF requesting the map be withdrawn. “The intent behind Senate Bill 762 was to mitigate future significant loss, lack of preparedness and financial hardship in future wildfires, among many other things. Oregonians have been handed anything but that through the new map,” said Senator Findley, who has over 32 years experience in Fire and Aviation management.
“Pulling back the maps and pausing the process has had executive level and bipartisan legislative level support. The Oregon Department of Forestry had a chance to restart the process and blatantly chose not to do so.”
At The Dalles’ meeting, state representative Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) encouraged those attending to call him, saying that his office was prepared to help residents navigate the appeal process.
Despite the public anger over the bill, others maintain the spirit of the law was correct and only needs fine tuning.
“The state may not have gotten the methodology right in these first drafts of wildfire risk maps. But the risk maps and wildfire hardening requirements mandated under SB 762 are urgently needed to save lives and property from future wildfires,” said Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang.
The agency’s decision does not impact the code development and adoption processes that are underway through the Office of the State Fire Marshal for defensible space or the Building Codes Division for home hardening.
Mukumoto admits in the statement that the agency did not have enough time for public outreach ahead of the deadline for delivering the map. He said the map will be reposted and new notices sent, starting a new appeal period.
“We are in the process of developing a plan and timeline to complete these activities, including public engagement and outreach opportunities,” said Mukumoto. “We will share that publicly as soon as it is complete.”
Michael Kohn, Oregon Capital Bureau, contributed to this report. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/wildfire-risk-map-recalled/article_e854ba56-182d-11ed-82ed-176882434d95.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:40 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/wildfire-risk-map-recalled/article_e854ba56-182d-11ed-82ed-176882434d95.html |
The City of White Salmon released a draft of the city’s park system plan and park system capital improvement plan, and is seeking public comment.
Written public comment can be sent via email to janb@ci.white-salmon.wa.us through Friday, Aug. 19, 2022. In addition, public comment will be taken regarding the draft plan at the City Council meeting scheduled on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022.
The draft Park System Plan and draft Capital Improvement Plan can be found in full online at white-salmon.net.
The draft Park System Plan is the culmination of work undertaken by consultants Cameron McCarthy in consultation with the city and residents from the White Salmon area. Consultation included stakeholder interviews, a survey, conversations, public comment and an open house held in June 2022.
According to a press release, the focus of White Salmon’s Park System Plan is to establish goals, policies and objectives to address the community’s needs related to city parks. The plan includes a list of prioritized projects that was developed through public input. It is intended to complement the newly adopted 2021 Comprehensive Plan.
A 2001 plan for the Gaddis and Riverfront parks and corresponding documents are found online with the draft park system plan as background material, which is referenced in both the park system plan and the capital improvement plan. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/draft-park-plan-for-white-salmon-released/article_ed1be608-1833-11ed-96fd-63fa302c1b06.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:52 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/draft-park-plan-for-white-salmon-released/article_ed1be608-1833-11ed-96fd-63fa302c1b06.html |
Recent hot, dry weather in the Gorge was accompanied by a flurry of fires in The Dalles and Wasco County, with five boathouses burned at the Port of The Dalles Marina, a home destroyed in a conflagration on Juniper Flats, the community swimming pool evacuated due to a nearby brush fire and Highway 197 and Interstate 84 closed twice as fires burned nearby.
Port of The Dalles Marina
Five structures were destroyed and one firefighter transported to the local hospital Monday night, Aug. 1, as fire burned at the Port of The Dalles Marina, according to police and fire reports.
Fire Chief Bob Palmer, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, said five structures were completely destroyed, six damaged and 10 or 11 saved by firefighters. It will be up to the insurance companies to decide if the damaged boathouses can be saved or must be declared a total loss, he added.
The fire was first believed to have started by a BBQ that was left unattended in high winds, according to an Oregon State Police report. Chief Palmer, however, said that fire investigators were unable to determine a specific cause for the blaze.
Oregon State Troopers from The Dalles Area Command assisted Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue and the City of The Dalles police in responding to the fire, which was reported at approximately 7:19 p.m.
Burning embers from the marina ignited multiple fires at the nearby Interstate 84 interchange, exit 85, which resulted in closure of I-84 from exit 87 to 85 westbound, and exit 85 eastbound.
The marina was closed, and Washington State Police officers also shut down US 197 at The Dalles Bridge.
Citizens were advised to avoid the area of the marina, but dispatch logs for The Dalles Police show people at the marina came into conflict with firefighters and law enforcement: “People are standing at the pier and they need them to move,” read one dispatch log. “Civilians have stolen hoses and are not allowing firefighters to use them. (Law enforcement is) going to assist,” read another. And a third log entry read, “Need everyone evacuated. If they do not need to be there with a badge or fire uniform they will be arrested for interfering.” Officers soon after requested help with an arrest, according to the logs.
At 7:41 p.m. Wasco County Sheriff’s office posted to Facebook: “At this time there is an active fire incident at The Dalles Marina. First responders are on scene, and we are being advised that multiple individuals are in the river attempting to swim closer to the activity. Please do NOT approach the incident and maintain a safe distance back from the water to allow crews to do their work. At this time it is imperative that we allow our public safety agencies to operate free of interference or distraction.”
On Wednesday morning, tension between officials and boathouse owners was again reported, with at least one owner threatening to cross fire lines into the burned area.
Agencies assisting MCF&R in fighting the fire, or asked to provide mutual aid, included Dallesport, Wishram, Lyle, White Salmon, Bingen, Hood River, Wamic, Westside Fire, Wy’east, Mosier and Dufur. Firefighters were actively fighting the fire until approximately 11:30 p.m.
This fire was the second significant fire at the marina in as many years. The first was July 4, 2021, and was believed to have been ignited by fireworks.
On Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 3, the Port of The Dalles board of directors met briefly to declare an emergency, thereby making funds immediately available to pay contractors involved in cleanup and hazard mitigation at the marina.
Miller Road (Dodge) Fire
The Miller Road (Dodge) brush fire, which burned in Wasco County south of The Dalles, is up to 95% containment after growing to over 10,800 acres since it was first reported on Tuesday, Aug. 2, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved an emergency grant to help with firefighting costs for the Miller Road Fire.
FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vince Maykovich determined that the fire “threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.”
The approval came hours after Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared the fire, currently burning some 13 miles northwest of Maupin in the area of Juniper Flats, an Emergency Conflagration, freeing up state resources to tackle the blaze.
“I have invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act to make more state resources available to the fire crews on the front lines in Wasco County at the Miller Road/Dodge Fire,” Brown said in Tuesday’s announcement. “With many fires actively burning across the state and several weeks of peak fire season ahead of us, I am urging all Oregonians to be prepared and do their part to help prevent wildfires — just one spark can light a fire that will quickly spread. Please continue to follow local and statewide fire prevention regulations and share what you know with others. Every fire we prevent helps us keep our communities and firefighters safe, and our natural resources protected.”
Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued multiple evacuation orders for the area, including:
Level 3 (GO): From Victor Road and Walters Road North and South side of OR-216 to Highway 197.
Level 2 (Get Set): Tygh Valley, all of Tygh Valley Rd, all of Fred Ashley Rd, all of Davidson Grade Rd, east side of 197, all of Oak Spring Road to OR-216, and for the City of Maupin on both sides of the Deschutes River. However, all evacuation orders have since ended.
The Office of the Oregon State Fire Marshal reported five structural task forces and Clackamas County Fire District No. 1’s crew 30 were mobilized to the Miller Road fire. The task forces are from Yamhill, Polk, Lane, Columbia, and Clatsop counties.
“In total, we have 103 firefighters, 20 engines, and five water tenders mobilized to the fire. Our Blue Incident Management Team is also on the ground and took command this morning,” the fire marshal’s office said on August 3.
Mile Post 87 Fire
The Mile Post 87 fire burned in east The Dalles on August 4, at exit 87 on I-84.
Firefighters were on site starting at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the fire. Responding agencies included Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Dufur Fire and Hood River Fire, and Wasco Emergency Management is coordinating with the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Miller Road Fire task force, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Klickitat and others, according to The Dalles City Clerk Izetta Grossman. There is also currently one type-2 helicopter from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Grossman said.
According to Grossman, school buses and buses from the LINK were staged at The Dalles Marina, in case Flagstone needed to be evacuated. There was also an emergency shelter currently available in Dufur, at the Dufur High School.
The Columbia Rivers Heights subdivision in The Dalles reached a Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation notice, and was the only area under an evacuation notice due to the Mile Post 87 fire. Some businesses in proximity to the fire temporarily closed while they waited for the fire to be put out, including Big Jim’s Drive In.
Additionally, power was out to 660 customers in the area, as Northern Wasco County PUD de-energized power at certain locations to “ensure the safety of firefighters and first responders,” according to a post on the NWC PUD Facebook page. According to an update to that post, power was restored later that day.
The fire has since been reported as being out, and all evacuation notices have been ended and businesses have since reopened. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/fires-burn-boathouses-home-community-pool-evacuated/article_36b31ee8-182b-11ed-8206-e7e308882d7f.html | 2022-08-10T06:54:58 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/fires-burn-boathouses-home-community-pool-evacuated/article_36b31ee8-182b-11ed-8206-e7e308882d7f.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. — The city of Portland has accused the U.S. Department of Justice of stating incorrect information and misinterpreting police programs while negotiations continue about how to bring Portland back into compliance with a police use of force federal settlement agreement.
City attorneys responded in July to the Justice Department’s sixth periodic assessment with a line-by-line rebuttal claiming the Justice Department is moving the goalposts or simply wrong, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. OPB obtained a copy of the rebuttal through a public records request.
The Justice Department declined to comment to the media outlet.
“The city believed, until recently, that the parties were working under a common understanding of the requirements of the Settlement Agreement,” the city’s response to the DOJ says. “This year’s Compliance Assessment Report, however, revealed numerous areas where a difference in the parties’ understanding led to a DOJ finding of only ‘partial compliance’ with particular provisions.”
The rebuttal was delivered in a closed-door meeting July 28, one day after the city and federal prosecutors updated U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon on the city’s progress in implementing agreed-upon changes. Ahead of that court appearance, the city filed a response to the Justice Department focusing on areas where the city had been successful.
Now, Portland city attorneys say the Justice Department is shifting requirements. For example, the Justice Department said the city was in only partial compliance with a section requiring the Portland Police Bureau’s Behavioral Health Unit Advisory Committee to advise the bureau on interactions with people in mental health crises. The Justice Department said the city had failed to follow through on a commitment to have the committee review actual police encounters rather than simply advise on policies and training methods.
RELATED: Police oversight group recommends Portland use ShotSpotter in all 'high risk areas for gun violence'
“DOJ now interprets the stated goal of the paragraph as requiring BHUAC to review the violent encounters themselves. The city disagrees with that interpretation.”
To be freed from the settlement agreement and the accompanying federal oversight, Portland must be found in compliance and remain in compliance with the settlement’s terms for one year. The city in February 2020 was found in compliance for the first time since the agreement took effect in 2014.
But the Department of Justice and the independent group overseeing the agreement, found the police bureau’s forceful response to racial justice protests later that year exposed significant shortcomings and the city fell out of compliance.
City attorneys also said in other sections of their rebuttal that federal prosecutors’ facts were wrong. In the July 27 court appearance, the Justice Department tentatively conceded it may have erred.
“We measure compliance based upon data presented to us,” said Jonas Geissler, the federal prosecutor overseeing the settlement agreement. “If there is an error we are pleased to correct it.”
Geissler said they plan to conduct a more in-depth audit of the cases in question. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-doj-settlement-use-of-force-goalposts/283-358aa300-a14d-4ee5-a2e1-f9b687efe21c | 2022-08-10T07:02:15 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-doj-settlement-use-of-force-goalposts/283-358aa300-a14d-4ee5-a2e1-f9b687efe21c |
As students prepare to return to school, many parents feel the financial burden while shopping for school supplies. Around this time each year, though, we see the best of North Texas as people step up to provide for families in need.
An Oak Cliff organization, For Oak Cliff, has prepared to do just that. At 15 years old, rising sophomore Yamun Hempstead spent one of her last few days of summer volunteering for the organization.
“Because why not? This community raised me. I’m going to give back to it,” said Hempstead.
She joined a team that spent hours making sure backpacks were stuffed and boxes prepared for thousands of families in need of school supplies.
“When you’re the kid in the class that doesn’t have a pencil or doesn’t have paper or this and that, it matters,” she said.
She’ll be there this Saturday when For Oak Cliff hosts its annual back-to-school festival at Glendale Park - an initiative that started eight years ago. Xavier Henderson, For Oak Cliff’s Chief Development Officer, said the group is prepared to meet the needs of at least 4,000 people.
“It’s a good start to a school year. You’ve got something to write on, something to write with. You can get to learning and studying,” said Henderson.
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According to The National Retail Federation, back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend an average of $168 more on school-related purchases, compared to 2019 before the onset of the pandemic.
“I used to be a teacher,” Henderson said. “And I know the challenges of kids showing up and not having supplies ready to learn. So, we want to remove any obstacle that we can.”
Henderson joined the For Oak Cliff team to walk the grounds of Glendale Park and mapped the layout of Saturday’s event. He and others prepared to do what they’ve done for the past eight years.
“It goes beyond just the supplies,” he said. “We provide food, we do rental and utility assistance. We just know that the need it exacerbated by so many of the challenges right now.”
For more information on For Oak Cliff back-to-school festival visit https://www.foroakcliff.org/
Additional resources:
https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200023106594101 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/oak-cliff-organization-prepares-for-annual-back-to-school-festival/3044505/ | 2022-08-10T07:05:23 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/oak-cliff-organization-prepares-for-annual-back-to-school-festival/3044505/ |
Dec. 22, 1963 - Aug. 6, 2022
SCHERERVILLE - Henry Rocha Jr. (Little Henry) passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in Schererville. He was born in East Chicago on December 22, 1963. Henry is survived by his parents: Enrique and Martina Rocha (nee Covarrubias); three children: Kandace Rocha, Timothy Heath, and Austin Rocha; one granddaughter, Martina (Mia) Bates; and many caring aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Henry was a 1981 graduate of Lake Central High School and went on to attend classes and complete mechanical certifications through Purdue University. He was a knowledgeable millwright and was very skilled with his hands. He was a proud, lifelong Miami Dolphins fan.
A memorial will be held at Burdan Funeral Home, 12901 Wicker Ave. (corner of US 41 and 129th Ave.) Cedar Lake, IN, on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/henry-rocha-jr/article_8361d41b-7e70-5947-90ba-85de5b63fcec.html | 2022-08-10T07:19:29 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/henry-rocha-jr/article_8361d41b-7e70-5947-90ba-85de5b63fcec.html |
Nov. 30, 1950 - Aug. 7, 2022
CROWN POINT - Lois E. Briggs (nee White), age 71, of Crown Point, IN passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones.
Lois is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Peter "RePete" and April Briggs of Lowell; her daughter and son-in-law: Jen and Jason Ryman of Indianapolis; and her beloved grandchildren: Hunter Briggs, Kaley Morgan and Matthew Abercrombie, and Danyelle Morgan and Matt Janes. She is also survived by her sister, Donna Collins of Ithaca, NY; brother and sister-in-law: Frank and Annette White of Lansing, NY; her Tuesday knitting group; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Peter "Big Pete" Briggs; mother, Loretta Whitaker; and father, Donald White.
Lois was born in Ithaca, NY and spent much of her childhood swimming and playing in the woods with Donna and cousin Rita, who was like a sister. She moved to Indiana to attend Purdue University where she met Big Pete. When her kids were young, Lois was active in PTO, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Lois was a 38-year member of the Crown Point chapter of Tri Kappa where she enjoyed serving on the Fair Committee. She enjoyed collecting yarn for her numerous knitting and crochet projects. Lois was popular among friends and neighbors as she loved to share her baking and was even known as "The Cookie Lady" at the racetrack with Big Pete. Family game nights were her favorite and she instilled a love of board games and puzzles in her kids and grandkids. She enjoyed shopping with Jen and RePete and couldn't pass up a good deal. Lois always had cats and they were very spoiled.
To honor Lois' memory, a Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Geisen Funeral, Cremation & Reception Centre, 606 E. 113th Ave., Crown Point, IN 46307 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.. She will be honored with a Tri-Kappa Service beginning at 5:00 p.m.
We invite anyone who knew her to attend and remember her wonderful life. Lois loved bright colors, so we ask attendees to wear their brightest to celebrate her.
Private family burial will take place at Maplewood Memorial Cemetery in Crown Point, IN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Lois' name to Crown Point Community Foundation.
Visit Lois' online guestbook at www.GeisenFuneralHome.com 219-663-2500. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/lois-e-briggs-nee-white/article_275bd84b-96be-516f-9b8a-5181b7085692.html | 2022-08-10T07:19:36 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/lois-e-briggs-nee-white/article_275bd84b-96be-516f-9b8a-5181b7085692.html |
July 14, 1934 - Aug. 7, 2022
EAST CHICAGO - Mirko Balaban, age 88, of East Chicago passed away peacefully at home August 7, 2022 with his family by his side. He was born to Stevan and Andja on July 14, 1934 in selo Resanovci, Bosansko Grahovo.
He is survived by his three children, sons: Marinko and Mile Balaban; daughter, Milena (Ross) Gasich; three grandchildren: Aleksandra, Svetko and Marina Gasich; as well as many nieces, nephews, kumovi and friends in the U.S., Bosna and Serbia. He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife, Djuka; brothers: Rade and Stevo; sisters: Mileva and Rosa.
Mirko immigrated to America in 1977 with his wife and children. He was a machinist craftsman and welder by trade up until his retirement. He was an avid sportsman who loved nature and being outdoors as well as spending quality time with family and friends. His pride and joy were his grandchildren whom he adored and treasured. Mirko was a humble man and a gentle soul who will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. Vjecnaja Pamjat! (Memory Eternal).
Visitation will be August 11, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at New Grancanica Monastery, 35240 West Grant Ave, Lake Villa IL 60046 with Funeral Service beginning at 11:00 a.m. V. Rev Stavrophor Srdjan Veselinovich officiating. Interment, New Gracanica Monastery Cemetery. For further information please call Mileva or David at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/mirko-balaban/article_e575e8b9-62fb-5965-bfdc-bb3b2eb8c8c5.html | 2022-08-10T07:19:42 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/mirko-balaban/article_e575e8b9-62fb-5965-bfdc-bb3b2eb8c8c5.html |
In Loving Memory Of A Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother On Her Third Anniversary In Heaven. Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
Your Loving Husband, John, Children: Johnny, Christine and Dawn and Grandchildren. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/norma-wilson/article_31666efa-3e47-54e4-980d-6d61bb6661bb.html | 2022-08-10T07:19:48 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/norma-wilson/article_31666efa-3e47-54e4-980d-6d61bb6661bb.html |
Aug. 13, 1934 - Aug. 6, 2022
NEW CHICAGO - Richard Baron, age 87, of New Chicago passed away Saturday, August 6, 2022. He was born on August 13, 1934 in Chicago, IL to the late John and Bessie Baron. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division. On April 24, 1965 he married Arlene Czekaj in New Chicago. He retired from US Steel where he worked in production planning. Rich was a dedicated member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. He loved to fish and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. He will be sorely missed by his grandchildren and great grandchildren who affectionately knew him as "Yaya".
He is survived by his children, Paulette (Daniel) Hill of Hobart, Jackie (Gerry Miser) Mote of Knox, Jodie (Joel) Mackall of De Motte and Richard M. Baron, Jr. of Hobart; 7 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bessie Baron; his beloved wife, Arlene Baron; sisters: Elizabeth and Lillian; brothers: John and Edward Baron.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hobart Humane Society, PO Box 108 Hobart, IN 46342.
Visitation for Rich will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption BVM Catholic Church with prayers starting at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Calumet Park Cemetery. For more information, please call (219) 942-2109. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/richard-baron/article_01c717e8-52b7-55ef-bb1b-af5d518869c7.html | 2022-08-10T07:19:54 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/richard-baron/article_01c717e8-52b7-55ef-bb1b-af5d518869c7.html |
Walter Fields
May 6, 1943 - Aug. 7, 2022
MICHIGAN CITY - Walter Fields, 79, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2022, at 11:05 P.M. in his home surrounded by his family.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 13, 2022, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1506 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN with Rev. Walter Rakoczy officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Michigan City, IN. Visitation hours will be Friday from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. and Saturday from 8:30 A.M. until 9:30 A.M. at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.
He was born May 6, 1943, in Michigan City, IN to the late Floyd and Alice (Shelton) Fields. On February 15, 1964, in he married Kathleen E. Zeese who preceded him in death on April 10, 2019. Surviving are two daughters: Patricia Fredenburg and Sherri Fields both of Michigan City; three sons, Paul (Theresa) Fields of Chesterton, Steven Fields of Brookings, SD, and Terry (Juliet) Fields of Laporte; along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother; and sister.
He formerly worked at Pullman-Standard, Michigan City, and retired from US Steel, Gary Works as a Control Room Operator. He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Michigan City. An avid fisherman, in which he used a bow & arrow for carp fishing off the Michigan City pier. He collected guns, knives, and walking sticks. He reloaded all his own pistols and guns and enjoyed using them for target shooting. He also enjoyed being a part of the late afternoon McDonalds group.
Contributions may be made to Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave. Valparaiso, IN 46383.
To sign a guest book and leave condolences online visit our web site at www.otthaverstock.com. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/walter-fields/article_3c656b5d-7c36-5d14-86d2-d4570cecb3a7.html | 2022-08-10T07:20:00 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/walter-fields/article_3c656b5d-7c36-5d14-86d2-d4570cecb3a7.html |
A Kenosha County Board supervisor won the Republican primary in the 61st Assembly District race Tuesday night.
Amanda Nedweski of Pleasant Prairie won the race with 5,029 votes, or 56.95% of the polling, defeating Mike Honold, of Brighton, who garnered 3,785 votes for 42.87 %, according to the unofficial results. The official results are pending a canvass of the votes on Aug. 15, according to Kenosha County Clerk Regi Waligora.
Nedweski will face Democrat Max Winkels, of Randall, in the general election on Nov. 8. Winkels ran unopposed in Tuesday’s partisan primary receiving 3,298 votes or 99.76% of those cast. Nedweski and Winkels are vying for the assembly seat previously held by long-time legislator Samantha Kerkman who was elected Kenosha County executive in April.
Nedweski, who herself was elected in the spring to the County board representing the 16th District, said she campaigned on public safety, the economy and education, three issues that resonated with voters in the district. In canvassing 4,000 doors with her two campaigns, Nedweski said residents in the district have especially felt the economic crunch with inflation that has left many struggling.
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“They’re struggling with where is this economic crisis going to go? And they don’t feel positive about it,” she said. “As the first day of school ramps up, you know, they’re concerned and they’re anxious about are there going to be suddenly new restrictions like there were (during the pandemic). They’re concerned with what’s happening in the curriculum.
“They want to have more transparency and they want to have more accountability,” said Nedweski, co-chair for Moms for Liberty of Kenosha County, which advocated for a parents bill of rights, which was passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature, but later vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat. “Parents want to have an equal partnership in their child’s education … even people without children are very, very concerned about what’s happening in schools because it’s affecting us culturally overall.”
Nedweski said election integrity has also been an issue.
“People acknowledge that regardless of the investigations and proof of fraud or no proof of fraud, doubt has been cast and we need to restore trust in our elections process,” she said. “And I’m very committed to that effort.”
Honold, who ran a campaign that focused on law enforcement and public safety had endorsements that included members of the Kenosha police and fire departments, as well as the county sheriff’s department.
