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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One person was killed in a four-vehicle crash that happened on Interstate-49 in Fayetteville on Tuesday afternoon.
According to an Arkansas State Police report, 87-year-old Nan Brooks of Bella Vista was killed in the crash on Aug. 9.
The report states that a 2013 Hyundai, 2014 Buick, 2021 Toyota and a 2013 Hyundai were all traveling southbound on I-49 at 1:25 p.m., and the road was wet at the time due to rain.
Troopers say the first Hyundai was in the far left lane and lost control near mile marker 67, and then sideswiped the Buick which was traveling in the middle lane. The Buick came to rest in the far right lane and was struck by the Toyota, which was then struck by the second Hyundai.
Brooks was a passenger in the Buick. Three others were injured in the crash and taken to Washington Regional Medical Center and Northwest Medical Center. The extent of their injuries is not known at this time.
It is also not known if any of the drivers will be cited for the crash.
We will update this article with more information as it becomes available. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/woman-killed-crash-interstate-49-fayetteville/527-2cd50de9-9bdd-4a04-b058-6c86ccc6c822 | 2022-08-10T20:00:30 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/woman-killed-crash-interstate-49-fayetteville/527-2cd50de9-9bdd-4a04-b058-6c86ccc6c822 |
The South Jersey Transportation Authority on Wednesday received $8.7 million from the Federal Highway Administration for its Smart and Connect Atlantic City Expressway Project.
The money is a Congestion Management Technologies Deployment grant, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, to be used to transform the expressway into a smart and connected corridor using cellular vehicle-to-everything technologies.
“ATCMTD grants promote innovations that help expand access to transportation for communities in rural areas and cities alike, improve connectivity, and prepare America’s transportation systems for the future,” said acting FHA Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The South Jersey Transportation Authority project will use advanced technologies to support future connected and automated vehicles.”
The program this year has awarded grants of $45.2 million to 10 projects using advanced intelligent transportation systems technologies that will improve mobility and safety, provide multimodal transportation options and support underserved communities, the DOT said.
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“With these grants, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping communities deliver modern transportation systems that connect people to where they want to go more affordably, efficiently, and safely,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
The bipartisan infrastructure law continues the ATCMTD through 2026 at the same level of funding with a greater focus on rural transportation, transit, paratransit and protecting the environment, according to the DOT.
The law adds several new eligible activities, such as advanced transportation technologies to improve emergency evacuation and response by federal, state and local authorities; integrated corridor management systems; advanced parking reservation or variable pricing systems; and technologies that enhance congestion pricing and automated vehicle communications. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/sjta-gets-8-7-million-for-electronic-smart-highway-project/article_df6eb026-18d3-11ed-99c3-b39f2437955a.html | 2022-08-10T20:00:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/sjta-gets-8-7-million-for-electronic-smart-highway-project/article_df6eb026-18d3-11ed-99c3-b39f2437955a.html |
New federal statistics show a tiny easing of inflation in the Midwest between July 2021 and July 2022 -- aided by a dip in prices at the pump.
Year-over-year inflation stood at 8.6% in July, compared to 9.5% in June, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.
The Midwest's and the national inflation rates as measured by the index crept closer to each other, differing by only one-tenth of a percentage point -- 8.6% in the Midwest and 8.5% nationally.
The month-over-month reduction came largely from prices for fuel and energy, both in the nation and the Midwest -- although those prices are still up substantially from a year ago.
Gasoline prices in the Midwest, while up 46.8% from July 2021, dropped by 8.8% from June. Nationally, the cost of gas dropped slightly less, 7.7%.
Household energy prices in the Midwest dropped 1.9% from June to July, but still were up 21.9% from July 2021. Nationally, the price of energy rose by 0.3%.
The Midwest's food prices went up in July, both from June and July 2021 -- while eating out saw smaller increases.
Eating at home in the Midwest was up 15% from July 2021 and 1.5% from June. Eating out rose 8.3% from last year and 0.8% from June.
Combined, the cost of food in the Midwest outpaced the national scene's -- up 12.4% here compared to 10.9% nationally.
“We know we live in unusual times when we are delighting that annual inflation was only 8.6%, but here we are,” said Rachel Blakeman, director of Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Community Research Institute.
Given that the inflation target is around 2%, the current numbers remain high, and it's difficult to predict the future, she said.
Uncertainties , she added, include what the Federal Reserve does with interest rates and shifting consumer and business demand in the face of inflation.
Also, the rising cost of necessities -- food, energy and transportation -- makes for little budgetary wiggle room, Blakeman said, so month-to-month vigilance through the end of the year is in order.
"Unfortunately, it looks like higher prices are with us to stay for a bit longer," she said, adding: "I am cautious about celebrating this (one-month inflationary) decline just yet." | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/inflation-eases-slightly-in-midwest-nation/article_11845f92-18c1-11ed-882f-c3b4ed6a7ef1.html | 2022-08-10T20:01:41 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/inflation-eases-slightly-in-midwest-nation/article_11845f92-18c1-11ed-882f-c3b4ed6a7ef1.html |
As students throughout Allen County began a new academic year Wednesday, North Side High School freshmen crossed a literal starting line.
A multi-colored floor decal now stretches across a third-story hallway and bears a simple message flanked by arrows: "Start here. Go places."
The decoration is among the visual cues that Fort Wayne Community Schools is partnering with Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana to bring a transformative education model to its five high schools.
North Side and Snider are the first Indiana schools to launch what is known as 3DE, FWCS Superintendent Mark Daniel said. The district is implementing it at the freshman level but plans to expand it to other high school grades.
The model began in 2015 as a joint venture between Fulton County Schools in Georgia, Junior Achievement of Georgia and the Atlanta community, FWCS has said. It has since expanded to multiple states.
Nicole Winans, a 3DE employee leading the effort at North Side, cautioned people from describing 3DE as a program. Rather, she said, it's restructuring the way curriculum is taught, with an emphasis on real-world scenarios. Businesses including Steel Dynamics, Parkview Health, Fort Wayne Metals, BF Goodrich and Franklin Electric will present FWCS students with challenges to solve, although there won't be one correct solution.
Daniel, who visited both North Side and Snider on Wednesday morning, has high expectations for 3DE given its success in reducing absenteeism, improving graduation rates and, among other achievements, boosting teacher retention at schools in states including Florida and Kentucky.
"That is really what brought us to this," Daniel said. "We want outcomes." | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/two-fort-wayne-high-schools-launch-new-model-as-academic-year-begins/article_f9491a98-18c6-11ed-be0a-a3aa41722bfd.html | 2022-08-10T20:01:47 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/two-fort-wayne-high-schools-launch-new-model-as-academic-year-begins/article_f9491a98-18c6-11ed-be0a-a3aa41722bfd.html |
ATLANTA — A celebration of life is planned on Thursday for Brianna Grier, the Georgia woman who died six days after deputies said she fell from a patrol car, followed by a march for justice up to the steps of the state capitol.
Rev. Al Sharpton will give the eulogy, according to a release.
This event comes after independent preliminary findings based on the medical reports from Grady Hospital were released at a press conference on Monday. Pathologist Dr. Allecia Wilson of the University of Michigan said Grier died due to a blunt force impact to her head, which caused swelling in the brain.
Attorney, activist and NAACP President Gerald Griggs was in attendance with famed civil rights and injury attorney Ben Crump when the independent autopsy was released. He spoke with 11Alive's Cheryl Preheim on Wednesday about the upcoming event and the independent autopsy results.
Griggs said the family has "called on the activist community" and the wider community to "demand more resources and more care for the mental health community here in Georgia." He added that the family of Breonna Taylor is expected to come to Atlanta on Thursday for the events. Taylor was a 26-year-old Kentucky woman fatally shot in her apartment when at least seven officers used forced entry to execute a "no-knock " warrant in March 2020.
Grier's homegoing service is planned for Thursday at 11 a.m. It will be held at West Hunter Street Baptist Church at 1040 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. That is only a 3-minute walk from Howell Park. The service will be "immediately" followed by a march to the capitol, according to the Griggs and flyer for the event.
Video below | NAACP President Gerald Griggs speaks about the event, pathology results
The march planned for Grier is meant not only to demand more answers and the full body camera footage from Hancock Sheriff's Office but also to address the lack of resources offered to those experiencing a mental health crisis in Georgia.
"And what people need to know is it's not the first time that Brianna has had an episode before. Other times that she had an episode. The ambulance was called. They responded. They were able to stabilize her," Griggs said. "They were able to provide her with medication. But this time, the Hancock County sheriff's deputy showed up and ultimately, Brianna ended up succumbing from her injuries in their custody, in their care, six days later."
The other main concern for Griggs comes from the independent autopsy results from Monday, showing that Grier's brain shifted from one side to the other because of the swelling from blunt force trauma; Willson also said, in her findings, that Grier suffered from a fracture in her skull.
"What stands out to me is the level of trauma that she sustained," Griggs said. "And I'm very concerned how someone that small could sustain such damaging trauma. And it has not been explained."
Video below | Full Results of Independent Autopsy, Press Conference for Brianna Grier
Apart of the issue, Griggs said the family has not been able to see the full body camera footage from the night the incident took place. However, the family has asked several times.
"The GBI works for the people and it's time for them to be transparent to the people in the process," Griggs said. "And so that's what they're asking for."
Lastly, Griggs points out Griers 3-year-old twins, who are now without a mother and asks the community if anything to come together and get answers about Grier for their sake.
"And you have to understand, Breonna is not coming home and somebody is going to have to take care of her beautiful 3 year old little girls," Griggs said. "And it's incumbent upon us, the community of conscience, the community of care, to take care of them and make sure that they get answers and justice for their mother."
MORE ON THE CASE
The Georgia woman fell out of a moving patrol car following her arrest on July 15. Brianna Grier, 28, suffered two fractures in her skull, went into a coma and died after six days in the hospital, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Mary Grier, her mother, called the Hancock County Sheriff's Office for help because Brianna Grier was experiencing a mental health crisis; two deputies arrived at the home between 12 and 1 a.m. She was detained by Hancock County sheriff's deputies, cuffed, and then placed into a sheriff's transport vehicle without a seatbelt.
The agency said her hands were in handcuffs in front of her, and the rear passenger-side door was not shut. The deputy thought he closed the rear passenger-side door, and the deputies left the scene. They drove a short distance before Brianna Grier fell out of the moving car. Body camera footage reveals the deputies had no contact with Grier from when she was placed in the car until she fell out of the car.
The 10-minute body camera video released in July sheds light on Brianna Grier's interaction with the deputies. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/brianna-grier-west-hunter-baptist-church-naacp-gerald-griggs-ben-crump/85-3155fff1-bfaa-48bd-aff6-98a440bcfd25 | 2022-08-10T20:10:29 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/brianna-grier-west-hunter-baptist-church-naacp-gerald-griggs-ben-crump/85-3155fff1-bfaa-48bd-aff6-98a440bcfd25 |
Pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle in west Phoenix, 51st Avenue partially closed
A pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle on Wednesday morning near 51st Avenue and McDowell Road.
Officers responded to the scene around 5:40 a.m. for reports of a crash involving a vehicle and an adult pedestrian, according to a statement from Sgt. Melissa Soliz, a spokesperson with Phoenix police. They were investigating what led to the collision and how many vehicles were involved.
No other injuries were reported and everyone involved in the crash remained on scene, Soliz said. The pedestrian's identity hadn't been released as of Wednesday morning.
Due to the collision 51st Avenue was closed in both directions from Encanto Boulevard to Virginia Avenue.
Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2022/08/10/pedestrian-dies-after-being-struck-vehicle-west-phoenix/10288689002/ | 2022-08-10T20:10:35 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-traffic/2022/08/10/pedestrian-dies-after-being-struck-vehicle-west-phoenix/10288689002/ |
Tempe streetcar opens as Valley Metro expands light rail west and south
As neon lights replaced the setting sun one recent Friday evening, the city’s nightlife scene came alive along Mill Avenue, a popular spot near Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.
Some revelers arrived by car, but others stepped off a new streetcar that makes several stops along Mill and winds through other parts of downtown.
The streetcar, which began making its 3-mile route May 20, is the latest of several expansions to the Valley Metro transit network meant to add options for people without a personal vehicle to shop, dine, commute and explore farther-flung places across the Valley.
In addition to the streetcar, regional public transit agency Valley Metro is working to split the current light rail line in two and extend one line south. Longer-term plans include an east-west extension to link the Arizona Capitol to the light rail and a light rail line along Interstate 10 to further connect the West Valley to the transit system.
Across the Valley, about 50,000 people used the light rail every day before the coronavirus pandemic was declared in March 2020. Ridership fell off as businesses shut down and remote work became the norm, but weekday ridership now averages 27,000, according to Madeline Phipps, a public information specialist with Valley Metro.
“It’s really important that we continue to build our transit infrastructure because we want to be able to continue to serve our community members and provide them greater access to jobs, school, entertainment and just continue to connect people across the metro Phoenix region, especially as we’re expecting really big population growth in the coming years,” Phipps said.
From 2010 to 2020, the population of Phoenix – the fifth-largest city in the U.S. – increased 18.1%, the city reported when census counts were released in 2021. Population also rose in Queen Creek, Buckeye and Goodyear – which were among the 15 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. – and other Valley municipalities.
Valley Metro says use of the light rail and buses decrease carbon emissions in the Valley because riders don’t have to burn gas in their personal vehicles.
Easier to get around:Bridge across Agua Fria River provides valuable connection to north Peoria area
Here’s what’s new with Valley Metro.
Tempe streetcar
The streetcar is free to ride for the first year. Phipps said 20,000 people used the streetcar in its first month alone, with an average of 767 boardings per weekday. Unlike light rail, it shares the road with other vehicles.
The car starts on Rio Salado Parkway, goes west and splits into a loop in downtown Tempe, extending south on Mill Avenue and Ash Avenue, where it reconnects on Mill, turns east on Apache Boulevard and ends at Dorsey Lane, where it shares a stop with the light rail.
Vivienne Pelletier of Tempe loves taking the streetcar because there are stops close to her apartment and her work.
“It’s very, very convenient to get from here to Mill,” she said. “And it’s opened up new things I can do super quickly, especially because I don’t have a car.”
The $192 million project received $75 million from the Federal Transit Administration; $103 million from regional Proposition 400 funds; and $13 million from a partnership between the city, ASU and several Tempe businesses.
Approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004, Proposition 400 extended the half-cent sales tax for transportation through 2025 and helps fund many of the public transportation projects in the region.
More on transportation:Ducey vetoes transportation tax that was headed to voters
Light rail extensions under construction
The Northwest Phase II extension will extend the northern reach of the light rail by 1.6 miles by going from 19th Avenue west on Dunlap Avenue, north on 25th Avenue, then west on Mountain View Road over Interstate 17 and stopping at the former Metrocenter mall. Valley Metro also is adding three stops along the extension and a park-and-ride location at the old mall, which will be replaced by housing and spaces for retail, restaurants, services and offices.
Construction on the track and rail stops started in May, with completion expected in early 2024. The $401 million project is funded by $158 million from a federal Capital Investment Grant, which are funds from the Federal Transit Administration, $213 million from Phoenix’s Transportation 2050 tax and $30 million from Prop 400 taxes, Phipps said.
Also underway is the South Central extension/Downtown Hub, which began construction in October 2019 and will split the existing light rail into two lines: the north-south line and the east-west line. It will also extend the north-south line south along Central Avenue from Washington Street to Baseline Road.
The lines will cross at a hub in downtown Phoenix, which will include three new stops. The project also will close off a section of Central to vehicle traffic, according to Valley Metro.
The $1.35 billion project received $637 million in federal funds, $427 million from Phoenix’s Transportation 2050 tax and $280 million from Prop 400 funds, Phipps said.
The extension is expected to open in 2024 and sets up the system for future expansion.
Road updates:ADOT says SR 24 is nearly complete
Extensions in planning
The Capitol extension is in planning to connect with the new east-west line in downtown Phoenix by extending it with a loop that starts from the downtown hub, continues west on Washington Street, south on 19th Avenue and back east on Jefferson Street before reconnecting to the hub.
The project is in the preliminary engineering phase, and the environmental assessment phase is expected to begin this year. In an email, Phipps said that the funding is expected to come from a mix of federal, regional and city sources.
The I-10 West extension, which is in the early conceptual phase, would go from the Arizona Capitol, north along I-17, west along the Interstate 10 median, then north on 79th Avenue to Desert Sky Mall.
Cost estimates have not yet been released. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2022/08/10/valley-metro-expands-light-rail-tempe-streetcar-now-open/10287863002/ | 2022-08-10T20:10:41 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2022/08/10/valley-metro-expands-light-rail-tempe-streetcar-now-open/10287863002/ |
Thunderstorm activity in Tucson isn’t expected to slow down anytime soon.
The remainder of August is predicted to have slightly above normal rainfall.
Tucson is expected to see daily thunderstorm activity during the afternoons and evenings for the rest of the week. Thursday has a 40% chance of thunderstorms while Friday, Saturday and Sunday all have a 50% chance of thunderstorms.
Despite a rainy few days, Tucson is still far behind last year's monsoon rain total.
The monsoon rain total by Aug. 9, 2021 was 8.23 inches, the NWS said. This year, the total rainfall amount is 1.65 inches.
The average amount of rain Tucson gets during the monsoon is 5.69 inches.
While August is predicted to see slightly above average rainfall, the monsoon usually winds down in September.
The NWS said September typically transitions away from the monsoon and Tucson will see less storm activity.
Photos: 2022 monsoon around Tucson
Monsoon, 2022
Monsoon storm moving Marana across slowly obscures the view of Picacho Peak 20 miles to the northwest on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
The clouds open and rain pours from a monsoon storm moving across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
A monsoon storm moves across Marana and into the Tortolita Mountains on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
Power lines down on Linda Vista Drive between N. Bald Eagle Ave. and W. Waterbuck Drive after a powerful monsoon storm moved across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
Power lines down on Linda Vista Drive between N. Bald Eagle Ave. and W. Waterbuck Drive after a powerful monsoon storm moved across the Tucson Mountains into Marana on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Lighting strikes the ground while a monsoon storm passes over the Rincon Mountains on the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Visitors watch a monsoon storm as it passes over the Rincon Mountains on the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Watch now: Time lapse of intense thunderstorm, lightning over Tucson
Monsoon 2022
A monsoon storm passes over the Rincon Mountains on the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 7, 2022 as seen from Babad Do'ag Scenic Overlook in the Santa Catalina Mountains.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A large bolt hits the southern end of the Rincon Mountain foothills, near Colossal Cave Road and Mary Ann Cleveland Way, part of a monsoon storm that spread rain, wind and hours of lightning in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
The last of the day's light hits monsoon storm clouds while lighting strikes in the Rincon Mountain foothills in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Lightning strikes in the southern Rincon Mountain foothills, the second night in row a monsoon storm moved in from the east and through Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
The day's dying light catches the high monsoon storm clouds while lighting strikes in the Rincon Mountain foothills in Vail, Ariz., August 7, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A bolt of lightning hits the southern slopes of the Rincon Mountains shortly after sunset, part of a monsoon storm as it rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. Steady light rain was preceded by gusty winds as well as the light show.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Twin bolts hit the southern slopes of the Rincon Mountains as a monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. High winds and rain also flowed through the area into the night.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A large bolt touches down in the foothills of the southern Rincon Mountains, one of hundreds of lightning strikes generated from just before sunset until far into the night by a monsoon storm over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Shortly after sunset, a monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022. The storm brought gusty winds, rain and hours of lightning as it headed northeast and into the Santa Cruz valley.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A monsoon storm rolls in over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022, dropping rain as well as lightning in the Rincon Mountains and foothills. Lightning was hitting throughout the area for several hours.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A large bolt hits in the lower reaches of the Rincon Mountain foothills as the monsoon storm makes its way into Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Three bolts in the vanguard of a monsoon storm strike the Rincon Mountains as it heads northwest and over Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Two bolts of cloud-to-ground lightning fall from into the Rincon Mountain foothills from monsoon storm rolling west and into Vail, Ariz., August 6, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Multiple ground strikes as well as cloud-to-cloud lighting flashes around a home on a ridge southeast of Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2022. The storm was mostly east of the Rincon Mountains until midnight. Another band was moving to the west just south of the city.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Lightning and a column of rain from a late night monsoon storm rolls over the area southeast of Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2022. Frequent cloud-to-cloud as well as ground strikes were over the Vail area for much of the evening into the early morning hours.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Rain and lightning from a late night monsoon storm rolls over homes on a ridge southeast of Tucson, Ariz., August 3, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Watch Now: Monsoon sunset
Monsoon 2022
A woman walks with her umbrella as a sprinkle of rain falls in downtown Tucson on August 3, 2022.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A woman walks along Sixth Ave. as a sprinkle of rain falls in downtown Tucson on August 3, 2022.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
Pima County Wastewater Reclamation crew members clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
Residents watch as crew members work to clear out rocks, dirt and mud off Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
A Pima County Wastewater Reclamation crew member, right, reacts as water spills out of a tube while crew members work to clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road southeast of Columbus Blvd. inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
While crews work to clean up the damage from Sunday evenings monsoon storm, a Havasu Road and Columbus Blvd. sign lies on the side of road farther southeast then the Havasu Rd and Columbus Blvd. corner inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
A residents car is stuck in a pile of mud along East Havasu Rd inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
Resident Maria Perri shovels some dirt along East Havasu Rd. in front go her home inside Coronado Foothills Estates in Tucson, Ariz. on Aug. 1, 2022. A monsoon storm filled Finger Rock Wash as well as streets and a handful of homes on Sunday night. "It was a raging river down here," said Perri. Some residents hung out in her drive way to get away from the flooding, added Perri.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
Workers from Pima County Wastewater Reclamation clear sand and rocks from a manhole at Havasu Road and Columbus Blvd. in the Catalina Foothills on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
Boulders and debris block Havasu Road at Columbus Blvd as seen on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash that swamped a handful of homes on in the Catalina Foothills on Sunday night.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
A mud-splattered wheelchair at an adult care home on Havasu Road in the Catalina Foothills on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. Rural Metro firefighters evacuated the residents after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Havasu Road east of Columbus Blvd. in the Catalina Foothills on Sunday night.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
A street sign fell victim to floodwaters on Havasu Road east of Columbus Blvd as seen on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, after a raging Finger Rock Wash swamped a handful of homes on Sunday night.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
A cyclist rides along The Loop at Grant Road next to the Santa Cruz River swollen with runoff from midtown Tucson storm on July 26, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Wash, flooding, 2022, Tucson
Monsoon clouds rise above the desert floor southeast of Tucson, behind Tumamoc Hill on July 26, 2022.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A monsoon storm begins dropping rain as it grows to the southeast of Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022. The cell was one of several that formed over the area, dumping rain on the plain for much of the afternoon.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A US Border Patrol truck heads east on State Route 82 as a monsoon storm boils up to the south just outside Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
The statue, Tribute to Ranching, stands under a growing monsoon cloud outside the Santa Cruz County Fair & Rodeo Association grounds, Sonoita, Ariz., July 29, 2022. The cell was one of several that dumped rain on the area throughout the afternoon.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Watch Now: The leading edge of flood waters fills the Tanque Verde Wash near Wentworth Road.
Monsoon 2022
Onlookers get video and photos while watching the debris filled leading edge of water fill the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022. Heavy monsoon rains over the past few days has water flowing in some of the area washes and low lying areas.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Birdie the Golf Dog takes a cooling break in the water beginning to fill the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Paul Delligatti lines up his shot while recording video of the leading edge of floodwaters in the Tanque Verde Wash flow across Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Dustin Ovayvar, left, and his family, were among the handful that waited to catch the arrival of the leading edge of the waters heading down the Tanque Verde Wash at Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Tom Woodrow and his mother Diane wade through the northern channel after getting cut off watching the water fill the southern branch of the leading edge of flood water in the Tanque Verde Wash flow over Wentworth Road, Tucson, Ariz., July 28, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
Tucson Fire Department personnel pull a man out of the floodwaters of the Arroyo Chico rushing through a construction channel near 9th Avenue just north of 6th Street during a monsoon storm that dumped inches of rain on parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. The man was eventually carried to a nearby ambulance.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A driver has second thoughts about driving into the flooded Arroyo Chico in midtown during a monsoon, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022. The driver eventually turned around.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A driver takes his SUV into the running waters of the Arroyo Chico in midtown during a monsoon storm, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A Jeep blasts at high speed into the flooded Arroyo Chico after a monsoon storm dumped inches of rain on parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A woman and her curious dog get a closer look at the flood waters of Arroyo Chico running over Plummer Avenue during a monsoon storm that dumped inches of rain over parts of Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
A driver takes a jeep through the high waters of Arroyo Chico running over Plummer Avenue during a monsoon storm through the area, Tucson, Ariz., July 26, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, Tucson, 2022
Krishna Ghimire and Sumod Bastakoti take a selfie of themselves with storm clouds approaching from Sentinel Peak Park on July 26, 2022.
Shekib Rahmani / Arizona Daily Star
Watch Now: Time lapse shows Monsoon storm over Tucson
Monsoon 2022
A lightning bolt hits in the valley as an afternoon monsoon storm rolls over east central Tucson, Ariz., July 22, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon 2022
The setting sun lights up the patchy monsoon clouds overhead as Omar Rojas Jr. works on pitching out of the stretch with his dad, Omar Sr., on the diamond at David G. Herrera and Ramon Quiroz Park, Tucson, Ariz., July 21, 2022. The two Omars were working out while daughter/sister Julissa practiced nearby with her softball team. Monsoon 2022 may finally bring the rain, with precipitation forecast this weekend and throughout the coming week.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon
Mammatus clouds roil over the evening skies west of the Tucson Mountains during a little light monsoon activity around Tucson, Ariz., July 15, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
With a monsoon cell dropping a bit of rain to the west, fans find seats in the grandstands long the strip during Street Rally night at the Tucson Dragway Tucson, Ariz., June 11, 2022.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Sand bags
Sarah Travis and her son John Donnelly, on shovel duty, and his friend Kai Squire, take advantage of the Department of Transportation and Mobility's sandbag filling site in the east parking lot of Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, Ariz., June 17, 2022. The trio were helping a neighbor in need get ready for the coming rains. This is the seventh year DTM is providing bags and sand for residents to make sandbags to deal with monsoon flooding.
Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star
Canyon del Oro Wash
Pima County crews expanded the Chuck Huckelberry Loop along the Canyon del Oro Wash north of Magee Road on June 7 and cleared out brush in the channel and performed flood control measures to prevent water from monsoon rains flooding the path.
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
A vehicle travels down North Houghton Rd. while a small storm passes over the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, Ariz. on June 27, 2022.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
Two vehicles drive through a series of puddles on East Speedway after a rain storm passed through the Eastside of Tucson, Ariz. on June 27, 2022.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
monsoon 2022
A crew with Hunter Contracting Co. work on a pathway surrounding a new storm basin while monsoon clouds build to the south of Cherry Avenue Park in Tucson, Ariz. on June 29, 2022.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
A rainbow fragment above Pima Canyon and the Santa Catalina Mountains on June 27.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoon, 2022
Monsoon clouds over the Tohono O'Odham Nation loom behind the towers on Tumamoc Hill on June 28.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Monsoons 2022
Olga Martinez, far left, and her daughter Raquel Diaz watch a monsoon storm pass over the Santa Catalina Mountains from "A" Mountain in Tucson, Ariz. on July 24, 2022.
Rebecca Sasnett, Arizona Daily Star
Watch Now: Monsoon clouds over a Convair B-36J Peacemaker at Pima Air & Space Museum
Jamie Donnelly covers breaking news for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com
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Here's a daily map of coronavirus cases in Arizona, broken down by county.
The numbers were updated August 10.
