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Construction is scheduled to begin Monday on East Bismarck Expressway from Burlington Drive to Main Street.
The project includes the addition of a right turn lane, street light installation and minor bridge repair.
Expressway will be reduced to one lane each direction during turn lane and bridge work. The shoulder will be closed while lighting is installed.
The speed limit will be reduced, and flaggers will direct traffic through construction as needed. Motorists should expect short delays, according to the state Transportation Department.
The project is expected to be complete in late September. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/work-planned-on-east-bismarck-expressway/article_f3304c54-1fcd-11ed-ad11-d34184fcca7d.html | 2022-08-20T07:36:44 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/work-planned-on-east-bismarck-expressway/article_f3304c54-1fcd-11ed-ad11-d34184fcca7d.html |
Five Long Island beaches were closed to swimming on Friday due to excess levels of bacteria found in the water.
The affected Suffolk County beaches include: Tanner Park Beach in Copiague, Venetian Shores Beach in Lindenhurst, Bayport Beach in Bayport, Benjamin Beach in Bay Shore and Friendship Drive Beach in Rocky Point.
The beaches will reopen when bacteria levels return to acceptable levels once again, county officials said, but it was not clear when that might be.
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said that swimming in the bacteria-laden water can cause gastrointestinal illness, as well as infections in the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
An interactive map of beach closures and advisories is available here, on the county's website. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/multiple-long-island-beaches-closed-for-swimming-due-to-bacteria/3832322/ | 2022-08-20T07:42:51 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/multiple-long-island-beaches-closed-for-swimming-due-to-bacteria/3832322/ |
LINDA, California — A Yuba County woman says she was sexually assaulted by a delivery driver working for DoorDash. The company says the driver has been removed from their platform, but the victim is still in shock.
Lydia Breitenfeldt ordered lunch to her Linda home Friday afternoon. She says she watched through the peephole as the delivery driver hovered in front of her door for several minutes with her food, instead of dropping the bag off as ordered.
"And he wouldn’t leave, so I opened my door to retrieve my order and he started asking me about my tattoo, and that wasn’t really all that weird until he started reaching out and rubbing my arm, and touching my tattoos," Breitenfeldt said.
Breitenfeldt said the man pointed out the tattoo on her breast and began groping her.
"I was just shocked because nobody’s ever, no stranger has ever reached out and touched my breast like that," Breitenfeldt said. She reported the incident to local police and DoorDash.
In a statement a DoorDash spokesperson said, "What has been reported is appalling and we immediately removed the Dasher from our platform. We have contacted the customer to offer our support and stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation in any way we can."
This is not the only case of alleged delivery driver assault in Northern California in recent weeks. In June, an Amazon Driver was charged with attempted rape after attacking a woman in Turlock.
Safety expert Lori Osmond teaches self-defense classes to empower people.
"So we need something to protect ourselves, and we also need to educate our men to not assault. What a concept, right?" Osmond said.
Osmond says it's important for victims to know that it's not their fault.
"So I tell people, that was not your fault. You did not choose that. And to report. This lady did a fantastic job of reporting, because if she didn’t, what’s he going to do? He’s going to go on and do it again," Osmond said.
Watch more from ABC10: 'Not a bully' | Family of 15-year-old Monterey Trail High student want assumptions to end | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/woman-allegedly-groped-doordash-driver/103-18220fbe-f7b9-48c9-b044-9615dbb92523 | 2022-08-20T07:55:54 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/woman-allegedly-groped-doordash-driver/103-18220fbe-f7b9-48c9-b044-9615dbb92523 |
An attempt to revive some of the “Strong Ohio” proposals against gun violence, stalled in the General Assembly since 2019, faces a timeline that’s hard to meet.
State Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls, announced Senate Bill 357 this week. He’s seeking legislative cosponsors, but the bill won’t get any formal consideration until lawmakers reconvene after the Nov. 8 general election.
Full House and Senate sessions aren’t scheduled until Nov. 16, and the last sessions for Dec. 21. The 134th General Assembly ends Dec. 31, and newly elected legislators will take office in early January to start the 135th session.
If SB 357 doesn’t pass before the end of this year, it would have to be refiled – under a different bill number – to be considered again.
The bill will also be competing for attention with many others, not just new proposals but bills that may have awaited action for nearly two years. Controversial bills that may take up much of legislators’ time include Senate consideration of a bill banning transgender women from participating in school sports on women’s teams, passed by the House in a last-minute move June 1; and further abortion restrictions, including a House bill making it a felony to perform an abortion without exceptions for rape, incest or the mother’s health.
Dolan’s bill has five major provisions:
· A “red flag” law in which a judge can allow police to temporarily take the guns of someone suffering a “severe mental health condition,” at risk of harming themself or others.
· Requiring anyone age 18 to 21 who wants to buy a gun that can fire more than one shot before reloading to get a cosigner at least 25 years old for the purchase. Dolan said there is an exemption for young people in the military or police.
· A written statement from a county sheriff would be needed for private gun sales, except transfers between relatives, confirming the buyer is legally eligible to own guns.
· Improving background checks by requiring information on gun buyers to be entered in law enforcement databases by the end of the following business day.
· Using $85 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to help hospitals and colleges train more mental health workers, and another $90 million in ARPA funds to build mental health crisis centers for people who need treatment but are now being sent to jails.
Both incumbent Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley, former mayor of Dayton, indicated their approval of SB 357.
Its provisions resemble some in the “Strong Ohio” bill that DeWine introduced in 2019 after the mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District. DeWine’s press secretary noted that similarity, while Whaley called Dolan’s bill a “good first step.”
The Buckeye Firearms Association denounced the bill as “‘Strong Ohio’ by another name.” The group has already opposed its major provisions, BFA Executive Director Dean Rieck said.
Once a bill is filed it’s assigned to committee, where the chairperson controls whether it will be taken up. If it is, a bill usually gets at least three hearings; controversial bills can get seven or eight.
If a bill passes committee it can be brought up for a vote by the full chamber. Should SB 357 pass the Senate, it would then go through the same process in the House.
Bills can see substantial changes during the committee process, and even during floor sessions. If one house passes a version that’s substantially different from the other house’s, either the changes would have to be accepted or a conference committee could iron out differences.
If a bill passes both houses and is signed by the governor, it usually takes effect 91 days after the signed version is filed with the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/gun-bill-modeled-on-strong-ohio-has-short-time-to-gain-support-what-comes-next/U4NLMBOB7JDF3EAXAWDM6PQVYU/ | 2022-08-20T08:09:31 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/gun-bill-modeled-on-strong-ohio-has-short-time-to-gain-support-what-comes-next/U4NLMBOB7JDF3EAXAWDM6PQVYU/ |
Linda Ann Henning, 69, of Jerome died Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022, at home surrounded by family. Arrangements are under the care of White-Reynolds Funeral Chapel.
Marie E. Stricklan, 80, of Hagerman died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Boise. Arrangements are under the care of Demaray Funeral Service—Gooding Chapel.
George R. Baker, 81, of Heyburn died Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, in Twin Falls. Arrangements are under the care of Morrison Funeral Home, Rupert.
Dianna Dale Orr, 73, of Twin Falls died Aug. 19, 2022, at a local hospital. Arrangements are under the care of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_afe6b1c4-200c-11ed-80e9-9f4c8f4dd6dd.html | 2022-08-20T08:11:02 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/death-notices/article_afe6b1c4-200c-11ed-80e9-9f4c8f4dd6dd.html |
ANDERSON, Ind. — A Silver Alert has been issued in the search for a woman missing from Madison County with her infant child.
Anderson Police are investigating the disappearance of Priceless Velez, 17.
She is 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 190 pounds and has black hair with brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing a shirt and gray pants and carrying a gray backpack and orange bag.
Priceless is accompanied by her infant son, Sincere Velez, a 18-day-old male who weighs 5 pounds.
Priceless is missing from Anderson and was last seen on Friday, Aug. 19 at 3 p.m. She is believed to be in extreme danger.
If you have any information, contact the Anderson Police Department at 765-648-6775 or 911.
Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police.
What other people are reading: | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-issued-for-teen-missing-from-anderson-with-her-infant-son/531-5cf615da-805b-47d5-a12a-b428cf329893 | 2022-08-20T08:18:40 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-issued-for-teen-missing-from-anderson-with-her-infant-son/531-5cf615da-805b-47d5-a12a-b428cf329893 |
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – A 26-year-old Texas man is dead after a fatal, single-vehicle crash in Bedford County, according to Virginia State Police.
Police said the crash happened on Thursday around 3:24 p.m. on Route 122, north of Campers Paradise Trail.
The 2010 Ford Escape was going south on Route 122 when it ran off the right-hand side of the road, striking an embankment, and then overturned, according to authorities.
Police identified the driver of the Escape as Nathanael Lutz, 26, of Waco, Texas.
Lutz was wearing his seatbelt and died at the scene, police said.
VSP said the crash remains under investigation. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/26-year-old-man-dead-after-crash-in-bedford-county/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:02 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/26-year-old-man-dead-after-crash-in-bedford-county/ |
DANVILLE, Va. – After seven years of planning and construction, Danville Police are finally moving into their new headquarters.
Since 1926, Danville officers have called a basement in City Hall their workspace.
The more spacious location has already boosted the morale of the team and could attract new recruits.
“I added it up the other day I spent 20 years without any windows,” Lieutenant Colonial Dean Hairston said.
Hairston helped design the $18 million three-level building.
With ballistic glass and buzzers installed, Hairston said security was one of his main priorities.
“At the other facility people could freely during the day walk in and wander through the building,” Hairston said. “Now, you have to be buzzed in and we’ve limited the footprint people can occupy.”
It’s four times bigger than their old space, with new features like a fitness center, training rooms, and lockers galore.
“You know it’s almost better than Christmas,” Hairston said.
“Stuck in City Hall in downtown asphalt all around, sidewalks all around,” City Manager Ken Larking said. “There really wasn’t an opportunity for the community to gather.”
But now, there are multipurpose rooms and a basketball court to build closer bonds.
“But, actually exponentially build on that trust so that when things happen, hopefully, they get avoided before they happen, we can get them solved pretty quickly.”
Once the department is fully settled, there will be a grand opening in October. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/danville-police-move-into-brand-new-headquarters/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:08 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/danville-police-move-into-brand-new-headquarters/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Order’s up at Ursula’s Café in Roanoke.
It’s a donate-what-you-can café and community arts venue, co-founded by Ami Trowell.
“That way everybody gets an opportunity to eat. Because if you have a little more, you give a little more. If you have just enough and if you don’t have any to donate this time, then you also still get to eat,” said Trowell.
Trowell and her husband came up with the idea during the pandemic. Months later, their dream of helping others is now a reality.
“We’re so fortunate, my husband and I and the people that we work with that we have extra,” said Trowell. “There’s just no reason we shouldn’t be able to share that with all the members of our community.”
You can sit down and enjoy a meal or just hang out.
Ursula’s Café even offers pay-what-you-can books, records, and clothes.
On Friday, Hank Ebert drove in from Salem to get a taste.
“We like trying new places and we like the message that this is sending to help others who may need a helping hand,” said Ebert.
As for the food?
“Very good. Very good. Yeah. As you can see there’s nothing left,” said Ebert.
Volunteer and Ursula’s Café Board Vice President Katie Stueckle loves the idea of a community space.
“I love the idea of creating a community space that creates equal dignity for everybody who comes to that space,” said Stueckle.
After just one week, Trowell said the response has been overwhelming, and she has a message for anyone in need.
“We’re here. For you,” said Trowell. “We can’t do it all and we can’t fix everything. But we can make sure that you get at least one hot meal.”
If you want to get involved with Ursula’s Café, click here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/everybody-gets-an-opportunity-to-eat-new-donate-what-you-can-cafe-in-the-star-city/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:14 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/everybody-gets-an-opportunity-to-eat-new-donate-what-you-can-cafe-in-the-star-city/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – A man who threatened to “blow up Roanoke” and kill a bank teller has been arrested, according to the Dept. of Justice.
Officials said Brandon Hayward, 33, of Gainsville was arrested earlier this week on federal charges.
Court documents show that on Monday, Hayward called the InFirst Federal Credit Union located in the Poff Federal Building in Roanoke. The branch manager spoke with him and tried to help him with a recurring charge on his account.
Hayward was unsatisfied with the outcome of the conversation, and became irate, telling the branch manager, “I am going to get you raped ... I will get you killed, b****.” According to DOJ, he told the branch manager twice, “I am going to blow up Roanoke,” and added “I don’t give a fu**.”
Hayward then reportedly told the branch manager that he was going to get his shotgun and Google her name, adding: “You think you’re safe in Roanoke; you’re not.”
Hayward was arrested on Thursday without incident, according to DOJ. He’s been charged via federal criminal complaint with use of a telephone to make a threat to injure or destroy property by means of fire or explosives as well as one count of communicating a threat in interstate commerce. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/i-am-going-to-blow-up-roanoke-virginia-man-faces-federal-charges-for-alleged-threats/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:20 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/i-am-going-to-blow-up-roanoke-virginia-man-faces-federal-charges-for-alleged-threats/ |
CAMPBELL COUNTY, Va. – Campbell County authorities say they are searching for a Lynchburg man who has been charged with a felony count of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, as well as other charges.
The sheriff’s office is searching for Mathew Patton, 36, from Lynchburg. Authorities described him as 6′1 and 170 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.
Patton is wanted on the following charges:
- One felony count of assault & battery on a law enforcement officer (LEO)
- One felony count of disregarding LEO command
- One misdemeanor count of fleeing from LEO
- One misdemeanor count of reckless driving
- One misdemeanor for driving without license endorsement
- One misdemeanor count for failing to attach a license plate
- One misdemeanor count for driving without a license
Anyone who knows where Patton is is asked to call 911 or call the dispatch center at434-332-9574 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/lynchburg-man-wanted-faces-felony-charge-for-assault-and-battery-on-an-officer/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:26 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/lynchburg-man-wanted-faces-felony-charge-for-assault-and-battery-on-an-officer/ |
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – Payments from nationwide opioid settlements have started to reach our region.
On Friday, Montgomery County officials said their area has seen some of those payments.
The money comes from nationwide settlements with three pharmaceutical distributors and an opioid manufacturer that helped to fuel the opioid epidemic, according to Montgomery officials.
Virginia and its localities are expected to receive approximately $530 million over a period of 16 years in the settlements with three drug distributors McKesson Corp., AmerisourceBergen Corp., and Cardinal Health, and a prescription opioid manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceutical, according to Montgomery officials.
In July, Attorney General Miyares announced the initial payments, with Virginia’s 133 localities receiving $4,066,309.18 from the first payment. Percentages of each locality referred to in his announcement can be found here.
Montgomery officials said they received the first series of initial payments for $48,999.52 on July 29.
Another $48,999.52 is anticipated to reach Montgomery County this year, officials said.
According to the Montgomery County release, payments will be used to support for opioid treatment programs, education, and outreach initiatives throughout the community.
“The overall impact the opioid crisis has had on our community is profound,” said Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Sherri Blevins. “Not only have lives been either lost or nearly ruined in many cases but also the opioid crisis has put a huge strain on our first responders, including law enforcement, as well as on our health and human services throughout the county,” said Blevins.
This is how those settlement payments will be distributed, according to the release:
- “15 percent of settlement funds will be allocated to the Commonwealth,
- 30 percent of settlement funds will be allocated to Virginia’s cities and counties, and at least half of the funds must be spent on community-based opioid abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts,
- Each locality’s allocation is based on specific local metrics, including the number of opioid-related ER visits and overdose deaths and the volume of opioid prescription drugs shipped into each locality,
- The remaining 55 percent of settlement funds will be administered by the new Opioid Abatement Authority, established in law by the 2021 Virginia General Assembly, to provide additional and ongoing support for local, regional, and state opioid abuse abatement efforts.” | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/montgomery-county-receives-first-payments-from-nationwide-opioid-settlements/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:33 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/montgomery-county-receives-first-payments-from-nationwide-opioid-settlements/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Happy National Potato Day!
Earlier this week, we asked you what the best way to cook a potato was, and now we have the results.
Almost 200 people participated in this poll, casting their votes to prove which form of potato dish is truly the best, and the top spot was taken by a landslide.
Drumroll, please – Here are your National Potato Poll Results, as of August 19! | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/national-potato-day-poll-results-the-best-way-to-cook-a-potato-according-to-you/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:39 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/national-potato-day-poll-results-the-best-way-to-cook-a-potato-according-to-you/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – One person has been hospitalized after a house fire in Roanoke on Wednesday, according to Roanoke Fire-EMS.
Authorities said the fire happened around 5:47 p.m. in the 100 block of Tazewell Ave. SE.
When units arrived, they said they found heavy smoke and flames but were able to get the fire under control quickly.
One person was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
The person living in the home has been displaced and is being helped by the American Red Cross.
Officials determined the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials, with damages estimated to be $33,000. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/one-person-hospitalized-after-roanoke-house-fire/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:45 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/one-person-hospitalized-after-roanoke-house-fire/ |
PITTSYLVANIA COUNY, Va. – A miraculous turn of events for this firefighter.
After being involved in a serious crash in July, Thomas Page is now alert and is able to stand and follow some commands, the Hurt Volunteer Fire Department announced in a Facebook post.
Update on our injured firefighter: We have extremely good news from his wife! Thomas is alert and able to follow some...
Posted by Hurt Volunteer Fire Department on Thursday, August 18, 2022
This comes after the Pittsylvania County firefighter was sent to the hospital in critical condition after what some were calling a highway tragedy.
As we’ve reported previously, Page was driving east on I-64 when a suspected drunk driver swerved into the other lane and sideswiped him. Both vehicles pulled off onto the right shoulder to exchange information, but the other driver immediately pulled off and hit him, pushing him into oncoming traffic, according to authorities.
But now things are starting to take a more positive turn.
Page’s wife, Jacqueline, posted an update to her page this week saying in part, “When I say things have literally turned around since yesterday, they have ... Thomas has had an amazing day! He was able to turn his head when spoke to, he was able to move his right hand to his lips, smile when asked, even blowing kisses.”
The Hurt Volunteer Fire Department thanked the community for their outpouring of support.
On Aug. 30 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., a fundraising event will be held at Lynchburg Texas Road House on 3816 Wards Road for Thomas. Ten percent of what you purchase will be donated to his family. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/pittsylvania-county-firefighter-making-progress-after-tragic-incident-in-july/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:52 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/pittsylvania-county-firefighter-making-progress-after-tragic-incident-in-july/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke church has raised more than $1.7 million to help four area ministries better serve people in need.
Second Presbyterian Church Roanoke launched the Mission Build Campaign back in January 2020 and said it certainly wasn’t an easy feat, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Senior Minister George Anderson said the church’s mission to help others has always been around.
“This church has always been about changing the circumstances of Roanoke but also beyond so that folks can live better lives,” Anderson said.
Ultimately though, the campaign proved to be a successful one and the funding will go toward four projects working to help those in the community, which include:
- The renovation of the Alpha Omega House, which will be renamed Alexa House in honor of the late Alexa Cannon. It’ll support several local ministries, including Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, an organization that strives to transform the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness
- The Presbyterian Community Center, an organization that strives to help those experiencing homelessness and underserved families living in poverty. The Center plans to use the funding to construct a new facility to better meet the crisis needs of those in the Southeast Roanoke
- Solid Rock International’s construction of the nonprofit ‘REVOLUTION Clinic’ in the Dominican Republic. The nonprofit hopes to offer more resources and opportunities to those in need and expand its services to the Southwestern region of the Dominican Republic
- Union Presbyterian Seminary’s William R. Klein Center. The conference facility will offer education programs for pastors, Christian educators and other church leaders
Alexa Cannon was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Roanoke before her life was taken away while attending Radford University.
Anderson said he remembers Alexa and wants her memory to continue to live on through the soon-to-be Alexa House.
“She was a young woman with great compassion and a huge heart. So I think we are honoring her memory and using a facility that’s named after her to help families,” Anderson said.
Family Promise works to help families on the verge of experiencing homelessness. The program allows families a place to stay while also working on skills to get their feet on the ground.
“It helps them stay off the ranks of the homeless. It gives them places to stay every night. It works with them to gain skills and financial guidance,” Anderson said.
While the Alexa House will help future families, the name will never let the life of Alexa Cannon be forgotten.
“It doesn’t fix what happened but it is looking to the future and bringing some beauty in the world in response to something that was very very ugly,” Anderson said.
The church said the campaign was an opportunity to spread God’s love.
“The generous and heartfelt response to this call — particularly during such a tumultuous time — will have a transformative impact on the lives of our neighbors near and far for generations,” the church said in a press release.
The church is set to hold a Worship Service of Celebration Sunday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary with a reception afterwards. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/roanoke-church-raises-more-than-17-million-to-help-area-ministries-better-serve-those-in-need/ | 2022-08-20T09:02:58 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/roanoke-church-raises-more-than-17-million-to-help-area-ministries-better-serve-those-in-need/ |
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – A little boy’s legacy lives on in a touching way.
On Friday, the Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department announced their donation to the Parker Coleman Super Hero Toy Drive.
Parker is an honorary member of the department and was just four years old when he passed away in 2017, crews said.
Crews said that this year, Parker’s family collected around 1,000 toys to be donated to children staying at the Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
You can see more photos from the Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page below. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/toys-for-superheroes-parkers-legacy-lives-on-through-toy-drive-for-child-patients-at-roanoke-memorial/ | 2022-08-20T09:03:04 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/toys-for-superheroes-parkers-legacy-lives-on-through-toy-drive-for-child-patients-at-roanoke-memorial/ |
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – Meet Speck: A handsome herd dog looking for his new home.
He’s three years old, eagle smart, and loves to play fetch.
Speck has learned a lot of tricks during his time at the shelter, too. Staff said he knows the commands “sit,” “down,” and “up.”
If you’re in need of a hiking buddy, look no further – Speck loves to go on adventures outside, too.
Franklin County Humane Society staff said they were told he gets along well with other dogs, but having a patient owner would help as he’s been in the shelter for a long time.
Despite needing a bit of patience, they say that Speck would make a great companion, and they’re eager to find Speck a new home.
If you’re interested in meeting Speck or adopting him, contact the Franklin County Humane Society at (540)-489-3471 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/yes-he-herd-you-handsome-herd-dog-speck-eagerly-awaits-his-forever-family/ | 2022-08-20T09:03:10 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/19/yes-he-herd-you-handsome-herd-dog-speck-eagerly-awaits-his-forever-family/ |
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – It was another day of testimony in the case of the Rockbridge County gas station explosion in 2019 that left four people dead.
Phillip Westmoreland is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Investigators said Westmoreland was the one who delivered fuel to the gas station ahead of the explosion.
The Commonwealth called Westmoreland’s former coworker, Larry Miller to the stand.
The court recognized Miller as a fuel distributor expert.
Miller was asked about the kind of safety concerns fuel delivery drivers should be on the lookout for when making deliveries at gas stations.
“There’s only so much a driver can be responsible for as far as expecting the station. He’s a driver, he’s not an engineer, he’s not hired to inspect his customers,” said Miller.
Miller also testified that when he previously delivered fuel to the South River Market, he had always delivered the amount that was ordered.
The defense echoed that statement and said that’s what Westmoreland did, too, on that day back in 2019.
The trial will continue next week with more witnesses expected to be called by the Commonwealth. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/20/former-boss-coworkers-of-defendant-testify-in-rockbridge-county-gas-station-explosion-case/ | 2022-08-20T09:03:16 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/20/former-boss-coworkers-of-defendant-testify-in-rockbridge-county-gas-station-explosion-case/ |
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty University has announced the guest speakers to attend their Fall 2022 Convocation events.
On Friday, Liberty University’s Office of Spiritual Development announced that the 48th Vice President Mike Pence will join Liberty students and staff on September 14 during Convocation in the Vines Center.
Pence has visited Liberty University two times before, once in 2016 when he was an Indiana Governor and Vice President candidate, and again inn 2019 when he delivered the keynote address at Liberty University’s 46th Commencement, the release said.
“I am excited to see this Fall Convocation schedule. Our student body, one of the largest on record, will be able to sample a wide array of Christian leaders who are modeling what it is to be a Champion for Christ in their field,” said Liberty Interim President Jerry Prevo. “My prayer is that our students will take Christ with them into their profession, wherever they are sent. Our Convo guests are just some of the many examples of what it is to serve Christ in all avenues of life.”
You can find other featured guests and Liberty’s full convocation schedule here. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/20/former-vp-pence-among-guests-to-speak-at-liberty-universitys-fall-convocation/ | 2022-08-20T09:03:22 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2022/08/20/former-vp-pence-among-guests-to-speak-at-liberty-universitys-fall-convocation/ |
WABASH, Indiana — A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a 15-year-old girl from Wabash.
The Wabash County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the disappearance of Austin Gail Hinsey, who was last seen Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 at 11:50 p.m. in Wabash, which is 83 miles north of Indianapolis.
She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Police describe Hinsey as 5' tall, weighing 108 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black pants.
If you have any information on Austin Gail Hinsey, contact the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department at 260-563-9223 or 911.
Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-issued-for-15-year-old-girl-last-seen-wabash-austin-hinsey/531-fdb37d17-49a6-4fee-94e9-623a30ed04d9 | 2022-08-20T09:51:35 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-issued-for-15-year-old-girl-last-seen-wabash-austin-hinsey/531-fdb37d17-49a6-4fee-94e9-623a30ed04d9 |
The police blotter is a public record of incidents as reported by law-enforcement agencies. All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty. The information printed is preliminary and subject to change.
Friday, 8/12/2022:
North Bend
• 5:44 am, 3300 block of Virginia Avenue, juvenile problem.
• 8:35 am, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue, civil problem.
• 9:33 am, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 9:45 am, Washington and Harrison, assist fire and ambulance.
• 9:53 am, 900 block of Commercial Street, stolen vehicle.
• 11:12 am, Virginia Avenue and Boardwalk, domestic assault.
• 12:11 pm, 2300 block of Marion Street, indecent exposure.
• 2:06 pm, 2000 block of Harrison Street, criminal mischief to vehicle.
• 2:57 pm, 1200 block of Virginia, hit and run accident.
• 3:13 pm, 3300 block of Broadway Avenue, fraudulent use of credit card.
• 7:02 pm, Pine Street and 13th Street, hit and run accident. A 29 year old male was cited for two counts fail to preform duties of a driver.
• 8:29 pm, 2000 block of Johnson Street, criminal trespass. A 45 year old male and a 44 year old male were cited for criminal trespass I.
Coos Bay
• 12:09 am, 700 block of Signal Way, criminal trespass/prowler.
• 5:30 am, Michigan and Marple, stolen Honda scooter.
• 6:32 am, 800 block of S 1st Street, criminal trespass/disruptive subject.
• 7:39 am, Commercial and Broadway, non-injury accident. A 34 year old male was cited.
• 9:51 am, 100 block of E Hall Avenue, criminal trespass. A 35 year old female was cited for criminal trespass I.
• 10:41 am, W Park Roadway, recovered stolen vehicle.
• 10:56 am, 800 block of S Broadway Street, unlawful entry into motor vehicle.
• 1:21 pm, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 1:37 am, 1400 block of Ocean Boulevard, theft.
• 1:39 pm, 1100 block of S Broadway Avenue, damage to city vehicle.
• 1:56 pm, 200 block of E Johnson Avenue, theft.
• 2:14 pm, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, shoplifter. A 39 year old male was cited for theft III and advised of trespass from Wal Mart.
• 2:51 pm, 1000 block of S 8th Street, theft.
• 4:18 pm, N Bayshore and Date Avenue, accident. Vehicle vs parked vehicle.
• 5:03 pm, 1900 block of Woodland Drive, theft of purse.
• 9:24 pm, Highway 101 and Flannagan Road, traffic stop/warrant service. A 30 year old male was cited and a 25 year old male was transported to Coos County jail.
• 11:31 pm, Newport and Edwards, traffic stop. A 36 year old female was cited.
Coquille
• 12:21 am, 1100 block of W 9th Street, assault.
• 5:46 am, 1600 block of N Hemlock, verbal dispute.
• 9:19 am, GP lot, criminal trespass.
• 1:58 pm, 600 block of W Central Boulevard, loud noise.
• 7:56 pm, 100 block of N Birch Street, threats.
• 11:41 pm, 800 block of N Birch Street, non-injury accident.
Saturday, 8/13/2022:
North Bend
• 2:25 am, Broadway Avenue and Dishner’s, disorderly conduct.
• 4:32 am, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue, criminal trespass. A 33 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 6:14 am, 800 block of Vermont Avenue, arrest. A 39 year old male was charged with assault IV domestic and interfering with emergency communications. Subject transported to Coos County jail.
• 3:39 pm, 2500 block of Oak Street, traffic stop. A 59 year old male was cited.
• 3:56 pm, Virginia and Sherman, indecent exposure.
• 7:29 pm, 1800 block of Union Avenue, unattended child.
Coos Bay
• 12:32 am, Central Avenue and 4th Street, traffic stop. A 54 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 8:22 am, 1400 block of Ocean Boulevard, window broken and vehicle entered.
• 9:01 am, 400 block of Golden Avenue, criminal trespass. A 62 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 1:14 pm, 900 block of S Broadway Street, out with two vehicles. Road rage incident.
• 4:19 pm, 100 block of N Schoneman Street, theft of bicycle.
• 4:40 pm, 2300 block of Ocean Boulevard, criminal trespass. A 45 year old female was cited for criminal trespass II and fail to register sex offender.
Coquille
• 12:05 am, SE 3rd Avenue, loud party.
• 8:58 am, 700 block of N Central Boulevard, dispute.
• 9:00 am, 96900 block of Highway 42 S, criminal trespass.
• 1:31 pm, 500 block of N Central Boulevard, criminal trespass. Subject entered warehouse.
• 8:59 pm, 1200 block of W Central Boulevard, family dispute.
Sunday, 8/14/2022:
North Bend
• 2:23 am, 1200 block of Crocker Street, loud noise.
• 3:29 am, Broadway and Waite, vehicle not yielding for traffic stop. A 20 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 9:28 am, 2400 block of Everett Avenue, civil problem.
• 2:32 pm, 2400 block of Lewis Street, fraud.
• 10:14 pm, Broadway Avenue and 17th Street, loud music.
Coos Bay
• 12:38 am, 1200 block of Crocker Street, loud party.
• 2:01 am, Highway 101 and Pro Builders, fight.
• 2:28 am, 1200 block of Crocker Street, loud noise.
• 5:40 am, 1000 block of Evans Boulevard, arrest. A 36 year old male was cited for theft II.
• 2:08 pm, Ocean Boulevard and Woodland Drive, traffic stop. A 41 year old male was cited.
• 3:36 pm, John Topits upper, traffic stop. A 32 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 7:10 pm, 1800 block of Newmark Street, traffic stop. A 57 year old male was cited.
• 8:26 pm, 900 block of S 10th Street, vicious dog at large.