“I ran with the hope of helping get them the resources that they need to ensure the safety of residents of Kenosha County.
Honold said that with 2020 civil unrest still fresh in minds of voters, he said he was “very glad” voters approved Kenosha’s public safety referendum which will allow the city to exceed its levy limit to hire an additional 10 police officers and six firefighters, with associated equipment. As a result, the levy will rise to 3.3 % or an increase of $2.5 million for a total of $78,263,738. The current levy limit is 2.654%, or $75,763,738.
“Police departments and fire departments need more help,” he said.
The candidates complimented each other for running overall “clean campaigns.”
“I’m glad that he and I were able to make that agreement from the start and stick to it because, you know, negativity is not the way to go and the voters don’t like it,” said Nedweski.
“It was a good race, a clean race. And, I’m happy that it wasn’t a negative race and I’m very happy both sides kept it clean,” said Honold. “That’s the way more elections should be run. Let the chips fall where they may.”
Winkels could not immediately be reached for comment.
2022 Kenosha County Spring Election result story collection
Samantha Kerkman defeated Rebecca Matoska-Mentink in Tuesday’s Spring Election to become the next Kenosha County executive.
A major facilities referendum and a three-year operational referendum both were passed by Salem School District electors Tuesday.
Voters in the Kenosha Unified School District returned a long-time incumbent and elected two newcomers to the School Board on Tuesday night.
School districts across western Kenosha County will have new faces following Tuesday’s Spring Election.
Three Kenosha County Board races were nearly too close to call, with unofficial vote totals of less than 10 votes likely to trigger free recou…
PLEASANT PRAIRIE — Voters approved a $1.6 million referendum that would allow Pleasant Prairie to increase its tax levy by $1.6 million to hir…
There will be some turnover in city aldermanic districts, which saw at least two incumbents lose re-election bids for the Kenosha City Council…
Voters in western Kenosha County approved referendums to exceed levy limits in two school districts, one barely, on Tuesday.
Bristol School electors approved a $22.3 million facility referendum in Tuesday’s Spring Election.
Contested Village and Town Board races were decided in Tuesday’s Spring Election in western Kenosha County. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/nedweski-wins-republican-primary-in-district-61-assembly-race-will-challenge-democrat-winkels-in-nov/article_7cdf43e0-1855-11ed-8a47-8fff97ce9a9d.html | 2022-08-10T07:36:34 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/nedweski-wins-republican-primary-in-district-61-assembly-race-will-challenge-democrat-winkels-in-nov/article_7cdf43e0-1855-11ed-8a47-8fff97ce9a9d.html |
INDIANAPOLIS — Women in Indiana are facing major barriers to having healthy babies and getting support while pregnant. That's according to the #AskTheWomen Project, a new research study Initiated by the Grassroots Maternal & Child Health Initiative, through the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health.
The bottom line, it shows, pregnant Hoosiers and new moms need a lot more help. And right now, public policies aren't measuring up.
The study reveals serious gaps in support for pregnant women in Indiana, just as Indiana lawmakers restrict access to abortion, potentially leading to more women carrying pregnancies to term.
RELATED: Experts warn 'life of the mother' exceptions for abortion could still punish women, doctors
Specifically, the project highlighted problems with health care, housing and in the workplace.
"We're struggling! And we need help and there's no help available," explained Tia Washum, Grassroots Maternal & Child Health Leader.
"Someone I think literally said, 'I feel like nobody cares. I'm home with this baby and nobody cares,'" added Erin Macey, a Grassroots Maternal & Child Health senior researcher who spearheaded the #AskTheWomen Project.
For the study, researchers interviewed a racially and geographically diverse group of Hoosier women about pregnancy and parenthood.
The participants were people who live in areas with high maternal and infant mortality rates. Indiana, as a state, ranks near the bottom nationwide in both categories.
Still, researchers say the results of this project were stunning.
Out of 30 women interviewed, nearly all shared stories of struggle. Many faced major challenges on the job or in school.
A lack of accommodations for pregnant women, which could lead to poor health outcomes, was quite common.
"One woman who shared her story, she had a baby in the NICU, in the NICU, and they failed her out of community college," Macey said. "Another, the doctor said, 'You have to stop working right now.' She worked in a factory. It was physically demanding. And the doctor said, 'If you don't stop working, you're gonna lose this baby.' What is she supposed to do?"
"Why didn't you just take off?' She said, 'I can't! I can't take off. Who would be supporting my family?'" Washum said.
"I was really surprised how many women shared stories with us of being pushed out of their workplace, being refused bathroom breaks. Or preterm labor and being hospitalized and then being slammed with late fees on rent and nearly evicted, so they're having to turn to short-term lenders' to fill in that gap or becoming homeless," Macey said.
Health care itself had barriers too: both cost and access to care.
"Some of our rural counties, they don't have a place to go where there's a trusted OBGYN who can serve them. They're three hours from care," Macey said. "We had participants who had $10,000 hospital bills. I mean, who's going to bear all these costs, right? It's going to be the woman."
Researchers did share their study in testimony at the Statehouse last week, hoping to effect systemic change and get more money for support for women.
"There are some who listen...and there are some who don't," Macey said.
They fear challenges for healthy moms and babies may now rise again, with the recently-passed legislation.
"I think the point is we weren't doing a good job before," Macey said. "If anything, this is even more reason to step up to the plate."
"Those are the things we want to bring out to let people know that we need help," Washum added. "We need to stand with each other so this can somehow get better."
More help is coming, however. Among the things that came out of the special session was legislation allocating $42 million to programs like the Nurse Family Partnership, Child Care Development Fund, Safety PIN program, Safe Haven baby boxes and Real Alternatives.
An additional $45 million is being allocated to the newly created Hoosier Families First Fund, which allows the state the flexibility to add funds to programs that help support healthy pregnancies and families.
The legislation also increases the adoption tax credit to $2,500 for each eligible child and creates a $3,000 income-tax exemption for each adopted dependent. This exemption is on top of the normal $1,500 exemption for all dependents. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/askthewomen-project-shows-serious-barriers-for-pregnant-women-new-moms-indiana/531-d0d26b22-0fe5-45bc-a096-00f60446d267 | 2022-08-10T08:00:14 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/askthewomen-project-shows-serious-barriers-for-pregnant-women-new-moms-indiana/531-d0d26b22-0fe5-45bc-a096-00f60446d267 |
INDIANAPOLIS — There will be big changes at next month's Circle City Classic. Instead of highlighting football, the Classic will showcase band programs and their contributions to historically Black colleges and universities.
For 37 years, Indiana Black Expo has hosted the Classic to showcase HBCUs in Indianapolis and to provide scholarships to Indiana students.
This year's Classic will highlight at least five HBCU bands across the country. Three participating bands include Miles College Purple Marching Machine, Kentucky State University Mighty Marching Thorobreds and Talladega College Great Tornado Band.
Indiana Black Expo said two additional HBCU bands and other activations inside Lucas Oil Stadium will be announced at a later date.
Immediately following the band battle, ten sororities and fraternities from across the country will also battle during a step competition.
“Both HBCUs and members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council have contributed tremendously to Black culture and have played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement in our country. They should be cherished, highlighted and celebrated and we plan to do that during this year’s Classic," said Tanya Mckinzie, IBE’s President & CEO.
Classic weekend will also feature a pep rally, performance parade, Cabaret-styled concert, Education Day Party/College Fair, Over 21 Day Party, and Business Card Exchange and Pitch Competition.
“We are intentional in our efforts to highlight black excellence in our communities and Classic will be a weekend of Black excellence for our culture,” added Mckinzie.
Tickets for Classic are on sale now for $50 and $20 and can be purchased at the Lucas Oil Box Office or Ticketmaster outlets. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/circle-city-classic-will-showcase-5-hbcu-bands-at-lucas-oil-stadium/531-d55c6a2e-2487-447c-ad4b-b3542eba5fa9 | 2022-08-10T08:00:20 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/circle-city-classic-will-showcase-5-hbcu-bands-at-lucas-oil-stadium/531-d55c6a2e-2487-447c-ad4b-b3542eba5fa9 |
INDIANAPOLIS — “We’re here because we recognize, we have a problem in Indianapolis,” Pastor Richard Curry told those gathered Tuesday night at True Tried Baptist Church.
And that problem, violent crime, brought dozens of community members, local pastors and police together, with the hopes of addressing it and the issues driving it.
It was the fourth of six meetings IMPD is holding across the city in an effort to engage the community and start a discussion about ways to reduce violent crime.
“Out of relationships comes resources and that’s what we need in our neighborhood, resources and relationships with people who care and you’re here tonight because you care,” Curry told those gathered.
“I turn on the news, there’s multiple shootings every night. There’s crime all through the 46218 area,” said mom of two, Loniqua Smith, who attended the meeting with her two young children, ages 5 and 7.
Even though the number of murders and non-fatal shootings are down from this same time last year, that’s little comfort to Smith who worries about her children’s safety.
“I watch them close when they play outside. I can’t relax. I have to stay alert,” Smith explained.
Tuesday’s meeting comes on the heels of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s new budget proposal that comes with significant new investments in more police and crime reduction efforts.
IMPD is offering a $10,000 signing bonus and raising an officer’s starting pay up to $61,000.
According to IMPD, there are still 200 unfilled positions in the department. Mayor Hogsett has proposed hiring 1,800 more officers beyond that number.
“We’re hiring and we need your help. So not only do we need your help when it comes to solving crime, we need your help when it comes to hiring,” said IMPD Commander Ida Williams.
Adding more police was only part of the mayor’s proposal.
He also called for a $150 million investment over the next three years in anti-violence efforts, some of which would be community investments and addressing the root causes of violence.
“We need engagement,” said Smith.
And meetings like Tuesday's, she said, were a start.
“If people had a relationship with IMPD, they would probably call them before situations got so far ahead,” Smith added. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/dozens-of-pastors-community-members-meet-with-impd-to-address-violent-crime-indianapolis/531-243d5b26-ac2e-47c0-a41c-6d2704cdaa51 | 2022-08-10T08:00:26 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/dozens-of-pastors-community-members-meet-with-impd-to-address-violent-crime-indianapolis/531-243d5b26-ac2e-47c0-a41c-6d2704cdaa51 |
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Mitch Daniels is stepping down as Purdue's president at the end of 2022.
Today, I spent an hour with Daniels to learn about his highlights as the Boiler Boss and his plans for the future.
Daniels joked when I opened our conversation by asking why he was retiring.
"First, I don't use that word. Please don't use it around Cheri [Daniels]. I am moving on," Daniels said.
His 10 years as Boiler Boss are winding down. Daniels is proud of this year's record enrollment of 50,000 undergrad and graduate students in West Lafayette, rising rankings and applications doubling.
"We don't want to be known for how many students we turn away. We want to be known for how many students we turn out for the benefit of Indiana and the broader society," said Daniels.
Daniels' career includes working in President George W. Bush's administration, as an executive at Eli Lilly and two terms as Indiana's governor, leading some to wonder if he wanted his old job again.
"I'm not thinking about that. I don't know where those things get started but it wasn't with me," said Daniels.
Daniels took the top job at Purdue after considering a run for the White House. Something he says he wouldn't consider in 2024.
"People say timing is everything. It probably is. That cycle 2012 election. It had an air of reality about it. I honestly believe, as objectively as I can be, we would have been nominated. I don't know if we would have won the election. Having passed on that for good reason, I've never given it another thought since," said Daniels.
Daniels says he's taken "a vow of political celibacy" at Purdue, wanting to stay neutral while leading "Boiler nation." But, the former Republican governor has observations about what's happening in Washington, DC.
"I think both parties have come to be dominated by their fringe. Extreme left. Extreme right," said Daniels.
I asked Daniels if he had any thoughts about former President Trump.
"I don't talk about him. Haven't up to this point. It's not the day to do that," said Daniels. "I never met him."
Daniels loves Purdue sports and jokes about the in-state rivalry with Indiana University.
"They need to up their game a little. We've been beating them like a drum the last few years," said Daniels.
Daniels told me his best day as president was watching Purdue upset undefeated and 2nd ranked Ohio State at Ross-Ade Stadium.
"That was the time of Tyler Trent. The incredibly courageous young man, who in so many ways, personified, what we want Purdue students to be. Purposeful, courageous beyond words as he was dying from cancer," said Daniels. "But, if you remember, he predicted that win and predicted it on national TV and then, my goodness, it happened."
The Purdue president says college sports have taken some unfortunate turns.
"They're going to professionalize Division 1 football essentially," said Daniels. "It's perfectly understandable that these young men and women ought to be able to make some money and the reputations their skills have built. It's not going to stop there. They're going to have what amounts to paid professional athletes, probably unionized. It'll be entertaining, for the schools fortunate enough to be in that new stratum. It'll be very successful financially. But, it won't be college sports the way we've known it."
Daniels is concerned about the national debt and how it will impact future generations.
"The debts we've continued to pile up at such an unimaginable rate that we're going to deposit on an innocent younger generation. These are dollars that we didn't borrow to invest in their future. We've borrowed and spent them on today's adults," said Daniels.
Daniels says our state's economy is doing very well. He's happy Indiana lawmakers passed a law that includes a $200 refund check for Hoosiers.
"As the author of automatic rebate bill, I'm pleased each time it kicks in and leaves money in the pockets of those who earned it," said Daniels. "I said in promoting the idea, it's better to stay in your pocket than burn a hole in the pocket of government."
RELATED: Gov. Holcomb signs abortion ban into law, takes effect Sept. 15; $200 tax refund bill also signed
For now, Daniels is concentrating on the job at hand. Five months to the finish line, saying he hasn't thought about whether there's another race in his future. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mitch-daniels-reflects-on-career-legacy-at-purdue-university-west-lafayette-indiana/531-f16f3464-9553-4e81-836c-0985ad7636cf | 2022-08-10T08:00:32 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/mitch-daniels-reflects-on-career-legacy-at-purdue-university-west-lafayette-indiana/531-f16f3464-9553-4e81-836c-0985ad7636cf |
MOORESVILLE, Ind. — A statewide Silver Alert for a 78-year-old woman missing from Hendricks County was canceled early Wednesday morning.
The Hendricks County Sheriff's Department had been investigating the disappearance of Jacqueline Sims. A Silver Alert was issued just after midnight Wednesday and canceled roughly three hours later.
No further information on the cancelation was immediately available.
AMBER vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an AMBER Alert or a Silver Alert.
AMBER Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an AMBER Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-declared-for-78-year-old-woman-missing-from-hendricks-county-indiana/531-057e4ad3-719b-4b8a-9ae1-1a31a5dff9c4 | 2022-08-10T08:00:38 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-declared-for-78-year-old-woman-missing-from-hendricks-county-indiana/531-057e4ad3-719b-4b8a-9ae1-1a31a5dff9c4 |
Three projects to restore streams and wetlands in the Miami Valley will share just over $1 million in state funding, part of $25 million for 25 such projects statewide under the state’s water quality program.
The projects in Butler, Clark and Montgomery counties are part of the 2023 H2Ohio Ohio River Basin Wetland grant program, a competitive selection process, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Each one-time grant is for the full amount requested. The state money will reimburse groups for the work, and there is no set date for release of the funds, according to ODNR.
The 25 projects are spread across 22 counties. Twenty-three Ohio wetlands have been created or restored under H2Ohio, and 113 projects are underway, including the latest grant announcement, according to a state news release.
Butler County
MetroParks of Butler County will get $488,938 for stabilization of the Dry Fork streambank at Governor Bebb MetroPark in Okeana. That should cover the full cost of the work, according to Katie Ely-Wood, supervisor of community and park relations for MetroParks.
Sediment from the stream’s eroding banks is degrading wildlife habitat, worsening water quality and threatening a road to the park campground, according to a May 24 news release from MetroParks. The proposed work will remove invasive plants, restore the streambank and install structures to direct water away from the soft banks and allow collection of stormwater in a new wetland, the news release says. Planning will take place this fall, with construction scheduled to run from July 2023 to December 2023.
Credit: Submitted - MetroParks of Butler County
Credit: Submitted - MetroParks of Butler County
Montgomery County
The Centerville-Washington Park District will get $309,720 for wetland creation and streambank restoration along Holes Creek in Grant Park.
The 189-acre park on the former Normandy Farms estate includes wetlands and 2 miles of the creek. At many spots its banks have destabilized due to runoff from surrounding areas and changing flow around infrastructure such as and old bridge abutment and sewer line that acts like a lowhead dam, according to Kristen Marks, park district executive director. The backup hurts water quality, retains sediment and creates a stagnant spot.
“Just upstream of the backwater, the in-stream habitat is in excellent condition, which indicates a significant opportunity for ecological lift should this section of the creek be restored with the debris removed,” Marks said.
Erosion is threatening trails too. The plan is to remove many of the structures, stabilize the streambank and realign the stream’s channel, improving flow, water quality and plant and wildlife habitat, Marks said. Adding curves and allowing the stream back into the floodplain at some spots should slow down surges of water, reducing erosion, she said. Other barriers such as water plants, trees and rocks will help further.
“In addition, we will develop stormwater wetlands to provide a creative solution to manage, slow, and clean stormwater more effectively before it enters Holes Creek,” Marks said.
The state funding should cover the full cost of the project, which needs to be complete by September 2023.
The wetland work is part of a 2020 master plan that calls for a trailhead plaza, better parking, and an accessible walking path at the park’s McEwen Road entrance. The entrance improvement will start in September.
Clark County
Tecumseh Land Trust will get $198,037 for floodplain restoration along Rainbow Run, a tributary of the Little Miami River. That should be enough to cover the expected work, said Michele Burns, executive director of the Yellow Springs-based land trust.
The group will also get $20,000 from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for the project, according to ODNR. That isn’t cash, but represents the cost of assisting with design and implementation, Burns said.
The 9-acre privately-owned site is just upstream from Clifton Gorge State Nature Preserve. The landowners have removed invasive species and planted native vegetation on the site for years, according to Tecumseh Land Trust’s website. The grant will enable creation of wetland for animal habitat, more room for native plant species, and a connection to Rainbow Run which should allow stream overflow into the wetland, cutting erosion, the website says.
The funding allows two years for the work, but planners hope it won’t take that long, Burns said.
Credit: Submitted - T. Miller
Credit: Submitted - T. Miller
Once the work is finished it will be protected by a permanent conservation easement held by Tecumseh Land Trust, according to the group’s website. The land will remain privately owned, at least for the current owners’ lifetimes; but the owners are “very passionate about this,” eager to use it as a demonstration site for wetland restoration and a haven for migratory birds and pollinators, Burns said.
There are other potential wetland restoration sites in the area, all privately owned as well, Burns said. If those landowners follow suit in allowing stream and wetland work, Tecumseh Land Trust would seek conservation easements over those sites as well, she said.
“We’re hoping this is the start of something bigger here,” Burns said.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/1-million-coming-for-streams-wetlands-what-the-projects-will-do/LW2QDNNNHNGT5HVUKGJQEREDEA/ | 2022-08-10T08:14:56 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/1-million-coming-for-streams-wetlands-what-the-projects-will-do/LW2QDNNNHNGT5HVUKGJQEREDEA/ |
Jerry A. Jones, 81, of Kimberly died Saturday, August 6, 2022, at Oak Creek Rehabilitation Center in Kimberly. Arrangements are under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls.
Marvin Schendel, 76, of Twin Falls died Monday, August 8, 2022, at home. Arrangements are under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls.
Marjorie Annis, 91, of Twin Falls died Monday, August 8, 2022, at home. Arrangements are under the care of Serenity Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services of Idaho, Twin Falls. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_517759ae-1828-11ed-b107-7bd4f3ab5201.html | 2022-08-10T08:30:45 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_517759ae-1828-11ed-b107-7bd4f3ab5201.html |
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – A former Bedford County elementary school bus driver accused of driving children to school in her personal vehicle while under the influence has entered her pleas.
Kimberly Ricketts, of Campbell County, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her, which include three felony counts of child endangerment and one count of driving while under the influence in connection to an incident in Oct. 2021.
As we’ve previously reported, on Oct. 7, a deputy was contacted by a concerned parent of a Thomas Jefferson Elementary student. The parent claimed his son and other children were picked up by Ricketts in her personal vehicle and driven to Thomas Jefferson Elementary.
We’re told that shortly after, authorities ordered her to take a saliva and blood test at Bedford Memorial Hospital, which showed she had a 0.10 blood-alcohol content level at the time.
Ricketts is set to appear in court for a verdict and sentencing on Oct. 14 at 1:30 p.m. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/08/former-bedford-county-school-bus-driver-pleads-not-guilty-to-dui-child-endangerment/ | 2022-08-10T08:56:31 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/08/former-bedford-county-school-bus-driver-pleads-not-guilty-to-dui-child-endangerment/ |
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. – A woman and a teenage boy were hurt in a shooting in South Boston on Monday night, according to police.
Authorities said the shooting happened on Noblin Avenue near Willow Oaks Apartment complex around 10:15 p.m.
The victims, a 20-year-old woman and a 17-year-old boy, were taken to separate hospitals and released on Tuesday after treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Police did not say how many suspects or shooters were involved in the incident.
Authorities said that the investigation is in its early stages and information is limited.
Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Cameron Collie at 434-575-7203 or the Halifax County Crime Line at 434-476-8445. Callers may remain anonymous.
Stick with 10 News as this breaking news story develops. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/20-year-old-woman-17-year-old-boy-hurt-in-south-boston-shooting/ | 2022-08-10T08:56:37 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/20-year-old-woman-17-year-old-boy-hurt-in-south-boston-shooting/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Aaron Dean is remembered by his family as ”Oh, very stubborn,” his mom, Sandra Dean, said.
“His way was the best,” Aaron’s brother, Thomas Dean said. “And sometimes he proved that.”
But according to Sandra and Thomas, the thing that he was most stubborn about, was his career goals.
“He knew at a very young age that he wanted to be a missionary,” Sandra said. “He got saved when he was five. It was real. He knew what he was doing.”
His faith was evident in his mission work in third world countries, like Guatemala, up until his passing on Valentine’s Day 2021, caused by an unexpected illness.
“Now when I look back, I think it was just God,” Sandra said.
His passing was a shock to his community.
“The two of us thought that he was just going to come to walk back into our house,” Sandra said.
Throughout his many surgeries and doctor’s appointments, Sandra said that his faith never wavered.
“He was not afraid,” Sandra said. “He said, ‘If I die, the worst thing that could happen to me is that I die, and I get to see Jesus before you.’”
After his passing, Aaron’s family wanted to plan the funeral his way. And Aaron’s dad Bryan did just that.
”He said, ‘Aaron loved missions. Let’s forget about flowers and donate,’” Sandra said.
Thomas agreed.
“They’ll be dead in a week, don’t worry about the flowers,” Thomas said.
“He said, ‘let’s do something that will last for eternity,’” Sandra said.
They raised enough money for Aaron’s good friend Jesse to get through the first phase of his mission trip to Indonesia. And that’s when the idea for Aaron’s Mission clicked into place.
“I heard this little voice saying ‘that’s what I want you to do,’” Thomas said.
Aaron’s Mission officially kicks off on August 30, on what would have been Aaron’s 26th birthday, with an event at the Taubman. His family hopes that this is just the start of preserving his legacy.
“We just loved him so much,” Sandra said. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/aarons-mission-family-creates-foundation-to-honor-their-son/ | 2022-08-10T08:56:43 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/aarons-mission-family-creates-foundation-to-honor-their-son/ |
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Bedford area crews responded to a motor vehicle crash on Tuesday morning, and thankfully, no one was hurt.