Gallery: A year of the Pandemic in Tucson
Photos: A Year of the Pandemic in Tucson
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Pop Cycle, 422 N 4th Ave. March 20, 2020.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Roxanne Lee, manager of the Tucson Medical Center cath lab, stands with nurses and other colleagues in Lifegain Park during a memorial ceremony to remember those who have died of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), on Jan. 19, 2021.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Most of the students are learning remotely (screen at the back of the room) in Alyssa Keri's math class at Catalina Foothills High School in the Catalina Foothills School District, Tucson, on Feb. 4, 2021.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Costco shoppers line up early at the Tucson Marketplace at The Bridges in Tucson on March 14, 2020.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Volunteer Bill Rauch loads food supplies into the trunk of a car at the Community Food Bank at 3003 S. Country Club Road, on March 18, 2020. The food bank started a drive through pick up service to allow for social distancing in response to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A pedestrian walks by the shuttered doors and windows of the Surly Wench Pub, the day after the city's drinking establishments were shut down due to COVID-19 distancing measures, March 18, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Victor Sanchez, a cook at Robert's Restaurant, holds a sign up to let to let passing drivers know they are still open at 3301 E Grant Road, on March 19, 2020. Restaurants and other small businesses are taking huge losses as people self quarantine and self distance to diminish the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19.)
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Banner UMC’s drive up system is for emergency room triage for a variety of illnesses and is not for random testing for COVID-19. It has been put in place to keep crowds from the ER and protect the health of patients and staff.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A line grows outside the doors to Trader Joe's at Swan and Grant as an employee limits customers entering the store to one-out one-in, March 20, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A group of friends from St. Louis enjoy their lunch along Sentinel Peak after a 40-mile bike ride on March 20, 2020. The cycling friends planned their trip to Tucson months ago and decided to keep their vacation plans. They arrived on March 1st and leave this weekend. For the past three weeks they've been cycling through Saguaro National Park, up Mt. Lemmon, Kitt Peak and The Loop. On Friday they got takeout from Seis Kitchen and their bicycle touring company set up tables and chairs for them. They felt they self-quaratined with just the six of them during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Madelyn Hardy takes a phone-in order behind the locked doors at Renee's Organic Oven, March 20, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The restaurant is now taking no cash, doesn't allow customers into the building and leaves bagged orders on an outside table for diners to pick up.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A largely closed and nearly empty Park Place Mall early in the afternoon following COVID-19 restrictions, March 20, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Sarah Lang views responses from her fifth-grade students while teaching remotely on Google classroom at Centennial Elementary School in the Flowing Wells School District, Tucson, on March 20, 2020, after the shutdown of schools due to the pandemic.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Marina Cornelius, owner of Floor Polish Dance + Fitness, teaches her Cardio Party-o class via Periscope to her students on March 20, 2020. Cornelius says this is the first time she's trying to livestream classes and is learning as she goes.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Jo Schneider stands in the empty outdoor seating area of La Cocina located at 201 N. Court Avenue, on March 26, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A woman walks along a nearly empty street in downtown Nogales, Arizona, on March 24, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Dana Reed-Kane, co-owner of Reed's Compounding Pharmacy, 2729 E Speedway Blvd., pours a finished batch of hand sanitizer into a bottle at her store on March 27, 2020. Kane is making gallons of hand sanitizer and selling it to the public each day as part of a movement among such pharmacies to help out with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Michelle Don Carlos, founder of Mending Souls, sews masks in her home on Tucson's west side, on March 25, 2020. She and other volunteers are producing masks for emergency responders using anti-viral fabric donated by local hospitals.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Vanessa Richards, 18, left, and Ella Dotson, 17, take a selfie as their friend, Camilla Hamilton, 17, gets her photo taken by Vanessa's mother, Chrissi, along Scott Ave. in downtown Tucson on March 31, 2020. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic the rest of the schoolyear has been canceled. Richards, Dotson and Hamilton are seniors at Marana High School and will not have a formal graduation ceremony. The trio came to downtown to get photos of themselves in their caps and gowns.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A dinosaur statue over the doors of MATS Dojo at 5929 E. 22nd St., sports an athletic cup for a face mask in the second week of COVID-19 restrictions, March 31, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Raj Paudel hands a bag of food to a customer at Govinda's to-go-tent located at 711 E. Blacklidge Drive, on April 1, 2020.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Angel Perez and Dan Hawk perform from Perez's balcony, giving the neighborhood a COVID-19-isolation style concert from his balcony, April 1, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Tessa DeConcini, senior at University High School, poses for a portrait with her prom dress and graduation cap at University High School, 421 N. Arcadia Ave., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 1, 2020. DeConcini, along with many other high school students, will miss out on prom festivities as well as their graduation ceremony due Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Dr. Liz Almil chats with one of her group from afar as members of the Tucson Cancer Conquerors distribute exercise gear, apparel, citrus and coffee during a handout at Brandy Fenton Park, April 11, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. The group is trying to find ways to keep their members exercising despite being forced into isolation by COVID-19 restrictions.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Rachel Huante greets her son Zeddicus Atherton as he trots out the door ahead of Lanee Pender carrying his sister Xena Atherton, part of the the new procedure of no parents inside the building at Kids First Preschool, April 15, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Cheri Carr grimaces as she receives a nasal swab while getting tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a drive-thru testing site at Escalera Health & Wellness, 2224 N. Craycroft Rd., on April 17, 2020. Patients can receive a COVID-19 and an antibody test.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Dalia Meshirer waves to a friend as the Golder Ranch Fire District trucks begin to roll by as dozens drive by her home to wish her a happy eighth birthday, April 2, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A sign strapped to the median at 6th Street and Campbell Avenue gives southbound motorists a little pep-talk in the COVID-19 times, April 23, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Kitchen manger Koa Hoffmann tosses dough while working up a crust for a call-in order as he and few others keep cooking at Bear Canyon Pizza despite COVID-19 restrictions, April 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Jesse James Tucker, owner and trainer at Tucson Rising Phoenix Fitness and Defense, records a video response on techniques for one of his members outside his home in Tucson, Ariz., on April 14, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Kyria Sabin Waugaman, right, pilates instructor at Body Works in Tucson, and one of her teachers, Alessangra Lima, host an online workout class at Body Works, 1980 E. River Rd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 17, 2020.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Homer Cass, left, talks to his son, Richard, middle, and grandson, Jason, 22, through a window at Tucson Medical Center on April 27, 2020. The hospital is making adjustments during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic to now allow visitors. Upon entry everyone's temperature is taken and then friends and family members can use their cell phones to talk to their loved ones through a window for 15 minutes.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Emily Wolfgang, manager at Little Anthony's Diner, talks with a customer during the first day of Little Anthony's Diner Carhop at Little Anthony's Diner, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz., on April 28, 2020. Little Anthony's Diner, in response to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), started an old fashioned 1950's carhop. "It's been a long time since we had a carhop," said Tony Terry, president and owner of Little Anthony's Diner and The Gaslight Theater. "It fits our life right not." Little Anthony's Diner Carhop runs from 11am to 8pm Monday through Sunday. Customers can park in designated parking spots and order and pay for their food from the safety of their car, said Terry. Employees, dressed in 1950's attire with masks and gloves, will come out to check on customers and deliver drinks and food on trays, which resemble trays used in the 1950's that can attach to car windows. There is a Carhop menu, which include burgers, salads and shakes, but customers can order other items off the menu. DJ Phil, Little Anthony's Diner DJ, will play music that can be heard though speakers outside. "We may keep it after the virus," added Terry.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Alex Swain, a member of Beloved in the Desert - Tucson's chapter of the Episcopal Service Corps, carries bags of groceries to the home of an elderly man, on April 3, 2020. Swain and his housemates have volunteered to shop for elderly and at risk populations as people quarantine and stay at home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Mike Pfander, left, and his wife Jeanne talk with Mike's mother Margaret Pfander from the service driveway just outside Margaret's apartment in Villa Hermosa, April 25, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. With the COVID19 lockdowns relatives have to meet without breaking isolation protocols, through windows or over walls.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Ralph Acosta, valedictorian of the Amphitheater High School senior class, is greeted at his home near 22nd Street and 12th Avenue by principal Jon Lansa in Tucson on May 1, 2020. Acosta will speak during Amphi's video graduation ceremony.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Detective Mary Pekas and Lt. Michelle Pickrom carry trays of food as they deliver meals with Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona, on April 29, 2020. Police officers with Tucson Police Department are volunteering while off duty with the program to allow for elderly volunteers to stay at home during the epidemic.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Stylist Rahnay Curtis, left, and owner Jennifer Ball at CDO Barbershop on May 8, 2020, in Tucson.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A nurse sporting a "Save Lives" mask takes part in a car procession honk-a-thon driving by Carondelet St. Mary's Hospital after departing from the Safeway across the street, on Jan. 12, 2021.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Tucson Fire paramedics roll a gurney through a tent setup outside the Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital's emergency room, on April 14, 2020. The tents are used to screen staff and patients for potential Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) before entering the hospital.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Catalina Foothills High School graduates throw their hats in the air as they are videoed on the stage on the football field at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Dr., in Tucson, Ariz., on May 11, 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Catalina Foothills High School is videoing all 415 graduates individually over three days crossing the stage with their diploma cover. Small groups of graduates are escorted toward the stage and stand next to cones set apart for social distancing. After video and still pictures, graduates are given a t-shirt as they leave. "Its an amazing amount of work and planning, but our grads are worth it," said Julie Farbarik, director of Alumni and Community Relations at Catalina Foothills School District.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Lunchtime is normally standing room only at R&R Pizza Express, 13,905 N. Sandario Road, Marana. But it was sparsely attended on May 11, 2020, as the state allowed restaurants to re-open their dining rooms. Owner Linda Molitor carefully spaced tables to maintain social distancing for dining-in.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Jordan Wentzel works on a customer's return at DSW located at 7191 E. Broadway, on May 12, 2020. Shoes tried on and returned by customers are cleaned with disinfectant and then stored for three days before being put back on the floor.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Dr. Susan McMahon, left, lifts a healthy Camille Keicher as mother Audrey gives a reassuring nudge during Camille's six-month well-visit at Mesquite Pediatrics, 2350 N. Kibler Place, Tucson, on May 15, 2020.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Carolina Castillo, house keeping staff member, wipes down a chair and table in the food court at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 19, 2020. Malls reopened today under CDC guidelines and Gov. Ducey's new rules for businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Park Place Mall has signs throughout the mall reminding customers to keep a six feet distance as well as hand sanitizer stations near each entrance. About half of the tables in the food court have been removed to allow for social distances as well as less than half of the stores have opened with new guidelines. Of the stores open, only 10 customers are allowed to shop in each store at a time.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
The B Gates are largely empty on the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day, less than a dozen people waiting for flights at Tucson International Airport, May 22, 2020, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Brian McKinley carts out the extra chairs for temporary storage after the seating had been rearranged to meet COVID19 restrictions at Rincon Presbyterian Church, May 21, 2020, Tucson, Ariz. Houses of worship are searching for ways to adapt to the new reality.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Ernie Villalobos, general manger of Roadhouse Cinemas, talks with returning employees about some of the new safety measures at Roadhouse Cinemas, 4811 E. Grant Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 9, 2020. Roadhouse Cinemas will reopen on Wednesday June 10 at 3:15 p.m. with new safety measures in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The new safety measures include plexiglass set up in front of cashier stations, informational signs placed through out the theater as well as signs on the floor indicating 6-feet distances. Each of the nine theaters will be at 50% capacity to allow for distancing between seats.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Fatuma Mohamud, employee, walk past two plexiglass stands infant of registers at Funtasticks, 221 E. Wetmore Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on June 17, 2020. Funtasticks has reopened with new safety procedures in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. All attractions are open with equipment being cleaned after ever use, social distancing signs and plexiglass placed in front of registers.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Students in the "Let's Spin" class ride their stationary bikes outdoors at Let's Sweat, 439 N 6th Ave., on August 19, 2020. Soleil Chiquette, owner of the fitness studio and gym, says she moved her classes outdoors and limited class sizes in order to adhere to coronavirus disease guidelines. She's had to cancel some classes that involve students to be indoors. Chiquette says an app was created for her business when the pandemic first started so that members can have access to fitness classes and challenges.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Cafeteria worker Francis Fontes sorts chicken nuggets into bags for grab-and-go distribution use at the Tucson Unified School District-Food Services building located at 2150 E. 15th Street, on Sept. 23, 2020. The TUSD Food Services Department has continued to provide services for students and families throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by distributing thousands of meals a week for students. In addition to the daily grab-and-go distribution throughout the city, the district has implemented an alternative weekly pickup of a week’s worth of meals (including breakfast, lunch, and five days of snacks) at the TUSD Food Services Department Central Facility off of 15th street.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Alyssa Cossey, conductor and director of the University Community Chorus (UCC), sets up for a webinar series she is directing from her home on September 8, 2020. The webinar takes place twice a month for the school semester. Cossey wanted to create something for people to participate in during this lack of physical choir performances and rehearsals due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. The series is free and open to the public.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Music director Eric Holtan leads the True Concord Choir during rehearsal for their upcoming performance, "The Nurturer – Brahms Requiem," at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church, 665 W. Rollercoaster Road, on Oct. 19, 2020.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Eli Hyland, left, 78, starts to form a heart with her hands while watching her daughter Karen Shea form a heart during their outdoor visit at Elderhaven Assisted Living, 2501 N. Soldier Trail, in Tucson, Ariz., on October 22, 2020. They started making hearts with their hands during their window visits and it has stuck, said Shea. Shea was able to visit her mother through window visits during the pandemic but recently Shea was able to visit her mom in an outdoor setting under strict protocols. They were required to wear masks, get their temps taken, maintain a six-foot distance at all times and were not allowed to touch each other.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Tiana Hair, PCC psychology clinical instructor, grabs a filled COVID-19 saliva test tube during a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site at Pima Community College East Campus, 8181 E. Irvington Rd., in Tucson, Ariz. on Dec. 11, 2020. Arizona State University in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services is now offering appointment only drive-thru COVID-19 testing, via a saliva test, at three Pima Community College campuses.
Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Second-grade students make gingerbread cookies while a warm fire burns on the Smart board at Mesa Verde Elementary School, 1661 W. Sage St. on Dec. 17, 2020.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Marcos Moreno, a volunteer for 15 years with Miracle en el Barrio, writes the number of children on the front of a mini-van as he welcomes families to the Tucson Rodeo Grounds for the 18th year of the event, on Dec. 18, 2020. As a precaution against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the annual event used a drive-thru style format to handout toys, gift cards and other items to children and families
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Five-year old Antonio Moreno reaches out to Santa Claus, getting as close to him as the COVID-19 protective snow-globe bubble will allow during the Tucson Parks and Recreation's drive-thru Cookies With Santa at Donna R. Liggins Recreation Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 16, 2020. It was slow at the drive-thru and when there were no others around, a few kids like Antonio got a chance to almost touch the Big Guy.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
A playground structure closed due to the coronavirus pandemic at Arthur Pack Regional Park north of Tucson on May 8, 2020.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Kris Green stands with hands over heart as students pass by on her last day as a teacher at Manzanita Elementary School on Oct. 23, 2020. After nearly 40 years, she decided to retire before in-person instruction begins on Oct. 26. Green was a district teacher of the year.
Rick Wiley / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Elana Bloom: It was very shocking. Everything I had planned for, my whole business was canceled over a two day period. Bloom owns Solstice, a textile business and would make most of her money in the Spring to help with the slower months of the summer. April 14, 2020
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Sgt. Michael Moseley receives the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during the administration of the vaccination to members of the public who meet the 1B priority eligibility of at Tucson Medical Center's Marshal Center, on Jan. 15, 2021.
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
People are directed into the line at the University of Arizona's COVID19 drive-thru vaccination facilities on the school's mall, Tucson, Ariz., February 5, 2021.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Coronavirus Pandemic in Tucson
Resident Victor Braun laughs with a CVS Pharmacy health care worker after getting his first dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine at Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, Ariz., January 27, 2021. The facility's residents and staff were part of a two day vaccination program in conjunction with CVS Pharmacy and monitored by the in-house personnel from TMCOne clinic.
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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Stark County officials move forward with revolving loan fund for economic development
CANTON – Stark County officials are proceeding with plans to create a revolving loan fund for economic development projects.
The Stark County Port Authority's Board of Directors approved a resolution on Wednesday to establish a revolving loan fund. The decision came shortly after the Stark County commissioners expressed their intent to provide $5 million for the fund through an agreement with the port authority.
The revolving loan fund will be managed by the port authority. The agency is committing $500,000 to the effort.
Stark County Administrator Brant Luther said the next step is for the county commissioners to appropriate the funds, which could be as soon as next week.
What is a revolving loan fund?
The revolving loan fund would allow Stark businesses to apply for non-forgivable, non-renewable loans of a minimum of $25,000. The loans could not be used for working capital and would have a fixed interest rate no lower than 4%, or 75% of the prime rate.
According to the revolving loan fund guidelines, loans would be repaid monthly and amortized over a maximum of seven years.
Commissioners and the Port Authority Board of Directors would receive a "comprehensive summary" of outstanding loan commitments at the end of each quarter.
Stark Economic Development Board President Ray Hexamer said the loan fund will be a "great thing" for the community and its small businesses. He said most counties surrounding Stark already have revolving loan funds.
Will the Hall of Fame Village apply for a loan?
Hexamer told the county commissioners during a work session earlier this month that the agency anticipates that the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Co. — which is developing the Hall of Fame Village around the Pro Football Hall of Fame — will apply for a loan.
Canton City Council approved a $5 million loan for infrastructure improvements at the Hall of Fame Village on July 25, with a contingency that the Stark County commissioners also approve a $5 million loan for that purpose.
Commissioners Janet Weir Creighton and Bill Smith said during a work session the following week that they were "put on the spot" by the move and didn't appreciate another jurisdiction making its decision dependent on them. Still, the commissioners said it would not influence their decision-making when it came to the fund.
The Hall of Fame Village has already received a $5 million loan from the Stark County Community Redevelopment Fund, which was established by the George H. Deuble Foundation, Hoover Foundation, Stark Community Foundation and the Timken Foundation.
Hexamer said the Village would need to go through the same application process as any other Stark businesses that apply for a loan. He said the Stark Economic Development Board hopes the Village will apply because its loan payments would help build the fund, which then could be used by other Stark businesses.
He also said Stark County has seen an increase in bed tax collections since the youth fields were added to the Village complex.
During the public comments portion of the commissioners' meeting Wednesday, North Canton resident Chuck Osborne said he is opposed to the idea of the county providing a loan for the Hall of Fame Village.
He said he doesn't believe there is enough parking in Canton for what the Village has planned and that the entity should seek funding from other sources, such as the NFL.
"Trying as hard as I can, I do not see the Hall of Fame Village turning the city of Canton into a destination for visitors to the point that this project will greatly benefit Canton and greater Stark County," he said.
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-officials-move-forward-with-revolving-loan-fund/65395388007/ | 2022-08-10T20:14:44 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/08/10/stark-county-officials-move-forward-with-revolving-loan-fund/65395388007/ |
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) - One Flint firefighter has resigned and another faced unspecified discipline for their actions at the scene of a deadly fire on West Pulaski Avenue last May.
Flint Fire Chief Raymond Barton confirmed on Wednesday that one firefighter submitted his resignation, effective July 25. The other firefighter has been disciplined, but Barton did not say what punishment they faced.
Barton said the investigation now is closed unless authorities learn of new information.
"I do want to assure the City of Flint that there is no compromise when it comes to protecting this community," Barton said. "My expectation is that every one of our firefighters will perform their duties at the highest level at all times. This department will not settle for anything less."
The May 28 fire in the 600 block of West Pulaski Avenue claimed the lives of brothers 12-year-old Zyaire Mitchell and 9-year-old Lamar Mitchell. They were found in the upstairs of the residence, but not during firefighters' initial search.
Ambulances rushed the brothers to an area hospital, where they died days later.
Investigators concluded that the fire started with faulty wiring in a main floor living room. Fire officials did not find any working smoke detectors in the home.
Barton confirmed in June that two firefighters were suspended with pay while investigators looked into their actions at the scene. He has not identified the firefighters or commented on any specific allegations against them.
"The safety and security of our residents is paramount and must not be compromised. Period," said Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley. "We demand that our firefighters protect and serve our citizens; therefore, we must have the highest standards for their performance and zero tolerance for those who don’t meet expectations." | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/flint-firefighter-resigns-another-disciplined-for-actions-at-deadly-fire/article_1c26a7d4-18e4-11ed-ac4f-8b155092df23.html | 2022-08-10T20:16:50 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/flint-firefighter-resigns-another-disciplined-for-actions-at-deadly-fire/article_1c26a7d4-18e4-11ed-ac4f-8b155092df23.html |
Westfield says 7 companies submitted bids on Grand Park
The city of Westfield says it received seven bids from companies interested in either purchasing or operating Grand Park Sports Campus.
Companies had through Monday to submit bids to the city.
IndyStar asked Westfield on Tuesday for the names of the companies that submitted bids, but Westfield spokesman Chris Proffitt wrote in an email that the city is "holding off" on providing the names of the seven companies until the city's bid review committee gathers later in August or early September.
It is also not clear whether the seven bids include proposals to purchase or to enter a public-private partnership to operate Grand Park. Two appraisals made public earlier this month set the minimum price Grand Park can be sold for as $85 million.
The contents of the bid proposals will remain confidential until a selection is made or the seven proposals are rejected, according to the request for proposals released by the city's redevelopment commission in March.
Nearly 20 companies from Indiana and around the country informed Westfield by April 1 that they intended to bid on the property. Those companies had until Monday to submit official bids on Grand Park.
The city review committee will meet to examine the bids and then will provide a recommendation to the redevelopment commission and the city council on whether Westfield should sell, enter a public-private partnership or not sell the campus.
More:Cal Ripken Jr.? Dale Davis? Here are people behind the companies interested in Grand Park
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/grand-park-in-westfield-sees-7-bidders-after-proposal-deadline/65399064007/ | 2022-08-10T20:17:39 | 1 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/hamilton-county/westfield/2022/08/10/grand-park-in-westfield-sees-7-bidders-after-proposal-deadline/65399064007/ |
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Police in Luzerne County shot a man while trying to arrest him.
Police say it happened in Hazle Township at the 22nd Street Auto Sales Center just before 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Officials say they went to arrest a man on a warrant for gun and drug charges when the man pulled out a gun, and police shot him.
He was taken to a hospital. There's no word on his condition.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/man-shot-by-police-during-arrest-hazle-township-hazleton-service-station-shooting/523-5cf97c30-0a83-4332-a9e1-9aa03e70c728 | 2022-08-10T20:21:25 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/man-shot-by-police-during-arrest-hazle-township-hazleton-service-station-shooting/523-5cf97c30-0a83-4332-a9e1-9aa03e70c728 |
STROUDSBURG, Pa. — During the summer months, thousands of people take advantage of all the Delaware Water Gap has to offer.
One thing that comes with the outdoor territory is the ticks.
"I think about it when I go hiking outside. I check my legs, and I check my body to see if I got ticks anywhere," Max Budnick, who is visiting from Georgia, said.
"I'm not nearly as concerned as my wife is, but we do check each other once or twice a week for at least every day," Ray Ekeland of New Jersey said.
Pfizer and French drug maker Valneva are developing a vaccine for Lyme disease. It aims to protect people as young as five years old.
Nicole Chinnici is the lab director of the East Stroudsburg University Tick Research Lab in Smithfield Township.
She said while the vaccine won't cure Lyme disease, it's a step in the right direction.
"If this does come down the line and it is approved, and it does become a vaccine, you are not going to be protected against the other tick-borne illnesses that could be harsher and more fatal. For instance, the Powassan Virus could transmit in 15 minutes, so we still want to practice tick prevention," Chinnici said.
While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness, Chinnici said there are several others, and if you get bit by a tick, she's encouraging you to drop it off at the tick lab for free testing.
"The most common are the black-legged tick, the American dog tick, the lone star tick. Each one of them is going to be associated with different tick-borne illnesses. Lyme disease is just associated with the black-legged tick.
Outdoorsmen said as long as they enjoy the outdoors, they'll check themselves for ticks.
"I've already had Lyme disease once. We went through, I think it [was] doxycycline or something like that, a regiment of that, and I seem to be okay. But I wouldn't want to do that again," Ekeland said.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/lyme-disease-vaccine-in-the-works-stroudsburg-pennsylvania-east-delaware-water-gap-tick/523-dcb5a637-8e79-4098-8953-aed1e701094f | 2022-08-10T20:21:31 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/lyme-disease-vaccine-in-the-works-stroudsburg-pennsylvania-east-delaware-water-gap-tick/523-dcb5a637-8e79-4098-8953-aed1e701094f |
MILTON, Pa. — The first day of school is right around the corner, and safety is on the minds of parents everywhere, including in the Milton Area School District.
Earlier this week, the district hired two additional school resource officers to protect students and staff. The officers are from the Milton Police Department.
"You think it's not going to happen to me, it's not going to happen here, it's a small town. But it does, and you can't be naïve about it," said Milton resident Amanda Hicks. "I think it's good that they're being a little proactive this year about having more security in the schools."
"I think they needed to do that a long time ago. They've had a few incidents, so I think it's needed," added resident Linda McKee.
In May, police and district officials say a Milton student brought a gun onto school grounds with 16 rounds of ammunition.
"When they had the gun incident, that child sat next to my granddaughter, so yeah, they need it," McKee said.
Parents we spoke with say they are happy about the extra protection at school.
"As long as the officers are there to keep my kids safe, especially with everything that's been going on, I would rather they have more than not enough," Elizabeth Reichenbach said.
School starts next Thursday in the Milton Area School District.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/new-officers-at-milton-area-school-district-resource-officers-safety/523-7bb6d5d4-58fd-4af9-ac32-7827d997801d | 2022-08-10T20:21:37 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/northumberland-county/new-officers-at-milton-area-school-district-resource-officers-safety/523-7bb6d5d4-58fd-4af9-ac32-7827d997801d |
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., has cosponsored legislation that would give money to college students facing emergencies and are at the risk of dropping out.
The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act, led by Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., follows the lead of several colleges in the Richmond area and others, who already prioritize helping students who are a few dollars short of paying their college bills.
"No student should have to drop out of school when faced with unexpected financial costs," Kaine said in a statement. "This legislation would help provide support to students in need and ensure they can continue pursuing higher education."
Administrators at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College realized some students were dropping out of college and no longer pursuing a degree because they were $100 short of paying their tuition, school president Paula Pando said earlier this year. If a student's car breaks down, a $500 repair bill can disrupt their ability to pay for school.
So Reynolds started a fund that would help students facing emergencies who need small amounts of money to stay enrolled.
The pandemic has hurt low-income college students, so Virginia State University and Virginia Union University used some of their federal emergency relief funds to keep students in school. Both schools, along with other historically Black colleges and universities, used federal funds to pay off the balances students owed to the school.
VSU gave $1.4 million to about 1,200 students, the school said. VUU spent about $6.4 million on 1,300 students.
Kaine's bill would authorize a grant program for colleges to provide aid to students facing unanticipated emergencies. The grant would be administered by the college would not have to be repaid.
Smith first introduced the bill in 2020. While the full Senate never voted on it, colleges received $14 billion through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. She reintroduced the measure earlier this year.
From the Archives: Scenes from Virginia Commonwealth University in the 1970s
Eric Kolenich writes about higher education, health systems and more for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. He joined the newspaper in 2009 and spent 11 years in the Sports section.
(804) 649-6109
In June, the General Assembly allocated $100 million of the state budget toward seed funding for the establishment of lab schools, an alternative form of public K-12 education that's allowed greater autonomy and is funded through a separate budget.
At a congressional hearing, senators and health experts criticize UNOS’ technology, the number of kidneys going to waste and the organs damaged or sitting in overnight in an airport’s cargo hold.
A Richmond prosecutor on Wednesday told a judge during a hearing for two Guatemalan immigrants charged in connection with an alleged July 4 mass shooting plot that he had no evidence that it was to planned for Dogwood Dell, as the city's police chief and mayor noted during a July 6 press conference.