• 8:33 pm, 4700 block of SW Griffith, Beaverton Police conducted a warrant service on a Coquille Police warrant. A 45 year old male was lodged at Washington County jail.
• 10:27 pm, 200 block of S 2nd Street, traffic stop. A 38 year old male was driving while suspended.
Coquille
• 12:03 am, Highway 42 and SE 6th Avenue, DUII. A 39 year old male was cited.
• 12:00 pm, 700 block of E 7th Street, water problem.
• 1:20 pm, Highway 42 and Central, traffic stop. A 58 year old male was cited.
Monday, 8/15/2022:
North Bend
• 11:47 am, 2466 block of Everett Avenue, civil problem.
• 12:51 pm, 2000 block of Johnson Street, burglary. A 44 year old male was charged with burglary II and theft III. Subject was transported to Coos County jail.
• 1:41 pm, 3300 block of Broadway Street, hit and run accident.
• 2:20 pm, 2000 block of Sherman Avenue, civil problem.
• 3:46 pm, 2400 block of Broadway, male assaulting female in parking lot. A 28 year old male was charged with disorderly conduct II and physical domestic menacing. Subject transported to Coos County jail.
• 4:28 pm, 1800 block of Sherman Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 4:29 pm, 1200 block of Virginia Avenue, fraud.
• 6:16 pm, 2000 block of Broadway Avenue, theft.
Coos Bay
• 3:23 am, 1000 block of S 1st Street, unlawful entry into motor vehicle. Caught subject in vehicle at location.
• 4:18 am, S Broadway Street and Anderson, traffic stop. A 39 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 5:24 am, N 4th Street and Highland Avenue, traffic stop. A 20 year old male was cited for driving while suspended.
• 5:33 am, 1200 block of S Broadway Street, criminal trespass. Subject in vehicle at location, not leaving.
• 8:38 am, Commercial between 8th and 7th, theft of bike.
• 8:56 am, 900 block of N Bayshore Drive, theft of gas.
• 11:46 am, 1400 block of Southwest Boulevard, theft of firearm.
• 12:12 pm, 900 block of S Front Street, traffic stop. A 37 year old male was cited.
• 12:33 pm, Ocean Boulevard and Cascade, fight in the roadway.
• 3:41 pm, 1000 block of S 1st Street, shoplifter.
• 3:46 pm, Cammann and McKays, menacing.
• 6:15 pm, S Front Street and Johnson Avenue, dispute. A 58 year old male was cited on Coos Bay warrant.
• 7:22 pm, 1200 block of Clark Street, theft.
• 10:03 pm, 600 block of S 9th Street, prowler.
Coquille
• 7:26 am, 300 block of N Collier Street, water problem.
• 8:11 am, Highway 42 and S Mill Lane, illegal camping.
• 8:54 pm, 200 block of W Highway 42, hit and run accident.
• 9:00 pm, 500 block of N Central Boulevard, criminal trespass/disorderly subject. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-police-blotter/article_e0378990-1e6b-11ed-afb6-7b151c96ace9.html | 2022-08-20T10:27:52 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/coos-county-police-blotter/article_e0378990-1e6b-11ed-afb6-7b151c96ace9.html |
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
When I learned our ancestry I thought of my mother who left this world 43 years ago, an out-of-luck single mother of two small boys working in a dance hall in the abyss of the Depression. All she knew was she voted for Roosevelt, and for 10 cents a dance, sailor, she could feed those kids.
She didn’t know in 1215 her 25th great-grandfather Sir Robert de Ros, was among the 25 barons who led a soft insurrection against King John, strong arming him into signing the Magna Carta, a radical parchment affirming the revolutionary idea that no king was above the law.
She didn’t know her ancestor, Isham Brown, who signed on with the American Revolution at age 25, who fought with the 4th Virginia Regiment in Trenton, Brandywine and Valley Forge, returned from war to find he’d lost his farm. Isham, unknown to her, ended up living “in reduced circumstances,” a condition she knew too well.
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Little did the dance hall daughter of the Great Depression know she was a daughter of the Revolution, a pauper with a past haunted by 11 colonial revolutionary patriots including a Boston Tea Party Son of Liberty. All she knew was the Lindy Hop and poverty.
When I saw the stories of her ancestors, I thought back to my visit to Yorktown when I was 30, the humble battlefield where Isham’s fellow revolutionaries defeated a king, contrasted with today’s insurrectionists loyal to a royal fool they believe to be above the law.
When I learned of the pastor who came to the New World in the 16th century seeking freedom from intolerant religious zealots, I thought of today’s intolerant religious zealots who seek to rule our lives.
These days I read the Constitution, inspired by the Magna Carta, ushered into existence by my mother’s ancestor 1,000 years ago, with renewed reverence for the legacy of its enduring ideals.
Thirty years after his death, Isham’s great-grandson, John, joined the Union army to preserve his great-grandfather’s legacy, the yet-to-be perfected union that was threatened by insurrectionists carrying the Confederate flag.
Learning his story I recalled my pilgrimage to the Library of Congress, where, appointment made, I held in my hands the objects that were in Lincoln’s pockets the night he was killed, unaware of him or his service on the right side of history.
I thought of democracy’s enduring DNA when I saw the insurrectionist carrying the treasonous Confederate flag in our Capitol. I thought of my sobering visits to Appomattox, to Fort Monroe where the traitor Jefferson Davis was held captive, to Ford’s Theatre and Springfield.
I cheered when the Confederate statues finally came down.
During the Civil War, my father’s grandfather fled starvation in Ireland, finding refuge in the new republic forged by my mother’s revolutionary kin. Like all newcomers who seek freedom and opportunity in America, they were spat on, mocked, ridiculed and marginalized. Some prospered. Many perished.
When my plucky father purchased a dance with my mother that night in a California ballroom, she welcomed him with the charitable heart of America itself, teaching the orphan of immigrants how to jitterbug, how to use cutlery like a gentleman, and how to read.
He’d enlisted to save democracy. Saving the world for democracy was in their DNA. Her doughboy dad had been machine-gunned and gassed in the First World War, an unseen scale of madness unleashed in the Old World, a divided land tortured by ancient grievances.
After that war, the market crashed and economic calamity moved America’s democracy to choose the path of FDR while another democracy chose Hitler. Fascism lurks within us, an ever-present viral variant. In ’39, with war looming, thousands of pro-Nazi Americans filled Madison Square Garden and gave the Seig Heil to anti-Semitic speakers opposed to race mixing with the same vigor with which some Americans embrace Q-Anon or Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
In ’41 on Dec. 7, Pop was at Pearl Harbor when the obedient disciples of a divine emperor attacked his beloved republic, awakening the fury of a democracy forged by immigrants. In ’44 on June 6, another Fitzsimmons, serving in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, was in the first wave of the assault on Omaha Beach. He perished among his fellow “mixed-race mongrels” which is what the “racially superior” fascists called Americans.
The mongrels of democracy liberated the Old World from its chains, woven by a charismatic demagogue who had preached anti-Semitic and racist conspiracy theories, employed unimaginable political thuggery and promised the gullible he would make his nation great again, as only he could. In less than a year the impure agents of democracy defeated the pure disciples of madness.
Look deep into your past. Democracy is in your DNA.
David Fitzsimmons, tooner@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/fitzs-opinion-democracy-is-in-our-dna/article_aa9758ec-1db2-11ed-a956-ab86d887d08e.html | 2022-08-20T10:30:54 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/fitzs-opinion-democracy-is-in-our-dna/article_aa9758ec-1db2-11ed-a956-ab86d887d08e.html |
Women veterans can fall between the cracks in the Sarasota-Manatee housing crisis
Margarita Ping waited all week for word on her rental application for an apartment she knew she could barely afford.
For the past several months, the 47-year-old North Port mother of two young girls has been living in her van, in motel rooms or at the home of friends.
An Army National Guard veteran with a good job, Ping made call after call to apartment complexes and social service agencies after leaving a volatile marriage in June.
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Yet, despite many programs for veterans, Ping qualified for none, even as she got turned down or put on waiting lists for one apartment after another amid a major crisis in affordable housing.
“Everywhere I looked, I make too much money or not enough money,” said Ping, a downstream technician for King Plastic Corp.
Ping is not the typical face of homeless veterans – most of whom are men and who suffer from a disability, mental health illness or substance abuse, numerous studies show.
Yet she is among countless women who formerly served in the armed forces who are falling between the cracks of programs offered through the Veterans Administration and other social service agencies, programs that tend to target single men or the very poor, advocates say.
It is a gap in support and services particularly felt by working, struggling women veterans with children.
'It seems like we're getting the leftovers, if anything'
The problem was enough to spur one Sarasota woman into action on their behalf.
“I’m a fighter,” said Deborah Graves, 63, of Sarasota, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former corporate information technology specialist. “I was led to do something about it.”
Prompted by her own experience with housing instability as well as those of women veterans like Ping, Graves in 2016 formed a nonprofit called Leave No Female Veteran Behind.
The nonprofit offers financial guidance toward home ownership but eventually hopes to raise enough funds to buy land where the nonprofit could build homes to sell or rent to women veterans.
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As rents skyrocketed during the pandemic, Graves herself had to turn to housing vouchers provided through a HUD and VA partnership – a process she described as cumbersome and delayed, forcing her to forgo reasonable rental opportunities by the time the voucher came through and then be put up in run-down hotels.
On the other end of the market squeeze, she said, when women veterans do qualify for a VA home loan – as Graves once did – sellers in a hot real estate market often turn them down, flush as they are with cash or conventional offers.
"The military motto is 'Leave no man behind,' and that is supposed to carry over to civilian life as well, and it doesn't," Grave said. That appears especially true for women veterans, she added.
"It seems like we're getting the leftovers, if anything."
“I try to keep the girls out of this so I don’t traumatize them.”
As Ping took steps to leave her husband, she got the job at King Plastic, opened her own checking account, and packed up her belongings and those of their daughters, ages 10 and 8.
All summer she desperately searched for an apartment for herself and the girls – an almost impossible task with no savings and a thin credit history of her own after years as a stay-at-home mom, caring for their special-needs child.
Ping pulled overtime shifts to augment her income. She placed the girls with a relative when it was her turn to have them, while she stayed at budget motels – encountering other struggling moms with kids.
Many times she slept in her 2007 Honda Odyssey van, taking turns between Wal-Mart parking lots and other shopping centers, places that looked safe, meeting other families doing the same. She’d sleep for a bit, then drive away before attracting attention to herself.
“It is a delicate ballet dance I’ve been doing,” Ping said. “I try to keep the girls out of this so I don’t traumatize them.”
Week after week, the nonprofits she called referred her to other resources or placed her on waiting lists for transitional family housing for her and the girls – her income making her ineligible not only for state-administered food assistance but also for additional VA housing help.
The second week of August, staying temporarily with friends, she thought she found something she could swing on a tight budget: a two-bedroom apartment in Port Charlotte, for $2,183 a month.
Maybe, she thought, she could get the girls a stable home in time for school, start scraping together money for speech therapy that her youngest so badly needed, or gymnastics and music classes her oldest kept asking for.
“If the apartment doesn’t come through,” she said, “I’m back in that van.”
'The silent homeless'
Women, in general, are more likely to be doubled up in someone else’s home or staying in unhealthy relationships to avoid actual homelessness, said Chris Johnson, CEO of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness.
“So many times that is the silent homeless,” he added, “and so you don’t hear from them, even though they are at a great risk at any moment or currently in an abusive situation.”
And while they are a smaller portion of the overall veteran population and homeless veteran population – about 10% and 9% respectively – women veterans face special factors that leave them particularly vulnerable to homelessness.
Numerous studies show that despite lower chances of living in poverty compared to non-veteran women, women veterans are three times as likely as poor non-veteran women to wind up homeless. Women veterans also report experiences of isolation, barriers to care, a lack of coordinated services and a scarcity of long-term housing options.
Many community-run programs intended to help women veterans frequently do not have the capacity to handle clients with children, greatly limiting women veterans’ participation, say advocates.
Great gains
A spokesperson for the Veterans Administration could not be reached for comment.
But studies show that the VA has taken major steps to help veterans with housing in the last 10 years – during which veteran homelessness has been cut in half.
One of the biggest efforts rolled out the past decade has been the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, or SSVF, which provides about $400 million in grants a year to non-profit agencies across the country to help low-income veteran families with emergency or transitional housing, case management and a path to housing stability.
In 2021, almost 200,000 women veterans were served by SSVF, VA reports show.
But SSVF has limitations – namely, it is intended only for veterans with very low incomes.
In the Sarasota area, the cap is set at 50% of Area Medium Income (AMI) or less, which translates into an annual income of $30,250 a year for one person or $38,850 a year for a family of three, if Ping were to be counted with her daughters.
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Working with local nonprofits that administer SSVF – including St. Vincent De Paul CARES and Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast – has been a godsend for overwhelmed veterans groups in the housing crisis, said Gene Jones, president of Florida Veterans for Common Sense in Sarasota.
Still, he agreed with Graves that help from VA-related programs can be time-consuming, cumbersome and are often geared to single men, leaving women falling through the cracks.
“It’s probably one of the most frustrating situations,” Jones said.
For long-time affordable housing advocates like Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s senior vice president for community leadership, the matter raises moral questions for a community, state and nation when it comes to leaving veterans like Ping on the street.
“What’s really a shame,” said Thaxton, who has sounded the alarm on affordable housing for decades “is that a woman with a special needs child who served her country voluntarily is now in a position where we do not have an assistance program especially to meet her needs.”
Back to the van?
The decision on Ping’s rental application finally arrived last week.
The answer was no. Her credit wasn’t good enough.
Ping could not stop crying. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. All her dreams for her girls and the life she wanted to give them crumbled before her eyes.
The only option she could imagine ahead for the three of them was to leave the Sarasota area, where she had planted deep roots.
But then a friend pointed her to an apartment complex in North Port.
Despite her low credit score, they were willing to work with her.
Eighteen hundred a month would still be a struggle. But with her overtime, she’d make it work.
“We can do this, we can grow and become the real family I want to be,” Ping said about the road ahead that she envisioned for their lives. “It’s me and my daughters, that’s how I see it. Me and my girls.”
This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com. | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/08/20/affordable-housing-sarasota-manatee-women-veterans-see-less-support/10279753002/ | 2022-08-20T11:07:24 | 0 | https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/08/20/affordable-housing-sarasota-manatee-women-veterans-see-less-support/10279753002/ |
Unity of Flagstaff Aug 21 — Unity of Flagstaff Spiritual Center, 1800 S. Milton Road, Flagstaff. 10:30-11:30 a.m., Join Rev. Penni Honey this Sunday at 10:30 AM as we look at, “Change, I can see that!” Change is inevitable—no big news there. However, witnessing how you allow change to impact you is the trick to true evolution, to authentic shift in your life. CONSCIOUS change, not just CONSTANT change, is a tool that is always available. Live or Live Stream (live stream link at www.unityofflagstaff.org). Celebrate Change for Change Sunday by bringing your loose change this and next week. Check out what is happening in this community at www.unityofflagstaff.org and find previous Sunday Celebration messages at youtube.unityofflagstaff.org. Unity of Flagstaff Spiritual Center, “Where God is TOO big to fit into one religion” ALL are Welcome. Join us this Sunday 10:30 AM Live or LIVE STREAM. 1800 S. Milton Suite #103. https://go.evvnt.com/1288372-0.
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The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany Aug 20 — Episcopal Church-Epiphany, 423 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff. 928-774-2911. WELCOMING ALL: All ages, all colors, all abilities, all orientations. All people are welcome here. Saturday evening is a small group that meets outside in our Labyrinth, when weather permits or in our Parish Hall otherwise. Sundays 8:00 am service has occasional special music provided when musicians volunteer, Sundays 10:30 am service has music and is online at epiphanyaz.org. Come and join us anytime. Choir resumes in the fall. https://go.evvnt.com/1284584-0.
Beacon UU Sunday Service: “The Call of The Elder” Aug 21 — Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. (928) 779-4492. 10-11 a.m., ALL ARE WELCOME! You BELONG at Beacon. Spiritually open and intentionally inclusive since 1958. Times of tumult, like these, of great uncertainty, can initiate an acceleration of a calling. This call may include an awakening of the elder and the sage within each of us. In many old wisdom traditions, elders were considered to have one foot firmly planted on the ground of presence and of survival, and the other in the realm of great imagination. This sermon will explore the Call of The Elder in each of us as a resource of resiliency, endurance, and renewal. Rev. Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson preaching, with Worship Associate Nancy Paxton and music from Austin Shaw. Rev. Anthony is the minister of the Sedona UU Fellowship. Rev. Robin, who is currently away on Study Leave, returns to the pulpit on Sunday, September 4. https://go.evvnt.com/1283103-0.
Flagstaff Federated Community Church: Please join us for in person services Sundays at 10 a.m. We are located at 400 W Aspen Ave. on the corner of Aspen and Sitgreaves in Downtown Flagstaff. All are welcome to our services. For more information about Flagstaff Federated Community Church please call our office at 928-774-7383, Mon – Thurs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Church of the Resurrection Sunday Church Services: May 8 — 740 W. University Heights Drive S., 740 W. University Heights Drive S., Flagstaff. 928-853-8522. 10-11:30 a.m., Church of the Resurrection Presbyterian Church in America (PCA): We invite you to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 740 W. University Heights Drive South as Rev. Joshua Walker preaches through the book of Acts. Please feel free to contact us for information on our mid-week gatherings and for more information on our church. You can find us at www.cor-pca.org and www.facebook.com/CORFlagstaff or we can be reached at corflagstaff@gmail.com and (928) 699-2715.
Living Christ Lutheran Church: Living Christ Lutheran Church is a diverse and LGBTQ-affirming community of disciples embraced by God's unconditional love and enduring grace. You are invited to celebrate with us God's love and presence in your life, grow in your discipleship, and leave empowered to be God's hands in the world. We worship through music, teaching, prayer, and the sacraments each Sunday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Fangmeier leading. We offer worship both in-person (masks are respected, not required; encouraged for unvaccinated) and online. Learn more about us at our new website: lclcflag.org.
Leupp Nazarene Church: The church, near mile post 13 or Navajo Route 15, has been holding services by teleconferences and doing drive-up meetings. For information, call pastor Farrell Begay at 928-853-5321. Teleconference number: 1-7170275-8940 with access code 3204224#. Services are 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Christian Science Society of Flagstaff: 619 W. Birch Ave. The Christian Science Society of Flagstaff has opened for Sunday services while continuing to have them available via Zoom for online and phone. Wednesday testimony meetings are available only via Zoom. For phone Sunday Services: Dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 369 812 794#, Passcode: 075454#. For phone Wednesday meetings, dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 971 672 834#, Passcode: 894826#. The access for Zoom on Sundays is: https://zoom.us/j/369812794. The Zoom access for Wednesdays is: https://zoom.us/j/971672834. The password to use to enter both is CSS. We welcome all to attend our Sunday Services in person, or live by Zoom, at 10:00 o’clock, and to attend our Wednesday Testimony meetings live by Zoom, at 5:30 o’clock. Our Reading Room will be open on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-12 noon. For further information please call 928-526-5982. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-august-20/article_01d61386-1f58-11ed-8713-4375d63b4be7.html | 2022-08-20T11:12:14 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-august-20/article_01d61386-1f58-11ed-8713-4375d63b4be7.html |
Two people were critically injured in a racing incident after two vehicles crashed in North Philadelphia on Saturday, authorities said.
Two Dodge Chargers were racing at around 100 mph on Broad Street when one of the racing cars collided with an SUV that was turning onto the street, police said.
The crash took place in front of Temple Hospital on Ontario and Broad Streets and involved a total of six people. Two of them are listed in critical condition, police said.
Both Chargers have temporary tags from the state of Maryland.
The Philadelphia Police Department’s Accident Investigation Division confirmed the accident is cleared and Broad Street is reopened to traffic in both directions.
Sign up for our Breaking newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/2-critically-injured-in-broad-st-racing-crash/3340760/ | 2022-08-20T11:54:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/2-critically-injured-in-broad-st-racing-crash/3340760/ |
Fort Wayne police are investigating a shooting that left a woman in critical condition early today.
Officers said they arrived in the 1500 block of East Lewis Street about 1:30 a.m. after receiving a report of an unknown problem.
Police said the victim suffered a gunshot blast during a large gathering at a residence in the area. Officers said several shots were fired, hitting only the woman who was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Several people attending the get-together left before police arrived.
Anyone with information is asked to call 260-427-1201, Crime Stoppers at 436-7867 or use the free “P3 Tips” app. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/woman-critical-after-fort-wayne-shooting/article_d421e17a-2071-11ed-9dbe-cf1e2a87fdc4.html | 2022-08-20T11:59:16 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/woman-critical-after-fort-wayne-shooting/article_d421e17a-2071-11ed-9dbe-cf1e2a87fdc4.html |
BLOOMINGTON — McLean County officials are reminding residents that their second property tax bills are due in two and a half weeks.
The second installment of property tax must be received by the county or postmarked by Sept. 6. Any payments made after the Sept. 6 deadline are subject to a 1.5% interest penalty each month, with no grace period before the penalty begins.
Tax payments can be mailed, paid online or paid at most local banks.
Payments are accepted at the Government Center in person or via the payment drop boxes at the East Street entrance of the building or by the Washington Street exit of the parking lot. The county treasurer’s office hours at the Government Center are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parcel information and payment options are available at mcleancountyil.gov/tax.
Taxpayers who have not received a bill may obtain a copy by visiting mcleancountyil.gov/97/Treasurer-Tax-Collector, emailing treasurer@mcleancountyil.gov or calling 309-888-5180.
Taxpayers who did not receive a bill because they recently purchased a property, are no longer escrow or have moved must report the correct mailing address for their tax bill to the Supervisor of Assessments Office by emailing assessor@mcleancountyil.gov or calling 309-888-5130.
McLean County taxpayers are being billed $375.7 million in 2022 compared to $364.1 million last year, an increase of $11.6 million or 3.19% over the prior year. The 2022 tax bill is for the 2021 assessment period. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mclean-county-property-tax-bills-due-sept-6/article_035d039e-200d-11ed-8c64-5fe8c8ed0c24.html | 2022-08-20T12:08:36 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/mclean-county-property-tax-bills-due-sept-6/article_035d039e-200d-11ed-8c64-5fe8c8ed0c24.html |
100 years ago
Aug. 20, 1922: Wilbur Coons, formerly a well-known Bloomington newspaper man and now secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in Crawfordsville, Indiana, is here for a short visit with friends. Crawfordsville is the seat of Wabash College, one of the best known minor schools in the middle western sector and also the home of several large manufacturing plants. In his high school and college days at Wesleyan, Coons won much fame as an athlete and is now one of Wabash's leading boosters.
75 years ago
Aug. 20, 1947: A total enrollment of 350 with an average daily attendance of 100 at the summer playgrounds sponsored by the Normal Recreation Council was reported following a windup meeting of the council. This was the first summer that the newly organized council has sponsored play activity for youngsters, teenagers and adults. The playgrounds at Normal Central school, Thomas Metcalf school and on the University High school athletic field were operated at a cost of $850.
50 years ago
Aug. 20, 1972: Some people said the corn served during the seventh annual Corn Days festival in downtown Bloomington was "real good," "good" and "super." Others wondered why a single day is being called Corn Days. The Stokley-Van Camp company in Gibson City donated the corn and Funk Bros. Seed Co. hauled it to the city for the festival, sponsored by the Bloomington Downtown Council. The Bloomington DeMolay shucked the 15,000 ears, helped served them and assisted in cleanup.
25 years ago
Aug. 20, 1997: In a passionate speech at the annual McLean County Democratic dinner, U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard railed against those who support tax breaks for the wealthy while cutting programs for the poor and Gov. Edgar's lateness in supporting education funding reform. "As a matter of simple justice, if we stand for anything as Democrats and citizens of this state, we ought to be standing for equal education opportunity for every child in this state no matter where they live," said Poshard, of Marion.
Compiled by Pantagraph staff | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-corn-days-festival-held-in-downtown-bloomington/article_20355fea-1e99-11ed-9042-dfb62872b12f.html | 2022-08-20T12:08:43 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/history/100-years-ago-corn-days-festival-held-in-downtown-bloomington/article_20355fea-1e99-11ed-9042-dfb62872b12f.html |
A beauty queen and a mechanic: Alpenfest Queen helps grandfather's auto repair shop
GAYLORD — Fayth Sanom admits she is a very goal-oriented person. The senior at Gaylord High School won the Alpenfest queen competition in July and she is also a gymnast and cheerleader.
Soon, she may be able to add auto mechanic to her list of accomplishments.
For the last four years, Fayth has been helping her grandfather, Pat Sanom, at his repair shop (Affordable Auto Repair) in Gaylord. In June, a deer knocked Pat off of his motorcycle and after taking a little over two weeks to recover from his injuries, he returned to the business.
"She has been learning about the shop and after (the accident in June), I really needed some help," Pat said. "Her coming in and helping me out has made a big difference."
Pat was on his way to work when a doe rushed out of the woods and broadsided him, knocking him off the motorcycle. He suffered broken ribs, lacerations to his liver and a collapsed right lung.
"I am about 75 percent (recovered) right now," he said. "One of the issues I had involved my strength. It's hard for me to lift things, pick stuff up and move it around. Believe me, Fayth is strong enough to help me."
More:Gaylord's Alpenfest welcomes crowds, holds awards program and luncheon
Fayth said working on vehicles at the shop is very fulfilling and plays to one of her strengths.
"I am a very goal-oriented person and that meshes well with what I do at the shop," she said. "It's very fulfilling to take something apart, perform a repair and then put it all back together. Recently I have been learning about working on a car's engine."
When Fayth visited Pat in the hospital, she knew it was time to step up and help.
"I knew he needed to take care of the business so I decided I would come in and help him out," she said.
Winning the Alpenfest queen title is an example of how Fayth pursues a goal.
"I admit I was a bit unprepared for the competition," she said, and realized she would have to get organized and focused.
"I practiced my speech with my mom and I walked around in high heels in my pajamas so I could get used to them," Fayth recalled. She also won the talent competition by performing a gymnastics routine.
Excited about her last year at Gaylord High School, Fayth intends to graduate, attend college and continue her cheerleading. Eventually she wants to enroll in law school and become a lawyer.
"I see her abilities and it's impressive. She is very determined," Pat said. | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/gaylord/2022/08/20/beauty-queen-wields-a-wrench-to-help-grandfather-out/65411041007/ | 2022-08-20T12:08:52 | 1 | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/gaylord/2022/08/20/beauty-queen-wields-a-wrench-to-help-grandfather-out/65411041007/ |
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A 61-year-old man is recovering in the hospital after almost drowning in a Greensboro apartment pool Thursday.
His 8-year-old grandson is being called a hero after saving his life.
Christian Matos said he and his grandfather love spending time together.
"He takes care of me when I'm sad. He gives me Gatorade or soda, even coke, or we go on a walk," said Matos.
Thursday they decided to take a trip to their pool at an apartment complex off Cotswold Avenue.
"While we were at the pool we started laughing and playing and stuff," said Matos.
Until the unthinkable happened, Matos said his grandfather went under the water to wet his hair and came up too quickly.
"He swallowed too much of the water and I just saw him laying there with his head down and arms like this and I felt his heart and it wasn't doing anything," said Matos.
His grandfather nearly drowned until Matos managed to drag his grandfather out of the pool and performed CPR, a procedure the mother said he's never learned before.
"I have never taught him that. It has never even dawned on me to teach him that. It’s a shame but it’s true. All of it goes to God. It had to have been God to step in and let this boy do what he did," said Cerise Hammie.
The grandfather is now recovering in the hospital after the family called 911.
"I want to hang out with him again, hug him and stuff, take him on a walk, but no pool anymore," said Matos.
The family told News 2 that doctors were able to extract more water from the grandfather's lungs.
The family plans to give him a call and they're thankful they'll be able to hear his voice again. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/i-felt-his-heart-and-it-wasnt-doing-anything-greensboro-boy-saves-grandfather-from-drowning/83-f11b55ec-3c97-4a2f-a77a-56fc30bf659c | 2022-08-20T12:57:49 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/i-felt-his-heart-and-it-wasnt-doing-anything-greensboro-boy-saves-grandfather-from-drowning/83-f11b55ec-3c97-4a2f-a77a-56fc30bf659c |
AKRON, Ohio — A little more rest goes a long way.
The University of Akron believes a rested mind is a necessity, so they have come up with a new innovation enabling students to get some light sleep throughout the school day.
While several studies show a well-rested mind boosts better overall mental health, UA has provided students with four nap pods across three different locations on its campus.
The pods have been a big plus for students like Ashley Brickner.
"I definitely get exhausted going to classes all day. Instead of running back to my house off-campus, I can take a nap in one of these," says Brickner. "First, it's going to save my gas money from running home just for a quick nap, but it's just so relaxing to catch a break and not have everyone staring at you if you just want to close your eyes for a moment."
The goal of the nap pods is to allow for a creative opportunity to keep students successful. Brickner says the pods have already helped her to make getting back to the books a lot easier.
"It can be hard when there's only a half hour in between classes but you don't know what to do because you're so exhausted from just staring at a professor for two hours," she adds.
The pods give students a chance to recharge with a 20 minute snooze, complete with a privacy visor, built-in-timer, and sleep music. At the end of the nap, the pod wakes up the user with a gentle but effective combination of light, sound and vibration.
Students like Brickner say being able to relax for a few minutes in between a rigorous school schedule has made a significant difference in their approach to this semester.
"This is crazy! People are napping in public and you can take a rest," she says. "I think that's nice and really healthy for Akron to offer."
More Headlines: | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/university-of-akron-nap-pods-on-campus-boost-students-mental-health/95-c0ddf4a9-d209-433a-a037-09bd3a2668d8 | 2022-08-20T12:57:55 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/university-of-akron-nap-pods-on-campus-boost-students-mental-health/95-c0ddf4a9-d209-433a-a037-09bd3a2668d8 |
A security guard fired his gun inside a Chinatown hookah bar early Saturday morning, injuring two people, police said.
At around 12:30 a.m., the security guard in the lower lounge of Day 'N' Nite Bar fired shots after a man attempted to attack him with a hookah device, Philadelphia Police Department Cpt. Anthony Ginaldi told NBC10.
One bullet hit the would-be attacker in the hip, Ginaldi said. Another bullet struck a nearby woman in the leg.
The man and woman do not appear to have any connection to each other, Ginaldi said. Both are in stable condition.
Three shell casings were later found at the scene.
Police said the man has previously harassed the security guard by slashing his tires and assaulting him at a Wawa, among other incidents.
The security guard was taken into police custody and turned in his weapon for investigation.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
There are additional resources for people or communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Further information can be found here. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/shots-fired-by-security-guard-at-chinatown-hookah-bar/3340778/ | 2022-08-20T13:16:58 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/shots-fired-by-security-guard-at-chinatown-hookah-bar/3340778/ |
TimkenSteel worker dies from injuries in explosion
A TimkenSteel worker who was severely burned in an explosion last month has died.