The Bedford Fire Department said the crash happened around 10:47 a.m. on Tuesday and involved an ambulance and a tractor-trailer at the intersection of Route 460 and Woodhaven Drive.
Crews said that all passengers involved in the crash denied having any injuries.
A door of the ambulance had to be removed for the passenger to be able to get out, according to the fire department.
Crews said that there were no patients in the back of the ambulance when the crash happened. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/ambulance-tractor-trailer-crash-on-route-460-no-one-hurt-crews-say/ | 2022-08-10T08:56:49 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/ambulance-tractor-trailer-crash-on-route-460-no-one-hurt-crews-say/ |
DANVILLE, Va. – UPDATE 8/9 5:51 P.M.:
The Danville Police Department has arrested a man in connection with a shooting on Monday morning.
The shooting happened on Monday around 8:41 p.m. near the D building of apartments on 1321 Piney Forest Road, and one man sustained what police believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
After a short foot pursuit on Monday afternoon. authorities said they arrested the suspect, Terry NMN West Jr., and took him into custody.
The 21-year-old is currently being held at the Danville City Jail on the following charges, according to police:
- Malicious Wounding
- Use of Firearm in Commission of Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
ORIGINAL STORY 8/9 10:10 A.M.:
The Danville Police Department is seeking public help in locating an armed and dangerous man in connection to a shooting that left one man hurt.
Authorities say it happened on Monday at about 8:41 p.m. near the D building of the apartments located on 1321 Piney Forest Rd.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found a 24-year-old man who appeared to have been shot.
The officers worked to provide medical assistance and say the victim was eventually transported to a medical facility for further treatment of what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Further investigation led officers to charge 21-year-old Terry NMN West Jr, of Danville, with the following:
- Malicious Wounding
- Use of Firearm in Commission of Felony
- Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Authorities have confirmed to us that West was last seen running from the shooting scene on foot and is still armed with a handgun.
Anyone who knows the location of West or has information on the shooting incident is asked to please contact the Danville Police Department through any platform.
The platforms include calling patrol at 799-6510, investigations at 799-6508, calling 911, contacting Crime stoppers at 434-793-0000, approach any officer you see, through social media, via email crimetips@danvilleva.gov, or use their crime tips app CARE at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=818#.
Information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case will be eligible for a cash reward. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/armed-and-dangerous-man-wanted-in-connection-to-monday-shooting-in-danville/ | 2022-08-10T08:56:57 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/armed-and-dangerous-man-wanted-in-connection-to-monday-shooting-in-danville/ |
Some parents claim that their children hold the key to your heart, well now, it’s time to shout your kiddos out!
Thursday is National Sons and Daughters Day, and we’d love to see your beautiful family photos. Whether it’s an iPhone candid or a staged family shot, this is your chance to show off your fam.
Your photos will be a part of our Family gallery and we’ll also post a few on our social media platforms.
Wondering how it works? No worries, it’s easy! All you have to do is:
- Submit your photo
- Include your kid’s names and other people’s names in the caption
- Be on the lookout for your kids during our newscasts | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/august-11-is-national-sons-and-daughters-day-share-your-family-pictures-with-us-for-a-chance-to-be-featured/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:03 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/august-11-is-national-sons-and-daughters-day-share-your-family-pictures-with-us-for-a-chance-to-be-featured/ |
HUDDLESTON, Va. – The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the men they believe are responsible for a violent home invasion and robbery.
On Tuesday morning, authorities said they responded to the 3800 block of Tolers Ferry Road in Huddleston for a home invasion and armed robbery.
Victims said that Travis Asbury came into the home with an unknown man, pulled out handguns, and hit one of the victims over the head, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff said that the second victim was tied up, and the men stole electronics along with a handgun.
Authorities said that Asbury may be staying in the Roanoke area and that multiple felony warrants have been obtained.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information on the incident, whereabouts of Asbury, or the identity or location of the other man is asked to contact Investigator Burnette at 540-586-4800, dispatch at 540-586-7827 or Central Virginia Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900 or enter a tip online at http://p3tips.com or use the P3TIPS app on your mobile device. Crime Stopper callers remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/bedford-authorities-searching-for-men-responsible-for-violent-home-invasion-robbery/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:09 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/bedford-authorities-searching-for-men-responsible-for-violent-home-invasion-robbery/ |
BEDFORD, Va. – There’s a Bigfoot sighting in Bedford! Well, sort of – it’s part of a new app to promote small businesses.
The town recently released the Traipse app for the downtown area where you’re on a scavenger hunt, not for a sasquatch, but for information about local shops.
The mobile, interactive map includes more than 30 stops and aims to bring in more business.
“The stops will have questions about each of the businesses that you can only find if you are at the business. So, you need to go in, find out what the business clue is; then have some interaction with the owner and those people who are there; then solve a puzzle and win a prize at some point,” said Mary Zirkle, economic development coordinator for the Town of Bedford.
Zirkle said the town created the app through a grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation.
You can download the Traipse app for free from your app store. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/bigfoot-helps-bring-business-to-bedford-through-new-app/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:16 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/bigfoot-helps-bring-business-to-bedford-through-new-app/ |
DANVILLE, Va. – A project years in the making is now just a few steps away from beginning construction.
Danville’s White Mill has sat vacant for over a decade, and after years of discussion, the former textile mill will soon get a makeover.
Now there are just a few documents standing in the way of construction.
“It’s a long time coming. The project was originally going to be something up but now we are looking at this combination of commercial and residential,” said The Alexander Company’s Development Project Manager, David Vos.
The Alexander Company is one of the project owners, partnering with Danville’s Industrial Development Authority for the joint venture.
Both will manage separate parts of the building.
“The purpose of the meeting was to get the structure in front of the IDA members and the initial drafts of the operating agreements for each of the entities in that structure,” said Vos.
The former textile mill will be transformed into 150 apartments, commercial space, and recreation areas.
All while preserving the mill’s historical value.
“This is one of the last textile buildings remaining in Danville,” said Vos. “And so to lose this landmark which truly represents the textile industry that helped to build Danville would be a shame. So retaining it is vitally important to this community.”
Before construction begins, Danville’s IDA must approve operating and lease agreements, which were on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.
Because of the complexity of the documents, the board decided to push the vote to next month to give members more time to look over details. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/danvilles-white-mill-project-steps-away-from-beginning-construction/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:22 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/danvilles-white-mill-project-steps-away-from-beginning-construction/ |
BEDFORD, Va. – A new report from Gas Buddy shows that the national average is less than $4 a gallon – which is the lowest since early March 2022.
Some drivers we spoke with Tuesday said the lower price is a relief, while others said the prices aren’t low enough.
“I think every little bit that [prices go] down, it helps everyone,” said driver Gregg Reynolds.
“I think [the prices are] a lot better than they were a couple of months ago, but they’re still pretty up there,” said Chasity Kendrick, another driver.
Drivers said that compared to higher gas prices earlier this summer, they’re finally able to save some money or use it elsewhere.
“If it’s just going out and getting something to eat or taking a ride, go to the Peaks of Otter or something; but every little bit helps, especially as a parent,” said Reynolds.
“[It helps] for anything, for rent, for just everyday essentials really,” said Kendrick.
Morgan Dean, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman, said lower gas prices are thanks to two key factors, one being the price of crude oil.
“Crude oil was selling for like $115 a barrel a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, it was selling for just under $90 a barrel, so that shows you some of that difference. About 60 percent of what we pay at the pump is made up of the price of crude,” said Dean.
The other factor is that there’s less demand with more supply.
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen a little bit lower demand than we usually see during the busy summer travel season,” said Dean.
Dean said it’s hard to predict what demand looks like from week to week, so they’re not sure how long the lower prices will last, especially while we’re still in the summer months.
Dean suggested shopping around at different gas stations because you can often find prices under the average. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/gas-prices-continue-to-drop-across-virginia/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:28 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/gas-prices-continue-to-drop-across-virginia/ |
RADFORD, Va. – What do you do when you’re a working parent and suddenly have to find two weeks of supervision for your child? That’s the reality for some parents in Radford.
The 2022-2023 school year will start two weeks later than planned and was announced a week before, which changed plans for everyone – including administrators.
The school board spent all Tuesday in retreat to finalize details.
Superintendent Robert Graham said they waited until the last possible second before making the tough call.
“We want to make sure that when we open schools that all of our buildings are ready for our children, so our environment is safe but also welcoming and inviting,” said Graham. “For our community, we have partnered with the three local childcare organizations here, and they’ve all been extremely supportive.”
Graham said that Grace-A-Child Radford, Radford Child Development, and R.O.C.K. Club made concessions for families.
“There is a lot of need for childcare in the New River Valley. Unfortunately, most places are extremely full at this point,” said the director of Grace-A-Child, Meaghan Eaton-Spangler. “A lot of parents have been scrambling to get their kids in care.”
With the original start date so close, a lot of families may have already secured after-school care.
Eaton-Spangler suggested that parents should make sure their child’s spot is still secure as some places have policies regarding the duration of held spots.
And Construction at McHarg Elementary is wrapping up. Graham expects limited maintenance to remain once school starts.
Wires were still exposed and flooring needs to be finished in Blenna Patterson’s classroom.
The 30-year teaching veteran is a technology and STEM instructional specialist who works with all grade levels.
“The delay is also letting us have better conversations in this new building about what would we do in the event of an emergency; how would we keep the kids safe; what things do we need to change a little bit,” said Patterson. “We’re actually going to have some practice drills. We have time for that now.”
And with inflation causing school and living essential prices to soar, Patterson said the two extra weeks would give families and teachers more time to find funds and cross things off their supply lists.
Graham said all employees have returned to work and will get paid, and that meals will be prepared beginning Monday and will be delivered by bus drivers.
For more information, you can call your child’s school. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/impact-of-radford-city-schools-delayed-start-date-on-parents-teachers/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:34 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/impact-of-radford-city-schools-delayed-start-date-on-parents-teachers/ |
BATH COUNTY, Va. – For generations, the Omni Homestead has been known for its unique atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.
And now, it’s getting an upgraded $140 million facelift.
On Tuesday, 10 News took a trip to get a look at the progress, and a sneak peek at some of the most exciting changes.
Homestead leaders said it’s their chance to start over again.
”This property holds so much history as far destination resorts throughout the country. For us to rebirth it’s the opportunity to be once again be recognized as one of the most significant destination resorts in the rest of the country and arguably the world,” said Director Mark Spadoni.
Pete Lanfranchi with HIIT Contracting explained that these renovations aren’t like other everyday projects.
”It’s definitely unique to be able to renovate a historic property like this. These heavy renovation projects require a different skill set,” Lanfranchi said.
Now that exterior renovations are nearly 30% complete, the contractors are taking their work inside.
“It’s very exciting. Obviously on projects like this every time we open up a wall ... we find a surprise,” Lanfrache said.
A big focus of the project is all new guest rooms.
People on-site showed 10 News the renderings, along with their first completed suite.
Project Manager Greg Bright said that although only about 5% of the interior work is done, you can already notice a difference – especially in the resort’s west wing.
”The condition that they were unfortunately allowed to get to versus where we are putting them now is an amazing difference. the west wing just in the state of repair that it’s in now looks a thousand times better than it did,” Bright said.
This is the start of a new era for America’s first resort.
”It’s going to be pretty great to see 250-year-old buildings brought back to life,” Bright said. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/omni-homestead-resort-sees-first-significant-renovations-in-over-a-century/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:41 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/omni-homestead-resort-sees-first-significant-renovations-in-over-a-century/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – This sweet kitty needs a loving home.
Precious is just one year and four months old, and has been staying at the shelter for almost a year.
When she first arrived at the shelter, she had a lot to work on – but after the shelter placed her in a foster home, she thrived.
During her time with her foster family, she blossomed into being a loving, friendly, social cat that even liked to be with other cats in her foster family’s home, shelter staff said.
Every time Precious has to make her way back to the shelter, she struggles again. Because of this, shelter staff said her ideal situation would be for a family to foster her first, get to know her true personality, then adopt her.
That way, the staff said her best kitty side could come out and play.
If you want to adopt Precious, you can visit the RCACP website or call | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/precious-really-is-just-as-precious-as-she-sounds/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:47 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/precious-really-is-just-as-precious-as-she-sounds/ |
RADFORD, Va. – The New River Valley Cruisers are bringing the annual Super Cruise-in back to Radford for a good cause.
This year, there will be music, food, and of course modern and old-school cars of all types: convertibles, muscle cars – you name it.
In last year’s event, participants packed the park with almost 300 cars.
Proceeds from the Cruise-in will support the Women’s Resource Center, Fraternity Order Police, and the Shriner’s transportation fund.
“They’re all good charities. They all don’t get the kind of support they need from the state, so we try to help them out,” said Timothy Bishop, a host and DJ of the event. “This is a cruise in so bring whatever you’ve got, even motorcycles. If you got a bathtub on wheels, we’d like to see it. Come on out and join us. It would be a great thing to see.”
This year’s Cruise-in will be held on Saturday from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Bissett Park in Radford.
Admission to the event is $5, which also enters you in a raffle to win $500. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/super-cruise-in-returns-to-the-new-river-valley-on-saturday/ | 2022-08-10T08:57:54 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/super-cruise-in-returns-to-the-new-river-valley-on-saturday/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Pop-up evening storms hit some areas hard early Tuesday evening, and there could potentially be more isolated storms that come through our region soon.
Thousands were left without power in Roanoke, and hundreds were without power in the Danville area, authorities reported.
Appalachian Power reported nearly 2,000 residents without power in the Roanoke area, and Danville Utilities reported nearly 700 without power in the Danville area. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/thousands-without-power-in-southwest-virginia-after-evening-storms/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:00 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/09/thousands-without-power-in-southwest-virginia-after-evening-storms/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Go Fest is returning to downtown Roanoke this fall.
The three-day event starts on October 16, and it will include live music and two beer gardens, along with favorites like the Lumberjack and BMX stunt show.
Like in the past, this year’s event will likely be centered around Elmwood park.
”The decision to move downtown is one that we make really carefully. We take feedback from people, and we listened to last year, and we know that people were really missing that green space and the open feel,” said Kait Pedigo, Events Manager for Roanoke’s Go Fest.
This year’s Go Fest will debut a new campfire stage as a place for conversation and storytelling.
You can learn more about the event here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/go-fest-returns-to-downtown-roanoke/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:07 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/go-fest-returns-to-downtown-roanoke/ |
HENRY Co., Va. – Seven substitutes will start the year as Henry County Public Schools looks to fill open positions when students head back to class Wednesday, August 10.
School spokesperson Monica Hatchett says the following positions are open:
- Teachers - 7 - “We will have substitutes in place for these roles to start the year,” said Hatchett.
- Paraprofessionals - 19
- Bus drivers - 10
- Nutrition - 9
Hatchett says they also need a school secretary, an office assistant, two hearing interpreters, a speech language pathologist, one bus mechanic, and a school psychologist.
If you are interested in applying, you can find the information here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/henry-co-starts-school-year-with-substitutes-as-they-look-to-fill-openings/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:13 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/henry-co-starts-school-year-with-substitutes-as-they-look-to-fill-openings/ |
PULASKI COUNTY, Va. – Pulaski school leaders are putting student safety and school security on the top of their list of things to address this year, like many other schools in the region.
On Tuesday, the Pulaski County School Board completed a series of meetings that were held to evaluate and go over school policies and procedures for student safety and school security, according to a Pulaski County Public Schools press release.
The board and other leaders went over the following things during the meeting, according to the release:
- School security audits that were conducted by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police in 2018, to determine which of the remaining large ticket items could be addressed with funding,
- Principals of schools joined to discuss discipline data including specific incidents that were reported to law enforcement, as well as the types of consequences for major disciplinary infractions to determine if additional resources might be helpful,
- Each school’s safety plan that was created in July with input from local law enforcement, fire departments, and other first responders was reviewed and the board was presented with copies,
- Administrators went over the board’s policies that covered the student code of conduct, discipline for special education students, relations with local law enforcement, and guidelines for suspension & expulsion from school.
PCPS superintendent, Dr. Kevin Siers said that school safety is top-of-the-mind for Pulaski County.
“The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority going into each school year,” Siers said. “We are fortunate to be in a community that shares this priority which allowed us to be one of the first school divisions in the state to put a resource officer at each school. Thanks to a great working relationship with local law enforcement, our faculty, and staff members are some of the best-trained educators around and we will continue to work to make sure that our schools are as safe as possible.”
PCPS School Board Chairwoman, Dr. Paige Cash, added that the system has been improving and building relationships with local authorities to promote that safety.
“Pulaski County Public schools had state and local law enforcement complete a security audit of all county schools in the spring of 2018 and began making safety and security improvements immediately thereafter,” said Cash. “Working with the sheriff’s department, we were also able to place a school resource officer in every school in the county. With the cooperation of stakeholders in the community, we will continue to make our county schools as safe as they can possibly be.”
School leaders will begin to address some of the safety-related capital projects in preparation for the 2023-2024 budget year, according to the release. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/pulaski-school-leaders-putting-student-safety-school-security-first/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:19 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/pulaski-school-leaders-putting-student-safety-school-security-first/ |
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41 PHOTOS | https://www.delawareonline.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2022/08/09/youth-take-part-annual-beach-patrol-competition/10276293002/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:24 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2022/08/09/youth-take-part-annual-beach-patrol-competition/10276293002/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City Public Schools School Board heard updates on staffing during their last meeting before the school year begins.
Since January, the school system has hired 179 teaching positions for the upcoming school year, leaving 29 positions still open, with 12 of those still pending.
Dominick McKee, Chief Human Resources Officer for ROCI Public Schools, said more work needs to be done despite having more staff than last year.
“We’re well above what we used to be in the past. But we still have about 29 positions to fill, so we’re still looking for teachers out there,” McKee said.
One of the biggest reasons for more teachers and staff wanting to work for RCPS was the school board approving a salary increase.
10 News had previously reported on the increase back in February.
The district currently has an emphasis on fielding more bus drivers.
In the 2021-2022 school year, the district had 107 bus drivers and 55 aids, and for the upcoming school year, they will have 123 drivers and 53 aids.
McKee said despite having more drivers, there still are open positions.
“We have 123 … I think is what we said … but we still need more bus drivers,” McKee said.
Roanoke City Public Schools also hired 38 additional food service positions.
While it’s important to fill the open positions, the district wants to make sure they are hiring qualified people.
“We want people that are dedicated to our students that want to make a difference in students’ lives and want to do the best they can on a day-to-day basis,” McKee said.
Even with some slight staffing shortages, McKee said he believes there will be no issues when the school year starts.
“If we had to open tomorrow … we’d be able to open tomorrow,” McKee said.
The district will be holding a Supporting Staff Job Fair on August 11. The job fair will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy cafeteria. Salaries for the open positions range from $15.75 to $24 per hour. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/roanoke-city-schools-ready-to-return-to-the-classroom-despite-staffing-shortages/ | 2022-08-10T08:58:25 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/10/roanoke-city-schools-ready-to-return-to-the-classroom-despite-staffing-shortages/ |
Chad Choate, Sean Conley competing for Manatee School Board District 4 seat
BRADENTON — Two Manatee County natives and school district graduates are vying for the District 4 School Board seat in the Aug. 23 election — incumbent Chad Choate and challenger Sean Conley.
Earlier this month, voters began absentee balloting and in-person early voting begins on Aug. 13. The nonpartisan School Board race allows all registered voters to participate in the election. The winner will be elected to a four-year term.
Other education news:Manatee County School Board District 2 race: Election preview
More:Who is running for local, state and federal offices in the Sarasota-Manatee area?
Previously:Sarasota-Manatee teachers prepare for upcoming school year amid labor shortage, political noise
Chad Choate
Choate is a Manatee County native who graduated from Manatee High in north Bradenton. Choate is a father of two public school students who works as a financial advisor at Edward Jones.
Before becoming a financial advisor, Choate was a teacher and coach at Braden River High School and his alma mater, Manatee High. Choate was appointed to serve on the School Board in August 2021 by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill a vacancy created when Scott Hopes resigned to become Manatee County's administrator.
Choate, a third-generation Manatee native whose grandfather was once the principal at Manatee High, has been endorsed by local officials including Manatee Sheriff Rick Wells and Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown. Choate said at a recent Tiger Bay Club candidate forum in downtown Bradenton, that he feels pulled to get back to his roots in education.
“I was a teacher for 10, 12 years ... Education is in my blood. It’s in my heart; it’s my passion,” Choate said.
He said he would focus on three key areas if elected: protecting parental rights, school safety and enhancing vocational and technical opportunities for students.
“Parental rights have got to be protected,” Choate said. “COVID pushed parents out; a lot weren’t allowed in schools, but we got to get parents back in the classroom to build trust in what is being taught.”
Choate applauded the Manatee County schools chief of security before adding that he hopes to enhance the work that is being done to keep students safe.
“Most counties don’t even have a chief security officer... The systems we have in place are fantastic but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better; it doesn’t mean we don’t have room to improve.”
Choate has raised just over $24,000 with contributions from a handful of local developers and contractors and small businesses.
Sean Conley
Conley is a graduate of Southeast High School in Bradenton and a Manatee County native. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1996 until July 2013 when he was medically retired from duty.
Conley has worked as a substitute teacher in the Manatee school district for a number of years and has a background in intelligence analysis. A late entrant in the election race who filed the paperwork to run in mid-June, Conley says his focus is on school security and fiscal responsibility.
He said he wants to ensure that the schools have protection against shootings, that policies in county schools are fiscally sound, and that teachers, administrators, and support staff are properly compensated.
A first-time candidate for public office, Conley said he understands the amount of work needed to ensure that the district excels but feels he has the skills required to move the district forward.
“I have the training and skills to improve the safety and security of students, teachers, and support staff of Manatee County schools. With my all source analysis skills, I can conduct deep dives on school issues and budget issues to ensure the best information is available,” Conley told the Herald-Tribune.
Conely has reported a total of $3,050 for contributions to his campaign to date.
On the issues
Critical race theory
Critical race theory is a graduate-level academic principle that asserts that racism is more than prejudice towards marginalized groups but that it is systemic in the U.S.'s laws and institutions
Choate did not respond for requests for a response by publication time.
Conley: "(It) is best examined in law school. With this said, I think it is appropriate in a high school sociology class to teach theories, such as Structural Functionalism, Symbolic Interactionism, and Conflict Perspective."
Parental Rights in Education Act
The Parental Rights in Education Act (HB 1557) was dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" bill by critics, following being signed into law by Gov. DeSantis this year. The multi-page law states, “Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur in kindergarten through grade 3 or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students in accordance with state standards.”
Choate did not respond to requests for a response by publication time.
Conley: "It is a policy that I support. I believe that children in this age group are not mentally mature enough for this discussion topic and that this discussion topic is best left to the parents until the child has reached mental and physical maturity. With this said, tolerance should be taught to students in kindergarten through third grade and any sexual or gender slurs by this age group should be noted and the student should receive disciplinary action."
Samantha Gholar covers social justice news for the Herald-Tribune and USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at sgholar@gannett.com or on Twitter: @samanthagholar | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/08/10/choate-appointed-desantis-seeks-full-term-election-race-conley/10277264002/ | 2022-08-10T09:40:14 | 1 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/08/10/choate-appointed-desantis-seeks-full-term-election-race-conley/10277264002/ |
XENIA — Nearly three weeks ago, the Family Violence Prevention Center of Greene County handled a domestic violence case that, were it not for the intervention of a neighbor, would have likely ended in a murder-suicide.