Paula Pando, president of Reynolds Community College since September 2018, spoke last year during a ceremony in which a lighted sign was unveiled at its downtown campus. | https://richmond.com/news/local/kaine-supports-emergency-funds-for-college-students-in-danger-of-dropping-out/article_39f56b0e-bd03-589e-9242-8bf9f5c370b6.html | 2022-08-10T20:25:22 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/kaine-supports-emergency-funds-for-college-students-in-danger-of-dropping-out/article_39f56b0e-bd03-589e-9242-8bf9f5c370b6.html |
One person was hurt in some sort of incident involving a walk-in oven at Stony Brook University Wednesday, school officials said.
The nature of the person's injuries wasn't clear. The individual was hurt at the Calverton Food Incubator, which according to the university's website "provides a shared-use commercial manufacturing kitchen for 20-C license holders in compliance with local and state ordinances and sanitary regulations."
Stony Brook says local fire departments and EMS responded and contained the situation.
The victim was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment. Information on the person's injuries wasn't available.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/1-hurt-in-walk-in-oven-incident-at-stony-brook-university-officials/3819315/ | 2022-08-10T20:26:20 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/1-hurt-in-walk-in-oven-incident-at-stony-brook-university-officials/3819315/ |
PENDLETON, Ore. — Firefighters battled a fire that destroyed a building at Pendleton Flour Mills in eastern Oregon. No injuries were reported.
The Pendleton Police Department asked people to stay away from the mill near Southeast Emigrant Avenue and Southeast 6th Street Wednesday morning.
Dispatchers received a report of black smoke coming from the mill on Aug. 9 at 2:55 p.m. Crews with the Pendleton Fire Department extinguished a small fire and remained on scene to monitor the situation. The fire reignited around 4 a.m. and destroyed a building due to dry grain and a wooden structure inside, police said.
As of 10:55 a.m., Pendleton police said crews were able to knock down the flames and were focused on monitoring hot spots. A total of eight agencies are assisting the Pendleton Fire Department.
"Although the building is a total loss, this will be an ongoing emergent situation due to the amount of grain that is [slowly] burning," said Pendleton Police Chief Chuck Byram in a news release.
Byram said first responders are confident that the fire has not spread to any other building on the property.
Fire officials have not released the cause of the fire.
PHOTOS | Fire at Pendleton Flour Mills
The nearby courthouse is closed and state court operations have moved to the courthouse in Hermiston, according to the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office.
The Pendleton Flour Mills is owned by Grain Craft, which is the largest independent flour milling company in the country, according to its website.
KGW has reached out to Grain Craft for a statement, but has not heard back.
This is a developing story and it may be updated.
OTHER STORIES: Oregon withdraws wildfire risk map after public outcry | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pendleton-flour-mills-fire/283-acd26d1f-0212-4992-b214-c71eb3a80f0b | 2022-08-10T20:26:24 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/pendleton-flour-mills-fire/283-acd26d1f-0212-4992-b214-c71eb3a80f0b |
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Dougherty County in southwestern Georgia...
Lee County in southwestern Georgia...
Eastern Terrell County in southwestern Georgia...
Northwestern Worth County in south central Georgia...
* Until 500 PM EDT.
* At 359 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near East Albany,
or near Albany, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Leesburg, Albany, Putney, Smithville, East Albany, Marine Corps
Logistics Base, Turner City, Warwick, Chokee, Stocks, Radium
Springs, Forrester, Lockett Crossing, South Albany, Southwest Ga
Regional A/P, Palmyra, Olivers Mill, Neyami, Williamsburg and
Century.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Tallahassee.
&&
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED;
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN;
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED;
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
Weather Alert
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Dougherty,
southwestern Lee, northeastern Baker, east central Calhoun and
southeastern Terrell Counties in southwestern Georgia through 430 PM
EDT...
At 355 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Putney, moving northwest at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Leesburg, Putney, Albany, East Albany, Turner City, Walker, Radium
Springs, Red Store Crossroads, Forrester, Lockett Crossing, South
Albany, Southwest Ga Regional A/P, Palmyra, Century, Ducker, Byne
Crossroads, Armena and Williamsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN;
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
ALBANY – The Dougherty County Police Department will host its annual National Night Out event on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at Radium Springs Middle School, located at 2600 Radium Springs Road in Albany.
The annual event is focused on providing school supplies and other items for community children in need of assistance. The supplies will be handed out during the event, while supplies last.
Some of the offerings at the event include health screenings, COVID-19 vaccinations, kids’ shoes, bookbags, school supplies, hygiene items, vouchers for haircuts and more. Additionally, Flint River Fresh will be on-site to provide food and vegetable items. Community youths will be able to enjoy entertainment with bouncy houses, a small petting zoo, food truck, and many other activities.
For more information about the event, contact DCPD at (229) 430-6600 or (229) 894-5005.
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racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/dougherty-county-police-present-national-night-out/article_478e786e-18dc-11ed-8699-6fd5d64b8e9c.html | 2022-08-10T20:32:19 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/dougherty-county-police-present-national-night-out/article_478e786e-18dc-11ed-8699-6fd5d64b8e9c.html |
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Central Dougherty County in southwestern Georgia...
Lee County in southwestern Georgia...
Eastern Terrell County in southwestern Georgia...
Northwestern Worth County in south central Georgia...
* Until 500 PM EDT.
* At 359 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near East Albany,
or near Albany, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.
* Locations impacted include...
Leesburg, Albany, Putney, Smithville, East Albany, Marine Corps
Logistics Base, Turner City, Warwick, Chokee, Stocks, Radium
Springs, Forrester, Lockett Crossing, South Albany, Southwest Ga
Regional A/P, Palmyra, Olivers Mill, Neyami, Williamsburg and
Century.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office in Tallahassee.
&&
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED;
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN;
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED;
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
Weather Alert
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Dougherty,
southwestern Lee, northeastern Baker, east central Calhoun and
southeastern Terrell Counties in southwestern Georgia through 430 PM
EDT...
At 355 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles west of Putney, moving northwest at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Leesburg, Putney, Albany, East Albany, Turner City, Walker, Radium
Springs, Red Store Crossroads, Forrester, Lockett Crossing, South
Albany, Southwest Ga Regional A/P, Palmyra, Century, Ducker, Byne
Crossroads, Armena and Williamsburg.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN;
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH
T GAMBLE: Longing for the days when corporations' only 'cause' was making money
I tell you, I long for the day when every single element of American life was not influenced by politics and/or political correctness. I especially hate all the corporations that seem to be in a competition to prove which one is the most environmentally concerned, or concerned about the homeless, or violence against women, or poverty or whatever in the world they can claim. Don’t get me wrong, I think everybody would agree all those things are bad and should be corrected. But since when did a corporation give a rats you-know-what about all that?
Yep, once upon a time a corporation existed to do one thing: make money. Cigarette companies sold cigarettes, and they didn’t care about the environment or you. They told you Winston tastes good like a cigarette should. Baseball players advertised the dad-gum things by smoking in the dugout.
Beer commercials and liquor advertisements urge you to drink responsibly. Anheuser Busch was not built upon responsible beer-drinkers who have one beer before bedtime. It was built on the backs of the hard-core, 12-pack-a-night drinker, and they know it.
But now, oh my, they want you to know how concerned they are about everything under the sun.
One sock company says they will give the homeless one pair of socks for every pair of socks you buy. You know what that means? You just paid twice what you should have for a pair of socks. If they didn’t give a pair away each time you bought a pair, they could sell them for half price, probably even less than that because they also have to ship the other pair, get it to the homeless place, etc. Listen, I’ll give to whatever charity I choose, but I don’t want to pay double for socks so you can claim to be donating large amounts to the homeless when in fact it is me donating to the homeless by paying twice as much as I should be.
Worse than the sock folks is the new toilet paper commercials. First of all, toilet paper commercials, and related toiletry commercials, have gotten out of control. One now has a girl on the toilet proclaiming she is the first to poop on TV. Well, my, my, my, that will make a father proud. “Your daughter may have been promoted at work, but my daughter is the first to poop on TV.” We’ve come a long way, and I’m not sure but maybe we should find a reverse gear somewhere.
But Quilted Northern toilet paper company now proclaims it will plant three trees for every package of toilet paper it sells, three for every one tree used. Before long, we will be covered in trees from sea to shining sea. My household has already probably planted enough trees to cover Oklahoma. The Huddle House and Taco Bell could cause there to be no more farmland left if this 3-for-1 pledge continues.
Finally, I now see this commercial played about 20 times a day from an advocacy group concerned about people who have been charged with a crime. They have this young adult say he has had troubles, even been convicted of some crimes, but he is not a criminal. Say what? I have been convicted of some crimes, but I am not a criminal? Exactly what is a criminal if it is not someone who commits crime?
The dictionary says a criminal is “someone who has committed a crime.” Truly, I don’t know. But I do know corporations are now concerned about whales, global warming, pollution, racism, LGBT rights, abortion, and every other social cause under the sun. Problem is it is my money they are using to promote whatever they want to do as they don’t really have any money except what the consumer pays them.
My pledge is I’ll donate to who I want, and why don’t y’all stick to trying to make money. And for good measure, I will not be pooping in public. Well, at least not on purpose.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/t-gamble-longing-for-the-days-when-corporations-only-cause-was-making-money/article_ad844c70-18b4-11ed-969a-d7e8c4590df5.html | 2022-08-10T20:32:25 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/t-gamble-longing-for-the-days-when-corporations-only-cause-was-making-money/article_ad844c70-18b4-11ed-969a-d7e8c4590df5.html |
A developer wants to build 372 apartments and a 160-room hotel on North Krocks Road across the bypass from the Hamilton Crossings shopping center in Lower Macungie Township.
The development would also include a clubhouse and pool for the apartments, 20,000 square feet of commercial space, and parking space, according to a sketch plan presented Tuesday evening to the township planning commission.
The development is proposed for 54.4 vacant acres in the highway commercial district.
While no amenities have been proposed yet, Nathan Jones, the township director of community development, said applicant French & Parrello Associates of Wall Township, New Jersey, should provide options, such as walking trails and park areas. Frontage improvements and an internal sidewalk system would also be necessary, he said.
It’s currently unknown what the commercial space would entail but Jones said it would likely include access to food, such as a grocery store or a restaurant.
“We understand as a community that there is a regional housing issue, so we recognize that the private market as well as other governmental agencies are advocating for more housing units,” Jones said. “Township staff goals [are] ensuring that a good, quality development maintain[ing] its desirability and value for years to come is built, that it mitigates its traffic and storm water impact on our community as well as our abutting community, Upper Macungie Township, and that it provides needed services for its residents.”
As it was only the first meeting to discuss the sketch plan, Jones said he has not yet seen any feedback from residents but said the development wouldn’t be adjacent to residences or immediately impact them.
In a separate letter to the planning commission, township engineer Bryan McAdam said the applicant would need to submit traffic studies and demonstrate how the development fits in township design guidelines for environmental preservation, residential development and other areas.
Planners on Tuesday expressed concerns they want the developer to address before it returns with a formal application, which Jones said could be before the end of the year. Some of these areas, he said, included creating a vegetative buffer between the development and the bypass to block noise, as well as consult with Upper Macungie Township about possible impacts.
In essence, some of the top priorities with this development, Jones said, was to mitigate risks of flooding and traffic impact while ensuring that pedestrians had easy access to the development.
French & Parrello Associates’ legal counsel didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-north-krocks-development-20220810-xnse5gwj75cajmiz5awoujcily-story.html | 2022-08-10T20:40:21 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-north-krocks-development-20220810-xnse5gwj75cajmiz5awoujcily-story.html |
Group submits 520K signatures in support of tax-incentivized education scholarship program
Lansing — The Let MI Kids Learn ballot initiative turned in more than 520,000 signatures to the Michigan Bureau of Elections on Wednesday for the first of two separate petitions seeking to amend state law to set up a scholarship program and make donations to the fund eligible for a tax credit.
The petition would set up a scholarship program for at-risk students to use on a variety of education services, including private schools. Private donors who contributed to the scholarship program would qualify for a tax credit.
The program has been panned as a resurrection of past unsuccessful voucher proposals championed by former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. But the ballot committee said the scholarship program differed from vouchers because it would use private funds, not public money.
"This is not vouchers. This is private dollars,” said Amy Hawkins, a spokeswoman for the group. "This is going to enhance education experiences for kids, and I think even for some teachers in schools. Hopefully, it will relieve some of the burden of what they’re dealing with.”
Hawkins said the group hopes to get the second batch of signatures on the tax credit portion of the proposal to Bureau of Elections soon, but is going over the sheets with extra care in light of rampant signature fraud that sank other petitions this year.
In the coming months, the bureau will review the signatures to determine their validity and make a recommendation for or against certification to the Board of State Canvassers. The group was required to get 340,047 valid signatures.
Should the board certify the petition, the Republican-led Michigan Legislature plans to adopt the changes to state law, rather than allow the proposal to go before voters in 2024. The process allows the programs' supporters to avoid a veto by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who vetoed the measure once before when the Legislature adopted it.
The certification of the signatures could be a long time coming, as the bureau sorts through signatures of four other initiatives submitted ahead of Let MI Kids Learn, including two massive signature collections for constitutional amendments.
Those in line before Let MI Kids Learn are the abortion rights Reproductive Freedom for All initiative, the voting rights Promote the Vote 2022 proposal, the minimum wage increase proposal called Raise the Wage MI, and another initiative seeking to tighten voting laws, Secure MI Vote.
"Our anticipation and goal is to push for a review before the end of the year," Hawkins said. "This is what a Secretary of State is there for. And we know there’s a lot on her plate, but she has a big team.”
A group formed to oppose the petition initiative, For MI Kids, For Our Schools, said the proposal will "guarantee less funding for local public schools."
“Our local schools are struggling with an educator shortage and a lack of mental health resources for our kids," said Casandra Ulbrich, a spokeswoman for the group and president of the state Board of Education.
"This voucher proposal will only make the situation worse by taking away hundreds of millions of dollars every year from our local schools and giving the funding to for-profit private schools that are unaccountable to taxpayers."
The tax credits, which are capped at $500 million annually, would mean that much less would be available for the state general fund and the school aid fund. Critics have argued the measure also could push more students and funding to leave public schools for nonpublic institutions.
Rep. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, dismissed those complaints Wednesday.
"Right now, we’re in a position where wealthy parents can help their kids catch up," if they experienced pandemic learning loss, Theis said. "The at-risk students can’t. There’s no ability for them to help their children through this process. And they were the ones who were most affected.
"As far as schools go, if the schools are successful, those kids aren’t going anywhere. You don’t take your kid away from success to go try to find anything else.”
How the program would work
Under the language in the petitions, individuals could contribute money toward scholarship-granting organizations under the Student Opportunity Scholarship program for which they would receive a tax credit. The program would be capped at $500 million in contributions each year.
To receive a scholarship from the fund, a student would have to be in a household with an income under 200% of the financial eligibility for free or reduced lunch, have some sort of disability, be in the foster care system or have someone else in their household receiving funds through the Student Opportunity Scholarship program.
The money could be used on tuition or fees for public or nonpublic education or online learning programs, tutoring, extracurricular programs, textbooks or instructional materials, computer hardware, uniforms, standardized test fees, summer school, after-school programs or child care, dual enrollment, transportation, sports fees or career or technical programs.
For a public school student, the funding would be capped at $500. For a public school student with a disability, the cap would be $1,100.
For nonpublic school students, the funding would be capped at 90% of the minimum foundation allowance spent on public school students, minus three-eights of the percentage that the household income exceeds free or reduced lunch eligibility criteria.
For a nonpublic school student with a disability, scholarship amounts would be capped at 90% of the minimum foundation allowance without consideration of household income. The foundation allowance for the coming school year is $9,150 per pupil.
Nonprofits wishing to participate in the program would apply to the Michigan Department of Treasury for certification and renewal as a scholarship-granting organization. The nonprofits could keep no more than 10% of the scholarship funds for administrative expenses.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/group-submits-520-k-signatures-support-tax-incentivized-education-scholarship-program/10285242002/ | 2022-08-10T20:43:29 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/group-submits-520-k-signatures-support-tax-incentivized-education-scholarship-program/10285242002/ |
Exhibit from hit TV show '1883' now on display at National Ranching Heritage Center
Visitors to the National Ranching Heritage Center can experience the world of "1883", the hit Paramount+ series prequel to the hit show "Yellowstone".
The new exhibit, 1883: A Ranching Origin Story, is open in the Don and Kay Cash Gallery.
In partnership with 101 Studios, the exhibit includes costumes, props and photography from the hit western series. Highlights include an authentic wagon, a camp setup, hand-beaded Native American props, behind-the-scenes photography, and apparel worn by the series' stars Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott and LaMonica Garrett.
“Taylor Sheridan’s '1883' production helps tell the very real story of early settlers moving West hoping to make a better life while struggling to conquer and endure terribly harsh environments,” said Scott White, Helen DeVitt Jones endowed director of collections, exhibits and research. “These struggles turned the Western frontier into the dynamic region it is today, and portraying these struggles gives us a more accurate idea of what it took to cross the frontier, settle and survive. The history of ranching is part of those stories.”
The television series "1883" follows the Dutton family’s move west across the U.S. in the late 19th century. The series debut reportedly set a premiere record of 4.9 million households.
“Interest in shows depicting early ranch life is evident from the vast success of '1883',” White said. “It provides a platform to continue telling those stories and preserving the ranching history across North America.”
In addition to the exhibit, visitors can gain a better understanding of how real people lived across the Great Plains during the era depicted in "1883" through eight different structures dated 1870 to 1888 in the outdoor historic park.
The NRHC is a 27-acre museum and historical park that offers educational programs and exhibits about ranching history and contemporary ranching issues. The center is located at 3121 Fourth St. in Lubbock and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free, and the historical park is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
For more information, visit ranchingheritage.org. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2022/08/10/exhibit-from-hit-tv-show-1883-on-display-at-national-ranching-heritage-center/65397427007/ | 2022-08-10T20:44:31 | 1 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/entertainment/local/2022/08/10/exhibit-from-hit-tv-show-1883-on-display-at-national-ranching-heritage-center/65397427007/ |
BOISE — Boise voters will take to the polls Sept. 6 to elect trustees to five seats on the Boise School Board.
Candidates for each of the races up for election gathered virtually Tuesday to share their views during a forum moderated by Idaho Education News Reporter Kevin Richert. The public can view the complete recordings at 2 p.m. Wednesday on Idaho Education News’s website.
Topics discussed by the candidates included pandemic protocols, critical race theory and indoctrination, and teacher retention.
Registered voters can vote in any race, according to the district’s website. Below are some of the highlights from each discussion.
RACE 1
In the first race, incumbent Trustee Beth Oppenheimer and School Board President Dave Wagers are running against Krista Hasler and Greg Woodard. The top two candidates who secure the most votes will win a seat and serve a six-year term.
Candidates differed on how the board should respond if faced with a COVID surge or a new pandemic.
Wagers and Oppenheimer pointed to the district’s new health and safety plan, approved by the board Monday night, as a product of the district learning how to best respond to the pandemic over the past two and a half years.
Oppenheimer that she appreciated that Gov. Brad Little left it to individual districts to determine the best plan for themselves. The district’s health and safety plan is a guide the board can use to respond to such situations, she said.
“I think that we now have a fairly good playbook now, from lessons learned and how we move forward, continue to rely on experts, continue to listen to a variety of stakeholders, and at the end of the day, we have to make a decision,” Oppenheimer said.
Wagers said talking to local hospitals to understand the impact of a virus on hospital capacity is also important.
Woodard expressed concern that some board decisions are made without concern for parent choice. He said the decision to mask should be left to the parents, and that the board should “look at all sides and consult all experts and physicians and doctors in making their decisions.”
Hasler cited pandemic precautions that have led to more screen time as a cause of diminished student mental health.
“We can’t just say everyone is going to mask up again, and we’re going to keep kids out of school again because COVID numbers will probably go up, but that doesn’t mean COVID death rates are going up,” Hasler said.
(In previous surges, when COVID-19 has spread rapidly and a large number of people fall ill, a greater number of patients with more severe symptoms end up needing hospitalization, as previously reported by the Idaho Press. And some Idahoans who survive COVID are living with lingering complications, as reported by the Idaho Capital Sun.)
RACE 2
In race two, incumbent Andrew Hawes is being challenged by Neil Mercer and Matthew Shapiro. The top vote-getter will serve a four-year term.
Asked about concerns regarding critical race theory being taught in schools and general indoctrination, Hawes said he had “no concerns whatsoever,” but referred to district policies parents can use to opt students out of having to use certain learning materials. The district also has a process in place for parents to raise concerns about curricula for review by a committee and the board, he said.
Mercer agreed that district’s policies should be adequate to deal with any curricula challenges, and said parents being involved “is a great thing.”
“We get their input and are able to make decisions off of what the end user — the parent — wants for their child and for us to provide the best education that we can,” Mercer said.
Shapiro said all parent concerns are valid, and emphasized the importance of addressing them through “openness and transparency.” Part of that involves helping parents understand what is being taught, he said.
“In the area of how we address things like racism, we can’t ignore that,” Shapiro said. “There are issues in our society that our students see and need to learn about and need to be equipped to talk about.”
In terms of book banning, all three candidates agreed that they would not generally be in support of the board banning books outright, but that materials brought into question should go through the review process already in place.
RACE 3
In the third race, incumbent Elizabeth Langley, who was appointed two years ago, is being challenged by Nate Dean, Dawn King, and Todd Kurowski. The winner will serve a two-year term.
The candidates had a variety of ideas on how to best support and retain teachers. Langley said the board has worked on putting in place systems to support teachers, such as having teachers who teach the same curriculum have more overlapping free periods so they can give or receive mentorship. She also pointed to supporting teachers with adequate funding, and said that the district is one of the only districts in the state with a year-long negotiation process with the teacher’s union.
Dean, who worked as a teacher in the district and now works for the Idaho State Board of Education, also pointed to mentorship and professional development to help teachers. Teachers should have a say in the professional development activities they do, rather than being given direction from “on high,” he said.
Top-down direction “isn’t something that makes a teacher feel like a valued, independent education professional, and I know staff who have left the district over that,” Dean said, referring to his time with the district.
King, who also worked as an educator in the district, said board transparency with new programs would help with teacher retention.
“I think they need to present that to the teachers, and tell the teachers and staff, ‘this is what we’re doing; this is why we’re doing it,’ instead of just being thrown into an uncomfortable situation,” King said.
Kurowski said both of his parents worked as teachers in Idaho, and that he sometimes went hungry as a child because of his household’s lack of income.
“I know that they deserve a lot more pay,” he said.
RACE 4
For the fourth seat, incumbent Steve Schmidt is being challenged by Shiva Rajbhandari, a rising Boise High School senior. The winner will serve a two-year term.
Rajbhandari cited student mental health as his top priority if elected, while Schmidt cited student achievement.
On the topic of pandemic protocols, Schmidt pointed to the district’s adopted health and safety plan and said the district should take into account how the spread of illness is impacting a community’s hospitals while encouraging people to stay home if they are sick.
“We as a community need to recognize that this is more than an individual rights issue, that this is a ‘how can we support our community as a whole?’” Schmidt said.
Rajbhandari said that masking should remain an option to those who want it, and a tool if the district sees another surge. He recalled being sent to the cafeteria because half of his teachers were out with COVID.
“That was not a good pandemic approach,” Rajbhandari said. “So if we have to wear masks, for example, to keep students or to keep teachers safe in the classroom, I think that’s really important that we do so.” | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-school-board-candidates-share-their-views-in-recorded-debates/article_6e5d63f7-4978-53bc-9346-11140761e2e4.html | 2022-08-10T20:47:36 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/boise-school-board-candidates-share-their-views-in-recorded-debates/article_6e5d63f7-4978-53bc-9346-11140761e2e4.html |
Originally published Aug. 9 on KTVB.COM.
Every two weeks, Sandy Maple and her 11-year-old grandson Charlie Cowan make a trip to the Cherry Lane Meridian Library.
"I think reading is becoming a lost art, almost," Maple said.
It's not lost on her grandson, however. Cowan walks in the front door with a Percy Jackson novel tucked under his right arm.
"When you're just reading, you get caught up and forget about things. You can picture the story in your mind," Cowan said. "It's relaxing."
Like Cowan, several kids wander the aisles of the library. The next adventure is right at their fingertips; that's where some are starting to draw the line.
"A little disappointing and shocking that this small but vocal group wants to take such a tremendous asset away from this community," Meridian Library District (MLD) Board Chair Megan Larsen said.
Community members have attended the last couple board meetings to voice concerns about the content found in Meridian libraries.
A conservative group called the "Idaho Liberty Dogs" encourages its members to attend the meetings to oppose pornographic and LGBTQ content.
"Did you know that public libraries across Idaho are being used as taxpayer-funded 'Grooming Locations' to indoctrinate young children and teenagers into the LGBTQ lifestyles?" the Idaho Liberty Dogs posted on their Facebook page.
The same post outlines five books the Idaho Liberty Dogs find inappropriate:
"Gender Queer," by Maia Kobabe
"Sex is a Funny Word," by Cory Silverberg
"Two Boys Kissing," by David Levithan
"Big Hard Sex Criminals," by Matt Fraction
"Captain Underpants," by Dav Pilkey
Associate Librarian Nikki Kreiner works in the children’s department of the Cherry Lane Library.
"Captain Underpants" was the only book she could find in the children's section when KTVB asked her to point out where these books can be found in the library. "Captain Underpants" is low-brow humor often enjoyed by middle school boys, according to Kreiner.
"I find it nonsensical," Larsen said. "Yes, there are materials in the library that (contain) LGBTQ content. We are responding to what our community is interested (in), not every community member, but certainly, our community is interested in a diverse and inclusive collection. We provide that here at the library."
"Sex is a Funny Word" is also in the children's section; however, the book was checked out while KTVB was at the library. The book teaches children about body development and changes, according to Kreiner.
No parent has ever voiced a concern to Kreiner about books in this section and whether they are appropriate or not.
"You should be monitoring what you children are reading," Maple said. "Not an easy job, but you need to be on top of it. I think if you talk to your kids and they talk to you, that eliminates a lot of problems."
MLD has a clear policy outlined on its website regarding how a book would qualify to be in its collection.
Larsen expects people from the Idaho Liberty Dogs to continue attending meetings and voice their concerns. The Board will continue listening to their concerns, Larsen said.
More from KTVB.COM: | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/i-find-it-nonsensical-meridian-library-district-responds-to-claims-of-pornography-and-indoctrination/article_bbf6fee3-eb13-58af-9913-1c0ef7ae3246.html | 2022-08-10T20:47:37 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/i-find-it-nonsensical-meridian-library-district-responds-to-claims-of-pornography-and-indoctrination/article_bbf6fee3-eb13-58af-9913-1c0ef7ae3246.html |
Originally published Aug. 9 on KTVB.COM.
The man who is accused of bullying, shooting and killing another man in January pleaded not guilty to felony charges, including second-degree murder, on Tuesday.
Originally published Aug. 9 on KTVB.COM.
The man who is accused of bullying, shooting and killing another man in January pleaded not guilty to felony charges, including second-degree murder, on Tuesday.
Jed Earls, 31, will stand trial in December for the murder of 22-year-old James "Matt" Cuellar. Earls was also charged with felony use of a deadly weapon.
Police say the fatal shooting happened in the early hours of Jan. 15 at a home on Owyhee Street in Boise’s Vista neighborhood. Cuellar's sister, Maribel Garcia, said her brother had been invited there by a friend for a get-together.
After Cuellar arrived, Garcia said, an older man began picking on him and making fun of his appearance.
"My brother was born with some birth defects that caused him to look physically different," Garcia told KTVB in January. "My brother was sticking up for himself and basically told that guy, like, 'Hey, you don't know me, why would you ask me those kinds of things, or even think that was OK to say to somebody?'"
Garcia said the argument escalated and Earls pulled out a gun and shot her brother in the chest.
It was determined a bullet had severed Cuellar's spine, leaving him in critical condition before he died on Jan. 21 with his sister at his bedside.