Joseph Ferrall, 34, of Alliance died Friday, his wife Amber Ferrall posted in a message on Facebook.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must tell all of you. That Joseph passed away today surrounded by his family and friends," she wrote. "He fought for 24 days and I could not be more proud of him. He will be missed by many."
More: TimkenSteel explosionWhat happened?
Ferrall, who was the father of three boys, had been in critical condition at Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center's Burn Unit since the July 26 explosion at the TimkenSteel Faircrest plant in Perry Township. He and two other workers were injured when a furnace exploded in the plant’s melt shop.
Since the explosion, Ferrall had been sedated and on a ventilator with severely damaged lungs, his wife had said.
Pat Eslich, president at United Steelworkers Golden Lodge Local Union 1123, had told the Canton Repository that the melt shop where the furnace explosion occurred remained closed last week. He also said the cause has yet to be determined and remains under investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
TimkenSteel was placed in the OSHA's severe violator enforcement program in June and ordered to pay more than $315,000 in fines following the investigation of a fatal accident at its Gambrinus Steel Mill. OSHA took the action after investigating the Dec. 27 incident that led to the death of a 65-year-old machine operator in the Gambrinus facility.
It was the third time in five years that TimkenSteel has been cited for safety failures by OSHA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Canton-based TimkenSteel, which manufactures carbon and alloy steel products for the automotive, energy and other industries, employs about 1,800 people and had sales of $1.3 billion last year. | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2022/08/20/timkensteel-worker-joseph-ferrall-has-died-after-july-26-explosion/65412013007/ | 2022-08-20T13:17:57 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2022/08/20/timkensteel-worker-joseph-ferrall-has-died-after-july-26-explosion/65412013007/ |
LEASES
- Commonwealth Commercial Partners LLC reports the following leases:
- Celebration of VA LLC leased 2,932 square feet at 14401 Sommerville Court in Chesterfield.
- Gadget Pass Inc. leased 5,000 square feet at 245 E. German School Road in Richmond.
- Axxess Data Solutions Co. Inc. leased 1,100 square feet at 6061 Harbour Park Drive in Chesterfield.
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association leased 10,333 square feet at 919 E. Main St. in Richmond.
- Taou Studio LLC leased 3,967 square feet at 3122 W. Cary St. in Richmond.
- Kincaid Hospitality Co. LLC leased 7,459 square feet at 3120 W. Cary St. in Richmond.
- BASC Property Management LLC leased 1,687 square feet at 6714 Patterson Ave. in Richmond.
- The College of William & Mary in Virginia leased 1,241 square feet at 919 E. Main St. in Richmond.
- Commonwealth of Virginia, Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission leased 9,006 square feet at 919 E. Main St. in Richmond.
- John Davenport Engineering Inc. leased 1,983 square feet at 1100 Boulders Parkway in Chesterfield.
- Tredegar Corp. renewed its lease of 21,615 square feet at 1100 Boulders Parkway in Chesterfield.
- Kleinfelder Inc. leased 5,334 square feet at 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive in Chesterfield.
- XL Massage LLC leased 1,020 square feet at 13549 Midlothian Turnpike in Chesterfield.
- Comfort Systems of Virginia Inc. leased 4,679 square feet at 671 Trampton St. in Henrico.
- Keysville Property Investment LLC leased 5,080 square feet at 1829 E. Nine Mile Road in Henrico.
- Oasis Management Systems Inc. leased 14,278 square feet at 303 Ashcake Road in Hanover.
- David Epstein leased 505 square feet at 413 Stuart Circle in Richmond.
- Ellad Preventative Health LLC leased 962 square feet at 9401 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield.
- The Hardscape Center leased 2,250 square feet at 4300 Vawter Ave. in Henrico.
- Dr. Susan R. Overstreet and
- Dr. Douglas R. Overstreet d/b/a River City Dentistry renewed their 2,460-square-foot lease at 11551 Nuckols Road in Henrico.
- Boone Residential LLC leased 2,250 square feet at 14021 Steeplestone Drive in Chesterfield.
- EVR Research LP leased 411 Libbie Ave. in Richmond
- ConsignRVA LLC leased 2,716 square feet at 2409 Westwood Ave. in Henrico.
- Charlie Health Inc. leased 775 square feet at 413 Stuart Circle in Richmond.
- James Oliver D.D.S. leased 1,322 square feet at 8921 Three Chopt Road in Henrico.
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- Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer reports the following leases
- :
- Bangs Salon & Spa LLC renewed its lease of 4,000 square feet of retail space at Huguenot Trade Center, 1101-1135 Alverser Drive, in Chesterfield.
- Mid-Atlantic Knife Co. Inc. renewed its lease of 3,300 square feet of industrial space at Park Place of Hanover, 10403 S. Leadbetter Road, in Ashland.
- T-Mobile renewed its lease of 2,720 square feet of retail space at East Parham Place, 8800 Staples Mill Road, in Henrico.
- Tech Masters LLC leased 2,500 square feet of industrial space at 525 Branchway Road in Chesterfield.
- VKGS LLC renewed its lease of 2,500 square feet of industrial space at Chippenham Business Center, 201-255 E. German School Road, in Richmond.
- Pearle Vision renewed its lease of 2,160 square feet of retail space at The Shoppes at Staples Mill & Glenside, 7101 Staples Mill Road, in Henrico.
- Cabrera’s Italian Restaurante renewed its lease of 1,600 square feet of retail space at Robious Hall Shopping Center, 10064 Robious Road, in Chesterfield.
- Lash Out Beauty Bar leased 1,400 square feet of retail space at Huguenot Village Shopping Center, 2015 Huguenot Road, in Chesterfield.
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- Joyner Commercial Real Estate reports the following leases
- :
- Optiques leased 1,500 square feet of office space at 2821 N. Parham Road in Henrico.
- The Bair Foundation leased 3,170 square feet of office space at 2727 Enterprise Parkway in Henrico.
SALES
- Commonwealth Commercial Partners LLC reports the following sales:
- Old Gaskins LLC purchased 6.72 aces at 711 Old Gaskins Road in Henrico from Gaskins Centre LLC for $1,350,000. Ryan Fanelli and Sam Worley represented the seller.
- One Properties LLC purchased 1,380 square feet at 302 Browns Hill Court in Chesterfield from REH Holdings LLC for $300,000. Tucker Dowdy and Russell Wyatt represented the seller.
- JSO Properties LLC purchased 5.98 acres at Ashland Business Park, Hill Carter Parkway in Hanover, from Richland Limited Partnership for $100,000. David Williams represented the seller.
- Investors Lands Holding of Richmond LLC purchased 6 +/- acres at 9301 Patterson Ave. in Henrico from Patterson Investments for $1,900,000. Sam Worley and Ryan Fanelli represented the seller.
- Benjamin L. Miller and
- Megan T. Miller purchased 1,010 square feet at 1913 W. Cary St. in Richmond from B&H Commercial LLC for $275,000. Tucker “Nash” Warren represented the purchaser.
- Emerson Ventures purchased approximately 4.997 acres at Watkins Centre Parkway and East West Road in Chesterfield from Watkins Land LLC for $1,424,145. Chris Jenkins, Joe Buhrman and Bill Barnett represented the seller.
- Speagle Real Estate Holdings purchased 20 +/- acres on Hill Carter Parkway and Business Lane in Hanover. David Williams represented the seller.
******
- Joyner Commercial Real Estate reports the following sales:
- Fred’s Towing and Transport Inc. purchased 1.96 acres of land at 5900 Lewis Road in Sandston for $265,000.
- Kelly Building Maintenance Services purchased 0.05 acres of land at 8 W. Jackson St. in Richmond for $65,000. Newton Carroll represented the buyer and the seller. | https://richmond.com/business/local/commercial-real-estate-highlights-8-w-jackson-st-sells-for-65-000/article_adf6d412-db32-5e26-b195-e8240a23da7b.html | 2022-08-20T13:27:34 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/local/commercial-real-estate-highlights-8-w-jackson-st-sells-for-65-000/article_adf6d412-db32-5e26-b195-e8240a23da7b.html |
High inflation, rising interest rates and a rocky stock market have made American consumers feel insecure about their finances.
But if you really want to ramp up the insecurities — financial or otherwise — there is no place in the world quite like social media.
A recent Bankrate.com survey showed social media makes users feel negatively about money more than any other aspect of their lives, which is saying something when you consider the propensity that social media has to make people feel bad about their job and career, their appearance, their relationships, their level of achievement in a favorite hobby and more.
Where investors have always had to fight off the twin devils of fear and greed — plainly visible in the meme stock craze, where social media fans the flames on hot topics — users of social media, according to Bankrate’s work, also must overcome “jealousy, inadequacy, shame [and] anger” as anxieties and emotions around finances.
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Moreover, there is some clear evidence — provided by another Bankrate survey — that social media leads to some lamentable financial decision-making.
This is not just about pursuing hot stocks on trading apps. Several studies have shown that the Reddit-obsessed retail stock traders who fueled meme stocks like GameStop and AMC have lost the gains they had made and then some since the pandemic began.
That’s not much of a surprise, as those stock jockeys were trading on whims and hunches rather than fundamental and technical analysis.
But a combination of wishful thinking, keeping up with the Joneses, revenge spending for having been shuttered due to the pandemic and the invasive/intrusive nature of devices has nearly half of the social media users surveyed by Bankrate saying they’ve made an impulse purchase spurred by social media use, with nearly two-thirds of those purchasers saying they wished they hadn’t been so free with their money.
Consumers don’t need much impetus to go shopping; for all the complaints about higher prices, spending has not been curbed or curtailed.
The Department of Commerce has reported increases in spending, and while inflation may be more responsible for the uptick than increased buying, there is plenty of evidence that rising wages and a cache of pandemic savings, the proliferation of “buy now, pay later” options and more have consumers spending like they’re flush.
In fact, inflation might be an overlooked part of the motivation to spend because, in a world of rising prices, it’s tempting to pursue the “good deals.”
An Ipsos poll released this month asked consumers how inflation is changing their impulse buying habits, and more than a third of the respondents who made an impulse purchase online cited the price as being too good to pass up. The same percentage of respondents said they wanted to treat themselves.
Social media speeds up that process: You don’t need to go to a website or a physical store to buy something that shows up in your feed. You can likely make your purchase without ever leaving the app.
Effectively, you’re in the store all the time, the perfect set-up for impulse buying and, later, regretted spending.
Consumers need to recognize the disconnect between people looking to make their best impression on social media and the reality of the experience.
I have looked at enough social media to know that in my peer group — not even venturing into the world of real or would-be celebrities — seemingly everyone I see online appears to be making more than I do, spending more than I spend and having more fun in general. (And I’m no sad sack; I live comfortably.)
That’s because people are showing the highlight reel of their life.
What I never see is what they had to do to finance the purchase or pay for their trip, the balance in their retirement accounts, and how stressed they are about money and their future.
And I seldom get any glimpse into the potential conflicts of interest behind the pretty pictures.
Yes, we know how social media influencers work, but we don’t necessarily know the forces moving them. It’s easy to like or endorse a product, service or idea when you are paid to hold that opinion.
As consumers and investors, however, we’d like to know how the influencers are being influenced.
Likewise, track records matter, especially when it comes to online investing advice, but also to the quality of goods and services.
Stock jockeys in chat rooms don’t typically have verified, viewable proof of their past, long-lasting success. New gadgets and gizmos could be bolstered by fake reviews.
It’s easy to talk a good game, even if you can’t play one.
Lacking track records and full disclosure of conflicts, consumers and investors should not be a surprise when real life fails to live up to what we saw on our smartphone.
This is not a message to put down the phone or to get off the apps, though plenty of people find benefit from doing so, and there is a lot of evidence that less is more when it comes to screen time.
Instead, to borrow from Eleanor Roosevelt, this is a reminder that “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Don’t measure your progress or your ability to weather current conditions based on other people. Stay centered on your ability to reach, achieve and maintain progress and financial goals.
Focus less on the outside world and more on yourself.
We all like and want nice things, but our financial decisions should not be swayed by our neighbor’s cars, our siblings’ vacations or our coworkers’ big-ticket purchases.
By all means, get what you want or need, spend within your means and enjoy the money you work so hard for, but keep your personal goals in sight, and measure your progress by them.
You are the most important influencer when it comes to your financial choices. Don’t give someone you see on your feed somewhere undue importance in your decisions.
Chuck Jaffe is a nationally syndicated financial columnist and the host of “Money Life with Chuck Jaffe.” You can reach him at itschuckjaffe@gmail.com and tune in at moneylifeshow.com. | https://richmond.com/business/local/your-funds-when-it-comes-to-your-finances-being-anti-social-might-help/article_9683d7bf-7350-5e79-bc27-b7a90309adb4.html | 2022-08-20T13:27:40 | 1 | https://richmond.com/business/local/your-funds-when-it-comes-to-your-finances-being-anti-social-might-help/article_9683d7bf-7350-5e79-bc27-b7a90309adb4.html |
Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns presented Hammond's Annie Burns-Hicks the university's President's Medal of Distinction during the Fall Convocation on Friday.
Provided
Annie Burns-Hicks reacts after cutting the ribbon as Maywood Elementary School was renamed Burns-Hicks Elementary School in April.
The first black school teacher in Hammond's history was honored Friday by her college alma mater, Ball State University.
Annie Burns-Hicks received the President’s Medal of Distinction from Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns in recognition of her historic legal battle to become a teacher in her hometown of Hammond.
The award was presented at the end of Mearns' Fall Convocation address Friday morning at Emens Auditorium on the Muncie campus.
Mearns uses the annual speech to highlight Ball State successes, which this year include an increase in freshmen enrollment, record-breaking fundraising and the welcoming 81 new full-time faculty members to campus when classes resume on Monday.
Mearns concluded his remarks by sharing with faculty and staff the story of Burns-Hicks, 85, "whose courage and integrity exemplify the enduring values of the university," Ball State said in a news release announcing the award.
“Annie overcame extraordinary obstacles to pursue her passion of becoming a teacher,” Mearns said. “Awarding her this medal was a way for me, on behalf of our university, to honor her significant and unselfish contributions to her community and to our state.”
Burns-Hicks graduated from Ball State Teachers College in 1958. When she returned home to Hammond to teach, her application was ignored. Burns-Hicks sued the school city in federal court and won the legal battle in 1960.
Earlier this year, Hammond school officials approved the renaming of Maywood Elementary School — where Burns-Hicks attended school and taught for more than 40 years — as the Annie Burns-Hicks Elementary School.
Mearns said Burns-Hicks’ legacy endures in the lives of the thousands of students who were impacted by her life story and by her teaching in the classroom.
“She has left the school where she taught — and the community in which she was raised — in a much better place. And she is an enduring source of inspiration for all of us,” he said.
PHOTOS: Annie Burns-Hicks Elementary School holds ribbon cutting
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“I want to put everybody on notice, that not only will you potentially face civil reckless felony charges but also civil penalties and money judgments."
Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns presented Hammond's Annie Burns-Hicks the university's President's Medal of Distinction during the Fall Convocation on Friday. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/ball-state-honors-alumna-annie-burns-hicks-pioneering-hammond-educator/article_0fbda6c6-3c59-5dd7-a615-ad06097c0428.html | 2022-08-20T13:31:38 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/hammond/ball-state-honors-alumna-annie-burns-hicks-pioneering-hammond-educator/article_0fbda6c6-3c59-5dd7-a615-ad06097c0428.html |
BEVERLY SHORES — To the untrained eye, the line of swaying plants easily blend into the surrounding wetland. However, Jennifer Kanine knew exactly what she was looking for.
Kanine bent the tall grass and examined the top where a cluster of husks covered in tiny hairs grew.
The husks contain mnomen, a Potawatomi word which translates to "good berry." The nutritious grains are also known by another name — wild rice.
"A lot of people will just walk by it and say, ‘that’s a grass and I don’t know what that is, but it looks pretty,’ and they don’t realize what this plant can provide to humans, to animals and to the ecosystem in general," said Kanine, who is the director of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi's Department of Natural Resources.
After decades of dredging wetlands for farming and development, much of the mnomen once found throughout the Great Lakes region is gone.
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A study published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that watersheds with wild rice have declined by 32% since the early 1900s, and are now largely limited to northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.
However, when researchers with the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi began investigating the swales at the Indiana Dunes National Park in 2016, what they discovered surprised them.
"There is a significant amount of wild rice at Indiana Dunes, I don’t think the park even realized how much they had," Kanine recalled.
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, based out of Dowagiac, Michigan, has been working to reestablish wild rice on tribal lands for quite a few years. However, the Dowagiac River, which runs adjacent to tribal land, was straightened and dredged long ago, causing pollution along the shoreline which led to the destruction of rice beds.
The tribe tried to introduce rice harvested in northern Minnesota to Michigan, but found the rice could not adapt to the warmer climate.
"That disparity (in climate) is getting even greater with time. It’s just getting warmer here and so it is even harder for the rice to adapt from northern Minnesota to southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, so I wanted to see if we could find local genotypes," Kanine said.
The Pokagon Band started looking closer to home, areas in the land now called Indiana where the tribe would have historically harvested mnomen. In 2018 the Pokagon Band received a $40,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to research the rice beds at the national park.
An environmental 'lynchpin'
"Maybe once there was wild rice here," Kanine said as she looked across the lush wetland surrounding either side of the abandoned road.
The Pokagon Band's team of researchers has harvested wild rice found largely in the Miller Woods section of the park and planted it in the wetlands found in Beverly Shores.
Crumbling asphalt and the odd waterline tangled in the roots of a toppled tree are the only remnants of any past development on the land now owned by the National Park Service.
"We have lost so much of our wetlands, the historic places where wild rice would have been, have been altered. So as we’re starting to reestablish some of these wetlands, we want to enhance the biodiversity within them and we can do that by planting wild rice," Kanine said. “Wild rice helps tie the food web together. It provides food for multiple bird species, muskrats, beavers, fish."
Wild rice is keystone species meaning it serves as a sort of "lynchpin" for a whole host of critters to use for food and shelter, Kanine explained.
The rice plants often form a floating mat as they grow, allowing small fish to use the dangling roots to hide from predators. Birds, spiders, lady bugs and rice worms also make homes in the tall stalks.
Armed with a clipboard and waders, Kanine and a team of researchers make the hour-and-a-half commute from Dowagiac to the park almost daily throughout the summer and early fall.
The researchers use a quadrat, a square tool crafted out of PVC pipe used isolate a unit of study while in the field, to examine how the rice is doing. They note how many stalks there are, how deep the water is, how many other plants are growing nearby and if there has been any predation.
When the research first began, the team brought some rice back to a lake on the Pokagon Band's land in Michigan. Because the bed is small and self-sustaining the tribe does not harvest the rice, but Kanine said they do use it for education.
For the past four years, the Pokagon Band and the National Park have been working on an agreement to allow tribal citizens to harvest certain edible and medicinal plants from the park.
Under the proposed agreement, tribal citizens would be able to harvest a specific list of plants from five locations in the park. If approved, the process would involve getting a permit to go to the park, reporting what is harvested to the Pokagon Band and then the Pokagon reporting the harvest to the National Park.
"A lot of that reporting kind of dissuades people from starting in the first place... it (the agreement) might be for one person a year or zero people a year, but I wanted them to have the opportunity,” said Kanine, adding that she has heard concerns about overharvesting. “If they really knew the Pokagon Band and the way that the tribal citizens are culturally taught how to gather and how to be in the natural environment, they are not going to over harvest."
Public comment on the agreement ended on July 28. If the agreement is approved, Kanine would like to craft a second agreement that would allow the Pokagon Department of Natural Resources to harvest more wild rice from the park and plant it on the tribal land in Dowagiac.
Where food grows on water
Though different origin stories exist within the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa tribes, many mention a migration from the east coast to "the place where food grows on water."
Loosely organized as the Three Fires Confederacy, the three tribes traveled west until they got to the Great Lakes region where they found an abundance of mnomen growing in the many lakes, ponds and streams.
Packed with antioxidants and fiber, dried mnomen was a key food source for the Potawatomi throughout long winters, often paired with blueberries or walleye. Sharing the history and cultural significance of mnomen helps keep some of the Pokagon Band's traditions alive, Kanine said.
A few years ago, the Pokagon Band held a wild rice camp where participants learned how to harvest and prepare mnomen.
Pinching a small rice husk, Kanine said "to get it off the plant into your belly takes a long process." After hand harvesting the rice, either in canoes or by wading through the plants with buckets, the rice has to be dried, heated, placed in a dancing pit to dislodge the grain from the husk, winnowed and sorted.
“Then you get a little vial of rice you can cook," Kanine said. "That’s why you pay upwards of $20 or more per pound, especially locally grown, hand-harvested, hand-parched, hand-winnowed, hand-sorted.”
The tribe's Center for History and Culture is in the process of hiring a sustainability leader to help lead more wild rice programming.
As Kanine and her fellow researcher Diana Ramirez packed up for the day and prepared for the trek back to Dowagiac, they looked across the small stand of mnomen happily growing in the wetland.
"It takes a lot of passion and it takes a lot of heart to want to be out here doing this work and we're doing it because we see a benefit in it and we want to make sure it is maintained throughout history," Kanine said. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/watch-now-in-tune-with-the-land-pokagon-band-of-potawatomi-conducts-wild-rice-research/article_2fed320f-b4e0-58e5-b868-3815d98cc8dc.html | 2022-08-20T13:31:44 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/watch-now-in-tune-with-the-land-pokagon-band-of-potawatomi-conducts-wild-rice-research/article_2fed320f-b4e0-58e5-b868-3815d98cc8dc.html |
Madison Howe always knew she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. Now after years of dreaming and education, she finally has her very first classroom.
"I'd sit there in class and just think, 'I'm going do that in my classroom someday,'" said Howe.
Howe, a Mason City alum, is returning to the district that was influential in her decision to teach. She will be teaching fifth-grade literacy and social studies at Lincoln Intermediate School.
"I still see my teachers in the hallways and at different school districts, and it's just so cool to see," she said.
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Howe is being joined by fellow first-year teacher and Mason City graduate Maddie Thoms. Thoms, who will be teaching special education at John Adams Middle School, credited her mother, a teacher, for being the influence in her life to head into education.
"I've always grown up with being in her classrooms. I knew that it just was something I wanted to do as well," said Thoms.
Howe and Thoms are among the many first-time teachers about to take on their year one in North Iowa.
As new teachers, they have gone through a series of training sessions and meetings before the first day of school. They have been instructed in everything from how to aid students with trauma to individualized education plan systems. They've networked with colleagues and fellow new educators.
"It's nice that everyone is learning at the same time along with me. I'm not just 'the newbie,'" said Thoms.
The two new teachers have also been setting up their classrooms.
"I've been slowly gathering things for my classroom for years and years now," said Howe. "I have an entire spare bedroom just full of things that once I knew I had the job, I was just organizing everything and putting everything into bins. I couldn't wait to get into the classroom to get everything set up."
"(I'm) just kind of getting things decorated, getting things started, and making it feel homey for my students so that they feel comfortable in this space as well," said Thoms.
The training sessions helped both develop goals for their first year of teaching. For Howe, its to be a continuous learner alongside fellow teachers and students. For Thoms, its being present with her students and establishing relationships.
"I want my students to know that I care about them and know that I'm their advocate and that they can go to me for anything," said Thoms.
"I just mainly want what my teachers instilled in me, that learning can be exciting and learning can be so much fun," said Howe.
Thoms and Howe have experienced a mix of emotions about the upcoming first day of school, but overall they feel ready to tackle year one of teaching.
"I'm mostly excited. I'm just so excited, and I've been counting down the days in my calendar," said Howe.
Abby covers education and entertainment for the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter at @MkayAbby. Email her at Abby.Koch@GlobeGazette.com | https://globegazette.com/news/local/year-one-new-teachers-prep-for-first-year-of-teaching/article_7220d652-88cd-5b70-8b9b-09607c689626.html | 2022-08-20T13:35:55 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/year-one-new-teachers-prep-for-first-year-of-teaching/article_7220d652-88cd-5b70-8b9b-09607c689626.html |
The Kenosha County Fair continues today. Entertainment includes the acoustic duo Justus (noon) and the popular Top 40 country band Bella Cain (8:30 p.m.) The Grandstand features racing, starting at 6:45 p.m. Also today: The Pie Auction is 7 p.m. The fairgrounds in Wilmot are open 8 a.m. to midnight today through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Daily admission is $10 for adults (ages 12 and older), $7 for senior citizens (ages 65 and up), $5 for children ages 7-11 and free for children 6 and under. Retired or active military members (ID required) are admitted for $7. General parking is free. For more details, go to kenoshacofair.com.
“Picnic in the Park” is 4 to 9 p.m. today in Petrifying Springs Park, 5555 Seventh St. in Somers. The community celebration includes free children’s games, food trucks and live music starting at 4 p.m. The grand finale is a fireworks show at dusk. Admission is free.
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The HarborPark Jazz, Rhythm and Blues Festival — featuring Richard Elliot as the headliner — starts at 12:45 p.m. with a cooking demonstration in the HarborPark Celebration Place. The music starts at 2 p.m. with R&B singer Lady A of Lake County, Ill. Tickets are $35 at the gate. VIP tickets start at $90. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to mahonefund.org.
The all-day music festival America’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus is noon to 11 a.m. outside Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St. in Downtown Kenosha. The band members of Lunde and the Kenosha Creative Space curated a mix of original music artists from the Midwest, including, in order starting at 12:45 p.m., Marble Teeth, Sun Silo, Joey Belotti & The Change Machine, Claudio Parrone Jr, Rookie, GGOOLLDD, LUNDE, Deeper and the modern soul band The O’Mys. Tickets are $20.
The Twin Lakes Corn Fest wraps up today in Lance Park, including a 6 p.m. performance by the award-winning Aquanuts Water-Ski Team. Admission is $5 for all-you-can-eat corn. You can purchase tickets at the door via cash, credit card, Paypal or Venmo. Kids under 5 are free. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-saturday-aug-20/article_88f82a2a-1f3a-11ed-8993-7fdd97afb085.html | 2022-08-20T13:43:06 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/todays-events-for-saturday-aug-20/article_88f82a2a-1f3a-11ed-8993-7fdd97afb085.html |
A hate crimes investigation on Long Island is getting assistance from state police after two perps on bikes were observed damaging a Pride flag and shouting slurs, authorities said.
Detectives from Suffolk County's Hate Crimes Unit is investigating the May incident at a home in Patchogue.
Video circulated by the police department on Friday shows the two riders pedaling down a street after allegedly tearing down a flag from a Case Avenue home on May 17.
The suspects also reportedly shouted anti-LGBTQ slurs, police said.
In response to the new images of the wanted individuals, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced additional state resources to assist in the investigation.
"LGBTQ+ New Yorkers should be able to feel safe and welcome in our communities. I’ve directed
@nyspolice to assist Suffolk County however needed in the investigation," Hochul tweeted.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/pride-flag-torn-down-by-long-island-duo-yelling-anti-lgbtq-slurs-police/3832417/ | 2022-08-20T13:45:44 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/pride-flag-torn-down-by-long-island-duo-yelling-anti-lgbtq-slurs-police/3832417/ |
The first Anglos in Flagstaff in the late 1800s were either sheep herders (mostly of Basque origin) or lumberjacks. The sheep owners were in tune with the nature of the grazing lands, using it wisely in accordance with the seasons. This was before the influx of cattle brought in by uninformed Easterners, who overutilized the range due to ignorance.
Fortunately, due to scientific advancements in range management and time, many native grasses have recovered so we once again have lovely meadows with healthy grasses and wildflowers.
Many of us were raised to mow the lawn and pull dandelions to promote neighborhood harmony and provide a Better Homes and Gardens image. A different approach may be in order now as climate change is a part of our lives.
Mowing usually cuts the native grasses so short they could be golf putting greens. This is harmful in several ways: the short stalk causes the soil moisture to evaporate and provides no shade for the roots. Habitats for butterflies and ladybugs disappear, and the use of gas mowers increases our carbon footprint, contributing even more to global warming.
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The chances our lawns will grace magazine covers are slim, so consider letting our beautiful native grasses grow unimpaired. Your reward will be a healthy, colorful yard that you can enjoy with many of your senses. For example, if you run your fingers through the native flora, it feels warm, like a full head of hair. Running your fingers through a short-mown lawn feels cold and stiff like a crewcut.
Recommendations for high-altitude grass management include allowing grasses to grow to at least six inches. This provides shade to protect and moisten the soil and offers protection for tender shoots. Experiment with not cutting the grass until the first frost in the fall so the wildflowers will be allowed to grow and bloom. Undesirable plants like bindweed and ragweed may be prolific, but instead of mowing or whacking the heads of these weeds, which only spreads the seeds so they can grow elsewhere, pull the weeds by hand when the soil is wet from rains or dew.
This method also ensures you get the roots out fully. It takes longer, but don your earbuds, apply sunblock, and use a stool to sit on while you pull the weeds. The peacefulness will benefit both mental and physical health.
Plant native grasses like blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) and avoid non-native grasses that require a lot of water. Wildflowers like yarrow and fleabane are easy to cultivate and contribute to the complexity and beauty of any lawn. In some cases, livestock may be used to mow, but they tend to have their favorite grasses and may not eat the forage evenly. Wildlife does not generally eat native wildflowers, although blooming Rocky Mountain penstemons are tasty to deer. A motion-sensor sprinkler or fencing may deter their munching.
If the grassy area is large and some area of cut grass is desired for family and pets, then mow a small patch for them but leave the larger lawn to grow naturally. And if your neighborhood has a mowing policy, perhaps it can be modified to allow for grasses to be at least six inches and only enforced in the front yard.
Visit a natural meadow in the forest during the summer and see how the lush flora provides habitat for other living creatures. Feel the coolness from the moist earth; peek under the leaves at the diverse life forms growing there. Experience the joy and delight of nature. Emulate this at home. Let the grasses grow until the first frost in about 4-6 weeks from now, mow, and then let it rest and nourish itself under the winter snows. This is what the first sheepherders did – they utilized the grass during the summer and let it regroup until the following summer.
Celebrate Flagstaff's special native grasses by letting them grow as nature intends.
Susan Deaver Olberding is a Flagstaff historian and Coconino Master Gardener, and has written five books on Northern Arizona history. She’s currently working on two new publications when not pulling ragweed and bindweed from her yard.
The next Online Master Gardener class starts August 29. Go to: https://extension.arizona.edu/coconino-master-gardener for more information. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-protecting-our-grass-roots-from-harm/article_c2732b04-1f5a-11ed-a1dd-430b17aa2e39.html | 2022-08-20T13:53:21 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-protecting-our-grass-roots-from-harm/article_c2732b04-1f5a-11ed-a1dd-430b17aa2e39.html |
The Coconino High volleyball team narrowly missed the postseason last fall. With a young varsity group with plenty of potential, the Panthers are looking to take the next leap this year.