Domestic violence cases are on the rise in Greene County and other area cities and shelters that help women in cases say the violent attacks are also getting worse.
The Greene County Domestic Relations Court has reported a spike in domestic violence cases, and stalking protection orders, which the court administers, are close to double what they were last year, said Court Administrator Patricia Campbell.
As of July 21, the Domestic Relations Court handled 139 domestic violence cases in Greene County, up from 117 last year, and 108 in 2020. Additionally, the court has issued 81 civil protection orders, compared to 49 on July 21, 2021.
Other area courts have experienced similar increases, Campbell said.
“The domestic violence cases are up, but the stalking protection orders - which in a lot of counties are done under the general division because they involve non-family members - are really at the greatest increase,” she said.
While it is difficult to pin down an exact reason for the spike, according to Campbell, the COVID-19 pandemic remains a major factor.
The era of COVID-19 was a heyday for domestic abusers. Dubbed the “shadow pandemic” by the United Nations, violence against women and children increased globally during the pandemic lockdown. In Ohio, 131 people were killed in domestic violence incidents from July 2020 through June 2021, a 20% increase over the same time period last year, and a 62% increase from two years ago, according to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network.
However, just because pandemic restrictions are gone in 2022, doesn’t mean abuse victims are able to get away. Even when choosing to seek help, victims will return to and leave their abusers seven times over the course of eight years on average before they escape for good.
“Domestic violence is all about an imbalance of power and control,” said Debbie Matheson, executive director of the Family Violence Prevention Center of Greene County. “They make life so unbearable that victims say ‘Fine, we’re going to be complacent and do whatever you want to do,’ until they realize ‘If I don’t do something different, I will be seriously injured or die, or my children will be seriously injured or die.”
On the other side, victims fleeing domestic violence face real, tangible barriers to restarting a life without their abusive partner, including housing and employment. The ongoing housing shortage means that even those who are approved for subsidized housing often can’t get it, Matheson said.
“The housing inventory - particularly the affordable housing - in our community is so desperately small, that even if they have vouchers and can get out into the community, you’re still facing the small space of housing options,” Matheson said.
Additionally, leaving doesn’t always mean safety.
“Civil protection order is a great tool for survivors to have so if they are trying to separate from a perpetrator, to put that boundary down. A protection order can tell the systems, ‘this person isn’t supposed to be anywhere around me.’ But it’s not foolproof,” Matheson said.
Greene County’s domestic relations court has applied for a backlog reduction grant offered by the Office of Criminal Justice Services to handle the influx of cases. The grant would hire one additional staff member and is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Victims of domestic violence have options to escape their situations, Matheson said.
“A lot of our work is making sure victims know there is a way out. The hotline is available, our advocates want to give a listening ear. Even though the numbers are higher, the systems are ready,” she said.
How to get help
If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, call:
Artemis Center: 937-461-4357
Dayton YWCA: 937-222-SAFE (7233)
Family Violence Prevention Center of Greene County: 937-372-4552 or 937-426-2334, or a 24 Hour Crisis Text Line: 937-347-5917
National Domestic Violence hotline at 800-799-7233.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/uptick-in-domestic-violence-cases-concern-area-shelters/V4LJKYMHEJDLRASP3RTBQGMJ5Q/ | 2022-08-10T09:46:16 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/uptick-in-domestic-violence-cases-concern-area-shelters/V4LJKYMHEJDLRASP3RTBQGMJ5Q/ |
YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania veterans could soon receive health care they couldn't previously get.
The Honoring Our PACT Act passed by the senate will expand the eligibility of Veteran Affairs (VA) health care to veterans exposed to toxic exposures.
Pennsylvania has the fourth largest veteran population at just under 800,000. Under the recently-passed bill, more than half of those veterans will become eligible for expanded health care through the VA if the federal bill is signed.
The legislation is going to give assistance to many veterans who have been wanting help for decades.
“If you were denied service connectivity for an illness that you may have thought you encountered while you were in the military, and if those illnesses are now on this list of presumptives, you may now be entitled to benefits," Veterans Affairs Deputy Adjutant General Maureen Weigl said.
Among the long list of possibly related illnesses are more than a dozen cancers and a wide range of other diseases.
“You could have asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, rhinitis, chronic sinusitis," General Weigl said. "All of those are now presumptive for Gulf War veterans, which never existed.”
The bill will also add more presumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation and requires the VA to provide toxic exposure screenings to every veteran enrolled in their health care.
Veterans at Just For Today, a nonprofit supporting current and former military members, say they hope the passage of this bill brings more awareness to local organizations.
“The VA does a good job at giving care to our veterans," said Navy Veteran David Parker. "But not everything is always looked at, some things are neglected.”
“People don’t understand how much support there is in York County," U.S. Marine Corporal Tracy Young said.
General Weigl says PA VETConnect is a great way for former service members to find out if they're eligible for aid.
“Reach out to your veteran's service officers at your county offices at your veteran service organizations," General Weigl said.
Corporal Young says it's the most effective.
“The most power that we have is local, in our community, grassroots stepping up, taking care of each other," said Corp. Young.
The PACT Act was passed the week of Aug. 1 by an 86 to 11 vote in the Senate last week and is expected to be signed into law as early as tomorrow.
Local resources for veterans are listed below: | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/pennsylvania-veterans-hope-pact-act-will-bring-more-awareness-to-services-pact-act/521-3b5bd13f-083e-42d1-b29c-aa0fa06d8efb | 2022-08-10T09:53:17 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/pennsylvania-veterans-hope-pact-act-will-bring-more-awareness-to-services-pact-act/521-3b5bd13f-083e-42d1-b29c-aa0fa06d8efb |
WATERLOO — A clerk at a Waterloo convenience store said an April shooting at the business started with an argument over the price of a lighter.
Authorities allege Tony Cecil Orr Jr. began shooting at the clerk at Logan Convenience Store as his brother yelled at the employee.
Orr, 18, of Memphis, Tenn., is charged with intimidation with a weapon, carrying weapons and going armed. Testimony in his trial began Tuesday in Black Hawk County District Court.
At Logan Convenience Store, 735 Logan Ave., disposable lighters were going for two for $1 or 75 cents each.
Derrick Tatum, a clerk at the shop, said a patron argued with him over the price one day in April.
The customer – Alante Amaechi – yelled and had some choice words, Tatum said while on the witness stand Tuesday.
“I said some smart things back to him, and he left,” Tatum said.
Then about three days later – on April 20 – Amaechi returned, allegedly with his brother, Orr, in tow, and resumed the squabble, “threatening and talking reckless” in line as Tatum waited on another customer, the clerk said.
At some point, Orr, wearing a mask and standing by shelf of potato chips near the door, pulled a handgun with an extended magazine from his waist and began shooting, Tatum told jurors.
Orr aimed one shot and turned, firing behind him as he ran out the door, Tatum said. Two of the bullets came within a foot or two of Tatum and the customer he was ringing up.
“I ducked … all the way to the floor,” Tatum said.
When he looked up, the gunman was gone, and patrons were checking themselves over for injuries. No one was hit by a bullet, prosecutors said.
Tatum said he grabbed the store gun – a revolver placed behind the counter just in case – and called 911.
“It’s unreal. I can’t believe this just happened,” Tatum said.
In court, Tatum identified Orr as the shooter.
Prosecutor Brad Walz said police recovered three spent shell casings and one fired bullet from the scene. When police searched a home where Orr had been staying nine days later, they found clothing and shoes similar to those seen in surveillance videos of the shooting. They also found an extended magazine and ammunition but no gun. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/store-clerk-recounts-gunfire-following-argument-over-lighter-price/article_e72c3565-6c72-582a-ab60-bb9ee924301c.html | 2022-08-10T10:13:31 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/store-clerk-recounts-gunfire-following-argument-over-lighter-price/article_e72c3565-6c72-582a-ab60-bb9ee924301c.html |
CEDAR FALLS — The Tigers marching band is getting set for the season. And while they’re keeping it simple, co-director Gerald Ramsey says it’ll be a show that’s easy to enjoy for parents and students alike.
Unlike other 4A schools, Ramsey said the Cedar Falls High School marching band focuses more on entertaining audiences than competing with others, which leads to a more laidback approach to their act.
“A lot of the 4A bands in Iowa do marching show competitions, and we choose to just go to one … and the rest of our performances are for the home crowd on Friday nights,” Ramsey said. “So we kind of build that show with our home crowd in mind (rather) than trying to do some ultra-competitive, cutting-edge kind of stuff.”
That’s the approach they’re taking in their 2022-23 show, titled “Millennial Mix Tape.” It’s a combination of songs from artists like Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Nirvana and Coldplay.
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“We’re doing a rock ‘n’ roll show,” Ramsey said. “I think it’ll just be very easy for the home crowd to enjoy because everybody should recognize the music, and it should be fun.”
Participation is also high. Ramsey said around 135 students will showcase their skills at the UNI-Dome in Aug. 26’s home opener against Johnston.
The directors will be helped by their drum majors. The student leaders are at the marching band camp taking place this week.
One of them is Jenna Borwick. A senior, she started in marching band in her sophomore year and looks forward to the season with her friends and fellow drum majors Gabrielle Townsend and Ava Torres. This is her second year in the role, which she said is a departure from merely playing an instrument as they’re also leading students and working with directors to help create the final product.
“We just get to help the whole band figure out all the aspects of marching band, which is really fun. It’s not just set to one thing or just conducting. And I definitely learned a lot of leadership skills last year doing it, which I’m going to teach them, hopefully, and help show the band as well.”
With the challenges come rewards, and marching band has helped all three of them, with Townsend pointing out the life skills it develops – namely coordination and time management.
“A lot of people state that they wish they could play an instrument. It really helps with balancing your life,” Townsend said. “You have to practice your instrument while balancing school life and you have to go to football games while balancing everything else, and that’s a skill that’s really helpful.”
Along with the football halftime shows, the band will perform at the Iowa High School Music Association’s Marching Band Festival Oct. 8 at Dubuque Senior High School.
At Waverly-Shell Rock High School, 135 musicians signed up to play for the Go-Hawks’ marching band. According to band director Jim Vowels, they’re completely noncompetitive, and that approach proves fun for the students involved.
“If you’re going to compete … there’s several things that you’re judged on,” Vowels said. “So there’s all these parameters that are being judged upon. We kind of base ourselves just like the Panther marching band – or any college band – it’s about entertaining the audience. And so it is more laid back.”
Waverly-Shell Rock will perform two different shows during marching season. The first will focus on classic rock hits from the 1970s by bands like Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles. The second show debuts in October with two songs each from Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa. They’ll show off what they’ve practiced Aug. 26 when they play their home opener against Waukon.
At West High School, band co-director Jason Dobbs is aiming for the mid-90s in participation. As directors prepare for the 2022-23 season, they’ve settled on the show theme “Return of the Samurai.” With the theme comes a repertoire of Japanese-inspired songs, costumes and set pieces.
According to Dobbs, the directors landed on Return of the Samurai after listening to samples of the music from the different themes available to them. That was the one that stood out most, and they got to work on building around it.
“We’re going to try to evoke images of Fuji and samurai and Japanese culture during the show. Our costuming will be alluding kind of to samurai,” Dobbs said. “Our props in the field, pictures we have and that kind of thing.”
Last year saw bands return to play at games again after complications to the 2020 season surrounding the pandemic. Dobbs said that they have students coming back with some experience and they’re looking forward to utilizing their acquired skill.
“I’m excited that last year, we were able to have a marching band on the field and kids got kind of a taste of what marching band is and I think by the end of the season, they had a really good feeling about,” Dobbs said. “So that’s something we’re looking forward to building on this year.”
West High’s first home game is Sept. 2.
Meanwhile on the other side of town, East High School director Joelle Smith is expecting a smaller band without a color guard.
“It’s hard to say right now,” Smith said. “There’s always that unknown as to you send out all the information and you do what you can, but getting them in the door is kind of the hardest thing.”
However, what the band may lack in numbers it more than makes up for in enthusiasm – especially with the freshmen.
“They got a taste of what the show was like last spring, and they were really, really excited,” Smith said. “A lot of them, when I asked them how their summer went, they said, ‘boring.’”
This year’s theme for the Trojans is “City of Lights,” which will be inspired by Paris. French classical music will be played as part of the show, and the set pieces will also reflect the themes presented. It’s a production that Smith is eager to present at Memorial Stadium when the Trojans play as the home team against Wahawks in their first game of the season Aug. 26.
Out in Gilbertville, Don Bosco is likewise getting in on classical music for their show, “The Last Dance.” They also have a French composer represented with Camille Saint-Saens, along with Tchaikovsky and Andrew Lloyd Weber.
According to director Myron Mikita, the band will compete and play at the Five Seasons Marching Invitational in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 1 as well as the state marching band festival, the West Liberty Marching Invitational and Muscatine Marching Invitational, all on Oct. 8. Like Cedar Falls, East and Waverly-Shell Rock, their home debut is set for Aug. 26. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/cedar-valley-marching-bands-prepare-for-upcoming-season/article_3073c78a-1208-5207-824c-47ac2c3c9a62.html | 2022-08-10T10:13:38 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/cedar-valley-marching-bands-prepare-for-upcoming-season/article_3073c78a-1208-5207-824c-47ac2c3c9a62.html |
WATERLOO – Black Hawk County is on the hunt for a new finance director after James Perry submitted his letter of resignation.
The Board of Supervisors accepted his resignation Tuesday. Perry’s last day with the county will be Sept. 2. He’s been with the county since 2019 after taking over for Susan Deaton, who took a job in the private sector.
Perry did not respond to inquiries about why he is leaving the position.
“Thank you for giving me an opportunity with Black Hawk County for the past three years,” Perry said in a statement to the board. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the county working with an amazing staff. … However, I have determined that it is time for me to leave Black Hawk County.”
The supervisors also approved beginning the search to find a new finance director. Perry said in his resignation letter that he would offer temporary services or training for the new director, saying he found it useful for when he came on board.
The board also approved classifying the finance director’s annual wage from a starting pay of $81,367 to $98,543, as recommended by human resources director Amanda Fesenmeyer. The maximum salary would be $137,677.
Waterloo submitted two traffic grants to help with safety at the East Shaulis Road and Hammond Avenue and the Mullan Avenue and Sycamore Street intersections.
The Waterloo City Council this week approved purchasing rights for Charles City-based Cause-Related Opportunity Zone Fund LLC on the parking lot north of the Sportsplex.
A $2.16 increase would apply to all the pay scale steps, bringing the base to $25 per hour for a first-year officer. An officer also could obtain a $5000 sign-on bonus. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/county-finance-director-announces-resignation/article_358aac7d-c13a-511f-9bee-788dec939de6.html | 2022-08-10T10:13:44 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/county-finance-director-announces-resignation/article_358aac7d-c13a-511f-9bee-788dec939de6.html |
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CARBON COUNTY, Pa. — Sally and Mike Wargo from Lehighton had no idea their son, Michael, was suffering from PTSD until he ended his life in 2013. He didn't tell anyone about it - and his parents say that happens too often.
That's why they want to build a national memorial for veterans lost to the "war at home," to not only have a place for families to reflect and honor their loved ones but also to get people talking.
The Wargos teamed up with a local veterans nonprofit, the Valor Clinic. The memorial will be placed on the organization's property in Kidder Township, Carbon County.
The plan is to have at least 50 individual pieces with names of veterans on each - one for each state in the U.S. The memorial will also include a 1-mile walking trail.
Sally and Mike say they're already hearing from people all over the country who want their loved ones' names inscribed on the monuments.
"We get letters from families - they can't wait until this memorial is finished, so they can sit on that bench and just think about their son or daughter, mother or father, and it's important."
The Wargos say their son probably wouldn't like all this attention, but they think he'd be grateful.
"It's going to be beautiful, and I think he'll be happy we're saving his brothers' lives," Mike said.
"I have this idea that when I get to heaven, he's going to wrap his arms around me and say, 'thanks, Mom,'" Sally said.
To donate specifically to the memorial fund, the Wargos say you can send a check to P.O. Box 822, Brodheadsville, Pa. 18322.
If you would like to have your loved one's name included on the memorial, message the Wargos on their Facebook page or call Mike Wargo at 570-778-5660.
For more information on the Valor Clinic, click here. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/building-national-memorial-carbon-county-vets-lost-war-at-home-kidder-township-suicide-awareness/523-1c5d721d-f03d-4bd8-806c-f10c20b147da | 2022-08-10T10:24:59 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/carbon-county/building-national-memorial-carbon-county-vets-lost-war-at-home-kidder-township-suicide-awareness/523-1c5d721d-f03d-4bd8-806c-f10c20b147da |
You are invited to watch the 'best meteor shower of the year' at this RI observatory
The "best meteor shower of the year" should peak later this week, and star gazers can watch at the Frosty Drew Observatory in Charlestown, if the weather cooperates.
The Perseid meteor shower will be at its best early Friday and Saturday mornings, "blazing the starscape with up to 100+ meteors per hour," the observatory says. Star fans can watch the show at the observatory from Thursday night into the early hours of Friday morning and again from Friday night until the early hours of Saturday morning.
Here's what NASA has to say about the Perseids:
"The Perseid meteor shower, which peaks in mid-August, is considered the best meteor shower of the year. With swift and bright meteors, Perseids frequently leave long "wakes" of light and color behind them as they streak through Earth's atmosphere. The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour."
"Perseids are also known for their fireballs. Fireballs are larger explosions of light and color that can persist longer than an average meteor streak. This is due to the fact that fireballs originate from larger particles of cometary material. Fireballs are also brighter, with apparent magnitudes greater than -3."
The sky's the limit:Could the full moon ruin the 'best meteor shower of the year'? The Perseids peak this week
Unfortunately, the moon, which is full Thursday, will be bright enough to outshine all but the brightest meteors, according to Frosty Drew. The observatory is also keeping an eye on the weather and will cancel if it's too cloudy, foggy or if it rains.
Frosty Drew Observatory plans for the meteor shower
Weather permitting, the observatory will open at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday night. Before the show peaks, people can use the observatory's telescopes to see Saturn, Jupiter and more.
A window to the stars:New telescope at Frosty Drew Observatory provides glimpse at galaxies far, far away
"Once meteors become frequent, we will all make our way outside to view the meteor shower. We may have portable telescopes available throughout the night with some great views of the planets and brighter stars. The Science Center and Sky Theatre will remain open all night with videos and showcases of celestial objects we have photographed at Frosty Drew Observatory," the observatory says on its website.
"Perseids will start appearing more frequently after 10:00 pm, with the shower really taking off shortly after midnight. The peak occurs in the early morning hours of August 12th and 13th just before dawn," the website says.
What to know:Where can you see the Perseid meteor shower? A visual guide to every meteor shower in 2022
Tickets are required for anyone over 4 years old and cost $5. Tickets must be purchased online via the observatory's website and won't be sold at the event.
Get to a dark spot: Perseid viewing tips
For those who can't make it to Frosty Drew, here are some viewing tips from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology:
"To observe this shower, get to a dark spot, get comfortable, bring blankets to stay warm (just in case!), and let your eyes adjust to the dark sky. A cozy lounge chair makes for a great seat, as does simply lying on your back on a blanket, eyes scanning the whole sky. You may want to pack some bug spray for this potentially warm summer nights!"
"The meteors will seem to fly out, or radiate, from an area in the sky in between Cassiopeia and Perseus, towards the North/Northeast. These meteors originate from the dusty tail of Comet Swift-Tuttle as the Earth crosses its old orbital path."
Meteors can also be spotted before and after the peak.
jperry@providencejournal.com
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On Twitter: @jgregoryperry
Be the first to know. | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/perseid-meteor-shower-best-times-where-to-watch-rhode-island/10275683002/ | 2022-08-10T10:26:39 | 1 | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/perseid-meteor-shower-best-times-where-to-watch-rhode-island/10275683002/ |
Worried about being evicted? Here is a list of resources for tenants to get help.
It's no secret that Indiana and Indianapolis in particular have some of the highest eviction rates in the country since the pandemic began, according to data collected by Eviction Lab.
Indiana has had the most number of eviction filings since the start of the pandemic of six states tracked by the group, while Indianapolis has the seventh most number of filings of 31 cities for which the group collects data.
More:Facing hazardous conditions, Reverie Estates tenants make bold move: forming a union.
IndyStar compiled a list of places where tenants facing eviction can get help. It includes rental assistance, free legal aid, and eviction information resources.
Rental assistance
The federal government gave municipalities and states an unprecedented amount of funding for COVID-19 emergency rental assistance starting in 2020. But the local and state rental assistance programs in Indiana have started to scale back, with some closing to applications entirely.
Here are the programs currently in existence in the state:
IndyRent: Tenants who live in Marion County and are facing active eviction may apply for emergency rental assistance through the city's IndyRent program. In addition, tenants must:
- Be a renter in Marion County
- Have experienced a reduction in employment income (or self-employment business income) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Must be a household at or below 80% of the area median income and be at risk of housing instability, such as having back rent or utility payments owed. The area median income values can be found on the IndyRent website.
Hamilton County Emergency Rental Assistance: Tenants in Hamilton County are currently unable to apply for emergency rental assistance as the portal is closed. The website encourages tenants to call their township trustee if they need assistance.
Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance: Tenants who do not live in the above counties would normally have been able to receive emergency rental assistance from the state-led program, but the program has paused accepted applications. Tenants can sign up at the program website to receive notice of when the portal resumes accepting applications.
Tenants can also call their local township trustee's office to see if they are eligible for rental and utility assistance.
Free legal aid
Tenant Advocate Program: Indianapolis' year-old tenant advocate program provides tenants facing eviction with free legal assistance and help applying for rental assistance. If tenants go to court for an eviction hearing, they can look for in-person attorneys and rental assistance navigators at all of Marion County's small claims courts except for Decatur Township. The program collaborates with Indiana Legal Services.
Indiana Legal Services: This nonprofit law firm provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Hoosier residents. Residents of Indiana can apply for legal help online at their website or apply by phone at 844-243-8570 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Applicants must meet income eligibility guidelines, which generally incomes are within 125% of federal poverty guidelines, which varies by household size. For example, the income limit is $1,416 a month for a 1-person household and $1,907 for a 2-person household.
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic: Attorneys at this nonprofit can offer information and assistance for tenants facing issues with their landlord, as long as their incomes are within 125% of federal poverty guidelines.
Eviction expungement: Tenants with past eviction filings against them that were dismissed can also seek legal help to expunge the filing from their record, thanks to a new law that took effect on July 1.
To seal an eviction filing, tenants must fill out a form and submit it to the court where the case was filed. They can obtain a copy of the form at indianalegalhelp.org, which is a project of the Indiana Supreme Court, or ask the court where their case was filed and what they need to do to seal the eviction.
Eviction resources
Eviction Lab tracks evictions across Indiana and tenants can view the top evicting apartment complexes in Indianapolis on their eviction tracking site.
An IndyStar investigation in 2021 also unearthed the top 100 evicting landlords and properties in Indianapolis during the first nine months of the year.
Top evicting properties in Indianapolis
Top evicting landlords and property managers in Indianapolis
Renting in Indiana Handbook: Tenants can access a free 2020 handbook by Indiana Legal Services, Housing4Hoosiers coalition and South Central Indiana Housing Opportunities.
Contact IndyStar reporter Ko Lyn Cheang at kcheang@indystar.com or 317-903-7071. Follow her on Twitter: @kolyn_cheang. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/indiana-eviction-resources-free-legal-aid-rental-assistance-data/65386928007/ | 2022-08-10T10:46:50 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/indiana-eviction-resources-free-legal-aid-rental-assistance-data/65386928007/ |
Westfield constructing repayment plan for $6M loan the city gave itself in 2014
Leaders in Westfield are working on a plan to pay back a $6 million loan the city gave itself in 2014 to support Grand Park Sports Campus.