Earls was arrested at the scene and then booked into the Ada County Jail on aggravated battery charges. When Cuellar died at the hospital, the charges were upgraded to second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
"Life can change in the blink of an eye," Garcia said. "This is the result of bullying, plain and simple. Do better. Be better."
If Earls is found guilty, he faces up to life in prison. A status conference is set for Nov. 15 in the matter.
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BLOOMINGTON — Sometimes, music is the ultimate expression of love — no matter what kind of love that is.
And there’s a whole lot of love coming this weekend to The Bistro in Bloomington.
Pride Fest is filling up Main Street on Saturday with a colorful day of music, entertainment and activities for all.
Festivities get an early start at 5 p.m. Friday with the lighting of rainbow colors on the McLean County Museum of History in downtown Bloomington. Additionally, Chicago’s Jan Porter will join BloNo-based indie folk artist Alex Jordine at 8 p.m. Friday for a pre-show at The Bistro, where Jordine played her first gig.
Ahead of this weekend's performances, Jordine shared how she overcame hetero norms to write and perform a love song for her crush, and how that showed her the importance of expression through music.
Her songs are indeed well-expressed. Jordine sings with a bright and emphatic tone that will help you shake your worries away.
Outdoor music kicks off Pride Fest at 4 p.m. Saturday with the Sugar Beatz drumming up blues-rock, followed by an all-ages drag show at 6 p.m., and then another set by Jordine, plus Addie Mendez, who is another nightshop favorite.
The “All Star Drag Show” takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, and includes performances by Mahogany Knight, Maya Sexton, DeCevia Mann, Freddie Fahrenheit, Auntie Heroine, Misty Midler, Ava J, Frankie Monroe, Miss Flo NoMo’, Obsydia, Ceduxion Carrington, Venice, Biana Fox and Sharon ShareAlike.
Saturday night tickets for an indoor “VIP All Star Drag Show” sold out Friday morning.
Bistro owner Jan “Momma” Lancaster said this is the fourth year for the event, which has drawn up to 4,000 people in recent years. And last year, she said the rain cleared up just in time.
“It’s an event to show support, love and education for all,” said Lancaster, noting it’s very important for the community as it supports families and friends, too. It began on Lancaster's 25th anniversary of managing the bar.
She said there will be nonprofits and other vendors attending this weekend, plus food vendors Under The Ground BloNo, Dead Wood BBQ and A-Z Catering.
Read on as Jordine talks with BloNo Beats about her experiences writing music and performing in Bloomington-Normal.
Tell me about a few songs you’ve written or worked on lately. Which ones are you most proud of and why?
I’m bringing two new songs to Pride Fest this year.
The first one being “Crop Top,” which is just about seeing a beautiful girl in the heat of summer. This one is a bit different lyrically than what I normally write. I think at this point in my life there's a lot going on, so I had an overwhelming desire to just write something innocent and happy that I could escape through. What better way than daydreaming about a beautiful woman?
The other one is “Calm me Down,” which essentially was born through a moment of just feeling overwhelmed and knowing you’re getting sucked into your own thoughts, but you can’t seem to pull yourself out. The lyrics are short, but I love how they came out and I love the feeling I get when playing it.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from writing new music?
I started writing music at about 10 or 11 years old. I would get frustrated because I would catch myself writing love songs about girls and from what I was told, girls weren’t supposed to sing about other girls like that. Then at 17, I was head over heels for a woman and one night I mustered up the courage to sing her a love song I had written about her. Thankfully it went over well, and through music I’ve learned the importance of expression.
Are there any specific life experiences that you derive inspiration from? Or is it anything and everything that strikes a lasting impression?
I don’t pull a lot from my personal experiences. People inspire me. I’ll see a stranger walking down the street and I’ll make up a whole timeline of their life that has led them to that very moment. A lot of my songs are just fictional moments of characters I’ve created.
If you could give advice to someone who is newly developing their passion for playing and writing music, what would you say?
Creating music can send you spiraling into a pit of frustration and self-questioning sometimes. Just know that it’s normal, and usually after is when you create your best work. Something I still struggle with but know to be true, is you can’t compare yourself and your accomplishments to others. You have to do music because you find value in it for yourself.
What energy will you be bringing to your next show at The Bistro for Pride Fest? Do you feel any strong connections to this venue or event?
I would like to bring a carefree and upbeat energy. I’ve found I enjoy shows more when I go in just wanting to let loose and be myself. The Bistro was my first gig. There will always be something special about playing there because it’s where everything started. "Momma" gave me my start and has continued to support my music in the utmost kindest of ways. | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/alex-jordine-bringing-indie-folk-to-bloomington-pride-fest-this-weekend/article_e5af4338-18dd-11ed-a8da-77223951ed16.html | 2022-08-10T20:50:55 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/entertainment/local/alex-jordine-bringing-indie-folk-to-bloomington-pride-fest-this-weekend/article_e5af4338-18dd-11ed-a8da-77223951ed16.html |
BLOOMINGTON — Efforts underway at the McLean County Museum of History aim to preserve the legacy of the county's fallen sons killed in World War II.
Workers from Pontiac Granite on Wednesday installed bronze tablets at the World War II Memorial on the museum's east side. The tablets feature raised lettering bearing the names of the 336 fallen military personnel whose names were previously etched in granite and accented with white paint.
"You can see the difference compared to the faded lettering because the weather just eats the paint out, so when people look at this they can’t even read some of the names," said Norris Porter, the museum's director of development. "That’s part of what our mission is, to preserve, educate and collaborate and share the diverse stories of the people in McLean County."
Porter said the museum will include a message alongside the plaques to discourage residents from sitting on veterans' names.
The memorial's origins date to October 1948, when the the Pearl Harbor Chapter of the American War Mothers dedicated a World War II memorial fountain at what was then the east side of the courthouse.
In 1994, veterans’ organizations, businesses, tradespeople and laborers, unions, civic groups and local government leaders began working together on a new memorial to surround the original. Funded by monetary donations and thousands of hours of donated labor, that memorial was dedicated on Nov. 8, 1997.
Last year, a couple from out of state visited the museum and were saddened to see the names faded, Porter said. They ultimately committed to funding roughly $80,000 to cover the cost of the bronze tablets enhancing the memorial.
Additionally, the donors, who have not been publicly identified, have pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations from the public to be used in refurbishing other McLean County historical markers, Porter said.
The donors' connection to McLean County is through the museum's former executive director, Barbara Dunbar, Porter said. Dunbar, who died in 1995 at the age of 64, served the museum from 1975 to 1987. She is credited with transforming the McLean County Historical Society into a professional, accredited institution, and was the museum's first modern-day executive director.
A plaque honoring her legacy will be added to the museum's interior, near the room housing the textile collection, which is already named in her honor.
The museum plans to rededicate the memorial on Nov. 5. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/watch-now-mclean-county-wwii-memorial-gets-upgrade/article_6bc819ec-18c8-11ed-9bb1-1785161b5f5d.html | 2022-08-10T20:51:01 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/watch-now-mclean-county-wwii-memorial-gets-upgrade/article_6bc819ec-18c8-11ed-9bb1-1785161b5f5d.html |
YORK COUNTY, Pa. — Editors note: The attached video is from July 25.
Residents in the Hopewell Township can voice their thoughts and concerns over the potential reopening of a landfill that's been closed for a quarter of a century.
York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) is looking into re-opening the old municipal landfill, as current contracts for waste management in the county near the end.
The York County Sanitary Landfill was shut down in 1997 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) due to contamination. The Waste Authority has since contracted with Modern Landfill and is slated to do so through 2025.
The landfill is a superfund site, which is a designation given by the EPA to locations contaminated by hazardous waste for management and cleanup.
Wednesday night's meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Eureka Fire Hall in Stewartstown. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/waste-authority-holding-public-meeting-reopening-landfill/521-bb71c4c4-2c19-44dc-98c9-476078f22b49 | 2022-08-10T20:52:10 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/waste-authority-holding-public-meeting-reopening-landfill/521-bb71c4c4-2c19-44dc-98c9-476078f22b49 |
YORK, Pa. — In a few short weeks, students will once again be roaming the halls in the new school year, but administrators with the York Suburban School District want to fill several job openings before students come back to school.
“Positions such as paraprofessional classroom assistants or monitors, we have an HVAC position open, as well as substitute teachers, guest teachers," said Nick Staab, communications coordinator with the York Suburban School District.
About a dozen applicants came out to interview for 26 open positions within the school district. While the hope is all positions are filled before the school year begins, Assistant Principal Chris Adams says the district staff is prepared to fill in the gaps if need be.
“The last couple of years have taught us that we need to be flexible and that there are going to be challenges," said Adams.
School districts throughout central Pa. are facing similar staffing shortages. In the Harrisburg School District, students with the Rowland Academy will be continuing with shortened school days while the district tries to address a massive teacher shortage.
Staab says York Suburban is highlighting its competitive wages and benefits package in order to entice people to apply.
“We have a lot of unique benefits already built in, summers off, holidays off, and working with our students is a big draw for our employees," said Staab.
He also says the success of today’s job fair puts the district in a good position entering the new school year.
“Compared to other districts who had job fairs, I think we’re fairing a little better.” | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-suburban-school-district-holds-job-fair-to-fill-26-positions-york-county/521-d75d2972-67da-46c0-9a50-2e2c76c2734f | 2022-08-10T20:52:16 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-suburban-school-district-holds-job-fair-to-fill-26-positions-york-county/521-d75d2972-67da-46c0-9a50-2e2c76c2734f |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – Bays Mountain Park will host its “Park After Dark” event Saturday, August 13.
Guests will have the chance to experience Bays Mountain Park at night from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to a release from the park.
People planning to attend the event can choose from two packages.
The first package is $10 per person and includes entry into the park, access to the children’s touch table area and up to three of the following programs.
- Flying Squirrel Zipline – Guests are able to mimic the nature of the flying squirrel as they zip through the tree lines during dusk.
- Night Barge Ride – Guests will spend an evening on the lake enjoying the sights and sounds of the nocturnal life.
- Wolf Howling – The chilling chorus experience of the forest’s native predators under the moonlight.
A second package is available for $5 per person and includes the children’s touch table and the wolf howling.
The children’s touch table will be set up in the Nature Center and gives guests an up close and personal opportunity to see native animal pelts and skulls.
To register for these events visit www.baysmountain.com. Due to this event being a “special event,” the park wants to remind people that no membership discount will be accepted. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bays-mountain-to-host-park-after-dark-event/ | 2022-08-10T20:52:19 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bays-mountain-to-host-park-after-dark-event/ |
POUND, Va. (WJHL) – Two emergencies have been declared in Pound after the Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) discovered recent rains had opened up a “void” and washed out a road.
A release from Virginia Energy states that “recent heavy rainfall caused issues with subsidence and drainage” from old coal mining operations, leading to the declaration of two Abandoned Mine Land (AML) emergencies.
The first relates to a subsided mine on Sunnydale Farm Road. Following the rain, the ground opened close to two homes, “creating a 15-feet deep void,” according to Virginia Energy.
The second emergency was declared after an access road to two homes on Bowser Hollow Road was washed out.
The two emergencies are each in the process of being addressed thanks to AML grants.
“Both of these issues put residents in danger,” said Abandoned Mine Land Manager Lesa Baker in the release. “Public safety is our first priority at Virginia Energy so we were able to get crews to the site quickly to fix these problems. Heavy rainfall often increases the impact of issues caused by abandoned mine lands so it is not uncommon for our team to receive several calls after.”
The release states a grant of $137,700 will be used to fill the void and stabilize the area around the underground mine. Virginia Energy reports an excavating firm is already working on Sunnydale Farm Road to fill the hole with concrete and grout. The mine was active between 1950 and 1960.
Another business has begun work on the access road thanks to a $65,000 grant. Work will include building drainage controls, upgrading an existing ditch and adding two culverts. Virginia Energy reported stone will also be set along the nearby streambank, and the road will be resurfaced. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/virginia-energy-emergencies-declared-after-rain-opens-void-close-to-pound-homes/ | 2022-08-10T20:52:25 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/virginia-energy-emergencies-declared-after-rain-opens-void-close-to-pound-homes/ |
Parents preparing for the Aug. 17 back-to-school date in Miami-Dade County are struggling to purchase essentials for their children this year, but finding they really don't have any other choice.
“Every year I half-joke with my little girl that she better make her stuff last, but she’s growing every day,” said North Miami Beach resident DaVonne Williams, whose 10-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, is about to enter the fifth grade. “Every year she needs a whole new set of uniforms all over again, and then you’ve got to do the patchwork and get her new notebooks and all that. It adds up.”
Although aisles of school supplies and uniforms in stores like Target and Walmart have been lined with sale signs for the past month, many say they can’t remember having as hard a time shopping for school supplies before the pandemic as they are now.
As of June 30, the annual inflation rate in the United States was 9.1%, up from 7% in 2021 and 1.4% in 2020, according to data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics July 13. This year’s annual increase is the largest since November 1981.
Products across the board saw a spike in prices throughout the last year, with educational books and supplies showing an increase of 3.7%.
Other categories have experienced far steeper increases.
Gasoline was up 60% as of June 30, while food costs were up over 10%.
Williams confirmed that the financial burden placed on her family by high price tags on milk and gas is likely only being exacerbated – not caused – by the additional expenses brought on in July and August, when she’s scrambling to pay for pencils and khaki pants that will get Elizabeth through the year.
Last year, Williams said, her COVID-19 stimulus check relieved the stress of back-to-school shopping, at least by a small degree. In 2020, she generally purchased less, as school closures resulted in a transition to remote learning and online resources.
This year, she relied on the state’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, which lasted from July 25 to Aug. 7. During those two weeks, certain items were exempt from tax, including learning aids selling for $30 or less, school supplies selling for $50 or less, clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less, and personal computers and related accessories selling for $1,500 or less.
But that’s over now, and school syllabi with specific class-by-class supplies released during the first few days of school will likely lead to another influx of shoppers in the coming weeks.
In any case, flurries of back-to-school events and sales are tell-tale signs that face-to-face learning is in full swing again, and parents like Williams want to make sure their children are prepared for what they feel is an opportunity to catch up on the curriculum.
“I’m just scared that maybe she wasn’t getting all the information [during the pandemic], you know, since they were doing it online and all,” Williams said. “My girl is smart, but I just want to show her that I’m taking this serious. If I’m serious about school being important, then she will be, too.”
Justin and Jamilka Robinson, ages 13 and 16, both fell behind in their studies when the pandemic hit, according to their mother, Racquel Jordan. Jamilka has struggled with her advanced-level math courses throughout the past two years since starting high school, while Justin was losing the motivation to get his homework done at all.
Because of that, Jordan says, this is one of the most important school years yet.
“Listen, you need to cut back on spending when stuff like this happens, sure,” she said. “If it’s going to be a recession, I’m not going on no vacation. We’ll eat the same thing every day. I don’t care, but my kids are going to school, and they’re going to have what they need to do that.”
According to the National Retail Federation, total back-to-school spending is expected to match last year’s at $37 billion, with an average of $864 being spent per household. The NRF also calculates back-to-college spending at nearly $74 billion, up $3 billion from last year’s record.
A 2022 back-to-school survey conducted by Deloitte Insights shows a different outlook, although it confirms that parents are “prepared to spend” this year. According to that survey, 40% of parents plan to spend more than they did last year, resulting in an 8% annual increase in school spending, or an average total of $661 per child.
One of the Deloitte survey’s key findings is that parents seem to be approaching the school year with a new priority: mental health.
“Parents are trying to get their kids involved in activities,” said Lupine Skelly, the retail research leader for Deloitte’s Consumer Industry Center, on a podcast about the survey’s findings. “We’ve been very home-centric for the last two years – so kind of getting them to re-socialize.”
For example, the survey shows that 51% of parents have purchased a type of extracurricular activity for their child, such as art classes or sports, and 32% have purchased a type of wellness-related product.
Another priority that seems to be emerging is sustainability, with 50% of Deloitte’s surveyors choosing used, refurbished or green products whenever possible, regardless of income.
Jordan, who identifies as living in a low-income household, says she typically seeks out hand-me-downs from her nieces and nephews to provide for her children at the beginning of every new school year, but she attributes that decision solely to her poor financial situation.
“I’m not saying it isn’t tough,” Jordan said. “I’m just saying, you know, I do what I got to do.” | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/back-to-school-breaking-the-bank/article_7c64be60-188a-11ed-90fc-f3357cdaf234.html | 2022-08-10T20:59:31 | 1 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/back-to-school-breaking-the-bank/article_7c64be60-188a-11ed-90fc-f3357cdaf234.html |
Florida City Vice Mayor Walter Thompson knows 13-year-old kids who can tell a firearm’s caliber by the sound of its gunshot.
Florida Rep. Kevin Chambliss fears for children who sleep with their mattresses on the floor so that they’re not in the line of fire of bullets potentially shot through their windows.
Miami-Dade Police Department Director Alfredo Ramirez III has come across victims who were fatally shot simply because they stood next to people with targets on their backs at house parties.
These three men – along with a diverse lineup of local politicians, activists and community members – came together this week at Goulds Park Center in South Miami-Dade to discuss a topic this community knows all too well: gun violence.
Mothers who have lost children in a neighborhood plagued by gun violence are constantly reminded of the tragedies that have befallen their loved ones, in places where they once felt safe. Just two weeks ago, the community held its annual memorial walk for all of the victims that endured the same fate, organized yearly by Romania Dukes of Mothers Fighting For Justice.
On Tuesday evening, they all made their way back to the exact same spot.
Dukes made the call for a town hall meeting to discuss solutions to combat gun violence. Among the attendees were Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, school board member Luisa Santos, Sen. Annette Taddeo, Public Housing and Community Development Director Michael Liu and Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy Martin.
Also present to mediate the town hall was Sarai Cruz of Moms Demand Action, a local organization that has recently expanded its campaign to let voters in the county know which candidates are committed to supporting commonsense solutions related to gun violence. This year, the group has awarded its Gun Sense Candidate Distinction to more than 200 candidates in Florida and more than 2,000 nationwide.
The full list of candidates is available at GunSenseVoter.org.
Some of Tuesday’s guests were brought to tears while listening to the cries of the mothers who have lost children to bullets throughout the years.
“It’s not easy walking past his bedroom,” said Tracey Lyon, referring to her 19-year-old son, Marlin Goodluck, who was shot and killed in May 2017. “It’s not easy walking from the graveyard because I’m leaving him there.”
She struggled to hold back tears as she spoke.
Lyon was joined by Dukes, whose son, De’Michael Dukes, was killed in 2014; Tangela Sears, who lost her only son, David Queen, in Tallahassee May 2015; MJ Wright, whose son, Jerry, was killed in the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting in 2016; Tracy Brown, who lost her 23-year-old son, Luis Leon Jr., during a 2007 robbery; Darlene Dukes, the mother of Le’Shonte Jones, a TSA agent who was murdered in front of her own daughter last year; and Leatha Sherill-Bush, whose son, Jack Brown III, was shot in Overtown in December 2010.
Each guest had an opportunity to tell the audience what they view to be the problem and how it can be solved, in their opinion. Sears, for one, whose young cousin was shot just the day before, believes there needs to be an increase in funding for homicide investigations so that repeat killers don’t continue to roam their streets.
“I don’t care if you’re 16 years old,” she said. “If you kill somebody, you need to go to jail.”
Levine Cava and Ramirez both stated that their Operation Summer Heat program, launched in June 2021 for 12 weeks to get violent criminals and unregistered guns off the street, led to the collection of 4,000 firearms and a reduction in the murder rate by 20%, as well as more than 1,500 arrests.
So far this year, the police department has confiscated 1,400 unregistered guns, according to Levine Cava. But her real goal, she says, is to put homicide investigators out of a job entirely.
Ramirez attributes the repeated violence to gang rivalries fueled by social media wars, broken households, negative influencers encouraging bad behavior and kids with lost souls who don’t want to be saved – kids who, in his view, “aren’t afraid of death.”
Jonathan Spikes, founder and executive director of the Affirming Youth Foundation, put together a profile for gun violence victims through a survey of 200 youth throughout the county.
The results found that those affected by gun violence, either as a victim or a perpetrator, often come from a household with an income of $25,000 a year – less than half the county’s median income – insinuating a direct link between gun violence and poverty.
Other factors included a lack of education, high frequency of gangs in affected communities and a general feeling of hopelessness.
“They feel they have no external control,” Spikes said. “Everything is happening to them, so one of the things that we’re beginning to do … is working with the people to build the solutions with them, not for them.”
No matter the cause, Martin says, the only way to solve the issue is for community members to take a long and hard look at themselves. To him, gun violence is a mental health crisis.
“It ain’t police brutality,” he said. “We ain’t here to discuss, ‘Was that guy racist who killed us?’ We’re discussing why we don’t value our lives as brothers and sisters.”
“As [men], we feel as though we are abominable when we tell people that we got something wrong with us,” Martin added later. “Well, if you keep it bottled up inside, then guess what? It’s just going to keep going on to our kids, and it’s going to explode, and we see the explosion right now.”
Thompson, a retired veteran, mirrored that sentiment, comparing his own community to the battlegrounds he occupied during his time in the Army.
“Three wars, and I’m seeing hell here,” he said. “Three wars, but hell is here.” | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/fed-up-south-dade-residents-demand-action-against-gun-violence/article_ab39fa50-185a-11ed-8f5e-abc5b2fdaffc.html | 2022-08-10T20:59:37 | 0 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/fed-up-south-dade-residents-demand-action-against-gun-violence/article_ab39fa50-185a-11ed-8f5e-abc5b2fdaffc.html |
After announcing a six-month postponement of a plan to move Miami’s chronically homeless individuals to Virginia Key, District 3 Commissioner and Vice Chair Joe Carollo accused Black residents who opposed bringing tiny homes in the area of playing the “race card.”
“Why is it when people have no other sound reason to come at something, they have to pull the race card?” he told The Miami Times when asked to address the Black community’s concerns about the proposed homeless village tarnishing the legacy of Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami’s historic Black beach during the days of segregation.
The transition zone plan, which commissioners approved last month, would have allowed the city to build 50-100 individual homes in an open field near the Virginia Key Outdoor Center to house those currently living on the streets of Overtown, downtown, Wynwood and many other neighborhoods. City officials said they were considering on-site treatment options for drug addiction, mental health and even outreach services for those housed on the island.
The idea garnered much pushback from residents and environmental activists – who took to Virginia Key to protest over the weekend – as well as other Miami-Dade County leaders.
“We are in part recommending to the commission a suspension of the temporary shelters in Virginia Key for at least a six-month period,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who joined Carollo in leading a news conference Monday. “The original plan, which the city will continue to study, was never intended to be in the historic Black Beach of Virginia Key.”
Commissioners will vote on whether or not to approve the suspension sometime next month, the same time they’re expected to hear back from city staff on additional site options for the plan.
Suarez revealed another Bayfront Park Homeless Initiative, which will be funded by $500,000 federal dollars received from the American Rescue Plan Act and run concurrent to the Virginia Key transition zone suspension period.
District 5 Commissioner Christine King has agreed to allocate some of the funding earmarked for her district toward the initiative, according to Suarez, but did not offer any additional information about what this effort will entail.
“Homelessness is not a district or City of Miami issue. This is a countywide issue and we all need to address it, together,” said King in a statement to The Miami Times, explaining that her district has borne the brunt of the homeless issue for years with little to no attention. “My vote to house chronically homeless (people) on Virginia Key has thrust the issue of sheltering our homeless to the forefront of everyone’s attention. This is a welcomed unintended consequence.”
In a memo to county commissioners last week, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava shared her thoughts on the plan.
“This potential (Virginia Key) project addresses a complex issue using a narrowly focused intervention,” she wrote. “A shelter-only zone like the proposed ‘Transition Zone’ will exacerbate the bottleneck that is created when insufficient safe and healthy extremely affordable housing options are available for those experiencing homelessness.”
The memo outlined serious concerns about the site selected for the pilot program. Some of those concerns include emergency evacuation plans for tiny home residents during extreme weather events in an area identified as high-risk for storm surge, public safety, limited access to social services, and its proximity to both the county’s wastewater treatment plant and Black beach.
“That’s a mile and a half away, the place that we’re looking at,” said Carollo, dismissing beliefs that the plan could overshadow the beach’s historical significance and recalling his own mayoral efforts to celebrate its opening with civil rights activist Athalie Range. “It’s got nothing to do, whatsoever, with the historical Black beach, and those that are using that as the final straw to throw at us, they should be ashamed of themselves.”
King, who did not attend the press conference, also expressed that the plan would not have affected the beach.
“I would never vote for any initiative that would compromise the use and enjoyment of our historic Black beach,” she said wanting to clarify confusion about the tiny homes being built on the actual beach as opposed to the field more than a mile away. “I am saddened by those who used the historic Black beach to make an argument against housing the homeless on Virginia Key when it was clear the historic Black beach was not a proposed site.”
She invites site suggestions from advocates who criticized the selection of Virginia Key and plans to work with the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and Camillus House to realize the tiny home approach.
Still in support of the Virginia Key site, Carollo negated the county’s water and sewer department estimate that it would cost about $3 million to run sewer lines to the area for the project, in addition to invalidating the site’s environmental vulnerability.
He explained to reporters that the decision to postpone the plan was mainly because county officials have expressed an interest in working with city officials to address the homelessness problem.
Both he and Suarez are asking the county to make more beds available at its shelters, provide alternatives for temporary housing, put an end to releasing jailed homeless people within city limits, and match or exceed city funding to address homelessness. In return, they will vouch for pausing the Virginia Key tiny homes plan.
“We feel that it’s an unfair burden for the city to have to take care of all the homeless without any help, or without more help, from Miami-Dade County,” said Suarez. “Again, [we] call upon the county to match or exceed our contribution.”
“Truly, the city of Miami does not want to be in the business of having to do the work of the Homeless Trust or others,” added Carollo, promising to step in and continue the work if homeless organizations don’t make enough progress. “If you’re not going to solve the problem, then all I ask is to please get out of the way and let us do the job that you don’t want to do.”
City Attorney Victoria Méndez has been encouraged to file a lawsuit against the county by the end of the month if the county refuses to cooperate.
District 7 County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who represents the area, is calling for the same action to be taken by the county should the city resume its Virginia Key plan. | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/plug-pulled-on-virginia-key-homeless-plan/article_3777ed54-185d-11ed-b608-d706df89a355.html | 2022-08-10T20:59:43 | 0 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/plug-pulled-on-virginia-key-homeless-plan/article_3777ed54-185d-11ed-b608-d706df89a355.html |
The prosecutor seeking to sentence Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz to death for the mass murder at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School has rested his case. Following a break, lead defense attorney Melisa McNeill is expected to give her opening statement Aug. 22 before she and her team present their case.
Jurors took a rare trip to the crime scene by bus, which proved to be an emotional experience for all.
Roses brought to commemorate that Valentine’s Day in 2018 lay withered, their dried and cracked petals scattered across classroom floors still smeared with the blood of victims gunned down more than four years ago.
Bullet holes pock walls and shards of glass from windows shattered by gunfire crunch underfoot at the Broward school where Cruz killed 14 students and three staff members. Nothing on the scene has changed since that day, except for the removal of the victims’ bodies and some personal items.
Twelve jurors and 10 alternates who will decide whether Cruz gets the death penalty or life in prison made a rare visit to the massacre scene Thursday, retracing Cruz’s steps through the three-story freshman building, known as “Building 12.” After they left, a group of journalists was allowed in for a much quicker first public view.
Large pools of dried blood still stain classroom floors. A lock of dark hair rests on the floor where one of the victims’ bodies once lay. A single black rubber shoe is in a hallway. Browned rose petals are strewn across a hallway where six people died.
In classroom after classroom, open notebooks display uncompleted lessons. A blood-coated book called “Tell Them We Remember” sits atop a bullet-riddled desk in the classroom where teacher Ivy Schamis taught students about the Holocaust. A sign attached to a bulletin board reads: “We will never forget.” Two students died there.