In the 2021 season, the Panthers went 6-11 (6-6 Grand Canyon) and ended the year ranked No. 25 in the 4A Conference. Just one more win might have been enough to move up a spot and earn a berth in the 24-team play-in round.
“That’s our goal to make it this year. It was disappointing to not last year because we were pretty close. It kind of sucked honestly because we were so close,” senior Eiley Palmer said. “So it would be cool to do it this year. It would show us what we’re capable of.”
Palmer is just one of five seniors listed on the Panthers’ initial varsity roster, less than usual at the school’s highest level. There are a few juniors, but the majority of the roster is made up of a skilled sophomore class.
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The senior group is one that has become special to coach Serena Wallace. In her fourth season leading the team, it is her first group that has been with her for their entire high school careers. In order for them to have success in their last year, the young players will have to step up and play at a high level.
In the early days of practice, Wallace has seen some potential from them, though.
“We’re going to be filling roles with people that haven’t done them before. So it’s exciting to give them the opportunity to play a position that they’re new and looking forward to,” Wallace said. “So I think we have a lot of promise. We have a lot of work to do, but I like what I’ve seen so far.”
Simply because of their youth, the Panthers have to rebuild quickly. There just isn’t as much varsity experience heading into this fall as there has been in past years. Hope Williamson, a senior who has played varsity all four of her years and was a state qualifier in the spring’s beach volleyball season as a junior, said she was a bit unsure at the beginning of tryouts. She didn’t know exactly what the group would look like.
But in a few days of practice, she has seen a few special moments that have given the group some hope.
“I think we’re better than we expected we would be, but it’s not always easy. We’re pretty young, so there’s not a ton of experience, but we’re getting there,” she said.
It is now on the seniors -- Williamson, Palmer, Kayla Derryberry and others -- to take the reigns and do what’s necessary to bring the young players up and teach them how to be successful in a tough region.
“I feel like I always looked up to the seniors. So now it’s my turn and I know we want to lead them,” Palmer said.
Coconino may rely upon its offense early in the season to take control. Williamson and Derryberry led the team last year with 247 and 208 assists, respectively. But after graduating their top hitters, defensive specialist Elyce Palmer and the two top blockers, others will have to step in effectively.
With solid setters, though, and girls willing to take on the challenge, offense could be the team’s strength in vital moments.
“We can put the ball down. Our offense is definitely there. A lot of the setters are pretty experienced, so we feel good about that,” Williamson said.
Those fundamentals, especially in the first few matches, will have to hold the Panthers over. The other aspects will take time, but Wallace believes there is the potential to get to a point where they can be solid in all areas of the game.
“We’re just going to have to focus on being a strong serve-and-pass team, and hopefully everything else can be worked on throughout the season to the point where when playoffs come we’re dialed in and we can be ready,” she said.
Coconino is set to open the season with a road match at Cactus on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/young-panthers-inspired-by-narrow-postseason-miss/article_9d9dae08-1e6a-11ed-b8ce-23c908269680.html | 2022-08-20T13:53:27 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/young-panthers-inspired-by-narrow-postseason-miss/article_9d9dae08-1e6a-11ed-b8ce-23c908269680.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/celebrating-al-dias-40-under-forty/3340374/ | 2022-08-20T13:56:10 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/celebrating-al-dias-40-under-forty/3340374/ |
Two people were shot, one fatally, early Saturday morning around South 15th and Union streets in Allentown, police said.
A 28-year-old man, was pronounced dead at 2:35 a.m. Saturday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. The coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide, making it the sixth homicide in the city this year.
Neither police nor the coroner’s office has released the victim’s identity. Police said emergency responders transported the victims to the hospital.
Police ask anyone with information to call detectives at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753, Ext. 1. Additionally, anonymous text tips can be sent via the Tip411 app available on the department’s Facebook page.
Besides police and the coroner’s office, the Lehigh County district attorney’s Homicide Task Force is handling the investigation. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws--20220820-26neubipmfgb5lijvteabjchzu-story.html | 2022-08-20T14:01:39 | 1 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws--20220820-26neubipmfgb5lijvteabjchzu-story.html |
To get a sense of how dry things are getting, look to the well-drillers.
When rain stops falling, their phones start ringing, as homeowners unattached to municipal water systems need to dig a little deeper into the water table.
“We’re starting to see an uptick,” said Hunter Snelling of Odenheimer Co., founded in 1939 and billed as the Lehigh Valley’s oldest water system business. “Whenever we get a hot spell, we’ll get calls, and then it’ll rain before we can get to everyone.”
Snelling, the company’s vice president, said he’s had a half-dozen calls in the past four or five days, mainly from people with systems that are “kind of marginal to begin with” — hand-dug wells, which don’t tap very deep into the underground supply, or spring-fed systems that dry up when the springs do.
And the springs are drying up, along with everything else. Since June 1, when nature closed the spigot, the area’s rainfall deficit is more than six inches.
July was the 16th driest on record for the Valley — the National Weather Service’s online precipitation chart for the month is almost all zeroes except for July 18, when 1.5 inches of rain fell. The month ended up a little more than 3 inches below normal, with the temperature more than 2 degrees above normal.
August has been no better, with 0.18 inches on the books as of Friday. Spotty thunderstorms that provide drenching downpours are just that — spotty. They provide short-lived relief to small areas.
Despite all of this, the Lehigh Valley isn’t in a drought. The first part of the year was soggy, with precipitation from February through March well above normal, so groundwater remains above drought level.
How long that will last is anyone’s guess. Ray Martin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said the best chance of significant rain for most of the area is Monday, but amounts are still uncertain. And the forecast shows signs of drying out again after that.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows portions of Pennsylvania’s central and northern tier counties in moderate drought. Parts of rest of the state — including about 30% of the Lehigh Valley — are listed as “abnormally dry,” a precursor to drought.
Areas to the north and east of Pennsylvania are faring more poorly. The drought monitor shows an expansion and intensification of drought in New England, New York and New Jersey. Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut are in “extreme” drought.
Last Call
The most serious drought category is “exceptional,” which so far has been limited to parts of the West and Southwest, mainly in California and Texas. Those areas have been beset by water shortages and catastrophic wildfires.
Here, the effects are partly aesthetic — brown lawns, withered gardens — and partly practical, as the increasing need for well-deepening shows. The impact on agriculture begins with moderate drought, as irrigation use increases, hay and grain yields decrease and honey production declines.
It could all end in short order. Thanks to La Niña — the cold counterpart of the warm, climate-shifting El Niño ocean current — the Climate Prediction Center predicts an above-average Atlantic hurricane season, which could bring tropical moisture our way.
AccuWeather, the private forecasting company in State College, predicts 16 named storms, including six to eight hurricanes, will form during the remainder of hurricane season, which runs from June through November. So far, however, no hurricanes or named storms have formed since July 2.
Martin, the National Weather Service meteorologist, said counting on tropical weather to end drought falls into the “be careful what you wish for” category.
“They can result in some very serious flooding,” he said. “We had a big drought in 1999. The deluge of [Hurricane] Floyd ended that, but that was some of the worst flooding we ever had.”
Morning Call reporter Daniel Patrick Sheehan can be reached at 610-820-6598 or dsheehan@mcall.com | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-parched-lehigh-valley-20220820-xmyhif4donckrpqekoyhb5a26y-story.html | 2022-08-20T14:01:45 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-parched-lehigh-valley-20220820-xmyhif4donckrpqekoyhb5a26y-story.html |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
The border between the U.S. and Mexico is a precise line, long established on maps and on the ground, defining the interface of the two countries. Although just a line, it is one of the most prominent and troubled features of life in this near-border town of Tucson. Just 50-some miles south, it looms, it and its issues in the news all the time.
In recent decades, culminating with Donald Trump’s 30-foot-high steel wall, the official policy of the U.S. government has been rigidly asserting the precision of the line.
It makes no sense to draw that line and not insist on and defend it, goes that logic.
But for the 170 years of its existence, the precision of the line has been blurred, compromised, contested.
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Transcended.
For much of its history, the physical manifestation of the border was in a sense self-transcending, in many places a rusty, flimsy, eminently permeable fence that didn’t seem insistent at all but rather invited easy crossing.
Many citizens of both countries have transcended the border to work, to shop, to get our dental work done at a fraction of the price. Life has in practice transcended the border.
One popular term for our area is “borderlands,” a term that transcends the border.
Many of us fear crossing that line unless to fly over it at 35,000 feet to certified gringo enclaves in San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, the resort towns of the Caribbean and Pacific. But Mexico comes to us.
Culture — language, food, music — transcends the border.
Demography transcends the border. The U.S. Census lists the city as almost 50% Hispanic. Walk by most job sites and you’ll hear Spanish.
The American side of the border is more Mexican culturally than the Mexican side is American.
Linda Ronstadt and her locally legendary family, going back to a small village not far south in Sonora, transcend the border.
Our sense of history transcends the border: just knowing that by a modest monetary consideration and a simple redrawing of a line, this Gadsden Purchase part of Arizona was shifted, presto, from south to north of the border.
Geography transcends the border. Inconveniently, nature didn’t end the Sonoran Desert at that legally established line. Tucsonans’ identification with that defining feature of our place and life takes us psychologically and imaginatively many miles south of the border.
Like mountain lions or elegant trogons or El Jefe, the border-transcendent jaguar written about in a recent article in these pages, we, many of us anyway, are residents as much of the Sonoran Desert as the U.S.
Most troubling of all for those who yearn for a neat, clean policy in defense of that precise line, is that such neatness is transcended by that messy terrain, human emotions, in particular, the conflict in our feelings between the nationality of fellow humans and their humanity.
“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” goes a famous line in Robert Frost’s poem “Mending Wall,” about two neighbors in New England who meet once a year to repair the gaps in the stone wall between their properties. That “something” is natural forces such as frost heaves and gravity. And the trouble, including chafed fingers, he and his neighbor have to go to just to keep the wall intact.
The poet gently chides that maybe the wall is a lot of work they don’t really need to go to every year. “Before I built a wall I’d ask to know/What I was walling in or walling out.../ Something there is that doesn’t love a wall/That wants it down.’
His neighbor, like strict borderists among us, insists that “good fences make good neighbors.” Not so much in the case of the contentious wall on our southern horizon, so very troublesome, so difficult—impossible, really — to maintain.
The more permeable, less insistent border seemed to work better, for the human beings (and other living beings) on both sides.
Brent Harold is a former English professor and writer. He lives in Tucson. Email him at kinnacum@gmail.com. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-transcending-the-border/article_aa5ef866-1ce6-11ed-a0cf-930187f6d8c4.html | 2022-08-20T14:17:24 | 1 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-transcending-the-border/article_aa5ef866-1ce6-11ed-a0cf-930187f6d8c4.html |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
I’ve been watching the news recently and there seems to be a misunderstanding about the importance of security clearances.
I am a retired Air Force Chaplain who held that security clearance to do my job, and it still binds me today. Chaplains provide for the free exercise of religion for all military members and their families. They provide counseling and have complete confidentiality. This is extremely important for military members working in intelligence or with nuclear weapons. If they seek counseling from someone other than a chaplain who holds the same security clearance, their clearance will be suspended. They cannot return to their duties until an investigation clears them. You can imagine how devastating this can be to a marriage that is already troubled or to a person struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. In the meantime, their co-workers must work harder and longer to get the necessary work done.
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In the fall of 2000, I became the 1st Fighter Wing Chaplain at Langley AFB, Virginia. The eight chaplains were assigned to all the units on base providing care and counseling. As I settled into my job leading the team, I visited all those units. I met with their commanders to see what the unit’s needs were and how well the chaplains were helping meet those needs.
As I visited the commander of an intelligence group, I was surprised when he commented that I held a Top Secret (TS) clearance from my prior assignment. He was very pleased with the care provided by the unit chaplain, but he needed a second chaplain cleared to cover the unit when that chaplain was deployed or on leave. He asked if I would be willing to have my TS upgraded to a TS-SCI (Top Secret-Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance to fill the need. Despite my heavy workload, I agreed. After a background check, I received a TS-SCI-TK. The TK referred to a unique part of the unit’s work.
One visit I made to the unit shows the importance of protecting the intelligence sources covered by a TS-SCI. I normally visited military personnel working on holidays. Many units allowed families to visit or to bring food on a holiday. However, that was impossible for the intelligence group. Their families would not have the security clearance required to enter the building. So, I made visiting them a holiday priority. I visited them on Thanksgiving Day 2001. I honestly did not know everything they were doing, but I had no need to know.
Then an airman excitedly wanted me to watch his computer screen. I saw a pickup truck on what looked like a goat path on a rocky mountainside. I didn’t understand what I was seeing. He told me it was Predator drone footage of the Taliban in Afghanistan. It was three minutes old. I was stunned. I did not know we had such a capability. Luckily, the Taliban did not know either. That secret had to be protected for the safety of our troops who, in response to the terror attack of Sept. 11, 2001, were fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.
When I retired, I was read out of my clearance. I had a briefing and signed paperwork. I was sworn to continued secrecy. I kept that secret until the president of the United States announced the existence of the Predator. If the president had not broken the secret, I would be keeping it today. I do continue to keep secret everything else I saw and learned. Time is not a factor. Our national security can be at risk for months or years.
To anyone who doubts the seriousness of paperwork labeled TS-SCI, that information is as vital today as our ability to watch the Taliban was in 2001. Whether the paperwork would reveal the sources of our intelligence or our intelligence tools or our intelligence personnel, it is truly vital to our nation’s security. It must be kept secret.
Katherine A. Shindel is a retired United Methodist minister who served 23 years as an Air Force Chaplain. She retired as a Colonel. She lives in Tucson. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-yes-security-clearances-are-important/article_a8fab7ce-1cd9-11ed-9653-f3ecb3aacfea.html | 2022-08-20T14:17:30 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-yes-security-clearances-are-important/article_a8fab7ce-1cd9-11ed-9653-f3ecb3aacfea.html |
ALBANY – A federal judge handed down prison sentences for four defendants involved in an extensive drug trafficking organization centered in southwest Georgia that was responsible for distributing more than 100 kilograms of methamphetamine in the region.
“These individuals are being held accountable for their part in a significant methamphetamine trafficking network responsible for funneling more than 100 kilograms of a highly addictive and deadly drug in southwest Georgia,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in a news release. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will do our part to support law enforcement at every level to identify and bring to justice all those pushing large amounts of the most dangerous illegal substances into our communities.”
“This case is an example of DEA’s effort to confront, engage and eliminate drug distribution networks,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy said. “Because of the collaborative effort between DEA and its law enforcement partners, these defendants will spend well-deserved time in federal prison.”
“This case demonstrates the great work of law enforcement at all levels to investigate and prosecute the illegal distribution of methamphetamine, a dangerous drug that continues to wreak havoc on Georgia communities," GBI Interim Director John Melvin said. "The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners in drug enforcement to address these types of crimes."
The following co-defendants were sentenced on Friday:
-- Kentrail Brown, 31, of Cairo, was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on March 17 and was sentenced to serve 264 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
-- Tobias Sanders, 32, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 192 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
-- Orrie Bell, 36, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release; and,
-- Shandrekia Mango, 34, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and was sentenced to serve three years of probation.
The following co-defendants were sentenced on Aug. 11:
-- Xavier Jordan, 33, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
-- R. Kevin Barrineau, 49, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 57 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release; and,
-- Nicholas Harden, 29, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 24 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release.
The following co-defendants were sentenced on June 16:
-- Richard Bond, 47, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 220 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
-- Mike Thomas, 48, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release; and,
-- Dewayne Isom, 31, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
The following co-defendant was sentenced on April 14:
-- Demorris Adams, 32, of Whigham, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 160 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
The following co-defendant was sentenced on April 4:
-- David Donald, 38, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.
The following co-defendants were sentenced on March 9:
-- Phil Grim, 45, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 120 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release;
-- James Levy Sapp, 41, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 87 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release; and,
-- Mitchell Tomberlin, 50, of Whigham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 60 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release.
The following co-defendant has entered a guilty plea and will be sentenced on Sept. 23:
-- Joseph Jones, aka Bae, 32, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.
U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner is presiding over the case.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, agents conducted a wiretap investigation into the drug distribution activities of the co-defendants beginning in March 2019. The investigation revealed that the co-defendants were engaged in the distribution of methamphetamine in southwest Georgia.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by DEA, FBI, GBI, Grady County Sheriff’s Office and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/defendants-in-meth-trafficking-organization-sentenced/article_7be261bc-2083-11ed-9d76-937e265527cb.html | 2022-08-20T14:18:05 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/defendants-in-meth-trafficking-organization-sentenced/article_7be261bc-2083-11ed-9d76-937e265527cb.html |
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough detectives are on the search for the second suspect in an attempted murder case.
According to a news release, detectives are looking for a person known as "TC". He is believed to be homeless and he is known to be in the area of Hillsborough Avenue and North Habana Avenue.
Authorities say "TC" and Ciriaco DelaCruz, 44, attempted to kill a known associate they believed would report their illegal activities to police on Aug. 14.
The two suspects forced the victim into a bathroom of a home located on Garden Lane in Tampa, the sheriff's office says. The suspects reportedly injected the victim with Fentanyl against their will, duct taped and physically attacked him.
The victim was taken to Tampa General Hospital where he survived and is in stable condition.
Authorities describe "TC" to be around 28-33 years old, 6' tall, with a thin build, short black hair with a short black beard. He has a flame tattoo on his neck and a five-point star tattoo on one of his arms.
"This is a violent and dangerous criminal that needs to be found and arrested," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "If anyone sees him or knows of his whereabouts, please don't approach him. Call us, and let our deputies bring him in."
If you have any information on "TC's" whereabouts, please call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at (813) 247-8200. If you would like to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/attempted-murder-tampa-tc/67-997b3a3c-a498-4123-9c7a-80f58ea88fd3 | 2022-08-20T14:29:50 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/attempted-murder-tampa-tc/67-997b3a3c-a498-4123-9c7a-80f58ea88fd3 |
SARASOTA, Fla. — Organizers are putting together food truck rallies to support a family that suffered a heartbreaking loss in a crash this week.
Two food truck rallies will be held for the children in the Mendoza family. Their parents were killed when their food truck overturned and caught fire Aug. 16 on Interstate 75 near Fruitville Road, according to a spokesperson for the family and organizers.
The parents leave behind a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, JFCS of the Suncoast said in a post. Family members are helping raise money to support them with a GoFundMe account. So far, they've raised more than $9,500.
The food truck rallies will also contribute to the cause. A food truck rally will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Scavenger's Marketplace in Palmetto. Relatives of the Mendozas will eat lunch with the food trucks from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Another food truck rally will be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 21 at Big Top Brewing Company in Sarasota. The family will eat lunch with the food truck from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. All donations will go directly to the family and a percentage of all sales from each truck will go toward the donation fund. Click here for more details.
Family and friends of the Mendozas said thank you to all who have helped or offered words of encouragement and condolences. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/food-truck-rally-benefit-family-crash-i-75-crash/67-c14000a6-6d6c-457b-bae5-6b2547c58345 | 2022-08-20T14:29:56 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/food-truck-rally-benefit-family-crash-i-75-crash/67-c14000a6-6d6c-457b-bae5-6b2547c58345 |
WOODSTOCK, Va. — Woodstock author Jason Wright’s new book is unlike any other that he’s written.
His publisher noticed and contacted him about rewriting the message into book form.
“(It) evolved into something for the rest of the world,” Wright said.
The first part of the book offers short, inspirational messages for people feeling loss, while the last few pages offer some tips while drawing a little more from Wright’s experiences with loss and grief.
Though he usually writes novels with about 200 to 300 pages, his new gift book is 32 pages and has only a few words per page along with colorful, soothing artwork.
He and his editors spent “hours and hours wordsmithing everything,” he said, to make sure they had the message right.
“We have a lot of heart and soul in not a lot of words,” he said.
In addition to the message, the book release feels different than his others, such as his latest novel, “Even the Dog Knows,” which came out in March.
“It’s hard to celebrate in quite the same way as a novel,” he said. “It’s a book that the people who need it are in pain, and they’re struggling.”
Therefore, he said, he isn’t planning a local book tour like he normally would for a book release. The gift book is available online and at stores in Woodstock, but he said he won’t have any area book signings for the next couple of months.
The goal of the book is to remind people who are grieving that they’re not alone and there’s no wrong way to grieve. It’s also a way for people to reach out to loved ones dealing with a loss.
“It’s what you send when you’re not sure what to say,” Wright said. It’s for “people who need a little strength until they find their own.”
Wright isn’t a professional counselor but said he has offered ecclesiastical counseling through his church. In addition to drawing on his own experiences and the experiences of friends and family while writing this book, he also consulted with a therapist to make sure the suggestions and observations in the book are aligned with best practices that therapists use.
Early readers offered feedback saying the book was “a really good resource for people that are in the grieving process,” Wright recalled.
However, he doesn’t expect that readers will get all they need from the book.
“For most people, this is not going to be enough,” said Wright. “It is a tool of many in the grief toolbox, (but) do not be afraid to seek professional help.”
Because grief is frequently misunderstood, Wright said he hopes that the book will help people better understand the many faces of grief.
Often, it’s associated with the death of a loved one, but it can also happen when people experience other losses in life, such as friendships or a life’s pursuit.
“I’ve counseled people over the years who have lost a friendship because of a betrayal,” he said. “They feel this enormous sense of loss because the relationship is gone.”
Also, recalling friends who shared their struggle to have children, he said, “It still feels like a loss to them.”
Though grief takes many forms, Wright said that people still might assume that the solution is the same for everyone, and it isn’t.
Those who are grieving might think they should be feeling better faster than they are, he said. Similarly, others might wonder why their loved ones continue to dwell on problems outside of their control.
“There is no checkbox for navigating loss,” Wright said.
Feeling like a failure for not getting better faster will only make the healing process longer, he said.
“We’re too hard on ourselves,” he said. Instead, he recommends people focus on what they’re doing right.
Mantras like “I’m still here, I’m still trying, I’m still climbing, I’m still walking,” can help people realize the little steps they’re taking toward healing rather than focusing on the big steps that feel unachievable right now.
It’s a process, and it won’t unfold perfectly, Wright said. That’s something he’s had to learn as well.
“I have looked at other people’s loss and thought, ‘Maybe you should be further ahead by now,’” Wright admitted.
But then he has remembered his own times of grief, such as finding an old photo of his father, who died 35 years ago, and has realized that there’s no timeline for overcoming grief.
Mostly, he wants people to know that they’re loved and they have people who will be there for them.
“You’re gonna feel alone and you’re not,” Wright said. “And you’re gonna think that you should be better already, and it’s OK not to be better yet.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/book-on-grief-reminds-readers-theyre-not-alone/2022/08/20/4d3a20b6-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html | 2022-08-20T14:31:31 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/book-on-grief-reminds-readers-theyre-not-alone/2022/08/20/4d3a20b6-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html |
CULPEPER, Va. — Pete Hill represents the best of Culpeper.
His remarks were at the unveiling of a portrait of a stoic and powerful-looking Hill (1882-1951), a two-time inductee in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Dozens of Hill’s descendants, of all ages and from as far away as California and Massachusetts, attended the ceremony to honor their ancestor at the momentous occasion.
The large group coincided their family reunion with the historic painting reveal.
Hill is the first African-American to be featured in a portrait displayed in the courthouse. The painting is slated to go over the jury room door, behind Judge Durrer’s bench.
Hill was a star outfielder with the Negro Leagues over a 25-year career, at a time when teams were segregated by race. Hill overcame a lot of obstacles, born to formerly enslaved parents in the village of Buena near Rapidan in southern Culpeper County.
Around the turn of the century, he moved with his family to Pittsburgh, starting his career in 1899 with the Pittsburgh Keystones, according to research from Reva historian Zann Nelson.
Durrer, approached by Nelson last year about diversifying portraiture in the courtroom, immediately thought of Pete Hill.
“I love baseball, and it’s the first thing I ever fell in love with,” the judge said at the unveiling. “I want to put a picture of Pete Hill up...On the walls here are displayed several images of our most notable citizens...He is worthy of being on the wall there...Pete Hill is a natural and welcome addition,” he said.
A rare “five-tool” player, Hill hit for average, he hit for power, he could throw, he could field and he could run—fast, Durrer said.
In a 1911 exhibition match, the ball player from Culpeper ran the bases in 14.4 seconds, said the judge. A modern player who did the same thing can hardly be seen making the rounds in a YouTube video, so fast is the feat, he added.
Hill hit well over .300, played for 14 different clubs representing 10 different cities and with the winter league in Cuba, competing with Major League players, Durrer recited.
“Pete Hill homered 28 times for the Detroit Stars in 1919, an amazing feat because as fans know that was in the dead-ball era,” the judge said of low-scoring games.
“There was another guy named Babe Ruth who led the Major Leagues in homeruns in 1919 with 29, but Pete Hill played in fewer games,” Durrer said.
Hill was one of the most feared line-drive hitters in the game, a man of many talents, including perseverance and tenacity, the judge went on.
“When he wasn’t playing baseball, he managed, wrote for the newspapers, was a man that rose above insurmountable obstacles,” Durrer said.
“It’s so fitting that Culpeper’s greatest outfielder and hitter will be displayed in the Culpeper County Circuit Court and I hope his presence makes our community a little more perfect,” the judge said.
Hill was inducted with other Negro League players in 2006 and again in 2010 to correct his name, birthplace and birth year, based on months of research done by Nelson, working with the Hill family. The Star-Exponent published a series of articles by Nelson at the time documenting the journey uncovering the man who was Pete Hill.
The Hall of Fame sent a proclamation, read by Durrer, for the portrait unveiling. The resolution stated Hill was a five-tool star considered the first great outfielder in Black baseball history.
“Pete Hill became one of the most feared line-drive hitters in Black baseball with outstanding speed on the base pass as well as a centerfielder with a strong arm and superb glove,” according to the Hall of the Fame.
His baseball career spanned the Cuban X Giants, Philadelphia Giants, Leland Giants, Chicago American Giants, Pittsburgh Keystones, Detroit Stars, Milwaukee Bears and Baltimore Black Sox.
“Continuing recognition of his accomplishments is worthy of notice; therefore I do resolve, the National Baseball Hall of Fame gives its sincere congratulations to the Culpeper County Circuit Court for unveiling a portrait of Pete Hill on Aug. 13, 2022.”
Gordonsville artist Becky Parrish created the portrait commissioned by the Culpeper County Bar Association, at the suggestion of the judge, and supported by private donors.
Parrish also painted portraits unveiled last year in the historic Orange circuit courtroom of Capt. Andrew Maples, a Tuskegee airman, and one of retired Circuit Court Judge Susan Whitlock, in the Culpeper Circuit Court.
Culpeper County Circuit Court Clerk Carson Beard was part of the portrait committee that approved the painting of Hill.
“Judge Durrer led the charge and we just followed behind,” Beard said at a reception after the unveiling, marveling at the turnout.
“Outstanding, and to honor someone who was a native son of Culpeper—it will be a great addition to the courtroom.”
Local prosecutor Travis Owens, president of the Culpeper County Bar Association, said the bar backed the Hill portrait when Durrer brought the idea to them.
“(We’re) supporting the judiciary, obviously the family. I thought it was a very appropriate portrait,” said Owens, another baseball fan.
He did some research on Hill in preparation.
“All three portraits have been fantastic and hopefully we can get some more for in the future,” Owens said.
The Hill family was excited and grateful to be in Culpeper. A great-niece of Pete Hill, Loretta Hill-Embry, of Cleveland, Ohio, addressed all those assembled for the portrait unveiling, filing the historic courtroom.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time and effort,” she said.
“Zann has been with us since day one, all who have helped with our journey for us to know Uncle Pete, as we call him. From all of us who are here, the Hill family, we appreciate everything. Thank you so much.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/courtroom-portrait-of-outfielder-pete-hill-unveiled/2022/08/20/4634a692-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html | 2022-08-20T14:31:37 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/courtroom-portrait-of-outfielder-pete-hill-unveiled/2022/08/20/4634a692-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html |
BALTIMORE — Araba Maze noticed neighborhood kids gathering around her as she read children’s books to her niece on her front stoop. As she wrapped up storytelling, one of the kids asked, “When are you gonna do this again?”
But she noticed that things felt different on the job: “After I was a librarian, I realized that I wasn’t reaching those same kids in my neighborhood inside the library.”
Maze took to the streets, becoming a “Radical Street Librarian” and the creator of The Storybook Maze Project, an organization that’s working to provide children’s books via community bookshelves, free pop-up book stands and book-vending machines to Baltimore neighborhoods classified as “book deserts.” Maze is one of many people and organizations trying to bring more equity to Baltimore in the form of diverse and relatable books to children and students in need of a read.
What’s a book desert?
The group Unite for Literacy coined the term “book desert” to describe a geographic area where print books and other reading materials are hard to obtain. They are usually located in areas of high poverty and income inequality. The lack of books in a child’s reading development can negatively affect one’s vocabulary and ability to recognize words.
Baltimore City has a lot of book deserts, according to a global book desert map that Unite For Literacy made. The map shows the estimated percentage of homes with more than 100 books in areas of the city — and for the vast majority of East and West Baltimore, that figure is in the single digits. It also shows higher figures in some North Baltimore neighborhoods — for example, there’s an estimated 79% of homes that meet that criteria in Roland Park.
“We have in our communities, areas where there is a lack of resources to kids becoming lifelong readers,” said Mike McGuffee, CEO of Unite for Literacy.
A bevy of Little Free Libraries, bookstores and the Enoch Pratt Free Library system are working in tandem to address that gap.
“The map was trying to make the problem visible so that community organizations say, ‘I want to focus on this,’ and look at the map and you can pretty much guess where to do the equity work,” McGuffee said.
The map shows a significant difference in book access for those living in the “Black Butterfly” neighborhoods across the west and east sides of the city and the “White L” communities that run down the center and across the bottom of the city. Those in the “butterfly” are estimated to have less access to books at home, while those in the “L” are estimated to have more.
Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that in 2019, about half of eighth graders in Baltimore public schools scored below the basic level for reading. However, McGuffee suggested that part of the reason why reading scores are low is because nominal improvement in scores was prioritized over building regular reading habits.
“Sometimes I think we’re a little misguided about what we’re (moving) towards: grade-level proficiency, everybody’s reading level, that sorta thing,” McGuffee said. “What we really need to be talking about is ‘What do we want for our kids?’ And we want them to be lifelong readers.”
There are resources to do so in Baltimore, but each comes with its own constraints, from content to accessibility.
One way to increase access to books at no cost is through the Enoch Pratt Free Library system, which was founded in 1882, and has since grown into a network with 22 branches located all over the city.
Meghan McCorkell, the marketing and communications chief for the Pratt system, said that for as long as it’s been around, the library system has been one of the most trusted institutions in the city, with services that fit the needs of the community.