Westfield City Councilors at a public meeting Monday said they wanted to establish a minimum $500,000 a year repayment plan for the city’s redevelopment commission to pay back the city.
The council Monday night directed the mayor’s chief of staff to work with Councilwoman Cindy Spoljaric to establish a repayment plan with the caveat that the loan would be repaid in full should Grand Park be sold at the end of the request for proposal process currently underway.
The city council in 2014 voted 5-to-1 to loan the Westfield Redevelopment Commission $6 million from a city infrastructure fund to go towards financial needs at Grand Park, just months after the sports campus opened.
“It was structured as a loan without any repayment terms, just to be paid as revenue became available,” Spoljaric, the sole vote against the loan at the time, told IndyStar in June.
More:Cal Ripken Jr.? Dale Davis? Here are people behind the companies interested in Grand Park
More:Going to Colts training camp at Grand Park? Schedule, dates, tickets, where to eat and more
Eight years later, none of that $6 million has been repaid. Council members said a repayment plan should have started much earlier.
“The fact that we don't have this done yet, shame on us. Shame on the previous council. Shame on everybody involved,” Councilman Scott Frei said.
Councilman Jake Gilbert said that the redevelopment commission should pay more than the $500,000 when it financially can do so.
“We should be as aggressive as we can about the repayment,” he said.
Jeremy Lollar, Mayor Andy Cook’s chief of staff, asked the council to keep the repayment plan flexible in case Grand Park has a challenging year for profits, such as during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the city’s 2021 sustainability report, Grand Park’s 2022 revenues are expected at just over $6 million.
“I think we really need to be mindful of how taking a half a million dollars of profit, we'll call it right off the top, impacts the bottom line as we look at capital expenses in the future,” Lollar said.
Councilman Troy Patton at the meeting said he wanted to see the redevelopment commission pay back the loan in its entirety immediately. Patton made an official motion to initiate an complete repayment this week but withdrew it after council discussion.
“It should have been repaid a long time ago. If it's needed for the park, so be it, then ask for it,” Patton said.
Grand Park bidding process so far
The loan repayment discussion comes as Westfield is in the middle of a request for proposal process to identify a potential buyer or public-private partner to operate Grand Park.
In March, the redevelopment commission released a request for proposals seeking companies with interest in Grand Park. Nearly 20 companies from Indiana and around the country told Grand Park ahead of an April 1 intent-to-bid deadline that they had interest in the sports campus.
Those companies had until Monday, Aug. 8 to submit official bids to the city.
More:Grand Park bidding process leads to questions about value, debt if sports campus is sold
A city review committee will examine the bids and provide a recommendation to the redevelopment commission and the city council on whether to sell, enter a public-private partnership or decide not to sell the campus.
Appraisals made public last week identified the minimum price Westfield could sell Grand Park as $85 million.
The $49 million sports campus, which opened in 2014, is home to 31 soccer fields, 26 baseball diamonds and other buildings. A $26 million event center opened in 2016.
Contact IndyStar's Carmel and Westfield reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/westfield/2022/08/10/westfield-city-council-pay-loan-grand-park-sports-campus-indiana/65393891007/ | 2022-08-10T10:46:56 | 1 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/westfield/2022/08/10/westfield-city-council-pay-loan-grand-park-sports-campus-indiana/65393891007/ |
In Indianapolis fatal pedestrian crashes, 2022 has outpaced 2021. What's being done?
A doctor walks on a sidewalk in Meridian Kessler. A 3-year-old dribbles a basketball in Castleton. A mother crosses the street on the near east side.
Then their lives come to an end, like dozens of others every year in Indianapolis, in an unceasing epidemic of road killings.
This year is on track to be one of the deadliest yet, as the number of fatal pedestrian crashes within city jurisdiction has, as of Aug. 1, surpassed the total for all of 2021.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated 24 fatal crashes involving pedestrians last year, and four involving cyclists. By Aug. 1 this year, there were 25 pedestrian crashes, and one cyclist fatal. At least 10 people died while walking in July alone, according to an IndyStar analysis of public police reports.
There aren't particularly new patterns police are noticing, a department spokesperson said. Like everywhere in the country, speeding and reckless driving have seen a notable uptick since the pandemic started. Infrastructure funding is still woefully short of needs, so city officials prioritize crumbling roads with limited dollars and pursue grant money for things like trails and sidewalks. Some residents, who've taken it upon themselves to pursue data or mini infrastructure projects to address the safety crisis, feel frustrated, like they're shouting into a void.
In-depth:Indianapolis' fatal crash problem is worsening. What can be done?
A grant program created by President Joe Biden's infrastructure law forces the issue into focus, quickly. By Sept. 15, local governments can apply for a new pot of money specifically for projects that address safety issues for all users of the roads. Last week, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization published a draft action plan, filled with illuminating new data on the problem, that officially makes the Central Indiana region eligible for this money.
Some of the potential projects included in the plan are "short-term," meaning they could be accomplished in the next one to three years; some are "long-term," meaning deployment would be seven-plus years out. None are in time to change the fate of the 26 people who have been killed or the ones who likely still will be killed this year.
Leslie Mason was 40 years old, and imbued in her four boys a love for parks and all kinds of bugs, especially butterflies. When she was feeling well, she also loved teaching them how to cook, her mother, Rhonda Dilley, said.
Her parents, who had largely lost contact with her for the past year as she struggled with an opioid addiction, don't know why she was walking across East Washington Street the early morning of July 7. That "why" hardly matters in the face of reality.
"She’ll never have the chance to get clean and get home to her boys," Dilley said.
New data, same problem
In Central Indiana, the eight-county region the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization covers, the 30% increase in fatal crashes from 2019 to 2020 far outpaced the national average of 6.8%. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths in the region doubled from pre-pandemic to 2020.
Residents who responded to the IMPO's survey for their draft Safe Streets & Roads for All Safety Action Plan have reported seeing more crashes in the past year than before. Chief among the suspected reasons: distracted driving and speeding.
This has generally been attributed to the sudden drop in traffic on the roads during the early pandemic, leaving wide open lanes for faster travel.
"We typically think of traffic being a bad thing," senior planner Andrea Miller said. "But traffic also slows people down."
When traffic picked back up, people didn't adjust their behavior accordingly. Some of Indianapolis' wide thoroughfares do little to inhibit this behavior.
2020 was the most dangerous year for pedestrians in at least the last 15 years, when IMPD investigated 32 fatal crashes involving pedestrians and seven involving cyclists, according to a list of crash reports obtained by IndyStar.
IMPD has half the number of traffic patrol officers it did a decade ago and therefore writes far fewer tickets than it used to. But the department has picked up the pace lately with a campaign to use overtime and partner with state police to crack down on reckless driving and drag racing.
More:Police announce summer crackdown on reckless driving, drag-racing
The IMPO's Safety Action Plan is the first step for local governments within the region to become eligible to apply for new Safe Streets For All funding later this year. The federal program will dole out $5 billion in grants over the next five years, with a new opportunity to apply each year. Eligible projects must first be listed in a regional plan, such as the IMPO's.
Beyond its purpose as a holding ground for eligible local projects, the draft plan also provides policy recommendations. The IMPO suggests local governments prioritize projects that are data-driven and fall within the "high injury network," urges state lawmakers to consider automated enforcement, and promotes the same "safe systems" approach that the U.S. Department of Transportation has officially adopted, which calls for designing roadways in a way that accounts for human error and has multiple safeguards for all users of the road. This modern approach emphasizes road and vehicle design over human behavior in combating injuries and deaths.
The public can comment on the plan through 4 p.m. Aug. 12 at indympo.org/ss4a.
The plan also unveils some new research about how and where crashes occur in the region. For example, 60% of severe crashes occur on arterial roads, such as Washington Street and 38th Street, which comprise 15% of the region's road mileage. Nearly twice as many severe crashes occur in "Environmental Justice Areas," or Census areas where the population rate of historically disadvantaged populations exceeds the regional rate, than in other parts of Central Indiana.
On a "high-injury network" of local roads the IMPO developed based on crash data, the far east and northwest sides of Indianapolis are particularly over-represented.
This new source of federal money is significant because it's a direct pipeline to local governments with a particular focus on the principals of building safe streets for all users, said Kim Irwin, executive director of Health By Design.
"Locals have a lot more ability to pursue money to take action to fix specific priority areas that has been harder to do in the past because of the flow of money," she said.
Health By Design, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit, is working on its own pedestrian-focused crash research spanning data from 2010-20, which it's getting ready to publish later this year.
Preliminary results show that an average of 7.5% of Marion County’s crashes involving pedestrians end up being fatal, though that proportion had doubled in 2020. A fifth of these crashes end up leaving pedestrians “incapacitated,” or severely injured.
"There's a lot of attention on fatals, but one out of every five people having to go to the hospital is a big deal," Irwin said.
The data reveal some patterns illuminating the manner in which crashes occur. A fifth of these pedestrian crashes were hit-and-run, and in more than half, the driver was heading straight prior to hitting the person. Based on this data, left turns account for three times as many pedestrian-involved crashes as right turns.
Some of the highest priority projects listed in the IMPO plan involve signal improvements on heavily trafficked roads like Michigan Road and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street, and pedestrian infrastructure on Washington and 38th Streets.
Though the city juggles many priorities, pedestrian safety received a call-out from Mayor Joe Hogsett in his budget introduction Monday night.
The city will "make critical investments in our efforts to calm traffic, protect pedestrians and cyclists, and reduce the rise in deaths associated with antiquated street design," he said, introducing a $1.1 billion plan for roads, sidewalks and stormwater projects over the next five years.
The proposed 2023 budget includes $1 million set aside for pedestrian safety upgrades ― the first time this has had its own line item, apart from the pedestrian-focused upgrades that already come with other infrastructure projects, a Department of Public Works spokesperson said ― as well as funding for a full-time staff member devoted to traffic and pedestrian safety issues.
More:Takeaways from 2023 Indianapolis city budget
The $1.1 billion is a similar size investment seen over the last seven years, with a notable shift toward more investment in trails, "complete streets" and road "diets," or a de-emphasis on adding driving lanes. Yet the safety crisis continues to grow.
"I could give you the political platitudes," Councilor Ali Brown said ― they've adopted an updated and strengthened "Complete Streets" ordinance, they're working on reducing speed limits on neighborhood streets, this record infrastructure budget includes funding for protected bike lanes.
"But none of that helps someone tomorrow."
Citizens take matters into their own hands
Two life-threatening scares moved Eric Holt, a 41-year-old software engineer, to make noise.
In 2019, as he rode with a group of cyclists on the newly built 56th Street causeway trail over the Eagle Creek Reservoir, a driver sped into their bike path while trying to pass another car. It was precisely the situation he feared when the causeway was built at the expense of a driving lane, and without some sort of barrier.
"That started the screaming, and I’m not sure I’ve stopped screaming since, unfortunately," he said.
Last May, while his husband was out cycling, Holt noticed an alert on a police scanner app for a "motorcyclist struck" on Lafayette Road. Since he knew his husband would be in the area, Holt had a sickening feeling this wasn't actually a motorcyclist.
"It was honestly my worst nightmare," he said, thinking of the white-knuckled drive to the hospital to find his husband bruised and concussed, but ultimately OK. "It had always been in the back of my mind as something that could happen either to him or to me, and was just kind of that worst-case scenario."
Holt swore off road riding in Indianapolis for the rest of the year. That fall, he spent a two-week period tracking every incident on an app called Citizen that involved a pedestrian or cyclist getting hit. Fellow cyclist Jarrod Burdine tried the same thing earlier this year. The work proved too exhausting to keep up.
This July, with the help of a few collaborators, they created an automated Twitter bot, @IndyPedCrisis, that culls Citizens incidents involving pedestrians and matches them to Indianapolis council districts. Each day, the bot tweets the incidents of the last 24 hours and tags the city-county councilor whose district is involved.
Their hope is that at least no one seeing the account can claim to be ignorant of the scale of the issue.
Councilors and residents know about the various traffic-calming projects neighborhood associations take on in their districts, like painting murals in the streets in Crown Hill and Community Heights. They hear about fatal crashes on the news. Seeing the constant drumbeat of hit after hit has a different impact, said Brown, whose district includes Lawrence and Geist.
On the off occasion she takes a weekend off from Twitter, she's afraid to open the app again Monday morning, fearing the number of tweets she might see that signify another pedestrian or cyclist hit or killed.
"It is a safety crisis," she said. "You don’t see the weight of that until you see that it’s happening constantly."
It's a complicated problem to solve because it involves the centuries-old built environment and human behavior, both of which are difficult to fix quickly.
And that human behavior isn't premeditated, usually. There wasn't an intervention someone could have made that 2009 morning with the driver who made a sudden U-turn in front of Brown's father, killing him on his motorcycle.
Good government needs to provide good infrastructure to make those split decisions harder. Brown feels that on a personal level. But people also need to respect that infrastructure and slow down. And then there's the issue of insufficient infrastructure funding. When it involves families who've lost loved ones, there are no good answers.
"There’s no one who’s going to tell me, sorry Ali, we could have saved your dad, but it was too expensive. That’s not a good answer. Sorry, your life isn’t worth us doing this," she said. "But we’re trying, and it sucks."
Small steps forward
There's at least one thing within Rhonda Dilley's power to do.
Earlier this year, when she taught her daughter's oldest son to drive, she kept a careful eye on his speedometer. She urged him to remove all distractions: put your phone away, don't mess with the radio, stay vigilant.
"I said, 'no no no, you go slow,'" she said. "You don’t know when a kid is going to dart out from a car. You have to be aware, all the time."
After Leslie was killed, it just seemed like one after another. Dilley thought back to a friend's sister who was killed walking to a gas station at Raymond and Emerson streets.
"This is unreal. These drivers are not paying attention," she said. "I don’t get it. I don’t understand it. I don’t understand how drivers don’t look, they don’t pay attention."
And Holt will keep the steady drumbeat alive, hoping it builds a gradual, widespread understanding of the scale of the problem facing pedestrians.
"I never saw myself being in this sort of position of being an activist for this sort of stuff, ever," he said. "I never wanted to be an activist. I just wanted to ride my bike safely, and know that my husband was going to come home from a bike ride alive. But I’ve gotten into this position because neither of those things are true. If it’s what it takes… I will continue to scream."
Contact IndyStar transportation reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @kayla_dwyer17. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2022/08/10/2022-may-be-deadliest-year-yet-for-pedestrians-on-indianapolis-streets/65393508007/ | 2022-08-10T10:47:02 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2022/08/10/2022-may-be-deadliest-year-yet-for-pedestrians-on-indianapolis-streets/65393508007/ |
On Thursday, Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04) announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration is awarding a $3.4 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant to the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board in Coos Bay. The grant will help develop the Driving Prosperity program focused on career training and job placement for the trucking industry.
“This grant will help employers fill jobs in the crucial trucking industry in Southwestern Oregon and create economic opportunity in communities and rural areas hungry for good-paying jobs,” said. Rep. DeFazio. “This EDA investment will help the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board and industry partners train hundreds of new truck drivers that will expand and diversify the workforce and help address supply-chain shortages across the entire Pacific Northwest.” | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/defazio-announces-grant-to-develop-transportation-workforce-training-program/article_a4ad4cd8-1692-11ed-a9c0-0f9521d16f9c.html | 2022-08-10T10:48:55 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/defazio-announces-grant-to-develop-transportation-workforce-training-program/article_a4ad4cd8-1692-11ed-a9c0-0f9521d16f9c.html |
The Lakeside Bicycle Hostel is now open. Susan Groelle was elected as the outreach chairman at the churches session meeting. Two guests stayed last week. They wrote in the guest book “We are honored to be the first to stay in the Lakeside Bicycle Hostel.” They were from Australia and are traveling down the coast of Oregon and California to Los Angeles.
The hostel is currently installing showers and the washer/dryer combo in the newly built shower house. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/lakeside-bicycle-hostel-opens/article_ce49ce98-168f-11ed-a132-f702ab8b1534.html | 2022-08-10T10:49:01 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/lakeside-bicycle-hostel-opens/article_ce49ce98-168f-11ed-a132-f702ab8b1534.html |
HOUSTON, Texas — Despite their devastating loss, the Resendiz family considers it a miracle that three out of four of them survived when a concrete truck literally landed on top of their SUV.
Sadly, 22-month-old Nicolas lost his life in an instant when the truck fell from the Beltway overpass onto Woodforest last week, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
He leaves behind his twin sister Melanie, who was in a car seat next to him, along with his mother Jennifer and the rest of the family.
We asked Jennifer what she'll tell Melanie about her brother.
RELATED: Toddler dead after concrete truck goes over Beltway 8 overpass, lands on vehicle, HCSO says
"That he loves her and that he will always be with us,” she told us.
The young mother was still too emotional to talk a lot about what happened as her siblings try and provide as much comfort as they can.
“I guess we’re all just sad that he got taken away so early and that his sister won’t be able to see him no more or have a play buddy,” said the twins' aunt Esmerelda Resendiz.
"You know, it’s been three days, four days since then," said Uncle Daniel Resendiz. "It still feels like I’m going to wake up from this bad dream.”
The twins would have had a joint baptism this coming Saturday. In fact, the family told us they were on the way to look at party supplies when the crash occurred.
Now they’re raising money via a GoFundMe page to help pay for Nicolas’s funeral.
"We’re trying to give him the best funeral that we can give him." said Daniel Resendiz.
They hope to honor who they describe as happy, energetic kid who had so much life ahead of him.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said the crash is still under investigation and that findings will be presented to a grand jury for review.
The 36 year-old woman behind the wheel of the concrete truck suffered only minor injuries. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/mother-toddler-concrete-truck-crash/285-b0bb00fd-f0f9-4b7e-ba47-b63b86a622eb | 2022-08-10T11:13:33 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/mother-toddler-concrete-truck-crash/285-b0bb00fd-f0f9-4b7e-ba47-b63b86a622eb |
PLANO, Texas — The pregnant Plano woman fighting a ticket for driving in the HOV lane has given birth to her “second passenger” over the weekend.
Brandy Bottone made the announcement via her Instagram page on Sunday, Aug. 7. “My second passenger has arrived!” Bottone wrote. “We are so in love and will be spending all out time loving on baby girl.”
In early July, Bottone was pulled over when she alone took the high occupancy lane (HOV) on Central Expressway in Dallas County.
The officer asked Bottone why she was traveling in the lane alone.
"I was like, 'Uh, this!,'" Bottone said, pointing to her belly.
She felt it was right to think the child she was carrying was a passenger in a lane designed for vehicles with two or more passengers.
But the officer didn’t pay Bottone’s explanation and issued her a $275 ticket for an HOV violation.
The Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) online description of the HOV rule isn't entirely clear. It reads simply, "A vehicle occupied by two or more people."
Even the officer admitted she could fight the ticket and hundreds, even thousands, of people on social media feel that, too – which put her squarely in the middle of the abortion debate.
Bottone of Plano told WFAA that in the moment she wasn't trying to take a stand but only trying to fight a ticket. For context, Roe v. Wade had just been overturned several days before, and Texas has an impending ban on abortions.
"One law is saying that this is a baby and now he's telling me this baby that's jabbing my ribs is not a baby. Why can't it all make sense?" Bottone posed rhetorically.
During a July 10 interview, Bottone told WFAA that she was taking a neutral stance politically. In the last month, she’s heard from both sides of the abortion debate.
But, she did say, "If there's a pro-women category, that's my stance."
In a July 20 traffic court hearing, Bottone's case was postponed.
Court records showed her court hearing was moved off the general populate docket and onto an attorney's docket, meaning she hired an attorney for her case.
We’ll see how her case plays out in the future. But for now, Bottone will be enjoying her new baby girl in her arms. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/plano-woman-fighting-hov-lane-ticket-gives-birth/287-a37c0a38-be19-4283-84ef-b8b0bdcd9965 | 2022-08-10T11:13:39 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/plano-woman-fighting-hov-lane-ticket-gives-birth/287-a37c0a38-be19-4283-84ef-b8b0bdcd9965 |
Direct service provider shortage: Stark officials hope incentives will attract workers
Carla Hewitt knew it was her calling to work in disability care.
After more than 30 years in the field, she stays out of pure love.
"I had a family member with a (developmental disability), and it sort of sparked my interest in teaching and caring for people with disabilities," said Hewitt, who works at a services provider in North Canton.
Unlike Hewitt, many workers do not stay in disability care services for long. The direct service provider turnover rate in 2020 was 43.6%, according to a 2022 report by the ANCOR Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy.
The national labor crisis has left businesses in nearly every industry desperate for employees, and disability care is no exception. But instead of creating a new problem for the industry, the worker shortage has amplified an existing one. Many are struggling to fill direct service provider positions, and Stark County officials hope that new retention payments from the state will help attract more workers.
Stark County facing direct service provider shortage
Issues of high turnover have plagued the disability care industry for years.
"They've been in a workforce crisis before COVID even hit," said Lisa Parramore, communications manager for the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The pay rate for direct support providers is determined primarily through the state's Medicaid long-term support and services programs. The average direct service provider makes between $12 and $12.50 an hour, according to the ANCOR Foundation and United Cerebral Palsy.
Parramore said the fixed funding structure has made it difficult for provider agencies to find workers, especially when many fast-food restaurants and other national chains are offering $14 an hour wages.
The Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities has tried to help providers address this issue. The boots-on-the-ground work that direct support providers do is important to the agency's mission of providing programming to people with developmental disabilities, Parramore said.
"We work together in supporting people and so if they are struggling trying to find staff, that affects us, too," she said.
Hewitt said the industry's staffing shortage has made the job more stressful for many direct support professionals.
"They have to carry the brunt of extra work to give the quality of care that we require," she said.
Parramore said the high turnover rate in disability care can also be tough on people with developmental disabilities, particularly those who do well with structure and familiarity.
"And with that turnover, comes the invested time of training that employee, getting their certification. It has hit that provider community hard," she said.
The board has taken several measures to try and ease the burden on providers, including offering training programs and other incentives.
Bill Green, superintendent of the county's Board of Developmental Disabilities, said the agency created a financial incentive to help providers amid high gas prices.
"They are able to get from $750 to $6,000, and it's all depending on the number of people they transport," Green said.
He said developmental disability boards across the state have been working together to raise wages for service providers.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities announced last month that it received federal approval to move forward with a plan to help the direct support professional industry address its workforce shortage by providing retention incentives for support professionals.
"We will be able to provide a 6.5% (incentive) each quarter to our provider community," Green said.
With a federal match, county boards will generate roughly $143 million annually for retention payments for the direct service professional workforce, according to a news release from the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
Green said he hopes the new incentive will soften the burden on the provider community.
Reach Paige at 330-580-8577 or pmbennett@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @paigembenn. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/08/10/stark-county-direct-service-providers-hit-worker-shortage-developmental-disabilities/10052900002/ | 2022-08-10T11:15:20 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/08/10/stark-county-direct-service-providers-hit-worker-shortage-developmental-disabilities/10052900002/ |
Wish the city would do something to combat all the traffic that has returned to the city since the pandemic? That wish may be granted — and could come at a cost to drivers.
A long-delayed environmental assessment looking into the proposal for congestion pricing in Manhattan was finally released Wednesday morning, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority saying the plan would have quite an impact on the city from an economic, environmental and transportation perspective.