In the classroom of English teacher Dara Hass, where the most students were gunned down, essays about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot by the Taliban for going to school, and who has since become a global advocate for educational access for women and girls, can be seen.
“A bullet went straight to her head but not her brain,” one student wrote. “We go to school every day of the week and we take it all for granted,” wrote another. “We cry and complain without knowing how lucky we are to be able to learn.”
The door of Room 1255, teacher Stacey Lippel’s classroom, is pushed open – like others – signifying that Cruz shot into it. Hanging on a wall inside is a sign reading, “No Bully Zone.” The creative writing assignment for that last day in the classroom is still on the whiteboard: “How to write the perfect love letter.”
And still hanging on the wall of a second-floor hallway is a quote from James Dean: “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”
In slain teacher Scott Beigel’s geography classroom, a laptop is still open on his desk. Student assignments comparing the tenets of Christianity and Islam remain, some graded, some not. On his whiteboard, Beigel, the school’s cross-country coach, had been writing the gold, silver and bronze medalists in each event at the Winter Olympics, which had begun five days earlier.
When they retraced the path Cruz took on Feb. 14, 2018, neither the judge, Elizabeth Scherer, nor the attorneys were allowed to speak to the jurors and the jurors weren’t allowed to talk with each other.
The Broward County school district plans to demolish the building whenever prosecutors approve. For now, it is a court exhibit.
After jurors returned to the courtroom Thursday, the mothers of two victims testified that the massacre permanently cast a pall over not only every Valentine’s Day, but every family celebration.
Helena Ramsay, 17, died on her father’s birthday.
“That day will never be a celebration and can never be the same for him,” her mother, Anne Ramsay, said.
Cruz, now 23, pleaded guilty in October to 17 counts of first-degree murder; the ongoing trial will determine if he is sentenced to either death or life without parole.
Prosecutors, who rested their case following the jury’s tour, hope the visit will help prove that Cruz’s actions were cold, calculated, heinous and cruel; created a great risk of death to many people; and “interfered with a government function” – all aggravating factors under Florida’s capital punishment law.
After a one-week break, both sides will spend a week without the jury arguing before Scherer over what evidence Cruz’s defense can present about how his birth mother’s drinking and drug abuse during pregnancy affected his brain, and whether defects can be seen on scans.
The defense team wants to save Cruz's life by focusing on that and other aspects of his background, including his severe emotional and behavioral problems that began in preschool and the holes in his treatment; his adoptive father’s death when he was 5; his adoptive mother’s death three months before the shootings; his alleged sexual abuse at the hands of a “trusted peer”; that he was an immature 19-year-old; and the bullying he endured from his brother and his brother’s friends.
Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University told The Associated Press, “they have to show that he is a victim, that he fell through the cracks, that society failed him from the outset ... Society created this monster and failed to stop this monster.”
The defense will argue that “if you send him to death, you are ignoring all of that and that is just wrong,” Jarvis said.
Content for this report was sourced from The Associated Press. | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/visit-to-parkland-murder-scene-a-rarity-for-jurors/article_4f1da056-18c2-11ed-98a5-9375b2f8bf98.html | 2022-08-10T20:59:49 | 1 | https://www.miamitimesonline.com/news/local/visit-to-parkland-murder-scene-a-rarity-for-jurors/article_4f1da056-18c2-11ed-98a5-9375b2f8bf98.html |
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An Iowa man faces two criminal charges accusing him of driving his vehicle through a group of abortion rights protestors in Cedar Rapids in June and striking a woman before driving away, court documents posted online Wednesday said.
David Alan Huston, 53, of Swisher, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, according to the court documents.
There is no evidence to indicate the crash was politically motivated, Black Hawk County Attorney Brian Williams said in a statement. He said there also is no evidence that any protestors acted aggressively.
Huston did not immediately return messages Wednesday seeking comment on the charges, and online court records did not yet list an attorney for him.
A group organized by Indivisible Iowa and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa were protesting in front of the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids to support abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that make abortion legal nationwide.
Iowa law bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The state Supreme Court in June cleared the way for stricter limits when it reversed an earlier court decision that found the Iowa Constitution guaranteed the right to abortion. The Republican governor has promised to work through the courts to revive a six-week ban that was previously blocked.
Video of the June 24 crash shows protesters were crossing a street when a large pickup drove through the group, even as other vehicles waited for them to cross, Williams said in a statement. Protesters tried to stop the pickup by blocking its path, resulting in one woman being struck. Court documents do not indicate the extent of her injuries.
Huston “then left the scene without any attempt to exchange information,” court documents say.
The crash happened in Linn County, but prosecutors asked a judge to shift the case to Black Hawk County due to a potential conflict of interest. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/cedar-rapids-protest-vehicle-driver-charged/524-537ba8b9-1865-40fb-8fa5-afe191f5e34a | 2022-08-10T21:02:49 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/cedar-rapids-protest-vehicle-driver-charged/524-537ba8b9-1865-40fb-8fa5-afe191f5e34a |
Reno commission agrees to support IdeaTek grant application, just not with direct funding
The Reno County Commission agreed Tuesday to support, at least in writing, an application by Buhler-based IdeaTek for approximately $3.3 million in pass-through federal dollars to expand fiber-optic internet service into portions of northwest Reno County and south of Haven.
The vote was 2-0, with Commission Chairman Daniel Friesen, an executive at the company, leaving the Commission Chambers during the discussion and not participating in the vote.
While reluctant to provide direct matching dollars, the commission agreed to submit a letter of support after Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce President Debra Teufel advised the board the chamber would provide the dollars – if assured the commission would approve its full request for funding in the 2023 budget.
The commission appeared to agree, but later in the meeting cut $14,000 from the Chamber’s budget request.
Nonetheless, the chamber reiterated its support.
The request from IdeaTek, listed as a request for economic incentives, was added as an agenda item on Tuesday.
Tough competition to get funds
Ethan Kaplan, general counsel and director of broadband advocacy for IdeaTek, explained that a short window for grant applications through the Kansas Office of Broadband Development had opened in which the company could seek part of $83.5 million in federal broadband expansion funds.
“It’s up to the state to allocate the funds to areas in Kansas most in need,” Kaplan said. “The applications opened July 25… and we have until Aug. 18 to get an application in."
"From what it sounds like, based on the letters of intent to apply, it will be 300% oversubscribed, with way more money requested than they have," he said. "The only applications that will be approved are the strong ones.”
The three things that can strengthen an application, he said, are the level of technology, community support and financial support.
They have the technology, he said, with up to 2000 Mbps symmetrical upload and download speeds, 20 times the priority threshold.
They also have community support in the form of letters from the Chamber, Hutchinson Community Foundation, and possibly Sen. Jerry Moran.
IdeaTek is planning to invest $600,000 in the project and was seeking financial support from the county.
Kaplan explained the project is so expensive because it is attempting to reach 600 homes or businesses in the 10% of the market hardest to reach because they are so rural.
“It costs thousands and thousands to go over those sorts of miles,” he said.
The request was in the form of a subsidy per premise. The plan suggested a range of $25 to $40 per dwelling, depending on what the county was willing to provide. It's based on serving all 600 homes, even if some don’t sign up, Kaplan said, because the cost is the same to get the line out there whether people sign up or not.
Who will it cover, and what is the timeline?
Slides from Kaplan’s presentation showed the grant application covers 1,003 homes, including groups of properties in Sedgwick, Harvey and Stafford counties. He said they will also approach those communities to assist with matching funds.
The project timeline indicated the expansion would start in the first quarter of 2023 and be completed by mid-2024.
Commissioner Ron Sellers asked whether there would be other companies seeking similar support from the county.
Kaplan suggested the county should support any applicants if it means expansion of broadband into those areas because Ideatek's desire is not to be the sole rural provider but to bring high-speed internet to unserved areas, and increased competition in rural areas around the country will help keep rates more affordable.
Teufel noted with only nine days left to apply, it was unlikely.
Commissioner Ron Hirst said he was “very cautious about this to start with,” but after talking to some of his rural constituents recognized the need and economic impact broadband expansion into the area might bring.
“I see the potential for more small business potential out there,” Hirst said. “Maybe this will attract the younger generation if it is available.”
He was also critical of rural phone companies for getting federal subsidies but not using them for rural broadband expansion.
How the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce will help
Teufel advised the commission that the chamber, working with the Hutchinson Community Foundation, provided a $30,000 match for a previous broadband grant, and it was willing to find the money in its Greater Hutch funding “if you continue to make the Greater Hutch Fund whole.”
“I feel strongly this is an important thing for Reno County,” Commissioner Ron Sellers said. “I go to the education aspect of it. I think it provides an appropriate means for people to get educated and will be very good from an economic aspect.”
“It’s also part of the chamber’s economic development items,” he said. “It needs to be their decision what money is used where, not ours. My suggestion is to leave it in the hands of the Chamber if they have the desire to make a commitment for this grant, on behalf of Reno County.”
More:Reno Commission delays applying for $1.3 million for wildfire mitigation
Sellers then suggested the county provide a letter of support without any direct funding from the county.
In the later budget discussion, the commission agreed to increase Chamber funding by $20,000 in 2023, bringing it to $70,000, but not by the requested $34,000.
Sellers noted the cut was not from the program that would fund the IdeaTek match.
In fact, the commission agreed Tuesday on more than $800,000 in cuts to the budget proposed by County Administrator Randy Partington. That cut more than one mill from the property tax needed to fund the budget, but it still fell a mill short of being revenue neutral.
More:Learn to throw an ax near downtown Hutchinson: 'You want it to glide out of your hand'
The plan, Teufel said, was to split the base of $50,000 between Greater Hutch and Market Hutch and devote the $20,000 toward Growth Inc., to work on the development of the proposed new industrial park south of South Hutchinson.
“I know it’s a large budget increase ask, but it's strategic and will put the county on a growth trajectory,” she said. | https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/ideatek-hopes-bring-broadband-rural-reno-county-asks-help/10282685002/ | 2022-08-10T21:04:10 | 1 | https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/ideatek-hopes-bring-broadband-rural-reno-county-asks-help/10282685002/ |
Parts of West 11th Avenue will be closed for about seven weeks to repair waterline break
A Hutchinson city official said they are getting close to having a contractor in place to relocate a waterline that runs down the middle of West 11th Avenue and is too shallow and has virtually halted the reconstruction of several blocks of the roadway.
They hope work will begin next week on replacing the line, said Hutchinson Engineering Construction Manager Jeff Schenk.
“It wasn’t planned,” he said of the waterline relocation. “We’ve been trying to find someone to get in and perform the work. We’re closing in on it and expect construction to begin again next week.”
The road will be closed to all traffic from Milcon through Forrest streets. Residents will have no access to driveways on 11th Avenue during this phase of the project, Schenk said.
More:Hutchinson's Harley’s Bicycles under new ownership: 'I wanted to keep the store open'
A detour will be marked.
Officials expect the closure to last about seven weeks.
During construction, the contractor hit the 6-inch waterline under the road because it was at a shallower depth than the plans indicated. They have to move the line because it will be above the frost line when the road, on which the slope is being lowered, is finished.
More:Reno County website offers information on local substance abuse, mental health resources
The staff has designed a waterline relocation, installing a new line at the curb and connecting it with other existing lines.
The issue was discovered in mid-July. In the interim, they were able to get the road up to Woodlawn reopened, but the road between Milcon and Forrest streets has remained closed, Schenk said. | https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/work-west-11-th-avenue-resumes-next-week-waterline-relocation-hutchinson/10285781002/ | 2022-08-10T21:04:16 | 0 | https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/local/2022/08/10/work-west-11-th-avenue-resumes-next-week-waterline-relocation-hutchinson/10285781002/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — North Texans are heading back to school! For parents, having children back in a structured routine may be a sigh of relief; however, human error can always turn a good situation into bad.
That’s why City of Plano officials have released helpful tips for driving in a school zone, to make sure the kiddos have a safe transition back to school.
Here are the tips they suggest:
- Slow Down
- Hands-free phone use only
- Obey crossing guards
- Stop when school bus signs are activated, unless you are on the opposite side of a median-divided road
For more information, head to the city’s YouTube page. | https://cw33.com/news/local/city-of-plano-releases-school-zone-safety-tips-in-the-midst-of-back-to-school-season/ | 2022-08-10T21:04:56 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/city-of-plano-releases-school-zone-safety-tips-in-the-midst-of-back-to-school-season/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Are you having a hard time finding a restaurant that allows pets? Why not try out Mutts Canine Cantina?
August 26 is National Dog Day and Mutts Canine Cantina is celebrating it all month long. Every Wednesday all day, you and your pup can enjoy “Yappy Hour” specials with many dog water features and ice baths.
Then, for National Dog Day come on out to Mutts for their Tails & Tunes event for some LIVE music at the park.
There are three locations in North Texas:
- 1070 Watters Creek Boulevard Allen, TX 75013
- 2889 Cityplace W BLVD Dallas, TX 75204
- 5317 Clearfork Main St Fort Worth, TX 76109
For more information, visit their website. | https://cw33.com/news/local/enjoy-yappy-hour-specials-all-month-long-at-any-north-texas-mutts-canine-cantina/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:02 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/enjoy-yappy-hour-specials-all-month-long-at-any-north-texas-mutts-canine-cantina/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — A little bit of rain never truly hurt anybody but North Texas could use a lot of it. However, a little will do for now but that doesn’t change the hot temperatures forecasted for the end of the work week and weekend for the region.
Wednesday could see some scattered storms throughout the region as the same goes for Thursday and Friday along with seasonably hot temps.
“The rest of the workweek will feature seasonably hot temperatures under partly cloudy skies with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms each afternoon. Rain chances are highest Wednesday along and south of the I-20 corridor, then across Central Texas Thursday and Friday. Not everyone will see rain. The primary threats with the storms will be gusty winds, brief downpours, and lightning,” NWS Fort Worth says.
The center also says, “Rain may be in the forecast in the next few days, but not much relief for drought conditions and lake levels is expected. As population grows, so will resource demand. Please visit http://waterisawesome.com as a useful conservation resource for the region.”
As Saturday may serve as the last chance for some rain anytime soon, Sunday through Wednesday of next week could see temps back in the triple-digits across the region as a warming trend is expected for the next work week.
“Low rain chances will continue across Central Texas Saturday afternoon, but North Texas should remain rain-free. The ridge will continue to build southward and result in a warming trend and dry weather across the region. Triple digit heat will return by Monday,” NWS Fort Worth said. | https://cw33.com/news/local/little-rain-continued-heat-in-store-for-north-texas-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-end-of-work-week-weekend-weather-in-north-texas/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:08 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/little-rain-continued-heat-in-store-for-north-texas-heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-end-of-work-week-weekend-weather-in-north-texas/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Are you planning a move soon? Moving can be a difficult task when doing it alone; however, there are tons of great companies who are here to help.
But you know what they say “one bad apple spoils the bunch”. That’s why the Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas is warning North Texans to avoid the following North Texas movers. Each of these movers has a BBB ‘F’ rating.
Monica Horton, BBB of North Central Texas Spokesperson, said, “Moving is stressful enough without worrying about your household goods being lost, arriving damaged, or missing items. If you plan to hire a mover, ensure their proper licensing is in place, and any requests for payment before the move is a red flag.”
Sirius Van Lines LLC
This mover had its license revoked by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in July of 2021.
Van Lines Express Brand LLC
The BBB says one customer moving from California to South Carolina reported that this company had only delivered a portion of their furniture and the rest went missing. The portion that didn’t go missing was went and damaged.
Move Us To Relocation LLC
BBB officials have identified a pattern of complaints against this company related to marketplace behavior. Complaints allege the company took payments but never delivered the furniture.
For the full report, click here. | https://cw33.com/news/local/moving-bbb-of-north-central-texas-says-to-avoid-these-north-texas-movers/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:14 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/moving-bbb-of-north-central-texas-says-to-avoid-these-north-texas-movers/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — If you have TikTok, you’ve probably heard the famous rap on the social media platform “My money don’t jiggle jiggle; it folds.”
Well, here is the remix you didn’t know you needed. John F. Peeler Elementary has dropped an official rap song and music video on the school’s YouTube page titled “Dream in Gold.” The video, with more than 1,500 views features the school’s principal Tito Salas performing the rap, sometimes in a pirate getup.
The song is a take on the catchy TikTok riff with bars like “My Pirates don’t dribble dribble; they score.” and “Six times two in the math class; you must pass.”
Mr. Salas finishes out the music video with an optimistic look forward to the new school year.
“John F. Peeler Elementary school, to all my pirates, staff and students, I’m looking forward to another one. Let’s make it a great school year. Or not, the choice is yours,” Mr. Salas said in the music video.
To watch the music video yourself, click here. | https://cw33.com/news/local/oak-cliff-elementary-school-makes-back-to-school-rap-video-set-to-viral-tiktok-song/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:21 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/oak-cliff-elementary-school-makes-back-to-school-rap-video-set-to-viral-tiktok-song/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Woof! It’s National Spoil Your Dog Day on Wednesday, August 10! So, North Texans and beyond get off your butts and take that dog of yours on an insanely amazing walk followed by some of the best of treats for the best fur buddy in your life.
NationalToday says, “It might be a sickness but we’re stupid in love with our dogs! National Spoil Your Dog Day on August 10, encourages us to buy that $25 “indestructible” toy that we’ve been swearing up and down we would never buy. Granted, dogs can be a little needy but during times when it seems nobody loves us —they always do.”
Whatever kind of dog you have, big, medium, small, energetic, lazy, drooly, goofy, smart, sleepy, they deserve to be treated. Don’t you think? We do, and that’s why we checked out Yelp’s list of the best dog cakes to buy for your fur-baby around Dallas!
- Lucky Dog Barkery
- The Upper Paw – Deep Ellum
- Homegrown Hounds
- Three Dog Bakery
- Uptown Pup
- Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming – Plano
- R&B Dog Bakery
- Furbabies Bakery
- The Pooch Patio
- Pet Supplies Plus | https://cw33.com/news/local/spoil-your-dog-north-texas-here-are-the-best-places-for-dog-treats-cakes-around-dallas/ | 2022-08-10T21:05:27 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/spoil-your-dog-north-texas-here-are-the-best-places-for-dog-treats-cakes-around-dallas/ |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department said officers are investigating a homicide in North Austin on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities are on the scene of the incident in the 1200 block of Kramer Lane, APD tweeted shortly after 2:15 p.m.
APD said officers were called to the scene around 1:05 p.m. and found a man with blunt force trauma to the head in a parking lot. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Police could not say what object was involved in the incident.
Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene after it was reported as a fatal auto-pedestrian collision. Police said it was initially believed to be an auto-pedestrian crash because witnesses saw a car flee the scene, but the victim was not hit by a car as originally believed.
Detectives are talking with neighbors and witnesses and trying to determine if the incident was captured on surveillance video.
It is believed to be an isolated incident.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to call 911.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-pd-homicide-kramer-lane/269-92d6de96-fc5b-4ee7-9309-8d440062062e | 2022-08-10T21:14:24 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-pd-homicide-kramer-lane/269-92d6de96-fc5b-4ee7-9309-8d440062062e |
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Virginia city is honoring hometown hero Missy Elliott by naming a boulevard in a new entertainment district after her.
The award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer, born Melissa Arnette Elliott, graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, now Manor High. In 2019, she gave the school $25,000.
Elliott thanked the council in a tweet saying she’s been through ups and downs and times when she wanted to give up “but Gods plan was different! & all I can do is say Thank you.”
Portsmouth resident and fan Erin Carter made the name change request to honor the artist she says had the courage to take on the world stage.
“It’s time for her hometown to honor her accomplishments as a music icon,” Carter said. “It will be a testament (of) our city greatness that Portsmouth was the place that launched her career.”
Such requests aren’t common, so it’s not clear when the change will be made, Planning Director Robert Baldwin said. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/portsmouth-to-name-street-for-hometown-hero-missy-elliott/2022/08/10/bc686518-18ec-11ed-b998-b2ab68f58468_story.html | 2022-08-10T21:18:17 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/portsmouth-to-name-street-for-hometown-hero-missy-elliott/2022/08/10/bc686518-18ec-11ed-b998-b2ab68f58468_story.html |
GARY — The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority authorized purchases that will upgrade its rescue and maintenance equipment with the help of $2 million in federal money included last spring in a bill that funded the government through September.
The $2 million will go toward a 3,000 gallon Airport Rescue and Firefighting truck and two high-speed runway brooms for snow removal. The costs of just over $932,000 and $1.3 million, respectively, will also be funded through 5% contributions from the Indiana Department of Transportation and the airport itself.
The airport's board also approved purchase of two new mower tractors and decks for just over $130,000, and two Kubota utility vehicles at a cost of about $40,450.
While the board made quick work of the federal money U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, included on a list of $45 million he secured for Northwest Indiana projects, the airport will have to wait until fall 2023 for the manufacturers to deliver the new firefighting truck and runway brooms.
Once in operation, the fire truck will expand the type of airplanes that can land at the airport, airport Executive Director Dan Vicari said.
All of the purchases will replace older equipment, with the utility vehicles replacing pickup trucks as more fuel-efficient and lower maintenance vehicles.
Also Wednesday, the board approved an addition to its contract with the engineering firm NGC Corp. to do a study to determine the best site for a new control tower.
"Our air traffic control tower, we think, is about 70 years old," Vicari said. "No one disagrees it's time for an upgrade."
With the 2015 runway extension and a new approach light system in place, airport officials decided a study to determine the best place for a new tower was needed.
Ken Ross of NGC said the study will put the airport in position to compete for a federal grant to help finance a new tower. When similar money was awarded this year from the 5-year federal infrastructure bill, the two airports that received money each had already performed a site assessment, he said.
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Lucy's BBQ, Nekter Juice Bar and The Original Steaks & Hoagies opening
The Michigan-based movie theater chain completed the first phase of its two-phase renovation plans to add amenities like faux-leather recliners and brick oven pizza.
Historic Maplewood Cemetery Sexton Tom Hawes has been digging up the old Crown Point Mausoleum more than a half century after its demise at the cemetery at 347 Maple Lane.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges against California-based SOLV Energy and recruiter Aerotek charging they are recruiting workers from outside Indiana for the Mammoth Solar Farm Project and paying them "substantially lower than Indiana standards."
The United Steelworkers union said it is continuing to work toward a new contract with both Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel, even as many of its negotiators left Pittsburgh to head west to the union's constitutional convention in Las Vegas. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/federal-grant-money-helps-fund-gary-airport-equipment-purchases/article_4e9cb809-23cc-51c8-b639-2bfc44044ffb.html | 2022-08-10T21:18:25 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/federal-grant-money-helps-fund-gary-airport-equipment-purchases/article_4e9cb809-23cc-51c8-b639-2bfc44044ffb.html |
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — Reno County Emergency Management said volunteer fire districts stayed busy from 1:45 p.m. Tuesday until well after dark. The crews responded to at least five grass and brush fires around the county.
1:45 p.m. — 20000 block of South Woodberry
Reno County Fire District #9 went to the report of a grass fire. Four apparatus with eight personnel responded to the scene and found a working wheat field stubble fire. The fire was controlled, and units returned to the station around 2:45 p.m.
2:30 p.m. — 22000 block of South Hodge Road
Reno County Fire District # 4 was paged to a controlled burn that was no longer under control. Reno Kingman Fire District # 1 and Reno County Fire Districts 7 and 8 all provided arrived to help.
It was challenging to get to the fire because of the trees, brush, and rough terrain. The Reno County Sheriff’s Office used a drone to see where the fire was in the trees.
Seventeen apparatus and twenty personnel assisted. Most of the units were able to clear the scene around 5:45 p.m. However, Fire District # 4 stayed until approximately 7:30 p.m. There is no word yet on how many acres were burned.
Early evening – Yoder Road and Trails West
Before Fire District # 8 made it back to the station, it was notified of another grass fire. Fire District # 8 was still a distance away, so Fire District # 9 responded to assist.
A small ditch fire had spread to the north along Yoder Road. A total of four apparatus and seven personnel responded and took care of it.
6:55 p.m. — K-14 and Lake Cable
Fire District # 8 responded to a report of smoke with no fire in the area. Three apparatus and four personnel went to the scene and investigated. They found a burned area that a citizen had already put out.
8:15 p.m. – 18000 West Sun City
Reno County Fire District # 4 returned to this area to investigate and work trees and brush that were on fire. Fire District # 4 cleared the scene around 9:45 p.m. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/5-fires-keep-reno-county-crews-busy/ | 2022-08-10T21:18:45 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/5-fires-keep-reno-county-crews-busy/ |
F-bombs. Real bombs: Whitmer kidnap retrial kicks it up a notch
GRAND RAPIDS — Both sides in the Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping retrial ramped up their intensity during opening statements Wednesday, hammering away at certain themes more aggressively and precisely than they did the last time.
The prosecution laid out a more concrete timeline and more strongly emphasized that the alleged kidnapping plan was hatched before the FBI ever got involved. And the defense urged the jury to consider the actions of several FBI agents and informants who won't be testifying at trial, essentially planting seeds in the jurors' minds that there may be more to this case than meets the eye.
The first trial in the case ended with no convictions. Two men were acquitted. The jury deadlocked on the two others, triggering a mistrial, so the government is trying again.
Prosecutors: This wasn't entrapment
The prosecution, which went first, took aim at the defense's entrapment theory right out of the gate, emphasizing repeatedly that the defendants wanted to harm the governor long before they encountered the undercover FBI agents and informants who infiltrated their militia group. Prosecutors stressed that the case is about more than just COVID-19 restrictions.
The case involves six militia members who were charged in 2020 with plotting to kidnap Whitmer, planning to blow up a bridge near her home to slow down law enforcement, out of anger over her handling of the pandemic. Two have pleaded guilty. Two were acquitted at trial in April. Adam Fox and Barry Croft face this retrial after the jury deadlock.
O'Connor told jurors Croft and Fox masterminded the kidnapping plot and planned and recruited members to carry it out, stressing this was all part of a bigger plan to spark an American revolution.
More:Will feds salvage Whitmer kidnap case? 'The key is jury selection,' experts say
More:Meet the jurors in the Whitmer kidnap retrial — most don't like the news
"Long before these defendants planned and trained to kidnap the governor of Michigan, they called for a second revolution. They wanted to violently overthrow elected officials, because they believed those officials were tyrants who were violating their rights," Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher O'Connor told jurors, adding that the defendants believed "that all it would take to start that revolution is to hang a governor."
O'Connor then laid out a timeline in an effort to show the jury how the alleged Whitmer kidnap plan unfolded before the FBI got involved — a timeline that was more difficult to follow in the last trial. Here's how he summarized events for the jury:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this case doesn’t start because of COVID-19 ... it’s not just because of Whitmer's response to COVID-19," O'Connor said. "What you’ll learn is that years before law enforcement started investigating this plot, the defendants believed officials were tyrants and talked about taking violent action against them ... These two men wanted to hang, grab, kill elected officials long before they decided to kidnap the governor."
'These defendants were eager'
According to O'Connor, Croft, a trucker from Delaware, fell on the government's radar in 2017, when he started talking about starting a revolution. By 2020, Croft launched a call to action: He wanted to kick off his revolution by hanging a governor.
Croft would eventually meet Fox and tell him about his plan, O'Connor said. The two set their sights on Whitmer and hatched a plan to kidnap her, with Fox agreeing to recruit members, O'Connor said.
"I’m on board man. I’m going to actively begin recruiting, I can’t wait … I’m not going to call myself militia. There ain't going to be no participation trophy … we’re going to put together a group to go snatch a motherf-----," Fox tells Croft in an audio message that was played for the jury.
The prosecutor then stressed this point:
"They did this before they ever met an undercover agent, and before they met Dan," O'Connor said, referring to the undercover informant known as "Big Dan," whom the defense claims tried to entrap the defendants and ran the whole show.
O'Connor blasted that theory.