“I always laugh and say if there’s a community problem, even if it’s very far outside the bounds of a library, people always are like ‘Well, the Pratt can solve it,’” McCorkell said. “We actually had people in the pandemic say that they knew it was a real issue when the Pratt library closed … ‘cause they trusted us so much that if we made the decision to close, then they knew (COVID-19) must be a real issue.”
Aside from offering books for checkout, the Pratt system has bookmobiles and a mobile job center that travel to neighborhoods to serve those who might not have the time or resources to visit their nearest library.
Maze believes that her efforts to provide free books to kids complement Pratt’s efforts.
“The library can’t do everything, so (Storybook Maze) is here to support them in that,” Maze said.
Kate Khatib, a worker-owner of a bookstore called Red Emma’s, said opening and maintaining bookstores in general is difficult because of a lack of resources for small business development in Baltimore City. This is particularly a problem in East and West Baltimore, she said.
“It’s especially hard, I think, trying to open a business outside of the immediate geographic center of the city because there are even (fewer) resources — even less support,” Khatib said.
It can be a challenge for a bookstore to succeed in lower-income communities, she said.
“If you’re opening a bookstore, sustaining a bookstore in an area that’s economically marginalized, if your client base is people that don’t have a lot of money, you’re struggling to figure out how to meet the needs of your community while also making enough money,” Khatib said.
Red Emma’s and other bookstores, such as Urban Reads Bookstore, manage to do so by having a dining and café component to keep the doors open and provide a community space for author talks and events.
“There are bookstores that exist to sell books and then there are bookstores that exist to create community,” Khatib said.
Khatib hopes to see all of Baltimore’s bookstores work together to help get kids the books they want to read.
“I would love to see and invite my fellow book sellers to think about how we can collaborate to address that,” Khatib said. “Between all of us … it’s our job to put those resources to work for the community.”
The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that’s widely known for its mini-libraries on a post. What makes them great for getting books into people’s hands is that anyone can get a book from a number of these libraries for free, hence the title.
Maze is admittedly a huge fan of the Little Free Library initiative but acknowledged that there are challenges to setting up a library in a community, including cost and contents. For example, the cheapest Little Free Library kit starts at $169.95.
“It depends on the community to fund the initial building of it, have a property that it can stay on and keep it filled,” Maze said. “That’s why sometimes you tend to see them in more affluent areas, because those people can afford to build one, they own the property.”
This can be seen on the Little Free Library World Map. While there are Little Free Libraries all over Baltimore, there’s a higher concentration down the middle of the city and in North Baltimore and fewer in East and West Baltimore.
Storybook Maze has contacted an organization about helping to supply a steady supply of relatable children’s books to a Little Free Library. In addition, anyone with children’s books can donate them to a Little Free Library.
In addition, The Book Thing of Baltimore gives away free books once a month on the weekends, and are also accepting book donations.
One of the ways that Maze is thinking about getting children’s books to as many kids as possible is using vending machines to dispense free books instead of snacks. She plans to place these vending machines at high-traffic areas, including laundromats, general markets, hospitals and more.
Maze hopes that by reaching out to community leaders and organizations, she can eventually schedule and set up more free pop-up book stands like the one she initially established with Tendea Family, an organization that works to support Black communities in Baltimore. With every pop-up book stand, she uses her knowledge as a librarian to curate books to meet the community’s needs.
One thing that Maze, McGuffee, and Khatib agree on is that the books that kids should get reflect their experiences and identity, and that kids deserve to see themselves in all types of media.
“It really engages (kids) more when they can see themselves in the books or in the media that they’re consuming,” Maze said.
Khatib said that when she grew up as a brown girl in Kentucky along the Bible Belt, she experienced an information and representation desert because the reading material was mostly white- and Christian- centered.
“I was constantly looking and seeking, trying to find, ‘Is there anybody in any books that looks like me, that has an experience similar to mine?’” Khatib said. “When we set out to start Red Emma’s, it was not just me ... there were other people who had similar experiences.”
McGuffee believes that if kids of all backgrounds are properly represented in children’s books, a greater number will become lifelong readers and develop the skills that come with that.
“Kids need to see themselves in books, and they need to see other kids that look like them are avid readers,” McGuffee said. “They need to see authors that look like them, represent them, all of that.”
Maze’s typical workday involves reaching out to local businesses seeking a permanent spot for her vending machines, and doing more outreach with pop-up bookstands during community events. She believes it’s worthwhile work.
“When I was reading one day on the stoop, I opened the page and the little girl stopped me from turning the page. She was just staring at an image of herself: that book also had a little Black girl living, and she was just transfixed,” Maze said. “That really affirmed for me that I’m doing important work.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/street-librarian-aims-to-bring-baltimore-kids-more-books/2022/08/20/49be0c2c-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html | 2022-08-20T14:31:43 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/street-librarian-aims-to-bring-baltimore-kids-more-books/2022/08/20/49be0c2c-2088-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.html |
For the first time in Coos County, Oregon Pero En Espanol, Community Plus, Pony Village Mall and Coos Hispanic Allies are creating a Hispanic Market. This is a free family event from 2 to 7 p.m. August 20. Tickets will be required for indoor activities, you can register the day of the event.
This is an opportunity for Latino business owners to network, exhibit their products/services, share knowledge and interact with the communities in Coos County. This market will include music from DJ Fresa, cultural entertainment and delicious food. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/hispanic-market-coming-to-coos-bay/article_5f3b8a82-1e69-11ed-afb1-178fdac9e093.html | 2022-08-20T14:40:19 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/hispanic-market-coming-to-coos-bay/article_5f3b8a82-1e69-11ed-afb1-178fdac9e093.html |
A while ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time in Washington D. C. Although most of what I did was work, I did end up with a few hours to look around. I went through the Capitol Building and saw historic chambers used for the Supreme Court and the early House of Representatives. I also sat in the Senate Chamber. While listening to the debate, I looked at the ancient desks and thought of the multitudes of issues that have been argued over them.
I also found a lot of other things in our Nation’s capitol. Weather was marginal, people were often very abrupt and prices were out of this world. It was good to get home.
We are truly blessed to live on the Oregon Coast where our surroundings are beautiful, our weather is wonderful year round, and the people you meet on the street actually talk to you. If we love this community, we must work to keep it and improve it for tomorrow. We work, often as volunteers. Volunteers addressing issues that we feel are important. What needs do you see? Let me encourage you to find your answer and do something. Your willingness to step up, simply because it’s the right thing to do, will determine how outstanding Oregon’s Bay Area can be.
What do you expect this area to be in ten years? Your expectations are important, because seldom do you exceed them. You don’t get what you want, you get what you expect. So let’s expect greatness and figure out what we need, and how to apply it, to get there. One key is to be an active member in your Chamber. With like minded people, looking to make something happen, we find opportunities and solutions for today and tomorrow. In this pandemic world it is even more critical that we work together to enable our community to thrive, once again. Give me a call and I’ll set you up.
Remember our business is helping your business. And like us on Facebook.
(Timm Slater is executive director of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information on your Chamber, email timmslater@oregonsbayarea.org.) | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/the-chamber-minute-blessed-to-be-in-oregon/article_13ac24e6-1e5f-11ed-b2f6-7f40147e15b6.html | 2022-08-20T14:40:26 | 0 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/the-chamber-minute-blessed-to-be-in-oregon/article_13ac24e6-1e5f-11ed-b2f6-7f40147e15b6.html |
Average daily flows
Snake River at Heise 9,312 cfs
Snake River at Blackfoot 2,688 cfs
Snake River at American Falls 10,400 cfs
Snake River at Milner 0 cfs
Little Wood River near Carey 207 cfs
Jackson Lake is 36% full.
Palisades Reservoir is 40% full.
American Falls Reservoir is 14% full.
Upper Snake River system is at 31% of capacity.
As of August 19. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_fc596786-1fd0-11ed-8c51-3b73b376582d.html | 2022-08-20T14:46:06 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/average-daily-streamflows/article_fc596786-1fd0-11ed-8c51-3b73b376582d.html |
The Boise Police Department’s decision to scrap a college requirement before someone can apply to be a Boise police officer needs a more thorough review.
Boise is following the suit of other cities, such as Chicago and Philadelphia, that have changed their police officer education qualifications, as Idaho Statesman reporter Ian Max Stevenson reported. In Boise’s case, the requirement was 60 college credit hours, the equivalent of an associate’s degree.
The Boise Police Department is responding, in part, to a shortage of officers. Boise Police is authorized to have 328 sworn officers, and has only 298. And the department is seeing fewer candidates — just like all employers fighting for applicants in a nationwide labor shortage.
But a recent peer-reviewed study of 235 large U.S. cities between 2000 and 2016 found that police forces requiring at least a two-year college degree for employment are less likely to employ officers who engage in actions that cause the deaths of unarmed citizens and of Black citizens.
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The study, published this year in the Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, found college minimums were associated with as much as three times lower rates of police-related fatalities involving Black people than police forces without a college degree requirement, and more educated police were also responsible for unarmed citizens dying at a rate two times lower than their counterparts.
Is lowering hiring standards a better option than raising pay, benefits and working conditions?
Raising pay, benefits and working conditions would certainly attract more applicants.
New officers with the Boise Police Department earn about $56,000 per year, while lateral officers earn around $71,000, according to the department’s website.
We recognize that raising pay in Boise would have a trickle-down effect, as officers from Canyon County, Meridian and the Ada County Sheriff’s Office could jump ship and move over.
Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue last month urged raises across the board for his force — his department of 275 officers had a shortage of 31 positions.
Boise city officials would have to take into consideration the impact that raising salaries would have on the budget, of course. For fiscal year 2023, the city is projected to spend $84.5 million on police services, which makes up roughly 28% of the total general fund budget. This comes at a time when skyrocketing property taxes are taking a toll on local homeowners.
Still, could a decision to forgo raising salaries in favor of lowering standards prove to be penny-wise and pound-foolish?
The change in policy seems solely a measure to get more applicants, not necessarily better applicants or better outcomes. The college requirement only supports that the applicant has basic adult education capabilities.
If we want a safe police force for Boise, it is critical that applicants are thoroughly screened and even have some type of training conducted by an outside source, at minimum, to ensure they don’t have a propensity for violence, prejudicial thought/action or other concerning behaviors.
Competition for attracting and retaining talent is only going to intensify over the next several years, as the labor shortage continues, and lessening the standards is not a sustainable model.
Lowering the education requirement feels like a decision to lower the expectations of how police operate. It seems to be a move out of desperation that could have serious ramifications as law enforcement becomes only more complex and as Boise grows.
We would like to see a more thorough review of the the potential impact of reducing education standards for Boise police officers and whether there are better ways to increase not only the quantity, but the quality of applicants.
At the very least, Boise taxpayers deserve a more robust discussion of this issue. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-hey-boise-before-we-lower-the-bar-for-police-we-need-to-have/article_28697202-1fd2-11ed-b9e9-63822eb126cb.html | 2022-08-20T14:46:12 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-hey-boise-before-we-lower-the-bar-for-police-we-need-to-have/article_28697202-1fd2-11ed-b9e9-63822eb126cb.html |
Regular as rain, the Idaho Legislature has lost another lawsuit for passing an unconstitutional law, and it is paying those who sued the state with your money.
This time, the case involves a 2020 law that forbade transgender Idahoans from obtaining new birth certificates that match their gender identity.
Now, all legislatures sometimes pass laws that are later found to be unconstitutional. It can be hard to foresee how a court will rule on a bill, and sometimes lawmakers are taken off-guard.
This is not one of those cases. Here’s the short story of the bill to deny transgender Idahoans the right to obtain a birth certificate matching their gender identity:
The Department of Health and Welfare adopted a policy that prevented transgender Idahoans from obtaining new birth certificates.
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A few transgender Idahoans sued, and a federal court found that the policy violated the Equal Protection Clause.
The department complied with the court order, adopting a policy that would allow transgender Idahoans to get new birth certificates.
The Legislature simply wrote the same policy — just ruled to be unconstitutional — into a bill.
The Office of the Attorney General provided a legal opinion that said, roughly: If you pass this, we will get sued, and we will lose while looking like fools. Then we will have to pay the other side’s attorney fees — maybe $1 million worth.
The Legislature passed the bill, and Gov. Brad Little signed it.
The state got sued, and lost in a manner so predictable that the state looked indescribably foolish — it was an act of leniency not to hold the state in contempt of court. The state was ordered to pay the attorney fees of the other side, which luckily only came to about $321,000.
This isn’t a run-of-the-mill mistake or even negligence. This is like hiring someone to mow your lawn and coming back an hour later to find they’ve only mowed your flower beds — and also somehow set fire to your shed.
This is the kind of job performance where compensation is out of the question. So the lawmakers who supported this bill should give theirs back.
To start with, the bill’s lead sponsor, Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, should refund all her pay for the 2020 legislative session. So should Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens, who sponsored the bill in the Senate. That knocks around $33,000 off the bill.
But responsibility doesn’t end with Young and Vick.
In the House, 52 others — all Republicans — voted for the bill, including legislative leaders like Speaker Scott Bedke, R-Oakley; Majority Leader Mike Moyle, R-Star; and Majority Caucus Chair Brent Crane, R-Nampa. And in the Senate, 26 others — again, all Republicans — voted for the bill, including Pro Tem Chuck Winder, R-Boise; Majority Leader Kelly Anthon, R-Burley; and Majority Caucus Chair Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs.
Split the remaining bill among those 78 lawmakers, and it comes to roughly $3,700 apiece.
That’s what these lawmakers owe taxpayers for doing their jobs in a manner completely unmoored from constitutional and legal reasoning, driven only by the desire to deny constitutional rights to a small, vulnerable minority group.
Of course, it’s highly unlikely they will pay. They’ve already appropriated some of your money to pay these bills. Each year, your representatives stuff some of your money into a jar called the Constitutional Defense Fund — ironically named because it exists to pay their legal bills when they do something unconstitutional, which they do each session with clock-like regularity.
So far, they’ve spent about $3 million of your money this way. Keep that in mind when it’s time to vote in November. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-idaho-lawmakers-should-fork-over-their-paychecks-for-predictable-federal-court-ruling/article_b35c4586-1fd4-11ed-93b1-ff08810cee66.html | 2022-08-20T14:46:19 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/idaho-view-idaho-lawmakers-should-fork-over-their-paychecks-for-predictable-federal-court-ruling/article_b35c4586-1fd4-11ed-93b1-ff08810cee66.html |
JEROME — There will be cars and lots of them. But that’s not all.
Around 400 cars are expected Saturday for Joe Mama’s Car Show in Jerome but show organizers want the focus to be more than the shined-up and chrome-laden vehicles.
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
WATCH NOW: Burn out comp
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
Kickin' around Joe Mama's Car Show
“The whole idea is to make this a fun, family-friendly event,” show co-owner Carl McEntarffer said. “We don’t want people to just look at cars and leave after a few minutes.”
The event got underway Friday with a “show and shine” at Con Paulos Chevrolet followed by a rib-eating contest. Afterward, there was a burnout contest, with gift certificates going to the top three winners so they can purchase new tires.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, a remote control car demonstration takes place at the skate park. A pie eating contest starts at 11 a.m. Get ready for some noise at noon when the loudest muffler contest begins.
An awards presentation and winners’ parade at 2 p.m. concludes the activities.
Twenty-six trophies, some involving cash prizes, will be handed out, in a wide range of categories such as best project car, best paint and best engine. The top award — best in show — includes a $1,000 prize.
“We call it one of the best car shows in Idaho,” McEntarffer said, and car owners from surrounding states compete. A Model A Ford owner is expected to make the drive from Boise to show his car for the first time.
All kinds of vehicles will be at the show, including motorcycles. “We tell people if something has special meaning to them, they can enter it,” McEntarffer said. “If you have a horse-drawn carriage, bring it, but you can’t bring the horse.”
If someone is late to the show and arrives after 9 a.m., they can still enter but the vehicle won’t be included in the judging.
The show is named after founder Joe Skaug, who died last year. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/not-just-about-cars-joe-mamas-show-underway-this-weekend/article_835036f4-1fde-11ed-8a0d-471d8c65e1ac.html | 2022-08-20T14:46:25 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/not-just-about-cars-joe-mamas-show-underway-this-weekend/article_835036f4-1fde-11ed-8a0d-471d8c65e1ac.html |
Native seed banks help areas in Arizona recover from wildfires and climate disasters. Here's how
On a Tuesday morning, before the sun made work unbearable, employees at a local environmental nonprofit in Patagonia were planting on a fallow farm.
Surrounded by a sea of tall green grass with a backdrop of trees and mountains, the three workers bent down, digging holes in the dirt with their hands, placing plants in neat little rows.
They were employees of Borderlands Restoration Network, planting native wildflower seed. Borderlands is one of many organizations growing native plants in southern Arizona.
The need for native plants has become more urgent as wildfires continue to ravage the West, often destroying forests and other natural areas.
Ashlee Wolf, an ecologist with the Institute for Applied Ecology, said that while land can often regrow on its own, it takes time. And storms and erosion might further damage the land.
“The Southwest is unique because we are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change,” she said. “We see that with the large wildfires and the intense storms that happen with that. That adds an urgency to native seed production and restoration.”
Nurseries are feeling the increase in demand for native plants.
“I don't think there’s enough (supply),” said Bernadette Jilka, the owner of Nighthawk Natives Nursery in Tucson. “I think demand is only going to grow as more and more people move in. I think all of us nurseries feel like we can barely keep up.”
Jilka said she has customers who drive from Phoenix who complain there aren’t enough places to buy native plants in the Phoenix area. She sells native plants to other nurseries, for retail and for restoration projects. Some of those include land managers who are turning to native seed and plant programs to help revegetate natural areas.
One such program is the Borderlands Restoration Network’s Native Seed Production program in Patagonia, 18 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Borderlands works to restore local watersheds in the area and specializes in growing regionally sourced, locally adapted species of wild plants from the Upper Santa Cruz, Upper San Pedro and Willcox Play watersheds, according to Perin McNelis, the organization’s native plant program assistant manager.
“We collect seed and it’s used for different projects in those exact same watersheds,” McNelis said.
With wildfires burning across the West, McNelis sees the role of native seed programs becoming more important.
“There’s a need for restoration-quality, locally sourced seed, but on a bulk scale,” she said, adding the program is looking for ways to make bulk seed collection more affordable.
Borderlands is trying to figure out how to best farm native plants for bulk native seed collection because wild seed collection is expensive and labor intensive, McNelis said.
While collecting seed by hand can be sufficient for retail and nursery production, it is not enough for the “regional seed needs that we are seeing now in response to massive wildfires,” she said. “There’s a need for restoration quality, locally sourced seed but on a bulk scale that we have not been able to find in a way that's affordable.”
Borderlands is one of the small farmers partnering with Wolf’s team at the Institute for Applied Ecology in the Southwest Seed Partnership to grow seed for restoration projects. The Southwest Seed Partnership works to increase the availability of native seed for restoration in New Mexico and Arizona.
On the low-end, a project might require at least 1 to 2 pounds of seed per acre, Wolf said, depending on the plant species needed. In fires with many acres of high severity burns, that number could multiply quickly.
Seeding in the patches of high severity burn is most crucial to regain vegetation cover and slow erosion, she said.
The Calf Canyon/Hermit's Peak fire, a recent fire in New Mexico, had tens of thousands of acres that burned at high severity.
The smaller farms Wolf works with might collect up to 50 pounds of seed in a year.
“To address a large wildfire, we definitely need to keep expanding capacity to meet those large-scale disturbances and the seed need following those,” Wolf said.
‘Plants know better than us’
Land with plants native to the area where restoration will happen is important because plants have co-evolved with the surrounding fauna and pollinators, providing food throughout their life cycles and migratory routes, McNelis said.
Native plants have evolved to the specific precipitation patterns, temperature and elevation, McNelis reiterated.
When irrigation or constant monitoring is not possible — like in a garden — using seeds adapted to the conditions of the area is the best way to ensure the plants’ survival.
“They are ideally from the same watershed with similar precipitation patterns, similar elevation,” she said.
Often, the same species of plant can be found in different states across the country, she said, but just because they are the same does not mean they will do well in every climate.
“The grasses sourced from here are going to likely do better than the ones brought in from somewhere far away, even if the species is the same,” McNelis said. “There’s a lot of plasticity within a species that allows it to adapt to very localized conditions.”
The plants in each area have been around much longer than European settlers, she said.
“Plants know better than us,” she said.
Borderlands grows as need for native seeds increases
Borderlands has expanded its fields and the size of its seed-collection site over the last several years. The nonprofit’s seed collections used to be stored in the backhouse of a generous volunteer. As its collections and field grow-outs increased, it eventually upgraded to a 3,000-square-foot barn.
In the barn, a trailer-turned-walk-in-cooler stores the seed collection. The barn also includes seed drying and cleaning equipment.
Borderlands is growing native plants for commercial sales, but it hopes to expand the field for seed needed for larger restoration efforts. It farms on 1.25 acres of land on an abandoned agricultural field.
So while it learns to grow seed in bulk, it also addresses the problem of unused abandoned farms.
There has been a lot of effort to grow wild native plants in abandoned agricultural fields, McNelis said, but projects often fail because there is not continued upkeep.
However, once plants are established, they can “exist on their own with very little input,” she said.
Scars remain: Survivors seek peace 20 years after Rodeo-Chediski Fire
McNelis hypothesized that native seed programs have become more prominent in southern Arizona because as the state has experienced the full spectrum of climate-related ecological crises, groups are responding to the challenges.
Borderlands does cross-border work with groups in Sonora, Mexico, where there is a big interest in starting seed programs. McNelis has also had groups attend Borderlands workshops, wanting to learn how to start seed banks.
She hopes that the native seed and plant groups in Arizona become a model to reproduce anywhere on a local level, where every “watershed has its own program” to address local problems, she said.
That would be more beneficial than one group parachuting in to solve the issues and leaving, leading to a lack of long-term maintenance and stewardship of the projects, she said.
Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2022/08/20/how-native-seed-banks-help-areas-in-arizona-recover-after-wildfires/7836793001/ | 2022-08-20T14:57:50 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2022/08/20/how-native-seed-banks-help-areas-in-arizona-recover-after-wildfires/7836793001/ |
Midwest Food Bank receives $10K grant
NORMAL — Midwest Food Bank of Bloomington-Normal received a $10,200 grant from the Arby's Foundation.
The donation comes as part of the foundation's commitment to donate $500,000 to support every community where there is an Arby's location.
The grant money will be used to support childhood hunger relief. Midwest Food Bank will be able to provide food every weekend of the school year for 204 local children through the food bank's Hope Packs weekend backpack feeding program, as it costs about $50 per child for the school year.
Altogether, more than 3,400 local children who are facing food insecurity are assisted through the Hope Packs program.
The Arby's Foundation plans to give out nearly 200 local grants across the United States.
Visit midwestfoodbank.org or contact Tara Ingham at 309-663-535 or tingham@midwestfoodbank.org for more information.
Charity Hog Roast raises over $50K
BLOOMINGTON — The seventh annual Roasting for Charity Hog Roast raised over $54,000 on Saturday, Aug. 13.
The event was held at the home of the event organizers, Karen and Tom Harris, who live on Golf Court.
The fundraiser included a live auction, a silent auction, raffles, 50/50, donation bucket, kids golf ball sale, a 300-pound hog and roasters of extra pork and all the trimmings.
The free event put on by a group of neighbors, family and friends has raised nearly $300,000 over the last seven years.
All of the proceeds from the event support the Community Cancer Center in Normal.
Contact Karen Harris at 309-824-3801 for more information. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/generosity-midwest-food-bank-awarded-grant-charity-hog-roast-raises-over-50k/article_5027318c-1e4a-11ed-be33-8b57c4fc6416.html | 2022-08-20T15:06:21 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/generosity-midwest-food-bank-awarded-grant-charity-hog-roast-raises-over-50k/article_5027318c-1e4a-11ed-be33-8b57c4fc6416.html |
A man is dead and two others were taken to a Brooklyn hospital overnight with stab wounds after a fight broke out around 1 a.m., police said.
Officers responding to a reported stabbing in Sunset Park, near 44th Street and 7th Avenue, found three victims with various wounds that proved fatal for one of the men.
Police said a 31-year-old man stabbed multiple times in the chest and shoulder was rushed to Maimonides Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two other men, 26 and 33, were taken to the same hospital with injuries to their face and torso.
The stabbing followed a dispute between the trio and another group, police said. Two suspects fled on an electric scooter in an unknown direction.
Police were holding the identity of the deceased pending family notification.
There were no arrests hours later, and the investigation is ongoing. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/brooklyn-triple-stabbing-leaves-1-dead-police-hunt-for-suspects-on-scooter-ny-only/3832437/ | 2022-08-20T15:14:23 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/brooklyn-triple-stabbing-leaves-1-dead-police-hunt-for-suspects-on-scooter-ny-only/3832437/ |
A couple out for a walk wound up in a hospital when a pair of suspects recklessly opened fire on a Bronx street, authorities said Friday.
Police said the shots rang out around 12:20 a.m. in the Morrisania section of the borough.
A group had gathered outside on East 165th Street when two individuals pulled out guns and began firing at an unknown target, NYPD officials said.
It wasn't clear if they hit their target, but the duo did strike an innocent bystander walking nearby.
Police said a man, walking with his wife, was struck in the arm by one of the bullets. The 47-year-old was transported to Lincoln Hospital by EMS for treatment.
Three unoccupied cars parked in the area were also shot up by the gunfire.
Police are looking for the two suspects caught on video, as well as witnesses to the overnight shooting. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/husband-wife-strolling-nyc-sidewalk-caught-in-late-night-shooting/3832452/ | 2022-08-20T15:14:29 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/husband-wife-strolling-nyc-sidewalk-caught-in-late-night-shooting/3832452/ |
Salem City Council to discuss garbage rates, South Salem microshelter site
Residents have a chance to speak about proposed increases to Salem garbage rates during Monday's Salem City Council meeting.
Council is considering an 8.48% increase in Marion County for roll cart services and a 10.54% increase in Polk County for roll cart services.
The proposed increase means most residential customers in Marion County will see an annual increase of approximately $32.40, or about $2.70 a month. Polk County customers will see an annual increase of $33.00, or $2.27 a month.
The council is expected to vote on a resolution to increase rates following the public hearing.
The increase would mean the Marion County portion of Salem has the second highest rate among a comparison of Oregon cities, second only to Gresham. Similarly-sized Eugene has a monthly rate of $24.65 while Salem-Marion County has a rate of $34.75 and Salem-Polk County has a rate of $29.05.
The proposed increase was made at the behest of the Mid-Valley Garbage and Recycling Association, a body comprised of the six solid waste management haulers serving residents and businesses in Salem.
If passed, the rate increases would take effect Jan. 1.
Medical waste services, container services and drop box services would also see an increase in cost.
The increase would also coincide with the addition of service every other week and an increase in the discount on trash service provided to senior and disabled low-income customers from 10% to 20%.
The monthly rate for every-other-week service for a 20-gallon container would be $22.10 in Marion County and $17.35 in Polk County starting Jan. 1. The service was added following multiple requests from community members wanting to reduce their costs and cut their carbon footprint.
The 20% discount is offered as part of the city's Utility Rate Relief Program through Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency and is available to residential customers who are 60 and older or disabled, are the named customer on their account and have a household income at or below 60% of the state median income.
Haulers attributed the need for the price hike to inflation, increased labor costs and difficulties in the recycling market.
City officials said they regulate rates to simulate competition and avoid monopolistic pricing.
The city follows an industry-wide practice of targeting a 10% pre-tax return on revenue, and the council sets rates seeking to "balance the cost of service to customers with a reasonable expectation for total revenue to sustain operations for the haulers," city staff said in a report on the increase.
Funding for microshelter village for homeless
Council is also set to vote on whether to direct $750,000 in state sheltering grant funds to fund a microshelter village at Turner Road SE near Church at the Park.
The money was previously allocated to establish and operate a safe park program on Front Street, but staff said the location is no longer cost-efficient.
"Start-up expenses will exceed original projections, leaving less for operations," city staff said in a report to council. "For example, environmentally friendly sanitation services for up to 40 recreational vehicles requires a high level of up-front investment. The lease for the property ends in December 2023. Due to these greater than anticipated costs, investing in the extensive work needed to prepare the site is not recommended."
The Turner Road location was one of three locations Salem City Council approved for microshelters in a Jan. 24 meeting. Another was Front Street. Work is currently underway to relocate the Village of Hope shelter site to the other location approved on Center Street.
The Turner Road location would be the third microshelter village in the city, joining the Village of Hope and a site of families on Portland Road near Catholic Community Services.
The Church at the Park, a nonprofit organization that already manages the existing microvillages, owns the property on Turner Road.
This expands the shelter's ability to operate services long-term and maximizes start-up funds, city staff said.
"Operating a microshelter village at Turner Road would add this service to South Salem and would end drop-in day services at the location, meeting neighborhood desire for stability and the city’s priority of expanding service locations across the city," city staff said.
Church at the Park has $290,000 leveraged in foundation grants and community donations for the site preparation at the Turner Road location, which has lowered the amount of start-up expenses needed from the city.
An additional $225,997 in annual operating dollars is also available for this location, reducing the request to the city for operational dollars.
The villages are staffed 24 hours a day and have security. Trash services, meals, showers, portable toilets and connection to health services are provided on-site.
The microshelter buildings already are funded. A community effort has raised more than $770,000 in donations — enough for at least 154 shelters. Despite having enough funds, the city has struggled to find land to host the villages.
The Turner Road microshelter village would provide up to 40 shelter beds and would focus on helping 18- to 24-year-old people experiencing homelessness.
According to data and research from local government and advocacy groups, almost 7,000 youth are at risk of homelessness in Marion and Polk counties. An estimated 1,540 people ages 13 to 24 are already experiencing homelessness in the region.
More:Local youth offer plan to eliminate youth homelessness
Other council agenda items include:
- Budget addition to purchase ground support equipment for the airport with $540,388 in state grant funds.
- Agreement with the City of Turner to maintain traffic control signals and reader board equipment.
- Agreement with Marion County to connect Gaia Street SE to Culver Drive SE.
- Application for a $400,000 grant from the federal STOP Violence Against Women program for the city's Domestic Violence Response Team.
Explainer: What are the rules around public meetings and public comment in Oregon?
The meeting is at 6 p.m. It is virtual and can be watched on Comcast Cable CCTV Channel 21 or on the Salem YouTube channel in English/American Sign Language and Spanish.
Written public comments on agenda items can be emailed by 5 p.m. Monday to cityrecorder@cityofsalem.net. Or pre-register between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday at cityofsalem.net/Pages/Public-Comment-at-Salem-City-Council-Meeting.aspx to speak during the meeting via Zoom.
For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/20/salem-city-council-to-discuss-raising-garbage-rates-south-salem-microshelter-site-homeless/65410140007/ | 2022-08-20T15:19:36 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/20/salem-city-council-to-discuss-raising-garbage-rates-south-salem-microshelter-site-homeless/65410140007/ |
Meet our Mid-Valley: Jose Gonzales 'drives' diversity in driver's education
This is part of a weekly series introducing readers to individuals who are passionate about our Mid-Valley community.