According to the plan, motorists entering Manhattan below 60th Street would be charged a toll electronically, with the exceptions being the West Side Highway and FDR Drive, which would not be part of the tolling plan. The revenue, estimated at $1 billion annually, would be used to back borrowing for capital improvements to the MTA’s subway and bus systems.
The MTA released seven different scenarios for the tolling plan, with peak-period toll rates to enter the "Central Business District" below 60th Street of anywhere from $9 to $23, depending which version was implemented. In virtually all configurations of the plan, "peak" would run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.
The environmental assessment tested seven different possible tolling scenarios, including different toll rates and a variety of exemptions. The assessment found that the program would either benefit (or at worst, not hurt) the majority of topics that were looked into, including regional air quality, regional transportation and parking.
According to the findings of the assessment, implementing tolls would achieve its main purpose of reducing traffic into the impacted area. It would also reduce congestion in the area, shorten trip times, increase economic productivity and keep energy consumption down, the MTA said.
As for environmental impacts, the assessment found that pollution would drop about 11 percent in midtown and lower Manhattan, as well as nearly nine percent in Upper Manhattan. There would be benefits for other areas as well, but those showed to be much lower. For example, Hudson County in New Jersey would see pollution decrease just three percent.
Some areas would actually see an increase, according to the assessment, but none were greater than two percent, with most less than a quarter of a percent jump.
There would also be notable increase in MTA bus reliability, and a moderate increase in transit ridership of about one or two percent, the study found.
MTA Chair and Janno Lieber touted the results of the assessment, saying it would provide "widespread benefits" for hte entire city.
"Bottom line: this is good for the environment, good for public transit and good for New York and the region. We look forward to receiving public feedback in the weeks ahead," Lieber said.
He wasn't alone in his praise, as NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said it was necessary to implement congestion pricing in order to "invest in public transit, curb emissions, and reduce traffic, which has roared back to pre-COVID levels."
MTA Communications Director Tim Minton said that the proposal is "a win for the entire region."
"The value of congestion pricing is clear: Less traffic, reduced pollution and more reliable mass transit for the vast majority of commuters, including those in New Jersey, who take trains and buses to Manhattan," Minton said.
But not all have been on board. At least one MTA board member has previously stated that he plans on opposing the congestion pricing plan, saying the economy is too uncertain at this time.
"They gotta find a better way," said MTA Board Member David Mack.
The assessment found there could be adverse effects for some, such as low-income drivers who have no alternatives for commuting, or those who operate taxis and other for-hire vehicles. For those cases, the MTA could create a slew of mitigations or exemptions that would help offset the cost burdens those drivers would have to shoulder.
Some lawmakers in New Jersey have said the plan is unfair because motorists already pay tolls at bridges and tunnels to enter New York, and the money from congestion pricing won't be used to improve public transit in New Jersey. Some motorists paying tolls to enter Manhattan from New Jersey are expected to receive discounts or be exempt.
The tolls aren’t expected to be implemented until late 2023 at the earliest. New York’s state legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing in 2019 and it was initially projected to be in place in 2021. But the pandemic and a lack of guidance from federal regulators on the type of environmental review that was required combined to stall the project, until the guidance was ultimately provided in 2021.
It is not yet known how much the congestion pricing toll will be. Five people were named to the traffic mobility review board last month, which is tasked with deciding how much the toll will be — and how many New Yorkers are exempt.
The MTA will hold a series of hearings before the end of the month to collect feedback, which will also be accepted by comments online, by email, phone and fax starting Aug. 10. The series of six public hearings will be held in late August, on the following dates and times:
- Thursday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There will also be an Environmental Justice Stakeholder Working Group on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m., as well as the Environmental Justice Technical Advisory Group meeting on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m.
After the meetings are held and all input from the public is gathered, the Federal Highway Administration must issue a final approval to the environmental plan before the project can go forward. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/congestion-pricing-in-nyc-mta-sees-tolls-up-to-23-to-drive-parts-of-manhattan/3818137/ | 2022-08-10T11:18:11 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/congestion-pricing-in-nyc-mta-sees-tolls-up-to-23-to-drive-parts-of-manhattan/3818137/ |
Wilmington zoning board denies Scalessa's request to serve liquor, turn lot into parking
A recent decision by Wilmington’s zoning board has settled a yearslong dispute between neighbors and an Italian restaurant in the Forty Acres community with board members denying Scalessa’s Old School Italian Kitchen’s request to sell alcohol and turn an adjacent lot into commercial parking.
Nearly 40 impassioned speakers – over a dozen of them close neighbors to the restaurant at North Lincoln and Shallcross streets and many others frequent patrons of the business – crowded a city Zoning Board of Adjustments’ virtual meeting Monday to make their case regarding Don Scalessa’s variance requests.
While homeowners living in the immediate area of the restaurant argued allowing Scalessa to serve beer and wine would negatively impact the “highly residential” character of the Forty Acres neighborhood and does not fit in with the current zoning, over 20 people who spoke in favor of Scalessa’s requests dismissed neighbors’ concerns and lauded the Italian restaurant’s food and owner.
BACKGROUND:Feud between Wilmington neighbors, Italian restaurant reignited
FOUR YEARS AGO:War escalates between Wilmington neighbors, Italian restaurant
Scalessa failed to show how denying the variance for selling alcohol would create an unnecessary hardship for the business, board chair and city solicitor Bob Goff said. Nor was anything presented that makes the case for why it’s necessary to turn a residentially zoned parcel into commercial parking, he said.
The restaurant is in a residentially zoned community and is considered nonconforming due to past uses of the property as restaurant and takeout establishments. Nonconforming uses are to be strictly regulated and “permitted only under rigid controls,” city code states.
Rich Katz, a chef and manager at Scalessa’s, testified that the business was able to weather the negative impacts of the pandemic, but Scalessa doesn’t turn a huge profit at the local restaurant.
“Any restaurant, the margins are very, very small. Donnie does not live off the revenue from this restaurant,” he told board members. “I don’t have those records in front of me. I’d say the restaurant is profitable, and when I say profitable, I mean a few thousand dollars per month.”
Goff said the courts have already ruled that adding alcohol to a restaurant is not a permitted expansion of a nonconforming use. To grant a variance for nonconforming uses, the property owner must present an “economic infeasibility to maintain the property at its current status.”
Nothing was presented to show that turning the residential lot into commercial parking was necessary, either, Goff said, which would require Scalessa to show that none of the permitted uses were economically feasible.
“The fact that it would relieve parking, that by itself isn’t a basis,” Goff said.
RELATED:Why did Wilmington surprise Southbridge residents, developers and oppose project?
The zoning board’s unanimous decision to deny Scalessa’s two variance requests centered on city code, which does not allow retail and restaurants as a matter of right in the Forty Acres community and dictates expansions on nonconforming uses should be limited, with the goal of gradually eliminating uses that are incompatible with the zoning.
“At the bottom of all this is a provision of law which says that nonconforming uses in residential areas are to be looked at rigidly,” Goff said. “What we’ve heard are wonderful things about the owner and food. The fact is this is an R3 district. I can’t speak to what happened at other properties and other locations. We have to operate based on the evidence we receive here.”
Scalessa attempted to acquire a variance to sell alcohol at the restaurant four years ago, but his efforts were stymied by neighbors who said the Wilmington business owner has disregarded civic rules since opening and was behind on property taxes – the latter disqualified Scalessa from pursuing the variance.
In the years since, Katz has said Scalessa stepped back from the day-to-day operations and he and Scalessa’s daughter, Alicia Scalessa, took on daily operations and attempted to address neighbors’ concerns.
It’s why Scalessa purchased the adjacent lot at 1835 N. Lincoln St. a few months ago, Katz said. Scalessa aimed to turn the garages into commercial parking for the restaurant to alleviate concerns about parking and traffic, he said.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com, or call her at 302-598-5507. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/will-ruling-end-long-dispute-between-wilmington-restaurant-neighbors/65397422007/ | 2022-08-10T11:21:51 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/will-ruling-end-long-dispute-between-wilmington-restaurant-neighbors/65397422007/ |
Meet the jurors in the Whitmer kidnap retrial — most don't like the news
So far, the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping retrial is shaping up like the last case, if jury selection is any indication.
A jury was seated in one day, just like last time, with the judge handling most of the questioning.
Most of the folks chosen don't like the news, or pay much attention to it.
And they said they know very little about the high-profile case involving the state's chief executive, militias and those groups' disdain for Whitmer's handling of the pandemic.
While several said they had heard about the case when it initially surfaced two years ago, they noted they have learned very little, if anything, about it since.
More:Will feds salvage Whitmer kidnap case? 'The key is jury selection,' experts say
More:2 Whitmer kidnap plot suspects found not guilty; mistrial declared for other 2
What we know about the second Whitmer kidnap jury
A diverse jury was picked this time, whereas the last jury was all white. The panel of 10 women and eight men includes two Black women and one Hispanic male.
Twelve jurors and six alternates were picked to decide the fates of Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr., who are being retried on charges they orchestrated a plot to kidnap the governor out of anger over her handling of the pandemic. Their first trial in the case ended in a hung jury, with two other defendants acquitted. Two others pleaded guilty early on and will testify in the retrial.
Sixteen of the 18 jurors picked in this sensational case are:
- A chemist who said that he heard about the case in the past, and learned it was in the news again recently, but that "there’s more to the story than what you read."
- A woman who works from home as an IT solution architect and says her husband has the news on constantly. She said she has some impressions about the case but is willing to listen to the evidence and make an unbiased decision based on that. She said she has strong political views, but didn't disclose them and said she could set them aside and fairly decide the case.
- A female accountant who says she doesn't follow the news much.
- A male underwriter for an insurance company who sort of follows the news.
- A female interior designer who said she has no strong political views and tries not to listen to the news.
- A retiree who managed a trucking department and enjoys fishing.
- A Grand Rapids Community College student who also works at Menards as a forklift operator.
- A female factory worker who makes plates for bumpers on F-150 pickup trucks, but said she's a Chevy person. She doesn't listen to the news, heard about the kidnapping case when it first happened, but nothing since. "I have no political views," she said.
- A male freelance graphic designer and illustrator who said he heard of the Whitmer case, but only got "broad strokes." He said he can be fair.
- A woman who works as an office administrator, doesn't listen to the news, has a criminal justice degree and has heard about the case. "I respect both sides. I'm not biased," she said.
- A Grand Rapids woman who works at a gastronenterology office coordinating visits and referrals. She tries to avoid the news and said "I hate politics." After she cleared the dismissal process, she disclosed that she didn’t like guns or violence, which raised concerns for the defense. But it was too late to excuse her from the case as the defense had already agreed to keep her on. She is an alternate. “I am against guns,” the woman said as the selection process was drawing to a close, explaining that her mother’s husband had a psychotic breakdown and tried to kill her and her family. “I’m just against guns and violence.”
- A female retiree who used to work at a plating factory running a hoist. "I just kind of lay around. ... I read," she said. "I don't really have an opinion on the case. ... I don't really follow politics." She said that she has strong political views on some things not tied to the case, and that she can be fair.
- A Grand Haven man with no car or driver's license who said he would need a ride to trial. He said he rarely follows the news and knows little about the case, other than hearing about it when it first happened.
- A male mechanic who works with heavy equipment, including excavators. He follows mostly local news, enjoys hunting and trapping, owns a shotgun and a deer rifle.
- A woman who works as a nutritionist and doesn't really follow the news, but said that when she does she gets it from Facebook. She said she could be fair. The judge asked her whether she'd like to serve. She said yes.
- A stay-at-home mom who is preparing to go on a "glamping" trip with her two sons.
The jurors are identified only by number, and descriptions of the remaining two couldn't be discerned from notes.
'Only two things matter'
At the start of jury selection, Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker told the prospective jurors that the case is "potentially more challenging and potentially more interesting" than other trials, given its high profile.
"The victim is our sitting governor. There has been publicity. There have been earlier proceedings," Jonker said, without disclosing that there was a previous trial that ended with no convictions.
Jonker stressed to the jury pool, however, that only two things matter:
"This is not a political forum. It's not whether you like Gov. Whitmer or don't like Gov. Whitmer. It’s not whether you think mask mandates was good policy or bad policy," Jonker said. "Here in court ... only two things matter: what the law is, and what the evidence is."
Mistrust in government
Mistrust in the government appeared to be a top priority during the jury selection process, based on Jonker's questions and comments.
He asked prospective jurors repeatedly about how they felt about the government, noting that the case is loaded with controversial issues: a sitting governor's response to the pandemic, mask mandates, lockdowns and an FBI investigation into an alleged plot to kidnap her.
During jury selection in the last trial, the judge asked prospective jurors whether they could set aside their political views or any preconceived ideas about the case. But he didn't focus as heavily on the topic of mistrust in the government as he did Tuesday, when multiple hands went up when asked whether they had reservations about being fair in this case due to mistrust of the government.
"I don't like politicians or politics. I don't personally trust them. ... I just don't particularly trust the government in general," said one woman, a hairdresser. "It's a very unpopular opinion to have to say out loud in federal court."
Jonker told her she wasn't alone.
"It may of course be one of the more popular opinions these days," Jonker said before asking the woman whether she believes "the government has a bigger hill to climb."
More:Prosecutor asserts Crumbleys' 'toxic' family life turned their son into a killer
More:Michigan inmate dying of cancer begs Gov. Whitmer for freedom after 46 years
"At this point in my life, I’m automatically distrusting, it’s always back there in my mind, I don’t trust authority," the woman said.
Jonker responded:
"It’s not an isolated opinion. A lot of people have a mistrust of government," Jonker said, before telling the jury pool the government is "entitled to a fair trial, just as the defendants are."
Who was dismissed from the jury?
The cosmetologist was bounced from the jury pool. So were the following:
- A woman who said she has multiple friends and family members who attended the Jan. 6 rally in Washington, D.C., but were not part of the Capitol breach. She said they had a right to be there to express their opinions.
- A woman who said she had family in the Elk Rapids area, the same city where Whitmer's vacation home is located. "I don't think I could be very fair," she said.
- A retired firefighter and self-described staunch conservative who said he has a strong bias against the defendants. "I hate to say that, but I feel if the case has gone this far and it makes it to court and they haven’t pled out, that they’re guilty. I’m sorry."
- A male security officer who said he reads the newspaper a lot, has read about the case, and would find it hard to set aside what he's read. "I don't think I'd be very fair at this point."
Staking out Whitmer's vacation home
Fox and Croft are being retried on kidnapping conspiracy and weapons of mass destruction charges. They are accused of, among other things, casing Whitmer's vacation house and building explosives that would be used in the kidnapping plan.
Prosecutors said the pair and others plotted to blow up a bridge near Whitmer's vacation house to slow down law enforcement.
According to trial testimony, Fox, while on his way to scope out Whitmer's cottage, stopped at a bridge near her house, got out, and took a photograph of the bridge that would be an explosive target. But the defense maintains that an undercover informant came up with the idea of surveilling Whitmer's home, planned the trip, found the address and convinced the others to make the trip. The defense also says it was the informant who suggested that Fox get out of the car and take a photo of the bridge.
The defense has long argued that the FBI tried to entrap the defendants in a kidnapping plot that was devised and run by FBI agents and informants looking to advance their careers.
The prosecution counters this is a case about violent extremists who wanted to do real harm to the governor because they disagreed with her decisions. And they didn't just talk about it, they have argued, but took steps to make it happen, like casing her house, buying night vision goggles, building a "shoot house" that looked like her cottage for snatch-n-grab exercises and forming encrypted chat rooms to hide their plan from law enforcement.
If convicted, both men face up to life in prison.
Praise for the judge
After court was adjourned, defense attorney Chris Gibbons said he was pleased with the jury that was empaneled, and that he would now shift his focus on convincing the jury of his long-standing claims: that the FBI orchestrated the kidnapping plot, and ran the whole show.
As for the juror who got on the panel after disclosing her dislike of guns, he said:
"It just is what it is," Gibbons told reporters after court was adjourned Tuesday.
"I think the judge did a nice job with voir dire today and he certainly did give us an opportunity to ask the questions we thought needed to be asked."
Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/jurors-whitmer-kidnap-retrial-covid-mask-mandate/10280847002/ | 2022-08-10T11:22:09 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/jurors-whitmer-kidnap-retrial-covid-mask-mandate/10280847002/ |
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — A pair of islands on the Susquehanna River have been put up for sale, according to TheBurg, Greater Harrisburg's community magazine.
Independence Island and Bailey’s Island have hit the market for the first time in over a century, thanks to owners Robert and John Ensminger, whose family has had roots in Central Pa. since 1733.
About a century later in 1836, Robert and John's great-great grandfather established Ensminger Auctioneers in downtown Harrisburg, a business that Robert himself still runs today, also according to TheBurg.
Both brothers are hopeful they'll have success in selling the islands.
“My brother and I are both getting up there in age,” Robert, 71, told TheBurg when asked about their motivation for selling. “So, we decided to just put them on the market and see what we would get.”
The brothers told TheBurg that the islands have been in their family for generations, but they're unsure of exactly how long. Robert and John have owned them for two decades, however.
As noted by the magazine, this isn't the first time the islands have been up for sale.
They dug into the archives of the Harrisburg Telegraph, and found an article from 1916 with the headline: "City’s Chance to Take Over ‘Independence’ Is Slipping." Turns out, E. Charles Ensminger and his father, Major John T. Ensminger, were asking for $15,000 to $20,000 for the lands.
The article details how Harrisburg wanted to purchase Independence Island to be a “municipal bathing resort." A day before the article was published, roughly 4,000 people had crowded onto the island for a swim on a hot August day.
Also according to TheBurg, the city was not the only one interested in buying the island: an unnamed "New York syndicate" was considering purchasing it to become a possible private resort.
In the end, after even the Telegraph took sides on the issue, advocating for city control of the island, neither party purchased it, and the Ensminger family has held onto the islands ever since.
Over the centuries, according to TheBurg, Independence Island has been used for picnics, races, and various sporting contests, but today, the island is mostly visited by boaters. In recent years, the island has gained the nickname “party island” for the boats that stop and dock there.
Robert and John Ensminger told TheBurg that the future owners of the islands, which are zoned as "open say recreation," will have "good bragging rights."
“Someone will buy it somewhere along the line,” Robert concluded. “Make me an offer I can’t refuse.” | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/independence-baileys-islands-for-sale-susquehanna-river/521-904a3ec0-8428-41d9-af91-e28393b0adb6 | 2022-08-10T11:30:35 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/independence-baileys-islands-for-sale-susquehanna-river/521-904a3ec0-8428-41d9-af91-e28393b0adb6 |
TRUCKSVILLE, Pa. — Months of staggeringly-high gas prices have been weighing on drivers. Some, including Robert Culp from Rome, said they've been forced to cut back on summer travel.
"It's horrible, it really is," Culp said. "I couldn't imagine in this country gas ever being as high as it went. I'm glad it's going in the right direction now, but it's still got a long way to go. You couldn't afford to go anywhere. I've saved almost all summer, knowing that my grandchild was about to be born, so that I could afford the trip down to Philadelphia."
On his way back to Bradford County from meeting his new grandson, Culp spotted the sign outside New Mart in Trucksville.
"I saw the $3.99 gas," Culp said. "That's the cheapest I've seen in a long, long time, so I had to top off. I kinda wish I was empty."
While some were celebrating regular gasoline falling below four dollars a gallon, others were keeping it in perspective.
"It's like saying that we're down a certain percentage, but we went up 25%, and now we're down 5% from that," said Brian McNulty. "We're supposed to be happy with it? I don't think that's how it works."
Plains Township resident Brian McNulty fills his BMW sports car with premium grade gasoline. It's still costing him a lot more to fill the tank, but he's optimistic prices will slowly get better.
"It's cyclical, so I think it's going to eventually come back down," he said. "I don't think that it's going to come back down to the way it was prior to this big surge, but hopefully, we will get somewhere closer."
While prices are nowhere near pre-pandemic levels, customers say every little bit helps. They hope prices continue to fall. To check the prices near you, try WNEP's Gast Tracker by clicking here.
Want to see what was in news in 1983? Head on over to WNEP's YouTube. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/several-gas-stations-selling-for-under-4-per-gallon-luzerne-county-trucksville-robert-culp-brian-mcnulty-new-mart/523-ade7ed9e-88a3-4dd3-8d7e-116259c3d28a | 2022-08-10T11:30:41 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/several-gas-stations-selling-for-under-4-per-gallon-luzerne-county-trucksville-robert-culp-brian-mcnulty-new-mart/523-ade7ed9e-88a3-4dd3-8d7e-116259c3d28a |
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Police in DeKalb County need assistance in locating a missing 11-year-old girl.
Officers said Karol Lopez was last seen on North DeKalb Drive in Doraville just before 7 p.m. Tuesday night.
They add that she was wearing a black top, blank pants, and had a green backpack.
If you see her, please call police.
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/missing-in-georgia/missing-11-year-old-doraville/85-c997d975-674d-4848-ba16-1126d97146cd | 2022-08-10T11:32:26 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/missing-in-georgia/missing-11-year-old-doraville/85-c997d975-674d-4848-ba16-1126d97146cd |
100 years ago
Aug. 10, 1922: A "safe milk" drive in Illinois is being waged by the state department of health under the direction of Dr. Isaac D. Rawlings, director of public health. The department has drafted a milk ordinance and is urging passage by city councils and village boards. Over the state, cow testing associations are busy testing herds for tuberculosis. Rawlings hopes to prevent the sale of milk that does not measure up to safety standards.
75 years ago
Aug. 10, 1947: Although the Illinois Wesleyan University College of Law expired more than two decades ago, the success of its former students has spread across the state. A check of the state judicial directory reveals that the chief and an associate justice of the supreme court and eight judges of the state's 17 circuit courts are former students of the IWU College of Law, which was shuttered for financial reasons. The final class graduated in 1927.
50 years ago
Aug. 10, 1972: Arne Bygstad, 18, of Bergen, Norway, is scheduled to arrive in Bloomington to begin his year-long stay as an American Field Service student at Bloomington High School. He will make his home with the Blaine Ramsey family at 3 Continental Court. Arne has studied English for seven years and German for four years. He is interested in several sports, plays guitar, studies geology and plans to be a Lutheran minister.
25 years ago
Aug. 10, 1997: The Bloomington-Normal chapter of the NAACP presented its annual Academic Scholarship Awards and Life Membership Awards. The recipients will receive certificates and $500 cash scholarships. They include Jarrett Johnson of Bloomington, who will attend Millikin University; Twanna and Tonya Rayborn of Bloomington, who will attend Augustana College; and Erica Hunter of Normal, who will attend Illinois State University.
Compiled by Pantagraph staff | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-state-health-director-urges-milk-regulation/article_c797bd8e-17f3-11ed-a238-93c8f719cc85.html | 2022-08-10T11:51:47 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-state-health-director-urges-milk-regulation/article_c797bd8e-17f3-11ed-a238-93c8f719cc85.html |
They say two heads are better than one, and a collaborative effort usually works better than going it alone.
The county teamed up Tuesday with the city of Mason City to apply for an $11.8 million slice of the state of Iowa’s recently allocated $100 million Destination Iowa fund.
Destination Iowa was created to assist with funding new tourism and quality of life opportunities throughout the state. The fund provides 40% of the total cost of a project.
Mason City Administrator Aaron Burnett filled out the grant application, laying out 12 city and county projects that would tie all the bike trails together. The plan also includes updating a county campground near Thornton as well as creating trailside amenities such as shelters, bouldering equipment, seating and art and education installations.