"The defendants will ask you to believe that none of this was their idea, that they were entrapped by the FBI. They want you to believe that the FBI made them do what they did, say what they said. The evidence will show you that’s simply not true," O'Connor said.
O'Connor told jurors they "will not hear evidence that the FBI came up with this plan, that an FBI agent forced someone to do this ... that these guys were reluctant … and that this reluctance had to be beaten down by government agents."
Rather, O'Connor said. "Adam Fox and Barry Croft talked about doing this for a long time. These defendants were eager."
More:Whitmer subpoenaed to testify in Michigan case preventing abortion-related prosecutions
More:Michigan inmate dying of cancer begs Gov. Whitmer for freedom after 46 years
Not just 'silly talk'
O'Connor also scoffed at defense claims that the defendants were merely big talkers blowing off steam, saying they took action to carry out their plan, including: casing Whitmer's house twice, building "shoot-houses" where they practiced breach exercises in mock hallways, drew a map, bought night goggles, spoke in encrypted chats and secret meetings, and took steps to conceal their activities from law enforcement.
For example, O'Connor told the jury, Fox referred to bombs as "cupcakes" and "wedding cakes" in chats, and referred to his explosives contact Up North as a "baker." Fox also once held a private meeting in the basement of a vacuum shop where he lived and required all the attendees leave their cellphones on the first floor.
"Why were they engaged in that if this was just silly talk? If this wasn’t a real plan?" asked O'Connor, who summarized the plot like this:
"They were going to break into the governor's cottage Up North, kidnap her at gunpoint, and take out anyone who got in their way," O'Connor said. "They planned to handcuff her, to take out a bridge to slow the police response. This wasn't just talk ... these defendants and others took specific steps."
The prosecutor told jurors they will hear Fox's ideas, how the governor was his target, and how he told his cohorts: "We just want the bitch. We want the tyrant bitch. We want her flex-cuffed in handcuffs."
Jurors also learned they will hear from two codefendants, Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks, who previously pleaded guilty in this case.
"They will tell you how real this plan was," O'Connor said, "that it isn’t just talking."
'Facebook big talkers'
Christopher Gibbons, Fox's lawyer, started his opening statement by reminding jurors about evidence they won't hear — FBI agents and informants who are crucial to the case, but will not be testifying.
"There are a lot of them. Some will testify, others will not," Gibbons told the jury. "They will never answer a single question in this courtroom."
As in the last trial, Gibbons repeatedly used the term "big talkers," arguing that this case is about rogue FBI agents and informants who took advantage of unsophisticated blowhards who spewed all sorts of venom.
It started with the FBI encountering what Gibbons referred to as "Facebook big talkers" venting on social media about government. But after months of following the defendants, he said, the FBI hadn't uncovered "any criminal activity," just "big talk."
FBI 'turned up the heat'
The FBI and its informants "turned up the heat by putting big talkers together," Gibbons said, alleging the FBI created chat groups, organized meetings and trainings, and egged on the defendants "to turn their frustration into some kind of actionable plan."
Still, he said, nothing happened. So the FBI and its informants "took matters into their own hands," planned a visit to Whitmer's vacation house, found the address, convinced Fox and others to go, and even handed Fox the piece of paper to draw a map of the area they would be scouting.
Big Dan's FBI handler also once texted: "Got to get Adam focused," Gibbons said. And two days before the group cased Whitmer's cottage, the same handler texted Big Dan: "Try to get as many as possible to go."
"Big Dan is the beginning, the middle and the end of this case," Gibbons said, noting he sent thousands of texts to Fox, but only a fraction of them will be shown at trial, suggesting the feds are cherry-picking.
"The FBI collected literally more than 1,000 hours of surveillance recordings ... you will only hear a tiny fraction," Gibbons said. "What Big Dan did and said was entirely controlled by the FBI, the FBI had rules for Big Dan. Big Dan broke those rules. He will tell you that himself. He exercised leadership control, suggested ideas, initiated planning for the big talkers."
Gibbons said Big Dan's handler "was aware that the rules were being broken," but the FBI did nothing about it, and the handler "encouraged the action."
"Adam Fox has never led a thing in his life," he said. "What this case is really about ... how the FBI was unable to really get anybody to do anything."
"Adam didn’t know where the governor’s cottage was ... Big Dan looked it up on a Realtor map," Gibbons said, noting Fox was enamored with Big Dan, a war veteran who joined the militia and then went undercover after becoming concerned they were plotting to kill police.
"He worships the guy," Gibbons said of Fox's admiration for Big Dan, adding his client was vulnerable to manipulation. "Adam Fox goes along with Dan's suggestions because he is unwitting. He had a big mouth, that is for sure. But the FBI manipulated him."
The right to criticize
Gibbons concluded his statement by urging the jury to remember the importance of free speech.
"Adam Fox is an American citizen. He may not be the best of us — I don’t think he’s the worst of us," Gibbons said. "But like all of us, he has a right to have an opinion. And he has a right — (being) homeless and poor in the vacuum shack in the middle of the pandemic — to be angry and frustrated."
Gibbons stressed: "Talk, no matter how ugly, is not a crime. It's not a crime to say outrageous things ... to not like your governor, or your president or anybody else who sits in elected office."
Fox, he said, is not the person the government is painting him out to be.
"Adam Fox is lonely, looking for connections. He's not a leader," Gibbons said. "He wants to fit in."
'Facts matter'
Croft's lawyer, Joshua Blanchard, painted his client as an outsider when it came to the Wolverine Watchmen — the Michigan militia group at the center of this case. He said Croft wasn’t invited to many of the group's events because he was different from others who connected through that militia.
Blanchard noted Croft’s differences with other members in the militia, including Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta, who were acquitted in April — though he didn't mention that to the jury. Nor did he give their names. Unlike others in the Wolverine Watchmen, he said, Croft was much older, had children and didn’t live in southeast Michigan.
“Barry was never vetted, Barry never joined the Wolverine Watchmen, he was never even invited to be a member,” Blanchard said. “None of these guys are communicating with Barry in these chat groups.”
Blanchard also slammed the FBI, saying government agents were desperate to link Croft with others to conjure a terrorist conspiracy. He noted FBI informants Steve Robeson and Jenny Plunk consistently were in contact with Croft.
“They have to chase Barry around the country with a gun because he won’t take it from them,” he said. “Even with everything (Robeson) and Plunk are doing, they haven’t got enough for the FBI to arrest him as part of the group.”
To round out his closing argument, Blanchard played a short snippet of a recording to the jury, in which FBI Special Agent John Penrod is heard saying “don’t let facts get in the way of a good story.”
Blanchard implored jurors to consider the phrase throughout the trial, stressing:
“He’s been away from his daughters for the last 672 days, waiting for you to tell the FBI ‘facts matter.’”
Witness testimony begins
Just as they did in the first trial, government prosecutors called FBI Special Agent Todd Reineck to the stand as their first witness. During his direct examination, Reineck explained how he went through public Facebook posts from Croft and Fox, as well as video messages between the two where they expressed their frustrations with COVID-19 restrictions and other government policies.
The jury heard recordings where Fox maligned a health order closing gyms in May 2020. Like in the first trial, the government entered evidence of Fox detailing meetings he was going to have with Wolverine Watchmen members in video messages sent to Croft.
Croft's social media posts were also played for the jury. In one video, posted to Facebook on May 29, he berated the government, saying government actions throughout the pandemic had "provoked" him and others.
“Men have been provoked to wrath … all you men who have that soft-a** stance, f*** you in the throat sideways," Croft can be heard saying in the video. "The republic needs good men, not pansies, not f*****s.”
During his cross examination of Reineck, Gibbons noted that at no point did Fox explicitly say anything about kidnapping Whitmer, instead usi vague, anti-government language.
The trial will resume Thursday morning with Gibbons' continued cross examination of Reineck. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/opening-statements-whitmer-kidnap-retrial/10284825002/ | 2022-08-10T21:21:22 | 0 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/10/opening-statements-whitmer-kidnap-retrial/10284825002/ |
TITUSVILLE, Fla. – Brevard County schools are facing challenges on the first day of the 2022-2023 school year Wednesday, as the district reported 143 teacher vacancies countywide.
“My son was telling me there were some issues last year with substitutes coming in and not knowing anything and teaching,” parent Richard Acosta said. “Hopefully, they’ll figure all that out.”
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Brevard County Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins said the district is narrowing the teacher gap every day, but the worker shortage includes bus drivers who are driving multiple routes to start the new school year.
“Which is why I’m bringing him to school,” grandparent Theresa Fivecoet said. “I’m hoping they get some more on soon.”
News 6 asked Dr. Mullins about starting the new school year with even more vacancies than last year.
“We’re as optimistic as we’ve been in the past that we’re going to meet our needs,” Mullins answered.
The superintendent said he expects a smoother school year with hopefully the worst of the pandemic now behind the district.
“Last year, we started with enormous disruption with quarantines,” Mullins said. “We’re not anticipating that level of significant health disruption this year, so it actually provides us more stability as we work through the teacher vacancies.”
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/08/10/were-going-to-meet-our-needs-school-year-starts-with-hundreds-of-brevard-school-vacancies/ | 2022-08-10T21:22:43 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/08/10/were-going-to-meet-our-needs-school-year-starts-with-hundreds-of-brevard-school-vacancies/ |
SEDONA, Ariz. — The city of Sedona is willing to pay thousands of dollars to local homeowners who offer long-term leases to local workers who can't find a place to live.
A lack of affordable housing in the area has prompted city officials to allocate funds for a pilot program that incentivizes homeowners to stop leasing out their homes to visiting tourists.
On Tuesday, the Sedona City Council approved spending $240,000 on stipends for property owners who currently rent out their homes through short-term rental services like VRBO and Airbnb.
The program would pay homeowners anywhere from $3,000 for a single bedroom all the way up to $10,000 for a 3-bedroom house. In exchange, the homeowner would agree to rent to a local worker for a one-year lease.
“You'd be really hard pressed to find anything for rent under $2,000,” Sedona Housing Director Shannon Boone said. “With gas prices rising, we can't keep expecting people to live an hour away."
Some resorts have already begun buying houses in neighboring cities to provide cheaper housing for their employees.
But the Rent Local program does not, in most cases, provide as much money to the homeowner as a short-term rental would.
One rental owner texted 12News that he’d consider the plan, “If the City of Sedona is willing to be paying $6,000 a month because that’s the average amount of income we make.”
Other rental owners said they wouldn’t be able to take the city up on its offer because they live in their rentals part-time and couldn’t commit to a year lease.
“It's huge, you know, to have two homes and you know, it helps to offset that,” Kesha Engel said. “I mean, we don't make a profit per se, but we're able to live there and cover the utilities and a lot of the expenses.”
Engel bought her home in 2017 and has rented it out while she lives out of state during the summers.
City officials acknowledge that their program isn’t for everyone, and won’t replace the income from a successful short-term rental.
“Some people are less successful, some people aren't willing to put in the work that's required,” Boone said. “And hopefully some people just recognize the need and the incentive is what they need.”
Public records indicate that 15% of Sedona's homes currently operate as vacation rentals at unattainable prices to most of the community's workers.
Under the city's new program, the owner of a two-bedroom home who offers a one-year lease to a local worker can receive up to $8,500 from the city. Owners of a one-bedroom property can be paid $7,000 and studio owners can get $6,000.
Homeowners can also receive smaller stipends if they lease out individual rooms or spaces of their property.
The owner must also set rental prices at a fair market rate that doesn't exceed $2,200 per month for a three-bedroom home, city records show.
To qualify, a tenant must have been employed with a Sedona business for at least 30 days and worked at least 30 hours per week. Retirees and disabled residents are also eligible to become a tenant under the pilot program.
Tenants and homeowners who are related to each other cannot qualify for the incentive.
Sedona will offer its rental incentives for at least one year or until the allocated funds run out.
City officials say the new program is modeled after similar incentives offered in communities in Montana and California that had also become overwhelmed with too many vacation rentals.
"The reason for doing this program is to lessen the number of short-term rentals and raise the number of long-term rentals for workers," said Sedona Councilwoman Jessica Williamson.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12 News YouTube playlist here. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/sedona-will-pay-homeowners-to-not-use-homes-airbnb-rentals/75-5c6024d4-e730-4232-b2f6-a9a88a3a0fe6 | 2022-08-10T21:27:19 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/sedona-will-pay-homeowners-to-not-use-homes-airbnb-rentals/75-5c6024d4-e730-4232-b2f6-a9a88a3a0fe6 |
UPPER TOWNSHIP — A charge on a list of bills to pay — usually a routine matter for the Township Committee — led to questions about an upgraded charging station for electric vehicles.
Committeeman John Coggins asked for the charge to be removed from the list of bills to pay, arguing it does not benefit the township or the taxpayers. In his comments at the Monday committee meeting, Coggins described it as the installation of a “Tesla charging station.”
That’s how it’s described in the bill list, Coggins said, but the phrase drew a response from Gary DeMarzo, hired this year to be the new township administrator, who apparently took that as an accusation that the charging station was installed for him.
It was clear from the meeting that DeMarzo drives a Tesla, a high-end brand of all-electric vehicles, with suggested prices running from just under $50,000 to more than $100,000.
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At the meeting, DeMarzo said he is not provided with a vehicle from the township and does not submit an account of miles traveled for the job for reimbursement.
“There are other employees that have electric vehicles in this township,” DeMarzo said. “But to term it as my Tesla charging station is disingenuous.”
UPPER TOWNSHIP — For all you 1970s TV buffs, when Upper Township engineer Paul Dietrich said…
“Nobody said it was your Tesla charging station,” Coggins replied. “So I take it maybe you’re taking personal offense?”
Coggins said the township does not have any electric vehicles and questioned the purpose of the upgraded charging station. He added there was no meter included in the charging station, so the township would not be able to keep track of charges for its use.
The total cost of the work was about $2,500, Coggins said. Township Finance Director Barbara Ludy pointed out at the meeting that the work has already been completed, with the bill submitted by a local electrician.
DeMarzo said any taxpayer of the township would be able to use the charging station.
“Can we make that public?” Coggins said.
“I think you just did,” said DeMarzo.
UPPER TOWNSHIP — The Township Committee on Monday approved a $15.4 million budget that inclu…
Coggins said he would not open the use to the public without a meter to charge for the electricity used.
By all accounts, there was already a charging station at Township Hall, formerly used for an ambulance that is no longer in service. According to DeMarzo, there was a 110-volt charger there, operating at 15 amps. The additional charger is 220 volts and 50 amps.
Asked after the meeting whether he drives a Tesla, DeMarzo said millions drive Teslas, but did not specifically confirm that he did. In an emailed response later Tuesday, he described the charger as part of an effort to make the township “greener,” including seeking a grant to obtain electric trucks.
“The outlet at City Hall will insure that if our employee purchases an EV they will have the infrastructure to operate the car. Upper Township is seeking to change habits, reduce costs and offer incentives. The little outlet checks all the blocks,” DeMarzo said in an email.
One resident at the meeting said there are few options for those driving electric vehicles to charge in the area.
Committee members said more charging stations are on the way. Mayor Curtis Corson said the township has been in talks with the owner of a shopping area in Marmora about adding stations for public use. There are also talks underway about requiring future retail developments to include charging stations for electric vehicles.
UPPER TOWNSHIP — Scott Morgan is out as township administrator, replaced by former Wildwood …
Township engineer Paul Dietrich also discussed a grant application to add charging stations to the renovated park at Beesleys Point and the potential for more grant-funded charging stations.
There do not appear to be any publicly available charging stations in Upper Township, although there are metered stations in neighboring Ocean City, in the parking lot behind City Hall at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. An online search also showed stations in Avalon, Cape May, the Wildwoods and at the Cape May County Airport complex in Lower Township. There are several in Atlantic County.
On Monday, no one else on the five-member committee agreed with Coggins’ request to amend the bill payment. Coggins also was the lone vote against hiring DeMarzo in April, when the committee replaced former Administrator Scott Morgan in a 4-1 vote.
As administrator, DeMarzo makes $75,000 a year.
Coggins had said he would run for reelection this year as an independent but did not file petitions for a spot on the ballot. The committee is entirely Republican. Mark Pancoast, who won his committee seat last year, is seeking election to a full term, joined by Victor Nappen II as the GOP nominees in an uncontested race this November. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/bill-list-discussion-gets-charged-up-in-upper-township/article_dc5a5790-18e3-11ed-9a4a-3f4beafdce95.html | 2022-08-10T21:31:40 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/bill-list-discussion-gets-charged-up-in-upper-township/article_dc5a5790-18e3-11ed-9a4a-3f4beafdce95.html |
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Stockton University Director of Athletics and Recreation Anthony Berich was appointed to serve on the NCAA Division III Rowing Committee for the next two years, the university announced Wednesday.
Berich's term will begin immediately and run until Aug. 31, 2024. He is replacing a committee member who retired and will be one of six people on the committee.
Berich is beginning his second year as director of athletics and recreation at Stockton. He was named the interim AD last year and had the interim tag removed last month. He previously served three years as AD at Randolph College in Virginia and 10 years at University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg.
As a member of the NCAA Rowing Committee, Berich will help select teams that compete in the D-III Rowing Championship in 2023 and 2024. He will also attend the national regatta both years to assist with administration of the event.
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The 2023 NCAA Championship is scheduled for May 26-27 at Camden County Boathouse in Pennsauken.
Berich was on the NCAA D-III Men's Golf Committee for five years, including the committee chair from 2014-16. At that time, he was also the head men's golf coach at Pitt-Greensburg. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/stockton-ad-to-serve-on-national-rowing-committee/article_28dbdad8-18e6-11ed-beca-33eded96e39f.html | 2022-08-10T21:31:46 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/stockton-ad-to-serve-on-national-rowing-committee/article_28dbdad8-18e6-11ed-beca-33eded96e39f.html |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – After a member of the Kingsport City Schools board proposed a new policy that bars district employees from actions that “create, facilitate or engage in classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity,” a local LGBTQ+ group spoke out against the measure.
John Baker, president of Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities, said his organization has served a large LGBTQ community in the region since 2012. When speaking with News Channel 11, he said the policy could tie the hands of educators who are more than qualified to speak on the topic.
“That stymies them from being able to offer our young people the education that they need on many different levels,” Baker said. “From what I’ve heard from the people that have talked to me, [educators] feel that they are being strangled by not being able to give people the information that they really need.”
The policy was put forward by member Todd Golden as an amendment to Policy 4.401, or “Reconsideration of Textbooks and Instructional Materials, ” which was on Tuesday’s agenda for a second reading. The original policy mirrored guidelines from the Tennessee School Board Association, according to board president Melissa Woods. You can find Golden’s addition in bold below:
All curriculum and instructional programming implemented in the school district shall adhere to state and federal laws. District employees shall not include or promote any concepts that would violate state law when providing instruction, using instructional or supplemental materials, or when implementing the instructional program curriculum and shall not create, facilitate or engage in classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity.
New KCS Policy proposed by Todd Golden
Golden’s request for the change was tabled and is slated for further discussion during August 23’s board work session. In the meantime, Woods said school officials are consulting with City Attorney Bart Rowlett on the matter and compiling relevant information.
While Golden’s addition is not a part of the potential policy without further action, Baker said he’s concerned that teachers will have few options if it is added.
“Our teachers are smart. They are teachers,” Baker said. “They’re educated, and they are prepared and understand how to be able to answer the questions the best that they can, as far as the level that the child can understand.
“I don’t believe that someone that is sitting on a board somewhere really should be dictating to the teacher who is in the classroom every day.”
News Channel 11 reached out to Todd Golden for comment on the addition but has not received a response. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/lgbtq-group-responds-to-potential-kingsport-city-schools-gender-identity-policy/ | 2022-08-10T21:38:34 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/lgbtq-group-responds-to-potential-kingsport-city-schools-gender-identity-policy/ |
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The Winter Haven Fire Department was able to extinguish a fire in which two people and multiple animals were rescued and found safe Wednesday morning.
At around 10 a.m., firefighters responded to a two-story residence that is divided into eight separate apartments with thick smoke and flames seen coming from the structure.
Firefighters began an offensive attack on the fire while also searching for anyone inside of the structure. Four people exited the apartments when law enforcement told them to come outside, Winter Haven Fire Department said in a news release.
Two people were still unaccounted for so fire crews conducted a primary search of the upstairs apartment. Firefighters found the two people asleep and removed them from the building safely, authorities say.
A resident who already exited the structure told firefighters her dog was still inside and a fire crew was able to re-enter the home, find the dog and take him to safety.
"He was shaken up, but otherwise uninjured and reunited with his family," rescuers said.
In addition to the dog rescued, once the fire was out, firefighters found another dog uninjured in the structure, a hamster inside of its play ball unharmed and a turtle safe inside its tank during a complete search.
The fire was contained to the downstairs unit, however, the entire structure has smoke damage. The Red Cross is helping the tenants who live inside the apartments.
There were no reported injuries during this fire response. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/dog-pets-rescued-winter-haven-fire/67-e0bcaebf-85cb-4bcc-a8dc-a8ff6b862953 | 2022-08-10T21:39:30 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/dog-pets-rescued-winter-haven-fire/67-e0bcaebf-85cb-4bcc-a8dc-a8ff6b862953 |
CORTEZ, Florida — A Minnesota teen battling leukemia traveled to the Bay area to experience an adventure of a lifetime provided by the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Joseph Row, 15, and his family got to experience a real-life pirate adventure on the waters between Cortez and Bradenton Beach.
"He and his family will have the opportunity to dress the part, read treasure maps, hunt for sunken loot and battle the dastardly Pirate Pete," Make-A-Wish said in a statement.
Make-A-Wish Southern Florida has granted more than 13,000 wishes since 1983 for children who have critical illnesses, a news release explains.
"It aims to grant a wish for every medically-eligible child in its territory and understands wishes aren’t just nice, they’re necessary for kids and families at difficult times in their lives," leaders from the nonprofit said in a statement. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/manateecounty/make-a-wish-joseph-row-cortez-brandenton-beach/67-77b937a5-8b9f-420e-b986-582158cde177 | 2022-08-10T21:39:36 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/manateecounty/make-a-wish-joseph-row-cortez-brandenton-beach/67-77b937a5-8b9f-420e-b986-582158cde177 |
PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The Pinellas Park Police Department is searching for a disabled man who has been missing for two weeks.
Thomas Phanphilathip, 34, rode away on his bike from his group home on July 27, the police department said in a news release, and he has not been seen since. A Purple Alert has now been issued.
Phanphilathip is 5-feet, 5-inches, weighs 180 pounds and has black hair with brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a grey tank top, blue basketball shorts and either black flip-flops or grey and black LeBron James sneakers. He could be riding a teal and purple 24-inch Mishika Pueblo Mountain bike.
Authorities say the 34-year-old is developmentally delayed and does not have family in the area. He is known to frequent fast food restaurants near 62nd Avenue North and 9th Avenue North in St. Petersburg and also visits the area of Holiday in Pasco County.
Investigators do not believe his missing status has anything to do with suspicious activity, the police department says. Anyone with information on Phanphilathip is asked to contact Pinellas Park Police Department at 727-369-7864. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-park-purple-alert-missing-34-year-old-man/67-36984037-2f14-480d-ac1c-5fed06892734 | 2022-08-10T21:39:42 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/pinellas-park-purple-alert-missing-34-year-old-man/67-36984037-2f14-480d-ac1c-5fed06892734 |
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A new transit center in Clearwater just took another step towards being constructed.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority was awarded $20 million in federal grants on Wednesday to build the new Clearwater transit center.
As part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program, the funds will help cover some of the costs to take downtown riders to beaches and other locations across the Pinellas County area, PSTA said in a news release.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that a new Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority transit hub is coming to downtown Clearwater,” U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist said in a statement. “Throughout my years as Representative of the people of Pinellas, I’ve proudly supported the modernization and expansion of PSTA. With the new SunRunner project launching this fall in St. Pete, and electric buses hitting the road in Clearwater, this transit center will serve as a nexus for a truly interconnected Pinellas.
"From the Gulf to the Bay, PSTA isn’t hitting the brakes any time soon!”
The new transit center will be built on a city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Court Street and Myrtle Avenue. It will also feature 16 bus bays, bicycle and scooter storage, ride-sharing connections, ADA boarding requirements and an environment-friendly design that includes solar panels and electric bus charging stations.
“This couldn’t be a more exciting day for not only Pinellas County and PSTA, but throughout the entire region, on receiving this federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation,” Brad Miller, Chief Executive Officer of PSTA, said in a statement. “These funds will help replace a 40-year-old over-capacity existing structure with a new state-of-the-art sustainable transit center that will benefit the community, economy and our environment.”
PTSA says the new transit center will be a major upgrade from a 40-year-old station at Park Street that doesn't have the capacity to serve 14 different routes and 2,3000 riders each weekday. Some bus operators have been forced to pick up and drop off passengers on side streets and the newer all-electric buses would have not been able to fit under their old, leaky roofs.
“After years of trying to get the funds to replace the old Park Street terminal, this new transportation hub will be an absolute game-changer,” Pat Gerard, Chair of the PSTA Board of Directors, said in a statement. “This will make it easier for people to reach Clearwater, and our beautiful beaches. It’s a big win for our community, local business and future redevelopment plans.”
The city of Clearwater, Florida Department of Transportation, Forward Pinellas and PSTA will fund the remainder of the project that cannot be covered in federal grants.
Construction to build the new transit center is scheduled to begin in 2023. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/psta-new-clearwater-transit-center/67-861541ad-12ba-460d-9b4b-d70a36faf4fd | 2022-08-10T21:39:48 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/psta-new-clearwater-transit-center/67-861541ad-12ba-460d-9b4b-d70a36faf4fd |
PORTLAND, Maine — Lynn Archer, owner of Archer's on the Pier in Rockland, is in the 207 Kitchen whipping up her family's clam soufflé recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 sticks Ritz Crackers
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cans Snow's chopped clams
- 1/2 cup finely minced onion
- 4 eggs, heated
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Crush up Ritz Crackers
- Add 2 cups milk, let soak 1/2 hour
- Fold in additional ingredients
- Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/207-kitchen-easy-clam-souffl-recipe-food/97-c968a006-b70d-4225-b65c-5f7d5983fa6f | 2022-08-10T21:43:39 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/207-kitchen-easy-clam-souffl-recipe-food/97-c968a006-b70d-4225-b65c-5f7d5983fa6f |
BRUNSWICK, Maine — When Rinker Buck made up his mind to pilot a flatboat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, he knew right away he had a problem.
You don’t just swing by the local marina, pull out your checkbook, and tell the salesperson you’d like a slightly used River Titan model flatboat in a shade of wine-dark maroon with plush leather seats and a 64” TV with Sensurround.
Buck, a writer who used to live in Maine, grasped that he would need to have someone build the boat for him. His search for the right person led him to a farm in Tennessee.
“Over a period of three months, we built it out of green poplar,” he said. “I’d never built a boat before, but it wasn’t that difficult, and that’s the point.”
Flatboats were widely used on U.S. rivers in the late 1700s and early 1800s, in part because it didn’t take a lot of skill to construct them.
“If you could build a barn, if you could build a sluice mill,” he said, “You could build a flatboat. And that’s why it took off the way it did.”
Over four months, Buck and his crew traveled 2,000 miles down the Ohio and Mississippi, from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, re-creating the journey that millions of Americans took as the frontier moved west.
He tells the story in his new book, “Life on the Mississippi,” a title that gives an admiring nod to Mark Twain’s classic work of the same name.
Among the more remarkable aspects of Buck’s trip is that he did it all. These two mighty rivers are dominated by commercial boat traffic—picture 9,000-horsepower tugboats pushing 30 or 35 barges at once. As a result, recreational boating is practically nonexistent.
There were plenty of people on the rivers, but they were out there for work, not for fun and exploration like Buck.