Jose Gonzales can point to the case that changed his life.
He was at work as a court interpreter in Salem's municipal court. A “sweet old lady” stood in front of the judge because she was caught driving without a license.
Judge Jane Aiken didn’t want to fine her. Instead, Aiken told the woman to get her license and the citation would be dropped.
But the woman kept failing the test. Even after Aiken gave her another chance, she couldn’t pass. For almost a year, she tried, and failed, to get her license.
Aiken turned to Gonzales.
“Jose, is there anything we can do for her?” Gonzales remembers her asking him. “Do you know of an organization or someone out there who can help these folks that are struggling?”
He didn’t. But, he figured, he could become that person.
A year ago this month, Gonzales opened the doors to Driving Diversity Multilingual Driving School, or Escuela de Manejo (driving school in Spanish) with his wife, Dina. They teach classes in both English and Spanish.
“A lot of these folks haven’t had the same opportunities as far as education,” Gonzales said. “We make it our goal to help them achieve their goal, which is to obtain a driver’s license.”
A clear need
On a recent Tuesday night, the little office building on State Street slowly filled with students. Some had traveled from Portland, Gresham and Beaverton. Others tuned in via Zoom from further pockets of the state.
One couple got bad directions and ended up in Vancouver, Washington. Dina said she didn’t know how that could happen, but she sent them the Zoom link so they could still participate.
Gonzales wasted no time. He started class at 6:02 p.m.
What do you do, he posited, if you arrive at a stop light that is illuminated, but a police officer is guiding traffic at the intersection? Who do you obey, the light or the officer?
The police, students offered.
They were right, and it’s a question they might see on the licensing exam.
Gonzales is quick but clear in his instruction. He repeats himself often and offers call-and-response style questions about the lesson. Every lesson, he said, is something they might see on the test.
Students continued to file in, to the office and via Zoom, until roughly 7 p.m. At 6:40, Dina took a call from a woman in Portland asking if she could join the class.
The next session will be Sept. 19, Dina told the woman, but if she paid now, she could join this class on Zoom and watch the recording to see what she missed.
Twenty minutes later, the caller was tuned in. She couldn’t wait a month.
Dina said she gets calls not just from across the state, but from across the country. She’s gotten calls from Texas, New York, California and New Mexico.
Classes were full as soon as they were offered, Gonzales said. The need was immediately clear.
The school has already outgrown its office on State Street. Next month, Gonzales will begin teaching from a bigger office on Lancaster Drive.
"This is an area where my community is underserved," Gonzales said.
Navigating the roadblocks
Gonzales is only certified to teach in Oregon. He and Dina can’t help the out-of-state callers. But he said he hopes to help as many Oregonians as he can, for as long as he can.
It pays off every time a student comes into the office to show off their new license, he said.
Some of his clients are farmworkers who need to be able to drive to different work sites (Gonzales is working on a certification that would allow him to set up satellite classrooms at work camps across the state). Others have taken the test a dozen times and failed. Others still are teenagers whose parents want lower insurance premiums and safer kids — Gonzales is also certified to provide behind-the-wheel instruction.
Obtaining a driver’s license wasn’t an option for some of Gonzales’ clients until last year. The Oregon Legislature voted in 2019 to allow people without legal documentation of residence to apply for a license.
The law took effect in January 2021. Gonzales opened his school eight months later. The time was right, he said.
“I’ve seen over and over again how many families that work hard for their money end up paying so much in fines [for driving without a license],” Gonzales said. “It hurt me because they didn’t have a choice. When the law changed, I thought ‘Ok, this is it. This is an opportunity for me to do something, to give back to my community.’”
Once they’ve paid the fee — $175 — students have access to the school and its resources, including a practice test, for as long as it takes.
His clients have faced all sorts of barriers to obtaining their license, Gonzales said. Of course, language is a big one.
Gonzales is one of two schools in the area to offer driving courses in Spanish. The other is in Woodburn.
The test questions can also differ from what’s on the study guides, Gonzales said.
“People can memorize, but then they get to the exam and the questions aren’t the same,” he said. “I want them to understand the concepts.”
Technology is another barrier. The clients that travel long distances for class do so because they don’t know how to use Zoom, Dina said. Once they get to the DMV, some folks are intimidated by having to take the test on a computer.
“Technology produces so much anxiety and stress in them,” Gonzales said.
In those cases, Gonzales said the school will write a formal letter to the DMV recommending they take the test on paper.
Normalizing driver's education
Gonzales is also trying to normalize driver’s education in his community, he said, especially for teens.
“When you turn 15 or 16, your parents start thinking about driver’s ed,” he said. “It doesn’t happen with us. I’m trying to change that.”
Formal instruction, as opposed to, say, learning from a family member, can lower the chances of a serious accident, Gonzales said. (The data are conflicted here. Some studies have found no significant correlation between driver’s ed and crashes; others have found the opposite, especially among teens).
“We have all these hopes and dreams for our children,” Gonzales said. "They turn 15, 16, 17, we send them out into the world to try and chase down their dreams, and many times they don’t come back because that very important part of their education is missing. They never really learned how to drive.”
It’s a cultural battle. Gonzales said he is fighting it “one family at a time.”
A family operation
Gonzales and Dina were both born in Mexicali, just across the Mexican border in Baja, California. Gonzales was a “border boy,” he said, but grew up mostly on U.S. soil in Calexico (Mexicali’s U.S. opposite).
Dina moved to the United States as a young girl. The pair met when they were 21 and married in 1997.
Gonzales has lived several lives: as a preacher (a hat he still wears), a realtor, a loan officer and a school district employee.
He and Dina moved to Salem in 2000. They tried other homes: Phoenix, Texas, Washington. Oregon was their favorite.
“Folks really treated us well here,” Gonzales said. “Salem embraced us.”
They raised two daughters, now both teenagers, in Salem. Their dad taught them to drive. They were part of his first class.
“Treat me like a student,” 17-year-old Carmesi remembered telling her dad.
She meant that with students, Gonzales is patient and professional behind the wheel. With her, he was protective and maybe a little short. Still, she was grateful for his instruction.
His daughters were a big motivation for starting the school in the first place, Gonzales said. Now, it’s a “family operation.”
The driving school is one of several ventures under the Gonzales’ parent company, Escritorio Publico (public desk), named for people who would set up desks and typewriters in public spaces in Mexico and sell writing services. Gonzales is also a notary, a letter writer, and, still, a court interpreter. He’s also still a minister.
When asked whether her husband has any free time, Dina’s eyes widened.
Not really, Gonzales said. But he loves being busy.
“At the end of the day, I’m extremely, extremely tired,” Gonzales said. “But I sleep well [with] the sense of satisfaction that you feel from knowing that you changed lives in a positive way.”
You can reach Escuela de Manejo online, by email or by phone at 503-877-8345. Classes are offered twice per month and meet for three nights, two hours each.
If you have an idea for someone we should profile for this series, please email Statesman Journal senior news editor Alia Beard Rau at arau@gannett.com
Shannon Sollitt covers agricultural workers in the Mid-Willamette Valley as a corps member for Report for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities. You may reach her at ssollitt@statesmanjournal.com. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/mid-valley/2022/08/20/meet-our-mid-valley-salem-jose-gonzales-drives-diversity-in-drivers-education-spanish/65402346007/ | 2022-08-20T15:19:42 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/mid-valley/2022/08/20/meet-our-mid-valley-salem-jose-gonzales-drives-diversity-in-drivers-education-spanish/65402346007/ |
For Stayton's Spotlight actors, this play is about more than just reading lines
Maggie Shook finds acting to be a therapeutic release. But it’s been a long time since she’s been able to perform in a play.
Over the past three years, the 14-year-old has experienced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lived through ice storms in 2021 and was evacuated from her Scio home due to wildfires in 2020.
But she's found her way back to the stage. She'll be appearing as the Cowardly Lion in Spotlight Community Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz through next week.
She is grateful to get back to the activity she's loved since she first participated at age 5.
“I was on a really high anxiety level for just normal life for a really, really long time and once I started to be able to do play stuff again, I felt like, okay, things are normal, things aren’t out of control, and it really made me feel better," Shook said.
"Especially in an environment like this where the directors are super nice and the actors are super nice, it just helps me calm down and focus on reality instead of all the crazy stuff."
The Wizard of Oz runs Aug. 18-21 and 25-27. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays are at 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. The theater is located at 383 North 3rd Ave. in Stayton.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $8 for youth and are available at spotlightct.com.
Community theater survives in Stayton
It took a lot for the Stayton-based company to put on its first big production in two and a half years.
A group of community members started Aumsville Community Theatre in 2011. The group put on plays like The Mousetrap and Stuart Little: The Musical at the Aumsville Community Center. But because Aumsville uses the space for its city council meetings and other events, it became necessary to find another home.
The troupe moved to Stayton, was renamed Spotlight Community Theatre and occupied a few spots before moving into its current space in downtown Stayton. Then the pandemic hit. They moved in in early 2020, but didn't put on a show before being shut down.
To keep the nonprofit going, the company got creative.
They recorded books like Dracula as audiobooks with actors reading the parts. They’ve put on radio shows and murder mysteries. Selling those recordings kept the doors open.
“We weren’t able to do stage shows because it wasn’t bringing audiences because nobody wanted to be near each other,” Wizard of Oz director and Spotlight founding member Shannon Rempel said. “This was doable doing that kind of stuff. This is the second show we’ve been able to do since the COVID opening.”
Like a lot of community theater companies, Spotlight has had a tough time coming back from the pandemic. Some patrons have been reluctant to return to in-person performances.
In May, Spotlight put on A Bench in the Sun, a three-person play. It was encouraging enough to make a big production like the Wizard of Oz — which features 14 actors and 10 set changes — seem doable.
“We had a few packed houses, which for the small location isn’t much, but it was exciting,” said Liberty Bundy, who is playing Dorothy and worked on the stage crew for A Bench in the Sun.
Acting as more than an art
Shook started acting at age 5 with the Missoula Children’s Theater, which has held camps in Lyons. She always “had a knack” for memorizing her lines — Shook said she can learn her lines in a night — and usually was one of the few children with a speaking part.
“I pretty much grew up doing plays,” she said.
She got a role in Aumsville Community Theatre's Cheaper By The Dozen in 2018. The last play she acted in was Jack And The Beanstock in 2019.
“I’m also a school counselor and I know how the arts really do help students and people of all ages when they’re dealing with trauma or emotions,” said Angela Smith, who plays the Witch and Mixx Gultch and works for Willamette Connections Academy. “There’s a lot of young people here, and this has been a good outlet for them.”
Like all the actors in the Spotlight production, Smith is a community member looking for something normal to do again.
She acted back in the 1980s — “I started in high school and I’m an old lady,” she said. Now that she’s an empty nester, she wanted to give it a try again.
“I would say it almost feels back to normal,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of people who still do wear masks at times. We had certain people, like Glinda the Good Witch had to be out for a whole week because she was exposed. She didn’t get COVID, but she was exposed so we had to have a stand-in. We’re getting there. We’re getting to a more healthy place.”
An opportunity to find a passion
Melodie Weeks considers herself a “theater mom.” When her children acted in plays at South Salem High School, she supported the productions with tasks like selling concessions and shuttling children around.
Weeks works at Family Building Blocks in Sublimity and is part of the Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce. She learned about Spotlight Community Theater through the group’s representative on the chamber, Edward Stein. He convinced her to try voice acting during the pandemic. She experienced how much it could mean.
Now she’s playing Aunt Em and Glinda.
The natural disasters in the play, such as the tornado, have nothing on the real ones in the Santiam Canyon in the past few years.
“I was able to be there through my job volunteering during the wildfires, we received them at Anthony Hall. And everyone just, between that and the pandemic, people just start to lose hope,” Weeks said.
“And it comes out in different ways. It might come in anger. It might come out in depression. It might come out in, 'I’m going to make the best of it,' but they’re not.”
Shook, who will be a freshman at Baker Charter School this fall, has tried to keep busy amidst the disasters and the pandemic.
She wrote plays and horror non-fiction. She focused on her schoolwork, "because there wasn’t really anything else to do."
But now she gets to go back to her passion.
“The relief and joy of being able to do it again outweighs all the nerves,” she said. “So there is a little bit of like, 'What if I mess up,' but there’s the joy of the experience.”
Bill Poehler covers Marion County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/stayton/life/2022/08/20/staytons-spotlight-community-theatre-wizard-of-oz/65405069007/ | 2022-08-20T15:19:48 | 0 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/stayton/life/2022/08/20/staytons-spotlight-community-theatre-wizard-of-oz/65405069007/ |
A midday Friday rollover crash in Dunn County killed a 38-year-old Dickinson man.
The man lost control of the International truck he was driving on state Highway 8 about 4 miles north of Halliday, and the vehicle spun and rolled into the ditch, the Highway Patrol reported.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His name wasn't immediately released. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/dunn-county-crash-kills-dickinson-man/article_c219fc26-2088-11ed-a180-3f8fe3a75adc.html | 2022-08-20T15:32:47 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/dunn-county-crash-kills-dickinson-man/article_c219fc26-2088-11ed-a180-3f8fe3a75adc.html |
You don't have to move to the country to eat a lot of peaches. You can do that right here in New Jersey.
The state Department of Agriculture will hand out free Jersey-grown peaches to beachgoers in Atlantic City, Wildwood and Seaside Heights on Monday for National Eat a Peach Day.
New Jersey was ranked third in the country for peach production value last year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service.
“New Jersey peaches are sweet and juicy and available now at your favorite retailers and farms. New Jersey peach season lasts through the end of September, and this is the perfect time to seek out the different varieties from our growers,” state Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher said in a news release.
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Long known for its sweet corn, tomatoes and peaches, Cumberland County also is producing an …
People can get Jersey Fresh peaches Monday in Atlantic City on the Boardwalk at New York Avenue, in Wildwood on the Boardwalk at East Schellenger Avenue next to Morey's Piers, and in Seaside Heights on the Boardwalk at Grant Avenue.
Peaches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. while supplies last.
The Agriculture Department ran similar promotions earlier this summer involving blueberries and tomatoes. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/free-jersey-peaches-coming-to-three-shore-towns-monday/article_8f9d37ce-2095-11ed-af2d-5b30ca784346.html | 2022-08-20T15:40:08 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/free-jersey-peaches-coming-to-three-shore-towns-monday/article_8f9d37ce-2095-11ed-af2d-5b30ca784346.html |
LEESBURG -- The Lee County Chamber of Commerce will host its 34th annual Chamber Banquet on Nov. 3 at the Bindery at Oakland Library.
During the banquet, the chamber will recognize the man and woman of the year, the top partners in agriculture and education, the ambassador of the year, the small business of the year, nonprofit of the year and the lifetime achievement award winner. The chamber is seeking nominees in each category.
Any person or business nominated must live/serve in Lee County. Nominations should include accomplishments and contributions for the past five years, and nominees cannot be an elected official nor a board member of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce. Nominees cannot be deceased except for Lifetime Achievement Award nominees.
Deadline for nominations is Sept. 23. Nominations may be mailed to 106 Walnut Ave. N., Leesburg, Ga. 31763. Nominations may be faxed to (229) 759-9224.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/lee-chamber-seeks-nominations-for-annual-banquet/article_8bd45aec-2099-11ed-b4f6-cb652c05170b.html | 2022-08-20T15:52:09 | 1 | https://www.albanyherald.com/local/lee-chamber-seeks-nominations-for-annual-banquet/article_8bd45aec-2099-11ed-b4f6-cb652c05170b.html |
Back in June, Camille Touton spelled out what she wanted from the basin states — and what she would do if she didn't get it.
Touton, the commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, has responsibility for protecting the threatened Colorado River water system, the source of much of Tucson’s water. She told a Senate committee:
"Between 2 and 4 million acre feet of additional conservation is needed just to protect critical levels in 2023. It is in our authorities to act unilaterally to protect the system, and we will protect the system."
That was June 14, and she gave the basin states including Arizona 60 days to figure out how to cut at least 2 million acre-feet of consumption. The "or else" was clear: Her bureau would unilaterally impose cuts to their supply of water if the states didn't devise their own plan.
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Then came Tuesday, 60 days later, and the states had failed to agree to a plan. But instead of announcing unilateral cuts, Touton's language turned mushy and opaque.
"The Bureau of Reclamation will develop a detailed work plan that will identify the steps we will take in order to ensure we have the tools necessary to protect the system, if and when we need them," she said.
Talk about hedging.
She went on, "We are moving forward with several efforts at the same time. As we evaluate our additional short-term operational administrative actions, we are simultaneously developing the additional tools and innovative strategies that will be necessary to help communities address the hydrologic variability in this basin caused by climate change."
The change of tone left many of the participants and viewers of the news conference confused. Reporters pressed for more clarity, but got nothing much from Touton or other Interior Department officials on the call.
John Fleck, an author of books on water in the West and professor at the University of New Mexico, told me he listened to the news conference, which was streamed live online.
"I don’t know what they said," he said, "and I was at the news conference."
Sarah Porter, director of the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU's Morrison Institute, came away similarly befuddled.
"A lot of people are scratching their heads about this," Porter said. "In June, when Commissioner Touton testified they would need to find 2 to 4 million acre feet to cut from the system, that was like an earthquake.
"Everybody got going, there wasn’t an agreement, and I think everybody was waiting for the hammer to fall — and then it didn’t."
I'm no expert on water policy, but my experience from other realms tells me to get suspicious when people's speech turns opaque. It can conceal something or, just as bad, it can conceal nothing — that is, hide the fact that nothing substantial is going on.
You could hear the frustration with this when Arizona officials held their own news conference later on Tuesday.
"We were looking for an outcome (that) would be enforceable, mandatory," the director of Arizona's Department of Water Resources, Tom Buschatzke, said Tuesday afternoon. "A voluntary agreement — that doesn't work for us."
Buschatzke and Ted Cooke, general manager of the Central Arizona Project, repeatedly used the word "certainty" to describe what they're looking for. They haven't got it yet.
Arizona and Nevada made a proposal to the other lower basin negotiators — from California and the Bureau of Reclamation — about how much Colorado River water they would stop taking to meet the 2 million acre-foot demand, but California and the bureau didn't accept their proposal for mandatory measures.
"It wasn’t long into the process, maybe three or four weeks into the process, that for whatever reason, folks started looking more at a voluntary program than a mandatory program," Buschatzke said.
There are possible valid reasons that the Bureau of Reclamation pulled back on its threat to make unilateral cuts, Fleck told me.
His interpretation: "They realized that what the commissioner asked the states to do could not be done in 60 days, but also that what they had threatened to do could not realistically be done in 60 days."
So, it appears the bureau paradoxically set itself up for failure with its clear but accelerated demands.
But the feds shouldn’t give away their leverage by making cuts voluntary or forgiving deadlines anymore. We in the states reliant on the Colorado River need them to force us to get this right, to get certainty.
Otherwise, the problem will be even harder to solve every year, as we need to take even greater cuts of a smaller flow of water.
The Tucson City Council was happy but practical as it started hashing out how to spend a $150 million surplus. Let's be extremely impractical instead.
For Star subscribers: Two white lines protect cyclists on Tucson's widened Broadway. Redoing 22nd Street shouldn't include that kind of compromise.
For Star subscribers: But U.S. officials held off Tuesday on any larger, longer-term cuts in Colorado River water deliveries in the West — which they've said are necessary. Some water officials and environmentalists criticized that lack of immediate action as "punting" and "extraordinarily discouraging."
Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-feds-need-to-show-resolve-on-colorado-river/article_d0a11ab0-1f28-11ed-bc1b-9b67c7d9abb4.html | 2022-08-20T16:03:14 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-feds-need-to-show-resolve-on-colorado-river/article_d0a11ab0-1f28-11ed-bc1b-9b67c7d9abb4.html |
The National Weather Service in Tucson has unveiled a flashy new way for people to keep tabs on the monsoon season: lightning.
The service’s monsoon tracking website now includes a running total of lightning strikes recorded so far this season, along with historic data going back to 1990.
The numbers are available for the state as a whole, as well as for Tucson, Phoenix and each of Arizona’s 15 counties.
“It’s a way to capture a different element of the monsoon to see how it changes over time,” said meteorologist Kevin Strongman with the weather service in Tucson.
Tracking lightning is also a way to measure storm activity far beyond whatever rain happens to fall on the official gauge at Tucson International Airport.
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“It captures a lot more,” Strongman said, and not just around populated areas, but in remote parts of the state where there aren’t any weather stations or observers.
The weather service gets its data from a Finland-based company called Vailasa, which has an office in Tucson and an advanced, worldwide network of sensors capable of recording nearly every flash of lightning across the globe.
Last year alone, Vailasa’s Global Lightning Detection Network — or GLD360 for short — picked up some 2.5 billion strikes worldwide, which works out to about 7 million a day on average.
Meteorologist Chris Vagasky is lightning applications manager at Vaisala’s office near Boulder, Colorado, where the company operates its National Lightning Detection Network.
He said lightning is an effective way to track the monsoon because there is a direct correlation between the two things.
“Most of the lightning that occurs in the Southwest occurs during the monsoon,” he explained. “To get a thunderstorm, you need to have moisture, instability and lift, and thunderstorms tend to produce more rain than other storms.”
In a flash
Thanks to the incredible amount of energy involved, lightning can be detected in a flash (not sorry).
Each massive electrical discharge heats the surrounding air to about 50,000 degrees — roughly five times hotter than the surface of the sun — and sends out electromagnetic waves that circle the globe at almost the speed of light.
The detection system senses the shape and direction of those waves and times their arrival to within nanoseconds, using that information to determine the precise location of a strike, how powerful it was and whether it struck the ground or went from cloud to cloud.
Vagasky said Vaisala’s network can detect a “lightning event” from more than 6,200 miles away.
With 120 sensors strategically placed around the country, the system is capable of capturing better than 99% of the roughly 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the U.S. each year and pinpointing in seconds their location to within a football field.
The information is made available to a wide range of subscribers, from NASA to the PGA Tour.
Vagasky said the data is used for public safety, planning and investigative purposes by airlines and airports, weather services, fire departments, land management agencies, utilities, shipping companies, insurance carriers and even ski resorts, which depend on lightning data to know when it’s time to shut down lifts and get people off the slopes.
“Your airplane doesn’t move if there’s lightning in the area,” Vagasky said. “Rockets don’t launch out of Cape Canaveral if there’s lightning in the area.”
The detection data is provided in almost-real time. He said it takes about 11 seconds for a flash of lightning anywhere in the lower 48 to show up on the national network and about 35 seconds for a strike almost anywhere elsewhere to appear on the global network.
The company has cataloged several record-setting lightning events in recent years.
During a massive volcanic eruption in the South Pacific in January, Vaisala captured almost 600,000 lightning strikes above the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in just three days. It was the most ever recorded after an eruption.
And in 2019, the company detected lightning farther north than ever before when it picked up a bolt just 30 miles from the North Pole.
Climate change is the likely culprit there, Vagasky said. The Arctic is warming far more rapidly than the rest of the globe, resulting in unprecedented storm activity in places where it has rarely if ever been seen.
“This is a new phenomenon, and it’s becoming more and more common,” he said.
Strikes down
Vaisala was founded in Finland in 1936, but the National Lightning Detection Network actually got its start in Tucson.
According to Vaisala’s website, three scientists from the University of Arizona — E. Philip Krider, Burt Pifer and Martin Uman — launched a research company called Global Atmospherics Inc. in 1976. A decade later, they spearheaded the development of a national clearinghouse for lightning detection data.
That network was still based here in 2002, when Vaisala bought Global Atmospherics Inc. The national detection network has since been moved to the company’s office in Louisville, Colorado, between Boulder and Denver.
Through Thursday of the current monsoon season, Vaisala had detected just over 3,500 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the Tucson area and almost 28,000 strikes across Pima County.
That might sound like a lot, but it’s actually right in line with the overall picture for the monsoon so far in Tucson: below average.
Since the official start of the region’s rainy season on June 15, the National Weather Service has recorded just over 2 inches of rain at the airport, roughly an inch and a half less than the 30-year average for this time of year.
Lightning activity is off by a similar percentage, with 3,503 strikes recorded in Tucson through Thursday, down from the 20-year average of 5,411 by this point in the season.
Though it may not seem that way during particularly intense monsoon storms, Arizona ranks well below the national average when it comes to lightning activity.
According to Vaisala’s figures, the U.S. as a whole experiences 17.6 lightning strikes per square kilometer each year, while Arizona sees 9.3 strikes per square kilometer annually.
Greenlee County leads Arizona with 18.6 strikes per square kilometer per year, followed closely by the four other counties in the state’s southeastern corner, where monsoon activity tends to be heaviest.
Pima County ranks sixth in Arizona with 11.4 strikes per square kilometer.
The Southeastern U.S. sees more bolts than any other part of the country, led by Florida with close to 10 times more strikes by area than Arizona.
Seminole County near Orlando is the nation’s undisputed champ of lighting, with a whopping 161 strikes per square kilometer annually.
The world’s most active thunderstorm hot spots are concentrated in the warmest, wettest parts of the tropics.
No other country on Earth sees more lightning than the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The central African nation straddling the equator gets hit by an average of 62.5 lightning strikes per square kilometer per year, and parts of the country see double or even triple that amount. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucson-monsoon-trackers-should-get-charge-out-of-new-data-set/article_325f9c16-1f44-11ed-b75d-bfbcbe10aec5.html | 2022-08-20T16:03:20 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tucson-monsoon-trackers-should-get-charge-out-of-new-data-set/article_325f9c16-1f44-11ed-b75d-bfbcbe10aec5.html |
Rain or shine, the America's Rock 'N' Roll Circus will go on!
Kenosha Creative Space will join a group of young local creatives to present a daylong music festival today featuring acts from the Kenosha area and beyond.
America’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus will run from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday in the street in front of the Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St., in Downtown Kenosha.
Organizers have also announced alternative plans in the event of rain. If necessary, performances will be moved indoors at the Kenosha Creative Space.
Tickets for this one-of-a-kind, rock spectacular remain available.
“We’re excited to partner with a great group of organizers and artists to bring this unique event to our downtown,” said Kenosha Creative Space Executive Director Francisco Loyola. “You won’t have heard or seen anything like this in Kenosha this summer, which is what makes Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus a perfect fit for the Kenosha Creative Space and our thriving creative community.”
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Positive attention
The event was conceived by Jeremiah Lunde, with the aim of bringing positive attention to Kenosha, as it continues to heal from the difficulties of the last couple of years.
“As an 18-year-old local musician and creative person, I have enjoyed living a busy life filled with engaging projects that I’m passionate about,” Lunde said. “As one of the founders of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Circus, I enjoy working with other young talented musicians working hard to put together this event, and I appreciate the support the Kenosha Creative Space has given us. It’s our goal to help keep growing the creative musical environment in Kenosha”
The lineup of performers includes Lunde’s eponymous band — which performed in Downtown Kenosha with an homage to the Beatles on the Creative Space rooftop in 2021 — as well as indie acts that have attracted attention throughout the Midwest.
Abby Bloxdorf is among other volunteers who worked for the same goal.
“I’m born and raised in Kenosha and think it’s a wonderful city and want people to realize that. I think the circus will be a positive way to show that,” Bloxdorf said.
The music line-up will include:
Marble Teeth: 12:45 to 1:15 p.m.
Sun Silo: 1:45 to 2:15 p.m.
Joey Belotti & the Change Machine: 2:45 to 3:15 p.m.
Claudio Parrone Jr.: 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.
Rookie: 5-5:45 p.m.
GGOOLLDD: 6:15 to 7 p.m.
Lunde: 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.
Deeper: 8:45 to 9:30 p.m.
The O’My’s: 10 to11 p.m.
The headline act, the O’My’s, have over 18 million digital streams and have a long-running collaboration with Chance the Rapper, Lunde noted.
Admission to the event is $20. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or online at https://bit.ly/KenoRockCircus.
Kenosha Creative Space, 624 57th St., is a nonprofit organization committed to creating economic opportunities for local artists, musicians, creatives, entrepreneurs and local partner organizations. The partner organizations and individual supporters share the goal of using their collective resources for the mutual benefit of the Kenosha Creative Space, the creative community and the community at large.
To learn more about Kenosha Creative Space and its programming, check out www.kenoshacreativespace.com or search for “Kenosha Creative Space” on Facebook.
The most famous Rock and Roll Hall of Famers
Famous Hall of Famers
To determine the most popular rock 'n' roll legends, entertainment data site PrettyFamous ranked each musician and band based on their Musician or Band Score, respectively. This is a weighted average of a musician or band's Wikipedia page views over the last 30 days, the 30-day Wikipedia page views of the bands they were/are in (in the case of a singular musician), the Wikipedia page views of their releases and the number of followers they have on Spotify. In the case of a tie, the musician or band with the later year of induction was favored.
One important thing to note is that the ranking favors artists who are popular now, meaning those whose music is still actively listened to on Spotify and who the public continues to look up on the web.
With this in mind, no matter their ranking, it's safe to say that all of these Hall of Famers and others who weren't included will continue to influence rock 'n' roll for decades to come.
Here's a look at the top 20.
#20. Prince
Musician Score: 96.52
Year of induction: 2004
Age: 57
Date of birth: 06/07/58
Date of death: 04/21/16
#19. Paul McCartney
Musician Score: 96.67
Year of induction: 1999
Age: 75
Date of birth: 06/18/42
#18. Bruce Springsteen
Musician Score: 97.21
Year of induction: 1999
Age: 67
Date of birth: 09/23/49
#17. Nirvana
Band Score: 97.22
Year of induction: 2014
Start date: 1988
End date: 1994
#16. Elvis Presley
Musician Score: 97.29
Year of induction: 1986
Age: 42
Date of birth: 01/08/35
Date of death: 08/16/77
#15. Johnny Cash
Musician Score: 97.43
Year of induction: 1992
Age: 71
Date of birth: 02/26/32
Date of death: 09/12/03
#14. Guns N' Roses
Band Score: 97.63
Year of induction: 2012
Start date: 1985
End date: present
#13. Madonna
Musician Score: 97.84
Year of induction: 2008
Age: 59
Date of birth: 08/16/58
#12. Led Zeppelin
Band Score: 97.96
Year of induction: 1995
Start date: 1968
End date: 1980
#11. Bob Dylan
Musician Score: 98.11
Year of induction: 1988
Age: 76
Date of birth: 05/24/41
#10. The Rolling Stones
Band Score: 98.21
Year of induction: 1989
Start date: 1962
End date: present
#9. AC/DC
Band Score: 98.21
Year of induction: 2003
Start date: 1973
End date: present
#8. David Bowie
Musician Score: 98.4
Year of induction: 1996
Age: 69
Date of birth: 01/08/47
Date of death: 01/10/16
#7. Red Hot Chili Peppers
Band Score: 98.61
Year of induction: 2012
Start date: 1983
End date: present
#6. Pink Floyd
Band Score: 98.8
Year of induction: 1996
Start date: 1965
End date: 1995
#5. Metallica
Band Score: 98.86
Year of induction: 2009
Start date: 1981
End date: present
#4. Green Day
Band Score: 98.92
Year of induction: 2015
Start date: 1989
End date: present
#3. The Beatles
Band Score: 99.21
Year of induction: 1988
Start date: 1960
End date: 1970
#2. Queen
Band Score: 99.22
Year of induction: 2001
Start date: 1970
End date: present
#1. Michael Jackson
Musician Score: 99.51
Year of induction: 2001
Age: 50
Date of birth: 08/29/58
Date of death: 06/25/09 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/rain-or-shine-america-s-rock-n-roll-circus-will-go-on-today-in-kenosha/article_ee58f428-208c-11ed-b454-d33010cb02d4.html | 2022-08-20T16:06:45 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/rain-or-shine-america-s-rock-n-roll-circus-will-go-on-today-in-kenosha/article_ee58f428-208c-11ed-b454-d33010cb02d4.html |
According to the Dallas Police Department, the Special Investigations Unit is conducting a death in custody investigation after a man dies while police were attempting to arrest him.