To be approved for the grant, applicants need to demonstrate how their projects will be a draw to people from outside the community and/or outside of the state. If the Bike North Iowa project is approved, Burnett estimated a Sept. 1 start date with anticipated completion in the summer of 2024, according to the application.
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“Our projects total about $1.5 million of the $11.8 million submitted by the city,” said Tom Meyer, chief administrative officer at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse. “We’ll be a co-applicant on the grant.”
Meyer explained the county would be responsible for 60% of the cost of its three projects and the city responsible for 60% of its remaining projects. In the application Burnett combined the two entities and listed $6.2 million would come from public funding, $20,000 from private fundraising, $850,608 from the federal American Rescue Plan funds, as well as the anticipated $4.7 for the combined project plan.
Mary Loden covers city and county government for the Globe Gazette. You can reach her by emailing Mary.Loden@globegazette.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/county-joins-city-in-applying-for-11-8m-bike-trail-grant/article_cf926786-5266-5798-b220-5c7253f9d8f4.html | 2022-08-10T12:01:01 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/county-joins-city-in-applying-for-11-8m-bike-trail-grant/article_cf926786-5266-5798-b220-5c7253f9d8f4.html |
The Mason City Municipal Airport is close to breaking ground on an expansion project estimated to cost as much as $14 million.
The airport commission opened bids Monday for the terminal apron and foundation for the commercial expansion project. Contracts will be awarded during a special meeting Aug. 22.
"Things are going really good. We are on our schedule. We know it's a very tight schedule, but we are staying on schedule at this point and looking good," said Airport Manager David Sims.
The expansion project aims to build an entirely new airport terminal. The goal is to modernize and expand the offerings compared with the current facility to accommodate for increased ridership at the airport and to potentially increase the flights offered in the future.
The new facility will be directly west of the current terminal, and will be constructed while the old terminal is still operational, allowing for business at the airport to continue as usual during construction.
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The new terminal will be a significant expansion of the current facility, featuring an larger lobby, gate hold area, baggage area and security checkpoint.
Sims said in May the project is broken up into into several phases. First phases include the apron work and breaking ground for the building before winter so construction can start in the spring, according to Sims.
"It's anticipated that both of these projects will be completed before this winter," Sims said.
Popp Excavating of Osage placed a bid of $1,111,029.51 for the apron project. Cole Excavating from Greene placed a bid of $1,011,833 for the same project. Both bids were over the engineer's base bid estimate of $873,819.
Jensen Builders of Fort Dodge placed a bid of $682,000 and Larry Elwood Construction of Mason City bid $563,000 on the foundation project. The foundation project bids were both under the estimate of $700,000.
The airport commission is working with Foth, an engineering company, on the project. Foth presented the commission with plans and renderings April 11, and the commission selected a floor plan in early May.
Funding for the project will come from $12 million in CARES Act money. The grant has a project completion deadline of May 2024.
"We will be looking to hold our groundbreaking probably in the next month or so for this project, and then the building itself we anticipate bidding out in October," said Sims.
Abby covers education and entertainment for the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter at @MkayAbby. Email her at Abby.Koch@GlobeGazette.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/mason-city-municipal-airport-opens-bids-for-expansion-project/article_fa5a1737-6181-5547-9ab8-980ffbe8674b.html | 2022-08-10T12:01:07 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/mason-city-municipal-airport-opens-bids-for-expansion-project/article_fa5a1737-6181-5547-9ab8-980ffbe8674b.html |
Cancer is one of the most common and deadly diseases in the United States. Those affected often go through massive reality shifts. For families of children with cancer, the trauma can be even more intense.
That's why Stomping Out Childhood Cancer was formed. The board, made up of parents of children with cancer, helps local families with extra expenses and the difficulties they go through after a cancer diagnosis. The organization also donates to childhood cancer research, a field largely understudied.
"This organization means a lot to us, because we know what it's like" said Erin Runde, treasurer of Stomping Out Childhood Cancer.
Runde's daughter, Brooke, was diagnosed with nephroblastoma, or Wilm's tumor, when she was four years old. Brooke went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, a surgery and radiation to fight her cancer. On Sept. 10, more than five years after her diagnosis, Brooke will help with a fundraiser to benefit other local cancer families at the North Iowa Events Center in Mason City.
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Brooke's father, Dan Runde, had the idea to add a car show to the fourth annual Stomping Out Childhood Cancer Benefit. Before Brooke was diagnosed, he had a Chevelle in the shop.
"After Brooke's diagnosis, Dan told the guy to stop working on it. But he had kept going, and when it was all fixed up and Dan got it, he called it 'The Brookenator,'" Erin Runde said, displaying a photo of her daughter in front of the car.
That photo graces the car show poster. Kids who are part of Stomping Out Childhood Cancer will hand out trophies honoring their favorite cars. There will also be a siblings trophy, to honor everything the siblings of children with cancer go through as well.
"Their childhoods are essentially robbed from them" said Shanda Brugos, a board member of Stomping Out Childhood Cancer said. "Often the older kids in the family have to step up and start taking care of the younger children while mom and dad are helping take care of their child in treatment."
Erin Runde said when Brooke was diagnosed, she didn't have time to tell her kids.
"We had to pack and head straight to treatment. Our kids were told by their grandparents their little sister had been diagnosed with cancer," Runde said.
The community's reaction to the news brought an outpouring of support -- support Runde returns whenever she can.
When Runde volunteered for her first event last year, she felt like it was too hard. She has a lot of respect for board members who work with the group regularly. Brooke also became active in the group, helping with events whenever she can. Brooke is now 10, and she loves spending time with her remission gift, her dog Tattoo, and riding horses. She recently won a national title in the walk/trot for kids 10 and under in Oklahoma. Now she's home, preparing to start fifth grade and hand out trophies at the car show.
Burgos was invited to Stomping Out Childhood Cancer shortly after her son, Elliot, died from cancer at age 7. At the time, she wasn't ready to join. But when she did, Burgos became an integral part of the group, helping support families going through similar traumatic experiences.
"It was difficult, being the only board member who lost their child. But I'm able to help a lot of families alleviate some of the extra expenses and offer support," Burgos said. After she joined Stomping Out Childhood Cancer, Burgos worked to make the group an official nonprofit.
In addition to the car show, the benefit will feature a live auction, silent auction, music, food, activities for kids, a bake sale and lunch.
"It's an event with activities for an entire family to enjoy," Erin Runde said. The car show and silent auction start at 10 a.m., with activities lasting until 4 p.m. Interested sponsors are welcome to donate baskets for the event at the Runde Realty office in Mason City.
Rae Burnette is a GA and crime and courts Reporter at the Globe Gazette. You can reach her by phone at 641.421.0523 or at Rae.Burnette@GlobeGazette.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/north-iowans-stomp-over-to-childhood-cancer-benefit/article_f6e84f89-46e4-59ae-8870-0c1ea35b5380.html | 2022-08-10T12:01:13 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/north-iowans-stomp-over-to-childhood-cancer-benefit/article_f6e84f89-46e4-59ae-8870-0c1ea35b5380.html |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials on Wednesday morning will discuss an arrest in a cold case at a news conference in OCSO Central Operations.
The event will include an update on what the sheriff’s office called “significant progress” detectives have made within the agency’s Cold Case Team since its creation in 2020 under Sheriff John Mina.
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The news conference will begin at 10:45 a.m., the sheriff’s office said.
No other details were shared.
News 6 will stream the event live at the top of this story when it begins.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/08/10/watch-live-at-1045-am-orange-county-sheriffs-officials-announce-cold-case-arrest/ | 2022-08-10T12:10:43 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/08/10/watch-live-at-1045-am-orange-county-sheriffs-officials-announce-cold-case-arrest/ |
Bygone Muncie: James McDonald's journey from Albany to Germany to Israel
Around 1 p.m. on the afternoon of April 8, 1933, James Grover McDonald walked into Adolph Hitler’s office at the Reich Chancellery in Berlin. McDonald, the high commissioner for the League of Nations’ German refugee program, was meeting with the führer to discuss the flood of Jewish refugees beginning to stream out of the nascent Third Reich. In his role as commissioner, McDonald was tasked with finding resources and sanctuary for those fleeing Nazi anti-Semitism. At the meeting, he wanted to know directly from Hitler, who had recently come to power as chancellor, what Germany’s true policies were for the nation’s Jewish population.
McDonald wrote in his diary that he judged Hitler to be "five feet nine or ten, rather stocky, though by no means stout." The high commissioner then asked the Nazi leader why so many German Jews were leaving the country. Hitler dismissed the question, "why should there be such a fuss when they are thrown out of places, when hundreds of Aryan Germans are on the streets? No, the world has no just ground for complaint. Germany is not fighting merely the battle of Germany. It is fighting the battle of the world."
Hitler went further, foreshadowing to McDonald the evil that was to come, "I will do the thing that the rest of the world would like to do. It doesn't know how to get rid of the Jews. I will show them."
Meetings like this confirmed to McDonald just how far the fascists were willing to go to fulfill their racist ideology. He saw the Nazi threat for what it truly was and worked ardently in the mid-1930s to seek safe passage for refugees. He also spent considerable time in his role warning the world’s leaders about the Nazis, even meeting with President Franklin Roosevelt and the Vatican’s papal secretary, Cardinal Pacelli, the soon-to-be Pope Pius XII. McDonald got nowhere with anyone and resigned in 1935, warning in his departure letter that the "desperate suffering in the countries adjacent to Germany, and an even more terrible human calamity within the German frontiers, are inevitable unless present tendencies in the Reich are checked or reversed." Had anyone in power actually listened to and acted upon McDonald’s warnings in the mid-1930s, the 20th century would have occurred very differently.
More Bygone Muncie:The Great 20th Century Starlings War
James Grover McDonald was born in Coldwater, Ohio on Nov. 29, 1886, to two German-American immigrants, Anna Diedrick and Kenneth McDonald. James, who went by "Grover" during his formative years, was one of five boys in the McDonald clan. When he was 12, the McDonalds purchased the Bartlett Hotel in Albany, Indiana, and relocated to the Hoosier state to run the inn.
Grover attended Albany High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1905 (his class had only six people). He received a bachelor's from Indiana University in 1909 and a master's a year later. In 1914, McDonald began a doctorate program at Harvard, though he never completed it. He married Albany native Ruth Stafford in 1915 and the couple would go on to have two daughters, Janet and Barbara.
The McDonalds returned to Bloomington the same year when James landed a teaching gig at IU. Four years later, they moved again, this time to New York City where he started work at the Foreign Policy Association. A private internationalist organization, the FPA lobbied the United States government to join the League of Nations. In the discharge of his duties, McDonald became personally and professionally acquainted with Franklin Roosevelt, John Foster Dulles, and John Rockefeller Jr.
In 1933 McDonald became the League of Nation’s high commissioner for German refugees. The League created the commission to aid those fleeing Nazi terror. Given McDonald’s fluency in German, dedication to internationalism, and knowledge of European history, he was an ideal candidate to help coordinate relief at an international level.
Even with his professional advancements, McDonald never forgot his Hoosier roots. Throughout the 1930s, he returned often to Delaware County with Ruth to visit family in Albany. During one such visit, McDonald was interviewed at the Delaware Country Club by The Muncie Evening Press in July of 1933, three months after his meeting with Hitler. He warned a reporter that he saw the Nazis as “an extraordinary group. Their power has been grossly underestimated. One of their blunders has been in their treatment of the Jews, whom they have deprived of many privileges. Convinced that the Jews are a menace to Germany, the Nazis are heartless in reducing their influence.”
McDonald resigned the high commissioner position two years later and served on the editorial staff of The New York Times. Just before the war broke out in Europe, FDR appointed him as a presidential advisor for political refugees. McDonald’s experiences led him to become an ardent supporter of establishing a state for Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors. The New York Times later wrote that his “Zionist sympathies were common gossip among anti-Semites. He believed that when the Jew is attacked the individual everywhere is in danger; he recognized that the health of any society is measured by the level of its anti-Semitism."
When the war ended, McDonald served on the joint U.S and Great Britain, Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry. The commission was tasked to determine how best to resettle refugees, including finding homes in Mandatory Palestine for 100,000 displaced European Jews.
After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, President Harry Truman selected McDonald as the United States Special Representative to handle diplomacy. A year later, McDonald became the first U.S. ambassador to Israel, serving as such until 1951. McDonald’s diplomacy was crucial in establishing a strong relationship between the two nations.
After leaving the State Department, McDonald served as the chairman of the Development Corporation for Israel until 1961. He died three years later in White Plains, New York, at the age of 77. His body was returned home and buried at Strong Cemetery in Albany.
McDonald's life and work were largely unknown by most historians until the United States Holocaust Museum made his diaries available in 2004. McDonald’s story was also told by the Chicago filmmaker Shuli Eshel in 2017, in her documentary titled “A Voice Among the Silent.”
This past year, the Delaware County Historical Society partnered with the Indiana Jewish Historical Society to place an Indiana Historical Bureau marker in Albany to commemorate McDonald's legacy. The marker, located on Broadway Street across from the library, was scheduled to be dedicated at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, Albany. I encourage you to make a visit the next time you’re in town.
If you want to learn more about McDonald, I recommend Eshel’s documentary and the 2007 book, "Advocate for the Doomed.” Both works do a wonderful job in telling the largely forgotten but noble life story of James Grover McDonald.
Chris Flook is a board member for the Delaware County Historical Society and is the author of "Lost Towns of Delaware County, Indiana" and "Native Americans of East-Central Indiana." For more information about the Delaware County Historical Society, visit delawarecountyhistory.org. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/bygone-muncie-james-mcdonalds-journey-from-albany-to-germany-to-israel/65396995007/ | 2022-08-10T12:18:43 | 0 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/bygone-muncie-james-mcdonalds-journey-from-albany-to-germany-to-israel/65396995007/ |
MITS providing free weekly shuttle to BMV for voter IDs
MUNCIE, Ind. – People needing drivers' licenses or Indiana state identification in order to register and vote in the November general election can ride a special weekly MITS shuttle to the Muncie Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
The MITS Plus shuttle van leaves the downtown transfer station at 9:30 and 11 a.m. each Thursday and leaves the license branch at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for the return trip. The license branch, 2904 E. McGalliard Road, is not on a regular bus route.
Voter registration in Indiana is open through Oct. 11. The first day for voting by absentee ballot is Oct. 12. The general election, which will see local, state and federal offices on the ballot, as well as many local school board races, will be Nov. 8.
The Muncie-Delaware County League of Women Voters this week highlighted the weekly shuttle service as a way for people to get to the license branch for drivers' licenses and state IDs, which are necessary to register and to vote.
“It’s important to allow any citizen in Delaware County to have access to the license bureau to be able to vote,” Julie Mason, a member of the League of Women Voters and a MITS board member, said in the release.
More:Delaware County political parties fill some fall election ballot spots, leave others empty
The Thursday shuttles began Aug. 4 and continue until Jan. 26.
The League of Women Voters also announced that it had partnered with the ride-hailing service Lyft to offer free and discounted rides for the upcoming election through the LyftUp Voting Access Program.
America's Hometown Band to perform 'West Side Stories'
MUNCIE — America's Hometown Band will have a free outdoor concert, "West Side Stories," at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at Westside Park.
The program will feature movie themes, love songs, folksongs and musical theater numbers. Admission is free, and audience members are invited to take along lawn chairs and snacks.
Information: amhometownband.org and the America’s Hometown Band Facebook page.
Arts Place awarded inaugural Ball State community arts grant
PORTLAND — Arts Place, an arts- and education-based organization with programming in Jay, Blackford and Adams counties, is the inaugural recipient of the Ball State University Community Engagement for the Arts Grant.
The Community Engagement for the Arts Grant is an annual competitive grant program offering 12-month funding of up to $35,000 to an external East Central Indiana community arts-focused organization or program, according to a BSU release. The funding is intended to support projects in any creative discipline that encourage public appreciation of art and education in the arts, promote diversity within the local arts community and make the arts accessible to all.
Arts Place’s proposal aligned with Ball State’s commitment to engaging with the greater arts community of East Central Indiana by promoting broad participation and equitable access to the various community arts organizations in the region. With its funding, Arts Place plans to enhance access to arts education opportunities in the area through a series of artist residencies and other programming that will increase opportunities for participation and reach new audiences, the release stated.
“Arts Place has been offering arts education programs through CreativeWorks for nearly a half-century. Over the past decade, however, the revenue streams for many of these activities, especially artist residencies, has declined. As a result, most of our arts education activity has focused, by necessity, on the teaching of classes and lessons,” Eric R. Rogers, chief executive officer and executive director at Arts Place, said in the release. “Residency experiences, which attract a broader audience, have been extremely limited in recent years. This project will reintroduce the community to a broad range of community artist residencies that will attract a diverse audience, including populations often not reached through our classes and lessons."
Arts Place also is contributing its own resources to bolster the project’s personnel and operations, supplies and materials, equipment, marketing and promotion, and other direct costs. In all, the project is expected to top $100,000 in total funding, increasing by more than 50% the special arts education experiences Arts Place offers to the communities it serves.
Send news items to The Star Press at news@muncie.gannett.com. | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/mits-providing-free-weekly-shuttle-to-bmv-for-voter-ids/65397003007/ | 2022-08-10T12:18:49 | 1 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/mits-providing-free-weekly-shuttle-to-bmv-for-voter-ids/65397003007/ |
ATLANTIC CITY — Police charged a former NFL standout Frank Gore with simple assault after a domestic incident at a casino.
At 8:11 a.m. July 31, officers were dispatched to Tropicana Atlantic City for a report of a domestic violence dispute. They arrived to find the victim, a 28-year-old woman from Miami, speaking with hotel security.
The woman did not exhibit signs of injury, and complaints were not filed at the time, police said Tuesday in a news release.
Gore played in the NFL for 16 season and played for the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New Jersey Jets. Gore retired from the league in June 2022.
However, an ensuing investigation resulted in charges against Gore, 39, of Southwest Ranches, Florida.
Gore was issued a summons pending court, police said. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-nfl-start-charged-in-domestic-incident-at-atlantic-city-casino/article_df34d0b4-1850-11ed-97b9-6ba12536f89e.html | 2022-08-10T12:23:54 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/former-nfl-start-charged-in-domestic-incident-at-atlantic-city-casino/article_df34d0b4-1850-11ed-97b9-6ba12536f89e.html |
WAUCOMA — A livestock station manager accused of manipulating scales when weighing pigs has pleaded to federal charges in a fraud investigation.
Tyler Jeffrey Thoms pleaded to one count of causing a livestock dealer to keep inaccurate records on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.
Court records indicate the offense is punishable by a maximum of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencing will be at a later date, and Thoms remains free.
Thoms had worked for Lynch Livestock, and court records allege he used a crowbar to lift electronic scales while weighing and arbitrarily downgraded swine brought in for sale at the Waucoma buying station between 2018 and 2022.
At the time, Lynch Livestock was under a 2017 consent agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture following an earlier investigation into weighing and sorting practices at the company.
In July, the company, now known as Lynch Family Companies Inc., announced it entered into a $2 million agreement with the government to settle charges it failed to comply with the Department of Agriculture in the 2017 order.
A Cedar Falls man accused of allowing hundreds of pigs to starve to death in December has pleaded to one count of bank fraud in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/station-manager-pleads-in-livestock-investigation/article_a7c8bfc9-9b41-5f5b-b54a-2980e69d2037.html | 2022-08-10T12:32:20 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/station-manager-pleads-in-livestock-investigation/article_a7c8bfc9-9b41-5f5b-b54a-2980e69d2037.html |
WAVERLY — Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools is preparing to spend state sales tax money to help fund construction of two new elementary schools.
On Monday, the Board of Education voted unanimously to hold a public hearing Sept. 12 to discuss the use of $25 million in sales tax revenue.
“This is not $25 million that we did not anticipate spending when we started this whole process,” board member Dennis Epley said. “We knew that we had so much coming from the bond issue passage by the district voters, but we also knew that we’d be taking some from the … sales tax.”
He was referring to a $31 million general obligation bond issue. Sale of the bonds were finalized in June and they will be repaid with property taxes.
Statewide sales tax funds are distributed to school districts on a per-student basis. The money is then used for infrastructure projects, repairs and other essential school services. Epley said the district doesn’t anticipate using all of the $25 million, and that the amount spent will lower the property tax burden within the district.
“We had planned originally to need some of that additional revenue from the state so that we could keep our property tax level and not have to raise it too high to build our new buildings.”
Several change orders also were approved by the school board. The most notable of these was for pouring rock for the sanitary sewer line at the northeast school. The change orders come up to approximately $43,040.
Supporters contend the new facility will have multiple benefits, from allowing more local kids to be adequately taught how to swim safely, to being capable of hosting larger competitions.
In partnership with UNI, the Cedar Falls Community School District was awarded $719,452 through the Iowa Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Pilot Grant Program.
On Monday, the Board of Education voted in favor of the plans and specifications, which include the 'shell' of the building without the 'actual pools.'
School district officials, construction managers, architects and residents gather for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools' elementary building along Horton Road in May. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/waverly-shell-rock-to-hold-hearing-on-sales-tax-issuance/article_e8064424-b56f-50bd-9cd0-26c32d91155c.html | 2022-08-10T12:32:26 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/waverly-shell-rock-to-hold-hearing-on-sales-tax-issuance/article_e8064424-b56f-50bd-9cd0-26c32d91155c.html |
WAVERLY — Nagle Signs of Waterloo will design, fabricate and install 33 new “wayfinding” signs throughout Waverly.
After little discussion Monday, the City Council unanimously approved the $55,002 package in line with a master plan funded by the Chamber of Commerce and facilitated by MSA Planning & Design Studio, reportedly with community input taken into account.
The signs will help residents and visitors alike find places like the public schools, sports facilities and Wartburg College, as well as the downtown business district, health center, parks, amphitheater, boat ramp, public parking, visitor center, civic center, electric vehicle charging stations, rail trail, fairgrounds, airport, and other amenities.
Even Friday afternoon when she was celebrating being honored with the Leading Life Award from LeadingAge Iowa, she was collecting soda can tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
They’ll be placed along busier arterial roads: Fourth Street, Bremer Avenue, the Cedar River Parkway, Iowa Highway 3, and 10th Avenue Southwest.
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The signs will range in size from 34 inches to 74 inches in height, and four to 4-1/2 feet in width. They will be mounted to two steel posts with seven feet of clearance from the ground.
The master plan goal was to “develop a system of signage to help direct visitors to amenities and attractions that is consistent, cohesive and instills a positive image of the community’s branding and identity,” according to a memo prepared by Bill Werger, economic development director.
The 33 signs are the first phase of the plan.
Werger told The Courier they’ll be put up “as soon as possible,” hopefully before the wintertime.
“Logical wayfinding” can more easily help motorists and pedestrians find destinations with “little effort or stress,” said the project overview. An effective system also “presents opportunities to discover new places and services.”
A lack of available staffing after Aug. 14 is driving the decision.
In other business, the council approved an $8,000 contract with artist Dan Hatala for the drawing of a mural on the Exchange Building in South Riverside Park off Sixth Avenue S.E.
The mural will include a train in order to keep in line with the railroad theme of the pavilion, plaza, and exchange building, according to Garret Riordan, leisure services director.
Additionally, the council re-approved a first reading of the proposed ordinance that enacts new public parking restrictions on streets just north of Waverly-Shell Rock High School because of some revisions staff made to it.
The ordinance would have enacted complete parking bans on certain sides of area streets from September to May. That has now been changed to all year.
Both sides of Fourth Avenue Southwest were also to be restricted to parking for no more than two hours from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, from September through May. The “September through May” provision was replaced with “while school is in session.”