“Going down the Mississippi, a thousand miles of the Mississippi,” he recalled, “I saw a total of four pleasure boats.” | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/one-writer-re-created-history-by-taking-a-flatboat-down-two-of-americas-great-rivers-author-boating-ohio-mississippi-river-build/97-197cb928-a59f-43cb-8979-b277b8e37bed | 2022-08-10T21:43:45 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/one-writer-re-created-history-by-taking-a-flatboat-down-two-of-americas-great-rivers-author-boating-ohio-mississippi-river-build/97-197cb928-a59f-43cb-8979-b277b8e37bed |
PORTLAND, Maine — The Form Lab in Portland focuses on movements that can be incorporated into daily lives to make people healthier and stronger.
The gym officially opened its doors in March. Since then, trainers have been teaching clients how to improve the way they move their bodies.
The goal is to incorporate those movements into everyday life to help get the most out of each workout and minimize long-term aches and pains.
If you're someone who likes to add lunging into their workouts, the Form Lab's co-founder, Andrew Blais, has a few tips to help improve your stability and balance.
Blais suggests warming up beforehand. He recommends a stretch called the 'hip airplane' which helps to open up your hip region. Once you start your lunges, Blais says to remember to keep your leg and knee in line with your hip to avoid 'loading up' in a way that will hurt you.
"If we're overloading the quads like we tend to do, because we are very forward people, try to incorporate different variations of lunges," Blais said.
To see a full demonstration and hear more tips, check out the full demonstration above. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/the-form-lab-improving-stability-balance-while-lunging-health-fitness-maine-207/97-e7262814-561e-48f9-b75b-a1c6fb1c1821 | 2022-08-10T21:43:51 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/the-form-lab-improving-stability-balance-while-lunging-health-fitness-maine-207/97-e7262814-561e-48f9-b75b-a1c6fb1c1821 |
GORHAM, Maine — Crews spent much of the day Wednesday clearing debris at Flaggy Meadow Farm in Gorham, after an overnight fire that destroyed the farm's dairy barn.
"It's old and it went up quick," Gorham Fire Chief Ken Fickett said. "With the initial pictures from the police department, as well as some of the fire trucks that showed up with cameras on board, it was already well involved when we got here."
According to Chief Fickett, four cows were killed in the fire. Dozens of others however were rescued and kept safe from the blaze.
"Probably about an hour into the fire we realized there were still some live cows inside," Fickett said. "So we stopped all deck gun operations and went in and got the cows out. And there were, I believe, five or six cows that they rescued out of there that were still alive. And basically they were in basement and the hay was on fire on the first floor."
Fickett says while the barn is considered a total loss, other buildings on the property were saved, and only some sustained additional damage.
One firefighter was evaluated for heat exhaustion, according to Fickett, but no other injuries to humans were reported.
"When I pulled in my driveway, the whole thing went up in flames in a split second," Cameron Dearborn said.
Dearborn lives in a home right next to the dairy barn, and say he worked at Flaggy Meadow Farm for eight years. Dearborn says he and others at the farm worked quickly to keep the animals safe. He says many of the cows were already outside of the barn in the pasture.
"Yeah I thought there would be a lot more, but luckily, they milked them before the fire so they were all turned out," Dearborn said.
The family that owns the farm has launched a GoFundMe to help rebuild following the blaze.
According to the GoFundMe, Flaggy Meadow Farm has been run by the Young family for more than 100 years.
Chief Fickett says the State Fire Marshal's Office will be returning to the farm tomorrow to complete its investigation into what started the fire.
More NEWS CENTER Maine stories
For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic alerts, download the NEWS CENTER Maine mobile app. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/four-cows-killed-in-gorham-barn-fire-maine-farm-agriculture/97-92d3e632-cd4e-4838-8124-b16eb3a0d4d8 | 2022-08-10T21:43:57 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/four-cows-killed-in-gorham-barn-fire-maine-farm-agriculture/97-92d3e632-cd4e-4838-8124-b16eb3a0d4d8 |
SAN ANTONIO — The Alamo Heights Police Department is warning elderly residents to be cautious of a man knocking on doors and soliciting tree trimming services.
Police say the man and two other suspects burglarize homes once allowed entrance to the backyard.
The suspect is described as being 6 feet tall, slender and dressed in business clothes claiming to be from New York. His vehicle is described as a white newer SUV model.
Alamo Heights Police urge anyone who encounters this person to contact the department. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/alamo-heights-police-elderly-tree/273-4cc3c540-61b9-43aa-8d54-20e3764c1c0a | 2022-08-10T21:43:58 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/alamo-heights-police-elderly-tree/273-4cc3c540-61b9-43aa-8d54-20e3764c1c0a |
LOS ANGELES — Kobe Bryant was one of the most photogenic sports figures in Los Angeles and images of him seen by millions around the world — smiling in victory, grimacing in agony — keep his memory alive.
But some photos of him should never be seen, his widow says, and she's seeking unspecified millions in compensation for snapshots taken of the NBA star's corpse that were circulated after he was killed in a helicopter crash with their daughter and seven others in 2020.
Vanessa Bryant's invasion of privacy trial against the Los Angeles County sheriff's and fire departments begins Wednesday in a U.S. District Court just over a mile from where Kobe Bryant played most of his career with the Lakers.
Vanessa Bryant claims deputies did not take the photos for investigative purposes and shared them with firefighters who responded to the crash scene. The lawsuit said a deputy showed the photos to bar patrons and a firefighter showed them off-duty colleagues.
"Mrs. Bryant feels ill at the thought that sheriff's deputies, firefighters, and members of the public have gawked at gratuitous images of her deceased husband and child," according to the lawsuit. "She lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their loved ones online."
Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and other parents and players were flying to a girls basketball tournament when their chartered helicopter crashed in the Calabasas hills west of Los Angeles in fog. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the wreck.
Vanessa Bryant has also sued the helicopter charter company and the deceased pilot's estate.
The county has argued that Bryant has suffered emotional distress from the deaths, not the photos, which were ordered deleted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva. They said the photos have never been in the media, on the internet or otherwise publicly disseminated and that the lawsuit is speculative about harm she may suffer.
A law prompted by the crash makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime.
The county already agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a similar case brought by two families whose relatives died in the Jan. 26, 2020, crash.
Vanessa Bryant did not settle her case, indicating she's seeking more.
The litigation has at times been ugly.
When the county sought a psychiatric evaluation of Bryant to determine if she suffered emotional distress because of the photos, her lawyers criticized the "scorched-earth discovery tactics" to bully her and other family members of victims to abandon their lawsuits.
The county responded by saying they were sympathetic to Bryant's losses and dismissed her case as a "money grab."
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/kobe-bryant-crash-photos-lawsuit/103-48a71e5d-77c5-4512-8a28-2bbc6356122c | 2022-08-10T21:44:04 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/kobe-bryant-crash-photos-lawsuit/103-48a71e5d-77c5-4512-8a28-2bbc6356122c |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A suspect who is possibly armed remains at large following a car crash in Washington County, authorities say.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to a crash involving a stolen car near Northwest Murray Boulevard and Highway 26 shortly before 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Once officials arrived at the scene, the driver reportedly fled the area — running away on foot.
The suspect is possibly armed with a gun, according to WCSO.
According to a tweet from the Washington County Sheriff’s office, deputies are searching near the wooded area close to SW 158th Ave. and SW Walker Road. The suspect is described as a male wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, and a black mask.
Authorities are asking community members in the area to stay inside and call 911 if they see “anything suspicious.”
This is a developing story. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/possibly-armed-suspect-on-the-loose-in-washington-county-oregon-after-stolen-car-crash/ | 2022-08-10T21:52:53 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/possibly-armed-suspect-on-the-loose-in-washington-county-oregon-after-stolen-car-crash/ |
The Superior Court in Pima County has launched a new felony warrant resolution plan that well help bring probation absconders back into compliance without serving jail time.
Clear My Warrant, which was started by the court's Adult Probation Department on Aug. 1, is a no-court, no-jail program that will give people the ability to clear their felony probation warrant without being arrested or incarcerated, a news release said. Individuals will contact the adult probation department and if they are eligible, they will have their warrant quashed and be reinstated to probation supervision.
“It is about public safety and reformation,” David Sanders, the Superior Court’s chief probation officer said in the news release. “The public is much better protected when the probationer complies with probation conditions. The probationer is much more likely to be rehabilitated when they receive services enabling them to live and thrive in the mainstream of public life.”
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Individuals who had been convicted of certain violent crimes, have new felony charges pending, who are wanted on additional warrants or have warrants outside of Pima County are not eligible for the Clear My Warrant Program, the news release said.
“Individuals most appropriate for the Clear My Warrant program are on probation for drug or property crimes, who may have absconded because of their substance use issues,” Sanders said.
The Adult Probation Department is one of the only five jurisdictions countrywide participating in The City University of New York Institute for State and Local Governance’s Reducing Revocations Program, which directs resources to local court and justice agency leaders to support individuals on probation experiencing substance use, mental health disorders, unemployment and homelessness, the news release said.
The institute also provided the grant funding for the new initiative. its support will subsidize drug testing and pay for public transportation to help remove some of the barriers an individual may face when trying to comply with their probation conditions, the news release said.
The National Center for State Courts, the department’s research partner, will track the effectiveness of the initiative and the outcomes of those who re-engage in the process of probation supervision.
Jamie Donnelly covers breaking news for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/pima-county-superior-court-launches-warrant-resolution-program/article_3ec4f808-18ea-11ed-b534-436659f8d4b3.html | 2022-08-10T21:54:12 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/pima-county-superior-court-launches-warrant-resolution-program/article_3ec4f808-18ea-11ed-b534-436659f8d4b3.html |
ATLANTA — Famed Atlanta rapper T.I. was honored in his hometown Wednesday.
Big things were poppin' at Georgia's state capitol as lawmakers celebrated Clifford Harris' philanthropy and community initiatives. Lawmakers honored his service to the state with the Georgia Outstanding Citizen Award.
T.I. has always had the motivation to go beyond his music and serve various causes, supporting organizations like For The Love of Our Fathers, which advocates for better quality of care for people with Alzheimer's disease. Over the years, he's also hosted Christmas toy drives benefiting children in Atlanta and has invested in youth development across the city.
Showing that it's not just about the money, the event cited his volunteer work and dedication to Georgia as why he deserves to be recognized with this honor.
Shortly after Georgia legislators celebrated the rapper's commitment to Atlanta, he was also awarded by the Global International Alliance Program with the Volunteers Achievement Lifetime Award from President Joe Biden. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/ti-honored-atlanta-georgia-capitol/85-913c67ec-994d-4ae8-aa6d-2ac68622cd98 | 2022-08-10T22:03:46 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/ti-honored-atlanta-georgia-capitol/85-913c67ec-994d-4ae8-aa6d-2ac68622cd98 |
LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Roba Family Farms near Dalton has been a popular attraction for family activities in the fall. This year, as the Roba family prepares for the upcoming season, they decided to extend a chaperone policy to the entire farm property. Anyone 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult over 21.
Last fall, the policy only involved the maze. Now, it covers the entire property.
"This is something that our family guests have been asking for, so we are rolling this out for the 2022 season. It is not a decision we made lightly, but it needed to be made," owner Jeff Roba said.
Roba says there have been several incidents involving teens in the past. The farm hired additional security last season, but it wasn't enough.
"Fist fighting, cursing, cursing at each other, cursing at our guests, cursing at our employees, theft. Our corn maze pretty much every season is destroyed by the second weekend from unsupervised kids."
Roba said this new policy isn't meant to deter new customers from coming. It's to protect those who come to ensure they have a safe and fun time.
"Our farm is a family destination. And our entire purpose here is to bring families together, not for one half of the family to get dropped at the door and the other half to leave and go do something else."
Roba also owns Lakeland Orchard and Cidery. There are six weeks left in the season, and this new chaperone policy does not apply to the orchard.
"That has not been an issue at that location to date. But it is still under consideration, and basically, the second we see it becoming an issue, we're going to nip that in the bud," Roba added.
The new chaperone policy with extra security at Roba Family Farms goes into effect when the farm opens for the season on September 9.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/roba-family-farms-expands-chaperone-policy-farm-security-safety/523-d70cea7f-d927-4318-9fd9-496684716e39 | 2022-08-10T22:05:55 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/roba-family-farms-expands-chaperone-policy-farm-security-safety/523-d70cea7f-d927-4318-9fd9-496684716e39 |
SCRANTON, Pa. — Megan Strachan was showing Benjamin Stephan around this past weekend at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour.
Stephan and his wife are visiting from Germany, but technically, his DNA has been here for a while.
Two years ago, Megan Strachan from Scranton was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Her doctors told her she would need to receive a stem cell transplant to help battle the disease.
"Because the situation was so serious, they told me I needed to get in like really quickly. We were basically just waiting for the chemotherapy to do its work before getting his cells," Strachan said.
Stephan was that donor.
Twelve years ago, Stephan gave a sample of his DNA and entered the match program. When he got the call that he was a match, he had no idea his cells would travel as far as they did.
"When I donated, they told me they have to get the cells now out, and one hour later, it was on the plane to America," he said.
Because of privacy laws, neither Strachan nor Stephan knew each other. They had to wait two years to connect.
"He sent me a letter and it was all redacted. I couldn't know his information or his name, so I basically just waited for the time limit to be up so that I can reach back out to him through email, and we connected," Strachan said.
And by chance, the timing was right for the two to meet.
Stephan and his wife had their honeymoon planned, to travel to the U.S. and meet the person whose life he changed.
"We planned this trip to go to Boston and New York just to have a nice vacation together. And when she reached out to me, and we saw it was Scranton, and we decided, 'Yeah, let's take a look. It's totally on our way,'" Stephan said.
"We actually share the same DNA now. It's crazy. I was so excited to know that he was coming and that we can meet each other. And just so I can thank him for giving me my life back," Strachan said.
Strachan and Stephan both encourage people to consider becoming a donor because you never know whose life you may save.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/scranton-woman-meets-stem-cell-donor-from-another-continent-lackawanna-county-germany/523-763c1c90-3088-4c7c-b999-fc264cf7d530 | 2022-08-10T22:05:57 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/scranton-woman-meets-stem-cell-donor-from-another-continent-lackawanna-county-germany/523-763c1c90-3088-4c7c-b999-fc264cf7d530 |
KINGSTON, Pa. — Worry continues to fill the minds of people who receive treatment through First Hospital and its outpatient services after news from Commonwealth Health that they would be closing on October 30.
"If I don't have this place to come to to get my meds and see my counselor, I don't know where I am going to go or where I am going to get my help from. nobody is Going to be able to help me," Chandra Pfeffer said.
"People aren't going to have anywhere to go close by. They are going to be sent out to all different places, scattered, and you won't know if you'll get transportation," said Amanda Potechko.
People gathered outside Community Counseling Services on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre to show their desire to keep all of the services open.
"It's like a family," said Albert Travis of Wilkes-Barre. "The staff is like family. A lot of us have been coming here for years. We can sit down with the staff if we have a problem and discuss it one on one."
Northeast Behavioral Health Care is stepping in to ease those concerns. The nonprofit has been working with Commonwealth Health to potentially keep First Hospital and outpatient facilities open.
"As of right now, there are no guarantees. It is in very early stages, but we wanted everyone to know that we are working in the background to try to do everything we can to keep First Hospital moving beyond that October 30 deadline," said Matthew Kalimchok, CFO of Northeast Behavioral Health Care.
Northeast Behavioral Health Care has served Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wyoming, and Susquehanna Counties since 2006. Officials tell Newswatch 16 it has reached out to its network of nearly 150 providers across the region.
"We are working as diligently and as quickly as possible to try to find a transition plan to ease the burden for both the patients and staff of the organizations," Kalimchok said.
Northeast Behavioral Health Care says there are still a lot of moving parts to make this all possible, but the nonprofit says it is doing what it can to work something out before the end of October.
Commonwealth Health also announced plans to unite two hospitals in Scranton under one license.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/fight-to-keep-mental-health-services-in-luzerne-county-first-hospital-commonwealth-health-community-counseling-services-northeast-behavioral-health/523-a4ab09a7-953d-4d27-ab3e-7ea86835512f | 2022-08-10T22:05:59 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/fight-to-keep-mental-health-services-in-luzerne-county-first-hospital-commonwealth-health-community-counseling-services-northeast-behavioral-health/523-a4ab09a7-953d-4d27-ab3e-7ea86835512f |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Sam Verdini of Loyalsock Township is in possession of history. He owns a ticket stub from the 1962 NBA game that was played in Hershey — otherwise known as the game when Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, the most by a single player in one game.
"Wilt was never a good foul shooter but he scored 31 points from the foul line that game and ended up scoring his 100 points," said Verdini.
Verdini remembers going to the game with his two friends. Just over 4,000 people attended the game.
"The only other thing I remember is Paul Harrison, who also played for Philadelphia, kept trying to shoot and not pass the ball to Wilt and people were booing him," added Verdini.
Verdini says the ticket has been sitting in a junk drawer for the past 60 years.
"I was talking to my buddy that I was at the game with and we were talking about the game. I said I still have my ticket stub and he said it might be worth some money, but I didn't know," he said.
Just recently, he took it to Shawn Vuocolo in South WIlliamsport to find out how much its worth. Vuocolo owns Finding Nostalgia, a business that deals with vintage sports memorabilia and appraisals.
"This is a valuable ticket. It is probably one of the most sought-after NBA collectibles, if not the most sought after," said Vuocolo.
The ticket was sent off to Professional Sports Authenticators to be authenticated and graded. The ticket stub will soon be auctioned off. It has the potential to sell for six figures.
"We are sending it off to Robert Edwards Auctions and we are actually sending it off today. It will be auctioned off in the November auction," added Vuocolo.
"It is fantastic. It couldn't have cost me more than a couple of dollars back in 1962," said Verdini.
There are currently only 23 authenticated tickets from this game in existence.
Check out WNEP’s YouTube channel. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/lycoming-county-man-holding-piece-of-sports-history-wilt-chamberlain-hershey-100-points-ticket-stub/523-2983b211-5be3-4f76-8d04-0a229627f009 | 2022-08-10T22:06:01 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/lycoming-county-man-holding-piece-of-sports-history-wilt-chamberlain-hershey-100-points-ticket-stub/523-2983b211-5be3-4f76-8d04-0a229627f009 |
POCONO SUMMIT, Pa. — What was once an art room inside Pocono Mountain West High School in Tobyhanna Township has now transformed into a food and hygiene pantry.
The pantry is where students in the district can take what they need, free of charge.
"We wanted to have more resources available to the students who were there in the building. They can just get it. They don't have to go out into the community to get anything. It's all just housed in the building," Evelyn Payne, an Athletic trainer for St. Luke's who works at Pocono Mountain West High School, said.
Payne came up with the idea after seeing a report from St. Luke's about addressing food and health insecurities.
Since starting the Panther Pantry, more than 55 students and families have received help.
"Definitely, the hygiene need was the most surprising for me, I guess. The food need is always there. But when they see that we have all the hygiene stuff, it's just stuff they're not able to find in other places," Payne said.
The food and hygiene pantry is open to all Pocono Mountain students and their families. School officials are encouraging those families to come through these doors and get anything they need.
"We haven't had as many people, as many families using it over the summer, as we did during the school year," Payne said. "But it's because they're not the building and transportation issues and the price of gas, but the families that are coming in are taking more things than they do during the school."
The pantry was made possible by grants through St.Luke's, Sanofi Pasteur, donations and discounts from Mount Pocono Shoprite, and donations from people.
Payne said she will always accept donations to continue helping her students and families in need.
"I am just really happy for them that we have this resource available and that they can get what they need all together in one place, and it's just helping the families, and it's helping the kids, and it's just setting the kids up for future success," Payne said.
If you are interested in donating, contact the Pocono Mountain West High school at (570) 839-7121.
The Panther Pantry also has an Amazon wishlist.
You can also email Evelyn Payne to schedule a visit to the pantry or to donate at epayne@pmsd.org.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/panther-pantry-helps-pocono-students-in-need-pocono-mountain-families-food-pantry/523-d16a1996-0c51-4f67-9666-acc656bf1634 | 2022-08-10T22:06:03 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/monroe-county/panther-pantry-helps-pocono-students-in-need-pocono-mountain-families-food-pantry/523-d16a1996-0c51-4f67-9666-acc656bf1634 |
Authorities in Natrona County have found a man identified as a person of interest an active double-homicide investigation, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
The man, Luke Thomas Young, was located roughly 16 hours after officers responded to the homicide, according to the Natrona County Sheriff's Office. Officers had warned the public Wednesday morning that Young may be considered armed and dangerous and could have outstanding warrants.
Sheriff's deputies have been on scene since 11 p.m. Tuesday. Two people were found dead, and no other injuries have been reported, according to sheriff's spokesperson Kiera Grogan.
The Natrona County Coroner's Office identified the two people as Kameron Young Johnson, 27, and Acacia Colvin, 19, both of Casper. Autopsies for both have been scheduled.
Earlier Wednesday, the sheriff's office said Young was last seen in the area of Ten Mile Road and Highway 20-26 west of Casper, and authorities suspected he might be traveling on foot.
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The sheriff's office thanked the "many vigilant citizens" that reported pertinent information about the incident in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
He is the only suspect in the investigation, Grogan said. Young reportedly has warrants out for his arrest unrelated to this incident, from other counties possibly in the northern part of Wyoming, according to Grogan.
As part of the investigation, officers temporarily closed Highway 20-26 from Zero Road to Thirty Three Mile Road. The closure was lifted shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, Natrona County School District said it would control access and have heightened awareness at all of its schools and buildings. Outdoor school activities will be limited, but summer school will occur as normal.
The sheriff's office also asked people in the area to secure their homes and cars.
Officers from the county's Special Response Team and Wyoming Highway Patrol were also on scene Wednesday morning.
Anyone with information is asked to contacted the sheriff's office at 235-9282. | https://trib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/authorities-find-person-of-interest-in-double-homicide-investigation/article_9939009c-18f2-11ed-9574-9b1b83cd70b1.html | 2022-08-10T22:06:14 | 1 | https://trib.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/authorities-find-person-of-interest-in-double-homicide-investigation/article_9939009c-18f2-11ed-9574-9b1b83cd70b1.html |
SHENANDOAH, Pa. — A text scam is making the rounds in Schuylkill County. Someone is pretending to represent the Shenandoah Heights Fire Company.
Even Fire Chief Steven Quinn received the suspicious text.
"I was confused, and at first I thought they were doing something different, and then I realized we still do everything on paper up there. We're not that advanced yet; nothing is through text message," Chief Quinn said.
The Shenandoah Heights Fire Company just finished collecting orders for its t-shirt and hoodie fundraiser, making this scam even more believable.
"There was a lot of questioning if we bought a shirt and we didn't get the discount because a lot of people thought the messages were real. So there was confusion from the text messages," he said.
Chief Quinn says the biggest red flag in the text was the web link.
"The big thing was the link. Most of these fire companies don't have the pages to send a link to do that. We're not up to date yet. If we're doing a fundraiser, you're getting a paper, and you're going to ask people if they're going to buy a shirt, and then you jot their name down," Chief Quinn said.
His biggest concern is the elderly falling for this scam.
"If they're not seeing us telling them it's a scam, they're hitting on it, and something's happening, they're going to think it's the fire company scamming them. And that's going to lose people, and we do a truck drive every year. Are people going to start to think that's a scam as well? We're going to have to change up how we're going to send it out," said Chief Quinn.
The fire company is doing what it can to spread the word about the scam. Still, Chief Quinn says it's made him rethink how they advertise future events.
"If we're going to have to put something like a watermark on it knowing it's coming from the firehouse. It's definitely going to change the game a little bit, and we don't know if it's going to hurt us yet, but we hope not," he said.
This scam isn't unique to Schuylkill County. Chief Quinn says it's been reported with fire companies across the state.
He says to be cautious of text messages requesting money, especially those claiming to be with a fire company.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/schuylkill-county/text-scammers-pretending-to-schuylkill-fire-company-shenandoah-heights-scam/523-a68242d6-b6cd-4ec2-bfe4-c86d98e66878 | 2022-08-10T22:06:15 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/schuylkill-county/text-scammers-pretending-to-schuylkill-fire-company-shenandoah-heights-scam/523-a68242d6-b6cd-4ec2-bfe4-c86d98e66878 |
Students started moving in on the campus of Paul Quinn College in Dallas. 13 of those students are getting a helping hand furnishing their dorm room thanks to a group called Move-In Day Mafia.
The organization consists of a group of volunteers who assist Historically Black College and University, also known as HBCU, freshmen transfer into their new dorm rooms. This assistance includes providing room essentials like bedding, laundry supplies and other household necessities.
Freshman Joanna Nicolas appreciates the donation and assistance from Move-In Day Mafia.
"It's really a good opportunity that they give to the families to provide for them because we don't always know what families are going through," Paul Quinn College freshman Joanna Nicolas said.
The students chosen by the organization all face financial hardships.
"In a way, it's like a weight taken off of you to know you don't have to worry about certain things when you already have to worry about school," Nicolas said, adding that the supplies are a big help.
Tee J. Mercer is the founder of Move-In Day Mafia. Through volunteers and donations, the group is able to supply bedding, refrigerators, and other essentials.
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"I need them to focus on just being a student and going to college,” she said. “I don't want them worrying about where is the deodorant coming from. Where is the soap coming from?"
Mercer said removing this small burden will hopefully free their minds to focus on grades.
"You can just think and thrive and that's why it's important because I need them to just focus on what the rest of their lives are," Mercer said.
These students will also get monthly care packages and will be supported through their college journey.
"For those that have come out of situations where the family wasn't supportive or they don't even know their family I need them to know from this point on you've got a family," Mercer said.
"I feel very blessed for the opportunity to have this," Nicolas said.
To learn more about Move-In Day Mafia click here. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-hbcu-freshmen-get-assistance-from-charitable-mafia/3045282/ | 2022-08-10T22:06:19 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-hbcu-freshmen-get-assistance-from-charitable-mafia/3045282/ |
Dallas voters will get the final say this fall on whether the city should move forward with plans for a new convention center and new improvements to Fair Park.
Wednesday, the Dallas City Council signed off on sending the proposal to voters this upcoming November.
It includes a plan to pay the bill for both the expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and upgrades to Fair Park buildings.
Residents would not cover the costs. Instead, it would be paid for by visitors through state hotel taxes and an increase in city hotel taxes.
"This is really a gamechanger for the city, profound investment for the southern sector and we ask for your vote of support today," said Brain Luallen, executive director of Fair Park First.
NBC DFW has previously reported how the $2 billion plan has received the support of the city council.
The special election is on Nov. 8. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-residents-to-vote-on-new-convention-center-and-improvements-to-fair-park/3045212/ | 2022-08-10T22:06:21 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-residents-to-vote-on-new-convention-center-and-improvements-to-fair-park/3045212/ |
LEWISBURG, Pa. — It's hard not to smile when you meet Winter Martz of Lewisburg. That's what everyone thought as they stopped by the seven-year-old's lemonade stand.
Winter has Joubert syndrome, which is a brain disorder. She's had it since birth.
"It affects their pituitary gland, their breathing, and coordination. Everything you need for day-to-day life," Phylicia Martz said.
Winter and her family have been waiting to go to Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2020, but the program shut down during the pandemic.
Now that it is up and running again, Winter's trip is scheduled for October.
"Everything is taken care of and there's really not much for us to think about," Martz said.
Make-A-Wish pays for Winter's trip and one additional activity while she is at Disney World.
Winter is attending Mickey's Not-so-scary Halloween Party, but she would also like to go to the Bippity Boppity Boutique while she is there.
"Put glitter in their hair, they do their nails, a little bit of makeup. Then they get a Disney princess dress to dress up in and a photo shoot at the end and it's super sweet," Martz said.
That's where the lemonade stand came in.
Winter and her siblings sold lemonade and baked goods to raise money for the Bippity Boppity Boutique. Community members came out to support the little girl's wish.
"It's just awesome to be able to have this memory with her and let her experience the world like any other kid and just feel special even when her days are sometimes hard," Martz said.