On Wednesday, at about 12:18 p.m., the Dallas Police Gang Unit responded to a home in the 200 block of Starr Street after an anonymous tip of a wanted suspect and stolen vehicles.
Two officers went to the front of the house and attempted to contact the people inside, police say. The officers knocked on the front door and the suspect, Paublo Ramos, 53, opened the door, then immediately shut and locked it after seeing the officers.
According to Dallas PD, additional officers were requested at the scene and set up a perimeter around the location. Upon the arrival of other gang unit elements, everyone inside the home was asked to leave. The six people in the home left, except Ramos.
Other suspects in the house, 28-Year-Old Johnny Hernandez and 32-year-old Angel Marquez, both had warrants and were arrested. Hernadez was taken to Dallas County, while Marquez was taken to Bexar County.
Officers found a stolen vehicle that was in the process of being stripped of parts in the backyard, along with other vehicles on the property that appeared to be stolen. The Dallas Police Auto Theft Unit was contacted, which obtained a search warrant for the location.
Police say SWAT responded and tried to make contact with the suspect over the next few hours, asking him to come out of a hiding spot in the attic and surrender, via loudspeaker.
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SWAT also deployed gas into the house, hoping to have Ramos exit but got no response.
At about 6:50 p.m., SWAT inserted a camera in the attic and located Romas who was unable to exit on his own, then cut a hole into the roof to remove him safely.
A SWAT doctor, along with Dallas Fire Rescue started administering medical aid, and Ramas was taken to a local hospital by DFR where he died at 7:53 p.m. An autopsy is being conducted by the Dallas Medical Examiner.
This incident is being investigated as a death in custody by the Dallas Special Investigations Unit and the District Attorney's officer will conduct their own investigation.
Sign up for our Breaking Newsletter to get the most urgent news stories in your inbox. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-dies-in-police-custody-investigation-underway-dallas-police/3053162/ | 2022-08-20T16:17:31 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-dies-in-police-custody-investigation-underway-dallas-police/3053162/ |
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, often knocks President Joe Biden for high inflation and a looming recession — a standard GOP argument going into the November elections.
But inflation is even worse in major Texas cities than across the nation as a whole. Government figures show inflation is 10.2% in the Houston area and 9.4% around Dallas, higher than the latest national average of 8.5%.
Abbott and other GOP leaders are making a paradoxical argument that the U.S. economy has slumped into a recession, but Republican-led parts of the country are still booming. Those officials are blaming Biden’s policies for sky-high gasoline and food prices, while taking credit for the job gains those same policies helped spur.
The Texas governor tweeted on July 28: “The U.S. economy is in a recession under Biden. Meanwhile, Texas was #1 in the nation for job growth in June & more Texans have jobs today than ever before in our state’s history.”
The Associated Press found a familiar pattern in 15 Republican-led states in which governors on Twitter would praise job growth in their states, while senators would simultaneously say the national economy as a whole was crashing. These seemingly conflicting claims were also repeated in public remarks.
GOP leaders say state policies such as low tax rates and keeping business open during the pandemic helped to fuel hiring and investment. But their claims tend to ignore how job growth was also boosted by a historic injection of federal money that began in March 2020 and continued under Biden with last year’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.
Biden and his fellow Democrats have acknowledged the pain caused by inflation that hit a 40-year high this summer. But the president has stressed that the United States has avoided a recession because of the low 3.5% unemployment rate. He argues that global factors such as the pandemic, fragile supply chains and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused prices to jump — and that he’s meeting the public’s needs with the economic and climate package signed into law on Tuesday.
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News from around the state of Texas.
“Too often we hand the biggest microphone to the critics and the cynics who delight in declaring failure while those committed to making real progress do the hard work of governing,” Biden said in a swipe at the GOP.
Multiple surveys do show that voters have a sense of foreboding about the economy and that most people fault the president. Researchers said there’s not a lot of academic analyses to show why many voters seem willing to blame inflation on White House policies and give a pass to statehouses, as inflation had been low in recent decades and less of a factor in elections than jobs.
Andrew Reeves, a political science professor at Washington University in St. Louis, said most voters likely judge the local and national economies by different standards. When it comes to state and local officials, voters form opinions through what they observe in their daily lives. But they often gauge the national economy through hard numbers and political ideologies.
“The ‘national economy’ is this nebulous thing that none of us actually experiences,” Reeves said. “It’s an abstract concept. We may be more willing to let our partisanship shade how we see what is going on nationally. Joe Biden is well into his term, so the honeymoon is over and he owns this economy — whether his policies are directly responsible for it or not.”
Republican governors such as Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Georgia’s Brian Kemp are largely unscathed on inflation, even though consumer prices are significantly above the national average in both of those states. Inflation is 10.6% in the Miami area, 11.2% in Tampa and 11.5% in Atlanta.
What many voters in Republican states are hearing is an economic argument similar to what Biden has attempted on a national scale — that job growth and government finances are strong enough to insulate people from a downturn.
DeSantis dismissed Biden’s claims that the U.S. economy remains healthy, calling that “Orwellian doublespeak.” The governor said at Florida’s Airports Council conference on Aug. 1 that his state’s budget surplus could insulate it from a downturn.
“We’re not immune to the inflation, we’re not immune to the energy prices,” DeSantis said. “Because Florida has been open, because Florida has excelled economically, we’re in the position where we’re going to be able to meet those needs of the state regardless of what Uncle Joe throws at us from Washington, D.C.”
Job growth has been broad across the country. Data released Friday by the Bureau of Statistic s found that employment increased in 43 states and was essentially unchanged in seven states over the past 12 months.
But the bipartisan research group EIG analyzed job growth in the three major Republican states (Texas, Arizona and Florida) and the three major Democratic ones (California, Illinois and New York). It found that the GOP areas have fully recovered and exceeded their pandemic job totals, while the recovery has been slower in Democratic states.
What seems to be the much more overarching priority among voters is not jobs but inflation, said John Lettieri, EIG’s president and CEO. At a time of political polarization, it’s striking to him how fears about prices are crossing generational, class, regional and partisan lines.
“There is strong unanimity that the economy is an issue, inflation is the No. 1 problem and Biden is to blame,” Lettieri said. “This cuts across all the divides. All those different ways we slice up the electorate, they’re all responding to this to one degree or another in strong ways.”
Inflation appears to be an inescapable challenge for Biden, even as other issues such as abortion rights appear to be rallying Democratic voters. Republicans are able promote job gains to say why they would be better at leading the economy, without having to list, as Biden has stressed in speeches, their own policies for reducing consumer prices.
Gabriel Lenz, a political science professor at the University of California Los Angeles, said the “best measure of what voters are personally experiencing” is a metric known as real disposable personal income. That figure looks at how much money people have after adjusting for taxes and inflation. Its changes over the past two years mirror those of Democratic political fortunes.
When Biden signed pandemic relief into law in March 2021, people’s real disposable income climbed 28.7% from a year ago. The aid helped the economy recover while some notable economists warned it could also be inflationary. As prices rose over the past year and much of the aid expired, real disposable income has tumbled 3.5% over the past 12 months as a result.
Based on that number, Lenz concluded: “It’s no surprise that people are gloomy.” | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/republican-governors-say-national-economy-is-crashing-while-praising-local-job-growth-ahead-of-november-elections/3053197/ | 2022-08-20T16:17:38 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/republican-governors-say-national-economy-is-crashing-while-praising-local-job-growth-ahead-of-november-elections/3053197/ |
Members of the Mullica Township Municipal Alliance, from left, Gina Botallico, Kristi Hanselmann, Jennifer Marts, Caty Werner, Theresa Schloe and Barbara Sarraf helped organize Friday's Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
JOHN RUSSO, Staff Writer
Hundreds of people were out Friday evening at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
JOHN RUSSO, Staff Writer
Kristin Emmons, fundraiser chairperson for the Cedar Creek High School crew program, with rowers Emily Gubbins and Breanna Blisard on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
JOHN RUSSO, Staff Writer
Jessica Demo, 44, Cliff, 48, and their son Clifton, 10, check out the Philadelphia Eagles Jeep on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
JOHN RUSSO, Staff Writer
Elwood Volunteer Fire Company members John Falciano, left, Assistant Chief Louis Critelli and trustee Jonathan Fowler on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
JOHN RUSSO, Staff Writer
Kids race toward the finish line in the potato sack race Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
MULLICA TOWNSHIP — The township was in need of a night out, and that's what the local Municipal Alliance wanted to give the community.
The township had not participated in National Night Out — the community policing event held annually at the beginning of August — since 2019. So on Friday night, the first annual Mullica Township Hometown Celebration was born.
Hundreds of people came to the Mullica Rec Fields in the Elwood section of the township for a four-hour evening of food trucks, vendors, music, face painting and games.
"For four months we've been setting this up," said township coordinator Kristi Hanselmann. "It's just a nice way to get the kids out and give them something to do. Everything is about drug and alcohol prevention, so the more things you give kids to do, get them outside to see their friends, the more you're gonna keep them away from that kind of stuff."
The main reason the Municipal Alliance valued bringing the community out was to provide a service as well as a fun time.
"Our main thing is anti-drug and alcohol awareness," said Barbara Sarraf, a co-chairperson on the alliance. Sarraf acknowledged there is a drug problem in the township, especially opioids. That's why raising awareness was such a motivator for Friday's event.
State aid could jumpstart new projects at Greater Egg Harbor Regional schools if a new plan …
"We decided let's have a hometown celebration for Mullica and see what happens, and we had a lot of interest, and before we knew it, it was like OK!" Sarraf said.
Several members of the alliance helped organize the event, including Sarraf and co-Chairperson Gina Bottalico, who handled the vendors, and Hanselmann.
Sarraf called National Night Out a competition among the towns. People would come from all over rather than visit their own community's event.
"We just wanted to bring everyone together after a couple years of being boggled down and not being able to do anything, and it looks like everybody here feels the same way," Bottalico said.
Seven food trucks were on hand, serving food from seafood bowls to burgers and hot dogs to barbecue. About 60 vendors and organizations lined the rec fields, offering information on services, free samples and selling crafts, jewelry, refreshments and more. Traveling Man Entertainment, run by Rob Vazquez, provided tunes.
Face Painting by Donna offered up free face painting for kids, which was sponsored by the Mullica River Cottage & Variety Farms. Kids games included potato sack races, egg-on-spoon relays and pie eating contents.
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Because the Municipal Alliance couldn't take donations, Sarraf said, those who wanted to give toward the event sponsored businesses and vendors so they could lend their services.
"We didn't know what to expect," Sarraf said of the turnout. She relied heavily on word of mouth, social media and announcements to spread the word about the event.
"I'm super, super thrilled. Even if people come just for the free face painting, you know what? That's fine, because that's what it's all about," she said. "It's to get people out here, let them walk around and let them see the local vendors."
Kristin Emmons, a fundraising chairperson for the Cedar Creek High School crew program, had a table hoping to gather funds for the 2023 spring season as well as recruit students to sign up.
"I think it's been a good turnout," Emmons said. "Overall I think it's been a great event."
Fran Sage, who lives in the township, was hoping to participate in a National Night Out event, so she was happy the township held a community event Friday.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Wanted: Constituents with problems to solve, language spoken no barrier.
"We saw it on Facebook," Sage said. "There are a lot of vendors here, which is really nice. ... It is nice to get people out."
The Demo family, Jessica, 44, Cliff, 48, and their son Clifton, 10, all from Waterford Township, Camden County, were checking out the row of Jeeps on display by the Pine Barren Venom Jeep Club. They were especially excited about one decorated for the Philadelphia Eagles and planned to check out the craft vendors and maybe the face painting.
The Elwood Volunteer Fire Company, located just up the street from the fields, is celebrating 100 years. John Falciano, 58, was born and raised in the township and has been a member of the fire company since 1982.
Falciano praised the organization of the event, especially because the township is so rural and it's hard to bring the community together. He echoed the importance of raising awareness within the community.
"I see a lot of young kids around here," he said. "And if they can see and emulate role models like the Police Department and fire company and other organizations and the parents are bringing them out here, I think that's a great start for the kids."
I graduated from Rowan University in 2011 where I studied journalism. I covered local high school and college sports at the South Jersey Times and Vineland Daily Journal. I have been a sports reporter with The Press since July 2013
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Members of the Mullica Township Municipal Alliance, from left, Gina Botallico, Kristi Hanselmann, Jennifer Marts, Caty Werner, Theresa Schloe and Barbara Sarraf helped organize Friday's Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
Kristin Emmons, fundraiser chairperson for the Cedar Creek High School crew program, with rowers Emily Gubbins and Breanna Blisard on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
Jessica Demo, 44, Cliff, 48, and their son Clifton, 10, check out the Philadelphia Eagles Jeep on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields.
Elwood Volunteer Fire Company members John Falciano, left, Assistant Chief Louis Critelli and trustee Jonathan Fowler on Friday at the Mullica Township Hometown Celebration at the Mullica Rec Fields. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/mullica-township-holds-first-hometown-celebration/article_6f3230d6-201b-11ed-a7d6-f7c107d9d864.html | 2022-08-20T16:36:39 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/mullica-township-holds-first-hometown-celebration/article_6f3230d6-201b-11ed-a7d6-f7c107d9d864.html |
NEW CARLISLE — An electric vehicle battery plant that would employ as many as 1,700 people could go up outside New Carlisle.
Ultium Cells LLC has applied for tax abatement on a more than $2 billion investment proposed for an approximately 700-acre site about four miles southeast of the town.
"We look forward to the application being reviewed and hopefully approved later this month," said Ultium Cells spokesperson Brooke Waid.
The company, which has three other battery-cell manufacturing operations moving toward completion, is affiliated with General Motors and LG Energy Solution.
Its first plant, in Warren, Ohio, is expected to start production soon.
St. Joseph County Economic Development Corp. Director Bill Schalliol said at least one other community is in the running for the proposed facility. Schalliol said he’s confident, though, of putting together a winning incentive package that includes tax abatement and other financial benefits from the state.
He said the site, currently used for growing corn and soybeans, also has advantages for the company that should further help in the selection process.
“We aren’t overly aggressive but we’re aggressive enough that we believe this project based on a lot of factors will end up here,” he said.
The St. Joseph County Council at its meeting Tuesday is expected to begin considering the request for tax abatement, which likely will come up for a final vote in September.
If approved, Schalliol said both sides will try to come to terms on a development agreement being worked on already to govern the project.
Schalliol said the plant would be among the largest employers in the county and provide an estimated $600 million economic impact annually.
“We think it’s a huge win on a whole lot of levels,” he said.
Construction, which could begin this year, is expected to take more than two years to complete.
A facility with such a large workforce would also have a noticeably positive impact on LaPorte and the surrounding area, said Bert Cook, executive director of the LaPorte Economic Advancement Partnership.
Cook also said additional businesses, including suppliers to it, would likely go up near the facility.
“Many people that live here would obviously work at a plant like that, and that’s terrific for all of us,” Cook said.
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The September 2020 indictment of John Keeler and Brent Waltz led to Spectacle Entertainment being forced from ownership of Gary and Terre Haute casino projects.
3 Floyds has brought back Dark Lord Day in a virtual format again but the big festival that draws craft beer connoisseurs from far and wide returns early next year.
Jiffy Lube of Indiana, an unlikely patron of the arts, is commissioning more artists around the state to paint murals on its stores, including on Broadway in Merrillville.
Agricultural visionary and popcorn legend Orville Redenbacher and his business partner Charles Bowman started Chester Incorporated in 1947 and it's still going strong.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra earlier this year announced the company's plans for electric vehicle manufacturing plants. A battery plant that could be located in northern Indiana would likely be a GM supplier. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/electric-vehicle-battery-maker-considering-northern-indiana-site/article_c933bff1-5184-5cf3-9d84-a86d699e5c40.html | 2022-08-20T16:39:31 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/electric-vehicle-battery-maker-considering-northern-indiana-site/article_c933bff1-5184-5cf3-9d84-a86d699e5c40.html |
Kylie Adolf knows what it takes to run a successful second grade classroom.
She needs jump ropes. Tissues. Colorful paper. Puzzles. A princess puzzle is always a good idea.
But the Omaha second grade teacher can’t request those supplies from her school and expect to find them in her supply closet the next week. There are no funds in the budget for that.
Instead, she spends her own money. Instead, she posts to Facebook and asks friends and strangers for help.
“My dream is to create a safe, functional space that kids know they are loved and cared for,” Adolf wrote to potential online donors.
Adolf spent an estimated $3,000 between her own money and donated money equipping her classroom last school year, her first year as a full-time teacher.
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That’s not atypical. American teachers spent an average of $750 out of their own pockets — much of it on basic school supplies, according to a recent survey.
“It is a little bit frustrating when I actually added up and really thought about all the money that was poured into making everything happen the past school year,” Adolf said.
Nebraska teachers are increasingly turning to local donors and parents as they search for solutions.
Hundreds of teachers in at least 66 different Nebraska towns collectively requested more than $160,000 for classroom supplies for this school year as of Aug. 10 on DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding platform for public school teachers.
Alpaca, a for-profit company, is delivering back-to-school supplies to 700 Omaha teachers, and will continue to deliver supplies each month this school year. Parents and others interested pay a subscription that goes toward a monthly gift basket for teachers in participating schools.
“It makes me kind of crazy to think that a teacher who's brand-new out of college, has student loans to pay, is paying $750 to $1,000 a year worth of supplies for their classroom,” said Alpaca founder Karen Borchert.
Nebraska has the fifth-lowest starting salary in the country for teachers, according to the National Education Association — a salary more than $5,000 less than the national average for new teachers in the 2019-2020 school year.
After facing a rash of teacher departures, Omaha Public Schools recently announced that all full-time staff will receive a stipend of $4,500 for the next two school years.
“Coming out of college, most of my first paycheck was paying for stuff for the classroom,” said Sarah Anderson, one of the first teachers to receive supplies from Alpaca last year at Western Hills Magnet Elementary School.
Before teaching in Lincoln Public Schools, Kate Regler spent between $200 to $300 out-of-pocket to set up her classroom. Today, a $350 stipend and supplies provided by LPS mostly cover her classroom needs, she said.
“It's hard for the brand-new teachers because they don't get that right away,” Regler said.
The earliest a new teacher could receive money from LPS is the first week of September, two weeks after the first day of school, said LPS associate superintendent Liz Standish.
Alpaca’s first delivery of the school year is arriving on teachers’ desks before students enter their classrooms.
Borchert says she started Alpaca for parents like herself who want to help teachers and schools on a more ongoing basis but might not have the time to figure out how to do so.
“I just wanted teachers to not be paying out-of-pocket for school supplies,” Borchert said.
Before starting deliveries at a school, Alpaca surveys its teachers and asks what they need and what they don’t want to see in their monthly gifts.
This month Borchert and the Alpaca team delivered boxes filled with prizes for students, disinfectant wipes, dry-erase markers, organizational pouches, lotion, Sharpie pens and colored card stock — all from name brands.
Anderson felt her school provided her with enough basic supplies, like crayons and pencils. But Alpaca provides something different.
“These guys bring giant sticky notes with cards and felt pens,” Anderson said. “That's the stuff we crave.”
Although the Alpaca deliveries make teachers like Anderson, “do a little happy dance,” they aren’t enough to fully stock an elementary school classroom.
“I don't think a pack of supplies solves the problem,” Borchert said. “I think parents who are supportive and connected to their schools can solve the problem.”
Teachers paying out-of-pocket is not a new issue.
Sheri Paden taught in Lincoln for 34 years. She’s now retired, but still remembers not being able to meet the financial needs of her students.
“Especially when I was in my early teaching days, I just couldn't do it. I didn't have the money,” Paden said.
The supply burden on teachers increases in Title 1 schools — schools with a higher percentage of students in poverty — Paden said.
School districts serving mostly students of color historically have received $2,266 less per student compared with school districts with mostly white students. And teacher out-of-pocket spending is 31% higher in schools serving mostly students of color, according to DonorsChoose.
Of the 246 DonorsChoose campaigns for classrooms in Nebraska, almost 40% are for classrooms in schools where more than half of the students are Black, Latino, Native or multi-racial. The majority of these students come from low-income households.
Alpaca offers a subscription-matching program to provide supplies in schools where there might not be enough parents able to afford subscriptions. But the supply packs won’t eliminate the need teachers feel to buy some students food and clothing.
At Omaha's Bancroft Elementary School, where Adolf taught last year, nearly 90% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Omaha Public Schools provided her classroom with essential supplies, and Adolf spent her own money on things such as cold-weather gear for kids whose families couldn’t afford to replace lost hats and gloves.
“You definitely still find yourself supplementing with your own money,” Adolf said.
Like thousands of teachers, Anderson and Adolf now ask for supplies and donations through an Amazon wish list every year.
“Teachers are desperate and broke,” Anderson said. “It's not a great feeling to have to do that.”
Adolf has already received 45 items on her back-to-school Amazon wish list, items paid for by her family members, friends and complete strangers.
“You'd be surprised at how many people do appreciate teachers and know that, because of their salary, they don't have the means to supply, maybe not the needs, but your goals,” Adolf said.
Still, that wish list can’t help Adolf with surprise costs that will inevitably pop up in her second grade classroom this year at her new school, Pine Elementary, located just south of downtown Omaha.
Last year Adolf realized many of her second graders couldn’t afford to bring birthday treats for the class. So, on each birthday, she bought frosted cookies for all her second graders so they could still celebrate.
The added out-of-pocket costs make the second grade teacher’s personal budget tight.
Adolf said for her and many teachers, students are more important than her savings account. The underlying problem is that she’s forced to choose between the two.
“I wanted them to know that they can come to school and an adult that sees them a lot and gets to know them really well over the course of the school year is going to make sure they're taken care of,” she said.
The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.
The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraska’s first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter. Learn more at flatwaterfreepress.org | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-teachers-dip-into-own-pockets-plead-for-help-to-supply-classrooms-aid-students/article_9ae8a0e1-7c9e-5905-af0c-f174014d198a.html | 2022-08-20T16:39:49 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-teachers-dip-into-own-pockets-plead-for-help-to-supply-classrooms-aid-students/article_9ae8a0e1-7c9e-5905-af0c-f174014d198a.html |
A Gary resident will lead one of Chicago's premier cultural institutions.
Indiana University Northwest Director of Arts Programming and Engagement Lauren Pacheco was hired to serve as co-creative director of programming for the Chicago Humanities Festival along with Michael Green.
Pacheco, who brought Arts + Action Community Lab pop-ups all across Northwest Indiana and installed an IUN pop-up arts center in the Southlake Mall, has stepped down from her role at IUN to help lead the annual cultural festival that holds programming year-round in Chicago.
"Lauren and Michael have long careers as curators, programmers, artists and educators in Chicago, and both share the festival’s vision for connecting community and audiences with diverse voices of our time," Chicago Humanities Festival Executive Director Phillip Bahar wrote in a letter to members. "Their joint responsibilities will include curating CHF’s year-round programming, developing distinctive events and dynamic social experiences and strengthening our community partnerships."
The Chicago Humanities Festival sponsors lectures, concerts and films in Chicago, including at annual spring and fall festivals. It often brings big names like Bob Odenkirk, Molly Shannon, John Waters, Chuck Klosterman, Selma Blair, Kim Gordon, Sarah Cooper, Tim Meadows, Jonathan Van Ness and Bonnie Prince Billy, who all took the stage this spring.
"In my new role, I’m excited to bring the festival’s events to every corner of the city and deepen CHF’s many programmatic and community partnerships," Pacheco said. "At this moment, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine how the festival can more fully engage with the city."
For the first time, the Chicago Humanities Festival will have co-chairs. Bahar said the new leadership model would be beneficial for creativity and collaboration. Pacecho and Green will help reimagine programming, adding new events to enhance the festival experience.
“I’m eager to see the programs these innovative leaders create,” Bahar said. “With their energy and ideas, I’m confident that we will all have opportunities to experience the city and the Chicago Humanities Festival in new ways.”
Green is a senior programmer at the Chicago Humanities Festival who previously worked for the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.
“I’m excited to work alongside Lauren to make the Chicago Humanities Festival the most dynamic and provocative place for live events and critical conversations in the city," he said.
Pacheco is a third-generation Mexican-American Chicagoan who hails from the Southwest Side and now lives in Gary's Miller neighborhood. She is a curator, artist and community organizer who has organized many cultural programs, festivals and exhibits.
At IUN, she handled community outreach, gallery curation, partnership development and cultural initiatives. She's also been active in the Calumet Heritage Area, Landmarks Illinois, the Chicago Creative Reuse Exchange and the Curatorial Board of Exhibit Columbus.
"It has been a pleasure working with Dean David Klamen and so many colleagues at Indiana University Northwest," she said. "I’m incredibly proud to have developed and curated various multidisciplinary creative placemaking projects across campus and the region. While I’m leaving IUN, I remain deeply committed to the civic and cultural dynamic of Gary and Northwest Indiana and will continue to advocate for our creative sector."
Pacheco and Green will start in their new roles next month just as the festival kicks off its new season of lectures, talks and cultural programs. It will feature upcoming appearances by Pete Souza, David Axelrod and Phil Rosenthal.
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Joseph S. Pete is a Lisagor Award-winning business reporter who covers steel, industry, unions, the ports, retail, banking and more. The Indiana University grad has been with The Times since 2013 and blogs about craft beer, culture and the military.
A father gunned down a man at a park Saturday because he suspected the man pulled his 10-year-old son’s hair and threw basketballs at him during the child’s earlier visit to a Hammond park.
A neighbor told police the defendant yelled, "I will kill everyone on the block. I don't care," before ramming his estranged wife's SUV and house with a pickup truck, according to court records. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/iuns-lauren-pacheco-to-take-on-chicago-humanities-festival-leadership-role/article_d286bdae-345e-5fc2-a29c-c5e01ca353f9.html | 2022-08-20T16:39:50 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/iuns-lauren-pacheco-to-take-on-chicago-humanities-festival-leadership-role/article_d286bdae-345e-5fc2-a29c-c5e01ca353f9.html |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Officers with the Sacramento Police Department are searching for the driver of a car accused of hitting and killing a man then driving away from the scene.
Shortly after midnight Saturday, officers with the Sacramento Police Department say they responded to the area of La Mancha Way and Elder Court where they found an adult man laying in the roadway suffering from major injuries, which police say appear to have been sustained during a car crash.
Personnel with the Sacramento Fire Department transported the man to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The driver of the car involved in the crash allegedly fled from the scene before police officers arrived.
Officials have not released more information on the circumstances surrounding the deadly hit and run crash but ask witnesses or those who have information to call the police department at 916-808-5471.
Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information which can be shared by calling 916-443-4357.
Watch More from ABC10: Body found in East Sacramento RV fire | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/fatal-hit-and-run-crash-elder-and-la-mancha/103-a4b9fc65-76b1-4394-b414-a65625f24881 | 2022-08-20T16:46:46 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/fatal-hit-and-run-crash-elder-and-la-mancha/103-a4b9fc65-76b1-4394-b414-a65625f24881 |
STOCKTON, Calif. — Law enforcement officials in Stockton are searching for a gunman after a man died and two others were hurt in a triple shooting Friday night, officials with the Stockton Police Department said.
Around 10:36 p.m. Friday, officers responded to the 4900 block of Greensboro Way after reports came in of a shooting.
On scene, officers say they found a 36-year-old man, a 27-year-old man and a 24-year-old man who had been shot. Officers say they attempted to perform life-saving measures on the 36-year-old man who was eventually pronounced dead at the scene.
The two other men who were shot were taken to an area hospital and are expected to survive, police say.
Homicide detectives responded to the triple shooting scene to conduct an investigation. So far, investigators have not released additional information about the shooting, the suspected gunman or a potential motive.
Those with information on the deadly shooting are asked to call detectives at 209-937-8323.
Stockton Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Those who have information on the incident or may have witnessed it can call Crime Stoppers at 209-946-0600 to claim that reward or give information anonymously.
Friday night's deadly shooting marks Stockton's 35th homicide case in 2022.
STOCKTON CRIME IN CONTEXT
An increase in homicide cases in Stockton during the early months of 2022 came on the heels of a decline in 2021, where police reported fewer homicides ending the year with a total of 38 cases.
While that’s not the lowest number the department has dealt with in the past 12 years, it is below the annual average of 40 homicide cases per year since 1995.
In response to the rise in homicides, community groups held prayer vigils and outreach events meant to unite Stockton residents against violence.
Activists have called on the community to show up to such events and work with local organizations such as Advance Peace, Faith in the Valley, Lighthouse of the Valley and the Office of Violence Prevention to discourage crime and help impacted communities heal.
Click here for a map of crime statistics.
In an interview with ABC10 in March, Stockton City Manager Harry Black said the Stockton Police Department is trying to prevent more deaths by working more on intelligence gathering and cooperating with federal partners such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshall's Service.
The city is also working to improve its crime prevention, intervention and fighting strategy, Black said. Representatives with the city's Office of Violence Prevention are working to be more present in communities impacted by crime. The office's 'peacekeepers program' places mediators and mentors in high crime areas.
Watch the full interview: Stockton City Manager Harry Black talks recent crime in the city | Extended Interview
Watch More Stockton News from ABC10: Stockton crime prevention advocates speak after ghost gun seized at Lincoln High | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stockton/man-dead-triple-shooting/103-4539964a-8dc2-463a-9eef-e0783db4d4b2 | 2022-08-20T16:46:47 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stockton/man-dead-triple-shooting/103-4539964a-8dc2-463a-9eef-e0783db4d4b2 |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Drive down the roads or through the streets of Lincoln County and you might pass a colorful school bus. The large, flashy automobile is the newly decorated Oregon Coast Art Bus.
The bus has been driving around the county for the past year, delivering free, creative learning projects to students and serving as a mobile art classroom.