The council may suspend its rules for city code changes at the next meeting in order to adopt the ordinance on its second and final reading before school starts, rather than wait to hold a third reading as is standard practice. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waverly-to-add-new-wayfinding-signs/article_112ff89b-385b-5650-a71c-f0aa6f098182.html | 2022-08-10T12:32:32 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waverly-to-add-new-wayfinding-signs/article_112ff89b-385b-5650-a71c-f0aa6f098182.html |
WATERLOO — Kevin Dill is shaping a legacy that he hopes will help and serve others. It’s always been his mission, as a Marine Corps veteran, former director of Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs, and now as an advocate for Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley.
He has established the Kevin Dill Family Fund with the Waterloo Community Foundation.
“Everyone wants to leave behind a legacy that shows you mattered on this Earth,” said Dill, who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2019, a degenerative disease and progressive form of dementia.
“I watched my wife, Tammy, struggle and cry and try to find resources. I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else.” He is now in the “middle stages” of the disease.
“And I remember all the vets struggling to find resources and what they needed. They felt invisible,” said Dill.
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“So many veterans suffer from traumatic brain injuries who later develop dementia. I wanted to create something that after I’m gone that hopefully, when a veteran is diagnosed with dementia, there are resources available to help them. They need to know they matter,” the Waterloo native explained.
Kevin and Tammy have devoted their time and energy to fundraising for Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley and veterans groups through golf outings, T-shirt sales and auctioning Kevin’s paintings, which he creates to keep his mind focused. “Those have raised about $5,000,” Dill noted.
In cooperation with Dillard’s, the Dills have raised more than $70,000 so far this year.
He credits the idea to create the fund to Wendy Bowman, city of Waterloo communications director. The fund at the Waterloo Community Foundation will make collecting and distributing donations “more transparent. People want to know their money is going to the right places,” he explained.
Dill serves on the action team for Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley, an organization he worked to establish in conjunction with the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging. Its mission is to create a more informed, safe and respectful place for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Among its priorities is raising awareness about dementia and educating businesses on ways to be dementia friendly. Kevin wants to get people with dementia-related diseases off the couch, out of the house and interacting with others, he said.
Funds distributed from the Kevin Dill Family Fund will benefit Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley or similar programs serving people living with dementia and their caregivers. Funds will also benefit Black Hawk County Veteran Affairs or similar organizations serving or honoring Black Hawk County Veterans such as Americans for Independent Living, Cedar Valley Honor Flights, Sullivan Brothers AMVETS post, the Veteran’s Way project, or other programs associated with the Sullivan Brothers, according to the Waterloo Community Foundation.
On Oct. 8, “A Run to Remember: The Kevin Dill 5K & Fun Run” is planned on the Tech Works campus in downtown Waterloo. Funds raised will be donated to Dementia Friendly Cedar Valley, Lewy Body Dementia Association and Waterloo’s Veterans Way.
“Jessica Rucker from Main Street Waterloo and myself worked with Kevin quite a bit when he was the veterans affairs director. Mayor (Quentin) Hart and Kevin worked together as well, and it was Kevin’s idea to do a 5K to bring more awareness to these issues,” said Bowman. “Because we had all these connections, it became a natural fit to come together and do this event.”
Main Street Waterloo is partnering with Rotary Club of the Cedar Valley to host the first annual event. It is dementia-friendly with nearby hotels planning to offer quiet space for people with dementia. There will be entertainment and food trucks.
A fundraising goal of $30,000 has been set. Individuals interested in participating in the run or sponsoring can find more information at mainstreetwaterloo.org/aruntoremember.
T-shirts can be ordered now through Aug. 31 at https://www.shirts2banners.com/kevin_dill_22/shop/home. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/kevin-dill-establishes-fund-to-provide-resources-for-dementia-sufferers-and-veterans/article_bed86aba-5e7c-5eb4-b26f-5d5fd7a15dd7.html | 2022-08-10T12:32:38 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/kevin-dill-establishes-fund-to-provide-resources-for-dementia-sufferers-and-veterans/article_bed86aba-5e7c-5eb4-b26f-5d5fd7a15dd7.html |
MONTROSE, Pa. — In Montrose, one issue has been pecking at members of the borough council raising chickens in the neighborhood.
Something Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Roy Williams says is not feasible for many people due to the current ordinance.
"The size of the lots in town other than a handful of them makes it difficult with the way it's written now for them to be able to have chickens," said Williams, Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer.
The ordinance allows people in Montrose to have chickens at their homes if there is a minimum of fifty feet between property lines.
Now, people want to change it.
Over the past few weeks, the council met with community members about adjusting the property line requirement to allow more people to have chickens in residential neighborhoods.
Council Vice President Edward Herd is on board with updating the ordinance.
"Instead of fifty feet, maybe ten feet, ya know, something that would allow the common properties in town to have chickens as well, which I see," said Edward Herd, Montrose Council Vice President.
Now one of the main reasons people want to bring chickens into residential homes is to provide economic relief, but one business says that even starting up can get costly.
"Fence, coop, chickens, buying the chickens, buying the animals, buy the feeders, buy the waterers. There is an initial cost to that; that is a fair amount," said Guy Parrish, owner of Montrose Feed & Supply.
Montrose Feed and Supply owner Guy Parrish dealt with these startup costs when his family got their chicken coop.
Although it helped lighten the grocery bill a bit, his daughter Katie Lamphere believes owning animals like chickens needs to mean more than just saving a couple of bucks.
"Like having animals is not get rich quick it's an investment and you kind of do it because you love it. You love the animals. You love knowing where your food comes from," said Katie Lamphere, Montrose Feed & Supply Manager.
The decision of whether to ease regulations on chicken ownership in the borough of Montrose has yet to be decided.
The issue will be brought up at the next borough council meeting on August 15th.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/susquehanna-county/debate-over-montrose-chicken-ordinance-roy-williams-edward-herd-guy-parrish-katie-lamphere-montrose-feed-and-supply/523-0af22515-031f-4cbd-93f5-b9e1e487650d | 2022-08-10T12:35:35 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/susquehanna-county/debate-over-montrose-chicken-ordinance-roy-williams-edward-herd-guy-parrish-katie-lamphere-montrose-feed-and-supply/523-0af22515-031f-4cbd-93f5-b9e1e487650d |
Four years after a groundbreaking ceremony attended by local and state officials, a proposed Slate Belt industrial park on what was once a massive tire dump features newly built roads, streetlights and utilities.
While no new buildings have risen from the former environmental hazard along Route 33, officials with the nonprofit Green Knight Economic Development Corp. are confident plans for a business campus drawing small to midsize manufacturers will come to fruition.
Final approvals for a sewer pumping station are expected in a month or two, and construction could start on the first building next year.
“The plan was always that the lots would need to be marketed to potential developers or end users upon the completion of the main infrastructure improvements,” said Chad Helmer, spokesperson for the project dubbed Green Knight Industrial Park II.
“That marketing has been ongoing while the infrastructure has been finishing up,” Helmer said.
Green Knight took title to the site in spring 2015 and has invested about $500,000 in acquisition, site planning and engineering. Nearly $4.7 million in state and local grants or loans have been used for the roads, utilities and other improvements.
In return, the 55-acre industrial park, near the Route 512 interchange of Route 33, is expected to create approximately 280 jobs, generate around $300,000 annually in tax revenue, and leverage more than $10 million in private investment, according to Green Knight officials.
“That is the estimate we have used, but I think this number is likely to be much higher now, given what’s happened to construction costs over the past year or two,” Helmer said about the private investment.
So far, Helmer said, developer JVI LLC of Bushkill Township has an agreement with Green Knight to buy one of the eight lots.
“I would anticipate that building will be going to construction in 2023,” Helmer said, adding JVI needs to go through land development with Wind Gap officials.
JVI has also submitted plans for a building in Plainfield Township, according to Jim Vozar of JVI and township manager Thomas Petrucci. Most of the industrial park lies in Plainfield, with the balance in Wind Gap and Bushkill Township.
Vozar said JVI is progressing through approvals from municipal officials in Wind Gap and Plainfield, including land development and zoning.
Wind Gap manager Louise Firestone did not return messages seeking comment.
The park is being built on a former slate quarry that, by 2000, became a tire-burning operation that eventually turned into one of the largest tire dumps in Pennsylvania. Once Green Knight took possession, it needed to cap the former tire-filled quarry and deal with soil issues related to illegal dumping, according to Helmer, who has managed the project from its inception.
Across the industrial park’s main entrance of Male Road sits a massive warehouse developed by J.G. Petrucci Co. According to Plainfield Township’s Petrucci (who is not related to J.G. Petrucci), that site has no occupant.
Messages left with a J.G. Petrucci official were not returned.
Helmer said the Petrucci warehouse is a separate development and “has not really had any noticeable impact” on the Green Knight project. However, minutes from Wind Gap Council’s meeting May 17 show that the new warehouse has raised concerns about the condition of a bridge across Male Road, which traffic would use before entering Routes 512 and 33. Plans then called for securing private and public funds toward bridge improvements.
Green Knight, which was formed about 25 years ago, assists in community and economic development in the Pen Argyl Area School District in northern Northampton County, which had been ravaged by years of job losses, particularly in the slate mining and apparel industries. The school district encompasses Pen Argyl, Plainfield and Wind Gap.
The group’s first economic development project was the 19-acre industrial park along Route 512 in Plainfield Township, where a shell building was constructed. Techo-Bloc, a landscape product manufacturer, bought the site and has been operating there since 2004.
Green Knight derives much of its revenue from the operation of a methane-to-energy plant at the Grand Central Sanitary Landfill in Plainfield Township.
The Slate Belt has been emerging as a Lehigh Valley economic development engine. Another project in Upper Mount Bethel Township, the expansive River Pointe Commerce Park, would include 12 buildings totaling 5.8 million square feet on about 800 acres about 1 ½ miles from Interstate 80.
River Pointe has drawn concerns from township residents and others in the Valley, notably the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. But in 2018, as he joined other dignitaries in the groundbreaking for the Green Knight industrial park, county Executive Lamont McClure said the Slate Belt is becoming “paramount for economic development.”
The reason? He said most new development will emerge in that region because most of Route 22 has been built out.
Contact Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone at asalamone@mcall.com. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-slate-belt-green-knight-industrial-park-20220810-wqpb5uko5bdvbe6xz54wjmgjje-story.html | 2022-08-10T12:58:10 | 1 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-slate-belt-green-knight-industrial-park-20220810-wqpb5uko5bdvbe6xz54wjmgjje-story.html |
Lincoln Park Live! continues this evening with a performance by Kenosha’s Southport Sound Big Band, making its debut at the free concert series.
Fronting the group on trumpet is bandleader John Sorensen, along with the band’s vocalist, Hannah Sorensen.
“Yes, it is a family connection,” John Sorensen said. (Hannah is his daughter.)
“We also like to feature a co-founder of the group, the incomparable Terry Peterson on guitar,” John Sorensen added. “Terry is one of the most versatile guitarists in southeastern Wisconsin.”
The band is rounded out with saxophonists Ken Fabis on alto, Lyn Lewendowski on tenor and Michael Mich on baritone. Also in the band are Shannon and Adam Mclimans on trombone, Eric Weiss on trumpet, Matthew Phillips on drums and James Randorff on bass guitar.
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While the Southport Sound plays a wide array of musical styles, “for Lincoln Park Live, we are going to focus on the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, both icons in the world of American jazz,” Sorensen said. “The Southport Sound likes to add some spice to their shows, too, so listen for a few Latin selections as well.”
The band members, he added, “are truly thankful to the event organizers for asking us to join this magnificent lineup of acts.”
New Orleans style
Also performing tonight is Milwaukee’s Extra Crispy Brass Band, an eight-piece group that performs music ranging from jazz standards to pop tunes, all played in the style of a traditional New Orleans street band.
“Having the blend of Duke Ellington and Count Basie mixed with the elements of New Orleans-style brass is a natural musical connection for the fans of Lincoln Park Live,” said Brandon Morris, a member of the concert series’ organizing committee.
The concerts, he added, are a great place for “Lincoln Park residents, neighbors, friends and family to come out to dance, drink their favorite cold beverage and enjoy the beautiful weather.”
Lincoln Park Live! is organized by the Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund, a component of Kenosha Community Foundation.
The concerts are free and take place in Lincoln Park, 6900 18th Ave., next to the flower gardens. Food, soda and water are available for purchase. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase. Off-street parking is located near the Lincoln Park Baseball Diamonds.
Organizers call the music lineup “one of the most diverse and unique in the city, providing an unforgettable live outdoor music experience in Kenosha’s largest park.” | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-s-southport-sound-big-band-at-lincoln-park-live/article_3298abae-17f7-11ed-ac7e-9f3167c328a5.html | 2022-08-10T13:11:35 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kenosha-s-southport-sound-big-band-at-lincoln-park-live/article_3298abae-17f7-11ed-ac7e-9f3167c328a5.html |
It’s S’Mores Day, but isn’t EVERY day a great time to enjoy a gooey, chocolatey snack? Here’s the basic s’mores recipe: Place a square of milk chocolate on a graham cracker, toast a marshmallow to golden perfection and place it gently on top of the chocolate, then place a second graham cracker on top of the toasted marshmallow and squeeze. Feel free to add your favorites, like peanut butter cups! Everyone will want “s’more.”
Start your morning with the Kenosha Library System. An all-ages story time starts at 9:30 a.m. in Schulte Park, 4400 87th Place. Story time is 9:30 to 10 a.m., followed by bubbles and music until 10:45 a.m. Admission is free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair.
Batter up! The Kenosha Kingfish are hosting the Traverse City Pit Spitters today at Simmons Field. The 6:35 p.m. game is also “Bark in the Park,” with canine pals welcome. To purchase tickets, call 262-653-0900, log on at kingfishbaseball.com or go to the ticket office at Simmons Field.
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The Lincoln Park Live! free concert series continues today, with a performance by Kenosha’s Southport Sound big band, starting at 6 p.m. Milwaukee’s Extra Crispy Brass Band also performs, starting at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free and take place in Lincoln Park, 6900 18th Ave., next to the flower gardens. Food, soda and water are available for purchase. Wine and beer will also be available for purchase. Off-street parking is located near the Lincoln Park Baseball Diamonds.
All aboard! Kenosha’s Downtown electric streetcars are running seven days a week, offering wonderful lakefront views. The streetcars run 11:05 a.m. to 6:35 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:35 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The fare is $1 for ages 13 and older and 50 cents for kids ages 5-12 (free for kids age 4 and younger). An all-day pass is $3.50. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-wednesday-aug-10/article_15d8ec88-17f0-11ed-b096-6fc841553344.html | 2022-08-10T13:11:41 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-wednesday-aug-10/article_15d8ec88-17f0-11ed-b096-6fc841553344.html |
UPDATE 8/10/22 – 7:04 A.M.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A driver crashed into a ditch in Collier County early Wednesday morning.
The driver was found at a house with no injuries, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
Why the driver left the scene in the first place is unknown at this time.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE 8/10/22 – 6:01 A.M.
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A driver crashed into a ditch in Collier County early Wednesday morning, but the driver is nowhere to be found.
The SUV was discovered on Port Au Prince Road, right off of Collier Boulevard.
When Collier County deputies showed up, the SUV was found in about three feet of water.
No further information has been provided. Count on NBC2 to bring you more details as soon as they become available. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/08/10/suv-crashes-into-ditch-in-collier-county-driver-nowhere-to-be-found/ | 2022-08-10T13:15:14 | 0 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/08/10/suv-crashes-into-ditch-in-collier-county-driver-nowhere-to-be-found/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-gunned-down-while-visiting-philly-for-funeral-of-another-slain-singer/3331032/ | 2022-08-10T13:20:52 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/man-gunned-down-while-visiting-philly-for-funeral-of-another-slain-singer/3331032/ |
Across North Texas, there are hundreds of job openings in schools across the area. Districts have been doing what they can to stay competitive in the market and for many of them, that means raising pay.
Public school teachers in Texas, on average, are making about $7,500 less than the national average, according to a new ranking from the National Education Association. The national average is a little more than $58,000.
That’s well below the national average of $65,293 and ranks Texas 27th in the country. New York is #1 and Mississippi ranking last (51, counting the District of Columbia).
Advertised increases in pay or added bonuses are pushing some to make decisions that include different districts.
Teachers like Brigitte Durham, who was recently hired in the Garland ISD as an elementary school teacher, have taken notice.
“If you really want to foster a good environment for these kids to live in, you have to invest in them,” Durham said. “I also was really looking at the different opportunities that I could have in Garland. [Opportunities] to further my educational career. I enjoyed how they connected to diverse backgrounds for teachers and students. I really thought it would be a good place to plant here for the rest of my teaching career.”
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Retention has become a buzz word throughout the summer, with districts holding hiring fairs and offering up big pay raises in hopes of keeping educators.
“The price of living has gone up in every area and just knowing that, I have that extra cushion and money. I think knowing that they had increased their salary talked a lot about how they valued their teachers," Durham said.
There were several districts announcing teacher pay increases this coming school year, including Arlington, Fort Worth and Highland Park ISD’s, just to name a few. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-school-districts-getting-competitive-with-pay-increases-for-teachers/3036657/ | 2022-08-10T13:29:52 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/local-school-districts-getting-competitive-with-pay-increases-for-teachers/3036657/ |
Kia is recalling nearly 260,000 older midsize cars in the U.S. because plates in the ceiling can come loose if the side curtain air bags inflate in a crash.
The recall covers certain 2012 and 2013 Optima sedans. The automaker says headliner pates on both sides of the cars may not be secured properly and could detach and hit drivers or passengers.
Kia says it has one report of a driver being hurt in a 2012 Optima.
Kia says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that dealers will put industrial-grade tape over the plates to help secure them. Notification letters will be sent Sept. 26.
Copyright AP - Associated Press | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/recall-alert/kia-recalls-260k-optima-sedans-over-ceiling-plates-that-can-detach-and-hit-drivers/3043770/ | 2022-08-10T13:29:58 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/recall-alert/kia-recalls-260k-optima-sedans-over-ceiling-plates-that-can-detach-and-hit-drivers/3043770/ |
The State Fair of Texas announced the 10 finalists for the 2022 Big Tex Choice Awards on Wednesday morning.
Thirty-six semifinalists competed for best taste in the savory or sweet categories, and all the dishes are going head-to-head for most creative.
The State Fair started awarding the Big Tex statues nearly two decades ago, and the competition is fierce.
State Fair of Texas's 10 Finalists for the 2022 Big Tex Choice Awards
In the savory category, finalists include:
- Chicharron Explosion Nachos
- Deep-Fried BLT
- Deep-Fried Lasagna Roll
- Fried Charcuterie Board
- Holy Biscuit
In the sweet category, finalists include:
- Cha-Cha Chata
- Deep-Fried Rocky Road with Blue Bell Ice Cream
- La Bluebonnet
- Peanut Butter Paradise
- The Ultimate Brookie Monster
This year's theme is "Treats of Texas," highlighting the State Fair concessionaire's ingenuity when it comes to culinary creations, fair officials said.
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The latest news from around North Texas.
Among the 36 semifinalists, 51 entries were submitted for consideration. The State Fair said all competitors must have at least one year of experience as a concessionaire at the State Fair of Texas to enter the competition.
The selection process involves "blind judging" to ensure that the scoring is entirely based on the food, fair officials said.
Here's a look at last year's winners of the Big Tex Choice Awards.
The State Fair of Texas opens on Friday, Sept. 30, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/state-fair-of-texas/state-fair-of-texas-to-announce-finalists-for-2022-big-tex-choice-awards/3044608/ | 2022-08-10T13:30:04 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/state-fair-of-texas/state-fair-of-texas-to-announce-finalists-for-2022-big-tex-choice-awards/3044608/ |
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Governor Greg Abbott accepted an invitation from Nexstar Media Group for the Texas gubernatorial Debate in the Rio Grande Valley, according to a statement from Abbott's campaign.
Abbott will meet for a debate at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg on Sept. 30, which will be moderated by Britt Moreno with KXAN in Austin.
The event will feature a panel of journalist from both central and south Texas news outlets.
"Governor Abbott is looking forward to debating Beto O'Rourke and explaining to all Texans about the Governor's efforts to secure the future of Texas by securing the border, defunding cities that defund the police, lowering property taxes, and protecting our oil & gas industry," said Texans for Greg Abbott Campaign Chairman Gardner Pate. "Unlike Beto O'Rourke, who supports open borders, defunding the police, increasing property taxes, and supports radical energy policies that would hurt our oil & gas workers."
In response to Abbott's acceptance, gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke's campaign released the following statement, urging the governor to attend three more town-hall style debates this fall:
"We look forward to attending a forum hosted by Nexstar Media Group in the Rio Grande Valley at a mutually agreed upon date and time, but one debate in one community for the entire state of Texas is not nearly enough. The people of Texas deserve better. That’s why Beto invites Governor Abbott to participate in three town hall-style debates in every region of the state during weeknights this fall where they can take questions directly from their fellow Texans."
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
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- Violence at La Palmera Mall being investigated for ties to prior shooting, bank robbery
- Corpus Christi Health Department receives Novavax vaccine
- Classroom Challenges: An inside look at security and safety across Coastal Bend school districts
- New Harbor Bridge at risk of 'collapse' under current design, TxDOT says
- Aransas Pass Police kill man after kidnapping, car chase, shootout
- Harbor Bridge developer still not commenting on TxDOT order to halt construction
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If you do not have a photo/video to submit, just click "OK" to skip that prompt. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/greg-abbott-agrees-to-invitation/503-ddd44481-5d0f-4a8b-a4ea-7ba93b4bd235 | 2022-08-10T13:42:27 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/greg-abbott-agrees-to-invitation/503-ddd44481-5d0f-4a8b-a4ea-7ba93b4bd235 |
PLANO, Texas — Another H-E-B grocery store is set to open in Collin County soon. Which means another job fair with hundreds of positions available.
H-E-B, the popular San Antonio-based grocery chain that's made a recent expansion into North Texas, is looking to fill 700 positions for its new Plano store on Saturday, the company announced Tuesday night.
The job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Collin College, located at 2800 East Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.
H-E-B is hiring both full-time and part-time positions, including roles in the bakery, deli, produce, seafood, market, catering and checkout lines.
H-E-B's Plano store opens at Spring Creek Parkway and Preston Road later this year.
The grocer is also opening stores in Allen, McKinney and Frisco, and the company held a job fair for the Frisco location earlier this summer. The Frisco job fair was also looking to hire 700 people.
Most H-E-B hourly roles start at $15 per hour, according to the company. The jobs include an employee discount of 10%, a partner stock plan, a 401K with a company match, paid time off and health insurance.
H-E-B asks anyone who is interested in the job fair to fill out an application online before they arrive. The applications and job listings can be found on H-E-B's careers website. Applicants can also text "metro" to 8-1931 to get directed to all of H-E-B's available positions at the Plano location.
H-E-B has owned Central Market stores in North Texas for years, though they've just started to expand their flagship store into the area. They've had stores on the outskirts and surrounding communities of North Texas, but the Collin County stores will mark their initial foray into the region's more populous areas.
Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons and Tom Thumb have been the longtime top grocer chains in North Texas. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/heb-jobs-in-dfw-plano-north-texas-h-e-b-job-fair-with-700-positions-when-and-where/287-49005255-20c7-43a8-acc8-dadce8c76586 | 2022-08-10T13:42:33 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/heb-jobs-in-dfw-plano-north-texas-h-e-b-job-fair-with-700-positions-when-and-where/287-49005255-20c7-43a8-acc8-dadce8c76586 |
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