For more information on how you can help Winter, click here.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/union-county/girl-raises-money-for-make-a-wish-trip-lewisburg-winter-martz-lemonade-stand-joubert-syndrome/523-9462e7d3-c345-446a-8bb0-df3081d6e766 | 2022-08-10T22:06:21 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/union-county/girl-raises-money-for-make-a-wish-trip-lewisburg-winter-martz-lemonade-stand-joubert-syndrome/523-9462e7d3-c345-446a-8bb0-df3081d6e766 |
A pilot was rescued Tuesday afternoon after crashing into a Southeast Texas lake while responding to nearby wildfires, authorities say.
The Texas A&M Forest Service said the pilot of a Fire Boss Single Engine Air Tanker/Scooper crashed at about 5 p.m. into Lake Livingston. The pilot survived the crash and was quickly rescued.
The aircraft was one of several called to help with wildfires burning near Corrigan in Polk County, the forest service said.
"Our thoughts are with the pilot, their family and friends as well as all personnel involved," the forest service wrote on Facebook.
No further information was released about the pilot or what may have caused the crash. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/air-tanker-plane-battling-wildfires-crashes-into-texas-lake/3045121/ | 2022-08-10T22:06:34 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/air-tanker-plane-battling-wildfires-crashes-into-texas-lake/3045121/ |
Lake Travis ISD announced some significant changes to its transportation services for the upcoming school year to deal with an ongoing bus driver shortage.
The district said it has done aggressive recruitment efforts and increased starting salaries to $23 per hour, but the shortage continues.
Lake Travis ISD announced in a letter to parents on Tuesday the following changes will be implemented, effective the first day of school, Aug. 16:
- Students who reside outside a two-mile radius from their home campus will be provided transportation on a rotating schedule, meaning bus service will be provided one week on and one week off. Bus schedules will be posted on the Lake Travis ISD Transportation Department webpage beginning Wednesday. Multi-student households may not necessarily be assigned similar schedules.
- Students who reside within a two-mile radius from their home campus will not be provided transportation; while this is not a popular decision to make, this is the most realistic option we can provide with the limited number of bus drivers currently on staff.
Read more from our media Nexstar media partners at KXAN-TV | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/austin-school-district-to-limit-bus-service-amid-driver-shortage/3045133/ | 2022-08-10T22:06:40 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/austin-school-district-to-limit-bus-service-amid-driver-shortage/3045133/ |
When Brad Jones was tapped as interim chief executive of the nonprofit that runs the state’s power grid following the deadly February 2021 winter storm that left most of Texas without power for days, he said he would help stabilize the grid and get it through the summer. Jones was clear he wasn’t interested in keeping the job long-term.
Now, 15 months after Jones became interim CEO, and more than a month after the June target date when Jones had told colleagues and conference crowds he wanted to step down, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas’ new board of directors still has not selected his successor.
Eight sources from across the power industry who spoke to The Texas Tribune say Gov. Greg Abbott, who has no formal role in the process, has put a stranglehold on the CEO search.
The board of directors, installed by a group of three people who are appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker, and a contracted search firm have presented CEO candidates to Abbott for final say, according to three sources who spoke to the Tribune on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issues.
Read more from our media partners at the Dallas Morning News | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/gov-abbott-takes-control-of-choosing-who-will-lead-ercot/3045211/ | 2022-08-10T22:06:46 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/gov-abbott-takes-control-of-choosing-who-will-lead-ercot/3045211/ |
Everybody knows Justin Bieber and Celine Dion are from Canada—their names have practically become synonymous with our neighbors to the north, particularly when we're playfully poking fun at the stars. But America—and Hollywood, in particular—is full of many other Canadians. To honor our neighbors in the Great White North, Stacker has compiled a list of 30 celebrities you might not have known are Canadian.
The circumstances that brought these stars stateside are unique, but they often involve the same theme: chasing a dream of making it big one day. Actors often head toward Hollywood or New York City to catch a big break, leaving their Canadian hometowns in search of fame. Athletes might come to the U.S. to attend a university for more exposure and to increase their chances of being recruited. Scientists and entrepreneurs often follow similar paths, either heading to a prestigious university or beelining to Silicon Valley to pitch their startups.
Once here in the States, burgeoning celebrities typically assimilate fairly easily. Sure, there's the love of maple syrup and diehard hockey fanaticism (and some of these cultural assumptions are true), but Canadians and Americans culturally have much in common. They speak mostly the same language (outside French-speaking Quebec), they eat lots of the same foods, and many of the cultural references are the same. Sociopolitically, Canadians follow Europeans more in terms of things like free education and universal health care; however, the overall structure and ideas of the countries are alike.
For these reasons, it's no surprise these Canadian celebrities blend so seamlessly into the American landscape, often working for years or even decades without most Americans knowing where they're from. Ryan Gosling, Mike Myers, and Rachel McAdams all appear on this list—but keep reading to see which other stars you already knew about and which you might've guessed.
You may also like: 30 stars who hit their stride late in life | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/isu-announces-new-board-meeting-date/article_aad7642e-18ed-11ed-be82-db65b11e96d0.html | 2022-08-10T22:09:12 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/education/isu-announces-new-board-meeting-date/article_aad7642e-18ed-11ed-be82-db65b11e96d0.html |
Authorities are investigating a truck stop off of Interstate 295 in Gloucester County after numerous reports of a strong odor in neighborhoods across South Jersey.
NBC10, as well as county officials in New Jersey, received several calls Wednesday afternoon from residents in Gloucester and Camden counties reporting a strong odor of natural gas outside.
Gloucester Township police department in Camden County tweeted, "Officials are currently investigating a natural gas leak in the East Greenwich/Paulsboro area in Gloucester County."
SkyForce10 was over the TA Travel Center truck stop along I-295 in Paulsboro, Gloucester County where emergency crews responded shortly before 5 p.m.
This story is developing and will be updated. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/gas-leak-leaves-strong-odor-wafting-across-south-jersey-police/3331796/ | 2022-08-10T22:10:22 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/gas-leak-leaves-strong-odor-wafting-across-south-jersey-police/3331796/ |
TAYLOR, Texas — Around 77 years ago, the U.S. dropped the second of two atomic bombs on Japan. The bomb that was dropped on Aug. 9, 1945, brought an end to World War II. Forty-thousand people were killed instantly and thousands more died in the days that followed.
One month after the bombing of Nagasaki, the U.S. sent the Marines in to coordinate the Japanese military's disarmament. Archie Moczygemba of Taylor was one of the first Marines to enter Nagasaki in September of 1945.
"The bomb dropped in a valley, and everything for a half mile up the mountain was gone," said Moczygemba.
He has very clear memories of the devastation that was left behind.
"We more or less supervised the labor force created from the Japanese Army, stripping down the armaments that they had. They were loaded onto [landing ship tanks] and taken out the sea and dumped," he said.
Archie turned 98 back on July 4. This veteran spent 22 years in the military. He was an active-duty Marine for seven years and then joined the Army, where he served for another 15 years.
His military career almost didn't happen, as Archie didn't pass the physical to join the Navy back in 1942 because they determined that he had flat feet.
He didn't let that slow him down, though. Archie went right down the hall to the Marine office, where he passed the test.
After basic training, Moczygemba was sent to the Pacific, where he joined up with the First Defense Battalion. Archie would later move on to the Second Marine Division, where he was serving when he was sent to Japan.
Archie served all around the world. He still has a map in his Taylor home with pins showing his different stops along the way. Now, all these years later, he's still extremely proud of his time in the U.S. Military.
"The duties that those people pulled, and I pulled, I don't think they've changed much," he said. "I believe they deserve a lot of praise and honor."
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/archie-moczygemba-wwii-veteran-taylor/269-d2f2c74e-4741-4b1c-9bb8-5ba35537c0a9 | 2022-08-10T22:10:37 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/archie-moczygemba-wwii-veteran-taylor/269-d2f2c74e-4741-4b1c-9bb8-5ba35537c0a9 |
FRIDLEY, Minn. — A Coon Rapids woman is suing Walmart over a 2019 fire in the parking lot of the company's Fridley store that took the life of her 6-year-old daughter.
Essie McKenzie alleges that Walmart's policy to allow RVs and other vehicles camp in their store parking lots led a California couple to stay overnight in August of 2019, and eventually use a hotplate that started McKenzie's van on fire with her two children sleeping inside. The lawsuit alleges wrongful death, and says by allowing people to camp with no supervision, permit requirements or sanitation, Walmart has maintained dangerous conditions on store grounds.
"These unregulated, unlicensed, and unmonitored campgrounds pose a threat of illness, injury, noise, and crime to a considerable number of members of the public," the court documents read.
The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000.
First responders were called to the Walmart Superstore at 8450 University Avenue in Fridley around 7:15 a.m. the morning of Aug. 6, on reports that a van had caught fire and jumped to multiple vehicles parked nearby. One of those vehicles belonged to Essie McKenzie and inside were her children, who were napping while she shopped for groceries. McKenzie said the children were tired after being awakened quite early that morning so she could take relatives to the airport.
McKenzie's 6-year-old daughter Ty-rah sustained injuries that would prove fatal, and her eldest daughter Taraji, who was nine at the time of the incident, suffered severe injuries that the lawsuit claims will leave her physically and emotionally scarred for life.
Investigators discovered that the origin of the fire was a hot plate being used by Robert Lino Hipolito, who was camping in the Walmart parking lot with his wife in their minivan. The 72-year-old Hipolito was charged with second degree manslaughter, but eventually pled guilty to two felony counts of negligent fire. He was sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years probation.
“She (her daughter Taraji White) watched her six-year-old sister (Ty'rah) lose everything in the palm of her hand,” said McKenzie at the time of the sentencing. Taraji White survived the fire but was left with severe burns and lung damage.
“I wished that this never happened, and I wish I could do something to fix it, but I can do nothing,” Hipolito told the court.
The lawsuit says Walmart allows overnight camping in its parking lots with the expectation those campers will then purchase goods from the store. It alleges Walmart failed to monitor the activities of overnight campers, specifically the Hipolitos, though having the capability to do so.
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Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/mother-sues-walmart-after-childs-death-in-parking-lot/89-4b156476-0e93-44fc-a586-728b45b5a553 | 2022-08-10T22:10:44 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/mother-sues-walmart-after-childs-death-in-parking-lot/89-4b156476-0e93-44fc-a586-728b45b5a553 |
GENESEE COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - A Genesee County Circuit Court judge announced his resignation Wednesday after a former intern came forward with allegations of sexual harassment.
Judge Joseph Farah will step down from the bench on Nov. 9, according to a statement from Genesee County Acting Chief Judge Elizabeth Kelly. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will appoint a successor to Farah's position.
An intern working in Farah's office in November 2021 made several allegations against Farah to the Michigan State University Resolution Office. The student claimed she was a victim of sexual harassment from June to October 2021.
A hearing officer determined Farah, who also taught as an adjunct professor for the MSU College of Law, committed five violations against the intern. Farah did not face any criminal charges from the investigation, however.
ABC12 News has been following this story. Watch for a full report on the allegations against Farah on ABC12 News at Six. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/genesee-county-judge-resigning-after-allegations-from-former-intern/article_adb47b18-18e9-11ed-a8aa-f7941577a98a.html | 2022-08-10T22:20:34 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/genesee-county-judge-resigning-after-allegations-from-former-intern/article_adb47b18-18e9-11ed-a8aa-f7941577a98a.html |
DAVISON, Mich. (WJRT) - A children's camp was held today in Davison that centered around safety and how to react if one happens.
The camp Wednesday was designed to help kids learn how to prevent emergencies, what happens if they are in one and how the process works with different authorities.
There were a number of different authorities there for the event like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, ambulances and police stations. Kids were able to learn about the police's dive team as well as how the authorities work together.
The purpose of this annual camp is to get kids comfortable with different authorities if they were ever to be in a situation where they needed help. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/kids-learn-about-emergency-prevention-at-camp-911/article_322dd1ac-18f2-11ed-b570-c3eb2dc84c02.html | 2022-08-10T22:20:40 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/kids-learn-about-emergency-prevention-at-camp-911/article_322dd1ac-18f2-11ed-b570-c3eb2dc84c02.html |
WATERLOO — A Waterloo man accused of holding a woman against her will has been arrested on sex crime allegations.
Waterloo police arrested Christopher Paul Rumachik, 36, of 320 Glenwood St., formerly of Nashua, on Tuesday for false imprisonment, assault causing bodily injury and third-degree sexual abuse. Bond was set at $50,000.
According to court records, police searched his home Tuesday afternoon and found a woman who said Rumachik refused to allow her to leave the house for several weeks and that he had forced her to have sex.
He is accused of assaulting the woman when she didn’t do what he wanted and once used pepper spray on her when she attempted to leave, court records state.
The two were acquaintances, police indicate.
Rumachik was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine in connection with a June 10 incident in which Cedar Falls police searched his vehicle and found a bag of meth under the driver’s seat.
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He is also awaiting trial for theft in a June 20 incident where is accused of stealing Monster energy drinks and $70 worth of whey from Hy-Vee on Flammang Drive in Waterloo, and June 9 incident where he allegedly used a slingshot to break the windows at David’s Taphouse and Dumplings in Cedar Falls at 2:40 a.m. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waterloo-man-arrested-for-false-imprisonment-sexual-abuse/article_d8522f4b-4d7b-5a6e-98c3-0b9e1650df57.html | 2022-08-10T22:24:44 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/waterloo-man-arrested-for-false-imprisonment-sexual-abuse/article_d8522f4b-4d7b-5a6e-98c3-0b9e1650df57.html |
COURIER STAFF
WAVERLY — McDonald’s has announced a $50,000 donation to the Cedar River Park project.
Owners Scott and Lisa Soifer along with their children Vivian, Ross, and Theodore, presented a check recently to Waverly Mayor Adam Hoffman, task force chairman Jeremy Langner, and athletic fields maintenance specialist Greg Westendorf.
The park is in the heart of Waverly, and once completed will house eight ball diamonds for youths of all abilities to play baseball and softball. Cedar River Park will also include accessible concessions and bathrooms, a bike path, and an inclusive playground structure. Fundraising for the project is nearing completion, with over 84% of the $1.2 million goal funded.
Soifer Family McDonald’s owns and operates 17 restaurants in the Cedar Valley and eastern Iowa, employing more than 1,000 people.
Photos: 2022 UNI Football Media Day
UNI FB Media Day 19
Deion and Vance McShane pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 6
Quarterback Theo Day poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 26
Teammates egg on linebacker Spencer Cuvelierposes as he posees for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 5
Quarterbacks Theo Day and Matt Morrissey pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 13
Defensive back Benny Sapp III and his father Benny Sapp Jr. pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 25
Linebacker Spencer Cuvelier poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 2
Head Coach Mark Farley speaks during a press conference during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 8
Defensive back Benny Sapp poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 12
Offensive lineman Tristan Roper poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 28
Players pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 9
Defensive back Benny Sapp poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 22
Players goof around and pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 11
Offensive lineman Tristan Roper poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 27
Teammates egg on linebacker Spencer Cuvelierposes as he posees for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 20
Linebacker Bryce Flater poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 3
Quarterback Matt Morrissey poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 31
The new University of Northern Iowa football team meeting room overlooking the UNI-Dome.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 18
Defensive lineman Devin Rice poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 15
Offensive lineman Matthew Vanderslice poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 29
Offensive lineman Nick Ellis poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 21
Defensive back Korby Sander poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 17
Defensive lineman Caden Houghtelling poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 24
Linebacker Spencer Cuvelier poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 10
Defensive back Takulve Williams poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 23
Placekicker Matthew Cook poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 14
Defensive back Benny Sapp III and his father Benny Sapp Jr. pose for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 30
The new University of Northern Iowa football team meeting room overlooking the UNI-Dome.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 7
Wide receiver Quan Hampton poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 4
Quarterback Matt Morrissey poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 1
Head Coach Mark Farley speaks during a press conference during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
UNI FB Media Day 16
Offensive lineman Matthew Vanderslice poses for a photo during University of Northern Iowa football media day at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls on Wednesday.
CHRIS ZOELLER Courier Staff Photographer
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/mcdonald-s-donates-to-waverly-park-project/article_6a3b2d1f-3402-5338-a320-1be2c656cee0.html | 2022-08-10T22:24:50 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/mcdonald-s-donates-to-waverly-park-project/article_6a3b2d1f-3402-5338-a320-1be2c656cee0.html |
YORK, Pa. — Since June 1st, Planned Parenthood Keystone says about 160 women from out-of-state have come to their offices to seek care.
“We have seen double the amount of patients coming to us for abortion care from out of state that we have in previous years," said Melissa Reed, the president of Planned Parenthood Keystone.
Most of the patients have been coming from Ohio, as well as West Virginia, Kentucky, and even Texas. Planned Parenthood says they were prepared for this uptick.
“We have really worked hard to expand abortion appointment availability at all of our health centers. We have also hired additional abortion providers, we got abortion patient navigators, working with patients to help them navigate the process to get an abortion," said Reed.
However, some organizations like the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation believe the focus should be on providing more support to pregnant women
“Rather than making Pennsylvania an abortion magnet, we should be concentrating on helping pregnant women in need," said Maria Gallagher from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.
Gallagher says everything that a mother needs she can find in Pennsylvania.
“We have so many support systems in place for pregnant women and their preborn children. We have so many pregnancy resource centers, who stand by ready to assist," said Gallagher.
Planned Parenthood says they have also expanded care through telemedicine, so now they’re able to provide medical abortion virtually. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/planned-parenthood-keystone-sees-increase-in-out-of-state-patients-in-pa-abortion-care-mothers/521-2ec1665c-4716-4d25-a609-35ab4ce231c0 | 2022-08-10T22:25:52 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/planned-parenthood-keystone-sees-increase-in-out-of-state-patients-in-pa-abortion-care-mothers/521-2ec1665c-4716-4d25-a609-35ab4ce231c0 |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Are you looking for a job? Apply to work at one of the best grocery stores in the state of Texas.
H-E-B is looking for staff for its new Plano location. The chain will be hosting a job fair on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at Collin College (2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway).
Officials ask applicants to fill out an application before arriving to make the process faster once they arrive at the job fair.
To apply, click here. | https://cw33.com/news/local/h-e-b-hosting-job-fair-for-new-plano-location-on-aug-13/ | 2022-08-10T22:26:35 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/h-e-b-hosting-job-fair-for-new-plano-location-on-aug-13/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Neighbors in North Birmingham tell CBS 42 they feel like the city doesn’t care about their road conditions, after large potholes and other road hazards have been marked with cones for months.
“We have several streets in this area that either have a hole in them or a soon to be hole with barricades, cones or barrels on them,” said North Birmingham Resident Sandra Brown.
She reached out to CBS 42 to get answers about the street conditions.
“The barricades set up behind me they have been there six to nine months or longer,” Brown explained.
She said the issues start around 26th Street and 34th Avenue, and continue through several areas to 28th Street and 31st Avenue.
“They need to fix these roads up ’cause it just about tore the tires up on my wheelchair,” neighbor Barbara Hill told CBS 42. “It seems to me like they just don’t care.”
CBS 42 reached out to District 9 City Councilor LaTonya Tate about residents’ concerns. A spokesperson for the City Council said Tate would not do an on-camera interview, but provided us with this statement:
“Since being elected, it’s been my goal to establish an open line of communication with all my residents. I want my office to be a place where people can bring their concerns and speak openly about issues that impact their neighborhoods.
The area in which these potholes and barriers are located was recently redistricted from District 4 into my district in March. As soon as my office was contacted about this issue, we visited the area, took pictures and reported it to Department of Public Works.
These issues are a public safety hazard and it’s something my office takes very seriously. I want to assure the residents that we are going to be following up with this until it is fixed. I’d also like to urge all of my constituents to please contact my office in the future if there is a problem that the City needs to address.” | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/they-just-dont-care-neighbors-in-north-birmingham-frustrated-over-road-hazards/ | 2022-08-10T22:32:34 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/they-just-dont-care-neighbors-in-north-birmingham-frustrated-over-road-hazards/ |
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The chair of the Brackenridge Park Conservancy emphasized this week that the group is not trying to privatize or commercialize the park as the city prepares to spend millions on improvements.
“Contrary to what you’ve heard, we do not control this process,” Nick Hollis, chair of the board, said at a meeting to discuss a plan to spend $7.75 million on upgrades. “We raise money to support your park.”
The project, which includes the removal of more than 100 native trees, has been met with opposition over recent months. Separately, the city is planning renovations to the historic, city-owned Sunken Garden Theater at the park and expanding the theater to 7,000 seats, up from a maximum of 4,800. In recent months, the park’s neighbors have been concerned the upgrades would commercialize the park.
While vehicle access, parking and picnic amenities are secondary issues, the request to cut down trees at risk of falling or in areas where work is planned remained the key source of conflict at a meeting Tuesday night.
The city is using 2017 bond money to:
• Expand green space
• Restore a lily pond
• Repair and commemorate a 1700s mission acequia and 1800s raceway
• Fix walls on the San Antonio River
• Expose arches at the base of an 1870s pump house
After putting the project on hold in February, the city committed to cutting down fewer established trees. A plan shown Tuesday for the project’s second phase increases the number of native trees to be preserved, among the 185 trees in the project’s second phase, from 121 to 135. Of the three heritage trees with at least a 24-inch diameter initially targeted for removal, one would be saved.
The Brackenridge Park Conservancy, created in 2008 to protect and preserve the park, released a cultural landscape report last year that documented the park’s ties to humans, including Indigenous people who camped and fished there and concluded the park now is in ecological decline.
Hollis asked the restless audience to work with the conservancy.
“We want to hear more from you. This is just one project. To fix this park, to get it to where it really needs to be, it’s most probably a $300 million to $400 million effort,” Hollis said.
The city plans to present an updated plan at the end of the month.
Ross Hosea, a parks department manager overseeing forestry staff, said the city doesn’t take tree removal lightly. He recalled three “very large” heritage trees along the river banks in or near the park that fell in heavy rains and had to be removed in the past eight years. Other trees have roots exposed by soil erosion and are in danger of falling.
“More recently, we’ve had large trees also on the river that have just broken in half,” Hosea said. “Every tree that’s been removed has gone through a process…it was either unsafe, it was a risk or it had failed.”
David Vaughan, a certified arborist who assessed trees at the city’s request as part of a team of volunteers, said they believe none of the trees in the project area are more than 100 years old.
Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, whose precinct includes much of the park, was among the last of about 20 people who spoke. He urged the city to save as many trees as possible based on scientific projections that the county is “turning into a desert” and needs to preserve shade canopy. He said he was “crestfallen because of the dissension in the room.”
“We are in a crisis of the environment right now. And we need to be more synergistic with our plans,” Calvert said.
The next meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Witte Museum will provide an update on both phases of the project, which still require permits from the Historic and Design Review Commission and Texas Historical Commission.
City Parks Director Homer Garcia said feedback at meetings over the summer has helped move the project “in a positive direction.”
“But I also hear that we still have our work to do,” he said.
shuddleston@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Brackenridge-Park-tree-project-17364756.php | 2022-08-10T22:34:56 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Brackenridge-Park-tree-project-17364756.php |
A Fort Wayne man faces several felony charges, including drunken driving, in a three-vehicle crash that left a woman badly injured.
Aaron Michael Graham, 27, was charged Wednesday with causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, two counts of criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon, reckless driving causing bodily injury and disregarding an official traffic control device.
Graham was released Tuesday in lieu of $45,000 bail.
He was driving a black Cadillac east on State Boulevard just after 8 a.m. Tuesday when he collided with a vehicle headed south on Hobson Road. The impact caused that vehicle to collide with a third vehicle traveling north on Hobson, police said.
A witness told police the driver the black Cadillac, later identified as Graham, was weaving in and out of traffic on State before the collision.
Graham left the scene on foot but was later apprehended by police blocks away from the crash.
Mary Delores Ortega, who was driving south on Hobson, was taken to a hospital in critical condition. She suffered a fractured rib, thorax and sternum and lacerated spleen, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Allen Superior Court.
Ortega's condition was not available Wednesday. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/driver-in-3-vehicle-crash-identified-charged/article_5cfae598-18e1-11ed-90a9-0fce8dce67bb.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:25 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/driver-in-3-vehicle-crash-identified-charged/article_5cfae598-18e1-11ed-90a9-0fce8dce67bb.html |
Getz Road and its intersections with Illinois Road and Covington Road will be restricted Thursday as part of a resurfacing project, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
For questions or to report problems, contact the city's traffic engineering department at 427-1172. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/gets-road-section-restricted-thursday/article_c8bff37a-18f2-11ed-afef-4b12b1942a1f.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:26 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/gets-road-section-restricted-thursday/article_c8bff37a-18f2-11ed-afef-4b12b1942a1f.html |
Nominations are being accepted for the 2022 Welcoming Fort Wayne Awards, which honors outstanding immigrants and refugees and those who work to create a welcoming community.
The awards, presented by Welcoming Fort Wayne and Amani Family Services, will be 9 a.m. Sept. 16 at Ivy Tech Community College, Coliseum campus. Admission is free but registration is required at amanifamilyservices.org/welcomingweek. Nomination deadline is Aug. 26.
The awards ceremony is part of Amani Family Services' Welcoming Week from Sept. 10 through 16 that showcases Fort Wayne's cultures through art, film, food and education. The event schedule can be found at amanifamilyservices.org/welcoming-week. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/registration-open-for-fort-wayne-event-honoring-immigrants-and-refugees/article_adabf4cc-18b5-11ed-adf8-0777ff3ba9d4.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:26 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/registration-open-for-fort-wayne-event-honoring-immigrants-and-refugees/article_adabf4cc-18b5-11ed-adf8-0777ff3ba9d4.html |
A second person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Steuben County last week, police said Wednesday.
Lonnie Bright, 43, of rural Fremont, died late Monday. He was driving a 2012 Volkswagen when he was involved in a crash about 4 p.m. Friday at Indiana 120 near County Road 850 West.
Back seat passenger Journey Bright, 5, remains hospitalized in critical condition, police said.
Breanna Jeanne Bright, 33, of rural Fremont, died Friday at the scene of the crash. Granger Bright, 3, was released from a hospital, police said.
The sheriff's department said Donald Gene Squires, 50, of Howe, was driving a 2007 Nissan Titan pickup truck west on Indiana 120 when he crossed the center line into the path of the eastbound silver 2012 Volkswagen passenger car driven by Bright.
Squires suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, police said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/second-person-dies-following-steuben-crash/article_4ef31df2-18ec-11ed-b108-330e05cb9e53.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:32 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/second-person-dies-following-steuben-crash/article_4ef31df2-18ec-11ed-b108-330e05cb9e53.html |
Eastbound St. Joe Center Road east of Maplecrest Road will be closed from 7 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday during installation of a gas line, the city of Fort Wayne said today.
The morning commute and school traffic is not expected to be affected, the city's traffic engineering department said in a statement.
A marked detour for eastbound traffic uses Maplecrest, Stellhorn and Lahmeyer roads, the statement siad.
For questions or to report problems, contact the department at 427-1172. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/st-joe-center-road-section-restricted-overnight-thursday/article_d8e261f8-18f1-11ed-a992-270247ea9099.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:43 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/st-joe-center-road-section-restricted-overnight-thursday/article_d8e261f8-18f1-11ed-a992-270247ea9099.html |
U.S. 6 will be closed between Maple Street and DeKalb County Road 28 in Butler for a week, beginning Monday, during railroad crossing reconstruction, the Indiana Department of Transportation said today.
A detour uses Indiana 1, Indiana 427, Ohio 34 and Ohio 49, the transportation department said in a statement.
INDOT encouraged drivers to slow down, drive distraction-free and use extra caution while driving in and around work zones. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/u-s-6-section-in-butler-to-close-during-rail-work/article_52b2e550-18ea-11ed-b1ca-d73034de7a60.html | 2022-08-10T22:38:49 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/u-s-6-section-in-butler-to-close-during-rail-work/article_52b2e550-18ea-11ed-b1ca-d73034de7a60.html |
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