On Thursday, the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts revealed its new look.
“We trust that when the bus pulls up that it will cause excitement, especially for little ones to see it because… it does make such an impact,” said Jason Holland, executive director of the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
The council partnered with the Oregon Cultural Trust to wrap the bus in a giant mural. The design, by Eugene-based artist Liza Mana Burns, resembles the artwork selected for the “Celebrate Oregon!” license plate, which benefits the Oregon Cultural Trust.
Since the license plate was unveiled in fall 2021, the trust has had murals of the artwork installed in Oregon’s largest airports.
For the bus piece, it asked Mana Burns to customize it to wrap around the vehicle.
“Everyone who has experienced this art has found something in it that they feel personally connected to,” said Carrie Kikel, communications manager for the Oregon Cultural Trust.
The trust said the artwork is a tapestry of Oregon geography that includes 127 symbols that depict the state’s shared arts, history and humanities.
At its grand unveiling ceremony at the Newport Performing Arts Center Thursday, a brass ensemble from the Newport Symphony Orchestra heralded the bus’ arrival. Local children were invited to explore the bus and take part in its art activities. Mana Burns, the artist, also attended the event.
Holland said the bus helps Lincoln County eliminate two crucial barriers that often prevent children from accessing art: transportation and cost.
By building an art classroom inside a school bus, children don’t need to worry about finding a way to access art education – instead, it can come to them. The bus and its services are also free for the community to enjoy and Holland said it will travel to rural towns throughout the county to deliver art programs and workshops.
“We love just saying, ‘Great, we’ll meet you where you are. We’ll come celebrate your creativity wherever you are,’” Holland said.
In the future, the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts plans to retrofit the inside of the bus to make it more accommodating to host workshops. It will have a classroom set up inside where kids can practice art and escape the heavy rain that often dampens the coast.
Holland said the bus’ transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the financial support of the Oregon Cultural Trust, which paid $8,000 toward the project.
Kikel said the trust felt this was the perfect project for them to invest in.
“It’s just so special,” she said. “It’s going to just captivate the children and make them realize that they are involved in something that’s truly special.”
Holland said the Oregon Coast Art Bus is looking for community members and organizations to partner with and support. Anyone interested should reach out to the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, or stop and say hello when they see the bus.
The Oregon Cultural Trust is also looking for more places to showcase its artwork. Contact information for the trust is available on its website. | https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/the-oregon-coast-art-bus-has-a-new-colorful-look/ | 2022-08-20T16:47:41 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/the-oregon-coast-art-bus-has-a-new-colorful-look/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Saturday morning, the Kansas Democratic Party announced that Representative Gail Finney (D-Wichita) died. She served in the Kansas House of Representatives for the 84th district. She has served since 2009. Finney was 63 years old.
Community leaders have been sharing their thoughts on social media. Mayor Brandon Whipple and Gov. Laura Kelly both took to Twitter to share their condolences.
“My heart absolutely breaks as we learn about the passing of Representative Gail Finney,” Whipple said. “Rep. Finney was champion of good policy, a fierce fighter on behalf of our community, and a role model for folks like myself who had the honor to serve alongside her. May she rest in peace.”
“Kansas lost a warrior today,” Kelly said. “No one fought harder for her constituents, for her community, for justice and equity. Rest In Peace, Representative Finney.”
Wichita City Councilmembers also shared their condolences through social media.
“It’s so hard to find the words right now, but this one hurts,” Councilmember Brandon Johnson said. “(Rep. Finney) was such an amazing person. I am forever grateful for her friendship, mentorship, leadership, and all around love and impact she had for the people! You fought the good fight! Rest in Power.” | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/kansas-representative-gail-finney-dies/ | 2022-08-20T16:48:32 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/kansas-representative-gail-finney-dies/ |
A driver lost control of his car, slamming into a trio of pedestrians in a Queens neighborhood overnight and sending each to the hospital with critical injuries, police said.
The 23-year-old driver behind the wheel of a BMW Hatchback struck the pedestrians in Jackson Heights early Saturday morning before crashing into a pole.
The mangled car and a trail of blood were left at the scene on 86th Street and Northern Boulevard after the crash around 4:20 a.m.
Police said the driver lost control of the car before hopping a sidewalk and hitting the three men, ages 25, 28 and 32. All three were rushed to Elmhurst Hospital where they were listed in critical condition, NYPD officials said.
The driver of the crash, who remained at the scene, was arrested on DWI charges. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/3-pedestrians-critically-hurt-in-out-of-control-queens-crash-overnight-cops-ny-only/3832470/ | 2022-08-20T16:51:05 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/3-pedestrians-critically-hurt-in-out-of-control-queens-crash-overnight-cops-ny-only/3832470/ |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Silver Alert was issued for a missing 70-year-old woman on Saturday who was last seen leaving her home around 9:45 a.m. on Friday, police say.
Beverly Grimsley left her home on 35th Street in a Chrysler van with the Florida license plate HQLY80, the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a news release.
Authorities say she is 5-foot, 4-inches, weighs about 165 pounds and was last seen wearing capri pants, purple shoes and a grey t-shirt.
The 70-year-old reportedly has medical needs and takes life-saving medications.
Anyone with information on Grimsley's whereabouts is asked to contact the St. Petersburg Police at 727-893-7780. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/have-you-seen-beverly-silver-alert-issued-for-missing-70-year-old/67-3025b600-85e3-459b-8cda-d5d03e40be6f | 2022-08-20T17:13:22 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/have-you-seen-beverly-silver-alert-issued-for-missing-70-year-old/67-3025b600-85e3-459b-8cda-d5d03e40be6f |
Entertainment of all kinds is on tap today in Springfield.
The eighth annual Springfield Gourmet Food Truck Competition will gather around 27 food vendors who will have a wide range of options — from burgers and pizza to international dishes — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at Veterans Park, 250 Cliff Park Road.
Admission is free.
One of summer’s most anticipated events for nearly a decade, the competition returns to its mid-August roots after skipping 2020 and coming back last year in September, later than normal due to restrictions on gatherings caused by the pandemic.
Rotarian Eddie Bell, event marketing chair, said today’s competition should feel familiar.
“We’ve had some bumps over the last couple of years but it’s going to be a good weekend,” he told the Springfield News-Sun. “It will be a good combination of past and new trucks.”
Also today: The inaugural Springfield Jazz and Blues Festival, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Springfield, offers a chance to catch some of the biggest names in jazz along with regional and local performers and groups — again, for free.
Credit: Contributed
Credit: Contributed
Visitors will find 15 acts on two outdoor stages: National Road Commons Park, at 21 Fisher St., and Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company, 102 W. Columbia St.
Saturday’s schedule: Commons Stage: New Basics Brass Band, 4:30 p.m.; Sydney McSweeney with Cedric Easton and Circle of Friends, 6 p.m.; Bobby Floyd Trio with Sean Jones, 7:30 p.m.; Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra with Samara Joy, 9 p.m.
Also: Mother Stewart’s Stage: Urban Jazz Coalition, 4 p.m.; Talisha Holmes, 5:30 p.m.; Eric Jerardi, 7 p.m.; Marquise Knox, 8:30 p.m.
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/jazz-and-food-trucks-stage-set-for-fun-saturday-in-springfield/MJXJ6VOLWZGMLDY34PEHW3UG2I/ | 2022-08-20T17:16:25 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/jazz-and-food-trucks-stage-set-for-fun-saturday-in-springfield/MJXJ6VOLWZGMLDY34PEHW3UG2I/ |
Boil water advisory lifted one week after water main break
The Great Lakes Water Authority announced that the boil water advisory, which has been in effect for seven communities since a water main break was discovered on Aug. 13, has been lifted. Only one business in Greenwood remains under a boil water advisory.
"Because of stabilized system pressures and the completion of water quality testing within the regional transmission and local distribution system in accordance with regulations set forth by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), GLWA is lifting the precautionary Boil Water Advisory, effective immediately," according to a GLWA press release Saturday.
GLWA officials warned that if significant pressure drops in the regional water system occur the advisory may have to be re-issued. The GLWA encouraged residents of impacted communities whose water service has just been restored to flush faucets and icemakers with new, clean water, clear their hot water tanks and replace water filters before using them.
The initial advisory was issued to 23 communities in total after a water main break was discovered in a 120-inch main last Saturday near the authority's Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility.
A loss in water pressure can cause bacterial contamination of the water supply. Boiling and then cooling water for cooking, drinking, making ice, washing dishes and brushing teeth kills any bacteria in the water.
By Sunday seven communities remained under the boil water advisory and the GLWA predicted the break would take about two weeks to repair and announced that a replacement pipe had been delivered.
GLWA officials announced Tuesday that repair efforts were underway, but additional pipe was needed and was being manufactured. The repair timeline was extended by another week. Repairs are still expected to take three weeks and wrap up by September 3, the GLWA confirmed in a press release Saturday.
Repair work continues and the damaged section of pipe is expected to be removed by crane this weekend in preparation for the arrival of 48 feet of newly manufactured pipe, expected Tuesday, August 23.
The GLWA still asks members of all affected communities to limit their outdoor water usage until repairs are completed. The cause of the break remains unknown and under investigation.
hmackay@detroitnews.com
@hmackayDN | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/20/boil-water-advisory-lifted-all-affected-communities/7854274001/ | 2022-08-20T17:17:00 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/20/boil-water-advisory-lifted-all-affected-communities/7854274001/ |
ALBANY -- In response to Georgia’s Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, Draffin & Tucker LLP has announced that with its 2022 contribution of approximately $200,000, the Draffin Tucker team has contributed more than $1 million to eligible rural hospitals within the state over the last six years.
“Draffin Tucker works extensively with hospitals and health systems throughout the state of Georgia, of which many serve rural communities," firm Managing Partner Jeff Wright said in a news release. "Certainly, over the last couple of years, we have seen how vital rural hospitals are to not only their communities but to the state’s health care infrastructure. The Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program is just one of the many ways that our firm participates in supporting rural hospitals so they may continue to provide the care and services their communities need."
House Bill 769, the updated form of SB 258, seeks to drive private contributions to rural hospitals through a tax credit program, designed to bolster the rural hospital community in Georgia by generating total contributions in excess of $300 million over a five-year term. The Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program became effective in Georgia beginning January 1, 2017. From 2018 through 2022, Georgia taxpayers can access $60 million of rural hospital organization tax credits each year, with each qualified RHO having access to $4 million of tax credits (until the total annual $60 million cap is met).
For any questions regarding the Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, reach out to Bert Bennett, partner at Draffin Tucker, at bbennett@draffin-tucker.com.
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ALBANY – The Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA-AHEC) has been awarded $1.3 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Health Resources and Services Administration.
Nearly $46 million was awarded to 31 organizations to support the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program over the next three years.
“Among the most important steps we can take to improve access to health care in rural communities is to invest in growing the rural health care work force,” said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson in an HHS Press Release.
SOWEGA-AHEC, a community-driven nonprofit, was established in 1991 to increase access to health care by expanding a diversely reflective health care workforce in 38 counties of southwest Georgia. Through AHEC’s Recruit, Train, and Retain pipeline model, the Rural Public Health Workforce Training Network Program will create an innovative new approach for accomplishing AHEC’s pipeline initiatives.
The $1.3 million grant will be used to develop and implement the Southwest Georgia Community Paramedicine Program to address how limited access to primary care causes higher ER visits and readmissions of chronic and non-emergent patients. With SOWEGA-AHEC as the lead applicant, a network of rural partners will develop a CP Workforce Training Program to cross-train five EMS providers to work in five newly established hospital-based CP departments to reduce non-emergent ER visits through at-home education and access to needed resources.
The Southwest Georgia Community Paramedicine Network members include the Georgia State Office of Rural Health in Cordele, Clinch Memorial Hospital in Homerville, Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, Irwin County Hospital in Ocilla and Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton.
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ALBANY — The Southwest Health District will roll out a new electronic system for issuing food benefits through the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program on Aug. 29.
Southwest Health District Nutrition Services Director Teresa Graham said that she is thrilled to be a part of Wave 1 implementation in Georgia, which will offer many upgrades to the program.
Currently, WIC participants use paper vouchers to purchase approved foods. The new system allows participants to use an eWIC card, which functions like a debit card, to purchase WIC-approved foods.
“Using a card rather than paper vouchers will make shopping much more convenient for our WIC participants,” Graham said.
The electronic system will simplify benefit issuance and allow for quicker transactions at the store.
A phased approach will be used to distribute the new cards. Participants should continue to use paper vouchers until they receive an eWIC card.
“We’re excited about this technology upgrade, but it’s going to take some time to shift from vouchers to cards,” Graham said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and want to reassure our WIC participants that we are working diligently to make sure the transition goes as smoothly as possible.”
Officials say they expect the process to complete the transition for all participants will take approximately three months.
Georgia WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program that provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, referrals, and nutritional supplements to thousands of income-eligible families throughout Georgia. Income-eligible families include pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. Custodial/single fathers, legal guardians, and foster parents of an infant or child can also receive WIC benefits for the eligible infant or child.
For more information about WIC, including the eligibility requirements, and for eWIC resources, visit the www.swhealthdistrict.org website or the Georgia WIC website at www.dph.georgia.gov/WIC.
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LCU Water Conservation team grows to support and educate community
During the monsoon season, it’s easy to marvel at the rain that freshens up our yards but might flood our streets. When the water seeps away into the dry soil, residents remember that our desert home needs our care to conserve water all year long. However, residents aren’t alone in their efforts. Las Cruces Utilities has expanded its water conservation team to help support, educate, and catch water violations throughout the city.
“With the city's growth, there are more opportunities to come together and take steps to make choices that protect our water,” said LCU Water Conservation Program Coordinator Rhonda Diaz. “LCU has tools and resources that enable residents to be proactive with water conservation, but also be more knowledgeable about steps toward sustainability, like through our free monitoring service UtilityHawk, which gives water usage control to our customers.”
UtilityHawk is a free online service provided by LCU where customers can monitor their water and natural gas usage and set thresholds that allows them to receive direct alerts. Customers can sign up for free at LCUtilityhawk.com.
Water conservation is a large project, and Diaz needed a team to reach more of the community. The program added three new LCU Customer Service Representatives, each dedicated to specific areas. Maria Contreras monitors UtilityHawk from the backend, looking for abnormal consumptions, and alerts customers.
“I’ll be giving customers a call and getting in touch quickly in case they don’t know about an unusual increase in water usage,” said Contreras. “It could be an indoor leak, underground leak, a broken sprinkler in a hidden area of the yard, or even a planned water use, but we want to make sure customers are aware.”
For some of those broken sprinklers, that’s where William Wilkinson comes in — and goes out into the city streets, responding to calls from residents and crews about possible water violations, water running in the street, or watering on the wrong day.
“It’s about education first, communicating in-person with residents, leaving door hangers, and even explaining UtilityHawk more directly,” he said. “It's only after education and ensuring there are fixable situations that we walk toward giving fines for continual water waste offenses.”
Cross-training is key to the team so that they can support each other, but specifically for outreach and educating future residents will be Molly New’s mission. She will be organizing the Water Festival for the city’s fourth graders, who have a day dedicated to learning about water's role in their lives and is reaching out to teachers directly to give presentations in class to all ages.
“Conscious water consumption is a concept and skill we want to teach,” said New. “We also benefit from being members of the community, residents like our customers, who have directly seen how drought has had an effect on our city over time.”
New welcomes anyone to reach out to her for more education and opportunities for presentations in neighborhood groups or local organizations. Next spring, residents will again have the chance to attend LCU’s popular Lush & Lean Workshops that has local experts giving free tips on topics like how to plant drought-tolerant plants, install water-conserving irrigation, and even enact proper weed control with LCU’s free mulch available at the Foothills Landfill Composting Facility located at 555 N. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
Diaz credits the growth of her team due to the renewed push behind the scenes.
“We couldn’t have expanded without the support of the LCU Board of Commissioners and our City of Las Cruces’ leadership,” she said. “In the future, we are looking to see what types of grants can help us provide incentives and rebates for our customers, so setting the stage with a team that has worked directly with the public will allow us to spread those programs more effectively."
“The LCU Water Conservation team has expanded because the renewed emphasis is on a more aggressive and holistic approach to water conservation,” said LCU Board Vice-Chairman Ed Archuleta. “In other words, a revised program includes all aspects of demand conservation both indoors and outdoors and applies to all customers, not just residential.”
LCU – Your Utility Connection. Customer Central can be reached at 575-541-2111 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides clean, safe and reliable services to Las Cruces residents and businesses. Learn more atlas-cruces.org/180/Utilities. For emergencies, call Dispatch at 575-526-0500.
Others are reading: | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/community/2022/08/20/lcu-water-conservation-team-grows-to-support-and-educate-community/65410771007/ | 2022-08-20T17:22:01 | 0 | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/community/2022/08/20/lcu-water-conservation-team-grows-to-support-and-educate-community/65410771007/ |
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I’m doing research on Berta Almaguer and was hoping you might share what you have on her. A new dance studio honoring her is opening soon, but sadly there is very little information documented on her. She was definitely a significant person, putting San Antonio on the map and in our tourism industry. I’m also looking for information on a dance group called Las Adelitas who were killed in a horrible bus crash when they collided with an 18-wheeler. There was a big group going to a gig — likely with the Eddie Martinez Orchestra — and (singer) Rosita Fernandez was one of those injured. I’m looking for the names of Carmen Moore and Adela Hidalgo, who were Almaguer’s dance teachers. Can you guide me?
— Monalisa Montgomery
Berta Almaguer and Rosita Fernandez both had long careers as exemplars of traditional Mexican arts and culture, but they were in some ways as different as night and day. Almaguer (1901-1971), who never married, was multitalented; she danced, sang and played the violin but preferred to teach rather than perform. Fernandez (1918-2006), married to Almaguer’s brother Raul, was named “San Antonio’s First Lady of Song” by Lady Bird Johnson and was a multimedia star, with regular spots on early radio and television programs and later movie appearances among her many credits, all while bringing up two children.
Both were involved in the creation of what became the long-running Fiesta Noche del Rio shows at the Arneson River Theatre But while Fernandez was onstage and eventually had “Rosita’s Bridge” there named after her, Almaguer was training generations of San Antonio’s best folkloric dancers through her classes for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, a program she led from 1934 until 1970. Both women played a major role in defining the summer evening spectaculars, whose colorful authenticity has long drawn tourists to the rustic River Walk amphitheater.
Fernandez was among the “party of San Antonio entertainers,” as described by the San Antonio Light, June 3, 1938, on board the ill-fated bus that collided on that date with a truck near Stephenville.
The troupe, on their way to present “A Night in Old Mexico” in Oklahoma City, had stopped for lunch in Stephenville and were just 13 miles east of town when the truck driver attempted to pass another truck on a curve and didn’t see the bus coming. The two heavy vehicles “met head-on with a roar heard a mile away, reared in the air and then settled back.” The impact exploded the truck’s 25-gallon auxiliary gas tank, and “an instant later, both machines were raging infernos.” Black smoke from oil that ignited on the pavement further hampered rescue efforts as passing motorists and “all available ambulances” from the area found their way to the scene. From grisly accident-scene photographs, the truck appears to have been a large flatbed with wooden slats around the trailer.
Fernandez is listed as injured, with a “broken left arm and cut(s) about the face”; bandleader Eduardo Martinez was said to have a “crushed face, broken nose and multiple bruises and cuts over the body.” The vehicles’ drivers were killed, as were two dancers from San Antonio, Flora Garcia, 20, and Frances Valdez, 19. Ironically, the story says, they lost their lives because of the gallantry of two of the men, who had been sitting up front but switched seats with the women so they would have a less bumpy ride. Four people were killed, and 22 bus passengers were injured, including the “slightly hurt.” But Almaguer, Carmen Moore and Adela Hidalgo weren’t among them, although Alec Moore was.
Billed as “Don Eduardo Martinez,” the orchestra director had been considered one of the most critically injured but was well enough to serve as master of ceremonies for “Tropic Serenade,” an Aug. 28, 1938, variety show in Municipal Auditorium to benefit crash victims, as announced in the Light, Aug. 21, 1938. As a frequent vocalist with Martinez’s radio band, Fernandez also was featured, this time for “tropical songs” with the Rumba Kings. A “lovely dancing lady,” Rosa Elida, was to appear with a chorus of unnamed dancers she trained as “Las Eliditas” — maybe the Adelitas you’ve heard of? — to perform “precision dances” in the Mexican and Spanish traditions, including a “bullfighter’s cape dance.” Finally Alec Moore, “one of the leading exponents of folklore dances,” would present an unnamed “group of girls he has trained … in two Mexican dances of genuine beauty.”
Almaguer is not named in any of the crash accounts nor as one of the plaintiffs in the several lawsuits brought against owners of the truck. Alec Moore, who also went by Alec Ortiz Moore, was born in Mexico, according to the 1930 U.S. Census, and had a sister named Carmen, so she may have been among the dancers he worked with … but at 21 as of 1938, probably more likely to have been a student than a teacher of Almaguer, then 37.
To share photos, information or memories about Almaguer, contact this column. All responses will be forwarded and might appear in a future column.
historycolumn@yahoo.com | Twitter: @sahistorycolumn | Facebook: SanAntoniohistorycolumn | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Cultural-San-Antonio-icons-spared-in-fiery-road-17386307.php | 2022-08-20T17:27:12 | 1 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Cultural-San-Antonio-icons-spared-in-fiery-road-17386307.php |
A man died after being shot multiple times early Saturday on the North Side.
Officers responding to a call for a shooting found the man, 39, with gunshot wounds in the chest about 3:30 a.m.. He was taken to University Hospital, where he later died.
A 23-year-old man was detained on the scene without incident, according to a preliminary report from the San Antonio Police Department.
The 39-year-old appeared to be in a “dating relationship” with the mother of the 23-year-old, according to the report.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
ricardo.delgado@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/san-antonio-man-fatal-shooting-north-side-17386737.php | 2022-08-20T17:27:18 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/san-antonio-man-fatal-shooting-north-side-17386737.php |
UPPER DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP — One person is dead and 16 others are injured after a van hit a car Friday evening on Route 77, State Police said.
At 6:06 p.m., Heriberto Espinoza, 29, of Elmer, Salem County, was driving a Chevy Express 3500 van, occupied by 16 passengers, west on Polk Lane when he disregarded the stop sign at Route 77, State Police Sgt. Philip Curry said Saturday. As a result, the van hit a Nissan Maxima driven by Paul Holsopple, 66, of Sewell, Gloucester County, who was heading south on 77.
The van then overturned onto its passenger side, and both vehicles landed in a grass field southwest of the intersection, Curry said.
As a result of the crash, Rey Cornelio Diaz, 35, of Elmer, a front-seat passenger in the van, was partially ejected and sustained fatal injuries, Curry said.
Holsopple sustained moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital. Espinoza was not injured, and the remaining 15 van passengers suffered minor to moderate injuries and were transported to area hospitals, Curry said.
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The intersection was closed for about six hours, Curry said. The crash remains under investigation. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/1-dead-16-injured-in-upper-deerfield-township-crash-involving-van/article_0beaf180-20a6-11ed-aea2-33d3798f283a.html | 2022-08-20T17:28:49 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/1-dead-16-injured-in-upper-deerfield-township-crash-involving-van/article_0beaf180-20a6-11ed-aea2-33d3798f283a.html |
Family and friends spent a delightfully cool summer day enjoying barbecue and camaraderie, all while supporting a great cause at the Ventnor Community Church 100th Anniversary Community Barbecue Fundraiser on Aug. 14. Donations were welcomed, as the celebration served as a fundraiser for repairs to the historic church that was severely damaged in 2012 during Superstorm Sandy. As a nonprofit, Ventnor Community Church relies on donations to further its long-standing mission of community leadership and provide spiritual guidance in Christian worship. The church aims to raise $50,000 for repairs to the building. Donations may be made to repair the building at gofundme.com.
Ventnor Community Church hosts 100th anniversary celebration and barbecue fundraiser
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ATLANTIC CITY — A missing 17-year-old girl has returned home safely, police said Tuesday.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — An Absecon man was fatally injured in a four-vehicle crash involving his motorcycle Wednesday on the White Horse Pike.
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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Authorities are investigating the fatal shooting of a man Friday morning in the township.
A Brigantine woman has been charged with vehicular homicide after her car fatally struck a man in the city last year.
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MARGATE — The subject at the Margate Planning Board’s July meeting was, yet again, third-story decks.
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PEORIA, Ariz. — Hundreds of residents in the Peoria area are waking up to power outages this Saturday. According to the APS Outage Map, some customers could be dealing with the outages until as late as Tuesday.
As of 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, APS estimated that 309 customers were without power, however recent estimates have brought the count down to 273 customers.
Many of those outages are expected to be resolved by noon, however, there are still 14 outages that are not estimated to be restored until 12 p.m. on Tuesday.
The outages were caused by downed power lines from 83rd to 91st Avenues on Cactus Road, officials said. APS said that crews are working to fix the multiple downed lines, but are facing delays due to storm conditions.
Officials with the Peoria Unified School District said that they will share any updates regarding school closures on Monday by 5:00 p.m., Sunday.
For more updates or to report an outage in your area, you can visit the APS Outage Map at http://outagemap.aps.com/.
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Drought, wildfires, heat and monsoon storms: Arizona has seen its fair share of severe weather. Learn everything you need to know about the Grand Canyon State's ever-changing forecasts here: | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/peoria-power-outages-monsoon-storm-august-2022/75-c6027290-c89b-4a5f-a21e-ca53a189a897 | 2022-08-20T17:33:10 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/peoria-power-outages-monsoon-storm-august-2022/75-c6027290-c89b-4a5f-a21e-ca53a189a897 |
DALLAS — Dallas police are investigating an overnight shooting that happened outside of a restaurant near the Bishop Arts District.
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) said off-duty officers were working at 216 S. Llewellyn Ave., which is near El Globo Restaurant, when an argument ensued between a crowd of people in the parking lot. Police said two vehicles fired into the crowd and drove away.
One of the officers fired at the moving vehicle, and three people showed up to a local hospital with gunshot wounds, DPD said. One person was in surgery and the other two were stable, according to police.
DPD said no one is in custody related to this shooting.
It is still unclear whether the gunshot wound victims were shot by the people in the car or by the off-duty officer.
More Texas headlines: | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-shooting-august-20-llewellyn-avenue/287-f0320749-d3f2-4793-91e8-fc7e2a0a6cf6 | 2022-08-20T17:33:59 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-shooting-august-20-llewellyn-avenue/287-f0320749-d3f2-4793-91e8-fc7e2a0a6cf6 |
Those who have wanted to see the “world’s biggest pig,” take a gander at all kinds of interesting farm animals, see Ja Rule, eat all the fried foods and then go on rides until they get sick are in luck. The Western Idaho State Fair is back from Friday through Sunday at Expo Idaho for its 125th anniversary.
This year the fair kicks off with a dog show and large animal contest and ends with kids pedal tractor races, a jet pack circus and a mobile dairy classroom. The fair is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Monday, Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 26 from noon to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, Aug. 27 it’s open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The full concert lineup includes: Chris Janson, Ja Rule & Ashanti, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Stone Temple Pilots and Billy Currington. There’s also special programs like Beer of the Year, Where’s Share Bear?, 125th Anniversary Cookbook, $2 Taste Test Tuesday, 125 Years of Fair History and Crop of the Year.
There are several competitions and a number of acts and attractions like An Antique Tractor Display, animal petting farms, clowns, Loop Rawlins, Axe Women of Maine, Robocars, a hypnotist, Violin on Fire, K9 Kings and much more.
The fair boasts a variety of tasty treats from Pronto Pup, Big Sky Catering, Mr. Bee’s, Idaho Mountain Search & Rescue corn on the cob, Black Kettle, Idaho Pizza, Coned!, and many more.
Adventure-seekers will have access to carnival rides like Hawaiian Express, Century Wheel, The Grand Carousel, The Zipper, several Ferris wheels and many more, including many family and kid rides.
For more information people can go to idahofair.com. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/country-up-western-idaho-fair-back-for-125th-year/article_4c0c3308-80f8-551e-b277-24d6913d8eba.html | 2022-08-20T17:39:51 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/country-up-western-idaho-fair-back-for-125th-year/article_4c0c3308-80f8-551e-b277-24d6913d8eba.html |
Statewide and local police forces are dedicating extra resources to enforce traffic laws and arrest impaired drivers through Labor Day weekend.
More than 11,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving deaths in 2020, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data — a 14% increase from 2019. That’s one person every 45 minutes and about 32 people a day. According to Idaho Transportation Department data, 1,729 crashes last year and 108 deaths were caused by impaired driving. Impaired driving fatalities contributed to nearly 40% of all traffic fatalities.
“One of the most difficult parts of our job is responding to a DUI collision where someone’s life is altered forever,” Jordan Plascencia, ISP District 3 trooper, said in a press release. “To see the deadly consequences of impaired driving is heartbreaking, and we want to educate the public about the danger. We are dedicated to enforcing laws that protect the public from those posing a danger to others.”
The Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highway Safety is joining ISP and law enforcement agencies in Idaho to bring the summer travel season to a close, according to the release. Idaho typically experiences an increase in fatalities and injuries in crashes between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Funding for more patrols comes from the NHTSA grants.
“Impaired driving, from alcohol or drugs, is illegal in every state. Not only do you put your safety at risk, but you are a danger to others,” said Matthew Smith, Headquarters patrol captain. “These types of collisions are completely preventable. Don’t be the reason a trooper delivers tragic news to another Idaho family. Plan ahead, use good judgment, and never get behind the wheel if impaired.”
Remember, if you drink, don’t drive. If you see an impaired driver on the road, don’t hesitate to dial 911 or ISP (477). | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-state-police-dedicating-extra-patrols-now-through-labor-day-weekend/article_8e0a4225-1871-5299-9b4a-8d88ebbee019.html | 2022-08-20T17:39:54 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-state-police-dedicating-extra-patrols-now-through-labor-day-weekend/article_8e0a4225-1871-5299-9b4a-8d88ebbee019.html |
One person was shot and wounded by a Tucson police officer early Saturday morning.
Just after 3:30 a.m., south side patrol officers received reports about a fight that involved weapons in the 3700 block of South 16th Avenue, near West Ajo Way. When officers arrived at the business, they were able to talk to staff outside, which notified them that an armed man was inside.
The man then exited the business and officers confronted him in the parking lot, resulting in an officer shooting him, police said.
Officers rendered aid until Tucson Fire arrived and took him to a local hospital, police said. There are no updates on his condition.
No officers were injured.
Police are asking witnesses to come forward and call 911 or 88-CRIME.
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The Pima Regional Critical Incident Team will handle the investigation.
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/tucson-police-1-person-shot-wounded-by-officer/article_b5602de4-209b-11ed-b314-cf9126318b89.html | 2022-08-20T17:41:52 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-police-1-person-shot-wounded-by-officer/article_b5602de4-209b-11ed-b314-cf9126318b89.html |
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